Sunday, November 30, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1876, the first Thanksgiving Day game between Princeton and Yale took place. Yale won 2-0 in a contest that resembled rugby more than modern football.

Have you ever wondered why people don’t return their shopping carts? Today’s Flyover spotlights new research that breaks down the excuses and expectations behind one of America’s most relatable tiny dilemmas. Do you return your shopping carts? Hit reply, we’re curious.

This edition is a bit shorter than usual as our team takes time to enjoy the holiday with their families. We’ll be back with the full-length version on Monday.

Today’s sponsor is flowkey, the app that makes learning piano simple, intuitive, and actually fun. Our founder has been testing it and was amazed at how quickly he was able to start playing real songs, even as a beginner. Currently, their Black Friday sale is live, offering 70% off, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn, this is the perfect moment.

Tax Refunds Could Jump by $1,000 in 2026

A new analysis projects that the average tax refund could rise by about $1,000 next year, thanks to retroactive cuts in a sweeping tax law signed by President Trump in July.

The average refund is expected to hit $4,151, up from $3,151 in the 2025 filing season.

The law eliminates taxes on some overtime and tipped income and raises the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000, driving what could be one of the largest refund seasons on record.

Most benefits will go to middle- and upper-middle-income earners, with the biggest gains for households making $60,000 to $400,000.

FBI’s Bigfoot File Goes Public

The FBI quietly investigated a possible Bigfoot sighting in the 1970s, according to a newly spotlighted 22-page file in its Freedom of Information Act Vault.

In 1976, Peter Byrne of Oregon’s Bigfoot Information Center sent about 15 hairs attached to a piece of skin to the Bureau, claiming it was the most promising sample in years.

Although the FBI initially declined, the media coverage prompted the agency to conduct tests. By mid-1977, the FBI concluded the hairs belonged to a deer, not Sasquatch, putting an end to that particular mystery.

The file, primarily consisting of correspondence between Byrne and the FBI’s Scientific and Technical Services Division, is now available alongside records on notable figures such as Al Capone and Marilyn Monroe. Read the file here.

Middle-Class Life in 1980 vs 2025

A new report shows how rising costs have outpaced income growth for American middle-class families over the past 45 years, based on data from the Pew Research Center and federal agencies.

In 1980, the median household earned $21,020—enough to buy a $64,600 home even with mortgage rates at 13.8%, cover a car, and take a vacation, often on one income.

By 2025, the median income is $80,610, but the typical home now costs $410,000—nearly five times that amount—and a new car averages over $47,000.

While modern wages are higher, the report finds today’s middle class faces far greater financial strain, with two incomes often required just to match the modest security one used to provide. Read the full report here.

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Officials warn of an “unprecedented number” of Chinese ships in U.S. Arctic waters (Hear U.S. Strategy)

➤ Popular U.S. national parks are hiking fees for overseas visitors. (Hear How Much)

➤ A new Paul Anka documentary is set to debut on HBO this week. (Listen Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Learning piano doesn’t have to be complicated—and flowkey proves it. Whether you’re starting from scratch or picking it back up after years away, flowkey walks you through everything step-by-step using real songs and real-time feedback. You can learn at your own pace, practice with your own keyboard, and play along as the notes light up on screen.

What makes this even better? Our founder signed up in minutes and was playing recognizable melodies on the first day. No steep learning curve. No boring theory-heavy lessons. Just hands-on practice that actually sticks.

flowkey works on your phone, tablet, or computer, so you can practice wherever it’s convenient. And with thousands of popular songs—from classical to modern hits—you’ll never get bored.

Right now, flowkey’s Black Friday deal gives you 70% off — this is their biggest discount of the year. If learning piano is on your bucket list, there’s honestly no better time to start.

➤ Thousands of travelers worldwide were stranded after Airbus ordered immediate software fixes for 6,000 A320-series aircraft at risk from major solar flares, a move that forced airlines to ground jets during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. (See Details)

➤ President Trump said Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is to be closed completely to all aircraft. (See Details)

➤ Famed British playwright Tom Stoppard, who won an Academy Award for the screenplay for 1998’s “Shakespeare In Love,” has died. He was 88. (See Obituary)

➤ A researcher watched 564 YouTube videos of shopping cart confrontations to understand why people don’t return them, finding excuses, entitlement, and the power of social norms at play. (Learn Why)

➤ Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You reached 18 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 again this season, closing in on the all-time record held by two songs with 19 weeks. (See Records)

➤ Actor Macaulay Culkin pitched a Home Alone sequel idea where an adult Kevin McCallister gets locked out by his own son, who sets traps against him. The house would serve as a metaphor for their relationship, where he must “get let back into his son’s heart.” (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Romania opened Europe’s largest Christmas market, a holiday event that surpasses traditional markets in Austria, France, and Germany.

Whatever happened to mincemeat pie?

As you enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving weekend, consider the forgotten history of its neighbor on the dessert plate: the mincemeat pie.

Today, the small, spiced pastry we know as mince pie is purely sweet. Yet its original form was a substantial, savory-sweet marvel containing minced mutton, veal, or venison, a true “mince meat” pie.

Dating back to medieval times, these pies were a critical method of food preservation. The thick crust encased meat, spices (like cloves and nutmeg), and fruit—a perfect sealed container to survive the long winter. This hearty dish embodied the spirit of the fall feast: using and preserving every bit of the harvest, including the meat.

The meat began its slow vanishing act from the pie for two main reasons. First, a cultural shift in the 17th century drove a wedge between savory and sweet dishes, relegating the mince pie to the dessert course. Secondly, as refrigeration improved and sugar became cheaper, the pie’s role as a meat preserver became obsolete.

The mince pie of today, made with fruits, spices, and sugar—but no meat—is a sweet ghost of its former self, a historical relic that survived the test of time, politics, and changing tastes. It’s a delicious, spiced reminder of a time when the holiday table was less about distinct courses and more of a robust, all-in-one feast.

Recipe Link: Old-Fashioned Mincemeat Pie Recipe from 1798

Have you ever had a full-fledged mincemeat pie? Are you a fan of today’s modern mince pie? Let us know by replying to this email.

Flying together with our sponsor

Most people put off learning piano because they think it’s “too late” or “too hard.” flowkey completely changes that. It’s flexible, beginner-friendly, and designed for real people with busy lives. Just 10–15 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

With their 70% off Black Friday deal, you can finally stop saying “one day” and start today. Treat yourself (or someone else) to a new skill that lasts forever.

Sign up now and start playing your first song today with flowkey.