A night of terror at Michigan State
A shooting at Michigan State University leaves three students dead. The White House's latest theory about the recently shot-down balloons. And what January meant for inflation.
👋 Hey there! Laura Davis here. It's Tuesday! Here's Tuesday's news.
But first: Who always has a date on Valentine’s Day? A calendar! 💝 Whether you're smitten or single this year, here are 75 more jokes and pickup lines so corny they'd make Cupid cry.
The Short List is a snappy Paste BN news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.
3 killed, 5 injured in shooting at Michigan State University
A campus is in mourning as officials seek a motive after a shooting at Michigan State University left three people dead and five others injured Monday night. The suspected gunman was found dead after a manhunt that forced frightened students to hide in the dark, authorities said. The university also identified two of the students who were killed – Brian Fraser, a sophomore, and Alexandria Verner, a junior. Relatives of the third student requested that the name not be released. Here's the latest.
- Five years after Parkland: Is Florida going backward on gun safety?
- 'Mom, I just want to come home': Former Oxford High student relives shooting trauma at MSU.
Those balloons? Not spies. Probably.
No one has come forward to claim responsibility. And there are still a number of unanswered questions. But White House spokesman John Kirby said Thursday the three unidentified flying objects shot down from North American airspace could very well turn out to be balloons used for research or commercial purposes – posing no direct threat to the United States. But Republicans say the American people need to hear that from President Joe Biden. Here's everything we know.
- 'We need to stop this:' TikTok ban proposed amid national security concerns over China surveillance.
What everyone's talking about
- Soft drink mashup: Pepsi and Peeps team up for marshmallow cola.
- She discovered a naked video of herself online, but it wasn't her. The trauma of deepfake porn.
- Penis length has grown 24% in recent decades. That may not be good news.
- Tough-guy Ron DeSantis defeats Woke Disney! Except ... he didn’t. At all. | Opinion
- Is Megan Fox showing us how to soft launch a breakup? Maybe. Here's what we learned.
The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a Paste BN digital subscriber today.
Inflation eased for the seventh straight month in January
U.S. inflation likely slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are becoming less of a burden. But Tuesday’s government report may also suggest that further progress in taming inflation could be slow and “bumpy,” as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell described it. Consumer prices are expected to have risen 6.2% in January from 12 months earlier, down from a 6.5% year-over-year rise in December. What does it mean for consumers? Keep reading.
- Could inflation fall even faster? The Fed may not need to continue rate hikes, easing recession risk.
🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.
California Sen. Feinstein says she won’t run for reelection
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California announced Tuesday that she will not seek reelection in 2024, signaling the end of a groundbreaking political career spanning six decades. The former San Francisco mayor, who turns 90 in June, has served since 1992. Her decision not to seek reelection Tuesday comes amid questions from colleagues about her ability to serve as a younger generation – including Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — have already announced their candidacies for the seat. Keep reading.
💘 A break from the news
- 💐 The language of flowers: What certain Valentine's Day flowers say about your relationship.
- 🥰 Is Valentine’s Day really all about sex? Or love?
- 💍 10 romantic proposals that will have you in tears.
- 🌹 6 hacks: How to make Valentine's Day flowers last longer.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at Paste BN. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to Paste BN here.
This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here.