CTE and everyday people; a Congressional holiday contest; Dave Sedaris reads from 'Santaland'

Plus, you need to upgrade your masks against omicron. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up Boston University CTE Center and Getty Images/Aaron Marin for NPR Here's what we're following today: CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a disease largely associated with the NFL. But some everyday people who never played pro sports [fear they have the fatal disease](. Frantic for a cure, some turn to dubious remedies and controversial doctors. Another COVID variant is plowing its way through the nation, and experts predict it will [infect more than 400,000]( a day in the U.S. at its peak. ➡️ While illness from the variant could be less severe, it's still highly contagious, which means [it's time to think about upgrading your masks.]( On Jan. 6, a violent mob stormed the Capitol to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The crowds were fueled by the "Big Lie" that former President Donald Trump had won. Now, nearly a year later, many warn that the lie has only grown [more entrenched — and more dangerous for democracy](. Pandemic student loan relief will be extended to May 2022, President Biden announced. Loan payments, interest accruals and collections of defaulted federal student loans have [all been on hold]( since the start of the pandemic. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection has requested to sit down for an interview with Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. Committee Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson said the committee would talk about "[at least one and possibly multiple communications]( Jordan had with Trump that day. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture show Becky Harlan/NPR The second floor of the Longworth Congressional office building is taking holiday decorations to a whole new level. Check out photos of the holiday hijinks that ensue [in the lawmakers' quest for the best decor](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen azndc/Getty Images It's the most wonderful time of the year! In 1992, Sedaris read from Santaland diaries for NPR. 🎧 [Listen as he once again reads from his darkly humorous stories]( working as a Christmas elf at a Macy's department store in New York. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Connie Hanzhang Jin/NP - The Matrix Resurrections is finally out. Long before writers Lilly and Lana Wachowski confirmed that the original films were [written as a trans allegory,]( fans connected to its themes of self-actualization. - Madix is lucky he has nine lives. The cat was found [nine days after a deadly tornadoes]( hit Kentucky. - Researchers studying the wreckage of the last U.S. slave ship in Alabama have made the startling discovery that [the boat is mostly intact.]( The NPR Daily newsletter is taking a break for the holidays and will be back in your inbox on Jan. 3. Happy holidays!" --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]