Welcome to a new day.🙋🏼♀️ I’m Nicole Fallert. Success means a Thanksgiving spreadsheet.
Take a glimpse at Tuesday’s news:
House plans vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure that would force the Justice Department to release all of its records on disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Why now? The vote comes after President Donald Trump called on House Republicans to vote for the full release of files related to Epstein, a stunning reversal after he previously warned the GOP to stay out of the Epstein “trap.”
- What would the bill do? The Epstein Files Transparency Act would require the Justice Department to publish “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”
- Trump has not said whether he would sign the bill. Even he does, the president’s recently announced DOJ investigations into prominent Democrats’ relationships with Epstein could affect which documents are released.
Venezuela military mobilization raises spectre of war
In recent weeks, the U.S. military has been mobilizing military assets to the Caribbean near Venezuela, including at least 15 Navy ships and multiple aircraft. Trump has said repeatedly that the next strikes could be on land – and has said he has “sort of made up my mind” on whether to take military action in Venezuela. How did we get to this point?
More news to know now
What’s the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Mamdani wants to bring free child care to NYC
But is that possible? NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has big plans for universal child care, which will require changes to New York’s current child care system, an estimated $6 billion and hundreds more child care workers to meet the city’s needs. Those workers are already stretched thin and paid too little, experts say. And even among those who agree universal child care is the ultimate goal, there’s disagreement over how to achieve it. But advocates told USA TODAY New York City is closer than ever to making free child care a reality.
Excited about no tax on tips?
Maybe not so fast. While most Americans focus on federal tax laws, you may need to start paying more attention to state tax laws. An emergency bill passed in Washington, DC, axing key tax breaks touted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, means states on the hunt for money, shows how many states are looking to shore up budgets by decoupling from federal tax laws. For example, DC is removing local income tax savings tied to the new no tax on tips deduction and the $6,000 bonus senior deduction. That means district residents who qualify for these federal tax breaks won’t be able to claim them.
Today’s talkers
Raiders, Cowboys honor Marshawn Kneeland
Monday night was bigger than football. Both the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders honored Marshawn Kneeland following his death by apparent suicide on Nov. 6. Members of the Raiders donned suicide prevention shirts with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Cowboys had decals on their helmets to honor Kneeland, and members of the team’s staff wore pins with his No. 94. Allegiant Stadium conducted a moment of silence for Kneeland just prior to kickoff. And the Cowboys pulled through to a victory.
Photo of the day: The ‘Wicked’ wait is nearly over
As the cast brings the magic of Oz back to cinemas on Friday, take a magic trip through for the best photos from the “Wicked: For Good” premiere, starting with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on Monday in New York City.
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.
