The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri May 22 2026

Nicole Fallert
Newsletter Writer & SEO Editor

Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start with these stories:

•	Trump’s $1.776 billion DOJ fund is raising alarms.
•	Here's why you see poppy flowers around Memorial Day.
•	What is the cheapest World Cup match in Miami?

Nicole Fallert here, curious about the Dunkin' buckets. We have the news to know on Friday, from the finale of a TV juggernaut to the sudden death of a NASCAR legend.

Colbert's final broadcast

After almost 11 years, Stephen Colbert signed off "The Late Show" for good last night less than a year after CBS canceled the show.

Who showed up? During the live taping, Colbert was greeted by an all-star lineup that included Paul McCartney, Ryan Reynolds, Elvis Costello, Paul Rudd and former band leader Jon Batiste.

What were Colbert's parting words? The humorist paced wit and political punchlines one final time from New York's famed Ed Sullivan Theater, with an optimistic message about joy, gratitude and hope.

Look back at our 10 best moments from the show's history and see photos of the emotional final episode.

More news to know now

•	NASCAR legend dies suddenly at 41 of severe illness. Kyle Busch, one of the most decorated drivers in NASCAR history, was rushed to the hospital with a severe illness, according to his family, and did not recover. His last tweet will break your heart .
•	The House got close to voting to end the Iran war. Republican leaders in the House of Representatives abruptly canceled a scheduled war powers vote on Thursday, fearing it would pass amid GOP defections and lawmaker absences before the Memorial Day holiday.
•	Doctors said their pregnancy symptoms were normal. It was colon cancer. Doctors say it’s common for symptoms of pregnancy and colon cancer to overlap, and that’s exactly why some diagnoses get missed.

Movies

Demi Moore goes out with a bang

Demi Moore arrives for the screening of the film "La Bola Negra" at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 21, 2026.

SAMEER AL-DOUMY, AFP via Getty Images

Demi Moore donned a new cropped hairdo as the Cannes Film Festival winds down in the French Riviera. Moore is among the jury members for this year's festival, which is not only a premier destination for global films to debut, but also an unofficial fashion show for A-listers. We can't all be Demi. But score your own film festival this weekend with these new movies you can stream right now.

Memorial Day 2026

Save on MDW gas prices

Memorial Day weekend is here. For many people, that means road trips to the beach or a relaxing staycation for the long holiday weekend. However, with rising oil prices, staying on budget is getting tougher by the day. Some of the most powerful fuel-saving tools might already be in your pocket.

Before you go

•	Keep your dog safe this summer.
•	Tennessee has college softball's best pitching.
•	"Masters of the Universe" brings '80s icons roaring to life.

Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

Memorial Day is more expensive, from barbecues to gas. Are there ways to save?

A driver steps out of his vehicle (R) as traffic comes to a standstill on a Los Angeles freeway on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images)

A record number of travelers will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend despite high gas prices, but those who stay home will face higher costs, too.

READ MORE

The SpaceX Starship spacecraft sits atop the Super Heavy booster May 21 before SpaceX scrubbed a planned flight test at the last minute.

SpaceX to launch Starship rocket on 1st mission of 2026. Watch live

SpaceX will provide a livestream of the first Starship rocket launch of 2026. Here's how to watch the mission, known as flight 12.

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Shop the best Memorial Day deals on American-made products from All-Clad, Levi's, Purple and more.

10 American-made Memorial Day deals at L.L. Bean, All-Clad, Levi's

Buy American this Memorial Day and shop deals on American-made products ranging from All-Clad cookware to Levi's denim.

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The Buddha Burger, left, and Grill-A-Burger Deluxe Cheeseburger from Grill-A-Burger in Palm Desert, Calif., on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

These best burgers in America are worth a road trip

Our USA TODAY Network food writers love spotlighting the country’s top restaurants, but when Memorial Day weekend rolls around, we're all about burgers.

READ MORE