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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Thu Mar 6 2025

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

A federal personnel board has ordered to reinstate select fired federal workers. Washington, D.C. leadership has agreed to heed Republicans' calls to remove a Black Lives Matter mural from the Capital. Experts are calling out a lack of research on the link between autism and teen suicide rates.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Proudly team Gaggy for the "Traitors" finale.

USDA to reinstate 'numerous' fired probationary employees

The Merit Systems Protection Board issued a ruling on Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate select workers who were fired Feb. 13 and later.

Why? The Board argued their terminations violated federal laws related to probationary employees and reductions in force.

•	What's next for these USDA workers isn't clear: Officials asked for a pause on their terminations for 45 days pending investigations.
•	Why is this happening? President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are set on culling thousands of employees who run the federal bureaucracy — but they account for a smaller portion of the federal budget than many might expect.
•	Meanwhile, big cuts are coming for the VA: The Department of Veterans Affairs has initiated a plan to lay off at least 76,000 employees in a new round of cuts.

💭 Did you vote for Trump? Do you support his actions and policies now? Tell us.

Nicole Smith, a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employee at a rally in Chicago, Illinois, last month.

Vincent Alban, REUTERS

Trump gives Hamas new ultimatum

After meeting with former Israeli hostages Wednesday, President Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to Hamas: Release every prisoner still being held in Gaza or "it is OVER for you." Trump shared his position via social media hours after meeting with eight hostages recently released from Gaza under the latest cease-fire deal. Also Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration had entered into direct discussions with Hamas officials, potentially bypassing Israel in its efforts to secure the release of the remaining American hostages. Soon after his meeting with the former hostages, Trump posted his warning.

More news to know now

•	Three helicopter skiers are presumed dead after an avalanche in Alaska backcountry.
•	Jack Daniel's maker says Canada pulling U.S. alcohol off shelves is "worse" than a tariff.
•	Active shooter fears at a cheerleading competition turned a skirmish into a stampede.
•	Two people were charged in he deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans.
•	Trump is now withholding U.S. intelligence from Ukraine.

Sally's got the answers! Check out today's crossword.

DC to remove Black Lives Matter mural

"The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can't afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference."

~ D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a post on X announcing the capital's plans to paint over a large, yellow "Black Lives Matter" mural that was erected one block from the White House during racial justice protests in 2020. It is the most recent in a string of proposals from Republican lawmakers that seek to strip the district of its power to govern itself.

Buy it, invade it, forget about it: How Trump's Greenland saga could play out

President Donald Trump appears determined to use his second term to acquire the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic territory of Greenland, making it America's 51st state. Trump plans to get it "one way or the other," as he said Tuesday night in a joint address before Congress. But how? USA TODAY's World Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard spelled out five possible scenarios.

Today's talkers

•	Roy Ayers, the "godfather of neo-soul" has died at 84.
•	Is Fyre Festival 2 happening?
•	Crowds booed Tesla Cybertrucks during Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.
•	How will tariffs on Canada and Mexico impact travel?
•	Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia weighed in on her high-profile Zach Bryan breakup.

How autism and suicide rates in teens intersect

Youth suicide has been on the rise in recent years. For kids with autism, it's even more common. According to a 2023 study from the University of Pittsburgh, autistic children and teens have about a 5% higher rate of suicidal ideation and are twice as likely to attempt suicide than their non-autistic peers. Despite this, experts say barely any research is being done on this overlap.

Editor's note: This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Photo of the day: Morning growls

Polar bear twins, born on November 27, 2024, beared their teeth as zookeepers debuted the fuzzy pair on Thursday at Nyiregyhaza Zoo in Hungary.

Hungary's newest polar bear twins are presented on Thursday.

ATTILA KISBENEDEK, AFP via Getty Images

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.