happy new year. And welcome to 2025! It's officially the season where most of us still mistakenly write 2024 on everything (or is it just me?) We also just finished the era of Generation Alpha. Babies born in 2025 will be Currently part of Gen Beta. I hope you all found some much-needed respite from the chaos of the world. So let's catch up:

• The FBI believes the suspect in the New Orleans attack acted alone.

• Authorities are investigating a possible connection to the Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.

• The postponed Sugar Bowl will be held today with Super Bowl-level security.
• Mike Johnson is fighting to grab the Speaker's gavel tomorrow.
• Will Ferrell showed up to a hockey game dressed as Buddy the disheveled elf.
• Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is back on Instagram.

I kate martel A quick summary of this morning and what's to come. Send tips, explanations, feedback, and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com.Did someone forward this newsletter to you?Sign up here.

©AP

bourbon streetWe are planning to reopen today After a driver plows through a crowd on a busy street in New Orleans.early in the morningOn New Year's Day, 14 people were killed and dozens more were injured.

What we know about the suspect :The driver was identified as 42 years old. Shamsud Din JabbarOriginally from Texas. Jabbar is a military veteran. He is believed to have taken inspiration from the Islamic State group, and an ISIS flag was found on the truck used in the attack. He reportedly used a rental car app to secure the truck.

read more:“What we know about the New Orleans terrorists”

victims: Authorities have not released a list of victims, but families have identified several of those killed.tiger beckAspiring nurseNikila Cheyenne Dedeauxand Reggie Hunter37 years old, father of two children.

read more:“Future nurses, soccer players included among victims of New Orleans terrorist attack''

CNN obtains surveillance footageA truck enters Bourbon Street. Warning, it's graphic and disturbing.

Click here for details on The HillsRebecca Beitsch.

Did he act alone?: The FBI's current assessment is that the suspect acted alone. 💻Clip from this morning's press conference

Did you have any doubts about Jabbar?:Fox News reportedThe FBI had no information about the suspect before the attack, according to calls with lawmakers. Authorities also believe the suspect was “inspired” by ISIS, but have no evidence that he has direct ties to the extremist group.

treated as a “terrorist act”: “This was an act of terrorism” Assistant Directorchristopher lyreFBI counterterrorism divisionI said this morning. “It was a premeditated and evil act.”

©AP

Tesla Cybertruck explodes in front of mepresident-elect trumpLas Vegas hotel on Wednesday. One person was killed and seven injured. Authorities are still investigating whether this was an act of terrorism and whether it was related to the New Orleans attack.

who died?: NewsNation has identified the man killed in the Cybertruck explosion as:matthew allan livelesburger. Mr. Libersberger was a military veteran and drove a truck.

Elon Musk cooperated with the investigation.Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriffkevin mcmahillPraise Tesla CEOElon muskThank you for your assistance in investigating the explosion.

From McMahill: “I have to especially thank Mr. Elon Musk, who has done quite a bit in terms of tracking how the vehicle was locked after the explosion and where it came from through the Tesla charging station. provided us with additional information.the hill)

Musk slammed the suspect: “Evil Knucklehead Chose the Wrong Vehicle for Terrorist Attack,” Musk SaysPosted in X. “The Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the explosion upwards. The glass doors in the lobby were not broken.”

All we know:“Tesla Cybertruck explodes in front of President Trump's Las Vegas hotel''

Related article, via New York Times:“Investigators look into link between New Orleans attack and Las Vegas explosion''

Sugar Bowl has been postponed to today: The University of Georgia and Notre Dame were scheduled to play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Wednesday, but it was postponed to Thursday afternoon. New Orleans police announced that security for today's game will be on par with the Super Bowl.

Louisiana Attorney GeneralLiz Muril(R) told NBC.Lester HoltShe said she wished it had been postponed to another day.

President Trump blames attack on 'open borders':president-elect trumpRecent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas were blamed on the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border. But please remember: The suspect in New Orleans is reportedly a U.S. citizen from Texas, and the suspect in Las Vegas is reportedly a military veteran from Colorado.

Biden cites suspect's ISIS inspiration: Biden gave a short speech at Camp David on Wednesday. “A few hours before the attack, [the suspect] Biden posted a video on social media that showed he was inspired by ISIS, specifically a murderous desire.

The 119th Congress opens tomorrow with complete Republican control. The first duties are: choose the speaker of the house. speaker mike johnson (R-La.) is likely to keep the gavel, but Republicans have little margin for error.

Member of Parliament thomas massey(R-Ky.) is plan to vote I'm *against* Johnson, but to stop him, at least other Republicans need to join him.

Unsurprisingly, Mr Johnson this morning expressed confidence in his election as Speaker.

Johnson: “I think we can do it'' Said on “Fox & Friends” Interview. “I really think so.”

The Senate will also meet on Friday, as required by the constitution.

The next big challenge for Republicans is to see that.president-elect trumpCabinet of. Confirmation hearings will likely take up the Senate's time over the next few weeks.

Yes, but be careful with the timing: punchbowl pointed out Most committees require at least one week's notice to hold a public hearing, so a confirmation hearing may not be scheduled next week. Maybe it's not as busy as you think…

Top 5 confirmed battles to watch :

• Tulsi Gabbard Director of National Intelligence
• pete hegseth to the Secretary of Defense
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Kash Patel to FBI director
• Lori Chavez DelemerFor the Secretary of Labor

Read Al Weaver's commentary Why each confirmation battle could be so tough.

• washington post: 10 policies Republicans can use to pay for new tax cuts
• the hill: 5 lobbying battles approaching 2025
• politiko: Transgender rights become a hot topic for House Republicans
• wall street journal: 5 Biggest Obstacles to President Trump's Immigration Policy
• atlantic ocean: President Trump is sidelined.

” president biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 people, including former members of Congress, at the White House on Thursday. liz cheney(R-Wyo.) He has been an outspoken critic of President-elect Trump and some of his allies,” The Hills reported. Brett Samuels.

award: “Mr. Cheney will be recognized for her work in Congress and on the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and for speaking out about the importance of democracy.” More Biden Award Winners

💻 Live streaming of the ceremony starting at 5 p.m.

🥐 celebrate:Today is National Cream Puff Day!

🎄 Does someone need a hug? : actor Will FerrellAttended a Los Angeles Kings game Dressed as Buddy the Elfa character he played in the 2003 film. From the looks of it, Buddy had a rough year in 2024. Is that a cigarette hanging from his mouth?

👑 See who's back on IG: Duchess Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has returned to Instagram. she I posted a video On the beach to announce. 📱 Duchess Meghan's Instagram account

The House and Senate are absent. president biden I just returned to Washington from Camp David. vice president harrisI'm leaving Los Angeles today. (always eastern)

• 2pm: Biden speaks about securing 235 judicial confirmations. 💻 live stream
• 5pm: Mr. Biden speaks at the Presidential National Medal of Honor Ceremony. 💻 live stream
• 6:50pm : Harris and the Second Gentleman Doug EmhoffArrive in DC
• friday noon: The Senate will remain in session “according to the Constitution.'' 📆 Friday's schedule
• friday noon: The House of Representatives officially begins the 119th Congress. 📆 Friday's schedule
• January 7th – January 9th : former president jimmy carterHe will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral on January 9th.
• January 19th :president-elect trumpHe plans to hold a rally in Washington the day before his inauguration.

this dog He's processing the fact that it's 2025. he is fine. Actually he's great.

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