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CNN
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What makes for a good seat on an airplane? Some say the window view, while others believe legroom is most important – and will even pay substantially more for a few extra inches of space. Airlines know that comfort is your top priority, but a growing number of them are opting for less comfortable, cost-effective seats – including some without the reclining option altogether. Many travelers aren’t fond of the change, but some aviation experts say the move could benefit flight attendants who often play schoolyard monitor over disputes involving seat reclining etiquette.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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More than 34 million people in the southwestern US are under flood watches today as a powerful storm continues to batter California. In the past 24 hours, up to 7 inches of rain fell across lower elevations of the state, while areas in the mountains reported up to 10 inches. The torrential downpour has forced thousands of evacuations, inundated roadways, and caused widespread damage across central and northern California. The storm is now trekking south, shifting the risk of mudslides and flooding to the Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and Las Vegas areas today. The storm is the latest in an unrelenting parade of atmospheric rivers to plague the West Coast in recent weeks, but scientists say the downpour is still not enough to reverse the region’s severe drought.

Classified documents from President Joe Biden’s time as vice president were discovered in a private office last fall, Biden’s attorneys acknowledged Monday. It is unclear what the documents pertain to or why they were taken to Biden’s private office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a space Biden used as part of his relationship with the University of Pennsylvania. Attorney General Merrick Garland has called for an investigation into the matter, a source tells CNN. Republicans are also asking questions of Biden after his administration criticized former President Donald Trump for potentially mishandling classified records at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Federal investigators have recovered at least 325 classified documents from Trump as part of their inquiry.

Classified documents found at Biden private office. Hear what he said about Trump Mar-a-Lago documents

House Republicans on Monday approved a rules package for the 118th Congress in what marked the first test of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ability to navigate his slim Republican majority. The package governs how the House will operate for the next two years and includes key concessions McCarthy made to GOP hardliners to secure the leadership position, including the ability for any single member to call a vote to oust him. Despite concerns from some moderates, the rules were passed on a 220-213 mostly party-line vote, with Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales joining all the Democrats in voting against the measure. In its first piece of legislation as the new majority, the GOP-controlled House then passed a bill rescinding funding for the IRS that was implemented in the Inflation Reduction Act, a massive social spending bill passed by Democrats in the last Congress.

The Golden Globe Awards, celebrating the best in television and film, will air tonight on the heels of diversity and ethics controversies. In 2021, NBC announced it would not broadcast the Globes, following criticism over a lack of diversity among the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and other ethical questions related to financial benefits. Last year, the show was not televised and was held without an audience or red carpet, with organizers citing scaled-down plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the Globes return for an 80th anniversary dogged by questions as to how diluted and damaged the brand might be. This year’s list of nominees is stacked with A-list talent, but it remains unclear if the turnout will be as star-studded as in the past.

Golden Globes president on organization changes ahead of 2023 ceremony

Former Twitter employees that were impacted by a mass layoff in November are starting to receive their severance offers after months of waiting. But many are unhappy with the offer and the conditions attached to it. The severance offer promises one month’s pay in exchange for agreeing to various terms, including a non-disparagement agreement and waiving the right to take any legal action against the company. Many were dissatisfied with the offer, according to public posts and attorneys representing ex-employees, saying it falls short of the “3 months of severance” that new owner Elon Musk had previously promised. The former Twitter employees are now stuck deciding whether to accept the money or join the hundreds of others who have already filed arbitration demands or lawsuits against the company.

A green comet will appear in the night sky this week, NASA says

For the first time in 50,000 years, a dazzling green comet will swing by Earth on Thursday. Here’s when you’ll be able to spot it.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin moves from Cincinnati to Buffalo hospital 7 days after collapse

Things are looking up for Damar Hamlin! The NFL player flew back to Buffalo after medical professionals saw major improvements in his condition.

Georgia wins second consecutive college football national championship

Also in the football world, the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs wrapped up an exhilarating season Monday after crushing No. 3 Texas Christian University.

Mega Millions jackpot tops $1 billion

Here we are again… This marks the fourth time in a little over four years that the top prize has exceeded $1 billion. If you’re thinking about testing your luck, this is when the next drawing will be.

One of the world’s best restaurants is set to close next year

This fine dining establishment topped the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants numerous times, most recently in 2021. Despite global acclaim, here’s why its restaurant chapter is coming to a close.

Victoria Lee, one of the brightest new stars in mixed martial arts (MMA), has died at the age of 18, her sister confirmed. Lee was born and raised in Hawaii and had recently started climbing through the ranks of the sport. “She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then,” her sister Angela said in an Instagram post. A cause of death has not been released at this time.

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That’s how many people Prince Harry claims to have killed while serving with the British army in Afghanistan, saying that in the heat of combat, he viewed his targets as “chess pieces” rather than people. “I felt it vital never to shy away from that number,” Harry shared in his new memoir “Spare.” The prince completed two tours in Afghanistan, one spanning from 2007 to 2008 and the other from 2012 to 2013. His remarks have sparked an angry rebuke from the Taliban – and criticism from some British security and military figures who say he’s jeopardizing his safety.

“Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

– Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr., saying federal safety regulators are considering a ban on gas stoves. The CPSC has been considering action on gas stoves for months, mainly due to concerns about indoor pollution linked to childhood asthma. The CPSC told CNN the agency has not proposed any regulatory action on gas stoves at this time, and any regulatory action would “involve a lengthy process.” Thirty-five percent of households in the US use a gas stove, data shows, and the number approaches 70% in some states like California and New Jersey.

Check your local forecast here>>>

Soar alongside migrating birds

Watch this beautiful video to see what it’s like to fly with birds – and meet a man who helps lead them on safe routes during migration season. (Click here to view)

CNN
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A week after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appears to be healthy enough to be released from a Buffalo hospital within 24 to 48 hours, Michael Hughes, senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Kaleida Health, told CNN on Tuesday.

Doctors are finishing tests on Hamlin and are optimistic they will be able to determine whether there were any pre-existing conditions that played a role in Hamlin’s cardiac arrest January 2. The hospital plans to release a written health update on Tuesday.

If doctors’ early findings hold true, Hughes said the injury was strictly caused by blunt force trauma.

Hamlin was transferred from a Cincinnati hospital to the Buffalo hospital on Monday after doctors determined his critical condition had improved to good or fair – surpassing expectations.

“We felt that it was safe and proper to help get him back to the greater Buffalo area,” Dr. Timothy Pritts, chief of surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, said Monday.

Hamlin’s parents flew from Cincinnati back home to Pittsburgh but then flew to Buffalo. They were en route Tuesday from the Buffalo Bills’ practice facility and were expected to arrive at the hospital to see Hamlin soon.

Hamlin, a second-year NFL player, has been regaining strength over the past several days after his sudden collapse after a tackle against the Bengals in Cincinnati.

“He’s certainly on what we consider a very normal to even accelerated trajectory from the life-threatening event that he underwent,” Pritts said, “but he’s making great progress.”

Normal recovery from a cardiac arrest can be measured in weeks to months, Pritts explained. But Hamlin has been beating that timeline at each stage and is neurologically intact.

Still, Pritts said it’s too early to say when Hamlin could get back to normal life or what caused his heart to stop, saying more testing is needed.

Hamlin was sedated and on a ventilator for days after his cardiac arrest. On Friday morning, the breathing tube was removed, and Hamlin began walking with some help by that afternoon, his doctors said Monday.

The safety’s condition was upgraded Monday because his organ systems were stable and he no longer needed intensive nursing or respiratory therapy, doctors said.

“He walks normally,” said Dr. William Knight, a neurovascular critical care expert who treated Hamlin at UC Health. “He is admittedly a little weak. I don’t think that’s of any real surprise after what he went through, just regaining his strength. And that’s part of his recovery process.”

Hamlin’s release Monday meant he could return to Buffalo, which prompted even more encouragement and eagerness for some of his teammates to see him again.

“Super excited that he’s back in Buffalo and what a job that the team of docs and the medical team did out in Cincinnati, and now he’s in great care here in Buffalo. We’re happy to have him back,” Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday.

After seeing him Monday, McDermott said Hamlin was “tired” but seemed happy. “Happy to be back in Buffalo and around a familiar area to him. I know he’s taking it just one step at a time.”

The coach also said his team has grown since Hamlin was injured, saying such experiences nurture growth.

“We will all have grown as people, and as men in this case,” McDermott said, noting there’s a plan in place for the players and staff to visit Hamlin “at the proper time.”

“Having him nearby will give us more comfort” and inspire the team as it prepares for the postseason, McDermott said.

Although Hamlin was not with the team when they played Sunday against the New England Patriots, his support was definitely felt.

When his team scored a touchdown, Hamlin set off alarms in the ICU, Pritts said.

“When the opening kickoff was run back, he jumped up and down and got out of his chair and set – I think – every alarm off in the ICU in the process, but he was fine, it was just an appropriate reaction to a very exciting play. He very much enjoyed it,” Pritts said.

Hamlin was “beyond excited” Sunday and felt “very supported by the outpouring of love from across the league, especially from the Buffalo area. We’ve learned this week that the Bills mafia is a very real thing,” Pritts added.

The immediate medical response to Hamlin’s collapse helped save his life, and the Buffalo Bills are now encouraging people to learn how to administer CPR.

Assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington is credited with performing CPR when Hamlin lost his pulse on the field and needed to be revived through resuscitation and defibrillation.

The medical response was part of an emergency action plan that “involves team, independent medical and athletic training staff, equipment and security personnel, and is reviewed prior to every game,” a Monday statement from the Bills read.

The team pledged support for resources including CPR certifications, automated external defibrillator units and guidance developing cardiac emergency response plans within the Buffalo community, according to the statement.

“We encourage all our fans to continue showing your support and take the next step by obtaining CPR certification,” the Bills said.

New York
CNN
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Elon Musk’s Twitter has restored the accounts of two prominent election deniers who were banned from the platform following the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

“Stop the Steal” organizer Ali Alexander’s account was restored on Monday. Alexander assumed a leadership role in the movement that discredited the 2020 election in the weeks leading up to January 6.

Asked by the January 6 Committee what platform he used to promote events in the lead-up to that day, Alexander responded, “Primarily Twitter,” according to his deposition to the committee made public last month. He has not been charged with a crime.

In the months since Musk took ownership of Twitter, the self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” has restored the accounts of high-profile figures who were banned from the platform following the January 6 attack, including former President Donald Trump, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and others.

As unrest unfolded in Brazil on Sunday, Alexander appeared to cheer on the attack, posting on his Truth Social account a Brazilian flag emoji and the message, “I do NOT denounce unannounced impromptu Capitol tours by the people.”

Overnight on Monday, Twitter also restored the account of Ron Watkins – a prominent conspiracy theorist who then-President Trump retweeted multiple times in the days before the assault on the Capitol.

Watkins played a central role in spreading conspiracy theories about voting machine and the 2020 election.

Watkins’ father, Jim, is the owner of the hate-filled online message board 8kun that is home to the QAnon conspiracy theory. An HBO documentary in 2021 identified Ron as potentially being the anonymous figure behind the conspiracy theory, an assertion that Ron has denied.

Jim Watkins was interviewed by the January 6 committee last year, where he denied under oath that he or his son Ron posed as “Q.”