A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has narrowly endorsed the use of Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ oral Covid treatment pill, despite questions about the drug’s effectiveness, safety and whether it would help the virus mutate into even more dangerous variants. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reports on questions about the safety of a Merck antiviral pill intended to fight Covid. Brown University School of Public Health Dean Dr. Ashish Jha also discusses the omicron Covid variant and just how impactful current vaccines could be against it. Drug lord El Chapo’s wife Emma Coronel Aispuro has been sentenced to three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to money laundering and helping her husband’s cartel traffic cocaine, meth and heroin into the U.S. WEYI reporter Stephanie Parkinson reports on another school shooting, this one in Michigan, where a 15-year-old killed three students and wounded 8 more people, including a teacher. Former Notre Dame football coach heading to LSU and Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley leaving for big, big money with USC in Los Angeles. Author and ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum joins Smith to discuss. Plus, CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on hackers that are offering holiday deals for illegal items on the dark web.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has strengthened its recommendation on Covid booster shots, telling all adults that they “should” get an additional dose amid growing concern about the newly identified omicron variant. Dr. Celine Gounder, New York University epidemiologist, discusses the omicron variant, whether it’s more serious than delta, and whether the vaccines will hold up against it. NBC4 Chief Investigative Reporter Jonathan Dienst reports on former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recorded testimony to investigators, which was released today. Also, what role did CNN anchor Chris Cuomo play in the investigation of his brother? CNBC’s Valerie Castro reports on the sex-trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epstein girlfriend and long-time associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, which began today in Manhattan. CNBC’s Scott Cohn reports on the trial of Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes, and what she said on the witness stand today. Plus, CNBC’s Shep Smith reports on the death of leading fashion designer Virgil Abloh, from cancer. He was 41 years old.

The United States will restrict travel for non-U.S. citizens from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday, part of a global effort to stem the spread of the heavily mutated omicron variant of Covid-19, according to senior Biden administration officials. Dr. Robby Sikka, anesthesiologist and senior health consultant, discusses the new omicron Covid variant. Amanda Mull, writer for The Atlantic, discusses American’s spending habits ahead of the holidays. CNBC’s Diana Olick reports on the state of the housing market heading into the end of 2021. CNBC’s Contessa Brewer reports on the rocketing demand for home generators ahead of cold winter weather. NBC News’ Keir Simmons reports from London on a new warning from Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia is planning a coup. CNBC’s Kate Rogers reports on a rise in smash-and-grab robberies as the holiday shopping season begins. Plus, CNBC’s Courtney Reagan breaks down rapid growth in shopping for Black Friday in 2021 compared to 2020.

CNBC’s Courtney Reagan reports on what retailers are expecting ahead of the holiday shopping season. Three white men were found guilty Wednesday of felony murder in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man who was running in their neighborhood when the defendants confronted him in February 2020. CNBC correspondent Cal Perry reports on the convictions. JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon says he regrets his remarks that the Wall Street bank would last longer than China’s Communist Party. Dewardric McNeal, managing director and senior policy analyst at Longview Global, discusses Jamie Dimon’s retracted joke. CNBC’s Diana Olick reports on how climate change could be making it more difficult to find the ingredients for holiday treats. Chris Burbank, former Salt Lake City police chief, discusses the refunding of police forces to tackle crime. Plus, CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on why the FBI is warning that hackers could be busy during the holiday season.

A federal jury has held CVS, Walgreens and Walmart liable in the U.S. opioid crisis. It was the first time pharmacy companies had completed a trial to defend themselves in a drug crisis that has killed a half-million Americans over the past two decades. Civil rights attorney David Henderson reports the jury in the trial over Ahmaud Arbery’s death began deliberations today. Arbery was shot and killed while he was jogging near his home in south Georgia last year. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, discusses the issue of unruly passengers and how crew are expected to deal with them this holiday season. The White House announced it’s tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in an effort to provide consumers relief from rising gas prices. The national average for gas prices has leveled off around $3.41 per gallon, according to AAA. That’s up $1.29 over last year at this time and about $0.81 over 2019 prices. Plus, CNBC’s Kate Rogers reports that some companies are allowing workers to get paid every day, even though it comes at small cost.

A Wisconsin man was arrested and accused of driving a red SUV into a crowd at a Waukesha Christmas parade on the city’s Main Street yesterday. CNBC’s Valerie Castro reports on the suspect who was booked on suspicion of five counts of intentional homicide according to the Waukesha Police Chief. Civil rights attorney David Henderson reports on the closing arguments in the case of the three men who were involved in the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Ahead of Thanksgiving, TSA officials say they have already screened the most passengers through U.S. airports since the pandemic started. CNBC’s Phil Lebeau reports from O’Hare International airport ahead of the busy holiday travel week. The House committee investigating the January 6th insurrection has issued five more subpoenas to witnesses, including Roger Stone and Alex Jones. Plus, CNBC’s Kate Rogers reports on a ‘smash-and-grab’ operation to ransack high-end stores in the San Francisco area.

Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty by a jury on all five criminal charges at his closely watched trial for killing two unarmed men and shooting an armed man during civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. Jurors reached their verdict on their fourth day of deliberations. NBC’s Jay Gray reports on the verdict. All adults in the U.S. are now eligible to receive Pfizer and Moderna’s Covid booster shots, offering an extra dose of protection for tens of millions of fully vaccinated Americans as cases climb and public officials worry the nation could face another surge during the winter. CNBC’s Scott Cohn reports on the trial of Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes, who took the witness stand today. CNBC’s Seema Mody reports on what Airlines are doing to prepare for the rush of holiday travelers next week. Plus, CNBC’s Ylan Mui reports on obstacles in the Senate to the passage of the Build Back Better Act, including Democratic senators Manchin and Sinema.

House Democrats have moved closer to holding a long-awaited floor vote on President Joe Biden's social safety net and climate package, with party leaders formally kicking off debate in the full chamber. With winter looming and Covid-19 cases rising, the FDA is expected to authorize Pfizer’s booster shot for all adults. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reports The CDC is expected to meet Friday to discuss boosters. Civil rights attorney David Henderson reports on the trial over the death of Ahmaud Arbery, as the defendant who shot him faces cross-examination on the witness stand. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on a new Consumer Reports study that looks at the most and least reliable cars on the market. Are there too many bells and whistles in today’s new automobiles? CNBC’s Steve Kovach reports on ConstitutionDAO, a group that has raised millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies to buy a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Plus, CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on President Biden’s comments that he’s considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The man who killed Ahmaud Arbery, Travis McMichael, delivered emotional testimony in Georgia today as his defense attorney questioned him. Meanwhile, the jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial asked to rewatch several videos from the night of the Kenosha shooting. Civil rights attorney David Henderson discusses the nuances of both cases. President Joe Biden visited an electric vehicle plant in Detroit earlier today to showcase a new fleet of vehicles as he proposes billions of dollars in incentives in the Build Back Better plan. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau explains the details of the incentives. And Singapore-based crypto.com officially bought the naming rights to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for an estimated $700 million. CNBC’s Kate Rooney breaks down the crypto industry’s push into popular culture as more celebrities and athletes begin to embrace cryptocurrencies.

CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on President Biden’s efforts to promote his bipartisan infrastructure bill by traveling around the country to tout its benefits. Today, the tour began in New Hampshire. Democrats are now turning their attention to pushing the Build Back Better plan, which focuses on social spending and climate change. CNBC’s Steve Liesman reports on where Americans are spending their money, even as inflation spikes in some areas of the economy. Civil rights attorney David Henderson discusses jury deliberations in the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Pfizer submitted its application to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization of its Covid-19 treatment pill, saying it reduces hospitalization and death by 89% when administered with a common HIV drug. Plus, new hope for more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and a mad scramble in space as Russia conducts an anti-satellite missile test.