One more decent weather day and then the cold weather really settles in.  Here are the 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW for today

1. At least 12 people have died and over 130 prison workers have been held hostage amid widespread gang violence—including a brief takeover of a live TV station—in Ecuador sparked by the weekend prison escape of a high-ranking gang leader. The nation’s new president, Daniel Noboa, announced a 60-day state of emergency in response.

2. It was the most toxic debate yet. Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis ripped into each other and their records last night in the most hostile head-to-head Republican debate yet.

3. University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, widely considered one of the greatest college football coaches in history, announced his retirement yesterday, stepping down after 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide. The news came 10 days after a 27-20 playoff loss to Michigan, in what became his final game at Alabama. Other universities like Auburn celebrated the news in a way that makes me feel they should just carry large signs around that say, “we never had a chance until now, but this is sure to make us better.”

4. On the heels of the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations are out and “Barbie”, “Oppenheimer” and “Succession” lead the way

5. and the state of Alaska just grew in 24 hours, increasing it’s size by the equivalent of the state of Texas.  It’s all part a scientific land grab by the state department to extend the property lines of the continental shelf off the east coast, west coast and Alaska. While this doesn’t change maritime boundary agreements or shipping lane rules, it does give the U.S. control of the sea floor. Doesn’t all this have you wondering why now and what valuable rescource lies in these areas that all of a sudden the U.S. is claiming rights to it. All seems very shady to me.

AND THAT’S TRENDING