The Short List

Wed Jul 19 2023

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

What happened to Carlee Russell? The details are still murky. Summers are always hot, but there's something different going on this year. And is anybody doing anything to stop these robocalls?

👋 Hi! It's your pal Laura Davis here with Wednesday's biggest news.

🏝 But first: Super-sized sea stars on the seashore! A Texas woman was taking a stroll on the beach when she stumbled upon a bunch of sea stars that had washed up, and one of them was particularly awesome.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Officials share update on Carlee Russell's disappearance

An Alabama woman who vanished after calling 911 to report a child walking along an interstate last week told investigators a detailed story about being captured and held by a man, but police said Wednesday they still weren't able to verify much of her story. Nick Derzis, chief of police in Hoover, Alabama, said Wednesday many of their questions were still not answered. Russell made a number of internet searches that are "very relevant" to her disappearance, Derzis said, including searches about a movie featuring an abduction and questions about Amber Alerts. Here's what we know.

Authorities in Hoover, Ala., shared new details about the disappearance of Carlee Russell, who returned home after two days.

Hoover (Ala.) Police Department

Is this year's record heat fueled by climate change?

It's not your imagination: This is not a typical summer. Record-breaking temperatures are hitting multiple cities. Phoenix just recorded the 20th straight day with temperatures at or above 110 degrees. Death Valley hit 128 on Sunday. Records are falling everywhere. My cats are draped over the furniture in ways I didn't know they could bend. It's hot this year. The extreme temperatures being recorded this summer are the result of the combination of natural variations within the climate system and human-caused climate change, with a hefty serving of El Niño thrown in. But when is a hot summer just that – a hot summer – and when is it climate change?

•	Texas prisons a 'living hell'; Low of 97 degrees in Phoenix; Tornado in N.C.: Wednesday's weather updates.
•	High cabin temperatures send Delta flyer, flight attendant to hospital.

What everyone's talking about

•	What is Ozempic face? A term you probably shouldn't use.
•	Mandy Moore reveals she earned 'pennies' in 'This Is Us' residual checks.
•	Biden trolls Marjorie Taylor Greene with video: 'I approve this message.'
•	Dealers have cars and prices are getting better, but people are still having a tough time buying a vehicle.
•	These men tried a period pain simulator. Their wild reactions carry an important message.

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Feds vow to crack down on illegal robocalls

I got three "Potential Spam" calls while writing this newsletter. With more than 33 million scam robocalls a day made to Americans, federal authorities said they are ramping up their war on phone scammers. Under a new campaign known as Operation Stop Scam Calls, the Federal Trade Commission says it has already cracked down on five companies accused of scamming millions of Americans in robocall and telemarketing schemes, resulting in millions in fines and bans that forbid the companies from making similar calls in the future. Here's what we know.

Wagner leader: 'The front is a disgrace'

Bashing Russia's front lines, Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said his mercenaries will be staying put in Belarus for a little while. Prigozhin's mercenaries were credited with ranking among Russia's best fighters, but his frustrations with Defense Ministry leaders led to last month's quickly abandoned rebellion and what appeared to be his banishment to Belarus. Prigozhin, welcoming his troops Wednesday in Belarus, said that for now, his group will concentrate on training Belarusian troops. "We fought with dignity. We did a lot for Russia," Prigozhin said. "What is happening now on the front is a disgrace." Here's the latest.

A break from the news

•	🥵 Hack the heat wave: Use your pulse points to cool down in seconds.
•	🍉 I never really wondered until now, but can cats eat watermelon?
•	🐬 See video of a rare pink dolphin spotted off the coast of Louisiana.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. She loves new Twitter pals and emails from readers: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.