The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday as advocates for transgender youth try to overturn a Tennessee law banning puberty blockers and hormones in some instances.

In 2023, a federal appeals court allowed Tennessee to enforce the law that bans certain types of medical care for transgender minors with diagnosed gender dysphoria. The state of Tennessee says the law, which passed by a 77-16 margin in the House and 26-6 in the Senate, bans hormone treatment for gender dysphoric or gender incongruent prepubertal minors.

The implications of this case reach far beyond Tennessee. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 26 states have laws stopping doctors from providing some types of gender-affirming care. If the Tennessee law is overturned, similar laws in other states would likely be impacted.

The people of Tennessee, through their elected representatives, took measured action with Senate Bill 1 to protect kids from irreversible, unproven medical procedures, said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. Lawmakers recognized that there is little to no credible evidence to justify the serious risks these procedures present to youth and joined a growing number of European countries in restricting their use on minors with gender-identity issues.

RELATED STORY | Ohio governor signs bill limiting bathroom use by transgender students

But the ACLU and Biden's Department of Justice disagreed. The Department of Justice said that "by denying only transgender youth access to these forms of medically necessary care while allowing non-transgender minors access to the same or similar procedures, SB 1 discriminates against transgender youth."

The Tennessee law allows doctors to provide such treatment in cases of congenital defects, a minor's disease or physical injury. The Biden Justice Department says this exception means that transgender youth are being unlawfully discriminated against based on their sex and transgender status. The Justice Department and ACLU say Senate Bill 1 violates the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause.

No person should be denied access to necessary medical care just because of their transgender status, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The right to consider your health and medically-approved treatment options with your family and doctors is a right that everyone should have, including transgender children, who are especially vulnerable to serious risks of depression, anxiety and suicide."

RELATED STORY | Supreme Court decision could have endless impact on transgender medical care

Although the court has a clear conservative lean, in 2020, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch ruled with the court's then-four liberal justices on an employment discrimination case. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that a business that dismisses a worker based on gender identity or sexual orientation violates the equal employment opportunity provision in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Their ruling essentially expanded the group of classes the law protects to include people who are gay or transgender.

A ruling in the case being heard on Wednesday is not expected for several months.

Although many American voters have said in polls the state of the economy is not good, holiday spending is increasing at a rapid rate.

According to Adobe Analytics, 2024 set a record for Cyber Monday with Americans spending $13.3 billion, a 7.3% increase over last year. For the five-day holiday weekend ending Monday, Americans spent $41.1 billion online, an increase of 8.2% over 2023. As of October 2024, the inflation rate was 2.6%, proving that inflation alone was not nearly enough to explain the increase.

RELATED STORY | Best apps to manage your money as the holiday shopping season ramps up

The strong holiday spending is expected to continue. Adobe Analytics projects retail spending to hit$240.8 billion this holiday season, an increase of 8.4% from 2023. 

Hot items on Cyber Monday included Elf on the Shelf dolls, Harry Potter Toys and figurines, card and board games, stuffed animals and dolls, LEGO City sets and craft and science kits. Video games units, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch OLED, and Meta Quest, and games, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, various Zelda Games, NBA 2k25, and Super Smash Bros, were popular on Cyber Monday.

The exceedingly strong holiday shopping season comes just weeks after U.S. political polls showed a majority of registered voters saying the U.S. economy was in poor shape.

While Cyber Monday remained the seasons and years biggest online shopping day, year-over-year growth was stronger on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, at Adobe Digital Insights. Early discounts were strong enough that many consumers felt comfortable hitting the buy button earlier on during Cyber Week, with Cyber Monday becoming last call for shoppers to take advantage of big holiday deals.

The National Retail Federation estimates that 197 million shoppers made retail purchases from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, which is slightly down from 200 million shoppers during a record-breaking 2023. The National Retail Federation said more people shopped in-person this year than in 2023, but fewer Americans shopped online than last year.

RELATED STORY | Here's how to cut down on impulse purchases ahead of the holidays

Whether its tradition, the deals or simply an activity with friends and family, consumers continue to embrace Thanksgiving holiday weekend shopping, Prosper Executive Vice President of strategy Phil Rist said. Additional offerings like free shipping, a limited sale or promotion or a positive review helped convince most shoppers to move items from their shopping carts to the purchase finish line.

The Food and Drug Administration announced dog food distributed in seven states has been recalled after testing positive for salmonella.

According to the FDA, 2-pound logs of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix distributed between August 6 and August 23 tested positive for salmonella last week. The recalled units have the UPC 854298001696. 

The company learned of the problem when a customer's litter of puppies became ill and reported the issue. The seven states the products were distributed to include Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

RELATED STORY | Fresh cucumbers sold in 26 states recalled over salmonella risks

Pets with salmonella poisoning can be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Pets who have these symptoms and have consumed the recalled food should be seen by a veterinarian, the FDA said. 

The FDA also said there is a risk to humans who may have contacted recalled products and did not properly wash their hands or sanitize surfaces. The FDA says salmonella causes diarrhea, fever and cramps in humans. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Those who are infected usually do not require any treatment.

The FDA encourages people to wash all bowls and utensils that may have come in contact with the recalled food. Unused products should be destroyed.

RELATED STORY | Kirkland-brand eggs sold at Costco recalled over salmonella concerns

Online Black Friday shopping shattered records in 2024, with spending up 10.2% this year compared to 2023, according to data provided by Adobe Analytics.

Consumers spent a record $10.8 billion online on Friday, which is nearly double what was spent just seven years ago on Black Friday.

How does Black Friday shopping compare to a typical day? Spending on toys was over seven times higher than a typical day, jewelry had over six times the spending, and electronics had more than four times the spending.

RELATED STORY | Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: When are the better deals?

Adobe Analytics said popular toys helped drive a massive increase in toy spending. Top toys sold on Friday include Harry Potter LEGO sets, Wicked toys, card and board games, Disney Princess toys and dolls, and Cookeez Makery oven playset, Adobe Analytics said.

Crossing the $10 billion mark is a big e-commerce milestone for Black Friday, for a day that in the past was more anchored towards in-store shopping, said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights .And with consumers getting more comfortable with everything from mobile shopping to chat bots, we have tailwinds that can prop up online growth for Black Friday moving forward.

Adobe Analytics expects Thanksgiving weekend spending to remain robust. An estimated $5.2 billion is expected to be spent by Americans on Saturday, and $5.6 billion is expected to be spent at online retailers on Sunday.

Cyber Monday is expected to generate $13.2 billion, a 6.1% increase from last year.

RELATED STORY | Best apps to manage your money as the holiday shopping season ramps up

The National Retail Federation expects that 200 million Americans will shop this weekend, nearly 4 million more than a year ago. Online shopping is projected to generate more revenue than in-person.

The five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday represents some of the busiest shopping days of the year and reflects the continued resilience of consumers and strength of the economy, said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Shoppers exceeded our expectations with a robust turnout. Retailers large and small were prepared to deliver safe, convenient and affordable shopping experiences with the products and services consumers needed, and at great prices.

A heavy band of snow is developing along Lake Erie, blasting areas between Cleveland and Buffalo with intense winter weather.

Lake effect snow warnings are in place in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Forecasters say a band of 2-4 feet of snow will develop just south of Buffalo over the next few days. While Buffalo itself is expected to get less than a foot of snow, Dunkirk, New York is expected to get up to 4 feet.

In Ohio, Cleveland itself is expected to top out at 6-8 inches of snow, but areas just 50 miles northeast of the city are projected to get over a foot of snow.

A widespread band of 2-4 feet with locally heavier amounts of snow is also expected to develop further north along New York's shore with Lake Ontario. The National Weather Service is forecasting over 5 feet of snow in Watertown, New York, which is not far from Lake Ontario.

On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 11 counties.

As lake effect snow moves into parts of Western New York, Central New York and the North Country, we are monitoring the situation closely and mobilizing resources to respond, Hochul said. Alongside our partners in local government, we are taking every step necessary to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe.

Disruptions to holiday travel

The snow is falling amid the busiest Thanksgiving travel weekend on record. The snow has forced officials to close Interstate 90 in Pennsylvania, cutting off road travel between Buffalo and Cleveland. The heavy snow is also causing disruptions on Interstates 79 and 86 near Lake Erie.

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Interstate 81 through New York remains open, as of Saturday morning, but travel has been slowed in the region.

Although road travel has been slowed, airports in Cleveland and Buffalo have not reported any flight cancellations associated with the snowstorm.

Snow to also impact Ohio Valley

The Great Lakes region is not the only area to get heavy snow. A band of moderate snow will sweep across the U.S., from Kansas to West Virginia. A winter weather advisory is in place for much of the Ohio Valley as a widespread area will get 1-3 inches of snow this weekend.

RELATED STORY | Transportation officials expecting busiest holiday travel season yet

Areas under the advisory include Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville, Kentucky, an Charleston, West Virginia.

This week will mark one of the busiest periods U.S. airports have ever faced, with over 2.9 million people expected to fly on Wednesday alone, and 18 million people for the week, according to Transportation Security Administration projections.

AAA projects that 71.7 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles by car this week, causing congestion along major corridors.

Fortunately, most of the U.S. is entering Thanksgiving weekend with relatively calm weather.

RELATED STORY | When will stores open? What to expect for Black Friday 2024

Heavy snow is falling in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Utah on Wednesday. Although the snow might cause slowdowns along Interstates 15, 25 and 70, there have only been a handful of delays or cancellations out of Denver and Salt Lake City on early Wednesday.

A less intense system is moving through the Midwest on Wednesday, and that could bring light rain or snow in the Great Lakes region.

A larger winter storm could impact the Northeast late Thanksgiving and into Friday, with 7 inches of snow expected in parts of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day of the weekend, with over 3 million people projected to fly. For those going to the Great Lakes region, delays could occur.

Heavy lake effect snow is possible in Cleveland and Buffalo, with lighter snow in areas such as Pittsburgh and Detroit.

RELATED STORY | Transportation officials expecting busiest holiday travel season yet

Despite a nationwide air traffic controller shortage, and a worker strike at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, air travel has been generally smooth this week, according to data from FlightAware.

U.S. Department of Transportation officials have said, flight delays are possible this week due to heavy travel volumes

It was not that long ago when many major retailers began Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving. After the pandemic, deal seekers will mostly have to wait until Friday.

Most major retailers are closed on Thursday, and even a number of grocery and pharmacy chains are also keeping their doors closed.

And if you forgot an ingredient for the big meal, you may or may not be out of luck, depending on where you live.

RELATED STORY | When will stores open? What to expect for Black Friday 2024

Here is a look at what is open, and what's not, this Thanksgiving. Note that hours may vary and many locations will have adjusted hours. Also, chains that are franchised owned, like Subway and Burger King, will depend on the franchisee.

What's open:

Albertsons Applebee's Bass Pro Shops Cabela's CVS Denny's Dunkin' IHOP Kroger McDonald's Starbucks Walgreens (note, only about 500 24-hour locations will open; the rest will remain closed) Waffle House

Also, essential government offices, such as the National Weather Service, Transportation Security Administration, and others, will

What's closed

Banks Best Buy Dominos Most government offices Pizza Hut Publix Stock markets Target Walmart Most Walgreens

If you are looking for sit-down dining options, numerous chains will offer Thanksgiving Day menus. They include Cracker Barrel and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Also many around-the-clock restaurants, like Waffle House and IHOP, will remain open.

RELATED STORY | Are prices actually lower on Black Friday? Report indicates not everything is on sale

Although inflation has eased since peaking in 2022, retailers say that credit card swipe fees are not helping to lower inflation.

The National Retail Federation sent a letter this week to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging congressional action to limit credit card swipe fees.

What are swipe fees?

For every transaction involving a credit card, a business is charged a fee. A congressional report suggests that in 2022, credit card companies collected $160 billion in swipe fees.

The report indicates that credit card companies generally take around 2% of a transaction.

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One reason for this is far more transactions are performed by using credit cards. In 2015, there were 33.7 billion credit card transactions that accounted for $3.05 trillion in sales. By 2021, that number increased to 51.1 billion transactions accounting for $4.88 trillion.

Another reason swipe fees are increasing is credit card companies are in an arms race to offer their customers rewards, such as airline miles, gift cards and cash back. While credit card companies have other forms of income from customers who carry balances, such as late fees and interest, transaction swipe fees are a way for companies to compensate customers who take advantage of cash-back offers but dont carry a balance.

What the retail industry wants

Visa and Mastercard control about 80% of the credit card market. The National Retail Federation is calling for greater competition.

The current credit card system has been designed by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly to maximize profits for the networks and the nations largest credit card issuers while forcing merchants and their customers to pay excessive fees without any recourse to help bring these costs under control, NRF Senior Vice President for government relations David French said. This market failure requires action by Congress.

RELATED STORY | Visa, Mastercard settle antitrust suit over swipe fees with merchants

French added that swipe fees are adding inflationary pressure to the U.S. economy and prevent retailers and other merchants from growing their businesses.

A bipartisan group of senators, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, were among the lawmakers who introduced the Credit Card Competition Act. The bill would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure that giant credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction may be processed.

Interchange fees put a brutal strain on our small businesses, but because of the Visa-Mastercard duopoly in the credit card network market, Main Street businesses have no choice but to pay these crushing fees or risk going under, said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont.  The Credit Card Competition Act will restore choice and competition in the credit card network market, helping to bring down costs for small businesses and making it easier for these essential businesses to thrive.

CEOs for the credit card industry were invited to a hearing earlier this year to testify on the Credit Card Competition Act but had not accepted an invitation.

McDonald's just announced that its menu will undergo one of its most significant overhauls in years as it puts more emphasis on value meals and in-app deals.

The $5 value meals McDonald's introduced over the summer will become a permanent feature at most restaurants. The $5 meal deal includes small fries, a four-piece Chicken McNuggets, a small soft drink, and the choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich. Top rivals Burger King and Wendy's have also offered similar promotions.

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There will also be a breakfast component to its new menu. McDonald's will begin offering a buy one, add one for $1 for breakfast items, including: sausage McMuffin, sausage Biscuit, sausage burrito, and hash browns.

McDonald's will also offering buy one, add one for $1 on lunch and dinners items, including: six-piece chicken McNuggets, double cheeseburger, McChicken, and small fries.

"When it comes to value, we know there's no one-size-fits-all. We've worked closely with our franchisees to create a new platform that will let our customers define value on their own terms," said Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA. "From deals on their personal go-to order to universal favorites like the $5 Meal Deal, we're excited to give fans more ways to save every time they visit one of our restaurants."

The new menu goes into effect Jan. 7.

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McDonald's also said that local restaurants will offer locals deals on its mobile app.

McDonald's saw a massive boost in foot traffic in the first week following the June 25 launch of its $5 meal deal, according to data from Placer.ai. McDonald's is among the restaurants that have said price hikes may have priced out some consumers during a period of high inflation.

With rising labor costs, restaurants said they had to raise prices. But with food costs leveling off, restaurants are rethinking their pricing strategies.

For the fifth consecutive year, Black Friday will predominantly be a Friday event as most major retailers have shifted away from opening on Thanksgiving Thursday since the pandemic.

RELATED STORY | Are prices actually lower on Black Friday? Report indicates not everything is on sale

Most major retailers tell Scripps News they plan to open early on Friday, which is considered the busiest in-person shopping day of the year.

When will stores open?

Most major retailers will open several hours early the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers noted there might be some local variations in hours.

Here is when stores will be open (list will be updated as retailers announce updated hours):

Bass Pro Shops: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Best Buy: TBA Cabela's: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Costco: 9 a.m. to regular close Dick's Sporting Goods: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dollar General: Normal hours Gap: Opening as early as 5 a.m., but hours will vary Home Goods: TBA Kohl's: 5 a.m. to midnight Lowe's: 6 a.m. to regular close JCPenney: TBA Macy's: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Marshall's: 7 a.m. opening Old Navy: Opening as early as 5 a.m., but hours will vary Target: 6 a.m. opening TJ Maxx: 7 a.m. opening Walmart: Normal hours, generally 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.How busy will Black Friday be?

If last year is any indication, stores will be busy. According to the National Retail Federation, 2023 marked the busiest Black Friday in four years. The day attracted 76.2 million in-person shoppers, which was up from 72.9 million the year before.

RELATED STORY | Thanksgiving meals expected to be cheaper in 2024 as turkey prices drop

But 2023 Black Friday remained below pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, the National Retail Federation estimated that 84.2 million people shopped in person on Black Friday. That's in addition to the 59.9 million who shopped the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the 37.8 million who shopped on Thanksgiving itself.

The National Retail Federation expects Black Friday to be quite busy again this year with 131.7 million people to shop online, in-person or both the day after Thanksgiving.

Turkey trots are a common way for new and experienced runners to burn a few calories before bellying up to the Thanksgiving dinner table. And these events are becoming even more popular.

According to RunSignup, over 920,000 Americans participated in a turkey trot last Thanksgiving at one of over 833 races across the U.S. The number of people who registered for a Turkey Trot through Run Signup has nearly tripled over the past seven years.

The actual number of participants is actually higher, as some races use different platforms for registration.

While some turkey trots welcomed a few dozen runners, RunSignup noted there were 249 races on Thanksgiving last year that had at least 1,000 participants.

And these races are everywhere. All 50 states had at least one Thanksgiving Day race, with Pennsylvania leading the way with 56 separate events.

The overwhelming majority of these events (84.4%) had a 5K (3.11 miles) option. A smaller number of Thanksgiving Day races included one-mile, 10K and even half marathon distances.

RELATED STORY | Transportation officials expecting busiest holiday travel season yet

These races aren't just good for fitness; they can help raise a lot of money. RunSignup said that over $1.99 million was raised for various charities through the hundreds of Turkey Trot registrations it managed in 2023.

To find a race near you, click here.

Expert tips for running a turkey trot

With so many runners hitting the starting line, these races can be a good introduction to running for inexperienced athletes. If youre signed up for a race, here are some tips from exercise physiologist Katie Lawton from the Cleveland Clinic on how to successfully run a turkey trot:

Pick a manageable race distance. Turkey trots can range from just a mile to a half-marathon distance. Lawton said a 5K is generally a good distance for beginners.

Train a bit. While the Turkey Trot might be a few days away, it might not be a bad idea to get outside and log a few miles ahead of the race.

Get a group together. Lawton recommends inviting friends and family to join in the fun.

Wear comfortable athletic shoes. While Lawton says any athletic shoe will do for a one-time 5K, if you plan on continuing your training, it would not be a bad idea to get shoes made for walking and running. Many running stores have devices that help athletes find the proper shoe and fit.

RELATED STORY | Thanksgiving meals expected to be cheaper in 2024 as turkey prices drop

Dress for the weather. Take a layered approach to your outfit, Lawton said. If it is chilly, you will generally start to warm up after the race begins. You can remove outer layers as you race.

Hydrate. The Cleveland Clinic said drinking water is especially important if you get sweaty or consumed alcohol the night before.

The Cleveland Clinic also suggests runners pace themselves at turkey trots. They also note that slower runners should start at the back of the pack, allowing faster runners an easier path forward.

After the race, they say to keep moving and be sure to eat a light snack, like a banana or granola bar.

As President-elect Donald Trump named his nominee for the United States' ambassador to Canada, Canada's provincial and territorial leaders are calling for a new trade pact.

On Wednesday, Trump said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra as his ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra was an 18-year member of Congress representing Michigan and chaired the House Intelligence Committee for two terms. He was also the United States ambassador to the Netherlands under Trump from 2018-2021.

With the U.S. and Canada sharing the world's longest international border, the two nations are key trade partners. The North American Free Trade Agreement came to an end during the first Trump administration, and was replaced by the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement. That agreement is subject for renegotiation during Trump's second term.

The agreement kept much of the same language as NAFTA, but allowed the U.S. to export more dairy products into Canada. In exchange, Canada could export peanuts, processed peanut products, and a limited amount of products made with sugar into the U.S.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed on Thursday it is time for Canada to renegotiate the agreement.

"As everyone here knows, there is no partnership more important to the economic success of Ontario and Canada than our close ties with the United States," Ford said. "As we head into the review of the USMCA, our government is doing everything we can to strengthen and grow our historic partnership. We are continuing to build relationships with our U.S. counterparts at all levels of government and all political stripes driving home the message that we need to reject protectionism and promote a buy Can-AM approach. Because while free-trade is essential to economic growth, free trade has to be fair."

RELATED STORY | Poll: Despite Trump win, Americans remain divided on key campaign promises

Ford accused Mexico of becoming a backdoor for cars made in China, which he says is hurting manufacturing in the U.S. and Canada. Ford said he and other provincial leaders are wanting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider ending the USMCA in lieu of a direct, one-on-one agreement with the U.S.

"We must prioritize our deepest economic partnership by working directly with the U.S. on a bilateral free-trade agreement that puts Canadian and American workers first with separate discussions for a bilateral agreement with Mexico," Ford said.

Ford's comments come as Trump has proposed massive tariffs on goods imported from China.

Trump has also said he would like to renegotiate the USMCA.

"There are always things that you can do better. I got a clause that gives me the right to re-negotiate [the USMCA]. Who else would think of that except a business person?" Trump told Fox News told host Maria Bartiromo before the 2024 election. "We've been screwed by Mexico and by China and by Canada and by the European Union."

Two of the nation's largest plumbing repair companies said they expect to be quite busy after Thanksgiving on a day it calls "Brown Friday."

Roto-Rooter said it experiences a 50% increase in call volume the day after Thanksgiving compared to an average Friday. The company also said Thanksgiving weekend has a 21% uptick in business over any other four-day weekend period.

Mr. Rooter also describes the day after Thanksgiving as its busiest of the year. The company said that it's not clogged toilets causing all of the issues, but instead items getting into kitchen drains, clogging lines.

"A typical Thanksgiving dinner puts a far greater demand on your kitchen sink than it receives on a normal day. To make things worse, the type of food that typically gets made during Thanksgiving is exceptional at clogging sinks," Mr. Rooter said.

RELATED STORY | Thanksgiving meals expected to be cheaper in 2024 as turkey prices drop

"Houses full of holiday guests take extra showers and flush more toilets, so that alone puts a strain on residential drain systems," said Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter. "But once the kitchen gets busy and the sink and disposal receive peelings, rice, poultry skin and oily turkey drippings, things start clogging up fast."

Roto-Rooter issued the following tips to prevent drain trouble during Thanksgiving weekend:

Never pour grease, turkey drippings or cooking oil down drains. They solidify in pipes like candle wax and choke drains. Don't put potato peels, poultry skins, bones, rice or pasta down the garbage disposal. Disposals can handle small quantities of scraps, but most food should go into the trash can or compost pile. Make sure the garbage disposal is running when you add food scraps. Don't flush wet wipes down toilets. Most won't dissolve and may clog drainpipes and sewers. Place plungers in guest bathrooms to save guests the embarrassment of asking for one. Spread out showers and laundry loads so pipes have time to drain.

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Both Roto-Rooter and Mr. Rooter said they'll be fully staffed on Black Friday to assist customers with the plumbing needs.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Thursday claiming that Google has maintained a monopoly in search services and text advertising through "anticompetitive practices."

The suit comes after a judge ruled in August that Google exploited its dominance to squash competition.

"Googles exclusionary conduct has, among other things, made Google the near universal default for search and ensured that virtually all search access points route users valuable queries and interaction data to Google," the DOJ said in its suit. "Googles unlawful behavior has deprived rivals not only of critical distribution channels but also distribution partners who could otherwise enable entry into these markets by competitors in new and innovative ways. Googles conduct has resulted in significant anticompetitive effectscausing 'market foreclosure,' 'preventing rivals from achieving scale,' and 'diminishing the incentives of rivals to invest and innovate.'

The Department of Justice was joined by dozens of states as co-plaintiffs. In response to the August ruling, the DOJ suggested that Google sell its Chrome web browser and relinquish control of Android as a remedy.

RELATED STORY | Yelp sues Google for using its search engine monopoly to promote itself over local competitors

"Googles ownership and control of Chrome and Androidkey methods for the distribution of search engines to consumersposes a significant challenge to effectuate a remedy that aims to unfetter [these] market[s] from anticompetitive conduct and ensure that there remain no practices likely to result in monopolization in the future," the DOJ's lawsuit says.

In response to the DOJ's lawsuit, Google said that prosecutors could have proposed other remedies, such as search distribution agreements with Apple and other smartphone makers.

"Instead, DOJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and Americas global technology leadership," Google said in a statement. "DOJs wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Courts decision. It would break a range of Google products even beyond Search that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives."

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Google added that losing control of Chrome and Android would "endanger the security and privacy" of millions of Americans and chill its investment in artificial intelligence.

"DOJs approach would result in unprecedented government overreach that would harm American consumers, developers, and small businesses and jeopardize Americas global economic and technological leadership at precisely the moment its needed most," Google said.

Statcounter estimates that Google accounts for about 90% of all internet searches. Bing is second, drawing a mere 4% of web searches.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the leader of Hamas Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes committed.

Two other arrest warrants were considered for senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, but were withdrawn after confirmation of their deaths. The ICC also issued an arrest warrant against Yoav Gallant, who served as Israel's minister of defense from 2022 through earlier this year.

The ICC said that Netanyahu and Gallant were accused of war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Israel objected to the ICC's jurisdiction, but the court ruled against Israel.

"The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least Oct. 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024," the ICC said. "This finding is based on the role of Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant in impeding humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law and their failure to facilitate relief by all means at its disposal.

"The Chamber found that their conduct led to the disruption of the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide food and other essential goods to the population in need in Gaza. The aforementioned restrictions together with cutting off electricity and reducing fuel supply also had a severe impact on the availability of water in Gaza and the ability of hospitals to provide medical care."

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Many international groups have condemned Israel for blocking aid efforts in Gaza amid its response to the attack by Hamas. The U.S. has backed Israel militarily but has urged Israel and Hamas to work out a peace agreement to bring an end to hostilities.

Deif is accused by the ICC of being one of the leaders in Hamas' deadly attack against Israel that left hundreds dead and taking hundreds more hostage.

U.S. and Israeli sources said Deif died in July, but Hamas has publicly disputed his death. The ICC said it is not in a position to judge whether Deif is alive or not.

The ICC has successfully arrested and sentenced past world leaders, including former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

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The ICC primarily charges world leaders for offenses such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. There are 123 nations that are parties to the ICC. Both the United States and Israel are among those that have not agreed to the Rome Statute, which helped form the ICC.

President Bill Clinton agreed to join the ICC in 1998, but the treaty was never ratified by the U.S. Senate.

Although Clinton signed the treaty, his administration expressed concern about the U.S. participating in the ICC. The Clinton administration was particularly concerned the court would supersede domestic courts.

According to the ICC, its judges have issued 59 arrest warrants. Of those, 21 have been detained.

The ICC has issued 11 convictions in its history.