Welcome to the daily briefing! Here’s this morning’s breaking news.
nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know this Monday of the holiday week. We discuss the recent drop of the Epstein files, the story of one Lithuanian woman’s immigration detention, and why so many Americans choose hotels over their homes for vacation travel. ⛄So, have you ever tried calling Santa?
Were there more questions than answers regarding Epstein?
The Justice Department on Friday released hundreds of thousands of documents related to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein at a pivotal moment in a long-running case that has emerged as one of the most explosive issues of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
However, the lack of good search capabilities made it difficult to navigate the “Epstein Library” due to the large amount of material (see for yourself what was published). There was little mention of President Donald Trump in the release. And despite Congress-imposed deadlines, not all of the Epstein documents have been made public.
But the Justice Department’s long-awaited release raises important questions about how the investigation may have gone awry and what other evidence the government has about potential co-conspirators, lawmakers and victim advocates say.
More news you need to know right now
- What would you do if you had $2,000 more? USA TODAY Network journalists spoke with holiday shoppers about the outlook for tariff rebates in 2026. Many said it could help them pay their bills or regain some financial security they recently lost.
- All she wants for Christmas is to be deported. The detention of Lithuanian-born Tatiana Besiolko is unusual even in an era of increasingly strict immigration controls. She is in her 11th month under immigration control. Her American fiancé told USA TODAY he doesn’t understand why.
- Pending Supreme Court decisions that concern disability rights groups: Advocates say the court’s rules could affect eligibility for government services for people with disabilities, such as health care, education services and income support.
Let’s take a look
Texas A&M defeats Kentucky to win first NCAA Championship
On Sunday, the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies defeated Kentucky 3-0 to win the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Championship in Kansas City, Missouri. Even they can’t believe it.
I want to talk to you about something.
You’re not alone – most people prefer hotels to staying with family
According to HotelTonight’s first-ever Vacation Trends Report, 61% of Americans would rather stay at a nearby hotel than at a friend or family member’s home during their vacation trip. It may seem harsh at first, given the mainstream idea that holidays should be spent with loved ones. But travelers told USA TODAY that a little privacy goes a long way during the holidays, and can help avoid the terrible family tensions that tend to surface during this time of year.
before you go
Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.
