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Stranger Things Aren’t Just on Netflix

POLITICS & WORLD NEWS White House defends second strike in the Caribbean The administration claims the naval strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat was legal and “self-defense,” despite mounting criticism and escalated tensions with Venezuela. Melbourne carbon monoxide leak A meat-processing plant disaster sends 24 workers to the hospital and raises new questions about industrial safety in Australia. Supreme Court hears major copyright case SCOTUS debates how much liability online platforms should face for user-uploaded content — a ruling that could reshape the internet. December snowstorm wrecks travel Holiday travel gets obliterated by early winter storms, leaving airports in full meltdown mode. ACA subsidy negotiations Democrats and Republicans clash over the extension of enhanced ACA tax credits, with millions’ healthcare costs hanging in the balance. Cyber Monday spending breaks records Consumers overspend despite inflation, because dopamine is undefeated. Leaked Kremlin recordings Alleged leaked audio suggests a U.S. envoy coached Putin’s aide on how to influence Trump on Ukraine. Trump considers firing Kash Patel Weeks into Patel’s tenure as FBI Director, Trump is reportedly already eyeing a replacement. ENTERTAINMENT NEWS December 2025 streaming overload Netflix drops Stranger Things 5 (finale), Knives Out 3, and a Jake Paul fight; Disney+ brings Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: The Final Show; Peacock lands Bel-Air finale and Supernatural mega-dump; Prime drops Fallout S2; Apple TV+ rolls out F1: The Movie and Pluribus finale. Celebrity breakup season 2025 has seen major splits from Quinta Brunson, Naomi Osaka & Cordae, Dorit & PK Kemsley, Maria Bello, and more. Celebrity deaths of 2025 Remembering Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Roberta Flack, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jane Goodall, and others. 2025 film & TV chaos Endings for Stranger Things, Big Mouth, Handmaid’s Tale, and multiple cancellations across networks + streamers. Music industry moves New releases from Tems, Danny Brown, and Stray Kids; Doja Cat’s 80s-inspired tour meltdown; Zach Bryan announces a massive 2026 stadium run; Jade’s successful solo debut; and the ongoing global domination of K-pop. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Falling Down, Covering Up, and Blowing… Wait, What?

INTERVIEW — NICK FROM RUN THE RIOT Nick introduces Run the Riot, a new high-energy punk/metal hybrid band. Discusses forming a band post-COVID and the chaotic reality of finding members in 2025. How DIY bands are surviving without labels and building everything from scratch. How their first single “Falling Down” came together + pushing it out across socials. The band’s influences, their early lineup story, and what’s next. Links: Website: runtheriot.band Music/Socials: https://linktr.ee/runtheriotmusic [https://linktr.ee/runtheriotmusic] Visualizer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8efJaE5ukpU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8efJaE5ukpU]   SEGMENT — “THE EPSTEIN FILES: TRUTH VS. POWER” Survivor Marina Lacerda, formerly “Minor Victim-1,” speaks publicly and demands transparency. Over 20,000 new pages released by House Oversight; many documents still heavily redacted. Trump reverses course and says he’ll sign a bill to release the files if passed. Republicans and the White House are increasingly split on what to release. Critics argue much of the material is old or incomplete, frustrating survivors. Satirical breakdown on the political grandstanding and weaponization of trauma. TikTok references for the segment: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20files%20transparency [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20files%20transparency] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=marina%20lacerda%20epstein [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=marina%20lacerda%20epstein] https://www.tiktok.com/@morga_tt/video/7572461857810713887 [https://www.tiktok.com/@morga_tt/video/7572461857810713887] https://www.tiktok.com/@benlapidus/video/7572380344603757879 [https://www.tiktok.com/@benlapidus/video/7572380344603757879]   SEGMENT — “DID TRUMP BLOW BILL CLINTON?” (THE INTERNET’S NEW NIGHTMARE) The story behind the actual email sentence in the Epstein archive containing the phrase: “Trump blowing Bubba.” Why everyone assumed “Bubba” meant Bill Clinton. Why Epstein’s brother says it wasn’t Clinton (which somehow makes it worse). Trump leans into the scandal anyway for political advantage. Additional Epstein emails raise renewed questions about Trump and Clinton’s ties. A satirical breakdown of how a joke email turned into a congressional talking point. TikTok search links for this segment: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20emails%20trump [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20emails%20trump] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=bubba%20epstein%20clinton [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=bubba%20epstein%20clinton] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=political%20scandals%20news [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=political%20scandals%20news]   LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Felony Footlongs & Trillionaire Tantrums

Politics: Chuck Schumer faces Democratic revolt over a GOP shutdown deal; eight Senate Democrats vote with Republicans, sacrificing ACA subsidies to reopen government. White House Chaos: Trump asks the Supreme Court to keep food aid frozen, then pardons Giuliani and his 2020 “Stop the Steal” dream team. Viral Justice: The “Sandwich Man” of D.C. found not guilty of assault after throwing a Subway sub at a Border Patrol officer—proof that sometimes the bread fights back. Economy Watch: America’s economy dubbed a “Jenga tower”—rich spending props up everyone else while the middle class pulls the wrong block. Tech & Culture: Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire, iOS 26.2 promises “urgent” reminders and offline lyrics, and recyclers are mining gold from old phones. Entertainment: Sydney Sweeney’s film Christy flops and her “Great Jeans” ad triggers controversy; Ace Frehley of KISS remembered as a rock legend gone cosmic. Closing Thought: America’s politics may be melting down, but at least our sandwiches, software updates, and recycling are still holding the line. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Facts & Butt-Fumble Acts

Trump Blocked from Deploying National Guard to Oregon – Court says you can’t “borrow” another state’s troops; politics meets civics class.   Gaza Ceasefire Talks Begin in Egypt – Hostages, aid, airstrikes on the table; optimism on backorder. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Steps Down – Co-CEO era begins; artists still want real payouts. Mark Sanchez Felony Charge (Parking Lot Fight) – From color commentary to charge sheet; “Parking Lot Rumble” replaces “Butt Fumble.” OpenAI + AMD Mega Deal – AI arms race picks teams; GPUs choose sides. Americans Don’t Trust AI in Elections – Deepfakes, disinfo, and regulation wish-casting. Tech Firms Crack Down on AI Nudity – Platforms promise fewer deepfakes; enforcement question marks. Everest Blizzard Rescue – Hundreds guided to safety in Tibet; climate chaos meets adventure tourism. MIT: Musicians Focus Better – Selective attention advantage; practice > procrastination. Diddy Sentenced to 50 Months – Accountability message from the bench; appeal incoming. TikTok: (search) diddy sentenced 50 months, judge subramanian diddy sentencing Louis C.K. Performs in Saudi Arabia – “Art vs. optics” debate ignites—again. Supreme Court Rejects Ghislaine Maxwell Appeal – 20-year sentence stands; unanswered questions linger. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

EA Sports… It’s in the (Private Equity) Game

Government Shutdown Watch: Washington gears up for yet another “who’s to blame?” showdown. Spoiler: everyone. Saudi Comedy Festival: Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle head to Riyadh, but critics say it’s less about jokes and more about whitewashing. Electronic Arts Buyout: Saudi money and private equity swoop in for a record $55B takeover of EA. Because nothing says “fun” like leveraged buyouts. Musk & Epstein Files: Elon Musk and Prince Andrew both show up in newly released Epstein documents. This party’s RSVP list just keeps getting darker. Trump Sends Troops to Portland: Troops in the streets, protests in the headlines — Trump is running his old playbook like it’s 2020 all over again. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.