Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,229 words, a 5-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Severe weather rocks the Southeast

• Virtual reality goggles for mice

• Why school buses are yellow

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Big Story

Jimmy Carter Passes

Former US President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100.

• Born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, Carter began life in a small-town farming community. A Navy officer and peanut farmer, he entered politics in the 1960s, rising to the Georgia governorship. In 1976, Carter ran for president as a moderate Democrat, campaigning on honesty and integrity after the Watergate scandal. He narrowly defeated Gerald Ford.

• As president, Carter centered on human rights, energy conservation, and peace efforts, including brokering the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. However, his term was marred by inflation, an energy crisis, and the Iran hostage situation, leading to a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980.

• After leaving office, Carter founded The Carter Center in 1982, focusing on global peace, democracy, and public health. His initiatives ranged from negotiating peace in conflict zones to eradicating diseases like Guinea worm. Carter's humanitarian work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

• Jimmy Carter’s presidency was seen as mixed, but his post-presidency set a high standard for public service. He fought cancer later in life but remained active into his 90s, building homes and championing humanitarian causes.

Big Story

Severe Weather in the Southeast

A severe weather outbreak hit parts of the South, with Mississippi and Louisiana receiving a rare "moderate risk" warning, level 4 out of 5.

• Tornadoes caused destruction in southeastern Texas first, with some lasting over 60 miles. Then, the National Weather Service issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" tornado watch for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, warning of strong tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding.

• At least four people have died due to the storms. Between Saturday and Sunday afternoon, 38 tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas.

• While tornadoes are more common in spring and summer, the South often experiences severe weather in winter due to storm systems near the Gulf Coast. These systems mix warm, humid air from the south with cold, dry air from the north, creating ideal storm conditions.

Big Story

South Korea Plane Crash

On Sunday morning, Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew.

• The plane, a Boeing 737 flying from Bangkok, skidded off the runway, collided with a wall, and burst into flames. A man and a woman, both crew members, were the only survivors and were taken to a hospital. The rest of the passengers, including five children, were confirmed dead or unaccounted for.

• Officials are investigating the cause of the crash, with early signs pointing to a potential bird strike and possible landing gear malfunction. Black box recorders from the plane were recovered, though the flight data recorder was damaged and might require extensive analysis in the US. Videos from the scene suggest the plane may have landed at a high speed with its landing gear retracted, causing the fiery crash.

• The NTSB, Boeing, and the FAA are helping South Korean authorities investigate the crash. The investigation could take months, depending on the condition of the data. Jeju Air is a budget airline operating 42 Boeing planes in South Korea.

Quick Stories

US News

• Warren "Red" Upton, the oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attacks, passed away on Christmas morning at the age of 105. He was also the last living survivor of the USS Utah, which sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. (More)

• Sources say President Joe Biden regrets not running in this year’s election and believes he could have beaten Donald Trump despite poor poll numbers. Biden reportedly also regrets appointing Merrick Garland as attorney general because he was slow to prosecute Trump for the January 6 insurrection. (More)

• A Brightline train crashed into a fire truck in Delray Beach, Florida, on Saturday morning, injuring three firefighters and 12 train passengers. The firefighters were hospitalized, with two initially in critical condition but later stabilized. Everyone involved survived. (More)

World

• Belgium will ban the sale of disposable vapes starting January 1, citing health and environmental concerns. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke explained that these affordable devices are a gateway for teenagers to start smoking and become addicted to nicotine. (More)

• Finnish police discovered long tracks on the Baltic Sea floor, likely caused by the anchor of a Russian tanker, which is suspected of damaging a power line and four telecom cables. Finnish authorities boarded and impounded the tanker. (More)

• Georgia's pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, said she will vacate the presidential palace but not her office. Her decision comes amid tensions with the ruling Georgian Dream party, which backs far-right politician Mikheil Kavelashvili. Zourabichvili has refused to transfer control of the palace to Kavelashvili following a disputed election. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Friday (S&P -1.11%, Nasdaq -1.49%, Dow -0.77%). Despite falling Friday, the three major indexes finished higher for the week and the Dow broke a three-week losing streak. (More)

• US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Congress that "extraordinary measures" might be needed by January 14 to avoid a default on the national debt. In a letter, she urged lawmakers to act quickly to maintain the country's financial credibility. (More)

• Big Lots has reached a deal to keep many locations open. The company will be sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which will transfer its stores and assets to other retailers. Variety Wholesalers Inc. plans to buy 200 to 400 Big Lots stores and up to two distribution centers. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Eagles' running back Saquon Barkley joined an elite group Sunday, becoming the ninth NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season during a 41-7 win over the Cowboys that clinched the NFC East title for Philadelphia. (More)

• Charles F. Dolan, the founder of major US media companies like Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) and Cablevision Systems Corp., passed away at 98. According to a statement from his family, Dolan died of natural causes. (More)

• Two family films dominated the holiday box office this week. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” topped the three-day weekend with $38 million, slightly ahead of Disney's "Mufasa," which earned $37.1 million. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Dr. Nobuyuki Kawai from Nagoya University in Japan discovered that monkeys can quickly detect snakes due to the visual cue of snake scales. His research shows that primates have evolved to recognize snakes based on these specific characteristics. (More)

• Researchers at Cornell University created MouseGoggles, which allow mice to experience virtual reality (VR). In experiments, mice responded to simulated stimuli while wearing the goggles. It will help scientists conduct more effective animal studies using VR technology. (More)

• Norovirus cases are rising in parts of the US this winter. The CDC reported 91 outbreaks during the week of December 5, up from 69 the previous week. In past years, the first week of December typically saw a maximum of 65 outbreaks. (More)

Extra Credit

🚦 Ranking US cities with the longest commutes.

🪞 43% of Americans view themselves as overweight.

🚌 Why are school buses yellow?

🥚 Watch: Geese and fox battle over eggs.