Overview of Evening Wire — August 4, 2026
This episode of Evening Wire covers a mix of breaking crime, legal and political developments, cultural debates, and a space-related scientific event. Major stories include an arson arrest tied to the Spokane-area wildfires, Todd Blanche advancing in the Senate confirmation process, a child-safety rescue by ICE in Tennessee, and a decommissioned SpaceX rocket set to impact the moon.
Top Headlines
Spokane wildfire arson arrest
- Washington state prosecutors charged 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire, one of several blazes affecting Spokane County.
- The fire burned more than 3,600 acres and helped force 65,000 evacuations over the weekend.
- Investigators say a witness placed Farinacci near the fire’s origin and that the ignition may have come from a match or butane lighter.
- Farinacci, a previously convicted manslaughter offender, is being held on $1 million bond.
Todd Blanche clears Senate Judiciary Committee
- Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick for Attorney General, advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- The committee approved him along party lines after some Republicans were reassured that a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund would not be revived.
- The fund had been intended to support people who claimed political targeting by the Justice Department but was killed earlier this year.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune could bring Blanche’s confirmation to the full Senate as soon as this week.
Trump warns Rep. Max Miller over domestic abuse allegations
- President Trump reportedly told Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) that his political future is in jeopardy amid serious domestic abuse allegations.
- Miller told The Wall Street Journal that Trump said it would be “tough,” though he also offered support.
- The allegations come from Emily Moreno, daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, who accused Miller of violent abuse.
- Miller denies the claims and says he is filing ethics paperwork for an investigation into himself.
Public Safety and Crime
ICE rescues wandering toddler in Tennessee
- ICE officers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, found a 2-year-old boy wandering outside with a heavily soiled diaper during a routine enforcement operation.
- Officials say the child was nearly hit by a passing car.
- Agents cared for the toddler and later found his mother napping in a nearby apartment with the door open.
- No criminal charges were filed, but ICE praised the team’s quick response.
Mount Vernon police deputy and son arrested in Bronx shooting case
- Jennifer Lackard, a deputy commissioner with the Mount Vernon Police Department, and her son Chase Lackard were arrested in connection with a June 29 shooting in the Bronx.
- Prosecutors allege Chase opened fire on a group of rivals and fled in his mother’s vehicle.
- No one was injured.
- Charges include attempted murder, attempted assault, weapons possession, conspiracy, and reckless endangerment.
Georgia mother’s stolen car found with toddler inside
- A Georgia Instacart delivery turned into a kidnapping case after a man allegedly stole a mother’s car with her 2-year-old daughter still in the back seat.
- Police used license plate readers to quickly locate the car at a nearby Publix.
- The suspect, 21-year-old Selim Martin, was arrested and charged with:
- kidnapping
- theft by taking
- simple battery
- entering an automobile
- cruelty to children
- criminal attempt to commit a felony
- The child’s mother later said the toddler appeared to indicate, “the man did it.”
Charges dropped against Olympian in D.C. reflecting pool case
- U.S. Olympian David Hearn had all charges dropped in connection with alleged vandalism of the newly refurbished D.C. reflecting pool.
- Hearn had previously been indicted on felony destruction of property.
- He maintained he only touched a section of liner that had already peeled away.
- President Trump criticized the decision and blamed vandalism for the damage, while earlier reporting suggested the issue was likely due to improper installation.
Sports, Culture, and Science
Aryna Sabalenka backs women’s sports eligibility rules
- World No. 1 women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka supported the WTA’s new eligibility policy requiring genetic screening based on biological sex for women’s competition.
- She argued that men are physically stronger and that it would be unfair for biological males to compete against women.
- She also said she would be willing to take the test herself if required.
Country music dominates the Billboard Hot 100
- For the first time ever, the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 are all country songs.
- The #1 spot is held by Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ in Texas” (transcript rendering), which is described as the biggest single of 2026 so far.
- Morgan Wallen appears multiple times in the top five, including a duet with Langley.
- The segment also noted a Taylor Swift track tied to Toy Story 5 in the mix.
SpaceX rocket expected to crash into the moon
- A decommissioned SpaceX Falcon 9 upper-stage rocket is on course to strike the moon early the next day after drifting in a moon-crossing orbit for 19 months.
- Scientists expect the impact to occur at about 5,400 mph, creating a crater roughly 90 feet wide and releasing energy equivalent to 15,000 sticks of dynamite.
- NASA says there is no danger to Earth.
- Researchers plan to study the collision for insights into lunar impacts and the risks posed by space debris.
Extra Notes
- The episode also included promotion for an upcoming Morning Wire all-access live episode featuring listener-submitted clips.
- Sponsorship mentions for Pray.com and Brickhouse Nutrition were included in the broadcast.