Hey there, it’s Thursday! And I didn’t drop a hamburger on my lap when I saw my mother-in-law over the holidays. (But it’s happened before.) Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. A new era blooms in Illinois

Since I wasn’t around yesterday, Happy New Year!

Or maybe it’s more appropriate to say Happy Legal Weed Day, because recreational marijuana is now legal in Illinois. The masses lined up at local pot dispensaries yesterday to mark the historic event, and among them was Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who bought a bag of clementine gummy edibles. [WBEZ]

You can see what the day looked like on the ground thanks to these amazing photos from WBEZ’s Manuel Martinez. [WBEZ]

Nearly $3.2 million worth of pot products were sold and more than 77,000 people lined up to get into a dispensary on New Year’s Day. [WBEZ]

2. Iran may be planning more attacks on U.S. interests

That’s according to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who added that the U.S. would take preemptive military actions if warned about planned attacks from Iran or one of its proxies. The news comes after an Iran-backed militia stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week. [AP]

Iran’s influence in Iraq and North Korea’s continued defiance illustrates the shortcomings of President Donald Trump’s strategies for both countries, according to this analysis from The New York Times. [NYT]

But other analysts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have pulled back on his Christmas Day threat because of the prospect of Trump surviving an impeachment trial and potentially winning reelection. [NPR]

3. Who’s got the cash in the Dem presidential primary

Democratic presidential candidates are releasing their fundraising totals for the last three months, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading the pack so far by raising $34.5 million. Most national polls show Sanders in second place behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who raised $22.7 million last quarter, his biggest quarterly tally so far.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg raised $24.7 million, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang raised $16.5 million. Meanwhile, President Trump’s campaign raised $46 million in the final months of the year. [NPR]

And Julián Castro, the only Latino running in the Democratic presidential primary, dropped out. [NPR]

4. Guards are “degrading” inmates at Illinois’ largest women’s prison

Inmates at the Logan Correctional Center in central Illinois say guards are “unprofessional” and “degrading,” according to an independent watchdog report from the John Howard Association.

The report also said the prison is “falling apart” and “neglected.” Among the problems are sewage backups and pest infestations so severe that roaches and rodents sometimes crawl on women while they sleep.

State officials told the association they are working to address problems at the prison and will add cameras and staff to address safety issues. [WBEZ]

5. Blagojevich writes column, apparently with one reader in mind

A column by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared on conservative website Newsmax this week and argues that current House Democrats would have impeached President Abraham Lincoln.

Blagojevich appears to be appealing to President Trump, who has long toyed with the idea of commuting Blagojevich. The former governor is currently serving a 14-year sentence on public corruption charges tied to his efforts to sell President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. [Chicago Tribune]

Blagojevich himself was impeached, though by the Illinois General Assembly. You can revisit the whole saga in WBEZ’s Public Official A podcast. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Trump’s e-cigarette ban will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors. [AP]

• Interpol issued a “red notice” to Lebanon for the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, the ex-Nissan boss who secretly fled Japan as he faces financial misconduct charges. [BBC]

• Illinois high school students can learn about repaying college debt. [WBEZ]

• Former WXRT anchor Mary Dixon is coming to WBEZ. [Chicago Tribune]

Oh, and one more thing …

A transgender superhero is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

During a Q&A at the New York Film Academy, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said a transgender character will be introduced in a movie “shooting right now.” Feige didn’t say which movie, when the movie would be released or provide more details about the character.

Marvel Studios will introduce a gay character in this year’s The Eternals, which will also include Marvel’s first deaf superhero. And Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (due in 2021) will see Marvel’s first Asian American superhero. [BBC]

Tell me something good …

What’s your resolution for 2020?

Evelyn tweets:

“I’ve already accomplished my first resolution: after much trepidation, I came out to my two oldest friends on Monday, and it was completely fine. Next up: to tell one particularly lovely person I know that I’m sweet on her. Wish me luck!”

What’s your New Year’s resolution? 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.