Friday, January 2, 2026 • 3 min read |
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by Natasha Frost with Anthony Rivas |
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by Natasha Frost with Anthony Rivas |
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Good morning and Happy New Year, folks. For reading inspiration, check out this list of books coming in 2026. I’m intrigued by AI for Good. Now, on to the news. |
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Over 20 million Americans will see their health care premiums spike after the Obamacare subsidies that were at the heart of the government shutdown lapsed with the start of the new year. Here’s what to know. |
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Background: One analysis found that without the subsidies for low-income enrollees, premiums will rise by an average of 114%. The surging prices come amid overall increases in U.S. health care costs. The House is set to vote to extend the subsidies this month, but the effort still faces hurdles. [AP/CNN]
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State by state: Several states, most of which are Democrat-led, are aiming to shield people from the increases — at least temporarily. “We can carry the cost for a little bit, but at some point, we will need Congress to act,” New Mexico’s House speaker said. [Politico]
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Drug price hike: New data shows that drugmakers plan to raise prices on at least 350 medications, including COVID vaccines and cancer treatments, despite efforts by President Trump to lower them. U.S. patients currently pay more for prescription drugs than in other developed nations. [Reuters]
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Mourners leave flowers and candles at the scene of the fire at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1. | Harold Cunningham/Getty Images |
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Around 40 people died and 115 more were injured in a nightmarish blaze at a New Year’s party at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana. “I found people burning from head to foot,” one witness said. The cause is believed to be accidental. [BBC News] |
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor at a decommissioned subway station under City Hall just after midnight yesterday. It was followed by a grander public inauguration. He’s promised to “govern expansively and audaciously.” Here’s what he’s proposing. [AP/CNN]
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Actor and rapper Will Smith has been sued by violinist and America’s Got Talent finalist Brian King Joseph, who is accusing Smith of “predatory behavior,” sexual harassment and wrongful termination while on tour last spring. [Variety] |
‘Stranger Things’ concludes
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After an epic two-hour finale, Stranger Things, one of Netflix’s first original hit series, has come to an end. Read a recap, and see what the showrunners had to say about the biggest lingering questions from the episode. [Entertainment Weekly]
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College Football Playoff recap |
Indiana demolished Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl for their first playoff win, securing a spot in the semifinals. In the Sugar Bowl, Ole Miss beat Georgia in a game that had one of the most chaotic endings in college football history. Watch the final two minutes. [Yahoo Sports]
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Vertical Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection |
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We Bury the Dead, a new zombie thriller starring Daisy Ridley, begins with the accidental detonation of a deadly biological weapon. From there, it takes a surprising turn, as the movie “wisely veers off the beaten path,” one reviewer writes. [TheWrap] |
Follow My Voice (Sigue Mi Voz), an adaptation of Ariana Godoy’s YA romance about a teen with agoraphobia who finds solace in the soothing voice of a radio host, dropped on Prime Video overnight. [Deadline] |
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Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images |
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In 1983, Michael Jackson’s single “Billie Jean” was released, topping charts around the world and cementing his status as a superstar. Against the backdrop of an infectious beat, the lyrics recounted a chilling tale inspired by the family's real-life experiences with obsessive fans. [Parade] |
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Roberto Salomone/The Guardian |
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Last March, the Italian village of Pagliara dei Marsi welcomed a new arrival for the first time in almost 30 years: a baby named Lara Bussi Trabucco. “At just nine months old, she’s famous,” said her mother, Cinzia Trabucco. Read about why Lara has become a symbol of hope. [The Guardian] |
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Don’t chuck out those overripe bananas. Instead, bake them into bread, put them in a hair mask or maybe even use them to help you fall asleep. [One Good Thing by Jillee] |
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Today's edition of The Yodel was written by Natasha Frost, edited by Anthony Rivas, and copyedited by Doreen Bentley. |
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