"SpaceX made history Monday night when it successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket into orbit, deployed 11 satellites, and then brought the 15-story booster back to Earth for a soft, vertical landing just six miles from where it took off at Cape Canaveral, Florida." [Chris D'Angelo, HuffPost]
A grand jury did not indict the sheriff's office or jailers in Sandra Bland's death in a Southeast Texas county jail. [AP]
"I’d steeled myself for hate, but after 40 years of seeing myself as soiled and unworthy of good things, the outpouring of love was almost more difficult to accept." [Jackie Fuchs, HuffPost]
The Taliban is claiming responsibility for the attack, which involved a suicide bomber on a motorbike detonating near the group's patrol near Bagram air base. The attack is a reminder the war in Afghanistan "is far from over." [Reuters]
He wasn't taking too kindly to questions on how sexual abuse allegations were affecting his fan base. [HuffPost Live]
"Somali Islamist militants sprayed a Kenyan bus with bullets on Monday, killing two people, but a passenger said he and fellow Muslims defied demands from the attackers to help identify Christians traveling with them." [Reuters]
Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House advisor, recounts how the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting forever changed the president. [Sam Stein, HuffPost]
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WHAT’S BREWING
"Chronic heavy drinking can cause insidious damage to the brain, even in people who never seem intoxicated or obviously addicted. Experts say alcohol-related brain damage is underdiagnosed and often confused with Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia or just getting older." [WSJ]
Quentin Tarantino just can't catch a break on this movie. [Variety]
We're with Vulture -- "no one butt should have all that power." [Vulture]
Because according to this guy's calculations, "if you’re 30% through your life, you’re likely 90% through your best relationships." [Quartz]
Plan out your New Year's Day binge-watching now. [HuffPost]
"Later adulthood is a ripe time for an eating disorder to develop." [HuffPost]
WHAT'S WORKING
"Researchers found that enjoying your work is a critical part of actually getting your work done -- and doing it well. This may seem obvious: You’re more likely to do a thing if you genuinely like doing that thing." [HuffPost]
For more, sign up for the What's Working newsletter.
ON THE BLOG
"Because of outdated and inaccurate methodology that does not take into account rising costs for seniors, there will be no social security COLA -- or COLA for several other programs including Veterans' benefits -- next year. So instead of treading water, our seniors and our Veterans will sink as the benefits they've relied on lose purchasing power." [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
~ Donald Trump went after Hillary Clinton for her bathroom break.
~ Bad news for Chipotle fans: another E. Coli outbreak has been linked to the chain, this time in the Midwest.
~ Yeah, you should take a look at National Geographic's top photos of 2015.
~ Congrats to Chelsea Clinton and her husband Marc Mezvinsky on the announcement that they are expecting a second child.
~ Bernie Sanders broke the record for individual presidential campaign contributions at this point in a campaign.
~ The world's oldest tattooes.
~ President Obama is hitching a ride with Jerry Seinfeld for his show "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."
~ A lot goes into making a Chinese font.
~ "Game of Thrones" is changing how they address sexual assault in the upcoming season.
~ Take a spin through The New York Times' best graphics this year.
~ And check out your senator's holiday card.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.