How the holidays could be affecting your medical care A new study suggests that holidays can affect your provider’s decision making. Read more on NPR

Here’s what we know about the deadly school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin The suspect is likely to have died from a gunshot wound, but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed by a medical examiner. Read more on NPR

Apprenticeships are a trending alternative to college — but there’s a hitch Apprenticeships are becoming a popular alternative to college as a career path. But demand is outpacing the supply of employers who offer them. Read more on NPR

A transplanted pig kidney offers a grandmother hope for life without dialysis The patient was in kidney failure and her immune system would reject a human organ. Scientists hope genetically modified pig organs prove safe and will alleviate the organ shortage and save lives. Read more on NPR

FBI warns Americans to keep their text messages secure: What to know The U.S. believes hackers affiliated with China’s government are infiltrating telecoms and stealing users’ data. The FBI has urged people to use end-to-end encryption to keep their info safe. Read more on NPR

‘Love Is Blind’ cast are employees, labor board says. Could a reality TV union be next? The case could have big implications for what glues reality show fans to the tube. A pending ruling, whatever the outcome, would set a precedent that other unscripted TV cast members could follow. Read more on NPR

‘Fake electors’ from 2020 are casting 2024 votes for Trump while facing felony charges Eight of the Republicans set to cast Michigan and Nevada’s 2024 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump still face felony charges related to efforts to reverse Trump’s 2020 loss. Read more on NPR

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake causes widespread damage in Pacific island nation of Vanuatu The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people. Read more on NPR

An explosion kills the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces in Moscow An explosive device planted close to an apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. Read more on NPR

Canada’s finance minister resigns, posing biggest test of Trudeau’s political career The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on. Read more on NPR