Patch Morning Briefing: Trump's Hotel Problems, Buzz Aldrin, Watercolors by Monkeys

YOUR MORNING BRIEFING

Good morning, Patchers.

Here's a look at some of what you need to know today.

YOU THOUGHT THE RUSSIAN HACKING WAS BAD NEWS?

In September, Yahoo announced that - TWO YEARS EARLIER - 500 million of its user accounts had been hacked. What could be worse? Well, on Wednesday it announced that - ONE YEAR BEFORE THAT - twice as many accounts had been compromised. That's 1 BILLION. Yahoo doesn't know who was behind it. It is forcing everyone to change their password.

HOPE FOR ALEPPO?

It may not be a lot — and it's important to remember a medical convoy was attacked Wednesday — but there is talk that rebel-held parts of the city may be evacuated Thursday.

GETTING A TASTE OF OBAMACARE WHILE THEY STILL CAN

As Donald Trump and the Republicans plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, Americans are rushing to sign up. New numbers show 4 million people have signed up since Nov. 1, ahead of last year's pace.

TRUMP CAN'T OWN HOTEL, BE PRESIDENT SAY LAWMAKERS

Trump will soon be his own landlord, and that's a problem, say lawmakers citing the General Services Administration. Trump operates a hotel in Washington, D.C., on land owned by the feds and administered by the GSA. Once he becomes president, he will be his landlord, and the GSA, according to the lawmakers, says that puts him in violation of his lease. Patch's Dan Taylor walks you through the drama.

QUICK HITS

• Trump Taps Romney Niece as Choice to Lead RNC
• Muslim Teen Made Up Story of Attack by Trump Supporters
• Five Things You Need to Know About Fed Rate Hike

SANTA MAY HAVE LIED

On Wednesday we relayed a tough story out of Tennessee: A man who plays Santa had been summoned to be with a 5-year-old boy who died in his arms. Turns out he may have made it up. Patch's J.R. Lind has the latest.

TRUMP SITS DOWN WITH TECH EXECUTIVES

The president-elect, his kids and some of his senior staff sat down with more than one dozen executives from Silicon Valley. Twitter wasn't invited. Why? Space, according to the transition team. Takeaway: Trump says he is here to help. And if companies need help, they should call him.

BUZZ ALDRIN - BUZZ LIGHTYEAR: COINCIDENCE?`

With the death of John Glenn still very fresh, The Washington Post takes the opportunity for a long story on another of America's astronaut heroes: Buzz Aldrin. He was recently evacuated from the South Pole. He would go back.

MONKEYING AROUND WITH WATERCOLORS

Three capuchin monkeys at the Austin Zoo are prolific watercolor artists, and the zoo is making their work available for sale as a fundraiser. Patch's Tony Cantu has the story.

THURSDAY'S AGENDA

• The United States Postal Service deadline to ship something by ground and have it arrive by Christmas.
• Jury deliberations expected to begin in the trial of Dylan Roof.
• Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for their Thank You America tour.

Monkeys via Wikimedia Commons/Trump - Gage Skidmore via Fickr