Daily Briefing: School’s back from summer — but not for everyone
Welcome to the Daily Briefing. I’m Nicole Fallert, and here’s the news worth knowing this Monday. If you haven’t already, start the week with our News Quiz.
The first day of school is one of the most confusing dates on the American calendar. For students in states like Indiana, August is already classroom season. For kids in New Jersey, meanwhile, summer vacation still has a full month to run. There’s no federal standard for when school starts, and experts who spoke to USA TODAY say the real drivers are local: community needs, weather, and state politics. That can be a headache for parents arranging child care or planning late-summer trips, and this year the back-to-school ritual comes with extra financial strain. Groceries are expensive, supplies add up, and many families are hunting for discounts. One bright spot: 18 states have scheduled tax-free weekends for school shopping.
Politics and policy
Some Republicans are wary of a preschool program overhaul, with questions emerging over costs and the federal role. On immigration, a new survey finds about 8 in 10 independent voters say ICE has used too much force — a signal of how public sentiment may be shifting on enforcement tactics.
Pentagon wants more weapons, faster
The Defense Department has asked industry leaders for proposals to accelerate weapons production, including munitions that experts say were heavily depleted during the U.S. war on Iran. It’s a sign that the Pentagon is trying to speed up the industrial base at a time when global threats are stretching inventories.
A small town’s nuclear bet
Just outside Kemmerer, Wyoming, crews are building a first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant backed by billionaires. The project could become a template for advanced nuclear energy in rural communities, where reliability and affordability are constant issues.
Abuse allegations at Interlochen
Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reports that 70 former students say nearly 50 adults sexually abused them at the prestigious music, arts and education campus. The allegations have intensified the debate over how arts boarding schools handle student safety.
In case you missed it
Jackie the beloved bald eagle remains “critically ill.” And Fat Marmot Week starts Aug. 24, when the public will vote on which fluffy marmot best exemplifies hibernation prep.
Money
Caring for an aging parent can be exhausting, but experts say the hardest part is sometimes the rest of the family. Siblings and relatives may make unfounded accusations of stealing, level unprovoked criticisms, or push health decisions that don’t match the parent’s wishes. Those tensions sometimes survive the parent, and can eventually turn into lawsuits. Estate planners often recommend having clear conversations early about money, medical care, and decision-making.
Sports & culture
WNBA guard Kayla McBride set a single-game record for 3-pointers. College football fans can read our not-so-crazy possibilities for 2026. And as marching bands take the field, it’s worth appreciating the tuba and bass drum players who carry the low end — and the heavy weight.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY.