Consumer confidence climbed this month, appearing to signal optimism in the U.S. economy during the holiday season, according to a new report by The Conference Board. Dana Peterson, the chief economist at The Conference Board, joins CBS News with a look at the new data. Source

The Titans returned to the practice field on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to continue preparations for Sunday’s game vs the Seattle Seahawks. Here’s a look at today’s developments. Source

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights Project are suing the state of Texas over its new law, signed this week by Governor Greg Abbott, that makes illegal immigration a state crime. CBS News Texas anchor and reporter Ken Molestina has the latest on the response to the law. Source

Additionally, the team designated cornerback Caleb Farley to return to practice. Farley, who remains on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform list, practiced on Wednesday. Source

Injuries for the Tennessee Titans Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks Source

American Paul Whelan, who U.S. officials say is being wrongfully detained by Russia in a remote prison, told BBC News Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford in a rare interview by phone that he feels the United States left him behind. Source

The World Health Organization is calling the JN.1 COVID-19 strain, a subvariant of the Omicron strain, a “variant of interest.” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins CBS News with details on the virus’s spread. Source

When deputies arrived at the scene they found the young boy, “who had been shot in the center of his chest cavity with a high powered air rifle that shoots 22 caliber pellets.” Source

Special counsel Jack Smith has asked the Supreme Court to quickly decide whether former President Donald Trump is immune from federal prosecution. Source

The U.S. will release Alex Nain Saab Morán, a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in exchange for at least eight Americans held in Venezuela. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O’Keefe has more on the deal secured by the Biden administration. Source