Nova Newsletter
December 11, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,790 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Student Killed in Kentucky State Campus Shooting
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, is accused of shooting and killing a person on the Kentucky State University campus on Dec. 9, 2025. Franklin County Jail
One student was killed and another critically injured in a shooting Tuesday at Kentucky State University in Frankfort.
Takeaways
Police arrested 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana, who is not a student.
Officials say the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute, not a random attack.
Classes and activities are canceled for the rest of the week.
No ongoing threat to campus, according to state and university officials.
Police say Bard opened fire near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, a residence hall on the south side of campus.
He faces charges of murder and first-degree assault.
The deceased student was identified as 19-year-old De'Jon Darrell Fox Jr. of Indianapolis.
The second student remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
The university is working with local and state authorities as the investigation continues.
More updates are expected as officials release new details. Read More
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2. New York Judge Orders Release of Epstein Grand Jury Files
A federal judge in New York approved the Justice Department’s request to unseal grand jury records from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case. The ruling follows a similar order for Ghislaine Maxwell’s records.
Takeaways
Judge Richard Berman cited the Epstein Files Transparency Act, emphasizing victims’ privacy and safety.
The ruling protects survivors’ personal and medical information while moving toward disclosure.
Timing for the records’ release remains uncertain, despite the law’s 30-day guideline.
Berman referenced previous rulings that blocked disclosure over safety concerns but said the new law mandates release. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial, sparking ongoing public interest and conspiracy theories. Earlier this month, Florida judges also ordered related grand jury materials released from 2005 and 2007.
The move marks a major step toward transparency in high-profile Epstein investigations. Read More
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3. US Strikes on Drug Boats Leave Survivors Treated Differently
This screengrab of a video posted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shows a submarine shortly before it is hit by a missile strike, on October 16, 2025. This strike left two survivors, who were repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador after being detained by the US Navy. Pete Hegseth/X
Three separate US military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have left at least five survivors, each handled differently.
Takeaways
Two survivors from an October 16 strike were repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador.
A September 2 follow-up strike killed two survivors clinging to a damaged boat.
One survivor from an October 27 strike is presumed dead after not being recovered.
The campaign has killed 87 people across 23 boats, with questions about international law raised.
Officials say treatment of survivors follows existing protocol, though responses vary based on circumstance.
Adm. Frank Bradley directed the September 2 follow-up strike citing cocaine aboard the vessel.
Pentagon officials and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth maintain survivors are handled consistently but circumstances dictate action.
The US strike campaign continues, though at a slower pace amid scrutiny. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Dr. Blaine McGraw.Bell County Sheriff's Office
Army Dr. Blaine McGraw was criminally charged for secretly videotaping 44 patients during exams at Fort Hood, Texas, between Jan. and Dec. 2025, along with other offenses including conduct unbecoming and making false statements. Investigation continues amid a related civil lawsuit claiming additional victims and prior ignored complaints. Read More
Japan warned of a possible offshore megaquake after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Honshu, causing 34 mostly mild injuries and some infrastructure damage. Officials estimate a future quake could trigger a 98-foot tsunami, kill nearly 200,000 people, and devastate 220,000 buildings. Read More
President Trump called European leaders “weak” and said the region is “decaying,” criticizing their handling of immigration and the Ukraine war just as they tried to impress him with support for Kyiv. Analysts warn his stance signals a seismic shift in U.S.-European relations and alarms NATO allies. Read More
Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, of Valencia, California, died by suicide after a fall from a five-story parking structure on October 10, the L.A. County Medical Examiner ruled. She had been separated from Mitt Romney’s brother, George Scott Romney, since May. Read More
Amazon announced plans to invest over $35 billion in India’s AI and cloud sectors by 2030, aiming to create 1 million jobs, boost exports to $80 billion, and support 15 million small businesses. The move builds on nearly $40 billion already invested and aligns with India’s push to expand local AI infrastructure.
Bestselling novelist Sophie Kinsella, real name Madeleine Wickham, died at 55 from aggressive brain cancer, leaving behind a legacy of over 50 million books sold in 60+ countries. Her Shopaholic series inspired a 2009 film and cemented her as a leading voice in romantic comedy fiction. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Trump Plan Would Force Tourists to Hand Over Five Years of Data
A Miami international airport terminal welcome sign from US Customs and Border Protection. Photograph: Jeff Greenberg/Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
All visitors to the United States would need to disclose five years of social media activity, email addresses, phone numbers, and family details under a new Trump administration proposal.
Takeaways
The proposal applies to all tourists, including visa-exempt travelers from the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia, effectively expanding US border scrutiny globally.
DHS is seeking public comment for two months, but the plan reflects a broader crackdown on immigration and foreign travel under Trump’s second term.
Analysts warn the policy could hit tourism revenues, particularly for major events like the 2026 World Cup, as visitors face invasive entry requirements.
The administration has already restricted visas, increased national park fees, and reduced access for foreign journalists, signaling a strategy that merges immigration control with cultural gatekeeping.
The Federal Register notice frames the disclosures as mandatory for entry. DHS has not commented publicly, leaving uncertainty over enforcement mechanisms. Customs and Border Protection can already search devices at the border, though refusals may result in denied entry. Last year, CBP searched roughly 47,000 devices out of 420 million entries, a figure expected to rise under the new rules.
Tourism has been declining sharply. California predicts a 9% drop in foreign visits this year, while Las Vegas and Hollywood report steep declines in foot traffic. Canadian travel to the US by car fell nearly 37% in July compared with 2024, reflecting fraying cross-border relations.
Experts warn the measure could strain US soft power. “The US risks turning off even casual visitors with invasive social media checks,” said a travel economist. For the World Cup and future global events, the policy could deter attendance and dampen the economic impact of international tourism.
The administration is signaling a new era where border control, immigration enforcement, and digital surveillance intersect, reshaping who can enter the country and under what terms. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Son arrested after Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes killed
Jubilant Sykes arrives at the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees Concert on June 23, 2006 in Los Angeles. Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death at his home in Santa Monica, California, and his son, Micah Sykes, 31, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Takeaways
Officers responded Monday night to a 911 call reporting an assault; Sykes, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A weapon was recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sykes was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for “Bernstein: Mass” and performed at the Metropolitan Opera.
He served as artistic advisor for Orchestra Santa Monica and was praised for his versatile baritone.
Authorities said Micah Sykes was taken into custody without incident; his legal representation is not yet known.
Sykes was celebrated for his charisma and artistry, performing across genres from opera to pop.
The investigation continues as police seek further details about the fatal incident. Read More
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6. US Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Released after Japan Drug Arrest
American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris was released from detention in Japan three weeks after his arrest on suspicion of smuggling MDMA.
Takeaways
Harris, 36, was arrested Nov. 16 at Naha Airport in Okinawa with 0.78 grams of ecstasy.
Japanese authorities held him under customs law; it is unclear if he was released on bail or has left the country.
Harris is known for his Tony-nominated play “Slave Play” and appearances on Emily in Paris.
The prosecutors’ office has not confirmed whether his case is ongoing or dropped.
Harris traveled from London via Taiwan before arriving in Okinawa.
Japanese law allows suspects to be held for up to 23 days before indictment.
His work has sparked discussion for tackling race, class, and sexual taboos, earning a Tony nomination in 2019.. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Marconi with his telegraphic box of tricks
On This Day — December 11
Telegraphy Without Wires, 1896 – William Preece, Chief Electrical Engineer of the British Post Office, delivers a public lecture in London praising the pioneering wireless telegraphy work of 22-year-old Guglielmo Marconi.
US Support to South Vietnam, 1961 – President John F. Kennedy authorizes the provision of American military helicopters and crews to assist South Vietnam.
Audrey Hepburn Honored, 1992 – President George H. W. Bush awards actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her global humanitarian efforts.
9. Poll
Do you agree with the proposed social media and personal data requirements for all visitors to the U.S.?
Life Hack of the day
☕ 🫙 Pour Vinegar in Your Coffee Maker
Need to deep-clean your coffee maker? All you need is vinegar. Fill the water chamber with a half-and-half mix of water and vinegar, then run a brew cycle just like you’re making coffee. After that, run a few cycles with plain water to flush out any vinegar taste. Keep repeating until the water runs clean and odor-free.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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