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YOUR MORNING

UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: What we know about the gunman

‘Targeted attack’: Authorities are searching for the gunman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday in New York City. Little is known about the shooter or why he attacked the executive near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Police described the shooting as a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” adding that the gunman was “lying in wait for several minutes.” What to know about the gunman >

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: Who was Brian Thompson? >

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: What does the choice of weapon reveal? >

Key things to know about the fatal attack on the UnitedHealthcare CEO >

Kevin McCarthy: Matt Gaetz lied to Trump before AG nomination

Matt Gaetz: Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said former Rep. Matt Gaetz lied to President-elect Donald Trump about his potential attorney general nomination in an attempt to avoid an impending ethics investigation. In an interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live,” McCarthy suggested Gaetz sought a way out of Congress before a House Ethics report could be released and that he misled Trump about his circumstances. Watch the interview >

Gaetz ethics report: Gaetz stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. He has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Read more >

Donald Trump’s new administration: Who has he chosen so far? >

Pelosi on Hunter Biden pardon: ‘I support the president’ >

Hegseth nomination sinking fast in the Senate >

Two boys, ages 5 and 6, shot at religious school in Northern California; suspect dead

School shooting: Two kindergarteners, ages 5 and 6, are hospitalized in “extremely critical condition” after they were shot Wednesday at a religious school in the Northern California community of Palermo by a suspected gunman who died by suicide, authorities said. According to Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea, the gunman may have targeted the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists due to its religious affiliation but isn’t believed to have had a prior connection to the victims or the school. Read more >

Supreme Court leans toward upholding Tennessee’s restrictions on gender-affirming care

Transgender medical treatment: The Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors following a showdown over transgender rights Wednesday. Similar laws have also been passed in other Republican-leaning states. Those opposing the ban say it keeps kids from getting the treatment they need, while those supporting it argue it protects minors from life-changing decisions. Key takeaways from the arguments >

What’s next? The Supreme Court isn’t expected to decide on the ban for several months. The ruling could impact the 26 states that have passed versions of the ban. The latest >

Cartels using ‘blind mules’ to smuggle drugs into US

Border report: U.S. authorities at the southern border say cartels are becoming more desperate after President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 win and are using a new tactic to smuggle narcotics across the border: Unsuspecting drivers. The so-called “blind mules” are unknowingly bringing drugs over the border while cartel members use a tracker to retrieve the drugs on the U.S. side of the border. Details >

Illegal immigration cost US taxpayers $150.7B: DOGE >

Unaccompanied minors apprehended at border surges under Biden >

Agents turn to e-bikes to patrol the border >

Alleged Chinese cyberattack: FBI urges encrypted apps

Cyberattack: A White House official said Wednesday that a Chinese hacking campaign has impacted at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of countries. The U.S. believes hackers managed to access communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures. The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency urge Americans to use encrypted messaging apps to keep their communications hidden from the attack. What to know >

Bitcoin tops $100,000

Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin topped the $100,000 mark just hours after President-elect Donald Trump signaled a lighter regulatory approach to the cryptoindustry. The latest >

Bird flu detections suspend raw milk production at farm

Bird flu: Production of raw milk, cream, and other products has been suspended at a California farm where multiple detections of the bird flu virus have been reported at the site over the past week, state health officials have announced. The California Department of Public Health placed Raw Farm LLC under quarantine on Tuesday after the bird flu detections were found within the company’s milk and dairy supply. Read more >

 WHAT WE’RE WATCHING 👀

We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!

• President Joe Biden participates in the National Christmas Tree Lighting.

• The House Ethics Committee will resume discussions about possibly releasing their report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

• Israel rejects allegations by Amnesty International that it is committing genocide in Gaza.

• Members of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division plan to discuss a federal investigation that found the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols exposed serious problems in the Memphis Police Department.

• Former President Barack Obama addresses the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.

• A voter-approved amendment to the Missouri constitution guaranteeing abortion rights is expected to go into effect.

• OPEC’s member countries and non-OPEC countries discuss market conditions. 

NEWS ACROSS AMERICA

Mysterious drones have been spotted in the sky in New Jersey near the Trump National Golf Club and an Army munitions hub, prompting an FBI investigation and temporary flight restrictions from the FAA. Read more >

The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in Pennsylvania has shifted to a recovery effort. The latest >

After a Southern California store was targeted by a shoplifter, the owner decided to feature the thief as the star of his latest clothing collection. Take a look >

A prominent Tennessee state Senate Republican leader has been arrested for driving under the influence and hit-and-run in Georgia. Details >

Jurors asked Wednesday to take another look at police and bystander video at the center of the New York City chokehold death case against Daniel Penny. The latest >

A Michigan mother will spend months in jail in connection to the bathtub drowning death of her 8-month-old son last fall. The investigation >

A New Mexico dog reunited with her owners after undergoing multiple operations due to injuries she received in a drive-by shooting. Read more >

Parents of one Oregon school district are demanding investigations into “every teacher” following a sex abuse scandal. What to know >

A Florida man was arrested after intentionally crashing his pickup truck into the USAA building, according to police. Read more >

Mysterious mailers and text messages are targeting the residents of a Texas city. What to know >

Dog abandoned before Hurricane Milton finds forever home

Trooper, the dog who was rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol after being left in water up to his chest and tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton, has been adopted. Read more >

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