The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Tue Dec 31 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

Today is the last day of the year — and an era for Americans. Some Republicans this week haven't committed to backing Mike Johnson for House Speaker despite President-elect Donald Trump's support. There's plenty of college football to watch today.

I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Thanks for reading this newsletter in 2024. See you next year!

A lot of old, a lot of new coming in 2025

As America shifts into 2025, many changes are coming, But amid a new GOP-led Congress and a presidential inauguration, a few steadfast things remain, like American's money woes, ongoing foreign conflicts and cultural tensions.

Here's a (non-exhaustive) briefing of what's changing and what's not in the new year:

•	A fresh Congress will convene on Monday − featuring Republican power in both chambers.
•	Trump 2.0 is weeks away. President-elect Donald Trump's annual New Year's Eve gala at his Mar-a-Lago club on Tuesday evening marks a different vibe coming to the White House.
•	New laws take effect in multiple states on Wednesday. These legislate new policy on guns and violent crime.
•	Conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza continue. But America's approach may change. The differences between President Joe Biden and Trump − from viewing the U.S. as the world's indispensable nation to declaring "America first" − threaten to create a sense of global whiplash as other capitals recalibrate for what's ahead.
•	Money troubles are sticking around. Economists expect Trump’s plans for new tariffs and an immigration crackdown to boost labor costs and reignite inflation.
•	American cultural divisions are deeply entrenched in public life — but hope is still alive.

But before the clock strikes midnight, here's look back at 2024 from USA TODAY:

•	Hurricane Helene defined the year with its deadly devastation weeks before the election.
•	The Eclipse; the Baltimore bridge collapse; stuck astronauts: These are the news stories that defined the past 12 months.
•	From the Paris Olympics to Caitlin Clark, these are the most iconic sports moments of the year.
•	Passages 2024: Remember those we lost this year.
•	What was 2024's best movie?

More news to know now

•	Chinese hackers stole U.S. documents in a "major incident."
•	How much is the child tax credit for 2024?
•	Details were released for former President Jimmy Carter's funeral services from Georgia to D.C.
•	The FBI issued an official warning about burglars targeting pro athletes' homes.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Trump backs Mike Johnson for speaker

President-elect Donald Trump expressed his “complete and total” support to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to continue leading the House ahead of a pivotal vote later this week. Trump shared his confidence on Truth Social as House lawmakers are set to vote on Friday on the speakership — and amid dissatisfaction from key Republicans over Johnson's leadership. Here's why some in GOP aren't happy.

South Korea probes plane crash that left only two survivors

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country's entire airline operation as investigators worked to identify victims and find out what caused the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. All 175 passengers and four of the six crew were killed when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway at Muan International Airport, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall. As a first step, the transport ministry announced plans to conduct a special inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airliners.

Mourners react as they pay their respects at a memorial altar for the victims of the Jeju Air plane crash, in front of Seoul City Hall in Seoul on December 31, 2024.

JUNG YEON-JE, AFP via Getty Images

Today's talkers

•	You'll have to pay to stream "Wicked."
•	Who is USA TODAY's Athlete of the Year?
•	Wondering how to dispose of your real Christmas tree?
•	This proposal makes us go "Awww!"

The last day of the year is for college football

The main event of New Year’s week starts Tuesday night when the quarterfinal round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff gets underway with Penn State and Boise State meeting in the Fiesta Bowl. Before that, Tuesday’s pre-playoff lineup features four bowl games, with the Sunshine and Lone Star States featured prominently. This foursome of contests involves plenty of name-brand football programs, though they’d all undoubtedly rather be playing later in the week. Here's every team playing on Tuesday.

Photo of the day: Real or fake?

Dubbed the "Wirkin," one purse on Walmart's website is gaining attention on social media for its striking resemblance to Hermès coveted Birkin bags, which come with exorbitant price tags.

Shop the viral Walmart Birkin Bag dupe for less than $60.

Walmart

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.