Good morning. Rescuers continue to search for survivors after a devastating flash flood in Texas. More on that below, plus following up on our “Secret Canada: Your Health” series, a trade-war secret weapon, and (alleged) music money heist lore. Let’s get to it.
Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors swept up in the flash flooding on July 6 in Hunt, Texas.Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
TOP STORY
Death toll at 82 in Texas floods, including 28 children
The latest: The death toll from flash floods in Texas rose to 82 on Monday. On Sunday, rescuers manoeuvred through challenging terrain to find survivors and recover bodies. The search continued for many others, including 11 girls missing from a summer camp.
What happened: Destructive, fast-moving waters rose on the Guadalupe River early Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. Yesterday, flash-flood watches remained in effect and more rain fell.
What’s next: Authorities face questions about whether enough preparations and warnings were issued in a place vulnerable to flooding. The area is popular around Independence Day, making it more difficult to know how many are missing.
Explained: Why flash floods are so common – and deadly – in Texas’s Hill Country.
Dr. Brydon Blacklaws, Program Medical Director of Real-Time Virtual Support at the headquarters of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC.Alia Youssef/The Globe and Mail
Secret Canada
Can ER closings be prevented by virtual care?
The latest: According to data The Globe gathered for its “Secret Canada: Your Health” project, in a growing number of places, ER closings were being staved off by virtual models in which a nurse or advanced-care paramedic provides hands-on care under the supervision of a far-away doctor.
Where else: In Newfoundland, the province most dependent on virtual ERs, more than a dozen hospitals have used virtual care to prevent about 40,000 hours of ER closings since 2021. In B.C., virtual emergency services have prevented 8,700 hours of potential closings in 16 small communities. New Brunswick is experimenting with virtual care and Alberta recently launched a virtual ER pilot project.
What’s next: In the Northwest Territories, health care groups criticized the consideration of “an untested virtual ER model” if the hospital can’t find enough doctors to fill every shift this summer.
l-r locations: Wapizagonke Lake in La Mauricie National Park, Quebec, Prince Edward County, Ontario and Waskesiu Lake in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan.ONFOKUS/GETTY IMAGES; DAPH & NICO/SUPPLIED; GREG HUSZAR/PARKS CANADA/Supplied
How We Live
Summer vacation style guide
The latest: Canadian tourism gets a summer lift as U.S. travel boycott grinds on. An elbows-up domestic travel rush is offering a bright spot for an economy facing serious stress.
What to wear: Wherever you’re headed across the country, we have 29 stylish picks from homegrown brands to invest in for your next summer getaway. Plus, read tips from Canadian fashion experts on how to pack.
Where to next: On Canada’s East Coast, lobster poutine, sangria and the gift of solitude are found on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
One more thing: Wanawī is Cree for “go outside” – it’s a teaching we should learn alongside our kids
Economy
The booming Southeast is a U.S. secret trade-war weapon
The latest: A booming southern economy is backing up the White House in Trump’s trade war. It’s not just affordability or jobs or the great vibe. Down here, tariffs seem like a theoretical idea, and optimism is palpable. To understand the appeal we drove 500 kilometres through the U.S. Southeast – from Charlotte, to Charleston, to Savannah.
What’s next: For Canadians, it’s hard not to get emotional about the uncertainty and financial consequences. But the trade war is a long game. The U.S. economy is so big and supported by so much stimulus spending. It will take time for any pain to spread.
Arts
The (alleged) anatomy of the $10-million heist that rocked Canadian music
The background: In June, 2024, $9.8-million disappeared from the bank account of music-funding body FACTOR. A culprit made off with about 40 per cent of its public funding that fiscal year, freshly deposited by the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. Josh O’Kane reports on how it all (maybe) went down.
The latest: Over one year later, no allegations have been proved in court and no one has been charged by a police agency. But a new piece of information has come out: FACTOR’s accounting manager clicked on a link to a malicious website masquerading as Scotiabank’s client portal and provided FACTOR’S banking account login and password details.
Bookmarked
- Abroad: An influential far-right Israeli minister criticized a cabinet decision to allow some aid into Gaza. A new ceasefire proposal emerged on Sunday.
- At home: At the Calgary Stampede, it’s cowboy boots, not oxfords, but still time to strike a deal.
- For your finances: Puzzled by the S&P 500’s record high? Follow the farm equipment.
- Tennis: At Wimbledon, the strawberries and cream deliver. Meanwhile, some players say the tennis balls have lost their zip.
- Conversation starter: Many arts and culture festivals are struggling financially, with some facing risk of ending. Let’s pitch in to help.
The Quote
Something strange happens where, just as big cities – including Toronto and Vancouver – are hemorrhaging young families, the discourse becomes about how the little brats are inescapable.
Phoebe Maltz Bovy asks: When did society lose its love for children in public spaces?
The Shot
At her home in Scarborough, Deonarly Songcuya is following a nationwide trend of growing vegetables on front lawns. June 3, 2025.Laura Proctor/The Globe and Mail
Gardeners are ripping out their front lawns. For years, vegetables weren’t considered attractive enough for the front of the house. But today, as produce prices soar, self-reliant Canadians find joy growing their own food and sharing the harvest.