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Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Merry Christmas! On this day in 1826, a drunken Christmas party at the United States Military Academy escalated into the eggnog riot, which involved over one-third of the cadets after a large quantity of whiskey had been smuggled into the academy.

Tonight, millions of Americans will sit down to Christmas dinner, and it will taste better than an ordinary meal for reasons that go beyond tradition. There’s real science behind it, as we report below.

Have a great time with your family. Today’s edition is shorter than usual as our staff takes time to spend the holiday with theirs.

Today’s sponsor, Rosetta Stone, is making it easier to finally follow through on your New Year’s goals by giving you lifetime access to 25 languages for a one-time price—so you can start speaking with confidence in just minutes a day.

Economy Roars Past Expectations

The U.S. economy grew at 4.3% in the third quarter—the fastest pace in two years—blowing past the 3.3% forecast and fueled by robust consumer spending.

President Trump celebrated the results, posting on Truth Social that "TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers" and noting that the reading exceeded most economists' predictions. See his post here.

Consumer spending jumped 3.5%, while exports surged 8.8% and imports fell, though the report is considerably outdated after being delayed by the 43-day government shutdown.

The report likely reduces chances of another Federal Reserve rate cut in January, with inflation accelerating to 2.9% in the quarter.

US Steps Up Venezuela Pressure

The U.S. has surged special-operations aircraft and troop-carrying cargo planes into the Caribbean this week as President Trump escalates pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to U.S. officials and flight-tracking data.

At least 10 CV-22 Osprey aircraft tied to elite special forces units arrived alongside C-17 transports carrying personnel and equipment into Puerto Rico.

The buildup comes as Trump ordered a blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers, declared the country's airspace effectively closed, and refused to rule out airstrikes or land operations.

Defense officials declined to detail the movements, but analysts say the deployments signal forces being positioned for possible direct military action.

Christmas Eve Storm Threatens SoCal

Southern California—which typically receives just 2.4 inches of rain for the entire month of December—is bracing for an 18-hour deluge today that could bring up to 9 inches of rain and life-threatening flooding.

The storm threatens mudslides near recent wildfire burn scars, with evacuation warnings issued for the Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst burn areas through 11 p.m. Thursday.

Road closures began on Monday, with Topanga Canyon Boulevard shutting down completely and Pacific Coast Highway remaining open, with crews pre-positioned at vulnerable spots.

Wind gusts could reach 70 mph, and the region faces debris flows that can be triggered by as little as half an inch of rain per hour on burned slopes. Here’s a look at the flood timeline.

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the link will take you directly to The Flyover Podcast's playlist:

➤ Hunter Biden publicly criticized key decisions of his father’s presidency in a recent podcast. (Hear Details)

➤ The 60 Minutes segment on Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison was aired in Canada. (Podcast Available)

➤ TSA warned travelers that wearing this festive item through security could lead to unnecessary pat-downs. (Listen Now)

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The White House released its official Christmas portrait showing President Trump and First Lady Melania in formal black attire, holding hands before decorated trees. The serious-toned photo sparked social media speculation about their unsmiling expressions. (See Portrait)

Your brain is wired to love Christmas food through memory, emotion, and sensory integration. Holiday spices trigger warming sensations, while nostalgia and seasonal physiology amplify the reward response beyond everyday meals. (See Science)

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez transformed their $165 million Beverly Hills mansion into a Christmas village for a star-studded holiday bash. The Kardashians attended the party at the 10-acre estate featuring a UFO-shaped sauna. (See Party)

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➤ The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's emergency request to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area. The unsigned order stated the government "failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois." (More)

➤ Louisiana deployed 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans through February after Trump floated sending federal forces over crime concerns. Service members will support security for New Year's Eve, the Sugar Bowl, and Mardi Gras in the French Quarter alongside state and local law enforcement. (See Deployment)

➤ A deadly explosion ripped through a Pennsylvania nursing home Tuesday afternoon, killing at least two people and trapping others inside as flames and smoke poured from the building. (More)

➤ Former Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska said Tuesday he has been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer, calling it a “death sentence” in a post on X. Sasse, 53, said he learned of the diagnosis last week and plans to keep fighting while leaning on faith, family, and medical advances. (More)

➤ Police officer Jack Hibbert, shot in the head during the Bondi Beach attack, has been released from the hospital in what his family calls a miracle. The 22-year-old lost vision in one eye but continued helping people after being shot. (See Recovery)

➤ Powerball's jackpot is $1.7 billion for tonight's drawing, the fourth-largest in U.S. lottery history, the 47th in the current cycle—a Powerball record. (See Numbers)

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