More classified files about JFK’s assassination were unsealed. A deadly winter storm is still making its way across the country. Two men, a dog and a sailboat were rescued after vanishing in the open ocean.
👋 Hello! Laura Davis here. It’s time for Thursday’s news!
But first: They tried to drive in the HOV lane with a Grinch in the passenger seat. It didn’t work.
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White House rolls out the winter game plan for COVID
It’s winter, which means chilly temps, holiday gatherings – and a very unwelcome guest: COVID-19. As cases rise again, the White House on Thursday announced its plans for controlling cases this winter. The continued support wasn’t possible without additional funding from Congress, an administration official said, so the White House has managed to pay for these measures out of the 2021 American Rescue Plan.
The plans include:
- Offering Americans four more free coronavirus tests per household.
- Working with communities to open pop-up or mobile vaccination sites.
- Pre-positioning critical supplies like masks, gloves and gowns.
- Providing more support to nursing homes and long-term care facilities to protect the most vulnerable.
How many cases in the US? COVID-19 cases have begun to tick up in the U.S. in recent weeks, with nearly 459,000 cases reported the week of Dec. 7, including nearly 3,000 deaths. COVID-19 in wastewater has fallen nationally in recent days, suggesting infections are likely to fall, although it has been climbing in some states.
👉 Staying on top of the spread of variants, protecting the most vulnerable: What you need to know about the major initiatives.
- For many, COVID-19 treatments might as well be a myth. We can fix that.
- Pharmacies are cutting hours and closing stores. What it means for customers.
Wild winter storm threatens Northeast with up to 2 feet of snow
The massive storm fueling blizzard conditions across the nation’s northern tier and killer tornadoes in the South (this video is intense) set its sights on the Northeast Thursday, promising snow, ice and high winds from Virginia through New England. “Significant” accumulating ice and heavy snow were forecast for the interior Mid-Atlantic and New England state Thursday into Friday, the National Weather Service said. Heavy rain and severe weather that spun off numerous tornadoes – 14 in Texas alone – in recent days were also expected to continue marching through the Southeast into Florida. And the historic storm still has parts of the rest of the country in its grip. Follow our coverage for the latest updates.
- Don’t pay the price for frozen pipes this winter. Here are some tips.
- Want to start your car to warm it up? It might be a bad idea.
What everyone’s talking about
- ‘Harry & Meghan’ docuseries: Bombshells from the final episodes.
- These charts show how Trump’s 2024 bid is losing steam.
- What happens if a school doesn’t comply with Title IX? Not a whole lot.
- People are taking GHB in clubs. Be aware of the dangers, experts say.
- Parkinson’s disease is more common than thought. What’s contributing to rising rates?
The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.
More classified files on JFK’s assassination released
President Joe Biden on Thursday released a cache of once-classified documents expected to shed light on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Jean-Pierre said 97% of the Kennedy collection is available to the public following the release of 12,879 documents Thursday by the National Archives and 1,491 documents a year ago today. Biden has ordered the archives to conduct a six-month review “of a subset of the remaining redacted records” to ensure they are also disclosed “to the greatest extent possible,” the White House said. For decades, conspiracy theories have swirled around Kennedy’s untimely death, and the forthcoming files could provide some clarity. Here’s what we know.
- 2021 JFK files: Biden orders release of nearly 1,500 classified files.
- See it yourself: Search the 2017 secret files on JFK’s assassination.
- 2017 JFK files: Feds release 2,800 secret records; Trump withholds others over national security concerns.
The future of electric vehicle charging may soon be right under your feet
Can’t find a charger for your electric vehicle? What if you could just … drive? By summer 2023, about a mile of road near downtown Detroit should contain inductive charging coils, the first step in a program that aims to address some of the biggest challenges to EV adoption: cost, weight, range and electricity generating capacity. The joint project includes the state of Michigan, city of Detroit and several private companies. The cost savings would come from using smaller, less expensive batteries. Stops to charge could be virtually eliminated if major routes offered in-road charging. Mind. blown. Read all about the project here.
- Shopping for a new car? You might have to pay monthly for faster speeds, heated seats and more.
Real quick
- Whitmer kidnapping plot: 3 men sentenced in plot to kidnap governor.
- College football bowl picks: Predictions for every postseason matchup.
- A Biden second term? White House ends 2022 on string of victories.
- New bill would legally protect common medical process used for pregnancy.
- Judicial candidate caught on video whipping belt at girlfriend admits guilt.
- Florida father, son who ran ministry charged with $8 million PPP fraud.
Ex-Texas officer found guilty in killing of Black woman: A Texas jury on Thursday found former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, 38, who is white, guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson in 2019. While responding to a nonemergency call from a neighbor about an open front door, Dean shot Jefferson through a window in her home. Here’s what happened at the trial.
Two NJ men found 10 days after disappearing at sea
His voice was broken up by a bad connection. But on Dec. 3, Joe DiTomasso left a message with his daughter: The sailboat journey to the Florida Keys was going well. Then he stopped responding. For the next 10 frantic days, fears grew as the silence continued. The Coast Guard launched a massive search of 21,000 square miles of ocean for DiTomasso, 76, his friend, Kevin Hyde, 65, and a dog named Minnie. They had left New Jersey on Thanksgiving weekend on a 30-foot sailboat bound for Marathon, Florida, but hadn’t been heard from since reaching the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On Tuesday, about 200 miles off the coast of Delaware, a tanker spotted a sailboat, apparently adrift. Read about their harrowing journey.
A break from the news
- 🎄 45 stocking stuffers that will still get here before Christmas.
- 🧘♀️ Just heard the best travel tip: Do nothing. Here’s how.
- 🍪 What’s the best Christmas cookie? See the most popular in your state.
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