What Went Wrong

Damning details from the DOJ. January 19, 2024 After a long wait, the DOJ’s detailed report about the Uvalde school shooting is here — and [the findings are scathing](. We're breaking it down with award-winning journalist Tony Plohetski. Then we’ll explore [strategies to combat cognitive decline]( and talk with a Stanford professor about [a trend that makes work more complicated]( (and how to fix it). Let’s get started…   In the News [Crosses honoring Uvalde victims]( Crosses were placed in front of Robb Elementary School to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the 2022 mass shooting. (Getty Images) What Went Wrong The Department of Justice released yesterday [a damning analysis]( of the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The 575-page report blamed law enforcement’s “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy, and training” for the tragedy, which left 22 people dead, including 19 children. “The report is unflinching in its description of the failures,” Austin American-Statesman investigative reporter Tony Plohetski tells Katie Couric Media. “It’s almost saying that there was a casualness in how school officials and law enforcement approached safety... and that school became the scene of the deadliest school shooting in Texas.” Here’s [a closer look at the key findings,]( along with more insights from Plohetski about what it all means. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fuvalde-school-shooting-report-police-response-failure-doj%2F   More Stories [Nikki Haley]( Getty Images GOP nomination race: Nikki Haley addressed a CNN town hall last night, saying she'd welcome younger, more liberal voters into the Republican fold. “That’s how we win,” she said, adding that college students in particular don't want “our options to be two 80-year-olds." She said that her goal for the New Hampshire primary is "to be strong." Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling removing him from the ballot in Colorado, warning that "chaos and bedlam" will be unleashed if other states follow suit. Crisis averted: Congress has passed a stopgap spending bill in the nick of time. Funding was set to expire at midnight tonight, but the Democratic-led Senate and Republican-led House both passed a bill to keep the government open until two new deadlines, on March 1 and March 8. Lawmakers must now negotiate and pass a dozen spending bills totaling $1.66 trillion before those dates to keep the government running through the fall. No excuses: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin must testify before Congress about his failure to notify the White House immediately about his recent hospitalization. In a letter to Austin, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said that maintaining "the most ready and lethal force possible" depends on the Defense Secretary's "availability and transparency." "You have not exhibited these attributes throughout this most recent string of events," he added. The hearing will take place on February 14th. Business: Macy's is laying off 3.5% of its workforce — about 2,350 employees — and closing five stores. In a statement, Macy's said it's becoming a more "streamlined company" as it prepares to "deploy a new strategy to meet the needs of an everchanging consumer and marketplace." Axios reports that department stores remain in a tricky spot — though Macy's had a strong third quarter compared to its past performance.   No-Brainer [Illustration of a human brain with colored shapes inside]( Getty Images Ever found yourself getting into the car only to realize that you forgot your keys? Foggy memory is often chalked up to having a "senior moment,” but we chatted with two leading health experts who challenge the idea that there’s nothing we can do to prevent cognitive decline as we age. Discover [the science-backed strategies they swear by for mental sharpness]( and learn how small changes, like exercise and quality cocoa flavanol supplements, can contribute to better brain health this year. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by CocoaVia](   Sound Off After my daughter Ellie [announced her pregnancy](, I asked for advice from Wake-Up Callers who have grandkids of their own, but I'm eager for insights from another generation, too. If you're a new parent, drop us a line at ask@katiecouric.com share what you wish your parents knew about being a grandparent. What do they do that's helpful? An when does their "help" become suffocating? Tell me everything!   Extra Credit [Illustration of a worker with a huge stack of papers weighing down his back]( Getty Images Maxed out: We had an illuminating chat with a Stanford psychology professor about [a common phenomenon that makes it harder to do our jobs]( — and how we can tackle our to-do lists more efficiently. Shop around: If you’re feeling bored by what’s in your kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to read this nutritionist’s take on [the grocery store aisle you should pay more attention to](. Just trust us: If you’ve found retinol to be too irritating, consider [this must-try eye cream](, which uses a special ingredient (made from broccoli!) to boost skin regeneration without harsh side effects.   Looking Ahead We asked outstanding business leaders for [the biggest professional trends they're expecting in 2024](, and here's an encouraging take from Olivier Bogillot, head of U.S. general medicines at Sanofi: “An incredible trend transforming the lives of patients is our increased understanding of the immune system. This knowledge is exemplified by advances in type 1 diabetes, an illness that often first presents in children. Because it develops in stages, blood tests can detect it before any noticeable symptoms arise, before insulin is required, and potentially before any serious complications occur. By taking the step to have our children, family members, or even ourselves screened, we may give ourselves more time to prepare and plan for the future with a lifelong condition.”   Get Into Gear [A woman doing yoga in lululemon leggings]( lululemon We know Wake-Up Callers really love lululemon, so we consider it our civic duty to let you know that [the brand's We Made Too Much section]( just got an update. Now's the time to snatch up must-haves at new prices, including [our favorite leggings for women]( and [the men's pant Molner swears by](. [SHOP HERE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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