Wildfires Scorch Washington, Crowdsourcing War Ideas, Spider-Man = Box Office $$$ and More

Summary of Wildfires Scorch Washington, Crowdsourcing War Ideas, Spider-Man = Box Office $$$ and More

by CNN Podcasts

7m•August 3, 2026
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Overview of CNN Podcasts' Five Things for Monday, August 3

This episode covers a major wildfire emergency in Washington state, reporting on an unusual U.S. military request for new ideas to pressure Iran, a deadly mass shooting in Idaho, the death of former Texas Rep. Kay Granger, and a record-setting box office weekend led by Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The episode also includes promos for several CNN podcasts and a CNN original series.

Wildfires Devastate Spokane, Washington

  • Fast-moving wildfires are engulfing the Spokane area in Washington, with officials calling it the Pacific Northwest’s worst wildfire season in more than 30 years.
  • Key impacts reported:
    • More than 700 homes destroyed
    • Nearly 65,000 families evacuated
    • About 7,000 acres burned since Saturday
    • 0% containment as of Sunday evening
  • There are reports of missing persons, though no deaths or injuries had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
  • Spokane was said to have the worst air quality in the country, with conditions expected to worsen and potentially reach hazardous levels.
  • Fire officials expect the blazes to take weeks to fully battle.

U.S. Military Reportedly Crowdsourcing Ideas on Iran

  • CNN reported that U.S. military planners and analysts received an email asking for “new and creative and unconventional ways” to pressure and punish Iran.
  • The request came amid heightened tensions after President Trump threatened additional strikes against Iran, though those strikes were later called off.
  • The reporting suggests the military is reassessing its strategy, as current strikes appear unlikely to force Iran into negotiations on U.S. terms.
  • CNN noted that:
    • The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed
    • Iran’s nuclear program remains largely unchanged
  • U.S. Central Command responded by saying it has a history of innovative thinking and that reaching across ranks for ideas is part of achieving operational performance.

Deadly Shooting at Idaho In-N-Out Restaurant

  • A mass shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, left three people dead and seven others injured.
  • Victim status reported:
    • 2 treated and released
    • 3 stable
    • 2 critical
  • Police identified the suspected shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  • Investigators believe he acted alone.
  • Authorities said an off-duty officer and a civilian returned fire and likely helped stop the attack from becoming even deadlier.
  • The FBI has set up a digital tip line and is asking the public to submit any photos, videos, or audio from the scene.

Kay Granger Dies at 83

  • Former Rep. Kay Granger died at age 83, according to her son.
  • She was:
    • The first Republican woman from Texas elected to Congress
    • A House member for nearly three decades
    • Chair of the House Appropriations Committee in 2023
  • Granger had become a major advocate for defense spending.
  • She did not seek reelection in 2024 amid worsening health challenges.
  • Her absence from the House floor in 2024 had previously prompted public questions about her whereabouts.

Box Office: Spider-Man: Brand New Day Dominates

  • The weekend box office was exceptionally strong, led by Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
  • Reported totals:
    • $355 million domestic opening
    • $927 million worldwide
  • It was the second-highest opening weekend ever in North America, just behind Avengers: Endgame.
  • The Odyssey also continued performing well, adding $51 million for the weekend.
  • Overall, the U.S. box office reached about $430 million, described as the highest-grossing domestic weekend of all time.

Podcast and CNN Promo Highlights

  • CNN’s Terms of Service: explores how algorithms and social media shape what people share publicly.
  • CNN’s Chasing Life: Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviews Dr. Dhruv Kular about how GLP-1 medications may affect addiction, cravings, and reward systems.
  • CNN Original Series: Decades in Sports: highlights historic sports moments, rivalries, and underdog stories.
  • A separate Dell back-to-school ad promotes laptops, monitors, and accessories with student pricing and free shipping.

Key Takeaways

  • The Spokane wildfire emergency is the most urgent breaking story, with major evacuations and destructive fire growth.
  • The U.S. military’s request for new Iran strategy ideas suggests uncertainty about current tactics.
  • The Idaho shooting adds another tragic mass-casualty event, with investigators still gathering evidence.
  • The episode closes on a note of major box office success, with Spider-Man driving a record-setting weekend.