Friday, April 26, 2024

America's college students are speaking out

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Apr 26 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

In Friday's newsletter: Student demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war continue to erupt at colleges across the country. The second and third rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft are tonight. The first-ever "border czar" says Americans should separate immigration policy from border security.

🙋🏼‍♀️ Hi I'm Nicole Fallert, welcome to the Daily Briefing. Whew, we've made it to Friday. Perhaps I'll unwind today by hugging a tree or writing a poem.

College protests over Gaza are spreading

From Los Angeles to Indiana to Ohio to Massachusetts, students at more than 30 schools in 16 states are demonstrating against the Israel-Hamas war.

A lot has happened in just a few days: Hundreds of people arrested on campuses. Graduations canceled . Classes moved online. Congress weighed in. President Joe Biden condemned the demonstrations. Hamas and Iran praised them.

•	On Friday morning, pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia face a deadline to dismantle encampments on campus before school officials threaten more drastic measures for "restoring calm."
•	Similar pro-Palestinian encampments have cropped up across the country, spurring tensions at schools like USC and Indiana University.
•	Students across the country want different things, from a cease-fire in Gaza to a halt of military aid to Israel to institutional-specific reforms.

Check out USA TODAY's searchable database to see where campus protests are happening.

A pro-Israel counter-protester stands by a pro-Palestinian Jewish protester on April 25, 2024 at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Daniella Heminghaus, Bucks County Courier Times via USA TODAY Network

Every team's pick in 2024 NFL draft first round

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft featured plenty of surprises, including a record six quarterbacks flying off the board in the first 12 picks and an all-time high of 23 offensive players being claimed. To the surprise of absolutely no one, former USC QB Caleb Williams officially arrived with the No. 1 overall pick. The aftermath leaves plenty of intrigue and controversy ahead of the draft's next two days … along with runaway optimism and, perhaps, relief in other quarters. The event is only partly complete, but it feels like most of its major lead-in questions were answered. Read more

USC quarterback Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick.

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

More news to know now

•	The National Enquirer's editor said Stormy Daniels' affair story was true.
•	Aid workers killed in an Israeli strike were honored at the National Cathedral.
•	17 states sued over a federal rule giving employees abortion accommodations.
•	The economy grew a disappointing 1.6% in Q1.
•	On today's The Excerpt podcast, President Joe Biden's latest challenges with young, progressive voters. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

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

Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction overturned

In a stunning turn of events, a New York appeals court has overturned embattled Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, after finding that the judge for the trial handed down improper rulings. Thursday's decision means a new trial for Weinstein, who will continue serving a 16-year prison sentence stemming from a 2022 California conviction for rape. What does the decision mean for the #MeToo movement?

Should Americans be worried about the border?

Texas is testing the limits of what states can do to control immigration. As the pioneering first "border czar" of the state, Mike Banks is advising Gov. Greg Abbott's evolving – and controversial – border security strategy even as the Biden administration fights Texas' tactics in federal court. Banks spoke to USA TODAY about his views on cartel threats, concertina wire and comprehensive immigration reform. He says, yes, Americans should be concerned.

Texas Border Czar Mike Banks in Eagle Pass, Texas on April 16, 2024.

Omar Ornelas / El Paso Times

Keep scrolling

•	Monica Lewinsky joined in on a viral Taylor Swift meme.
•	Tinder and Hinge released new protective features to keep you safe on a date.
•	Keep track of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
•	This year's Met Gala theme is "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion." What would you wear?
•	📚 "The Rulebreaker" book giveaway: Congratulations to the winners of Susan Page's new book, Kathy S., Cynthia K., Michael M., Howard H. and John P. !

Donald Trump's strange split screen court moment this week

This week, the Supreme Court took on one of the most important questions a democracy can face: Can a former president be held criminally accountable for their actions in office? More than 300 miles away, at a courthouse in lower Manhattan, the former publisher of a supermarket tabloid testified about a former president's efforts to quash damaging tales of extramarital trysts with a porn star and a nude model in a case based on $130,000 in hush money payments. At the center of both? The same ex-president, Donald Trump.

Photo of the day: Athens turns a vivid orange

Clouds of dust blew in from the Sahara Desert this week, Athens and parts of southern Greece turned into a vivid shade of orange.

A man takes pictures as dust from the Sahara desert covers the city of Athens, Greece, April 23, 2024.

Louisa Gouliamaki

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.