The Editor’s Mailbag

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 25, the 360th day of 2024. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day. Today in history: On Dec. 25, 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War. Also on this date: In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England. Related Articles National News | Biden signs a bill officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the US National News | Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano National News | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste National News | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost.

General Daily Insight for December 25, 2024 An undeniable intensity shades today’s skies with aggression. The Sun in no-nonsense Capricorn is making an unusual quincunx to Mars in Leo, so it may be tempting to push against expectations and play the rebel without a cause. The Moon will enter secretive Scorpio at 3:06 am EST before forming a pair of difficult back-to-back squares, first to power-player Pluto in Aquarius, then to Mars.

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead sustained a right knee ailment against the New York Jets that was so bad it limited him to just five plays. Despite that, the next day Armstead hosted dozens of kids at Target for his “Team Armstead Holiday Blessing” Christmas shopping spree. “It’s impactful to the community,” Armstead said in explaining why he hosted such an event for the ninth time in his 12-year career. “It means a lot to me, too, personally, just to be able to do so.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE WASHINGTON (AP) — The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country’s national bird. Related Articles National News | Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano National News | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste National News | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost.

One of the world’s most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday. Related Articles National News | Biden signs a bill officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the US National News | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste National News | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost.

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Related Articles National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Bill Clinton is out of the hospital after being treated for the flu National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims.