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Astronauts beam Christmas message of hope to Earth from aboard International Space Station

Seven astronauts are celebrating the holiday season aboard the International Space Station, but that isn't stopping them from beaming some holiday cheer back to Earth. "Resilience" is also the name they gave to the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that launched four of the astronauts to the space station last month. Earlier this month, a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship arrived at the ISS with new supplies — including Christmas gifts and fixings. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared Santa for the flight to space on Wednesday, granting him with a special commercial space license for a crewed mission to the ISS aboard his "StarSleigh-1 space capsule, powered by the Rudolph Rocket." "Let's face it, 2020 was a difficult year and we all could use some special holiday cheer that only Santa can deliver," said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.

cbsnews.com

Photographer keeps Christmas tradition going, despite the pandemic

Warrenville, Illinois — Once the pandemic canceled her annual in-studio Santa photography sessions, Alicia Johnson and her family decided to get COVID creative. If he gets sick, then Christmas will be canceled," 8-year-old guest Maeve Mallett said when asked about the photo session. On top of creating a COVID-19-friendly Santa photo session, Johnson looks out for her customers in other ways. She gifted a session to Ricky Carpentero and his family after learning the photos were his mother's Christmas wish. When asked by Santa what he wanted for Christmas, Ricky said, "For this coronavirus can be gone so I can visit with my family."

cbsnews.com

Severe thunderstorm warnings posted as storms push through Jacksonville

We’re under a Weather Authority Alert through 8 p.m. because of a line of strong, possibly severe storms that may produce damaging wind gusts as they move quickly across our area. The showers and thunderstorms began to move into our inland areas, from Waycross to Lake City around 4 p.m. Just before 5 p.m., Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were up for Clinch and Columbia counties. The greatest threat for damaging wind gusts lies within the initial line of storms, the showers that follow will be less intense. On Christmas Eve, the showers and strong storms at best will be disruptive to your Christmas Eve plans, at worst you could see damaging winds. Christmas Eve StormsGood news: The storms will not affect Santa’s rounds.

The Latest: Coronavirus cases keep rising in South Korea

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has added 1,092 new coronavirus cases in a resurgence that is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to handle the outbreak. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Preliminary data on U.S. deaths show the coronavirus pandemic contributing to a 15% or more increase in deaths over last year. ___MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials have reported a new daily high in confirmed coronavirus cases as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccine. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation is reporting 151 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths related to COVID-19.

Crowds gather for local parades as COVID-19 cases climb

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Florida reported its third consecutive day of more than 10,000 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, large crowds gathered for events across Jacksonville. Organizers asked parade-goers to socially distance and encouraged them to wear masks. News4Jax saw groups both wearing masks and not wearing masks and most tried to keep their distance from one another, but some spots along the parade route did get more congested. “We are still going to try and have some fun but yes, definitely going to maintain some distance from everyone,” Taylor Self said. The Florida Department of Health reported 10,431 new cases of COVID-19 in the state on Saturday with 494 new cases in Duval County.

Adults with developmental differences make Christmas magic

That is until you see the Christmas magic when all lit up. At Pine Castle, the students aged 22 and up receive hands-on life skills and work training so they can get a job and live independently to the best of their abilities. “When they’re here at Pine Castle, they learn interpersonal skills,” Whittington said. “We put a card in each kit with a picture of who packed that kit for you,” Whittington said. You see the joy in their eyes with the work that they’re doing.”Lighting up Christmas, one box at a time.

Your child can get a phone call from ‘Santa’ this year!

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Has your child been a good boy or girl this year? If so, they could receive a call from Jolly Old Saint Nicholas! The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting “Phone Calls from Santa” this holiday season for children ages eight or younger that live in St. Johns County. Santa will make his phone calls to those who still believe on Dec. 8, 9, and 10 between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Registration ends Dec. 4.

Dashing all the way: JTA Holiday Bus offers free rides in December

If you’re looking for some holiday cheer, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)The Holiday Bus is back and will be driven by Santa! The bus will feature a custom bus wrap and decorations, Christmas music, candy canes and more. The Holiday Bus will run on a different JTA bus route every weekday until Dec. 24., so be on the lookout for it on your trip! Schedules for JTA bus routes and other transportation services can be found at www.jtafla.com or by calling JTA Customer Service at (904) 631-3100. JTA Customer can call us at (904) 630-3100 if they want to find out where the bus is that day.

St. Johns Town Center hosting annual holiday spectacular

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It might only be November, but it's beginning to look at lot like Christmas at the St. Johns Town Center. On Saturday, the outdoor shopping center is holding its 14th annual Holiday Spectacular. The all-day event features holiday-themed activities from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.Activities include a silent DJ, holiday photo booth, games, giveaways, an interactive hot chocolate station and an ornament decorating station. The Kid's Zone features letters to Santa, jugglers, caricature artists and costumed characters. At 8 p.m., the crowd can expect a visit from Santa Claus, who is scheduled to arrive and light the tree.

Goodbye Halloween, Hello Christmas Advertising!

Mariah Carey woke up Friday and sang that song, so you know it's the beginning of Christmas season. The diva posted a video of herself waking up on Nov. 1 and answering a call from Santa, and so begins the seemingly nonstop advertising for holiday spending deals. If you're in New York City, you can treat yourself to the newly opened, seven-floor monolith that is Nordstrom's cathedral to consumerism near Columbus Circle. The high-end department store offers tailoring while you wait, personal shoppers, four restaurants, a beauty salon and two bars. RELATED STORIESSuspect Arrested Nearly 40 Years After Teen's Brutal Murder While Christmas ShoppingHere's How to Save Time and Money During Last-Minute Christmas ShoppingA Toddler Found a Bag of Crystal Meth While Christmas Shopping With Mom at Walmart

Netflix Christmas Movies and TV Shows Debuting in 2019 -- See All of Them

Netflix is getting ready to ring in the holiday season! Watch the video below for an overview of what Netflix has in store this holiday season, and keep reading for everything you need to know about each new title. Holiday!, Season 2NetflixStarring: Nicole Byer and Jacques TorresPremieres: Friday, Nov. 22The messes are aplenty as St. Nicole and Jacques Frost deliver the best of the worst baking fails this season. The McKellans are back to spread Christmas joy in this holiday special about the importance of family, forgiveness and empathy. OTHER HOLIDAY TITLESNov. 1Christmas Break-InChristmas SurvivalElliot the Littlest ReindeerHolly StarSanta GirlThe Christmas CandleChristmas in the HeartlandNov. 4A Holiday EngagementChristmas CrushDear SantaDec. 1A Cinderella Story: Christmas WishYou can find all of the Netflix holiday titles here.

4,600 toys donated to Wolfson Children's Hospital for Christmas in July

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Santa made a stop in Jacksonville slightly ahead of schedule Thursday and handed out toys to the kids at Wolfson Children's Hospital. The hospital's annual toy drive included a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick in his red velvet suit with his sleigh of toys in tow. He went door-to-door at Wolfson Childrens Hospital, handing out toys to unsuspecting kids. During the final push Thursday morning, community members dropped off 2,598 toys outside Wolfson Childrens. You can still donate monetarily to the toy drive through the end of the month at christmasjuly.com, and you can give toys year-round on the Wolfson Childrens Hospital Amazon registry.