World News: Omicron variant detected in US

Wednesday, December 1

Travelers wait in a line while entering a security checkpoint at Logan International Airport, in Boston.

Dr. Fauci pointed to vaccines as the "solution" after the first known U.S. case of the new COVID-19 variant was confirmed. It's Wednesday's news.

NFT auction: USA TODAY and iconic artist Peter Tunney are teaming up to benefit charity – and you can get involved.

The first known U.S. case of the omicron variant has been confirmed. The Supreme Court appears open to upholding Mississippi's abortion ban. And it's time to look back at all the music we've listened to this year.

👋 Hi! It's Julius here with Wednesday's news.

But first, a new heart and $1 million: A Massachusetts man underwent double-bypass heart surgery and received a "get well soon" card that included a winning lottery ticket.

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First known US case of omicron variant detected

The first known case of the omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in the U.S. days after its rapid spread in South Africa and numerous mutations prompted worldwide concern. The California and San Francisco public health departments confirmed a case of COVID-19 among an individual in the state was caused by the omicron variant. The person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and was fully vaccinated. The person had mild symptoms that are improving. Much is unknown about the variant, and it is unclear whether it is more contagious than other variants, if it makes people more seriously ill, or if it can thwart the vaccine.

•	Understanding omicron: How the latest coronavirus variant, now in the U.S., is mutating and spreading
•	Omicron is here: How to manage your anxiety about the new variant

Supreme Court signals support for Mississippi's abortion ban

A majority of the Supreme Court signaled Wednesday it is open to upholding Mississippi's ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy but left open the question of just how far it may go to undermine its landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The justices wrestled with the potential impact of overturning the landmark ruling — both on people who are seeking an abortion as well as the how the nation might perceive the Supreme Court if it abandons the 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to the procedure. The six conservative justices asked questions that suggested some skepticism with the position taken by abortion-rights groups that allowing Mississippi's ban would not only violate the Constitution but also raise questions about the court's neutral interpretation of the law.

•	Supreme Court's decision in abortion case will affect dozens of states beyond Mississippi

December 1, 2021: Stephen Parlato of Boulder, Colo., holds a sign that reads "Hands Off Roe!!!" as abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability.

Stephen Parlato of Boulder, Colo., holds a sign that reads "Hands Off Roe!!!" as abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability.

Andrew Harnik, AP

What everyone's talking about

•	Stacey Abrams launches second campaign for Georgia governor.
•	'Just be a good witness': Amid spike in organized theft, retailers reassess loss prevention.
•	Let's talk about (queer) sex: The importance of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in schools.
•	WTA suspends tennis events in China over concern for Peng Shuai following sexual assault allegations.
•	A 14-year-old was chased and shot 18 times while waiting for a bus in Philadelphia, reports say.

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Teenager faces terrorism, murder charges in Michigan school shooting

The 15-year-old student accused of opening fire on his classmates at a Michigan high school, killing four and injuring seven others, will face a slew of criminal counts including charges of first-degree murder and terrorism, Oakland County's top prosecutor announced Wednesday. Prosecutor Karen McDonald identified the teen as Oxford High School sophomore Ethan Crumbley and said he will face one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Crumbley will be charged as an adult. He will be arraigned Wednesday afternoon and could face life in prison.

Students, parents, teachers, and community members gather for a vigil at the Lake Point Community Church following the shooting at Oxford High School on Tuesday in Oxford, Mich.

Matthew Hatcher, Getty Images

Extreme weather reveals US was built for the climate of the past

Rising temperatures and oceans have for years been framed as the impending disasters on the crest of climate change. But this year, like few before it, changing rainfall patterns bullied their way into the collective consciousness. Heat has changed how moisture moves across the country. Scientists say it alters the flow of the jet stream, extends droughts and increases evaporation from land and from bodies of water. Readings from hundreds of rain gauges across the continental U.S. tracked for more than 100 years reveal a noticeable inflection point before the turn of the 21st century. It marks the beginning of a roughly 30-year increase in the number of extreme downpours and snowfalls across the eastern half of the nation.

•	Our warming climate is having a dramatic impact on precipitation. What does the data tell us about your state?
•	What if you could hear climate change? Listen to music based on a century of rainfall data
•	See how precipitation has changed in your community

Real quick

•	Trump tested positive for COVID-19 before debate with Joe Biden, former chief of staff says in new book.
•	'Jeopardy' contestant Amy Schneider wants to 'send a positive message to the nerdy trans girl.'
•	Move over, Paris. There's a city more expensive than you this year.
•	Toys R Us is opening a new store with a two-story slide and an ice cream parlor.
•	Brian Kelly's 10-year deal with LSU football includes $1.2M loan for residence, eye-popping bonuses.

It's time to share what you listened to this year 🎁

It's December, so it's time to look back on what you've listened to this year with Spotify Wrapped — and share it with your friends. On Wednesday, Spotify released the popular feature, a collection of the top artists, songs and podcasts listeners enjoyed in 2021. This year's Wrapped also added new ways to show how its users embraced music in 2021. For example, there's a 2021 The Movie feature that shows what songs would play in the soundtrack of a movie starring yourself. There's also an "audio aura," which gives users a colorful visual of their aura based on their most popular music moods.

A break from the news

•	📩 Debt collectors can now send you direct messages on social media, but they must comply with certain rules.
•	🍔 Burger King will cut some menu items to speed up restaurant drive-thru lines.
•	💵 Here's why a Roth IRA is the best retirement account if you want to leave money to your heirs

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