Daily Briefing: Abortion drug remains - for now

A federal appeals court has revived the FDA's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone but allowed some restrictions to stand, potentially setting up a showdown in the Supreme Court. Also in the news: Fire warnings are in place in much of the country, and President Joe Biden returned to his ancestral home in Ireland. 

👋 It's Jane Onyanga-Omara and Steve Coogan, Daily Briefing authors. Who's the shortest dog in the world? It's Pearl, a less than pint-sized pooch from Florida.

Now, here's Thursday's news.

Court revives FDA mifepristone  approval, but allows some restrictions to stand

A federal appeals court late Wednesday paused part of a lower court ruling that had suspended approval of abortion medication mifepristone but allowed other parts of that decision to stand. The order from a divided three-judge panel in Louisiana allowed the FDA's 23-year-old approval of mifepristone to remain in effect but declined to stay the lower court's ruling that imposed significant restrictions on access to the drug. In a controversial ruling last week, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump, suspended the approval of mifepristone. The appeals court's decision potentially sets up a showdown at the Supreme Court. Read more

• Democratic calls rejected: Biden White House will fight, not ignore mifepristone rulings.

• What could be next: Mifepristone rulings set up first major post-Roe abortion case at Supreme Court.

• Black Maternal Health Week: "It's not safe to be pregnant and Black in America."

Second of two Tennessee lawmakers expelled by Republican majority reappointed

Justin Pearson, one of two Black Democratic state legislators whose expulsion earlier this month by Tennessee’s Republican-led House provoked a national backlash, was reappointed Wednesday to his seat in the state’s House of Representatives. Seven of Shelby County's attending commissioners unanimously voted for Pearson, D-Memphis, to fill the interim seat in Tennessee's District 86. With the vote, Pearson will join Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, who returned to the House Monday backed by Nashville’s Metro Council. Both had been removed for leading gun-reform protests on the chamber floor following last month’s mass shooting at a Nashville elementary school. Read more

• Expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones reappointed to state legislature.

• Opinion: Tennessee GOP wanted Justin Jones and Justin Pearson to assimilate. That wasn't going to happen.

• Voices: I'm a Nashville high school student. We're tired of waiting for a solution to gun violence.

More news to know now

• "Please don't punish him": Louisville shooting bodycam footage, 911 calls paint picture of desperate moments.

• How a "strange sisterhood" of #MeToo accusers is reacting to Trump’s indictment in hush money case.

• Secret Service fights to shed politics, but Trump's indictment, 2024 election are major tests.

• "Monsters": Video purported to show beheading of Ukraine soldier draws outrage.

• On today's 5 Things podcast, Commercial Appeal Government Reporter Katherine Burgess has the latest after another expelled Tennessee lawmaker was reappointed. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

Police document detailing President Biden's security information found on Belfast street

It was Northern Ireland’s largest security operation in a decade, intended to protect President Joe Biden. Then a man identified only as “Bill” discovered a police planning document on a Belfast street. The document, discovered near the hotel where Biden was staying, included the names and phone numbers of police officers, as well as the streets where they were deployed and information such as street closures and security measures. The discovery embarrassed law enforcement officials but did not disrupt other events on the first day of Biden’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Read more

• From Ireland, Biden confused a rugby team with "Black and Tans" British military group – and the English didn't like it.

Fire fears stretch across the country; storms possible in the Plains, Southeast

A wildfire spread over thousands of acres in New Jersey this week, with firefighters facing 200-foot high flames. The flames, which could be caused by low humidity and high winds, prompted evacuations of about 170 homes. Red flag warnings and other fire advisories were in effect in more than a dozen states this week, with some warnings continuing into Thursday. Meanwhile, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could threaten parts of the Plains and Southeast, winter storm conditions are expected to hit in the West, while parts of the East Coast may see record-breaking high temperatures in the coming days. Read more

• Wildfire rages in Manchester, NJ, as homes are threatened and evacuations ordered.

• 18,000 cows killed in explosion, fire at Texas dairy farm may be the largest cattle killing ever.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Feinstein, under pressure to resign, asks for temporary committee replacement

Just hours after multiple House Democrats called for her resignation, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California asked to be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a statement Wednesday, Feinstein said her shingles recovery has been delayed due to complications and she asked Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to allow another Democratic senator to serve in her committee seat. Feinstein, who is 89 and previously said she would retire at the end of 2024, gave no estimated date for her return, only saying she will do so, "once my medical team advises that it's safe for me to travel." Read more

• House Democrats Khanna, Phillips call on Feinstein to resign: This is why. 

• Hospitalized: Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been receiving treatment for shingles.

• Sen. Feinstein's retirement: California's longest serving senator, 89, won't seek reelection in 2024.

Just for subscribers:

• "Doesn't make sense." Louisville grieves as Old National Bank goes from crime scene to memorial.

• Rivers and railroads: When trains derail, water is often nearby. Blame decisions made 150 years ago.

• Opinion: After Trump indictment, feds owe these two an apology. Shouldn't the law apply to everyone?

• Why the opening of the world's largest standing wave pool is a "touchy situation" in Hawaii.

These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here. 

Ariana Grande speaks out on weight scrutiny: 'You never know what someone is going through'

Ariana Grande is the latest celebrity addressing discourse over their size — and her words are an important reminder that, in most circumstances, comments about someone's body are better left unsaid. On TikTok, the singer, 29, told fans concerned about her thinner figure that "there are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful" and that her previous appearance was "the unhealthiest version of my body." Grande reminded her followers that "you never know what someone is going through" and to refrain from commenting on other people’s bodies. Experts agree even well-intentioned comments on someone's looks do more harm than good. Read more

• Britney Spears calls out trainer who said she needed to "get my younger body back."

One more thing

• Pittsburgh Penguins' 16-season NHL playoff streak ends: Why it happened.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger terminates neighborhood pothole after weeks of complaints: "Here you go."

• MLB player Manny Machado sees a viral video of a young fan. Watch what he does next.

• 10 small businesses owned by disabled and neurodivergent people that you can support.

• Taco Bell brings back Nacho Fries on Thursday. Coming this summer: Volcano Menu returns.

Photo of the day: President Biden visits UK and Ireland

President Joe Biden returned to his ancestral home of Ireland on Wednesday, welcomed by thousands of cheering people who lined up for hours in hopes of getting a glimpse, a photo or even the slightest touch from him.

In the town of Dundalk, Ire Biden declared: "I don't know why the hell my ancestors left here. It's beautiful." County Louth is the home of Biden's mother's family.

Biden is spending three days in Ireland. Earlier Wednesday, he marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.

Click here to see photos from Biden's trip.

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Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mifepristone revived, Tennessee lawmaker, Dianne Feinstein: Daily Briefing