Hey there, we’re almost to the long weekend. Just a reminder this newsletter will be off until Monday. We hope all our readers have a great Thanksgiving! Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Will this strange new dessert become a staple on your holiday table?

Ah, Thanksgiving food. Turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and … Spam Figgy Pudding?

As NPR reports, the new seasonal concoction by the packager of Spam includes all the usual ingredients in the canned meat product plus “fig and orange flavors, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and all spice.”

And, because it’s Spam, this treat “is shelf stable in case of the apocalypse,” NPR reports.

Some background: Figgy pudding, a British holiday tradition, is a dense, steamed cake that contains raisins, currants and brandy. This version is pre-cooked and ready to eat right out of the can.

If you’re brave enough to try Spam Figgy Pudding, good luck finding it. Spam.com and Amazon are already sold out, so your best bet will be the secondary market. But be prepared to shell out more than double the list price. [NPR]

If you are looking for a more traditional meal, the Chicago Tribune put together this list of 73 Thanksgiving specials at area restaurants. [Trib]

2. Experts worry Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a ‘tripledemic’

Now for some bad news. As holiday plans begin to look more like the pre-pandemic variety, the country is confronting an unpredictable mix of old and new respiratory viruses, NPR reports.

“We’re facing an onslaught of three viruses — COVID, RSV and influenza. All simultaneously,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, told NPR. “We’re calling this a tripledemic.”

RSV cases have been flooding pediatric emergency rooms and intensive care units across the country. Meanwhile, the flu season is unusually early and severe, with hospitalizations for the virus at the highest level for this time of year in a decade. [NPR]

Here are some tips from experts to stay healthy this Thanksgiving, including being up-to-date on vaccinations and asking folks with any symptoms of illness to stay home. [AP]

3. Make a list of things to do in Chicago this holiday season and check it twice

There’s no shortage of festive winter events in the Chicago area.

Annual traditions like ice skating in Millennium Park, holiday light exhibits and parades are back in full force this year.

And several shows, including Elf: The Musical and The Sound of Music will be playing at local theaters throughout the season. [Chicago Sun-Times]

And to make a dent in your holiday shopping, check out Block Club’s “ultimate guide to shopping local,” with suggestions for neighborhoods throughout the city. [Block Club Chicago]

4. Watch out for recalled toys or counterfeits when online shopping

Experts are warning holiday shoppers to be on the lookout for toys that have been recalled because of safety concerns but are still sold online.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul pointed parents to a Safe Shopping Guide that lists items to avoid.

Steeply discounted knockoffs and counterfeits, for example, probably weren’t manufactured to meet U.S. safety standards, officials said during a news conference.

But even expensive toys aren’t always safe.

“Cost is not the only indicator. We have found with hazardous products that they can be the most popular and even most expensive,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., said. “Parents have to be vigilant regardless of the cost.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. More than 100 holiday movies to stream

The weather this time of year means movie marathons for many Chicagoans.

With so many holiday films on various streaming services, there might not be time to figure out what to watch with all the decorating, shopping and cooking.

Luckily, USA Today has a list of more than 100 family-friendly films available to stream right now — and where to find them.

From Home Alone on Disney+ to the classic, animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Peacock, this list has you covered. [USA Today]

Here’s what else is happening

• Six people and a gunman died in a shooting at a Walmart in Virginia. [NPR]

• Most Ukrainians were left without power after Russian strikes. [AP]

• As winter rolls in, Chicagoans are helping each other meet the rising cost of staying warm. [WBEZ]

• A rail strike looms and could have broad impacts on the economy. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

Have you heard an overly excited trumpeting sound lately? It’s probably a sandhill crane, which are migrating through Chicago in the tens of thousands right now, Block Club reports.

And a stunning 500 or more cranes can fly together as a single unit.

The Chicago Ornithological Society says the migration may be at its peak, but some birds continue coming this way through December. [Block Club Chicago]

Tell me something good …

With millions of Illinois residents expected to travel this Thanksgiving, what’s a good podcast to listen to?

Erica writes:

“I just finished a podcast called Alabama Astronaut, in which folk artist Abe Partridge attempts to document the music of snake-handling churches in Appalachia. It’s a wild ride and a fascinating story!”

Thanks for all your recommendations this week! I’m sorry we couldn’t include them all, but it was nice hearing from everyone.