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Today’s Rundown:
- OLIVIA NUZZI BOOK DETAILS RFK JR.’S ‘TOXIC’ SECRET RELATIONSHIP AND DRUG USE: Journalist Olivia Nuzzi’s new book American Canto gives a detailed, first-person account of her secret relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom she calls “The Politician.” She describes the year-long affair as “toxic,” “crazy,” and “indefensible,” saying he was emotionally needy, controlling, and obsessed with her. The book claims Kennedy, who publicly presents himself as long-sober, continued using drugs like DMT and tried to hide it from the public. Nuzzi also recounts bizarre behavior, including cringe-worthy poetry and over-the-top declarations of love, and repeats earlier court-filing claims that he talked about wanting to “possess” and “impregnate” her. Kennedy’s team has denied the most explosive allegations and called the book unfair, while reviewers are sharply divided over whether it’s brave or simply messy and self-indulgent.
- DIDDY’S LAWYERS DEMAND NETFLIX PULL 50 CENT’S ‘RECKONING’ DOCUSERIES: Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has sent Netflix a cease-and-desist letter over Sean Combs: The Reckoning, a new four-part docuseries executive-produced by rapper 50 Cent. His lawyers call the series a “shameful hit piece” and accuse Netflix of using “stolen” and unauthorized footage, including private moments and legal strategy meetings filmed before his recent conviction. The documentary dives into decades of abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking allegations, featuring former employees, artists, and ex-partners; Combs denies all of these claims. Netflix and the filmmakers say they obtained the material legally and argue the project is in the public interest given his high profile and criminal case. Combs, who is serving a prison sentence on prostitution-related charges and faces multiple civil suits, is threatening further legal action if the series stays on the platform.
- DENNY HAMLIN IN TEARS AS LANDMARK NASCAR ANTITRUST TRIAL OPENS: NASCAR star and team co-owner Denny Hamlin broke down on the stand as he became the first witness in a major antitrust case that could reshape stock-car racing. His team, 23XI Racing (co-owned with Michael Jordan), and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR over its charter and revenue-sharing system. They argue the current structure keeps most TV and prize money with the league and a few top teams, while others struggle to break even despite spending tens of millions a year to field cars. Hamlin testified that it can cost around $20 million just to run a single Cup car for a full season, not counting salaries and overhead. NASCAR defends the charter model as necessary for stability and investment in the sport. The trial’s outcome could change how teams are paid and how much power NASCAR has over its competitors.
- OCEAN SPRAY PROBES VIRAL VIDEOS OF CRANBERRY CANS FILLED WITH WATER: Ocean Spray is investigating after multiple Thanksgiving videos went viral showing cans labeled as jellied cranberry sauce that appeared to be filled with water instead. In several TikToks and Facebook posts, shoppers opened multiple cans on camera and poured out only clear liquid or ice. The clips have drawn millions of views and sparked confusion and jokes online, given how central the brand’s cranberry sauce is to many holiday meals. Ocean Spray says it has contacted the customers, is examining the production lots involved, and will make things right with anyone affected. The company stresses that millions of cans were fine, but says even a single bad can is “unacceptable” and wants to pinpoint whether this was a rare packaging or filling error.
- ECONOMISTS SAY TRADITIONAL PERSONAL FINANCE ADVICE MISSES HOW THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED: A new wave of research and a book called Fixed: Why Personal Finance Is Broken and How to Make It Work for Everyone argues that standard money advice (“budget better,” “skip lattes,” “just invest in index funds”) doesn’t work for most Americans. The authors, economists John Campbell and Tarun Ramadorai, say everyday people are expected to make complex decisions about 401(k)s, mortgages, insurance, and credit products that even experts struggle to fully understand. They argue the real problem is a “toxic interaction” between human mistakes and financial products that are often designed to profit from those mistakes—through hidden fees, confusing terms, and penalties. CBS News notes that Americans score poorly on basic financial literacy tests but still carry most of the risk for their own retirement and debt. The economists call for simpler default options, stronger consumer protections, and better “automatic” features so people don’t have to be money experts just to stay afloat.
- COLORADO PROJECTS $27M ATHLETICS DEFICIT AFTER DEION SANDERS’ RAISE AND NIL COSTS: The University of Colorado’s athletic department is forecasting a $27 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year, largely tied to football spending. Reporting from USA Today says the hole comes after the school nearly doubled head coach Deion Sanders’ pay with a new five-year deal worth over $10 million and boosted name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments and revenue-sharing for players. The department is also taking on new facility and support-staff costs as it tries to stay competitive in the Big 12. Supporters say the investment is necessary in modern college football and argue Sanders has already raised the school’s national profile. Critics worry the financial model isn’t sustainable and could force more borrowing, belt-tightening in other sports, or higher student fees.
- SABRINA CARPENTER SLAMS WHITE HOUSE FOR ‘EVIL’ ICE VIDEO USING HER SONG: Singer Sabrina Carpenter is blasting the Trump White House after it used her hit “Juno” in an official video promoting immigration raids. The clip, shared on social media, shows ICE agents arresting people while her song plays in the background, with text urging some immigrants to leave the country. Carpenter called the video “evil and disgusting” and said her music must not be used to “benefit your inhumane agenda.” Her label and publisher say the administration did not get permission to use the track. The White House is defending the video and has brushed off her criticism, continuing a pattern of clashes with artists who say their work is being hijacked for politics.
- ‘DRUNK’ RACCOON PASSES OUT IN VIRGINIA LIQUOR STORE BATHROOM AFTER BREAK-IN: In Ashland, Virginia, a raccoon broke into a state-run liquor store through the ceiling, knocked bottles off shelves, and apparently drank enough alcohol to get “very intoxicated.” When employees arrived the next morning, they found broken whiskey and scotch bottles all over the floor and the animal passed out face-down on the bathroom tiles. Animal control officers gently scooped up the raccoon, took it to a shelter, and let it “sleep it off” under observation. Officials say the animal wasn’t hurt, beyond what was jokingly described as a bad hangover and poor life choices. After sobering up, the raccoon was released back into the wild, and the shelter’s photos of the incident have turned it into a viral, light-hearted news story.
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