Wasn't me: The all-encompassing case of the anonymous op-ed writer

Thursday, September 6

President Donald Trump reads an article praising his administration as he replies to a journalist during a meeting with sheriffs at the White House on Wednesday.

Wasn't me: The case of the anonymous op-ed writer

A wild goose chase for the New York Times op-ed writer, a devastating Cincinnati shooting and Burt Reynolds dies. The biggest news of the day in the littlest time. #TheShortList

Finding the New York Times op-ed writer of "lodestar" fame

Imagine being the person who wrote the barn-burner New York Times op-ed about the now-not-so-secret resistance within President Donald Trump's White House: You're the most highly sought-after person in Washington — both the administration and the media want to know who you are. All the while, the rest of us try to comprehend what you said and ponder what is going on within the walls of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Here's what we're discussing:

•	What constitutional crises could follow?
•	What is the 25th Amendment allowing for the removal of the president?
•	Did Mike Pence write it? What about Mike Pompeo? No and no.
•	These other people said they didn't write it either.
•	Can Congress look into it? "Not that I know of," said House Speaker Paul Ryan
•	First lady Melania Trump called it "cowardly"
•	What's a "lodestar" anyway?

Four dead in Cincinnati shooting

A gunman shot and killed three people at a downtown Cincinnati office building during a morning rampage that shook the Ohio city. At least two other people were injured in the shooting in the lobby and loading dock of the 30-story Fifth Third Center. Police Chief Eliot Isaac said three or four officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who was killed. But, it wasn't immediately clear whether officers killed him or if the gunman's wound was self-inflicted. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the man targeted people at random. "There's something deeply sick at work here and we as a country need to work on it."

Burt Reynolds dies at 82

Burt Reynolds, the popular star of films such as "Deliverance," "The Longest Yard" and "Smokey and the Bandit," died at 82 , his agent said Thursday. With a devil-may-care attitude, a twinkle in his eyes and playful smile, the good-ol'-boy Reynolds was the bankable major box office star of the 1970s and early '80s. He had a string of box-office hits, unforgettable appearances on "The Tonight Show" as well as a few off-screen personal dramas. He re-emerged last year for a personal project "The Last Movie Star," about a faded actor. "I always tried to leave a good impression wherever we shot, and I didn't leave any buildings burning or anything," he told USA TODAY in March. "And I've had a good time through it all."

Booker's 'civil disobedience' rule-breaking

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., released confidential emails sent years ago by Supreme Court hopeful Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday, breaking Senate rules in what he argues is a show of civil disobedience. He told colleagues he understands the penalty may be ousting him from the Senate. But he also boldly challenged them to reprimand him. The emails, which referenced racial profiling during airport searches, are among some 190,000 documents kept from public view during Kavanaugh's vetting process. The federal appeals court judge managed to stay on topic on the third day of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which peppered him with questions about his views on abortion, racial justice and presidential power. Despite Democrats' opposition to the nomination process — "a sham," says Booker — Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., put it flatly, "You're going to get confirmed."

Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., listens during a hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Sept. 4, 2018.

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Longer the fast, longer the life?

The idea may be hard to stomach, but a new study by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggests intermittent fasting could be the key to longevity. Using mice, a group of scientists found increasing time between meals improved overall health and lengthened their lives compared to mice who ate more frequently. Fasting to lose weight? Experts say it may not deliver the goods.

Struggling with a health issue? You're not alone

Millions of Americans struggle every day with health problems that may be invisible or easy to miss. From the loss of a loved one, to an "invisible" struggle such as depression, we could all use some help. USA TODAY's Facebook support group "I Survived It" is here to provide a community for people who have overcome some of life's most traumatic events such as: grief, addiction, opioid withdrawal, loneliness, mental health, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and childhood trauma. You can join here.