In today's newsletter: A lawyer said his client was allegedly paid to have sex with Matt Gaetz at a 2017 party. A man accused of three fatal stabbings in New York City has an extensive criminal history. And a debate is raging ahead of the release of "Wicked": to sing or not to sing?

Here's what to know today.

Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department, paid a woman for sex at a party in Florida — where prostitution is illegal — while Gaetz was a member of the House, the woman’s attorney said. In an interview with NBC News, Joel Leppard said the woman says she also saw Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17, at the same invitation-only party in Orlando in 2017.

Leppard said two women he represents, whom NBC News is not naming, told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex several times and that they believe the committee’s report on Gaetz should be publicly released.

The report on Gaetz is expected to be discussed at a committee meeting tomorrow. Yesterday, a key Democrat on the committee said the report “absolutely should” be made public.

Gaetz, a former Republican U.S. representative from Florida, has long denied the allegations against him and has claimed he was the target of an extortion plot. A Trump transition team spokesperson called the allegations “baseless.” Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after Trump announced plans to nominate him for attorney general.

Read the full story here.

Read politics and post-election news: 

3 dead in stabbings across New York City

A knife-wielding assailant with an extensive criminal history is accused of killing two men and a woman during a seemingly “unprovoked” stabbing spree yesterday in New York City, authorities said. Ramon Rivera was identified as the person responsible for the deadly spree. The 51-year-old, who authorities described as homeless, has had eight arrests in the city in the past year, officials said. Rivera also has a documented history of mental health concerns. 

The stabbings happened yesterday morning at three separate locations. The first victim, a 36-year-old man, was attacked at a construction site where he was working. The second, a 68-year-old man, was fishing when he was attacked. And the third victim was stabbed near the United Nations. She was pronounced dead last night. Here’s what else we know.

The shifting strategies of online retailers

Holiday shoppers know a good deal is all but guaranteed on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But in general, it’s getting more difficult to know ahead of time when a discount is coming. NBC News’ Holiday Price Check has been tracking the online prices of five gift items over the past six months: Apple Airpods Pro 2, Magna-Tiles, the Ninja Coffee Maker, Reebok Club C shoes and the TCL 65-inch TV. 

What reporters Maya Huter and Jing Feng found is that Amazon tends to lead the pack when it comes to slashing prices — and that these price-cuts can happen very quickly. The patterns reflect a gradual shift in online shopping habits as retailers fight it out for consumers’ money. 

Singing during 'Wicked' might not make you popular

The fall blockbuster "Wicked" is almost here (it opens Friday), and a debate is raging among musical theater lovers: to sing or not to sing in the theater? What's the etiquette? Fans of the original Broadway musical have feelings. And what about stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good — what's their advice? Kalhan Rosenblatt and Tony Lee spoke with the stars and fans to get some takes on whether to belt out the "popular" Broadway numbers, keep quiet or do both!

— Richie Duchon, deputy director of platforms

Mattress toppers can make your bed firmer or softer and are less expensive than buying a new mattress. Here's how to choose the best mattress topper for every sleep position. Plus, NBC Select's editors rounded up the best deals from REI's Winter Sale.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today's newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. 

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