1254 American Combat Deaths in Iraq

Does anyone else find it suspicious that:

1. November precisely tied April as the bloodiest month for the U.S. in Iraq, and
2. On December 1st, we have a new casualty figure, up by 13?

Sounds like someone is managing the news cycle and didn't want to see "November Bloodiest Month in Iraq" in the headlines.

UPDATE: Now it's 1256! This casualty rate, extrapolated over the month, would result in some 465 American Combat Deaths in December. That's almost triple November, which is the bloodiest month yet (tied with April).

I am unable to find any corresponding stories in today's press about what catastrophe caused the death of 15 American soldiers in the last 24 hours.

UPDATE 2: Obviously I didn't come to Law School because of my math skills. 465/3=155. Therefore, 465 over the month would be 60 more than triple the highest monthly count, not "almost triple."