Good morning, everyone. The Central and Eastern U.S. are projected to get heavy winter weather over the next 72 hours. Here’s what to expect in your region. Now, on to the news.
NEED TO KNOW
The Golden Globes were last night. Oppenheimer, Succession and The Bear were the big winners, while Barbie, which led the field with nine nominations, snagged just two awards.
Historic wins: Lily Gladstone became the first Indigenous woman to win Best Actress in a motion picture drama, while Ali Wong and Steven Yeun were the first actors of Asian descent to win their categories for a limited series. [Variety / CNN]
Viral moment: As the nominees for Jennifer Lawrence’s award category were read, she jokingly mouthed to the camera, “If I don’t win, I’m leaving!” [Today]
Red carpet looks: Among the standouts, Margot Robbie channeled Barbie once again and Taylor Swift fueled Reputation rerecording rumors with a green ensemble. [Yahoo Entertainment]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
🗳️ Biden’s reelection campaign
President Biden officially began his 2024 presidential campaign over the weekend. In his kickoff speech, he said likely GOP opponent Donald Trump is “willing to sacrifice our democracy” to gain power. [NBC News]
🌍 Blinken tours Middle East
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in the Middle East amid fears that Israel’s Gaza offensive could ignite other regional conflicts. He assured Arab leaders that the U.S. opposes the forcible displacement of Palestinians. [Reuters]
🚀 Vulcan rocket launch
The Vulcan rocket, which launched this morning, aims to be the first American spacecraft to make a soft lunar landing since 1972. Its payloads include NASA experiments and the ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry. [New York Times]
✈️ Boeing grounded
The FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after a hole formed on an Alaska Airlines aircraft on Friday. Customers may be subject to cancellations or rerouted itineraries. [USA Today]
🏈 NFL playoffs
The Bills, Steelers, Texans and Packers are headed to the playoffs after the regular season ended this weekend. Another big story: Bill Belechick’s future with the Patriots. [Yahoo Sports / Yahoo Sports]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
📺 Jonathan Majors gives his first TV interview since being convicted of assault on Good Morning America, with an extended cut airing at 7 p.m. ET on ABC News Live. [People]
🏈 The College Football Playoff National Championship between Michigan and Washington starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. [Yahoo Sports]
🍪 It’s National Gluten-Free Day. Celebrate by trying the new gluten-free Golden Oreos. [Food & Wine]
🎬 Showtime subscribers: The network has been rebranded as Paramount+ With Showtime. Here's what that includes. [Variety]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Check the forecast in your area. Read your daily horoscope. Play the Daily Crossword.
TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1994, Tonya Harding won the women's U.S. Figure Skating Championship. She was later stripped of her title for her alleged involvement in an attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan a day before the event. [AP]
3 QUESTIONS
Congress returns from holiday recess today. My Yahoo News colleague Jon Ward explains what to expect.
Lily: Congress is back from holiday break today. Where did they leave off?
Jon: There’s a lot they have to do. Top of the list: President Biden wants them to pass $110 billion in funding for Ukraine, Israel, aid to Gaza and Taiwan. House Republicans want stricter border controls in return.
Lily: Two government shutdown deadlines are approaching. Will Congress pass the spending bills this time?
Jon: Congressional leaders announced an agreement on spending limits yesterday. It's progress, but Republicans and Democrats will have to work together to avoid a shutdown.
Lily: Where does the Biden impeachment inquiry stand?
Jon: The GOP’s unanimity on impeachment signals how cheapened impeachment now is. Hunter Biden’s conduct may have been shady and possibly illegal, but the GOP has so far failed to link his business deals to his father.
Get more from Jon: Read his national reporting.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
At just 15 years old, Alena McQuarter graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. She’ll also earn her master’s in biology this May. “I'm looking forward to making a bigger impact in the world,” she said. [USA Today]
Have a great day. See you tomorrow!
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: If you’re a Verizon customer, you may be owed up to $100. Look out for an email on how to file a claim. [CNN]
About The Yodel: The Yodel is a morning newsletter from Yahoo News. Lily Herman curates trusted news and daily delights from the top news publishers.
If you start your day with The Yodel, you can keep up with weather, national news, politics, entertainment and sports — in four minutes or less.
