What to Know
- 48.7 million travelers are expected to take to the roads, rails and sky this year, the highest number since 2007, according to AAA
- In a meeting at the New York Times, Trump publicly disavowed alt-right sympathizers and said he wouldn't try to prosecute Hillary Clinton
- A 27-year-old woman from Connecticut is set to become the youngest person - and the first woman - to visit every country on Earth
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Millions Hit Roads, Rails, Sky for Holiday
The AAA predicts that 48.7 million travelers will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this year, nearly two percent more than last year and the highest since 2007. Most Americans - about 43.5 million, or 89 percent - will travel by car to their destinations. Another 3.6 million will fly, a number 1.5 percent higher than last year. About 1.4 million will travel by train, bus or boat, AAA said. Airlines for America, a trade organization, estimates that 27.3 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the Thanksgiving travel period, a number also up from last year. The TSA released a list of permitted and prohibited check-in foods and some Thanksgiving staples are on the list.
Amped up Security for Parade
Security will be tight at this year's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, with more than 3,000 cops assigned to the parade detail. For the first time, every cross street along the parade route will be blocked off to prevent an attack similar to the one in Nice, France, in which a terrorist drove a truck into a crowd of people, killing more than 85 and wounding hundreds more. Dogs will also sniff the crowd for traces of explosives. "There's been a lot of rhetoric and propaganda from ISIL and from al Qaeda recently...and we don't take any chances here in New York City,” said NYPD Chief Jim Waters, head of the department's counterterrorism operation.
Local
Trump Disavows Alt-Right Support
President-elect Donald Trump met with staff from The New York Times on Tuesday, hours after saying he'd backed out of the scheduled meeting with journalists at the newspaper. Times reporters were live tweeting the interview with staff from the newsroom and opinion teams. Trump answered questions about the white nationalist-associated "alt-right" movement, potential conflicts between his business and the presidency, whether he wants to prosecute his election rival Hillary Clinton and more. Trump said that he had "great respect for the Times" but thought he had been treated "very rough," reporter Mike Grynbaum wrote.
Dow Jones at Record High
The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 19,000 for the first time ever in its 120-year history on Tuesday as a post-election rally continues to push markets into record territory. Discount store chains made large gains, but health care companies tumbled, The Associated Press reported. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite also closed at all-time highs, CNBC reported.
Obama Awards Medal of Freedom
Saying they had touched him in a powerful and personal way, President Obama awarded the nation's highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony Tuesday at the White House. "These are folks who have helped make me who I am," Obama said as the celebration concluded in the White House East Room. NBA star Michael Jordan was among the recipients. His emotional reaction to receiving the medal rejuvenated the well-known Crying Jordan meme. Here's who also received the preeminent medal.
Local Woman 1st to Visit Every Country
A 27-year-old woman from Connecticut is set to be the youngest person and the first woman to visit every country on Earth. See photos from her journeys around the world.
Talking Politics on Thanksgiving
While political tensions surged in the primaries, they’ve exploded since last November. The United States drilled even deeper into differences during an incendiary and scandalous general election. Political divides have harmed personal relationships “that come Thanksgiving (are) going to be difficult to repair,” according to Charity Hagains, senior therapist at Noyau Wellness Center in Dallas, Texas. “I always recommend people to never talk about politics,” Hagains said. Here's how to talk with relatives at Thanksgiving this year.
Thanksgiving in Space
Dehydrated cornbread dressing is among the Thanksgiving dishes served on the International Space Station hundreds of miles above the planet. Here’s what else is on the menu. Back here on Earth, Heinz has voluntarily recalled its pork gravy over labeling concerns.
Thanksgiving Quiz
Millions of Americans will travel to visit family and friends and stuff themselves with turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. But how much do you know about the holiday’s origins and why we celebrate? Test your knowledge of the history behind Turkey Day with this quiz.
