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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed May 15 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

A $1 billion military package for Israel, including tank rounds, mortars and armored tactical vehicles, has been transferred from the State Department into the congressional review process. Nebraska's primary kept a far-right candidate out of Congress and Caitlin Clark scored a game-high-tying 20 points in her WNBA debut.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Can't wait for the next aurora borealis to dance across the sky? You're in luck.

Biden asks Congress to OK $1 billion in weapons for Israel

The Biden administration has informed Congress that it intends to transfer $1 billion in weapons to Israel, a week after President Biden said he was pausing the shipment of bombs to Israel. Biden said last week he was delaying delivery of hundreds of bombs over disagreements about Israel's military plans in Rafah. Meanwhile, the vital Rafah crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing remain closed, limiting the ability of aid organizations to bring in supplies that have piled up on the Egyptian side of the border. Egypt and Israel dispute who is to blame.

A supporter of Israel taunts a group of pro-Palestinian activists demonstrating near an Israeli Independence Day celebration in Daley Center Plaza on May 14, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Scott Olson, Getty Images

Don Bacon fends off GOP hardliner in Nebraska primary

Rep. Don Bacon won Nebraska's 2nd congressional District House primary Tuesday night, beating his far-right challenger, businessman Dan Frei, who said he would join the House Freedom Caucus if elected.

Why it matters: Bacon represents Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, which earned the nickname "blue dot" after President Joe Biden won it by over six points in 2020 after years of Republican wins.

•	In one of the country's unpredictable voter bases, both Bacon and Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas will have to appeal to moderate voters to secure a win.
•	He wasn't backed by Trump, but Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts won the Republican nomination in the state's special primary election.
•	Biden clinched a victory in Nebraska's Democratic primary. However, the president isn't expected to pick up the state in November's general election.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 20, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images

More news to know now

•	In Idaho, don't say "abortion"?
•	Chicago Police excessive force complaints bring worry over the city's hosting of the DNC.
•	Alaskan lawmakers spoke for more than 17 hours regarding an anti-trans bill.
•	How some in the GOP are already raising 2024 election doubts.
•	Mortgage brokers sent people's estimated credit, address, and veteran status to Facebook.
•	On today's The Excerpt podcast, Michael Cohen's cross-examination recapped. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Bus carrying farmworkers crashes, overturns in Florida

At least eight people were killed and eight more were critically injured when a bus carrying dozens of workers on their way to a farm crashed and overturned in Florida on Tuesday morning, authorities said. The deadly crash is the latest to claim the lives of farmworkers in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transportation accidents were the leading cause of death for farmworkers in 2021. Read more

Emergency workers work the scene of a fatal bus crash on May 14, 2024.

Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner

Feds point to Boeing failures

Boeing has violated a 2021 agreement that shielded it from criminal prosecution after two 737 Max disasters left 346 people dead overseas, the Department of Justice told a federal judge in a court filing Tuesday. The government has not yet decided if it will pursue prosecution of Boeing, but lawyers representing families of the victims who died in the crash said they hope to see further action in the case. Read more

Keep scrolling

•	As Canadian wildfires burn, check the air quality in your area.
•	The "Golden Bachelorette" has been revealed!
•	See King Charles III's first official portrait since his coronation.
•	Get a first look at the "Wizards of Waverly Place" spinoff.
•	The third season of "Bridgerton" is almost here.

How did Caitlin Clark do in her WNBA debut?

It was Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut, but really, the night belonged to Alyssa Thomas. The 11th-year veteran for Connecticut reminded everyone why she was in MVP contention last season as she recorded her 12th career triple-double, scoring 13, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 13 assists, as the Connecticut Sun cruised to a 92-71 win over the Indiana Fever. Read more

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) scores her first regular season basket against the Connecticut Sun on May 14, 2024.

David Butler II, David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Photo of the day: Westminster Dog Show 2024

"Sage," the Miniature Poodle, won the Best in Show honor at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday, beating over 2,500 dogs of more than 200 different breeds for the ultimate prize.

Sage, a Poodle Miniature from Houston, Texas, wins the Best in Show Group during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in New York City, New York on May 14, 2024.

Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS

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.