this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.

It’s Friday, December 13 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• American Travis Timmerman found in Syria

• The controversy over praise of Luigi Mangione

• 4 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

Travis Timmerman found in Syria

Freep reports that Travis Timmerman, a missing American, was found alive in post-Assad Syria. He's hopeful it bodes well for others like Austin Tice.

NBC says Timmerman's imprisonment spotlights complex diplomatic challenges. His journey began as a pilgrimage to Damascus; he spent approximately seven months in a Damascus prison.

The NY Post chimes in: Timmerman’s disheveled appearance suggested a lengthy imprisonment, aligning with his claims of being detained for months.

Now released, he was found barefoot outside Damascus. NPR notes that his detention started after he crossed from Lebanon illegally.

Praising Luigi

Social media is buzzing with praise for Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Forbes says people online are celebrating him as a “digital folk hero”.

The Atlantic thinks cheers for Mangione aren’t just political: They reflect something much darker -- society is sliding towards accepting violence as normal behavior.

Daily Kos agreed: Blame “decivilization” for the Luigi praise. Dems didn't start the slide, though -- the shift started with rhetoric from figures like Trump normalizing violence. This is the GOP's fault.

But wait -- Elizabeth Warren says the response to Luigi's act is based in politics, not violence. You can only push people “so far”. The “vile” practices of the American healthcare system caused Luigi's motive to resonate.

On the other hand, The NYT thinks the praise is both a societal and political phenomenon: People are just fed up with health insurers and embracing vigilantism.

1) The Waltons, descendants of Walmart founder Sam Walton, have topped Bloomberg's wealth rankings.

2) The Top Hat at The Orange Loop is a planned mixed-use development in Atlantic City, inspired by the Monopoly board game. Set to break ground in early 2025, it will feature elements from the game such as a top hat and racecar.

3) An American Airlines flight from LaGuardia Airport was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport after a bird strike disabled one of its engines shortly after takeoff. Everyone onboard was alright.

4) Russia launched a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting the power grid with nearly 300 drones and cruise missiles.