Live Updates: F.A.A. Declares a Rare Nationwide Ground Stop  —  The F.A.A. grounded all flights nationwide, citing “extraordinary circumstances” and “reasons of safety.”  —  Here's the latest.  —  The Federal Aviation Administration announced a rare nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon …

MAGA turns on Lutnick amid China spy scandal  —  Commerce Secretary Lutnick has become the face of the Trump administration's troubled response to Chinese espionage and potential national security threats.  — The most intense scrutiny is coming from Republicans on the Hill, fellow Cabinet members and the MAGA base.

Democrats Did Not Lose the Hegseth Vote Because of Attendance  —  And other misconceptions.  —  ∙ Paid  —  Happy Friday!  I have a jam-packed mailbag edition for you this morning, answering many of your great questions on the next Congress and what it will look like.

U.S. Loses Measles-Elimination Status as Historic Resurgence Sickens Thousands  —  The Pan American Health Organization, an international health body, has revoked the coveted status, sources say  —  The Pan American Health Organization, an international health body, has revoked …

CMS Announces a Hold Harmless Period to Strengthen Medicaid Work Requirement Systems and Improve Beneficiary Experience  —  States implementing by Jan. 1, can use the transition period to improve their systems and processes, supporting a successful launch of the work requirement

U.S. ends halt on flight departures after nationwide air traffic communications outage  —  Air safety reporting is made accessible without a subscription as a public service.  Subscribe to The Air Current for full access to our scoops, in-depth reporting and industry analysis.

Trump, Xi and Putin plan an unprecedented joint meeting on the sidelines of APEC, officials say  —  The leaders of the United States, China and Russia plan to meet Thursday on the sidelines of next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China's tech hub of Shenzhen …

City of Detroit says drivers will get additional training after horses were allowed to board city bus  —  Polar bear cub in Japan goes viral for his love of traffic cones Video shows 3 humpback whales jump in unison  —  Humanoid robot chases wild boars in the Polish capital Warsaw …

Wholesale food prices are on the rise  —  Food prices are rising sharply even before they reach supermarket shelves.  —  Why it matters: Americans are already paying more for groceries.  New inflation data this week suggests that the pressure is not letting up.

Howard Lutnick Has Got to Go  —  Jensen Huang, until Thursday the head of Nvidia, one of the world's most valuable corporations, abruptly resigned his post following his admission of an extramarital affair with an alleged Chinese spy.  Now an even bigger scandal is developing at the Department of Commerce …

Election denier Lauren Boebert loses reelection bid after her campaign questioned Colorado vote count  —  U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) lost her bid for reelection Friday — a stunning defeat for one of President Donald Trump's most prominent allies in Congress, whose campaign raised unfounded allegations …

Inside Stephen Miller's Frenetic First Week as White House Chief of Staff  —  Trump's longtime aide is moving to reshape the administration's policymaking process  —  WASHINGTON—The White House chief of staff is often described as the president's gatekeeper, a powerful figure who keeps watch …

Tear.  It.  Down.  —  The White House is being transformed into the Trump House.  That must not stand.  —  ∙ Paid  —  Buildings are not only buildings.  They are not just structures to keep out the cold and rain.  Their design expresses things, and the context of their surroundings matters.

It Is Time For Democrats To Cross The Rubicon Of Appropriations  —  De-fund Trump's War And Cut Defense Spending.  Both Will Make The USA Safer.  —  ∙ Paid  —  Hi All,  —  A piece on the structure of US foreign policymaking and why the Democrats should take advantage of Congress' greatest power …

'We're not the United Nations': Rubio blasts global elite in speech  —  Secretary of State Marco Rubio decried the “rules-based order” enforced by international lawyers and “activist courts” in a Friday evening broadside, his first address since the midterm elections and one that comes …

Zelenskyy Says US Floats NATO Membership in Deal for Donbas  —  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said US peace envoys asked whether Ukraine would be willing to give up the Donbas region in the nation's east to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, signaling a potential shift in Washington's negotiating tactics.