The Short List

Tue Nov 19 2024

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

If you're warming up your vocal cords ahead of seeing "Wicked," take a rest. A hacker stole damaging testimony against Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, lawyers said. And an Italian village is offering cheap houses for Americans wanting to leave post-election.

👋 Hey, there! Laura Davis here. It's Tuesday. Ready for the news? Let's go.

But first: The end of an Eras Tour. ✨ Taylor Swift's Eras Tour might be coming to an end, but its impact on girls is far from over.

A message to 'Wicked' moviegoers: Shhh

They might be belting out "Defying Gravity" on the big screen, but if you sing along during "Wicked," you might be defying the rules – at least at AMC Theaters.

"Silence is golden": Singing is on the list of no-nos for guests in the theater, according to an advisory being shown ahead of Friday's release of Part 1 of the expected blockbuster. So, bust out your best pink ensemble or witch attire – but resist the urge to make watching the film adaptation of the Broadway musical a sing-along, unless it's explicitly allowed. 💚 What to know about the rules.

•	Our 'Wicked' review: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande are fantastic as witchy BFFs.
•	Watch: How 'Wicked' is pulling out the stops to re-create the success of 'Barbie.'

Cynthia Erivo, left, as Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in "Wicked."

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Attorney: Gaetz files stolen by hacker

Files containing statements from witnesses who gave damaging testimony against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, were hacked on Monday, attorneys say. The hacked files include an unredacted deposition of a woman who reportedly had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 years old. Several of the witnesses in the defamation case have also testified before the House Ethics Committee, which is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss whether to release its report on the allegations against Gaetz. 👉 What to know about the hacked files.

•	More second-term picks: Trump taps TV's Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Real quick

•	Steer clear of cute but dangerous toys when ordering online.
•	Reward offered after endangered wolf found dead in Arizona.
•	Russian 'sabotage' suspected in damage to Baltic Sea telecom cables.
•	Roger Federer's heartfelt tribute to longtime rival Rafael Nadal.
•	Walking pneumonia is booming. Here's who it's targeting.
•	Post Malone, Jelly Roll heading out on 'Big Ass Stadium Tour.'

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Sick of politics?

A rural Italian village on a Mediterranean island is welcoming Americans looking to relocate abroad following the 2024 presidential election.

What to know: Located in the countryside of Sardinia, the ancient town of Ollolai recently launched a "Live in Ollolai" initiative offering affordable homes – some as cheap as a cappuccino – for Americans who are worn out by global politics and "looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle," according to the village's website. 👉 Learn more about the offer.

Trump hush money sentencing still on hold

Prosecutors advised a judge on Tuesday to delay President-elect Donald Trump's criminal sentencing in his New York hush money case following the election – but said they will still fight against efforts to get the case dismissed.

How we got here: Earlier this month, Judge Juan Merchan put the Nov. 26 sentencing date and other deadlines in the case on hold at the joint request of prosecutors and Trump's legal defense team. In its Tuesday filing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office raised the question of whether any sentencing would now be appropriate before Trump's next presidency ends. 👉 We break down what it means.

•	Trump wooed middle-class America with tax breaks. Are they realistic?
•	Trump joining Elon Musk at SpaceX Starship launch in Texas.
•	Musk and Trump want to slash federal spending. A closer look at how they aim to do it.

A break from the news

•	🤷‍♀️ Do I need travel insurance? How to protect your next trip.
•	🥘 One oven? No problem. How to pull it off for Thanksgiving.
•	🤙 Watch: It's still the 80s in this totally rad time capsule bedroom.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi sometime! laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.