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Alex Murdaugh's conviction in the murders of his wife and son was overturned. ⚖️ |
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Cuban prisoners are stuck in limbo as the U.S. and the island nation reengage. |
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President Donald Trump arrived in China for high-stakes talks with President Xi Jinping. |
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But first: If you read this newsletter regularly, you're already a smart news consumer. 👍🏼 But in an increasingly fragmented landscape, strong media literacy is more important than ever. Here's why. 🗞️ 📺 📱 💻
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Murdaugh murder conviction overturned ⚖️
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The murder conviction of a once-prominent South Carolina attorney was overturned, with the state's high court ruling that Richard "Alex" Murdaugh's 2023 trial was marred by the "improper" influence of a county clerk. Murdaugh, who was found guilty on two murder counts related to the deaths of his wife and son, had been serving two life sentences in a case that captured national attention.
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Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison after conviction in double murder trial during his sentencing at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Friday, March 3, 2023 after he was found guilty on all four counts.
Andrew J. Whitaker, Pool via USA TODAY Network
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Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo Pérez hunched inside Kilo 8, a maximum-security prison in Cuba, recounting the past few weeks. Five days after U.S. and Cuban officials held secret talks and delivered an ultimatum in Havana, two Cuban state security agents visited Castillo and another prisoner with an offer: Leave Cuba or stay in prison , an ultimatum brought on by U.S. demands to release political prisoners. Both agreed to be exiled. But both still remain behind bars.
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Now, Castillo and at least a dozen other political prisoners languishing in Cuban prisons are at the center of high-stakes negotiations between U.S. and Cuban officials that could reshape future relations between the Cold War foes.
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Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, left, a Cuban activist and visual artist, and Maykel Castillo Perez, a Cuban rapper, are serving prison terms in Cuba after being arrested in 2021 during widespread protests. Their release is at the center of U.S.-Cuba negotiations.
Anyelo Troya
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The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. 💲 |
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A notorious ICE detention center in Florida may soon close. 🔐 |
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Nancy Guthrie's mother is still missing, 100 days after she was last seen at her Arizona home. |
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A new study finds the world is seeing more rain but is also getting drier. What does that mean? 🌧️ |
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President Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and he brought some high-powered and deep-pocketed company with him. Trump will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss a host of topics, from economic concerns to the war with Iran. He's joined by 12 CEOs from tech, finance, defense, transportation and communications.
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Left turn into the history books 🏎️
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Katherine Legge's three-decade career in motorsports has seen her race Ferraris in Bahrain and Audis in Germany. Now the 45-year-old native of England is trying something few drivers (and no women) have done before: She'll attempt "The Double" — racing in the Indy 500 and Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600 , a demanding test of endurance and skill — on May 24, she told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview. If Legge qualifies for both races, she'll be the sixth driver in the history of motorsports to try The Double, joining John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson.
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Katherine Legge, driver of the #78 e.l.f. Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 10, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York.
Sean Gardner, Getty Images
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A cosmetics company CEO left it all behind and now lives in a "tiny room" with "nothing in it." Here's why. 🙏🏼 |
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Instagram debuted a new feature that might be familiar to Snapchat users. 📱 |
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In Philadelphia, sports fans climb greased poles all the time, so what's the big deal, Naval Academy plebes? 😆 |
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Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your favorite team mascot (for her, it's a tie between the Phillie Phanatic and Gritty.) Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.
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The Senate confirmed former finance executive and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as the U.S. central bank’s new chair May 13.
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The newspaper called the Trump administration's actions "an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering" and vowed to "vigorously oppose" it.
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All of the American cruise passengers who are quarantining in Nebraska are asymptomatic for hantavirus, officials said. Here's the latest.
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"I cost our company a lot of money this year," Jimmy Kimmel said in a blistering routine to advertisers, referencing his clashes with President Trump.
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A New York exhibition shows around 3.5 million partially redacted Jeffrey Epstein files with a timeline and a memorial to victims.
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The bill, which would require private equity companies to divest from their youth-sports businesses, comes on the heels of a USA TODAY investigation.
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Former President Barack Obama visited Texas as polls show Democrat Gina Hinojosa within single digits of Gov. Greg Abbott in the governor's race.
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A plane from the Bahamas crashed off Florida's coast, leading to the ocean rescue of all 11 people on board.
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Conan O'Brien will return for the third time to host the 99th Oscars, ABC has announced. The Academy Awards will air March 14, 2027.
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Byron Allen's taking over more than just late-night. Here's what we know about Allen's latest acquisition.
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Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break
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Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you.
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Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes
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