Dueling border visits
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With immigration at the top of voters' minds, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump both headed to the border. Wildfires in Texas continue to sweep across the panhandle. And at least 100 people were killed while waiting for food in Gaza.
👋Leap day greetings, y’all! Laura Davis here. Hope you’re making your bonus day count! It’s time for Thursday’s news.
But first: Take a leap into history! ⏳ While there may be only 25 or so leap days each century, plenty of historic events have happened on February’s extra day. Here’s a look.
Dueling visits to the border
The long-anticipated standoff between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump finally happened Thursday – not on a debate stage but along 325 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. The political rivals staged separate visits to the southern border in Texas to draw attention to immigration and border security, now the leading issue for voters.
Biden in Brownsville: The president headed to Brownsville, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, which was once the nation’s busiest corridor for illegal crossings, to meet with federal immigration agents and local government and law enforcement to press Congress to act swiftly in passing border security legislation.
Meanwhile, 325 miles away: Trump was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials for a speech on his visit to Eagle Pass, roughly 325 miles northwest of Brownsville and part of the corridor that has seen the largest increase in illegal crossings.
📍 Follow our live coverage on the visits.
Playing catch-up on immigration: Biden chases Trump to the Mexico border. | Opinion
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Texas wildfire is largest in state's history
Wildfires roared across the Texas panhandle Thursday, forcing widespread evacuations and causing one death. 👉 Here's the latest on the wildfires.
What's happening now: As of Thursday 130 fires were burning across the state, according to the Texas A&M Fire Service. The largest of the blazes, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, had consumed 1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, and it was just 3% contained.
Texas wildfires map: See where fires are burning.
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Scores killed while waiting for food in Gaza
More than 100 Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded when Israeli troops opened fire on people waiting in a food line in Gaza City, pushing the Palestinian death toll above 30,000 since the war began, officials said Thursday. Israeli authorities released aerial footage of crowds swarming the aid trucks, placed blame on the crush of the crowd and Palestinian truck drivers and asserted fewer than 10 of the casualties were a result of Israeli gunfire. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said at least 112 people were killed and 760 wounded. 📍 Follow our live coverage.
Celebrating girl power: 2024 Women of the Year
A gymnast, a CEO, a doctor, an actress, a model turned writer. These women make a difference every day – in every state. Introducing USA TODAY’s 2024 Women of the Year, 60 women across the country who are using their voices and determination to push for change, equality – and even joy. ⭐️ Meet USA TODAY’s Women of the Year.
A break from the news
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Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Trump at US-Mexico border, Texas wildfires, Gaza: Thursday's news
