Trump’s State of the Union speech will answer these burning questions

View this email in your browser Brought to you by USATODAY.com It's time to hear from the president  President Trump can fairly boast Tuesday night that the State of the Union in many ways is strong, with steady economic growth and historically low unemployment. But it is also a time of grave danger for his presidency, as his lawyers negotiate the ground rules for his interview with a special counsel investigating allegations of Russian collusion and obstruction of justice. Pop some popcorn (and fire up the bingo cards) because Trump's big speech starts at 9 p.m. ET. Six burning questions: 1. Which Trump shows up? Will it be dark, stormy, "American carnage" Trump from last year's inaugural address? Or will he strike a more optimistic tone? 2. What's the agenda for the year? Surely, immigration. What else? 3. Who's skipping, and why? (RBG is taking a pass, as are a number of members of Congress.) 4. Who's sitting with Melania? Who is her "Lenny Skutnik"? 5. Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III will deliver the Democratic response. What will he say? 6. And the слон (that's Russian, for elephant) in the chamber. Will he address it at all? Join us tonight for a full slate of coverage. Expect the speech to last about an hour, give or take 15 minutes. The analysis? Expect the talking heads to keep at it long after the speech.   Women said a surgeon raped them. A board is finally investigating The Ohio Board of Medicine is investigating two alleged rapes by a former Cleveland Clinic colorectal surgeon after a USA TODAY article  found the renowned hospital knew of at least two rape accusations, one reported in 2008, against a surgeon. The board has also subpoenaed Cleveland Clinic medical records for other procedures done by the surgeon in the same time period. The surgeon, Ryan Williams, was never charged in the cases of the two alleged rapes when the victims were sedated. A past police report, now expunged, detailed that Williams' semen was found on an exam room floor. Want a self-driving car? Don't have your heart set on black Fact: Self-driving cars are safer and more efficient when they're light-colored, because they are more easily detected by a key sensor. A self-driving car needs to "see" other cars in order to avoid them. Why we're talking about this: Automakers are about to start tests with no one behind the wheel. GM wants to test Chevrolet Bolts, which don't even have a wheel. Bottom line: The whole design of self-driving cars will be totally different.  A possible cure for health care, the economy's 'hungry tapeworm' Cashier-free grocery store? Check. Environmentally friendly employee biodome? Check. Solution for the health care crisis? We'll find out after tech giant Amazon said it is partnering with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase to improve health care and lower costs for thousands of employees. The plan includes creating an independent company "free from profit-making incentives and constraints" to develop solutions for affordable, transparent health care. As JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon puts it: "Our goal is to create solutions that benefit our U.S. employees, their families and, potentially, all Americans." The Super Bowl is almost here. Let's talk about the (controversial) ads The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together. But most years, at least one advertiser makes things controversial. Let's reflect on eight of the most contentious Super Bowl ads of all time. Want to vote on your favorite commercials in real time this Sunday? Join our Ad Meter panel. This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY. Want to get our newsletter? Sign up! This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY. Invite others to enjoy The Short List newsletter. Thank you for subscribing to The Short List. Unsubscribe  |  Manage subscriptions  |  Contact us  |  Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  |  Ad Choices  |  Terms of Service © 2018 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

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