The Thursday Flyover Replay : Wray to Resign, Musk Sets Wealth Record, and a Drone Mystery

Presented by Russell Sherrard,

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny,

THE FLYOVER REPLAY,

Thursday, December 12, 2024,

Good Morning! On this day in 1901, radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean, transmitting the Morse-code signal for the letter “s” more than 2,000 miles from Cornwall to Canada.

A new survey shows that “Jingle Bells” is the most popular Christmas song in 14 states, the most of any holiday song.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF,

FBI Director to Step Down,

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of the Biden administration when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Wray stated that after careful consideration, resigning was “the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray.” His current term was expected to end in 2027.

Trump hasn’t held back on criticism of Wray, using a Sunday interview to express his disapproval of the way the FBI handled the search of his Florida home, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home.”

Trump was also quick to respond to Wray’s decision, calling it a “great day for America” and saying it “will end the weaponization” of the bureau.”

Albertsons Ends $25 Billion Kroger Merger,

Supermarket giant Albertsons abandoned its $24.6 billion proposed merger with Kroger Wednesday, suing its rival for breach of contract after two federal judges temporarily blocked the deal.

Federal judges in Oregon and Washington sided with the FTC Tuesday, freezing the Kroger-Albertsons merger over concerns it would reduce competition and increase consumer prices.

The grocery giants have accused each other of not doing enough to secure regulatory approval. It ended with Albertsons suing Kroger for $600M in termination fees plus billions in damages, while Kroger dismissed the claims as baseless.

Trump Named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’,

Time is expected to announce President-elect Donald Trump as its annual “Person of the Year” today, the same day Trump is set to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time.

Time listed Trump as one of the ten finalists under consideration earlier this week. Other candidates on the shortlist included Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, and Vice President Harris.

This will mark Trump’s second selection as Person of the Year, with his first being in 2016 after winning his first term as president.

POLITICS,

The House passed the $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, authorizing a 1% defense spending increase, raises for enlisted members, and restrictions on several controversial policy positions.

A new AP-NORC poll found that only 22% of Americans approve of President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter, with just 38% of Democrats supporting the action.

President-elect Donald Trump said he would speed up all approvals and permits for anyone or any company investing at least $1 billion in the U.S.

Federal officials have denied claims that the mysterious drones flying over New Jersey are controlled by an Iranian “mothership,” but the FBI admitted the origin of the large drones, spotted since November, is still unknown.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman became the first Democratic senator to join Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump’s social media platform. In his debut post, Fetterman called for the White House to pardon Trump.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors,

Add Audio to your blog posts.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $5 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com

Thanks Christopher,

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS,

The NFL announced that it will play its first-ever game in Berlin, Germany, in 2025.

The Washington Nationals won the MLB Draft Lottery on Tuesday, giving them the No. 1 overall pick for the third time in franchise history.

The NBA released the trailer for their 2024 Christmas Day games this season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold were among the NFL’s Players of the Week for Week 14.

The Holiday Section

Data analysis revealed that “Jingle Bells” is the most popular Christmas song in 14 states, significantly more than the second favorite, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!”

AAA expects record holiday travel from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, projecting at least 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles, boosted by lower gas prices.

Britain’s electronic and cyber-intelligence agency released its annual Christmas card challenge Wednesday, featuring seven brainteasers designed by the agency to test young people aged 11 to 18.

FINANCE,

Big Stock Move: Patterson Companies stock jumped 36% Wednesday on news that the dental and vet supply company is being acquired for $4.1 billion by a private equity firm.

Elon Musk’s net worth soared to $447 million this week, making him the first person to pass $400 billion in net worth. His wealth jumped nearly $63 billion in one day, also a record, sparked largely by a jump in SpaceX’s stock price after a corporate buyback.

The annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.7% in November after increasing 0.3% for the month, slightly higher than October. Economists said it was in line with expectations.

A federal judge rejected the sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to the satirical publication The Onion, leaving the future uncertain for the controversial platform. It will remain in Jones’ control for the near future.

SCIENCE AND TECH,

A list of the 25 most remarkable space achievements since 2000 features milestones like the discovery of ʻOumuamua and SpaceX’s launch tower catching a rocket.

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which proved flight on Mars is possible, could be repurposed as a weather station after surviving a February crash with its sensors and recording equipment intact.

The ideal coffee is a personal choice, but researchers recommend a medium roast blend for the best balance of flavor, caffeine content, and extraction yield.

THE ROTATOR,
THROWBACK THURSDAY,

A couple transformed their garage into a retro Pizza Hut restaurant, complete with original booth seating, arcade games, lamps, and more, spending $3,000 on collecting the now-antique items.

When rotary telephones were new, people had to be taught how to dial a phone rather than use a switchboard operator. Here’s a 1954 video teaching people how to use one of those new dialing devices.

Not everything in the 20th century was built to last, but some things certainly were. These photos show 17 manufactured items that people are still using today, even after decades of wear.

ET CETERA,

George Joseph Kresge Jr., famously known as The Amazing Kreskin and a popular talk show guest since the 1960s, died Tuesday at 89.

Actor Dick Van Dyke was among the many celebrities forced to evacuate their homes as the Franklin Fire continues to burn thousands of acres in Malibu, California.

A new £5 commemorative coin celebrating Sir Paul McCartney’s life and career left the former Beatle honored, saying, “It’s not anything I ever expected as a kid.”

Daily Quote,

“After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down.”

— FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he would leave the job ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a word from our sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals

Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.