West Virginia National Guard Member Dies in D.C. Shooting Incident

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Top Headlines for Today

Tragedy struck in Washington, D.C. when two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot on Wednesday. President Trump solemnly announced the passing of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom during a Thanksgiving call to military personnel. Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe were patrolling near the White House when they were targeted by Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Wolfe remains in critical condition. In response, the Trump administration is reviewing the status of numerous refugees and migrants with green cards in the U.S.

• 🎧 NPR’s Brian Mann reports that Lakanwal served with U.S. forces in Afghanistan as a member of a specialized CIA-affiliated counter-terrorism unit. He sought asylum during the Biden administration, receiving protection in April. The Trump administration is pushing to “denaturalize migrants” and “deport” foreign nationals. Mann remarks that the administration’s stance implies a lack of sufficient vetting for Lakanwal’s entry into the U.S., suggesting a larger problem. However, groups like AfghanEvac state that Lakanwal underwent extensive checks both in Afghanistan and before entering the U.S. Experts confirm the refugee vetting process was comprehensive, even if not flawless, and stress that most Afghan refugees live peacefully in the U.S.

In Hong Kong, a devastating fire claimed at least 128 lives in a high-rise complex accommodating over 4,600 residents from Wednesday to Friday. The catastrophe stands as one of the region’s most lethal in recent history, with officials warning that the death toll might rise. Three men have been apprehended on manslaughter charges related to the incident. Further details are available here.

Books We Love: A Few Highlights

Hello readers – Andrew Limbong, host of NPR’s Book of the Day podcast, here. I’m taking over this week to introduce our annual book recommendation feature, Books We Love. Join the conversation by subscribing to our books newsletter!

This week, NPR unveiled its extensive year-end book suggestion tool, Books We Love. With over 380 titles, it’s more than a top 10 list, offering a wide array of options. However, with the sheer number of books, even with the filter system, it can be overwhelming. Here are a few selections from our staff and critics’ favorites.

📚 The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami — Have you ever talked about something only to have your phone suggest it later? This eerie novel explores a world of pervasive surveillance. Emily Kwong, host of NPR’s Short Wave, writes, “I found The Dream Hotel instructive for navigating a society beset by mass surveillance — where the only escape can be found in shouldering risk together.”

• 📚 King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby — Dive into a world of crime fiction where a family business gets entangled with a local drug gang. This business isn’t your typical one—it’s a crematorium. Weekend Edition producer Melissa Gray writes, “This story spins and spins violently to a dark and satisfying conclusion.”
• 📚 Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy — During the holiday season, many reflect on family dynamics. Arundhati Roy’s memoir delves into her complex relationship with her mother. Morning Edition host Leila Fadel comments, “It’s a story of turbulent love and of liberation that is beautiful, witty and at times uncomfortable to read.”
• 📚 Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green — Known historically as consumption, this book sheds light on TB’s persistent threat. Producer James Perkins Mastromarino of Here & Now praises the book as “witty, cogent and achingly beautiful.”

This selection is just a glimpse of the vast array of titles in the Books We Love collection. Stay updated with our recommendations throughout the year by subscribing to the books newsletter!

Black Friday Highlights You Might Have Missed

The nonprofit Fairplay is advising against purchasing AI toys for children this holiday season. Together with other advocacy groups, they caution that these toys, such as interactive dolls and robots, can undermine human relationships by exploiting children’s trust among other concerns.

San Diego’s Graffiti Gardens will host the Black Friday Artists Market, organized by muralist Maxx Moses, for the second time. Moses, who has adorned the studio’s walls, collaborates with local organizations to present a range of local artists. The event aims to honor Black culture, community, and economic contributions. Read more on this story via KPBS.

This shopping season, retailers are offering significant discounts to encourage hesitant shoppers. The National Retail Federation anticipates a record-breaking year with Americans expected to spend over $1 trillion on holiday essentials, showing a growth rate similar to the previous year at approximately 4%.

As Thanksgiving festivities wind down, many Americans begin their journey home, which can include the challenge of car sickness. NPR’s How To Do Everything podcast offers tips to make your trip more comfortable.

Weekend Recommendations

Explore what NPR is enjoying this weekend:

🍿 Movies: In Sentimental Value, a renowned filmmaker attempts to mend his relationship with his estranged daughters while working on a new film. Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses the film’s exploration of art and parental bonds.

📺 TV: The final season of Netflix’s 1980s-set horror series Stranger Things has begun. Will this conclusion satisfy fans? NPR’s critic Eric Deggans shares his thoughts here. (Note: spoilers ahead).

📚 Books: For those craving more book recommendations, delve into four newly released titles, ranging from crosswords to a posthumous collection of stories.

🎵 Music: As Mariah Carey famously declares, “It’s time…” for holiday tunes. Download the NPR app for a curated selection of holiday music streams here.

🍽️ Food: Struggling with leftover chaos in your fridge? Chef Kathy Gunst provides tasty recipes to reinvent leftovers into delicious new meals.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.