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Today’s Rundown:
- ARKANSAS TICKET WINS HISTORIC $1.817B POWERBALL JACKPOT: A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas hit the $1.817 billion jackpot from the Christmas Eve drawing, one of the largest lottery prizes ever announced in the U.S. Reports say the ticket was purchased at a gas station near Little Rock, and the winner has not been publicly identified. The cash option was reported at roughly $835 million before taxes, with the larger amount paid as an annuity over time. Lottery officials urged the winner to sign the ticket, secure it, and contact the state lottery to begin the claims process. The win ended a long stretch of drawings without a jackpot winner, which helped the prize grow so large.
- TRUMP POSTS HEAVILY ON CHRISTMAS DAY, MIXING POLICY BOASTS AND ATTACKS: President Donald Trump posted repeatedly on Christmas Day, using social media to praise the economy and promote his administration’s message. Some posts and reposts targeted Somali immigrants and included claims of voter fraud, continuing themes he has used in prior political messaging. Coverage noted that the volume of posts was unusually high for a holiday and quickly became a major topic of discussion online. The White House has not indicated any policy change tied directly to the posts, but the messaging drew criticism from some observers and attention from national media. The episode shows how social media remains a central tool for Trump’s communication strategy, even on major holidays.
- U.S. STRIKES ISIS-LINKED TARGETS IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA, OFFICIALS SAY: The U.S. carried out airstrikes in northwest Nigeria targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants, according to reporting that cited U.S. and Nigerian officials. President Trump announced the action and framed it as a strike against militants responsible for attacks, including violence impacting Christian communities. U.S. Africa Command said the operation killed multiple militants, and Nigerian officials described it as coordinated and based on shared intelligence. Nigerian leaders also emphasized that extremist violence has affected both Muslims and Christians, pushing back on overly simple religious framing. The strike signals deeper U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation at a time of persistent insurgent threats in parts of the country.
- BARI WEISS DEFENDS PULLING A “60 MINUTES” SEGMENT AS AN INTEGRITY CALL: CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss defended her decision to halt a planned “60 Minutes” segment, saying additional context and reporting were needed before airing. Accounts of the internal dispute say the segment involved U.S. deportations and a high-security prison in El Salvador, and that the late decision upset staff involved in the piece. Weiss argued the standard should be complete sourcing and fair presentation, especially on politically sensitive reporting. The controversy widened after versions of the unaired segment circulated outside CBS, prompting more public attention. CBS has indicated the reporting could continue, but the timing and editorial decision have become part of a broader debate about newsroom independence and trust.
- UNLV’S OWN TEAMMATE COLLISION BECOMES VIRAL BOWL-GAME MOMENT: In UNLV’s Frisco Bowl loss to Ohio, a goal-line play went wrong when a UNLV player collided with his own ball carrier, briefly preventing what looked like an easy touchdown. The moment spread quickly online because it was both unusual and costly in a tight red-zone situation. UNLV did score shortly afterward on the same drive, but the mistake became a defining highlight of the game’s chaos. UNLV’s own postgame recap described the night as filled with “self-inflicted” problems, consistent with the turnover- and mistake-heavy feel. Ohio ultimately won 17–10, capping its season with a bowl victory.
- NETFLIX CHRISTMAS NFL BROADCAST DRAWS BACKLASH; SNOOP HALFTIME STANDS OUT: Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL presentation faced criticism from viewers who complained about production choices and the overall viewing experience during the Lions–Vikings game. Reports highlighted complaints such as awkward mid-game elements and audio or broadcast issues, while noting that the game itself also disappointed some fans. At the same time, Snoop Dogg’s halftime performance was widely described as the most entertaining part of the telecast, with multiple guest appearances. Netflix has positioned the games as a major holiday event and a test of its live-sports capabilities. The mixed reaction suggests the company may need to refine the broadcast format if it wants the product to feel closer to a traditional NFL viewing experience.
- TRUMP-HOSTED KENNEDY CENTER HONORS HITS RECORD-LOW TV AUDIENCE: Early reporting on viewership said the Trump-hosted Kennedy Center Honors broadcast drew its smallest audience yet, based on preliminary Nielsen estimates cited by multiple outlets. Coverage also noted that CBS kept the traditional name on-air and that Trump’s recorded opening remarks were edited down for broadcast. The low ratings come amid wider controversy around Trump’s influence at the Kennedy Center and debate over branding and governance changes. Regardless of politics, the numbers continue a longer trend of declining linear TV audiences for many award-style broadcasts. Analysts will watch whether the show stabilizes in later ratings updates and how CBS handles the event in future years.
- WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SPEEDING TO REACH LITTLE CAESARS BEFORE CLOSING: Authorities in Florida arrested a 21-year-old woman after deputies said she was driving at triple-digit speeds in a 55 mph zone. According to the arrest account, she told law enforcement she was trying to get to Little Caesars before it closed. The incident did not report injuries, but it drew attention as an example of dangerous speeding and the risks it poses to other drivers. Police documents and local coverage said she was booked on a serious speeding-related charge. Officials used the case to reinforce a basic message: no food pickup is worth putting lives at risk.
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