Keeping Up With America

The next round of governor’s races could bring big changes to state power: A whopping 38 gubernatorial races will be on the ballot from coast to coast over the next two years, contests that will shape a long list of hot-button policy issues and the directions of both political parties following the 2024 presidential election.

Trump urges Supreme Court to hit pause on a law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. next month: President-elect Donald Trump on Friday asked the Supreme Court to pause implementation of a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. starting Jan. 19 if the app is not sold by its Chinese parent company. The court is due to hear arguments in the case on Jan. 10.

Loved ones gone, businesses destroyed: A Tennessee town struggles to recover after Helene: Gaby Torres thought she’d have returned to work by now at Plastiexports in Erwin, Tennessee, one of several businesses destroyed or damaged when Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters ripped through the town’s industrial park on Sept. 27.

‘Shocking’ bodycam video released of New York officers fatally beating prisoner: Robert Brooks, 43, died a day after being attacked by several correctional officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. His death has prompted a state investigation.

Janet Yellen says Treasury Department will need to take ‘extraordinary measures’ to avoid debt ceiling next month: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned congressional leaders Friday that the federal government will hit its debt limit as early as Jan. 14 unless Congress takes action or her department implements “extraordinary measures” to avoid default.

Around the World

Interim South Korean president impeached just 2 weeks after former leader ousted: For decades, South Korea was an example of a vibrant democracy and economy. On Friday, the key United States ally was in uncharted territory when legislators voted to impeach the acting president less than two weeks after ousting the country’s previous leader.

Azerbaijan Airlines says doomed flight saw ‘external and technical interference’ before it crashed: An investigation into the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan earlier this week suggests the crash came after the passenger plane experienced “physical and technical external interference,” the carrier said Friday.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

10-year Treasury yield rises, hovering near a seven-month high

OpenAI says it needs ‘more capital than we’d imagined’ as it lays out for-profit plan

BioNTech settles with U.S. agency, University of Pennsylvania over Covid vaccine royalties

Richer, Wiser, Happier

5 ways you can use your home equity to prepare for retirement: Home equity loans can be a particularly smart tool to borrow money with these days. While rates on credit cards hover above 23% currently, a record high, home equity loan rates are less than half that on average right now, allowing you to borrow cash without breaking the bank.

3 Retirement Savings Changes That Take Effect in 2025 | Stefon Walters, Fool. Saving in 401(k)s and IRAs is a smart way to put money aside for retirement. However, there are rules you need to know in order to take maximum advantage of these accounts. Moreover, as with most things in the world of finances, nothing is ever truly set in stone, and adjustments to key retirement accounts provisions are common from year to year. As we approach 2025, you should be aware of three key changes that will take effect come January.

Packers vs. Vikings: Breaking down epic NFC North matchup | Luka Doncic’s injury is perfect example of why NBA’s 65-game thresholds need some tweaking

Lisa Kudrow Surprises Fans at the ‘Friends’ Couch on WB Lot, Tells ‘No Good Deed’ Co-Star Ray Romano ‘Go Sit on Your Own Show’s Couch’ | ‘Mufasa’ Rules Post-Christmas Box Office With $12 Million, ‘Nosferatu’ Shows Bite With $7.6 Million Thursday

‘The Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens ‘struggling’ to make living as ‘middle-class actor’ | Blake Lively’s brother-in-law Bart Johnson slams ‘fraud’ Justin Baldoni: ‘Man bun and all’

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Why Your New Year’s Resolutions Need ‘Cues,’ According to Science

Interior designers share 6 kitchen trends that’ll be huge next year and 3 that will be out

Heart Attack Test: touch your feet like THIS (for 7 sec)

Unroll your mat: A beginner’s guide to starting a yoga practice