Liftoff! Historic mission heads to the moon
For the first time in 50 years, humans are a step closer to landing on the moon. The missile that landed in Poland may have been an accident. And it's official: Donald Trump has entered the race for president again.
👋 Hello! Laura Davis here. It's Wednesday! Let’s get to the news.
🐘 But first, take a break for cuteness: TV reporters are trained to be laser-focused, no matter what. Even if baby elephants decide to take over the broadcast.
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One small step closer to sending humans back to the moon
NASA launched its massive Artemis I moon rocket early Wednesday, bringing the United States a step closer to landing on the lunar surface for the first time in 50 years, since the end of the Apollo program. The launch had been scrubbed and delayed four times – twice due to technical issues, once for a hurricane and once for a tropical storm. The Artemis I launch will send a new, empty capsule around the moon. This first test flight is expected to last for four to six weeks, and will end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
See the first photo of Earth from NASA's moon-bound Orion spacecraft.
See the Graphic explainer: After 50 years, US takes its first step back to moon with launch of Artemis I.
GOP wins control of House; McConnell stays Senate minority leader
It took eight days past Election Day, but control of the House of Representatives was finally decided Wednesday. Several close races still remain to be called, but the GOP won the 218 seats needed to secure a narrow majority and give them power to block President Joe Biden's agenda in Congress. In the upper chamber, Sen. Mitch McConnell will continue in his role as minority leader for another session after his reelection to the post Wednesday. McConnell, who has been the GOP Senate leader since 2007, bested his only challenger, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, winning about 75% of the vote. Here are the latest updates.
Republicans and Democrats both wanted the 'Latino vote.' Here’s what actually happened.
Anti-abortion movement lost big on Election Day. What do they do now? | Opinion
What everyone's talking about
Student debt relief isn't expected soon. Here's how to prepare.
$599 for unlimited flights on Frontier? This deal wants to make you soar.
Gloria Steinem, over 130 experts sign letter supporting Amber Heard.
Tim Allen's phone call with Jay Leno, advice for his 'Santa Clauses' co-star, his daughter.
She reported him for rape, but the university kept him on campus. How the school failed survivors.
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25 LA sheriff's recruits struck by wrong-way driver
Five people were critically injured after a driver in an SUV struck 25 Los Angeles County sheriff's and police recruits who were on a run Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Recruits were doing a morning training exercise when they were struck by a vehicle driving in the wrong lane, witnesses said. At least 20 recruits were injured, officials said, and five people were in critical condition. The driver suffered minor injuries and was detained "pending further investigation." Here's the latest.
Trump's running for president in 2024
Former President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that he would seek the presidency again in 2024, even as a rising number of Republicans are urging the party to look elsewhere in light of their 2022 midterm debacle. Trump filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring himself a candidate before making the announcement in a speech at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
💡 What to know: Some Republicans are looking to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as an alternative to Trump. DeSantis was a rare bright spot in a disappointing midterm cycle for the GOP, winning reelection with more than 59% of the vote. Trump has already started attacking him.
🗣️ What they've said: Many in the GOP blamed Trump and Trump-like candidates for a poor showing in the midterms, and noted that the party also fared badly in the 2018 and 2020 elections.
👉 What about Trump's legal woes? Facing substantial legal threats from federal prosecutors and in Georgia, Trump's decision to run for president brings up questions about how investigations would be handled. Here's what experts say.
Do Republicans have to nominate Trump in 2024? Here's what to know.
Ivanka Trump says she doesn't plan to be involved in politics.
Real quick
FBI director says TikTok poses a national security threat.
Tom Brady 'was playing bad,' Bruce Arians says on Bucs' struggles.
Indiana boy dies after shooting himself with gun left on dollhouse.
'The way forward': Mormon church backs same-sex marriage law
HBCU team quits tournament after 'vile and vicious' racial abuse.
Senate defeats filibuster on gay marriage bill, paving path for protecting same-sex unions.
👉 UVA shooting: Suspect had twice failed gun background checks, worked at local Boys & Girls Clubs. More updates.
❄️Snowfall will be measured in feet, not inches, around Buffalo, New York, over the next few days as a potentially historic lake-effect snowstorm wallops the western part of the state. Lake-effect snow is likely over the next few days in other parts of the Northeast, weather.com said. Here's the forecast.
Poland says missile was likely an accidental strike from Ukraine
As it turns out, the missile that slammed into a Polish border town on Tuesday and killed two people may have been an errant air defense projectile launched by Ukraine. Poland President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday that there was no evidence the incident was an intentional attack on his country. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO leaders supported Duda's assertion. The missile appeared to be Russian-made, Duda said, but Ukraine's weaponry includes Russian-made missiles. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if the evidence shows the missile came from Ukraine, "then we need to apologize.”
👉 More Ukraine coverage: Kremlin has rare praise for US leaders; Lviv struggles with power limitations. Wednesday's updates.
At G-20, Biden works to head off wider crisis with Russia.
A break from the news
☕ Starbucks Red Cup 2022: How to get a free reusable holiday cup.
💌 Relationship advice: Can you be in love with more than one person?
🚗 Hitting the road for Thanksgiving? Road trip essentials for a better ride.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. 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 USA TODAY here.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA Artemis I mission launch, Trump 2024 presidential run, Mitch McConnell, Los Angeles wrong-way driver. Wednesday's news.
