By Jamie Ross and Izin Akhabau

Listen to this briefing

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Sept. 1, and this cross-generational discussion about etiquette at public events is enlightening. Gen Z readers, we beg you not to text at movie theaters. Let’s catch up.

	The Supreme Court allowed construction on the White House ballroom to continue.

• In a victory for President Donald Trump: Justices ruled that the preservationists who challenged the project had not suffered the direct personal harm required to bring a lawsuit.

• The court didn’t rule on the ballroom’s legality: Congress might still be able to challenge it, according to some legal experts, but the Republican-controlled body is unlikely to do so.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to Trump.

• Driscoll has repeatedly clashed with Pete Hegseth: They disagreed over the firing of generals and the defense secretary’s belief that Driscoll hadn’t been appropriately deferential to him.

• Why it matters: The resignation marks the latest leadership shake-up during the Iran war. One official said it is “not great” at a time when the military has to project power.

• Yesterday: Trump said that the U.S. military might continue to “smack” Iran.

Postal Service plans could keep voters from getting mail ballots, a whistleblower said.

• What’s happening? An anonymous federal official said a rushed new USPS system could prevent many people from receiving ballots this fall, according to a disclosure released today.

• The warning was made public by a Democratic lawmaker: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) claimed the USPS system is designed to disenfranchise millions of Americans.

An ex-gang leader was convicted of murder 30 years after Tupac Shakur’s death.

• In 1996: Rap icon Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas. It was a mystery that captivated the public and confounded police for decades, until Duane “Keffe D” Davis started talking.

• Yesterday: Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, was found guilty of orchestrating the shooting, even though authorities said he didn’t pull the trigger.

More colleges are surpassing the $100,000 price tag.

• Nationwide: Fifteen schools now charge six figures and others are on the verge. However, college pricing is far more nuanced than these figures suggest — see the true cost here.

• The cost of higher education can be intimidating: But a growing number of schools (listed here) are making college more affordable by offering free tuition to some undergraduates.

We asked scientists whether it’s okay to use a little bit of cannabis.

• Weed is more popular than ever: More than 21% of Americans over 12 say they have used it in the past year. It can help people with relaxation, sleep, pain and more.

• How much is okay to use? Researchers explained the latest science here. It depends on the individual, but, generally, higher dosages and frequency lead to higher risks.

Travel experts told us where to spot the best foliage this fall.

• Instead of mourning the end of summer: You should try to embrace the coziness and color of autumn. We put together everything you need for an unforgettable fall experience.

• Start planning: See when peak foliage will be in your area using this map. Experts also shared recommendations for the best destinations across the U.S. to enjoy the leaves.