Monday, December 15, 2025

Tragedy, at home and abroad

Mass shootings a world apart, and the murder of a Hollywood icon, made for a tragic weekend. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Mon Dec 15 2025

 

Phaedra Trethan National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hello! I'm Phaedra Trethan, feeling the heaviness after a weekend of tragic news, and humbly offering this small antidote to the darkness: puppies. 🐶

In Monday's news:

Rob Reiner, a beloved Hollywood actor and director, was killed in his home along with his wife, Michele Singer. Their son is in custody.
The campus of Brown University and a popular beach in Australia are each still reeling after deadly mass shootings.
USA TODAY got an exclusive look inside ICE operations in one Midwestern city.

But first: There is good in the world. And it usually takes the form of small but powerful gestures . 💙

Heartbreak in Hollywood

Rob Reiner, beloved in Hollywood and beyond for his role on "All in the Family" and his behind-the-camera work on "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally" and other films, was murdered along with his wife, Michele Singer , late Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into police custody, where he remained Monday on murder charges. What we know — and what we don't.

Nick Reiner spoke publicly about his struggles with addiction.
People who knew Rob Reiner reacted to his death, including President Trump, who ranted about Reiner's left-leaning politics.
Photos: Rob Reiner's long career in television and film.

Rob Reiner Family

Rob Reiner, center, his daughter Romy Reiner, left, and his wife Michele Reiner attend the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on November 12, 2018 in New York City.

Jim Spellman, WireImage

Two mass shootings, a world apart

Final exams on an Ivy League college campus. A Hanukkah celebration on an Australian beach. Two places that became scenes of horror when gunfire rang out, and two places that will never feel the same.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens more were wounded when a father and son opened fire at Bondi Beach in what Australian authorities say was a targeted terrorist attack against Jewish people. One suspect was wounded and taken into custody; the other was killed.

"Hatred has never stopped the Jewish people" from celebrating light. One survivor's message.
Watch: Pope Leo offers prayers for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack.
Video shows a man wrestling a gun away from one of the attackers.

A world away, a gunman killed two people and wounded nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island . That gunman is still at large and an investigation is ongoing.

A "bright light." A student who'd come from far away to study at Brown. What we know about the victims of the Brown shooting.
"Things can happen." Trump reacts to the Brown shooting.
Photos: The community gathers to remember those killed and support the wounded.

Brown University Shooting

A makeshift memorial outside the Barus and Holley Hall at Brown University on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, where a mass shooting took place.

Marc Vasconcellos, The Enterprise via USA TODAY NETWORK

Real quick

A longtime soap opera star died at 78 after complications from surgery.
Erika Kirk and Candace Owens are set to meet to discuss the latter's conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk's murder in September.
Four people were arrested in connection with a New Year's Eve bombing plot, the FBI announced.
Boulder Police updated the public about the 29-year-old murder mystery of JonBenét Ramsey.

A look inside ICE

USA TODAY journalists spent several days this November in Kansas City, accompanying ICE officers as they detained suspects, collected detainees from local jails, and loaded others onto a charter flight to Texas for eventual deportation. They also spoke with Kansas City-area migrant advocates and local elected officials who say the expanded immigration enforcement is tearing communities apart. 

John ICE4307.JPG

ICE officer John, left, listens to 11-year U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement veteran Keone Feliciano as they prepare to leave for the apprehension of a migrant with a criminal record in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 18, 2025.

Omar Ornelas/USA Today Network

The 'R' word and MAGA rhetoric

For some of Trump's most avid supporters, using the "R" word is a principled stand against what they call "cultural Marxism" being forced on the country by progressives. For others — including many Republicans — the word is a hateful slur that causes real harm to real people. Why some are trying to normalize use of the "R" word.

A break from the news

The world could use a little love right now. These Guinness World Record breakers obliged. 😘 ❤️ 💋
The Wicked Witch got her redemption story. Why not Jacob Marley? 🤔
Maggie Simpson speaks! This actress will give the iconic cartoon baby a voice. 👶🏼 🗣️

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and any good news you'd like to share, because she'd love to read some right about now. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.

After four decades shaping U.S. politics, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reflects on her historic tenure, her decision to retire, and what's next as she closes the chapter on Washington.

Exit interview: After four decades, the most powerful woman in the history of the United States heads home. She's still defiant.

People have been setting booby traps for porch pirates who steal packages left on someone's doorstep.
 

Teen porch pirates shot by homeowner in Atlanta neighborhood, cops say

Two teens accused of trying to steal packages from a front porch with shot by the homeowner in an Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood. Man now charged

Warmer than normal temperatures (in red and orange) are forecast across the vast majority of the U.S. by this coming weekend.
 

When will it warm up? Here's when the cold snap will end

The bitter cold many endured over the weekend will be relatively short-lived, forecasters said, likely dashing hopes for a white Christmas.

Brian Walshe looks at the jury while seated in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham with his attorney, Kelli Porges, Monday, Dec.15, 2025, as the second day of deliberations begin. Just a few hours later, the jury returned with a guilty verdict in the first-degree murder of Ana Walshe, Brian's wife, in Cohasset.
 

Brian Walshe found guilty of murdering, dismembering his wife

A jury reached a verdict in the Brian Walshe murder trial. Walshe, of Cohasset, was charged with killing and dismembering his wife Ana in 2023.

In a photo illustration, a Merriam-Webster's dictionary is seen placed on a lawn on January 11, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
 

What is Merriam-Webster's 2025 Word of the Year? Hint: It's messy.

After a full year of hectic news, trends and non-stop content, Merriam-Webster has summed it all perfectly in one word.

A surfer was attacked by a shark while in the water at North Salmon Creek in California on Friday, Dec. 12 According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the victim was "bitten on the hand," but declined medical treatment at the scene
 

Shark attacks surfer in Northern California

According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the victim was "bitten on the hand," and treated at a hospital.

Church leaders pray over Attorney General, Dave Yost during prayer service at the Statehouse, Thursday, Aug 14, 2025. The program was organized by Center for Christian Value (CCV), a powerful state lobby group.
 

How a little-known Christian conservative group is remaking Ohio

The Center for Christian Virtue is rapidly and successfully pushing through new state laws on social issues such as abortion.

Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) controls the ball while being defended by Maryland forward Solomon Washington (9) in the first half at Xfinity Center.
 

Michigan holds off Arizona for No. 1 spot in men's basketball poll

Michigan remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll but Arizona has crept closer in this week's rankings.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
 

NFL Week 15 winners and losers: It's time for the Chiefs to change

The Chiefs tried to recapture their previous Super Bowl form, but Patrick Mahomes' injury shows Kansas City needs to reinvent rather than replicate.

How to make candy bars at home thumb
 

How to make your favorite chocolate bars at home

Ditch the candy aisle at the store and make your own chocolate candy bar instead. It's easier than you think.

Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break

Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you. 

Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes

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