Key Takeaways:
- A suspect in the Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine others was found dead in a New Hampshire storage unit.
- The same suspect is believed to have fatally shot an MIT physics professor in his home on Monday, with authorities still searching for a motive.
- The Justice Department is set to release files related to the life and death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has changed its name to the Trump Kennedy Center, with critics arguing that the move requires congressional approval.
- The risk of heart attacks and strokes increases during the holiday season due to rich foods, alcohol, and stress.
Introduction to Today’s News
The Up First newsletter brings you the latest news and updates to start your day. Today’s top stories include the Brown University shooting, the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and the name change of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The suspect in the Brown University shooting, 48-year-old Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found dead in a New Hampshire storage unit. Valente is also believed to have fatally shot MIT physics professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in his home on Monday. Authorities are still searching for a motive behind the two shootings.
The Brown University Shooting
The Brown University shooting occurred on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuring nine others. Valente, the suspect, attended Brown University as a graduate student in physics in 2000 but dropped out after a year. He re-entered the country in 2017 and allegedly attended university in Portugal with the MIT professor he killed. A witness saw Valente in a bathroom at Brown and followed him out of the building, chasing him to his car. The shooting happened a few hours later, and police connected the shooter to the vehicle after the witness posted about it on Reddit. Questions remain over the political response to the shootings and how people will react to the university’s and law enforcement’s response.
The Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files
Today is the Justice Department’s deadline to release files related to the life and death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release is expected to shed light on individuals affiliated with Epstein’s criminal activities. However, the law allows the attorney general some leeway to redact certain information, and Congress is not in session today to react. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky shared a 14-minute video outlining his expectations for the release, stating that the names of at least 20 men accused of sex crimes should be released. The release is likely not to be the end of the story, given how the Trump administration has handled the situation and downplayed the information for much of the year.
The Name Change of the John F. Kennedy Center
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has changed its name to the Trump Kennedy Center. The board of the famed Washington, D.C., cultural institution voted unanimously to add Trump’s name to the center. However, critics argue that the move requires congressional approval and that dissenting voices were silenced during the vote. Trump mostly ignored the center during his first term but has exerted his influence over it this time around. He made himself chair of the board earlier this year, replacing David Rubenstein, and fired former president Deborah Rutter and all members appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Holiday Health Risks
The risk of heart attacks and strokes increases during the holiday season due to rich foods, alcohol, and stress. Excessive sodium intake can increase blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder. Acute stressors such as arguments can activate the fight-or-flight response. It is essential to spot warning signs before it’s too late, including sudden onset of heavy pressure in the middle of the chest or unexpected shortness of breath. Symptoms in women can look different than those in men, and strokes present differently than heart attacks. It is crucial to call 911 immediately if you experience sudden facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or weakness in your arm or leg on one side.
Weekend Picks
NPR has curated a list of movies, TV shows, books, music, and theater performances to enjoy over the weekend. The third installment of Avatar, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has a more than three-hour run time with eye-popping action but is getting awfully repetitive. The sexy and queer hockey romance Heated Rivalry is a must-watch, and Zadie Smith’s essay collection Dead and Alive reflects on climate change, the generational divide, and being middle-aged. Explore 2025’s best classical albums, and check out Tom Felton’s performance as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.