Today’s briefing: We debunk common flu vaccine myths and explain the science behind vaccination benefits. The Mid-Atlantic is seeing sustained electricity bill increases tied to a data center boom. Character.AI has settled multiple lawsuits over alleged youth mental-health harms, while job-market indicators worsened in December. Additional items: scrutiny of pilot sobriety checks, wildfire survivors facing prohibitive rebuilding costs, and a rare 2,000-year-old Iron Age trumpet discovery.
5 Things PM: Flu Vaccine Facts, Soaring Power Bills, AI Lawsuit Settlements and More
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Welcome to 5 Things PM. Below are the top stories you may have missed today, explained clearly and concisely.
Flu Vaccine Myths, Debunked — With flu activity rising across the country, many wonder whether the vaccine helps and whether the shot poses greater risk than getting sick. We separate the most common myths from what current science shows and explain who benefits most from vaccination.
Mid-Atlantic Faces Rising Electricity Costs
Residents in the Mid-Atlantic, especially in Maryland and Washington, D.C., are feeling sustained pressure from higher electricity bills. Analysts point to a surge in data center construction and the power demands that come with it as a major contributor to rising utility costs.
Character.AI Settles Lawsuits Over Youth Mental Health Claims
Character.AI has agreed to settle multiple lawsuits alleging the platform contributed to mental health crises and suicides among young users. The settlements resolve several high-profile legal challenges involving chatbot technology and its impacts on minors.
Norfolk Museums Service/Historic England
Job Market Weakens, Worker Anxiety Grows
New data show Americans' odds of finding a job dropped to a record low in December, while fears of job loss remain near recent highs. Economists say the employment picture has few bright spots and could weigh on consumer confidence.
Pilot Sobriety Under Scrutiny
Although attempts by pilots to fly under the influence are rare, a recent cluster of incidents has prompted scrutiny of current safeguards. Regulators and airlines are reviewing screening, testing, and procedural checks designed to keep cockpits sober and safe.
California Wildfire Survivors Face Tough Choices
Some wildfire survivors in Altadena are living on empty lots and confronting skyrocketing rebuilding costs. Many homeowners are stuck between being unable to rebuild and unable to relocate, creating long-term financial and emotional strain.
Human Interest: Mixed-Orientation Family Story
Samantha Wynn Greenstone and her husband, Jacob Hoff, are documenting life in their mixed-orientation marriage as they become new parents, offering a candid look at love, partnership, and family in modern America.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Politics, Power, And Global Notes
The Minnesota governor authorized the National Guard after protests erupted following a fatal ICE-involved shooting. Meanwhile, the Senate is moving to check presidential war powers even as Venezuela announced developments concerning political prisoners. Separately, Donald Trump's contested ballroom project took its first formal step toward construction, a move supporters say could resolve a decades-long issue.
Archaeology: 2,000-Year-Old Battle Trumpet Found
Archaeologists in England uncovered an exceptional Iron Age battle trumpet, known as a carnyx, dating to roughly 2,000 years ago. The find was among a collection described as internationally significant.
Sports Quick Hit
After the Miami Dolphins fired coach Mike McDaniel, the team became the eighth NFL franchise looking for a head coach. Several other clubs have also moved on from their coaches since the regular season ended.
Quiz Answer: D. Miami became the eighth team searching for a head coach.
We’ll see you tomorrow. For more news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com. Today's edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN's Kimberly Richardson and Chris Good.
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