THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 22, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

In case you missed it, the August 16 installment of The Sunday Funnies was The Free Choice E-zine’s 3400th Blogger post! 😁

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Who do we know Marion Morrison better as?

FILL IN THE BLANKS

All you have to do is what the title says, literally fill in the blanks to acquire the answer. The given letters are all shown, none of those are missing. Ready?

CLASSIC TELEVISION> MI_ _I_ _: IM_ _ _ _ I_ _ _

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 15, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is the name of the Trix Cereal rabbit mascot?

The company that makes Trix Cereal has NEVER given the rabbit a formal name!

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE or FALSE: The Trix Cereal rabbit has never gotten to eat a bowl of Trix Cereal.

FALSE! Believe it or not, that rabbit HAS had a bowl of Trix. TWICE!

As a result of ad campaigns concurrent with the 1976 and 1980 Presidential elections, kids got to vote on the issue of whether or not to grant the rabbit a bowl of Trix.

After winning in 1976, the rabbit greedily gulped down his bowl, but was then told any more bowls were depended upon the results of the next election, with the rabbit resuming his ongoing quest to acquire more the way he had in previous commercials up to that point in time.

But in 1980, the children of the day were nice enough to reward the rabbit with a second bowl of cereal.

However the issue has yet to come up for another vote, and the rabbit has been unsuccessful in every advertisement since to acquire more.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: WEEKEND PUPDATE, AUGUST 2026

 AND NOW IT’S TIME FOR WEEKEND PUPDATE

WITH YOUR HOST KODA CANINE.

Hello Everybody!

I’m Koda Canine, and it’s not procrastinating if you don't intend on doing in anyway. Right? 

Our top story:

A new species of head lice was discovered that is resistant to all known treatments. I heard this unsolved mystery left the scientists scratching their heads.

A new study shows that studies show exactly what their financial supporters who pay for the studies wants them to show.

Studies show that sentences that start with "Studies show," tend to be read more often than other sentences.

It is rumored that scientists have created the world’s largest suction cup. Now how did they pull that off?

And now, a word from our sponsor.

Tired of always having to wind your watch or buy new watch batteries?

Do you hate it when you have no idea what time it actually is until you get your watch working again?

Then try our new ALL NATURAL, SOLAR POWERED time piece!

No batteries!

No winding!

In fact, it has no moving parts at all!

Call 555-WEWANTYOUR$

We guarantee the lowest prices in town, no matter how much more you have to pay.

Now, back to what passes for the news.

Ancient Rome had four kinds of poisons. They had types I, II, III, IV.

Poison types I, II and III would kill you basically instantly.

Poison IV would cause you to itch.

If you were born in the 1950s and 1960s and made it to 2026…

You've lived through eight different decades, two centuries, two different millenniums and you aren't in your 80s yet.

Now it’s time for my editorial.

Every morning Rise Up, Shine Bright and let the day know who's boss.

And finally:

It seems like only yesterday that The Free Choice E-zine started, but this is our 3,400th Blogger Post!

YEAH US! 😀😁😎

On that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies.

For Weekend Pupdate, I’m Koda Canine.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: AUGUST 9-15, 2026: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

BEWARE TROPICAL STORM

POTENTIAL HURRICANE LALA!

ALTHOUGH W.H.O. ENDED THE PANDEMIC,

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR A MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

AUGUST 15 IS INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY, KOREA’S LIBERATION DAY,

LIECHTENSTEIN'S NATIONAL DAY AND RELAXATION DAY.

AUGUST 16 IS ROLLER COASTER🎢 DAY.

AUGUST 17 IS BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY.

AUGUST 19 IS WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY, WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY

AND POTATO🥔 DAY.

AUGUST 20 IS WORLD HONEY BEE🐝 DAY.

AUGUST 21 IS POET’S DAY.

AUGUST 22 IS WORLD FOLKLORE DAY AND TOOTH FAIRY🧚 DAY.

AUGUST 23 IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

FOR THE SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION.

AUGUST 23 IS ALSO WORLD AVIATION🛫 DAY.

AUGUST 23 IS ALSO BLACK RIBBON🎗 DAY IN EUROPE.

AUGUST 24 IS THE UKRAINE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AUGUST 26 IS WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY AND DOG🐶 DAY.

AUGUST 27 IS MOLDOVA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AUGUST 30 IS VICTORY DAY IN TURKEY.

AUGUST 31 IS MALAYSIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY, INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY AND ZOO AWARENESS DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

FACT

*Indonesia hasn't had the chance to start recovering when they experienced a SECOND earthquake!

*Columbia is trying to recover from their recent earthquake.

*Lebanon may eliminate their death penalty.

*Hungary has a new President.

*Greece is concerned about an outbreak of the West Nile Virus in their country.

*The World Health Organization has confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak has been plaguing the Democratic Republic of the Congo since February 2026, before its official declaration. And unfortunately it's getting worse. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The reported COVID state of the world, as of August 15, 2026. But why has there been no data from the United States since January 21, 2025???

*Trump claims he and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un once exchanged "love letters"???

*Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the Atomic Bomb.

*If Trump insists on continuing his lawsuit against the network, then the BBC wants to question Jared and Ivanka.

*Elon Musk would rather buy workers off than sign a collective bargaining agreement with the Swedish Union.

*Dobby the House Elf's Memorial is still safe.

*Build a sewer, discover gold???

*Speculation: If the Trump/Republican regime didn't give any country foreign aid, where did the money go???

FACTS!

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

*Concerning Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Gaza Strip and more. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*How Trump sneaked out of Turkey, putting innocent bystanders at risk in the process. Yet protecting the President is part of the Secret Service's responsibilities. But was the alleged threat real??? (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*There is estimated to be no US Troops in Iraq by the end of September.

*Syria has reached an agreement to recognize Russia's military in their country.

*Syria also swears they are getting rid of their nuclear material.

*Israeli "settlers" in Palestine are seizing homes that aren't theirs. The United Nations is alarmed at the escalating violence and military aggression. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still says the only way there will be peace in Gaza is with Hamas fully disarmed.

*The Strait of Hormuz is still being contested, as Iran has new requests. But with talks stalled, Trump is now considering declaring the Strait a US Territory! (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Trump claims that Iran owes America money.

*Analysis: Afghan women on life under Taliban rule.

FACT BASED OPINION

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues…

*The Ukraine is hoping for a weapon the US has in short supply.

*August 24 is the Ukraine’s Independence Day.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice, preferably through arrest and trial.

FACTUAL STORY

🌐THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…

*Europe's current heatwave is creating issues in Romania while wildfires
have broken out in England! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Great Barrier Reef is continuing to recover from "bleaching".

*Helping stranded sea turtles.

*August 9 was the hottest day in Hong Kong's history, to date.

*Wildfires are plaguing Northern California, Nevada. and Canada. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trying to save endangered species. The Ospreys are getting better. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Helping salmon in California.

*The Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump/Republican regime is being sued for approving toxic chemical dumping from semiconductor manufacturing.

*The forecast for El Niño this winter is not looking good.

*Now the Trump/Republican regime has ended climate change data from the Arctic!

*August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day.

*August 19 is Potato🥔 Day.

*August 20 is World Honey Bee🐝 Day.

*August 31 is Zoo Awareness Day.

"The Final Frontier."

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*Is there new evidence of life on another planet???

*Voyager 2 may now last another year.

*There is a black hole star in outer space???

*The Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.

*The innocent life lost during a mass shooting in Lexington, Kentucky USA August 15.

*Jackie the Bald Eagle is no longer with us.

*Actress Cheryl Hall (many roles from 1968-2011) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Championship professional basketball player🏀 turned coach Don Nelson has passed away.

*Actor turned politician Ben Jones (The Dukes of Hazard) is no longer with us.

*Actor Reggie Bannister (the Phantasm franchise, many other movies) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Former professional baseball⚾ player Butch Huskey is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

FACT BASED OPINION

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*How Trump sneaked out of Turkey, putting innocent bystanders at risk in the process. Yet protecting the President is part of the Secret Service's responsibilities. But was the alleged threat real??? (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*Trump claims he and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un once exchanged "love letters"???

*There is estimated to be no US Troops in Iraq by the end of September.

*If Trump insists on continuing his lawsuit against the network, then the BBC wants to question Jared and Ivanka.

*Why Trump's previous Ambassador to Panama resigned.

*Speculation: If the Trump/Republican regime didn't give any country foreign aid, where did the money go???

FACT BASED OPINION

THE US-IRAN WAR…

*The Strait of Hormuz is still being contested, as Iran has new requests. But with talks stalled, Trump is now considering declaring the Strait a US Territory! (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Trump claims that Iran owes America money.

*Trump now wants Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cripple Iran's economy."

*Opinion: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thinks Congress should honor Lindsey Graham's memory by budging more money to the war effort.

*Speculation: Are American sailors stranded at sea??? While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denies all accusations, the USS Abraham Lincoln IS getting relief. But Trump thinks "they haven't been at sea long enough". Of course there are opposing positions from those worried about the sailors' health. (There are 6/SIX separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: When will the war end???

FACT BASED OPINION

THE TRUMP TARIFF TURMOIL AND THE ECONOMY…

*The Trump/Republican regime has changed the rules concerning money laundering.

*The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under the Trump/Republican regime is changing the consumer complaint rules to favor the businesses!

*The Trump family has been approved to operate a Crypto Bank.

*Trump now wants to impose tariffs on trumpets, tubas and trombones as "national security threats"???

*Video Gamers using AI are now handling Air Traffic Control issues.

*Trump's Truth Social is failing.

*Gas prices ARE rising! Retails sales are falling, but Trump says he won't apologize on the matter because "the economy are great from Wall Street's perspective." (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

FACT BASED OPINION

*The pro-Trump Superstore is closing.

*Burger King has replaced Wendy's as the number 2/TWO fast food chain in the country. McDonald's is still first.

*Analysis: The consequences of Federal Budget Cuts.

*Analysis: Taxpayers funded building an artillery factory that has yet to successfully produce anything???

*Analysis: The latest Federal Budget breaking expenditures that your taxes will be paying for.

*Analysis: With the Trump/Republican regime's cuts to SNAP, food banks are hurting as demand outweighs donations.

*Analysis: How much has the For Profit President (illegally) earned, so far???

*Opinion: Rising prices are not the Democrats fault.

*Speculation: Did Trump take a bribe to exempt Belgium from tariffs???

*Speculation: Who might be profiting from AI???

*Speculation: How much of the current economic problems are the fault of Elon Musk and DOGE???

FACT BASED OPINION

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*Instead of investigating Alex Pretti's murder, ICE is allegedly investigating Minnesota based protest
groups.

*ICE also wants to spend an estimated $20 MILLION dollars on new arms.

*Immigrant minor children still need legal advisers now that the company that the Trump/Republican regime offered the assignment to has pulled out.

*Texas is tearing up Big Bend National Park to finish building Trump's Border Wall.

*A Federal Judge has refused to stop Border Wall construction within the O’odham reservation of Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

*Analysis: The impact of ICE raids.

*Analysis: An independent study of a recent ICE incident.

*Opinion: New York doesn't like ICE.

*Speculation: Did ICE threaten a lady in Virginia???

FACT BASED OPINION

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*Trump is now ordering the US Navy to return to a PREVIOUS jet launching system. The retro refit will cost billions to carry out!

*The Trump/Republican regime is now authorizing private companies to carry out limited cyber hacking against foreign targets.

*Todd Blanche is officially Trump's new Attorney General. But not everyone is happy with this. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Trump/Republican regime has changed the rules concerning money laundering.

*Trump apparently favors the millionaires against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

SERIOUSLY???

*The Trump/Republican regime is eliminating bike routes "because they promote/support diversity, equality and inclusion"???

*White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced her impending departure from that position.

*Analysis: The consequences of Federal Budget Cuts.

*Analysis: What the Flock???

*Analysis: Do Americans still have any civil rights protection???

*Analysis: How much has the For Profit President (illegally) earned, so far??? In detail. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: Did Trump take a bribe to exempt Belgium from tariffs???

FACTS!

THE 2026 MID-TERM ELECTIONS…

*Yet another Federal Judge has ruled that the Trump/Republican regime canNOT limit mail in voting for elections.

*Trump has allegedly warned his fellow Republicans to leave Ohio Representative Max Miller alone. So the troubled candidate's troubled campaign will be funded, for now. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A Democratic candidate is suing his Republican opponent for defamation.

*Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is taking the high road on the campaign trail, especially since footage of his public appearances is being edited for Republican attack ads. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

FACT BASED OPINION

*Trump hasn't ruled out the possibility of declaring a "national emergency" to regulate voting.

*Trump's current opinions on "non white" voters.

*Speculation: Is the Trump/Republican regime plotting to keep Seniors from voting this November???

*Speculation: So why did Republican Senate hopeful Ken Paxton cheat on his wife???

*NOTE: With the 2026 mid-term elections drawing near, the Trump/Republican regime is trying to make sure the Republican Party maintains control of the House of Representatives and the Senate to continue their agenda.

*FRIENDLY REMINDER: The individual states are responsible for their elections, NOT the Federal Government.

FACT BASED OPINION

THE BALLROOM BLITZ...

*Trump is still hoping to refile charges against innocent Olympic canoeist David Hearn for the "vandalism" of the Reflecting Pool. Yet now Trump is also lacking the alleged evidence, as he admits his pool guy screwed up the contract. But Trump still wants someone prosecutable to blame. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*Trump is preparing to petition the Supreme Court for construction approval of his ballroom.

*Analysis: Taxpayers' costs of Trump's remodeling.

*Analysis: What taxpayer money could cover instead of Trump's building costs.

*Opinion: Former President Barack Obama on Trump's "decorating".

ALSO…

FACT BASED OPINION

*Despite the fact he cannot legally do so, Trump is still mulling attempting to run for a THIRD term in 2028. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Despite a Federal Judge saying otherwise, the Trump appointed board of the Kennedy Center has voted to put his name back on the building and close for 2/TWO years for "remodeling"!

*The latest poll numbers.

*Who still currently has a Federal grant???

*Keeping track of all the legal actions against the current Trump/Republican regime and its personnel.

*The latest from the White House.

*Analysis: Trump and the military.

*Speculation: Does Trump have a test to determine Republican loyalty???

FACT BASED OPINION

THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN SITUATION…

*A Federal Judge is still waiting for a formal explanation of why and how the Epstein Files were "edited" along with the original documents, especially those with any mention of Trump.

*NOTE: Any possible crimes happened BEFORE his first Presidential campaign so as a potential civilian suspect, Donald Trump is NOT covered by the Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Ruling in The Jeffrey Epstein Situation.

FACT BASED OPINION

MEDICAL NEWS…

*Trump wants the MMR Vaccine split into three, even though there currently no individual vaccines for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Yet he thinks children are already getting "too many shots" while still believing there is a connection between vaccines and autism. His actions are definitely sowing bad feelings towards vaccines while the public outcry and pending logistical nightmares may not allow his orders to be carried out. (There are 5/FIVE separate links in this item.)

*Whether or not you can afford your medications, the drug manufacturers are making profits under the Trump/Republican regime.

*The current status of your hospital.

*Analysis: An Independent examination of Medicare.

*Analysis: A look at the For Profit aspect of Health Care.

*Opinion: Credit where credit is due.

*Trump's latest opinions about vaccines.

*Speculation: Is Trump using AI to hide any visual indications of his health???

FACT BASED OPINION

*Speculation: Do you want the government to tell you what to eat???

THE CYCLOSPORIASIS CRISIS...

*The FDA inspected Taylor Farms' plant, which was apparently 7/SEVEN years overdue! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

THE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK...

*Taylor Farms has now recalled all their Jalapeño based products.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Trump's Executive Order changing the Birthright Citizenship rules is being challenged.

*Trump is preparing to petition the Supreme Court for construction approval of his ballroom.

*The Court did NOT get to rule about a dog's life.

*A look at the Court's pending calendar for this fall.

*Opinion: Should the Court be reorganized???

*Except for emergency cases and administrative duties, the Court is in recess until the first Monday of October 2026.

FACTS

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*The Trump/Republican regime has changed the rules concerning money laundering.

*Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to killing United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson.

*A Federal Judge has refused to stop Border Wall construction within the O’odham reservation of Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

*The Trump/Republican regime lost its latest lawsuit against Harvard University.

*The rewriting of history in Texas.

*Seattle, Washington will be making sure students get fed this school year.

*Analysis: The consequences of Federal Budget Cuts.

*Analysis: Do Americans still have any civil rights protection???

*Analysis: What the Flock, redux.

*Analysis: How much has the For Profit President (illegally) earned, so far???

*Speculation: Did Trump take a bribe to exempt Belgium from tariffs???

🛑STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*Who opened fire at Virginia State University August 15, wounding 5/FIVE people???

*Who went on a shooting spree at a Lexington, Kentucky park August 15???

*Who vandalized a World War 2 memorial???

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Trump on vaccinations and autism. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The film clips in the Republican attack ads WERE edited!

*Senator Ted Cruz on the COVID vaccine.

FACT BASED OPINION

*Is there a "fake food" conspiracy at Trader Joe's???

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Congress is investigating Trump's stock trades while in office.

*A look at the latest issues facing Colorado's Republican Representative Lauren Boebert.

*What is Senator Mitch McConnell's health status??? It's now been 2/TWO months since anyone has actually seen him in public. And here's a recap of events, so far. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*One Republican Representative actually thinks Congress isn't doing enough for the RICH???

*The latest Bills pending before Congress.

ON A HOT DAY...

ELSEWHERE… 

*An air disaster was avoided despite the fact that 2/TWO flights had the same number!

*Baltimore, Maryland might reorganize their 911 Emergency System.

*Paramount is threatening to leave California if they don't get to merge with Warner Brothers.

*Speculation: The future of baseball???

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*Women have a baseball⚾ league of their own again!

*Despite his ongoing health issues, Bruce Willis managed to attend his daughter's wedding.

*Saving a baby racoon.

ALL MEMES COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.

OTHER IMAGES VIA PUBLIC DOMAIN SOURCES.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 15, 2026

 😎FUN FACT

The things we laughed at during our youth are now the nostalgia of today.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

What is the name of the Trix Cereal rabbit mascot?

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE or FALSE: The Trix Cereal rabbit has never gotten to eat a bowl of Trix Cereal.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 8, 2026 Puzzle Corner.

ALLITERATION

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, every word must start with the same letter. Ready?

Who does what by the sea shore?

She sells sea shells.

NUMBER PLEASE

Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.

How many babies are welcomed into the world if the mother has nonuplets?

9/NINE!

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: CATTITUDE ABOUT PEOPLE

Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!

I must admit that I'm not a happy kitty right now.

I was planning my next Sunday Funnies appearance to celebrate International Cat Day, but that was actually yesterday!

Now I have to wait a whole year to celebrate International Cat Day on a Sunday.

Oh well.

Cats are patient.

Cats have plenty of time on our paws, and when I find the person(s) who made the calendar that put International Cat Day on Saturday instead of Sunday this year...

Don't get me wrong. I like people.

Mine take good care of meow.

It's just that I was so looking forward to some wild feline partying, if you know what I mean because most days being a happy cat only involves a full tummy and an empty litter box.

Meanwhile, here are some other jokes for you folks to enjoy because I'm saving my cat jokes for 2027.

Ready?

If everyone has such trouble folding up a road map after they've used it, how do the publishers ever manage to fold it up to begin with?

Thank you Captain Obvious!

Did you hear about the inexperienced pilot who wanted to go to flight school?

If he ever finds the airport…

Why did the doctor lose his temper?

Because he didn't have any patients.

Why did the cowboy buy a dachshund?

Because somebody told him to get a long little doggie!

It is not true what humans say about animals being lousy dancers because they have two left feet.

The ones who can dance just have better coordination than the rest of them. 😼

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

Why did the police go to the baseball⚾ game?

They heard someone had stolen a base!

And finally...

We must have a moment of silence because the inventor of Auto Correct has passed away.

The funnel will be held tomato.

So on that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—PDK.