This is TODAY

Your day starts here. The latest in news, pop culture, wellness and more.

As cases of RSV and flu surge nationwide, we're tracking how many pediatric hospital beds are available in your state. Plus, rock fans mourn the death of Fleetwood Mac legend Christine McVie, and all the highlights from the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. 

Pediatric hospitals are overwhelmed with cases of RSV and flu. How many beds are free in your state?

A "tripledemic" of RSV, flu and Covid has led to pediatric hospitals nationwide facing major surges. The CDC is reporting high or very high respiratory illness activity in 35 states, and flu activity is more than 20 times higher than last year. The combination has resulted in many children's hospitals being overwhelmed, leading to fewer beds and longer wait times. About 3/4 of hospital beds are already full, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See how many beds are available in your state with this NBC News tracker. 

Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, who wrote some of the band’s most enduring hits, has died at 79.

Christine McVie, the longtime singer-songwriter and keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac, died at 79 yesterday following a short illness, her family said. "There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie," the band wrote on Facebook. "She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure." The 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee wrote and sang many of the band’s greatest hits, including “Think About Me,” “Hold Me” and “Little Lies." Bandmate Stevie Nicks also remembered her "best friend in the whole world" with a heartfelt message. Read it here.

🧠 How deep brain stimulation helped a woman stop binge-eating and lose 35 pounds. 

Robyn Baldwin, 58, had struggled with her weight for decades, including getting gastric bypass surgery in 2003. She continued to battle intense cravings to overeat before joining an experimental study to have a deep brain stimulation device implanted in her skull. The device disrupts the craving signals to her brain, and she has since lost 35 pounds and no longer has uncontrollable urges to eat. Baldwin shared the details of the procedure and how her eating habits have changed since. Read more here. 

Country singer Jake Flint dies in his sleep hours after his wedding. 

On the night he married his wife over the weekend, country music singer Jake Flint died in his sleep of undisclosed causes at 37. His wife, Brenda, wrote about his death in a heartbreaking Facebook post on Tuesday, just days after they got married at a ceremony in Oklahoma. “We should be going through wedding photos but instead I have to pick out clothes to bury my husband in,” she wrote. “People aren’t meant to feel this much pain. My heart is gone and I just really need him to come back." Flint's family spoke out about his death yesterday, writing that "every person who knew him has a story of his wit, charm, talent, and compassion."

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Going from the couch to completing a 5K race can seem like a daunting task, but these five members of the Start TODAY community are living proof how a little motivation and plenty of support can get you across the finish line. After completing 5K races over Thanksgiving, each of them shared their stories with us, as well as their tips on how they achieved their goals. From embracing "wogging" to using interval training, they shared what helped them come to love their new walking or running routines. 

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Give the hearty holiday food a rest and warm up with a tasty bowl of tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons from chef and cookbook author Scotty Scott.  The classic combo of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup is reimagined by toasting some pepper and garlic powder on the outside of the grilled cheese to create the croutons. It also makes a great party appetizer — arrange the croutons on a plate and encourage your guests to dip them in the soup. Here's the recipe. 

A little pick-me-up before you go.

It's a sure sign that the countdown to Christmas has begun: The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is officially lit! Last night's ceremony marked the 90th anniversary of the beloved tradition as this year's Norway Spruce was lit up with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED bulbs and the Swarovski star. There also were performances by Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, Mickey Guyton and many more. Get in the Christmas spirit by checking out highlights from the festive night here. 

Thanks for letting us in your inbox!
See you again tomorrow morning.

Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

Want to refer a friend? They can subscribe here.