The Short List

Sat Jun 29 2024

John Riley | Audience Editor

A confusing, exasperating presidential debate that could have a major impact on the election. A boatload of landmark Supreme Court cases. And days of historic flooding in the Midwest.

👋Good morning, Short List family. John Riley here. It has been a week, hasn't it? Let's hope the weekend brings us all a break from the madness. With so much huge news, some other items inevitably flew under the radar. Why not rest and recharge with these great stories from USA TODAY?

But first: Olympics: 🤸🏾‍♀️The legendary Simone Bile competes Sunday at the U.S. gymnastics Olympic trials.

Virginia Senate candidate's military record under scrutiny

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia, a decorated Navy veteran, has made repeated references to becoming disabled after he was "blown up" in combat and has stressed that he has scars from his military service. Yet the Navy service record for Hung Cao, who won the GOP primary in June, does not show a Purple Heart award, nor does his record indicate that he received the Navy's Combat Action Ribbon.🎖️

More homeowners asking: Is insurance worth it?

A recent study from the Insurance Information Institute found that 12% of Americans no longer have home insurance, up from 5% in 2019. 🏡The spike is being driven by a dramatic rise in the cost of coverage , adding a burden to households already struggling to afford staples such as groceries, cars and health care.

•	Homeowner tips: How to cope with rising insurance costs

Gopher tortoises removed from site of Hyundai plant

Construction of Hyundai Motor Company's $7.6 billion electric vehicle manufacturing plant near Savannah has made national headlines. But before construction began in 2023, some 106 gopher tortoises – Georgia's state reptile – were collected and transported about 30 miles to the Fort Stewart Army base. 🐢 Carrying out such a project is no small task.

Real quick: Welcome to the weekend✨

•	What to watch: New season of 'The Bear', Celine Dion documentary🍿
•	Problem Solved: 12 essential items to make the most out of summer
•	Costner's new 'Horizon': Star talks about his 4-part Western epic
•	Who wants corn dogs?!: Make them at home with this recipe

Keep scrolling! There are more great stories below.👇 See you next week.

Hijab crackdown: Why Iran's presidential candidates are ducking the issue

An Iranian woman looks on, on a street amid the implementation of the new hijab surveillance in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Nearly 2 years after Iran crushed a wave of women's rights protests, the hijab has become so toxic that conservatives are trying to distance themselves from it.

READ MORE