Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

Tonight our deepest sympathies go out to actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston.

Their 16-year-old son, Jett, died today during a family vacation in the Bahamas. He reportedly suffered a seizure and couldn’t be revived. His parents are said to be devastated. It’s a heartbreaking story.

The Travoltas have said Jett suffered from Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most often strikes young children and can lead to heart disease. We’re digging deeper with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Meantime, we’re bracing for an escalation in Gaza.

All day, speculation has been building that an Israeli ground invasion may be imminent. After seven days of airstrikes, the United Nations says much of Gaza’s infrastructure is in ruins. But even so, independent reports indicate that Hamas has as firm a grip on Gaza as ever. Nic Robertson is on the ground with the latest.

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Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

Happy New Year. Hope you’re having a relaxing day, easing into 2009.

If you made a resolution, we’d love to hear it. Especially if it’s not predictable (i.e., must lose weight, must quit smoking, must spend more time at the gym). We’ll compare your resolution to Jack Gray’s …and go from there.

Tonight we’re following the latest in the Middle East, where Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza are in their sixth day. Today a missile struck the home of a top Hamas leader, killing him and possibly some of his family. Hamas fired more rockets into Israel as well. No new talk of a cease-fire just yet. Nic Robertson is in the field.

We’re also learning much more about a deadly snowmobile outing in the Canadian Rockies.

Five days ago, 11 snowmobilers set off for a day of fun in British Columbia. But their adventure took a terrifying turn when a series of avalanches buried them. Just three survived, and to save themselves they had to make a gut-wrenching decision: leave the others behind. Tonight we’ll hear the riveting, heartbreaking details from Jeff Adams, one of the lucky ones.

Also tonight, where the Obamas will live when they move to Washington this weekend, in time for their daughters to start school Monday.

Plus, Charles Barkley’s end of year brush with the law. The former basketball star was arrested yesterday and booked on D.U.I. charges. In the annals of making a bad situation worse, Barkley unleashed some cheeky commentary on the cops who cuffed him. We’ll have the full story and the mug shot.

We’re especially excited about sharing some of the low-lights of last night’s Anderson-Kathy Griffin extravaganza in Times Square. Let’s just say not everything went off smoothly. If you can’t laugh at yourself, what’s the point? That’s our mantra today anyway.

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

You have to admit, Rod Blagojevich has chutzpah.

Today the Illinois governor upped the ante in a game of political chicken by appointing a former state attorney general to Barack Obama’s empty Senate seat – the same one the governor is accused of trying to sell. The news conference he held was one of the strangest — and most fascinating — we’ve seen. Blagojevich nomination left many stunned – and outraged – and for many different reasons, including race. Lots of reaction and ridicule to cover tonight. Fire up the popcorn maker and pull up a seat.

We’ll also have the latest on the crisis unfolding in Gaza. Tonight the Israeli government is weighing a temporary truce and the U.S. is urging Hamas to hold its fire. But the airstrikes and rocket attacks continue. We’ve got newly released video from the Israeli Air Force and Nic Robertson is in the field with all the latest.

Kathy Griffin joins us as well. She and Anderson are warming up for tomorrow night’s big New Year’s Eve production in Times Square. You never know what will happen with Griffin is on set. You might see a surprise or two. You’ll also see some of the 360 staff’s favorite videos from 2008. Do you have a favorite video – viral or not – that made you laugh, cringe or cry in 2008? There’s always time for late entries. Let us know.

All that and much more coming up at 10 pm eastern.

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

Hope your holidays have been peaceful and happy.

Tonight there’s breaking news out of Gaza and Israel, where the last few days have been anything but peaceful. Over the weekend Israel launched the biggest offensive against Gaza in 40 years. Israel says the target is Hamas, which recently ratcheted up its rocket attacks into Israel. Since the fighting began Saturday, more than 350 Palestinians have been killed, including 60 civilians, according to the United Nations; four Israeli civilians have died. Israel has called up 6,500 reservists, a pretty clear sign that the end is nowhere in sight. Add this to Obama’s plate of crises to deal with. Nic Robertson will have the latest from the Mideast.

We’re also looking into riveting new details in the story of a missing cruise ship passenger. The U.S. Coast Guard today called off the search for Florida freelance writer Jennifer Seitz, after combing more than 4,200 square miles off the coast of Cancun. Authorities say the ship’s surveillance camera showed someone falling overboard on Christmas night; at least seven hours later, Seitz’s husband reported his wife missing. Now the FBI is trying to determine if a crime occurred. Meantime, Seitz’s family issued a statement today indicating they believe Seitz may have committed suicide.

Note to book publishers: For your own sake and for the integrity of the entire non-fiction genre, please dig deeper before paying out book advances to aspiring memoirists. It’s happened again. Oprah Winfrey and many others, including CBS and Lifetime, have been duped. A Holocaust memoir that was due in bookstores in February has turned out to be a big fake. What was once billed as one of the greatest love stories ever told – wasn’t so great after all. But why would a Holocaust survivor lie about what happened to him? Randi Kaye goes up close tonight.

Hard to believe there are two days left in 2008. Are you making any resolutions? What are your biggest hopes – and fears – for 2009? What will you most remember about 2008? We’d like to hear from you.

See you at 10 p.m. eastern…

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

O.J. Simpson is going to prison for at least nine years, possibly much longer.

Before a Nevada judge sentenced the one-time football great, Simpson delivered an unexpected — and rambling — 5-minute statement. Judge Jackie Glass wasn’t buying it and denied Simpson bail pending appeal. Tonight on 360, you’ll hear Simpson in his own words.

While that drama was unfolding in Nevada, the Big 3 auto makers were making their final plea on Capitol Hill.

For a second straight day, the auto industry CEOs testified before skeptical lawmakers, this time in the House. Congress appears loath to fork over the billions they’re seeking in loans, in part because six in 10 Americans are opposed. But, sentiment may be turning. Today’s sobering jobs report – the worst in more than three decades – showing more than half a million jobs were lost in November – underscored the dire straits Americans face. Tonight, there seems to be new determination to craft a compromise in Congress. We’ll dig deeper at 10 p.m. eastern. See you then…

In the meantime, with so many Americans strapped for cash, starved of credit, and losing their jobs — and their homes — by the millions… we’d like to know what would make you feel more secure about the future? Is there anything Barack Obama could say or promise in his inaugural address in January to make you feel better? We’d like to hear from you.

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

We’re following breaking news on the auto bailout. We’re getting reports that Senate Majority leader Harry Reid says the Big Three bailout is in jeopardy. Democrats apparently don’t have enough votes to give the Big Three the money they want from the $700 billion rescue plan pot. We’ll have more details by air time.

According to new CNN polling, the bailout is already a bust among Americans. Six in 10 oppose rescuing the Big Three with taxpayer money. In early November, nearly half the public supported federal help for Detroit. So what’s changed? We’d love to hear your take.

Some more baffling math from the poll: Three-quarters of respondents said they think they’ll personally feel the impact if the auto makers go bankrupt. We’re intrigued that so many Americans support letting the auto makers go belly up, while admitting their families will suffer from the consequences. Again, we’d love your input.

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Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Georgia has to be on President-elect Obama’s mind tonight.

Voters in the Peach State went to the polls today to decide the runoff election between Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger Jim Martin. This race is a huge deal; the balance of power in the U.S. Senate is at stake. Chambliss’s re-election to a second term would prevent Democrats from gaining a filibuster-proof, 60-seat majority.

Neither candidate won 50 percent of the vote in the three-candidate general election. Republicans argue that Chambliss is a final firewall against unchecked Democratic power; Democrats say a Martin victory will assure Obama’s success in Congress. What do you think? At this time of economic crisis compounded by potential national security threats, is it more important for the new president to have a Congress he can work with – or is it preferable to have a check on Obama’s power with a divided Senate?

The polls closed at 7 p.m. ET. Early results seem to be favoring Chambliss. By air time we should know a lot more. We’ll have full coverage of the race and its consequences.

BAILOUT BLUEPRINTS

The Big Three automakers submitted their turnaround plans to Congress today – and surprise! They’re now asking for as much as $34 billion instead of the $25 billion they originally wanted. Their plans to revamp include salary cuts for top executives, the sale of corporate jets by General Motors and Ford and the possible elimination of two GM brands - Pontiac and Saturn.

The debate over an auto bailout took on new urgency today as the auto industry reported its worst sales in 25 years. U.S. and overseas automakers reported declines of more than 30 percent from a year ago. We’ll be digging deeper on all of this.

Meantime, the Treasury Department’s $700 billion bailout plan – the one that’s already handed out hundreds of billions of dollars – received it first report card from congressional investigators today – and it raises some bright red flags. The Office of General Accounting found that the plan lacks adequate oversight of banks’ potential conflicts of interest and lavish executive pay. Hmm. We’re eager to hear your thoughts on that.

GOVERNORS’ S.O.S.

U.S. governors have one of the toughest jobs in the nation right now – 41 states are forecasting budget shortfalls this year or next. Yesterday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency, saying his state could run out of cash within two months. Today in Philadelphia, President-elect Obama met with all the governors and promised that his economic recovery plan will include relief for them. He also asked them for their support and their input in drafting his recovery plan. Candy Crowley is on the story.

ARGHH!

You may have heard about the band of pirates that was thwarted this weekend while trying to hijack a U.S. cruise liner in the Gulf of Aden. When we heard about the story we immediately envisioned the Love Boat cast of yesteryear rolling up their sleeves and getting scrappy (“Julie, you keep watch on deck! Isaac and Gopher — arm yourselves with these anchors and take no prisoners!”)

The chilling truth is that piracy is on the rise off the Somali coast – and that cruise ship was lucky to get away. Pirates have attacked about 100 ships along the stretch this year and hijacked 40 vessels. They still hold 14 ships along with more than 250 crew members, according to maritime officials. So how do the pirates pull it off? Tonight Erica Hill explains how they get on board these massive ships in the first place.

See you at 10 p.m. ET…

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

Chicago police say they’ve arrested 27-year-old William Balfour for the October murders of three relatives of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson. Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson’s older sister and stepfather of one of the victims, 7-year-old Julian King. The other victims were Hudson’s mother and brother. Balfour has been in custody on a parole violation since shortly after the killings; he previously served seven years for a 1999 attempted murder and carjacking conviction. We’ll have the latest on his arrest and the investigation.

Some other stories we’re following tonight:

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Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

Timing can send a powerful message. Today President-elect Obama tapped Timothy Geithner to serve as his Treasury Secretary. It’s the first Cabinet selection he’s announced, another signal that the economy is the No. 1 issue on his agenda. Obama also named several other top economic officials, including former Harvard President Larry Summers, who’ll head up the National Economic Council. Tomorrow, Obama is expected to tap Peter Orszag as his budget director.

Today’s appointments were expected – the rumors drove a Wall Street rally on Friday. What really caught everyone’s attention was this: Obama said plain and clear that he expects Congress to begin working on a massive job-creating stimulus bill even before he takes office. (The new Congress comes into session on Jan. 6, two weeks before Obama will be sworn in.) It’s rare—if not unprecedented for a president-elect to make such strong calls to action.

Obama’s news conference came just hours after President Bush announced the government will spend billions more to bail out Citigroup, which has already received $25 billion in rescue funds. The incoming and outgoing presidents also talked on the phone, their first disclosed conversation since a visit at the White House more than a week ago.

Tonight we’ll have full coverage of all of this – from Obama’s high-powered economic team and what it’s up against to the new life-line for Citigroup and possibly other companies to what that major stimulus bill will actually cost – and where the money could go.

What questions do you have about all of this? Let us know.

We’re also going to look at the possible imprint that Michelle Obama will make as First Lady. Will she change the way we think of the role?

See you at 10 p.m. eastern…

Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer

From stocking his cabinet to choosing a new school for his young daughters, President-elect Obama has a lot on his plate. We have news on both fronts.

First, the cabinet drama. Reports surfaced that Obama plans to nominate New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner to serve as Treasury Secretary. Stocks rallied, the Dow surging more than 500 points after two days of devastating losses.

Meantime, the will-she-or-won’t-she cliffhanger with Hillary Clinton in the starring role seems to be inching forward. Clinton’s aides say the New York Senator is on track to be nominated for Secretary of State but also insist there are no new developments to report. The New York Times is reporting that Clinton will accept the position.

We also got a glimpse of what Bill Richardson’s consolation prize might be. The New Mexico governor is said to be a “serious contender” for commerce secretary, though sources caution that he could be tapped for a different post as well. None of these is a done deal, but the speculation is that Obama could make an announcement on one of these key positions this next week, before Thanksgiving.

Tonight we’ll spend a lot of time dissecting these developments and examining what the potential nominees would bring to the table.

We’ll also spend a chunk of time on the economy. It’s now clear the recession is deeper than anyone expected. The intersection of the financial crisis and a lame duck president is a perfect storm of sorts, at least that’s what a lot of people who know about these things seem to be saying. Suze Orman joins us tonight to talk about how to cushion your finances in these uncertain times. She’ll be taking your calls. In the meantime, we’re interested in hearing about your top concerns when it comes to your family’s finances. Are you actively cutting back on shopping? Have you tightened the belt on your budget? Will your holiday shopping be more frugal?

Also ahead tonight, Sasha and Malia Obama’s new school. The search is over. We’ll tell you where they’re headed.

See you at 10 p.m. eastern.