Gannett-owned newspaper

USATODAY

This national daily is known for its colorful weather maps and was the first widely distributed free newspaper in hotels across the U.S.

This clue points to USA TODAY, a well-known national newspaper owned by the media company Gannett. The answer is straightforward—no wordplay or tricks—just a direct reference to the publication’s name, often shortened to "USATODAY" in crosswords to fit the grid. If you’ve seen its distinctive blue-and-red logo or its "Nation’s Newspaper" slogan, that’s the one.