Happy Tuesday! We begin with clear skies and light winds to start the morning. The warming trend occurs fast and brings temperatures up to 70s by midday. If working outside, take breaks and hydrate often. High rise into the upper 70s, 80s and low 90s with peak heating occurring closer to 2pm. This will be quite close to heat advisory levels inland. Practice heat safety and take breaks when needed! Winds will be strong in San Luis Obispo prompting a Wind Advisory through 10am. Gust near 35mph will occur and bring warm dry air to the area. Temperatures will soar around to midday in these areas.

Toasty temperatures and tons of sun occur Wednesday. Winds will be strong and offshore. Hydrate and enjoy the beaches! Marine waters and cool, measuring into the 60s, however waves and rip currents are minimal.

Thursday appears to be the last day of sweltering heat before we drop into Friday. High pressure moseys out of the area giving way for onshore flow to reestablish and marine clouds to reform. Into the weekend we drop back into the mid to upper 60s.

The post Toasty Tuesday, sweltering heat mid-week appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Dr. Susanne Ramos says through remote monitoring, she has helped save the lives of her patients in Santa Barbara.

“I saw a normal 30 year old pregnant mama on Tuesday and Friday night. We were crashing her in the operating room to save both mom and baby's lives,” said Dr. Ramos.
 
“This would be a person that insurance companies would not think of monitoring. The problem is hypertension crisis is a silent killer,” said Dr. Ramos, who is a practicing OBGYN.
 
Remote monitoring is a key part of tele-health, as it enables continuous oversight and timely interventions for chronic conditions from a distance.
 
“It allows for the opportunity to do tele-health. It allows for the opportunity to not have to leave work or find childcare for the other kids to be able to come to a doctor's appointment,” said Dr. Santosh Pandipati.
 
Doctors say the practice became more widely used during Covid, and now is a new standard.
 
“The reasons become standard of care is that the information is not only more, but it's useful. We can find out moms who are having blood pressure issues on the rise without them having to just so happen to be in the office in the hospital when that when that occurs,” said Dr. Nate DeNicola.

Cigna has been the first to narrow coverage, refusing to cover remote blood pressure monitoring for pregnant women unless they are high risk.
 
United Healthcare is also moving to restrict remote patient monitoring nationwide.
 
“A lot of times things develop very fast and quietly. A patient doesn't know she's sick until she's really far along in the disease process. And so the key to a lot of this is capturing the mom as she's starting to develop The rising blood pressure,” said Dr. Santosh Pandipati.
  
The CDC says more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
 
Dr. Pandipati says delay in seeking care, delay in provider response, and lack of patient knowledge about urgent warning signs are among key contributing factors, but remote patient monitoring helps with early detection.  
 
Doctors are encouraging patients to review their health plans if they were planning on making use of remote monitoring while pregnant.
 

The post Insurance Carriers Roll Back Remote Monitoring, Doctors Warn Vulnerable Pregnant Patients appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

PeopleImages // Shutterstock

In this article, CheapInsurance.com dives into required minimum liability limits in California and across the country. Those shopping for valid coverage, particularly in the context of financing or leasing a vehicle, should also note why simply meeting the minimum may be risky.

What “Minimum Liability Coverage” Means and Why It Exists

Every U.S. state, with one exception, requires drivers to carry a minimum level of auto insurance to legally operate a vehicle.

Liability coverage is designed to protect other people and their property when the insured driver is at fault in an accident. Specifically, it includes two main components:

• Bodily Injury (BI) Liability: This is the amount the insurer will pay for others’ medical expenses, lost wages, or legal claims when the insured driver injures someone.
• Property Damage (PD) Liability: This is the amount the insurer pays for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property when the insured driver is at fault.

These limits are typically expressed as a set of numbers, such as 25/50/25. This format means $25,000 per person for injury, up to $50,000 per accident for injury to all persons, and $25,000 for property damage.

In California, the minimum bodily injury liability is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, with property damage liability at $15,000.

States mandate these minimum coverage levels to ensure that victims of accidents have some source of compensation and that drivers assume financial responsibility, preventing others from having to absorb the cost of the damages.

Why You Might Need Coverage Beyond the Minimum

Meeting the legal minimum protects one legally, but often fails to provide adequate financial protection or ensure a smooth auto insurance experience. Insurance experts frequently recommend consumers consider higher limits or additional coverage for several common financial and risk management reasons:

When a vehicle is financed or leased

When financing or leasing a vehicle, the lender or lessor usually requires the driver to maintain not only liability coverage but also full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive insurance, to protect their investment. Furthermore, if a driver causes an accident and the costs for repairs or negligence exceed their liability limits, the lender or other parties could pursue them for the difference. Choosing only minimum limits frequently leaves a driver underinsured.

When other valuable assets are owned

For individuals who own assets such as a home, savings, investments, or other personal property, a lawsuit resulting from a serious car accident could easily exceed minimum liability limits. This exposure creates a significant risk to personal assets. Opting for a higher liability limit helps shield and protect those valuable possessions.

When protection from uninsured or underinsured drivers is desired

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Prime Time Band of Santa Barbara is already in the holiday spirit, holding an early rehearsal as they prepare for a festive downtown concert open to the entire community. Led by longtime director Dr. Paul Mori, the group is polishing a program that blends classic Christmas carols with modern holiday favorites.

The free Downtown Holiday Concert and Sing-Along takes place Friday, December 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the State Street steps of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The outdoor setting will turn State Street into a seasonal gathering spot for families, friends, and visitors.

Guest vocalist Amanda Elliott will perform alongside the band and lead the audience in a sing-along, encouraging full crowd participation. The Dos Pueblos High School Choir, directed by Courtney Anderson, will also join the performance, adding youthful energy to the evening.

Attendees are encouraged to invite family and friends, bring a chair, and enjoy a relaxed evening of live music. Song lyrics will be available through a QR code and printed handouts, with limited seating provided.

The Prime Time Band is a group of amateur musicians ranging in age from 40 to 90-plus, united by a mission to provide free concerts for the community and create an accessible entry point for mature adults to make music.

The post Prime Time Band Strikes the First Holiday Note in Downtown Santa Barbara appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

The post Every Breath We Take appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

The post Creating Your Perfect Holiday Table appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

Thursday is another toasty day as high pressure holds over southern California. Expect a slight cooling trend from the days prior but still ranging 10-20 degrees above average! Head to the beaches and seek shade when possible. Peak heating occurs around noon-3pm.

One more toasty day is on tap Friday. Offshore flow means minimal clouds and dry humidity levels. Blustery conditions will occur near San Luis Obispo and Ventura. Marine waters stay mild through the weekend, head out to the beaches and cool off!

Onshore flow returns Saturday and Sunday. Marine clouds reappear in the forecast and humidity values rise. This is a short-lived cooling trend as the heat begins next week. Its looking very leikly for another December heatwave, more details to come.

The post Heat continues Thursday, tracking the next wave of heat appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) - A beloved South Coast tradition brought smiles and holiday spirit to Montecito this morning.

Members, families, and caregivers gathered at the Friendship Center for its annual Jolly Holiday Breakfast.

The event transformed the center into a festive space filled with music, decorations, and shared meals.

Organizers say the breakfast is about more than food — it’s about connection and feeling at home during the holidays.

For many, the celebration offers a reminder that community and togetherness are at the heart of the season.

The post South Coast tradition brings holiday spirit to Friendship Center in Montecito appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) - The annual Community Hot Rod Project Toy Drive over the weekend brought in trunk loads of toys at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613 off of Calle Real in Goleta.

Those who wanted to show their cars could get a slot for free if they brought an unwrapped toy.
Many classic car owners did that and more to get an automatic admission to the car show.
Those who didn't have a car on display also contributed to help the cause and enjoy the event.

Kevin Haeberle is the Community Hot Rod Project Founder. He said, "and others in the community that didn't have a car came to check out what we had going on and man, we really crushed it with the amount of toys the community stepped forward and helped out with. It's amazing."

There were toys for all ages.
This was a community event in coordination with the Elks Lodge that included several raffle items and a silent auction to also help with the fundraising.
The toys will be delivered in a hot rod or classic car during our annual Unity Telethon Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Newschannel three.

The post A Special Toy Drive is in High Gear to Help the Unity Shoppe this Season. appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Kate Krav-Rude // Shutterstock

Selling a profitable business is one of the most significant financial decisions you can make as a business owner. A well-planned sale secures long-term financial stability, preserves the company’s legacy and opens new opportunities for both the seller and buyer. While each transaction is unique, successful sales follow a structured process designed to maximize value while minimizing risk.

Whether you’re ready to sell now or planning a transition in the future, a thorough and disciplined approach can set the stage for selling your profitable business in the best way possible.

Synergy Business Brokers offers the following insights on how to sell a business, attract qualified buyers and structure a deal strategically to make a substantial difference in your outcome.

Preparing Your Business for Sale

Preparing a business for sale involves thorough planning to strengthen its position and attract better-qualified buyers. The goal is to present a business that’s financially sound, operationally stable and well-documented.

By following a clear, structured sequence, you can position the company for maximum value.

Organize Financial Documentation

Buyers rely on accurate, well-prepared records to evaluate performance and assess risk. In most transactions, sellers should provide at least three years of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports.

Clean, consistent records show operational discipline. They also make it easier for buyers to secure financing and speed up the due diligence phase. In addition to financial statements, buyers often request tax returns, accounts receivable and payable summaries, as well as inventory reports and capital expenditure records.

Many owners work with a certified public accountant (CPA) to prepare their adjusted financial statements, which remove one-time expenses, personal costs and discretionary spending that won’t continue after the sale. These adjustments provide buyers with a clearer picture of the company’s true earning power, which is crucial in determining its value.

For example, if a business shows $2 million in annual revenue with $300,000 in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), but the owner also runs $50,000 in personal expenses through the business, the adjusted EBITDA would be $350,000. The higher figure can increase the company’s valuation and overall sale price.

Strengthen Operational Readiness

Buyers often look for businesses that can thrive with minimal involvement from the current owner. A company with clear systems, trained personnel and documented processes reduces risk and increases buyer confidence. Key areas to address include:

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs): Document essential workflows for production, sales, marketing and service delivery.
• Staff training and leadership: Read more

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) -

High School Boys Basketball:

Dos Pueblos 54, Capistrano Valley 52: Wyatt Gardiner scored 25 points with 11 rebounds.

Oxnard 81, Buena 32: D'Aries Garrett scored 19 points

Santa Clara 65, Cate 45

Moorpark 70, Westlake 64: Logan Stotts 25 points

Grace 50, Laguna Blanca 44

Nevada Union 66, Santa Ynez 42 (Morro Bay Tournament)

Central East 68, Santa Ynez 57 (Morro Bay Tournament)

High School Girls Basketball:

Thousand Oaks 59, Arroyo Grande 52

Village Christian 58, Oaks Christian 56

The post Prep hoops results: DP boys edges Capistrano Valley appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

VDB Photos // Shutterstock

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that there are approximately 8.8 million motorcyclists on the road in the United States, according to active registrations from each state. This number marks a sharp increase since 2002, which had only 4.3 million motorcyclists.

This growing number is a concern for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as they’ve found that 15% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists. To put it in perspective, there are 1.13 passenger car fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared to the rate for motorcyclists, which is 31.39 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled.

Using data from the IIHS and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, CheapInsurance.com breaks down the difference in fatality rates in California and across the country, the factors that affect these rates, and how deaths can be prevented.

The growing concern of motorcycle fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in 2023, an increase from 6,251 in 2022 and a significant jump from fewer than 3,000 in 2000, according to data released in July 2025. The trend is clear. Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise, and legislators, governmental bodies, and the general public are becoming increasingly concerned.

Individuals and organizations are looking for ways to curb this crisis. To do so, one must examine where these fatalities are the most common and what cultural and legal factors are contributing to them.

CheapInsurance.com

Motorcycle fatalities by state

The rate of motorcycle fatalities varies widely from state to state. There can be many reasons for these discrepancies; however, helmet use is one of the biggest contributing factors, according to the National Safety Council.

The graph displays the rates of motorcycle fatalities by state. This data is normalized for motorcycle ownership in each state.

In 2023 there were 6.2 motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcyclists in California, ranking as the #24 highest rate among all states.

Top 5 most dangerous states based on motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcyclists

1. Texas – 15.2
2. Missouri – 13.9
3. Arkansas – 12.3
4. Louisiana – 12.1
5. Arizona – 11.2

Top 5 safest states based on motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcyclists

1. Maine – 2.5
2. Wisconsin – 3.2
3. Minnesota – 3.3
4. Alaska – 3.6<

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…Santa Ynez Valley.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 13 at 5:40AM PST until December 13 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…A portion of southwest California.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 13 at 5:40AM PST until December 13 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches, Santa Barbara
County Inland Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, Ventura County
Beaches, and Ventura County Inland Coast.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 14 at 12:12AM PST until December 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches, Santa Barbara
County Inland Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, Ventura County
Beaches, and Ventura County Inland Coast.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 14 at 12:58AM PST until December 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility 4 to 5 miles in dense fog.

* WHERE…Southern Salinas Valley.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 14 at 12:58AM PST until December 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…Southern Salinas Valley.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 14 at 4:07AM PST until December 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Former California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who is celebrating Hanukkah, shared her reaction to the deadly shootings in Australia.

"When you allow people filled with hate, rage and ignorance to access firearms they certainly can and will continue to act out and destroy the lives of innocent people. We know in Australia, that this was an act of antisemitism, we know that 15 people have lost their lives at a time when we celebrate a wonderful holiday of happiness and thanks that is filled with family and children," said Jackson, " This is inexcusable and actions need to be taken to stop this kind of hatred, to stop this lack of understanding to stop this cruelty."

Jackson also spoke out against the shooting at Brown University.

She urged lawmakers to make a commitment to take action to end this kind of violence in the nation and the world.

The post Former State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson reacts to shootings on first night of Hanukkah appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE…Santa Ynez Valley and Southern Salinas Valley.

* WHEN…Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave
plenty of distance ahead of you.

The post Dense Fog Advisory issued December 15 at 12:06AM PST until December 15 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) The Grace Fisher Foundation held its Winter Music Showcase at the Granada Theatre on Sunday.

The show has grown into the larger venue and this year Michael McDonald joined he show.

"We're here at the Granada for the Winter Music Showcase. This is our 8th annual event, Grace puts on. She and her family produced this show in its entirety, and it's basically a showcase for holiday, events and all the proceeds go to our inclusive arts clubhouse and free arts programing for people of all abilities," said Jana Brody of the Grace Fisher Foundation

Debbie Fisher' Grace's mother, described It as a variety show.

"This is a really complicated and complex show and the Granada has just been rocking it like, a lot of shifts, a lot of different, moving parts," said Fisher.

Grace Fisher helped compose some of the music.

She also shared her artwork.

For more information visit the https://gracefisherfoundation.org

The post Michael McDonald takes part in Grace Fisher Foundation’s Winter Music Showcase appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

VENTURA, Calif. ( KEYT) Island Packers offers a new take on Christmas Caroling. The company that is known for bringing people to the Channel islands off the coast of Ventura County is offering Caroling Cruises during the holidays.

The cruises taking people around the Ventura Harbor and the Ventura Keys while they are singing popular holiday tunes.

For more information visit https://islandpackers.com

The post Island Packers hosts Caroling Cruise in Ventura appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Por Jessie Yeung, Sandi Sidhu, Jinky Jorge y Todd Symons, CNN

El dúo de padre e hijo sospechosos de llevar a cabo una masacre en la famosa playa Bondi de Sydney el domingo estaban “impulsados ​​por la ideología del Estado Islámico”, afirma la policía, mientras que las autoridades filipinas confirmaron que visitaron recientemente una parte de ese país que durante mucho tiempo ha sido un semillero de extremismo.

Los dos hombres son Sajid Akram, de 50 años, quien murió tras intercambiar disparos con la policía, y su hijo Naveed Akram, de 24 años, quien está detenido en el hospital y se espera que enfrente cargos importantes.

Un funcionario antiterrorista australiano cree que el dúo recibió entrenamiento de estilo militar mientras estaban en el sur de Filipinas el mes pasado, informó el martes la emisora ​​pública ABC.

Se encontraron dos banderas caseras del Estado Islámico en un vehículo registrado a nombre del sospechoso más joven, quien fue evaluado previamente por la agencia de seguridad interna del país y descartado como una potencial amenaza, declaró la policía.

Las autoridades afirman que los sospechosos atacaron a judíos australianos que celebraban la primera noche de la festividad de Janucá. El fatal incidente, que dejó 15 muertos, constituye el peor tiroteo masivo del país en casi 30 años.

La policía afirmó que por el momento no hay evidencia que sugiera que hubo más personas involucradas.

Esto es lo que sabemos hasta ahora sobre los sospechosos.

El tiroteo parece haber sido inspirado por la ideología extremista del “ISIS”, según el líder australiano Anthony Albanese.

La policía de Nueva Gales del Sur informó este martes que el vehículo registrado a nombre del sospechoso más joven contenía dispositivos explosivos improvisados ​​y dos banderas caseras de ISIS.

Albanese dijo que la evidencia de las banderas mostraba que “la perversión radical del Islam es absolutamente un problema” tanto en el país como en todo el mundo.

Las autoridades creen que los dos hombres “no eran parte de una célula más amplia”, lo que les ayudó a evadir la detección, comentó Albanese a la emisora ​​pública ABC.

Pero el sospechoso más joven ya era conocido por los servicios de seguridad federales.

El hijo fue investigado durante seis meses por la Organización Australiana de Inteligencia de Seguridad (ASIO) en 2019 “debido a sus vínculos con dos personas que posteriormente fueron encarceladas”, declaró Albanese. Sin embargo, la investigación concluyó que no había pruebas de que se hubiera radicalizado.

El joven de 24 años no estuvo sujeto a vigilancia continua después de que terminó la investigación, pero las autoridades ahora están tratando de determinar “si se radicalizó aún más después de eso”, apuntó Albanese.

El padre, propietario de armas con licencia, fue entrevistado como parte de la investigación de 2019, pero tampoco mostró indicios de radicalización, añadió Albanese. Manifestó que desconocía si las autoridades cuestionaron si el padre poseía armas en ese momento.

“El antisemitismo, por supuesto, ha existido durante mucho tiempo; ese es el punto. El Estado Islámico es una ideología que, trágicamente, durante la última década, particularmente desde 2015, ha llevado a la radicalización de algunas personas a esta postura extrema, y ​​es una acción odiosa”, expresó Albanese.

Un imán que le dio lecciones de Corán a Naveed Akram comentó a CNN que el joven de 24 años se había acercado al Instituto Al Murad para recibir lecciones de recitación del Corán y de idioma árabe en 2019. Continuó con sus lecciones durante un año.

“Condeno este acto de violencia sin ninguna duda”, manifestó el jeque Adam Ismail en un mensaje de video.

“No todos los que recitan el Corán lo entienden o viven según s

By Adam Cancryn, Alayna Treene, CNN

(CNN) — President Donald Trump bragged to Pennsylvanians last week that he’d delivered an “unbelievable” economy. Now, it’s up to Vice President JD Vance to explain why they’re not yet feeling the benefits.

Vance will return to the swing state on Tuesday to tout Trump’s economic agenda, marking the latest attempt to address the affordability concerns dragging down the president’s standing — and driving fears among Republicans that they’re careening toward a midterm disaster.

The cost-of-living crunch in the US, including rising housing and grocery prices, has become a daunting political problem for the GOP, and one that many White House officials acknowledge they need to fix with 2026 right around the corner.

But it’s also an issue that Trump himself has refused to fully acknowledge, insisting instead that the economy is already booming and that voters’ own financial anxieties are overblown.

Speaking in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, last week on the first leg of a so-called affordability tour that is expected to kick into high gear early next year, Trump largely ignored his prepared remarks in favor of a digression-filled speech that only occasionally touched on cost-of-living concerns. And he relentlessly blamed former President Joe Biden for any negativity associated with the economy.

That’s left it to Vance to deliver the more nuanced, empathetic message that Trump did not, as administration officials try to reach the broader coalition of voters who put Trump back in the White House — and who are now increasingly skeptical of his vow to usher in an economic “golden age.”

Trump advisers workshopping the administration’s affordability rhetoric have emphasized the need to call for patience and instill hope that the economic tide will soon turn, rather than dismissing or downplaying Americans’ struggles.

“You have to take people seriously. I don’t think you can argue away what they’re feeling,” said Tomas Philipson, a former senior Trump economic appointee. “They’re not experts on the causes of why they’re feeling squeezed, but they’re certainly experts on whether they’re having a difficult time or not.”

In remarks in Lehigh County on Tuesday, the vice president is expected to echo much of the case he laid out during a Breitbart News event last month, when he addressed Americans’ affordability concerns head-on. He argued that the administration had made “incredible progress” on inflation, while also acknowledging that people were still struggling and asking for patience to allow for Trump’s policies to settle in.

“As much progress as we’ve made, it’s going to take a little bit of time for every American to feel that economic boom, which we really do believe is coming. We believe that we’re on the front end of it,” Vance said at the event.

A Vance spokesperson reiterated that message when previewing the vice president’s speech to CNN.

“The benefits of the Trump economic agenda have only begun to kick in and there is more work to be done in the new year,” they said. “Expect Vice President Vance to emphasize the fact that making America affordable again is the No. 1 priority of the Trump administration.”

Inside the White House, aides contend the economy’s fundamentals are stronger than most voters believe, pointing to the rising stock market and wave of private-sector investment commitments since Trump took

Por Kit Maher, CNN

El presidente Donald Trump firmó este lunes un decreto que clasifica el “fentanilo ilícito y sus principales precursores químicos” como armas de destrucción masiva, aunque no estaba inmediatamente claro qué efecto práctico podría tener la medida.

“Hoy doy un paso más para proteger a los estadounidenses del flagelo del fentanilo mortal que inunda nuestro país con esta histórica orden ejecutiva”, afirmó Trump en la Oficina Oval, y agregó: “Ninguna bomba hace lo que esta hace”.

Su anuncio se produjo mientras honraba a los militares estadounidenses con medallas “por su papel central en la protección de nuestra frontera”.

La ley estadounidense ya tipifica como delito el uso, la amenaza o el intento de uso de armas de destrucción masiva, un delito que puede conllevar la pena de muerte, según las circunstancias.

La ley también ofrece una definición de armas de destrucción masiva que incluye “cualquier arma que contenga un agente biológico, una toxina o un vector”.

Pero Trump no puede cambiar la ley estadounidense mediante un decreto, y un exfiscal federal especializado en asuntos de seguridad nacional cuestionó si tendría algún impacto.

La orden, que afirma que “el fentanilo ilícito se asemeja más a un arma química que a un narcótico”, ordena a la secretaria de Justicia Pam Bondi “iniciar de inmediato las investigaciones y el procesamiento judicial por tráfico de fentanilo”.

También ordena al secretario de Estado Marco Rubio y al secretario del Tesoro Scott Bessent “adoptar las medidas pertinentes contra los activos e instituciones financieras pertinentes, de conformidad con la legislación aplicable, contra quienes participen o apoyen la fabricación, distribución y venta de fentanilo ilícito y sus precursores químicos principales”.

La orden considera la fabricación y distribución de fentanilo una amenaza a la seguridad nacional.

“La producción y venta de fentanilo por parte de organizaciones terroristas extranjeras y cárteles financia las operaciones de estas entidades, que incluyen asesinatos, actos terroristas e insurgencias en todo el mundo, y permite que estas entidades erosionen nuestra seguridad interna y el bienestar de nuestra nación”, apunta el decreto.

Dennis Fitzpatrick, exfiscal de seguridad nacional del Distrito Este de Virginia, calificó la medida como un “ejercicio político” y argumentó que hará que sea “más difícil” para los agentes y fiscales trabajar bajo los estatutos existentes sobre tráfico de drogas.

“Ya contamos con estatutos probados, con los que fiscales y agentes están acostumbrados a trabajar, y son muy claros y logran los mismos objetivos”, declaró Fitzpatrick a CNN. “No hay ninguna razón práctica para etiquetar el fentanilo como arma de destrucción masiva. Es un ejercicio político”.

Añadió que dicha medida debería ser competencia del Congreso. “Es una legislación pura y dura, y este es un ámbito donde el Congreso tiene la autoridad y la responsabilidad”, manifestó Fitzpatrick.

Las muertes por sobredosis de drogas en Estados Unidos registraron el año pasado una disminución sin precedentes, alcanzando su nivel más bajo en cinco años, según una estimación del Gobierno federal publicada en mayo.

L

By Alicia Wallace, CNN

(CNN) — The November jobs report is landing at an odd time – on a Tuesday in mid-December, instead of (what’s usually) the first Friday of the month – due to the lingering impact of the historically long government shutdown.

The 43-day federal funding lapse resulted in a flash-freeze of crucial economic data at a critical juncture for American businesses and households.

The slow, steady thaw of deferred data over the past month, is building more into a deluge this week: In the next three days, major reports on retail sales, inflation and the labor market will be released.

And the latter two come with a bit of a holiday bonus: The jobs report and the Consumer Price Index release for November both will be packaged with roughly half of October’s data.

If it wasn’t so unprecedented, it would be quite fitting in a season filled with buy-one-get-one-50%-off deals.

Tuesday morning’s jobs report is expected to show that just 40,000 jobs were added last month and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.4% – historically low but still higher than in recent years.

Still, economists say the report could be more than a little muddled this time around.

“These government shutdowns don’t come around very often, and so there’s always a little bit of uncertainty when you have an operation as large as what the [Bureau of Labor Statistics] does for the jobs report,” said Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor. “So, I think it bears being humble going into the report and being prepared for anything.”

Why one and a half jobs reports?

The BLS’ monthly snapshot of the labor market is generated from two robust surveys: One of businesses and public sector entities (tracking payroll, wages and hours) and the other of households (tracking labor force status with demographic detail). The latter survey is conducted in partnership with the US Census Bureau, whose workers interview households and collect the raw data from in-person visits, phone calls, emails and online.

However, the major federal statistical agencies effectively went dark during the shutdown that lasted from October 1 to November 12. The vast majority of workers were furloughed, and the agencies themselves suspended the collection, processing and distribution of practically all data.

“In practice, it’s surprisingly hard to ask people what they were doing in the past,” Zhao said. “Their recall diminishes pretty quickly. And so, instead, it’s reasonable just to start looking at the data moving forward.”

With no workers able to conduct the household interviews during the survey week, the BLS later announced that October labor force data – including the unemployment rate – would not be available and the agency would not release a separate jobs report for that month. Instead, October data collected electronically would be included with the November jobs report.

For November, the collection period for both surveys was extended, and extra processing time was afforded, BLS said. As a result, the November jobs report was pushed back from December 5 to December 16.

The asterisks

“I think there’s a placid pace of jobs growth that seems most likely for the report,” Zhao said. “There is, of course, a big asterisk on that.”

That’s because the impact of the shutdown disruptions should become much clearer on Tuesday: The BLS, which has robust transparency practices, inserts box notes into reports when important context or technical matters warrant.

While more than 700,000 federal workers were furloughed during the 43-day shutdown, a large negative number for October and a subsequent employm

Análisis por Stephen Collinson, CNN

El presidente Donald Trump podría hacer algo peor que atenerse al guión de J.D. Vance en su discurso nacional en horario de máxima audiencia este miércoles por la noche.

El vicepresidente acaba de regresar de Allentown, Pensilvania, donde presentó el argumento más coherente y disciplinado de la administración para su gestión de la economía durante diez meses.

Vance, a diferencia de su jefe, puede ceñirse a un mensaje político preelaborado y transmitirlo con eficacia.

Trump, en cambio, disfruta burlándose de los asesores que lo envían de viaje con declaraciones preparadas. “No he leído prácticamente nada del estúpido teleprompter”, se jactó en su propio evento en Pensilvania la semana pasada.

El presidente recibió la tarea de mostrar empatía por los altos precios y, en cambio, se desvió hacia despotricar sobre los somalíes y los molinos de viento.

El argumento de Vance, en su discurso en Keystone State, fue que cualquier estrés que sintieran los estadounidenses por los altos precios de los alimentos y la vivienda era culpa de los demócratas y que, cuando las políticas de Trump empiecen a surtir efecto el próximo año, todo mejorará. “Heredamos una economía de pesadilla de Joe Biden”, apuntó.

A diferencia de Trump, Vance estuvo dispuesto a admitir que muchos estadounidenses no reconocen la “época dorada” económica que su jefe no deja de pregonar. “Aunque hemos logrado avances increíbles, entendemos que queda mucho por hacer”, manifestó Vance. “Lo que le pediría al pueblo estadounidense es un poco de paciencia”.

La administración espera que la muestra de reconocimiento de Vance convenza a los votantes de que a Trump también le importa, a pesar de su incapacidad para demostrarlo. “Les prometo que no hay persona más impaciente por resolver la crisis de asequibilidad que Donald J. Trump”, afirmó el vicepresidente a su público.

Vance tiene mejores credenciales de clase trabajadora que su superior multimillonario. El martes se refirió a su difícil infancia en los Apalaches, retratada en sus memorias “Hillbilly Elegy”.

El libro describe cómo la abuela a la que conocía como “Mamaw” compró una calculadora que apenas podía permitirse para ayudar a su nieto, futuro graduado de la Facultad de Derecho de Yale, a aprobar un examen.

Incluso si desde entonces ha ganado millones, según los documentos presentados ante la Comisión Federal de Elecciones, Vance al menos puede demostrar que comprende lo que enfrentan los estadounidenses trabajadores.

Aun así, Vance ofreció una evaluación claramente optimista de una economía acosada por el debilitamiento de sus fundamentos, lo que ha dejado a muchos estadounidenses de clase trabajadora y media con una profunda sensación de inseguridad.

No tuvo más remedio que repetir la calificación de “A+-plus-plus-plus-plus” que Trump le dio a su propio desempeño en el tema. (Vance usó menos “+”).

Argumentó que los aranceles de Trump, que según muchos economistas están elevando los precios, generaron un flujo masivo de inversión extranjera.

Prometió que la administración no permitiría que más empleos estadounidenses se trasladaran al extranjero.

Afirmó que Trump ya había impulsado salarios más altos y una inflación más

By Aditi Sangal, Taylor Romine, Karina Tsui, CNN

(CNN) — Just two days after Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their home, their son, Nick Reiner, was charged with the first-degree murder of his parents.

Many aspects of what happened are uncertain as investigators keep details close during an active investigation. But the deaths of the two Hollywood fixtures have upended the entertainment industry, leaving colleagues, friends and fans to pay tribute to their legacy.

As the investigation unfolds, here is what we know about the case against Nick Reiner and what comes next.

Son faces first-degree murder charges

Prosecutors charged 32-year-old Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of his parents, they announced during a news conference Tuesday.

The charges include a special allegation for allegedly using a knife, and rises to the level of a “special circumstance first-degree murder case” as there were multiple murders, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

The charges, if convicted, carry a penalty of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, Hochman said. His office hasn’t decided if they would seek the death penalty, and they would take the “thoughts and desires of the family into consideration” when making that decision, he said.

If prosecutors decide to pursue the death penalty, a 2019 moratorium instituted by California Governor Gavin Newsom through an executive order will prevent the execution from being carried out. That could change when a new governor is elected in the 2026 election.

Cases that involve family members are among “the most challenging and the most heart-wrenching,” Hochman said at a news conference. That’s due to the “intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes involved,” he added.

Reiner is currently being held on no bail and will be arraigned at a later date, the district attorney’s office said. He is going through medical clearance, which is standard procedure, Hochman said.

Reiner is being represented by prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson, who has previously represented Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein and Karen Read. Jackson told CNN on Tuesday that it wasn’t clear when his client would make his first court appearance.

More information on the day of the incident

Officials have previously given little details of what exactly happened in the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, but clarified Tuesday that Nick Reiner fatally stabbed his parents in the “early morning hours of December 14” in their Brentwood home before fleeing, the district attorney’s office said in a news release.

The Reiners’ daughter, Romy, lives across the street from their home, and went to check on her parents around 3 p.m. local time Sunday when she discovered their bodies, a source said. She left the house, found a friend who was staying with her, and told her to call 911, the source said.

Nick was arrested later that evening in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California campus, Los Angeles Police

By Annie Grayer, Ella Nilsen, CNN

(CNN) — A group of moderate Republicans have warned for months that their party’s plan to eliminate clean energy tax credits would contribute to utility bills skyrocketing.

Now, their predictions are coming true. And more Republicans are starting to openly worry that the issue could hurt them in next year’s midterm elections.

Electricity and heating bills around the country are soaring. Since last September, residential electricity rates nationwide increased by 7.4% – with over a dozen states seeing double digit increases year-over-year.

And anger over high bills is showing up on the campaign trail. Emphasizing the rising cost of energy bills, food and health care, Democrats rode an affordability message to a string of victories in November, winning governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia and flipping two seats on Georgia’s public utility commission.

The issue is “not going away,” said Adrian Deveny, founder of consulting firm Climate Vision and a former top Senate Democratic staffer. Republicans “should be very worried because they are going to be held accountable for it.”

The Republican leading the House GOP campaign arm, Rep. Richard Hudson, told CNN that Republicans are working on solutions to drive down energy costs.

“We’re living right now with high cost because of Democratic policies,” Hudson claimed. “They’re doing a very good job of trying to blame us for it.”

Most Republicans argue the party inherited the problem of high utility bill prices as a result of Biden administration policy, but there are still moderates who have been advocating for the embrace of as many energy sources as possible, including clean energy – and raising alarms that their party has not done enough to address the issue of high energy costs.

The party tensions came to a head on Tuesday when a small group of Republicans almost tanked a procedural vote on a bill looking to speed up the federal permitting and regulatory process for energy infrastructure projects.

High energy bills are being driven by a few key factors: the high cost of energy infrastructure, a spike in the cost of natural gas and the significant amount of power AI data centers are suddenly consuming. There’s a massive imbalance in the amount of electricity they need, and the amount of power that exists now to serve it.

“You have to get more power on the grid,” GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino of New York told CNN.

Earlier this year, Republicans voted to do the opposite. At the behest of President Donald Trump, the GOP gutted generous Biden-era tax credits for renewable energy. That move, experts and some moderate Republicans fear, is taking the cheapest and fastest-to-build forms of energy off the table – in turn, making America’s growing electricity crisis worse.

“One of the arguments being made when we were talking about going after the credits in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is this is going to affect utility payments,” said Garbarino, who had initially pushed to not kill the tax credits before ultimately supporting the bill.

GOP Rep. Gabe Evans was another Republican who pushed his colleagues to extend the clean energy tax credits. The Colorado Republican was in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office arguing for it a day before the final vote.

“Myself and a few other Republicans understand that business needs to have a runway to be able to make good decisions,” Evans

By Marshall Cohen, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

(CNN) — A new federal law requires the Justice Department to release by Friday a massive trove of investigative documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The release of the Epstein files, detailing the probes into the disgraced multimillionaire and sex offender who died in 2019, has attracted significant attention. The public has been captivated by Epstein’s lavish lifestyle, claims of underage sex trafficking, and his ties to President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, celebrities and foreign dignitaries.

Veto-proof majorities in Congress passed a law last month requiring the Justice Department to release all of the Epstein-related files in its custody. Trump fought hard to stop the law but signed it after being outmaneuvered by a bipartisan groundswell of support from lawmakers and the public.

However, it’s unclear exactly which records will be made public and how much of the material will be new. Over the 20-year saga surrounding Epstein’s sex crimes, thousands of files have already been disclosed through civil litigation and public records requests.

Here’s what you need to know about the files:

Why is this happening now?

The law, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, is only three pages long and spells out in simple language what the Justice Department must release and what it can withhold.

The federal government is required to release “searchable and downloadable” copies of “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to Epstein and Maxwell that are in the possession of the Justice Department or FBI.

The law explicitly calls for the release of travel logs, materials about Epstein’s associates, any related immunity deals, relevant corporate records, all internal Justice Department communications about the investigations, and documents about Epstein’s 2019 death.

What’s in DOJ’s Epstein files?

CNN has reported that there’s more than 300 gigabytes of data that lives within the FBI’s primary electronic case management system, called Sentinel. This includes videos, photographs, audio recordings and written records.

The FBI conducted two probes into Epstein. The first began in 2006 after sex abuse allegations emerged in Florida. That led to a non-prosecution deal in which Epstein avoided federal charges. Much of the same conduct was also scrutinized by the Palm Beach Police Department, leading to Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea on state charges. He would serve just 13 months in a Florida jail for state prostitution charges, though he was allowed to spend nearly half of that time on “work release” at his office.

The second FBI investigation led to Epstein’s federal sex trafficking indictment in 2019. The bulk of the “Epstein files” comes from that New York-based second FBI probe, though there are also materials from the first investigation in Miami, CNN previously reported.

What has DOJ said it may release?

The Ju

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) - The Central Coast is keeping star football player Caleb Clark as the Arroyo Grande High school senior signed his National Letter of Intent to play at Cal Poly.

Clark along with teammate Dustin Reed took part in a signing celebration at Arroyo Grande High School.

The punter/kicker Reed signed with McPherson College, an NAIA school in Kansas.

(Signature moment for both Reed and Clark. Courtesy photo).

Clark led the Eagles to a CIF-Central Section Division 2 championship with his game-breaking ability from the wide receiver and running back position.

He was at the Cal Poly press conference last week when the Mustangs introduced Tim Skipper as their new head football coach.

Reed kicked the winning field goal in overtime to lift AG to the championship at Bakersfield.

The post Caleb Clark stays home and signs with Cal Poly appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
Isolated gusts to 50 mph in the hills.

* WHERE…A portion of southwest California.

* WHEN…Until 3 AM PST early this morning.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

The post Wind Advisory issued December 18 at 12:34AM PST until December 18 at 3:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
Isolated gusts to 60 mph possible.

* WHERE…Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Interstate 5 Corridor,
Northern Ventura County Mountains, Santa Barbara County Interior
Mountains, Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range, Southern Ventura
County Mountains, Western Antelope Valley Foothills, and Western
San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor.

* WHEN…Until 6 AM PST early this morning.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

The post Wind Advisory issued December 18 at 12:34AM PST until December 18 at 6:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…North winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

* WHERE…Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast and Santa Ynez
Mountains Western Range.

* WHEN…Until 3 AM PST early this morning.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

The post Wind Advisory issued December 18 at 12:34AM PST until December 18 at 3:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Basketball team bested Eastern Washington 89-61 tonight during their final game of the calendar year. The win avenges the Gauchos' 2024 loss to the Eagles and keeps the Gauchos undefeated at home for 2025.

FROM HEAD COACH RENEE JIMENEZ
"I've been trying to tell these guys all week, this was their last final. And I thought they aced it tonight, so I'm really, really happy with them and really proud of them." Jimenez said. "And it was all the things we've been talking about these last eight or nine weeks, that we've challenged them on, that they blew out of the water."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Eastern Washington made the first points of the game after 90 seconds of fruitless basket attempts by both teams. After a couple more empty transactions from both sides, Olivia Bradley got the Gauchos on the board with a head-on three pointer from the apex of the arc.

The Eagles pulled no punches in the first, scoring several buckets in a row with no response from Santa Barbara. The Gauchos fell victim to their longest trail in six games. They placed a couple points to get back in it, but finished out the first period behind by two 24-22.

The Gauchos exploded in the second, piling thirty points and ending the half ahead by 21. After establishing a tie at 30-30, Santa Barbara went on a seventeen-points scoring run. The revitalized Gaucho defense held the Eagles to just nine points. Zoe Borter scored 19 points in the half and went five for six in field goals.

The teams performed equally in the third, with each one only making six points through the first five minutes. By the time the quarter was over, both had scored 18 points, and Olivia Bradley was responsible for 11 of the Gauchos'.

Santa Barbara kept up the pace in the final period, locking in 19 points and wrapping the game 89-63. Skylar Burke made 10 points in the fourth and put on her best half of the season.

Borter piloted the Gaucho offense, racking up 24 points and shooting 64%. She also made a career-high nine field goals.

Bradley had a brilliant game, forging a double-double from 20 points and 13 rebounds. Both tallies stand as career-highs for the forward. She also made a career-high three three-pointers.

Skylar Burke logged her first double-double of the season, grabbing ten rebounds and scoring 14 points. Burke also led the team in assists with five.

The Gauchos had 50 rebounds, the most rebounds they have had this season by nine.

SANTA BARBRA, Calif. (KEYT) -

High School Boys Basketball:

Santa Barbara 58, San Marcos 50: Levi Oakes 20 pts for Dons

Thousand Oaks 54, Oxnard 34: Dylan McCord 17 pts for Lancers

St. Bonaventure 48, Buena 46: Adam Ayala 19 pts. 10 reb. for Seraphs

High School Girls Basketball:

Laguna Blanca 24, Santa Clara 17: Kira Rameson 10 pts for Owls

High School Boys Soccer:

Dos Pueblos 1, Buena 0: Owen Ribbens & Brandon Stock goals for Chargers

Rio Mesa 2, San Marcos 1: Carlos Ahara & Aiden Gonzalez goals for Spartans

High School Girls Soccer:

San Marcos 2, Rio Mesa 0: Zeina Matni 2 goals for Royals

Buena 1, Dos Pueblos 0: Tyler Hickerson goal for Bulldogs

High School Girls Water Polo:

San Marcos 10, Foothill 9: Charlotte Raisin 4 goals, 3 assists for Royals

Dos Pueblos 18, Ventura 1: Talia Marshall, Wynonna Shea, Charlotte Neushul 3 goals each

Santa Barbara 19, Oxnard 3: Luna Morancey 4 goals for Dons

The post Prep results in basketball, soccer and water polo appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Análisis por Avery Schmitz, Isaac Yee, Teele Rebane y Helen Regan, CNN

Los medios australianos han identificado al detective superior Cesar Barraza como el agente de policía aclamado como un héroe por disparar y matar a uno de los atacantes responsables de la masacre de Bondi Beach.

Los videos de la tragedia brindan una imagen más clara de cómo se desarrolló el ataque antisemita que mató al menos a 15 personas y cómo Barraza, armado solo con una pistola, se movió para eliminar a los atacantes desde unos 45 metros (150 pies) de distancia, lo que ayudó a poner fin al peor tiroteo masivo de Australia en casi 30 años.

Se cree que Barraza disparó y mató a Sajid Akram, de 50 años, según The Sydney Morning Herald y 9News y 7News, afiliadas de CNN. Minutos después, Naveed, de 24 años, hijo de Akram y presunto cómplice, recibió un disparo y resultó gravemente herido.

De pie en una pasarela junto a Campbell Parade, la calle que bordea la playa Bondi de Sydney, el dúo de padre e hijo presuntamente utilizó escopetas y rifles para disparar indiscriminadamente contra docenas de familias que celebraban la primera noche de Janucá.

Los videos, publicados en las redes sociales y verificados por CNN, muestran diferentes ángulos del mismo momento y revelan cómo se desarrolló el ataque y la respuesta policial en poco más de seis minutos.

Los atacantes comenzaron su ataque el domingo cerca de Archer Park, a poco más de 100 metros de Bondi Beach. El video de la cámara de un vehículo muestra a los transeúntes Boris y Sofia Gurman, las primeras víctimas del ataque, muertos por disparos tras intentar valientemente desarmar a uno de los tiradores.

Se puede ver a la gente huyendo de la pasarela mientras los dos hombres se acercan, y el presunto atacante, Naveed, abre fuego en múltiples direcciones mientras Sajid se dirige al parque donde se estaba llevando a cabo una celebración de Janucá al aire libre.

Allí, Sajid Akram se enfrenta a un transeúnte desarmado, padre de dos hijos, Ahmed Al Ahmed, que lo aborda y logra arrebatarle el rifle.

Sajid regresa entonces al puente. Mientras se aleja, un video muestra a otro transeúnte, presumiblemente Reuven Morrison —quien posteriormente murió en el ataque—, lanzándole objetos.

Desde la pasarela, se ve a Naveed levantando su arma, apuntando y hacer varios disparos.

Aproximadamente un minuto después, Sajid se reunió con su cómplice en el puente.

Luego, en el fondo del video, se puede apreciar a un hombre vestido con pantalones oscuros, camisa clara y corbata negra avanzando, tomando una posición defensiva cerca de un árbol y apuntando.

El agente, detective jefe Cesar Barraza, levanta su arma y dispara el tiro que mata a Sajid.

El tirador superviviente devuelve el fuego en dirección al agente durante más de un minuto hasta que es abatido por otra bala. No está claro si el agente también disparó ese tiro o si las balas provinieron de compañeros que se enfrentaban al último tirador.

El análisis de las imágenes muestra que el agente estaba a unos 45 metros del pistolero, un distancia considerada difícil con una pistola, incluso para el tirador más experimentado.

Una multitud de policías y civiles se reúne rápidamente alrededor de los dos sospechosos. En otras imágenes se ve al detective mientras los socorristas practican RCP a uno de los atacantes.

Un análisis de audio posterior realiza

By Adam Cancryn, CNN

(CNN) — The White House is heading into a critical midterm year beset by economic challenges, as it tries to manage stubbornly high prices, a frustrated electorate and a commander-in-chief who struggles to show sympathy toward voters’ pain.

For one night, at least, officials addressed one issue: getting President Donald Trump to stay on a scripted message — in-part about affordability — in an 18-minute primetime address to the nation.

The question as he heads to another campaign-style rally on Friday: Can they convince him to do it again? And will any of it change his party’s increasingly dire political fortunes?

Some Trump advisers on Thursday cheered the decision to put the president in front of a primetime audience, crediting the official setting and tight time constraints for producing the more focused economic speech they badly needed him to deliver.

Trump during the address acknowledged Americans’ affordability concerns while blaming his predecessor for the cost-of-living “mess.” He highlighted specific signs of progress, like lower gas and egg prices, while vowing brighter days were still ahead.

And while far from perfect — Trump sped through the speech, abruptly switching topics and sometimes taking an angry tone — he avoided the digressions and off-the-cuff claims of an affordability “hoax” that had until now drowned out the economic message his aides are desperate for voters to hear.

“It was good,” said one Trump adviser. “And one of the reasons why it was good was because he was more on the script than he is otherwise with these things.”

But others in the GOP feared it won’t much matter in the long run.

“The president can’t happy talk his way out of what people feel,” said one GOP operative advising on a range of midterm races. “The White House staff around the president know what the message needs to be, and I wish that the president would listen.”

Trump’s rally in North Carolina Friday is likely to be far more freewheeling. As the president ramps up his travel, allies and advisers conceded it could be a challenge to figure out how to convince Trump to hew closely to the script.

Wednesday’s hastily organized primetime event underscored the urgency within the Trump administration to find fresh ways to combat the affordability concerns that are dominating voters’ attention — but that the president has been slow to similarly adopt as top of mind.

Trump’s approval ratings are mired at some of the lowest levels of his second term, driven by voters’ unhappiness with his handling of the economy and belief that their own financial progress has stalled.

That affordability backlash has already manifested in a series of state and city-wide electoral losses for Republicans, alarming GOP lawmakers and operatives who warn the party is on course for disaster in next year’s midterms. It’s a situation only likely to worsen come January, after Congress failed to avert a spike in health care premiums tied to the Affordable Care Act.

A new affordability script

Within Trump’s orbit, advisers have sought to revamp the administration’s messaging and demonstrate its focus on cost-of-living issues, amplifying its rhetoric on key pain points like groceries, energy costs, and pharmaceutical pricing.

But Trump has resisted the push to show more empathy, insisting that the economy remains strong and bristling at suggestions that his policies are contributing to Americans’ affordability anxieties. He’s also groused in public and private about the lack of attention being paid to other key priorities like immigration, complaining that his efforts to seal the southern border haven’t won him as much political credit as he deserves.

During a winding speech last week

Análisis por Aaron Blake, CNN

El Departamento de Justicia publicó miles de archivos relacionados con el delincuente sexual y acusado de trafico sexual Jeffrey Epstein en una muy esperada desclasificación de documentos este viernes.

La salida a la luz de los numerosos materiales son el resultado de la presión del Congreso sobre el Gobierno de Trump.

Inicialmente, el Gobierno había prometido divulgaciones exhaustivas sobre Epstein, pero en julio cambió de postura abruptamente.

El Congreso finalmente aprobó el mes pasado un proyecto de ley que exige a la administración la divulgación de los archivos, tras una revuelta bipartidista.

Los documentos no representan todo lo que posee el Departamento de Justicia. El viernes anunció que continuará publicándolos en las próximas semanas. Pero nos ofrecen el mayor vistazo hasta la fecha de lo que el Gobierno inicialmente decidió no publicar.

Al menos después de las primeras revisiones, el lote de documentos no parece contener pruebas irrefutables y relativamente pocas revelaciones importantes.

A continuación se presentan algunas conclusiones de lo que conocimos.

Después de meses de que la administración se pisara sus propios pies y de dar la impresión de que tenía algo que ocultar, no se hizo muchos favores con esta divulgación.

En primer lugar, el Departamento de Justicia no publicó todos los documentos, como se exigía antes de la fecha límite del viernes, 30 días después de que el Congreso aprobara su ley.

En segundo lugar, los documentos contenían extensas tachaduras, y por más razones de las que prescribía la ley. Además, las tachaduras también eran incoherentes, ya que el mismo contenido aparecía tachado en una instancia, pero no en otras.

En algunos casos, las tachaduras incluyeron páginas enteras e incluso documentos completos, como fue el caso de 119 páginas de testimonio ante el jurado investigador.

Los demócratas protestaron, al igual que el representante republicano Thomas Massie, quien ayudó a liderar la iniciativa de solicitud de publicación. El republicano de Kentucky afirmó que la filtración de documentos “incumple flagrantemente tanto con el espíritu como con la letra de la ley”.

Algunos puntos clave: el plazo era ajustado: 30 días para revisar miles de documentos y, en algunos casos, suprimir información confidencial. Además, la ley no prevé ningún mecanismo de ejecución, por lo que no está claro qué recurso podría tener el Congreso. (Dos demócratas en comisiones clave afirmaron que examinarían “todas las opciones legales”).

Pero la administración no hizo mucho para advertir a todos que no cumpliría con el plazo, al menos hasta la aparición del vicesecretario de Justicia, Todd Blanche, en Fox News el viernes por la mañana.

Y es poco probable que estas cosas beneficien a la administración desde un punto de vista político.

Después de todo, ya ha perdido mucha confianza con su gestión de los archivos. Y hasta 7 de cada 10 estadounidenses creían que el Gobierno había ocultado información Read more

Análisis por Lauren Kent, CNN

La economía de Rusia ha tenido que hacer frente a vientos en contra cada vez mayores este año: una inflación descontrolada, un déficit presupuestario en aumento (debido en parte al enorme gasto militar) y una disminución de los ingresos procedentes del petróleo y el gas natural.

El crecimiento económico también se ha desacelerado drásticamente. Pero es poco probable que la inminente tormenta económica lleve al presidente Vladimir Putin a la mesa de negociaciones en un futuro próximo para poner fin a la guerra en Ucrania.

Los analistas afirman que el Kremlin podría resistir durante muchos años más al ritmo actual de los combates y con las sanciones occidentales vigentes.

“Si nos fijamos en la economía en sí, no será la gota que colme el vaso”, afirmó Maria Snegovaya, investigadora principal para Rusia y Eurasia del Centro de Estudios Estratégicos e Internacionales (CSIS). “No es catastrófico. Es manejable”.

De cara a los próximos tres a cinco años, Rusia podría seguir luchando, explicó, y señaló que es difícil hacer una evaluación confiable más allá de eso.

Y un contingente de economistas rusos exiliados y anti-Putin cree que la guerra de desgaste podría continuar incluso más tiempo porque la capacidad del Kremlin para librar la guerra “no está obstaculizada por ninguna restricción económica”.

Las sanciones occidentales no han infligido suficiente dolor a la economía rusa, centrada en la energía, como para cambiar los planes de Moscú para la guerra, comentó a CNN Richard Connolly del Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

“Mientras Rusia siga extrayendo petróleo y lo venda a un precio bastante razonable, tendrá suficiente dinero para salir adelante”, expuso el alto miembro del equipo de seguridad internacional del centro de estudios con sede en el Reino Unido.

“No digo que sea un panorama realmente optimista para ellos, pero tienen suficiente para que la economía no sea un factor en el cálculo de Putin cuando piensa en la guerra”, añadió Connolly.

La historia demuestra que es más probable que Rusia acepte un acuerdo de paz desfavorable si atraviesa una recesión económica, como ocurrió al final de la Primera Guerra Mundial y durante la guerra soviética en Afganistán, afirmó Snegovaya.

Sin embargo, la situación económica actual “aún está lejos de alcanzar ese punto, y se requerirá una presión mucho mayor sobre la economía rusa y mucho más tiempo para que llegue a ese punto”, declaró a CNN.

Éstas son malas noticias para Ucrania y para la administración Trump, que ha celebrado numerosas rondas de conversaciones para intentar negociar el fin de la guerra.

Lo que ha cambiado para Rusia es que el impulso económico inicial causado por el creciente gasto militar parece haber terminado y ahora el Kremlin tiene que “seguir trasladando el peso de la guerra a la sociedad rusa”, indicó Snegovaya.

Esa carga para la sociedad se ha traducido en un fuerte aumento de los impuestos corporativos y sobre la renta, así como en un incremento del impuesto al valor agregado (IVA) para ayudar a financiar niveles récord de gasto militar.

Los consumidores rusos también se enfrentan a fuertes incrementos de precios, especialmente en los bienes importados.

Pero a diferencia de Occidente, la alta inflación “no crea mucho descontento social” en Rusia, argumentó Snegovaya, señalando los efectos de la propaganda y la represión del Gobierno.

Al igual que otros expertos, Connolly también afirmó que la inflación en la Rusia postsoviética siempre ha sido alta, por lo que los consumidores están acostumbrados. El Fondo Monetario Internacional ha Read more

By Sophie Tanno, and Kosta Gak, CNN

(CNN) — A Russian attack on Odesa region on Friday night has killed eight people and injured 27 more, according to Ukrainian authorities, as Moscow continues to target the Black Sea port city.

According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the fatalities occurred as a result of a Russian missile strike on a port infrastructure facility in the town of Pivdenne.

Some of the victims were in on bus that was caught up in the shelling, it said.

Russia has targeted Odesa with continuous attacks over the past nine days, resulting in a week-long power outage in the city and surrounding areas, as well as damage to port infrastructure and civilian vessels.

Russia has focused on crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter sets in and has been able to strike more targets in recent months by firing a mix of several hundred drones and missiles simultaneously.

In addition, two key bridges connecting the northern and southern part of Odesa region have also been hit, with work ongoing to repair the damage, according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa regional military administration.

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By Steve Contorno, Jeff Simon, CNN

Phoenix (CNN) — At 23, Caleb Gasca has checked off several traditional markers of adulthood. He graduated college, found a job in a construction office and got married.

But living with his wife’s parents in San Bernardino County, California, he still feels as though his life has yet to fully begin.

“It’s really irritating that in the area I grew up in, that my family lives, that I can’t afford to live there,” he said in between speakers at AmericaFest, Turning Point USA’s annual gathering of young conservatives.

As a candidate, President Donald Trump harnessed the angst of millions of young Americans like Gasca to win a surprising share of Millennial and Gen Z voters. Their role in his victory was celebrated last December at AmericaFest after Turning Point USA proved instrumental in Trump’s courtship of young people

“The golden age of America is upon us,” Trump declared from the stage.

But this year, the mood inside AmericaFest is far more unsettled. The loss of Charlie Kirk, the charismatic activist who founded Turning Point USA and was killed in September by a gunman, has cast a grim pall over the event and left an unmistakable void in the movement. Meanwhile, many of the promises Trump made to the group last year — including “lower prices,” an end to foreign wars and “generational change” — have yet to materialize. Prices remain high, foreign entanglements are expanding and young people are deeply pessimistic about their future.

In a dozen conversations with CNN, AmericaFest attendees expressed mixed views of Trump’s return to Washington and the world they are just entering. Some remain optimistic that Trump will find a way to improve their lives — that his immigration crackdown will create jobs and lower housing costs, his energy policies will lower gas prices and electric bills and his dismantling of the Department of Education will end the cycle of college debt.

“We’re only one year into this administration,” said Chloe Szot, a 27-year-old California teacher.

Others are less willing to wait.

Gasca told CNN, “Unless something changes, I plan not to vote, at least for president, in 2028.”

A tougher road to adulthood

For many of AmericaFest’s young attendees, the new realities of American life are settling in.

While Szot believes homeownership remains within reach for her generation, it’s with a caveat that previous middle-class generations didn’t always have to consider.

“I think 100% I will be able to buy a house, but it also depends on where you live,” she said.

Luke Phelps is starting a family soon in the Phoenix area, and the 25-year-old said he and his wife expect to continue working. It’s a reality that couples are increasingly confronting — both spouses now work in about half of households in a country where two-thirds of $100,000 earners told The Harris Poll they’re just getting by.

“Nothing’s going to be the same as it always has,” Phelps said. “One income was great. Now you need two, right? Obviously you count it as sad, but every generation deals with something.”

The road to adulthood once followed a familiar path: move out of the parental home, find a spouse, get a job and have kids. Today, fewer than a quarter of Americans had reached all four milestones by age 34, according to the US Census Bureau. Homeownership remains elusive as well. Earlier this year, the National Association of Realtors reported that the median age of a first-time homebuyer had reached 40, the highest on record.

The generation entering adulthood also faces new pressures their parents did not. More teenagers acknowledge they spend too much time on social

By Susannah Cullinane, CNN

(CNN) — An estimated $1.6 billion is up for grabs in Monday’s Powerball draw after the jackpot rolled over on Saturday.

If a player hits the jackpot on Monday, they can choose between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.6 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $735.3 million before tax.

The annuity option allows the winner to receive one payment immediately, then 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

The prize is the fourth largest in the game’s history, Powerball said in a news release. This year it’s second to the $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot won on September 6.

The biggest US lottery jackpot was a Powerball prize of $2.04 billion in 2022.

To win a Powerball jackpot, a ticket holder must match all six drawn balls — five white and one red.

Monday’s draw will be the 46th in the current jackpot run, Powerball said.

The odds of winning the Powerball’s jackpot are 1 out of 292.2 million, though the odds are better for smaller cash prizes, some as low as $4.

The Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

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CNN’s Michelle Watson and Karina Tsui contributed to this report.

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By Karina Tsui, CNN

(CNN) — A dangerous sequence of storms from the Pacific Ocean is sweeping through Northern California and the Sierra Nevada Mountains –– prompting heavy flooding and road closures across parts of the region during the busy holiday travel season.

At least one person is dead after flash floods inundated Redding, roughly 150 miles north of Sacramento, according to Redding Mayor Mike Littau, who said police and fire crews carried out water rescues Sunday.

The mayor did not give further details on the fatality, and officials have not said how many water rescues were carried out.

Shasta County, where Redding is located, was hit particularly hard Sunday evening, with heavy rain flooding multiple roadways, including parts of Interstate 5, according to officials. A flash flood warning was in effect for Redding and other parts of the county Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Redding police said they were responding to “numerous calls for stranded motorists” and urged drivers to avoid flooded streets.

Several lanes of Interstate 5 in one part of Redding were submerged Sunday, according to a photo shared by the California Highway Patrol on Facebook. Redding police also posted a photo on Instagram that showed cars driving on a road that was covered with water.

One man in Shasta County posted video of his son standing in the middle of a road flooded by a nearby creek. The man, Paul Mast, said they were on their way to a family Christmas gathering but had to turn around because floodwaters had washed out part of the road.

Shasta County and other parts of Northern California remain under a flood warning until midday Monday, while much of Central California is under a flood watch until Friday, according to the NWS.

Northern California will see its heaviest rainfall Monday and Tuesday – when up to 5 inches are expected across the Northern Sierra and 3 inches along the coastal regions, the NWS said Sunday. The region is under a level 3 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall through Tuesday morning, the NWS added in an update.

Flash flooding may also become a concern on the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains through Tuesday, the NWS warned, with landslides, rockfalls and mudslides possible.

Heavy snow is also forecast over the Sierras, where an additional 2 to 4 feet is expected – a stark contrast from the snow drought the Sierras are currently experiencing.

As of late Sunday, more than 1,000 customers were without power in California’s Sierra County – nearly a third of its customers, according to PowerOutage.US.

By late Tuesday, the threat of floods will move southward into central to southern California as another storm system begins to strengthen off the coast. Northern California faces “another surge of heavy precipitation” at that same time, with more expected later in the week, according to the NWS.

“This wet weather pattern shows no signs of letting up, with another round of heavy precipitation possible Christmas day into Friday for much of California,” the NWS said.

This story has been updated.

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By Svitlana Vlasova, Todd Symons, Tim Lister, CNN

(CNN) — A Russian general has been killed in a car bombing in Moscow, with officials pointing the finger at Ukraine for the latest assassination of a senior military officer.

Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who ran the armed forces operational training department, died after an explosive device installed under the chassis of a car exploded on Monday morning, Russia’s investigative committee said in a statement.

“Investigators are pursuing various motives for the murder. One of the theories is that the crime was organized by Ukrainian special services,” the committee added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was “immediately informed” of the death of Sarvarov via special services channels, according to the Kremlin.

Several prominent Russians have been killed by explosive devices or shot dead in Moscow in attacks blamed on the Ukrainian security services since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Video released by Russian state media Monday showed a badly damaged vehicle in a parking lot in a middle-class neighborhood of Moscow.

Sarvarov had been head of the training department for nine years, according to state news agency TASS. The 56-year-old had previously “carried out the tasks of organizing and conducting an operation in Syria,” when Russian forces were backing the Assad regime, TASS said.

Other recent deaths

Senior Russian officers killed in Moscow have included Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the main operational department of the General Staff, who was the victim of a car bomb attack near Moscow in April.

A year ago, Igor Kirillov, a general in charge of the Russian military’s nuclear and chemical weapons protection forces, died after an explosive device planted on a scooter was detonated near the entrance to a residential building. Ukraine swiftly claimed responsibility for that assasination.

Others to have been killed include the founder of a pro-Russian militia group, Armen Sarkisyan, described by Ukraine as a “criminal mastermind,” who died following a bombing in central Moscow, in February this year.

Several prominent political figures have also died, including a leading figure in Russia’s nationalist movement, Darya Dugina, in 2022. An influential pro-war blogger, Vladlen Tatarsky, was killed in a cafe bombing in St Petersburg in April 2023.

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By Zoe Sottile, CNN

(CNN) — His detailed tip helped lead investigators to the gunman behind the deadly Brown University shooting – but whether the tipster known only as “John” will ever receive the $50,000 reward offered by the FBI is still an open question.

After two students were fatally shot and nine wounded at the Providence, Rhode Island, school December 13, the FBI announced it would offer a $50,000 reward for “information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual responsible.”

One crucial tip, which first appeared as a comment on Reddit with details about the suspect’s vehicle, provided vital information for investigators as they hunted the man they say opened fire at Brown’s engineering building before gunning down a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor at his home days later. The Reddit comment helped officers narrow in on the suspect’s rental vehicle, which they traced to a Salem, New Hampshire, storage facility where he was found dead.

For Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, the tip – which was cited in an affidavit and arrest warrant for the shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente – was so important that the tipster deserves all of the $50,000. He argued as much in a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel.

“John is no less than a hero,” Smiley said in the letter, which his office shared with CNN. “His bravery, selflessness and stewardship on behalf of his community went far beyond what anyone could ever hope from a tip.”

There’s just one hiccup: Because Valente, a Portuguese national who briefly studied at Brown’s physics department more than 20 years ago but never completed his degree, was found dead, there will never be an arrest and conviction, which the FBI specified in offering the reward.

It’s unclear how the FBI might respond to the mayor’s request. A spokesperson for the bureau told CNN “the FBI will not comment on whether reward money has been paid and to whom” for “privacy protection, and to ensure the public’s continued cooperation and incentivization with any future assistance.”

Smiley was resolute in his letter. “I believe that our community is breathing easier today because of the extraordinary assistance John provided to our law enforcement agencies,” he wrote. “I am writing to you today to request that the entirety of the $50,000 reward be issued to this incredible Providence neighbor.”

Reddit post provided key details about suspect’s vehicle

John’s comment on Reddit was one of countless made in communities dedicated to Providence and true crime generally, as users discussed the extended manhunt and the baffling set of crimes that disturbed the close-knit academic communities at Brown and MIT.

But John wasn’t just speculating about the shooting. He said he had seen the suspect, who was shown in photos and videos from authorities, opening and backing away from a gray Nissan parked near the gates of the Rhode Island Historical Society.

“I’m being dead serious,” the post, quoted in the affidavit for Valente’s arrest, reads. “The police need to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental. That was the car he was driving.”

A tip about the Reddit post led police to identify a “grey/blue Nissan sedan” in surveillance videos.

He ‘blew this case wide open’

John’s help went beyond just the Reddit post.

Four days after the shooting at Brown’s engineering buildi

Análisis por Stephen Collinson, CNN

Simplemente llámalo “Trump EE.UU.”

Cuando llegue la próxima toma de posesión presidencial, el 20 de enero de 2029, es posible que no quede mucho que no lleve el nombre del “bautizador en jefe”.

El presidente anunció el lunes una nueva generación de acorazados repletos de nuevos misiles, armas nucleares y láseres. Inevitablemente, estos serán buques de la “Clase Trump”, continuando su frenética campaña de ponerle su nombre a todo.

La semana pasada, la nueva junta directiva del Centro Kennedy para las Artes Escénicas, elegida personalmente por Donald Trump, votó a favor de incluir su nombre junto al del expresidente asesinado.

Trump confesó, sin mucho convencimiento, que estaba “sorprendido” por un honor que llevaba semanas insinuando anhelando.

Poco antes, el presidente se presentó en el recién nombrado Instituto Donald J. Trump para la Paz. Previamente, había desmantelado la ahora agencia Potemkin, que según la ley era independiente y financiada con fondos federales, y no le correspondía destruirla.

El año que viene, se podrán comprar medicamentos en TrumpRx. Los padres podrán abrir “Cuentas Trump” para recién nacidos. Los extranjeros adinerados accederán a comprar visas Trump Gold Card. El presidente está construyendo un nuevo salón de baile en la Casa Blanca. Sería sorprendente que no llevara su nombre.

Se proyecta que los barcos de la “clase Trump” ocupen su lugar en la “Flota Dorada” como un complemento marítimo al escudo antimisiles “Cúpula Dorada” que Trump también prevé para proteger a los habitantes de la nueva “Edad Dorada” que, según él, está disfrutando el país.

Es probable que la defensa de los nuevos acorazados genere un gran debate.

Trump tiene razón al afirmar que la Armada estadounidense se ha quedado atrás de China en cuanto a su inventario de buques y que el proceso de adquisición de nuevos navíos es notoriamente costoso y lento.

Si logra mejorar esto, dejará una valiosa dotación para Estados Unidos en alta mar.

Aun así, algunos expertos creen que los barcos gigantes son una reliquia romántica del pasado, que es mejor dejar en el épico documental de los años 50 “Victory at Sea”, que inmortalizó el heroísmo marítimo estadounidense en la Segunda Guerra Mundial y que Trump mencionó el lunes.

En una época en la que los barcos no tripulados ucranianos devastaron la flota rusa del Mar Negro y en la de las armas hipersónicas, Estados Unidos podría beneficiarse de buques más pequeños, rápidos y ágiles.

El deseo de Trump de participar en el diseño de sus acorazados por ser una persona estética también parece una forma extraña de dirigir una armada.

Pero para ser justos con el presidente, él no ve la nueva flota solo como un tributo personal, sino como “símbolos inequívocos del poder nacional” y una fuente de muchos empleos en el sector manufacturero de Estados Unidos.

Los legados presidenciales tardan décadas en desarrollarse. Así que es demasiado pronto para decir si los barcos “Clase Trump” redefinirán la guerra naval y lo establecerán como un visionario, o si resultarán ser fraca

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT). - Wyatt Gardiner scored 33 points and had 12 rebounds to lead Dos Pueblos to a 67-56 win over Polytechnic of Pasadena in the championship game of the Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic.

Gardiner was named MVP of tournament after posting a double-double in all three games.

DP led 50-49 heading into the fourth quarter before Gardiner and the Chargers quickly stretched the lead into double-digits.

Coulter Jay and Caleb Damron each scored 13 points for DP who improved to 8-2 on the season.

In other tournament action Sante Ynez claimed third place with a 74-60 victory over Foothill Technology of Ventura.

Arroyo Grande won the consolation championship with a decisive 55-26 win over Cabrillo.

Rounding out the tournament Channel Islands defeated host Carpinteria 57-38 in the 7th place game.

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CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT). - Wyatt Gardiner scored 33 points and had 12 rebounds to lead Dos Pueblos to a 67-56 win over Polytechnic of Pasadena in the championship game of the Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic.

Gardiner was named MVP of tournament after posting a double-double in all three games.

DP led 50-49 heading into the fourth quarter before Gardiner and the Chargers quickly stretched the lead into double-digits.

Coulter Jay and Caleb Damron each scored 13 points for DP who improved to 8-2 on the season.

In other tournament action Sante Ynez claimed third place with a 74-60 victory over Foothill Technology of Ventura.

Arroyo Grande won the consolation championship with a decisive 55-26 win over Cabrillo.

Rounding out the tournament Channel Islands defeated host Carpinteria 57-38 in the 7th place game.

The post Wyatt Gardiner leads DP to Holiday Cage Classic title appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Por Laura Sharman, CNN

Mientras las autoridades investigan los motivos detrás del mortal ataque de Bondi Beach la semana pasada, los principales criminólogos notan una característica inusual que diferencia este tiroteo masivo de otros: los presuntos atacantes eran miembros de una familia que se confabularon.

Sajid Akram y su hijo Naveed Akram están acusados ​​de matar a 15 personas en la icónica costa de Sydney, un crimen que podría ser “la primera combinación de perpetradores padre-hijo de la historia” para un ataque de este tipo, según el Dr. James Densley, profesor de criminología y experto en tiroteos masivos en la Universidad Estatal Metropolitana de Minnesota.

Los asesinatos en masa suelen ser obra de actores solitarios. Según una investigación del Instituto Rockefeller de Gobierno, menos del 2 % de los tiroteos masivos estudiados involucraron a dos o más perpetradores, un acto de violencia aún más raro si se tienen en cuenta los vínculos familiares.

“Cuando familiares cometen actos de violencia masiva juntos, los factores de riesgo son diferentes”, declaró Densley a CNN, señalando contrastes en motivaciones, dinámicas de poder y logística de los atacantes solitarios.

Los familiares que cometen delitos juntos tienden a ser “menos performativos”, y la confianza y la proximidad reemplazan a las redes en línea que suelen utilizar los actores solitarios.

“Estos ataques surgen de una visión de mundo compartida que se cultiva con el tiempo, en lugar de que un solo individuo busque notoriedad o reconocimiento”, apuntó Densley. “Los miembros de la familia ya comparten tiempo, espacio, rutinas y conversaciones privadas. Pueden probar y ensayar ideas sin fricción social, lo que se refuerza mutuamente”.

Los casos que demuestran esto incluyen los tiroteos de Wieambilla de 2022 en Australia, donde dos hermanos y su cónyuge actuaron juntos para matar a tres personas, y el ataque a Charlie Hebdo en 2015 en Francia por parte de dos hermanos.

Dos de los terroristas que perpetraron los atentados terroristas de Sri Lanka en 2019 eran hijos de un rico comerciante, mientras que familias enteras se mudaron a Siria e Iraq en el auge del autoproclamado califato del Estado Islámico. El atentado terrorista de San Bernardino en 2015 fue perpetrado por un matrimonio.

Pero un ataque terrorista liderado por padre e hijo sienta un nuevo precedente.

En Bondi Beach, la policía dice que Sajid Akram, de 50 años, y Naveed Akram, de 24, atacaron una celebración judía, motivada por la ideología de ISIS.

Ambos viajaron a Filipinas el mes pasado, donde visitaron una región que ha sufrido una dolorosa historia de extremismo islamista, y después del ataque se encontraron banderas caseras del Estado Islámico en su automóvil.

Se alega que el dúoa grabó videos en los que compartieron puntos de vista que sugerían que se adherían a una “ideología de extremismo violento con motivaciones religiosas” y también practicaron tiro en una zona rural de Australia antes de su ataque, según una supuesta declaración de hechos publicada por un magistrado el lunes.

Según Densley, la jerarquía familiar y la dependencia también son factores que pueden influir en quién toma la iniciativa, quién lidera y quién sigue.

Esto fue especialmente evidente en el caso de los dos hermanos que orquestaron el atentado con bombas en la maratón de Boston d

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By Adam Cancryn, CNN

(CNN) — When the Justice Department released a first batch of Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday that included photographs of former President Bill Clinton, White House officials raced to amplify the importance of the new documents.

But days later, amid a second trove that contains several references to President Donald Trump, the White House is pushing a different view: Don’t believe everything you see.

Trump officials on Tuesday downplayed the latest disclosure of more than 30,000 files related to Epstein, dismissing the significance of the materials and suggesting that some that mentioned Trump were unverified or even outright fabricated. Even as the rest of Washington pored over records showing Trump repeatedly flew on Epstein’s plane, White House aides sought to highlight other matters the president is more eager to talk about.

The messaging shift — the latest in a largely unsuccessful effort by the administration to seize control of the story — has spawned frustration in Trump’s orbit and parts of the White House, where some saw the scrambled response over the last few days as just the latest stumble in a year of Epstein-related blunders and baffling communications mishaps.

“It’s just been confusing and compounding,” Matthew Barlett, a GOP strategist and former first-term Trump appointee, said of the administration’s contradictory messaging. “It’s perpetuated this news cycle, continues to give the White House and administration a massive headache of their own making, and I don’t see any remedy any time soon.”

The new records renewed debate over the comprehensiveness of the DOJ disclosures and the extent to which the administration has complied with the law demanding their release. The Justice Department seemed to try to get ahead of any unflattering revelations for Trump, issuing a call for skepticism in analyzing the new materials — at least when it came to claims about the president.

“Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the Justice Department said, adding that “if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”

A White House official declined to comment beyond the DOJ’s statement. As for Trump himself, the voluble president spent half the day on the golf course before making a quiet return to Mar-a-Lago. By 2 p.m. ET, officials had declared a lid, meaning Trump would not be seen or heard from for the rest of the day.

The near-total silence from Trumpworld represented a stark contrast compared to just a few days ago, when aides and allies rushed to circulate the numerous photos of Clinton in the Epstein files as part of a bid to put fresh pressure on Democrats.

And it underscored the White House’s ongoing struggle to manage a saga that has frustrated Trump and his top aides and wounded him politically — even as his MAGA base remains deeply invested in the Epstein case, and the controversy shows no signs of going away.

“This is horrifying. Trump called me a traitor for fighting him to release the Epstein files and standing with women who were raped, jailed in stalls, and trafficked to men,” GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X Tuesday, referring to an image from the latest document dump. “Only evil people would hide this and protect those who participated. I pray for these women.” Once a strong Trump ally, Greene has broken with the president in recent months, in part over the Epstein case.

After the administration spent Friday and much of the weekend highlighting Clinton’s appearances in the files, Trump on Monday undercut the campaign by expressi

By Toni Odejimi, CNN

(CNN) — Lottery hopefuls can try their luck for the estimated $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot in Wednesday’s drawing after no winners took home the grand prize Monday night.

Monday night’s winning numbers were 3, 18, 36, 41 and 54, with a Powerball of 7 and a Power Play multiplier of two, meaning most prizes were doubled in a separate drawing if people paid $1 more, according to a Powerball press release.

The jackpot is the fourth-largest in Powerball history and the second- largest this year, rivaling September’s jackpot of an estimated $1.787 billion, split between two winners in Missouri and Texas. The lottery game has generated some of the largest jackpots in US history, including the record $2.04 billion in 2022.

If it seems as if this jackpot has been rising for a long time, it has — with a record 46 drawings in the current series, according to Powerball. Wednesday’s drawing will be the 47th.

Though no one took home the big check, some winners got an early Christmas present of $1 million by matching all five white balls on Monday. These nine tickets were sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Multiple jackpots have been won either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, according to Powerball, but none of them have ever reached $1 billion.

If someone won tonight’s jackpot, it would be the first ticket to do so.

Lottery winners won’t see every cent of that $1.7 billion. That value — and the estimated $781.3 million lump sum — are before taxes, though a handful of states don’t tax their lottery winnings.

Jackpot winners have two options to get paid: either through an annuitized prize plan, with one upfront payment and 29 yearly payments increasing by 5%, or through one lump sum payout. The annuitized prize plan takes interest into account. Most lottery winners take the lump sum.

Before scrambling to buy a ticket, know that the odds for winning the jackpot are 1 out of 292.2 million, but odds improve for smaller prizes, some as low as $4. A ticket to play is $2.

The drawings are scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 ET.

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The post Holiday Happenings 100 Years Ago appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

At 1228 AM PST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fillmore, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.

Locations impacted include…
Fillmore…
and Piru.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

The post Special Weather Statement issued December 25 at 12:28AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

FFWLOX

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for…
Southeastern Santa Barbara County in southwestern California…
West Central Ventura County in southwestern California…

* Until 600 AM PST.

* At 1259 AM PST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
heavy rain training over the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Rain rates of up to 0.50
inches per hour have been observed.

HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE…Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Rockslides
and mudslides possible.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…
Northeastern Montecito, Carpinteria, Rincon Point, La Conchita,
Summerland, Old Man Mountain and Lake Casitas.
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

The post Flash Flood Warning issued December 25 at 12:59AM PST until December 25 at 6:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

By Annie Grayer, Molly English, Alex Leeds Matthews, CNN

(CNN) — Congressional Republicans have yet to break the record for most retirements in a single year, but some say it’s only a matter of time before widespread frustration with the current state of Washington leads to a tipping point as many in the party head for the exits.

The 10 House Republicans seeking gubernatorial offices in their states this election cycle is the most who have run from either party in the available data compiled by CNN dating back to 1974. From Arizona to Florida to South Carolina, an increasing number of GOP lawmakers feel like they can better implement President Donald Trump’s agenda at the state level than as part of a narrow majority in Congress.

“I just think that I’ll have more impact as a chief executive versus being a legislator,” Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor of Wisconsin, told CNN. “The basic question is where can I do the most good for the people in the state of Wisconsin? And I believe that it is as governor.”

While most Republicans departing Congress leave behind them safe seats that will be easy for their party to fill, the departures underscore the broader discontent that members say comes with the job – from gridlock that makes it difficult to pass legislation to security threats they and their families face from being in the public eye.

Rep. Michael McCaul — who is retiring after two decades in the House, where he has served as chairman of the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees — told CNN that Congress has changed for the worse over his tenure.

“The level of partisanship, rancor, vitriolic debate, demonizing the other side of the aisle, not willing to work across the aisle to get good things done for the American people, and just the overall toxic environment. And then we are chained to the floor here on votes that will never become law in a lot of cases,” the Texas Republican said.

Another GOP lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, went even further to describe how the dysfunction of Washington makes it impossible to get simple things accomplished.

“It’s historic to be there. It’s an amazing honor. But boy, they suck a lot of the life out of you sometimes,” the lawmaker said. “For some people, it’s like, what am I doing this for?”

Exits by the numbers

The GOP started the year with momentum after Trump won the White House and the party took control of both chambers of Congress. Over the summer, Republicans came together to enact a sweeping agenda bill, securing a signature legislative achievement for the president.

But as the year comes to a close, many Republicans are not seeking re-election in Washington. And while the GOP controls both chambers of Congress now, some within the party are worried that might not be the case after the 2026 midterm elections.

Still, House Speaker Mike Johnson is confident that his party will hold onto the lower chamber in next year’s midterms.

“I’m very, very bullish about the midterms. I know that we are going to win because we have a great record to run on,” the Louisiana Republican said on December 11.

Asked what’s leading Republicans to retire from Congress, Johnson said on December 3, “These are not easy times. There are a lot of challenges for the country. And we’re doing it in an environment, where you have one of the smallest margins possible, smallest margins in history. And so, it creates frictions sometimes, and everybody has different ideas, and as I say every day, I’m in the consensus building business.”

“Everybody’s not delighted with every decision every day. But that’s, that’s Congress. That’s the way the system works,” he added.

Spike in governor bids

At least 14 lawmakers so far, the majority of whom are Republican, have launched bids fo

At 115 AM PST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
La Conchita, or 10 miles northwest of Ventura, moving northeast at 25
mph.

HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail. While not
immediately likely, a weak brief tornado is possible.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.

Locations impacted include…
Lake Casitas.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

The post Special Weather Statement issued December 25 at 1:15AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

By Tom Page and Gisella Deputato, CNN

(CNN) — Once upon a time, artist JR was just another teenage rebel with a spray can, tagging trains in his native Paris. Not big, not clever, but nevertheless a confluence of interests at the start of an illustrious career.

The street artist, photographer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker says he has always been a fan of trains. Commuting from the deprived outskirts of Paris into the city as a youngster, he realized he was aboard a moving canvas that could take artworks to places an artist had never been. That’s his explanation for the graffiti, anyway. It’s the same reason why he’s still putting his stamp on trains today.

In 2024, JR debuted “L’Observatoire,” a radical renovation of an early 1900s train carriage, at the Venice Art Biennale. The carriage, a private suite commissioned by travel company Belmond, is now the jewel in the crown of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which runs routes across Europe (the longest of which is between Paris and Istanbul).

Already well-established as one of the most luxurious rides in the world, the addition has pushed the train to new levels of opulence. Stays in the carriage start at $80,000 for a one-night journey, but for that, guests are booking “an apartment on wheels,” said JR in a recent interview.

Featuring a bedroom, lounge and private dining area, bathroom, library and tea room, JR was given carte blanche on the redesign of the 23-meter (75-foot) long former sleeping car. In one room, a high-sided bathtub takes pride of place; an electric fireplace is the focal point of the circular library; and in the bedroom a round skylight opens like the aperture blades of a camera lens.

“(I was) allowed to do things that you’re not allowed in other carriages,” the artist said with some understatement.

For an artist known for his ephemeral work — pasting supersized photographs on the Louvre’s glass pyramid, or Rio de Janeiro’s favelas — the carriage offered a rare chance of permanence.

“I wanted to create an artwork in itself. That’s what this carriage is,” he said.

JR explained that most of his large-scale artworks involve teams of volunteers, but for “L’Observatoire,” the novice carriage designer turned to specialists from across Europe to realize his sumptuous ideas: hand-painted stained glass by a 500-year-old German company, Carrara marble from Italy, and walls lined with wooden marquetry inlay. “Everything was done with the most attention and care, because it’s there forever,” he said.

“The whole carriage took, I would say, a hundred and something people,” JR said. “Really, at some point we stopped counting.”

“So many artists and artisans came together to build this, to create something that will still be there (for) generations,” he added. “It gives us a kind of hope into the value of beauty.”

Many touches indulge both guest and creator. JR’s initials are etched into the library floor, and a mosaic of the artist’s hand lines the floor of the shower cubicle. JR also filled the carriage with vestiges of his career, from wood panels detailing scenes from previous projects to zinc ceilings nodding to Parisian rooftops (“I spend my life on rooftops,” he explained). Photographs from JR’s travels cover the walls, while scattered among its library are books on his projects, like one on Ellis Island, New York, or a copy of a movie he made with Robert De Niro, about the actor’s artist father.

But perhaps the most intriguing elements are those not on show.

“I’ve hidden many, many things in this carriage that you won’t find on day one,” he said.

JR has laid out an Easter Egg hunt for guests, concealed within secret c

CNN

By Tom Page and Gisella Deputato, CNN

(CNN) — Once upon a time, artist JR was just another teenage rebel with a spray can, tagging trains in his native Paris. Not big, not clever, but nevertheless a confluence of interests at the start of an illustrious career.

The street artist, photographer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker says he has always been a fan of trains. Commuting from the deprived outskirts of Paris into the city as a youngster, he realized he was aboard a moving canvas that could take artworks to places an artist had never been. That’s his explanation for the graffiti, anyway. It’s the same reason why he’s still putting his stamp on trains today.

In 2024, JR debuted “L’Observatoire,” a radical renovation of an early 1900s train carriage, at the Venice Art Biennale. The carriage, a private suite commissioned by travel company Belmond, is now the jewel in the crown of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which runs routes across Europe (the longest of which is between Paris and Istanbul).

Already well-established as one of the most luxurious rides in the world, the addition has pushed the train to new levels of opulence. Stays in the carriage start at $80,000 for a one-night journey, but for that, guests are booking “an apartment on wheels,” said JR in a recent interview.

Featuring a bedroom, lounge and private dining area, bathroom, library and tea room, JR was given carte blanche on the redesign of the 23-meter (75-foot) long former sleeping car. In one room, a high-sided bathtub takes pride of place; an electric fireplace is the focal point of the circular library; and in the bedroom a round skylight opens like the aperture blades of a camera lens.

“(I was) allowed to do things that you’re not allowed in other carriages,” the artist said with some understatement.

For an artist known for his ephemeral work — pasting supersized photographs on the Louvre’s glass pyramid, or Rio de Janeiro’s favelas — the carriage offered a rare chance of permanence.

“I wanted to create an artwork in itself. That’s what this carriage is,” he said.

JR explained that most of his large-scale artworks involve teams of volunteers, but for “L’Observatoire,” the novice carriage designer turned to specialists from across Europe to realize his sumptuous ideas: hand-painted stained glass by a 500-year-old German company, Carrara marble from Italy, and walls lined with wooden marquetry inlay. “Everything was done with the most attention and care, because it’s there forever,” he said.

“The whole carriage took, I would say, a hundred and something people,” JR said. “Really, at some point we stopped counting.”

“So many artists and artisans came together to build this, to create something that will still be there (for) generations,” he added. “It gives us a kind of hope into the value of beauty.”

Many touches indulge both guest and creator. JR’s initials are etched into the library floor, and a mosaic of the artist’s hand lines the floor of the shower cubicle. JR also filled the carriage with vestiges of his career, from wood panels detailing scenes from previous projects to zinc ceilings nodding to Parisian rooftops (“I spend my life on rooftops,” he explained). Photographs from JR’s travels cover the walls, while scattered among its library are books on his projects, like one on Ellis Island, New York, or a copy of a movie he made

By Toni Odejimi, CNN

(CNN) — A lucky Powerball ticket holder in Arkansas has won an estimated $1.8 billion jackpot, the second largest in US lottery history, after matching all six numbers in Monday’s drawing.

The winning ticket, sold at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas, matched 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and the red Powerball 19, ending a record-breaking drawing cycle.

Most winners opt for the lump sum payment, in this case, $834.9 million before taxes, rather than receiving one payment upfront followed by 29 annual escalating payments.

The win puts the spotlight on the Little Rock suburb of about 27,000 residents, though the winner’s identity may remain a mystery for some time.

Keeping the windfall private

Arkansas is one of a growing number of states that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. Since 2021, the state has permitted winners of prizes over $500,000 to shield their identities, though those names become public after three years. Winners claiming prizes over $1 million must appear in person at Arkansas’s claim center, according to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

Other states offer similar protections. New Jersey, Georgia, and Arizona have anonymity laws, while Florida allows winners to claim prizes through a blind trust or LLC. In 2023, an entity called Saltines Earnings LLC claimed a $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot in Florida, effectively hiding the actual winner’s identity.

The ability to stay anonymous isn’t just about privacy — it can be a matter of safety and financial survival. Winners often face threats and relentless requests for money. Even without outside pressure, the sudden influx of wealth has financially destroyed some jackpot winners who weren’t prepared to manage it.

Advice for navigating sudden wealth

Financial experts recommend winners immediately assemble a team of lawyers and financial advisors experienced with high-net-worth clients. Equally important, they say, is a mental health professional to help manage the psychological upheaval that comes with sudden fortune.

Priority moves include paying off debts like student loans and car payments and making strategic charitable donations for tax deductions.

The first drawing in the new Powerball cycle is set for Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

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™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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By Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN

(CNN) — As the December sun set over central Utah’s sandstone peaks, a couple ventured down a nondescript dirt road to snap photos against the backdrop of a red rock vista. Instead, they stumbled across a grisly discovery among smattered shrubs and parched soil: the decomposed remains of a little girl.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived in the sparsely populated stretch of Caineville, it was clear they would be investigating a homicide. The unidentifiable girl had died from gunshot wounds to her head, authorities later said.

Unbeknownst to investigators at the time, they had before them the remains of 9-year-old California girl Melodee Buzzard, whose confounding disappearance during a road trip with her mother had mobilized a vast network of local, state and federal investigators who searched for two months across eight states. An image of her cheeky smile and cascade of ringlet curls had been projected across the nation by media, law enforcement and the concerned public.

Ultimately, it would take two more weeks before they determined all signs pointed to a suspect whom Melodee “trusted the most in this world,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner Bill Brown said.

Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in her daughter’s killing, which a criminal complaint said was carried out with exceptional “cruelty” and “viciousness.” She is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning.

Investigators said they were stymied by “deliberate efforts” to hide the truth – clumsy disguises, swapped license plates and suspicious driving – and an uncooperative mother who could never provide a reasonable explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts. CNN is working to determine whether Buzzard has retained an attorney.

Here’s how investigators say they finally pieced together DNA, ballistics and a multi-state web of leads to connect Melodee’s mother to her killing.

A home without Melodee

The universe where Melodee lived with her mother was small. It revolved around a single-story home that looked like any other in their Lompoc, California, neighborhood, where the streets bore whimsical names like “Stardust Road,” “Pluto Avenue” and “Solar Way.”

Many of Melodee’s extended relatives had not seen her for years. They had lost contact with the mother and child after Melodee’s father died in a motorcycle accident when she was a baby, her aunt, Lizabeth Meza, told NewsNation.

It was not her family that reported her missing in October, but a concerned school administrator.

On October 14, Melodee’s school asked the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to do a welfare check on the child due to her “prolonged absence,” according to a timeline from investigators.

School employees had not seen Melodee since August, when Buzzard enrolled her in a study program that would allow her to attend school remotely, according to the sheriff’s office and Lompoc Unified School District. This school sighting helped detectives narrow their search early in the investiga

Por Christian Edwards, Svitlana Vlasova, Laura Sharman y Victoria Butenko, CNN

Rusia lanzó un ataque nocturno a gran escala contra Kyiv después de que el presidente de Ucrania, Volodymyr Zelensky, dijera que planea reunirse con su homólogo de EE.UU., Donald Trump, en Florida este domingo como parte de los esfuerzos para poner fin a la guerra de casi cuatro años en Europa del Este.

Zelensky advirtió el viernes que no podía asegurar si la reunión culminaría en un acuerdo firme, pero afirmó que ambas partes intentarían “finalizar todo lo posible”. Ese mismo viernes, el líder de Ucrania se mostró optimista al escribir en X que “se puede decidir mucho antes del Año Nuevo”.

Zelensky declaró a los periodistas que el plan de paz de 20 puntos elaborado por funcionarios ucranianos y estadounidenses está “90 % listo” y que planeaba discutir con Trump cómo los aliados de Ucrania podrían garantizar su seguridad en el futuro.

Trump declaró en una entrevista con Politico que espera que la reunión “salga bien”, pero advirtió que Zelensky “no tiene nada hasta que yo lo apruebe”. Añadió que también espera hablar con el presidente de Rusia, Vladimir Putin, “pronto, tanto como quiera”.

Menos de 24 horas después, Rusia lanzó un ataque aéreo masivo sobre Kyiv que hirió al menos a ocho personas, informaron funcionarios de la ciudad.

Un reportero de CNN en la capital escuchó drones de ataque volando sobre la zona y una serie de explosiones la madrugada de este sábado, mientras estaban en vigor advertencias de la Fuerza Aérea.

Se produjeron incendios en toda la ciudad, que envolvieron un taller de reparación de automóviles y varios edificios de viviendas, y obligaron a los adultos mayores a evacuar una residencia de ancianos a medida que se propagaban las llamas, según el Servicio de Emergencias de Kyiv.

“Kyiv fue alcanzado por misiles de crucero y balísticos”, declaró a CNN Oleksiy Sorokin, subdirector del periódico Kyiv Independent de Ucrania, y señaló que esperaban más ataques con drones desde el este y que aún no se habían confirmado las víctimas.

Al comentar sobre las próximas conversaciones de paz, agregó: “El problema… es que hay un lado que quiere terminar la guerra y el otro que no quiere en absoluto”.

“Por los ataques que ocurren detrás de mí, podemos ver que Rusia no está realmente interesada en la paz”, lamentó.

Polonia desplegó aviones de combate en respuesta a los ataques y cerró temporalmente dos aeropuertos, informó Reuters, citando una publicación de la Agencia Polaca de Servicios de Navegación Aérea en X.

Los cierres de los aeropuertos de Rzeszow y Lublin, en el sureste de Polonia, fueron provocados por “actividad militar no planificada relacionada con garantizar la seguridad del Estado”, según un Aviso a los Aviadores (NOTAM) publicado en el sitio web de la Administración Federal de Aviación de Estados Unidos.

Funcionarios estadounidenses expresaron su esperanza de que la reunión del domingo entre Zelensky y Trump resulte productiva tras una semana de intensos esfuerzos entre negociadores estadounidenses y ucranianos.

Si bien no especificaron un objetivo concreto para la reunión, Zelensky declaró a Axios el viernes que quería concluir un marco para poner fin a la guerra.

No se espera que la reunión incluya a ningún líder europeo, según funcionarios estadounidenses y del Viejo Continente.

Sin embargo, la presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, participará en una llamada este sábado con Zelensky, Trump y otros líderes europeos, según informó a Reuters un portavoz de la comisión.

Los ucranianos llevan meses presionando para que se celebre una reunión entre Zelensky y Trump, según informaron funcionarios europeos.

Los europeos esperan una reunión positiva, ya que describen la dinámica actual entre Estados Unidos y Ucrania como productiva. Sin embargo, reco

By Daniel Dale, CNN

(CNN) — It was hard to pick only 25. But it was easier than it used to be.

Just like his first presidency, President Donald Trump’s first calendar year back in the White House was an unceasing parade of lies. In 2025, though, the variety of Trump’s false claims shrunk even as he maintained his trademark staggering frequency.

Trump’s lying has always been characterized by dogged repetition. It became especially repetitive in 2025. While he continued to regularly sprinkle in new lies, he relied on a core set of go-to fabrications he deployed virtually no matter the setting and no matter how many times they had been debunked.

Did you hear the one about how Trump secured $17 trillion or $18 trillion in investment? You probably did if you watched even a few Trump speeches or interviews. Same with the one about how consumer prices have fallen this year, the one about how Trump ended seven or eight wars, and the one about how foreign leaders around the world emptied their prisons and mental institutions to send unwanted citizens across the US border as migrants.

Here is our highly subjective list of Trump’s top 25 lies of 2025. We chose some because the president repeated them particularly often, some because they were about notably consequential topics, and some because they were especially egregious in their distance from reality.

Inflation, tariffs and the economy

Lie: Trump secured $17 trillion or $18 trillion in investment in 2025

The president who loves big numbers, even if they’re fake, had a fictional figure he cited in speech after speech: a claim that he had secured “$17 trillion” in investment in the US in less than a year back in the White House. It didn’t help Trump’s case that the White House’s own website said at the time that it was actually $8.8 trillion – and even that figure was wildly inflated – but he proceeded to increase his claim to “$18 trillion” even though the website still had it under $10 trillion.

Lie: ‘Every price is down’

Trump lied even about subjects that everyday people could themselves see he was lying about. He claimed in the fall that there was “no inflation,” though there was inflation; that “every price is down,” though prices were up on thousa

By Marshall Cohen, Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN

(CNN) — The “Epstein files” saga will spill into 2026, despite a deadline last week to release all of the records.

Congress passed a law last month — with near-unanimous support — requiring the Justice Department to release all of its files about Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who was accused of abusing dozens of underage girls. Epstein died by suicide in 2019.

The so-called “Epstein files” are made of over 300 gigabytes of data, papers, videos, photographs and audio files that live within the FBI’s main electronic case management system and largely originate from the FBI’s two major investigations into Epstein, in Florida and New York, spanning decades.

The new transparency law gave the Justice Department a December 19 deadline to release all the records related to Epstein. The department has since published hundreds of thousands of files over the past week to a landing page on the DOJ website, dubbed the “Epstein Library.”

The records included on the Justice Department website include court records, responses to public records requests, and documents previously released by the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform.

But many of Epstein’s victims, as well as lawmakers from both parties, have criticized these releases for being incomplete and over-redacted. Others raised concerns about under-redacted portions that exposed at least one victim’s identity.

And then the Justice Department made a surprise announcement Wednesday that there are over a million more newly discovered documents potentially related to Epstein — and that they’ll take “weeks” to review and release them.

Trump appointees at the Justice Department say they’re acting in good faith to release as much material as fast as possible, while also going through the painstaking work of reviewing every file to make sure victims’ identifies are shielded, as required by the law.

The Justice Department didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment Friday.

Here’s what you need to know about the records tha

Análisis por Daniel Dale, CNN

Fue difícil elegir solo 25. Pero resultó más fácil de lo que solía ser.

Al igual que su primer mandato, el primer año del presidente Donald Trump en su regreso a la Casa Blanca fue un desfile incesante de mentiras. Sin embargo, la cantidad de afirmaciones falsas de Trump en 2025 se redujo, a pesar de que mantuvo su característica frecuencia asombrosa.

Las falsedades de Trump siempre se han caracterizado por su tenaz repetición. Se volvieron especialmente repetitivas en 2025.

Si bien continuó añadiendo nuevas mentiras con regularidad, se basó en un conjunto básico de invenciones que usaba prácticamente sin importar el contexto ni las veces que han sido desmentidas.

¿Has oído la ficción sobre cómo Trump consiguió US$ 17 o US$ 18 billones en inversiones? Probablemente sí, si has visto algunos discursos o entrevistas del mandatario.

Lo mismo ocurre con aquella falsedad sobre la caída de los precios al consumidor este año, o cómo puso fin a siete u ocho guerras, y lo mismo sobre cómo líderes extranjeros de todo el mundo vaciaron sus cárceles e instituciones psiquiátricas para enviar a ciudadanos no deseados a través de la frontera estadounidense como migrantes.

Aquí está nuestra lista altamente subjetiva de las 25 principales mentiras de Trump de 2025.

Elegimos unas que el presidente las repitió con especial frecuencia, otras que se referían a temas notablemente importantes y algunas porque eran especialmente atroces en su distancia con la realidad.

Mentira: Trump aseguró US$ 17 o US$ 18 billones en inversiones en 2025

El presidente, amante de las grandes cifras, incluso si son falsas, citó una cifra ficticia en todos sus discursos: la afirmación de haber conseguido “US$ 17 billones” en inversiones en Estados Unidos en menos de un año, cuando estaba en la Casa Blanca.

No ayudó a Trump que el propio sitio web de la Casa Blanca indicara en aquel momento que en realidad eran US$ 8,8 billones —e incluso esa cifra estaba exageradamente inflada— , pero procedió a aumentar su afirmación a “US$ 18 billones”, aunque el sitio web aún la situaba por debajo de los US$ 10 billones.

Mentira: “Todos los precios están bajos”

Trump mintió incluso sobre temas que la gente común podía ver. En otoño, afirmó que “no había inflación”, aunque sí la había. Read more

Análisis por Tal Shalev, CNN

Cuando el primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, se reúna con el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, en Mar-a-Lago esta semana, el encuentro marcará algo más que una reunión diplomática.

Para Netanyahu, es el acto de apertura de su campaña de reelección de 2026, en la que el presidente de Estados Unidos está posicionado para desempeñar un papel protagónico.

Israel tiene programadas oficialmente elecciones para octubre de 2026, aunque ese calendario podría adelantarse. Dos amenazas inmediatas se ciernen sobre la coalición de Netanyahu: la crisis de reclutamiento ultraortodoxo y la fecha límite presupuestaria de marzo de 2026. Cualquiera de las dos podría desencadenar elecciones anticipadas.

El sexto Gobierno de Netanyahu —que abarca 18 años a lo largo de varios mandatos— ha soportado una agitación extraordinaria, desde la reforma judicial de 2023 que sacó a cientos de miles a las calles, pasando por el ataque de Hamas del 7 de octubre de 2023 que mató a más de 1.200 israelíes, hasta la guerra prolongada que siguió, dejando a Israel diplomáticamente aislado y profundamente dividido.

Sin embargo, Netanyahu ha resistido. Su coalición ha durado más que cualquier otro Gobierno israelí de los últimos seis años, dándole tiempo para restaurar la disuasión regional de Israel mientras evita una investigación sustancial sobre la toma de decisiones que precedió a la inédita falla de seguridad del 7 de octubre de 2023.

Encuestas de opinión recurrentes desde octubre de 2023 muestran que su coalición no alcanza la mayoría de 61 escaños en la Knesset necesaria para gobernar, situándose entre 49 y 54 escaños. Su estrategia de reelección parece depender de un cálculo simple: alejarse lo más posible del fracaso del 7 de octubre y contar con Trump para ayudar a reescribir esa narrativa en las urnas.

“El presidente de Estados Unidos será central —si no el protagonista— en la estrategia de reelección de Netanyahu”, dijo Nadav Shtrauchler, un estratega político que trabajó anteriormente para el primer ministro.

La alianza tiene precedentes. Durante los tumultuosos ciclos electorales de Israel en 2019-2020, el Likud empapeló las calles israelíes con carteles que mostraban a Donald Trump y Benjamin Netanyahu dándose la mano, con la leyenda “Netanyahu, en otra liga”. Trump realizó gestos simbólicos en momentos clave de la campaña: reconoció la soberanía israelí sobre los Altos del Golán en 2019, presentó un plan de paz palestino en 2020 y encabezó los Acuerdos de Abraham.

Más recientemente, Trump apoyó la campaña de indulto para Netanyahu, apelando públicamente al presidente de Israel, Isaac Herzog, durante un discurso en la Knesset en octubre para celebrar el alto el fuego en Gaza. “Oiga, tengo una idea, señor presidente: ¿por qué no le concede un indulto?”, preguntó Trump, desestimando los cargos de corrupción contra Netanyahu como asuntos triviales de “puros y champán”.

El episodio desató una campaña alineada con el Likud que culminó en la propia solicitud formal de clemencia de Netanyahu. En un video que acompañó su petición, Netanyahu hizo referencia al respaldo de Trump, afirmando que esto “permitiría a ambos líderes promover intereses vitales en un momento de oportunidad fugaz”.

Shtrauchler identifica ese discurso en la Knesset como “de facto el la

By Kevin Liptak, CNN

West Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives here Sunday as his frozen capital of Kyiv comes under assault by Russian missiles and drones, a deadly reminder from the war’s aggressor that its attacks would continue even amid accelerated peace talks.

The 1 p.m. ET Mar-a-Lago meeting between Zelensky and President Donald Trump, announced only two days beforehand, is intended to close gaps in the original 28-point peace plan that Trump first proposed last month and which Ukraine has since revised to 20 points. Intensive work has been underway by American envoys to finalize a proposal both Ukraine and Russia can agree on.

Trump, who has been in Palm Beach since December 20, will interrupt his holiday break for the discussion. The meeting was arranged after Zelensky held an hourlong phone call late last week with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s foreign envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law who is working to finalize the peace agreement.

Trump said earlier this month he didn’t think meetings with Zelensky or his European allies would be useful unless they were close to reaching a deal, a sign of the negotiations’ advanced stage. American officials have described significant progress in the peace efforts, with a US official saying earlier this month that 90% of the terms of the deal had been settled. Zelensky affirmed that figure Friday.

“It isn’t easy. No one is saying that it will be 100% right away, but nevertheless, we must bring the desired result closer with every such meeting, every such conversation,” he said.

The remaining 10% have proved difficult to resolve and include the thorny issue of land concessions that will be necessary to end the nearly four-year war. Russia has not backed off its maximalist demands, including that Ukraine surrender the entire eastern Donbas region.

Zelensky, however, is no longer ruling out concessions entirely, and says he would bring the peace plan up for a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire. (Ukraine’s constitution requires any changes to the country’s borders to be approved in a referendum.)

The US side has offered “thought-provoking” ideas on how to resolve the impasse, one US official said, including the development of an “economic free zone” in the eastern part of Ukraine.

Also unresolved is the fate of the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest. Zelensky said Kyiv proposes the plant be operated by a joint enterprise between the US and Ukraine, with 50% of the electricity output going to Ukraine and the remainder allocated by the US.

Russia will not be represented at Sunday’s meeting, and it remains unclear whether Moscow is willing to agree to an immediate ceasefire that would allow a peace plan to take hold. Trump has frequently pointed to both Ukraine and Russia as obstacles to peace.

Speaking a day before the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “if Kyiv is not willing to resolve the matter peacefully, Russia will accomplish all the aims of the special military operation by military means,” using a euphemism for the war in Ukraine, according to Russian state media service TASS.

Russia launched 519 drones and 40 missiles at Ukraine overnight into Saturday, according to Ukraine’s air force. Zelensky said Saturday morning that while Russian officials are engaging in talks to end fighting, the ongoing violence speaks for itself.

American officials are hopeful the meeti

* WHAT…For the Wind Advisory, northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with
gusts up to 45 mph expected. For the High Wind Watch, northeast
winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph possible.

* WHERE…Interstate 5 Corridor, Santa Susana Mountains, Western San
Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor, and Western Santa
Monica Mountains Recreational Area.

* WHEN…For the Wind Advisory, from 6 PM to 10 PM PST this evening.
For the High Wind Watch, from 10 PM Sunday through Monday
afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles. In addition, unsecured
objects will be blown around.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Wet soils will increase the likelihood of
damage.
Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

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By Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN

New York (CNN) — For more than three decades, lifelong New Yorkers and tourists visiting the Big Apple have shared the experience of a MetroCard swipe gone wrong. Swiping the transit card too fast or too slow, with the stripe facing the wrong side, or having insufficient fare all led to the subsequent, seemingly judgmental thud of the turnstile slamming into you.

“It’s embarrassing. You feel like you’re not an authentic New Yorker if you’re not swiping your MetroCard the right way,” said Mike Glenwick, 37, who has lived in the city most of his life and has been collecting limited-edition MetroCards since he was six.

Now the days of swiping the blue and yellow plastic cards are numbered. Come January 1, the Metropolitan Transit Authority will no longer sell MetroCards, and riders will be required to use OMNY, a contactless fare payment system. (Existing MetroCards will continue to be accepted at terminals, though MTA said their “final acceptance date will be announced at a later time.”)

Bidding farewell to the card has been a journey for New Yorkers and the MTA alike.

From tokens to cards

New York City subway’s iconic tokens were the default form of fare payment before the MetroCard was introduced. When tokens were initially rolled out in 1953, they were about the size of a dime and most had a hollowed-out Y between an engraved N and C, spelling out NYC.

Though clunky to carry around, they were easy to use: all transit passengers had to do was drop the tokens into a turnstile or farebox. For the MTA, it overcame the issue of being able to increase fares without having to redesign fare collection systems to accept various kinds of coins.

But in 1983 Richard Ravitch, then the commissioner of the MTA, began to envision a different fare payment system. Instead, he floated a magnetic stripe card with a stored value.

“His argument was that New York is a very modern cosmopolitan city and there are other modern cosmopolitan cities that are using this as their fare payment system,” said Jodi Shapiro, curator of the FAREwell MetroCard exhibit at the New York Transit Museum. But as his idea gained traction, it quickly became about more than just keeping up with other cities. At one point the MTA considered integrating MetroCards with pay phones so callers didn’t have to use coins (that didn’t end up happening, though).

The MTA initially thought the shift to MetroCards would “spell the death knell for fare evasion” since many riders were previously getting away with using various other kinds of coins and tokens, said Noah McClain, a sociology professor who has researched MetroCard technology and fare evasion trends. But that was hardly the case: “Fare evasion certainly endured, albeit often in different forms.”

One famous one, “swipers,” as they came to be known, sold bent MetroCards that allowed riders to fraudulently bypass turnstiles. Separately, a group of hackers was able to successfully reverse engineer many parts of the MetroCard.

But riders saw benefits, too. One of the biggest selling points for the MetroCard was that users could purchase different, more flexible fares. That included discounts for seniors, disabled people and students, as well as cards that offered unlimited rides throughout the month.

Cards also came with a massive perk that tokens didn’t: free transfers. One swipe of a MetroCard on a bus or subway meant riders didn’t have to pay again if they transferred to another bus or subway train.

A collector’s item

But just as New York subway tokens became icons of the city, so did the MetroCard. And that was by design.

“MetroCards were made to be collected,” Shapiro said. The year the MTA launched the MetroCard, 1994, was also when it released an inaugural limited edition card. Since then there have been around 400 co

By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN

New York (CNN) — Starbucks spent years trying to become an inescapable storefront on the streets of New York, Los Angeles and other big cities in America. Now that’s coming to an end.

Its expansion once seemed limitless. It was even a joke. In 1998, an Onion headline read “New Starbucks Opens In Rest Room Of Existing Starbucks.” A few years later, comedian Lewis Black riffed that he’d gone to the “end of the universe” in Houston, where he saw one Starbucks directly across the street from another.

But Starbucks is now struggling, and its strategy of saturating urban areas to draw coffee drinkers on their way to work in the morning has backfired amid competition, the rise of remote work and rising costs.

So CEO Brian Niccol, hired last year from Chipotle to revive Starbucks, no longer wants its stores to be right next to each other. Starbucks is closing roughly 400 stores nationwide that are concentrated in large metro areas as part of its $1 billion restructuring plan.

Starbucks closed 42 locations in New York, or 12% of its total in the city. It recently lost its top spot as the largest chain in Manhattan to Dunkin’, according to Center for an Urban Future, a New York City think tank that tracks chain openings and closings.

Starbucks also reportedly closed more than 20 locations in Los Angeles this year; 15 in Chicago; seven in San Francisco; six in Minneapolis; five in Baltimore; and dozens more in other cities.

Niccol is trying to reposition Starbucks again as a “third place” between home and work.

The chain reviewed its more than 18,000 stores in the United States and Canada, and “closed locations that were underperforming or unable to meet our brand standards,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in an email. The company plans to open stores and remodel others in 2026, including in major metros like New York and Los Angeles, “featuring refreshed designs and elevated experiences that reflect the Starbucks brand.”

Victim of its success

In many ways, Starbucks pioneered the business model that’s now responsible for its struggles.

Before Starbucks, people couldn’t fathom paying more than two bucks for a cup of coffee, let alone have any concept of a latte.

But now Starbucks is closing urban locations in part because it’s been swamped by competition from niche coffee shops, smaller chains such as Gregory’s and Joe’s Coffee, and a wave of smoothie, bubble tea and other beverage shops.

“Urban America has seen a dramatic increase in competitive coffee shop openings that eat away at the store’s volume,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, the mastermind of Starbucks’ real estate and design strategies alongside CEO Howard Schultz during the 1990s and again from 20

By Joan Biskupic, CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst

(CNN) — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has a remarkable record of transforming his old dissenting opinions into the new majority view and setting the direction of the law in America.

Yet the more he wins, the testier he gets.

His most obvious coup came with his 2022 opinion reversing abortion rights. This month’s decision siding with Republicans in the Texas redistricting fight offered a new reminder that Alito in 2024 seized the majority in claims of racial gerrymanders – after being on the losing side a few years earlier.

Still, even on the dominant side of the court, Alito is easily irritated. He lodged a separate, last-minute broadside against liberal dissenters in the Texas dispute over a map alleged to discriminate against Black and Latino voters.

Alito’s aggravation is regularly on display in the courtroom, too.

In a major campaign finance case this month, he reached back nearly 16 years to cite a case in which he voted to reverse precedent on the regulation of corporate money in elections: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. He was in the majority but still feels wronged.

Alito suddenly brought up “our much maligned, I think unfairly maligned, decision in Citizens United.” The decision struck down certain federal limits on corporate and labor union political spending as a violation of the First Amendment.

Alito’s reference to the case could not help but recall his televised reaction at the 2010 State of the Union address after then-President Barack Obama criticized, with some exaggeration, the opinion, saying it “reversed a century of law” and would open the “floodgates for special interests – including foreign corporations – to spend without limit in our elections.” Alito mouthed “not true” at the hyperbole, and the moment captured on camera went viral.

In the courtroom, even the little things can visibly irk Alito. He often grimaces and rolls his eyes. During a death-penalty dispute this month, Alito began offering a hypothetical example to the lawyer at the lectern. The lawyer responded, “may I just finish my sentence?” and then kept talking.

When Alito was able to resume, he laid bare his impatience, saying, “On that hypothetical, three or four sentences later ….”

Other justices laughed. They appear accustomed to his unguarded irritability.

This is the paradoxical byproduct of a justice who has become one of the most consequential members of the bench.

From the start of his high court tenure, 20 years ago this January, Alito made the difference as he succeeded centrist Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and began casting the decisive conservative vote in a series of cases. As the years wore on, Alito authored many closely fought decisions on abortion, voting rights and religion.

His views could shape decisions in pending cases this session on transgender rights, religious freedom and executive power.

In 2026, Alito will also likely be the most-watched justice for anyone wondering if President Donald Trump will soon get another vacancy to fill

By Kevin Liptak, CNN

West Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) — Repeatedly this year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has flown to the United States to praise President Donald Trump as Israel’s greatest champion — and to quietly press him on taking more aggressive action against Israel’s enemies.

On Monday, when Netanyahu meets Trump at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, the message will be similar: He is looking for a tougher approach to Hamas in Gaza, and is warning of new advancements in Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Yet the reception this time may be different. Trump, who promised he would act as a president of peace, has been wary of some Israeli actions in recent months, including strikes in Syria. He is mindful of American public sentiment, which hasn’t favored becoming mired in another Middle Eastern war.

A tenuous Gaza ceasefire that Trump proudly traveled to the region to finalize in October is being tested by continued deadly Israeli operations in the Palestinian enclave and a slow process to move to the second phase of the deal.

And despite many flashy demonstrations of friendship — including Trump’s extraordinary call for Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu amid corruption charges — the relationship between the men has, at moments, become strained over differences in how they view foreign policy in the region.

“I think both both of these guys don’t trust one another. I’m not even sure they like one another. But the reality is they need one another. Trump needs Netanyahu to avoid his much-touted 28-point-plan in Gaza from cratering. And Netanyahu desperately needs the president of the United States, in order to manage growing calls for his resignation,” said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator now at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“Mutual need creates a certain amount of dependency,” he said. “This may not be a great meeting, but it’s not going to crater.”

The Monday meeting at Mar-a-Lago marks the second day in a row Trump has hosted a foreign leader to discuss peace over his holiday vacation, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the estate Sunday.

More than two months after Trump traveled to Egypt to sign the Gaza peace agreement, crucial pieces of the deal remain undefined as Israel tightens its military grip on the battered enclave.

The second phase of the deal includes Hamas’ disarmament, the beginning of reconstruction, and the establishment of post-war governance. At the center of the new plan for administering Gaza is the creation of a “Board of Peace” to be led by Trump and other world leaders.

“It’ll be one of the most legendary boards ever. Everybody wants to be on it,” Trump said at the White House earlier this month.

The US is pushing to move quickly into the next phase, and wants to announce more specifics on the governance of Gaza and a new international stabilization force.

But Israel has been reluctant to further withdraw from Gaza without Hamas disarming. That has created tension with some White House advisers, who believe Netanyahu could be slow-walking the move to the next phase, according to people familiar with the matter.

“Israel has had no better friend in its history than President Trump,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement ahead of the meeting.

“We continue to work closely with our ally Israel to successful

* WHAT…North to northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50
mph.

* WHERE…A portion of southwest California.

* WHEN…Until 3 PM PST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

The post Wind Advisory issued December 29 at 3:06AM PST until December 29 at 3:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Por Jessie Yeung

El actor George Clooney y su familia obtuvieron la ciudadanía francesa, según muestran documentos oficiales del gobierno, después de que él expresara previamente su preocupación por criar a sus hijos en medio del brillo de Hollywood.

Un aviso en el boletín oficial que enumera todas las nuevas naturalizaciones francesas, publicado el sábado, incluye a Clooney, así como a su esposa, Amal Clooney, y a sus hijos gemelos, Alexander y Ella.

Clooney, quien también posee ciudadanía estadounidense, y Amal, una abogada humanitaria británico-libanesa, ya conocen bien su nuevo país adoptivo. Aunque también tienen casas en Inglaterra y cerca de la familia de él en Kentucky, su residencia principal es una granja en Francia, según declaró el actor al New York Times en febrero.

“Al crecer en Kentucky, lo único que quería era escapar de una granja, escapar de esa vida”, declaró Clooney al periódico. “Ahora me encuentro de nuevo en esa vida. Conduzco un tractor y todo eso. Es la mejor oportunidad para una vida normal”.

Hizo comentarios similares en una entrevista con Esquire en octubre.

“Me preocupaba criar a nuestros hijos en Los Ángeles, en la cultura de Hollywood”, dijo Clooney. “Sentía que nunca tendrían una oportunidad justa en la vida. En Francia, la fama les importa un bledo”, añadió.

“No quiero que anden por ahí preocupados por los paparazzi. No quiero que los comparen con los hijos famosos de otros”, dijo.

El actor y director ha expresado durante mucho tiempo sus preocupaciones sobre la privacidad de su familia y en 2021 escribió una carta abierta instando a los medios a mantener los rostros de sus hijos fuera de la prensa por su seguridad.

Francia cuenta con estrictas leyes de protección de la privacidad: es ilegal fotografiar a alguien en un lugar privado o revelar información personal como su domicilio o número de teléfono. También es ilegal publicar fotos de famosos en lugares públicos, a menos que su aparición esté relacionada con su posición como figuras públicas.

Cuando los paparazzi en Francia intentan fotografiar a celebridades durante su tiempo personal, fuera de sus apariciones en los medios, “el personal de seguridad o el asistente de la celebridad tomará una foto o un video de los paparazzi”, escribió el abogado litigante Chassen Palmer en un artículo de 2020 en el California Western International Law Journal.

“Posteriormente, la fotografía y/o el video se envían al abogado de la celebridad, y se informa a los medios de comunicación locales que la celebridad solicitará daños civiles si se publica la fotografía o el vídeo”, lo que “ha disuadido en gran medida de tomar fotografías de celebridades en público”, escribió.

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By Rachel Tashjian, CNN

(CNN) — Fashion! A delight to the senses, a thing of beauty, a source of pleasure, pain and, in its determined ridiculousness, humor. But this year, fashion was more likely to inspire something else: pure, unadulterated rage.

Sydney Sweeney’s great jeans ad — or were they great genes?! — became a cultural firestorm so potent that President Donald Trump weighed in, praising the campaign on Truth Social as “the HOTTEST ad out there.” Months later, Sweeney is still offering explanations in interviews, and one can’t help but politicize her haircuts and clothing choices.

Dutch indie designer (and, in the months since, the head of Jean Paul Gaultier) Duran Lantink’s hilariously realistic top made of jiggling oversized breasts, worn by a male model at Paris Fashion Week in March, was so hotly debated that former Fox news anchor Megyn Kelly dedicated a segment of her podcast to dissecting the look.

“There are always going to be mentally deranged people in our society,” she said. “And then there will be equally cynical advantage takers, like the designers behind this whole thing. The only solution for the rest of us is to say no, call out the depravity, and register how gross we find it. That’s all we can do — or we’re going to lose everything to these people.”

Kelly may be provocative, but almost anyone discussing fashion in 2025 approached it with an attitude that everything is at stake. Seemingly innocuous moments of sartorial froth, like paparazzi shots of Ryan Murphy’s forthcoming “American Love Story” series on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr., led to multi-day debates, as TikTokkers attempted to lay claim to their ultimate authority on the late Bessette Kennedy’s precise style. Kylie Jenner fronting a Miu Miu campaign raised questions over whether the pop cerebral brand had dumbed itself down. And The Row, the understated American label helmed by publicity-shy sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, saw its ethos of quietude turn on itself when a longtime customer, influencer Neelam Ahooja, wrote a Substack post in late October “breaking up” with the label.

Even talking about fashion became a font for rage bait, when designer Edward Buchanan posted an Instagram plea during the Spring-Summer 2026 Paris Fashion Week shows, asking social media commenters to accord designers more respect: “I have read some really heinous comments about the work of many designers in these last few days….Please bring some intelligent criticism to the table otherwise it’s just a troll fest from the comfort of your homes.”

That spiraled into a heated debate over who gets to critique fashion shows at all — do you need to be an expert in the room, or is it just as valid to weigh in as an observer whose platform is social media, even if the stage is just a brand’s comment section?

Fashion is the cradle of trend making, so all this may not be surprising given that Oxford University Press’s word of the year was “rage bait”: content that is explicitly designed to incite outrage. Even if designers (or brands, editors, commentators or celebrities) are just trying to be cheeky or merely delivering what they believe their public wants, we can’t help but respond with sustained exasperation.

Read more

By Brianna Keilar, CNN

(CNN) — Back in 2017, when my husband was still in the Army, we learned he was unexpectedly deploying right as we were going to start trying to get pregnant. Military families get accustomed to this pattern: You plan and the United States Armed Forces makes you go back to the drawing board.

Inconveniently, he had pre-deployment work travel pop up while I was ovulating, which is how we found ourselves explaining to the staff at a local fertility clinic that we needed to freeze my husband’s sperm so I could do an intrauterine insemination while he was away.

It was incredibly stressful. It was like the clinic had never dealt with a couple in our situation. We didn’t have fertility issues that we were aware of, but I was 37 and it felt like we didn’t have a month to waste. One staff member tried to charge us for a full IVF cycle, at a cost of at least $10,000. Ultimately, after a negotiation, we were able to get the job done a la carte for several hundred dollars.

The IUI didn’t work. Maybe I do have fertility issues, I thought. I wasn’t exactly young for having children.

I remember thinking how I wished I hadn’t switched to my husband’s military insurance, TRICARE. It covered only fertility issues related to “a serious or severe illness or injury while on active duty.” My employer-provided insurance did, though it was more expensive but significantly cheaper than paying for IVF out of pocket.

I should note that having the choice of two insurance options is something many military spouses do not have. My husband was at the end of his military career, and his home base was stationary. The constant moves that usually define military life wreak havoc on a military spouse finding a job, let alone maintaining a career. Military spouses have an unemployment rate four to five times the national average. TRICARE is often their only choice for medical coverage.

More than eight years after my failed IUI, as federal employees have seen an expansion in their fertility benefits, TRICARE still doesn’t offer fertility coverage. A couple of weeks ago, it really looked like it would, which is why as we ring in 2026, I am thinking of the military families struggling to have a baby, for whom this new year will be off to a bitter start.

They were banking on a provision in the massive defense bill signed into law by President Donald Trump just before the holidays that would have given them the same kind of access to fertility coverage that other federal employees have.

The IVF language easily passed out of committees in the House and Senate. But as the bill was buffed and polished into a final version for both chambers to pass and send to Trump’s desk, the IVF provision was stripped from the measure just days before a vote.

It was devastating for military family members like Courtney Deady and her husband, a member of the Ohio Air National Guard, who have been trying to have a baby for a decade.

They’ve spent $100,000 on multiple attempts to conceive by intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.

“It’s the mental health, it’s the travel,” Deady said. “There’s so many other things, such as cryopreservation” of embryos.

Deady has one embryo left for one last round of IVF.

She was counting on the fertility coverage in the defense bill. It seemed like it had a real shot. After all, Trump campaigned on making IVF more accessible, and this was the first National Defense Authorization Act he would sign after he reentered the White House.

Broken campaign promise

On the trail in 2024, Trump had pledged that “under

By John Towfighi, CNN

New York (CNN) — The US stock market is about to achieve something so rare that it’s only happened five times since the 1940s: three consecutive years of double-digit gains.

The S&P 500 is set to rise 17% this year, after rising 23% in 2024 and 24% in 2023. That gain comes despite concerns about tariffs, geopolitical turmoil, nerves about a bubble and the longest government shutdown in history.

A three-peat of double-digit gains is relatively rare. The index has only experienced it five times before this year, with two occurrences ending in a four-peat and one — in the 1990s — ending in a five-peat, according to Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.

Stocks were boosted in 2025 by robust corporate earnings, enthusiasm about AI and optimism about interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

“Equity markets are ending the year on a high note, with the S&P 500 on track for its third consecutive year of double-digit returns, driven by AI momentum and a resilient economy that has shrugged off fiscal and political headwinds,” Craig Johnson, chief market technician at Piper Sandler, said in a note.

A year of extreme volatility

The S&P 500 entered the year on the heels of its strongest back-to-back yearly performance since the 1990s. As President Donald Trump prepared to take office, Wall Street was cautiously optimistic about the prospect of further gains.

Stocks tumbled in late January after Chinese tech upstart DeepSeek unveiled an AI chatbot that raised concerns Silicon Valley was pouring unnecessary amounts of money into AI companies. But markets reclaimed higher ground as investors doubled down on bets that US companies were poised to win a race for superior AI technology — a theme that has propelled markets higher this year despite nerves about a bubble.

Markets experienced a bout of historic volatility in the spring as Trump rolled out his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, levying import duties on nations across the globe and threatening to upend the global trading system.

But stocks rebounded sharply after Trump walked back his most severe tariff threats, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in late June hit their first record highs since February. Stocks have largely coasted higher since, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and Fed rate cuts, which can make stocks relatively more appealing than bonds and support higher stock prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 13.7% this year. The blue-chip index entered the year trading around 43,000 points, tumbled below 37,000 points in April, and then rebounded as Trump delayed most of his tariffs. The Dow hit a fresh record high above 45,000 in August and then surpassed 46,000, 47,000 and 48,000 points in quick succession, sometimes hitting those milestones in just a few weeks.

AI has been the story of the year and, consequently, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has risen 21%, making it the best performer of the three major indexes each of the past three years. Tech and artificial intelligence stocks have powered US markets higher since October 2022, when OpenAI first debuted ChatGPT, marking

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By Jack Guy and Jacqui Palumbo, CNN

(CNN) — It’s out with the old and in with the new in Times Square this year as the famous New Year’s Eve ball drop rings in 2026 with a dazzling new ball — the largest in the history of an event that started in 1907.

The Constellation Ball, as it has been named, is the ninth ball to usher in the new year at the famous Midtown Manhattan intersection. It measures 12.5 feet in diameter and weighs just over 12,000 pounds.

The ball features 5,280 circular Waterford crystals in three different sizes — 1.5-inch, 3-inch and 4-inch — as well as LED light pucks. The shape of the crystals is a departure from the triangular ones seen on previous balls since 1999.

“Each new crystal size features a unique design that celebrates the Ball’s spirit of eternal positivity,” reads a statement from the event’s organizers One Times Square.

Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, the firm that owns and operates One Times Square, said the ball “is meant to represent interconnectedness, wholeness, and the cyclical nature of tradition, celebrating the eternal relationship between the past, present, and future.”

The ball drop is an integral part of New Year’s Eve celebrations for those who gather in Times Square, as well for people watching on television.

At 11:59 p.m. a dazzling ball glides slowly down a pole, while attendees — and millions of people tuning in from home — count down from 60. At the stroke of midnight, the crowd erupts into a cacophony of sound, often pulling their loved one in for a ceremonial kiss.

The Times Square ball first dropped in 1907, and it came into being thanks to Jacob Starr, a Ukranian immigrant and metalworker, and the former New York Times publisher, Adolph Ochs. The latter had successfully drawn crowds to the newspaper’s skyscraper home in Times Square with pyrotechnics and fireworks to celebrate the forthcoming year, but city officials banned explosives from being used after just a few years of the festivities.

So Ochs commissioned Starr, who worked for sign-making firm Strauss Signs (later known as Artkraft Strauss, a company at which Starr served as president), to create a new visual display.

Over the past century, that display, and symbol of the New Year, has evolved from an iron and wood cage adorned with light bulbs to a dazzling technicolor crystal sphere.

The concept was based on time balls, nautical devices that had gained popularity in the 19th century. As time-telling became more precise, ship navigators needed a standardized way to set their chronometers. Each day, harbors and observatories would raise and lower a metal ball at the same time to allow sailors to synchronize their instruments.

Both Ochs and the New York Times’ chief electrician, Walter Palmer, have been credited with the idea, allegedly inspired by the downtown Western Union Building, which dropped a time ball each day at noon. But Starr’s granddaughter Tama Starr, who joined Artkraft Strauss in 1982 and now owns the business, said in a phone interview that she believes it was her grandfather who came up with the concept of the ball being lowered and lit up with the new year numerals at midnight.

“The idea was to … have it illuminated with the brand-new electricity that had just come up to the neighborhood,” said Tama, who for many years served as foreperson at the Times Square ball drop. “And it was lowered by hand … starting at one minute to midnight, and that was the way it was done for many years.”

“It was an adaptation of an old, useful thing,” she added. “It was instantly popular. People just loved it.”

Though Manhattan had been partially illuminated by electricity since the early 1880s, the US National Park Service (NPS) notes

CNN Travel Team

(CNN) — Whether you’re a full-time nomad or a once-a-year vacationer, every special travel memory begins with one essential question: where to?

This year, the team at CNN Travel hopes to answer not only the question of where, but also the question of why now? These destinations are special all the time, but there’s something new or significant happening in 2026 that you should know about.

The places to go in 2026 list includes a region that will experience a rare total solar eclipse, a city that has been crowned a capital of culture, a foodie haven that just scored a major global recognition, a beloved tourist island that is bouncing back from a brutal natural disaster, and more.

Adelaide, Australia

More accessible from the US than ever

“You go to move / You got to go / You go to be somebody.” Those lyrics come from a 1978 track from Cold Chisel, the Adelaide-formed band responsible for Australia’s unofficial national anthem. They act as a beacon, summoning travelers to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, in particular.

It may not have the star wattage of Sydney or the Great Barrier Reef, but Adelaide is like a microcosm of everything that makes Australia special: beaches, vineyards, wildlife and best-in-class food and drink.

Now, Americans can get there more easily with the first-ever direct flight from the US, a United route from San Francisco. Start at Adelaide Central Market to try some of South Australia’s finest cheeses, wines and produce, then make the best of the temperate weather at the city’s botanic gardens and by going on bushwalks and star tours led by members of the Aboriginal community.

Adelaide is also the gateway to the beautiful Barossa Valley wine country and to Kangaroo Island, which is welcoming visitors again after being devastated by bushfires in 2020. — Lilit Marcus

Algeria

Rewards for intrepid travelers

Spend your next vacation strolling past the novelty vape shops of some overcrowded European capital if you must. Or you could lose yourself in the sandy infinity of the Sahara, in a country whose intense and silent natural landscapes have been unseen by tourists for decades. Isolated since the 1960s, Algeria began opening up to international visitors in 2023 with new 30-day visas. There are direct flights to capital Algiers from several major European cities, plus Montreal.

Although Algeria hopes to become a major destination, it’s early days and adventurous travelers can still experience epic scenery all to themselves. There are the high-plateau sandstone moonscapes of Tassili n’Ajjer National Park, home to a veritable Louvre of prehistoric art. It’s best explored on a weeklong hiking trip, supported by a caravan of gear-hauling donkeys.

Yes, it’s remote and overnight camp facilities are a little rough, but that cell-phone-signal-free peace is its own five-star luxury nowadays. There’s wildlife to see — desert foxes, jackals and gazelles — and ancient Roman and Ottoman cities near the coast. But the main attraction is the vast, brooding and empty expanse of the Sahara, a sea of golden sand where mountainous dunes glow before sunset, giving way to dark skies alive with stars. — Barry Neild

Arusha, Tanzania

Paying homage to a late legend

At the foot of imposing volcanic Mount Meru lies the city of Arusha, in Tanzania, in the east of Africa. Not far from the wildlife-filled Serengeti National Park and close to base camp for Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is often a gateway to other adventures. That’s despite there being plenty to enjoy in Arusha itself, includin