Weekly News Quiz: August 28, 2026

By Alexandra Banner and James Grant

A legend remembered. A measles surge. A tragic flood. What do you remember from the week that was?

Keep up with the news you need. Sign up for the 5 Things newsletter.

As the world mourned the passing of Dolly Parton this week, which iconic landmark was lit up pink in her honor?

The Empire State Building lit up pink at 9:25 pm on Tuesday to honor the late music legend and philanthropist, with the time being a nod to her hit song “9 to 5.”

Following a massive legal settlement, what will Instagram and Facebook limit for young users?

Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement in a lawsuit aimed at improving online safety for young users. The deal will bring daily time limits for young users on its Instagram and Facebook platforms, among other changes, the company said.

Which two countries were impacted by catastrophic flooding this week?

Deadly flash flooding hit Nepal and China on Wednesday, submerging villages and wiping out bridges.

Measles cases are rising across the US. Which state reported the nation’s first deaths linked to the virus this year?

Pennsylvania recently reported two measles-related deaths, the first in the US in 2026. Both residents were unvaccinated, and one was an infant.

Which body of water is President Trump renaming “Lake America”?

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” his latest escalation as he engages in a tense trade war with Canada.

The US Navy this week announced plans to deploy 5,000 sailors to which region?

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its company of 5,000 will sail to the Middle East and is expected to be deployed for at least seven months, officials said. This comes as the US Navy faces strain from the ongoing war and global commitments.

Which retailer pulled a Halloween costume from sale after it sparked backlash online?

Target apologized and removed a children’s Halloween costume that critics said evoked racist imagery.

What is the name of the Reno-area wildfire that prompted thousands of evacuations?

The Hawk Fire in the Reno, Nevada-area has stopped advancing, but work remains before thousands of evacuees can return, officials say.

Where does SpaceX plan to build the “biggest launch site on Earth”?

SpaceX announced this week that it plans to build the “biggest launch site on Earth” for $100 billion near the southern coast of Louisiana’s Vermilion Parish. The first launch is targeted as soon as 2029.

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama died this week at age 97. Which distinctive pattern was she best known for using in her work?

Yayoi Kusama, one of contemporary art’s most popular figures, filled the world with polka dots. Her distinctive pumpkin sculptures and polka-dot paintings generated millions of dollars in auction revenue. Her famous “Infinity Mirror Rooms” also attracted millions of gallery visitors.