Good afternoon, it’s Monday! And I kinda want to check out the bar at the world’s largest Starbucks. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Trump considers testifying in writing in impeachment inquiry

President Donald Trump today tweeted that he would “strongly consider” testifying in writing after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised the idea over the weekend. In a Sunday interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, Pelosi said the president “could come right before the committee and talk, speak all the truth that he wants if he wants.” [NPR]

Speaking of written testimony from Trump: House impeachment investigators are looking into whether the president lied in his written answers to Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. [New York Times]

Meanwhile, House investigators are preparing for this week’s public hearings.

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine specialist on the National Security Council, is scheduled to testify tomorrow. Vindman listened in on the July 25 call between Trump and Ukraine’s leader, the same conversation where Trump asked for “a favor.” Here’s a look at what to expect this week. [NPR]

WBEZ will air live coverage of tomorrow’s public hearings beginning at 8 a.m. CST.

2. Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters are under siege at a university

Police officers surrounded a Hong Kong university that has become a battleground between authorities and pro-democracy protesters. Police fired tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets at activists who tried fleeing, resulting in some of the worst violence seen since the civil unrest erupted in the semiautonomous region.

As the confrontation escalated on the campus, supporters for the protesters gathered nearby in an effort to disrupt police operations and help those trapped inside. [AP]

3. More mass shootings erupt throughout U.S.

Four people were killed and six others wounded from a shooting at a football party in Fresno, California, last night. Local authorities say they are searching for a suspect or suspects. There were 25 to 30 people at the party.

“Thank God that no kids were hurt,” said Fresno Police Deputy Chief Michael Reid. [NPR]

And at least three people were killed today in a separate shooting at a Walmart parking lot in Duncan, Oklahoma. [USA Today]

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered for a vigil to honor the victims of last week’s high school shooting in Santa Clarita, California. Detectives are searching for a motive for the shooting that was carried out by a 16-year-old boy, who has died. [AP]

4. Trump retreats from flavor vape ban

President Trump pulled his support for banning flavored e-cigarettes due to concerns of a political fallout with voters ahead of the 2020 election, according to The Washington Post, citing White House and campaign officials.

The president vowed in September to take action against e-cigarettes as health officials warned of a youth vaping epidemic.

According to the Post, federal officials were prepared to move forward with the ban earlier this month, but Trump changed his mind, believing that “job losses tied to the ban would cost him as he sought to trumpet economic growth.” [Washington Post]

5. Low-income riders should pay reduced fares on CTA, Pace, Metra

That’s according to a report from the Active Transportation Alliance, a Chicago-based transit advocacy group. The report recommends cutting fares by 50% for some residents in Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Will and Kane counties who are at or below the federal poverty level, which, for a household of four, is an annual income of $25,750. That would mean low-income riders would annually save up to $630 on the CTA, $840 on Pace and $1,650 on Metra.

The group says the proposal would cost the Chicago Transit Authority, Pace and Metra a combined $175 million each year.

Representatives for the CTA, Pace, Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority have not responded to the report. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• The Trump administration announced that Israel’s West Bank settlements do not violate international law, a move that jeopardizes peace talks with Palestinians. [New York Times]

• Chicago police hope a pilot program will help improve community trust. [WBEZ]

• A fiscal watchdog group wants Cook County’s inspector general to be more transparent. [WBEZ]

• Chick-fil-A announced it will no longer donate money to organizations that have been criticized for being anti-LGBTQ. [CNN]

Oh, and one more thing …

The term “jagoff” might be as quintessential to Chicago as “dibs,” so I was surprised to learn the word actually originated in Pittsburgh.

If you’re not familiar, “jagoff” is an insult that isn’t technically a swear word, so media outlets can basically get away with saying “jagoff.”

This Chicago magazine piece breaks down the history and meaning of “jagoff,” which is derived from a Scots-Irish word for “thorn” or “to be pricked.” [Chicago magazine]

Tell me something good …

Thanksgiving is coming up, and I’d like to know what plans you’ve got cooking.

My husband and I are visiting my parents out in the burbs and will most likely watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles when my nephews, 3 and 5 years old, take a break from jumping on the couches to “Baby Shark.” Gobble gobble.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

Have a nice night! I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.