Good morning, it’s the middle of the week already. I was afraid this first post-holiday, full workweek would drag, but instead it’s flying by – almost too fast for my taste.
The holiday season is, for many people, chock full of rituals.
I know people who have thrown the same party on the same date, purchased a tree from the same tree farm, served the same menu, played the same Christmas Eve games, etc. and so on, for many years. These traditions are often handed down from one generation to the next, even as they evolve and take on new meaning as additional friends and family members become part of the picture.
At my old job, we had a few holiday traditions. One, which I did not participate in as a rule, was an ugly sweater contest. I don’t like ugly clothing. It makes me feel, well, ugly, which is not – in my opinion, anyway – the point of fashion. Also, I had to go on camera, and I definitely won’t wear ugly clothes while reading the news.
I am making an exception this year to attend an ugly sweater party that a friend in Florida is hosting. For this, I have procured off the interwebs probably the most heinous item of clothing I have ever owned.
It is a cardigan that features sunglasses-clad flamingos on either side of the chest. Who even dreams up this sort of thing?
But wait, it gets worse. The flamingos are sporting Santa hats and “smoking” candy canes, surrounded by a plethora of bells, tinsel, and pompoms. I think it’s made out of rayon or some other synthetic fiber, because it feels like a cross between tinfoil and steel wool.
I will be throwing this sweater out in short order after wearing it for what will hopefully be a short time; thankfully, it cost less than $10 – even with shipping.
Another old job tradition that I did participate in was a cookie exchange. Even though I try not to eat a lot of sugar, a cookie is just the right size for a little treat – assuming you’re able to stop at one or two. I get bored of food easily, which is why I never order an entree, but like to stick to a few appetizers for variety’s sake. So a cookie exchange is right up my alley.
Sadly, the sort of “healthy” cookies I tended to bake didn’t fare terribly well. But the rule is that you can participate if you bring something to share – along with your own cookie container. No one says anything about bringing something other people are sure to enjoy. And personally, I very much like an oatmeal raisin made with natural peanut butter, applesauce instead of oil, and stevia sweetened chocolate chips.
The word “cookie” has its roots in the Dutch word “koekje,” which means “little cake.” Cookies have long been a holiday tradition for a number of reasons, the interwebs tell me – both here in the U.S. and in other countries, especially Germany, which is well known for its treat-making capacity.
In Medieval times, bakers found that cookies were the perfect holiday gift – they were relatively easy to make in large batches, didn’t take up a lot of storage room, and traveled well. Gingerbread, which continues to be a seasonal favorite to this day, originated around that time.
And, of course, there’s the plate of cookies that one leaves for Santa on Christmas Eve so he can keep his strength up while he visits all the good children around the world. I know people who go all out and also leave carrots for the reindeer, along with reindeer “dust” (a combination of glitter and dried cereal) sprinkled on the lawn so they know exactly where to land.
Apparently, the practice of leaving cookies out originated in this country during the Great Depression, and was adopted by parents who were trying to instill a sense of thankfulness in their kids at a very difficult and lean time.
Today is National Cookie Day, which you can celebrate by 1) making your own cookies and eating them, or 2) supporting local businesses by buying some cookies (there are deals to be had out there today, FWIW) and eating them. If you indulge, you’ll be contributing to the roughly 7 BILLION cookies consumed in the U.S. every year, (about 1,000 cookies per person every 365 days…which means someone out there is definitely eating for me).
Chocolate chip cookies are, hands down, America’s favorite. However, around Christmastime, a very wide variety is available – again, depending on where in the world you might find yourself.
Personally, I wouldn’t turn down a thumbprint jam cookie, or a macaroon, but am currently intrigued by something called Dominostein, a three-layer cookie that is primarily sold during this season in Germany and Austria. If anyone knows where I can procure these, please hit me up.
It’s definitely curl-up-with-a-hot-drink-and-a-cookie weather. We could see some flurries or snow showers today. It will otherwise be cloudy and chilly, with temperatures struggling to hit the mid-30s.
In the headlines…
Sheriff Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, withdrew his name from consideration for the office yesterday, only three days after he was tapped.
Chronister announced his withdrawal in a message on social media, saying that as “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in,” he had changed his mind about accepting the nomination.
“I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County,” he added.
Trump is considering replacing Pete Hegseth, his controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, with one-time 2024 rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, people familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal.
The move comes as Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News personality, faces increasing scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.
Trump’s transition operation announced that it had belatedly signed an agreement with the Justice Department that will allow the F.B.I. to conduct background checks on people Trump intends to appoint as senior officials in his new administration.
Sen. Joe Manchin III, the Democrat turned independent from West Virginia, delivered his farewell speech to the Senate yesterday afternoon, urging his colleagues to overcome partisanship and try to find ways to work together.
Manchin, who often sought bipartisan compromise while also leveraging the power of a decisive vote over the past few years, focused in on one factor that could unite his colleagues: their frustration with Joe Manchin.
Manchin said in an interview with CNN that President Biden should pardon Trump.
Rahm Emanuel, who currently serves as U.S. ambassador to Japan, advised that Democrats should “welcome” Trump’s newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.
Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz is the first Democrat to join the DOGE Caucus, a group that aims to be a counterpart to the forthcoming “Department of Government Efficiency,” also referred to as DOGE, in the Trump White House.
Trump’s attorneys have asked the judge who presided over his criminal hush money case to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury’s guilty verdicts — arguing their client is a victim of the same “raw politics” Biden cited in pardoning his son, Hunter.
In a filing made public yesterday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate” granted to Trump by voters.
Trump prosecutor Fani Willis was dealt a massive blow yesterday after her prosecution of the YSL gang — Georgia’s longest-running trial — ended with the acquittals of the last two defendants in the case.
Since the U.S. Justice Department dropped its two cases against Trump after his election in November, Willis has the last active prosecution of the president-elect.
A consumer advocacy group wants the FTC to open an investigation into whether Dr. Mehmet Oz violated influencer marketing rules by promoting products from a wellness and supplement company across social media without appropriate disclosures.
Members of South Korea’s political opposition submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his imposition of martial law plunged the country into crisis.
The declaration, in an unscheduled televised address late yesterday, incited chaos within one of America’s closest allies and evoked memories of the dictatorial regimes in South Korea that stifled peaceful dissent and created a police state.
South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has pledged to serve the people “until the very end” following a slew of resignations and growing calls for the president to resign.
The imposition and abrupt cancelation of martial law have created uncertainty for South Korea’s economic outlook.
Sen. Chuck Schumer was unanimously re-elected to serve another two years as the Senate Democratic leader yesterday, ahead of the party officially losing control of the upper chamber in January.
In an internal party meeting, Democrats largely kept their current slate of party leaders, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar getting elevated to serve as chair of the Steering and Policy Committee, replacing retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow in the No. 3 perch.
The US Supreme Court justices today will hear the marquee case of the term, a challenge to a Tennessee law banning several forms of medical care for transgender youths.
A measure to bar Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana’s first transgender state legislator, from using the women’s restroom at the State Capitol failed to pass the House Rules Committee yesterday, with several Republicans voting against it.
The proposal, which addressed the restrooms reserved for lawmakers between the House and Senate chambers, would have effectively barred transgender people from using the bathrooms that align with their gender identities.
“I’m happy to see that this proposed ban failed and am grateful for my colleagues—particularly my republican colleagues—who recognized this as a distraction from the work we were elected to do,” Zephyr said.
A federal judge in New York ruled this week that companies can’t use California labor rules aimed at protecting workers’ privacy to justify withholding evidence in court cases.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is eyeing restrictions on cellphones in the classroom for the next school year, recently meeting with a group of education advocates to discuss a proposal to prohibit the use of cellphones during the school day.
Hochul announced pay increases for engineers and related licensed positions across New York state government, aiming to recruit and retain employees vital to maintaining the state’s infrastructure.
In a letter, Rep. Ritchie Torres accused the Hochul administration of pre-selecting a vendor for the state’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) before soliciting bids from other vendors.
But the outspoken congressman — zeroing in on a change Hochul made to the program — refused to criticize a powerful state healthcare union that heavily advocated for the revision.
Hochul announced the execution of contracts for 23 large-scale land-based renewable energy projects, set to deliver over 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy—enough to power more than 700,000 homes across New York State.
A coalition of 18 cannabis industry advocates is calling on Hochul to appoint new leadership to the Office of Cannabis Management with a background in the pot business, claiming the current regulators are not bringing the New York market to higher ground.
School districts that have a reliably wealthy tax base, an excessive surplus, or see a significant drop in enrollment would receive less funding from the state under a proposal expected to be considered in New York next year.
Mayor Eric Adams said he’s open to deporting migrants from New York City who have been charged with crimes – a shift from his past stance of waiting for convictions before shipping off immigrant criminals.
The mayor has argued that he was indicted because he criticized border policies. He also said that he has rights that migrants do not because “the Constitution is for Americans.”
“The Constitution is for Americans,” Adams told reporters at his weekly City Hall press conference. “I’m not a person that snuck into this country. My ancestors have been here for a long time.”
Adams, long hampered by the Biden administration’s immigration policy, said yesterday that he has requested a meeting with incoming border czar Tom Homan.
“My position is people who commit crimes in our city, you have abdicated your right to be in our city and I am open to figure out the best way to address that,” the mayor said.
Adams went on to condemn the impact of “cancel culture” on political discussions, saying he is not afraid of potential backlash from his constituents.
Asked at a press conference for his reaction to Biden pardoning his son Hunter, Adams pulled a copy of The New York Times out from his lectern and read aloud from a front page story.
“’President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump now agree on one thing: the Biden Justice department has been politicized,'” Adams read, adding: “Does that sound familiar?”
Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, one of several Democrats challenging Adams in next year’s mayoral election, rolled out a policy blueprint to build and preserve 1 million homes in New York City over the next decade.
Broker fees are set to disappear for most New York City renters, as Adams said he would not veto a City Council bill that would make those who hire brokers responsible for paying them.
The Manhattan jury weighing the criminal charges against Daniel Penny in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely started deliberations in the lightning-rod case yesterday.
The panelists who got the case around 1:15 p.m. sent one substantive note requesting to rehear Justice Maxwell Wiley’s instructions on the justification defense and the offenses charged. They said they were ready to go home shortly before 5 p.m.
Adams appeared to defend the Marine veteran charged in the death of Neely, a homeless man with a lengthy criminal history who shouted death threats in a subway car before he was subdued and choked out.
New York City is under a “street tree emergency” sparked by drought conditions — with recent rain doing little to end what could be a crisis for the city’s plantlife.
New bus lanes and pedestrian safety upgrades are now in effect on Manhattan’s 96th Street, city transportation officials said.
Residents of Queens tomorrow get to weigh in on Metropolitan Park, a sprawling entertainment complex and casino eyed for property neighboring Citi Field.
The city’s top independent schools now charge around $65,000 a year and, increasingly, offer partial financial aid to parents who are among the highest earners in the country — but still make millions of dollars less than the richest families in their communities.
The New York Racing Association’s presence at the city’s historic track is expanding once more — this time with a longer Belmont Stakes stay and a July 4 racing festival.
One of three Colonie town justices claims his judicial colleagues have unfairly targeted him with unfounded allegations that he used another attorney as a “straw man” to file cases in Town Court on eviction matters involving the justice’s private law practice.
NSH USA Corp. is building a new, 18,000-square-foot addition to its headquarters and manufacturing assembly plant on Broadway in Menands.
The Facebook event page for a 41-year-old elementary school craft fair in Bethlehem has been hacked, and the organizer said Facebook will not give it back to the elementary school that set it up.
Part of Broadway in downtown Troy was closed yesterday due to a ruptured eight-inch water pipe.
Photo credit: George Fazio.
