promoearn: 'It's a shock'

Tuesday, December 28

Police officers stand outside Sol Tribe tattoo shop on Broadway where two women were killed and a man was injured in a shooting on December 27, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Broadway shooting was the first scene in a shooting spree that killed five people across the Denver metro area.

Lake Tahoe shattered a 50-year December snowfall record. And if you've tested positive for COVID-19, we have some tips. It's Tuesday's news.

NFT auction: USA TODAY and iconic artist Peter Tunney are teaming up to benefit charity – and you can get involved.

A community is mourning after a Denver-area shooting spree left several dead. The United States has logged a staggering number of new coronavirus cases. And where is the missing 3-year-old Lina Khil?

👋 It's Laura. It's Tuesday. Here's the biggest news of the day.

But first, cicadas, spotted lanternflies and a 'mutilated shark alien' fish, oh my! 🐛 Check out our favorite animal stories of 2021.

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Colorado shooting spree leaves 5 dead and 3 injured

Officials are continuing to gather information Tuesday following a shooting spree where five people died and three others were injured, including a police officer, across Denver and a neighboring suburb. Authorities said the suspect, who they have not yet publicly identified, is among the dead. Police believe the suspect fired shots in at least seven different locations across Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, Monday evening. "To see this type of spree take place is not normal in our community," Denver Police Department Chief Paul Pazen said. At least two of the other shootings took place at or near tattoo shops, according to the addresses provided by police. Authorities do not yet know the suspect's motive.

•	'It's a shock': Colorado mourns after shooting spree across Denver area leaves 5 dead; suspect also killed.

A record number of new cases

The U.S. on Monday reported more than half a million new coronavirus cases – vastly worse than any other single day of the entire pandemic. Monday's tally of more than 500,000 new cases was higher than the nation's previous record of more than 303,000, a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. The apparent spike likely represents some cases backlogged over the Christmas holiday, but it also reflects part of the surge of the highly contagious omicron strain. The world on Monday also reported its worst week ever for coronavirus cases – 5.9 million – the USA TODAY analysis showed. The previous record of about 5.79 million cases was set in April. The recent surge in cases has spurred concerns about staffing shortages at hospitals, airlines and businesses across the country. Research has suggested omicron, while more infectious, causes milder illness.

•	Dr. Anthony Fauci says U.S. should consider vaccine mandate for domestic travel.
•	Omicron may sideline many workers under vaccination-or-testing mandate.
•	Mapping coronavirus transmission by state: These areas of the U.S. are seeing the most cases.

Health workers administer COVID-19 PCR tests at an outdoor testing site aside the Long Island Sound on Dec. 23, 2021 in Stamford, Connecticut. People scrambled to get tested for the virus ahead of Christmas gatherings, as the Omicron variant spread through the U.S.

John Moore, Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	Stole something? Don't forget to claim it on your taxes. IRS says stolen property and bribes must be reported as income.
•	'We have to change the whole system': Experts sound off on how to end police code of silence.
•	That infamous moment: Ozzy Osbourne will launch more than 9,000 NFT bats.
•	Men who are 'too nice' to women are called 'simps.' Why this insult is problematic.

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.

$150K raised to find Texas girl who went missing on playground

Where is Lina Khil? A week after the 3-year-old girl went missing from a Texas playground, people in her San Antonio community are offering a $150,000 cash reward for information leading to her whereabouts. According to KSAT, The Islamic Center of San Antonio and Crime Stoppers combined forces to offer a $150,000 reward for information that leads to finding Lina. Lina was last seen at a playground inside an apartment complex on Dec. 20, between 5 and 6 p.m. She was with other kids when her mother left and came back a "relatively short time later" to find her daughter missing, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said during a press conference on Dec. 21. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact SAPD's Missing Person's Unit at 210-207-7660.

3-year-old Lina Sardar Khil

San Antonio Police Department

Storms dump over 16 feet of snow on Lake Tahoe

With four days left to go in the month, Lake Tahoe already has broken the record for December snowfall set 50 years ago. On Monday, December snow totals at the University of California, Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reached 193.7 inches, blowing a 1970 record of 179 inches out of the water. The lab, located at Donner Pass, has received roughly 39 inches of snow in the past 24 hours and could break the 200-inch mark today. The Lake Tahoe Basin is sitting around 200% of average for snow water equivalent – the amount of water that will be released from the snowpack when it melts – for this time of year. December's storms will also help keep the snowpack for area ski resorts in good shape, even if the region runs into a dry spell.

•	While West shivers, South braces for possible tornado threat on Wednesday.
•	Kentucky tornado latest in growing trend of Southern twisters that risk ecological disaster.

Snow continued to make travel nearly impossible over mountain passes on Dec. 26, 2021, a day after a Christmas storm left more than 7 feet of snow in some locations. Seen here is a sign for Spooner Summit Dec. 26, 2021

Snow continued to make travel nearly impossible over mountain passes on Sunday, a day after a Christmas storm left more than 7 feet of snow in some locations.

Provided to the RGJ by Riley Dillon

Real quick

•	A man was looking for deer antlers in Missouri. He found the remains of a missing MMA fighter.
•	'Heart has been ripped out': Mom of teen killed by LAPD cop prayed as daughter died in her arms.
•	Thousands of cranes killed by bird flu, half a million chickens slaughtered in Israel.
•	Dole recalls packaged salads sold in dozens of states over Listeria concerns.
•	Is it your lucky day? Powerball jackpot hits $441 million.

Tested positive for COVID-19 during the holidays? Here's what to do

Testing positive for COVID-19 starts a confusing, disruptive and at times frightening process – one that millions of Americans will likely go through in the coming week. First, you need to isolate. That's a more intense version of quarantining – it means cutting off contact with other people as much as possible so you reduce the chance of infecting them. This also means no travel, not going to work and even limiting contact with people in your own household. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says isolating is a necessary step whether you're vaccinated or unvaccinated, and whether you have symptoms or feel fine. Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should monitor their symptoms. And people who are unvaccinated or at high risk for severe disease should be extra-vigilant for symptoms that might require emergency care.

👉 How long should you isolate? How long will you be contagious? What if you are in close contact with someone who tested positive? Here's what you should know about omicron and COVID-19 this holiday season.

•	Pass the collard greens! New Year's Eve plans canceled? Here are some fun ways to celebrate the holiday at home.
•	Good news about omicron: It may pass quickly, pose small threat to vaccinated, experts say.

A woman stands on one foot as she waits in line for COVID-19 testing on Monday, December 27, 2021, in Worcester, Mass.

Christine Peterson, Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK

A break from the news

•	👩‍💻 Ask HR: How do I pick up my career after taking time away to parent?
•	🌄 Road trip! The best national parks for families to visit this winter.
•	💰 Save some dough: You can enter any U.S. national park for free next year – if you know when to go.

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

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