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The Short List

Thu Dec 18 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

👋 What's up? Rebecca Morin here to fill in for Phaedra Trethan, who is taking a much needed day off (and hopefully getting in some last minute holiday shopping!)

In Thursday's news:

•	A former NASCAR driver died when his plane crashed in North Carolina.
•	Marijuana is being reclassified as a less dangerous drug.
•	Watch out! You may be fined for your Christmas decorations.

But first: What a metiche. Or in English, nosy. 🐶 At least that's what this one pup is as she climbs trees to see what's going on.

Ex-NASCAR driver killed in plane crash

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family died when a business jet crashed in North Carolina, according to a joint statement released by the families of those who were killed. Greg and Cristina Biffle, their son Ryder, Greg's daughter Emma, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth, were all killed in the crash. The crash happened at 10:15 a.m. local time while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County, about 40 miles north of Charlotte. "We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," the families stated. The latest on the crash.

Greg Biffle at Daytona International Speedway in 2022.

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Marijuana classified as less dangerous

Marijuana is no longer in the same classification as heroin and LSD. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to federally classify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which the DEA describes as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence." How the change offers an opportunity for the marijuana industry to operate more easily.

•	Vanity Fair gets close, like really close, in photos of Trump's circle.
•	Move over JFK, the White House says it's now the "Trump-Kennedy Center."
•	Foreign passports and 'Lolita' quotes. Democrats release more Epstein photos.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order recommending loosening the federal regulations on marijuana, in the Oval Office at the White House on Dec. 18, 2025.

Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS

Real quick

•	A Merry Christmas from the royals, Princess Kate and Prince William.
•	Are prices finally coming down? A new government report says inflation is easing.
•	Details of a timeline in the killing of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner have come into focus.
•	You still have a chance to take home the $1.27 billion Powerball! 🤑
•	Will the Justice Department release the Epstein files on Friday?

Restrictions to gender-affirming care

The Trump administration announced new actions to limit access to gender-affirming care to minors. Some of the new actions include:

•	Moving to make it harder for hospitals to provide gender-affirming care for children.
•	Stopping medical device manufacturers from marketing breast binders to children.
•	Stopping gender dysphoria from being protected under federal disability law.

What the new changes mean.

🎄The war on Christmas decorations

Some cities and communities seem to be feeling a little Grinch-like this holiday season. Some local governments and homeowners' associations set strict guidelines for holiday decorations, like when they can go up, how long they can stay, and even what types of lights are allowed. And not all residents are happy about it.

•	You won't believe how many Christmas trees this family has.

Alexis Luttrell of Germantown, Tennessee turned the 8-foot-tall skeleton and a skeleton dog in her front yard into Christmas decorations.

Alexis Luttrell

A break from the news

•	💪 Got protein goals? Chipotle is making it easy with a new cup of meat.
•	🎁 It's not too late! Some last-minute beauty gift ideas.
•	🐕 Treat yo' self … and your dog!

Rebecca Morin is a senior news reporter at USA TODAY. Heading to Texas soon to get my fill of breakfast tacos and menudo. What's your favorite comfort foods? Let me know at rdmorin@usatoday.com.