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Chick-fil-A has lost its top spot. Customer ratings never went down

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Chick-fil-A has lost its top spot. Customer ratings never went down

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Chick-fil-A has been at the top of the customer satisfaction rankings for more than a decade, but why did it finally dethrone the fast food throne?

Things went Jersey Mike’s way this year, ending Chick-fil-A’s 11-year run as No. 1 in the quick-service category on the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index. But that doesn’t mean Chick-fil-A’s ratings have suddenly dropped. In fact, the ratings didn’t go down at all.

According to data from ACSI, which measures customer ratings of major restaurant chains, Chick-fil-A’s score remained unchanged from the previous survey, while Jersey Mike’s score rose slightly. The bigger takeaway for customers is that competition in fast food appears to be increasing, especially as hungry patrons pay closer attention to freshness, variety and value.

What has changed in the rankings?

Chick-fil-A loyalists might think the chain’s satisfaction scores have plummeted, but the data tells a more nuanced picture.

Jersey Mike’s ranked #1 among quick service restaurants with a score of 84 out of 100 in the latest U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index report. Chick-fil-A was just one point behind in second place with 83 points.

In case you missed it: Fast food used to be an inexpensive meal option. Why has it changed?

Has Chick-fil-A’s score actually gone down?

No. Chick-fil-A remained at 83, the same score it had in the previous survey when it still held the top spot.

In other words, the chicken chain didn’t fall as much as its rivals rose a little. Jersey Mike’s improved just enough to move forward slightly.

Why did Jersey Mike’s move on?

Jersey Mike’s received high marks in the survey for freshness, food variety and perceived value. As customers compare taste and price, these factors seem to become more important.

The broader fast food category also saw a decline in customer satisfaction compared to last year, suggesting diners may be more sensitive to cost and overall experience.

Where is Chick-fil-A heading yet?

When ACSI segmented quick-service restaurants, Chick-fil-A was still ranked No. 1 in the chicken category. It ranks higher than chain restaurants such as Raising Cane’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. This category leadership reflects years of research showing that Chick-fil-A’s customer experience ranks highly.

Additionally, Chick-fil-A recorded 98% customer satisfaction in the drive-thru category, according to a 2025 study by Intouch Insight and QSR Magazine. This study linked Chick-fil-A’s performance to order accuracy, friendliness, and overall satisfaction.

What does this mean for customers?

For Chick-fil-A regulars, the new rankings don’t necessarily mean their favorite chain has fallen. It shows a closely contested field where the slightest change in score can change the top rankings.

The report suggests that the bigger issue is increased competition. Customers can rest assured that Chick-fil-A continues to enjoy a strong reputation even as its competitors position themselves with an emphasis on freshness, variety and value.

Where can readers see the report?

The latest restaurant satisfaction rankings can be found in the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index Survey on theacsi.com.

Drive-Thru survey results are available from QSR Magazine (qsrmagazine.com).

This story was created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing, and publication process. learn more.

Extreme weather warning in effect amid threat of storms, heatwave and smoke

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Extreme weather warning in effect amid threat of storms, heatwave and smoke

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Forecasters say a series of powerful thunderstorms could bring flash flooding to the Midwest and East Coast as the region battles a potentially record-setting heat dome and lingering toxic wildfire smoke.

The severe weather comes after powerful storms battered large swathes of the country, causing flash floods and killing at least eight people in Texas, Arizona and Utah.

The National Weather Service has announced that severe thunderstorms could cause flash flooding in parts of the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions on July 20 and 21. The storm was developing along a cold front that was moving across the upper Midwest and through the Ohio Valley.

To the south, forecasters predicted the tropical depression would intensify into a tropical storm, bringing heavy rain and winds to the Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.

Meanwhile, a heatwave has taken hold in the central part of the country, with heatwave warnings in place and people being urged to stay hydrated and limit their time outdoors. Parts of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeastern Missouri could reach heat indexes of up to 116 degrees, the weather service warned.

Air pollution alerts remained in effect for much of the Great Lakes and Midwest as smoke from Canada’s wildfires is expected to linger for several more days. Wildfires in the West have caused air quality problems in parts of Oregon and northern Idaho, the National Weather Service said.

East coast and Gulf states face powerful storms

A cold front moving through the north central United States is expected to produce scattered severe thunderstorms across the Midwest before spreading from the Ohio Valley into the mid-Atlantic region, the weather service announced.

Rain showers were expected for parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan on July 20th. The National Weather Service said heavy rain could fall in major cities on the East Coast, including Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, into the middle of the week. Forecasters expect the heaviest rain to fall in eastern Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.

Meanwhile, a developing storm system in the Gulf Coast could cause flash flooding from west Florida to the Texas coast as it approaches land, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters expect the system to intensify on July 20 and become Tropical Storm Vata, the second named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The storm comes after heavy rains caused flash flooding in multiple states, killing at least eight people. On July 17, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that two men, ages 65 and 74, had died as a result of flooding. According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, five members of a family were killed in massive flooding in southern Utah on July 17th. The Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Department says they have recovered the body of a 29-year-old man who was washed away in the Santa Cruz River.

Toxic smoke lingers in Great Lakes region

Many areas of the central United States will be dealing with a potentially record-breaking heat wave and unhealthy air quality levels from the Canadian wildfires.

Wildfire smoke is expected to remain in the Great Lakes region for several days, affecting large swathes of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, the National Weather Service said. Wildfires in the West have triggered air quality warnings in Oregon and Idaho.

An alert issued in eastern Oregon warned that “smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions.” “People most at risk of adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and pregnant women.”

Toxic smoke from the Canadian wildfires produced sepia-tinged smoke that blanketed large swaths of the United States for several days, bringing unhealthy air quality to metropolitan areas including New York City, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.

Heat wave scorching central US

Federal weather forecasters have issued an emergency warning for people to limit their time outdoors as a heat wave stretches from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.

Meteorologists expect heat indices to exceed 100 to 110 degrees across large swathes of the country, including states such as South Dakota, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Memphis.

A heat warning for Memphis, Tennessee, urges people to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, avoid sunlight, and check on your relatives and neighbors.” “Use extreme caution when outdoors. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing. Limit strenuous exercise to early morning or late evening. If you are experiencing symptoms of heat stroke or heat stroke, take appropriate measures.”

Heat advisories were also active in several areas outside the central United States, including Nevada, Oregon, North Carolina, and Florida.

Contributors: Doyle Rice and Phaedra Trethan, america today

What happens if I mistakenly claim tax relief?

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What happens if I mistakenly claim tax relief?

Tax rules are complex, and eligibility requirements for deductions and credits often change from year to year. Therefore, even well-intentioned taxpayers can make mistakes on their tax returns.

Tax relief through credits, deductions, and other benefits can lower your tax bill. However, if you apply for benefits to which you are not actually eligible, report incorrect information, or make calculation errors, the IRS may require you to pay additional penalties and interest.

Thankfully, most incorrect tax relief claims are relatively easy to correct. Whether you receive a notice from the IRS or discover the mistake yourself, addressing the problem promptly can limit penalties and prevent the problem from escalating.

Here’s what you can do now if you think you’ve claimed tax relief in error.

What qualifies as a tax deduction error?

Even a small tax credit mistake can cause problems with your claim. “Most mistakes result from a misunderstanding of the rules rather than intentional abuse,” says Hector Castaneda, a certified public accountant and principal at Castaneda CPA Firm. Here are some examples of common mistakes.

  • Claiming a tax credit or deduction for which you do not actually qualify
  • Reporting incorrect income, dependents, and filing status
  • Misclassifying personal and business expenses or claiming the wrong amount
  • If you make a calculation error that affects the amount of deduction or refund
  • Lack of sufficient documentation to support claimed benefits

What if the IRS discovers an error on my tax return?

The IRS will send you a letter in the mail if it finds errors on your tax return. “The IRS won’t call, email, text, or show up at your door unless it’s a criminal case,” says Brian Barnhart, a tax attorney at Fox Rothschild and a former IRS trial attorney.

Don’t ignore the letter you receive from the IRS. This can cause further problems. Bernhardt explains that IRS notices typically have a response deadline of 30 to 90 days. “If you ignore these deadlines, you may lose your right to file a complaint with the IRS,” he says.

Instead, you should take steps to fix the problem immediately. “The best first step is to gather your returns, supporting documents, and notices to determine whether an amended return, amended payment, or formal response is needed,” says Debra Taylor, CPA and chief tax strategist at The Carson Group.

Do I have to return the money?

Generally yes. If you receive a tax relief for which you are not actually entitled, you generally must pay the full amount owed to the IRS, plus interest.

For example, Castaneda explains that he has clients whose children are no longer dependents as they age. The customer was still claiming tax credits for medical insurance that he was not actually eligible for. “They were expecting a large refund, but with the extension they now have to pay back the credit and incur interest,” he says.

Can I be fined if I incorrectly claim tax relief?

In some situations, the IRS may charge penalties in addition to unpaid taxes and interest.

The good news is that the IRS rarely charges steep penalties for honest mistakes or misunderstandings of complex tax laws. “First-time offenders tend to be released easily for small, non-serious mistakes,” Castaneda said.

There are also several penalty reduction programs, such as the IRS First Time Relief Program, which waive fines for many people with a compliance history.

So when do you really need to worry? “Significant penalties tend to apply when there is a pattern of mistakes, when claims are clearly unsubstantiated, when required returns are omitted, or when taxpayers ignore IRS notices,” Castaneda says.

How to amend your application for tax credits

If you receive a notice from the IRS that there is an error on your tax return, address the issue as soon as possible. To fix this you need to do the following:

  1. Identify the issue and collect documentation. Read the notice carefully to determine whether the problem is related to tax relief eligibility, miscalculations, missing income, or missing documentation. Gather supporting records such as receipts, invoices, tax forms, and other relevant documents.
  2. Respond to notifications or follow instructions. IRS notices typically include next steps. In many cases, if you agree to the notice and have nothing else to report on your taxes (such as additional income, expenses, credits, etc.), you can respond directly to the IRS notice and resolve the issue without amending your tax return.
  3. Please submit an amended return if necessary. You may need to amend your tax return if you find other problems or if the IRS notice specifically states that corrections are needed. In this case, you must file Form 1040-X and attach any required supporting documentation.
  4. Work with a tax professional in complex situations. A CPA or other tax professional can help you understand IRS notices, deal with complex tax issues, and file amended returns if necessary.
  5. Document your modifications. After correcting mistakes and paying additional taxes, “keep documentation showing the corrections made to reduce penalties and additional interest,” says Sherman Standberry, a certified public accountant and managing partner of My CPA Coach.

How to make sure your taxes are filed correctly in the future

Thinking ahead and gathering everything you need before filing your tax relief application can help you avoid problems down the road. “Taxpayers who avoid mistakes are typically those who plan early, track their income thresholds, keep receipts and records, and make sure each tax move fits into their broader financial plan,” Taylor says.

Many mistakes occur because taxpayers apply for tax relief without actually understanding the requirements they need to meet to qualify. That’s why it’s important to stay aware of how your tax situation changes from year to year and stay up to date with changes to laws and qualifications.

What about the big harvest? “Don’t wait until April to think about taxes,” says Taylor.

Bottom line: Errors do happen. Please fix it immediately to avoid penalties.

If you receive a notice from the IRS or notice an error on your tax return, take steps to correct it immediately. Honest mistakes are usually easy to correct. “If someone misunderstands the rules, but has the documentation and quickly corrects it, paying the unpaid taxes and interest will often resolve the issue,” Taylor says.

Keeping accurate records and understanding what you are eligible for will help you avoid problems in the future. If you need further assistance, the experts at your tax relief company can also guide you through the process.

FAQ: Incorrect tax relief application

What happens if I mistakenly claim a tax relief to which I am not entitled?

If you mistakenly claim tax relief to which you are not entitled, you will typically have to repay the benefits you received, plus any accrued interest. If the IRS finds a problem with your claim, you may receive a notification by mail.

If I incorrectly claim tax relief, will I be automatically penalized?

No, you are not automatically penalized for making a mistake on your taxes. In many cases, you only have to pay the taxes you owe along with the interest. That said, a pattern of careless mistakes or intentionally misleading claims is more likely to result in fines. Tax mistakes and ignoring IRS notices can also result in additional penalties.

Can I correct an incorrect tax credit application myself?

yes. In many cases, you can resolve the issue by responding to the IRS notice or amending your tax return yourself. However, if your tax situation is more complex, you may need the help of a tax professional.

Should I report the error before the tax authorities contact me?

Voluntarily disclosing a tax mistake can help resolve the issue early and potentially avoid paying additional penalties and interest that would result from waiting for an investigation.

Troy Jackson is likely to replace Platner.

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Troy Jackson is likely to replace Platner.

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  • At the county nominating convention on July 18 and 19, Mr. Jackson received 481 of the 500 delegates who would vote for a new candidate at the July 25 nominating convention.
  • Secretary of State Shena Bellows withdrew Sunday morning, followed by former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah and former congressional aide Jordan Wood Sunday night.
  • Delegates are not required to endorse Mr. Jackson at the convention, but his dominant performance suggests he will win the nomination.

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson appears almost certain to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate to replace oyster farmer Graham Platner after his main opponent resigned over the weekend.

According to Jackson’s campaign, at the July 18 and 19 county nominating conventions, Jackson received at least 481 of the 500 delegates who will vote for a new candidate at the July 25 nominating convention. The winning candidate must receive a majority of the 600 delegate votes at the convention.

As he gathered delegates, his main competitors ended their campaigns.

Maine Secretary of State Shena Bellows withdrew Sunday morning, followed by former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, former Congressional aide Jordan Wood, and on Sunday evening, Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban.

Mr. Shah, Mr. Wood and Mr. Kleban supported Mr. Jackson’s resignation.

“After nearly 30 years, Susan Collins has given Maine more excuses than independence. That’s why I’m canceling my Senate campaign today and endorsing Troy Jackson,” Shah said in a statement posted on social media on July 19. “The Maine Democratic Party is united, angry and energized.”

Jackson thanked them all on social media.

“Now is the time for all of us to come together and build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Susan Collins,” Jackson said.

Jackson will replace Platner, who withdrew from the race on July 10 following allegations of sexual assault, which Platner denies. Democrats want to flip the seat currently held by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) to take control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

Delegates are not required to endorse Mr. Jackson at the convention, but his dominant performance suggests he will win the nomination, especially with his main competitors out of the race. Seven other candidates remain, but they are less well known. To officially qualify, all candidates must collect at least 500 signatures by July 20th at 11:59 p.m.

Who is Troy Jackson?

Jackson is a lumberjack from Allagash. Mr. Platner was already seen as the front-runner to replace Mr. Platner when he entered the race, local political commentators said.

Jackson served as president of the Maine Senate from 2018 to 2024, but lost gubernatorial races in 2014 and 2026, and lost to Hannah Pingree in this year’s primary.

Mr. Jackson and Mr. Platner announced their mutual support earlier this year, and Mr. Jackson’s gubernatorial bid has attracted support from labor leaders, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, among others. Mr. Jackson is endorsed by Our Revolution, a grassroots political action group that grew out of Mr. Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

Jim Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine at Farmington, told USA TODAY in an interview in early July: “I think Troy Jackson is the closest thing to Platner in terms of populism, criticizing corporations and emphasizing labor unions.” “Platner’s base would be the happiest with acquiring Jackson.”

Get a free thin cookie from Crumbl on July 20th. Here’s how:

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Get a free thin cookie from Crumbl on July 20th. Here’s how:

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Crumbl distributes cookies free of charge to its customers without any conditions.

Customers can receive a free Thin Cookie on Monday, July 20, the cookie company announced in a post on its social media page. This offer is available in-store only at all Crumbl locations while supplies last.

“Tomorrow you can trust THIN,” Crumble said in an Instagram post on Sunday, July 19. “Stop by to get a free Thin. No purchase necessary!”

Customers can choose from four classic flavors.

  • pink sugar
  • chocolate chip
  • s’mores
  • brownie butter

The bakery chain’s website states that each store is offering one free cookie per person.

More news: When will pumpkin spice season return? sooner than I expected

Thin cookies appear on Crumble’s weekly menu

Crumble is known for changing its menu weekly. While some thin cookies will be available for free on Monday, July 20, Crumble has added the following thin cookies to its list of weekly flavors available from July 19 to July 25, according to the website.

  • Red Velvet Cookie Thin – Set of 2
  • dubai style chocolate thin sandwich cookies
  • Marrow thin sandwich cookies
  • Cookie Butter Cookie Thins – Set of 2
  • Cake Dough Cookie Thin – Set of 2
  • Strawberry Cookie Thin – Set of 2
  • M&M’s Mini Cookie Thins – Set of 2
  • Pink Sugar Cookie Thin – Set of 2
  • S’mores Cookie Thins – Set of 2
  • Brownie Butter Cookie Thin – Set of 2
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shins – Set of 2

Cookies can be ordered online or in-store, but some flavors are not included in the July 20 giveaway.

Customers are satisfied with the gift of thin cookies

When the chain posted about the giveaway on its social media pages, customers flooded the comments with excitement about the deal. There were many “I’ll go” and “YES!” comment.

One Instagram user commented, “Thin is the best! 🙌.” Meanwhile, one user on X couldn’t contain his excitement over the sweet treat, saying: “What a great day for a free cookie.”

Julia Gomez is a trends reporter for USA TODAY, covering space phenomena, scientific research and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamariegz or email jgomez@gannett.com..

Sen. Darling Graham runs for Lindsay’s seat with Trump’s support

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Sen. Darling Graham runs for Lindsay’s seat with Trump’s support

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Sen. Darin Graham, who is serving the remainder of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s term, said he will seek a full term in the South Carolina seat his brother held for more than 20 years.

Graham told Fox News anchor Sean Hannity on July 20, “I’ve made a decision. I’m going to participate.”

Graham’s decision comes three days after she received a major endorsement from President Donald Trump as she sought to replace her brother, who died on July 11.

“Run, darling, run!” President Trump said in a Truth social post on July 17. Graham, 62, “has been a lifelong winner and if she accepts, she will have my full and complete support,” the president wrote.

Lindsey Graham won the Republican nomination for a fifth term as South Carolina representative in June. After his death, the Republican nominee for the South Carolina Senate race will be determined by a special primary election. Republicans seeking Senate seats can apply from July 21 to July 28, ahead of the Aug. 11 primary that will determine the candidate to challenge Democrat Annie Andrews in the November midterm elections.

Graham said in an interview with Hannity that he was praying about his decision and discussing it with his family.

“I know I’m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsay,” she said. “I feel like I can do it. I feel peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, of course.”

These supermarkets and restaurants serve Taylor Farms lettuce

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These supermarkets and restaurants serve Taylor Farms lettuce

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Taylor Farms produces much of the lettuce sold in American supermarkets and fast food restaurants.

At the moment, many consumers want to know which one is which.

Taylor Farms has been in the news for a historic outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an “explosive diarrhea” disease that has seen cases spike in more than 30 states in recent weeks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that as of July 19, no lettuce samples from Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora. On July 18, the FDA announced that lettuce samples taken from Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora. The agency later announced that the test was a false positive.

The agency said it continues to work with Taylor Farms to continue tracing the source.

On July 17, Taylor Farms announced a voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products as a result of the outbreak and investigation. Initially, lettuce from Mexico’s Taylor Farms, which was partially sold through Taco Bell stores in five states, was thought to be the source of the illness.

The FDA has told Americans not to eat some iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms.

Consumers may have difficulty following the instructions. It’s hard to know exactly where the lettuce in a restaurant’s tacos, burgers, or subs comes from.

Here’s a primer on Taylor Farms and its global reach.

How big is Taylor Farms?

According to the company’s website, Taylor Farms is “the world’s leading producer of salads and healthy fresh produce,” with facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe.

Taylor Farms has $7 billion in revenue, more than 25,000 employees and 30 processing facilities, according to a spring 2026 profile in UC Berkeley Haas Magazine.

“Taylor Farms has a broad range of retail, food service and prepared foods operations, partnering with every major retail group, club store and quick-service restaurant chain in the country,” the profile says.

Which supermarket chains sell Taylor Farms lettuce?

many.

Visit the company’s “Find a Product” page and enter your location to see the names of U.S. supermarkets and big box stores that carry Taylor Farms salad kits and other products.

The list includes Walmart, Target, Safeway, Whole Foods, Meijer, Vons, Food 4 Less, HEB, Sprouts, Fry’s, Albertsons and Kroger.

Which restaurant chains serve Taylor Farms lettuce?

That question is difficult to answer.

Thanks to a much-debated recall, we know Taco Bell was serving Taylor Farms lettuce.

Chipotle also offers produce from Taylor Farms, company officials confirmed on July 20.

“We continue to follow the Cyclospora investigation very closely, but at this time we do not believe the ingredients we source are related,” said Laurie Sharrow, Chipotle’s chief executive officer and food safety officer.

Taylor Farms’ website does not include a complete list of major chain restaurants that will serve its lettuce in 2026. So it’s difficult to guess which brands consumers want to avoid.

Thanks to a 2014 report from Capital & Main and The Huffington Post, we know which chains have offered Taylor Farms lettuce and other produce in the past.

The list includes McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Long John Silver’s and Pizza Hut, as well as Darden Restaurants, which has brands such as Olive Garden.

Has Taylor Farms ever had a recall?

Yes, but some past recalls may have involved mislabeled products rather than potential pathogens.

Some examples:

Company officials attribute the large number of recalls to the company’s size.

“If you just do the math, we have fewer recalls than anyone else for our size,” Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor told the Times.

What is the Taylor Farm story?

Taylor Farms was founded in 1995 by Mr. Taylor, a third-generation lettuce grower in California’s Salinas Valley, and several partners. The company’s goal was to become “North America’s favorite producer of salads and healthy fresh foods,” according to its website.

Taylor Farms has grown into a major maker of salads and other health foods, according to a Berkeley Business School profile.

Taylor Farms has also played an important role in promoting food safety.

Around 2007, Taylor partnered with the Produce Marketing Association to form the Produce Safety Center. Taylor Farms has worked with other producers to standardize food safety practices in the industry.

In 2009, Taylor Farms introduced the “SmartWash Solution.” Berkeley’s profile called it “an innovative wash water monitoring system that disinfects and prevents microbial cross-contamination.”

Taylor Farms entered the supermarket industry in 2012 with “the first-ever branded prepackaged chopped salads with dressings and seasonings,” according to the profile.

According to a 2026 report in trade journal Western Farm Press, Taylor Farms also revolutionized the industry by “transforming into a fixed-price business that provides guaranteed profits to producers while providing a steady supply to customers.”

For the past few years, restaurateurs and supermarkets have been plagued by unpredictable prices for produce. Taylor Farms changed that.

“McDonald’s wanted shredded lettuce,” Bruce Taylor said in a trade report. “They wanted a consistent product at a stable price.”

Contributor: Melina Khan

How are Americans coping with rising prices?

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How are Americans coping with rising prices?

good morning! I’m Daniel de Visé from Daily Money.

Esther Malkin is dipping into her savings to pay rent. Mike Dedivitis used his retirement account to pay for repairs on his pickup. Kerrigan Rosado bakes bread to save a few dollars at the grocery store.

American consumers have a hard time remembering a time when inflation wasn’t on their minds. My colleagues and I asked six American consumers how they were coping with price increases. Here’s what they said:

Is the new retirement benefit “magic number” out of reach?

New research reaffirms old contradictions in retirement planning. American workers believe they need more than $1 million in savings to retire comfortably, a goal most workers don’t expect to achieve.

📰 Other stories you can’t miss 📰

📰 great read 📰

And here are some popular stories from our archives that you may have missed. Please read it! share!

Age 62 is the earliest age most Americans can claim Social Security. It’s also the most popular age to claim retirement benefits.

But is 62 the best age to claim Social Security?

Daniel de Visse covers personal finance for USA TODAY. Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

15 travelers share their biggest mistakes and help you avoid them

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15 travelers share their biggest mistakes and help you avoid them

From forgetting your passport to canceling your cruise, travelers share their costly mistakes and lessons they hope others avoid.

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Travel rarely goes as planned.

Flights get delayed, luggage goes missing, cell phones go missing, and sometimes just one oversight can derail an entire vacation.

We are not immune to accidents. USA TODAY staffers share their worst travel mistakes and lessons learned. We then asked you to share the worst travel accident you’ve had and, more importantly, what you learned from it.

The 15 stories below range from frustrating to funny to downright unbelievable, but each one contains practical lessons that can help another traveler avoid the same fate. Think of it as a hard-earned lesson by people who have already made mistakes. You don’t have to.

Edited for length and clarity.

1. The 10 minutes that influenced your entire trip

I’m 83 years old and one of my granddaughters planned a European cruise for her 30th birthday. Due to flight delays and no wheelchair support, I was 10 minutes late for my connection. I was rebooked without business class and arrived in London without any sleep. My luggage was also missing until an hour before departure. I missed most of the cruise sites because I was sleep deprived for 38 hours and never fully recovered. Travelocity and British Airways have said I am not obligated to refund the business class portion.

▶ Lessons learned: NEVER BOOK THROUGH (THIRD PARTY SITE) AGAIN. Always use the airline itself. Just in case, pack more in your carry-on.

— Sherry Cook

2. “Cruise from Hell”

My friend and I had a goal of seeing all 63 national parks, leaving only the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. We booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise in St. Thomas on our itinerary so we could visit Virgin Islands National Park. After our flight was cancelled, we flew into Orlando and drove 4 hours to the port. Upon check-in, we learned that the St. Thomas had fallen due to strong winds. On the fourth day of our seven-day cruise, my wife contracted influenza A and was quarantined in a small cabin with no windows. We call it the cruise from hell.

▶ Lessons learned: When things don’t go well, just accept it and roll with the punches.

— Larry Root

3. Secure the bag

My family of four used the Six Flags Magic Mountain Ride Storage Box for two belt bags. When we got out of the car, they were gone. Inside the bag were three new iPhones, keys to a rental car, medication, jewelry, a driver’s license, credit cards and other valuables. We had to unlock and tow our rental car, get a new credit card, deal with fraudulent purchases, and fly home without ID. The theft of the bag and associated travel problems resulted in more than $5,000 in damages. Six Flags then provided us with 4 annual passes with meal plans and we had a great trip.

▶ Lessons learned: Get AppleCare and travel insurance, wear shorts with deep pockets, and never use storage boxes on theme park rides.

—Alicia Wiechert

4. Pack snacks

Grab a coffee and grab a bite to eat before boarding your Austrian Airlines flight. We took an early morning flight from Vienna to Heathrow, so my husband was expecting to have coffee on the flight. No, just bottled water and chocolate. We never stopped to eat at Heathrow Airport until a train breakdown left us stranded on the giant tube line. Verizon had a massive outage in the UK and Europe so our phone didn’t work. Then my diabetic husband tripped over my suitcase and injured himself. We eventually arrived at a coffee shop and bed and breakfast, where a local massage helped his injury.

▶ Lessons learned: Don’t overdo it. Stop to eat or carry snacks. Don’t expect foreign airlines to offer you coffee.

— Susan Livinggood

5. Back up your phone while traveling

I left my cell phone on the plane when I was changing planes in Singapore. As we realized almost immediately, we were past the point of no return. A security guard was scheduled to go to the plane, but by that time the guard was gone. We used a separate phone to contact family in the US and had our accounts locked and disabled, so there were no security issues. I wasted the entire day I had planned in Singapore answering the phone, but it wasn’t worth it. I also lost the photos from my last morning in the Maldives because I didn’t back them up.

▶ Lessons learned: When traveling, take some time to calm yourself down. There’s no need to rush. Protect your device and make sure your photos are backed up.

— Erin F. Chapman

6. Airline pet I get irritated

When I returned from Europe with my cat Tags, I placed her in the pet area under the plane. Lufthansa took care of everything very well. But in Washington, United Airlines directed me across a busy highway to another strangely unmarked building. The taxi driver kept circling around while we were looking. When I got there, I was told that the box I had purchased for my air travel was substandard. For an additional fee, employees drilled the holes and remodeled them. After paying a few hundred dollars, the taxi driver rushed me to the terminal. I barely made it to the plane in time, praying that Tags was on board safely. she was.

▶ Lessons learned: Never assume that partner airlines have the same pet travel policy. You can check both their websites and possibly even call them.

— Susan Palmer

7. Did you bring a spare phone?

During a recent hiking trip in Germany, my iPhone completed a routine operating system update. Since it happened in a foreign country, Apple required me to reactivate the phone using my Apple ID and password. Since I had moved all my passwords to a password manager, it was impossible to remember them. I couldn’t even access my password manager because my phone was locked. During the trip, my phone remained locked and I had no internet or email for about two weeks. Fortunately, my travel companions were able to navigate and communicate on their cell phones.

▶ Lessons learned: When traveling, especially overseas, make sure you have another way to access your key password.

— Larry Kassner

8. Taking more time than necessary

On our way to Athens for our cruise, we missed our connection to Frankfurt due to delays in wheelchair support. Added to this were weather and computer system delays. We took the bus and stairs to catch another flight, but that flight was cancelled. The wheelchair attendant then forgot about us and the employee accused me of trying to steal an unused wheelchair. After spending 15 hours at the airport, we received our hotel voucher and boarded our flight the next morning. The walker we checked never arrived, but the airline sent it to the cruise’s first island stop and a sailor retrieved it for $93.

▶ Lessons learned: A two-hour layover in Frankfurt is impossible for a disabled traveler. Even 24 hours may not be enough before an overseas cruise.

— John Isaacson

9. Bring backup documents

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, I arrived at Heathrow Airport from Dulles and was told I could not continue to travel to Abu Dhabi because I did not have the correct coronavirus card. American Airlines checked my card at Dulles before departure. The nearby airport hotel was fully booked, so we spent the night in the basement of Heathrow’s Terminal 3 and returned to Dulles the next day. I was planning to go to Socotra Island from the UAE, but there is only one flight a week, so I haven’t been there yet.

▶ Lessons learned: Do not go through Heathrow Airport.

— Harriet Davis

10. Remember your time zone

When I traveled to Australia 30 years ago, I forgot about the International Date Line. Once I arrived, I went to the airline flying to Cairns and presented my travel voucher. The nice lady said she would be happy to help us, but the plane had left yesterday. It was a rookie mistake, but they took pity on us and rebooked us for a nominal fee.

▶ Lessons learned: If you’re planning a trip on your own, read and research enough to make a workable plan.

— Janet Caldwell

11. Stay near the airport

In May 1980, we flew from Cozumel to Cancun on United award tickets to return home. Our early morning flights were consolidated and then delayed due to a storm. When I landed, I saw a United Airlines plane take off. It was Memorial Day weekend, so the plane was full. Three days later, I saw someone hand over cash to an Aeromexico agent and receive a ticket. I withdrew the cash, asked again, and secured a seat to Miami. In Miami, United Airlines took pity on us and booked us an award ticket via Las Vegas and Honolulu.

▶ Lessons learned: Spend the night near your departure airport before your morning flight and be aware that some locations may require a mordida.

— David Cleveland

12. Passport controls can be tough

We recently flew from Newark to Brussels. The line at passport control easily took about 2 hours. I almost passed out from the heat and lack of air conditioning, so I was wheeled to the crew desk in a wheelchair. It was outrageous.

▶ Lessons learned: Do not fly to Brussels from anywhere in the US

— Robert Joyce

13. Be proactive

We were scheduled to fly to Las Vegas on Christmas morning to surprise my mom for her 92nd birthday. That was the day the entire Southwest system crashed. We waited all day as the departure time changed many times, but the plane never departed. She died six weeks later. Then my wife jumped off a plane and thankfully was by my side when she passed away. We will never forget spending Christmas Day on the airport floor waiting for an unprecedented flight. I should have changed airlines, but the gate agent kept telling me my flight would be delayed.

▶ Lessons learned: Never trust just what the gate agent tells you. Be proactive rather than passive.

— Richard Smiley

14. Spend time with a group.

I got separated from a tour group in Venice, Italy. Due to some mistakes on my part, I ended up spending about 7 hours not being able to recover.

▶ Lessons learned: Use cell phone video to record verbal instructions for meeting location and time. Use photos to remember the order of your walks. Make sure you have a special pocket for euros when you enter the toilet. If you are traveling in a group, please have a companion to report any absences before the tour begins. Be sure to save your tour leader’s phone number on your phone, as well as on your card, where you may forget. Don’t get a new, unfamiliar cell phone right before your trip.

— Karen Burrell

15. Place the designated “checker”

Our family was planning a “trip of a lifetime.” 19 of us went on an Alaska cruise. We arrived in Seattle early because my father-in-law needed boarding assistance. I reminded him to have his passport ready, only to find out that he had left it at home. We hurried after the porter looking for our luggage, but it wasn’t there. Luckily, the kind check-in agent told me I would be fine with a photo of my birth certificate and a government-issued ID. A neighbor from back home found the birth certificate and sent us a photo, so my father-in-law was able to complete the special paperwork and board the ship before it set sail.

▶ Lessons learned: Please be sure to read the “Before You Go” packet. Make sure everyone has the necessary passports, identification cards, and documents before leaving home. Keep all your travel documents in one place, and if you’re traveling with an elderly family member, designate someone to double-check documents, medications, and important medical information.

— Lori Ott

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How to protect your home and car from wildfire smoke

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How to protect your home and car from wildfire smoke

The Canadian wildfires are currently severely impacting air quality across much of the United States, and the resulting smoky smoke is not just a health concern. Even if you are hundreds of miles away from the blaze, smoke, ash, and soot can affect your home’s air quality, HVAC system, and vehicle.

If you’re dealing with damage from long-term smoke exposure, it’s important to understand what your homeowners insurance, home warranty, auto insurance, and vehicle warranty will and won’t cover.

So, while insurance can help pay for certain smoke-related losses, warranties typically only cover breakdowns due to normal wear and tear and not natural disasters like wildfires.

Here’s what’s typically covered, and what experts recommend you do now to prevent further damage or claim disputes.

What Homeowners Insurance Covers After Exposure to Wildfire Smoke

If wildfire smoke damages your property, homeowners insurance is usually your first resort. Although terms vary, most standard policies cover damage from wildfires, including damage from smoke and ash.

Homeowners insurance typically covers:

  • Damage to the structure of your home from smoke and soot
  • Large-scale soot and ash removal
  • Professional smoke deodorization and restoration
  • Damage to personal property due to wildfire
  • Additional living expenses if your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable due to damage

Homeowners insurance typically do not have cover:

  • Regular maintenance such as HVAC filter replacement
  • Slight smell of smoke (coverage varies by insurance company)
  • Damage caused by carelessness or normal wear and tear

That being said, be sure to check your insurance policy to see what is actually covered. “Policyholders should check to see if their insurance company requires a mandatory evacuation order or actual property damage to trigger its coverage,” says Julia Taliesin, economic analyst and licensed insurance agent with Insurify.

She also advises homeowners to check what constitutes smoke damage based on their plans. “Insurance companies may require that the smoke has caused certain damage, such as staining, contamination, residue, odor, or alteration that requires professional attention,” she says.

Why home warranties usually don’t cover smoke damage

A home warranty helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing home systems that fail due to normal wear and tear. This means that losses from wildfires and other natural disasters are generally not covered.

However, your home warranty may still cover future HVAC repairs within the terms of your contract. It’s important to have your system inspected after heavy smoke exposure, as your home warranty company may deny your claim if you don’t perform basic maintenance.

If your HVAC is exposed to wildfire smoke, replace your air filters immediately, have your system professionally serviced, and watch for odors or decreased performance. Documenting maintenance can help prevent future repair claims from being denied. Some home warranty plans also cover the cost of HVAC tune-ups and other maintenance.

What auto insurance covers after being exposed to wildfire smoke

Basic liability and collision vehicle insurance do not cover fire, smoke, or ash damage to your car. However, if you have comprehensive car insurance, these events are often covered.

Comprehensive insurance typically includes the following:

  • Soot, ash, smoke damage or contamination that damages the vehicle
  • Replacing melted parts and broken glass
  • Professionally clean or restore your car’s interior.
  • Repairing upholstery and carpeting damaged by smoke exposure

Car insurance typically does not cover the following:

  • Replacing the cabin or engine air filter after a wildfire
  • Other routine maintenance or preventive work
  • Corrosion or mechanical failure unrelated to smoke or fire damage

Always check your individual car insurance policy to see what is covered.

Why car warranties usually don’t cover smoke damage

Car warranties typically don’t cover physical damage from natural disasters like wildfires. Instead, these plans primarily cover problems caused by manufacturer defects, defective parts, or mechanical failure.

“Warranties do not cover environmental damage, so if your fuel injectors become clogged with ash, it’s not a defect, it’s external contamination, and the warranty won’t cover it,” says Luke Oswald, automotive specialist at Wheels Away.

Other tasks, such as replacing air filters and removing residual odors after exposure to smoke, are considered routine maintenance, but are also typically not covered.

Maintenance you should perform now to prevent further damage

There are steps you can take now to ensure your home and car are protected from the worst effects of smoke, soot, and ash.

Additionally, completing and documenting basic precautions and routine maintenance can help prevent claim denials when filing an insurance or warranty claim.

For homeowners

  • Record any damage. Before cleaning, take photos of any visible ash, soot, or smoke residue. This helps support insurance claims.
  • Run a HEPA air filter. This reduces airborne particles in your home that can cause health problems.
  • Replace HVAC and air purifier filters And check back regularly. “If it looks dirty right away, replace it again,” says Michael Rubino, mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse. We also recommend upgrading to the highest rated MERV filter your HVAC can handle.
  • Do not let outside air in. Close windows and doors as much as possible, recirculate air conditioners, and close outside air intakes as needed.
  • Wash off the ash and soot. Once damage has been documented and it is safe to do so, remove ash and soot from indoor surfaces, vents, outdoor units, roofs, and gutters. This prevents dirt and residual odors and improves indoor air quality. And remember. “If you use a garden hose or power washer, make sure your airways are protected, such as with an N-95 mask,” says Andy Bozzo, current battalion chief with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and co-founder of Tablet Command.
  • Clean the whole house. “Smoke contamination doesn’t go away even when the odor fades; it can linger on carpets, bedding, curtains, HVAC systems, dust traps, porous materials, and more,” Rubino says. He recommends using cleaning products specifically designed for contaminants such as smoke. Avoid using aerosol sprays or strong chemical cleaners.

What you need to know: Need to run your AC unit in poor air quality?

For car owners

  • Park in a garage or covered area. This helps limit continued exposure to pollutants that are difficult to eliminate. Do not park under damaged trees or anything that could catch on fire.
  • block outside air Keep windows closed, use recirculation mode on your air conditioner, and check window and door seals.
  • Check cabin and engine air filters Replace as necessary. “If you see that[the cabin air filter]is dark and clogged, you definitely have ash in the system,” Oswald says.
  • Be careful of damage. A musty smell in your car or a weak air conditioner flow could be signs that you have ash in your system. Open the hood and check for residue as well.

How to prepare your home before the next wildfire season

This does not mean that the risk of wildfires has disappeared. There are some simple upgrades you can make to make your home more resilient before the next wildfire season.

  • Complete routine HVAC inspections and replace filters. HVAC traps smoke particles and ash. Be sure to perform regular maintenance, as a dirty or clogged system or filter can reduce the efficiency of the system and reduce its ability to filter contaminants.
  • Seal air leaks around windows. Use weatherstripping or caulking around windows to reduce smoke infiltration. Installing double-glazed windows can also help prevent contaminants from entering.
  • Consider a whole-house or portable HEPA air filter. Air filtration systems protect indoor air quality and help improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.
  • Install indoor air quality monitors. Smoke particles are often invisible, so using an indoor air quality monitor can give you a better idea of ​​how well your air filters and other mitigation measures are working.

Andrew and Tristan Tate fight UK extradition, Rubio may decide

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Andrew and Tristan Tate fight UK extradition, Rubio may decide

The Tate brothers deny the charges and were traveling freely while facing charges in Britain and Romania. However, they were arrested on July 18 following an extradition request from the UK.

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“Hypermasculine” influencers and former professional kickboxers Andrew and Tristan Tate remain jailed in Miami as their lawyers battle over possible extradition to the UK to face rape and human trafficking charges.

Britain’s extradition request triggers proceedings that will ultimately be decided by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

However, the Tate brothers have faced no repercussions despite pending criminal charges in the United Kingdom and Romania, as well as numerous civil lawsuits, and have repeatedly visited the United States, most recently attending a UFC bout in Miami in April. The Tates deny the charges.

Defense attorney Joseph McBride, who represents the Tate brothers, told reporters outside court that the first hearing on July 20 was a small step in the extradition fight. He said an attorney-only meeting will be held in the coming days to develop a schedule for submitting written arguments. McBride is also fighting to end the Tate brothers’ solitary confinement.

“Solitary confinement is torture,” McBride said. “We’re working to get them out of there as quickly as possible.”

Because the case is being handled as an extradition rather than a criminal charge, bail cannot be set, McBride said.

The arrest is the latest court action against the Tates, who are the subject of numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and criminal charges in the United Kingdom and Romania.

Mr McBride said the arrests were made after members of Congress criticized the Tate brothers.

“This feels political,” McBride said. “Of course they didn’t like it. No one likes an innocent person in prison. This is a horrible situation.”

Here’s what you need to know about pricing.

Who are the Tates?

The Taits have millions of social media followers and are central figures in the “manosphere,” a collection of influencers, websites, and online spaces.

They promote fitness, lifestyle, and get-rich-quick advice along with a toxic mix of misogynistic and anti-feminist rhetoric while claiming to respect women.

more: “It’s like dopamine.” Troubled young people looking for a role model find Andrew Tate.

The brothers face numerous civil lawsuits and criminal investigations regarding possible sexual abuse.

A civil lawsuit is underway in Palm Beach, Florida, and Andrew Tate is on trial in the United Kingdom this year in a civil suit brought by four women who say he was physically and sexually abused between 2013 and 2015. Two of the women said they had intimate relationships with Mr. Tate while working for his online webcam business.

Tate denies the allegations and maintains that all sex was consensual.

In addition to the UK charges, the brothers also face criminal proceedings in Romania, where authorities have been investigating since December 2022.

Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer opened a criminal investigation into the Tates, characterizing the scope of the investigation as “very visible in the recruitment, trafficking, and predation of women around the world.”

What are the UK rates?

The British Crown Prosecution Service announced a number of charges against the Tate couple shortly before the brothers’ arrest on July 18th.

The charges against Andrew Tate include seven new charges of rape, three charges of soliciting or aiding human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and 19 additional charges relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

Tristan Tate is charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and three counts of inducing or aiding human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The charges bring the total number of charges against both brothers to 59, in addition to 21 original charges brought in the UK, including rape and human trafficking.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Special Crimes Unit at the Crown Prosecution Service, said in a statement: “We have decided to charge Andrew and Tristan Tate with further offenses including rape, solicitation and abetting human trafficking for sexual exploitation and offenses relating to indecent images of children.” “These charging decisions were taken following the receipt of further evidence files from Bedfordshire Police, bringing the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven.”

How did the Tates react to Britain’s latest accusations?

Mr McBride issued a statement calling on believers to “pray” for the brothers as they fight the “unfounded” allegations.

Mr. McBride, who represented the Tate couple in a civil libel case in Palm Beach, Florida, accused the British government of seeking extradition before the civil case collapsed.

“This extradition request has one purpose: to kidnap Andrew and Tristan through red tape before an American jury can reveal the truth to the world,” McBride said in a statement.

What are the political implications for President Trump?

President Donald Trump courted members of the manosphere during his campaign, including appearances on podcasts hosted by allies of the Tate brothers.

After the Tate brothers were arrested in Romania, Donald Trump Jr. posted on social media that prosecutors were “absolutely insane.”

The New York Times reported in December 2025 that the Tates have long cultivated friendships and influence with allies of the president, including his youngest son, Barron Trump, who communicated with Andrew Tate over Zoom. But the Trump administration called the report “fake news” and denied any connection to the Tates.

What comes next?

Mr. Rubio will ultimately have to decide whether to extradite the Tate brothers.

The Justice Department traditionally investigates whether charges merit extradition. These factors include the statute of limitations, evidence of the crime, the seriousness of the charges, whether the charges are politically motivated, and the suspect’s nationality.

“If the court determines that the fugitive can be extradited, the court will certify extradition and send the record to the Secretary of State, who will decide whether to extradite the fugitive,” according to a Department of Justice manual.

An appeal is possible.

The Tate brothers have dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“The United States does not do the political dirty work that Britain does,” McBride said.

“We are confident that if a competent judge recognizes the facts and the Department of Justice confronts this gross abuse of its power, Andrew and Tristan Tate will be released,” McBride said.

McDonald’s introduces honey brown butter biscuits. When available

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McDonald’s introduces honey brown butter biscuits. When available

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If you love McDonald’s breakfast, give this a try.

The fast food chain announced it will introduce new Honey Brown Butter Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuits at participating restaurants nationwide starting Tuesday, July 21st. The biscuits will be available for a limited time, the company told USA TODAY.

“The breakfast sandwich is the perfect take on the classic bacon, egg and cheese, with these ingredients sandwiched between two freshly baked biscuits and drizzled with creamy, savory honey-brown butter,” McDonald’s Menu Spotter site says.

McDonald’s told USA TODAY that customers can add honey brown butter to their breakfast sandwiches at participating locations. Honey brown butter crispy chicken biscuits are also available in some markets. Availability varies by restaurant, so the company recommends checking the McDonald’s app to see what’s available at your local location.

The Honey Brown Butter Biscuits will be added to the chain’s Caesar Sauce menu as a limited-time menu item, and will go on sale on July 21st. According to McDonald’s, the new Caesar sauce is described as a “creamy, garlicky Parmesan blend infused with lemon flavor.”

The following menu items can be modified with McDonald’s Caesar sauce (prices may vary by market):

  • Caesar Snack Wraps: McCrispie strips topped with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and Caesar sauce wrapped in a tortilla (available nationwide for $2.99).
  • McCrispie strips with Caesar sauce: The McCrispie strips, which the restaurant chain debuted in May, are paired with a new Caesar sauce.
  • Bacon Caesar McCrispie: McCrispie fillet is a toasted potato roll topped with Caesar sauce, bacon, shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, onions, and crinkle-cut pickles.

McDonald’s also has a Happy Meal inspired by BTS

The new BT21 Happy Meals will go on sale at participating McDonald’s stores nationwide on July 14, and each meal will include one of 10 BT21 toys depicting the galaxy-exploring characters of K-pop supergroup BTS.

The seven-member Korean boy band, which debuted in 2013, created the BT21 character in 2017 with the help of entertainment intellectual property company Line Friends. The company also makes toys and products featuring Mighteez, a character created with brands such as another K-pop boy group ATEEZ and Sesame Street.

More news: The boom in Starbucks Bearista cups is bigger than a necessity.

Each character in BT21 reflects the personality of the performer. According to BT21’s website, Cookie, played by main vocalist Jungkook, is loyal and “always full of heart and infinite stamina.”

McDonald’s told USA TODAY that each Happy Meal box will have a QR code that, when scanned, opens an “interactive digital experience that transports you into the world of BT21’s music.”

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

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.

Conspiracy theories fuel chaos online

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Conspiracy theories fuel chaos online

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Few new details about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health have emerged since he was hospitalized in June, fueling conspiracy theories online about whether he is alive.

McConnell, 84, was reported unconscious at his home in Washington last month and advanced lifesaving measures were put in place. His office announced earlier this month that his health was improving.

McConnell addressed concerns about his condition in a social media post on July 13, saying he had “temporarily lost consciousness” and was taken to hospital after a fall. He shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed, adding that he was suffering from “mild pneumonia.” The image sparked further speculation online, with many claiming it was created or altered by artificial intelligence, even after the longtime lawmaker’s office confirmed his health was improving.

Experts say it’s normal to worry about the health of public figures, especially politicians who can have a major impact on the rights of Americans.

“When a very powerful elected official is observed in public with a medical problem, it’s natural to expect not only a public response from that leader, but also a public discussion,” Laura Pettiford, a marriage and family therapist and psychiatric nurse, previously told USA TODAY.

more: Mitch McConnell and the complexities of speculating about someone’s health

Even though conspiracy theories generally sound ridiculous, experts say they highlight people’s eagerness to understand the unknown.

“The human brain likes to understand things, it likes predictability, it likes to have control over its environment,” psychotherapist Stephanie Serkis previously told USA TODAY. “When you feel threatened by your surroundings, conspiracy theories can help you make sense of your pain.”

And when it comes to conspiracy theories, “we’re all susceptible,” says Dolores Albarracin, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“Because we cannot physically verify many of our beliefs, such as whether the Earth is round, we have to trust sources and documents. If we can trust reliable sources, we are usually safe, even though all sources can be wrong. Trusting unreliable sources puts us at risk,” Albarracin previously told USA TODAY.

more: Avril Lavigne addresses conspiracy theory that she’s dead. Why do so many people believe that?

But speculation about health can sometimes be harmful, experts added.

Brad Fulton, a professor of business administration, data science and philanthropy at Indiana University Bloomington, previously told USA TODAY that public figures, including political leaders, “are entitled to a certain level of privacy regarding personal health matters.”

Plus, in this day and age, it’s easy to ignore other people’s boundaries.

“In the age of social media, ordinary people have been trained not only to share their most private moments, but to expect the same from others,” psychologist Rene Carr previously told USA TODAY.

Contributions: Alyssa Goldberg, David Oliver, Charles Trepagny, USA TODAY

Ohio State and Alabama lead the top 25

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Ohio State and Alabama lead the top 25

College football changes rapidly in the era of the transfer portal. If you blink, today’s leading teams could end up on the back burner. And those who were in the basement can be promoted to the elite. That’s why rankings of the best programs in the sport should be done every offseason. The top 25 list was significantly shuffled after the 2025 campaign.

Indiana wouldn’t have been in the conversation two years ago. Last year, they were on the rise. Now, the Hoosiers are national champions and on the list. Programs like Brigham Young, Mississippi State and SMU are also on the rise. On the downside, Clemson and Nebraska are among the teams falling back in the rankings. Wisconsin was completely dropped.

So how does our list stack up? Without further ado, here are the top 25, as voted by the experts at USA TODAY Sports.

1. Ohio

We are witnessing the greatest run in college football in Columbus. The Buckeyes are 165-21 since 2012. In 2024, Ryan Day became the program’s third consecutive full-time coach to win a national championship. Is there anything else to say? Ohio State has won at least 10 games in all but one season since 2005. This is simply the gold standard in the Bowl Subdivision and the envy of every program in the country in the Big Ten and beyond.

Alabama football is more than just a program, it’s bigger than an international brand. It’s a way of life. Script A stands for tradition and excellence. Alabama fans are passionate about their favorite sport year-round, and expectations rarely drop. There is also a national championship, which hosts 13 of the two major telecom services. And the debate over who is the greatest coach in sports boils down to Nick Saban or Bear Bryant. Either way, it’s the Alabama coach.

Program ranking: Big Ten |Stock Exchange | ACC | Big 12

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3. Georgia

The Bulldogs have been climbing the charts with a bullet, making them look like blue bloods without Kirby Smart having the long-lasting success as a national power like others. There was a glory era in the early 1980s when Herschel Walker and Vince Dooley provided the previous peak. But there’s never been a better time to be a Georgia fan, and as long as Smart is at the helm, success doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

4. Notre Dame Cathedral

You can tell the history of college football without a big chapter about the Fighting Irish. From Rockne to Leahy to Parseghian to Holtz, the sport has had some memorable teams and moments. After a period of slump earlier this century, Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman are back where Notre Dame fans expect them to be: competing for a national championship.

5. Texas

Texas has a natural resource of high school talent and a wealth of talent needed in the NIL era. They are a traditional power that has emerged from an unforgivable long slumber between Mack Brown and Steve Sarkisian. Texas had its heyday in the Southwest Conference under Darrell Royal, but the Longhorns also showed their horns during the Brown era. They fall into the category of heavy hitters.

6.LSU

LSU is the only program this millennium to have three coaches win national championships. Lane Kiffin could be the fourth. Money poured in to fund his roster. LSU’s standards are such that Brian Kelly would be fired after winning 71% of his games. LSU attracts in-state talent, but the Tigers also have a national brand, and night games at Tiger Stadium are a mecca for college football.

7.Michigan

One of the most consistent programs in the country, the Wolverines also stand out with their famous stadium and unique helmet. The only blemish on his resume was his ability to break through by winning a national title this century. They went through it with Jim Harbaugh in 2023 and regained their place among the elite, but critics may point to NCAA violations that occurred during that season.

8. Oklahoma

Crimson and Cream have blue blood in them. Oklahoma State is the only SEC school behind Alabama in overall winning percentage. Even though the 2000 Sooners were OU’s last national champion, double-digit win seasons remain the norm. The University of Oklahoma reigned supreme in the 1950s under coach Bud Wilkinson, but regained supremacy in the 1970s and ’80s with coach Barry Switzer’s Wishbone. Seven Heisman winners point to the program’s star power.

9. Miami (Florida)

Strangely, conference membership hasn’t benefited the Hurricanes much, as they had five national championships prior to their ACC tenure. That may be about to change given the program’s recent resurgence, and while there’s no denying that Miami is a nationally known brand, that’s partly due to its reputation for skirting the rules on and off the field.

10. Southern California

Although dominant in the Pac-12 throughout Pete Carroll’s tenure, USC hasn’t seen success since NCAA violations hurt the program. They have yet to reach the College Football Playoff, and the transition to the Big Ten hasn’t been smooth. With a nine-win season in 2025 and the addition of the top-ranked player class in the country, things may turn around. Still, there are some rungs to climb before reaching the top of the Big Ten.

11. Oregon

Oregon State, perhaps the best program in the bowl division without a national championship, played as a pair during the Bowl Championship Series era and reached the semifinals last year before losing to Indiana. Although not a traditional powerhouse, the Ducks have won 10 or more games in 16 seasons since 2000 and are 46-8 under coach Dan Lanning. After moving to the Big Ten, they went undefeated and won the conference title in their first year, finishing with an 8-1 record in 2025.

12. Pennsylvania State University

Joe Paterno represents the program as the winningest coach in major college football with 409 wins and two national titles. The program, also known for its blue-and-white uniforms, was thrown into crisis following NCAA sanctions related to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Bill O’Brien laid the foundation and James Franklin did the heavy lifting to return the Nittany Lions to college football’s elite. Penn State, which failed to win a title under Franklin, will undergo a reset under head coach Matt Campbell.

To paraphrase a mantra from other leagues, football means more to the ACC founders at Clemson. The Tigers’ return to national prominence with two national titles under Dabo Swinney in the 2010s is just part of the program’s rich legacy, which includes 24 conference titles and nearly 800 wins. The decline of the past three years has seen Clemson fall from its perch near the top.

Few people mean more to a program than Steve Spurrier means to Florida. He revolutionized the Gators into one of the best programs of the 1990s. The head ball coach established the Swamp brand and gave the Gators an identity. They became regulars in the SEC Championship Game. Urban Meyer brought further glory with two titles. Florida lacks the consistency and history of some of the top programs, but its apex is just as high.

Trivia Question: When was the last time Texas A&M won a national championship?Answer: 1939. The Aggies have the financial resources, fan support and recruiting talent to be top-tier, but that greatness stubbornly holds them back. They only had two 10-win seasons and finished fourth in the final U.S. LBM Coaches Poll of this century. R.C. Slocum’s Aggies dominated the Southwest Conference in the early 1990s. Is it time for new days of glory? Mike Elko’s early return suggests it’s safe for the Aggies to dream of improving potential.

16. Tennessee

Few states can match Tennessee’s relentless vigor in college football. General Robert Neyland put the Vols on the map and put his name on the stadium. Johnny Majors achieved cult status. Philip Fulmer’s Vols rose to prominence in the 1990s, winning the national title in 1998. Since Fulmer, Tennessee die-hard fans have rarely had the opportunity to experience title contention. Josh Heupel helped the program regain honor, but it still has work to do to get back to the elite.

17. Indiana

Last year’s undefeated record and sudden national title creates a tense atmosphere in Indiana. This is a program that made two bowl appearances before establishing credibility during the Bill Mallory era in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It hit rock bottom before finding success under Tom Allen in 2019 and was preceded by the arrival of Kurt Cignetti, who significantly strengthened the program in 2020. Despite lacking long-term history, the Hoosiers have won 27 games in two seasons and look poised to make another run in the playoffs.

18. Florida

FSU doesn’t have a 100-year history compared to other schools in the area, with its football program only starting in 1954. But with legendary coach Bobby Bowden building the program into a household name, the Seminoles joining the ACC proved mutually beneficial for both the university and the conference, raising the league’s profile in the sport while FSU remained one of the leaders in the national conversation. Success has been hard to come by since the departure of Jimbo Fisher, but the program still has the prestige it needs to become a national contender.

19. Brigham Young

It’s been a wild ride for the Cougars since their days in the Western Athletic Conference under head coach LaVell Edwards. The quarterbacks of the 1980s and ’90s, including Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Ty Detmer, won the national title in 1984. The program joined the Mountain West and then became independent. Their highest point was 43 wins in four seasons from 2006 to 2009 under coach Bronco Mendenhall. The addition of Kelani Sitake and his move to the Big 12 put the Cougars back in the national conversation as a playoff contender the past two seasons.

20. Nebraska

With the exception of 2009, when poor quarterback play offset one of the best defenses in program history, Nebraska hasn’t been a national factor in more than two decades. A school that won three titles in four years in the 1990s and held the key to bowl games for more than 30 years failed to make the postseason for seven straight seasons. Recent progress has seen notable turnaround artist Matt Rhule earn his second straight bowl berth despite yet to win more than seven games.

21. Auburn

These are dark days for Auburn. The Tigers experienced five straight losing seasons, their darkest period since the late 1940s. Auburn’s loyal fan base deserves more recognition. Recent struggles aside, this accomplished program has had its first undefeated season under three coaches since the 1990s and won the national title in 2010. From Pat Sullivan to Bo Jackson to Cam Newton, Auburn has produced shining stars. Now all I have to do is get out of this funk.

22. Washington

The Huskies emerged as one of the top programs in the 1980s and 1990s under coach Don James, winning the national championship in 1991. Most recently, Chris Petersen led Washington to the playoffs, and Karen DeBoer led it to the national title game in 2023. The Huskies have advanced to a bowl in all but one season since 2010 and have won double digits five times.

23. Iowa

Iowa State has been a model of consistency until the end of the Hayden Frye era. The Hawkeyes had even more success when then-44-year-old Kirk Ferentz replaced Frye, who retired. Since 2006, he has had just one losing season and qualified for a bowl game in the last 24 of his 25 seasons. His current performance is the best record during the Ferentz era. Iowa has won at least seven games every year since 2013 and is aiming for a Big Ten double in 2021 and beyond.

24. Mississippi

Those old enough to have witnessed Johnny Vought remember Ole Miss as a powerhouse. From the 1950s and 1960s. Those who watched Archie Manning remember that the Rebels were a superstar and his son Eli was a star. But there were troubles in the NCAA and a down year before the program came back winning the SEC. The addition of Lane Kiffin changed the trajectory of the program, and the Rebels reached the semifinals last year. Now that Kiffin has gone to LSU, the challenge continues its momentum.

25.SMU

The Mustangs regained national prominence after moving to the ACC. The school’s football history has a Wild West feel, and notable names such as Doak Walker and Eric Dickerson have been compared to the infamous NCAA death penalty. Since then, the program has been revived for the first time in 40 years, competing in the College Football Playoff in 2024 and competing for a conference title the following season.

Spain excludes Donald Trump from World Cup celebration photo

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Spain excludes Donald Trump from World Cup celebration photo

The Spanish national soccer team shared on social media on Sunday, July 19, photos from the team’s celebration after winning the 2026 World Cup. Notably, US President Donald Trump was absent from the photo.

As expected, President Trump helped FIFA president Gianni Infantino award Spain the World Cup trophy after La Roja won the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Argentina on Sunday.

But despite Infantino’s efforts to coax him away from a stage set up in the center of the pitch, Trump remained on the podium as part of Spain’s celebrations.

As such, many expected President Trump to be featured in Spain’s jubilant moment. Instead, he was out of frame in images shared to social media.

It was not immediately clear whether President Trump was Photoshopped from the photo posted by Spain, or whether the team simply took a shot from the second half of the celebration, after Mr. Trump and Mr. Infantino finally left the stage, to post on its main account.

In any case, the Spanish national team and its fans will remain satisfied after the overwhelming victory against Lionel Messi and Argentina. La Roja defeated La Albiceleste 20-2, clinching an overtime victory with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute and a header from Nico Williams.

Spain is now the seventh country to win the World Cup multiple times, joining Brazil (5 times), Germany (4 times), Italy (4 times), Argentina (3 times), France (2 times) and Uruguay (2 times). They won this tournament in 2010, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time, with Andres Iniesta scoring the winning goal in the 116th minute.

Silver rose 1.60% on July 20, 2026

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Silver rose 1.60% on July 20, 2026

How much is silver worth per ounce today?

As of 8:05 AM ET on July 20, 2026, the spot price of silver is $56.80 per oz., according to the latest market data. The stock is up 1.60% and $0.90 from its previous closing price of $55.90.

One year ago, silver was trading at $38.18 per ounce. This means that the price has increased by 48.77% in the last 12 months.

Key levels to look out for this week:

52 week low: $36.68

52 week high: $117.39

Silver is trading 51.62% below its 52-week high. The stock is 54.84% above its 52-week low.

What is the historical price of silver?

today 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago
$56.80 $59.25 $64.84 $38.18

A week ago, silver was trading at $59.25 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 4.15%.

One month ago, silver was trading at $64.84 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 12.41%.

USA TODAY is an independent publisher and not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional regarding any specific financial decisions you may make. Trading commodities, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss. Individual investment results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prices change rapidly and unpredictably due to factors such as supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

What is driving the price of silver today?

The price of silver is driven by inflation expectations, central bank policy, global economic conditions, and investor demand. The strength of currencies, especially the US dollar, can influence daily prices, as well as physical and industrial demand. For more on the market, read the latest investment news on USA TODAY Money.

What does XAG/USD mean?

XAG/USD is the ticker symbol used to track the spot price of silver in US dollars.

XAG stands for 1 troy ounce of silver and USD stands for US dollar. The estimated price tells you how many dollars it costs to purchase one ounce.

Prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.

Spot prices reflect real-time market transactions and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs, and retail bullion prices.

how to invest in silver

Investing in silver can be done by buying physical coins and bars, buying ETFs that track its price, or investing in mining stocks. Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs, and risk tolerance before making a decision. The retail price of a coin or bar typically includes a premium over the spot price.

Disclaimer: This USA TODAY Money article was automatically generated using live market data from Alpha Vantage. If you think we made a mistake or have feedback, please use this form.

Why President Mamdani wants Prime Minister Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York

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Why President Mamdani wants Prime Minister Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York

play

Zoran Mamdani said he was considering whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visited the city during his term in office. This is a promise the New York City mayor has made during his campaign and after his victory.

Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said the city’s legal department was considering legal options to arrest Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli leader’s possible appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

“We are not talking about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal assessment,” Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times last week.

“We’re talking about the International Criminal Court and the fact that they’re issuing an arrest warrant for this prime minister.”

The ICC warrant, issued in November 2024, charges Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have sparked international outrage.

“He is a war criminal and is being prosecuted by the International Criminal Court,” Mamdani said on “The Interview.”

Mamdani has continued to criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. But the United States does not recognize the court, and protections are in place for leaders who visit the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said late last year that Mamdani’s claims would not prevent the visit, and legal experts have questioned whether the mayor has the legal authority to execute the warrant. New York Governor Kathy Hochul previously said, “The mayor of New York does not have that authority.”

In a statement posted to X on Sunday, July 19, the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Mr Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused to New York.”

Mamdani said in a recent interview that he would follow the law regardless.

“Whatever the law allows us to do in New York City, that’s what we do. But we’re not going to create our own laws to do that,” Mamdani said.

“As leaders in governing our city, we believe it is important to follow the law, and we intend to do just that.”

Arizona charts a new path for the right to speak freely

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Arizona charts a new path for the right to speak freely

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In late June, a divided Arizona Supreme Court issued a major free speech ruling, upholding a proposal to create stronger election disclosure requirements aimed at curbing dark money. The Arizona High Court interpreted the state constitution’s provision that everyone is “free to speak,” creating a state-specific framework for free speech challenges. In doing so, it broke away from the US Supreme Court’s analysis. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commissionconcluded that corporate campaign contributions are not a form of expression protected by the state constitution. It’s worth reading for both the majority and the opposition.

There is a problem with Arizona Policy Center vs. Arizona Secretary of State The law was the Voter Right to Know Act, passed as Proposition 211 by more than 70 percent of Arizona voters in 2022. Among other things, the law requires political nonprofits and other groups that spend large amounts of money in elections to disclose their donors, including tracing the original source of their donations. Organizations must also notify donors that their donations may be used for campaign spending and give them an opportunity to opt out.

Two organizations and two individuals challenged the law based on the Arizona Constitution’s right to free speech and the state’s right to privacy. Plaintiffs did not file a federal complaint, likely because the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently approved election disclosure laws. But they argued that state constitutions required more rigorous scrutiny than the U.S. Constitution.

In a 4-3 decision, the Arizona High Court upheld the Freedom of Information Act, but also departed from the U.S. Supreme Court’s framework for evaluating free speech claims.

The court criticized the First Amendment’s reliance on a graduated review, arguing that it “sorts cases into rigid categories and applies a one-size-fits-all test without regard to their actual expressive burden.” Instead, the court adopted an Arizona-specific framework to assess whether the challenged conduct involved protected expression and, if so, whether it would prevent people from freely participating in that expression.

The court focused specifically on history, concluding that the state constitution guarantees the right to free speech that Arizonans enjoyed prior to statehood in 1912. At the time, the court emphasized that free speech was understood to coexist with reasonable regulation based on the state’s so-called police powers, empowered to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of the population.

In applying this framework to forced disclosure laws, the court established a new two-part test, concluding that the Voter Right-to-Know Act is constitutional because it meaningfully promotes election integrity and transparency and does not unduly burden or impede protected expression.

In its analysis, the court emphasized that election disclosure requirements are “deeply rooted in Arizona’s history.” At the same time, Progressive-era disclosure standards that were in place when Arizona joined the United States outside This is the limit of what the state can regulate today. Rather, the majority said, this history “embodies a living principle: that citizens have a right to know who is funding efforts to influence their votes, a principle that has not been fossilized by the application of the national era.”

The majority and dissenters disagreed on a number of points, including whether the Arizona test was weaker or simply different from the federal standard that requires “rigorous scrutiny” under the Freedom of Information Act. Opponents argued, among other things, that the majority’s police powers to justify restricting speech are “vague and broad” and open to government repression. The majority, on the other hand, argued that its approach “makes analytical procedures stronger and more transparent than the federal standard, ensuring that burdens on free expression receive the explicit consideration that the Free Speech Clause requires.”

The majority opinion also contained several notable orders. The court held that corporate campaign contributions are not a form of protected expression under the Arizona Constitution, putting the Free Speech Clause in direct conflict with the Supreme Court’s First Amendment analysis. citizens united. The Arizona high court pointed to another state constitutional provision that prohibits corporations from making donations “for the purpose of influencing elections or public acts.” The only way to reconcile this provision with Arizona’s free speech clause, the court argued, was to conclude that corporate campaign contributions were not a form of protected expression.

As a practical matter, citizens united Still, the violation of state law takes precedence. But the court’s analysis is an example of how state-level rights can operate very differently than federal-level rights. And, of course, just as today’s dissenting opinion can become tomorrow’s majority opinion, so too can state constitutional rulings become the basis for the evolution of federal law.

The fight over the Voter Right to Know Act is far from over. The Arizona Supreme Court upheld the law on a face challenge, but allowed the plaintiffs to proceed with their argument that the law would be unconstitutional and would chill speech if applied to them. To win, you must prove specific and serious harm. Other ongoing state lawsuits also challenge other provisions of the law.

But as other states consider similar disclosure regimes, Arizona Policy Center It is almost certainly a seminal decision, suggesting a different way for state courts to evaluate free speech rights.

Alicia Bannon is the editor-in-chief state court report. She is also the director of justice programs at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Recommended quote: Alicia Bannon Arizona charts a new path for the right to speak freelySᴛᴀᴛᴇ Cᴏᴜʀᴛ Rᴇᴘᴏʀᴛ (July 17, 2026), https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/arizona-charts-new-path-right-speak-freely

Today’s gold price for July 20, 2026

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Today’s gold price for July 20, 2026

How much is gold worth per ounce today?

As of 8:05 AM ET on July 20, 2026, the spot price of gold is $4,015.37 per oz., according to the latest market data. This was down 0.03% and $1.24 from the previous closing price of $4,016.61.

A year ago, gold was trading at $3,350.15 per ounce. This means that the price has increased by 19.86% in the last 12 months.

Key levels to look out for this week:

52 week low: $3,284.65

52 week high: $5,477.79

Gold is trading 26.70% below its 52-week high. It is 22.25% above its 52-week low.

What is the historical price of gold?

today 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago
$4,015.37 $4,086.76 $4,155.68 $3,350.15

A week ago, gold was trading at $4,086.76 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 1.75%.

A month ago, gold was trading at $4,155.68 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 3.38%.

USA TODAY is an independent publisher and not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional regarding any specific financial decisions you may make. Trading commodities, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss. Individual investment results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prices change rapidly and unpredictably due to factors such as supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

What is driving the price of gold today?

The price of gold is driven by inflation expectations, central bank policies, global economic conditions, and investor demand. The strength of currencies, especially the US dollar, can influence daily prices, as well as physical and industrial demand. For more on the market, read the latest investment news on USA TODAY Money.

What is XAU/USD?

XAU/USD is the ticker symbol used to track the spot price of gold in US dollars.

XAU stands for 1 troy ounce of gold and USD stands for US dollar. The estimated price tells you how many dollars it costs to purchase one ounce.

Prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.

Spot prices reflect real-time market transactions and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs, and retail bullion prices.

how to invest in gold

Investing in gold can be done by buying physical coins and bars, buying ETFs that track the price of gold, or investing in mining stocks. Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs, and risk tolerance before making a decision. The retail price of a coin or bar typically includes a premium over the spot price.

Disclaimer: This USA TODAY Money article was automatically generated using live market data from Alpha Vantage. If you think we made a mistake or have feedback, please use this form.

Which Taylor Farms lettuce will be recalled? The latest epidemic of cyclosporiasis

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Which Taylor Farms lettuce will be recalled? The latest epidemic of cyclosporiasis

Federal health officials are continuing to test food for Cyclospora after discovering that samples of iceberg lettuce gave false positive results for the parasite that has sickened thousands of people across the United States.

After lettuce samples from Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora on July 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on July 19 that retesting revealed the test was a false positive.

As of July 19, no samples tested for Cyclospora have yielded positive results, the FDA said. However, officials said they are continuing to work with Taylor Farms to continue investigating the source and collecting and testing samples.

Still, Taylor Farms announced a large-scale voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products on July 17 as a result of the outbreak and investigation. The illness was initially linked to lettuce from Mexico’s Taylor Farms, which was sold in some Taco Bell stores in five states.

Cases of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by a parasite, have surged in more than 30 states in recent weeks. People with this disease usually have “explosive” diarrhea or other severe gastrointestinal illness.

Introducing the latest information on cysticercosis, including the number of cases and recalled products.

Taylor Farms recalls lettuce due to false positives

On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico due to possible contamination with Cyclospora.

The next day, the FDA announced that lettuce samples taken from Taylor Farms, which were not part of the recalled batch, tested positive for the parasite. The company later announced that the results were false positives and retracted its findings.

However, Taylor Farms has recalled both lettuce products served at Taco Bell restaurants and certain bagged lettuce products sold under the Marketside brand at Walmart.

Taylor Farms said in a statement that all other products, including those available for purchase, are not involved in the recall.

The company said, “Our thoughts are with everyone who has fallen ill due to this outbreak. We will continue to work with public health authorities as the investigation into the outbreak continues.”

See recalled Taylor Farms lettuce on sale at Walmart

The recalled Walmart products are the only retail items removed from shelves. The remaining products were distributed for school lunches.

“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority,” Walmart said in a July 18 statement.

Affected products include 12-ounce and 24-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad Bags and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce. According to the FDA, they were sold at Walmart stores in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • arkansas
  • florida
  • georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • kentucky
  • louisiana
  • missouri
  • mississippi
  • oklahoma
  • tennessee
  • texas
  • virginia
  • west virginia

Products can be identified by a “use by” date between July 18th and August 3rd.

If you own an affected product, please discard it or return it for a refund.

Taco Bell links lettuce picking to cyclosporosis outbreaks

Taco Bell, which used iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak, announced on July 17 that it had removed the product from its restaurants, federal officials said.

“Based on our ongoing dialogue with public health officials and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked quickly to voluntarily remove the product from our restaurants and the affected ingredients have been removed from our supply chain nationwide,” the company said in a statement.

According to the FDA, Taco Bell restaurants in at least five states received affected lettuce: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, but more states may be involved.

A complete list of recalled products, including food service products, can be found on the FDA site.

How many cases of cyclosporosis are there?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that as of July 13, more than 1,600 people have been confirmed to have been infected with the virus nationwide, and that they are working to confirm more than 5,000 additional cases.

The latest total includes 141 people hospitalized with the illness. So far, 34 states have reported cases dating back to May 1, according to the CDC.

What is cyclosporiasis? Symptoms, treatment

According to the CDC, cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

The agency said the disease is usually not life-threatening and can be treated with antibiotics, but symptoms can be prolonged in people with weakened immune systems.

According to authorities, common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:

  • watery diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • convulsions
  • bloating
  • increase in gas
  • nausea
  • fatigue

According to the CDC, some people who are infected may not develop symptoms, but symptoms can last for more than a month.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Contributor: Mike Snyder

Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.

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