Joe Biden has been replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential candidate in what seems like lightning speed.
We look at how and why it happened , the impact she might have on the Democrats' electoral fortunes, who her running mate might be and the inevitable less than gracious response from Trump and his supporters.
However we kick off with the news that Stephen Flynn and the SNP's amendment on scrapping the two child benefit cap will be debated and voted on this evening. Given the ,apparent opposition to the cap by Scottish Labour, how will those 37 Scottish Labour MPs vote?
Though we may be sceptical about how much change this new Labour government may bring there is an air of activity and energy about it.
In comparison is the SNP leadership still wedded to old ways of centralised party management and control? is this exemplified by the draft agenda for its annual conference in August? An agenda drawn up before the crushing General Election defeat. Is the party , as John Swinney recently claimed, in a strong position with secure foundations?
The First Minister was also in the news announcing two new "green" pieces of funding. Nearly £42 million on zero emissions buses and a nationwide charging network and £2 million on the Acorn Project carbon capture project. Which of these will garner the headlines? Which of these will be of practical value in tackling climate change?
Here's the promised link to the Progress Playbook, if like me you need cheering up
https://theprogressplaybook.com/