The Short List

Wed Nov 20 2024

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

Donald Trump is fleshing out his new administration with some unexpected names. A deadly bomb cyclone knocked out power for thousands in the Pacific Northwest. And singer Liam Payne was laid to rest in England.

👋 Howdy, y'all! Laura Davis here. Country music fan? Don't miss the CMAs tonight. Here's how you can tune in. Now, it's time for Wednesday's news. Giddy up!

But first: Celebrating Friendsgiving. 💞 When it comes to Thanksgiving, there's no one-size-fits-all – and that's a very good thing. Here's an illustrated look at how people celebrate Friendsgiving.

From WWE to DC

As Donald Trump's nominations come in, the picture of his incoming Cabinet is becoming more clear. On Tuesday night, the president-elect named his pick the new secretary of education, tapping former pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon, a close ally of his. Trump has vowed to close the Education Department, although doing so would require congressional approval.

Standing by Gaetz: Trump said he won't reconsider his pick of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general amid swirling allegations Gaetz took illicit drugs, engaged in sexual misconduct, misused campaign funds and paid for sex with a minor. On Wednesday, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee said they would not agree to release a highly anticipated report after an investigation into Gaetz.

This week's picks: Trump tapped Fox Business host and fellow former reality TV star Sean Duffy for secretary of transportation, Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission and Wall Street billionaire Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary. He also nominated physician and TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 🔎 Take a look at Trump's nominees so far.

•	Education secretary pick: Who is WWE co-founder Linda McMahon?
•	Exclusive: Former babysitter to RFK Jr.'s kids speaks about sexual assault allegation.
•	Will inflation go down after Trump becomes president?
•	Texas offers land for Trump's mass deportation plan.
•	Mike Johnson announces transgender bathroom ban in Capitol after Sarah McBride's election.

Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention in July.

Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY

Bomb cyclone strikes

A deadly "bomb cyclone" slammed the Pacific Northwest with high winds Wednesday, cutting power to nearly half a million homes and businesses in Washington state – and the forecast is calling for more dangerous rain, flooding and snow in the region.

Storm turns deadly: Two people near Seattle were killed separately by falling trees, and two other people were injured by falling trees southeast of the city.

What's going on? The ferocious storm is akin to a winter hurricane, with wind gusts of up to 70 mph, and it brings a slew of dangers. Besides downing trees and causing power outages, the high winds have blocked roadways and smashed homes. It's all part of an "atmospheric river" that could bring over a foot of rain to some areas. 👉 Read the latest updates.

•	Steer clear of hypothermia: Staying safe during a snowstorm.
•	Clean water returns to Asheville after Hurricane Helene nearly 2 months ago.

A low pressure storm system known as a "bomb cyclone" is shown off the coast of the U.S. Pacific Northwest and western Canada in a composite satellite image from Tuesday.

CIRA/NOAA, via REUTERS

Real quick

•	What's up with Kim Kardashian's Tesla post on Instagram?
•	Los Angeles enacts sanctuary city ordinance to protect migrants.
•	This couple's adoption nightmare is sparking an important conversation.
•	RFK Jr., AIDS and why the LGBTQ+ community is in an uproar.
•	The McRib (with extra sauce) is coming back to McDonald's.
•	Nicole Kidman wakes up 'crying and gasping' over mortality, loss of parents.

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US to give controversial land mines to Ukraine

The Biden administration will for the first time give Ukraine controversial land mines condemned by arms control groups for their high rates of civilian death and injury. Although the U.S. has provided anti-tank mines to Ukraine throughout the Russian invasion, it will soon begin providing antipersonnel land mines, or APLs, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed on Wednesday,

About APLs: The mines are banned under a treaty signed by more than 160 countries, but the U.S. and Russia aren't signatories. Human rights groups say they cause disproportionately high civilian casualties and create dangers that linger for years after a conflict ends. But Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said they are safer than the improvised devices Ukraine is currently using. 👉 Here's what to know.

•	Putin, ascendant in Ukraine, eyes contours of a Trump peace deal.
•	US shuts Kyiv embassy over potential 'significant air attack.'

Funeral held for Liam Payne

With his family and One Direction bandmates in attendance, Liam Payne was memorialized at a funeral on Wednesday in England. The 31-year-old singer died Oct. 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony. A horse-drawn carriage carrying Payne's casket was brought to the private service at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, about 30 minutes northwest of London, and not far from his hometown. ❤️ More from the service.

•	Watch: One Direction bandmates attend funeral service.
•	See photos: *Friends, family gather to honor Liam Payne.*

The coffin of former One Direction singer Liam Payne arrives at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, Britain, on Wednesday.

Toby Melville, REUTERS

A break from the news

•	🤷‍♀️ Do biotin supplements actually help with hair growth?
•	👛 Designer deal alert! Coach purses are less than $45.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi sometime! laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.