News Above the Noise—Week of August 2, 2026
1. Why Some Medicare Recipients Could Be Paying More for Prescription Drugs This Fall
The decision, announced Tuesday, ends a two-year-old program that had helped insurers keep costs down for millions of older Americans. The administration says most people will see only a small bump, though critics argue the timing couldn’t be worse heading into a stretch when affordability is already top of mind for voters. Health advocacy groups and Democrats have pushed back hard, calling the move a step backward for seniors. Read more here.
2. Imposter Scams Hit Record Highs
One decision may have saved her from losing tens of thousands of dollars, and it’s a lot simpler than you’d think. Behind it was a scammer who spent hours building credibility, using fear and false urgency to keep her from questioning what was happening. The tactics he used are becoming more common, and more convincing, by the day, but there are concrete steps that can help you stay a step ahead. Read more here.
3. What if the Thing You Need Most Is Silence?
Marriage strain, a stalled book career, a job fifteen hundred miles from home—by his 30s, nothing had settled the way it was supposed to. So when an acquaintance mentioned a $60-a-night retreat with no website, tucked among soybean fields in rural Georgia, he decided to go, despite having no religious background and a lifelong habit of talking his way through every problem. What followed was a confrontation with just how much noise he’d been living with all along. Read more here.
4. Many Americans Are Living in Poverty, Some With Just One Cent in Their Savings Account
From a woman relying on church pantries to a single mother falling behind on rent, this reporter’s journey across the country uncovers just how many Americans are barely staying afloat. Recent policy changes have only tightened the squeeze, and a new poll suggests most of the country now feels it too. Read more here.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sift through the news to find what Rises Above the Noise, makes sense of what's happening in the world, and provides hope for your week to come. While we do our best to provide our own informative summary of each piece, some publications require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
Please note that we may receive affiliate commissions from the sales of linked products.
