Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 President Joe Biden Pardons Son Hunter
Despite spending months denying that he would do so, last night President Joe Biden issued “a full and unconditional” pardon for his son Hunter. The president’s son was convicted in Delaware federal court in June on three felony gun charges dating back to 2018 and pleaded guilty in September to misdemeanor and felony charges connected to tax evasion. Hunter said he pled guilty to spare his family more pain and embarrassment; the tax charges carried up to 17 years in prison, and the gun charges were punishable by up to 25 years in prison. In a statement the president issued along with the pardon, he said “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.” He ended his statement by saying, “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.” The pardon covers “those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024, including but not limited to all offenses charged or prosecuted by Special Counsel David C. Weiss.”
2 Snowstorms Hit Several States And Lead To Disaster Declarations
Over four million people in five states were under winter storm alerts yesterday as the Great Lakes region continued to struggle with heavy lake-effect snow. Parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin saw accumulations that could be measured in feet instead of inches, with western New York receiving over three feet of snow since Thursday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday that 11 counties in her state, including the Buffalo area, were in an official state of emergency. More than 18-inches of snow had fallen in Buffalo when the Bills put out a call for shovelers to help remove the snow on the field at Highmark Stadium before last night’s game. Gaylord, Michigan received 24.8-inches of snow Friday alone, which demolished the previous single-day record for the city when 17-inches fell on March 9th, 1942.
3 Black Friday Shoppers Spent A Record $10.8-Billion Online This Year
The season of spending officially began last week, and it’s a big one online. According to Adobe Analytics, Black Friday online shopping alone reached a new high of $10.8-billion. For perspective, seven years ago online sales on Black Friday were just over $5-billion. It wasn’t just Friday that saw massive sales; a record $6.1-billion was spent online on Thanksgiving day itself. The major driver of sales on Black Friday, according to Adobe? Toys, which were up 622-percent over an average day earlier this fall. Sales of jewelry were up 561-percent, appliances by 476-percent, apparel by 374-percent, and electronics by 334-percent. Over half of the online sales on Black Friday happened on a phone.