Catch up on the day’s stories: Pushing back against book bans, IRS ramps up audits, Kevin Bacon gene
CNN
CNN’s 5 Things PM brings you the stories you might have missed during your busy day.
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! The Internal Revenue Service plans to ramp up audit rates of wealthy taxpayers and large corporations. The audit rate of people earning more than $10 million will increase by 50%, and the agency intends to triple the audit rates of companies with assets over $250 million. The initiative will be paid for with money provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in 2022. Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ Novel idea: Acclaimed author Lauren Groff just opened a new bookstore in Florida. She’s building a community of literary resistance in a state that led the country in attempted book bans last year. Groff said her vision was shaped by what she calls “authoritarian creep.” 2️⃣ TikTok tiff: Ariana Grande, Adele and Rihanna will be back on the popular video platform soon, joining Taylor Swift after a deal with Universal Music Group ended a feud that saw one of the world’s biggest record labels pull its music. 📹 Video: What’s next with the TikTok ban 3️⃣ ‘Toxic positivity’: An author and mental health advocate has built a following by pushing back against a culture of relentless good vibes. Dave Tarnowski, who said he has battled depression and bipolar disorder, wants to help others who are struggling. 4️⃣ Kevin Bacon: The actor inspired the name of a newly identified gene — “dokb” for short — that’s responsible for regulating the structure of social networks in fruit flies. The name is based on the popular game linking celebrities to the “Footloose” star.
Gorilla at Calgary Zoo died after worker mistakenly activated wrong door, zoo officials say
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer Kelly Loeffler the job as of secretary of the Department of Agriculture, two people familiar with the matter told CNN.
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general on Thursday, said Friday he will not be returning to Congress next year.
Republican Dave McCormick will defeat Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, CNN projects, boosting the GOP majority in the Senate next year.
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing which was set for next week.
In the aftermath of the 2024 elections, Democrats are less optimistic about their party’s future than they’ve been at any point in the past eight years, according to new Pew Research Center polling released Friday.
After recent burglaries at homes of professional athletes – including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce – the NFL and NBA have issued security memos to teams and players warning that “organized and skilled groups” are increasingly targeting players’ residences for such crimes.
Laken Riley’s name was heard in court countless times and repeated by politicians around the country who described her brutal killing. But to those who really knew her, she was much more than a victim.
Hungry bears broke into a storage room at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to feast on the military rations.
A man convicted in the 1994 killing of a female hitchhiker in Alabama was put to death Thursday evening in the nation’s third execution using nitrogen gas.
President-elect Donald Trump is considering shaking up the leadership at the FBI by firing the director and installing an experienced former agent and MAGA loyalist in the top two roles.