In a recent effort to alleviate the financial strain many Americans are experiencing during the holiday season, the White House has been promoting dropping prices on various goods, including gas and turkeys. This comes as the Biden administration faces criticism from voters who claim their pocketbooks are still hurting, despite some positive economic indicators.

One significant development is the potential truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. A Hamas leader stated that the militant group is "close to reaching a truce agreement" with Israel, further supporting similar claims from the White House. Negotiators, including senior Biden administration officials, have been engaged in discussions to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Although an agreement has yet to be finalized, there is cautious optimism that progress is being made. The Israeli military estimates that around 239 hostages are currently being held in Gaza since Hamas' attacks on Israel in October.

Meanwhile, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is facing the threat of employee resignations following the ousting of CEO Sam Altman. Over 500 employees have signed a letter expressing their intention to quit, accusing the OpenAI board of mishandling Altman's firing and negotiating in bad faith. The employees have demanded the resignation and reinstatement of Altman and Greg Brockman, the former president of OpenAI. In response, Microsoft's stock reached a record high after announcing that Altman would be joining the company to lead its artificial intelligence innovation division.

As Thanksgiving approaches, health experts are urging caution due to the circulation of various seasonal viruses, including flu, Covid-19, and RSV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises taking familiar precautions such as handwashing, opening windows for ventilation, and wearing masks in areas with limited airflow. Vaccines are also available at hospitals and major pharmacy chains, and households in the US are now eligible to order four free at-home Covid-19 tests.

In a legal battle surrounding former President Trump's ability to criticize the special counsel overseeing his federal 2020 election subversion case, a court is set to decide the extent to which Trump can publicly target court personnel. The court temporarily froze a gag order that restricted Trump's ability to criticize court personnel, allowing him to continue his attacks on the special counsel and his family.

Gun violence continues to plague the US, with a gunman opening fire at a Walmart near Dayton, Ohio, injuring four people before taking his own life. This incident marks at least the second deadly shooting at the store this year. Separately, a search is underway for a Colorado shooter after three people were killed in a dispute over property lines.

In other news, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built, but the test flight ended prematurely with an explosion and loss of signal. Negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas continue, with cautious optimism expressed by various countries involved. Former President Trump and Vice President Harris are both engaging in campaign activities, with Trump visiting Texas near the US-Mexico border and receiving the endorsement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Meanwhile, Harris acknowledges the need to earn reelection amid Biden's declining poll numbers. Severe storms are expected to impact Thanksgiving travel, particularly in the southern US, while Los Angeles commuters are relieved as a portion of Interstate 10 reopens ahead of schedule. Microsoft has hired former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and a visual history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and abandoned places reclaimed by nature offer glimpses into the past.