MUELLER/TRUMP
In a move this afternoon, the U.S. Senate has again blocked a vote on legislation that would protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller from being fired. This is the second time in a month that legislation designed to shield Mueller has been stopped. Retiring Arizona GOP Senator Jeff Flake -- along with several Democrats -- say their proposed Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act would prevent Mueller from "inappropriate removal." Meanwhile, President Trump is accusing Mueller and his office of trying to coerce witnesses to testify against him in connection with the on-going Russia investigation.
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
Ivanka Trump is defending her use of a personal email account today -- and saying there is no comparison to the email scandal that plagued Hillary Clinton. She tells ABC News, "there's no equivalency" and "lock her up" does not apply. She's been under fire for allegedly using her private email for White House business. You might remember that President Trump has been a staunch critic of Clinton -- suggesting she should be jailed -- for her use of a private email server for official work. Ivanka Trump is insisting her situation is different because her emails contained no classified information and she didn't delete them.
BLUNT FEEDBACK
Wondering if the upcoming reboot of "Mary Poppins" will compare to the 1964 classic? If the reaction of star Emily Blunt's husband -- actor/director John Krasinski -- is any indication, we have nothing to worry about. Krasinski, who is best known for looking at the camera with an air of annoyance in the hit show "The Office," reportedly cried while watching the movie, calling it "exactly what everybody needs for the holidays." Read on for more sweetness.
BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED
Call it the Jingle Bell Flop -- that gift you thought your kids would love, but ends up missing its mark. We've been there, and we don't want to go back. Thankfully, Parents Magazine rounded up some kids to test a whole variety of toys, and picked some winners for all of us. From ride-ons to the latest Barbie Dream House to a music maker that we swear won't (really) annoy you, you're sure to find something that has the "wow factor" we're all looking for.
HALL DECKING, 101
What's one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit? Seeing those welcoming pops of holiday decor around your home. We found this collection of fresh, easy and inexpensive ways to decorate. We're picturing these quicky projects pairing well with a holiday movie (scroll down). Consider your evening planned!
PICKUP LINE PICKS by Amy Clark
We're so excited to bring in Amy Clark of momadvice.com as our resident book guru. Every week, Amy will share some of her favorite reads: one for you and one for your teen. Amy is also an expert in many other mom areas, so check out her website, join her book club on Facebook, or follow her on Instagram.
FOR YOU: The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
Set in the 1960s, Carly's husband has passed away in the Vietnam War before she can even share with him the news that she is pregnant. At her routine doctor's visit, they discover that this baby has a heart condition that cannot be treated and that her baby will die. It is when she gets this news that her brother-in-law, a gifted physicist, shares with her that there is actually a surgery that can be done, but this surgery won't be available until 2001. How could he know this? Well, let's just say that he has time traveled a bit... CHECK IT OUT
FOR THEM: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr Chase has a double life at a mostly white prep school while living in a poor neighborhood. On the way home from a party, her friend is pulled over and fatally shot by a white officer. The death becomes a national headline and Starr has to decide where her loyalty lies especially when it means risking her safety and the safety of her family. (recommended for ages 13 and up). CHECK IT OUT
And don't forget...we keep a running list of Amy's Picks on our blog so you can check back any time!
HOLIDAY WATCH
Score! These lists of every, single holiday show and movie starting now thru December 25th makes us want to cozy up in our jammies and hunker down with some cocoa (or red wine!).
NETWORK LIST & THE NETFLIX LIST
TONIGHT'S PICK - Christmas in Rockefeller Center - 8pm (ET) on NBC. Get the lineup HERE