Soon, night will be the new normal. Credit: PKANCHANA/GETTY IMAGES
Soon, night will be the new normal.
Soon, night will be the new normal. PKANCHANA/GETTY IMAGES

New poll shows Sanders, Warren, and Biden in a three-way: Tie. The Monmouth University Poll predicted a three-way tie between the three 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, with Sanders and Warren both receiving 20% support from Democratic voters and Biden at 19%. “The main takeaway from this poll is that the Democratic race has become volatile,” said Patrick Murray, who runs Monmouth’s polling institute.

Giant pumice raft is sailing across the ocean: A trillion or so giant pieces of pumice, some “as big as a human head,” are moving across the ocean in a raft that covers an estimated 58 square miles. The debris comes from a volcanic eruption and could “fit into more than 6,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.”

Enjoy your sunset, Seattle: They’re only getting shorter!

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter: The man is charged with killing 11 people in a massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue last year. The government filing today suggested that the man should face the death penalty if convicted. It also said the man was targeting worshippers at Tree of Life “in order to maximize the devastation, amplify the harm of his crimes, and instill fear within the local, national and international Jewish communities.”

Some nightmare fodder: It was discovered today that Fox News host Bret Baier recently performed with Rascal Flatts. I apologize for embedding this footage.

19 states—including OURS—are suing over detaining immigrants indefinitely: Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and many other attorneys general are challenging a Trump administration proposal that would indefinitely detain migrant families and override detention standards for children. God, if you were on the fence about these detention camps being concentration camps, does the word “indefinite” change your mind? The details in the declaration released today are sickening. One kid was allowed to shower but given dog shampoo. Another kid described the bread they were fed as “very hard” and “like dirt.” One six-year-old accidentally clogged a toilet and was locked in a dark room all day as punishment.

Tropical storm watch: Tropical Storm Dorian is headed for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic this week, with forecasters worried it may turn into a hurricane by landfall. If it does turn into a hurricane, Puerto Rican officials have said they are more prepared than they were for Maria in 2017. “Puerto Rico is ready,” said the governor’s chief of staff, reports the New York Times.

For whom the tunnel tolls: The toll prices are out! Seattle Times reports that the new Highway 99 tunnel will begin tolling starting Nov. 9. “Rates will vary by time of day, from an afternoon-peak rate of $2.25 each direction down to $1.50 at morning peaks and $1 weekends,” writes Mike Lindblom. Grab your GoodtoGo passes now! And/or a bike!

Eddie Murphy will host Saturday Night Live: For the first time in 35 years. It will be the show’s Christmas episode, out 12/21. I cringe at the thought of Phoebe Waller-Bridge having to introduce Taylor Swift. She deserves better!

Person in sleeping bag run over: In Eugene, Oregon, reports AP. The person was sleeping in a sleeping bag in a parking lot and was run over early Monday morning. The driver of the car sped off but police report that the driver and vehicle were located by Monday afternoon.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton says it’s a good idea to buy Greenland: Yikes. An excerpt from his New York Times op-ed:

After news leaked last week that President Trump had expressed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, his critics predictably derided him as crazy. But once again, the president is crazy like a fox. The acquisition of Greenland would secure vital strategic interests for the United States, economically benefit both us and Greenlanders, and would be in keeping with American — and Danish — diplomatic traditions. …

America is not the only nation to recognize Greenland’s strategic significance. Intent on securing a foothold in the Arctic and North America, China attempted in 2016 to purchase an old American naval base in Greenland, a move the Danish government prevented. Two years later, China was back at it, attempting to build three airports on the island, which failed only after intense lobbying of the Danes by the Trump administration.

Hot girl summer alert: Our cool summer isn’t done heating up, Seattle. Puget Sound’s weather could get up into the 90s this week. It’s only for a few days, though. Don’t panic.

Trump definitely isn’t trying to use the presidency to make money: Says Trump, again. Earlier today, Trump said it would be a great idea to host the next G7 summit at his Miami resort, since, after all, the US is supposed to host the next summit anyhow. After being criticized that he was trying to make a profit, he defended the offer, saying “I don’t want to make money. I don’t care about making money.”

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is trying not to repeat 2016: They announced they are creating a program to “keep voter registration databases from being infected with ransomware,” reports CNN. The DHS says the program will launch in a month. However, the program is voluntary. Friendly reminder: FBI Director Christopher Wray told Senate lawmakers earlier this year that “the Russians are absolutely intent on trying to interfere with our elections. My view is until they stop, they haven’t been deterred enough.”

Trailer round-up: We’re exiting the summer movie season—God, I haven’t even swum or tunned tanned yet this year—but there’s still interesting shit coming out. First up, a new American Horror Story.

I’m not sure how I feel about this: But here’s Hailee Steinfeld as a hot Emily Dickinson in this new AppleTV+ series.

And Werner Herzog in a Star Wars series?: Why not! God, these new streaming services are gonna wreck Netflix and Hulu.

Not a trailer, but: Brazilian artist Regina Silveira, who Stranger contributor Greg Scruggs profiled last week, is profiled in this fun video from Seattle Art Museum about how much she loves Richard Serra’s Wake sculpture installed at Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s relaxing to watch.

Chase Burns is The Stranger's former editor. He's covered everything from gay luchadores to chemical weapons to Isabella Rossellini's favorite pets.