Good morning, Chicago.

The national debt surpassed a record $40 trillion, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs like Social Security and Medicare and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending.

The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion debt in March. It reached $38 trillion five months before that, in October.

The unprecedented $40 trillion figure highlights competing administration priorities, from boosting defense spending that the U.S. relies on to carry out President Donald Trump’s almost-6-month-old war in Iran to lowering the cost of gas and groceries.

Read the full story.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a new proposal to allow licensed cannabis producers to grow outdoors, takeaways from the Cubs’ series win and what to do in Chicago this weekend.

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Illinois Democrats tout party dominance at State Fair but it’s clouded by harassment scandal and fraud case

Democrats celebrated their one-party political dominance at the Illinois State Fair heading into the fall campaign season yesterday, but their cheers fell against the backdrop of recent House scandals that have sullied their brand.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s controversial handling of former state Rep. Harry Benton’s sexual harassment of three women, including a former staffer, has left the chamber’s leader grasping to keep control and facing Republican criticism.

Illinois regulators propose allowing licensed cannabis producers to grow outdoors

In a major reversal, Illinois regulators have proposed letting cannabis companies grow cannabis outdoors, a move that would significantly lower energy consumption and cultivation costs — though home growers would be out of luck.

9 Chicago-area hikers rescued on ‘steep, slick rock face’ in Kentucky as thunderstorm approached

The group of young men had only prepared for a short hike over the weekend to catch the sunset at Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.

It only took the nine friends from the Chicago-area about 15 minutes to trek to the top of a hill. There, they enjoyed the “great view” as the sun went down Saturday.

But it’s when they decided to take a different route down to avoid muddy conditions that things turned south. As it got dark, they quickly became lost and confused. They worried that it was about to thunderstorm. They even stepped on a snake.

Ethanol plant to pay for wetland restoration at Emiquon wildlife refuge as part of Illinois River pollution settlement

A major ethanol refinery on the Illinois River near Peoria has been ordered to fund efforts to restore its wetlands and floodplain after an eight-year legal fight over alleged water discharges up to 40 degrees hotter than permitted, threatening aquatic life.

“Rivers can’t speak in court, so we speak for them,” said Robert Hirschfeld, director of water policy at Prairie Rivers Network.

The nonprofit, alongside Sierra Club, served a notice of intent to sue over repeated permit violations, after which the Illinois Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit in early 2018 at the request of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Illinois tollway imposes 57% hikes on cars and 30% for trucks, with more to come

A massive rate increase in 2027 with additional hikes every two years sailed through the Illinois tollway board of directors yesterday.

The 8-0 vote means I-PASS passenger vehicle tolls will rise from an average of 7 cents to 11 cents a mile, or 57%, beginning Jan. 1. Truckers will see a 30% jump.

Clean Air Act: Dismantling One of the Country’s Bedrock Environmental Laws

Join Tribune investigative reporter Michael Hawthorne for a virtual discussion hosted by ProPublica with fellow environment journalists from across the country about the rollback of the Clean Air Act and what it means for public health in communities across America. The event will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. Central. Register and submit your questions here.

Column: White Sox are off to the races after salvaging a win against the Cubs in the City Series finale

Another engaging chapter of the City Series ended yesterday afternoon at Wrigley Field with a split decision, writes Paul Sullivan. The White Sox avoided a sweep with a 3-0 win over the Cubs, evening the season series 3-3.

“Both series, at our place and here, were fun,” Sox pitcher Erick Fedde said. “Maybe us going 3-3 helped Chicago not burn down.”

More on the City Series:

• 3 takeaways from the Cubs’ series win, including Clay Holmes’ value — and walk-off magic
• José Urquidy steps up in bulk role for White Sox in 3-0 win over Cubs. ‘He had everything working.’

Chicago Bears Q&A: What’s the plan for Ozzy Trapilo’s return? Chances Kyler Gordon is active Week 1?

The Bears are on the road in Cincinnati, where they will practice with the Bengals this morning in advance of Saturday’s preseason game.

We’ve reached the part of training camp when it’s starting to be a grind for the players. Coaches hope to gather valuable evidence in the next week and a half to inform roster decisions.

Related:

• Bears training camp report: Caleb Williams looks good in final tune-up before trip to Cincinnati

Review: Anthony Bourdain-inspired ‘Tony’ is a chef’s coming-of-age story

“Tony,” the movie, written by Todd Bartels, Lou Howe, Matthew Miller and director Matt Johnson, isn’t really about “Anthony Bourdain.” It’s best not to think too much about him while enjoying this roguish coming-of-age dramedy, writes Katie Walsh. While the film is inspired by Bourdain’s first summer in a restaurant kitchen in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the story is one young man’s transformation from arrogant Vassar student “Tony,” into “Flaco,” his restaurant kitchen nickname as a lowly dishwasher, and finally, into “Anthony,” aspiring culinary student.

What to do in Chicago: Bulls Fest, Bonnie Raitt and the annual Chicago triathlon

Here are our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.