➤ The Supreme Court denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to block sentencing today in his New York "hush money" case. (See Details)

➤ The Biden administration announced a new $500 million weapons package for Ukraine Thursday, sending munitions and equipment directly from existing U.S. military stockpiles. (More)  

➤ GOP senators met with President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday, confirming that Trump wants to enact at least 100 executive orders, primarily focused on immigration. (More) 

➤ The Senate voted 84-9 Thursday to advance the Laken Riley Act, a Republican-led bill addressing illegal immigration that has gained significant Democratic support. (More) 

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➤ Notre Dame beat Penn State 27-24 Thursday night to move to the College Football Playoff championship game. Kicker Mitch Jeter nailed a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left to give the Fighting Irish the victory. (See Kick)

➤ The NFL’s Wild Card weekend kicks off tomorrow with games between the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers at 4:30 p.m. ET and the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8 p.m. (See Preview)

➤ NBA, NHL, and NFL games have all been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | PGA | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

➤ Vice President-elect JD Vance planned to resign his Senate seat at midnight last night, clearing the way for his swearing-in alongside President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will choose his Senate successor. (More)

➤ Sen. John Fetterman has accepted an invitation to meet President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, becoming the first Democratic senator to do so since his reelection. (More)

➤Google donated $1 million to President-elect Trump’s inauguration fund, joining other major tech companies in publicly supporting the incoming administration. (More)

➤ President-elect Trump met with the CEO of Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., on Tuesday, discussing trade and innovation amid inflation concerns related to his proposed tariffs. (More)

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➤ U.S. stock markets closed Thursday, honoring late President Jimmy Carter during a National Day of Mourning. Trading resumes today. Note: Today's regular stock table will return in tomorrow's edition. (More)

➤ A U.S. dockworkers' strike was averted as unions reached a tentative six-year agreement. Union leaders credited President-elect Donald Trump for securing protections against port automation during December talks. (More)

➤ Insurers brace for up to $20 billion in losses from Los Angeles wildfires, with over 180,000 evacuated and 15,000 structures at risk. Premium hikes are expected. (See Details)

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➤ The European Space Agency released detailed images of Mercury's North Pole and impact craters Thursday, captured during the final flyby of European and Japanese satellites. (See Images)

➤ New research suggests Pluto captured its largest moon, Charon, through a "kiss-and-capture" process billions of years ago, briefly merging before separating and becoming orbitally linked. (More)

➤ An 8-year-old discovered a new link between ants and wasps, observing how wasps deceive ants into protecting and providing for their larvae. (More)

➤ Incoming First Lady Melania Trump has partnered with Amazon Prime Video and director Brett Ratner on a documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at her life and unique story. (More)

➤ Comedy actress Jean Smart called for the TV networks to cancel the season's awards show and instead donate all the revenue to relief for California fire victims and firefighters. (More)

➤ The wildfires have also prompted several television studios to suspend production on popular shows and have delayed Oscar nomination announcements. (More)

➤ The mayor of a small Italian village issued a satirical decree forbidding residents from becoming seriously sick to highlight the region's healthcare crisis. The nearest emergency room is 28 miles away. (See Details)

➤ A Florida man bought a $1,000 electric boat from the Chinese website Alibaba and was amazed at the steel frame and array of extras as he unboxed it. (See Video)

➤ A woman's doorbell-cam chat with a deer went viral after she politely asked the confused buck to stop eating her holiday decorations. (Watch Video)

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Should the U.S. seek to add new territories?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Indifferent

Yesterday's Results:

Do you support changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America?

1. Yes: 41%
2. No: 34%
3. Indifferent: 25%

Today's Trivia

In 1914, the SS Ancon became the first ship to cross which artificial waterway?

Show me the answer