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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Jul 2 2025

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

Good morning!🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert. Reading a lot this summer?? Join USA TODAY's Summer Book Challenge!

Quick look at Wednesday's news:

•	Health policy experts have warned Medicaid cuts could harm hospitals and doctors who serve a higher percentage of low-income adults and children.
•	A jury is continuing deliberations after it agreed on all but one count in Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trial.
•	Do you have to show border agents your social media?

Bill sets January 2027 deadline for new Medicaid eligibility rules

The Senate cleared President Donald Trump's domestic spending and tax cut bill that will enact steep cuts to the nation's safety-net health insurance program for low-income families.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" would cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, the state-federal health program for low-income families and the disabled. The bill is projected to eliminate insurance coverage for 11.8 million people over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

•	Vice President JD Vance called the Medicaid cuts "immaterial" compared to savings he says the bill will fund through bolstered immigration enforcement.
•	How will the legislation cut Medicaid? The legislation would require states to double eligibility checks to twice a year. And states, which administer Medicaid, would have to set up systems to verify a person's employment or exemption status.
•	What happens next? The House is scheduled to consider the legislation Wednesday in advance of Trump's self-imposed July 4th deadline for his signature domestic policy legislation.

Jury in Sean Combs case wrestles with verdict

After only two days of deliberations, the jury reached a verdict on four of the five counts against Sean "Diddy" Combs, including two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. But they weren't read aloud in court. The jury returns to Manhattan court Wednesday to begin Day 3 of deliberations on the rapper's racketeering charge. Follow live updates from USA TODAY as jury deliberations resume.

More news to know now

•	Trump urged Hamas to accept a "final proposal" for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire.
•	A Texas wildlife center says it was given 60 days to move or shut down.
•	NOAA's budget spells out plans to abandon climate research.
•	The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and strip the record of former swimmer Lia Thomas.
•	New housing legislation in California means an overhaul of the state's environmental law.

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

Zohran Mamdani reacts to Trump arrest threats

"His statements don't just represent an attack on our democracy but an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: if you speak up, they will come for you. We will not accept this intimidation."

~ New York City's Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani in response to President Donald Trump's threat to arrest him if as mayor he follows through on pledges not to assist federal officials enforcing immigration laws.

Can border agents check your Instagram posts?

The short answer: Yes. U.S. Customs and Border Control has stepped up its vetting of travelers entering the country, including the searches of their electronic devices. These searches have long been permitted, but some legal experts say they are becoming more common – and with higher scrutiny. Recent detainment and deportation cases of everyday international travelers, along with the government announcing it will screen the social media of immigrants and visa applicants in April, are worrying some travelers – including some U.S. citizens – that something they share online could lead to consequences at the border.

•	There's no requirement to have social media on your phone. Lawful residents or U.S. citizens could take precautions like cleaning up their profiles, turning them to private, logging out or deleting the apps ahead of time to block access.

Today's talkers

•	Lorde is getting backlash for referencing Pamela Anderson's sex tape in a new song.
•	"Superman" first look: There's some darn fine journalism in the new film.
•	Meet Dayana Yastremska, the Ukrainian tennis star who upset Coco Gauff at Wimbledon.
•	The billionaire wedding photo op and depthless parade of Jeff Bezos' controversial wedding.
•	Lululemon is suing Costco over "duped" athleticwear.

The World Cup is in the US next summer — will players and fans be able to come?

More than 80 civil rights and labor groups sent a letter to FIFA expressing "deep concern" over the U.S. government's immigration policies ahead of the 2026 World Cup in men's soccer. In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Trump's executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by ICE in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer. They called on FIFA to "use its influence to encourage the U.S. government to guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans."

Photo of the day: 'Operation ice towel'

A sweltering heat wave sent temperatures soaring above 100 degrees across much of Europe, closing favorite tourist sites as several countries recorded the hottest month of June ever. The heat even forced Wimbledon's "Operation Ice Towel" to go into effect.

Philippines' Alexandra Eala cools herself down amid the heatwave with ice towels during her first round match against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova at Wimbledon on July 1.

Toby Melville, REUTERS

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.