Hey, it’s Friday. And shout out to all the folks working today on what is basically a holiday weekend . Here’s what you need to know. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Black Friday shoppers expected to break online spending record

Fewer shoppers headed out to brick-and-mortar stores this Black Friday, but online sales surged.

Black Friday shoppers are on track to spend $7.4 billion online, a growth of more than 20% year over year, according to Adobe Analytics, which analyzes sales from 80 major online retailers. On Thanksgiving, online shoppers spent $4.2 billion, a new record. [CNBC]

Meanwhile, Black Friday faces protests as it goes global. [AP]

And as malls are dying, some are spending millions to reinvent themselves as “lifestyle hubs.” [Washington Post]

2. At least two dead from terrorist attack on London Bridge

At least two people are reportedly dead after a man wearing a fake bomb stabbed several people on London Bridge. London’s Metropolitan Police said “a number” of people were injured from what authorities have classified as a “terrorist incident.” A male suspect was shot and killed by police.

Neil Basu, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said witnesses initially reported the suspected had an explosive device, but it was a fake bomb.

Today’s news revived memories of the 2017 terrorist attack that killed seven people and wounded 50 when a van plowed into pedestrians on London Bridge. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for that attack. [NPR]

3. Laquan McDonald shooting witness reaches settlement with city

Alma Benitez, who was in a Burger King drive-through near the police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, claims detectives harassed her and accused her of lying about what she saw. The dollar amount on the settlement could be revealed next month when it goes before the City Council’s finance committee.

Benitez was one of the first witnesses to speak out against the police department’s description of the shooting, sparking hotly contested allegations of a police cover-up. [Chicago Tribune]

Meanwhile, the Chicago Police Department fails to provide enough resources to a department that provides crisis counseling to cops, a report found. [WBEZ]

City authorities have launched an investigation after a video showed a cop body-slamming a man. [Chicago Tribune]

4. Iraqi leader says he’ll resign amid violent protests

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced he will step down after nearly 400 people have been killed since anti-government protests began in October. The timing of his resignation remains unclear.

Protesters in Iraqi have been angry about Iranian influence over the country. They’re also furious over high unemployment, political corruption and poor public services. [BBC]

In other news from the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced that he will resume peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan. [NPR]

5. All hail Thor, dog god of cutie patooties

The winner of this year’s National Dog Show was an adorable 2-year-old bulldog named Thor.

“This dog is a hunk,” said a co-host for the competition. Thor beat more than 1,900 dogs to become the most popular dog in the U.S., winning best in show as an estimated 20 million people tuned into the annual National Dog Show presented by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia.

Bulldogs, by the way, are the fifth most popular breed in the U.S., according to the Amerian Kennel Club. Labs have held the No. 1 slot for more than two decades. [Washington Post]

Here’s what else is happening

• North suburban Evanston will fund local reparations with marijuana taxes. [WBEZ]
• Chicago musicians are reaching out to the teen who was shot by a cop pursuing a bank robber. [Chicago Tribune]
• Scientists discovered a huge black hole. [CNN]
• The “war on Christmas” seems to start earlier and earlier every year. [New York Times]

Oh, and one more thing …

Today’s a good day to reflect on the pivotal role Native Americans played in Chicago’s development. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, an African-Frenchman, is credited in the history books as Chicago’s first permanent settler, but Native Americans first set the foundation for Chicago to transform into a major Midwestern metropolis, reports WBEZ’s Curious City.

The knowledge the Native Americans had of Chicago’s geography was essential to the French, English and Americans who settled and traded in the region years later.

“[Europeans] could not have got to Chicago without Indian trails,” said historian Susan Sleeper-Smith. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

What was your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving?

Claire Meier writes:

“Since we added Mama Stamberg’s Cranberry Relish to the menu, that’s become my favorite! Which is funny, because I don’t like sour cream or horseradish outside of this recipe.”

Thanks to everyone who reached out this week, and I hope y’all had a nice Thanksgiving! And if you enjoy reading this newsletter, call 312-948-4688 and leave a voicemail telling us why, and we might play your message on air!

Have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter 

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