Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start with these reads:
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you Monday’s news. Start the week with our New Quiz.
The Senate returns today with a notable absence: Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, suddenly passed on Saturday, ending the tenure of one of the Senate’s most influential Republicans. A preliminary medical examiner’s report ruled Graham’s cause of death to be heart-related.
TV
After nearly six weeks of drama-fueled recouplings and challenges, four couples made it to the “Love Island USA” Season 8 finale. Here’s who reigned as America’s favorite couple of 2026.
Something to talk about
As a WNBA referee, Angelica Suffren’s job is to be invisible. That’s not the case off the court, when Suffren takes center stage as a competitive ballroom dancer. Suffren chatted with USA TODAY about how both jobs require grace.
Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.