Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time on Thursday. Police are still investigating the suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare's CEO. Last night, the University of Kansas, the leader in men's college basketball, suffered a loss.
🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Beyoncé is the No. 1 great pop star of the 21st century.
It’s a Good Time to Become a Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin soared above $100,000 on Thursday as the election of President Donald Trump raises hopes that his administration will create a crypto-friendly regulatory environment.
Trump signals support for cryptocurrencies: This week, the president-elect appointed Paul Atkins, a former federal regulator and friend of the budding crypto industry, to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. announced that he would nominate.
Who is Atkins? He is well known in Republican business circles and is co-chairman of the Token Alliance, a digital chamber of commerce that has advocated for Bitcoin and other digital currencies by fighting SEC regulations targeting the industry. Trump himself has dabbled in cryptocurrencies. He has released crypto-based digital trading cards, and Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs Truth Social, is reportedly close to acquiring cryptocurrency trading firm Bakkt. The Trump family launched their own cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial, in September, but is now the time to invest in cryptocurrencies? As experts say, “A good rule of thumb is to only invest what you can afford to lose.”
murderer on the run
The New York City Police Department has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the gunman involved in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Local officials said the gunman appeared to “lay around and wait” for several minutes until others passed by. Surveillance video shows that when Thompson, 50, appeared, the suspect walked up behind him and fired at point-blank range, hitting him in the back and leg. Police said the gunman's weapon appeared to malfunction, but he continued firing. Police said it was a “brazen and targeted attack”.
More news you need to know right now
How's the weather today? Please check the local weather forecast here.
Who is responsible for DOGE?
President-elect Donald Trump's plan to use the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to cut federal spending has raised eyebrows among ethics law experts, who say the department's guidance They argue that they are not subject to the same laws as Trump's next presidential nominee. Cabinet and other top jobs. According to Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy, an outside group (DOGE) will develop a plan to roll back federal regulations and cut agency budgets — both are wealthy businessmen and do not hold paid government jobs. It probably won't happen. The two are meeting with lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.
Missouri voters chose abortion. But will the ban stop anytime soon?
Missouri voters last month supported a constitutional amendment regarding abortion rights. Many thought the fight for reproductive rights was over. But Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey believes the state can still enforce some abortion restrictions. In a rare public comment from his office, Bailey said laws banning abortion before the fetus is viable will no longer be enforceable across the board, but will not require parental consent or if the woman or child has been sexually assaulted. They argued that states can continue to enforce laws related to Being illegally pressured to have an abortion. ” Read the latest from the Springfield News-Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network.
today's speaker
How Creighton cost the University of Kansas
Kansas entered Wednesday's road game against Creighton as the No. 1 team in the nation and as an undefeated team. However, the Jayhawks lost to the Blue Jays 76-63 (6-3). Although it was a close game at times at Kansas (7-1), KU never took the lead in its first true road test. why? One reason is Creighton junior guard Pop Isaacs. His 10-of-15 shooting, including six 3-pointers, proved impossible for Kansas to defend. Read USA TODAY Sports' analysis of KU's loss.
Photo of the day: Holiday illuminations
Stars and 50,000 colorful Christmas tree lights illuminated the tree at New York City's Rockefeller Center Wednesday night, officially kicking off the holiday season.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer for USA TODAY. Sign up for emails here. Want to send a note to Nicole? Email NFallert@usatoday.com.