Wednesday, August 27, 2025

A Taylor-Travis wedding

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Aug 27 2025

Jane Onyanga-Omara | Audience Editor

Good morning! I'm Jane, Daily Briefing author. Colorado football's buffalo mascot Ralphie VI is retiring — due to "an indifference to running."

Quick look at Wednesday's news:

•	Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged!
•	President Trump will chair a meeting on Gaza at the White House.
•	Cracker Barrel's "Old Timer" logo is back.

Tayvis are getting married

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged.

The music icon and three-time Super Bowl champion announced the news in a joint Instagram post Tuesday, captioned: "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married." The pair began dating in 2023.

•	In an exclusive interview with News 5 in Cleveland, Kelce's dad Ed Kelce said his son got down on one knee nearly two weeks ago, on Aug. 10, and that Travis asked Taylor to marry him at his secret garden.
•	What's the ring like? Swift sports a cushion cut old mine brilliant cut diamond on a yellow gold band by designer Kindred Lubeck.
•	When's the wedding? The couple has not yet announced a date or location. The 2025 NFL season is set to begin in less than two weeks so it's fair to assume no wedding will be held until after the 2026 Super Bowl.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement via Instagram on Aug. 26, 2025.

Provided by Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce via Instagram

Trump to chair Gaza meeting in Washington

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday that President Donald Trump would chair a meeting on Gaza at the White House on Wednesday and added that Washington expected Israel's war in the Palestinian territory to be settled by the end of the year. The State Department separately said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Washington. Earlier Wednesday, Pope Leo made a "strong appeal" to end the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid.

More news to know now

•	Trump's doubling of tariffs on Indian imports took effect.
•	Parents of Emmanuel Haro, the missing 7-month-old California boy, charged with murder.
•	Fed governor Lisa Cook to sue over Trump's attempt to fire her from the Fed.
•	SpaceX Starship completes successful test flight after series of setbacks.

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

Kill someone in nation's capital? Trump wants the death penalty

President Trump announced Tuesday that anyone who kills a person in the nation's capital will be charged with the death penalty. Trump was talking about reducing crime in Washington at his Cabinet meeting when he pivoted and said, "If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, D.C., we're going to be seeking the death penalty." Trump also said other states, which are not under the sway of the federal government as much as the District of Columbia, would have to decide on their own whether to follow suit.

Cracker Barrel to return to 'Old Timer' logo after backlash

Cracker Barrel announced Tuesday that it is dropping its much-criticized new logo and returning to the "Old Timer." The nationwide restaurant chain and country store unveiled a new, simplified logo on Aug. 19 that was intended to modernize the company's brand. The change drew sharp criticism from customers and politicians, with both President Trump and the Democratic Party decrying the change. USA TODAY asked Cracker Barrel if Trump's comments had influenced its decision and did not receive an immediate response.

The Cracker Barrel logo.

Cracker Barrel

Today's talkers

•	Lil Nas X speaks out after his arrest.
•	"Ted Lasso" actor Keeley Hazell talks revenge porn and a new perspective.
•	Kris Jenner reveals facelift "refresh" feels like she's "aging gracefully".
•	Spike Lee's dropped docuseries on Colin Kaepernick is needed now more than ever \| Opinion.

College football's 25 most powerful people

Who are the most powerful people in college football? The USA TODAY Sports Network decided to figure it out. Our panel of experts settled on the top 25 going into the 2025 season, with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey taking the top spot in a vote after the list was determined. Names like Sankey, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, Colorado coach Deion Sanders and retired coach Nick Saban will be familiar to college football fans, but others like Jimmy Sexton, Cole Gahagan and Dave Brown hold tremendous sway behind the scenes. Here's the list as the 2025 season gets underway.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey attends the game between LSU and Southern California at Allegiant Stadium in 2024.

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Photo of the day: Haboob dust storm swallows Phoenix

Thousands of people were left without power after a haboob — a huge dust storm caused by strong winds from a thunderstorm — barreled through Phoenix, causing damage and flight delays Monday. See dramatic photos of the storm by Arizona Republic photographers.