2Good morning! The weekend edition is 781 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Spirit shutdown

• Marathon helping hands

• How US rents stack up

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Today’s Big Story

Trump Defies War Powers Law

• President Trump bypassed the War Powers Resolution yesterday, telling Congress he does not need authorization for military action in Iran despite the conflict crossing the law's 60-day threshold for mandatory congressional approval.

• The 1973 law requires presidents to seek congressional approval after 60 days of military engagement, with a possible 30-day extension to withdraw forces. Trump did not invoke that extension, instead saying fighting has stopped since April 7 and that the conflict has effectively "terminated." The administration notified Congress of the conflict on March 2 — the date the 60-day clock began, not February 28 when strikes started.

• Speaker Johnson told NBC News, "we're not at war," and Defense Secretary Hegseth argued the ceasefire "pauses or stops" the clock. Lawmakers must now decide whether to challenge that interpretation or let the issue fade as ceasefire talks continue. Congress has not scheduled a vote on war authorization.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• Spirit Airlines could shut down as soon as today without a last-minute rescue, with major carriers already preparing to absorb its passengers. Trump said Friday the White House offered Spirit a $500 million bailout but expressed doubts about risking taxpayer money on a carrier that has been through two bankruptcies. Spirit lost $60 million in the first two months of 2026 alone. A shutdown would affect roughly 17,000 employees. (More)

• During the ceasefire, Iran is digging up missiles and munitions hidden underground or buried under rubble from American and Israeli airstrikes, US officials say. Iran wants to rebuild its capabilities quickly in case fighting resumes. Trump met with his national security team on Thursday to review options, including new military action. Despite White House claims of near-total victory, US intelligence says Iran has retained much of its pre-war military capability. (More)

• NASA satellite imagery shows Mexico City is sinking nearly 10 inches a year, one of the fastest rates on Earth. The city of 22 million was built atop an ancient lake bed, and decades of groundwater pumping have shrunk the aquifer, causing more than 39 feet of total drop over the past century. The problem threatens the subway, drainage, and water systems, and officials are now funding research to address it. (More)

• Authorities confirmed Friday that the remains found Sunday belong to Nahida Bristy, a University of South Florida doctoral student missing since April 16. Her ex-boyfriend Zamil Limon, also a USF doctoral student, was found dead near Tampa's Howard Frankland Bridge last week. Both were 27 and from Bangladesh. Limon's roommate Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two murder charges. Prosecutors say he searched ChatGPT about disposing of a body days before the killings. (More)

• A gas explosion blew several New York City police officers off their feet in Queens early Thursday as they responded to a report of an armed man inside a home. Body camera video shows the blast erupting just as officers opened the door before 3 a.m. Eight officers suffered minor injuries, including burns. Residents — including two children — escaped. The man, who arrived intoxicated carrying a knife and canisters of an unknown substance, remains missing. (More)

• San Joaquin County declared an emergency over golden mussels, an invasive species from China first detected in California in October 2024. Since then, they've spread from the Bay Area to San Diego, clogging pipes and water systems — including a $100 million floodgate completed last year. A single female produces up to 1 million offspring annually, and with no natural predators, the mussels are triggering algae blooms that kill fish. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• A Louisiana-led initiative to convert Gulf Coast health clinics into energy-independent, disaster-proof facilities serving four states won a $20 million federal grant to keep care running through hurricanes and other disasters. (More)

• US traffic deaths fell to 36,640 last year, the lowest since 2019 and the fourth straight annual decline. (More)

• Two Boston Marathon runners stopped near the finish line to carry a collapsed competitor the final stretch, sacrificing their personal bests to help a first-timer who had fallen four times from severe leg cramps. (More)

• Washington State University researchers developed a sewage treatment method that cuts disposal costs in half while producing three times more renewable natural gas than current practices, converting up to 80% of waste into usable energy. (More)

Extra Credit

Ranking the 20 tallest buildings in the world.

US cities with the highest and lowest rents.

Gas station clerk rescues girl from kidnapping.

Hunters are searching for Liberty Bell replicas in every state.