Good morning! The weekend edition is 608 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Federal voter database

• Veterinary access gift

• Best and worst work-life balance states

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Today’s Big Story

Iran Offers Hormuz Deal

• Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations within seven days if the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and agrees to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. The proposal was delivered to Washington through mediators during the U.N. General Assembly.

• The offer would trade Iran's biggest remaining leverage for immediate economic relief and a return to negotiations. The White House said Friday that talks through mediators have been positive and constructive, while Qatar has again taken a central role in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

• The proposal resembles a June agreement that collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on shipping but would move much faster than the earlier 60-day timetable. A deal still faces resistance inside Iran where hard-liners have criticized renewed diplomacy and argued for continuing the war to seek greater U.S. concessions.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration can use an expanded federal database to help states verify voters’ citizenship. Lower courts had blocked the system after challengers argued its expansion was unlawful and could wrongly flag eligible voters. Federal law limits broad voter roll removals shortly before elections. (More)

• A $30 million spacecraft sent to rescue NASA’s aging Swift Observatory fell back to Earth Friday after its mission failed. Electronic problems and a faulty valve left the craft without enough fuel to boost Swift into a higher orbit. The 22-year-old telescope is now expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere in early November. (More)

• U.S. Treasury yields hit their highest levels in more than 20 years as investors priced in stronger growth and persistent inflation. The 10-year yield reached 5.20% while the 30-year climbed to 5.48%. Higher energy prices and government borrowing have added pressure and pushed mortgage rates to around 7%. (More)

• Paraguayan authorities uncovered an alleged international network trafficking highly refined gold believed to come from illegal Brazilian mines. Investigators say Paraguay served as a transit hub for shipments moving through Panama toward Turkey. The investigation followed airport seizures, including one shipment containing nearly 50 pounds of gold. (More)

• Two leaders of an underground University of Wisconsin-Madison fraternity were arrested after police found about 30 pledges shirtless and covered in food and liquids in a hot basement. Police said the mostly 18-year-old pledges had visible injuries consistent with physical assault. The fraternity lost university recognition in 2015. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Billionaire philanthropists Dave and Cheryl Duffield are committing $250 million over five years to expand affordable veterinary care across the U.S., where an estimated 50 million pets face financial barriers to treatment. (More)

• Save the Children installed free book vending machines in rural communities across five states to help close a reading gap that leaves rural U.S. students about half a grade level behind their non-rural peers. (More)

• A San Diego nonprofit helps formerly incarcerated men rebuild their lives through paid CNC machining apprenticeships, along with therapy and case management. Rise Up Industries says just 3% of its graduates reoffend. (More)

• Drone pilots helped rescue teams locate stranded families and navigate severe flooding in northern Mozambique this year, helping the affected community emerge without a single recorded death. (More)

Extra Credit

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