Today’s Big Story

TSA’s Annoying Liquid Rule

Will we be stuck with it forever? The technology to do away with it exists, but it will take time.

I love traveling, but one aspect that I don’t really appreciate is the Transportation Security Administration’s long-standing rule that carry-on liquids must be contained to a mere 3.4 ounces. The so-called “3-1-1 rule” limits the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols that fliers can pack in their carry-on luggage remains one of the most confounding airport policies—and it isn’t going away anytime soon.

What’s even more frustrating is that the rule could be eliminated—but that won't happen any time soon. As the Wall Street Journal explains, new CT scanners can identify which liquids could be dangerous, making the policy that’s been in place since 2006 unnecessary. But a TSA rep tells the paper that getting to “full operational capability across all airports” in America would require more than 2,200 new CT machines.

That’s a big ask. The TSA is about 40% of the way there, but under current funding estimates, it doesn't expect to have them all deployed for another 18 years—or until 2042. (A TSA rep recently told Travel + Leisure it could be 2040, so perhaps it will only take a mere 16 years.)

In the interim, one airport is trying to turn lemons into lemonade. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport launched a pilot program in April that allows new and lightly used toiletries that exceed the limit to be collected at the security checkpoint and donated to shelters, community groups and nonprofits. Nearly 3,000 items have been donated since, and the program will soon expand to Dulles International Airport in suburban D.C. As someone who’s had to say “goodbye” to expensive grooming products and colognes, I like the idea of someone getting to use them rather than simply trashing them.

Of course, even with these harsh rules, there are some larger liquids that are currently allowed. From medications to baby formula—and live fish!—Conde Nast Traveler has the secret menu of how you can break the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

Oprah, Football and Freedom

Tim Walz accepts VP nomination at the DNC, telling crowd ‘we’re not going back’

The Democractic National Convention keeps managing to have moments that jump out of the standard political news cycle and get people talking. It helps, of course, to have the star power of celebrities willing to show up and speak. Such was the case when Oprah made a surprise speech, portraying Harris as emblematic of “the best of America.”

As CNN points out, while the main job of the party’s convention is to propel Harris into the fall with momentum, this year’s gathering in Chicago has also served as a generational hand-off. The signs of change could be felt from the appearances of several next-gen party stars, like Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, and two governors, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Wes Moore of Maryland.

And, in the end, Governor Tim Walz, aka “Coach Walz”, brought his energy and optimism to the crowd touting his and Vice President Kamala Harris' vision for the future of the country. He also proved why Harris chose him. The New York Times put it like this: “He kept it short, and, even as he introduced himself to millions of Americans for the first time, heeded the cardinal rule of vice-presidential protocol: never upstage the boss.”

PSL Season Is Here

Starbucks brings back pumpkin spice earlier than ever and debuts a new drink

Like it or not: The pumpkin spice creep is, well, creeping—because Starbucks is bringing pumpkin spice back earlier than ever. Starting today, Starbucks’ fall menu will return to its stores across the U.S., meaning those itching for fallen leaves and crisp air can finally unpack their sweaters and boots from that storage box in their bedroom closet. It’s time.

According to CBS News, this year's early pumpkin spice latte launch comes as some Americans appear to be losing their taste for the Starbucks brand, with the company suffering from a slowdown in store traffic and a dip in sales. Starbucks earlier this month tapped former Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol to replace ousted CEO Laxman Narasimhan, amid a growing list of challenges facing the coffee giant.

There's been strong consumer demand for fall products launching earlier between Summerween trending on social with 124.3 million TikTok posts, #CodeOrange (67,000 posts on TikTok) and the Augtober trend. And while Dunkin’ hasn’t confirmed when it will launch its pumpkin and fall menu, the 2024 release is already late compared to recent years. Of course, the brand's pumpkin coffee creamers have returned and their bottled Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte is available in grocery stores across 27 states.

The New Kind of TV Ads

For better or worse, your TV set has become a digital billboard

The TV business isn't just about selling TVs anymore. According to ArsTechnica, companies are increasingly seeing viewers, not TV sets, as their most lucrative asset.

Over the past few years, TV makers have seen rising financial success from TV operating systems that can show viewers ads and analyze their responses. Rather than selling as many TVs as possible, brands like LG, Samsung, Roku, and Vizio are increasingly, if not primarily, seeking recurring revenue from already-sold TVs via ad sales and tracking. And this has led to a viewing experience loaded with ads. They can be served from the moment you pick up your remote. As The Verge puts it, that Netflix button is an ad masquerading as a product.

Then there’s the onslaught of commercials and increasingly intrusive shoppable ads. But maybe that’s okay. Programs like Telly now promise a free 55-inch smart television in exchange for viewing tailored ads. One ZDNet writer tried it and says it wasn't at all what he expected, but that turned out to be a good thing.

The Long Read

What ever happened to fashion subcultures?

Let’s take these good vibes.