Welcome to the daily briefing. Start your day by reading the articles below.
nicole farato here. I watched every episode of “Gilmore Girls” before it ended on Netflix. Here’s the news you need to know Thursday, including why Americans feel like they can’t move their homes.
A sobering report on American housing.
The findings are sobering in the State of the Nation’s Housing report, produced annually by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Research. Only 1.1 million new households were formed in 2025, as student debt, a weak job market, and weak consumer sentiment have made Americans wary of striking out on their own. This number roughly matches the depth of the Great Recession more than a decade ago.
More news you need to know right now
- US and Iran sign agreement remotely: The signing of the memorandum comes ahead of a signature expected in Switzerland on Friday, which is expected to result in provisions including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to come into force immediately.
- Today’s Knicks Parade: The victory march ends at City Hall, where the NBA champions receive the keys to the city in a ticketed event.
- What’s in the name? A federal judge who ordered President Donald Trump’s name removed from the Kennedy Center asked for the administration’s plan for keeping the center open.
Let’s take a look
see green
Aerial photos taken by passengers on a plane descending into Washington, D.C., this week show the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial covered in algae, the South Lawn of the White House damaged after UFC Freedom 250, and a covering on the National Mall where someone had written “8647.”
us open
Schaeffler starts in a few hours
The first round of the U.S. Open is scheduled to begin Thursday at Sinek Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. American Scottie Scheffler is the pre-tournament favorite to win the only major trophy he has yet to win as a professional.
before you go
Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.

