Tough times in Tennessee; sadness in South America. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
1. Tennessee wildfires
At least three people are dead in the fires that have raged through the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, destroying more than 250 buildings. Residents woke up to blazes surrounding their homes and literally ran for their lives. Rain in the area has helped, but high winds may stir up more spot fires.
2. Colombia plane crash
Investigators think the plane that crashed near Medellin, killing 71 people, may have run out of fuel because there’s no fire damage at the crash site. Most of those who died were members of a Brazilian soccer team. The victims will be honored today at the stadium where the team was scheduled to play.
3. Trump transition
It’ll be another big day at Donald Trump’s Tower of Power: The rollout of his economic team — including his picks for Treasury and Commerce secretary. Then he’ll hit the road to Indiana to announce his deal with Carrier to keep 1,000 jobs from moving to Mexico, though not everybody’s cool with it.
4. Syria civil war
Think about all the people who live in your neighborhood. Now imagine more than 50 of them dying — all on the same day. That’s what air strikes and artillery shells did to eastern Aleppo yesterday. It’s just one more thing that should make you care about what’s going on there. (Story will publish shortly.)
5. Pipeline protest
They’ve been told to leave by the start of next week, but the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters say they’re not going anywhere. The US Army Corps of Engineers first threatened arrest, then backtracked. Now, the North Dakota governor’s trying a different tack: clear out camps because winter’s coming.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
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How to live (almost) forever
Want to live past 100? Load up on raw eggs and heavy doses of independence. That’s what 117-year-old Emma Morano did.
Deep thoughts
Strange but true: Religious meditation rewards the same parts of your brain that drugs do.
Giant jigsaw
A seven-million piece mosaic (yes, million with “M”) has been uncovered after 80 years in the sands of Jericho.
Save the first dance for me
A traffic jam kept some Ohio newlyweds from their wedding reception. They just got out of the car and slow danced on the pavement.
Just like a tricycle
This car has just three wheels and no roof, but hey, it’s electric, and that’s all that really matters, right?
Number of the day
$1.6 million
The value of a bucket of gold flakes a thief casually took out of the back of an unattended armored truck in New York.
AND FINALLY …
Top that!
Golf is boring to some, an obsession for others. But everybody will love these trick shots, one of which involves fire, so yeah, it’s worth watching.