Putin could be open to a pause in fighting amid Russia-Ukraine war: Report (thehill.com)
Russian President Vladimir Putin may be open to a cease-fire in his war with Ukraine, so long as the country could still declare victory, a new report by the New York Times found....
Sniffing women’s tears reduces male aggression by 44%, study finds (newatlas.com)
NewAtlas.com
Some Catholic bishops reject Pope's stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused (apnews.com)
In an extraordinary pushback against Pope Francis, some Catholic bishops in Africa, Poland and elsewhere say they will not implement the new Vatican policy allowing blessings for same-sex couples....
When Immigrant Dairy Farm Workers Get Hurt, Most Can’t Rely on Workers’ Compensation (www.propublica.org)
Wisconsin’s exemption for small farms is one of many federal and state carve-outs that have historically left farm workers — and dairy workers in particular — with fewer rights and protections than others....
Colorado releases additional 5 gray wolves as part of reintroduction effort (apnews.com)
Wildlife officials in Colorado have released an additional five gray wolves in the state, bringing the total so far under a voter-approved reintroduction program to 10....
Third-tallest tower in Los Angeles sells for 45% less than last purchase price as remote work, interest rates drive down office values (fortune.com)
Multiple people injured in shooting at Florida mall, police say (abcnews.go.com)
Cummins pickup truck engines systematically tricked air pollution controls, feds say (www.usatoday.com)
Laura Lynch, founding member of The Dixie Chicks, dies in car crash in Texas (www.nbcnews.com)
A Black woman in Ohio was charged after miscarrying in her bathroom. Experts warn of the dangerous precedent. (www.nbcnews.com)
Brittany Watts, 33, was charged after police searched her toilet following her miscarriage in September....
It's not just you: Christmas lights look different now, and can give you headaches — NPR (apple.news)
That story explains why I dislike led lights
A group representing TikTok, Meta and X sues Utah over strict new limits on app use for minors (www.nbcnews.com)
Labor-Led March Protests AIPAC Campaign Contributions to New York Politicians (www.democracynow.org)
Here in New York, thousands of protesters led by union organizers marched through the streets of Manhattan Thursday evening to demand a ceasefire and an end to the influence of the powerful lobby group AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Protesters marched past AIPAC’s offices holding banners displaying the...
State attorney argues Iowa schools have been too broad in banning books under SF 496 (www.desmoinesregister.com)
The attorney representing the state of Iowa suggested in federal court Friday that school districts have been too broadly interpreting a new state law that restricts schools from teaching about LGBTQ-related topics and requires them to ban books depicting sex acts....
Washington state police accountability law in the spotlight after officers cleared in Ellis' death (apnews.com)
A Washington state law aimed at improving police accountability is in the spotlight after three Tacoma officers were acquitted in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained face-down on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath....
The premise of Black Santas caused a fuss 10 years ago — now, they're everywhere (www.nbcnews.com)
Megyn Kelly went viral when she declared Santa Claus “just is white,” but a decade later the idea of what St. Nick can look like has only expanded....
Congress launches an investigation into the Osprey program after the deadly crash in Japan (apnews.com)
A congressional oversight committee has launched an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program following a deadly crash in Japan which killed eight Air Force special operations service members....