Axios

FRESNO, Calif. — Two Central California races for U.S. House seats are suddenly getting increased attention from the national parties because they could help determine control of the chamber — and represent hot new battlegrouands for Latino voters.

Why it matters: The fights for the seats held by Republican Reps. David Valadao and John Duarte reflect Democrats' push to take over two majority-Latino districts that have never been represented by anyone of Mexican or Central American descent.

The U.S. women's basketball team erased a 10-point third quarter deficit to beat France 67-66 and claim their eighth straight Olympic gold medal at Paris' Bercy Arena on Sunday.

Why it matters: Arguably the most dominant team in Olympic sports, Team USA hasn't lost a single contest at the Games since 1992.

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) blitzed the Sunday talk shows in an effort to reframe his attacks on "childless" Democrats as an affirmative push for more family-friendly policies, attempting to clarify comments dragging down his favorability.

Why it matters: Following intense scrutiny in his early days as former President Trump's running mate, Vance went on the offensive recently as he shadowed Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz's battleground state tour.

With all the noise made about Imane Khelif at the Paris Olympics, it's easy to imagine that gender controversy is a new thing. But, as author Michael Waters points out, battles over gender are as old as the modern Olympics themselves.

• "You can actually draw a line from what we're seeing today all the way back to the early 20th century," says Waters, whose new book "The Other Olympians" explores some of the earliest gender bending and gender policing at the games.

Locking up merchandise at drugstores and discount retailers hasn't curbed retail theft but is driving frustrated consumers to shop online more, retail experts tell Axios.

Why it matters: Retail crime is eating into retailers' profits and high theft rates are also leading to a rise in store closures.

A federal judge's historic decision Monday declaring Google a monopoly is the strongest sign yet that the Google Age of the internet has run its course.

The big picture: Google isn't going anywhere, and it will remain a digital Goliath — but its ability to set and control the agenda for the tech industry's future is waning.