Howard Lutnick, the billionaire known for rebuilding financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald after 9/11, has been chosen as the next Commerce secretary by President-elect Trump. A close friend of Trump, Lutnick shares his views on regulations, tariffs, and taxes. He will head the department overseeing agencies like the Census Bureau and NOAA. (UPI)
Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are preparing for a potent “bomb cyclone” with heavy rain and strong winds, prompting concerns about power outages and flash floods. The storm is expected to bring excessive rainfall and strong winds, potentially causing flash floods, travel disruptions, power outages, and tree damage. (AP)
Norwegian police arrested Marius Borg Hoiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on suspicion of rape. This follows previous accusations of bodily harm and violating a restraining order. Police are considering potential charges related to domestic abuse. Hoiby has no official public role within the royal family. (CBS News)
A hacker breached a file containing unredacted testimonies of women involved in the Matt Gaetz investigation about alleged sexual encounters. The file is under seal and is reportedly hundreds of pages. Gaetz, a former Florida congressman and Trump’s choice for Attorney General, faced accusations of sex trafficking a minor. (NBC News)
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a measure to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol. This comes shortly after the election of Democrat Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. McBride criticized the legislation as a distraction from more pressing issues. (NPR)