Friday Olympic Schedule | Medal Count | Olympic Proposals
morning! Welcome to the daily briefing. This morning’s breaking news is:
nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know on Friday, from looming (another) closure to reversal of critical environmental findings. Happy Galentine’s Day to my girls too! 🩷🩷🩷🩷
Why ICE doesn’t shut down when DHS shuts down
In their attempt to force the White House to reform the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats are risking further partial government shutdowns.
But Republicans are quick to point out the irony of that strategy. Regardless of whether DHS loses funding after February 13, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will continue to operate.
The branch of the agency most responsible for Democratic outrage, driven in large part by the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis last month, has been strengthened by billions of dollars from the so-called “Big and Beautiful Act” passed by Congress in 2025.
More news you need to know right now
- Big blow to environmental protection: Former President Barack Obama said the United States has become “less safe” after the Trump administration repealed the Environmental Protection Agency’s “danger findings,” which have been the legal basis for regulations targeting man-made greenhouse gases for nearly two decades.
- New details about Nancy Guthrie: “The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build. In the video, he is seen wearing a black 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack,” FBI Phoenix confirmed in a social media post Thursday.
- If your child kills someone, are you also a murderer? A Georgia man accused of killing his son in a school shooting is on trial for murder. This is perhaps the most extreme example yet of a movement to hold parents accountable after their children are accused of gun violence.
2026 Winter Olympics
Chloe Kim soars to silver medal
During Thursday’s women’s halfpipe final, Team USA’s Chloe Kim hugged her rival Gaon Choi after the latter suffered a bad fall. A few hours later, Choi visibly limped to the podium and won the gold medal. The 17-year-old dethroned Kim, who finished with silver after back-to-back gold medals. Regardless of the outcome, we were just as surprised as Kim’s boyfriend snowboarding her sky high.
Galentine’s Day 2026
Today is for girls
Hey everyone, it’s time for Galentine’s Day. 💗💗 This girly-pop holiday falls the day before Valentine’s Day (yes, Friday the 13th) and celebrates platonic love between female friends and female empowerment (we can thank Amy Poehler). So ditch your boyfriend, drink a bottle of rosé, and celebrate your love for your best friends and the amazing women in your life. I’ll try it breakfast style.
before going
- Shop our President’s Day Sale.
- Dream NYFW lineup: Mary Beth Barone, Pamela Anderson, Tessa Thompson, Amanda Seyfried.
- This weekend’s NBA All-Star Game will have a new format.
Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.
