Top fast food chain report: Jersey Mike’s ranks first
After 11 years in business, Chick-fil-A is no longer the top-rated quick-service restaurant, according to the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index.
A recent cyber attack may have exposed the personal information of Chick-fil-A One loyalty members.
The company confirmed to USA TODAY that it recently identified a “security incident that may have impacted a limited number of Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts.”
“Once we discovered the issue, we immediately addressed it and took steps to secure and restore accounts. We are also in direct contact with all customers who may have been affected,” the company said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused by this situation. We will continue to work hard every day to maintain the trust of our customers.”
Here’s what we know about cyberattacks and data breaches and who is affected.
Who is affected by the Chick-fil-A cyber attack?
The company sent a letter to potentially affected customers on July 20, saying it had identified “suspicious login activity” against certain Chick-fil-A One accounts. The cyberattack affected customers in nine states and Washington, D.C., the letter said. The nine states are Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
After investigating, the company determined that an “unauthorized party” launched an attack on its website and mobile app between June 17 and June 19 using account credentials obtained from “third-party sources.”
What information was leaked in the Chick-fil-A cyberattack?
The compromised information may have included names, email addresses, Chick-fil-A One membership numbers and mobile phone billing numbers, the last four digits of credit and debit card numbers, and the amount of Chick-fil-A credits in user accounts. In addition, if stored in a user’s account, that information may also include the account holder’s date of birth, phone number, and address.
Chick-fil-A said in the letter that restored customers’ Chick-fil-A One account balances were affected and that it added benefits to their accounts as an additional way to thank customers. The chain also said it “continues to strengthen its security oversight and fraud controls” to minimize the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.
What can affected customers do?
Chick-fil-A says it has reset Chick-fil-A passwords for affected users and urges users to update their passwords as soon as possible.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
Impact of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history
USA TODAY’s Washington bureau chief explains the impact of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
According to Reuters, President Donald Trump said on July 22 that a government shutdown will begin on September 30, when current funding expires.
The comments came after the House passed a temporary funding resolution that would keep the government open until early December. The resolution will now be introduced in the Senate, but time is running out as both chambers are rapidly approaching their August recess.
Here’s what you need to know about the parliamentary calendar from now until the end of September.
The August recess will narrow an already difficult period.
The government’s current funding is scheduled to run out on September 30th. In theory, budgeting can take more than 50 days, not including weekends.
There’s just one problem with this schedule. Both chambers are scheduled to leave Washington, D.C., soon for their August recess.
Headed to the Senate: House narrowly passes short-term funding bill to avoid government shutdown
Republican House leaders were eager to pass the funding bill early because lawmakers are in recess from July 27 to Aug. 28. The House will officially reconvene on September 1st.
On top of that, there is another week of recess from Sept. 7 to Sept. 11 to mark Labor Day and the beginning of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, and the House has 16 days in session before the funding deadline.
Meanwhile, the Senate will begin its recess on August 10th, with lawmakers scheduled to return to the chamber on September 11th. It has until September 14th to officially reconvene at the Capitol. This means that 24 days of work remain, from July 23rd to September 30th.
opinion: Warnings about the Democratic Party’s future lie in the Republican past.
11 days for both houses
The chances of passing a funding bill by the end of September are looking increasingly slim.
If the Senate decides to amend the bill passed on July 21, it would have to return to the House for another vote, further narrowing the field.
After all, from now until September 30th, both chambers will be in session simultaneously for just 11 days this week.
Another year, another closure looming.
By now, Americans are well aware of what a government shutdown means.
The recent unrest is reminiscent of last year’s record 43-day government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a funding bill.
The shutdown ostensibly ended in mid-November, but a partial government shutdown continued into April, angering the Department of Homeland Security and causing long delays and disruptions at airports across the country.
Drew Pittock covers trending news from around the country for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.
Rosie O’Donnell believes Trump’s presidency is the “worst thing” for the United States, calling it “an abomination”.
Rosie O’Donnell may have moved to Ireland, but she hasn’t distanced herself from her long-running public feud with President Donald Trump.
In a new interview with People magazine, the comedian likened his decades-long spat with Trump to “20 years of him using me as a punchline.”
Trump and O’Donnell’s feud dates back to 2006, when O’Donnell was the host of “The View.” She criticized Trump as a “snake oil salesman” in connection with his ownership of the then-Miss USA pageant, starting a years-long spat between the two.
In 2025, after President Trump was sworn in for his second term as president, O’Donnell revealed that he moved to Ireland to escape the political situation in the United States. Since then, the president has repeatedly threatened to revoke O’Donnell’s birthright citizenship.
Rosie O’Donnell calls President Trump a ‘nemesis’
Last year, O’Donnell opened up to the outlet about moving overseas, saying he was “at peace” with “not being constantly bombarded with news about the current president.”
“I think it helped me get back to where I was before everything fell apart, even though it’s very strange that the most powerful man in the world is your nemesis,” she said.
She also hinted at her indifference to the president’s jab, saying: “Before, when the president would say something about me, I was like, oh.”
But O’Donnell also said the situation was hard to believe.
“If you had written this as a movie — a stand-up comic who makes fun of a reality show host who’s a big idiot, and he ends up becoming president, and he doesn’t shut up about her for the next 20 years — it would be unbelievable,” she said. “And the fact that that’s my life is so trippy.”
President Trump recently targeted Rosie O’Donnell in a social media video
O’Donnell’s latest comments come weeks after Trump posted a viral video on social media.
In an AI-generated video posted on July 2, Trump appears as a doctor “treating” several celebrities, including O’Donnell, for “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” President Trump has long used the term to describe critics he believes are irrationally opposed to him.
The comedian called President Trump “the worst thing that has ever happened to our country” in a July 8 interview with Variety magazine.
Contributors: Anthony Robredo and Kimi Robinson
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
Cracker Barrel is selling the Maple Street Biscuit Company brand and 35 restaurants to Biscuit Berry LLC and closing 16 of the fast-casual breakfast chain.
The move comes less than a year after Cracker Barrel closed its 14 Maple Street stores in September 2025 for “simply failing to meet financial expectations,” the company told USA TODAY in a statement at the time, thanking customers for their continued patronage.
Cracker Barrel acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company in 2019 for $36 million. This breakfast chain was founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 2012 and offers a variety of biscuits and other breakfast foods. At the time of acquisition, Maple Street had 28 company-owned stores and five franchised stores in seven states.
In a separate move, Cracker Barrel also entered into a sale-leaseback agreement that includes 26 company-owned stores. In other words, Cracker Barrel sold the location to an investor and immediately leased it back. Cracker Barrel said the transactions will result in approximately $77 million in net proceeds.
More news: IKEA plans to open seven new stores by 2027.
Biscuit Belly plans to expand to over 60 stores by the end of 2028
Biscuit Berry said in a news release that the acquisition of Maple Street Biscuit Company’s 35 stores will “accelerate the company’s expansion throughout the Southeast, bringing the number of Biscuit Berry stores to more than 60 by the end of 2028.”
Biscuit Berry will convert Maple Street Biscuit Company stores to the Berry Biscuit brand over the next 18 to 24 months, according to a news release. The conversion will begin immediately in the Greater Cincinnati and Richmond, Virginia areas.
“Acquiring an iconic brand like Maple Street, one of the original gourmet biscuit sandwich concepts, was not on my 2026 bingo card,” Biscuit Berry co-founder and CEO Chad Coulter said in a news release. “Two of the biggest headwinds that growing brands face are the time required to find and build a location and the difficulty of finding a good team. When we looked at Maple Street’s geography, footprint, and established team, a light bulb went off.”
Biscuit Berry opened its first store in 2019 and has grown to 15 stores in the Southeast, according to the company.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
Federal judge calls for modifications to Adelanto ICE facility
The judge ordered immediate reforms to the Adelanto ICE Center, including access to clean water, food, sanitation, quarantine restrictions, and monitoring.
A federal judge has ordered the government to correct unconstitutional conditions at the Adelanto ICE processing center.
The court order requires the facility to provide basic necessities such as clean water, adequate food and adequate medical care.
The ruling provisionally certified a class action lawsuit on behalf of all individuals detained at the facility.
A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately address what he described as potentially unconstitutional conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, a Southern California immigration detention facility that has long faced criticism over the treatment and living conditions of detainees.
In a ruling issued this week, U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes ruled that those detained at Adelanto are likely to be in conditions that violate their constitutional rights. The facility is operated by the private prison company GEO Group and houses approximately 1,500 people awaiting civil immigration proceedings.
The order stems from a class-action lawsuit filed against ICE and DHS by detainees and immigrant rights advocates alleging widespread neglect, including inadequate medical care, unsafe living conditions and retaliation against those who filed complaints.
Judge Sykes directed federal authorities to take immediate steps to improve conditions at the facility before further damage occurs.
Court orders changes to food, water, sanitation and medical care
Under the court order, Adelanto authorities must provide detainees with clean drinking water, adequate food, adequate sanitation, privacy in showers and toilets, temperature-appropriate clothing and bedding, and access to daily outdoor recreation.
The order also limits the use of administrative segregation (commonly referred to as solitary confinement) to situations where there are documented safety concerns or where the detainee voluntarily requests isolation.
Federal officials were also ordered to submit a corrective action plan within 14 days outlining how they will address medical care and accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the facility.
To ensure compliance, two independent monitors conduct unannounced inspections and issue monthly public reports. Detainees will also have access to a confidential complaints system where they can communicate directly with their monitors.
“This decision sends a clear message that no detention center in this country is above the law,” Public Defender supervising attorney Rebecca Brown said in a statement. “The court acknowledged what we have known for some time: conditions inside Adelanto are inhumane.”
The lawsuit alleges dangerous and poor conditions.
The lawsuit was filed in January by the Public Defender, the Humane Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher on behalf of the detained immigrants.
Lawyers argued that conditions at Adelanto were “cruel, inhumane and degrading.” In March, they sought a preliminary injunction and submitted more than 20 affidavits from current and former detainees, attorneys, medical professionals, and corrections experts.
According to court filings, detainees reported going for weeks without medication or treatment. Other declarations mentioned spoiled food, poor water quality, mold in housing units, and allegations of retaliation against individuals who raised concerns about the conditions.
Advocates said at least four people have died in ICE custody in Adelanto since September 2025. Families of some detainees allege that their serious medical needs were ignored or delayed.
Adelanto’s facility has a long history of surveillance
The Adelanto ICE Processing Center, located in the high desert region of San Bernardino County, is one of the largest immigrant detention facilities in the country and has been the center of repeated legal challenges, government inspections, and advocacy campaigns over the past decade.
Concerns about health care, suicides, hunger strikes, the use of quarantine and conditions in facilities have prompted investigations and protests by immigrant rights groups. Earlier this year, detainees went on a hunger strike to draw attention to conditions inside the center.
The facility has become a central component of ICE’s detention system in California following the expansion of federal immigration enforcement in recent years. Despite repeated criticism, Adelanto remains one of the department’s main detention sites in the state.
Judge Sykes’ ruling does not resolve the underlying litigation, but it requires federal authorities to immediately begin addressing the circumstances identified by the plaintiffs while the case progresses through court. Federal authorities and GEO Group have not yet filed a full case against the allegations, so the legal process continues.
Bata is being actively torn apart by wind shear, the “calling card” of El Niño’s influence on the Atlantic hurricane season. But don’t thank El Niño just yet.
Why Tropical Storm Vata still threatens the Gulf Coast
Despite its low strength, Tropical Storm Bertha poses a risk of flooding, heat, and rip currents to Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
July 22: As Tropical Storm Vata continues to rotate along the Gulf Coast, strong upper-level winds are tearing through the system, leaving it much weaker than normal.
The upper-level winds known as wind shear plaguing Vata could be a harbinger of what to expect for the rest of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which is expected to be heavily influenced by a strong El Niño.
Michael Rowley, a Miami-based WPLG-TV hurricane expert, told CNN that wind shear is “El Niño’s biggest calling card.”
Lowry said the most notable feature of El Niño during the hurricane season is the gradual rise in vertical wind shear, a scissor-like wind pattern that cuts off the top of an organized storm’s seedlings before it develops into a strong hurricane.
However, these particular winds in the Gulf are not directly related to El Niño. And there is some evidence that this particular weather pattern is not directly related.
El Niño tends to affect the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic winds, but not necessarily the Gulf Coast.
“I think it’s a little difficult to link the stronger shear that Virta is currently experiencing to El Niño,” Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach said in an email to USA TODAY. “That’s because El Niño tends to have the strongest shear shocks at lower latitudes, such as the Caribbean Sea and the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
“The strong shear that Bertha is currently experiencing is caused by high pressure over the Midwest,” he said. “The circulation around that high pressure system is causing a strong northeastward shear over Virta.”
What is wind shear?
CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert said in an online report that wind shear refers to changes in wind direction and speed between different levels of the atmosphere.
“It has the potential to tear apart tropical systems or prevent them from forming in the first place, and it is establishing a firm grip on the Caribbean Sea and the western Atlantic Ocean,” Gilbert said earlier this week. “June and July are usually the quietest months of the season, but this shear is causing a major disturbance and could even affect the busy season,” she added.
Where does El Niño fit in?
How does El Niño, the natural warming of ocean waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean, cause wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean?According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Niño first warms the Pacific Ocean, changing global atmospheric circulation patterns. These changes result in stronger winds and increased wind shear over the Caribbean Sea and the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
According to NOAA, hurricanes occur when the atmosphere is relatively calm from the surface to the upper levels.
Strong wind shear tilts the early storm, destroying its core and preventing the upward transport of heat and moisture that fuel tropical cyclones and hurricanes. As a result, ongoing tropical disturbances are more likely to weaken, disorganize, or have a harder time intensifying into major hurricanes due to El Niño’s wind shear, NOAA reports.
El Niño’s impact is earlier than usual
But it usually takes some time for abnormal warming of ocean waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean (the ocean phenomenon that defines El Niño) to connect weapons and the atmosphere, changing global circulation patterns and ultimately changing the shape of tropical Atlantic winds, Lowry said.
“However, this year we appear to be seeing the atmospheric effects of El Niño strengthening earlier than usual, which may be the result of record warming in the eastern equatorial Pacific,” Lowry said in an email to USA TODAY.
The increase in wind shear is greatest in the western tropical Atlantic, particularly across the Caribbean, which also helps reduce the number of landfalls in the United States in El Niño years.
A quiet season is expected due to El Niño.
The forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is mostly below normal due to El Niño storms. For example, Colorado State University said in a recent forecast that only nine named storms will form, far below the average of 14.
more: Tropical Cyclone Vata is messy and lopsided. That’s important.
What’s next for hurricane season?
Klotzbach added that he predicted that continued strong wind shear over the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean will likely continue to subside before the hurricane develops.
“Vertical wind shear is now even higher than typically seen in a below-average Atlantic hurricane season,” he said. “As you would expect given the ongoing strong El Niño, the latest four-week forecast from[European weather model]ECMWF indicates that significant above-normal shear is likely to occur in the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic over the coming weeks.”
Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, focusing on weather and climate.
See what’s on sale at Chillicothe’s new Nothing Bundt Cakes
A new bakery is bringing a plethora of flavors of bundt cakes to the area.
The co-founder of award-winning dessert shop Nothing Bundt Cakes has a new project in the works. This time, we’re focusing on milkshakes, which come in 15 flavors made with real fruit and cakes made in-house.
Dena Tripp, co-founder of Nothing Bundt Cakes, is no longer affiliated with the cake shop, but is now starting Shook Shakery with her son Sean and Jessica Spencer, who previously worked at the bakery chain.
The menu consists of shakes made with ice cream, fruit, brown sugar, house-made cake flavors such as chocolate, pink and vanilla, and the company’s signature whipped toppings.
Here’s what we know about where the new Shake Shop will open and what it’ll offer.
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Where is Shook Shakery open?
Shook Shakery begins opening four stores in Nevada, including:
Henderson – 3360 St Rose Parkway (opening in August)
Las Vegas – 6235 S. Durango Drive (scheduled to open in September)
Las Vegas – 8705 West Deer Springs Way (expected to open mid-fall)
Las Vegas – 4693 Blue Diamond Road (scheduled to open in late 2026 or early 2027)
Currently, each store is scheduled to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Shook Shakery locations will have drive-thru windows and walk-up options, the company said in a news release.
Asked about the possibility of expanding beyond Nevada, Shock-Shakely said there was no information on expansion yet.
What does Shook Shakery offer?
Shook Shakery has 15 different shake flavors categorized into three different “vibes”: Classic, Fancy, and Fun. There’s also a dessert option for dogs called Tail Spin.
Classic:
Vanilla Waves – A mix of pure vanilla ice cream and homemade vanilla cake with special whipped topping and vanilla dust. Some are dairy-free.
Let’s Jam – Fresh strawberries, creamy ice cream mixed with homemade pink cake, made with a special whipped topping and strawberry pieces.
Coco Dream – Rich chocolate and creamy ice cream mixed with homemade chocolate cake made with special whipped topping and chocolate dust.
Cinnamon Girl – Creamy vanilla ice cream and cinnamon swirl mixed with homemade brown sugar cake, whipped topping, and cinnamon dust.
Mint Condition – Coco mint ice cream mixed with homemade chocolate cake, made with special whipped topping and chocolate mint pieces.
Fancy:
Wakey Shakey – Coffee-infused ice cream and rich mocha mixed with homemade chocolate cake, made with our signature whipped topping and coffee dust.
Pinky Promise – Smooth vanilla ice cream, delicate almonds and sugar cookies are mixed with homemade pink cake and finished with our signature whipped topping.
Groovin’ Granny – Real Granny Smith apples, creamy ice cream, and caramel swirls mixed with homemade brown sugar cake made with our signature whipped topping, apple pieces, and caramel drizzle.
Mellow Yellow – Fresh bananas, rich fudge and ice cream mixed with homemade chocolate cake made with special whipped topping, banana slices and chocolate sauce.
Lady Joe – Real vanilla ice cream, rich caffe, bittersweet cocoa mixed with homemade brown sugar cake, signature whipped topping, and cocoa dust.
fun:
It’s My Party – Creamy vanilla ice cream with sprinkles is mixed with homemade brown sugar cake and garnished with special whipped topping and more sprinkles.
Nutter Vibes – Smooth and crunchy PB n’ yay vanilla ice cream mixed with homemade brown sugar cake, signature whipped topping, and cookie crumble.
Choukies and Cream – Chocolate crush cookies are spun out with vanilla ice cream, mixed with homemade chocolate cake, and garnished with signature whipped topping and other cookie pieces.
Whirly Zoo – Sweet vanilla ice cream and Frosty Cookie Crunch are mixed with homemade pink cake and garnished with signature whipped topping and cookie crumble.
Summer of Love – Creamy orange ice cream mixed with homemade vanilla cake and garnished with our signature whipped topping. Some are dairy-free.
The shake will cost $9, with additional toppings and add-ons for a “small additional charge,” the company said.
We also have Tail Spin frozen treats for dogs. The company said $1 from every Tail Spin will be donated to a local pet charity in Nevada.
This story has been updated with new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
TikToker creates Starbucks’ ‘Bearista’ duck that goes viral
Starbucks’ Bearista appears to have sold out quickly across the U.S., and fans are scrambling to find creative ducks for the much-talked-about cup.
Go to Starbucks. This summer, another brand is releasing cute glass tumblers.
Chicken fast food chain Jollibee announced on July 21st that it will release its own glass tumbler on Thursday, July 23rd. The tumbler is shaped like Jollibee, an anthropomorphic bee mascot with a red and white striped straw.
The cup follows the launch of the much talked about Starbucks Bearista tumbler in November 2025.
The Glass Bearista Cold Cup, shaped like a teddy bear with a green Starbucks stocking cap on its head, sold for $29.95. Starbucks said the cups sold out in less than a day. The tumbler was so popular that Starbucks launched two additional designs, including a soccer-themed cup ahead of the World Cup in June and a pink Bearista cup in early July. Starbucks told USA TODAY that the pink cups were sold out in most U.S. stores by 7 a.m. local time.
And Jollibee isn’t the only fast food chain to cash in on this trend. On July 2nd, Jack in the Box launched the Jack Sipper Cup, a unique glass tumbler shaped like the chain’s mascot, Jack Box.
Want to get your hands on the latest tumbler? Here’s what you need to know if you get caught in Jollibee’s viral cup.
food: The boom in Starbucks Bearista cups is bigger than a necessity.
How to get Jollibee glass tumbler
According to a Jollibee statement obtained by USA TODAY, Jollibee glass tumblers will only be available with the purchase of the Jolli Glass Tumbler Bucket Combo on Thursday, July 23rd. Combo includes 10 Chicken Joy Buckets. The tumbler cannot be purchased separately.
How much does a Jollibee glass tumbler cost?
According to the statement, Jollibee glass tumblers are only available with the purchase of the Jolli Glass Tumbler Bucket Combo, priced at $50.
Can you buy Jollibee glass tumblers online?
No, Jollibee Glass Tumblers are only available when you purchase the Jolli Glass Tumbler Bucket Combo at the restaurant.
What does the internet say about Jollibee Tumbler?
Jollibee’s Tumblr teaser received mixed reactions. Some people were excited about the release and begged Jollibee to let them buy it online, while others were surprised by the $50 price tag.
“I’m already camping outside the nearest Jollibee,” one Instagram user commented on a Jollibee post promoting Tumblr. “Is buying a bucket of 10 a legitimate $50?” another user wrote. “That would be outrageous if it were true.”
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Charles Franklin talks about voting in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Charles Franklin, director of public opinion research at Marquette University School of Law, talks about his plans to vote in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
According to the latest polls, Francesca Hong is leading the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin with 27% support.
In the general election showdown, Republican Tom Tiffany is leading or leading Hong among various voter groups.
Almost half of Democratic primary voters, 45%, remain undecided three weeks before the election.
The poll was conducted before recent upheavals in the race, including Sara Rodriguez dropping out and David Crowley re-entering.
MADISON – Democratic socialists running in battleground states that President Donald Trump won the past two elections are leading in the Democratic primary for governor, a poll showed on July 22.
But a Marquette University Law School poll shows 37-year-old Francesca Hong trailing or tied with Republican Tom Tiffany in the closely watched Wisconsin gubernatorial race, which experts say is a key issue in the 2026 midterm elections.
Hong, a three-term state representative, had a 26% approval rating among primary voters, while former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Burns had 15%. When people who supported Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, who resigned from the race after the poll was conducted, were assigned their second choice to another Democrat, Hong’s support rose to 27% and Burns’ support rose to 18%.
However, looking at the Democratic Party field, Mr. Tiffany leads Mr. Hong by 43% to 40% among registered voters, and is tied with Mr. Hong at 44% among voters in the general election.
“What this tells us is that it’s a very close race, as we like to see in Wisconsin,” Charles Franklin, head of polling at Marquette University School of Law, said on July 22. “There’s some variation from candidate to candidate, but it’s not a huge difference.”
The survey also found that 45% of Democratic primary voters have not yet chosen a candidate.
Poll: Most voters have a negative view of democratic socialism
Across the country this year, progressive candidates like Hong, a three-term state representative, defeated more establishment liberals in Colorado, New York and Washington, D.C.
Following New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s stunning victory last year, many on the political left are harnessing new-found energy around promises like affordable housing, universal child care and lower utility costs.
But these key victories have been largely confined to deep blue congressional districts and urban centers, rather than purple-leaning battleground states. Skeptics within the party are raising even bigger questions about how Democratic Socialist Party of America candidates will fare in areas with large numbers of independent and moderate voters.
For example, a survey in Wisconsin found that when asked about their views on democratic socialism, 49% of registered voters expressed a negative opinion. Only 25% had a favorable opinion and 26% had no opinion.
But in a July 17 interview with journalist David Sirota, Hong insisted the question of electability was a red herring, saying it was “dangerous” for the party to misjudge how his camp would win over new voters.
“Our supporters are people who have never been involved in politics before,” she says. “We’ve been battling disillusionment and apathy that keeps[Democrats]losing and failing to grow a broader coalition.”
The poll comes days after the Wisconsin Democratic primary race collapsed, with Rodriguez showing signs of momentum and a collapse of his campaign at the same time. She has the support of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who returns to the race after a surprisingly tumultuous week.
Crowley has the support of Gov. Tony Evers, who is in his third term.
The confusion left the public with only a limited view of the true election situation when Marquette University Law School pollsters were on the campaign trail from July 8 to 16, or when Crowley left and Rodriguez’s campaign collapsed. The investigation ended with Rodriguez leaving the race and before Crowley could return to racing.
Without Rodriguez in the race, Evers cabinet member Joel Brennan would have received the support of 5% of voters, and state Sen. Kelda Royce would have received the support of 2% of voters. This is the fourth Marquette University Law School poll of Democratic primary voters led by Hong.
“When we first asked in October, I believe (Hong) was number one with 6%. Then in February, she was number 1 with 11%. In March, she was at 14%. And now she’s at 26%. So she’s the frontrunner in all of this. But it’s not a huge share because the undecided percentage is so large,” Franklin said.
“On the other hand, consistency is also important, and we’ve seen that consistency in her performance throughout this period.”
The poll was conducted among 838 registered voters and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points. The margin of error within the Democratic sample was +/- 6.1 percentage points.
Easy tips to keep your hairstyle fresh between cuts
Simple styling of your hair can give the illusion of freshly cut hair and extend the life of your hairstyle between visits to the barber.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
It happens to everyone, whether we like it or not.
Gray hair is an inevitable part of aging and is considered an inevitable trait determined by genetics.
But many people wonder if more can be done to prevent this unwanted milestone. Here’s what you need to know:
What causes gray hair?
Hair turns gray when the specialized cells that produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives hair its color, stop regrowing. Melanin is produced at the beginning of a multi-year cycle that hair constantly goes through, but after approximately 7 to 15 cycles, melanin production stops and hair appears gray, silver, and eventually white.
Desmond Tobin, professor of dermatology at University College Dublin and director of the Charles Institute of Dermatology, said the age and range at which hair graying occurs is largely due to “strong genetic inheritance.” He added that environmental factors such as exposure to pollution and cigarette smoke, as well as lifestyle choices such as nutrition, sleep and psychological stress, can also influence hair aging.
These lifestyle choices can particularly influence whether your hair goes completely white or retains a mixed shade of its original pigment, she said. Tobin says the age at which hair turns gray is highly variable, but ranges from the mid-30s to the 40s. It is not unusual for gray hair to appear at a young age.
Can gray hair be delayed or reversed?
Experts say there is no universally accepted method or strategy to prevent the hair on your scalp from turning gray once it starts. Still, there are bright spots.
Changing your diet to include more antioxidants, such as brightly colored fruits and berries, which contain important stress-fighting compounds, can help manage the oxidative stress behind aging.
Some studies have also shown that hair follicles that are currently gray or are becoming gray may retain the ability to resume pigmentation even after clinical changes such as switching medications or treatments, Tobin said.
So when does the body actually start to age? The answer may surprise you.
Will Gen Z’s hair turn gray earlier than other generations?
If you spend enough time on social media, you may have seen videos explaining why younger generations, such as Millennials and Gen Z, are aging faster than previous generations.
Tobin characterized Gen Z as an “image-obsessed generation” who seek out their first gray hairs with forensic intent, but said there may be some substance to these claims.
“Indeed, there is some new medical research from Europe and the United States that suggests that both Millennials and Generation Z may exhibit a higher biological age than previous generations of the same chronological age,” Tobin said. He added that aspects of modern life, such as long working hours and fast food, could be contributing factors.
But overall, he said, people are becoming increasingly disconnected from their genetically inherited internal clocks, which regulate circadian rhythms, sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, digestion and other functions, which could cause hair to turn gray sooner.
A new $1 coin featuring Donald Trump’s portrait will be released this fall. This golden commemorative coin has generated a lot of buzz, but is it actually worth buying as an investment?
Unlike traditional gold bullion coins, the Trump dollar coin contains no precious metals. This means that any value beyond $1 face value will depend largely on collector demand, rarity, and market interest, rather than the price of gold. Commemorative coins increase in value over time, but their returns tend to be less predictable than bullion coins, where much of their value comes from the precious metals they contain.
So, is Trumpcoin in your portfolio? Here’s what you need to know about the new release and how it compares to traditional investment gold coins.
Is it your first time investing in gold? The top rated gold dealers for 2026 are:
What we know about the new $1 Trump coin
The U.S. Treasury announced that production of the new Trump $1 coin will begin in July at the Philadelphia Mint and is expected to be released to the public this fall. This coin has a gold finish but is made of non-precious metals and has a legal tender face value of $1.
Could a $1 Trump Coin Become Valuable?
Simply put, it’s possible, but there are no guarantees.
Unlike gold bullion coins, Trump coins do not contain any precious metals. The value beyond $1 face value depends on factors such as collector demand, the number of coins produced, and the number of people who choose to hold onto them rather than spend them.
“A small collector’s premium could be maintained, depending on the number of coins produced, demand, the hoarding behavior of the general public, and the rate at which the Mint fulfills orders,” said Philip Diehl, former head of the U.S. Mint and president of the U.S. Coin Reserve. He added that coins with minting errors can also fetch high prices among collectors.
Still, experts warn against buying commemorative coins expecting a high return on investment.
“Commemorative coins can sometimes outperform bullion, but that is an exception and should not be expected by buyers,” says Eric Turney, marketing director at custom coin manufacturer Monterey.
What are investment gold coins?
Investment gold coins, also known as bullion coins, are produced by government mints and minted from precious metals that meet strict purity standards. Unlike circulating currencies, bullion coins are primarily purchased as investments, and their value is tied to the market price of the gold they contain.
Like the new Trump $1 coin, U.S. gold bullion coins are legal tender and carry an official face value. However, the value of the gold it contains is much higher, so its face value has little meaning. For example, a one-ounce American Gold Eagle has a face value of $50, but its market value is determined by the current price of gold.
“Currently, a one-ounce gold American Eagle coin is trading for approximately 4,200 times the face value of a $1 President Trump coin,” Diehl said.
Want to know more about gold coins? Here are the best gold coins to invest in today
Side-by-side comparison: Trump dollar coins and gold bullion coins
Although the Trump $1 coin and other gold bullion coins look similar at first glance, they have very different values and functions.
Features
playing card one dollar coin
gold bullion coins
face value
1 dollar
$5 to $50
Does it contain gold?
no
yes
Legal tender?
yes
usual
Main purpose
Collected to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation
Preserve your assets and diversify your portfolio
The value determined is…
collector demand
gold spot price
liquidity
Depends on collector’s interest
widely sold around the world
Should I buy Trump coins or gold bullion coins?
The right choice depends on your reason for purchasing.
If you’re a collector or Trump supporter looking for political memorabilia, a commemorative $1 Trump coin may be worth considering. Please note that value greater than $1 face value is not guaranteed.
If your goal is to preserve wealth or diversify your investment portfolio, gold bullion coins are usually a better choice. Its value is primarily tied to the price of gold rather than collector sentiment, making it a more established option for investors seeking exposure to physical precious metals.
After all, Trumpcoin is best considered a collectible first and an investment second, while gold bullion is specifically designed as an investment asset.
FAQ
Are Trump’s $1 coins made of real gold?
No, the new Trump coins are made of non-precious metals and have a gold finish.
How much is a playing card dollar coin worth?
The new Trump coin is legal tender with a face value of $1. Since it is not made from real precious metals, its value is not affected by the spot price of gold.
Is Trump Coin a good investment?
While Trump coins may have collector value, they are not backed by physical gold or other precious metals. Collectors’ demand and sentiment can drive down a coin’s value, but this is much more unpredictable than the gold bullion market.
Will Trump coins become collector items?
Trump coins have the potential to become collector’s items. “Political coins, commemorative coins, and limited-edition memorabilia can generate a lot of demand in the short term, especially if the design is tied to a significant national moment or a polarizing celebrity,” Turney says.
USA TODAY’s Callie Finn breaks down Studio IX’s list of the top 10 point guards in honor of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary.
Indiana Fever All-Star Caitlin Clark and her supporters must think the rest of us are fools.
Did the foul they claim occur? What about the “bruises” she says she sustained? Worthless technology? Clark doesn’t suddenly turn invisible during physical play, so you can actually see what happened.
That means Clark is failing. And her performance while doing so puts others at risk.
Now, before I start barking and talking about the highlights Clark has brought to the WNBA and women’s basketball, I don’t hate Clark. She has the potential to be an inspirational player, and with 75 points in her last three games, her Player of the Week honor is well deserved and a gateway to female sports fandom for millions of people.
But that doesn’t entitle her to a free pass.
Mr. Clark angry that it appears he hasn’t been contacted.
Twice in the past two weeks, Clark was furious about not being called and spun a narrative that was easily debunked by video of the actual game.
First, during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 12, she attempted to call a foul on Chelsea Gray. The two made contact as Gray made his way to the basket, but it was minimal. It’s no different than what we’ve seen dozens of times in every WNBA game.
Furthermore, the same goes for NBA games.
But Clark fell to the ground as if he had been hit in the stomach with a battering ram and yelled at the referee for a foul. They reviewed it and saw what everyone else thought. There were no fouls. There is almost no contact.
Three days later, in a game against the Golden State Valkyries, Clark said he was hit with a quadruple knee kick by Kia Stokes on his way to the basket. Clark was furious that no foul was called and threw a bomb, screaming at the referee.
“I got hit in the knee with my quadriceps. It hurt,” Clark said after the game. “There’s no way the referee can overlook that. Then he has to play the rest of the game with a bruised leg. That’s ridiculous. You can’t afford to overlook a call like that.”
But again, replays clearly showed that if there was any contact, it was minimal.
Let’s call this “flopping.”
Clark isn’t the only athlete to do this. Fresh off the World Cup, players routinely acted as if they needed emergency amputation, but quickly got back up and continued playing. It’s been a staple of James Harden’s career. I was also with Vlade Divac.
But just as Clark’s failures don’t happen behind closed doors, they don’t happen in a vacuum.
Abusive language and acting put your opponent at risk.
There appears to be a white supremacist element among Clark’s fans, which is a very serious problem, made even more so by the fact that the WNBA is primarily made up of black women, many of whom are queer. When Clark claims non-existent fouls or hurls profanities at referees, racists assume she’s a white woman in need of redemption and take matters into their own hands.
Gray only posted one of the messages she received after the Fever Games, in which a man called her a racial slur. After fans identified the man, he was fired by his employer, Hilton Grand Vacations.
Gray said on July 15: “I’m like, enough is enough. It’s not the first time I’ve had a message like this. There have been others… but it’s just time. I’ve had enough of it, so I just decided to share it.”
We shouldn’t need to be reminded that this country has a horrific history of black people being harmed and even murdered in the name of “protecting” white women. The WNBA All-Star Game is being held this weekend in Emmett Till’s hometown of Chicago, and a local art gallery is currently hosting an exhibit imagining what his life would have been like if he hadn’t been lynched. While it is the WNBA’s responsibility to go the extra mile to protect its players, Clark should also be expected to recognize the broader implications of his actions.
There’s no question that WNBA officiating needs to get better, but no one expects Clark to be a punching bag. But the W is a physical league and always has been. Clark draws fouls not because players are jealous or trying to get her, but because her 3-point shooting and passing ability force defenders to pick her up from the baseline. Otherwise she will make you pay.
(Incidentally, the same defensive principles apply to Sabrina Ionescu and Paige Backers, as well as JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo entering the league.)
Again, I’m not a Clark hater. She is a great asset to the league and to women’s sports.
She’ll be even better if she makes it to the Oscar audition.
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
NEW DELHI – Thousands of supporters of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement are camping in the capital New Delhi to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the biggest public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his third term.
Let’s take a look at the origins of the protests and the current situation.
Why do protesters want Pradhan to resign?
The direct trigger for the demonstrations was the cancellation of the National Eligibility and Entrance Examination (NEET), India’s medical entrance exam, after it was revealed that the question papers had been leaked.
Approximately 2 million students across India took the exam on May 3, but it was later canceled after about 12 students committed suicide in connection with the cancellation.
A retest was held in June.
Why is NEET important?
The exam is the only gateway to medical school in all of India and is one of the toughest entrance exams in India, with millions of candidates taking it every year and competing for fewer than 150,000 seats.
The situation is also symptomatic of broader strains in the country’s higher education system, forcing millions of people to cram for months or even years on extremely limited slots, leaving many burnt out and in debt after high-stakes entrance exams.
Have exam papers ever been leaked?
Leaks of exam question papers are quite common in India, and the NEET questions themselves were similarly leaked in some places in 2024, but no re-examination was ordered at that time.
Documents for other exams in the South Asian country of 1.4 billion people, including those for police constables and teachers, have also been leaked.
Why is this leak different?
This year’s exam leaks coincided with the birth of a satirical movement calling itself the Cockroach Janta Party, which appears to have channeled youth discontent into the current protests.
Experts say the group, which amassed millions of Instagram followers within days of being founded in mid-May, has successfully tapped into the concerns of people under 30, who make up more than half of the country’s population, such as high youth unemployment and the leak of the latest exam questions.
How did the government respond?
Pradhan said the government is committed to addressing the concerns of young people and is committed to exam reform, while Modi himself has vowed to punish those behind the leaks.
Health Minister JP Nadda met with protesters on July 20 and asked for time to discuss their demands, including the release of fasting activist Sonam Wangchuck, who was taken to hospital last week, and compensation of $104,000 each for students who died by suicide after the exam leak.
How is it now?
Two days after tens of thousands of demonstrators attempting to march on parliament were attacked with tear gas and batons, thousands remain camped at a sit-in protest site in New Delhi, and movement leaders say they will remain there until their demands are met.
Opposition parties, including the main opposition Congress party, also vowed to advance their cause inside and outside parliament, seeing it as another opportunity to corner Mr. Modi and his party over the issue, which has caused a huge stir and affects Mr. Modi’s youth voting base.
Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy results do not rule out criminal activity
“This is just one piece of the puzzle.” Preliminary findings from Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy found that he died of unknown causes.
Preliminary results from an independent autopsy on Nolan Xavier Wells indicate that the 18-year-old died of unknown causes, the family’s attorney announced on July 22.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a news conference that an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell and paid for by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick also found the cause of Wells’ death to be unclear.
Wells, a football player at Southwest Mississippi Community College, was reported missing after failing to return from a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, with friends. Authorities recovered his body on July 6.
Mr Wells’ family has raised questions about his disappearance, and the teenager’s death has received widespread attention from celebrities such as Nancy Grace.
Bailey C. Martin, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, confirmed in a July 22 statement to USA TODAY that the state medical examiner had completed an initial autopsy on Wells, but said the investigation was “active and ongoing.”
“I have no comment on the investigation or the independent autopsy that has been conducted,” Martin said, calling on the public to “let the investigative process run its course.”
Nolan Wells’ own autopsy findings pending further investigation
Mitchell said in his report that both the cause and manner of Wells’ death are undetermined pending further investigation. An independent autopsy was conducted July 10 after an initial autopsy by the state medical examiner, Crump said.
Martin told USA TODAY that the state medical examiner performed an initial autopsy on Wells at 8:30 a.m. July 7.
“Examinations were performed in accordance with standard procedures and protocols following all autopsies performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office,” Martin said.
Among the notable findings in Mr Mitchell’s report was an area of red discoloration in the tissue at the back of Mr Wells’ head near the occipital bone.
“We actually saw that photo, and this is important. You can’t help but notice, why is there this dark red color on the back of his head?” Crump said.
Mitchell wrote that the cause of death is unknown, in part because details about the circumstances of Wells’ death are unknown, including how he got into the water and how exactly his body was found.
Due to the decomposition of the body and the fact that the initial autopsy had already been performed, Mitchell said it was not possible to fully examine Wells’ airway and stomach. Additionally, Mitchell said he does not have Wells’ toxicology results, which would be a key element of his findings.
Mitchell also said in his report that he received Wells’ body, with part of his neck and throat removed. Mitchell said those parts of the body were being retained by the coroner for further evaluation, which he assumed was common.
What we know about Nolan Wells’ death
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said investigators have found no signs of foul play and the investigation continues. However, speculation surrounding Wells’ death intensified after photos and videos purported to be related to the incident surfaced.
Crump said the family does not accept that Wells may have drowned accidentally, given that he was an excellent swimmer.
Once the Sheriff’s Office completes its investigation, the case will be turned over to Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlras, who will present it to a grand jury. This is standard procedure for unnatural deaths in Jackson County and does not necessarily indicate that a crime has been committed or suspected.
more: Nolan Wells was not in the viral video, friends say. what we know
$125,000 reward announced as family remembers Nolan Wells at funeral
At Wells’ funeral on July 20, his mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, and father, Elmore Wansley Sr., said their son had a “peaceful, gentle spirit,” the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Christine Wells-Wonsley said: “Your absence has left a void that will never be filled. A part of our hearts will always be missing.” “Nolan, we love you.”
The funeral, financed by director and actor Tyler Perry, was attended by celebrities including Spike Lee and former NFL star Terrell Owens.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who led the service, announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in Wells’ case, with a maximum of $100,000, including Perry’s match. On July 21, Owens said he would donate an additional $25,000.
Crump urged anyone with information about the incident to call 888-991-1772.
Nolan Wells’ family questions deleted messages and recorded argument
Sharpton said at a press conference on July 10 that much of the family’s concerns centered on the cellphone that Wells’ friends had with him after he went missing.
When it was returned, Wells Wonsley said that recent Snapchat activity appeared to have been deleted earlier than the app’s normal expiration date.
Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Crump said on July 10 that the family also knew that an argument on the island involving Mr. Wells was recorded shortly before his disappearance. In a comment to ABC News, one of Wells’ friends who was with him that day, Tracestin Shepherd, disputed that Wells appeared in the video.
Crump said at a July 10 press conference that the family has concerns about whether Mississippi authorities will be able to provide what they consider a fair and transparent investigation. Mr Sharpton called for a “full and thorough investigation” at the funeral.
Contributors: Anthony Thompson, Pam Dunkins, Bonnie Bolden, N’Dare Yancey Bragg
The gap between rich and poor in America is expanding explosively. Should the wealthy pay more?
Income inequality is widening in the United States, sparking a national debate over whether the ultra-rich should be subject to a wealth tax.
Tax loss harvesting is a popular way for many Americans to lower their taxes each year, but it also has a less popular but powerful sibling: tax gain harvesting.
Tax gain harvesting is the strategic sale of assets that have increased in value to minimize future taxes. This is the opposite of loss recovery, where you sell an underwater asset to apply capital gains or losses against ordinary income of up to $3,000 each year.
Experts say that by using tax gain harvesting during periods of low income, you can not only avoid paying taxes on your gains, but also potentially permanently lower the taxes you might have to pay later if you buy back the same investment and it appreciates in value. Tax gain harvesting is not subject to wash sale rules like tax loss harvesting, which prevents you from immediately buying back the same investment.
Emily Shacklett, CPA, wealth advisor and managing director at Hightower Signature Wealth, said the strategy is “particularly compelling in years of lower income, such as before Social Security kicks in, before RMDs (required minimum distributions), when you lose a job, or during an early retirement bridge period.” “There may be years when you have less income, but that’s a phenomenal time in your life to recognize capital gains.”
What benefits does tax gain harvesting provide?
“Long-term capital gains are taxed at a 0% federal rate in years when taxable income falls below a certain level,” said Kevin Knull, CEO of TaxStatus, which provides financial data from the IRS to professionals. “Investors in such a position can intentionally sell stocks or fund shares that have appreciated in value and immediately buy back the same investment without paying any federal taxes on the proceeds.”
In 2026, individuals with taxable income up to $49,450 or married couples filing jointly with taxable income up to $98,900 will pay a 0% federal capital gains rate. Taking the standard deduction and, for seniors, tiering your deductions, can also help lower your taxable income.
Explaining how this works, Knull says:
Let’s say you and your husband are both 67 years old, retiring in 2026, and living on $70,000 a year from pensions and IRA withdrawals. They also have a stock fund in a regular brokerage account that they bought a few years ago for $50,000 and is now worth about $126,400.
Pension and IRA income
$70,000
Basic deduction (married couple, both over 65 years old)
– $35,500
Senior citizen exemption ($6,000 per person, 2025-2028)
– $12,000
Taxable income before stock sale
$22,500
Top of Capital Gains 0% Tier (2026, Joint Filers)
$98,900
Long-term benefits realized at 0% federal tax rate
$76,400
Because their taxable income starts at $22,500, the couple could sell the entire fund and realize a long-term gain of $76,400, paying zero federal taxes. Their total taxable income falls right at the 0% cap of $98,900.
If you repurchase the Fund on the same day, your cost basis or purchase price will be reset from $50,000 to $126,400, helping to reduce subsequent taxable gains. Their income is also below the level that would trigger a temporary reduction in the senior citizen exemption or a Medicare surcharge, but state income taxes may still apply depending on where they live.
According to the IRS, the new senior citizen deduction will be phased out if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Medicare surcharges begin when an individual’s MAGI reaches $109,000 or $218,000 for joint filers.
For all these reasons, “tax gain harvesting is the opposite (of tax loss harvesting), and for many retirees, tax revenue harvesting is more valuable,” Knull said.
Not just adults
According to investment platform Wealthfront, tax gain harvesting works best when income is low or zero, and children are ideal for this strategy.
Wealthfront last month launched a custodial account that automatically sells high-value investments to realize gains while a child is in a low-tax or 0% federal tax bracket and buys alternative exchange-traded funds to maintain a portfolio’s target risk and return. A subsequent increase in the purchase price increases the cost basis of the investment and reduces the amount of gain realized when the investment is later sold.
“It’s definitely an interesting concept and we’ve adopted it for some of our clients who have custodial accounts, but we didn’t put it on autopilot because of concerns around the child tax,” Shacklet said.
The child tax is an IRS rule that makes a child’s unearned income, such as interest, dividends, and capital gains, taxable above a certain threshold at the parent’s marginal tax rate rather than at the child’s lower tax rate. The idea is to prevent people from shuffling money to their children to avoid higher tax rates.
To combat this, Wealthfront only provides tax-free growth of up to $1,350 each year, so you don’t owe any federal taxes and don’t have to file a return. Your child must file a tax return if their annual unearned income, such as interest, dividends, or capital gains, reaches $1,350. This is because any amount above this will be subject to the child’s lower marginal tax rate. Amounts above $2,700 are subject to the parent’s marginal tax rate.
“It’s not a bad idea, but always stay aware of the situation,” says Shacklet.
Are there any disadvantages to tax gain harvesting?
Experts said tax gainers need to consider state taxes. Most states tax capital gains, with rates ranging from 0% to over 13%. California taxes capital gains at the same rate as income.
“Basically, the (zero tax) strategy works for federal purposes because the tax rate is 0%, and capital gains are exempt in states that don’t have income taxes,” said Richard Pong, a certified public accountant in San Francisco.
Although Wealthfront’s automatic collection of tax gains in custodial accounts is set up to avoid triggering state tax reporting requirements, “it is important to note that state and local tax laws vary widely and may impose different or additional requirements beyond federal regulations,” said Alex Michalka, Wealthfront’s vice president of investment research. “Therefore, it is always wise to consult a tax professional regarding the specific tax implications of your situation.”
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 morning.
President Trump says transporting soldiers with dignity is the ‘hardest thing’ to do
President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the dignified transfer of soldiers killed in the Iran war.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump paid tribute to four soldiers recently killed in the war in Iran by witnessing a dignified transfer in Dover, Delaware, on July 22, shortly after making new threats against civilian targets in Iran.
The deaths of four U.S. soldiers over the weekend came as the United States ramped up its attacks on Iran, carrying out 11 consecutive days of airstrikes, with no end in sight to the war that President Trump vowed months ago to end quickly.
“They are certainly great heroes,” President Trump told reporters about the fallen soldiers before heading to Dover Air Force Base, where their bodies were returned to the United States. “They all said very strongly that we can’t let Iran have nuclear weapons, so we respect them.”
more: President Trump threatens to escalate retaliatory attacks on Iran and blow up bridges
President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave a right-handed salute as the remains of the four soldiers in American flag-draped caskets were transferred from the plane to a vehicle. A family member could be heard crying as their loved one was removed from the plane.
more: US spent $37.5 billion on Iran war, Hegseth says in heated hearing
Three of the fallen soldiers whose bodies were returned to the United States were killed in an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. They are Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Private Isabella Gonzalez, 19, of Carrollton, Texas. And Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York.
The fourth soldier, Sgt. Michael Emanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died during a controlled explosion of an Iranian drone that was shot down in northern Iraq.
President Trump met privately with families of soldiers before the transfer ceremony. As he left Washington, Trump said welcoming back fallen soldiers was “one of the hardest things I have to do as president.”
“All I want to say is, ‘We love you. We love your children,'” Trump said of meeting with the families. “They’re their kids. There’s no games or anything. It’s their kids. And all you can do is give your heart out.”
more: How repatriation with dignity brings fallen U.S. service members home
Families of fallen soldiers leave ceremony with Trump on Air Force One
After the short ceremony, President Trump will leave the Air Force base on Air Force One en route to Marietta, Georgia, where he is scheduled to speak about the newly enabled Trump Account for newborns.
Feehan’s family joined the president on the presidential plane and returned to his home state of Georgia. A White House official said Trump offered to “give them a ride home.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican, North Carolina. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, and several White House officials also attended the dignified transfer.
In total, at least 18 U.S. military personnel have died in the U.S. war in Iran. The war began about five months ago and has become increasingly unpopular among Americans in recent polls.
The Pentagon announced this week that more than 100 U.S. soldiers have been injured in the Iran war since July 7, most with mild concussions.
President Trump has vowed to retaliate against Iran in retaliation for the recent deaths of US soldiers and warned that Iran would “pay a price” for the attack. On July 22, he further escalated his threats, vowing in a social media post that he would order all ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping waterway, to attack civilian targets such as bridges and power plants.
Johnson faces midterm election pressure in the Republican caucus as voters express disgust with the war with Iran, which lasts longer than expected.
Pentagon says about 100 US military personnel were injured in July during Iran war
Nearly 100 U.S. military personnel were injured in the war with Iran in July, according to the Pentagon chief.
WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson, a prominent Republican ally of President Donald Trump, is calling for an end to the Iran war as fighting escalates in a conflict he says voters are becoming fed up with.
“We have to get this together,” Johnson (R-Louisiana) said at a July 21 press conference.
The unpopular war appears to be escalating despite continued efforts by the White House toward negotiations and a ceasefire, as the U.S. marks its 12th possible day of attacks on Iran and multiple allies in the Gulf report attacks from Iran.
more: President Trump threatens to escalate retaliatory attacks on Iran and blow up bridges
The escalation could pose a political dilemma for Republicans, who aim to maintain fragile majorities in both chambers of Congress in November’s midterm elections. Only about a third of MAGA voters say a war with Iran is worth the economic cost, down from nearly half of MAGA voters in May, according to a POLITICO poll released Wednesday. Just a week ago, a Washington Post/Ipsos poll reported that more than two-thirds of Americans disapproved of the president’s handling of the conflict.
more: About 100 American soldiers injured in Iran war this month: Pentagon
President Trump’s schedule for Wednesday includes attending the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members killed in last weekend’s conflict. En route to an event at an air force base in Delaware, the president continued to call for military action, writing on Truth Social:
“From now on, every time the Islamic Republic of Iran shells a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether by missiles, rockets, drones, or other devices or weapons, the United States will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant, including a bridge or power plant next to or located in the capital Tehran. Thank you for drawing attention to this issue! President Donald J. Trump.”
more: 19-year-old soldier from Texas dies in Jordanian base attack
The House is scheduled to vote again this week on the War Powers Resolution to end U.S. involvement in the conflict before going on a month-long recess in August.
more: Exclusive: Johnson backs new 60-day deadline if fighting escalates with Iran
He told USA Today in late June that if fighting continued, Congressional approval for military action could require another 60 days.
(This article has been updated with new information. )
Director Guillermo del Toro directs new commercial for Patrón Tequila
“Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro directed Patrón Tequila’s new commercial, “The Perfect Pour.”
National Tequila Day on Friday, July 24th is going to be especially sweet this year.
Matthew and Camila McConaughey’s Pantaloons Organic Tequila has teamed up with Tipsy Scoop Burrers on a tequila-fortified ice cream just in time for the holidays. The limited edition Pantalones Peach & Cream Margarita Ice Cream is available now at all Tipsy Scoop Barlers for $8.50 for a scoop or $16 for a to-go pint. The ice cream is also available for purchase nationwide as part of a four-pint pack for $109.95 through online food delivery site Goldbelly.
Pantalones’ fresh peach ice cream infused with organic reposado tequila and a hint of lime “captures the essence of a perfectly crafted peach margarita in every bite,” according to a news release from the companies.
“Most margaritas are served on the rocks. This summer, we decided to offer them in scoops,” Persia Tatar, chief marketing officer of Pantalones Organic Tequila, said in a release. “National Tequila Day is one of our favorite holidays, so it was a no-brainer to partner with Tipsy Scoop to turn summer margaritas into ice cream. It’s fun, unexpected, and proof that tequila can be found in more places than just the glass.”
Later this summer, the Tipsy Scoop Barrel location in Dallas will also add Pantalones Dallas Margarita Sorbet to its permanent menu (in-store for $8.50 per scoop and $16 per pint).
Beer cheese crackers: Cheez-It partners with Coors Light to develop new flavor
Learn more about Couple’s Tequila Brand here
The McConaugheys have enjoyed the tequila brand. “No, the world doesn’t need more celebrity tequilas,” they said (and that comment still stands) on their website when they debuted Pantalones nearly two years ago.
Back in November 2024, the couple released a new Pantalone ad that parodied the 2003 film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, starring McConaughey and Kate Hudson. In the ad, titled “10 Ways to Lose Your Pants,” Alves wears the same dress that Hudson wore in the film’s official poster. McConaughey is shown without pants and his lower body is pixelated. This year, the two released an ad titled “Official Tequila of Riding Bareback” on Valentine’s Day in February 2026.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
Donald McDonald sings national anthem at baseball game
McDonald’s famous mascot, Donald McDonald, brought the crowd to its feet as he sang the national anthem.
McDonald’s has a new hack for baseball fans looking to save money.
The fast food chain has unveiled the Mac Value Pack, a limited-edition stadium-ready clear bag designed to help fans bring their favorite McDonald’s products to the ballpark. However, this item will only be sold in three cities and then a limited number will be sold online.
On Wednesday, July 22nd, Mac Value Packs will be launched at locations closest to Major League Baseball’s three iconic stadiums in Boston, Chicago and Seattle, the company told USA TODAY. For one day only, selected customers can win a McValue Pack filled with McValue favorites like McChicken, McDouble, 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets and more while supplies last. The giveaway will begin one hour before first pitch at one McDonald’s location near each ballpark.
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Where can I get the Mac Value Pack on July 22nd?
MacValue Packs are available at the following locations in Boston, Chicago, and Seattle.
540 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts – Puck will be available at 6:10pm ET for the 7:10pm game.
3610 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois – Puck will be available starting at 6:10 PM CT for the 7:10 PM game.
2401 4th Ave South, Seattle, Washington – Packs will be on sale for games from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. PT.
Can I still get the MacValue Pack if I don’t live in one of the three cities?
yes. For fans who can’t make it to these cities, McDonald’s will be selling a limited number of McValue Packs online for $2.99 on Friday, July 24th at GoldenArchesUnlimited.com. Drops begin at 9am ET and packs will be available while supplies last. The packs sold online do not include food, but do include a $10 arch card that allows customers to get their favorite menu item.
According to McDonald’s, there is a limit of one Mac Value Pack per person, both online and in-person.
Contributor: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
French authorities are investigating after the body of a model scout who had ties to the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was discovered in her Paris home.
The body of 69-year-old Daniel Chiad was discovered in his home in the Paris suburb of Colombes on Monday, July 20, Marie-Céline Louris, a deputy prosecutor at the Court of Justice of Nanterre, confirmed to USA TODAY.
His cause and manner of death were not immediately known.
Lawris said in an email statement Wednesday that authorities began an investigation Monday night to determine how Sead died, adding that an autopsy is pending in the case.
Siad is one of a number of men named in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice. The model recruiter’s name appears nearly 2,000 times in the file.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of pimping a minor and died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of child prostitution.
According to French media, at least five women have accused Mr. Siad of rape and human trafficking, charges he denies. Siad’s lawyer told Reuters his client “has never been the subject of formal judicial proceedings.”
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Whose names are on the Epstein files?
Throughout President Donald Trump’s second term, both Democrats and Republicans have criticized his administration’s handling of the Epstein files, but many of the pages distributed were heavily redacted.
Additional Epstein files released by the Justice Department on January 30 revealed new details about Epstein’s relationships with a number of powerful people, including former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. No one was charged with any crime related to Epstein.
Mr. Trump, a former associate of Mr. Epstein, met with Mr. Epstein in the 1990s when both were prominent figures in high finance. President Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein decades ago, but the relationship between the two men stalled him and he later reversed his stance on releasing the files.
The case was thought to have ended after Epstein’s death and the 2021 conviction of Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, but it remains in the spotlight following calls for transparency and Congressional recognition, prompting the Justice Department to release millions of documents under the Epstein File Transparency Act, which was signed into law on November 19.
Contributed by: Reuters
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
