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 Tuesday, December 24 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• The collapse of the historic Santa Cruz Wharf

• The NYC subway safety debate

• Doubts over the effectiveness of decongestants

• 6 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

Santa Cruz Wharf collapse

In Santa Cruz, California, part of the historic Wharf crumbled into the ocean. Yahoo says it was due to towering 60-foot waves that hit during a High Surf Warning.

CBS News suggests this collapse wasn't shocking: The Wharf already needed repairs before the surf warning. It's no wonder it couldn't withstand the intense surf's battering.

The LA Times blames climate change for the collapse -- atmospheric river events amplified these dangerous surf conditions.

Looking forward, Mayor Fred Keeley tells Mercury News that the remaining structure could still be at risk in the next storm. The structure's vulnerabilities must be addressed to prevent further collapse.

NYC subway safety debate

A woman was set on fire and killed on a stationary train in Brooklyn. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the murder as “one of the most depraved crimes”, citing no apparent motive or prior interaction between the victim and suspect. BBC says the heinous act sparked conversations about underlying issues in NYC.

Legal Insurrection argues the subway murder ties into NYC's immigration failures: The suspected attacker was an illegal resident from Guatemala.

But @Julia_jacks says the violence echoes the acts of Daniel Penny: Police let Penny “get away” with killing a homeless man on the train -- emboldening more people to “murder more of our most vulnerable”.

On the other hand, Daily Wire says the crime highlights policy failures: Despite Governor Hochul's claims, recent violence proves the NYC subways are not safe.

And the Atlantic agrees: The crime signals ongoing, systemic criminal-justice flaws in NYC. Despite reforms, crime levels evoke a violent past era.

Decongestant doubts

The FDA says that phenylephrine, the go-to decongestant in many cold medicines, is ineffective when taken orally. Recent studies show it's like a placebo when it comes to clearing stuffy noses!

PBS explains: Phenylephrine found in Sudafed and Dayquil breaks down too fast in the stomach. Research studies from the 60s and 70s that initially supported phenylephrine's use were found to have numerous flaws and questionable data.

But that doesn't mean the stuff is completely useless, though! Greenfield Reporter says phenylephrine shines when taken in a nasal spray.

Finally, KESQ says the FDA's decision to phase out phenylephrine means you'll need to switch to alternatives like nasal sprays or pseudoephedrine, which require a trip to the pharmacy counter.

1) Trump re-ignites ambitions to acquire Greenland, calling it a "necessity" for U.S. security due to its strategic location.

2) The attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market was linked to the suspect's support for the far-right AfD, intensifying political tensions in the city.

3) President Biden commuted 37 federal death sentences, making them permanent due to irreversible clemency powers.

4) Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas Is You” breaks record, topping Billboard's Streaming Songs chart for 21 weeks.

5) Burt, the beloved crocodile from “Crocodile Dundee,” dies at age 90, serving as a top ambassador for Aussie wildlife.

6) Bill Clinton, 78, hospitalized with a fever at Georgetown University Medical Center.