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The Short List

Wed Mar 11 2026

Phaedra Trethan | National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hi there! I'm Phaedra Trethan , toasting the Italians with my espresso roast this morning and hoping Team USA can stave off elimination in the World Baseball Classic. ⚾️ ☕️

In Wednesday's news:

•	At least two people were killed as severe storms ripped across the Midwest.
•	A Feb. 28 attack on an Iranian school that killed 175 people was the result of a targeting error by U.S. intelligence, the New York Times reported, and Iran's new supreme leader was wounded in a separate attack on the same day.
•	Kouri Richins' husband Eric died. She wrote a book about grief for her children. Now the Utah woman is on trial for his murder in a case with allegations of poisoning, an affair and illicit drugs.

But first: Ah, the 1980s . A simpler time with big hair (guilty!), smaller waistlines (at least mine was!) and a lot fewer worries. 🏖️

'Devastating' storms in the Midwest

At least two people were killed and several others were injured after severe thunderstorms swept across the Midwest and central U.S., unleashing tornadoes, hail and flash flooding from Michigan to Texas. The small community of Lake Village in northwest Indiana was hit particularly hard when the storms hit overnight, and firefighters searched for victims even as their efforts were hampered by darkness and weather.

•	Watch: Tornado tears through Illinois

The National Weather Service suspect tornadoes struck northeast Illinois, causing damage as warnings and severe weather impact local communities.

Nate's Dronography via Storyful

Report: US responsible for strike on Iranian girls school

A Feb. 28 strike that killed 175 people at a girls' school in Iran was the result of outdated U.S. intelligence, according to a report published in the New York Times. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israel war against Iran continued to escalate as three ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and gas prices in the U.S. spiraled higher. And an Iranian diplomat confirmed that the country's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was among those wounded in Feb. 28 airstrikes that killed his father, the prior leader. The latest from the war.

•	Watch: The dignified transfer of Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington.
•	"People feel betrayed": Podcaster Joe Rogan talks about Iran. 🎙️
•	Analysis: Can President Donald Trump run a war and a midterm campaign at the same time? 🤔
•	Iran will not compete in the World Cup, a government official said. 🚫 ⚽️
•	Polls show Americans are not convinced the war is necessary. See what else they say. 🗣️

Real quick

•	A statue depicting President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as a famous movie couple appeared on the National Mall this week.
•	Two Georgia candidates to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress will compete in a runoff next month after no clear winner emerged from yesterday's election. 🗳️
•	"Can you hear me now?": Some researchers think we may be missing extraterrestrial calls. 👽 📞
•	Not seeing any reporters on this list: Forbes tallies the richest people in the world. 💰 🤑 💰

Grieving widow or scheming spouse?

Kouri Richins wrote a book about grief after her husband Eric's 2022 death to help their three sons cope with the devastating loss. Now she's on trial, accused of murdering Eric in a case that's included allegations of poisoning, illicit drug deals, a big insurance payout, an extramarital affair and no shortage of sensational and shocking revelations. Why the 35-year-old Utah woman's case is gripping the nation.

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother accused of fatally poisoning her husband, looks on during her murder trial at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

Spenser Heaps, via REUTERS

And the award goes to... 🎞️

Hollywood's biggest night is just around the corner and while there are favorites to win an Academy Award, there are always surprises in store. This year's awards are Sunday. We'll have it all covered, from the red carpet to the after parties.

•	Do your Oscar predictions match up with ours? Check it out. 🔮
•	All of the Best Actress winners, ranked.
•	Photos: The best red carpet looks over the years. 📸 🤩
•	Not everyone is a winner. The most shocking Oscar snubs. 🙅🏻‍♀️

Smoke (Michael B. Jordan, center), flanked by brother Stack (also Jordan) and pal Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller), is wary of uninvited guests in the period horror film "Sinners."

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

A break from the news

•	What's your favorite hype song? Our USA TODAY Women of the Year share theirs. 🎶 🎧 ✊🏼
•	Thinking about a spring break getaway but worried about traveling abroad? Check out these national parks. 🏞️ 🏖️ 🌅
•	Movie fans, it's time to let your inner film critic be heard! Register to be a USA TODAY Movie Meter panelist today and help decide the 2026 "Film of the Year." 🍿 🎬

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 your favorite hype songs (hers are "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J and "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett.) Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.