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$10 billion. That's how much money was taken from Americans in fraud schemes last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Many of those crimes – specifically those involving imposters – often start with a phone call or a text and a made-up claim. Victims can hand over thousands of dollars. And they often feel ashamed about being duped by these criminals.

How do we let go of the stigma around being scammed? And what's being done about the increasingly elaborate ways scammers are stealing people's money?

The Washington Post's Michelle Singletary helps us answer
those questions.

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President-elect Donald Trump is packing his administration with incredibly wealthy businesspeople. His picks make up what could be the wealthiest government in U.S. history – worth about $340 billion.

Watchdog groups are sounding the alarm, saying the business interests of many of these powerful picks are at odds with what's best for the American people.

Trump himself is again bringing financial conflicts into office, too. But this time, there are fewer guardrails to prevent abuses of power for his financial gain. Meanwhile, new Trump organization business deals are on the horizon.

We discuss why this matter for the American people, and if our government can protect itself from financial conflicts at its highest levels of power.

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On Sunday, Syrian rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) made its final march on the Syrian capital of Damascus. The rebels had already claimed the major cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs.

In a matter of hours and with little violence, Syrian government forces abandoned their posts and HTS claimed victory. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and has been granted asylum in Russia.

After more than five decades, Syria is no longer under the rule of the Assad dynasty. And the region is transformed forever.

But as people rejoice across Syria – what's left is immense uncertainty about the future of the country's government and its place in the region.

We get to the latest and look to the future for both Syria and the Middle East.

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Before Kelly Bishop found her way into our hearts as Emily Gilmore, she danced her way into history in Broadway's "A Chorus Line" and the movie "Dirty Dancing."

Most recently, you might have seen her as Mrs. Ivey in Hulu's "The Watchful Eye."

But chances are you probably recognize the Tony-Award winner from her role as the matriarch of Stars Hollow. She joins us to talk about her new memoir, "The Third Gilmore Girl."

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A manhunt is underway in New York City for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He was shot and killed on a busy Midtown Manhattan street in a targeted early morning attack.

And despite saying that he wouldn't do so, President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, this week for federal crimes.

Also this week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. The move was rejected by the parliament and reversed by the president six hours later. His political future hangs in limbo.

And rebel groups now control significant parts of the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Hama, forcing government forces to retreat.

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Bananas are the world's most popular and most consumed fruit. They are also one of the most important agricultural commodities and food staples for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The fruit is also in danger of going extinct.

The Panama Disease or TR-4 is threatening the most widely exported variety of the banana, the Cavendish. It makes up 99 percent of global banana exports, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. But it's vulnerable to an aggressive fungal disease that is invading areas where most of the banana supply is produced.

And it's happened before. Until the 1950s, consumers were eating a different variety of banana before it succumbed to an invading fungal disease. Now scientists are racing against the clock to save the banana – again.

We discuss what's being done to save the world's favorite fruit.

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The start of December brings holiday cheer. And... the flu. Peak season is from December to February. So are we ready?

We talk about vaccine hesitancy this flu season. We also get into what we know about the public health policies of the incoming Trump administration.

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President-elect Donald Trump hasn't been shy about his love for tariffs. And now, he hopes to make good on campaign promises to implement them.

In practice, these tariffs could raise the prices of a variety of everyday goods including groceries. Economic issues like inflation led many voters to Trump. However, economists have raised concerns that this strategy could lead to another bump in inflation.

We unpack what these tariffs could mean for consumers and businesses and talk about how they'll affect the American and global economies.

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Giving season is upon us. And some may say today, Giving Tuesday, kicks it off. And the U.S. is certainly on the generous side.

Last year, giving between corporations, foundations, and individuals amounted to more than $500 billion. However, those numbers are on a decline when you compare them to what people gave in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic.

But when you look at the long view, giving has increased by billions. Between 1954 and 2016, total giving went from $54 billion to $390 billion.

We discuss where these billions are coming from and how those numbers have changed.

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It's a huge development in a war that had seemed to be at a standstill.

In a matter of days, rebel groups in Syria took control of most of Aleppo, Syria's second largest city. It had been in the hands of the autocratic Syrian government since 2016.

The Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad, now stands on questionable footing for the first time in years.

We discuss what's next for the country.

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