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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Nov 14 2025

Nicole Fallert
Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

We made it to the weekend!🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert. In a pickle today.

Close out the week with Friday's news:

•	Many Americans have smaller holiday budgets this year.
•	Why are you hooked on Diet Coke?
•	Michelle Obama talks "The Look."

More Americans worry about holiday costs this year

The holidays are around the corner. That means it's time for gift shopping, groceries and travel for many Americans as they anticipate cherished moments.

But many Americans could feel more of a pinch this year: A survey exclusive to USA TODAY found 72% of SNAP recipients said they were worried they wouldn't be able to afford enough food for themselves and their families this holiday season.

•	The costs of celebrating: The average holiday budget for Thanksgiving is $93 and $115 for a Christmas meal, the survey found, with 52% said they plan to use a food pantry or community food program during the holidays as a result of the SNAP benefit shutdown. (See when SNAP benefits may resume for you).
•	What about the price of travel? USA TODAY checked prices across modes of travel and found bus and train tickets cost more in time and money.
•	Amid holiday prep, many Americans await back pay. A senior Trump administration official confirmed to USA TODAY that departments are aiming to send out checks covering back pay between Nov. 15-19, depending on the agency.

Related: Congress doesn't have much time to avoid another shutdown. The next funding deadline is Jan. 30.

What the Epstein emails reveal

A trove of the Jeffrey Epstein's texts and emails was just released by the House Oversight Committee. A USA TODAY review of 20,000-plus page documents shows that Epstein had significant concerns about President Donald Trump's behavior and character.

Here's what else USA TODAY found on Epstein:

•	Here are the three biggest takeaways from the thousands of Epstein emails.
•	$10K in baby food? The bet Epstein said he lost to Trump.
•	Epstein mentioned Trump in an email sent on Thanksgiving Day 2017.
•	Democrats say the Epstein emails prove Trump knew of misconduct.

A newly released email from the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, referencing President Donald Trump, is seen in this handout image released by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee via Reuters

More news to know now

•	Zohran Mamdani is Republicans' new foil.
•	Justice Department joined a lawsuit against California's redrawn congressional districts.
•	Who will speak at Dick Cheney's funeral?
•	An Ariana Grande fan grabbed her in a scary moment.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Starbucks strikes hit coffee chain's busiest day

Starbucks Workers United planned strikes at certain stores in 41 cities starting Thursday, as Starbucks and the union struggle to agree to a contractual agreement. The first day of the strike occurred on Starbucks' popular Red Cup Day, when the retailer distributes free, reusable red cups to customers with the order of a drink. Starbucks and Workers United began negotiations on a contract for unionized baristas in February 2024. But no agreement has been reached.

Starbucks employees participate in a strike in New York City on Thursday.

Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS

There's a reason you're hooked on Diet Coke

Many people in America love soda, and some even feel like they can't stop drinking it. And that's by design, medical experts say. Recently, some USA TODAY journalists also learned firsthand how hard it can be to break soda habits when they tried to quit cold turkey. These drinks hijack the brain's reward and motivation system and rewire the body's metabolism, food and nutrition experts say, which can lead consumers to crave them more. Experts call it an "insulin roller coaster ride."

Today's talkers

•	What's happening with One Direction?
•	Lady Gaga revealed she had a psychotic break.
•	See Caitlin Clark's golf swing.
•	Which teams are qualified for 2026 World Cup?

Michelle Obama talks fashion as first lady

'The point isn't the look. It's us looking out for the country. It's us looking out for the nation. It's us looking out for all those people who are depending on us. …The look goes both ways.'

~ Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks about her new book , "The Look," written with her longtime stylist Meredith Koop. The book takes readers on a journey through the evolution of her clothes, hair and makeup from a kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago, to her time in the White House, and now as a political and cultural symbol.

Former first lady Michelle Obama walks onto the stage to promote her book "The Look" in Washington, DC on Wednesday.

Photos by Desmond Hester. Courtesy of Higher Ground LLC

Photo of the day: Bad Bunny dominates 2025 Latin Grammys

There's no stopping Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican singer went into the Latin Grammys with the lion's share of the 2025 nominations and, unsurprisingly, came out on top. The Las Vegas award ceremony celebrated a year of no-skip albums from some of the biggest names in Latin music.

Bad Bunny accepts the best urban song award for "LA MuDANZA" during the 26th annual Latin Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.