Christine Grassman, 56, sits at her dining room table in October 2025.
Irwin and Carson scored an 89 out of 90 total possible points throughout Tuesday night's finale.

Happy almost-Turkey day! I'm Nicole Fallert. Don't cook the turkey wrong.

Waiting at the airport? Scroll Wednesday's news:

  • The nation is headed home for Thanksgiving.
  • Many Americans haven't recovered from the financial pain of the government shutdown.
  • "Dancing With The Stars" took a bow after a banner season.

Record Thanksgiving travel expected for 2025

It's exciting. It's dreadful. It's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and millions of Americans are expected to travel today to holiday celebrations. Not traveling? Sit back and meal prep.

Turkeys don't fly. But Americans do! Airlines are recovering to normal operations following a government shutdown that ended earlier this month. But weather, crowds and everyday mechanical issues can still cause disruptions.

  • Snow to tornadoes: A cross-country storm could lead to travel havoc, forecasters say.
  • What if my flight goes wrong? If your flight is delayed, what you're entitled to may vary depending on the cause. No matter what, don't be annoying.
  • Driving? The majority of Thanksgiving travelers will hit the road. Here are the best times to drive and one thing you shouldn't do while behind the wheel.

Trump wants a Ukraine peace deal by Thanksgiving

President Donald Trump said only a few "points of disagreement" remain on a possible deal to end Russia's war on Ukraine. He's now sending his top negotiator to Moscow to try to finalize an updated version of his administration's peace plan.

More news to know now

  • Some SNAP recipients are still waiting on payments ahead of Thanksgiving.
  • Trump may talk to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over drug strikes.
  • A vaccine skeptic just got a top CDC role.
  • See Melania Trump’s polarizing holiday style.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Inside the search for a Virginia HS football coach

Virginia State Police continue to search for Travis Turner, 46, Union High School football coach and physical education teacher. Turner faces criminal charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor, according to the Virginia State Police. The coach went missing in the middle of his team's undefeated season last week.

A blind woman, a 'dream job' and the toll of the government shutdown

Christine Grassman, 56, was among thousands of federal workers fired during the recent government shutdown. She wasn’t the only blind or low-vision federal employee who was initially laid off. The upheaval that people like Christine endured underscores just how harmful Washington gridlock can be for Americans.

Today's talkers

  • We tried "cuddle therapy" with live turkeys.
  • Our Opinion columnist wants you to ask MAGA Thanksgiving guests this question.
  • Count advent with pickles.
  • The women's NCAA soccer tournament is headed for holiday heat.

Who took the mirrorball trophy?

After a whopping 72 million votes during the live finale, "Dancing With The Stars" came to a triumphant end Tuesday, naming Robert Irwin and pro partner Witney Carson the winners of Season 34. Revisit all the incredible "DWTS" moments from this season and read how the show became a soft spot for scandal-ridden celebrities.

Photo of the day: The freest turkeys

First Lady Melania Trump and President Trump pardoned some feathered friends Tuesday at the White House turkey pardon ceremony. Meet Gobble and Wobble.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: Turkeys don't fly

Reporting by Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect