The Short List

Thu Jul 25 2024

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

Why are people talking about cat ladies like it's a bad thing? It's the end of an era at Southwest Airlines. And France is struggling with its hijab rules for the Olympics.

👋Hey, Thursday! Laura Davis here. Ready for the news? Let's go.

🐳 But first: A whale of a tale! Why did this humpback whale flip a fishing boat with people on board?

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Don't mess with cat (ladies)

You've probably heard the words "childless cat lady" before. Maybe you've lived in fear of it. Or maybe you are one and don't know why people treat it like it's a bad thing.

What's happening: In a resurfaced video, vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance referred to Vice President (and current front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination) Kamala Harris as one.

What they're saying: Jennifer Aniston, who doesn't have kids, called Vance out on Instagram – and many Swifties have pounced at Vance's comments, willing to defend Taylor Swift's honor as a cat mom. So where did this term come from, exactly, and why do we rarely hear a man described as childless in this same manner? Well … 👉 Here's what to know.

•	"I'm not going to be nice": Trump launches all-out attack on Harris.
•	Why Harris has appeal with young voters looking for change.
•	Harris narrows Trump's lead in battleground states.
•	Border politics heat up in White House race: Where does Harris stand?

Vice President Kamala Harris (left), Taylor Swift (top right), Jennifer Aniston (bottom right) and when we reduce women to "childless cat ladies."

Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images; Julien De Rosa / AFP; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

No more Southwest seating free-for-all

After more than 50 years, Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its open seating policy. The airline said Thursday that more passengers are taking longer flights, and tend to prefer an assigned seat. The revamped boarding process – no date known yet – is just one of several major changes in store for the airline, including red-eye flights and premium seating. ✈️ See more changes.

Real quick

•	Does this rock-hard chewing gum really give you a more chiseled look?
•	The Olympics has everyone talking about sex (again). Why?
•	Pregnant Georgia teen found dead in woods, ex-boyfriend charged.
•	Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman hope Marvel team-up is a "fastball of joy."

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She wears a hijab. So she's barred from France's Olympics team.

Diaba Konaté was considered a breakout star in this year's NCAA Women's March Madness tournament. But she can't play basketball in her own country, including for the French national team during the Paris Olympics. That's because the French Federation of Basketball (FFBB) applies the country's laws on secularism, which ban the wearing of symbols or clothing that express a religious affiliation in public schools and other institutions linked to the state. 👉 What we know.

Diaba Konate #23 of the UC Irvine Anteaters dribbles against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first quarter in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at McCarthey Athletic Center on March 23, 2024 in Spokane, Washington.

Steph Chambers, Getty Images

Today's action: The Emma Hayes era for the United States women's national soccer team officially began with the Americans handling business in their group-play opener Thursday with a 3-0 win over Zambia. ⚽️ All the game's big moments.

🏅 Want more news from Paris? Follow @USATODAYSports for on-the-ground updates and sign up for USA TODAY's daily Olympics newsletter, Chasing Gold.

So, how's the economy?

The economy picked up sharply in the second quarter as a rise in consumer and business spending offset a drop in housing construction and a widening trade gap.

By the numbers: The nation's gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced in the U.S., expanded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.8% in the April-to-June period, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That's up from a tepid gain of 1.4% early this year and 2.5% increase for all of 2023. 📊 What it could mean for interest rates.

A break from the news

•	🛍️ Back-to-school clothes sales with styles as low as $3.75.
•	👩‍💻 How to reduce unwanted ads (yes, even political ones).
•	🐻 Watch: Bougie bear chills in mansion pool.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.