Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,183 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Judge blocks Ten Commandments in Louisiana classrooms

• Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott out for the season

• Half of travelers break the law on vacation

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Big Story

FDA to Ban Common Cold Medicine

The FDA is trying to ban oral phenylephrine in cough and cold medicines because it doesn't work effectively as a decongestant.

• Oral phenylephrine is commonly found in over-the-counter products like NyQuil, Sudafed, and Advil Cold & Sinus. Experts reviewed data and determined that phenylephrine doesn't effectively relieve congestion when swallowed.

• Studies by pharmacy researchers showed that only a tiny fraction of oral phenylephrine is absorbed by the body. In contrast, phenylephrine nasal sprays work better because more of the drug reaches the bloodstream.

• The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) opposed the decision, saying that oral phenylephrine is a safe option that consumers rely on.

• Some stores have already pulled the products. CVS removed products with only phenylephrine from its shelves after the report was released last year.

Big Story

Judge Blocks Ten Commandments in Classrooms

A federal judge blocked Louisiana from enforcing a new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms.

• The judge argued that the law was unconstitutional, saying it forces students to view religious messages. The law is now paused while the state appeals the decision. It was scheduled to start in January. The Attorney General disagreed with the ruling and plans to continue the fight to keep the law.

• A group of parents and organizations, including the ACLU, opposed the law, arguing it would interfere with the right to raise children according to personal beliefs. They believe public schools should be neutral spaces where students of all faiths feel included.

• During the court case, a law professor testified that the Ten Commandments aren’t central to US government principles and that America’s founders supported separating church and state. The Attorney General argued the law was constitutional, saying the posters could be created to comply with legal standards.

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Big Story

Zhuhai Rampage

A 62-year-old man, identified as Mr. Fan, drove his car into a stadium in Zhuhai, China, killing at least 35 people and injuring 45 others.

• The attack is one of the deadliest public violence acts in China in recent decades. Police believe Mr. Fan acted out in frustration over a recent divorce settlement. He was arrested while trying to flee and is currently in a coma due to self-inflicted injuries.

• The stadium is a popular running track, and many locals gather there to exercise together. Witnesses reported that Mr. Fan deliberately targeted people by driving in loops around the track.

• Videos and reports of the attack were quickly censored on Chinese social media, a common practice in China when high-profile crimes occur. Journalists attempting to cover the story were also told to stop filming.

Quick Stories

U.S. News

• A federal judge sentenced Massachusetts Air National Guard Jack Teixeira to 15 years in prison for leaking top-secret military documents about the Ukraine war. Teixeira had pleaded guilty to sharing the classified information earlier this year. (More)

• At least 11 people were hurt in an explosion in Louisville, Kentucky. The blast happened at a Givaudan Sense Colours factory, which makes food colorings. No deaths were reported. (More)

• A Wisconsin father who went missing at a lake this summer may have faked his death and escaped to Eastern Europe. Authorities are asking Ryan Borgwardt to come forward, saying they just want to know he’s safe and “can work things out.” (More)

World

• Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after an investigation found he didn’t report a serial abuser who harmed over 100 boys and young men at Christian camps in the UK and Africa. Welby knew about the abuse in 2013 but didn’t alert authorities, according to the review. (More)

• The Biden administration said Tuesday that Israel has made some progress in getting more humanitarian aid into Gaza, so it won't limit arms transfers to Israel for now. However, relief groups say conditions in Gaza are worse than ever in the 13-month war. (More)

• The FAA has banned US flights to Haiti for 30 days after gunfire incidents on Monday. The decision came after a Spirit Airlines plane from Ft. Lauderdale was hit by gunfire while trying to land in Port-au-Prince. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Tuesday (S&P -0.29%, Nasdaq -0.09%, Dow -0.86%). Stock gains retreated slightly after their post-election rally. Today’s inflation report and Friday’s retail sales report will shape the market in the near term. (More)

• The US Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group over its $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys Inc., a large home health and hospice care provider. The DOJ believes the sale will increase home health care costs in some areas. (More)

• A Dutch appeals court has overturned a ruling that ordered Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The original ruling stated that protecting against dangerous climate change is a human right. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a hamstring injury. Team owner Jerry Jones announced that Prescott will undergo surgery today. Backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance will take over for the rest of the season. (More)

• Lena Dunham is writing the script for a movie about FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, based on Michael Lewis' 2023 book Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon. The film is being produced by Apple Studios and A24, and is in early development. (More)

• Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, will not be ready for the 2025 season. Hurricane Milton’s winds shredded most of the roof, but the basic structure of the domed stadium was not seriously affected. It will be repaired in time for the 2026 season. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• A Canadian teenager is in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu, according to a health official in British Columbia. The teen had no known contact with infected animals but began showing symptoms over a week ago, including eye redness, cough, and fever. (More)

• The number of sexually transmitted infections in the US dropped by nearly 2% in 2023, according to the CDC. Over 2.4 million cases were reported last year, down from over 2.5 million in 2022. Almost half of these cases were in young people aged 15–24. (More)

• Netflix's cheaper, ad-supported plan now has 70 million global monthly active users, two years after its launch. The company announced that over half of its new sign-ups in countries offering the option are choosing the ad-supported plan. (More)

Extra Credit

🧳 Nearly half of travelers admit to breaking a law on vacation.

🌎️ Why everything looks flat even though the Earth is round.

🥇 Watch: Slackliners set world record between two hot air balloons.

🍔 Ranking fast food restaurants by drive-thru time.