Throngs of protesters march along the Chicago River protest ICE and the arrival of the Texas National Guard in Chicago on Wednesday.
Georgia's Kirby Smart during a game against Kentucky in Athens, Georgia, on Oct. 4.
Victor Robles jumps out of the way of an inside pitch as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler makes the catch in the second inning of Game 4.

It's Friday, Jr.! I'm Nicole Fallert. Lines for the Halloween Trader Joe's bag are spooky.

Quick look at Thursday's news:

  • Leaders from Israel and Hamas confirmed a peace plan.
  • A 29-year-old man was arrested in relation to the Palisades fire.
  • Division series take center stage in the MLB playoff.

Israel and Hamas agree to Trump's peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene the government Thursday to approve a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

What this means: The vote comes after President Donald Trump's announcement Wednesday that a deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas to end the two-year war in Gaza.

  • What happens now: The first phase calls for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of an agreement being reached in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel. Once every hostage has been released, Trump's plan said Hamas members who agree to give up their weapons would receive amnesty. It also called for the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid.
  • Will war end? The deal appears to be a step towards ending the brutal conflict. However, a previous ceasefire during negotiations to end the conflict fell apart in March.
  • Trump says he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Experts in peace studies and historians of the prize told USA TODAY "not so fast."

Trump blitz upends life in Chicago

'Our communities are being terrorized by agents who are kidnapping people. People are living in fear of going out to get groceries, dropping their kids off at school, people are strategizing how to get three or five blocks to work.'

~ Corina Pedraza, a longtime South Sider. Major events, including the Cubs’ National League Division Series matchup, continue like normal. But across the Chicago area, locals like Pedraza told USA TODAY Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown has upended their lives.

More news to know now

  • Sorry, soda lovers! Less than one can a day could cause this health problem.
  • What is the state of free speech in America?
  • Your meal kit may have listeria contamination.
  • Do you live in a "mortgage desert"?

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

The government is still shut down

Lawmakers are under increasing pressure to reach a deal as the real-world effects of the government shutdown are felt, particularly by federal workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay during the budget impasse. On Wednesday, the IRS sent home over 34,000 employees — nearly half of its staff — due to the shutdown, according to an agency statement, effectively shuttering taxpayer call centers. Here’s what to know as the federal government shutdown enters day nine.

Palisades Fire victims are 'reliving the pain all over again'

Fire victims told USA TODAY that they were stunned, yet frustrated, after learning that Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested for destruction of property by means of fire. Federal prosecutors claim Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, ignited what eventually became the Palisades Fire. Many residents in Los Angeles who lost their homes never considered that someone may have started the deadly blaze.

Today's talkers

  • Travis Kelce shared his reaction to "Wood."
  • Here's what happened when Francine the cat went missing.
  • Dolly Parton: "I ain't dead yet!"
  • New to the gym? Arnold Schwarzenegger wants you to know this.

How's $13 million sound?

That's about how much University of Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart makes, according to USA TODAY Sports annual analysis of college football coaching salaries. But despite the money, the clock is ticking for some of college football’s highest-paid coaches.

  • USA TODAY found the quirkiest clauses in college football contracts.
  • Look inside Bill Belichick's "first of its kind" contract escape hatch.
  • How is Colorado affording Deion Sanders and his players?

Photo of the day: October quadrupleheader

Wednesday night brought the final quadrupleheader of Major League Baseball’s playoffs, with a pair of Game 3s in the National League Division Series and two Game 4s in the American League. Catch up on the 2025 postseason bracket and see our favorite photos from last night.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: Israel-Hamas peace deal

Reporting by Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect