The NewsWorthy – Episode Summary
Podcast: The NewsWorthy
Episode: Holiday Travel Delays, FBI Investigates Dems & Macy's Parade Updates
Host: Lacey Evans (filling in for Erica Mandy)
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Duration: ~10 minutes (content sections only)

Overview

This episode covers the major headlines impacting Americans during Thanksgiving week, including travel delays, a new controversial CDC appointee, an FBI investigation into Democratic members of Congress, the evolving US-brokered Ukraine peace plan, retail closures and Black Friday sales, social media transparency, Rush Hour 4, and the much-anticipated Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The tone remains brisk, fair, and approachable, maintaining The NewsWorthy’s “fast, fair, fun” philosophy with Lacey Evans guiding listeners through the news.

Key Discussion Points

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Chaos

[00:15]

• Busiest flying period in 15 years: The FAA expects record numbers of flyers; even more people will drive due to gas prices near a four-year low.
• Weather Impact:
  • Heavy rain closed Atlanta’s air traffic control temporarily yesterday, leading to hundreds of flight delays, especially in Atlanta and Chicago.
  • Coming snow is forecast for Michigan, Ohio, and Buffalo, NY. A “broader winter storm” is expected Friday in the Rockies and Midwest.

Controversial Appointment at the CDC

[01:50]

• Dr. Ralph Abraham named CDC’s second in command.
  • Track record: Previously Louisiana’s surgeon general; ordered the state to halt vaccine promotion.
  • Pandemic stance: Called COVID-19 shots “dangerous” and promoted medications (ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine) now considered ineffective.
  • Agency Uncertainty:
    • No comment yet from Abraham on his new post.
    • No permanent CDC director; questions over the agency’s trustworthiness abound.
• Quote:

  “All this comes as a growing group of state leaders, professional medical societies and doctors have questioned whether the nation's public health agency is trustworthy anymore.” (A, 03:02)

FBI Investigates Democratic Lawmakers

[02:49]

• Focus: Six Democratic Congress members, all with military backgrounds, who released a video denouncing illegal actions by service members.
• Trump’s Response: Accused the group of “sedition, punishable by death” for the video.
• FBI: Working to schedule interviews.
• Pentagon: Investigates Senator Mark Kelly (still under military law). Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatens to recall Kelly for possible court martial.
• Quote:

  “The Dems say President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate them. That won't work either way.” (A, 03:32)

Ukraine Peace Plan Negotiations

[04:09]

• US Plan Update: Trump says the proposal has been “fine tuned.”
  • Special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Putin.
  • Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian officials.
• No Trump-Putin Meeting Yet: Trump awaiting “progress in negotiations.”
• Background: Ukraine was given a Thanksgiving deadline to accept the plan or lose US aid; that deadline appears to have softened.
• Ongoing Conflict:
  • Russia continues attacks on Kyiv; Ukraine attacks southern Russia.
  • European leaders caution peace will be a “long road.”
• Quote:

  “Russia is still launching attacks on Ukraine’s capital, while Ukraine has attacked southern Russia. And European leaders are warning the road to real peace will be long. Stay tuned.” (A, 05:00)

Louvre Jewel Heist Update

[04:53]

• Arrests: Four main suspects and several accomplices caught.
• Heist Details: Thieves disguised as construction workers, stole artifacts from the Napoleonic era.
• No Recovery: Loot remains missing; black-market search ongoing.
• Security: Stepped up at the Louvre and other institutions.

Thanksgiving Retail Closures and Options

[06:08]

• Major chains (Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, etc.) will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
• Open (Limited Hours): Kroger, Whole Foods, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General.
• Open Restaurants/Fast Food: Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, McDonald’s, Starbucks (some locations).
• Quote:

  “If the turkey burns, or if the cooking goes terribly wrong… Cracker Barrel, Denny's, McDonald's, Starbucks and more will all have at least some locations open.” (A, 06:34)

Black Friday and Shopping Blackout

[06:48]

• Black Friday: Traditional crowds expected to be smaller as sales now start earlier; best discounts expected between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday (Adobe: up to 28% off, especially electronics and toys).
• Shopping Protest: Some advocate a “shopping blackout” from today through the Tuesday after Cyber Monday, in protest of Trump administration economic policies.
• Prediction: A record 187 million Americans still expected to shop; overall holiday spending expected to top $1 trillion.

Native American Heritage Day

[08:08]

• Observed this Friday, intended to celebrate Native culture and history.
• Some feel it’s overshadowed by Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but others see it as an important “first step.”
• Quote:

  “Some Native Americans say the holiday takes a backseat to Thanksgiving and competes with Black Friday. But others call it a good first step and encourage people to observe the holiday.” (A, 08:18)

X Social Platform – Account Location Transparency

[08:39]

• New feature: Account location is now public on X.
• Findings: Many accounts claiming to be American are registered in Eastern Europe, Asia, or Africa, often spreading misleading content.
• Caveats:
  • Feature could be circumvented via VPNs.
  • Some experts question the reliability of X’s location data.
• Quote:

  “Even though X says the new feature is 99.9% accurate, security experts… said the location information could be unreliable or easily spoofed.” (A, 09:21)

Rush Hour 4 Announcement

[09:28]

• Prompted by Trump’s positive social media post about the franchise.
• Paramount Pictures will produce “Rush Hour 4” with original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker; director Brett Ratner returns.
• Connection: Ratner recently completed a documentary on First Lady Melania Trump.
• Status: Early production; plot and release date undetermined.

99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Preview

[09:58]

• Event details: Parade will air at 8:30 am on NBC.
• Highlights:
  • Classic floats: Tom Turkey, Snoopy.
  • 7 new floats (including Labubu and Stranger Things themes).
  • 5 new balloons, e.g., Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man.
  • Performers: Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, Conan Gray, Sierra Jewel, K-Pop Demon Hunters.
  • Traditional acts: Radio City Rockettes, marching bands.
• Quote:

  “It all starts at 8:30 in the morning on NBC.” (A, 10:29)

Work Wednesday Segment

[12:37]

• Trend: More companies reviving in-person holiday parties; moving on from last year’s "cost-cutting mindset."
• Survey Highlights:
  • 82% of FTEs plan to attend a holiday party, usually depending on “food or drinks served.”
  • Most workplaces are spending more on celebrations.
  • Most employees prefer “casual celebration during work hours” over inconvenient party times; some prefer bonuses or extra family time instead.
  • Quote:

    “No matter what, many people agree any kind of gesture is appreciated around the holidays.” (A, 13:20)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On travel chaos:

  “Thanksgiving travel is now in full swing, with plenty of crowded airports and congested roads.” (A, 00:17)

• On CDC trust:

  “A growing group of state leaders, professional medical societies and doctors have questioned whether the nation's public health agency is trustworthy anymore.” (A, 03:02)

• On military sedition investigation:

  “The FBI is reportedly working to schedule interviews with them now.” (A, 03:36)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:15 – Thanksgiving travel and weather
• 01:50 – CDC appointment controversy
• 02:49 – FBI and Pentagon investigations into Democratic lawmakers
• 04:09 – Ukraine peace plan negotiations
• 04:53 – Louvre heist update
• 06:08 – Thanksgiving closures, grocery options, Black Friday sales
• 08:08 – Native American Heritage Day
• 08:39 – X social platform’s location feature
• 09:28 – “Rush Hour 4” movie news
• 09:58 – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade preview
• 12:37 – Work Wednesday: Return of office holiday parties

Summary

This tightly packed episode provides a clear snapshot of America’s week—from the stress of navigating airports and icy roads to the fun of annual parades and shopping deals, all with the insight, fairness, and bright delivery that fans of The NewsWorthy have come to expect. Politics, pop culture, retail, and workplace trends all share the spotlight in a perfect pre-Thanksgiving news digest.