Keeping Up With America

More than 15,000 doctors sign letter urging Senate to reject RFK Jr. as health secretary: More than 15,000 doctors have signed a letter urging senators to vote against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of health and human services.

Mother of Ashli Babbitt says Trump called her and told Jan. 6 rioters to ‘keep their chins up’: The mother of a Jan. 6 rioter killed during the attack on the U.S. Capitol said she received a call from President-elect Donald Trump this week in which he sent a message to Jan. 6 defendants, saying he loved them and to “keep their chins up.”

Senate advances Laken Riley Act to crack down on illegal immigration in bipartisan vote: The Senate voted Thursday to begin debate on the Laken Riley Act, clearing a key hurdle to advance a Republican-led bill aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration that has garnered significant support from Democrats.

Park City Mountain ski patrol strike ends in Utah: Members of the Park City Mountain ski patrol in Utah were back at work Thursday after the resort agreed to raise their pay by $2 an hour, ending a 13-day strike that forced long wait times for ski lifts and frustrated hundreds of customers.

TSA reveals craziest confiscations of 2024, from snakes in pants to meth in crutches: Some folks are taking “carry-on” a little too seriously. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has dropped a list of the wildest prohibited items people have tried to sneak through airports in 2024.

Around the World

Ramping up criticism of Israel, Pope Francis calls situation in Gaza ‘shameful’: Pope Francis on Thursday stepped up his recent criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “very serious and shameful”.

Six dead in Indian temple stampede as free passes draw crowd of thousands: At least six people were killed and 35 injured in a stampede near one of India’s busiest and richest temples, after thousands of devout Hindus assembled there to secure free visit passes, authorities said Thursday.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Mortgage rates jump again, approaching 7% barrier

Microsoft contributes $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund

Bank of America bonuses for investment bankers to rise about 10%, source says

Richer, Wiser, Happier

5 ways to save on your mortgage payments this January, according to experts: The mortgage scene is unpredictable right now. Today’s mortgage rates remain much higher than the historic lows during the pandemic when many borrowers secured mortgages below 3%. With housing costs and everyday expenses continuing to strain household budgets, finding ways to reduce mortgage payments has become increasingly important. Even a modest reduction in your monthly housing costs could provide meaningful relief.

3 Cheap Growth Stocks to Buy in 2025 | David Jagielski, Fool. As we enter 2025, many growth stocks are trading at high valuations and could be running out of room to rise in the near term. For long-term investors, now may be a good time to reevaluate the contents of your portfolio to see if it’s worth potentially selling off some of your recent high performers and swapping in some cheaper growth stocks instead. By doing so, you could set yourself up for some better gains for not just this year but the long term as well.

How to pay less interest on credit card debt in 2025: Credit card debt has never been more crippling. With interest rates now hovering near 23%, cardholders are seeing their balances grow at record speed. The average American has over $8,000 in credit card debt — and the daily compound interest makes each month’s bills and minimum payments harder to handle.

Tyreek Hill’s agent says star WR ‘committed’ to Dolphins | Texas gets RT Cameron Williams for CFP semi vs. Ohio State

Diddy Accusers Detail Alleged Violence and Abuse in ID Docuseries Trailer: ‘We Did Not Realize the Extent of the Darkness’ | How ‘Will & Harper’ Inspires Understanding: Teen Activist Rebekah Bruesehoff Says ‘Transgender People and Those That Love Them Are Scared’

Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s mother says Allison Holker is spreading ‘untruths’ and ‘dreadful’ claims | Paris Hilton ‘heartbroken’ after watching Malibu home burn ‘to the ground on live TV’

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

How to Descale a Keurig (or Other Pod Coffee Makers)

5 Trendy Techniques for Cooking With Cabbage

Breaking News: Women who used this medication are developing brain tumors.

How to Save Damaged Succulents: 6 Steps for Reviving and Repairing Your Plant