SCOTUS' busy day

👋🏼 Hello! You're almost through the work week. I'mPhaedra Trethan, and while some may say I have bats in my belfrey, I don't think I have any in my attic. 🦇

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In Thursday's news:

• The Supreme Court issued decisions today that will impact gun ownership, refugees and asylum seekers. ⚖️
• The Trump administration scrapped plans to convert dozens of warehouses across the United States into immigration detention facilities.
• El Niño's arrival could signal a busy summer and autumn storm season. 🌀

But first: While my pit bull-boxer mix snores loudly and hogs the couch next to me like she pays the mortgage, I am reminded of the many benefits of pet ownership. 🐶 🩷

SCOTUS' busy day ⚖️

The nation's highest court handed President Donald Trump two wins by allowing the administration to turn asylum seekers back at the southern border, and to immediately halt temporary protection from deportation for Syrian and Haitian refugees. Those decisions, as well as another ruling that struck down Hawaii's law requiring permission to bring a firearm into a business, broke along 6-3 ideological lines, with the court's conservatives uniting in their decisions. And, in a 7-2 ruling, the court blocked thousands of lawsuits against the weedkiller Roundup.

It was a busy day for the Supreme Court, but several cases remain unresolved as the justices head into the final days of the court's term. Rulings concerning presidential appointment powers, election rules and birthright citizenship are still to come. Stay tuned.

• When will the court issue its ruling on birthright citizenship? 👶🏻
• Watch: SCOTUS ends protection for Haitian refugees.
• "Terrified": Communities in Ohio react to the ruling as their Haitian neighbors face an uncertain future.
• What the court's ruling means for asylum seekers at the southern border.
• The court's decision on guns in Hawaii will impact laws nationwide.
• How might the MAHA movement react to the court's decision striking down Roundup lawsuits?

ICE backs off warehouse plans 🚫

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought nearly a dozen commercial warehouses across the country earlier this year, with plans to convert them into detention facilities for immigrants the agency planned to deport. But following intense backlash from local communities, lawsuits and leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security, the broader $1 billion-plus plan appears to be nixed.

Several federal, state and local officials have announced the end of such projects, citing discussions with immigration authorities, and in a court filing, DHS indicated it would sell one of the warehouses.

• Florida's notorious "Alligator Alley" facility is set to close permanently. What's next for the site?

Real quick

• A pair of earthquakes shook parts of Venezuela, killing more than 160 people.
• After a mistrial, a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein has been dropped. The disgraced movie mogul remains jailed due to a conviction in a separate case.
• A Pennsylvania woman is accused of murdering her parents in a case connected to a possible cult.
• A federal judge blocked Trump's executive order tightening restrictions on mail-in balloting, a ruling that will likely impact this fall's midterm elections.

El Niño could spell trouble 🌀

Warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific are a likely precursor to one of the strongest El Niño events on records, scientists say ‒ and that will cause shifting weather patterns for months, including higher risks for extreme weather like tornadoes, winter storms and heavy rains that could bring flooding and landslides.

New views for Norman Rockwell 🎨

A four-paneled 1943 painting by famed artist Norman Rockwell sat in the West Wing of the White House for more than 40 years, viewed by presidents from Jimmy Carter to Trump but not members of the general public. "So You Want to See the President!" depicts Americans ‒ soldiers, lawmakers, beauty pageant winners ‒ as they waited on a red couch to see President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II.

Now, for the first time, the paintings are on display for the American public at The People’s House, a free museum located a block away from the executive mansion.  

• Wednesday marked the start of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Here are some of the highlights. 🎡
• Check out all of our coverage of America's big birthday. 🎂
• Sign up here for our weekly USA250 newsletter. 📨

A break from the news

• This Massachusetts teen came up with a brilliant idea to help his grandparents (and countless other people) cross the street safely. 👏🏼 🚦
• Mel Brooks is a national treasure, and next week he turns 100. Happy birthday, Mel! 🎂 🎉
• Is there a little one in your life who loves Hello Kitty? Check out this cafe opening soon in Chicago. 🩷

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your favorite Mel Brooks movie (I can quote "Young Frankenstein" pretty much from start to finish.)Email her at [email protected].