'We are devastated. We are still processing all of this'

Matt Lauer ... Russia investigation ... President Trump ... tax reform ... economy

view in browser Thursday 11.30.17 Today is not only the last day of November, it's also the end of the Atlantic hurricane season. And what a catastrophic season it was. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. By Doug Criss Matt Lauer   We've all been shocked and disgusted by the recent tidal wave of sexual assault and harassment allegations, but what's going on with Matt Lauer seems to hit especially hard. NBC News fired Lauer after a complaint about "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace." And people seemed particularly shaken, perhaps because for millions of Americans, the "Today" show host was almost like a part of the family, or at least a regular and dependable part of their morning routines. In delivering the news to viewers, Lauer's co-host, Savannah Guthrie, said she was "devastated" and trying to square the man she's known with the claims. After the announcement, Variety painted a very different picture of Lauer, publishing details on sexual harassment claims made by three women. The article also alleged that NBC News protected Lauer and that when women complained about his alleged conduct, nothing was done. Russia investigation Jared Kushner met earlier this month with special counsel Robert Mueller's team as part of the investigation into Russia's meddling in the election, according to two people familiar with the meeting. Mueller's team specifically asked Kushner about former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who is under investigation by the special counsel, two sources said.  The conversation lasted less than 90 minutes, one person familiar with the meeting said, adding that Mueller's team asked Kushner to clear up some questions he was asked by lawmakers and details that emerged through media reports. One source said the nature of this conversation was principally to make sure Kushner doesn't have information that exonerates Flynn. Trump tweets   Even for Donald Trump's Twitter feed, this was pretty shocking. The President retweeted three inflammatory videos from a British far-right account filled with anti-Muslim content. Criticism rained down on Trump, not just here in the US but overseas as well. UK Prime Minister Theresa May said the President was "wrong" to share the videos. No such criticism came from the White House, however, with Press Secretary Sarah Sanders giving the rather bizarre defense that even if the content in the unverified videos isn't real, "the threat is real." Um, OK. Add to this Trump's reported devotion to long-discredited conspiracy theories and his utterance of the "Pocahontas" quip and it raises the question: Is the President losing control? Tax overhaul   Don't look now, but President Trump and the Republicans are on the verge of a major victory on rewriting the tax code. After squeaking out of committee, the tax proposal survived a procedural vote in the full Senate, setting up a final vote on the legislation that could happen late today or tomorrow. A version of the bill has already passed the House, so if the GOP can hold its fragile coalition together -- and at this point, that seems very likely -- the most sweeping change to the tax code in 30 years may be a significant step closer to reality. Economy   The US economy was doing better during the summer than first thought. Revised numbers from the Commerce Department said the economy grew at 3.3% between July and September (the original number was 3%). That's the best growth the US has seen in three years. An uptick in exports and increases in consumer and business spending powered the growth. President Trump has promised to get the economy to annual growth above 3%, something that hasn't happened in a decade. It won't happen this year, though, because the economy was so sluggish during the first three months. I am rejecting your verdict with contempt.   The declaration a former Bosnian Croat general made just before he apparently swallowed poison as a judge at the Hague upheld his 20-year sentence for war crimes. He later died.  People are talking about these. Read up. Join in. Never mind Charges have been dropped against the Virginia mom accused of illegally recording her daughter's classroom in an attempt to catch bullies.   It ain't gold Glitter is bad. And not just because it's annoying (and the title of a horrid Mariah Carey movie.) Turns out the shiny stuff may be bad for the environment, too. Cyber Everyday is next Cyber Monday was more than good for Amazon. It was the online retail behemoth's biggest shopping day of all time. Pinhead or patriot? While some folks say he's a bad guy, others consider him a hero. Meet the man who (temporarily) shut down President Trump's Twitter feed. Tough talk If conversations about race make you nervous, then you're so not ready for rapper Joyner Lucas' "I'm Not Racist" video. up to $100 million That's what the NFL is reportedly agreeing to spend on social causes. Some consider it a bid to end player protests during the National Anthem. The tortoise and the cat The tortoise just wants to be friends. The cat is not having any of that. (Click to view.) Share Tweet ALL CNN NEWSLETTERS CNN Five Things shows up in your inbox every weekday at 6 a.m. ET. Like what you see? Don't like what you see? Let us know. We're all about self improvement. Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign yourself up!   Copyright © 2017 Cable News Network, LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved., All rights reserved. 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