Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,065 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Filmmaker David Lynch passes

• FireAid concert in LA

• Least affordable US cities

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Big Story

Supreme Court Mulls Adult Content

Nineteen states have passed laws requiring people to verify their age before accessing adult websites.

• These laws aim to prevent children from viewing pornographic content. Some major websites, like Pornhub, have chosen to shut down in states with these rules rather than follow them.

• The laws typically require adult websites to check users' ages through government-issued IDs or similar methods. Critics, including website operators, argue this creates privacy risks since it requires collecting sensitive personal information from users. They also point out that people might use non-compliant websites or find ways around the verification.

• The Supreme Court is reviewing Texas's age verification law, and their decision (expected this summer) could affect similar laws nationwide. Early signs suggest the Court may uphold Texas's law, which would likely mean other states' similar laws would stand.

• Meanwhile, more states are joining in — Georgia has already passed its own law that will start in July.

Big Story

David Lynch Dies

David Lynch, the celebrated American filmmaker known for surreal and dreamlike movies, has died at age 78.

• His family announced his passing on Facebook. Lynch said in August that he was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung disease, from many years of smoking. He vowed to never stop working, but his health deteriorated rapidly late last year.

• Lynch was known for creating unique, often strange films and TV series that pushed creative boundaries. His most famous works include "Twin Peaks," "Mulholland Drive," and "Blue Velvet." He received three Oscar nominations for directing and won the prestigious Palme d'Or award at Cannes for "Wild at Heart" in 1990. In 2020, he was honored with an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to film.

• Starting as a painter before moving to filmmaking in the 1960s, Lynch became known for his distinctive style that mixed surreal imagery with dark themes. Fellow artists have praised his approach to filmmaking, with director Ron Howard calling him a "gracious man and fearless artist."

Big Story

New Nicotine Rule

The FDA has proposed a new rule that would limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products.

• The rule limits nicotine to 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco - far below the current average of 17.2 milligrams. If approved, it would make the US the first country to set such a limit. The rule would apply to regular cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, and most cigars, but not to e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches.

• While nicotine itself isn't what makes cigarettes deadly, it's what keeps people using them despite the health risks. The FDA believes that by reducing nicotine levels, fewer young people would become addicted to tobacco, and current smokers would find it easier to quit.

• The FDA will gather public input on the proposed rule and consult with their scientific advisory committee before making a final decision. The proposal has been in the works since 2018, and FDA officials believe it could significantly reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths in the US.

Quick Stories

US News

• Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) will become the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, just one day after Johnson ousted Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) from the role. (More)

• A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested for allegedly being intoxicated before a flight in Georgia, delaying passengers heading to Chicago. The airline apologized and removed the pilot from duty. (More)

• The Biden administration issued an executive order on cybersecurity, setting stricter standards for businesses working with the US government and requiring more transparency from software providers. (More)

World

• UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced new inquiries into historic child grooming gang cases following criticism, including Elon Musk's claims that Prime Minister Keir Starmer mishandled the issue as prosecutor a decade ago. (More)

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a deal has been reached to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Netanyahu said his cabinet will vote to finalize and approve the agreement next. (More)

• Egypt unveiled ancient rock-cut tombs, burial shafts, and artifacts dating back 3,600 years near Luxor on Wednesday. The discoveries were made near Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -0.00%, Nasdaq -0.089%, Dow -0.16%). Big tech shares pulled back and snapped the S&P’s three-day winning streak. (More)

• American Express will pay about $230 million to settle a Department of Justice investigation into criminal wire fraud and civil allegations of deceptive credit card marketing to small businesses. (More)

• Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in a year, citing financial and inventory challenges. The fabrics retailer announced plans to sell the company to maximize its business value. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business manager, is advising a group of investors aiming to raise $5 billion to create an international basketball league to rival the NBA. (More)

• Unranked American Learner Tien defeated No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev in a dramatic five-set match at the Australian Open. Medvedev had reached three of the last four AO finals. (More)

• FireAid, a benefit concert for Los Angeles wildfire relief, will feature performances by Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gwen Stefani, Green Day, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, and others. It’s scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and The Forum. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• SpaceX achieved its second successful catch of the Super Heavy booster during Starship’s 7th test flight in Texas. The booster landed in the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms. However, the Starship spacecraft was lost. (More)

• The FDA officially authorized the sale of Zyn nicotine pouches after a detailed scientific review. The agency determined that the pouches pose a lower risk of cancer and other health conditions compared to cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products. (More)

• Apple has paused AI-generated notification summaries for news and entertainment apps following backlash over inaccurate news alerts. The company is also revising notification summaries to improve transparency and reliability. (More)

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💸 The 25 least affordable cities in America.