Immigrants are preparing for the possibility of mass deportations once Donald Trump takes office. The number of whooping cough cases is higher than it has been in a decade. And a look back at the internet trends and memes that shaped 2024.

This is what you should know today.

Immigrants prepare action plans as Trump promises mass deportations

In some immigrant households in the U.S., families are faced with a heartbreaking thought: “Many of us celebrate Christmas together and think, ‘Oh my God, is this the last time we can spend Christmas with our family members?'” said Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet , who runs a Florida nonprofit that advocates for immigrants and other underserved communities.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to implement the “largest deportation program in American history” when he takes office next month. The new administration reportedly plans to roll back policies that restrict immigration enforcement activities in and around schools, churches and hospitals.

As a result, immigrant families spend the holidays having difficult conversations.

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NBC News spoke to nearly half a dozen immigrant rights advocates in four states, and all said they had received an increased number of calls from immigrants inquiring about their rights. In response, advocates and groups conduct awareness-of-your-rights training and help at-risk families prepare action plans in the event an undocumented relative is suddenly detained or deported.

For example, Hope CommUnity Center, the nonprofit outside Orlando led by Sousa-Lazaballet, helps immigrant families develop a “dignity plan,” which includes legal plans for who will care for the children left behind if a parent goes without Papers are picked up by authorities.

In Los Angeles, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights offered 93 know-your-rights presentations at schools, businesses and organizations that provide community services.

They are not the only groups working to ensure that people are prepared for all possible possibilities – even if they come with emotional consequences.

Read the full story here.

Gaetz is accused in Congress of paying women for sex

The House Ethics Committee released its final report on its investigation into Matt Gaetz, finding that the former Florida representative had engaged in a long list of conduct that violated House rules and some actions that could constitute felonies at the state level. In the 42-page report, the committee said it tracked more than $90,000 paid to 12 women over a four-year period from 2017 to 2020 while Gaetz was a member of Congress and concluded that the payments were most likely related to sexual activity or drug use. Gaetz has repeatedly denied ever paying for sex.

In addition to prostitution, the committee said in the report that Gaetz “violated House rules and other standards of conduct” that prohibit “statutory rape, illegal drug use, improper gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.”

Gaetz vacated his congressional seat last month, days before the report was to be released and after President-elect Donald Trump announced him as his nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew his offer after more details about the Ethics Commission investigation and other allegations were reported. He tried unsuccessfully to block publication of the report yesterday morning. Here’s what else you should know.

Read more political news:

• Former President Bill Clinton, 78, was taken to hospital in Washington after he developed a fever. A source close to Clinton said the situation was “not urgent.”
• President Joe Biden signed a defense bill That brings total military spending to $895 billion, although he objects to dumbing down coverage of the medical treatment of transgender children in military families.
• Democrats are already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, where they hope to regain the majority in the Senate. Here are the most important races and battlefields to look at.

Cases of whooping cough are increasing rapidly

According to the CDC, pertussis cases in the United States have reached their highest annual total in a decade. As of mid-September, around 14,500 cases have been registered nationwide since the beginning of the year. That number rose to over 32,000 on December 14, meaning the same number of cases were counted in the last 12 weeks as in the entire rest of the year. For comparison: In 2023, more than 5,100 cases were registered at the same time, and in 2022 the total number of cases was around 3,000.

There are a few possible reasons for the dramatic increase in cases, experts said. Vaccination protection is likely to decline as childhood vaccination rates decline. Improved testing has also likely led to more cases being diagnosed.

Here’s what you should know about symptoms and who is most at risk.

read all about it

• Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty on New York State charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
• The IRS plans to issue automatic “special payments” of up to $1,400 to 1 million taxpayers. Find out who qualifies here.
• Three people fell into the sea when Santa Cruz Wharf in California partially collapsed. Two people were rescued and the third made it out of the water under his own power, an official said.
• How much are people tipping their babysitters, housekeepers, and teachers this holiday season? This was the result of a survey It’s the same amount as three years ago Despite inflation.
• The drama between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, also the film’s director, had been simmering for months.

2024 in memes, from “Brat Summer” to “Underconsumption Core”

This year, Charli XCX and her fans redefined the word “brat.” The “Hawk Tuah Girl” surprised the internet – and ran away with her newfound fame. And “Underconsumption Core” encouraged people to rethink microtrends.

Read more about the best viral memes and moments of the year. Warning: We can’t promise that you won’t get brain rot.

NBC Select: Online shopping, simplified

Whether you’re looking for a last minute gift or just looking for a good deal, there are many sales to use this week.

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