A judge blocked the Trump's administration pause on federal grants and loans. We're inching closer to midnight on the "Doomsday Clock." And the nation marked 39 years since the Challenger disaster. |
👋 Hi all! Rebecca Morin here. Ready for Tuesday's news? I know I am. |
Judge blocks Trump 'pause' on grants, loans |
A federal judge on Tuesday evening blocked President Donald Trump's policy that directed agencies to pause federal grants so they can be reviewed to see if they fit the president's priorities. The announcement, which initially caused widespread confusion and even panic among both bureaucrats and everyday Americans, had been set to go into effect Tuesday evening. |
What to know: Judge Loren AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to halt grant funding until at least Feb. 3. However, AliKhan said the ruling does not block the Trump administration from freezing new programs or require it to restart funding that has already ended. 👉 What to know about the judge's ruling. |
Legal action: The ruling comes after a coalition of advocacy groups asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent what they argue would be a "catastrophic" event for nonprofits and the communities they serve. Six Democratic-led states are also fighting the memo. 👉 See who's taking action. |
Social security, student loans not affected: The pause was not going to affect assistance going directly to individuals. The White House said Social Security and Medicare benefits or food stamps weren't included in the pause. The Department of Education said direct student loans and Pell Grants wouldn't be stopped amid the broad federal funding freeze. 👉 Some student loan programs to be reviewed. | White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Tuesday. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images |
Doomsday Clock ticks toward midnight |
Should I say goodbye now? The ominous "Doomsday Clock" was reset on Tuesday and is now the closest to midnight since its introduction in 1947, meaning humanity is at its closest yet to destroying itself. |
What's the time? The symbolic clock is now at 89 seconds to midnight – advancing one second since last year. |
Why was the clock established? The clock, which is updated by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is meant to be a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation. ⏰ Why the clock moved forward. |
If you're anything like me, after a long day at the beach (Texas' South Padre Island represent!), you're probably hoping to end your day with some nice, freshly caught shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico. But a new series of studies found that restaurants along the Gulf Coast are serving imported shrimp despite telling customers it's fresh from nearby waters. |
What to know: Food safety technology company SeaD Consulting tested shrimp from randomly chosen restaurants across four cities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida. They found a significant number of restaurants' shrimp was actually grown on foreign farms and imported to the U.S. |
Worst 'shrimp fraud' offenders: Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida, were the two cities with the highest "shrimp fraud rate" at 96%, according to SeaD. In Biloxi, Mississippi, 82% of the restaurants "were defrauding consumers about what they were buying." 🦐 What to know about the study. |
39 years ago today, the Challenger exploded |
It's a moment that is seared into the minds of millions of Americans. A flash of light illuminated the bright blue Florida sky on a chilly January day in 1986. It was 39 years ago today that the Challenger space shuttle tragically exploded less than two minutes after takeoff, killing seven, including a public school teacher who hoped to be the first teacher in space. That was the first time American astronauts were killed in flight. 🚀 Here's what happened. | Space Shuttle Challenger crew members gather for an official portrait on Nov. 11, 1985, in an unspecified location. NASA, Getty Images |
Rebecca Morin is a senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@usatoday.com. | | | | Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's dispute is moving from the movie set to the courtroom as a trial date is set. | | | | Grief experts say it makes sense people will feel relief in cases like this, but to not try and think of it as getting true justice or closure. | | | | Gladys Anthony died after the attack at her Missouri home. A 73-year-old man who intervened with a pistol and broom also was injured in the attack. | | | | The pressure comes after President Trump issued an executive order directing government agency chiefs to dismantle DEI policies at federal agencies. | | | | Jim Acosta is leaving CNN after over 17 years with the network. The move comes after a time slot shift amid Trump's second term. | | | | Former state trooper Thomas J. Mascia, 27, has been charged with a felony and two misdemeanors, including tampering with physical evidence. | | | | A principal and a teacher are being charged in Cocoa Beach, Florida, after a house party with over 100 minors was discovered by officers. | | | | As the country faces severe winter cold, it's important to keep your pets safe from outdoor health risks. Here's what to know. | | | | Workers at a flagship Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania voted to unionize and become the first union in the grocery chain's history. | | | | One week after record snowfall, places like Tallahassee and Jacksonville will see temperatures in the 70s and low 80s. | | | | | | | Brighten your day with one of our games. | | | | | |
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