The 7: Backlash to the ‘Trump Kennedy Center’; how to feel wonder; rare polar bear adoption; and more

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End of Year Sale: Subscribe for 50¢ a week. Billed as $2/four weeks for the first six months, then $12/four weeks. Pricing subject to change. Cancel anytime. → PUBLISHED BY READ ONLINE   By Jamie Ross and Izin Akhabau Listen to this briefing Good morning. It's Friday, Dec. 19, and we have a sudden urge to try coffee omakase — an elaborate coffee experience that is all the rage in Tokyo. Now let's get to the news. The gunman in the Brown University shooting was found dead, authorities said. What happened? The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot, officials said last night. The discovery ended a five-day search following a campus shooting that left two students dead. A connected case: The gunman, identified as 48-year-old Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was also behind Monday's killing of an MIT professor, officials said. His motive is unclear. Read this story       The Kennedy Center board voted to rename the institution the "Trump Kennedy Center." Immediate backlash: Kennedy family members blasted the move as illegal. But the change is already reflected in a new logo on the storied D.C. arts institution's website — take a look. A fight for MAGA's future: Turning Point's first national conference since the killing of founder Charlie Kirk is underway. His widow, Erika, endorsed JD Vance for president in 2028. One more thing: These tech moguls see the midterms as a path to long-term power. Read this story       President Donald Trump's pardons have wiped out payments to defrauded victims. Why? At least 20 people who have received clemency from Trump this year were also forgiven of financial penalties, meaning they no longer have to compensate their victims. In Wisconsin: A judge was convicted of helping an undocumented migrant avoid arrest. It was a rare victory for Trump in prosecutions of officials who have challenged his agenda. Read this story       The Coast Guard abruptly deleted its swastika entry from a new policy manual. The change: Language that downgraded swastikas and nooses to "potentially divisive" has been removed. The document now shows a big black bar obscuring the relevant chapter. More military news: Trump said this week that a $1,776 "warrior dividend" bonus to service members would be funded by revenue from his import tariffs — that was incorrect. Read this story       Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding a marathon year-end news conference. Why it matters: It is a rare direct engagement with the public. Citizens can call in to quiz Putin — polls show they want answers on Russia's economy and the war against Ukraine. In Ukraine: Russian weapons filled with components from companies based in the U.S. and other Western nations are killing and maiming civilians, including this 8-year-old boy. Read this story       Feeling a sense of wonder every day can improve your health. Post columnist Dana Milbank took a trip to the National Gallery of Art in D.C. to unlock a sense of wonder. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) How we know: New research measured people's responses while viewing art. Their stress hormone levels dropped 22% on average and inflammation markers dropped even more. Try it out for yourself: The Post published flash cards from the National Gallery of Art that pair artwork with prompts for finding awe. Take a look here and see how you feel. Read this story       Advertisement   The rare sight of a mother polar bear adopting a cub was captured on camera. An unusual discovery: Researchers in Canada came across a polar bear mother with one cub in the spring. By fall, she had adopted a second and they were seen exploring together. Why did it happen? It's unclear. But one research scientist said that female polar bear adults are "really good moms" whose instincts kick in when they come across a lone cub. Read this story       Before you go …  could this be the best movie of the year? Read our critic's glowing review of "The Secret Agent" here. Plus: Why the star of "Avatar" is surprisingly anonymous. One more good read: The race to protect New York's subway from extreme rainfall. We want to hear from you: Do you have questions about stories you've seen in The 7? Send them here. We'll find the right person to answer them and share responses in our weekend edition. And finally … take a game break: News quiz: 10 questions, and don't forget the bonus wager. It's your weekend edition of On the Record.    Word game: One word to spell 'em all! Can you solve today's Keyword in 6 guesses? Crossword: It's time to solve! Play now.    Wridges: Speed and spell your way up to a high score in our newest game.   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow with our weekend edition. (Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post) Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Share it with them. Prefer push notifications? Download The Post's app to get one when The 7 publishes. 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