Daily Briefing: A horrifying moment in the NFL

Julius Lasin, USA TODAY
·5 min read
13
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game on Monday, the team said. He collapsed on the field shortly after making a tackle. Also in the news: California residents are bracing for more bad weather, and House members will vote for a new speaker.

👋 I'm Julius, today's Daily Briefing author.

Now, here we go with Tuesday's news. 

Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin suffers cardiac arrest, in critical condition

Hamlin is in critical condition at a hospital after collapsing on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. After making a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin stood up but collapsed to the ground. An ambulance was brought onto the field and ESPN reporter Lisa Salters said medical responders were “working on him” for more than nine minutes. The Bills announced early Tuesday that he suffered a cardiac arrest. His heartbeat was restored on the field before he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. The team also said that Hamlin is currently sedated and listed in critical condition. Monday's game was postponed by the NFL. Read more updates on Damar Hamlin.

Buffalo Bills players react as teammate Damar Hamlin is examined after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Buffalo Bills players react as teammate Damar Hamlin is examined after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals.

California faces another 'atmospheric river'

Following a historic storm in California, residents are bracing for an onslaught of more bad weather that could bring up to 8 inches of rain in some areas and trigger additional flooding and mudslides. The state faces another "atmospheric river" this week, and the Midwest and South also can expect damaging weather, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. Parts of  Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi were under a tornado watch until 3 a.m. Central time, the National Weather Service said. The newest storm was forecast to sweep across Northern California before dipping into Southern California on Tuesday. That will be followed by an even more potent storm poised to slam Northern California late Tuesday and Wednesday. Read more.

Three vehicles are submerged on Dillard Road west of Highway 99 in south Sacramento County in Wilton, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, after heavy rains on New Year's Eve produced levee breaks. Saturday's system was warmer and wetter, while storms this week will be colder, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

More news to know now

🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.

Will Kevin McCarthy be voted as House speaker?

A battle between the "never Kevins" and "only Kevins" is shaping up ahead of Tuesday's vote to the elect the next House speaker. Rep. Kevin McCarthy on Monday predicted "a good day tomorrow," indicating he thinks the "only Kevins" are winning in his bid for House speaker. But there are more than a dozen members within his Republican Party who say they are voting against him, raising concerns or remaining on the fence about whether to support him. In a House with a narrow Republican majority, McCarthy can only afford to lose four votes if he wants to hold the speaker's gavel. If McCarthy is not elected on the first ballot, he would be the first speaker candidate in 100 years to fail. Read more on Tuesday's vote.

Ukrainian missiles kill scores of Russian troops

Scores of Russian soldiers were killed when Ukrainian missiles struck a building in the occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine over the weekend, one of the deadliest days for the Russian military since the war began. The Russian Defense Ministry said 63 service members died in the attack, although details remained sketchy. Dmitry Azarov, governor of Russia's Samara region, said an unspecified number of civilians were among the killed and wounded. Ukrainian authorities did not claim responsibility for the strike but estimated the death toll at nearly 400.  Keep reading.

Just for subscribers:

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

65K mourn Benedict XVI as pope emeritus lies in state at Vatican

An estimated 65,000 people have visited Vatican City to pay their respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose body is lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. Benedict’s body was dressed with a bishop's mitre and a red cloak, arranged on red pillows atop a bier draped in gold fabric. Benedict, who was the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign as the head of the Catholic Church, died Saturday. He was 95, and his death came just days after Pope Francis asked for prayers following reports that his predecessor's health was failing. Benedict's funeral will be led by Pope Francis and will take place at St. Peter’s Square on Thursday. Read more.

📷 Photo of the day: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins face off in the Winter Classic 📷

The Boston Bruins beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 at the 2023 Winter Classic outdoor NHL game at Fenway Park in Boston. Click here to see more photos from the game. 

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry tends the net against the Boston Bruins. He left at 15:30 of the first period with an injury.
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry tends the net against the Boston Bruins. He left at 15:30 of the first period with an injury.

One more thing

Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Damar Hamlin, California weather, Kevin McCarthy: Daily Briefing