Holiday spending could top $1 trillion for the first time ever -- much of that over this 5-day long weekend. Elaine Quijano is at New Jersey's American Dream mall, where shoppers are on the hunt for deals.

East Rutherford

Black Friday has officially launched the holiday shopping season in the United States, with an estimated 187 million people expected to shop over the Thanksgiving weekend. Shoppers are projected to spend an average of $890 each, a slight decrease from the previous year due to ongoing inflation and higher tariffs.

Despite lower consumer sentiment and economic uncertainty, retailers are offering significant deals to attract customers, especially on electronics and appliances. Consumers are being more strategic with their spending, utilizing loyalty programs, credit cards, and cashback apps to maximize savings, while many major stores opened early to draw in eager shoppers.

Black Friday kicks off holiday shopping season

As Americans pack up their Thanksgiving leftovers, many will be decking the halls with a lot of shopping bags. A record 187 million people are expected to shop this Thanksgiving weekend. For the most part, the deals have been exceptional. Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $890 each on gifts, decor, and food this season. That's down slightly from last year, as consumers face higher prices due to sticky inflation and tariff costs. Between food and buying my son everything he needs and wants, it's a struggle, but we make the best out of it. Despite economic uncertainty and the lowest consumer sentiment in three years, shoppers are still spending on that holiday magic. Even with this uncertainty, consumers are seeking out what's important to them and what's within their control, and that's their community, their connection to other people and these moments with their family. Retailers are hoping for a boost too, which could mean better deals to lure shoppers in the door. Retailers are certainly trying to balance what consumers want and need, while also still trying to manage their own costs, but deals are out there to be found. On Black Friday, look for deals on anything with a plug, including appliances and TVs. More store-wide deals on apparel and beauty are expected Cyber Monday. Shoppers are being more intentional. They are finding those different ways to stretch their holiday budget, so they are feeling so much better about the items that they are buying, even if those budgets are a little bit tighter this year. To maximize your budget, consider using store loyalty programs and credit cards if you can pay them off in full for additional savings and perks, and stack your discounts by using cash back apps like Rakuten, ShopBack, and Ibotta on top of store sales. And of course, make that list and check it twice. The biggest thing is do your research, check out what is available, and if you see something that you want, go in and grab it. There's no reason to wait. Many stores opened before dawn today to lure in early bird shoppers. Kohl's and JCPenney actually opened their doors at 5 a.m. Other retailers like Target are offering welcome gifts and prizes to bring in those first in-store shoppers. Kelly? Elaine, I'm expecting a text of the best Black Friday deals, so I can go hit the mall after this. Thank you.

The New York Times has sued the U.S. Defence Department and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in an effort to force the Pentagon to abandon its restrictive new press policy. The Times alleges that the policy, rejected by at least 30 news organizations, violates its rights to free speech and due process.

New York

New York Times sues Pentagon, Hegseth over press restrictions

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Trump insists Putin wants to end Ukraine war after Witkoff's trip

Democrats have released never-before-seen images in the Jeffrey Epstein case. They were taken at his private island estate. It comes as the Trump administration faces a deadline to release the full Epstein case files in two weeks.

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Caracas

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Canberra

Australia under-16s social media accounts to be taken down

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Brussels

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Washington

Trump pardons Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife

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Los Angeles

Doctor who sold Matthew Perry ketamine sentenced to 30 months in prison

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Tennessee

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California

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Putin meets Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner for Ukraine peace talks

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Pokrovsk

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Major rescue and recovery efforts are underway across Southeast Asia after a series of severe storms battered the region displacing millions and killing more than 1,100 people.

Nuwara Eliya

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Tegucigalpa

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Airbus must inspect hundreds of its A320 jets for potential quality flaws in the plane's body as a total of 628 aircraft contain panels that may be too thick or too thin due to a manufacturing issue at a supplier.

Blagnac

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Damascus

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New Orleans

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Breakdown