Read Time: 5 min 58 sec | Listen to Podcast

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has died at 84.

The hard-charging Republican became one of the most powerful—and polarizing—vice presidents in U.S. history, remembered as a leading advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Over his long career in politics, Cheney served as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming’s Congressman, and Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, leading U.S. forces during the Persian Gulf War. He later returned to the White House as vice president under George W. Bush. 

His family said he died Monday night from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease, calling him a man who taught others to live with “courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly-fishing.”

Cheney’s influence on early-21st-century U.S. foreign policy was far-reaching, shaping America’s military strategy and diplomatic role for decades.

__

Verse to consider when news reminds us of our frailty... “Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away… Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."
Psalm 90:10-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

Voters in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia headed to the polls yesterday for some high-profile mayoral and gubernatorial elections.  

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected King of the Concrete Jungle NYC mayor, defeating independent and former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, despite Cuomo securing last-minute endorsements from President Trump and Elon Musk. 

Mamdani has promised to raise income taxes for the rich (pending state approval) to provide more free public services. Some NYC elites have threatened to leave if that happens, and President Trump has warned he’ll only send “the very minimum required” federal funds to the city. 

Across the Hudson, New Jerseyans elected Mikie Sherrill (D) as governor, narrowly keeping the blue state blue after several polling sites temporarily closed over “hoax” bomb threats. Meanwhile, in Virginia, former Representative Abigail Spanberger’s (D-VA) gubernatorial win flipped the commonwealth to blue.

__

RADIATE HOPE 
Whatever the outcome of these elections, Christians’ hope won’t be shaken. Our truest home is God’s kingdom, and he is our ultimate king. Live as exiles here, serving as Christ’s winsome, peace-making ambassadors with your eyes fixed on your heavenly home. 

“For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died.… He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.” 
2 Corinthians 5:14, 19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

Hydration isn’t just about chugging water. When you sweat, you lose sodium––and water alone can’t bring the balance back. That’s why replenishing electrolytes is key, especially if you’re active, spending lots of time in the heat, or just tired of feeling foggy by 2 p.m. 

That’s where LMNT comes in. No sugar, no junk––just a science-backed blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium to help you feel clear-headed, energized, and actually hydrated. 

Our office fav? Raspberry Salt. Pro tip: Mix it with ice water. So refreshing.

TPO readers get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any order. Stay salty (in the best way). 

Curious how we choose sponsors?  Learn more  |  Advertise with us

The government shutdown will officially be the longest on record, and Americans are feeling it.

The food assistance ~42M people rely on is still delayed, but now halfway funded. The Department of Agriculture will empty a $4.65B contingency fund to cover lapsed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (full November assistance costs ~$9B), but the partial assistance could take weeks to arrive. (Some states are making up the difference; check the map here.)

Education and transportation are also feeling the pressure. Head Start preschools are missing federal grant payments, forcing some to close, while TSA and air traffic controller staffing shortages spell long security lines and delayed flights.

Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) said he’s “optimistic” about reopening this week… but yesterday Republicans were six Democrats short in their 14th vote to advance a shutdown-ending continuing resolution. 

(We’re covering this story at a 7th-grade reading level with biblical reflection and response in Decaf: TPO for Families. Sign up for free to get it in your inbox tomorrow!)

__

BE DOERS
Hard national headlines can leave us feeling helpless. But 1 in 8 people across America losing food assistance means there will be a surge in the needs of many in our own backyards. Reach out to churches and food banks to see how you can give sacrificially, generously, and cheerfully.

“The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

It’s a big night for the moon. Tonight marks the year’s largest “supermoon,” when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth—just 221,800 miles away. The positioning makes it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. For the best view, keep your eyes peeled east at moonrise.

Norway is saying “ingen” to Elon Musk’s pay package (that’s a no). Norway’s sovereign wealth fund—the megamountain of investments that includes a ~1.14% stake (worth $11.6B) in Tesla—is “concerned” about the $1T package that would expand Musk’s voting power if key milestones are achieved. They’re the first major investor to announce their decision ahead of Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting Thursday.

Kimberly-Clark will soon cover headaches and owies in addition to accidents and sneezes. The maker of Huggies and Kleenex is buying Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol and Band-Aid, in a $48.7B deal. Also teaming up: OpenAI and Amazon. The giants signed a seven-year $38B deal enabling the ChatGPT-maker to power its AI tools with Amazon’s U.S. data centers.

A Harvard Medical School building has reopened after an explosion. The Goldenson Building was rocked early Saturday morning by a blast in a fourth-floor hallway near neuroscience labs. Officials say the explosion was an intentional attack but caused no injuries or major damage. Police released images of two masked suspects last seen fleeing the scene. The investigation remains “very active.”

A medieval tower in Rome, Italy, collapsed Monday, trapping four workers beneath the rubble and killing one. The victim was doing conservation work in the tower—part of the Torre dei Conti on the edge of the Roman Forum—when it collapsed, then crumbled further, trapping him for over 11 hours. He was freed but died on the way to the hospital.

Choose your fighter... s'mores edition.

What We’re Thankful For
A bank that shares our values, A.K.A. CCCU*

This Thanksgiving season, I’m especially thankful for a bank that aligns with my values.

A few months ago, I finally broke up with my big bank… and honestly, it was easier than I expected. Opening my account with Christian Community Credit Union took under five minutes. I had my account numbers shortly after, and my debit card arrived just in time to start shopping for the big meal. 

Plus, every dollar I spend helps support ministries and missions around the world.

Join CCCU by opening an account and you can get up to a $400* bonus with promo code POUR (the whipped cream on top of great banking)!

Emily Hansen | Partnerships Manager

_{*Terms and conditions apply}

What We’re Subscribing To
Help The Persecuted’s Prayer Newsletter*

This has been an unexpected source of encouragement to my faith and prayer life.

Each week, I receive the specific prayer needs of persecuted believers—people who have faced credible death threats, violence, or been forced from their homes for their faith in Christ. It’s brought a much-needed fresh perspective to my own walk with God and challenged me to reorient on what matters most. 

Also, the Bible is very clear that prayer is powerful and effective… and there’s something powerful about knowing I’m joining thousands of other Christians in praying for another brother or sister’s specific needs! Join me (it’s free).

Jason Woodruff | Founder