This NPR "Up First" digest rounds up several distinct US news stories from 6 August 2026, spanning politics, public health and the courts.

– Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, beating Rep. Haley Stevens, and will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters; Democrats see it as a must-win race, though Republican groups have pledged at least $45 million (£35 million) against him.
– A Senate committee was due to vote on holding Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights; Sen. Rand Paul has released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's private diaries alleging he concealed uncertainty over COVID-19's origins. Dr Erica Schwartz has been confirmed as the new CDC director.
– Donald Trump promoted his economic record at a Las Vegas event, even as a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found Americans favour Democrats on the economy for the first time in nearly a decade; Las Vegas tourism fell over 7% in 2025.
– A US judge dismissed the conspiracy case against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and others after the Trump administration's justice department moved to vacate their prior Capitol riot convictions.
– Paediatricians recommended toddlers and older children eat three meals and two snacks a day, favouring whole foods over ultra-processed snacks high in salt, sugar and saturated fat.