Monday, July 13, 2026

The Senate's empty seat

The chamber convenes for the first time since Sen. Lindsey Graham's death. Here is the news to know on Monday. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
Monday, July 13

The Daily Briefing

 

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Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start with these reads:

U.S. launched new strikes on Iran.
A bison tossed a Yellowstone tourist.
"Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill died at 78.

Nicole Fallert here, bringing you Monday's news. Start the week with our New Quiz.

Senate's first gathering since Graham's death

The Senate returns today with a notable absence: Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, suddenly passed on Saturday, ending the tenure of one of the Senate's most influential Republicans. A preliminary medical examiner's report ruled Graham's cause of death to be heart-related.

Expect memorials — and politics: Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and sat on Judiciary and Appropriations, leaving one of the chamber's most significant leadership positions vacant. While no succession plans have been announced, Republican leaders will likely face questions about committee leadership and the process for filling his Senate seat. Meanwhile, Graham's death increased urgency for Mitch McConnell's return to the Senate. McConnell, 84, said he's all right.

More news to know now

Witnesses dispute ICE account: Three men who say they witnessed the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by an agent with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement say the agency's account of what happened "is simply false."
Where else can "explosive diarrhea" bug hide? Former U.S. officials told USA TODAY that the key to the mystery could be in water.
Trump moves to tighten federal control of elections: With the SAVE America bill stalled, President Donald Trump is trying to take control through other means, critics say.

TV

Love wins

Love Island USA Season 8 finale

Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea, and Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt were finalists in the "Love Island USA" Season 8 finale, which aired July 12, 2026. Ben Symons/Peacock

After nearly six weeks of drama-fueled recouplings and challenges, four couples made it to the "Love Island USA" Season 8 finale. Here's who reigned as America's favorite couple of 2026.

Something to talk about

Angelica Suffren's remarkable double life

As a WNBA referee, Angelica Suffren's job is to be invisible. That’s not the case off the court, when Suffren takes center stage as a competitive ballroom dancer. Suffren chatted with USA TODAY about how both jobs require grace.

Before you go

"Moana" live-action took a nosedive.
Jay-Z fans packed his hometown show.
It was family day for Will and Kate at Wimbledon.

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

 

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DON'T MISS

Why Trump's popularity is falling among White working-class voters

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Director Bob Worth (left) shows Sen. Amy Klobuchar (middle) how his soybean crop is progressing during a July 2023 visit to his family farm in Lake Benton, Minn.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Director Bob Worth (left) shows Sen. Amy Klobuchar (middle) how his soybean crop is progressing during a July 2023 visit to his family farm in Lake Benton, Minn. Provided by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

Polling shows declining support for President Donald Trump among his white working-class base, but will it hurt Republicans in the midterms?

 

KEEP READING

What you need to know today

Hotter, drier weather over the next couple of decades could lead to a dramatic increase in residential water bills in some parts of the United States.

A tire is wedged between cracks in dry earth at Nicasio Reservoir on Wednesday in Nicasio, Calif. Marin County is under mandatory water-use restrictions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, at least 16% of California is in exceptional drought, the most severe level of dryness.

The top two seeds battled it out during the Wimbledon men's final Sunday, as Jannik Sinner took on Alexander Zverev. Sinner emerged victorious.

Jannik Sinner celebrates with a big kiss for the trophy after winning the Wimbledon men's final match against Alexander Zverev in London on July 12, 2026.

Police are opening an investigation after finding 25-year-old South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams' body in a house in central Cape Town.

Headshot - South Africa - Jayden Adams

Liberty forward Betinjah Laney-Hamilton was ejected for throwing a shoe at Tempo guard Marina Mabrey. Here's what happened in the bizarre sequence.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty reacts during the second half against the Washington Mystics at Barclays Center on June 14, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)

Hotter, drier weather over the next couple of decades could lead to a dramatic increase in residential water bills in some parts of the United States.

A tire is wedged between cracks in dry earth at Nicasio Reservoir on Wednesday in Nicasio, Calif. Marin County is under mandatory water-use restrictions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, at least 16% of California is in exceptional drought, the most severe level of dryness.

The top two seeds battled it out during the Wimbledon men's final Sunday, as Jannik Sinner took on Alexander Zverev. Sinner emerged victorious.

Jannik Sinner celebrates with a big kiss for the trophy after winning the Wimbledon men's final match against Alexander Zverev in London on July 12, 2026.

Police are opening an investigation after finding 25-year-old South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams' body in a house in central Cape Town.

Headshot - South Africa - Jayden Adams

Liberty forward Betinjah Laney-Hamilton was ejected for throwing a shoe at Tempo guard Marina Mabrey. Here's what happened in the bizarre sequence.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty reacts during the second half against the Washington Mystics at Barclays Center on June 14, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
 

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