promoearn: Finally crossing borders

Monday, November 8

Dual U.S.-Canadian citizen Traysi Spring, right, and her American husband, Tom Bakken, hold a homemade sign to welcome people heading into the USA from Canada on Nov. 8 in Blaine, Wash. The United States reopened its land borders to nonessential travel after almost 20 months of COVID-19 restrictions. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to workers whose jobs are deemed essential. New rules will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the USA, regardless of the reason.

The first lawsuits were filed in the Astroworld Festival tragedy. And the first lady could be coming to a school near you. It's Monday's news.

The United States' travel ban is over. The latest on the tragedy at Astroworld Festival. And should the Seresto flea collar be banned?

👋 It's Laura! The rumors are true: It's Monday. Here's the news.

But first, who's cutting onions in here? 😭 This guy's best man couldn't make it to his wedding, so he had the bestest man step in.

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Have vaccine, can travel to America

It's a party in the USA! A rush of international travelers headed toward U.S. borders Monday as the COVID-19 travel ban ended and people from dozens of countries were allowed in, more than 600 days since they were barred from entry. Long lines formed at the Canadian and Mexican borders well before daybreak, and eager travelers boarded flights from Europe, including dueling departures from London's Heathrow. The U.S.-Mexican border is typically the world's busiest crossing, where about 350 million people cross annually. The new U.S. entry requirements require foreign air passengers to test negative for the virus before boarding a plane to the country and, if they are 18 or older, to show proof of full vaccination. Travelers entering the USA on land or by ferry for nonessential reasons must show proof of vaccination.

•	'I am so happy': US land border reopens to vaccinated Mexican tourists.
•	US reopens to international tourists: Here's what flight crews want you to know.

Astroworld refunds offered, lawsuits filed

Travis Scott and festival organizers are issuing "full refunds" to all those who purchased tickets for Astroworld, where his Houston concert took a tragic turn that left eight dead and many injured. The first three of what could be many lawsuits were being filed in the aftermath of the event three days ago. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he filed on behalf of survivor Noah Gutierrez and expects to file on behalf of others soon. Gutierrez, 21, described a scene of "chaos and desperation," Crump said. Scott, an eight-time Grammy-nominated rapper and Houston native, released a statement expressing his sorrow over Friday's events.

•	What happened at Astroworld that led to 8 deaths? Here's what we know.
•	Astroworld victims remembered in somber vigil as officials press for answers
•	'He is a hero and the world needs to know': Astroworld victim died trying to save fiancée.

A visitor writes a note at a memorial outside the canceled Astroworld festival at NRG Park on Nov. 7 in Houston.

Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	A cancer patient sought refuge at Lake Tahoe home. Then, a bear attacked her.
•	Tesla stock falls after Elon Musk asks Twitter whether he should sell shares.
•	Bomb threats evacuate Ivy League campuses; similar calls at other schools.
•	This mom started braiding hair for kids in her community. It turned into something much bigger.
•	What's the one thing Americans want President Biden to do in the next year? We asked them.

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Neighbor 'cornered' Ahmaud Arbery, officer says

The first police officer on the scene of Ahmaud Arbery's killing told jurors Monday that one of three white men charged with murder "cornered" Arbery before the Black 25-year-old was fatally shot. Ricky Minshew, a former Glynn County Police Officer, said he spoke with William "Roddie" Bryan when he arrived on the scene, who told Minshew he "blocked," "cornered" and "cut off" Arbery five times. Monday marked the beginning of the first full week of testimony in the trial of Bryan and father and son Greg and Travis McMichael. In the morning, jurors heard from an investigator who documented the crime scene and took a series of graphic photos. The three defendants are accused of murder and other crimes in the death of Arbery, who was shot three times at close range with a shotgun. Video of the incident, captured by Bryan, was released by a Georgia attorney two months later, prompting national outrage.

•	What we know about the jurors selected in trial over Ahmaud Arbery's killing.
•	Video breakdown: Legal experts explain the moments that may be used in murder trial.

Former Glynn County police officer Ricky Minshew points out defendant Travis McMichael during the trial in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery at the Glynn County Courthouse on Nov. 8 in Brunswick, Ga.

Sean Rayford/AP

Seresto maker defends flea collar amid calls for a ban

The company behind the popular Seresto flea-and-tick collar filed a lengthy defense of the safety of its product amid calls for federal regulators to ban it over concerns of harm and death to the pets who wear it. In a public comment to the Environmental Protection Agency filed last month, Elanco said its collar is safe despite reports of more than 86,000 adverse incidents, including 2,340 pet deaths, since it hit the market nine years ago. Those incidents, Elanco said in its 41-page comment, are probably related to other factors, not the collar. Now that the public comment period has closed, the EPA will review the comments as it decides whether to cancel the collar's registration. A cancellation would mean the company could no longer use the pesticides in its collars.

Ivan, a 5-year-old English mastiff, died in May 2019, one day after a Seresto collar was placed on him. His owner, Barbara Merckle, is a dog breeder in Moxahala, Ohio. She had a necropsy performed on Ivan by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which found that he had been in otherwise good health.

Barbara Merckle

Real quick

•	Aaron Rodgers says he's allergic to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Is that possible?
•	Jan. 6 committee subpoenas Trump lawyer, 5 other advisers.
•	Obama hits Russia, China for 'lack of urgency' on climate at COP26.
•	Two Florida assistant coaches fired after team loses third game in row.
•	Tennessee pastor tackles man who pointed gun at people during church service, police say.

Jill Biden visits schools in a push to get kids vaccinated

First lady Jill Biden kicked off the administration's push to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 by visiting an elementary school that played a historic role during the polio epidemic. The Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, Virginia, was the first school to administer the polio vaccine in 1954. Biden plans to visit pediatric vaccination clinics across the county over the coming weeks, now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5 through 11.

•	Will children of color get vaccinated at the rates of other children? Experts say equity is key to new normal.

First lady Jill Biden listens to student Shaila Ramineni read her letter during a visit to a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, Va., on Nov. 8 to kick off a nationwide effort urging parents to vaccinate kids ages 5 to 11.

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

A break from the news

•	👩‍💻Connection problems: If your WiFi stinks, try moving your router!
•	🦃 Hosting Friendsgiving? From invites to decor, here's everything you need. Turkey not included.
•	🛀 Treat yourself: 15 of the best gifts to buy yourself this holiday season. You deserve it!

🗣 Let's play! USA TODAY launched something really fun. It's a new and improved Crossword App! Check it out!

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