Law enforcement agencies in multiple states say racist text messages with almost identical language were sent to Black Americans Wednesday telling them they had been “selected for cotton picking.” The texts were received by people in states including Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Ohio, New York and Massachusetts, CBS News found. Source

Beloved schoolteacher Mary Catherine Edwards was found murdered wearing police-grade Smith & Wesson handcuffs — sending ripples through the Beaumont, Texas, Police Department. Source

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an emergency proclamation Thursday over the raging Mountain Fire that’s now scorched more than 20,000 acres and forced thousands of evacuations north of Los Angeles. CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti has more. Source

President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles to be the chief of staff in his upcoming administration. Wiles, who will be the first woman to ever serve as White House chief of staff, was previously Trump’s campaign manager. CBS News campaign reporter Olivia Rinaldi has more. Source

Five domestic llamas were spotted strolling on train tracks in Provo, Utah, after the woolen creatures escaped from their owner, according to the Utah Transit Authority. Source

Former President Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. Here’s what that could mean. Source

Bryan Kohberger is accused of the Nov. 13, 2022, killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Source

A Qantas plane made an emergency landing after returning to Sydney Airport in Australia shortly after taking off after an engine failed, the airline said. Source

Israeli and Dutch leaders have condemned a mass attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam as clear and violent antisemitism. Source

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent two planes to the Netherlands to fly Israeli soccer fans home after what were called antisemitic attacks on them before and after a match in Amsterdam. Source