Monday, April 20, 2026

'Hurting families' in Louisiana

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Mon Apr 20 2026

Nicole Fallert
Newsletter Writer & SEO Editor

Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start the day with these stories:

•	The U.S. gave Cuba two weeks to release high-profile political prisoners.
•	President Donald Trump's second term approval rating reached a new low.
•	Today is the Boston Marathon.

Nicole Fallert here. Catch up with our News Quiz. It's a 4/20 and a Monday. Read about a Virginia special election and gas price predictions. Plus: A recap of Coachella weekend two.

At least eight children dead after Louisiana shooting

At least eight children are dead following a mass shooting on Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana , that police described as a "domestic disturbance."

The shooting spanned three homes , and Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the shooting possibly "the worst tragic situation" the city has ever seen and asked to keep the victims' families in their prayers. The children's ages ranged from 3 to 11, authorities said.

"We have hurting families," Arceneaux said. "We have hurting police officers, coroner's personnel, fire department, sheriff people, and this affects this entire community, so we all mourn with these families."

More news to know now

•	Gas prices may not drop until 2027. And Americans are headed into the summer travel season clouded by energy price spikes. Meanwhile, Trump warns "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY," but says talks with Iran ongoing.
•	"Yes" or "No"? A simple question in a special election in Virginia this week could have a national impact. Virginians will determine whether to let the state temporarily redraw congressional maps.
•	Your empty water bottle this summer: With drought stretching from coast to coast, water restrictions are already in effect in many states even before the thirsty summer season begins. Indeed, more than 61% of the nation is now in a drought.

Coachella Weekend 2

'One less lonely girl'

Billie Eilish is seen as Justin Bieber performs at the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 18, 2026 in Indio, Calif.

Kevin Mazur, Getty Images for Coachella

Fellow Beliebers feel you, Billie: Justin Bieber took the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival stage again on Saturday for Weekend 2. “One Less Lonely Girl” was a star-studded moment when Bieber was joined on stage by none other than Billie Eilish, one of his biggest fans.

Books

The jaw-drobbing financial reality of being an author

The difference between "nice" and "good" can be a $50,000 jump. Typically, when a book is acquired by a publishing imprint, those deals are shrouded in mystery. Even when it’s announced on Publishers Marketplace, the deals are categorized as “nice,” “very nice,” “good,” “significant” and “major” — ranging from $0 to over $500,000. Unless an author volunteers the exact amount, only the people involved in the deal will know how much that was.

Before you go

•	Know these 2026 WNBA season key dates.
•	The NFL's most fearless deal-maker explains a hot market.
•	The "Heated Rivalry" author teased a new love story in Season 2.

Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

Companies line up for tariff refunds as claims portal goes live

A cargo ship with shipping containers sits at the port of Oakland in February following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs.

CBP’s new CAPE system aims to bundle refunds into one payment, but importers worry heavy traffic could jam filings at launch.

READ MORE

A television screen shows a news report on Japan Meteorological Agency's tsunami warning, saying it expected tsunami waves to reach large coastal areas in northern Japan after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck on April 20, 2026.

Major 7.5-magnitude quake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued

Authorities urged residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 9.84 ft were expected.

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A JetBlue airlines plane comes in to land at Chicago's O'Hare International airport on May 22, 2024.

JetBlue flight diverted to Chicago after cabin odor, FAA investigating

A JetBlue flight bound for Boston was diverted to Chicago O'Hare after an odor was reported in the cabin. The FAA is investigating.

READ MORE

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 12, 2026.

'Beyond madness': MAGA pundits question Trump's mental health

New worries about President Trump's state of mind are being expressed openly by former allies and aides as liberal foes pounce on voters' age anxiety.

READ MORE