Morning Must Reads: December 24

3 minute read

Storms Set to Snarl Holiday Travel

At least four people were killed in Mississippi as tornadoes swept through the south and forecasters warned Wednesday that severe thunderstorms and flash flooding could put a damper on Christmas Eve, with heavy rains and winds expected to snarl travel plans

Here’s Your Last-Minute Gift Guide

From a relaxing trip to the spa to a thrilling skydiving adventure, here are 10 gift ideas that no one will know were last-minute

Officer Fatally Shoots Missouri Teen

A suburban St. Louis police officer shot and killed a man in Berkeley who authorities said pointed a gun at him at a gas station late Tuesday

Catholic Colleges Tell Poor Kids to Go Elsewhere

Some institutions succeed at keeping down costs for students with family earnings low enough to qualify for federal Pell grants — generally, $30,000 a year or less. But others are charging a net price equal to two-thirds or more of their families’ annual incomes

Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized

Bush Sr. was brought to a hospital in Houston on Tuesday night, a precautionary measure after experiencing shortness of breath. Houston Methodist Hospital said in a statement that the 41st President ”will be held for observation”

Sony Announces Limited Release of The Interview

Sony Pictures Entertainment announced on Tuesday a limited release plan for its controversial comedy The Interview following intense pushback from movie theaters to the White House over its decision to pull the film after threats and a severe hack

FDA to Allow Gay Blood Donors

The Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday it would recommend allowing men who have sex with men to donate blood one year after their last sexual contact, in a move that would ease a decades-long indefinite ban and likely boost the national donor supply

Ray Kelly on Mayor de Blasio: ‘This Isn’t the Campaign’

The former police chief speaks out on the murder of two NYPD officers, the Eric Garner case and what Mayor Bill de Blasio doesn’t get about New York cops. “He talked about stop-question-and-frisk, but I don’t think he fully understood the nuances of it,” said Kelly

Navy Investigates SEAL Who Said He Shot Bin Laden

A Navy official says the service is investigating an allegation that the former Navy SEAL who claims he shot and killed Osama bin Laden may have revealed classified information to those not authorized to receive it

John Stamos Foots the Bill for Holiday Shoppers

The actor secretly surprised shoppers at JCPenney, paying for all their purchases as a holiday treat as part of the store’s #JustGotJingled campaign. “Today, Santa Claus is taking care of your purchase, so you don’t have to pay for anything,” he told customers

L.A. Judge Stubs Out Marijuana App

A Los Angeles–based smartphone application aimed at becoming the city’s first mobile medical-marijuana logistics service was ordered to stop business by a county judge on Tuesday. A court ruled the popular smartphone app flouts Proposition D

Uber CEO Indicted in South Korea

Prosecutors have indicted the local subsidiary of Uber for violating transportation laws. The indictment also names CEO Travis Kalanick for flouting a law prohibiting any person or company from using rental cars for paid transportation services without a license

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