It's official: Congress certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election. Bird flu has caused its first recorded death in the U.S. And NFL coaching shakeups are underway. |
👋 How's it going! Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Rebecca Morin , senior national news reporter for USA TODAY. While I've spent the past decade of my career focusing on all things politics – I also write our On Politics newsletter – I'm excited to be broadening my horizons beyond Washington, D.C. When I'm not working, you can find me at rock concerts, watching movies (yes, I'm an AMC A-Lister) or jogging throughout Northern Virginia. |
A special thanks to Laura Davis, who brought you the top news stories for the past several years. I know I have some big shoes to fill. Now, on to Monday's news. |
Quick, peaceful election certification |
In just thirty minutes, Congress on a snowy Monday certified Donald Trump and JD Vance as the winners of the 2024 election as president and vice president. Vice President Kamala Harris, who ran as the Democratic presidential nominee, presided over a joint Congress where the electoral votes were tallied and finalized. |
No objections: Not a single lawmaker protested the votes during the ceremony – marking the first time that not one congressional Democrat objected to certifying a Republican president-elect since 1988. |
Four years after insurrection: The quiet certification comes four years after thousands of Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election. The deadly riot delayed the certification of the results that year. 👉 Follow today's coverage. | Vice President Kamala Harris, center, presides over a joint session of Congress on Monday to certify Donald Trump's 2024 election win. Elizabeth Frantz, REUTERS |
First US death from bird flu |
A Louisiana patient who had been hospitalized with bird flu has died of the disease, the Louisiana Department of Public Health reported Monday — making them the first known person in the U.S. to perish from disease. |
What we know: The patient was over 65 and had underlying medical conditions. The flu strain that the person contracted was from wild birds and not the one circulating in dairy cows and most poultry farms. 👉 See the latest updates. |
Zendaya and Tom Holland engaged |
Looks like Peter Parker and MJ are tying the knot – and I don't mean on the silver screen. Zendaya and Tom Holland, whose Hollywood romance began after starring together in the "Spider-Man" franchise, are now engaged, according to People magazine and TMZ. |
Golden Globe ring tip off?: Rumors of the engagement swirled Sunday after Zendaya was spotted with a massive diamond ring during her red-carpet appearance at the Golden Globes. When asked about the ring, Zendaya just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. |
When did they get together?: After paparazzi photos leaked of Zendaya and Holland kissing inside a car, the two confirmed their relationship in the fall of 2021. 👉 Everything we know. | Zendaya at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY |
Football coaches beware: It's 'Black Monday' |
The NFL's regular season ended on Sunday, leaving playoff teams to prepare for the postseason and those left out to consider their future — and make some personnel decisions on "Black Monday." |
What's Black Monday? If you're like me and don't really follow sports closely, you're probably wondering what Black Monday even is. It's the first Monday after the final day of the regular NFL season, when teams typically make coaching changes. |
Light on firings: There weren't a lot of firings on Monday, but that's only because several teams started shaking up their top jobs while the season was still underway. Four already had vacancies: the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars moved on from head coach Doug Pederson and the Cincinnati Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Our live coverage. |
Rebecca Morin is a senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Become OOMFs on X or reach me at: rdmorin@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here. | | | | The move comes before an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators that was planned for Wednesday. | | | | Rudy Giuliani was found in contempt after failing to turn over a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey or a title for a Mercedes Benz once owned by Lauren Bacall | | | | The cause of death of Jeff Baena, the director and screenwriter who was married to Aubrey Plaza, has been released. | | | | On Sunday, the FBI said its investigation crossed state and international borders with agents following leads in several states and other countries. | | | | The world's oldest person, Tomiko Itooka, died the night of Dec. 29. She died from natural causes and lived to be 116 years and 220 days old. | | | | As Jimmy Carter's remains are scheduled to be transported to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, here is what to know about this week's funeral schedule. | | | | Here's what to know about the recently signed Social Security Fairness Act, including who it will benefit. | | | | The economy and job market are likely to turn in a solid year in 2025 but growth is set to slow as Trump tariff, immigration plans take shape | | | | Nicki Minaj is being sued by a former employee, who claims the rapper struck him backstage after a concert during her Pink Friday 2 World Tour. | | | | Astronomers used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to reveal 44 stars in a galaxy so far away, its light dates to when the universe was half its age. | | | | | | | Brighten your day with one of our games. | | | | | |
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