The news that the President is to announce that his weeks of agonizing are over, and that there will be a troop increase, dominates the front pages. But there's still room for heartwarming Thanksgiving stories.

The stories of the day:

  • The New York Times sends a reporter to bankruptcy court. He finds it's full of people who lost everything because they got sick and insurance companies are scumbags.
  • The paper also report on the anguish of those who have had to fly home to their families early, to save money, and spend more time with them.
  • The Washington Post says they'll probably be doing the same next year — the economic recovery will be slow.
  • The LA Times looks further afield and sends a gripping report of refugee smuggling in North Korea.
  • The Wall Street Journal straps a journalist into a pie-proof vest to examine the California bakery that has had to hire a bouncer because people fight over its goods.
  • And the New York Post applauds a judge who decided to wipe all mortgage debts for a couple because the bank were so terrible. Happy Thanksgiving!

Disclosure: I freelance write and report for newspapers that are included in this roundup. Where there is a direct conflict of interest I will make it clear.

The New York Times: leads with the Afghanistan story, but gives equal prominence to a piece of news that may cause as much anxiety as Obama's decision - that people will be spending longer with their families over Thanksgiving because they're flying earlier to get cheaper fares. There's a great look at the personal cost of the current healthcare system, a follow-up on the New York Post's story yesterday about suspected scammers at the United Homeless Organization and new that the Atlantic Yards development will move forward. Finally there's a somewhat sickening look at the dangers of The Biggest Loser. It involves someone peeing blood.

The Washington Post: in what might be a deliberate decision, the Post has no front page stories that are not local or politics — the two areas that it is cutting back other newsrooms to concentrate on. There's the Afghanistan decision, with analysis, and a report that the economic recovery will be slow. The obituary of Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin is the main story above the fold, and a continuation of the murder story that began yesterday below it.

The LA Times: is showing off a little today. They have correspondents in Seoul, to report on the smuggling of refugees from North Korea, Kabul to report on the intelligence battle there, Minneapolis to investigate the terror cell that made news yesterday and DC for the Afghanistan troop levels. It's like they're reporting in 2000 or something. There's just one local story - about a probe into the giant California pension fund.

The Wall Street Journal: is the only paper that runs a front page image to go with the Afghanistan story. Another battle — to save Swedish carmaker Saab — is covered underneath that. There's some positive news too: the Obama administration's push to solve America's energy problems is reinvigorating science. And some negative a bakery in California has had to hire a bouncer to avoid fights over Thanksgiving pies.

The New York Post:has a heartwarming Thanksgiving tale: the homeowners who got a $525,000 mortgage wiped out by a judge because the bank were mean.

The Daily News: also leads with the Afghanistan news.

Ventura County Star: says santas, including this cuddly fellow, will not wear anti-swine-flu masks while children sit on their knees. They are, however, guzzling Emergen-C and going down doctors' chimneys to demand vaccines.

Star (Malaysia): among entirely serious news is the bizarre headline, under a picture of Adam Lambert: 'I'm the sexy man.'