'Wealth is a curse'

Another major player in the retail game is giving his company away. Will brutal winter weather be a game changer in Ukraine? And the sun was apparently in a good mood this week. 😊

👋 Hello! Laura Davis here. It's Thursday, Oct. 27 – National Black Cat Day! Black cats have often been associated with witches, evil and bad luck. As the human owner of a black cat, I can confirm this to be basically true. Read more about them here! 

🐾 But first, speaking of cats: Do you dress your pets up for Halloween? I do. My 16-year-old kitty, Susie, tells me what should go in this newsletter most days, which is why her picture is in it today. Scroll down to see her Halloween costume – and find out how to send in your own pet pics! 

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here.

Hobby Lobby founder giving away his company

Crediting his faith and a higher power as the source of his success, Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green announced in a Fox News op-ed that he "chose God" over wealth in his decision to give up ownership of the arts and crafts giant, which has often been intermeshed with national religious news over the last few decades. Green said he felt that passing the company down to his descendants would've been the wrong move. "In most cases, if you drill down on it, wealth is a curse in terms of marriage, children, and things of that nature,” Green said. "So we’re stewarding our company and, therefore, our children come to work, and they get what they earn."

• Patagonia founder gives company away, future profits aimed to help fight climate crisis.

Poll: Republican support rises ahead of Election Day

In the final stretch of the midterm elections, where are undecided voters looking? A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll reveals they're breaking toward the GOP. Those surveyed now support a Republican congressional candidate over a Democratic one on a generic ballot by 49%-45%, a turnaround since the USA TODAY poll taken in July, when Democrats led 44%-40%. The issue of abortion is contributing to an enormous gap between men and women voters, with women more likely to support the Democratic candidate. Dive into the results here.

• Watch out, Hunter Biden? What voters predict a GOP House majority would do.

• GOP is strengthening its grip on education. Parents say Democrats are to blame.

What everyone's talking about

• Menopause for men? It's called andropause. And it's controversial.

• Michael J. Fox reveals tough year of broken bones, health struggles.

• What the heck is a vermilion flycatcher doing in Massachusetts?

• STD rates are surging. Are common myths to blame?

• Shaq dares Charles Barkley to spell spectacular for $10K and he almost couldn't.

• Kanye West closes Donda Academy, won't appear in basketball tournament.

• Miss Universe pageant sold for $20 million to Thai businesswoman, transgender advocate.

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Gun used in St. Louis school shooting had been previously taken away

Just a week before a former student opened fire in a St. Louis high school, killing a teacher and a student, the gun used in the attack was removed from his home, officials said. On Oct. 15, the shooting suspect's mother found an AR-15-style rifle in the family's home and contacted police to have it removed, interim St. Louis police Commissioner Michael Sack said Wednesday. The family worked with police to transfer the gun to a third party known to the family, Sack said.  "... How he acquired it after that, we don’t know. We’re looking into it." Authorities confirmed the firearm that was removed was the same one used in Monday's shooting that left two dead and seven others injured. Here's the latest on the investigation.

Winter could shift the balance in Ukraine conflict – for either side

Ukrainians are bracing for winter under historically harsh conditions. Seven months of war have taken a toll on a nation that was Europe's poorest even before Russia's military belligerence damaged or destroyed thousands of residential buildings, schools and hospitals. The collapse of infrastructure has put millions of people at risk of losing access to electricity, water, even shelter, the International Rescue Committee warns. While Russia could use cold weather to wear down Ukrainians, a harsh winter might make things difficult for the Kremlin, too. How this winter could change things for Ukraine.

👉 Thursday's news: In major speech, Putin accuses U.S., allies of trying to dominate the world, denies intent to use nuclear weapons. Live Ukraine updates.

• Russia attacks Ukraine cities with self-detonating Iranian drones. This is how the weapons are used.

Real quick

• Negative feelings about Trump surface as jurors picked in tax fraud trial.

• Blood pressure medicine recalled due to potential cancer risk.

• Park outside, Kia warns: 72K Sportage SUVs recalled after engine fires.

• Mom of boy found dead in suitcase still on the run. What happens next?

• 'The whole country shines with a huge rainbow': Same-sex marriage legal in all Mexican states.

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

🌞 A smile from the sun

Much to this former Florida gal's delight, it snowed in Denver this morning! While it may be chilly and gloomy here, somewhere out there, the sun is smiling. A photo taken from a NASA satellite Thursday morning appears to show a smile on the surface of our nearest star. According to NASA, the dark patches on the sun are known as coronal holes, where solar winds gush out into space. You won't be able to see the smile with your bare eyes, but if you happen to catch a glimpse of the sun this week, make sure you smile back! 😊

Let's see those scary-cute pets!

Do you dress your pets up for Halloween? We want to see! Click here to submit your best photos. You might just see it in next week's Short List!

My cat, Susie, has been dressing up for Halloween for a few years, so she said she'll go first. And if you still need a costume, here are some of the cutest out there. Have a great weekend!

A break from the news

• 📱 Techy travel: Handy gadgets you can't live without.

• 🔎Fact-checking 'The Good Nurse': Did Charles Cullen kill 400 patients?

• 🎁 Holiday gifts for everyone on your list ahead of Black Friday.

• 👻 From 'The Shining' to 'The Birds,' 25 horror movies to watch before you DIIIIIIIIIIIIE.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hobby Lobby owner, midterm elections, Ukraine war, St. Louis high school shooting. Thursday's news.