Daily Briefing: 'You are not going to be shocked'

A Georgia grand jury recommended multiple indictments after concluding its investigation into election fraud involving former President Donald Trump, according to media reports. Parts of the northern U.S. could see unprecedented snow. Democrat Jennifer McClellan will become Virginia’s first Black woman in Congress.

👋 It's Jane Onyanga-Omara and Steve Coogan, Daily Briefing authors. The Pentagon is warning troops to back away from poppy seed bagels. Why?

Now, here's Wednesday's news

Foreperson: Georgia grand jury recommended multiple indictments in Trump probe, report says

A Georgia grand jury recommended indictments against multiple people on various charges after concluding its eight-month investigation into election fraud involving former President Donald Trump, the panel's foreperson, told the New York Times Tuesday. Emily Kohrs, declined to name any of those who were referred for charges, including whether Trump was among them, in a final report delivered to Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis in December. Referring to Trump, Kohrs said: "You are not going to be shocked," the Times report states. Kohrs made similar comments during interviews with several other outlets, including NBC News and CNN. Read more

• Portion of Georgia panel's final report released: Grand jury recommends perjury charges for unnamed witnesses in Trump investigation.

• Read the full grand jury excerpts: Take a look at the introduction, the section about lies and the conclusion.

Parts of northern U.S. shut down ahead of winter storm, potentially historic snowfall

States in the northern plains are largely shutting down ahead of a massive winter storm that could dump up to 2 feet of snow in some areas. Many schools throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin were called off for Wednesday and emergency management leaders warned people to stay off the roads or face potential "whiteout" conditions. As much as 25 inches of snow may pile up, with the heaviest amounts falling across east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin, the National Weather Service said. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph and wind chills are expected to hit minus 50 degrees in some parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota. The storm will make its way toward the East Coast later in the week. Read more

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

More news to know now

• 🧳 New Biden administration proposal seeks to limit access for asylum seekers at southern border.

• 🏫 A 5th grader at the same school where a 6-year-old shot a teacher is accused of making threats to "pop some bullets."

• ⚖️ Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination and the first in the world to pass such a law outside South Asia.

• 😷 Idaho lawmakers introduce legislation to criminalize anyone administering certain COVID vaccines.

• 🔴 Gen Z is the driving force among adults identifying as LGBTQ, a poll shows. Here's a breakdown.

• 🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, USA TODAY Money Reporter Medora Lee talks through some of the strategies rich Americans use to save on taxes. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.

Biden to meet eastern flank NATO leaders amid Russia worries

President Joe Biden is wrapping up his whirlwind, four-day visit to Poland and Ukraine by reassuring eastern flank NATO allies that his administration is highly attuned to the looming threats and other impacts spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before departing Warsaw on Wednesday, Biden will hold talks with leaders from the Bucharest Nine, a collection of nations on the most eastern parts of the NATO alliance that came together in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. As the war in Ukraine drags on, the Bucharest Nine countries’ anxieties have remained heightened. Many worry Putin could move to take military action against them next if he’s successful in Ukraine. Read more

• "It's hard, but they're holding on": On the ground in Ukraine, the war depends on U.S. weapons.

• "We will never be the same": Displaced Ukrainian children risk erosion in school, mental health.

• As Russia suspends nuke treaty, what are tactical nuclear weapons and how many does it have?

Democrat Jennifer McClellan wins special election, becoming first Black woman from Virginia in Congress

Democrat Jennifer McClellan coasted to victory in Virginia’s special election Tuesday, becoming the state’s first Black woman in Congress. McClellan, a state senator and corporate lawyer, was declared the projected winner over Republican Leon Benjamin, a pastor, within 30 minutes of the polls closing, according to the Associated Press. She will succeed Democrat Rep. A. Donald Eachin, who died last November, and represent a district anchored by Richmond that stretches south to the North Carolina border. Once McClellan is sworn in, there will be a record 28 Black women in Congress. Her victory does not change the GOP margin in the House as Republicans still will be able to lose four GOP votes on bills and pass legislation. Read more

Just for subscribers:

• 🚨 Face of MSU shooting response talks officers who didn't want to leave, misinformation.

• 🐟 Huron fish kill exemplifies racial bias in South Dakota fisheries management, expert says.

• 👩‍👧"We were conned": How adoption agency’s demise gutted hundreds of families.

• 📺 Opinion: CNN's Don Lemon still gets it wrong. His non-apology for sexist comments is what not to do.

• 🍽 Why your favorite local restaurant might throw away its menu this year.

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Investigator: Gun in fatal shooting was exchanged in Alabama star's car

An investigator testified Tuesday that University of Alabama basketball freshman star Brandon Miller was on the scene of a fatal shooting that led to the arrest of his now-former teammate. Investigators believe former Alabama player Darius Miles provided the gun and Michael Lynn Davis killed Jamea Harris on Jan. 15. Branden Culpepper of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said Miles gave Davis the gun while they were in Miller's car. Miles texted Miller and Miller brought Miles' gun, Culpepper said. Alabama coach Nate Oats added fuel to the fire Tuesday with comments about the development that he later apologized for. Read more

• Column from Dan Wolken: Alabama coach Oats offers "tone-deaf" reply to Brandon Miller's alleged role in fatal shooting.

• Testimony from Alabama: The gun used in fatal shooting was exchanged in Brandon Miller's car, an investigator says.

📷 Photo of the day: Costumes, dancing fill the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras 📷

New Orleans closed its 2023 Carnival season Tuesday with its iconic Mardi Gras parades featuring dazzling floats and beaded-out performers. The city had been partying since early January when Carnival season kicked off, treating visitors from around the country to a steady stream of parades and copious amounts of king cake.

Go to our gallery to see the impressive floats from New Orleans’ historic Mardi Gras Krewes and thousands of spectators.

One more thing

• 👩‍💻 Employers tried a 4-day workweek program. Employees said they were healthier and happier.

• 🏡 You can get cheap rent, but it comes with a "bump" notice. What it's like living on "Standby."

• 🥤 Shamrock Shake lovers, it's your lucky day. The frozen treat is back on McDonald's menus.

• 👶🏽 Da Brat reveals she's pregnant at 48, expecting first child: "It's been quite a journey."

• 🦖 Barney vs The Pet Rock: Why some fads come back and others die.

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Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia grand jury, winter storm, Joe Biden, Ukraine, Jennifer McClellan