Firefighters battled exploding fireworks and venting propane tanks during a massive fire that destroyed two homes and damaged a third. #firefighters #Massachusetts #fireworks

Sean Michael, an interior decorator in Connecticut, created illusion his 20-foot Christmas tree smashed through the roof. #Connecticut #Christmas #decorations

A nearly intact mammoth carcass was discovered under thawing permafrost in Siberia. Read more: Scientists discover 50,000-year-old baby mammoth in Russia: 'Remarkably well preserved' https://tinyurl.com/5xkzr98a #Mammoth #Discovery #Science

USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Claire Thornton has the latest after Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges in New York. https://tinyurl.com/3up75vdh President Joe Biden might pardon others before leaving office. How does that work? https://tinyurl.com/3pkr6y48 USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer breaks down a Matt Gaetz ethics report that found 'substantial evidence' of statutory rape and prostitution. https://tinyurl.com/yz4v7b43 Former President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized with a fever. https://tinyurl.com/4d4f49x6 NORAD and Google have live tools to track Santa this Christmas Eve. https://tinyurl.com/5n8wy6dy #Podcast #News #Audio

Paul McCartney brought out Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr during his "Got Back Tour" stop in London. #TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney #RingoStarr

High surf caused part of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, or pier, to collapse, with lifeguards rescuing two people from the water afterward. #SantaCruz #pier #rescue

From Italy to California, Santas are making a splash under and on the water this holiday season. #SantaClaus #water #Christmas

This is why Americans spend over $4.8 trillion on drugs each year. #Medicine #Pharmacy #UnitedStates

Santa Claus is officially on duty as he left his Arctic Circle hometown in the North Pole to bring gifts around the world. #SantaClaus #NorthPole #Christmas

Starbucks Workers United says employees in Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Portland are also picketing to protest low wages, staffing and benefits. #Starbucks #strikes #coffee

North American Aerospace Defense Command tracks Santa.

Here are the top 3 songs of 2024 ranked by USA TODAY national music reporter Melissa Ruggieri including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan. #entertainthis #TaylorSwift #BillieEilish

Hawaiian Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted again, spewing lava and ashes down the summit. #Hawaii #Volcano #Eruption

The man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy Manhattan street faced arraignment Monday on state murder charges just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case. New York state prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione, 26, with 11 counts, including one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder, one as an act of terrorism. If convicted of the state charges he could face life in prison without parole. Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the a state criminal court in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning. One demonstrator played a trumpet and another shouted messages through a bullhorn in support of Mangione as commuters walked past, navigating the crowd and temperatures in the teens.

Donald Trump dismissed recent comments that his ally Elon Musk might be the "real president." Read more: Donald Trump thanks Arizona, says he'll back Karrin Taylor Robson if she runs for governor https://tinyurl.com/3rzcxctv #DonaldTrump #ElonMusk #Politics

UnitedHealthcare CEO slaying suspect Luigi Mangione appeared in a Manhattan court to face murder and terrorism charges. #LuigiMangione #UnitedHealthcare #NewYork

President Joe Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of nearly every inmate on federal death row to life in prison without the possibility of parol. https://tinyurl.com/yz7hacyk President-elect Donald Trump says he will rename the country's tallest mountain, reverting to a former name. https://tinyurl.com/352hm5wb USA TODAY Trending News Reporter Eric Lagatta looks back at the year in space exploration. https://tinyurl.com/2dfbwwc9 Honda and Nissan have begun talks on a potential merger. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé talks through some financial resolutions for 2025. https://tinyurl.com/y8tk3r7v #Podcast #News #Audio

The CH-53A Super Stallion helicopter experienced an in-flight engine fire, officials said. The four crew members escaped unharmed. #Helicopter #Military #Fire