Ethics Report Accused Gaetz of ‘Regularly’ Paying for Sex

Also, Biden commuted nearly every federal death sentence. Here’s the latest at the end of Monday.

A report released today by the House Ethics Committee said that former Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida regularly paid women for sex, had sex with an underage girl and used illegal drugs while he was in Congress.

Gaetz was Donald Trump’s initial pick to lead the Justice Department, but he withdrew from consideration after misconduct allegations appeared likely to derail his Senate confirmation.

The panel’s 37-page report was written after a lengthy investigation. It concluded that Gaetz violated Florida’s sexual misconduct laws and House rules. In 2017, the report said, Gaetz “engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl,” who was paid. It also accused Gaetz of using or possessing illegal drugs, including cocaine and Ecstasy, “on multiple occasions,” and of accepting lavish gifts. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

Here are the main takeaways.

Gaetz mounted a last-ditch effort today to block the report’s release, first in court and then on social media. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he wrote.

Biden commuted nearly every federal death sentence

President Biden announced today that he would commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on death row. The 37 people, all of whom are men convicted of murder, will serve life sentences without the possibility of parole instead of facing execution.

Biden campaigned in 2020 on ending the federal death penalty. He said today that he believed it was important to commute the sentences before Donald Trump, who is expected to resume federal executions, takes office next month.

The three men whose sentences Biden did not commute all carried out notorious mass killings.

Suspect in C.E.O. killing pleaded not guilty

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive, pleaded not guilty today in Manhattan.

State prosecutors have charged him with murder, as well as a terrorism-related offense and weapons charges. Mangione faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. He also faces federal charges that could result in the death penalty.

Mangione’s lawyer argued today that his case had been politicized and expressed concern that he would not receive a fair trial. A group of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, with some chanting “Free Luigi!”

Will you have a white Christmas?

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you’re probably in better luck this year than you were in 2023. Large parts of the Northeast, the Midwest and the Rockies are forecast to have at least an inch of snow Wednesday. Search your chances of snow here.

By the end of the week, unseasonably warm temperatures are expected across the U.S.

More top news

• Business: Honda and Nissan agreed to begin talks on a merger to create one of the world’s largest auto groups.
• Trump: The president-elect has called for asserting U.S. control over the Panama Canal and Greenland.
• Syria: Ministers from Jordan and Qatar met in Damascus with the leader of the rebel coalition that toppled the Assad regime two weeks ago.
• New York: A 33-year-old man from Guatemala was accused of burning a woman to death on a subway train in Brooklyn over the weekend.
• Europe: A surprise visit to Moscow by the leader of Slovakia was a blow to European unity against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “progress” was being made toward a deal with Hamas to release hostages in Gaza, but he dismissed pressure to act faster.
• France: President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new cabinet less than three weeks after the previous government collapsed.
• Germany: Security officials said they had received alerts about the suspect accused of driving a S.U.V. through a Christmas market before the attack, including tipoffs from Saudi Arabia about his extreme views.
• Health: Autism diagnoses are on the rise in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 36 children. Researchers have no clear explanation for the surge.
• Congo: The mpox virus is spreading in Kinshasa, the capital, as a vaccination campaign unfolds at a glacial pace.

TIME TO UNWIND

2024 was a year for mashing and clashing

Wearing contrasting patterns and prints, while not new, became something of an art form this year among stylish crowds around the world.

That was one of several trends that our photographer Simbarashe Cha noticed when traveling the world to capture the moment in fashion. Check out the year’s best looks.

For more on 2024: This year, Sapphic stars ruled pop culture.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ turned 75

The songwriter Johnny Marks wrote so many successful Christmas songs that he became known as “Mr. Christmas.” But commercially, one stood above them all: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” first recorded 75 years ago by Gene Autry, sold 150 million records by the time Marks died in 1985. Here’s the story behind its success.

Your holiday traditions

We asked readers about the traditions they are most looking forward to this year and will feature their responses throughout this week.

We look out the window at the sky on Christmas Eve to be the first to spot Rudolph’s nose — the red light of a plane flying overhead. No matter where we’ve lived or how cloudy the sky has been, somehow, for 50 years, there’s always been a red light in the distance, the signal that it’s time to brush your teeth and go to sleep, or else Santa won’t come. We’ve done this, first with my sons, then my grandchildren, and now with our great-grandchildren. — Bette Sullivan, Sumner, Wash.

Tell us about your New Year’s resolutions: As we wrap up 2024, we’re asking readers about their most successful resolutions — the ones that changed their lives for the better — and how they were able to keep them. To share your thoughts, fill out this form. We may contact you to feature your response in The Evening.

Dinner table topics

• Beep. Beep. Beep: Robots excel at a lot of tasks. But in the kitchen, real chefs are hard to replace.
• Hollywood’s go-to guy: One man is behind the typefaces used in box office hits like “Barbie” and “Wicked.”
• On the hunt: New York City has a secret weapon in its war on rats: Katie the dog.
• Dazzling diamonds: How did France’s crown jewels end up in New Jersey?

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

Cook: These aglio e olio baked potatoes pack a big punch of flavor.

Watch: Our critic has a strategy for picking the best in-flight movie.

Read: A new biography approaches Goethe through his masterpiece, “Faust.”

Travel: It’s possible to pack formal wear without the need for an iron when you arrive.

Scrub: Here’s how to clean a glass cooktop.

Compete: Take this week’s Flashback history quiz.

Play: Here are today’s Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here.

ONE LAST THING

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas

When Bath & Body Works begins developing a holiday fragrance, it isn’t thinking about gingerbread or holly. It’s thinking about “giftability.” The company makes two-thirds of its total net income near the end of each year, when countless shoppers are looking to buy a candle, lotion or perfume for their friends or family.

This year, Bath & Body Works is counting on “Perfect in Pink” — a fruity fragrance with an eye-catching label — to carry the holiday shopping season. My colleague Jordyn Holman went behind the scenes to explain how it was made, named and marketed.

Have a sensuous evening.

Thanks for reading. My colleague Justin Porter will write this newsletter tomorrow. I’ll be back on Thursday. — Matthew

Sean Kawasaki-Culligan was our photo editor today.

We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.