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Spirit Airlines crowdfunding campaign raises $88 million

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Spirit Airlines crowdfunding campaign raises $88 million

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A TikTok campaign to buy and revitalize Spirit Airlines, launched hours after Spirit Airlines grounded, has raised more than $88 million.

Last weekend, content creator and voice actor Hunter Peterson posted a TikTok video, which currently has more than 4.6 million views, in which he proposed a plan to buy Spirit Airlines through crowdfunding.

“This is a genius idea: nationalize Spirit Airlines,” Peterson said in the video. “The people are the owners. The airline is gone. We will create a new airline.”

Spirit Airlines announced on May 2 that it would suspend operations due to years of financial difficulties caused by soaring fuel prices. All Spirit Airlines flights will be canceled and the airline’s customer service will be unavailable.

“To continue operating, Spirit needed hundreds of millions of dollars in additional liquidity, which Spirit simply did not have and was unable to obtain. This is extremely disappointing and not the outcome any of us had hoped for,” Dave Davis, Spirit’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

Thousands support crowdfunding plan to revive Spirit

Less than three hours after posting his first video, Peterson launched what is now letsbuyspiritair.com. This would allow interested patrons to pledge their shares to Spirit Airlines’ proposed ownership. A non-binding commitment does not require the collection of money, but rather an expression of interest.

And quite a few people seem excited.

As of May 4, about 124,700 people had expressed interest in the share buyback plan, with more than $88 million pledged, according to figures posted on letsbuyspiritair.com. What is the average promise? $667.

“This started as a joke, but it’s quickly spiraling out of control in the best way possible,” Peterson said in a TikTok video after the website posted it.

In addition to the website, Peterson also created an Instagram account, Spirit Airlines 2.0. As of May 4, the account had 163,000 followers.

USA TODAY reached out to Peterson and Spirit’s former attorney.

trip: Spirit Airlines grounded, leaving passengers scrambling

Crowdfunding site crashes

Although Peterson’s TikTok videos and website garnered a lot of attention, the latter crashed shortly after its creation. According to a notice on the website, as of May 4, pledges at letsbuyspiritair.com are currently suspended due to an upgrade to the website’s infrastructure.

Peterson asks for help across the board.

In a TikTok video posted on May 3, Peterson said he is seeking connections with a developer to upgrade the pledge website, a public relations expert to manage news coverage, an attorney with experience in the airline industry, and an airline executive who can provide the necessary details.

“I’m not talking to anyone on TV or anything,” Peterson said in another TikTok video posted on May 3. “If you want to hear from me, you’ll do it on social until you talk to a lawyer.”

Hunter Peterson and Spirit have a history.

The history of Peterson Airlines and Spirit Airlines goes back a long time (at least a year ago).

In 2025, content creators spent 24 hours straight on a Spirit Airlines plane to better understand low-cost carriers. In a YouTube video that has been viewed about 93,000 times, Peterson visited five of Spirit’s busiest airports, but only counted the time he was on the plane as part of the project.

Will the campaign be successful?

Experts say Mr. Peterson’s plan is highly unlikely to succeed.

Spirit Airlines is already in formal liquidation, and its assets will be used by a bankruptcy court to settle outstanding debts.

Robert W. Mann Jr., a former airline executive and current president of RW Mann & Company, an independent aviation consulting firm, told USA TODAY that Spirit would have been saved if it had future business prospects. Still, he said aircraft and other parts of the airline are likely to be created by new divisions at other airlines.

“Spirit will come back in a different form. The planes will come back with a different livery, some of the employees will come back with a different uniform, some slots will be operated by other airlines that absorb use or lose requirements, some of the ground equipment will come back with new equipment, and airports will have to install new signage,” he said. “But other than that, I don’t see it coming back.”

Contributor: Eve Chen, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

Gasoline prices rose in all 50 states. Where are the highest and lowest?

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Gasoline prices rose in all 50 states. Where are the highest and lowest?

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  • Gasoline prices are rising in all 50 states, with the Great Lakes region seeing the biggest spikes.
  • According to recent data, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline has increased to $4.46.
  • Gasoline in California is currently the most expensive in the nation, while Oklahoma is the cheapest.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States is rising in all 50 states, according to a prominent fuel industry analyst.

“Gasoline prices rose in every state last week, but the biggest and fastest increases were concentrated in the Great Lakes, with states like Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois seeing sharp spikes, while Wisconsin saw a more modest increase,” Patrick de Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, said in a blog post.

“At the same time, diesel prices in parts of the region hit new records, reaching levels of $6 per gallon in some areas,” De Haan continued.

The comments came as the average price of gasoline rose from an average of $4.11 a week ago on April 27 to $4.46 per gallon on May 4, according to the AAA Automobile Club.

DeHaan said gas prices have fluctuated so much because “the market is also digesting a wave of new developments that could restore some supply, such as OPEC+’s production increase in June and President Trump’s outline of a plan to free stranded ships.”

“However, with so many variables at play, the outlook remains very fluid, and while some localized easing may emerge, broader price movements are likely to continue in the short term,” he wrote.

How are gasoline prices determined?

“Gasoline prices reflect the costs of the entire fuel supply chain, from crude oil production to refining, distribution and retail,” the American Petroleum Institute, which works with the natural gas and oil industries, said in a post on its website.

“The biggest factor is the price of crude oil traded on global markets,” the group said. “Refining costs, distribution and marketing costs, and federal and state taxes also impact the price you ultimately pay at the pump.”

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the price you see at the pump consists of:

  • Oil price: 51%
  • Refining cost: 20%
  • Federal and state taxes: 18%
  • Distribution and marketing: 20%

In the case of diesel prices, the authorities classify the composition of published prices as follows:

  • Oil price: 41%
  • Distribution and marketing: 24%
  • Refining cost: 18%
  • Federal and state taxes: 17%

Where are gas prices highest in the United States?

California has the highest gas prices in the nation, with California drivers paying an average of $6.11 as of May 4, according to AAA. That’s up from California’s average price of $5.95 per gallon a week earlier, on April 27.

Here are the top five states with the highest gas prices in the nation:

1. California

  • Average gas price on May 4: $6.11
  • Average gas price on April 27: $5.95
  • Price difference: 16 cents

2. Hawaii

  • Average gas price on May 4: $5.64
  • Average gas price on April 27: $5.66
  • Price difference: -2 cents

3. Washington

  • Average gas price on May 4: $5.67
  • Average gas price on April 27: $5.48
  • Price difference: 19 cents

4. Oregon

  • Average gas price on May 4th: $5.25
  • Average gas price on April 27: $5.07
  • Price difference: 18 cents

5. Nevada

  • Average gas price on May 4: $5.18
  • Average gas price on April 27: $5.03
  • Price difference: 15 cents

Which state has the lowest gas prices?

Oklahoma has the lowest gas prices in the nation, with Oklahoma drivers paying an average of $3.89 as of May 4, according to AAA. This is up from the average price in Oklahoma of $3.50 per gallon a week earlier, on April 27th.

Here are the top five states with the highest gas prices in the nation:

1. Oklahoma

  • Average gas price on May 4: $3.89
  • Average gas price on April 27: $3.50
  • Price difference: 39 cents

2. Kansas

  • Average gas price on May 4: $3.96
  • Average gas price on April 27: $3.53
  • Price difference: 43 cents

3. Arkansas

  • Average gas price on May 4: $3.90
  • Average gas price on April 27: $3.60
  • Price difference: 30 cents

4. Georgia

  • Average gas price on May 4: $3.86
  • Average gas price on April 27: $3.62
  • Price difference: 24 cents

5. North Dakota

  • Average gas price on May 4: $4.00
  • Average gas price on April 27: $3.65
  • Price difference: 35 cents

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends with Us’ lawsuit ends with settlement

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends with Us’ lawsuit ends with settlement

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s year-and-a-half legal battle ended just weeks before they were scheduled to go to trial in New York City.

The stars of “It Ends With Us” agreed to settle Lively’s breach of contract and retaliation lawsuit on May 4, a spokesperson for defendant Wayfarer Studios, co-founded by Baldoni, confirmed to USA TODAY. Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

“The final film, ‘It Ends With Us,’ is a source of pride for all of us who worked to make this film a reality. Raising awareness and meaningfully impacting the lives of victims of domestic violence, and all survivors, is a goal we support,” a joint statement from attorneys for both parties said.

Brian Friedman, Erin Garofalo, Michael Gottlieb, and Esra Hudson said, “We acknowledge that this process has had its challenges, and we recognize that the concerns raised by Ms. Lively are worth hearing.” “We remain steadfastly committed to a workplace free of fraud and counterproductive environments. We sincerely hope this closure completes and allows all involved to move forward constructively and peacefully, including in a respectful environment online.”

The lawsuit between Lively, 38, her director and co-star Baldoni, 42, and his co-defendants includes conflicting accounts of how their relationship broke down on the set of the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book, as well as allegations of intentional defamation and sexual harassment.

The high-profile controversy has also engulfed other celebrities, as the stars’ private communications were exposed during legal discovery in the Lively-Baldoni case. The hundreds of items in the exhibit, which were unsealed in January, included messages from Taylor Swift, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and co-stars Jenny Slate and Isabella Ferrer.

Why most of the claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit were dismissed

The move comes a month after U.S. District Judge Louis Lehman effectively dismissed most of Lively’s legal claims, including sexual harassment, defamation and false invasion of privacy claims, on April 2, after Baldoni’s lawyers sought to avoid the lawsuit. Trial scheduled to begin on May 18th.

At the time, defense attorneys Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Buck celebrated the move, saying, “What remains is a fairly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”

Liman’s order granted most of the defendants’ claims and dismissed some. Motion for summary judgment.

Legal claims of sexual harassment were dismissed on jurisdictional and employment issues. Lehman wrote that although Lively filed the lawsuit under California law, the alleged misconduct occurred during filming in New Jersey. He also noted that the facts “overwhelmingly show” that Lively was an independent contractor and not an employee, so he could not sue for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The judge allowed three of her 13 claims, including breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting retaliation, to proceed to trial. The remaining charges related to It Ends With Us Movie LLC (breach of contract and retaliation), Wayfarer Studios (retaliation), and The Agency Group PR LLC (aiding and abetting retaliation), a company that Lively had accused of orchestrating an online campaign to cast Lively in a negative light.

Baldoni’s co-defendants included Wayfarer Studios, its co-founder Steve Sarowitz, producer Jamie Heath, crisis public relations expert Melissa Nathan, and publicist Jennifer Abel.

A timeline of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle

After months of online speculation about a feud between the stars of the Colleen Hoover film adaptation, The New York Times published a detailed report on Lively’s allegations in December. The article’s headline was, “‘Anyone Can Bury’: Inside Hollywood’s Smear Machine.”

The piece was released at the same time that Lively filed a complaint in California, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by Baldoni and Heath, and later filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York.

Lively alleges that Baldoni acted inappropriately on and off set, writing in her lawsuit that she and other Seraph of the End cast and crew experienced “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate conduct.”

Lively alleged in her lawsuit that Baldoni “often referred to women in the workplace as ‘sexy'” and that “when the women expressed discomfort, Baldoni attempted to deflect or cover up.” In one incident, Baldoni told a female cast member that leather pants looked “sexy,” and when the comment was “rejected,” he said, “I can say that because my wife is here today.”

She also claimed that Baldoni and Heath “entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including while she was breastfeeding her infant” and “invaded[her]privacy” throughout filming. Lively said that in retaliation for her complaints about the alleged behavior, the production company and PR agency orchestrated a “space lawn campaign” to discredit and “bury” her.

Baldoni and his co-defendants have repeatedly denied the actress’ claims. Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and their publicist sued The New York Times for defamation on December 31, 2024, but the suit was later dismissed by a judge.

The parties formally responded to Lively’s legal complaint with a counterclaim on January 16, 2025. They accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloan of extortion, defamation, and false invasion of privacy.

The plaintiffs “seized control” of the film and “attempted to destroy their lives and businesses if they did not yield to her constant demands, and when they refused to yield, she did just that, accusing them of vile and reprehensible sexual misconduct,” the lawsuit alleges. The suit went on to claim that Lively’s claims of sexual harassment by Baldoni were “fabricated” and “used throughout the production of this film to gain control.”

They argued in the lawsuit that Wayfarer, Baldoni, Heath and their publicists, not Lively, were “the targets of a calculated and virulent smear campaign.”

The two lawsuits were ultimately consolidated with Lively’s federal lawsuit into a single lawsuit in New York federal court.

In October 2025, Liman issued a final judgment on the claims of Baldoni and his co-defendants, effectively ending their case, leaving the door open to appeals and refiled charges related to contract issues.

Amazon recalls powdered milk sold at Meijer stores View product

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Amazon recalls powdered milk sold at Meijer stores View product

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A New Zealand-based dairy company has recalled thousands of lots of its premium baby formula due to toxins that can cause nausea and vomiting.

On Saturday, May 2, a company called A2 Milk Company recalled 63,078 units of A2 Platinum Premium infant formula for infants ages 0 to 12 months. According to a recall notice posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website, customers purchased 16,428 units of infant formula.

According to the a2 Milk Company, this milk may contain cereuride toxin, which is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus.

“Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Illness is caused by ingesting food contaminated with this toxin, and preparing infant formula with boiling water does not remove the toxin,” the company wrote in its recall statement.

The company said the recall was due to new guidelines issued by New Zealand’s food regulator. The company announced the recall after tests detected cereuride in the formula, saying an ingredient in the formula was likely the culprit.

According to Reuters, the brand’s affiliate company Synlate Milk produced the milk. Sinleit said the company was manufacturing the product under proper guidance at the time.

How does this toxin affect infants?

Symptoms usually develop within 30 minutes to six hours after an infant ingests the toxin, A2 Milk Company said, adding that these symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually last about 24 hours.

“Infants are at greater risk because they have developed immune systems and can experience complications such as dehydration that require medical attention,” the company said, later saying there were no reports of illness as of May 2026.

The product was sold nationally on the a2 Milk Company website, Amazon, and Meijer stores. The company announced that the import rights expired on December 31st. The products were in circulation from August 27, 2025 to April 1, 2026, A2 Milk Company confirmed to USA TODAY this week.

The other expressions are: Nestlé recalls infant formula in 49 countries. See list.

Which products have been recalled?

The company says the batch number and expiration date are written on the bottom of each can.

The recalled batches include:

  • 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210269454, use by July 15, 2026
  • 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210321712, use by January 15, 2027
  • 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210324609, use by January 21, 2027

What if I have formula milk?

A2 Milk Company said anyone who purchased the recalled formula should either throw it away or return it to the store immediately for a refund.

Customers who need to report an illness can use FDA’s SmartHub or create and submit a Medwatch report online.

Customers can also request a report form by downloading the form at www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda or by calling 1-800-332-1088. Then, fill out the form and return it by mail or fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Customers with questions should call a2 Milk Company at 1-844-422-6455 or visit a2platinum.com Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Please send your email to: sdmartin@usatoday.com.

President Trump comments on Hakeem Jeffries, says he should be impeached

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President Trump comments on Hakeem Jeffries, says he should be impeached

President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to impeach House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, but will that be possible?

“Hakeem Jeffries, an individual with a low IQ, said our Supreme Court is ‘illegitimate’. Doesn’t saying that make you impeachable? I was impeached on a perfect phone call. Where are the Republicans? Let’s get started! They’ll do this to me!” President Trump said in a Truth social post on May 3. Jeffries’ comments about the Supreme Court were made at a press conference for the April 29 ruling that limited the Voting Rights Act.

Jeffries responded to the post by writing “Jeffries Derangement Syndrome” on the X, an apparent nod to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term often used by Trump allies to describe Trump’s critics.

A lawmaker can be removed from office by his or her colleagues, but not by impeachment. Here’s what you need to know:

more: President Trump posts AI images of himself and Cabinet members to reflecting pool

What is impeachment?

Impeachment is similar to indictment. Authorizes formal charges against federal employees accused of committing crimes. The articles of impeachment name the president, vice president, and “all civil servants of the United States” as targets of impeachment.

Articles of impeachment must be adopted by a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives before the Senate can hold an impeachment trial. When the president is put on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the case. A defendant can only be removed from office if the Senate convicts the defendant by a two-thirds majority vote. In some cases, it may mean they can never hold public office again.

Will Hakeem Jeffries be impeached?

According to the Annotated Constitution, a government-approved analysis and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, the articles of impeachment probably do not apply to members of Congress.

The constitution grants Congress the power to remove elected officials and “punish members who have committed disorderly conduct, and expel members with the consent of two-thirds of the members.”

Trump has been impeached twice, but the Senate acquitted him both times.

In December 2019, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on two articles accusing him of abuse of power. bone called on Ukrainian authorities to investigate his political opponents, and another claimed he obstructed a parliamentary inquiry into the matter. In February 2020, the Senate voted to acquit the president, with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) the only Republican to vote to convict on a bipartisan basis.

In January 2021, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump a second time, charging the president with “incitement of insurrection” in connection with the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Senate trial took place after Trump left office, but some Republicans deemed it unnecessary because Trump was no longer in power. A bipartisan majority of seven Republicans voted to convict, but the 57-43 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. Because he was acquitted, there was no vote to bar him from ever serving as president again.

Contributor: Maureen Grope, Janine Santucci, Sudiksha Kochi, Michael Collins, George Petras, John Fritze, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.

IRS The COVID-19 era refund deadline is July 10th.

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IRS The COVID-19 era refund deadline is July 10th.

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Tens of millions of Americans may not be aware that they may have to pay IRS refunds from the COVID-19 era, so the independent Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) is sounding the alarm to remind them that the filing deadline is fast approaching.

“Many of the taxpayers affected by this issue are low- or moderate-income,” NTA said in a blog post. “These taxpayers are less likely to have professional representation and less likely to learn about complex legal developments such as this one. As a result, they face a greater risk of missing out on the opportunity to claim the refund they would otherwise receive.”

The potential for refunds or penalty reductions stems from the court’s decision in Kwon v. United States, which interprets the tax law to require that once a federally declared disaster takes effect, Section 7508A(d) of the Tax Code requires the applicable tax deadline to be extended by 60 days in addition to the disaster period. The court ruled that the public health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus infection from January 20, 2020 to May 11, 2023 falls under this provision. Adding 60 days will result in a new tax deadline of July 10, 2023 for returns for tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

If the taxes were not paid, the IRS likely would not have had the right to impose penalties or interest during that period, tax attorneys said. Therefore, if you are charged fines or fees, you may be required to pay them back.

The IRS disagrees with the ruling, and the Justice Department will likely appeal, but until it does, taxpayers must apply to preserve their refunds, lawyers said.

“For taxpayers dealing with financial pressures, these amounts can make a big difference,” the Internal Revenue Service said. “However, most taxpayers have until July 10, 2026 to take action to request refunds.”

If this ruling is affirmed, what will taxpayers receive?

According to the NTA, you may have a tax liability if:

  • Penalties for failure to timely file a return, fail to pay taxes, or fail to make estimated tax payments.
  • Interest begins accruing sooner than it should or does not accrue at all. and
  • Overpaid interest for the 2020-2023 disaster period.

“Some practitioners believe that even if the underlying liability arose before the disaster period began, interest or penalties may not have been payable during that period,” the IRS said. “Again, the IRS disagrees,” and taxpayers may have to wait for a final answer. However, once again, taxpayers must claim by July 10 to maintain their right to a potential refund.

Who is affected?

Experts say a wide range of taxpayers may be entitled to refunds.

“The affected taxpayers represent a wide range of citizens, including individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, estates and trusts,” the NTA said. “This issue affects taxpayers with obligations related to income, employment, inheritance, gift, and excise taxes. It may also affect taxpayers who file late international information returns, which can result in significant penalties even if no tax is owed.”

How do I know if I owe a refund?

John Wasser, a partner at Fox Rothschild who specializes in tax issues, said taxpayers should check their tax records to see if the IRS has assessed penalties or interest during the tax filing suspension. You can do this by asking a tax professional or reviewing your IRS tax return.

IRS tax account records show tax information for each year, including filing status, taxable income, and adjustments made after the original return was processed. It also displays the dates on which payments, penalties, and interest were made or assessed.

According to the IRS, tax account records can be viewed, printed, and downloaded online by registering using a personal online account, or by mail. Americans can order by mail through the IRS website or by calling the automated telephone transcription service at 800-908-9946. Arrives within 5-10 calendar days.

What should taxpayers do to protect their right to a refund?

Wasser said a tax professional can file a claim on a taxpayer’s behalf, or a taxpayer can use the information on their tax return to file a claim using the Refund and Reduction Claim form, also known as IRS Form 843.

Lawyers say taxpayers should clearly indicate on the form that they are claiming protection under Section 7508A(d) and Kwon v. United States regarding the COVID-19 disaster period.

“You’re basically saying to the IRS, ‘I have a refund request, please hold on to it for now,'” Wasser said. Once all litigation is complete and the IRS is required to issue a refund, you have retained the right to claim your rights.

Currently, refund claims can only be filed on paper, which is “time-consuming, difficult to access, and difficult to track. The IRS does not provide immediate confirmation that a refund claim has been received, so taxpayers are often advised to send their refund claim by certified mail, which provides proof of timely filing in case it is lost or misplaced,” the NTA said.

Because there are potentially tens of millions of claims, the IRS is urging the IRS to “immediately develop and immediately implement a means for taxpayers to submit claims electronically, eliminating the need for the IRS and taxpayers to use paper Form 843s that clog the system.”

NTA also urges the IRS to publicize the availability of refunds, extend the deadline for taxpayers to file refund claims by an additional six months, and consider providing systemic relief to all eligible taxpayers so that they do not have to file refund claims at all.

Medora Lee is USA TODAY’s money, markets and personal finance reporter. Please contact us at mjlee@usatoday.com. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.

Congress pushes for a minimum wage increase. What will change for New York City?

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Congress pushes for a minimum wage increase. What will change for New York City?

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New Yorkers could get a big boost with a new bill being proposed to raise the minimum wage.

The new law says large companies will be required to raise the minimum wage, which has not been raised by the federal government since 2009.

Here’s what you need to know about potential raises and how New Yorkers will benefit.

What is the current minimum wage in New York?

Currently, the minimum wage in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County is $17, and the rest of the state is set at $16.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25, but it hasn’t been raised in more than a decade.

What does the new proposal include?

A new push proposed by several lawmakers calls for raising the minimum wage to $25 nationwide.

Required for companies with 500 or more employees or $1 billion in annual revenue.

The Living Wage for All Act was introduced last week by Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Latefa Simon (CA-12), and Analilia Mejia (NJ-11).

A press release about the move states: “Large employers will reach $25 by 2031, while smaller employers will see a more gradual increase, reaching $25 by 2038.”

“The Universal Living Wage Act also ensures that wages don’t go backwards again by establishing standards that align the minimum wage with typical wages across the economy. As the economy grows and wages rise, the minimum wage will rise with it.”

Another bill was introduced in the New York City Council earlier this year that would require businesses with 500 or more employees to raise their minimum wage to $30 by 2030.

It will increase every year and reach $20 in 2027. In 2028, it will be $23. 26 dollars in 2029. And eventually it will be $30 in 2030.

Under the proposal, companies with fewer than 500 employees would be raised to $29 by 2031.

Judge slams D.C. prison over treatment of suspected gunman Cole Thomas Allen

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Judge slams D.C. prison over treatment of suspected gunman Cole Thomas Allen

Allen’s lawyer said he had been removed from the strict conditions of “suicide watch” in prison, but the judge said he still had “serious concerns” about the way Allen was treated in prison.

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WASHINGTON – A federal judge apologized to Cole Thomas Allen, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, during a May 4 hearing and grilled prison representatives for the conditions Allen has faced since his arrest.

“I’m sorry,” Judge Zia M. Faruqui told Allen, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit over a white shirt, after Allen’s lawyer explained the prison conditions, including being kept in solitary confinement and denied access to a Bible.

“I apologize for the last week, whatever you went through,” Faruqui said at one point.

Mr. Faruqui ordered the government to provide an update by 9 a.m. ET on May 5 on when a final decision will be made on where Mr. Allen will be housed in a Washington, D.C., prison. If the prison decides Allen should be treated harsher than his lawyers believe is appropriate, Faruqui said he would like to know why.

Faruqui repeatedly compared Allen’s case during the hearing to the defendants accused of storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, saying those defendants have generally been treated much better than Allen, who has no criminal history, has received.

“This is not the first time the prison has cracked down on people allegedly involved in political violence,” Faruqui said.

“Pardons may erase convictions, but they don’t erase history,” he added, noting that on his first day as president in 2025, Trump granted full pardons to nearly all defendants charged with crimes related to Jan. 6.

Allen’s lawyer explains key prison restrictions

Faruqui ordered the hearing to be held at noon ET on May 4, even though Allen’s lawyers announced on May 3 that they were withdrawing their request for a hearing after learning that Allen was no longer in a “suicidal state” in prison.

Faruqui said in his order that he remains “gravely concerned” about Allen’s “many days of haphazard solitary confinement and overall conditions of confinement.” The judge added that a representative from the D.C. Department of Corrections would be required to attend the hearing to explain the conditions of Allen’s confinement.

Earlier on May 3, Allen’s lawyers said in a filing in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., which is handling Allen’s case, that although Allen has undergone repeated tests and has been ruled out as a suicide risk, he remains under suicide-prevention restrictions at the prison, barring personal belongings, tablets, phones, non-legal visits and dimmed lights.

“Ultimately, Mr. Allen will be required to be escorted to the shower, his clothing will be searched when entering and exiting his cell, and he will be required to wear a padded vest while inside the cell,” said the motion, signed by federal public defender A.J. Kramer and Mr. Allen’s two public defenders, Tejira Abe and Eugene Ohm.

“These conditions are excessive restrictions on his freedom, serve no legitimate purpose, and deprive Mr. Allen of his dignity while incarcerated,” they added.

“It can drive people crazy.”

Tony Towns, acting general counsel for the D.C. Department of Corrections, spoke about Allen’s condition. He said medical providers diagnosed Allen and he was initially placed on suicide watch before being demoted to suicide prevention status. He said Mr. Allen’s evaluation is ongoing and that the prison’s primary concern is Mr. Allen’s safety and well-being.

Towns said the Housing Commission will make the final decision on where Allen will be placed.

“Every case is different,” Towns added.

Federal prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine raised two points to defend the initial suicide-related restrictions on Allen. She claimed that Allen told FBI agents that he did not expect to survive the assassination attempt on President Trump, and that an email he planned to send before the attack stated that he would likely not be able to speak to friends or family in the future.

Faruqui praised Ballantine as a “professional” and told Towns not to interpret his complaints as personal comments, adding that Towns had no control over Allen’s condition.

But Faruqui also said the reported conditions were “functionally equivalent to solitary confinement.”

“People can go crazy when they find themselves in such a situation,” Faruqui said at one point.

Defense attorney Ohm said during the hearing that prison officials printed out several pages of a Bible for Allen, but Allen still doesn’t have the Bible. Ohm said Allen asked him to be a pastor on May 3, but he has not yet met with him.

Towns admitted in a subsequent hearing that he intended to make sure Allen got a Bible.

Allen’s next step

Allen is being held in jail ahead of a yet-to-be-scheduled trial after dropping his fight against pretrial detention on April 30. The next scheduled hearing in his case is a May 11 preliminary hearing, where prosecutors may call witnesses and present evidence to convince the judge that Allen likely committed the crime and therefore the charges should proceed.

Allen faces attempted assassination and firearms charges after prosecutors say he attacked the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., on April 25. Prosecutors said in an April 29 court filing that he was arrested after firing a shotgun into the stairs leading to the banquet hall dinner area.

If convicted, Allen could spend the rest of his life in prison.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Will McDonald’s remove self-service soda fountains? what we know

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Will McDonald’s remove self-service soda fountains? what we know

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Many people are starting to notice the difference in their local McDonald’s restaurants. And you may soon start noticing it too.

The fast food giant announced that it plans to gradually phase out self-service soda fountains in its cafeterias across the country in 2023, with plans to phase them out completely by 2032. Customers must ask for refills at the counter.

“This change is aimed at creating a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, including McDelivery, apps, kiosks, drive-thrus and in-restaurants,” the company said in a statement to USA TODAY in 2023.

The State Journal-Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported in 2023 that some locations in Illinois have already made the transition. Owner-operators said at the time that food safety, theft prevention and a lack of dine-in customers influenced their decision.

Brad Davis, who owned several McDonald’s in Springfield, Illinois, said at the time that one of his restaurants had been selected for a new “crew pour” system in which employees refill customers’ drinks, according to the State Journal-Register. He told the store that the experience had been an adjustment for customers and staff, but complaints had been kept to a minimum.

It was announced in 2023 but is being rolled out in stages across the US, with some customers recently pointing out the changes on Reddit.

The company did not say at the time whether financial or health factors influenced the decision. The company told USA TODAY on Monday, May 4, that it had no new information to share regarding this decision.

See toys: McDonald’s unveils a Happy Meal inspired by “Stranger Things”

McDonald’s unveils new refresher, craft soda, on menu

Meanwhile, McDonald’s has added a new lineup of six specialty drinks to its menu, including caffeinated soft drinks and dirty sodas.

The six new drinks include three lemonade-based soft drinks and three so-called dirty sodas. See the full lineup:

  • strawberry watermelon refresher: Lemonade base with strawberry and watermelon flavors mixed with freeze-dried strawberries.
  • Mango Pineapple Refresher: A lemonade base mixed with tropical mango and pineapple flavors and strawberry popping boba.
  • blackberry passion fruit refresher: Lemonade base mixed with blackberry and passion fruit flavors and freeze-dried dragon fruit.
  • sprite berry blast: Sprite infused with blue raspberry syrup topped with cold foam.
  • orange dream: Hi‑C Orange Lava Burst mixed with vanilla flavor and topped with cold foam.
  • Dirty Dr. Pepper: Dr. Pepper mixed with vanilla flavor and topped with cold foam.

“Our fans are obsessed with drinks. To them, a drink is more than just a drink. And soon, our drinks will not only be a reason to come to McDonald’s, but a reason,” Alyssa Butikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer for McDonald’s U.S., said in a statement.

The new drink will go on sale at McDonald’s stores nationwide from May 6th.

In a post on X, Guillaume Huynh, senior marketing director for McDonald’s US, said in a post on X that restaurants have already “begun training and preparation” ahead of the drink’s official menu rollout.

Contributor: Melina Khan, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.

RFK Jr.’s bird ‘rescue’ at Dulles Airport sparks jokes online

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RFK Jr.’s bird ‘rescue’ at Dulles Airport sparks jokes online

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Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared more famous encounters with wild animals in a new social media post.

In a post shared on Sunday, May 3, on social media channels including Instagram and X, Kennedy can be seen standing in front of an airport terminal, holding the bird in his fist and holding it up to the camera.

“Starling rescue at Dulles!” reads a simple caption, referring to Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport.

The bird, which appears intact, matches the description of the starling, a medium-sized perching bird of which more than 100 species exist. Some, but not all, of these species are considered invasive in the United States.

USA TODAY has reached out to President Kennedy’s office for comment.

“Please don’t eat it, Robert!”: Commenter responds to this post

As usual, commenters were quick to jump at the opportunity to crack a joke. In this case, it was about Kennedy’s legendary past with animals, especially one of wild persuasion.

“Don’t eat it, Robert!” The comment on Instagram has received 1,300 likes, with another jokingly adding: “I get really nervous thinking about birds.” Several commenters joked that the health secretary casually ate the bird, and one Reddit thread said the health secretary was holding the bird “like an ice cream cone.” Some people joked that it looked like he was carrying a weapon.

In response to the photo buzz, Kennedy further bragged to X about his interactions with wild animals. President Kennedy responded to a post gleeful about a politician’s “chance encounter with an animal” by posting an uncaptioned black-and-white photo of his younger self apparently jumping on the back of a rhinoceros with a cigarette in his mouth.

No further background was disclosed, but he is known to have “traveled extensively in Africa, South America, and Asia as part of his work as an environmental activist” in 2024, the campaign said.

Kennedy reportedly showed an interest in all kinds of animals from an early age, but as an adult he became somewhat known for how this interest manifested itself in strange and eyebrow-raising ways.

“I’ve been picking up roadkill all my life”: A brief history of Kennedy and animals

No wonder Kennedy’s previously published wildlife escapades, from freezers full of roadkill to home biology “experiments,” drew attention to this new post.

One of the most famous stories is of the Secretary of Health’s alleged encounter with a dead whale. Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, President Kennedy’s eldest son, said in a 2012 interview with Town & Country that her father used a chainsaw to bring the giant animal’s head to life during a family vacation in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Kick Kennedy, who was six years old during the trip, recalled his father rushing to the beach after word spread that a whale carcass had washed up on shore. She recalled that after decapitating the body, Kennedy tied its head to the roof of the family’s minivan with a bungee cord and made the less-than-comfortable five-hour drive to Mount Kisco, New York.

“Every time I accelerated on the highway, whale juice poured into my car window. It was the worst thing on earth,” Kick Kennedy told the magazine. “We were all wearing plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people were pointing fingers at us on the highway, and it was just a normal, everyday thing for us.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service told The Associated Press in 2024 that it was investigating the incident as a possible violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but the investigation was ultimately discontinued.

Kennedy’s apparent roadkill tendencies have crept into other headlines in recent years, most recently with the publication of the biography “RFK Jr.: The Fall and Rise” in April, and one such article raised some eyebrows. In the book, journalist Isabel Vincent details a 2001 entry in Kennedy’s personal diary in which he describes how he pulled over to cut out the genitals of a dead raccoon while his children waited in the car.

“I was standing in front of a parked car on Route 684, cutting the penis out of a dead raccoon in the road, thinking about how weird some of my family members had become,” the entry reads. Vincent told People magazine that Kennedy intended to “research” the body part.

“I’ve been picking up roadkill ever since I was born. I have a freezer full of it,” Kennedy told reporters while running for president in 2024, this time in response to a New Yorker story about the death of a bear cub.

The then-presidential candidate told comedian Roseanne Barr in an August 2024 conversation that he witnessed a car hit and kill a bear during a hiking trip in upstate New York in 2014. He left the body in his car with the intention of skinning it and “putting the meat in the fridge” and drove around all day, including visiting a steakhouse in Brooklyn, but then realized he had to catch a flight and dumped the body in Central Park.

“I thought it would be interesting for whoever found it,” Barr told Barr of his plan to stage the bear’s body to look like it had been hit by a bicycle in the park. The unexplained presence of a 6-month-old baby in New York’s largest urban green space has sparked a decade-long mystery.

An experienced falconer, Kennedy is also known for raising and training birds of prey. This hobby went a little too far in the eyes of at least one family member, cousin Caroline Kennedy, who wrote a letter to the senator during Kennedy’s health secretary confirmation hearings, calling him a “predator.”

She claimed that President Kennedy “enjoyed showing off how he would put baby chickens and mice into a blender to feed the hawks” and that “perverted scenes of desperation and violence” often occurred.

And, of course, there was a parasite that “got into my brain and ate parts of it and died,” Kennedy told the New York Times in 2025, but whether that qualifies as an animal rights issue doesn’t seem to be all that clear.

See how hantavirus spreads after suspected infection on cruise ship

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See how hantavirus spreads after suspected infection on cruise ship

On May 3, the World Health Organization reported that three people died and at least six others became ill on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, suspected to be caused by hantavirus.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses (microorganisms that infect the host) that are transmitted by mice and rats. They can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in people. Hantavirus disease is considered rare, with 890 cases reported in the United States between 1993 and 2023.

“To date, there has been one laboratory-confirmed case of hantavirus infection and five additional suspected cases,” the organization said in a statement on X.

The outbreak was reported aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, which was heading from Argentina to Cape Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa. Three of the six suspected cases have died, and one was in intensive care in South Africa, the WHO said.

If you can’t see the graphic, click here to reload the page.

Three victims, a Dutch couple and a German, were killed, and about 150 people remained on board, with others falling ill, including a British national who was treated in South Africa after getting off the ship, Reuters reported.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are transmitted to humans primarily when mice or rats are exposed to rodent urine, feces, or saliva, but less commonly through scratches or bites. Viruses do not spread easily from person to person.

Viruses can cause:

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a respiratory disease that can cause life-threatening heart and lung problems. Several strains can cause HPS.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. It is a severe and sometimes fatal disease that affects the kidneys.

There is no specific drug to treat the disease, so treatment focuses on symptomatic treatment, such as putting patients on a ventilator in severe cases.

Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the ship, said the infection was under investigation. The company announced that a strain of hantavirus was confirmed in a passenger who was medically evacuated from the cruise ship.

Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement that “hantavirus has not been confirmed in the two symptomatic individuals currently on board.”

The World Health Organization, which is also conducting the investigation, said the risk to the broader population was low and there was no need for panic or travel restrictions. However, Cape Verdean authorities said they were not allowing the ship to enter the port as a precaution.

Eve Chen, USA TODAY Contributor

SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Reuters; World Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic

Spirit Airlines credit cards are still available for purchase

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Spirit Airlines credit cards are still available for purchase

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  • Even though the airline has suspended operations, Spirit Airlines credit cards are still valid.
  • The card issuer, Bank of America, is currently not accepting new applications for the card.
  • Cardholders can still make purchases, but they won’t earn points.

Spirit Airlines credit cardholders can continue to use their cards for purchases even now that the airline has suspended operations.

Bank of America, which issued the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard and Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard, says the card accounts remain active.

Bank of America spokesman Don Vecchiarello told USA TODAY that the issuer is not accepting new applications for Spirit credit cards, but existing cards will continue to function normally. However, even if you purchase it, you will no longer earn points from the discontinued frequent flyer program.

“Current Free Spirit accounts will remain open and active and will continue to be serviced by Bank of America. Free Spirit cardholders can continue to use their cards as usual for everyday purchases and no immediate action is required on their part,” Vecchiarello said in an email.

He added that Bank of America will contact cardholders about account updates, and said some people may be able to transfer their accounts to other cards issued by the bank.

“Bank of America remains committed to serving Free Spirit cardholders as we work through this transition and will continue to keep you informed every step of the way,” Vecchiarello said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and can be reached at zwichter@usatoday.com.

Are protesters still on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC?

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Are protesters still on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC?

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On May 1, a man protesting the Iran war and artificial intelligence climbed the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., causing a police response and traffic chaos.

“Hello, my name is Guido Reichstadter. I am currently occupying the top of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C.,” the man wrote on Friday afternoon. “I call on the American people to immediately end the Trump administration’s illegal war against Iran and its removal of power through massive nonviolent direct action and noncooperation.”

On Sunday, as the weekend approached, Reichstadter remained on the bridge, raising a black flag and pitching a tent.

Here’s what we know about his plans for his downfall.

When are protesters scheduled to leave the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge?

Chancellor Reichstadter said late Sunday that he would be “coming off the bridge soon,” but as of Monday morning he had not yet begun his descent.

He thanked his supporters and said the purpose of the protest was to call on people to recognize the power within themselves.

“One man on the bridge is relatively powerless, but by collectively withdrawing our submission and support, we can quickly end the regime and its wars,” he said in X. “This nonviolent collective action is our greatest power, and it is the exercise of this power that rulers fear more than any weapon.”

Reichstadter has been posting to X since Monday, when he sat on a bridge and told his followers “good morning” while sharing a photo of the sunrise.

Where is the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge?

The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC connects South Capitol Street across the Anacostia River.

How will the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge protests affect traffic?

Two northbound lanes of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge remained closed Monday morning, city transportation officials said.

Officials with the Metropolitan Area Transportation Coordination Program said one northbound left lane was open and all outbound lanes of the bridge were open. However, they issued a warning to motorists.

“Please seek alternative routes and avoid the area,” they said.

Police officials previously said negotiators were on the bridge urging protesters to get off.

Who are the protesters on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge?

Reichstadter is an activist and co-founder of Stop AI, a grassroots movement aimed at stopping the “reckless development of destructive artificial intelligence technologies.”

He said he has been arrested multiple times trying to block AI projects by companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and xAI.

In 2022, Reichstadter climbed the same bridge to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to WUSA. He was reportedly on the bridge for more than 24 hours.

The 45-year-old father of two’s latest protest comes more than two months after the war in Iran began. Every morning on the bridge, he would post that the war should end and AI should be stopped.

“We woke up on February 28 to find that hundreds of school children had been blown away,” he said. “I believe there are millions of Americans who reject war in principle but have not yet done enough to end it.”

Chancellor Reichstadter said he would step down “immediately,” but it was unclear when that would be.

Mike Stunson is a DC Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network.

Her water broke at 17 weeks. Her doctors refused to intervene.

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Her water broke at 17 weeks. Her doctors refused to intervene.

Emily Waldorf left Arkansas at 10:30 p.m. As she lay in the back seat of the ambulance, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was doing something wrong.

She repeatedly fell asleep on the stretcher. Paramedics watched over her as they knitted a blue baby blanket. Almost four hours later, Waldorf, who was 17 weeks pregnant at the time, woke up at 2 a.m. to a bump in Stateline Road. She finally crossed the state line and arrived in Kansas City.

She remembers being taken to a hospital room and seeing women enter wearing surgical bonnets and green scrubs. I remember him saying, “We’ve been waiting for you, and we’re so glad you made it safely.”

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, you’re going to help me,'” Waldorf says. “It felt like I was literally crossing the line of freedom.”

Five days earlier, Waldorf had been diagnosed with cervical incompetence and PPROM, a condition in which the amniotic membrane (the “water”) ruptures before the 37th week of pregnancy. Women with PPROM have a significantly increased risk of illness, sepsis, or death. I was told that I would soon miscarry.

But under Arkansas’ near-total abortion ban, which went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, Waldorf says she was at a loss at her local hospital. In Arkansas, any intervention to end a pregnancy is legally considered an abortion, according to the state registry. Abortion is only permitted if necessary to “protect the life” of the patient in the event of a medical emergency. Her doctors said she had expelled a blood clot “the size of a tennis ball,” but they could not intervene unless she was in imminent danger of death or until the baby’s heartbeat had stopped.

“I kept being told, ‘You’re not sick enough,'” she says. “The more time passed, the more scared I became.”

Maternal mortality rates are rising in the United States, and there is evidence that abortion bans are associated with increased maternal deaths during pregnancy or within the first year of pregnancy, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation.

Waldorf’s sister called the office of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to ask for intervention, but to no avail. So she sought legal representation. She then tried to arrange for a medical helicopter (estimated at $25,000), so the family settled on a $5,000 “non-emergency” ambulance to transport her out of state.

Waldorf, along with five other patients and one doctor, is currently calling for a complete repeal of Arkansas’ abortion ban. In January, Amplify Legal, America’s abortion litigation arm, filed Waldorf v. Arkansas. The plaintiffs argue that the near-total abortion ban denies patients life-saving medical care and their right to the “enjoyment and protection of life and liberty” under the state constitution.

“Governor Sanders looks forward to defending Arkansas’ pro-life laws in court,” Sam Dubke, communications director in Governor Sanders’ office, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

In addition to a strong pro-life stance on abortion, Sanders has overseen increased spending on maternal and child health, youth services and foster care placements. The advocacy group Americans United for Life includes these programs in its rankings of states based on the “Protecting Life from Pregnancy to Natural Death” law.

“Arkansas has been named the most pro-life state in the country for six consecutive years,” Dubke wrote.

“I don’t want anyone else to go through that.”

Like Waldorf, Teresa Vann was excited that her child would have a sibling, but she didn’t think she was the kind of person who would seek an abortion. She dreamed of growing her family and eventually wanted to have four children. But when, at 20 weeks, she received the devastating news that her fetus would not survive outside the womb, she had to wait for the baby’s heartbeat to stop and continue the non-viable pregnancy. Doctors told her that if she intervened, she could face a $100,000 fine and 10 years in prison.

“I didn’t understand what was going on…I was really distraught over losing my daughter,” she says. This was her third pregnancy, but she had already suffered a miscarriage during her second pregnancy due to a car accident.

At 25 weeks, her placenta had shifted over her cervix, increasing the risk of bleeding and a dangerous birth. That’s when she started telling her friends. She didn’t want anyone to know how her pregnancy was going, not knowing the grief she was already going through.

When the baby’s heartbeat stopped at 27 weeks, doctors said the risk of bleeding was too high to give birth at a local hospital, so she had to travel three hours to a hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, which was better staffed and had a larger blood bank. The daughter they named Ciel was stillborn. Since then, she says, the grieving process has been “a roller coaster.”

Ms. Vann joined Mr. Waldorf’s lawsuit against the state.

“I don’t think anyone should have to be on the brink of death to receive compassionate care,” she says. “I love my community. What I went through was really traumatic and I don’t want anyone else to go through that.”

Doctors and patients were left confused and stranded

Some of Ms. Waldorf’s friends had difficulty believing that Arkansas’ abortion ban was interfering with her care. Even in the hospital, in a state of pain, confusion, and overwhelming grief, Waldorf couldn’t figure it out either. She says she wasn’t seeking an elective abortion, just seeking treatment.

“No one knows that medical emergencies sometimes require abortion,” Waldorf says. After hearing her story, many of her pro-life friends changed their views on abortion laws.

Van’s community was also shocked, but largely supportive. She was part of a group protesting the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, but didn’t yet understand the scope of the near-total abortion ban until she was affected.

Among other claims, the lawsuit filed in January argues that the Arkansas constitutional guarantee of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” should cover a pregnant woman’s right to avoid unnecessary suffering, disability, or death if her pregnancy is unsuccessful.

“I felt very isolated,” Waldorf says. “I felt more like a liability than a patient. I felt very alone and abandoned by the medical system…but when I got out of that…I realized I was abandoned not only by the medical team, but by the state as well.”

Molly Duane, director of litigation at Amplify Legal, said the ambiguity about what constitutes a medical emergency is what makes doctors afraid to take action.

Although Arkansas law exempts patients from criminal prosecution, doctors who perform abortions can go to prison. That’s true in most states that ban abortion, but according to the Reproductive Rights Center, lawmakers in at least 10 states have proposed legislation that would allow authorities to charge people with murder with murder starting in 2025. As of 2026, none of these laws have been passed.

Dr. Chad B. Taylor, the obstetrician-gynecologist involved in the Amplify Legal case, says the “vagueness of Arkansas’ abortion ban” has “limited the types of pregnancies that can be aborted,” often increasing the risk to patients, according to the complaint reviewed by USA TODAY.

In one case, he observed a hospital’s cardiology team discussing with a pregnant patient “how high the risk of death would have to be to meet the medical emergency exception.” 30 percent? 10 percent? They weren’t sure. In another case, a patient diagnosed with breast cancer learned she was pregnant when she went to have a port inserted for chemotherapy. Her medical team paused treatment while trying to determine whether it was legal to treat her cancer during her pregnancy, which would likely cause a miscarriage. She died before receiving treatment.

“We don’t want doctors to think, ‘Is this illegal? Is what I’m trying to do the right thing for the patient?'” Duane says. “That’s the situation we’re in.”

Since the lawsuit was filed, two additional patients have joined the lawsuit. One woman was refused an abortion due to an ectopic pregnancy, and the other sought an elective abortion.

“What happened to me is not unusual,” Vann says. “It literally could happen to your mom, your sister, your friend, anyone.”

Texas Powerball tickets that won the jackpot were sold here

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Texas Powerball tickets that won the jackpot were sold here

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Texans are now millionaires.

Two lucky people won a $20 million jackpot in Saturday, May 2nd’s Powerball drawing. The lottery was purchased in Leander, a suburb north of Austin. The ticket sold on QuikTrip matched all six numbers drawn (25-37-42-52-65, Powerball 14).

The second ticket was sold in Florida. This means that two people will share the grand prize.

The Texas player chose the cash value option at the time of his purchase, which is worth about $4.5 million before taxes, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Texas Lottery winners have not yet come forward to claim their prizes, but ticket holders have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes, according to a Texas Lottery news release.

“Saturday delivered a big win for Texas Lottery players and an exciting moment for our state,” said Courtney Arbor, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees the Texas Lottery. “For the second time in the past eight months, we look forward to congratulating our Powerball grand prize winners when they come forward and claim their prizes.”

This is the fourth Powerball grand prize winner ever won by a Texas Lottery player, and the first since September 2025, when Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg claimed a share of the $1.8 billion jackpot prize.

powerball winning numbers

The winning Powerball numbers on May 2 were 25-37-42-52-65, Powerball 14.

Natassia Paloma can be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma at x. I’m natassia_paloma on Instagram and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.

Kamala Harris reportedly supports Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race

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Kamala Harris reportedly supports Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race

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(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly endorsed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for re-election.

The Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle reported on Monday, May 4, that Harris endorsed Bass. The San Francisco Chronicle also reported that Harris has endorsed other candidates running in California, but specifically not one running for governor.

The former vice president’s office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY Network’s request for a statement about the reported endorsement.

Taking place just weeks before the June 2 primary, Californians will be tasked with deciding which candidate advances to the November general election. In Los Angeles, voters will decide whether Bass, the incumbent, can continue to lead the metropolis after devastating wildfires and continue preparing for global sporting events like the Los Angeles Olympics.

Who did Kamala Harris support in California?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Harris also supports incumbent Rob Bonta for attorney general. Maria Cohen, current Secretary of State. Deputy Governor Eleni Kounalakis will serve as treasurer.

Harris’ office did not immediately confirm the endorsement when contacted by the USA TODAY Network.

Last July, the former vice president announced he would not run for governor of California, ending months of speculation.

Is Bass leading in LA mayoral polls?

A UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll conducted in early April found that while Karen Bass leads with 25% of voters, a majority of voters (40%) are undecided in the race as the race draws closer.

Next to Bass was Spencer Pratt with 11%. The former reality star of “The Hills” fame lost the home he shared with wife Heidi Montag in the Palisades fire and has been critical of Bass.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles City Council member Nitya Raman had a 9% approval rating, while pastor and community organizer Ray Chen Fan and entrepreneur Adam Miller both had 3% support.

The numbers were not that different from the Emerson College Poll/California Internal Politics poll released in March. Bass and Pratt were the only candidates with double-digit support, with Bass in the lead.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

Ashley Graham talks about GLP-1, calls woman a ‘slap in the face’

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Ashley Graham talks about GLP-1, calls woman a ‘slap in the face’

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Ashley Graham has a bone to pick with GLP-1. Specifically, how we’re bringing a new wave of thinness back to the runways.

“I was really disappointed,” the 38-year-old model recently told Marie Claire. “The pendulum has swung back towards body acceptance, positivity, and everyone being able to be who they want to be. And now it’s swinging back in the exact opposite direction, and for women who felt like they’ve been given a voice, it feels like a slap in the face.”

GLP-1 injections can be a life-changing tool for those who need them, offering significant health benefits, especially for people with diabetes. Approximately 1 in 8 adults in the United States has used it for diabetes, heart disease, or weight loss. But with FDA-approved weight loss drugs now on the market, some mental health and eating disorder experts worry that the proliferation of these drugs is a throwback to the ubiquitous days of diet culture, and that people with a history of eating disorders will seek out GLP-1 in pill form as it becomes the cultural norm.

But that doesn’t mean progress is over and we’ll never see plus-size models again. “It’s with the times and GLP-1 is with the times…We know there have been and will always be women who will be considered plus size forever,” Graham added. “This drug won’t completely erase the statistics for women.”

Graham continued, “There’s a lot of[plus-size influencers and creators]… They’re all over the place because of their size and their proportions and their appearance and their relatability. And to me, that’s the coolest part of all of this. It bothers me that these girls who grew up on social media from a young age are now here and have a platform to say to the younger generation, ‘Be yourself, be who you want to be. If you have cellulite, who?'”

Contributor: Sara Moniuszko

Burger King’s Star Wars menu will be available starting May 4th. Please check the contents

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Burger King’s Star Wars menu will be available starting May 4th. Please check the contents

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Monday, May 4th is Star Wars Day, and Burger King has something for fans of the film series to indulge in.

The fast food chain announced on April 21 that it will be launching a new limited-time menu based on the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The menu will be available at participating U.S. locations beginning May 4, while supplies last. Includes the following items:

  • BBQ Bounty Whopper: A quarter flame-grilled beef patty is placed in a helmet-shaped carton, filled with melted Swiss cheese, crunchy pickle chips, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and wrapped in Bounty BBQ sauce.
  • Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake: A swirl of soft serve ice cream mixed with blue sugar cookie syrup and topped with Grog’s favorite snack, a blue cookie.
  • Garlic chicken fries with grog: Crispy white meat chicken fries seasoned with parmesan and garlic are served in a grog-themed carton with garlic dipping sauce.
  • Imperial Cheddar Ranch Tots: Crispy tots stuffed with melted cheddar cheese, fries, and ranch seasoning, delivered in an empire-themed paper carton.
  • 4 collectible cups: Customers can unlock exclusive cups when they purchase a Bounty Bundle (a special box containing all four menu items), a BBQ Bounty Whopper Combo, or a 12-piece Grogu’s Garlic Chicken Fries Combo.

“From our themed packaging to our bold, flavor-driven menu, this is our way of celebrating an iconic new movie with the iconic flame-grilled taste that only Burger King can offer,” Joel Jasinski, chief marketing officer for Burger King U.S. and Canada, said in a news release.

Star Wars Day is Monday: Celebrate May 4th with these deals

Star Wars-themed menu includes options for kids

Not only adults but also children can enjoy together.

Starting April 28th, the Mandalorian & Grog King Jr. Meal will be available at participating restaurants nationwide. The contents of the kids menu are as follows.

  • Choose from hamburger or 4 piece nuggets
  • Apple sauce and kids potato size
  • Choose from milk or apple juice
  • Mandalorian themed toys

When will Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu be released?

The latest Star Wars movie, starring Pedro Pascal as the Mandalorian and Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward, will be released in theaters on Friday, May 22nd.

Watch the trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.

Supreme Court restores mail-order access to mifepristone

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Supreme Court restores mail-order access to mifepristone

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WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on May 4 reinstated mail-order access for the widely used abortion drug mifepristone, in a tentative decision that gives the justices time to consider the issue.

The court intervened after the Food and Drug Administration was ordered on May 1 to reinstate a requirement that doctors prescribe drugs only after an in-person examination. It was the first time that access to mifepristone had been significantly restricted in the years-long legal battle over mifepristone, which was first approved in 2000.

At the drug company’s request, Justice Samuel Alito put the lower court’s restrictive ruling on hold until May 11 while the en banc court decides what the rules for mifepristone should be as Louisiana challenges expanded access.

“While this is a positive development in the short term, no one can rest assured when access to safe and effective drugs to treat abortion and miscarriage remains at risk,” Julia Kay, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, said in a statement. “The Supreme Court must end this baseless attack on our reproductive freedom once and for all.”

more: Supreme Court urges abortion drug mifepristone to be made available by mail

State officials argue that allowing the drug to be mailed ignores the threat of complications from mifepristone, such as sepsis and bleeding. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also said women could circumvent the abortion ban by mailing the drugs.

In the May 1st ruling, conservativesth The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Louisiana likely would prevail on the challenge and blocked mail-order access for now.

Danko Laboratories, which makes Mifeprex, the brand-name version of mifepristone, said the decision caused “instant confusion and upheaval in critical medical decisions.”

Danko also told the Supreme Court that Louisiana’s complaint should be dismissed for the same reasons the justices rejected a similar lawsuit brought by anti-abortion doctors in 2024.

In that case, the court said the doctors could not sue because they had not shown they were sufficiently harmed by the FDA’s loosening of mifepristone regulations in 2023.

more: RFK Jr. begins FDA review of mifepristone. Is it safe to stock up on abortion pills?

Louisiana argues that making mifepristone more readily available to women in the state would undermine the state’s ability to enforce anti-abortion laws. State officials also said Louisiana’s Medicaid program had to pay $92,000 for emergency treatment for two women who developed complications after taking mifepristone.

Danko said the Supreme Court rejected similar arguments for downstream economic harm in rejecting anti-abortion doctors’ lawsuits.

Several Republican-led states, including states that largely ban abortions, are trying to make it harder for women to access mifepristone, a pill used in nearly two-thirds of abortions nationwide.

But GenBiopro, which makes the generic Mifeprex drug, told the Supreme Court on appeal that “Louisiana is the only state seeking such drastic preliminary relief.”

The Trump administration’s FDA is currently reviewing the drug’s safety. Abortion rights groups called the review a sham and insisted the science behind the agency’s previous decisions was sound.

In January, the administration asked a judge to suspend Louisiana’s challenge until the FDA’s review is complete.

A federal judge agreed. But the appeals court blocked that ruling, saying the in-person dispensing requirement should be reinstated while Louisiana appeals the judge’s decision.

Americans fear death, but not as much as this post-retirement setback

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Americans fear death, but not as much as this post-retirement setback

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If there’s anything Americans fear more than death, it may be living longer than they can save.

This is one of the findings of an annual survey by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement. It found that 67% of Americans are more worried about running out of money than death.

The survey reflects a sense that Americans may be less concerned about dying and more preoccupied with the economic consequences of staying alive.

“The money is running out,” said Kelly Lavigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz. “It’s about not being able to afford health care. It’s about not being able to afford long-term care.”

An Allianz survey released in late April asked Americans to choose the greater of two concerns. Death and lack of money. In the last five annual surveys, “lack of funding” has consistently prevailed. This year, profit margins were higher than ever. The survey was conducted among 1,000 adults ages 25 and older with household incomes of at least $50,000 or investable assets of at least $150,000.

There are several economic and socio-economic reasons why Americans have recently become more concerned about living longer than money. People’s lifespans have increased. Inflation remains high. Medical and long-term care costs are rising. Fewer workers are retiring with pensions that provide a guaranteed source of income.

Taken together, these factors raise expectations about how much money the average American will need to fund even a modest retirement.

“We’re starting to hear that people need $1.4 million to retire comfortably,” said David John, senior strategic policy advisor at AARP’s Public Policy Institute. “People see big numbers, and what the big numbers do or don’t really apply to them. But that’s what scares people.”

Biggest worry after retirement: Money, money, money

In a broader retirement study also released in April, the Transamerica Retirement Research Center ranked America’s top retirement fears. Most of them were about money. The top three are:

  • Declining health condition requiring long-term care (said by 39% of respondents)
  • Social security reduction (38%)
  • Survive by saving and investing (36%)

“The economic burden facing Americans cannot be overestimated,” said Transamerica Center CEO Katherine Collinson.

Hard data supports these concerns.

Long-term care costs are increasing. The average assisted living facility currently costs $6,200 per month, according to CareScout.

Social Security could face a shortage as early as 2032. If Congress does nothing, research suggests retirees will see their monthly benefits cut by 28%.

Life expectancy at birth will reach an all-time high of 79 years in 2024, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Living longer increases your chances of living longer than money, which often increases the cost of care.

“While life expectancy and longevity have increased significantly in recent decades, this does not necessarily mean that healthy life expectancy has increased,” Collinson said.

Retirement experts say living beyond your savings is a terrible fear. Here are some financial moves you can make to alleviate that.

Delay in claiming social security

It’s tempting to start collecting Social Security at age 62, when most retirees become eligible for Social Security. But there are good reasons to wait.

Each time you postpone enrolling in Social Security, your monthly benefits increase until age 70. Economists make a convincing case, based on human lifespans, that if you wait, you’ll earn more money over your lifetime.

“The closer you are to age 70 by the time you file a claim, the higher your lifetime benefits will be,” said AARP’s John. “The more basic necessities that can be covered by Social Security, the better off you will be.”

Make the most of your retirement savings

Thanks to recent changes in federal law, workers nearing retirement age can now save more than ever in a 401(k) or IRA account.

Employees with 401(k) plans can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. Savers age 50 and older can make additional “catch-up” contributions of up to $8,000, increasing their total contributions to $32,500. There is an even higher ‘super catch-up contribution’ limit of $11,250 for workers aged 60, 61, 62 and 63.

IRA contribution limits are relatively loose. The 2026 cap is $7,500. The catch-up contribution limit for older savers is $1,100, for a total contribution of $8,600.

make a retirement plan

Clearly, many Americans are worried about retirement. But you may not be spending enough time planning it.

According to a report by the Transamerica Center, only 29% of Americans regularly engage in retirement planning, and only 31% work with a professional financial advisor.

Retirement planning may begin by visiting the Social Security website. There, you can get personalized estimates of your monthly benefit check if you retire at various ages.

You can then tally up your main expenses: your monthly spending on food, housing, transportation, and other necessities.

Compare your monthly expenses to your expected Social Security benefits. Next, consider what other sources of income you have and see how they match up.

Retirement experts say working with a professional advisor makes all of these calculations much easier.

Mr Collinson said: “It may be helpful to consult a financial advisor because they have worked with hundreds or thousands of clients and have experience in what the potential risks and potential outcomes are.”

Consider long-term care insurance

There are various types of long-term care insurance. Costs vary widely depending on the amount of benefits, the length of care covered, and other variables.

The National Council on Aging reported in 2025 that a typical policy that provides $165,000 in benefits to a single adult aged 55 could cost a man $950 a year and a woman $1,500.

“If you can afford long-term care insurance and you can find someone to write it for you, long-term care insurance is the best answer,” Allianz’s Lavigne said.

Another option is to purchase life insurance with a long-term care rider. This allows some or all of the death benefit to be used to cover long-term care.

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