Friday's Olympics LIVE | Medal count | Tom Brady in Milano
Morning! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here’s what’s breaking this morning:
- These are the women killed in a deadly avalanche.
- This herbicide is critical to the nation’s security.
- Is it possible to fix unfair taxes?
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Friday, from an iconic night on Olympic ice to the latest following the arrest of a former royal. Plus, we remember "Grey's Anatomy" star Eric Dane.
Team USA women win on the ice
Last night was a big moment for Team USA women at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
...Particularly those who compete wearing skates.
Alysa Liu, 20, of Oakland, California, brought down the house with her free skate Thursday, winning the gold medal. After an incredible comeback journey, Liu is the first American woman to win an individual figure skating Olympic medal in two decades. Watch (or rewatch) her incredible performance.
Also victorious on the ice: USA women's hockey defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to capture gold, marking the Americans’ first Olympic gold medal since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. The Americans trailed much of the contest, before Hilary Knight scored an equalizer with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. Megan Keller's sudden-death goal in overtime clinched the gold. Watch the OT win.
Olympic action continues Friday:U.S. men's hockey team takes on Slovakia in the Olympic tournament semifinals.
More news to know now
- Dinner party drama: An annual bipartisan meeting of governors set for Friday has become, in the words of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, "a lot of drama."
- Former Prince Andrew is out of prison. But the first known modern arrest of a senior British royal raises questions about the handling of sensitive UK government information, the oversight of quasi-official royal roles and Andrew’s long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
- Why are tensions building with Iran? President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would decide within 10 to 15 days whether to take action against Iran beyond the current peace talks. Iran has refused to discuss issues beyond nuclear matters, particularly limiting its missiles.
Remembrance
America's beloved doctor
Tributes from fans and costars are pouring in for Eric Dane, the actor who played cheeky Dr. Mark Sloan, aka "McSteamy," in the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." Dane died following a battle with ALS. He was 53.
Travel
Can plus-size guests feel included at Universal Epic Universe?
Vikki Tupay and other plus-size travelers told USA TODAY that popular theme parks like Universal Epic Universe haven’t always been the most “size-inclusive." Universal Destinations and Experiences told USA TODAY they have been working on it. Tupay and other plus-size park content creators put those resources to the test and here's what they found.
Before you go
- Duke-Michigan headline college basketball games to watch this weekend.
- How are ski resorts surviving low snow fall?
- Plan a platonic sleepover — and risk the fallout.
Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alysa Liu, hockey, Olympics, avalanche, Iran, Prince Andrew, Eric Dane: Daily Briefing