In spite of their collective concerns over inflation and the economy, U.S. consumers spent at record levels over the traditional Thanksgiving weekend launch of the holiday shopping season with over 200 million shoppers making purchases both in-person and online.

By the numbers:

• A record $38 billion spent by online shoppers.
• Shoppers were spending $15.7 million per minute during peak hours on Cyber Monday.
• Record discounts on electronics (31% off), computers (24% off) and apparel (23% off).

“The five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday represents some of the busiest shopping days of the year and reflects the continued resilience of consumers and strength of the economy,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

Rep. Celeste Maloy sworn in as Utah’s newest member of Congress

Rep. Celeste Maloy was sworn in as a member of the U.S. House Tuesday evening, one week after winning the special congressional election to replace her old boss, former congressman Chris Stewart, who resigned in September.

“The privilege of serving in the United States House of Representatives feels enormous right now,” Maloy told the Deseret News. 

After being sworn in, Maloy took her first vote as a member of Congress in favor of a resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist.

Read more about Utah's newest member of Congress.

More in Politics:

• Sen. Mitt Romney criticized for saying who he might vote for in 2024 (Deseret News)
  
• Chuck Schumer to bring Biden’s $105B foreign aid package for a vote next week (Deseret News)
  
• The holiday season is here — unless you’re running for president (Deseret News)
  
• Jennifer Graham: Rosalynn Carter’s last gift was an olive branch to Trump supporters (Deseret News)
  

Health

• Newly discovered spine stem cells help explain cancer metastasis in bone (Deseret News)
• After a lifetime together, surviving spouses can be vulnerable in grief (CNN)

Faith

• How religious leaders can regain trust (Deseret News)
• A Catholic priest was punished over a pop star’s music video. Here’s what happened (Deseret News)

Tech

• How to use your phone to remember the reason for the Christmas season (Deseret News)
• Google will begin deleting inactive accounts this week. Here’s how to stop your account from being deleted (Deseret News)

Salt Lake and Tooele Counties

• Where are the children? New report outlines Salt Lake City's youth population decline (KSL)
• Grantsville officials stepping up efforts to avoid another tragedy following fatal crash (KSL)

Washington and Grand Counties

• Mild earthquake shakes area between Hildale and Springdale (St. George News)
• 2 BASE jumpers rescued in separate incidents near Moab over holiday weekend (KSL)
  

The West

• A big decision is coming about Utah’s bid to host another Olympics. Here’s what you need to know (Deseret News)
• 4 people who died outside in Denver over weekend likely overdosed, city officials say (Denver Post)

The Nation

• Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, Tim Ballard named in lawsuit alleging suppression of free speech (Deseret News)
  
• Here’s why Stephen Colbert won’t be hosting the ‘Late Show’ this week (Deseret News)
  

The World

• Family members of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 passengers have gotten their first day in court (Deseret News)
• Why do countries change their names? (BBC)

Cougars’ first year in the Big 12 was disappointing, but at least the finish was encouraging

In many ways, the season-ending loss to Oklahoma State in double overtime served as a microcosm for the BYU Cougars’ entire first season in the Big 12.

A less-than-inspiring start. A promising, even brilliant second quarter. A crash of epic proportions in the third quarter. A spirited comeback late in the fourth quarter, and then a crushing ending in overtime.

Was the finish akin to slapping lipstick on a pig? Not according to coach Kalani Sitake, now 61-41 in eight seasons in Provo, who walked into the interview room after a second-overtime fumble cost the Cougars a chance to upset Big 12 championship game-bound OSU and admitted that he “honestly wasn’t even thinking about this (loss) as a result” of the game.

“We did everything we could,” Sitake said. “… We threw the playbook at them.”

Read more about BYU's 2023 season.

More in Sports:

• BYU will be QB shopping this holiday season (Deseret News)
• Jaren Hall could get another shot at starting for the Vikings (Deseret News)
• A Washington court just issued an order in the lawsuit over control of the Pac-12. What does it say? (Deseret News)
• The Jazz released a trailer for the upcoming documentary about the franchise. Here's what to expect (Deseret News)