Today’s topics

• The IRS has upped 401(k) contribution limits for 2025

• How Fortnite creator is saving North Carolina

• New York lets cheaters sort out their drama

• A glimpse of sunset on Mars

  and more…

US stocks climbed on Tuesday, with two major indexes hitting all-time highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to a record close, and the Nasdaq Composite matched the gain with its own milestone. The Dow Jones also reversed earlier losses, finishing up 0.3% for another back-to-back record. Investors showed resilience as the market’s momentum continued.

Gas prices hit 2-year low. Gas prices dropped to a national average of $3.01 per gallon this week, the lowest since May 2021, just as Americans gear up for Thanksgiving travel season. GasBuddy reports prices have fallen for six straight weeks, with 32 states averaging under $3 per gallon. However, 18 states still hover above $3, and two top $4.

IRS says save more for retirement—if you can. The IRS has upped 401(k) contribution limits for 2025 to $23,500, a $500 bump from 2024. Catch-up contributions stay at $7,500 for those 50+, but savers aged 60-63 can stash an extra $11,250. Meanwhile, in 2023, only 14% of employees maxed out their 401(k)s, with an average deferral rate of 7.4%, according to Vanguard.

How Fortnite creator is saving North Carolina, one acre at a time. Tim Sweeney, the brain behind Fortnite, isn’t just building games—he’s buying North Carolina. With at least 56,000 acres to his name, he’s one of the state’s biggest private landowners. Claiming it’s all for conservation, Sweeney has already handed over thousands of acres to environmental groups. From the Blue Ridge to the coast, he’s protecting land before developers can pounce.

Tesla may lose out on California EV tax credits. California’s proposed EV tax credit plan could exclude Tesla, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office revealed, especially if President-elect Trump scraps the $7,500 federal EV credit. Tesla, despite being the only EV maker in California, wouldn’t qualify under the new rules. Tesla shares dropped 4%, with another 1.2% slide after hours. CEO Elon Musk, a Trump adviser, didn’t hold back, calling the move “insane” on X.

MIT’s Soft Robotic “Banana Fingers”

MIT CSAIL’s new robotic gloves, nicknamed “banana fingers,” are bright yellow, air-powered, and oddly practical. They assist with grip for those with muscle control issues, thanks to touch-sensitive yarn and a high-tech knitting system called “PneuAct.”

Tesla Vision: the robot that sees better than you. Tesla Vision ditches radar for cameras and claims to "see more" without ever getting tired or distracted. Unlike humans, it won’t check its phone or daydream at the wheel.

Sunsets On Mars Are Blue

A glimpse of sunset on Mars. Ever wondered what a sunset looks like on Mars? Think cooler tones, with a blue-tinted glow as the sun dips below the horizon.

Rocket Lab: SpaceX’s new rival. Rocket Lab just pulled off a flex SpaceX should notice—two rocket launches into orbit within 24 hours, from two different hemispheres. Its stock, up a ridiculous 335% this year, shot up another 16% after the launches and news of a $23.9 million CHIPS Act grant. Oh, and they’re rolling out a reusable Neutron rocket next year to take on SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

Earth’s temporary visitor, asteroid 2024 PT5, is leaving our orbit after a two-month stay. Dubbed a “mini-moon,” it entered Earth’s orbit in September but is now being pulled away by the sun’s gravity. Scientists believe this space rock might be a lunar native. Research suggests it could be a chunk of the moon’s surface, ejected during one of the collisions that gave the moon its cratered look.

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Cheating is no longer a crime in New York. New York just ditched its 116-year-old law that made adultery a crime. Gov. Kathy Hochul called the rule outdated and pointless, saying, “Let’s take this silly law off the books.” Adultery bans were originally meant to make divorces harder but have barely been enforced in decades. While a few states still have similar laws, New York decided it’s time to let cheaters sort out their drama without involving the cops.

The ‘Wicked’ interview that broke the internet. Journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist went viral after a heartfelt—yet baffling—moment during her interview with Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Discussing the iconic song Defying Gravity, Gilchrist claimed people were “holding space” for the lyrics, leaving Erivo visibly emotional and viewers scratching their heads. The clip exploded on TikTok and X, with users both mocking and embracing the exchange’s intense sincerity. Adding to the chaos, Grande tried to comfort Erivo by holding her hand but ended up cradling her nail. So here’s what that was about.

TikTok of the day: watch here