Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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Say goodbye to 2025, and hello to the new year! It's Wednesday's news. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Wed Dec 31 2025

 

Rebecca Morin Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

👋 Hey! Rebecca Morin here with the final Short List of the year. Finally saw "Marty Supreme" in theaters and oh boy, was I stressed. 

In Wednesday's news:

Hoping for some good luck in the New Year? Don't forget the grapes!
Once the clock strikes midnight, a new mayor will be running New York City
"Stranger Things" is coming to an end, and the finale won't make all fans happy.

But first: Sign me up to be a royal. 👑 Prince William's royal check has been revealed – and it's in the eight-figure range.

🎆 Happy New Year's Eve!

Goodbye 2025! You've been … something else. Personally for me, it was full of countless unforgettable moments with friends and family. (I mean, I got to see Bad Bunny twice this year!) If you're hoping for some luck and good vibes this year, well, we've got you covered. 🍇 Here's some traditions to help bring your New Year's resolutions to life.

Now, get some grapes and cue "The New Year" by Death Cab for Cutie!

Some countries are already ringing in the New Year!
Ready to see the ball drop in Times Square? What you need to know. 
2025 wasn't all bad. There were some good pop culture moments that we won't forget.
Yes, we're celebrating! But, please, not by firing guns into the air.
Fireworks are beautiful – but they can also be scary to your pet. How to keep them safe.

New Year Thailand Fireworks

Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026.

Patipat Janthong, REUTERS

Changes coming to food assistance program

New year, new SNAP? Millions of Americans who receive benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are going to face new limitations on what they can buy. Reforms to the program, which will be implemented in 18 states, include bans on soda, energy drinks and candy. 👉 What to know about changes.

How Trump's tariffs have impacted American lives and pocketbooks.
More than 300,000 federal employees left the government in 2025.

Real quick

You may now address him as Sir Idris Elba.
Measles cases in the United States hit a 30-year high.
You'll see the Times Square ball drop twice in 2026 for the first time ever.
Watch as Sydney, Australia, holds a minute of silence for Bondi victims on New Year's Eve.
Isiah Whitlock Jr., veteran actor known for "The Wire" and "Veep," dies at age 71.

The new New York mayor

It's not just the start of a new year once the clock strikes midnight. It's the start of a new administration in New York City. Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, will be sworn in during a private midnight ceremony at the Old City Hall subway station. A public swearing-in ceremony will take place on New Year's Day. 🗽 How Mamdani's ambitious progressive platform will face hurdles.

From threatening arrest to love fest: How Trump changed his tune on Mamdani.

Usa Election New York Mayor

Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani waves on stage after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, at an election night rally in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Nov. 4, 2025.

Shannon Stapleton, REUTERS

📺 'Stranger Things' comes to an end

Find yourself in the Upside Down this evening. After nearly a decade run, the final two-hour long episode of "Stranger Things" premiers on Netflix and in movie theaters at 8 p.m. ET. But one star of the show is warning that the finale won't "satisfy" all the show's fans.

Not ready for the show to end? Don't worry, there's going to be a spin-off.

Stranger Things Season 5

Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, Brett Gelman, Natalia Dyer, Amybeth McNulty, Sadie Sink and Millie Bobby Brown in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

Netflix

A break from the news

🐦 Calling all bird lovers! How to feed those hungry wild birds this winter.
✏️ Hoping to be more organized in 2026? Well, these planners should help.

Rebecca Morin is a senior news reporter at USA TODAY. What are your favorite New Year's traditions? Let me know at rdmorin@usatoday.com.

FILE PHOTO: National Guard members walk at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Broadview facility in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 9, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo

Trump announced on social media Dec. 31 that troops will be leaving the three Democratic-led cities, following a Supreme Court decision.

Chevy Chase is the subject of a CNN documentary premiering New Year's Day.
 

'The key' to complicated Chevy Chase according to doc's director

Chevy Chase "was not aware" of his reputation, says Marina Zenovich, director of CNN's documentary, "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not."

A sign on Wabash Ave. in Springfield, Illinois, on Dec. 20, 2023 reminds people to get vaccinated for flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
 

A new flu variant is sweeping across the US. Is your state affected?

New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Louisiana and South Carolina emerge as hot spots for flu cases.

Tatiana Schlossberg attends her book signing at the In Goop Health Summit San Francisco 2019 at Craneway Pavilion on Nov. 16, 2019 in Richmond, California.
 

Tatiana Schlossberg, Kennedy granddaughter, and tabloid cruelty

She was 35. A mom. A wife. A journalist. After her tragic death from cancer, she became tabloid fodder.

Women wearing Santa Claus hats make their way at a shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, December 25, 2025.
 

Holiday magic is made by women. And they've had enough.

Did you have a merry Christmas? Thank the women in your life whose unpaid and unseen work makes the holidays magical from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

Emma Heming and actor Bruce Willis arrive at Columbia Pictures' premiere of "House Bunny" held at the Mann Village Theater on Aug. 20, 2008, in Westwood, California.
 

Emma Heming Willis marks anniversary with Bruce Willis

Emma Heming Willis marked 18 years since Bruce Willis "became my boyfriend" with a throwback photo of the couple: "Time stood still."

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference after two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Nov. 26, 2025.
 

Patel, Vance weigh in on alleged day care fraud in Minnesota

A viral video prompted a fresh wave of scrutiny on the sweeping fraud investigation in Minnesota, drawing a response from the FBI and the vice president.

Christian Barmore before a game in November.
 

Patriots defender facing domestic assault charges

New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore has been charged with assault and battery.

A Puerto Rican flag waves among thousands of people attending the inauguration day of the 55th edition of the annual San Sebastian Street Festival in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 16, 2025.
 

Travel wasn't just trips this year. It was identity, power and joy.

From overtourism and border fears to fandom, faith and love, USA TODAY's most powerful Travel stories showed what travel reveals about humanity.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman walk the red carpet during the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
 

Celebrity breakups 2025: Nicole Kidman, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, more

Love doesn't always last in the spotlight. From Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom to Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, these celeb couples split up in 2025.

Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break

Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you. 

Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes

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