Latest news with #RebeccaMorin
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
The congressional mess in Texas
Texas Republicans push for a vote on a new congressional map. North Carolina braces for towering waves from Hurricane Erin. And how money may be affecting your love life. 👋 How's it going? Rebecca Morin here. Let's get going to Wednesday's news! But first: A dark night sky. A rare black moon is set to occur this week – even if you can't see it. Texas' congressional map may soon look different Let the debate begin. Texas House Republicans on Wednesday are expected to vote on redistricting plans aimed at flipping five Democratic-held U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections. Lawmakers began debating the proposed map, but it's unclear how quickly Republicans could approve it. The move follows a two-week walkout by Texas Democrats that temporarily delayed the bill. The rare mid-decade redistricting comes at Trump's urging as the president seeks to boost Republican chances of preserving their narrow U.S. House majority next year. Follow for the latest on the vote. Democrats still protesting: In an effort to ensure lawmakers remain in Texas, Republican House leaders have assigned state law enforcement officers to monitor them. Several Democrats slept in the Capitol building in protest and publicly tore up permission slips required by Republicans for members to leave the chamber. How one state lawmaker, Rep. Nicole Collier, started the protest by sleeping at the statehouse. Towering waves threaten North Carolina Less than 300 miles from North Carolina's Outer Banks, the center of Hurricane Erin will roar by – setting up the vulnerable region for an intense battering of waves and storm surge. The effects of the massive storm could destroy dunes, threaten beachfront houses and flood roads. Powerful waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected to slam beaches, especially in North Carolina, for 48 hours or more as the hurricane crawls northward offshore through at least Thursday. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday afternoon that conditions are expected to 'deteriorate' in the Outer Banks and strongly discouraged swimming at most East Coast beaches. See Hurricane Erin's projected path. Real quick Double-check your luggage Magic 8 ball? Sure. Antlers? You're good to go. But don't you dare think about packing this one item in your checked luggage. The Transportation Security Administration banned three new items from checked bags: cordless curling irons or flat irons containing gas cartridges, butane-fueled curling irons or flat irons, and gas refills (spare cartridges) for curling irons or flat irons. These items are allowed in your carry-on bags as long as they have safety covers to prevent activation. Check out these weird TSA approved items. Your bank and your love life When looking for a relationship, what's more important: love or money? For many Americans, they don't want "no scrub." Although the median U.S. annual salary is about $62,192, Americans on average expect their ideal partner to earn six figures, a new survey found. Women on average want their ideal partner to earn $110,000, and men expect theirs to earn $90,000, according to a Tawkify survey of 1,000 Americans. Some responses were contradictory: More than 6 in 10 Americans (63%) said they would marry for love, even if it meant a lifelong financial struggle. But if forced to decide between love and money, 46% said they would pick the latter. How income could be a dealbreaker for some. A break from the news Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Texas tees up new voting map
Howdy! It's Rebecca Morin. Here's a feud I never would have anticipated: The White Stripes' Jack White slammed President Donald Trump over his Oval Office makeover. Voting on a new Texas congressional map On the agenda for the Texas legislature: a new congressional map. Texas House Republicans on Wednesday are expected to vote on redistricting plans intended to flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats up for grabs in the 2026 midterm elections. It's not clear how quickly Republicans could approve it. The move comes after Texas Democrats ended a two-week walkout that temporarily delayed the bill's passage. The rare mid-decade redistricting came at Trump's urging as the president seeks to improve the Republican Party's odds of preserving its narrow U.S. House majority next year. Follow for updates on the vote. Democrats are still protesting: In an effort to ensure lawmakers remain in Texas, Republican House leaders have assigned state law enforcement officers to monitor Democrats. Several Democrats slept in the Capitol building in protest and publicly tore up permission slips required by Republicans for members to leave the chamber. The move follows State Rep. Nicole Collier, who in protest slept in the House chamber beginning Monday rather than accepting a police escort. A limited response to redistricting: One reason why Texas Democrats returned to the state: California's promise to hold a special election in November so voters can greenlight a one-time redistricting plan to potentially add seats for Democrats. New York also promised to respond to the gerrymandering efforts. However, Republicans in states like Florida and Ohio are also taking action on redistricting – which would make it harder for Democrats to fight back. A politics pit stop And we're off to the races It's a battle between Californians. In a hypothetical race, Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a slight edge over former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, according to a new poll of Californian voters conducted by Politico and The Citrin Center public opinion firm. Newsom is the top choice of 25% of California's Democratic voters in the 2028 Democratic primary, leading all prospective candidates, including Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee. How the poll offers a glimpse into national Democratic voters' thinking. The results of the poll: Trump's goes after the Smithsonian Trump thinks museums in the nation's capital focus too much on the negative. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said he believes the Smithsonian museums in Washington are too fixated on "how bad slavery was" and other negative aspects of U.S. history as he promised to take aim at the "WOKE" elements. The post came after he last week launched a review of the Smithsonian Institution and its 21 museums to remove "divisive or partisan" elements and determine whether its materials conformed to the Trump administration's views on teaching history. See which museums are part of the review. Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@
USA Today
11-08-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Troops sent into DC
The federal government is taking over police operations in Washington, DC. A deadly explosion rocked a Pennsylvania steel plant. And the first hurricane of the year could be forming in the Atlantic. 👋 Howdy! Rebecca Morin here. Let's get moving to Monday's news! But first: Losing their voice. 🐳 Blue whales have stopped singing because of changing ocean conditions that are making their prey scarce, a recent study has found. A federal crackdown in DC President Donald Trump is sending 800 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, and having the federal government take control of the city's Metropolitan Police Department as part of an aggressive federal effort to crack down on crime in the nation's capital. Trump's actions follow a high-profile assault on a former staffer of the Department of Government Efficiency during an attempted carjacking earlier in August. Crime rate is down: While Trump laid out a dark portrait of a city in the midst of a "tragic emegency," data shows Washington's crime rate is on the decline. Violent crimes are 26% lower than last year and homicides are down 12%, according to metro police statistics. In fact, crime in the capital 'is the lowest it has been in over 30 years,' according to data included in a Jan. 3 statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington. What to know about Trump's announcement. Other cities on notice: Trump said he might expand his crackdown on crime to other major U.S. cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland, California. Though he didn't elaborate on his plans, one of the two executive actions Trump signed Monday directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to coordinate with governors and "authorize the orders of any additional members of the National Guard to active service, as he deems necessary and appropriate, to augment this mission." "This will go further," Trump warned. An explosion at a steel plant A noise that sounded like thunder and a large plume of smoke. An explosion at a steel plant on the outskirts of Pittsburgh has killed one person; two people are missing and dozens are believed to have been injured. Allegheny County Emergency Services and police repsonded to the blast Monday at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on social media that the steel plant was the site of "multiple explosions.' Residents within a mile of the plant were being advised to remain indoors, close windows and doors and set their home cooling units to recirculation as a precaution. 👉 Follow the for the latest updates. Real quick A hurricane's a-brewin' A storm is coming. Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and is on track to become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, meteorologists said. The National Hurricane Center in Miami announced Monday that Erin had developed from a tropical wave as it churned west of the Cabo Verde Islands, an archipelago that sits off the western coast of Africa. The storm is expected to strengthen as it barrels west over the coming days, and it could become 'a major hurricane.' ⛈️ See where the storm could hit. An 'old-fashioned winter' There was record-breaking snowfall, bone-chilling temperatures, and personally, a lot of hot chocolate to keep warm this past winter. The Farmers' Almanac is predicting this upcoming season will be an "old-fashioned winter, with "Chill, Snow, Repeat" weather patterns. The cold and snow may not reach as far south as last year, but the Northern Plains to the New England are probably in for a cold, snowy winter. The big question you probably have: Will there be a White Christmas? Possibly in the northern Plains, but not in too many other places. ❄️ What the forecast is expected to look like in your region. A break from the news Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
A 'nightmare' in Minnesota
The suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers visited the homes of other state officials. Two New Orleans fugitives are still on the run, 30 days after escaping jail. And there's a new, sort-of-presidential cellular service. 👋 Hello! Rebecca Morin here. Let's hop to Monday's news. But first: Bye-bye bikinis. 👙 It's tankini summer, but the tummy-covering two-piece set is sparking online debates. Minnesota shooting suspect captured and charged Vance Boelter, the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers, went to the homes of two other state officials the morning he launched a targeted "political assassination," said Joseph Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota. Boelter drove to the houses of the other state officials after he shot and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in the early morning hours Saturday. Boelter was arrested Sunday night in rural Sibley County, about 50 miles from Minneapolis, after state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed, and Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and wounded. 'Stuff of nightmares': Boelter faces six federal charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking. Minnesota state prosecutors said they plan to pursue first-degree murder charges against Boelter. Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, said Boelter's 'crimes are the stuff of nightmares.' 👉 Follow the latest updates. Travel warning to Israel amid conflict with Iran Americans are advised not to travel to Israel after another wave of Iranian missile attacks struck the country and killed at least eight people. The State Department on Monday classified travel to Israel and the West Bank as level 4, or 'do not travel,' the highest advisory level on the U.S. government's scale and one associated with life-threatening risks. Americans who are already in countries that have a "do not travel" warning are advised by the State Department to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. Israel launched a bombing campaign against Tehran late last week to limit its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Iran has returned fire on Israel, striking the heavily populated city of Tel Aviv and setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem. What travelers should know about the new guidance. Real quick 30 days since New Orleans jailbreak It was like a scene out of a Hollywood movie. Thirty days ago, 10 men broke out of a New Orleans jail, prompting a manhunt for two escapees still on the run. The fugitives, some facing charges for violent crimes including second-degree murder, escaped after pulling off the sink-toilet unit affixed to the wall just after midnight May 16. But it wasn't until the morning that authorities knew fugitives escaped Orleans Parish Prison. In the days and weeks after the escape, authorities caught most of the fugitives. Authorities are still looking for Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. 👉 Inside the New Orleans jailbreak and manhunt. A new 'T' mobile The Trump presidency. Trump hotels. And now, Trump phones? The Trump Organization, the holding company for President Donald Trump's business ventures, on Monday announced a new cellular service called Trump Mobile. The network will offer 5G service with a flagship plan available for $47.45 a month − a nod to the president's first and second terms. But it's not just a service: The conglomerate also announced a new mobile phone, dubbed the T1 Phone, which will use an Android operating system and retail for $499. 📱 What to know about Trump Mobile. A break from the news Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@
USA Today
17-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
Scary landing leaves Delta jet upside down
Scary landing leaves Delta jet upside down A Delta Air Lines passenger plane crashes at a Canadian airport. The Trump administration lays off more government workers. And an American comedy institution marked a half-century of sketches, gags and musical guests. 👋 Hello! Rebecca Morin here. Happy Presidents' Day! And as self-proclaimed president of this newsletter, I hereby sign into law that you must read today's news. But first: This is bananas. 🍌 A venomous snake was found by a New Hampshire grocery store worker in banana shipment. Delta Air Lines flight crashes in Toronto A Delta Air Lines regional jet crashed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon, just weeks after a midair disaster involving an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that there were no fatalities among the 80 people on board. Photos showed the plane, a Bombardier CRJ-900 that departed from Minneapolis, upside down on the tarmac. 👉 Follow our live coverage. Federal workers incensed by mass layoffs 'A lie.' 'A government takeover.' Those were just a few words that some former federal workers used to describe their recent termination amid President Donald Trump's efforts to cut the government workforce. In recent interviews with USA TODAY, fired federal workers expressed anger and frustration over the loss of their jobs, as well as termination letters citing 'performance' issues they say are unfounded. 👉 We reviewed 10 of those letters. Real quick Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. New winter storm headed east, Kentucky hit by flooding Is snowy weather over for the East Coast? Fingers crossed it ends soon. A storm is taking shape Monday that could hit parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, where some cities could get 6 inches or more of snow. The storm will then roll across the country to North Carolina before heading up north. Though the storm will miss cities like Boston and New York, it's unclear whether it will dump snow on the nation's capital. ❄️ See the forecast here. Reeling from flooding: Kentucky and other communities across the eastern U.S. were grappling with flooding caused by heavy rains and strong winds over the weekend. The storm caused widespread power outages, evacuations, water rescues and over a dozen deaths. 👉 Follow today's coverage. See photos: Major floods inundate Eastern Kentucky. Live from New York – for 50 years I don't know about you, but I laughed, I cried, and I may have fallen asleep a little early. But the star-studded 50th-anniversary episode of "Saturday Night Live" took us through time (literally one sketch went through New York in the 1970s to the present day). Sunday night's special honored popular sketches like 'Black Jeopardy!' and had a crossover between Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler for "Bronx Beat," with Mike Myers' classic "Coffee Talk" character Linda Richman. Beloved alums like Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell were among the many featured. And one little-known actress named Meryl Streep even made her "SNL" debut. 🎬 Read our review. A break from the news Rebecca Morin is a senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Got any thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@
