Sunday, December 14, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1799, George Washington, the leader of the American Revolution and the first president of the United States, died at his estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia, at the age of 67.

Beginning in the 1950s, Dear Abby and Ann Landers were the original social influencers, shaping American culture with their newspaper advice columns. Read about their legacy in today's Whatever Happened To... section.

If you believe every child deserves hope, stability, and someone in their corner, today's sponsor, Prison Fellowship International, is working to bring that light into the lives of children affected by a parent’s incarceration.

Two Army Soldiers, Civilian Killed in Syria

Two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush on Saturday after shots were fired at U.S. and Syrian forces near Palmyra, Syria.

Three other service members were injured in the incident and taken by helicopters to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan.

The ambush was carried out by a lone Islamic State gunman, U.S. Central Command said. The gunman was engaged and killed.

The U.S. maintains about 1,000 troops in Syria, primarily as part of its anti-ISIS efforts. After the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad last year, the new government in Damascus pledged to work with the U.S.-led coalition to counter the Islamic State in Syria.

Police Respond to Brown University Shooting

Rhode Island police responded on Saturday to an active shooting with multiple gunshot victims near Brown University’s Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and Physics.

The university’s campus alert system warned students of an active shooter shortly after 4:20 p.m. A second emergency alert just before 5 p.m., announcing the arrest of a suspect, was retracted as authorities are still searching for a suspect or suspects.

Police scanner audio shared on social media referenced unconfirmed reports of up to 20 casualties.

The scene remains active with officials still gathering information. Saturday was the second day of final exams for the university’s fall semester.

List: Popular Festive Holiday Drinks

When it comes to fun holiday beverages, hot chocolate and apple cider remain the most popular choices, a new survey suggests.

According to Coffeeness, which relied on Google search terms, hot cocoa is the drink of choice in 13 states, particularly in cold-weather locations. Apple cider and espresso martinis are the go-to in 11 states. The amaretto sour and French 75 also remain a popular tradition in a few locations.

One time-honored holiday classic, however, seems to have lost its appeal: eggnog was a no-show as a top choice.

Enjoy reading The Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The Trump Administration puts Ukraine-Russia peace on its Christmas list. (Hear More)

➤ Streaming prices keep climbing—and subscribers may be done. (Listen Now)

➤ Missing his regular gumbo meal may have saved one Florida man’s life. (Podcast Available)

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Shine a light on a child’s future

Nearly 19 million children around the world have a parent in prison, and they are among the most vulnerable and overlooked people on the planet.

Many, like Frederick in the Philippines, face stigma, limited access to education, and the pain of family separation. When Frederick’s father was imprisoned, his world grew smaller and more difficult.

But caring mentors from Prison Fellowship International stepped in — offering support, encouragement, and a path toward healing.

Frederick found friends who understood his journey, received school supplies, and was guided spiritually as he wrestled with forgiveness. In time, he even helped restore the broken relationship between his father and grandfather.

Your generosity makes stories like this possible. With your monthly gift of $30 today, you can provide two children of an incarcerated parent with educational assistance, monthly Christian mentoring, Scripture resources, and supportive community events — practical support that helps break the cycle of crime and shines hope into a family’s future.

Please consider making a gift to help more children like Frederick. Thank you!

➤ Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding player in college football. He’s the first Indiana player to win the award. (More)

➤ Blake Horvath’s 8-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal with 6:37 remaining lifted Navy to a 17-16 victory over Army in the 126th Army-Navy Game, with President Trump in attendance. (Watch Touchdown)

➤ Two marquee NFL matchups highlight today’s schedule, with AFC powers Buffalo and New England meeting early and NFC contenders Detroit and Los Angeles clashing later this afternoon. (See schedule)

➤ The Vancouver Canucks traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in a blockbuster deal for three players and a first-round pick, signaling Minnesota’s aggressive push to win now. (More)

➤ Former Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore's criminal charges have been revealed to be home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. (More)

The White House has issued an official Christmas ornament since 1981, honoring presidents and celebrating significant moments in American history. (See ornaments)

A father has filmed his daughters walking down the stairs of the family’s London home each Christmas morning for 30 years. (See Video).

Fort Pulaski’s annual Candle Lantern Holiday Tour allowed visitors to explore the historic fort by lantern light, with carols, living historians, holiday treats, and a dramatic nighttime cannon firing. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

Bring the islands home for the holidays. The NOH Hawaiian Holiday Gift Set includes two beautifully packaged boxes filled with authentic Hawaiian favorites: bold Hawaiian Hot Sauce, refreshing Hawaiian Iced Tea, savory Teri-Burger Mix, sweet-spicy Hawaiian Chicken, rich Hawaiian Style Curry, and the fan-favorite Hawaiian Poke Mix. From comfort food to party appetizers, it’s the most flavorful gift you can give. Shop the NOH Holiday Gift Set and share the taste of Hawai‘i.

Weekly Market Report Previous Week

▼	NASDAQ Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	23,195.17	-1.87%
▼	SPX S&P 500	6,827.41	-0.70%
▲	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	48,458.05	1.01%
▼	BTC Bitcoin	$90,270.41	-0.17%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$4,300.10	2.25%

Bitcoin and gold are traded 24 hours a day.

➤ President Trump said Friday that Kevin Warsh has moved to the top of his list as the next Federal Reserve chair, though others remain in contention. (More)

➤ Intel Corp. is in advanced talks to acquire artificial intelligence chip startup SambaNova Systems Inc. for about $1.6 billion, including debt. (More)

➤ Rivian Automotive has developed its first in-house chip to power next-generation self-driving technology in its electric vehicles. (More)

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Today's Rotator section is brought to you by:

Ladies and gentlemen, here are our most-clicked stories of the week:

➤ The Trump administration proposed a settlement with Missouri that would end a Biden-era student loan payment pause, forcing millions of SAVE plan borrowers to choose new repayment options. (More)

➤ A list of the 102 most important cars spans models from the 1918 Ford Model T to the 2021 Rivian electric pickup, with the 1974 Lamborghini Countach named The Flyover office favorite. (See List)

➤ An English hotel unveiled a 25-foot Christmas tree made of 100,000 balloons, called the Balloon Christmas Tree, assembled over five days by 20 volunteers to raise money for charity. (See Tree)

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➤ If You Have 3+ of These Symptoms, You're Magnesium Deficient. Feeling "off" despite normal blood tests? Leg cramps, brain fog, and sleep issues could signal magnesium deficiency—affecting 70% of Americans over 50. This "invisible deficiency" won't show on standard tests but impacts 300+ body functions. A physical therapy expert shares 7 warning signs and the right magnesium type. (Learn more)

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A child of a prisoner is waiting for someone like you to shine a light of hope for her future.

Around the world, nearly 19 million children have an incarcerated parent, and they face stigma, limited educational access, and heightened risks of exploitation and criminal behavior. But you can help break this cycle.

Through Prison Fellowship International, you provide a child of a prisoner with educational assistance, monthly Christian mentoring sessions, Scripture resources, and community events that foster hope and healing. You'll shine a light on a child’s future and strengthen entire communities through the power of forgiveness and transformation.

Give now to invest in a child's brighter future

Every gift helps break the cycle of crime and provides lasting change.

➤ Attorneys general from 18 Democratic states filed a lawsuit on Friday, arguing the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa application fee will block hiring highly skilled foreign workers. (More)

➤ Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday freed 123 prisoners, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, after talks with a U.S. envoy, prompting Washington to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash. (More)

➤ A former Rockette has gone viral for a 2016 video of her auditioning for the famous dance troupe while seven and a half months pregnant, drawing 11.7 million views and praise. (See Audition)

➤ A rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card, one of 35 rated Near Mint to Mint, is up for auction until Dec. 21 and could sell for more than $1.5 million. (See Card)

➤ Tripoli’s Red Castle museum reopened for the first time since the 2011 uprising, unveiling artifacts spanning 5,000 years of Libyan history, from prehistoric eras to Roman, Greek, and Islamic periods. (See Museum)

➤ An ancient lake returned to Death Valley after record rainfall flooded Badwater Basin, briefly reviving Lake Manly, an Ice Age body of water absent for thousands of years. (See Lake)

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Whatever happened to Dear Abby?

For nearly 70 years, if you had a family squabble, an awkward etiquette dilemma, or a mother-in-law driving you nuts, you knew where to turn. You’d flip open the paper to a familiar voice who never used more than a pen name, yet felt like a trusted friend: Dear Abby.

But “Abby” wasn't a name at all. It was a brand. A media empire built on compassion and, occasionally, a bit of perfectly placed sarcasm.

The column began in 1956, written by Pauline Phillips using the pseudonym Abigail Van Buren. Read the first column here.

Soon, it exploded in popularity, but Pauline had an identical twin, Esther Lederer, who wrote a rival nationally syndicated advice column: Ann Landers. This famous sister rivalry defined their careers. At their peak, the pair reached more than 200 million daily readers combined, essentially becoming the original social influencers shaping American culture.

As Pauline aged, she began transitioning the column to her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who fully took over in 2002. Pauline Phillips passed away in 2013 after battling Alzheimer’s.

Today, the voice has changed slightly—a little more modern, a little less biting—but the heart remains the same: Be kind, be honest, and be witty. You can find new columns every day at dearabby.com, where Jeanne Phillips now fields questions about group texts, HOA disputes, social media oversharing, and the eternal challenge of adult children who won’t move out.

Were you a fan of Dear Abby—or did you prefer her sister, Ann Landers? Let us know by replying to this email.

Santa swapped his sleigh for a wakeboard, putting beachgoers in the holiday spirit as he cruised across the water near Puerto Madryn on Argentina’s Patagonian coast. 🎅🎄

What’s the main dish on your Christmas dinner table?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you own an ugly Christmas sweater?

No: 59%
Yes: 20%
I call mine "festive": 11%
I have several: 10%

Daily Quote

"Certainly, I wasn't really hanging on to any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed, but something about it excited me.”

— Quarterback Philip Rivers, who was signed out of retirement last week by the Indianapolis Colts at age 44, and could play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.