- In a morning press conference, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for a thorough investigation into a CIA report that Russia hacked the US election [1]. Senator John McCain also said he has no doubt about Russia's involvement [2] and called it a "grave threat to US national security." The leading Republicans and Donald Trump [3] differ in their approach, as the president-elect has called the claims "ridiculous."
- Speaking of election drama, a judge has rejected Jill Stein's ballot recount efforts in Pennsylvania [4]. US District Judge Paul Diamond wrote a 31-page decision saying that Stein's hacking claims were "irrational" and that granting her the bid would "ensure that no Pennsylvania vote counts." Stein's efforts in Michigan were also blocked by a judge last week; the Wisconsin recount is expected to end today.
- The home renovation world is buzzing with the news that HGTV's star Flip or Flop couple is separating. [5] Tarek and Christina El Moussa have split after seven years of marriage and six seasons cohosting together. The couple's challenges have been well-documented, including their struggle to conceive a second child, Tarek's battle with thyroid cancer, and a recent altercation in which police were called to their California home.
- In other entertainment news, the Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning [6]. The musical La La Land led the film category with seven nominations, followed by the drama Moonlight with six. On the TV side, miniseries The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story swept the TV nominations with five and joined popular shows like Westworld, Stranger Things [7], and This Is Us that were also recognized. Jimmy Fallon [8] will host the show on Jan. 8 on NBC.
- Is this the best Christmas gift or what? Music legends Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie will unite for an upcoming tour [9] that kicks off in March in Baltimore. The 35-show concert series, called All the Hits tour, is Carey's first North American tour in more than six years and will make stops in major US cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas. Tickets go on sale Dec. 17.