Elon Musk's Political Grip Takes Center Stage in Funding Battle
What's going on: Lawmakers are scrambling to avoid a government shutdown (the deadline is midnight tonight) after a spending bill stalled in the House Thursday. An earlier version of the measure, which aimed to extend federal funding through March 14, had initially garnered bipartisan support after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Democratic leaders brokered a deal. But Elon Musk entered the chat at 4:15 am Wednesday with a single post on X, declaring, “This bill should not pass.” (And then he posted 100-plus more times to really get the point across.) President-elect Donald Trump also came out in full force against the legislation, insisting that any spending bill either raise or eliminate the debt ceiling — which historically goes against Republicans’ core beliefs. GOP lawmakers rushed to refine the bill to appeal to Trump and Musk, alienating members of both parties. In the end, dozens of Republicans and nearly all Democrats blocked the latest version of the bill, sending lawmakers back to the drawing board.
What it means: Musk’s role in derailing the spending bill has some asking: Is he the most powerful person in politics? Democrats are already weaponizing Musk’s role in the situation against Republicans. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) posted on X: “Remind me who elected Elon Musk.” Some Republicans aren’t happy with the Tesla CEO either. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) called him “President Musk” on CNN and said, “Vice President Trump kind of backed him up.” Others point out that Musk’s actions offer a glimpse of the difficulties Republicans could face in advancing Trump’s economic plans, even with control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.
FAA Grounds Some Drones, But Sure, Everything's Totally Fine
What's going on: After weeks of growing concerns about mysterious drones buzzing around areas of the US, federal authorities finally appear to be taking some action. Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued temporary flight restrictions, banning drones in two dozen New Jersey towns and key New York sites until mid-January. The agency said the ban is due to “special security reasons,” and that “deadly force” can be used in cases of an “imminent security threat.” While these drones seem to have a thing for the Northeast, don’t think they’re playing favorites. Sightings are now being reported in several cities and military bases nationwide, including over a major naval base near Fort Worth, Texas, and even overseas. White House National Security Adviser John Kirby and other officials have seemingly downplayed concerns, explaining that some sightings are simply manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters or… (checks notes) “even stars.”
What it means: The FAA’s actions follow a press conference in which a Biden administration official said the drones in New Jersey didn’t pose a national security threat. Still, without clear answers about what is happening, the situation may lead to more tinfoil hats and conspiracy theories (see: aliens, radioactive waste, and Project Blue Beam — which, if you are curious, Google it to fall down that rabbit hole). For now, we’re left with bans, investigations, and a lot of unanswered questions. But hey, who doesn’t love a little everything’s fine, nothing to see here energy? Seems on brand for this year.
Labor Rights Are in Vogue, and Models Are Petitioning For Them
What's going on: If you’ve had any exposure to America’s Next Top Model, you know that modeling isn’t all smizes and free couture. The industry has a definite dark side. And now, a coalition of over 200 top models (including big names like Christy Turlington, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Beverly Johnson) is organizing for labor rights and protection from sexual harassment, discrimination, and artificial intelligence. Currently, the group is fighting to get a New York bill called the Fashion Workers Act across the finish line. They’re asking Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to sign legislation that protects against “power imbalances” between agencies and models, who are often young and sometimes depend on agencies for visas if they’re international. The legislation passed in June, but Hochul needs to sign on the dotted line before December 24.
Tell me more: The bill’s provisions on artificial intelligence are similar to those Hollywood workers fought for during last year’s strike. The measure requires companies to get clear, written consent from models before altering, creating, or manipulating images in their likeness using AI. Unlike the writers and actors who picketed, models aren’t unionized, so this bill would serve as their first line of defense for AI protections. That urgency is reflected in an open letter to Hochul, which states: "From experiencing sexual exploitation at castings and photo shoots to...having our images manipulated with generative AI without our consent — each one of us has a story that demonstrates how New York is failing the faces of one of its most culturally vibrant, economically significant industries in the world."
The heart of the holidays is in the traditions that make them uniquely ours. Here are a few of the festive rituals shared by you, our amazing community, that brought a big dose of holiday cheer:
"My husband is a firefighter, so most years he is working either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Our first Christmas together, he was working on Christmas Eve. I found myself lonely but not really wanting to be social, so I thought I would indulge in my favorite food - pizza. That same night, my husband's fire station was too busy to cook so they also got pizza for dinner. So, now that's our thing - we always eat pizza on Christmas Eve. It's a tradition that is very special to me because it's not really 'traditional'."
🍕 Kalin - Memphis, TN
"My favorite holiday tradition is receiving a book from my mom each Christmas morning. When my sister and I were little and learning to read, my mom would hang a stocking on the outside of our bedroom doors on Christmas Eve, and leave a book inside while we were sleeping. We'd be so excited to have new book that we would go back in our rooms and quietly read! I later learned that it gave my mom that much more time to herself before the hustle and bustle of the day. It has been an annual tradition for almost 40 years now!"
📖 Amber - Philadelphia, PA
"Our family puts clues on our gifts to keep everyone focused on each other and entertained. Each year, the best clues go in a special book. It is so much fun to read through the past years of shared memories! Ex. 'To get _ _ on two wheels' answer - Bicycle "
🔎 Caro M - Los Angeles
"One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating for the holidays, and hanging up my Christmas stocking. My sister and I were adopted when we were 2 and 3 years old, and for our first Christmas with our parents, my mom needlepointed us both new stockings with our names on them. After 35+ years, numerous moves, and it being hung in various locations, I still use that same stocking, and when I hang it up year after year, I feel so grateful that my mom is still with us, and that the love, care, time, and effort she put into making me that stocking still shines throughout the holiday season year after year!"
🎄 Amber - Ft. Washington, PA
Thank you for sharing your joy and traditions with us—it’s what makes the holidays so magical.
✨We hope this journey added a little extra sparkle to your season. We love creating these fun, festive experiences, and we’ll have more to share in the future. Keep an eye out for the next one—you won’t want to miss it.
That’s how much more likely babies are to be hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than with the flu. For most babies, RSV symptoms are mild, but they can quickly progress — and it’s impossible to predict which babies might experience serious cases, because RSV has the potential to impact any baby, even those who are born healthy and full term.
The good news? There are preventive options that can help protect babies against serious lung infection caused by RSV. Eager for more insights about RSV? Tune in to a special episode of PedsDocTalk with Dr. Mona Amin on how parents can help protect their littlest ones from this contagious virus during RSV season.
A pair of super-soft PJs from our favorite brand for less than $40? We'll take two.
For a unique holiday gift, we like Cratejoy. You'll find all kinds of experience-focused gift boxes, from arts and crafts to book clubs and DIY escape rooms (seriously).
What’s a girl to do when she discovers all her past boyfriends are mysteriously dying off one by one? Embark on a journey of self-discovery to figure out what's going on — and warn the exes who are still alive. At least, that's what happens in Peacock's hilarious new series, Laid, starring Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (of Everything Everywhere All at Once fame) as Ruby and Zosia Mamet (Girls fans will appreciate her major Shoshanna energy) as her best friend AJ, who comes along for the ride. Described by its own creators as a “f*cked-up rom-com,” don’t be surprised if you binge all eight episodes in a day.
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Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.
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