Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Crude oil conference

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Jan 7 2026

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

Morning! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	Accused murderer Nick Reiner is due back in court Wednesday.
•	Grok AI is creating explicit images of women and children.
•	Taylor Swift's "Fate of Ophelia" just hit a milestone.

Nicole Fallert here! I know you've been delaying, but it's time to take your Christmas tree down. We've got Wednesday's news, from the future of the GOP-held House to Venezuelan oil. Plus, the latest turn in the NFL's coaching carousel.

Oil execs to meet about investments

Energy Secretary Chris Wright will meet with oil executives at a conference in Miami on Wednesday, just days after the United States captured the head of Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world.

Some background: President Donald Trump said earlier this week that U.S. companies could invest in Venezuela to turn around its low production numbers. Chevron is currently the only major U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela. Many U.S. oil companies left when then-leader Hugo Chavez attempted to seize their assets as part of a nationalization push in 2007. The country's production of crude oil has dropped precipitously since 2012.

The meeting comes one day after President Donald Trump said Venezuela will be "turning over" to the U.S. between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil after his administration captured the country's president and began pressuring the new leadership.

More news to know now

•	These LA residents can't go home. A year after deadly wildfires rampaged through this once-vibrant road of colorful houses, the scars on the landscape and the struggles for residents remain. Few have rebuilt houses. The battles with insurance companies persist, as do the bureaucratic hurdles to rebuilding. More than 70% of Eaton and Palisades residents remain displaced by the fires, and many told USA TODAY they worry about how they'll financially make it this next year.
•	House in the balance: President Donald Trump's narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives is getting even smaller, further complicating the path for passing a GOP-focused agenda in 2026. Trump acknowledged the hard political math during a retreat with House Republicans on Tuesday, saying "It's not a big majority. But it is a unified majority."
•	Would the U.S. use force against Greenland? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option" in a Jan. 6 statement after President Donald Trump and administration officials reignited interest in annexing Greenland.

Take a look

ICE in Minnesota

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers surround a vehicle during a traffic stop before leaving without detaining anyone in Minneapolis on Monday.

Tim Evans, REUTERS

Federal immigration agents are "surging" into Minnesota, officials said, amid a deepening fraud scandal that's enveloped state and national politics. The development comes as Hilton said it severed ties with a hotel franchise in Minneapolis that had allegedly canceled the reservations of ICE agents working in the area

Something to talk about

Where will John Harbaugh land?

John Harbaugh's 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end. The Ravens announced they fired Harbaugh on Tuesday, concluding the reign of the winningest coach in franchise history and second-longest tenure among active NFL coaches. That means there are now seven head coach vacancies in the NFL. USA TODAY Sports is following the league's game of musical chairs , with no telling where everyone will settle when the music stops.

Before you go

•	Read the latest divorce news featuring Amy Schumer and Nicole Kidman.
•	2026's U.S. figure skating team could be the best ever.
•	Want to buy a home on a tight budget?