Drones fall from sky after collision during holiday show, 1 injured
Holiday drone shows have become something of a tradition this time of the year. However, a show in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 21, did not go as planned, leaving at least one person injured.
According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration provided to Straight Arrow News, the incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
“Several small drones collided and fell into a crowd during a holiday drone show over Eloa Lake in Orlando, Florida,” the FAA said in a statement.
The FAA said it’s investigating the incident.
The city of Orlando and the Orlando Fire Department told SAN one person was injured. They said paramedics rendered aid on-site before taking the individual to the hospital.
Multiple reports said the injured spectator was a 7-year-old boy who was struck in the chest by one of the falling drones.
So apparently they had to cancel the 2nd drone show at #LakeEolaPark tonight and I wonder if the drones that got knocked out during the 1st show was the cause 😬 #Orlandopic.twitter.com/xxySjbkohy
According to the boy’s mother, doctors had to perform open-heart surgery to repair one of his heart valves after the incident.
The city said Orlando police detectives met the victim’s family at the hospital and are assisting the FAA in its investigation.
According to the FAA, “Drone arrays and light shows are subject to FAA regulation.”
The FAA said these events require “a waiver to the regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time.”
“We thoroughly review each drone-show application to make sure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe,” the FAA said.
The city of Orlando said the holiday drone show was a permitted event through the FAA. City officials said the event drew approximately 25,000 people for the third year in a row.
According to the city, this is the second year the city used the vendor Sky Elements to operate the drones.
In a statement of its own, Sky Elements told Straight Arrow News, “Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted at our Lake Eola show in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 21. The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused.
“We are diligently working with the FAA and city of Orlando officials to determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired. Millions of people see our shows annually, and we are committed to maintaining the highest safety regulations set forth by the FAA.”
Following Saturday’s incident, the city of Orlando canceled a second holiday show planned for later that night.
The incident in Florida comes as drone sightings across the East Coast have led to questions from lawmakers and residents. Last week, the FAA issued a temporary ban on drones across several cities in New Jersey and New York.
1 in 6 skipping their weight loss injections for the holidays
The holidays are notoriously a time for feasting, but for thousands of people on weight loss injections, it’s tough to have their Christmas fruitcake and eat it too. That’s why many are choosing to pause their medications for a little while.
In fact, according to a recent survey by weight loss company Levity, about one in six said they’re skipping the weight loss drugs during the holidays. For most of them (79%), it’s so they can indulge in all the holiday food like they want to.
On top of the list of holiday temptations are Christmas cookies and sweets. More than half (54%) said they’re skipping the medication for those goodies in particular.
While skipping some doses sounds like a delicious plan, it’s not necessarily a safe one. Levity found about two-thirds (63%) of people pausing their meds haven’t talked to a doctor first, and a third (34%) are not aware of potential side effects.
Doctors said taking a short break from weight loss medications can have long-lasting effects, including gaining some of the weight back, mood changes and more cravings. They also said people can’t just jump back into taking weight loss medication like they were before. They said easing back into it carefully is key and advise talking with a doctor to come up with a plan to gradually reintroduce the treatment and minimize side effects.
Even under a doctor’s supervision, weight loss injections are known for their unpleasant side effects, especially gastrointestinal issues.
On the Monday before Christmas, Americans are hitting the roads and heading to the airports. Travel experts said the holiday travel rush is now kicking into high gear.
AAA predicted Americans will set another record this Christmas and New Years. This comes after record-breaking travel during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday.
The auto club expects 119.3 million will travel at least 50 miles between Saturday, Dec. 21, and Wednesday, Jan. 1. That’s about three million more than last year.
AAA said people are traveling in droves on the weekend before and after Christmas. They said this is because Christmas falls on a Wednesday.
The previous record for Christmas travel was set in 2019. Right now, the worst time to drive before Christmas is Monday, Dec. 23, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Roads are expected to be very congested.
Meantime, the TSA expects to screen about 40 million passengers from the time period that started last Thursday, Dec. 19, through Thursday, Jan. 2. That would be a 6% jump from the 2023 holiday season.
Looking ahead, the TSA anticipates Friday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Dec. 30, to be the next two busiest days for flying.
Despite airports being packed, AAA expects about 90% of holiday travelers, or roughly 107 million people, to drive to their destination. More than four million people will travel by other modes, such as bus or train, which would be the highest rate in 20 years.
Holiday box office showdown kicks off with ‘Sonic 3’ and ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
The holiday box office race is heating up. Two major contenders, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” and “Mufasa: The Lion King,” are vying for the holiday crown.
In previews on Thursday, Dec. 19, “Sonic 3” sprinted ahead, earning $6.5 million, the franchise’s best preview performance yet. Meanwhile, “Mufasa” opened with $3.3 million, setting the stage for a weekend showdown.
‘Sonic 3’ speeds ahead
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is projected to dominate the domestic box office, with estimates reported by The Hollywood Reporter showing between $60-70 million. The film won’t debut internationally until after the Christmas holiday, but early domestic success suggests it could upset “Mufasa.”
Fan-favorite cast members like Jim Carrey and Idris Elba return, with Keanu Reeves joining as Shadow the Hedgehog. The movie ups the stakes as Sonic and his crew face off against Shadow.
‘Mufasa’ roars with star power
“Mufasa: The Lion King” takes a different route, exploring the backstory of the beloved king. Voiced by Aaron Pierre, young Mufasa navigates life as an orphan striving to rise above his challenges.
Adding to the film’s appeal, Beyoncé and her daughter, Blue Ivy, bring their star power to the cast.
More holiday blockbusters
The holiday season isn’t just about these two heavyweights. Films like “Wicked,” “Moana 2” and “Gladiator 2” are still lighting up theaters. For “Wicked” fans, a singalong version debuts on Christmas Day in 1,000 theaters nationwide.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Unwrapping the truth behind seasonal depression and the ‘holiday blues’
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann says the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms to watch out for
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann says it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommends several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. One of her suggestions is getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advises getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick your brain and improve mood.
Coping with grief and supporting others
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encourages reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommends incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggests engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines, and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Still not done holiday shopping? You’re in good company.
If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, you’re not alone. If you’re planning to shop this coming Saturday, Dec. 21, you’re certainly in good company with more than 157 million of your closest friends.
According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, more than 157 million people are estimated to do some last-minute shopping on Saturday. That’s up from nearly 142 million shoppers last year. However, it’ll just miss the record 158 million that turned out in 2022.
They call it “Super Saturday” for a reason. This Saturday will be supersized thanks to a shorter holiday season in 2024, plus Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all falling on the same week.
For retailers worried the floodgates may not open this year, the NRF isn’t the only one optimistic about this final stretch. The ICSC (formerly International Council of Shopping Centers), the trade organization serving commercial real estate and retail industries, has different numbers but the same sentiment.
According to the ICSC’s survey, 233 million people, 89% of U.S. adults, plan to shop leading up to Dec. 25. The ICSC said 71% of shoppers will be looking for deals on Super Saturday, 6% more than in 2023.
Research shows many shoppers still need to do a lot of shopping! According to the NRF, at the beginning of December, only 10% of consumers had their holiday shopping lists completed.
The NRF said 44% of shoppers, nearly 70 million people, plan to shop both in-store and online. That’s up 3% from last year.
“Super Saturday is one of the last opportunities during the holiday season for consumers to get the remaining items on their shopping list,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said in a statement. “With a shortened window between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, consumers will be hitting stores and shopping online to get those final gifts and to take advantage of special promotions and deals.”
Once the holiday season wraps up, the NRF expects this to be a record year, with holiday spending estimated to reach up to $989 billion.
The NRF conducted its Super Saturday survey with 7,861 U.S. consumers between Dec. 2 and 7. ICSC’s survey took place from Dec. 11 to 13 with 1,008 respondents.
AccuWeather released its long-range “white Christmas” forecast just over a week before the holiday. The weather site predicted more U.S. communities can expect to experience a white Christmas this year compared to 2023.
To declare a white Christmas, AccuWeather said there must be 1 inch of snow or more on the ground.
Another blast of snow and rain is likely headed to the Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley just before Christmas. Some areas in the Northeast region have already seen tremendous amounts of lake effect snow in late November and December.
AccuWeather said there is a high chance higher elevations will have snow on the ground this year.
However, forecasters predicted a low snow probability on Christmas along the I-95 corridor. This includes cities like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. A chance of rain or snow on Christmas morning is possible, but weather experts said it’ll be too warm for accumulation.
As for the Midwest, AccuWeather forecasted a medium probability for a white Christmas for cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha. Denver and Salt Lake City may also see some snow. But it’s more likely the higher-elevated towns across the Rocky Mountains see snow.
In the Pacific Northwest, stormy patterns have brought mountain snow to higher elevations in northern California, parts of Oregon and Washington State. More snow is expected in the higher elevations leading up to Christmas. It remains too warm in the lower-elevated cities to snow, forecasters said.
The South can expect a strong cold front starting Christmas week, but the chance for a white Christmas across most southern states remains low.
You better watch out: 1 in 4 parents use threat of no Santa to make kids behave
Many children, old and young, know the song: “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town.” At this time of year, many parents turn to the threat of finding a lump of coal in their stocking on Christmas morning to keep kids in line and researchers with the University of Michigan wanted to know just how many parents do it.
They talked to 725 parents who had at least one child aged 1 to 5 years old. More than half of them said they’ve used incentives or bribery to encourage good behavior in their children. One in four have specifically threatened the prospect of no Santa or gifts.
Experts said this might not be the best idea. Instead, they said try positive reinforcement and be specific.
So, if a child helps clean up, instead of saying, “What a good boy or girl,” experts suggest saying something like, “That’s so good how you helped pick up the toys.”
Child behavior experts also said consistency is key. But about a quarter of parents said that’s easier said than done.
One in four parents said they get too irritated when their child misbehaves and react before remembering strategies they’ve come up with to address the behavior. Another big issue about a quarter of parents face is they’re just too tired to be consistent.
Zillow offers look inside Santa’s home at North Pole
Home for the holidays. It’s what many of us are dreaming about this time of the year, and Zillow is giving everyone the chance to visit one special home: Santa’s.
First, here are some new numbers before we get to the tour. AAA estimates a record 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the year-end holiday period from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, according to its forecast released Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Nearly 90% of holiday travelers are hitting the road this year, representing roughly 107 million people expected to hop in their cars. Meanwhile, nearly 8 million passengers will take to the skies.
That number may or may not include travel by reindeer, the transportation of choice for one famous jolly fellow. Yes, we’re talking about Santa Claus.
Santa will leave his North Pole storybook home on Christmas Eve to fly around the world. As we prepare to embark on our trips home, Santa is letting us tour his home, courtesy of Zillow.
The real estate website is once again presents “Santa’s House,” a virtual tour of ol’ St. Nick’s 2,000-plus square foot cabin on 25 acres worth an estimated $1.2 million.
Zillow said this is its most visited off-market home listing, already viewed more than 3 million times.
Inside, you’ll find the kitchen where Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves bake Christmas cookies. The open-concept living room includes a Christmas tree and fireplace –– with a fire, so delightful.
Moving upstairs, a guest bedroom has been transformed into a gift-wrapping room, which is a necessity for this home. And to prove this is indeed Kris Kringle’s abode, there’s Santa’s mail room where he reads every letter sent by boys and girls from all over the world.
This year, the listing includes a feature called “Let Santa Know You Moved.” Kids (and their parents) who have recently relocated can let Santa know their family’s new address. That way, Rudolph and the gang will have no trouble finding them on Christmas Eve.
Of course, if you want to track Santa’s moves once he leaves his home on his global journey, NORAD’s Santa Tracker will return on Dec. 24.
