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Fast Forward: Life’s getting shorter, Tom Finneran’s pension is before the SJC, and a non-annoying flash mob

Former state House Speaker Tom Finneran is fighting to hang onto his pension. He was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2007.David L. Ryan/globe staff/file 2004

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Here’s some news and information as you rev up for the day.

What’s it like outside? The cold air that’s afflicting the Dakotas and upper Midwest is heading this way. Mid-40s during the day, but you’ll start to feel it tonight. Time to wear socks to bed.

While you were sleeping: A very surprising report out this morning says the life expectancy for Americans born now is shorter for the first time in 23 years. We can expect to live slightly shorter lives thanks to an uptick in eight out of the 10 leading causes of death. Cancer death rates dropped, probably because of a decline in smoking and more effective treatments, but the diseases of fatness -- heart disease, stroke, diabetes -- slayed more of us last year. BTW, other Western nations don’t have this problem. Put down that cheeseburger!

Hey, sport: The Bruins take on the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. at the Garden (NESN and 98.5 FM); last night they fell to the Washington Capitals in OT, 4-3. The Celtics are off, but even without Isaiah Thomas (groin injury), they easily handled the Orlando Magic last night, 117-87.

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PEOTUS Donald Trump will have a private visit with some of the 13 victims of the Nov. 28 Ohio State attack, as well as police and paramedics, in Columbus at 3 p.m., then continue his “Ha ha, I won” tour in Des Moines with a rally at 7 p.m. He picked another Twitter fight, this one with an Indiana union leader who criticized him for lying about the number of jobs Carrier kept; predictably, the union guy and his family now are getting threats. Have yet to see Trump pick a Twitter fight with any of the cowardly attackers.

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Barack and Michelle Obama host the annual Congressional Ball at the White House tonight, their last. It’s a massive affair since all 535 members of the House and Senate are invited and can bring one guest (although some try to bring more), resulting in more than 1,000 people spread out over two floors of the building. Past events have yielded tales of lawmakers throwing up in the bushes after drinking too much, or overstaying their welcome, dancing up a storm long after the president and first lady have gone to bed.

The sold-out 12th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women kicks off at 8:15 a.m. at the convention center in Boston with a panel of women that includes Brandeis professor Anita Hill and Annie Clark, the anti-campus sexual assault crusader.

The next time you’re in Kenmore Square, try to find this unusual sign: “20 West / Newport, OR / 3,365 miles.” It’s being installed at 9 a.m. at Comm. Ave. and Kenmore Street, where Route 20 starts its journey all the way to the West Coast -- the longest continuous road in the country. (“A broad and ample road / whose dust is gold ...”) There’s already a “20 East / Boston, MA / 3,365 miles” sign in Newport, thanks to a state rep out there. After Oregon installed its sign, officials there suggested that Massachusetts do the same; MassDOT bigwig Tom Tinlin said, “Why not?”

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Former House Speaker Tom Finneran tries again to hang onto his state pension today as the SJC hears his case. He was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2007.

How’s Boston doing getting ready for the effects of climate change? Mayor Marty Walsh will let us all know at 10:45 a.m. Then at 1:45 p.m., he evaluates how well the city is prepared for winter.

This will drive Trump crazy: China reported a robust trade surplus of close to $45 billion for November, with both imports and exports up.

Greece is in turmoil again: Public-sector workers went on strike today, upset about labor and pension changes the government made in exchange for bailout loans to help it out of its seven-year-old economic crisis. Doctors at state hospitals, teachers, and municipal workers walked off the job.

Finally, I dare you to watch this video of a flash mob helping a mother of four with cancer without tearing up. I don’t know how the woman held it together; her husband couldn’t. ‘Tis the season, indeed.

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Thanks for reading. If you’re so inclined, please follow me on Twitter: I’m @BostonTeresa. See you tomorrow.


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