YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP | | | | Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer
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Don't forget your OJ this morning. 🍊 Hi! I'm Nicole Fallert. Stay tuned for some exciting changes coming to the Daily Briefing newsletter starting next week. |
Supreme Court OKs Texas use of new map |
Texas can use a congressional map drawn to give President Donald Trump and Republicans an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections, the Supreme Court said Thursday. |
The background: At the urging of the Trump administration, the GOP-controlled Texas legislature drew new district lines midway through the usual 10-year redistricting cycle, setting off a race among states to get in the game. |
| • | What happened yesterday: The divided high court paused a lower court's ruling that the map likely discriminates against racial minorities by diluting the voting power of Hispanic and Black Texans. | | • | But are Democrats favored to flip the House anyway? Democratic party leaders lately are sounding increasingly optimistic about 2026, while Republicans are the ones expressing concerns of a midterm wipeout. | | • | 2026 map mania: Five other states have already adopted new congressional maps: California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah. | |
Trump speaks of love at the Christmas Tree lighting |
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump on Thursday continued the more than a century-old tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree in Washington. The 2025 tree is a 32-foot red spruce that grew in the mountains of Highland County, Virginia. In his remarks, Trump honored two National Guard members shot earlier this month and spoke about losing the 2020 election before stating he loves all U.S. citizens. See the tree. | President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images |
This is the deadliest sport for kids |
A USA TODAY investigation found that at least 158 children and teens have died on dirt bikes and at motocross tracks since 2000, more than six per year. That makes it the deadliest sport for young people – roughly seven times greater than tackle football. But the investigation found fatal incidents follow a pattern where safeguards are ignored. |
'Forever layoffs' worry workers |
A soft jobs market with smaller but regular layoffs — rather than infrequent large cuts — has employees feeling insecure and disconnected from management, according to Glassdoor's Worklife Trends 2026 report. In reviews on the job site, mentions of layoffs or similar terms and job insecurity have surpassed the level in March 2020. And while job cuts in November 2025 were lower than in the previous month, layoffs remained higher than a year ago. |
Why it matters NWSL rejected a Trinity Rodman deal |
The National Women's Soccer League wants to keep Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman in the league for years to come. But according to The Athletic, 23-year-old Rodman was ready to accept a multi-million-dollar deal from Washington — only for NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman to nix it. USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armor writes Berman's trepidation is going to force Rodman, a once-in-a-generation talent, to walk. | Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) played perhaps her final NWSL game against Gotham FC. Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images | Kentucky Wildcats middle blocker Brooke Bultema (8) celebrates a point during the first set against Wofford on Thursday. Jordan Prather, Jordan Prather-Imagn Images |
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. | | As Republicans and Democrats look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump's approval rating offers a clue in how voters feel. | | The American Cancer Society released updated guidelines today for cervical cancer screening, with two key changes. | | | | The 2025 forecast won't arrive until mid-December, but history holds a clue about what parts of the U.S. are most likely to see snow on Christmas. | | | | Ed Bambas, 88, works 40-hour weeks at his local Meijer in Detroit. After a video about him went viral, generous strangers stepped in to help. | | | | Bring the tranquil vibes of Pantone's Color of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, into your life with natural white products from Rhode, Pura and more. | | | | Ralph Lauren has designed the opening and closing ceremony uniforms for Team USA for the last 20 Olympics. The 2026 Milan Winter Olympics wear is out. | | | | George Clooney reflects on fame, failure, and a life lesson from his dad about chasing forever through movies. | | | | USA TODAY's daily news podcast, The Excerpt, brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. | | | | Our app gives you award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, eNewspaper and more. | | | | | Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break | Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you. | | | Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes | | | | | | |
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