Live from DC, it's the impeachment
Two people have the plague. Venice is underwater (I mean, more than usual). And it is still very, very cold across much of the USA.
It’s Ashley. Here’s the news you need to know Wednesday.
But first, freedom for cats: "Quilty" the shelter cat keeps setting his feline friends free, so he was put in "solitary" and won't stop busting out.
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The new impeachment inquiry revelation
Two American diplomats shared details of President Donald Trump's pressure on Ukraine during the first day of public testimony in the impeachment inquiry – and maintained their story that Trump used his office to go after a political rival. At Wednesday's hearing, Democrats tried to bolster their case for Trump's impeachment while Republicans tried to scuttle the process by dismissing Democrats' claims Trump engaged in a "quid pro quo" with Ukraine. In the hot seats: Ambassador Bill Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary at the State Department. Here are a few highlights:
Taylor testified a Trump official said the president "cares more" about investigating former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 presidential candidate, and his son Hunter than he did about Ukraine policy.
Kent suggested a Ukraine company at the center of the controversy should be investigated. Mostly, the two withstood fiery questioning from both sides, often expanding on what they'd offered in closed-door testimony.
Trump claimed not to pay any mind, although he tweeted throughout the hearing.
In unrelated impeachment news: The University of Florida's student body president faces calls for impeachment after paying Donald Trump Jr. $50,000 in student tuition fees to speak on campus.
This is fine. The plague is fine. 😷
You've definitely heard of "the plague," the super-deadly and highly infectious disease tied to historic pandemics such as Black Death. Two people in China were diagnosed with pneumonic plague, according to Caixin and state media Xinhua. The news outlets reported the patients received "proper treatment," and disease control measures have been taken – such as replacing (and hopefully burning?) all the chairs in the vicinity. The risk for further infections is "extremely low," Chinese health officials say, but I'd like to point out this small detail: The U.S. CDC calls pneumonic plague the "most serious form of the disease," and it's the only form that can be transmitted from person to person by inhaling infected droplets.
Speaking of illnesses that suck: The early part of the flu season is "not as scary" as feared, but the CDC still urges vaccinations.
What everyone’s talking about
Goodbye, Greta Thunberg: The teen climate activist is sailing back across the Atlantic. Here's what she accomplished while in the USA.
There have been 4 frat deaths this month, two this week alone. What's going on with fraternity hazing?
"General Hospital" actor Tyler Christopher was arrested and charged with public intoxication.
For World Kindness Day, a hospital dressed newborns in red cardigans like Mr. Rogers.
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan and Archie are ditching the queen this Christmas.
This is what Venice looks like right now
One of Italy’s most popular travel destinations was hit by the highest tide in 50 years. The flooding in Venice hit the second-highest levels recorded in history. The high-water mark reached 74 inches late Tuesday, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed climate change for the situation and called for speedy completion of a long-delayed project to construct offshore barriers.
This is quite the soap opera indeed
If you’re a ”Days of Our Lives” fan, buckle up, because reports claim your favorite stories might be in jeopardy. Reports came out this week saying the show will be go on an indefinite hiatus after laying off the entire cast, leaving the future of NBC's only remaining daytime soap opera in doubt. Several of the show's stars took to social media to (dramatically) chime in on the headline-making news. Some fervently disputed that the show's been axed. "We are still here, and I have someone to confirm that," actress Kristian Alfonso said in an Instagram video Tuesday as the camera panned to "Days of Our Lives" head writer Ron Carlivati. "Don't listen to the news always – especially that report."
Real quick
Today I learned: Cows are adept swimmers. Three castaway cows swam to North Carolina's Outer Banks to escape Hurricane Dorian.
Roger Stone impeded a congressional investigation on Russia to help Trump, a prosecutor told jurors.
"I never say never": Hillary Clinton refuses to close the door on a 2020 presidential run.
Red tide, the toxic algae bloom that kills wildlife, has returned to Florida.
Three men were charged in a major drug ring bust involving truckloads of carfentanil – a drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
The deadly Arctic blast breaks records set more than 100 years ago
It was literally freezing in Florida and Alabama while parts of Maine, Michigan and New York dug out from a foot of snow Wednesday. A historically early and deadly Arctic air mass gripped much of the nation. Records, some dating back more than 100 years, were toppled as the front continued its ferocious roll for a third day. Send our Short Listers in Alabama warm thoughts: The entire state was under a freeze warning as temperatures dipped into the 20s and below, breaking records at more than 100 locations.
A break from the news
10 things you should buy before the year ends.
Don't microwave children's food in plastic containers, doctors warn. Also: Avoid the dishwasher.
Disney+ is already a huge hit – here's how to sign up.
This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Impeachment inquiry, plague, 'Days of Our Lives': Wednesday's news
