Steer clear of the sea

More than 5,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported on cruise ships sailing in the U.S. over the past two weeks. It's Thursday's news. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Short List   Thursday, December 30 Steer clear of the sea More than 5,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported on cruise ships sailing in the U.S. over the past two weeks. It's Thursday's news. NFT auction: USA TODAY and iconic artist Peter Tunney are teaming up to benefit charity – and you can get involved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends travelers avoid taking cruises. New Year's Eve festivities on Times Square will forge ahead. And there's still time to claim National Bacon Day specials. 👋Hi! It's Abbey and Julius, bringing you Thursday's news. But first, why do we kiss on New Year's Eve?🥂 Here are the reasons behind the romantic tradition.  The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here. 'Avoid cruise travel' As coronavirus cases continue to rise since the omicron variant emerged, the CDC warned travelers against taking cruises. "Today, CDC increased the Cruise Travel Health Notice to a Level 4, recommending people avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status," the CDC said. It noted the decision was made as coronavirus cases are increasing on ships. Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, cruise ships operating in U.S. waters reported 162 coronavirus cases to the CDC. Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 29, cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters reported 5,013 coronavirus cases to the CDC. • After disembarking, she tested positive: A cruise line didn't provide a coronavirus test to symptomatic passenger • CDC monitoring 92 cruise ships for COVID-19. Here's how to check whether your ship is on the list. The show will go on Despite record numbers of coronavirus cases across the city and nationwide, New York City is forging ahead with modified plans for its annual New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square on Friday. In 2020, revelers were banned from the celebration as a result of the pandemic, and only a few essential workers, media members and police were at Times Square as the ball dropped. This year, the city will require revelers to show proof of vaccination and photo ID and to wear masks. The event normally hosts 58,000 people, but this year will be limited to about 15,000 attendees and won't allow entry until 3 p.m. EST. Elsewhere, major cities are moving to cancel New Year's celebrations amid surging cases.  • Ryan Seacrest is ready for anything when he hosts the 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' 50th-anniversary show • A giant acorn, a big potato, bologna: Cities get creative with their New Year's Eve 'drops' Ryan Seacrest welcomed 2021 in hosting "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." Jeff Neira, ABC What everyone's talking about • 'A moment of crisis': President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin hold a year-end call as Russian troop presence fans fears of an invasion of Ukraine • What happens when you test positive for COVID-19 mid-flight? One woman's experience • What's worth watching on New Year's? College football bowl rankings • A first in her field: Māori broadcaster becomes first to anchor news with traditional chin tattoo • The Rock will not rejoin la familia: The star rejects Vin Diesel's plea to join for last 'Fast & Furious' movie' 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. Another day, another 1,000+ flights canceled Each day for a week now, travelers across the country have scrambled as thousands of flights have been canceled and delayed.  More than 1,000 U.S. flights were canceled Thursday and more than 2,500 were delayed, according to FlightAware. While Southwest has attributed this week's flight disruptions to winter weather, many other U.S. airlines also cited coronavirus cases among staff as contributing factors. In a perfect storm of circumstances, between inclement weather and another coronavirus wave, travel industry experts expect the holiday travel season to come to a bumpy end for customers. • Nervous about travel (again)?: What to know about cancellation policies as omicron surges Thousands of more flights canceled and delayed AP From Oklahoma City to Jan. 6: How the US government failed to stop the rise of domestic extremism For more than two decades, some federal law enforcement agents have sounded alarms about the evolving threat posed by right-wing extremists in America.  The FBI, the lead agency on domestic terrorism, has issued a steady stream of confidential warnings to state and local law enforcement. Private sector hate-watch analysts have called for reinforcements dozens of times. Yet the U.S. government has repeatedly underestimated or failed to recognize the growing danger. Federal authorities, meanwhile, prioritized international terrorism, particularly Islamic militants, even as deaths linked to domestic terrorism mounted while threats from abroad receded.   Members of the Oath Keepers on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The District of Columbia has filed a civil lawsuit seeking harsh financial penalties against far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over their role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP Real quick • Powerball jackpot approaching $500 million. Will there be a winner on New Year's Day? • FDA is reportedly close to authorizing a third Pfizer shot for kids ages 12-15 • 'She did commit a crime': Juror says Kim Potter made a mistake but was still responsible • A 3-year-old North Carolina girl who accidentally shot herself on Christmas dies • Officer shot in Denver rampage recovering as details emerge about shooter's book series Time to get that bacon!  It's time for another made-up food holiday: Thursday is National Bacon Day! The day is held annually on Dec. 30, but bacon specials are in short supply this year as bacon is one of the in-demand items with shortages at some stores. We've rounded up deals and ongoing offers available at restaurants nationwide. Grab free Baconator Fries at Wendy's, free bacon from Jimmy Dean and more.  Thursday is National Bacon Day! <p>Courtesy of McDonald's / mcdonalds.com</p> A break from the news • 🎇 Lucky New Year's foods: Black-eyed peas, grapes and noodles promise prosperity. • 📚 Flying off the shelves: See USA TODAY's best-selling book of 2021. • 💰 Social Security: These two changes could hurt you financially in 2022.  This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here. MORE ARTICLES New York City to hold scaled-back NYE celebration 5 things you need to know Thursday How the US government failed to stop the rise of domestic extremism A deathbed confession   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? 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