Morning Headlines: August 18, 2026

Hurricane Lala Leaves Hawaii in Dark

Hurricane Lala has caused catastrophic damage across Hawaii, sweeping homes off their foundations and cutting power to thousands. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that rural areas could remain without electricity for months as recovery efforts begin in the wake of historic flooding and wind damage.

Indiana Flooding Leaves Seven Dead

Severe weather is also battering the American Midwest, where record-setting rainfall in Indiana has claimed at least seven lives. According to the Associated Press, the victims include a four-year-old boy, as local officials continue to manage emergency response in submerged communities.

Trial Begins in 1996 Killing of Tupac Shakur

Opening statements are set to begin today in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the first person ever charged in connection with the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. The Associated Press notes this trial comes nearly 30 years after the musician was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

Markets Recalibrate Interest Rate Expectations

Wall Street is seeing a shift in sentiment as Goldman Sachs analysts suggest market bets on Federal Reserve interest rate hikes have been too aggressive. Bloomberg reports that cooling inflation and weak economic data have led many to believe the Fed may pause its hawkish stance in the coming month.

Privacy Concerns Rise Over Vehicle Tracking

A new website titled 'Have I Been Flocked?' is allowing vehicle owners to check if their license plate data has been captured by Flock safety cameras. As reported by 5 Eyewitness News, the tool highlights the growing footprint of private surveillance databases used by law enforcement across the country.