Girl, 10, Dies In TikTok Challenge: ‘They Don’t Know Better’

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It's Thursday, Dec. 23. Still undecided on your Christmas Day menu? One of our California editors, Courtney Teague, has a few suggestions if you're looking to step out of your comfort zone this holiday season. Meanwhile, here's a look at the stories we're following today.

• A Pennsylvania family is warning others about a dangerous TikTok challenge.
• The White House extended the pause on student loan payments Wednesday.
• The FDA gave the green light to a pill created to fight COVID-19.
• A Satanic holiday display under the Illinois State Capitol Dome isn't inspiring Christmas cheer in some.

After their young daughter's death, a Pennsylvania family is warning others of yet another dangerous "challenge" making the rounds on the social media platform TikTok.

Nyla Anderson died on Dec. 12 after attempting a new TikTok trend that challenges those trying it to hold their breath until they pass out.

She was 10 years old.

Now, Nyla's mother, Tawainna Anderson, is speaking out in hopes that other families avoid a similar tragedy.

"Make sure you check your kids' phones," she told Action News. "You never know what you might find on their phones. You wouldn't think 10-year-olds would try this. They're trying because they're kids and they don't know better." » PA Girl Dies After Trying Dangerous TikTok 'Challenge', via Media, Pennsylvania, Patch

Student Loan Moratorium Extended

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced it will extend a pause on federal student loan payments until May 1, citing concerns for the U.S. economy as the number of omicron cases in states continues to grow. The moratorium initially was scheduled to end Feb. 1. » Biden Extends Pause On Student Loan Payments Until May 1, via Across America Patch

COVID Pill Gets Green Light

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of Pfizer's new at-home pill to fight COVID-19. This milestone came amid rising coronavirus infections, especially from the highly contagious omicron variant, and increased hospitalizations and death. The drug, Paxlovid, has been shown in trials to hold the worst symptoms at bay when used by people with active COVID-19 infections. » Pfizer At-Home COVID-19 Pill Gets FDA Green Light As Virus Surges, via Across America Patch

Northern Lights For Christmas

A solar storm could bring a northern lights display to some parts of the upper United States on Thursday, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center, which issued a geomagnetic storm watch. Where aurora borealis displays can be seen is difficult to predict. Still, a map on the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks website shows the northern lights could be visible from Great Falls, Montana, to upper Maine. » Northern Lights Could Dance Just Before Christmas: Where To See Aurora Borealis Displays, via Across America Patch

More national headlines on Patch, other news websites:

• Martha Stewart Selling Nativity She Made In Prison Pottery Class
• Airplane Passengers Can Bring Some Foods Onboard With Them, TSA Says
• Nearly $100B Stolen From Pandemic Relief Funds: Secret Service
• Democrats 'Not Giving Up' On Biden Bill, Talks With Manchin
• Amazon Web Services Outage Affects Services Across The Internet
• Trump Surprised And 'Very Appreciative' About Biden's Praise, via The Hill

Around ''The Patch''

A $550,000 Birth: Baby Dorian spent two months in an Orlando NICU before mom Bisi Bennett received a jaw-dropping bill, despite having health insurance, via Orlando Patch

Satanic Display Draws Ire: A Satanic holiday display under the Illinois State Capitol Dome in Springfield is not a holiday miracle, according to some protesters, despite the installation's message of plurality and reconciliation, via Chicago Patch

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More local news:

• Time Capsule From Robert E. Lee Statue Opened In Richmond, via Richmond, Virginia, Patch
• Last Slave Ship Discovered On Alabama Coast 'Mostly Intact', via Birmingham Patch
• Will Billy The Bison Make It Home For The Holidays?, via Crystal Lake-Cary, Illinois, Patch
• Lightfoot Mandates Proof Of Vaccination For Chicago Businesses, via Chicago Patch
• Elf On Shelf Charged With Mayhem, ''illy Mischief'' Sheriff, via Riverhead, New York, Patch
• Sarasota Candidate Angers HOA With Profane Holiday Lights That Take Aim At Biden, via Sarasota, Florida, Patch
• Guinea Pig Population Explodes At California Shelters, via Santa Monica Patch
• Parents Of Actress Alicia Witt Found Dead In Massachusetts, via Worcester Patch
• Illinois Man Used Flagpole In Capitol Breach Assault, via Aurora Patch
• Boston Radio Host Who Railed Against COVID Rules Has Coronavirus, via Boston Patch
• Texas A&M WWon'tPlay In Gator Bowl Due To COVID-19 Issues, via Houston Patch

Former Nudist Colony For Sale

If you're looking for an estate with a past, here's one: Located on one of the largest private lakes in the Hudson Valley, this $20 million estate once served as a nudist colony. The compound includes a 7,000-square-foot primary residence, a guest house and 164 acres of land.

This Day In History

In 1972, American football running back Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers made "The Immaculate Reception," a dramatic catch regarded as one of the most famous plays in NFL history.

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