The Short List

Sat May 25 2024

John Riley | Audience Editor

U.S. gun shops are selling weapons that get used in Mexican crimes. A woman reveals years of abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. And more college graduates are paying tribute to their parents in a public way.

👋Welcome to the (three-day) weekend! John Riley here. While the weather is looking pretty iffy, you can still enjoy some of the best stories of the week from USA TODAY.

But first: Weekend 101. 🍴 🏖️ Here are some fun activities, movies to watch, and restaurant deals to savor. And don't forget to honor our military members: This video features a surprise reunion of two battle buddies.

US gun shops are selling weapons that end up in Mexico

A massive leak of Mexican military intelligence has exposed for the first time in two decades the U.S. gun shops and smugglers tied to 78,000 firearms recovered from crime scenes south of the border. As part of the leak, emails show which American straw buyers were tied to the most weapons as of 2022. ▶ See which gun shops had the most Mexican traces.

•	Graphic: Which types of guns are going to Mexico?

She was abused by Jeffrey Epstein. Now she's telling her story.

Lisa Phillips wanted to be a famous model. But despite her impressive resume, she didn't know how to take her career to the next level. Then, she met Jeffrey Epstein. Like dozens of others, Phillips says Epstein sexually assaulted her on his private island. Now, she's coming forward in order to warn other women and girls about the dangers one can encounter while pursuing a career in entertainment. ▶ Read her story.

•	Epstein's allure: Why did the rich and powerful stick by him?

Why parents are joining their kids onstage at graduation

When 25-year-old Yanelit Madriz Zarate crossed the stage at a University of California, Berkeley commencement ceremony this month, her parents came with her. It's a practice that's catching on, particularly with first-generation graduates. It also marks a shift in how colleges are engaging with students from nontraditional backgrounds and elevates the often-unspoken contributions of family members. 👩‍🎓 Read more about how graduation traditions are evolving.

•	Affirmative action ban: After Supreme Court ruling, renewed focus on first-generation students

Memorial Day weekend deals from Reviewed🛒

•	Best sales roundup: Shop Hexclad, Target, Tuft & Needle, and more
•	Everything Amazon: 30 best deals at Amazon's Memorial Day sale
•	TV deals: Up to $1,000 off LG, Samsung, Hisense
•	Walmart markdowns: Up to 50% off some of your favorite products