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Family, fans and friends mourn the loss of Stephen "tWitch" Boss from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" after his death at 40, and several children's hospitals report a rise in severe and potentially deadly strep A infections. Plus, the TODAY family sheds happy tears in a surprise visit to Al Roker's home as he recovers from a health issue.

U.S. hospitals report a rise in severe strep A infections in kids after 15 deaths in the U.K. 

Children's hospitals in four states told NBC News they are seeing higher-than-average numbers of group A strep infections, a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that occurs when bacteria spreads to the bloodstream and other areas. Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Washington have all reported an increase in cases after at least 15 children have died in the U.K. from invasive group A strep since September. Here are the symptoms to watch for when it comes to different infections invasive group A strep can cause. 

'Heartbroken' Ellen DeGeneres and others mourn the death of DJ and dancer Stephen 'tWitch' Boss.

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Stephen "tWitch" Boss, who died by suicide at 40, according to his wife and team. He was best known as the DJ for nine seasons on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Ellen wrote that she is "heartbroken" over his death, while Boss' wife remembered how he "lit up every room he stepped in." Meanwhile, celebrities from Viola Davis to Jada Pinkett Smith offered their condolences. See their tributes here.

🎁 65 budget-friendly gifts for foodies, beauty lovers, pets and more — all for under $25.

If you're on a tight budget but still want to get a fun and thoughtful gift for everyone on your list, we have affordable options in tech, kitchen accessories, beauty products and more. Here are 65 options that are $25 or less across seven categories that will help you nail the perfect present without stretching your wallet. You can also check out all the holiday gift guides from Shop TODAY right here. 

A 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant's comment was so awkward it made Pat Sajak drop his cards. 

Pat Sajak is rarely fazed by anything after hosting "Wheel of Fortune" for 41 years, but a comment from a recent contestant had him dropping his cards and staring into the camera during the show's bonus round. A contestant named Kate from Cincinnati was trying to solve a puzzle for the phrase "fixing a leak," but came up short. After seeing the solution, she blurted out,  "I kept thinking of doing something else with a leak, and I didn't think that was it." As the crowd cracked up, Sajak fumbled his cards, while Kate covered her face with her hands. "Excuse me," Sajak deadpanned. "These get heavy sometimes." Watch the funny moment here.

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

It's the most loaded question a parent can face this time of year: Is Santa real? Whatever your approach, the decision about when and how to talk to kids about Santa is a big one. While we know somebody has to be eating all those cookies and drinking the milk on Christmas Eve, here are 3 common strategies to help you formulate your answer. Now excuse us while we go clear the chimney out for Dec. 25. 

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Between nibbling at holiday parties and eating on the go while tracking down everything on your list, it's peak snack season. Chef and entertaining expert Elizabeth Heiskell shared 3 of her go-to holiday bites and a cocktail, including a praline baked brie (above) with brown sugar and spiced pecans. Elizabeth's smoky spiced pecans and sausage-and-pepper stuffed mushrooms make for flavor-packed appetizers, and her Christmas Margarita is perfect for toasting with friends and family. 

A little pick-me-up before you go.

We promised ourselves we weren't going to cry! But we just couldn't help it. The TODAY family of anchors, producers, crew and security surprised Al Roker at his home in New York City to lift his spirits as he recovers from a four-week hospital stay. The beloved weatherman fought back tears when he saw Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb in Santa hats leading the TODAY contingent in a gathering filled with songs, smiles, and laughs. "Everybody was in tears, and it was just beautiful and so wonderful to see him," Savannah said. Al was grateful for the show of support. "I love you more than you’ll ever know," he told everyone. See the touching moment here. 

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Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

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