Monday, December 23, 2024

The bombshell Gaetz report is out

The House Ethics Committee released its bombshell report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz. It's Monday's news. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Mon Dec 23 2024

 

Laura L. Davis Audience Editor

@lauradavis

The House Ethics Committee released its bombshell report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz. President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of all but three inmates on federal death row to life in prison. And a major automaker merger is in the works as Nissan and Honda plan to unite.

👋 Hey, Monday! Laura Davis here. Hope you had a good weekend! Let's get you caught up on the news.

But first: It's the most wonderful time of the year. For some. 🎄 For others, the holidays can feel particularly lonely. If you're feeling the blues, here's how to find your authentic self. (And a holiday hug from me!)

Bombshell report on Matt Gaetz drops

A long-awaited ethics report released Monday found "substantial evidence" of "prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use" and obstruction of Congress by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was President-elect Donald Trump's original choice for the next U.S. attorney general. 

What to know: Gaetz made a futile last-minute effort in federal court to prevent the release of the report into allegations that have dogged the Florida Republican for years. He has denied paying for sex with a minor, and a yearslong Justice Department investigation ended without criminal charges being filed.

What were the findings? In its 37-page report and four appendices, the committee disclosed numerous findings, including underage prostitution, cocaine and ecstasy use, illegal favors and a free Bahamas trip. 🔎 Everything we know about the report.

Underage prostitution, rules violations: Takeaways from the report.
Read the House Ethics Committee's full report.

Usa Trump Gaetz

Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17.

Jeenah Moon, REUTERS

Biden commutes sentences of most federal death row inmates

In a move meant to stop President-elect Trump from restarting stalled executions, President Joe Biden said he is commuting the sentences of nearly every inmate on federal death row. The move reduces the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row prisoners, in keeping with a moratorium his administration imposed on executions. The 37 now face sentences of life without parole. The moratorium excludes people convicted of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. 👉 Here's what to know.

Three men remain on federal death row. Who are they?
What does it mean to commute an execution?
How does someone ask for a presidential pardon?

Real quick

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Drones fall from sky during show, Orlando boy hospitalized.
Trump wants Greenland, but it's not for sale.

Mangione pleads not guilty to CEO slaying charges

The man accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to death on a Manhattan street pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges, just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case. Luigi Mangione, 26, was arraigned on 11 state criminal charges, including one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder, one as an act of terrorism. 👉 Here's what's next for the case.

Despite recent high-profile cases, crime is on the decline in NYC.

Unitedhealth Ceo

Luigi Mangione attends an arraignment hearing in New York City on Monday.

Eduardo Munoz, Reuters

A big automaker merger

It's a green light: Nissan and Honda have announced plans to merge by 2026 in a seismic shift for the auto industry. Mitsubishi Motors, of which Nissan owns a 24% stake, will announce if the company will join the merger by the end of January. If Nissan and Honda are to integrate, they could become the third-largest auto group in the world. 🚗 More about the merger.

A break from the news

🤔 Are gift cards tacky? We asked an expert.
🏞️ Stunning destinations to revisit in 2025.
🎁 Still shopping? Don't panic! Shop no-ship gifts.

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.

A man wanted for questioning in the death of a woman set ablaze on a subway train is seen in a combination of still images from surveillance video in New York City, Dec. 22, 2024. A man was later taken into custody.

A suspect is in custody after the incident on an F train in Brooklyn on Sunday morning. Officers found a woman "fully engulfed in flames."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar
 

Bill Clinton hospitalized with fever, aide says he's in 'good spirits'

Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized "for testing and observation after developing a fever," his aide said Monday.

Misfit Lou owners Ryan Hughes-Svab and Martin Svab. December 6, 2024
 

Workers welcome plan to cut tax on tips, but experts say there are better ways

Employees working for tips in Kentucky say the plan would put 'more money in our pockets,' but a lot of questions remain.

Diana Gomez, 32, of Detroit, crosses her fingers after purchasing a Mega Millions lottery ticket on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
 

Winner steps forward nearly 9 months after $1.1 billion Mega Millions drawing

The winner, who chose to stay anonymous, bought the winning ticket at ShopRite Liquor in Neptune Township, New Jersey.

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 6: Drummer Tommy Lee and all the original members of Motley Crue reunite after six years to announce "Red, White & Crue Tour 2005...Better Live than Dead" on December 6, 2004 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
 

Tommy Lee's wife admits rocker showers 'once a week.' What's best?

Tommy Lee isn't the first celeb's whose bathing habits have come into question. So, should you shower every day?

Mongolians stop to read billboard advertising western film 'Crocodile Dundee' in Mongolia on Feb. 23, 1990.
 

Crocodile star of 'Crocodile Dundee' film dies in reptile habitat

Burt, a saltwater crocodile who appeared in the 1980's hit movie "Crocodile Dundee," died this weekend at a reptile center in Australia.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen speaks during a statue dedication ceremony for US writer and novelist Willa Cather, in Statuary Hall of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 7, 2023.
 

Nebraska gov. hospitalized 'for several days' after being bucked off horse

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen was bucked of a new horse while riding with his family. He is expected to remain hospitlized for several days.

December 21, 2024: Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
 

Taylor Swift sends perfect Christmas gift to girl she visited in hospital

A fan who Taylor Swift visited at Children's Mercy Hospital revealed the thoughtful Christmas gift the singer sent her after their interaction.

Francis Ford Coppola attends the 47th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 8, 2024 in Washington, DC.
 

Francis Ford Coppola recalls his 'horror' polio experience

Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola recalls the "horror" of surviving childhood polio amid questions about the future of its vaccine.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Denzel Washington attends Netflix's "The Piano Lesson" LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix)
 

Denzel Washington gets baptized at New York church: 'God is good'

The Oscar-winning actor said "God is good" after being baptized and receiving a minister's license at a New York church.

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