Keeping up with America

Trump says Democrats’ video message to troops is ‘seditious behavior’ punishable by death
A routine holiday thank-you to U.S. service members turns into a constitutional stress test as Trump amplifies calls to treat six Democratic lawmakers like traitors — with language that legal experts say flirts with incitement, not leadership. 

Vance tells Americans ‘We hear you’ on affordability but urges patience on prices
JD Vance leans into populist empathy while effectively asking voters to ride out high prices a little longer — a gamble that assumes people still have patience left for “just hang on.” 

Respect and remembrance for Cheney from Bush, Biden and past vice presidents as Trump is excluded
At Washington National Cathedral, the entire living ex-VP club shows up to honor Dick Cheney — and Trump’s conspicuous absence turns a funeral into a subtle referendum on what “traditional Republicanism” still means. 

Coast Guard denies easing ban on swastikas and nooses amid policy backlash
After an internal memo sparks outrage, Coast Guard leaders insist they are not softening their stance on hate symbols — proof that the culture-war fight now runs right through the military’s HR department. 

Ranking Democrat rebukes Trump’s execution talk as ‘authoritarian fantasy’
Rep. Jamie Raskin and fellow Democrats warn that normalizing death-penalty talk for elected officials isn’t just Twitter theater — it’s a dangerous test of whether any norms still exist around political disagreement. 

Around the World

Fire disrupts UN climate talks just as negotiators reach critical final days
A blaze at the COP30 summit in Brazil forces evacuations and delays negotiations — a literal smoke signal for how fragile global climate diplomacy still is. 

Fire prompts evacuations at UN climate talks in Brazil, 13 treated for smoke inhalation
Same venue, different angle: organizers insist the talks will go on, but the metaphor writes itself — the planet’s on fire, and even the climate conference is, too. 

Colombian scientists recover cannon, coins and porcelain cup from 300-year-old Spanish shipwreck
A trove pulled from a legendary wreck reminds everyone just how long-running the global wealth game has been — and how little ordinary people ever see of the loot. 

Business and Tech

How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 11/20/2025
An early rally flips into a 1.6% S&P 500 slide as Nvidia and other former darlings drag the market down — another reminder that “AI forever up only” was never a real risk model. 

Stocks close significantly lower, erasing rally driven by Nvidia earnings
AI-fueled euphoria meets valuation math: after days of whiplash, traders start asking if they’re holding a miracle engine or a very expensive parachute. 

Warner Music settles copyright suit against music AI startup, inks license deal
The music industry’s new normal: sue the AI upstarts first, then sign them once the lawyers have carved out who owns what.

Donations to AP Fund for Journalism expand support for local newsrooms
Over $30M in funding will help AP supply more stories and photos to understaffed outlets — a quiet infrastructure win for anyone who likes their news to exist outside social media screenshots. 

Senate reversal of Biden policy that blocked Wyoming coal mining heads to Trump
Coal country gets a political boost as lawmakers reverse an Obama-era style restriction — setting up another clash between climate math and election-year messaging. 

Richer, Wiser, Happier

79% of Americans have less than $1,000 to spend on the 2025 holiday season, Achieve survey finds
Four in five households are going into December basically on a shoestring, and over half expect to take on new debt — translation: your clients, customers, and cousins are all feeling the squeeze. 

Nearly 1 in 3 expect to slip into debt this holiday season
Survey data says 65% of people feel pressure to “spend big” even when they can’t afford it, and about a third already know they’ll be paying for this holiday well into 2026. 

New Jersey shields residents from winter utility shutoffs through March
A state-level rule quietly keeps the heat and lights on for vulnerable households — proof that boring policy can matter more for survival than any viral debate clip. 

‘Dumbest’ financial moves Americans are still making in a high-rate world
From high-interest “buy now, pay later” traps to subscription creep, experts flag the habits that quietly bleed budgets even before the holiday shopping spree. 

Will more Fed rate cuts really help your holiday shopping — or just tempt you into more debt?
Slightly cheaper credit can feel like a gift — or a setup — if you’re already on the edge. The message: your self-control will matter more than Powell’s. 

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Suggs scores season-high 23 as Magic beat Clippers 129–120
Orlando lights up the Clippers as Jalen Suggs throws down a season-best performance — and James Harden discovers that even superstars have to play defense in November. 

Spurs win third straight without Wembanyama, topple Hawks 135–126
San Antonio proves it’s more than one unicorn as a balanced attack and hot shooting drop Atlanta, hinting that this rebuild might be ahead of schedule. 

USC edges Troy 107–106 in triple-overtime thriller
A buzzer-beating three in the third OT gives USC the kind of November win that lives on in March highlight montages — and in the nightmares of Troy’s defense. 

Fourth annual John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration returns to NFL broadcasts
The league leans all the way into nostalgia, honoring Madden across Thanksgiving games — expect turducken tributes, throwback clips, and a lot of telestrator love. 

76th National Book Awards shines a light on the Middle East and Gaza
Literary stars center war, displacement, and identity at this year’s ceremony — a reminder that “culture wars” aren’t only happening on cable panels but in what gets published and prized.  

Life Hack to Hack Your Life

Thanksgiving No. 1 Day of the Year for Cooking Fires in U.S.; Red Cross Urges People to Stay Safe and Be Prepared 
The Red Cross spells out why Thanksgiving is fire season for American kitchens — and the exact habits that keep your feast from turning into a 911 call.

Tips for Safely Storing Thanksgiving Leftovers 
UMaine food-safety experts tell you how long turkey, stuffing, sides, and gravy actually stay safe — and when it’s time to stop “just reheating it one more time.”

Before You Hit the Road This Thanksgiving: Essential Safety Tips for a Safe Trip 
A U.S. injury law firm breaks down real-world highway risks (fatigue, speed, weather, distractions) and what to do before you pull out of the driveway.

A Different Mindset for the Holiday Season 
Parkview Health nudges you to rewrite the script: less perfection, more boundaries, better sleep, and a realistic “this year is going to be different” plan.

Mental and Physical Wellness During the Holidays 
San Diego County’s education team shares strategies for students and adults facing academic pressure, tight finances, and family tension all at once.

I Make This Unusual Turkey Dish After Thanksgiving to Use Up Every Leftover Scrap 
Cheapism’s leftover hack: turn extra turkey into carnitas-style goodness so you’re not eating the same sad plate on repeat for a week.

Your 2025 Thanksgiving Travel Guide: What to Expect (and How to Prepare) 
AOL lays out flight crowds, road traffic, and timing tips so you can dodge the worst bottlenecks instead of becoming part of the B-roll.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely and With CMU Pride 
Central Michigan University wraps food safety, travel reminders, and campus traditions into one practical “don’t end up in the ER or the conduct office” guide.

Don’t Let Safety Mishaps Gobble Up Thanksgiving 
Southern California Edison runs through simple electrical and cooking precautions that keep your home — and your guests — out of danger when every outlet and burner is working overtime.