States fight back against ballot measures; 'buy now, pay later' takes over Christmas shopping; Americans want compromise

Plus, our top tips for terrible gift-givers. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen You count on this newsletter to keep you well-informed and well-connected. We are asking for your help this month. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference with a year-end contribution to independent, trustworthy media. [Donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Good morning. Is "All I Want for Christmas Is You" stuck in your head yet? Here's why [Mariah Carey is the Christmas queen](. Here's what we're following today: --------------------------------------------------------------- 🥇 First up [A grocery cart full of Christmas presents]( Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Inflation has hit the holiday season hard, and many shoppers are turning to "[buy now, pay later]( programs like Affirm or Klarna for their Christmas shopping. But new research shows these plans could encourage shoppers to overspend. 🎧 Listen to the [pros and cons of the trend](. Have you checked your email recently? Student loan borrowers were left confused Tuesday after receiving an email [reversing course on their student debt relief]( applications. This year, ballot measures allowed voters to pass laws or amend their state's constitution, leading to expanded Medicaid, marijuana legalization, and protection of abortion rights in several states. Now, [lawmakers have pushed back](. 🎧 Listen to how some states are [making these ballot measures tougher to pass](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 🥪 Food for thought [The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington, D.C., early Dec. 14, 2022.]( J. Scott Applewhite/AP Three-quarters of Americans say they want members of Congress to compromise with each other [across the aisle]( but 58% say they have no confidence they will. Listen to the r[esults of NPR's latest poll.]( [➡️]( The survey also found that Joe Biden's approval rating is still low, at 43%, but his standing has improved some after recent legislative wins and a better-than-expected finish for Democrats in the midterm. [➡️]( Still, a majority of Democrats want someone else to be the nominee in 2024. Kamala Harris was supported by 17% of respondents, and 16% said they'd want Pete Buttigieg to run. More than a quarter are looking for someone else. [➡️]( A majority of Republicans want someone other than Trump to be the party's nominee, but in a multi-candidate field, he still would be the preferred candidate by a 45%-to-33% margin over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. [➡️]( Respondents want Congress to focus on inflation, preserving democracy and immigration. Republicans prioritized inflation, whereas Democrats prioritized preserving democracy, and 83% of respondents overall agreed there is a serious threat to democracy. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧 Today’s listen [A man walks with a dog in his backpack]( Photographer/Source We asked, and your pets answered. NPR poet-in-residence Kwame Alexander combed through more than 700 submissions from Morning Edition listeners to create a community poem from your pets' point of view. 🎧 [Listen to it]( or [read it here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. [Please donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🛑 Before you go [People clink their drinks together by candlight]( Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images - For some people, family isn't who they're related to. It's about who they've chosen to be in their lives. [Tell us about your chosen family]( and your story could be used for NPR's Consider This podcast. - An autopsy revealed that American soccer sportswriter Grant Wahl died of an [ascending aortic aneurysm](. Wahl collapsed while covering Friday's Argentina-Netherlands quarterfinal match at the World Cup - Ho ho ho! Merry Santacon! [Thousands of people dressed as Santa]( are gathering in New York City this weekend for the famous holiday bar crawl. - Are you terrible at giving gifts? Does Christmas shopping make you break out in hives? [Follow these tips]( and you'll soon be the best gift-giver in your family. - It's been quite a year for Tiny Desk Concerts. We started out the year continuing our at-home series, before returning to the studio in the summer. [Vote for your favorite Tiny Desk of 2022](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]