Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start Thursday with these reads:
Nicole Fallert here, planning a clothing swap.
Dr. Anthony Fauci responded to every question during yesterday’s three-hour Senate hearing by saying he was declining to answer on the advice of counsel and “based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.”
What’s next: Sen. Rand Paul said he planned to schedule a committee vote next week to move toward recommending contempt charges against Fauci.
But there’s a twist: Fauci was pardoned by former President Biden for any actions he took directing the nation’s coronavirus response from 2014 up through 2025.
NFL
Nothing like coming back to work after a holiday. NFL teams across the country gathered this week for training camps to prep passes ahead of the season kickoff.
Best Bars in America
Creative or traditional, innovative or tried-and-true, these drinks – and the camaraderie, stories and good times behind them – are among the reasons our food writers from across the country chose the USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026. Whether it’s cranberry and orange juice while dancing at D’Jais in Belmar, New Jersey, or settling in to a hi-fi listening lounge and savoring an aperitivo at Potential New Boyfriend in Asheville, North Carolina, we love them all. See the list
Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.