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 Wednesday, December 4 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• The death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO

• Gavin Newsom’s disappointment over Biden’s pardon

• 4 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

UnitedHealthcare CEO killed

NY Post: Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance division, was shot and killed in a targeted attack outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Police are suspecting it was a targeted killing.

The Daily Beast: The masked shooter waited “from a distance” before striking Thompson, then fled on a bike down an alley. The suspect is still at large.

ABC 11: The gunman was described as a skinny white man in all black -- he allegedly used a silenced gun, which highlights the meticulous effort to conceal his identity.

ABC: Police still have no leads on the gunman's motive despite his deliberate disguise, leaving the public on edge -- we'll have to wait and see what it was all about.

Newsom’s disappointment

Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, against a previous promise not to do so. NBC LA says some Democrats, like California Governor Gavin Newsom, aren't happy about it.

The LA Times chimes in, quoting Newsom as being “disappointed” in the decision. Newsom says he understands the instinct to protect family, but took issue with Biden's backtrack from his no-pardon pledge.

And Newsom wasn't the only one voicing concerns: The Hill says Biden's move sparked talks about accountability and set Democratic tongues wagging.

A Yahoo Op stands by the critics: Biden's pardon as part of a pattern. The move fits Biden's history of broken promises and corruption.

On the other hand, this Redditor backed Biden's move: Biden went back on his no-pardon promise because the situation changed. Trump nominated someone with an anti-Hunter bias to the head of the FBI -- so Biden moved to protect Hunter.

1) In light of Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged the president to issue more pardons. Jeffries advocated for pardons for individuals who have faced aggressive prosecutions for nonviolent offenses.

2) Spotify Wrapped 2024 is here, and Taylor Swift dominated streaming once again -- she was the world's top streamed artist, followed by The Weeknd and Bad Bunny.

3) Google has introduced a new generative AI video model called Veo, which is now available on Vertex AI.

4) A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was filed by the main opposition Democratic Party following his brief imposition of martial law.