Happening Today: Trump Road Show, Tennessee Wildfires, EPA Pick, Surging Stocks, Safest Vehicles

What to Know

  • Donald Trump is headed to OSU to meet with victims of last week's attack and then to Des Moines to continue his victory tour
  • Police have charged two juveniles in the Tennessee wildfires that killed 14 people and left a path of destruction
  • Hofstra University has asked police to investigate "extreme hazing" by a fraternity

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*This daily briefing will be off Friday and Monday, returning Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Trump Resumes Road Show

Donald Trump is going to try to show a more sensitive side Thursday, meeting with victims of last week's Ohio State University attack, before taking his "thank you" road show to three more states that supported him in the election. The first stop is Des Moines, Iowa, for his third post-election victory celebration. On Wednesday, Trump announced Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate-change denier whose policies have helped fossil fuel companies, as his pick for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mayors' Letter to Trump

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel met with President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday morning at Trump Tower in New York City and delivered a letter from mayors across the country calling for protections for young immigrants. 

Dow, S&P Close at All Time High

U.S. equities closed sharply higher on Wednesday as the Dow and S&P hit new record highs, while investors awaited a monetary policy announcement from the European Central Bank, CNBC reported. The S&P 500 gained around 1.3 percent while the Dow Jones industrial average gained nearly 300 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.2 percent. "I think this is more momentum from the Trump rally," said Adam Sarhan, CEO at 50 Park Investments.

Safest Vehicles List Released

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded 82 new vehicles as the safest picks for 2017. Of the 82 vehicles awarded Thursday, 38 earned the highest ranking of Top Safety Pick+. Those vehicles not only earned good ratings in five crash test evaluations but have effective features that can prevent crashes, the IIHS said. Check out the list. 

Juveniles Charged in Deadly Wildfires

Authorities on Wednesday charged two juveniles in an East Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged more than 2,400 buildings in an iconic tourism spot at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. Officials offered few other specifics about how they think the two started a fire that leveled buildings into charred scraps, carving a deadly path through the Gatlinburg area.

Hofstra Frat Investigated

Hofstra University has asked police to investigate allegations of "extreme hazing" at a now-defunct campus fraternity after the Long Island college's student-run newspaper published disturbing images from a former pledge. The college said in a statement that the photos -- which include images of a man locked in a dog cage, blindfolded students kneeling in front of a swastika with their bodies covered in hot sauce -- were allegedly taken off campus.

Blast Victim Battles With Insurer

One of the nation’s biggest health insurers is reversing course after initially denying an explosion victim’s claim for an artificial limb. In July, Connor Golden, 19, lost his lower leg after an explosive compound blew up in Central Park. Since then he’s been fighting with United Healthcare to cover payment for his new prosthetic. 

Holiday Chaos at Ex's Home

A woman was yelling “Merry Christmas” and blasting holiday music as she tried to run over her ex with her SUV, police in Pennsylvania said.

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