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Americans say President Trump is not very religious, survey suggests

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Few American adults consider President Donald Trump to be very religious or religious at all.

The findings, outlined in a recent Pew Research Center survey, capture public opinion just before the president criticized Pope Leo XIV, called him “weak” on crime and posted an illustration of himself resembling the image of Christ.

The poll, conducted April 6-12, found that seven in 10 American adults (70%) say Trump is not religious or not at all religious. This is higher than 62% in Pew’s previous survey in October 2024.

About a quarter (24%) say the president is somewhat religious, down from 31%, and 5% say President Trump is very religious, down from 6% previously, according to the survey.

Are you more likely to think President Trump is religious, or less likely?

Democratic-leaning Democrats and independents are much more likely to say President Trump is not very religious or not religious at all (89%) than Republicans or Republican-leaning voters (49%).

Republicans are also more likely to say Trump is somewhat religious (42%) than Democrats (8%). According to Pew, white evangelical Protestants who generally lean Republican are more likely than other religious groups to say that President Trump is somewhat religious (44%).

Few of those surveyed said they considered President Trump to be very religious. Eight percent of Republicans say they do so, and 5% of white evangelicals say they do.

Among religious groups, Hispanic Catholics have changed the most since Pew’s last survey, with 80% saying President Trump is not very religious or not at all religious, up from 60% in the previous survey.

Hispanic Catholics were also the religious group whose opinions changed the most regarding whether President Trump would defend their religious beliefs at all or at all. More than half (55%) say they stand up for their religious beliefs a little or not at all, up from 40% in February 2024.

According to the survey, 47% of American adults say President Trump has defended their personal religious beliefs at all or not at all. More than a fifth (22%) say Trump is very or very supportive of people who share their religious beliefs. A further 14% said they were “somewhat” supportive of him because of their religious beliefs, the survey found.

What does it mean to be religious? There are “different ways of thinking”

When Pew Research Associate Chip Rotolo, who wrote the research brief, posted a video on Instagram about the findings, there were differing opinions on the president and religion, with one commenter saying, “I don’t think he (Trump) is religious at all.”

Another said Trump may be “more religious than anyone,” adding: “Religion has always been used as an excuse for war, domination, and superiority. Trump supporters will still see him as messianic.”

In response, Rotolo commented, “People have different ideas about what it means to be religious. This question remains open to people’s own assessments. … We are simply trying to understand exactly the public’s views and how they have changed over time.”

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.

States aim to pass stricter self-checkout laws to curb shoplifting

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In some states, “15 or fewer items” is no joke.

In an effort to curb shoplifting, lawmakers in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington are debating tighter regulations for self-checkout systems at grocery and convenience stores.

Specifically, these states are considering enacting legislation that would mandate a balance between employee-staffed and self-checkout registers, a certain number of employees per self-checkout, and/or strict limits on the number and types of items that customers can bring to a self-checkout. the goal? Reduce the number of sticky fingers.

Self-checkout systems have been a hot topic in recent years, with some retailers phasing out all employee checkouts and others, like Walmart, removing many self-checkouts in a back-to-basics move.

A 2026 Capital One Shopping Research study found that while 86% of consumers use self-checkout, there is up to a 65% increase in theft compared to staffed self-checkout. According to research, more than 36 million Americans have reported theft from self-checkout kiosks.

While self-checkout continues to be part of the shopping conversation, here’s a look at the laws being debated across the country.

Which states have passed self-checkout laws?

As of April 22, no state has passed legislation related to self-checkout.

What self-checkout bills are states trying to pass?

Here’s a closer look at the bills state and local governments are trying to pass and have passed regarding self-checkout.

California

In February, California State Senator Laura Smallwood-Cuevas introduced SB 442. If passed, the bill would require retailers that implement self-checkout to have at least one manual checkout station with an employee available at all times to assist customers at the self-checkout station. The bill would also establish a policy that would limit purchases at self-checkout to no more than 15 items. SB 442 was last amended on April 21, but Smallwood-Cuevas is no longer moving it forward, her office told USA TODAY on April 22.

While regulations may not be mandated at the state level, some California municipalities have enacted their own self-checkout ordinances.

The cities of Long Beach and Costa Mesa have both approved ordinances similar to the SB 442 proposal, requiring retailers to install at least one manual checkout station staffed by employees who can assist other customers. Ordinances were passed in Long Beach in August 2025 and in Costa Mesa in February.

connecticut

In Connecticut, three legislators have introduced SB 438, which, if passed, would require grocery stores with self-checkout systems to install one staffed cash register for every two self-checkout machines. The bill would also prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkout stations at one time.

The bill was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY contacted the bill’s co-sponsors for more information.

Massachusetts

Similar to the Connecticut bill, Massachusetts Sen. Paul R. Feeney introduced S.237 in early 2025. If passed, the bill would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkout stations at one time. Stores will also be required to have one employee-operated manual checkout station for every two self-checkout stations.

According to the MA Parliament website, the bill was last reported to a Senate committee in December 2025. USA TODAY reached out to Feeney for more information.

new york

New York state has not passed any self-checkout legislation, but the New York City Council is debating the issue.

Earlier this year, New York City Council member Amanda Farias introduced an amendment to a city ordinance that would require pharmacies and food retailers to charge up to 15 items at self-checkout. The regulations would also require stores to have one employee for every three self-checkouts.

This amendment was last discussed in March. USA TODAY reached out to Farias for more information.

ohio

On April 1, Ohio State Senator Thomas F. Patton introduced SB 415. If passed, the bill would require grocery stores with self-checkouts to operate at least one staffed checkout, one employee for every three self-checkout stations, and limit purchases to 15 items at self-checkout.

SB 415 would also ban the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and items equipped with anti-theft devices at self-checkout counters.

The bill was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY has contacted Patton’s office for more information.

rhode island

According to the proposal, Rep. Megan Cotter of Rhode Island filed H7290 in January. If passed, the bill would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at a time and require the same store to operate one manual checkout station for every two self-checkouts. The bill would also require one employee to be assigned to monitor every two self-checkout machines.

washington

In Washington, HB 1739 was first introduced in 2025 and then again this year. If passed, the bill would require retailers to have a policy of allowing no more than 15 items at self-checkout. Retailers must also have one employee-manned checkout for each self-checkout and no more than two self-checkout stations supervised by one employee at a time.

The bill was last introduced in the House in January, according to the Washington State Legislature’s website. USA TODAY contacted the bill’s sponsor for more information.

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

Former USA TODAY White House correspondent David Jackson dies

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WASHINGTON – David Jackson, a longtime reporter who chronicled the White House and politics for USA TODAY and the Dallas Morning News, has died.

Jackson was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Washington, D.C., apartment on April 22nd. He passed away at the age of 66.

“David helped define political reporting at USA TODAY and beyond for decades,” said Jamie Stockwell, vice president of news at USA TODAY. “His coverage of the White House and national politics was steady, authoritative, and deeply respected throughout the industry. We are saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with his loved ones and all those who had the privilege of working with him.”

Jackson, known as DJ to those close to him, fit the mold of the typical hard-nosed newspaper reporter, with his rumpled appearance and sometimes gruff demeanor.

But friends and colleagues remembered him as a man who had a deep love not only for journalism, but also for sports, history, travel, books and, of course, his family.

And what about that unfriendly personality? It usually melted away once he really got to know and trust the people around him.

“I got to see the funny side of David, I got to see the serious side of David, and of course I got to see this tenacious reporter,” said Katarina Camia, with whom he worked for many years as a reporter and editor. “I’m honored to call him a friend.”

Jackson began his career as a sportswriter for the Times and the Democratic Party in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he was born and spent most of his formative years. He also worked for newspapers in Augusta, Ga., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before moving to the Dallas Morning News, where he covered county and city government before being assigned to the paper’s Washington bureau.

Karl Leibsdorf, the newspaper’s Washington bureau chief, said Jackson was initially assigned to cover courts and the judiciary. At the time, the Morning News also produced a weekly television show, and Jackson developed a knack for bringing in interesting guests, including an up-and-coming lawyer named John Roberts, who appeared in a segment about the Supreme Court.

Years later, when George W. Bush nominated Roberts to the Supreme Court, “the only video of him discussing legal issues was on our television show,” Loebsdorf said.

Jackson eventually moved from the Supreme Court to the White House, serving every president from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump. Jackson joined USA TODAY’s White House team in 2005 and remained with the paper until retiring in January 2025.

Susan Page, USA TODAY’s Washington bureau chief, recalled that the White House team interviewed then-President-elect Barack Obama at his inaugural headquarters just before he took office. Jackson showed up to the interview wearing a black trench coat, which he wears everywhere.

“Before the soon-to-be president, I basically had to order him to take it off,” Page recalled. “That was part of his general personality: a tenacious reporter who loves following and following the news and is fascinated by politics.”

Mr. Jackson serves as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and presided over the association’s annual dinner in 2011.

After retiring, Jackson continued to pursue another love: travel.

Chris Peacock, a longtime friend who often attended sporting events together, recalled a conversation shortly after Jackson was about to embark on his first overseas trip as a reporter on the White House beat. Jackson didn’t seem too excited about the upcoming adventure.

“Why would I want to go to another country if I haven’t been to every state in the United States yet?” he asked.

But eventually he was resurrected and traveled the world. He especially liked visiting Asia.

Jackson is survived by two brothers, James Jackson Jr. and Dwight Jackson of Columbia, South Carolina; a nephew, James B. Jackson III, also of Columbia, and a niece, Katie Handel of Lexington, South Carolina.

Do you have allergies? These cities will be hit hardest by pollen

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This is the season when itchy eyes and runny noses become a concern.

Spring is officially here, and pollen levels are increasing across the country, providing little relief for those suffering from seasonal allergies.

More than 80 million Americans are estimated to experience seasonal or environmental allergies, according to data from the Allergy & Asthma Network.

Pollen typically comes from trees in the spring, grass in the summer, and weeds in the fall. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, it can cause seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, with symptoms such as sneezing, bloodshot eyes, and watery eyes.

However, the strength and timing of pollen dispersal each year differs depending on the region. Here’s what you need to know about pollen season so far.

Where are seasonal allergies already having a negative impact?

The peak pollen season varies depending on the type of pollen and location in the country.

According to AccuWeather’s 2026 forecast, tree pollen is expected to peak in mid-April across the central region of the country, including states such as Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, where high levels are expected.

States in the northern half of the continental United States, from Washington state to New England, see peak pollen levels in mid-May.

According to AccuWeather, summer grass pollen is expected to begin impacting the south in May and then move north in June and July.

Which city will have the worst pollen count this year?

These cities are expected to be hit hardest by pollen this year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual Allergy Capitals Report.

  1. boise, idaho
  2. San Diego, California
  3. Tulsa, Oklahoma
  4. Provo, Utah
  5. Rochester, New York
  6. Wichita, Kansas
  7. Raleigh, North Carolina
  8. Ogden, Utah
  9. spokane, washington
  10. Greenville, South Carolina
  11. San Francisco, California
  12. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  13. Salt Lake City, Utah
  14. Richmond, Virginia
  15. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  16. little rock, arkansas
  17. toledo, ohio
  18. new orleans louisiana
  19. Winston Salem, North Carolina
  20. Lakeland, Florida

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

Victory Tax Lawers Considers IRS Tax Debt Assistance

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Tax relief companies help people resolve IRS debts, but services, pricing, and results vary widely from company to company. If you are behind on your taxes, you may want to consider whether professional representation is worth the cost, especially when choosing options such as installment agreements, offers in compromise, and penalty relief.

This review of Victory Tax Lawyers details how this Los Angeles-based firm operates, the services it provides, and what you should consider before signing up. Understanding how tax relief companies work, including fees, processes, and limitations, can help you set realistic expectations and decide whether professional assistance makes sense for your situation.

Winning Tax Attorney Overview

Victory Tax Lawyers is a Los Angeles-based attorney-led tax resolution firm that works with individuals and businesses to address IRS tax debts. The company touts support from several IRS relief programs, including legal representation from tax attorneys and installment agreements, offers in compromise, and penalty relief. The service is available nationwide.

The firm reports that it has helped clients resolve tax debts totaling $91 million, but individual results will vary depending on each taxpayer’s financial situation and eligibility.

Like many companies in the tax relief industry, Victory Tax Lawyers focuses on helping clients communicate with the IRS, evaluate options, and apply for existing resolution programs, rather than offering unique or guaranteed solutions.

Winning Tax Lawyer Jobs

The company supports several IRS tax relief programs and helps individuals and businesses navigate the application and negotiation process. Eligibility and results vary depending on factors such as financial situation, tax history, and ability to pay.

Typical services include:

  • Preparing and sending compromised offers
  • Setting up an IRS Installment Agreement
  • Request for penalty reduction for eligible taxpayers
  • Representing clients in audits or IRS disputes
  • Negotiate wage garnishments and levies with the IRS

These services are designed to guide taxpayers through the complex IRS process and increase the likelihood of submitting a complete and accurate application. For example, an offer in compromise may allow eligible individuals to resolve their tax debt for less than the full amount owed if they can demonstrate limited ability to pay.

Tax relief firms like Victory Tax Lawyers focus on representation, documentation, and communication with the IRS. It will help you position your case, but approval is dependent on meeting the program’s requirements.

How Victory Tax Lawyers Pricing Works

Victory Tax Lawyers does not publish standard prices on its website. Instead, costs vary depending on the type of service, the complexity of the case, and the amount of work involved. The company says it typically uses flat-rate pricing and aims to recommend only the services customers need.

Like many tax relief companies, the pricing process typically unfolds in stages.

  • consultation: Let’s start by discussing your tax situation and determining whether professional assistance would be helpful.
  • Investigation stage: Our firm will examine your IRS transcripts, financial records, and past tax returns to evaluate which resolution options you may be eligible for.
  • Resolution phase: If you proceed, the company will prepare and file the necessary documents and communicate with the IRS on your behalf.

Tax situations vary widely, so there is no standardized pricing across the industry. Prices can vary widely from case to case depending on the scope of services and level of complexity.

Victory Tax Lawyers Pros and Potential Cons

As with any professional service, hiring Victory Tax Lawyers comes with both benefits and limitations, especially depending on how complex your tax situation is.

Strong Points

  • Support for a wide range of IRS tax relief programs
  • Free initial consultation
  • Access to a certified tax accountant
  • Legal representation models for complex disputes

Cons

  • Pricing information not published
  • Services may go beyond what is needed for simple tax situations

Victory Tax Lawyers is a great choice if you are dealing with more complex cases, such as large tax debts, ongoing IRS disputes, or situations where legal strategy may play a key role. An attorney-led firm can provide a higher level of representation in such scenarios.

However, not all taxpayers need that level of assistance. If your situation is relatively straightforward, such as setting up a payment plan or making up for an unfiled tax return, lower-cost options, such as working directly with the IRS or using an enrolled representative or CPA, may be sufficient.

Victory Tax Lawyers reviews and reputation

Customer reviews of tax relief companies vary widely and often depend on individual case outcomes and expectations. Considering multiple platforms can help provide a more balanced view.

Victory Tax Lawyers currently has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with one five-star review calling the firm “honest and trustworthy.” The company also has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 1 review. On Google Reviews, the company has a rating of 5.0 out of 5 with 68 reviews, with customers frequently mentioning its professionalism, communication, and success in resolving tax issues.

When evaluating tax-advantaged companies, consider the following:

  • Total number of reviews and consistency across platforms
  • Whether the company responds to complaints or negative feedback
  • whether the delays or consequences may be related to IRS processing rather than the company itself;
  • Are you avoiding unrealistic claims such as guaranteed results?

No tax credit company can guarantee a specific outcome, so you should approach companies that make such promises with caution.

Victory Tax Lawyers vs. Competitors

Most tax relief companies offer similar core services, such as installment agreements, penalty relief, and offer-in-compromise preparation. Where the two tend to differ is who handles your case, how the services are provided, and how the pricing is structured.

Victory Tax Lawyers features an attorney-led model and emphasizes legal representation in tax resolution cases. In contrast, some competitors rely heavily on registered agents or CPAs, which may be sufficient for many routine matters but may provide a different level of representation in complex disputes.

Services, credentials, and pricing models can vary, so comparing multiple providers can help you decide which approach is best for your situation.

When evaluating Victory Tax Lawyers or a similar provider, consider asking the following:

  • What type of professional (attorney, CPA, or registered agent) will handle my case?
  • What services are included in the quoted price and what are the additional charges?
  • How often will I receive updates about my case?

By taking the time to compare providers, you can better understand your options and choose a company that fits both your needs and your budget.

When it makes sense to work with a tax relief company

It may be worth considering professional help in the following situations:

  • owe a large amount of taxes
  • The IRS has issued a collection notice, levy, or wage garnishment
  • I have multiple years of unfiled tax returns.
  • Your financial situation involves difficult or complicated sources of income

In these cases, a tax professional can help organize your paperwork, review program requirements, and communicate with the IRS on your behalf, potentially reducing errors and delays in the process.

However, not all situations require paid assistance. Many taxpayers can work directly with the IRS, especially when it comes to easy payment plans and basic filings. The IRS provides online tools and step-by-step guidance to set up an installment agreement or explore relief options on your own.

conclusion

Victory Tax Lawyers offers a variety of services designed to help people deal with IRS tax debts. A lawyer-focused representation model may be attractive to individuals dealing with complex tax disputes or large amounts owed.

However, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your situation is relatively straightforward, you may be able to resolve it directly with the IRS or through a low-cost professional.

Before moving forward, take the time to compare providers, understand what’s included in the price, and evaluate whether the level of representation suits your needs. Choosing the right approach can make a big difference in both cost and results.

Frequently asked questions about Victory Tax Lawyers

Is Victory Tax Lawyers legal?

yes. Victory Tax Lawyers is a Los Angeles-based tax resolution firm that promotes attorney-led representation and assistance with IRS relief programs. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

How much does Victory Tax Lawyers charge?

Costs vary depending on the complexity of the case and the services provided. The company says its pricing is typically structured as a flat fee, but it does not publish standard rates online.

Can Victory Tax Lawyers reduce my tax debt?

Our firm can help you prepare applications for IRS programs such as infringement and penalty relief. However, the IRS, not the tax company, ultimately decides whether your tax liability can be reduced.

Do I need a tax relief company to work with the IRS?

no. You can work directly with the IRS to set up a payment plan or apply for relief programs. In more complex situations, such as large balances, multiple unfiled returns, or active collection efforts, professional assistance may be helpful.

What services does Victory Tax Lawyers provide?

Our firm provides tax resolution services such as setting up installment agreements, preparing offers in compromise, claiming penalty relief, and representing you during IRS disputes or audits.

Artemis II astronauts transition to life on Earth after moon trip

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It’s been nearly two weeks since the Artemis II astronauts returned to Earth, so here are five things you need to know about what they’ve been up to and what’s next for NASA’s moon mission.

No rest for the weary: Artemis II astronauts have been busy for nearly two weeks since returning to Earth from one of NASA’s most prolific missions in decades.

The 10-day mission, which began April 1 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and ended April 10 off the coast of San Diego, California, was the first spaceflight to bring humans near the moon in more than 50 years. NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen traveled farther from Earth than any human before, seeing unprecedented views of the moon during their journey.

After splashdowns in the Pacific Ocean, the astronauts spent the rest of their days adjusting to life on Earth, reuniting with their families, reporting on their missions, and appearing in the media.

As for NASA, the US space agency isn’t resting on its laurels and is already taking steps to put the Artemis III mission into orbit for a manned moon landing in 2028.

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Artemis II astronauts returned to Earth, so here are five things you need to know about what they’ve been up to and what’s next for NASA’s moon mission.

Artemis II Commander Reed Wiseman shares Earthset video

NASA astronaut Reed Wiseman, who served as commander of the Artemis II mission, shared a video on April 19 showing the Earth setting below the lunar horizon.

This breathtaking video was recorded on Wiseman’s iPhone on April 6 as the Artemis II crew made their historic lunar crossing. During the lunar rendezvous, astronauts aboard the Orion capsule came nearly 4,000 miles above the moon’s surface, giving them a view of the far side never before seen by humans.

“The moon was barely visible through the docking hatch window, but my iPhone was the perfect size to capture the view,” Wiseman said in an Instagram caption. “This is uncropped and uncut at 8x zoom, which is roughly equivalent to what the human eye sees. Enjoy.”

In the video, which quickly went viral, the astronauts can be heard marveling at the profound sight as mission specialist Christina Koch quickly snaps photos with a camera with a 400mm lens.

One of the astronauts can be heard saying in the video, “Why don’t you take a look at that?” “Wow. Hey, no way.”

Artemis II astronauts transition to return to Earth

Koch also shared on social media on April 17 a video of himself participating in a training exercise aimed at helping astronauts return to life under Earth’s gravity, even seven days after splashdown.

The video shows Koch attempting what she calls a tandem walk with her eyes closed, which she explains in the caption, can help inform how conditions like vertigo and concussions are treated.

“When people live in microgravity, their vestibular organs, the systems in our bodies that evolved to tell our brains how we’re moving, don’t work properly,” Koch explained. “Our brains learn to ignore these signals, so when we first return to gravity, we rely heavily on our eyes for visual orientation.”

Koch, an avid adventurer, even joked, “I guess I’ll have to wait a while to surf again.”

Artemis II astronauts conduct simulated walk on the moon

Artemis II mission specialist and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen also shared videos and photos of himself performing a mock moonwalk at the Johnson Space Center in Houston within his first week back from space.

In a photo shared on Instagram on April 16, Hansen explained that he and his crew participated in a simulation to “figure out how to make the most of every step on the moon for future missions.”

“After the lunar trip, while our bodies are still adjusting, we put on the suits and go through a grueling test run,” Hansen explained.

In a video shared on April 15, the Canadian Space Agency even joked, “There’s no rest for the wicked!”

NASA deploys SLS core stage for Artemis III launch

NASA is already looking ahead to its next lunar mission, Artemis III. The mission, scheduled to launch in 2027, will send new astronauts aboard the Orion capsule into Earth orbit, where they could dock with one or both of the commercial lunar landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Similar to Artemis II, this mission will be another important test of hardware and procedures ahead of the 2028 moon landing during Artemis IV.

The space agency rolled out the next core stage of the Space Launch System rocket that will carry the Artemis III mission into orbit at the Michaux Assembly Facility in New Orleans on April 20. The move comes as NASA prepares to load a huge piece of hardware onto a Pegasus barge that will transport it to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The 212-foot-tall core stage stores large amounts of supercooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel to power four engines and is the largest section of the SLS rocket.

NASA’s mobile launcher used in the Artemis II mission is also now back inside the vehicle assembly building at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for integration with the SLS rocket.

NASA watchdog issues warning about Artemis spacesuit

But it’s not all good news for NASA and its Artemis moon program.

On April 20, NASA’s Office of the Inspector General issued a report warning that spacesuits needed for astronauts on the moon may not be ready in time. NASA has contracted Houston-based Axiom Space to develop a spacesuit that the U.S. space agency will effectively rent for future manned missions to the moon.

But while NASA and Axiom said they were on track to test the spacesuit on the Artemis III mission in 2027, the watchdog’s report found that the suit could not be ready until 2031, three years after the goal of a lunar landing mission.

The report, which outlines two actions NASA should take, comes about a month after the OIG released another damning report in March that found Blue Origin and SpaceX’s lunar landers were also behind schedule.

Eric Lagatta is a Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact elagatta@usatodayco.com.

Buc-ee’s OverBite Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy goes viral

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Peanut butter and chocolate lovers celebrate a Buc-ee treat the size of a hockey puck.

Buc-ee’s OverBite Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy is made of a dark chocolate bar with the face of Buc-ee’s mascot, Buc-ee the Beaver. The inside of the quarter pound chocolate bar is smeared with peanut butter like an avalanche.

USA TODAY reached out to Buc-ee’s on April 22 for more information about the product, but did not immediately receive a response.

Here’s what we know about this candy and what social media users have said about it.

Where can you buy the much talked about Buc-ee’s candy?

It is available for purchase at Buc-ee stores, but not on the chain’s official website. However, third-party sellers such as True Texas Merch and FoxSnax sell this candy online.

Social media reacts to viral Buc-ee’s candy

Social media users have taken note of the candy and are sharing photos and comments about the sweet.

“This is wild,” one user wrote with an X along with two photos of candy.

“It’s nice to finally have a product where the contents match the packaging,” wrote another X user who gave props to the popular convenience store for selling this big sweet treat.

Some users expressed concerns about the sugar and calorie content of the candy, while others pointed out that it could be much worse.

“That’s still less than one soda,” one user wrote. “And frankly, I think I’d be better off eating chocolate.”

Another user pointed out that unlike soda, Buc-ee’s peanut butter candy has more nutrition to offer customers.

“Cola also contains no protein or other micronutrients,” wrote @oyeomchan. “This giant peanut butter pack is loaded with protein.”

What are the nutritional and health facts about the popular Buc-ee’s candy?

According to True Texas Merch, Buc-ee’s much talked about OverBite Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter is made with semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, palm kernel oil, and citric acid.

On its candy packaging, Buc-ee’s recommends customers divide the 4-ounce candy into four equal portions.

Per product package, Buce-ee’s OverBite Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats contains:

  • 150 calories per serving (approximately 600 calories per pack)
  • 35 milligrams of sodium per serving (approximately 140 milligrams per pack)
  • Total sugar content per serving is 12 grams (approximately 48 grams per pack)
  • 10 grams of fat per serving (approximately 40 grams per pack)
  • 3 grams of protein per serving (approximately 12 grams per pack)

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

Kalsi says three candidates are betting on his primaries

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Prediction market platform Carsi announced on Wednesday, April 22, that it has imposed fines and suspensions on three political candidates running in Democratic and Republican primaries across the country.

According to a Carsi news release, the three candidates allegedly traded in prediction markets during their primary campaigns, which the platform described as “political insider trading.”

“Just like in traditional financial markets, bad actors will try to cheat,” Kalsi said in a release. “These three cases are examples of how developing proactive engineering solutions can help identify illicit trade activity.”

Kalsi added that the fines for the three candidates ranged from $539 to more than $6,200. The three candidates will also be banned from public office for approximately five years.

Here’s what Carsi needs to know about the three candidates who received fines and suspensions.

Minnesota political candidates

Matt Klein, a candidate for the Democratic primary in the state’s 2nd Congressional District, was suspended for five years and fined $539.85 for betting on his own primary race.

Klein’s primary election won’t be held until August, when Democrats in the district are vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who is currently running for the Senate.

In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Klein said he had only placed one bet on the platform.

“I had never bet on a prediction market before, and I was curious to see how it worked,” Klein said. “This was a mistake, and I’m sorry. My experience, like many other Minnesotans, shows that this type of market requires clearer rules and regulations.”

Texas political candidates

The Texas candidate was Ezequiel Enriquez, who finished 11th in the Republican primary for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, according to Carsi’s disciplinary documents. For his actions, Enriquez was also suspended from the platform for five years and fined $784.20.

Enriquez’s primary was won by former MLB player Mark Teixeira, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Teixeira will face Democrat Christine Hook in the November general election.

As of April 22, Enriquez’s campaign website is down. USA TODAY reached out to Enriquez’s social media pages for comment on Calci’s disciplinary action.

Virginia political candidates

In Virginia, Mark Moran, who has canceled his primary campaign against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, Currently runningMr. G, an independent, said he wanted Mr. Kalsi to be caught betting on his election.

In an April 22 post on X (formerly Twitter), Moran admitted he had bet $100 on himself and said Carsi was “infested with corruption.”

“Karshi is currently being sued by many states for being an illegal gambling market…We live in a country ravaged by vice, and Karshi directly contributes to that, where we can’t even afford housing or health care,” Moran said.

According to Carsi’s disciplinary documents, Moran was suspended from the platform for five years and fined $6,299.30. In the same X post, Moran claimed that Carsi was trying to increase the fine to more than $16,000.

Moran said the fine was increased “so that (Carsi) can take the pressure off himself and act like he’s tightening regulations… and at the same time get some PR.”

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

D4vd arrested – cause of death of Celeste Rivas released

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Editor’s note: This story contains graphic imagery that some readers may find disturbing.

The cause of death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the boy found “dismembered and badly decomposed” in the trunk of singer D4vd’s registered car, has been announced for the first time in seven months.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office announced Wednesday, April 22, that Rivas-Hernandez, who is suspected of murder, died from “multiple penetrating wounds.”

Her body was examined by a deputy medical examiner on September 10, two days after it was found in the front trunk of a vehicle that had been stored at a Los Angeles towing yard for several days.

A deputy medical examiner determined Rivas-Hernandez suffered “two penetrating wounds” to the right side of his abdomen and left chest, resulting in multiple amputation, according to a coroner’s report obtained by USA TODAY.

The day before the medical examiner’s findings were announced, Rivas Hernandez’s family released a statement remembering her as “a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance.”

“Every Friday night we had movie night and we had a wonderful time together. We love her very much and she always told us she loved us. We miss her very much,” the statement read. “All we want is justice for Celeste.”

Why Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death was announced after 7 months

The announcement came two days after D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) appeared in court for the first time in the case, pleading not guilty to felony charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of a corpse. He is jailed without bail.

According to the New York Times, during his April 20 arraignment, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered the release of the autopsy report for Rivas-Hernandez.

The cause and manner of Rivas Hernandez’s death were revealed on December 9th. However, the Los Angeles Police Department asked the judge to keep the case confidential, and no details were made public until now.

“After several months, we are grateful that this information can be made available to the public as well as to grieving families,” Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odei Ukpo said in a statement.

“It is incredible that we had to wait this long to find out what happened to our daughter. The transparency of our findings and the information contained in our report is essential to help communities make informed changes, emotionally reduce fear, and empower communities to take informed action,” Ukpo said.

Ukpo said providing access to information about Rivas-Hernandez’s death will help “strengthen our ability to learn and act, and ultimately prevent the next tragic loss of life.”

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body posed a challenge for coroners

At an April 20 press conference by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the condition of Rivas-Hernandez’s body hindered the coroner’s process to determine the cause of death.

The coroner’s report said the boy’s body showed “significant post-mortem changes.”

Prosecutors said Rivas-Hernandez was 14 years old, but her 15th birthday would have been Sept. 7, but the medical examiner’s office confirmed that she was 15.

Los Angeles Police Department detectives said on Sept. 8 in an investigator’s story included in the coroner’s report that a “black Tesla” Model X with Texas license plates was reported by a passerby on Aug. 26, according to a preliminary investigation. The vehicle was picked up by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation on September 3rd and towed away on September 5th.

Three days later, on September 8, “a caretaker noticed a strange odor coming from the vehicle and called the police,” and LAPD detectives arrived at the scene and “discovered a large black zippered body bag with a handle.”

Rivas Hernandez could not be immediately identified due to the condition of his body. On September 16, the body was identified as that of Rivas Hernandez after comparing dental X-rays.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman said she had been missing for nearly a year and a half, but her body was found in two bags in her car.

“When[Rivas-Hernandez]threatened to expose her criminal activities and ruin her music career, Burke allegedly murdered her, dismembered her body, and stuffed it into two bags placed in the front trunk of his car,” Hochman said. “This horrific and gruesome murder by an accused sex offender is shocking and horrifying. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get you the justice you seek and deserve.”

Woman says she may have swallowed Trader Joe’s juice from her fingertips

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A Trader Joe’s customer has accused the grocery store chain of selling him juice that may have caused him to swallow part of his finger, according to a new lawsuit filed Monday, March 20.

The lawsuit, obtained by OregonLive and KGW-TV, was filed in Multnomah County, Oregon, and says plaintiff Julie O’Neal discovered a foreign object in a 52-ounce bottle of organic orange juice she purchased from Trader Joe’s in Portland in June 2025.

While finishing the bottle of juice about five days after purchase, she pulled what appeared to be an oversized piece of fruit out of her mouth, only to spit it out on the tip of her rubber gloved finger, the suit alleged.

According to court documents, O’Neill said he believed there may have been a human finger tip inside the glove that he accidentally swallowed. She was admitted to the emergency room complaining of nausea, nausea, and a burning sensation.

“She is concerned and concerned that the human hand at the end of the glove was also severed and was part of the pulp she regularly drank,” the filing said, according to Oregon Live.

O’Neal initially sent the company a demand letter for $10,000, but the company never paid, according to the filing. As a result, she is now suing for the same $10,000 in legal fees and damages.

Women have filed lawsuits in the past.

KGW-TV noted that O’Neal has previously filed several civil lawsuits in the county, including one against Starbucks for injuring his knee after slipping in a puddle in 2020, and another against a massage therapist for “improperly” stepping on his neck, causing injury. Both lawsuits were ultimately dismissed, one at O’Neill’s request.

USA TODAY has reached out to O’Neal’s attorney and Trader Joe’s for comment.

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ cast reveals ‘important’ hidden message

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Meryl Streep says the future of media is “uncertain.” That’s why she teamed up with Anne Hathaway for an “urgent” movie sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada.”

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NEW YORK – Think of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” as this generation’s “All the President’s Men.” Only this time Bernstein and Woodward are rocking Fendi and Hermès.

Packaged in glossy Valentino heels, the long-awaited sequel (in theaters May 1st) is actually a Trojan horse of a J-capitalist journalism movie. Set 20 years after the events of the hit 2006 drama, the new film follows prickly Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and principled Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) as print media bravely make a last stand against the rapidly changing tides of AI and monetized digital content.

“It’s a fun fashion movie. There’s a lot of music and there’s a lot of laughter,” Streep, 76, says with a laugh, sitting in a downtown hotel chicly renovated as the offices of Miranda’s Runway magazine.

But the heart of the film, she added, is “written on the shifting sands of the reality of living right now.” “In every business, every outlet, every company, people are not sure where everything is going.”

For Hathaway, 43, it was important not to just cash in on the much-quoted original work. Streep’s seemingly nuanced portrayal of the formidable editor-in-chief earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

“We talked a lot about not wanting to come back and make a nostalgic movie to revisit these characters,” Hathaway says. “The legacy of the first film is still strong. We didn’t need to do this. We needed a great story, and we needed something that felt urgent and very human.”

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is a ‘love letter to journalists’

In the first “The Devil Wears Prada,” a naive and ordinary Andy takes a job at Runway Inc. as the new assistant to Miranda, an Anna Wintour-esque boss whose ice queen persona melts away as the film progresses. Andy quickly becomes involved in the high fashion business, but eventually decides to quit, fearing he will lose himself.

Directed by David Frankel, son of famed New York Times editor-in-chief Max Frankel, the sequel follows Andy, an award-winning reporter, as he returns to the runway after being abruptly fired by his girlfriend and many others at the newspaper. Now the magazine’s features editor, Andy struggles to produce “worthy” journalism as a revolving door of media executives demands more page views, more exclusives, more advertising dollars and more social content.

“This is a love letter to journalists,” Hathaway says. “There are so many aspects of our society that are under siege right now, but one of the things that scares us the most is how journalism is under siege and what’s happening to the truth. So it’s really important that we’re on the right side of history when it comes to this particular issue.”

Frankly, this film should serve as a warning to journalists who are seeing their jobs cut at an increasingly alarming pace as media companies strip them of their positions. Miranda’s right-hand man, Nigel (Stanley Tucci), laments that there is no budget left for sophisticated fashion photography and that runway shows have been reduced to boring videos that people watch in the bathroom. Andy is forced to write a sponsored brand article for his former colleague Emily (Emily Blunt), who has jumped ship to a magazine and ends up working at Dior.

And when a fellow CEO (BJ Novak) takes charge of Runway, the entire feature section faces challenges. (“We can’t just keep sucking the soul out of everything, emptying it and repackaging it,” Andy laments tearfully.)

“The future is coming for all of us, and maybe we’re just destined to be subsumed or swept away,” Frankel says, paraphrasing a Jeff Bezos-esque billionaire (Justin Theroux) who is new to the sequel. “I don’t remember a time in culture when it felt like things were changing so dramatically and when it was so mysterious. All of these characters live in a world of uncertainty. And that’s where we are now.”

However, there is a glimmer of hope. The sequel adds a number of young runway assistants, played by Simone Ashley (Bridgerton), Caleb Hearon (Pizza Movie), and Helen J. Shen (Maybe Happy Endings). Andy and Nigel initially looked down on their Gen Z colleagues as inexperienced. But Shen’s go-getter Jin teaches Andy that he can create healthy boundaries around his boss and the workplace, and that technology doesn’t have to be something to fear.

“Jin doesn’t get upset at all if you underestimate him,” Shen says. “The solutions she suggests may seem completely out of the ordinary to Andy, but sometimes you need to see things from a fresh perspective.”

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep promote ‘The Devil Wears Prada 3’

Streep said that after the sequel’s global promotional tour, the filmmakers will auction off the costumes and donate the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that support freedom of the press.

“We thought, ‘This is a fashion movie,'” Streep says. “Let’s put on all these clothes and throw some money at the Committee to Protect Journalists. So that’s where we’re going! Boom!”

Prada 2 is a rare sequel from Oscar winners Streep and Hathaway, both of whom were very cautious about the franchises they signed on to. Aside from Miranda, Streep’s only previous movie character to reprise her role was as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! movie. Hathaway, on the other hand, has only filmed sequels to “The Princess Diaries” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

The first Prada ended with Andy, fed up with the cruel and treacherous world of designer fashion, getting out of Miranda’s limousine and throwing his work phone into a fountain.

“It’s unlimited,” Streep says. “You want to see where it goes. You want to see what she does with her life. I haven’t made many movies that don’t have a deadline. The movie is over when it’s over. They don’t feel like, ‘I can’t wait to see what Julia Child does next!'”

“But I want to! Can you please?” exclaimed Hathaway, her eyes lit up by the possibility of a “Julie & Julia” sequel.

Streep is still waiting for the third Mamma Mia! movie. Despite the surprising reveal that her character died between the first and second film. (“You think Donna is dead, but maybe she isn’t. I’m just saying!” Streep playfully teases.) The Hollywood icon could also consider teaming up with Hathaway in a movie musical someday.

“Maybe that’s the third one!” Hathaway jokes. “‘The Devil Wears Prada Sings!'”

Medicare changes coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs

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Medicare has postponed a program for older Americans that would have required participating insurers to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound.

That doesn’t mean those on Medicare can live without these popular weight loss drugs. Medicare plans to offer GLP-1 weight loss drugs through the Bridge Program from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spokesperson.

The bridge program will allow people enrolled in Medicare, the federal health program for adults 65 and older, to obtain weight-loss drugs at prices negotiated under the most-favored-nation agreements signed by President Donald Trump with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Lilly and Nordisk officials said Medicare enrollees will pay a $50 monthly copayment to obtain the drug.

The change will allow Medicare beneficiaries to access certain GLP-1 drugs “outside the scope of benefits and payment flows of Medicare Part D,” CMS said.

The change comes after multiple insurers expressed concerns about the voluntary BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health) program, which requires Part D insurers to cover medications. Insurers had until April 20 to commit to participating in the program.

CVS Health, which owns Aetna, said it has chosen not to participate in the BALANCE program. During UnitedHealth’s April 21 earnings call, company officials cited “notable challenges and unanswered questions” regarding the program.

CMS announced the BALANCE program in late 2025 as a way for Medicare and state Medicaid plans to circumvent the ban on coverage of weight loss treatments. The BALANCE program would also have charged Medicare enrollees a $50 monthly copayment to obtain weight loss drugs.

At the time, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said BALANCE would “expand access and lower prices for obesity treatment GLP-1 without passing the bill to taxpayers.”

CMS said states will continue accepting applications for the Medicaid portion of the BALANCE program until July 31, 2026. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, which directly administer their Medicaid programs under federal guidance.

Lilly, which sells the popular GLP-1 injectable weight loss drug Zepbound and the weight loss drug Foundayo, praised CMS’ decision to launch the bridge program amid uncertainty for insurers.

A Lilly spokesperson said the company “advocates a long-term vision for the BALANCE model,” but added that the bridge program will reach patients who would benefit from GLP-1 drugs.

A Novo spokesperson said the company supports the Bridge program while working on long-term access for older Americans.

While extending the bridge program through 2027 will ease uncertainty around reimbursement for weight loss drugs and blunt the short-term impact on demand, the indefinite delay clouds the long-term outlook for permanent integration into the Medicare prescription drug plan, analysts said.

Longer term, “we think that once this obesity benefit is established, it will be practical and politically difficult to remove it beyond 2028,” JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott said, according to Reuters.

Contributed by: Reuters

Does Tucker Carlson still support Donald Trump? Explaining their aftermath

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  • Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he defended President Trump’s policies throughout his time as president.
  • Currently, Carlson is increasingly critical of Trump and the Iran war.

Tucker Carlson said he regrets campaigning for President Donald Trump, who has recently come under increasing criticism for the Iran war.

“We’re going to suffer from that for a long time,” Carlson said on “The Tucker Carlson Show” on April 20 about her and her brother’s support for Trump. “That’s going to happen. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people. It wasn’t intentional. That’s all I can say.”

Carlson, a former Fox News host, has been increasingly critical of President Trump since the war began. He joins Marjorie Taylor Greene, Candace Owens and other former MAGA stars who have spoken out against the president in recent months.

Carlson once said, “I love Trump as a human being.” Here’s what you need to know about their latest breakdown.

Who is Tucker Carlson?

Carlson is a former Fox News host who left the network in 2023 shortly after the network settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting for $787.5 million. After his retirement, he continued to be a prominent conservative commentator with his Tucker Carlson Network.

Mr. Carlson was very publicly supportive of Mr. Trump throughout his first term as president, but documents revealed during the Dominion case showed a more complicated story.

After the 2020 election, Carlson sent a message to producers saying, “We are very close to being able to ignore Mr. Trump almost every night. I just can’t wait.”

After the documents were released, he told WABC that he has defended President Trump’s policies for four years and will continue to do so. When Trump became the Republican candidate again, Carlson supported him.

“Aside from everything else about Trump, he actually cares because he’s interested in the people who live here, because that’s his job. A father’s duty is to his family, an officer’s duty is to his subordinates, a president’s duty is to his people, and he seems to be the only one who thinks that way,” he said at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

What does Tucker Carlson say about Trump?

Shortly after the first Israeli-American attack on Iran, Carlson said on his YouTube channel that the war was what Israel wanted and was not in the best interest of the United States. (The following week, after Mr. Rubio said an Israeli attack was imminent, President Trump said the attack was a pre-emptive strike and that the United States may have forced Israel’s hand.)

Carlson said President Trump’s Easter threats against Iranian infrastructure are “despicable” on “every level.” He, along with other right-wing figures, also questioned Trump’s mental health heading into office.

On April 15, Carlson claimed that a now-deleted AI photo of Trump hugging Jesus “mocks” Jesus and Christianity, with many saying he looked like Jesus.

On the April 20 broadcast, Carlson said he, his brother and others who helped get Trump elected were “involved” in the presidency.

“I think this is kind of a period of wrestling with our own conscience,” he said. “It’s not enough to just say, ‘I changed my mind,’ or, ‘Oh, this is bad, I’m not going to do it anymore.’ It’s a very small thing, but in a very real sense, you and I and millions of people like us are like the reason this is happening right now. ”

What does President Trump say about Tucker Carlson?

When Carlson was kicked out of Fox News in 2023, Trump called him “a great person to me.”

However, in an April 9 Truth social post, President Trump attacked Carlson and other right-wing commentators who have criticized Trump and the Iran war, calling them “low IQs.”

“Tucker Carlson didn’t even make it through college. He was a broken man when he was fired from Fox. He’s never the same. Maybe he should see a good psychiatrist!” the post read. “MAGA is about victory and strength in not allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon. MAGA is about making America great again, and these guys don’t know how, but I do, because America is now the ‘hottest’ country anywhere in the world!” ”

Contributions: Taijuan Moorman, Zac Anderson, David Jackson, Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY

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

Chemical leak in West Virginia kills 2, injures 21

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A chemical leak at a West Virginia factory on April 22 killed at least two people and sent nearly 20 people to the hospital.

The leak was reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. ET at Catalyst Refiners, a facility used to recover silver, the Kanawha County Commission said in a news release.

Local officials said at a news conference that the official cause of the leak is still under investigation by local, state and federal authorities.

However, preliminary information indicates that workers at the site were in the process of cleaning and closing at least part of the facility, including decontaminating the area. Officials said a chemical reaction during the cleaning process produced hydrogen sulfide, and employees at the scene immediately called emergency services.

Initial responses resulted in 21 people being transported to hospitals or seeking medical attention in connection with the breach. One of them is in critical condition, the committee said.

At least two people were also killed in connection with the incident, local officials said. Their identities were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

This facility is located within the Institute, an unincorporated community along the Kanawha River. It is located approximately 16 miles northwest of the state capital, Charleston.

West Virginia shelter-in-place

Officials lifted some shelter-in-place warnings from earlier in the day, but warnings remained in effect between the power plant site and West Virginia State University.

Catalyst Refiners’ owner, Ames Goldsmith Corporation, said in a statement to USA TODAY that it was “deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our colleagues.”

“These are incredibly difficult times, and our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families,” Frank Barber, president of Ames Goldsmiths, said in a statement.

Barber said the smoke was contained only to that building, and additional catalyst refinery employees were being tested at area hospitals as a precaution.

Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.

What did AOC say to RFK? What you need to know in the seemingly heated exchange

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A now-viral photo shows Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez having a lively conversation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a congressional hearing that infuriated the department’s health secretary.

Representative Ocasio-Cortez of New York was the first to address Kennedy at the hearing, asking him why he chose to send more money to insurance companies.

Although the two men appear to agree on some points, subsequent photos show the congressman confronting Kennedy.

What happened during the hearing?

RFK Jr. was called to testify by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Ocasio-Cortez used her time to press health insurance companies and how the government recently decided to increase payments to the industry.

“The industry says they’re increasing these costs, but the industry is deceiving the public. So we know they’re lying. We know they’re even lying about how it works. They’re upcoding. They’re telling us, the people, the government, Medicare, our system, that people are sicker than they actually are in order to get more money,” Ocasio-Cortez said at the hearing.

“If I’m right, we’re giving them more money because they say they need it?”

Mr Kennedy agreed that the industry was lying, but said that had to be balanced against the impact on patients.

Why did AOC feud with RFK Jr.?

Photos taken after the hearing show the two in what appears to be a heated conversation.

These images, taken by Liz Eslie White of the Wall Street Journal, have since gone viral due to their body language.

It wasn’t immediately clear what they were talking about. However, a WSJ reporter responded to a comment asking if the two had been arguing, writing that the conversation “appeared to be friendly.”

Neither Kennedy nor Ocasio-Cortez mentioned the exchange.

You can now schedule a pickup time for your order in the Starbucks app

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Starbucks wants you to be able to customize when you get your drink.

Starting May 11, the Seattle-based specialty coffee chain will introduce “scheduled ordering,” which allows customers to reserve mobile orders up to an hour before pickup. The feature will be available on the Starbucks mobile app and will be available at locations where Mobile Order & Pay is available, including Starbucks at airports.

Paul Riedel, Starbucks’ senior vice president of digital and loyalty, told USA TODAY. “As more customers turn to the Starbucks app to get through their busy lives, timing has become as important as convenience,” he added.

Starbucks’ new pre-order feature allows customers to choose a pick-up time rather than ordering for immediate pickup.

“When a little more planning is needed, customers can schedule in advance to accommodate meetings, classes, busy days, etc.,” Riedel said. “And if plans change, customers can continue to order the same way they always have.”

Starbucks introduced pre-ordering in some test stores and found that customers who tried the feature often returned. Infrequent customers are more likely to try this feature, while frequent customers use it more often.

Pre-ordering has been especially popular in busy coffee shops and university hubs, places that serve customers with tight schedules. Starbucks’ smart queuing algorithm helps balance mobile orders at each store with orders from other customers using walk-ins or drive-thrus.

“Pickup times reflect real-time availability at each location,” Riedel said. “This gives customers the flexibility to choose how to order or make changes before checking out.”

How to use Starbucks’ new pre-order feature

Starting May 11, the Starbucks mobile app will have a new option to order drinks up to one hour in advance (availability may vary by store). During checkout on the Starbucks mobile app, you’ll see one additional option.

  • Create your order in the Starbucks app as usual.
  • On the order confirmation screen, select your pick-up time.
  • Select an available 5-minute pickup window (for example, 9:10 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.) up to 1 hour in advance.
  • Complete your order and it will arrive at the time you selected.

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, or email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

Elizabeth Smart reveals her transformation in bodybuilding

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Elizabeth Smart, a child safety advocate and former kidnap victim, said bodybuilding is an empowering experience.

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Elizabeth Smart is making a profit.

The child safety advocate and former child abduction victim revealed in an Instagram photo posted on Tuesday, April 21, that she has started competing in bodybuilding competitions.

Smart acknowledged the shocking change in the caption.

“When I posted a photo of me on stage in a bikini on my Stories, it probably shocked a lot of people. I can understand the shock, because if you had asked me a few years ago if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show, I would have said, ‘Absolutely not! Not in 100 years!'” Smart, 38, wrote.

Smart, who was only competing in her fourth contest, said she was nervous about sharing information because she was worried about being judged and not being taken seriously as an advocate.

“Last weekend I was struck by how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for so many survivors,” she added. “We are more than just one topic, one idea, one label.”

She went on to celebrate her body’s transformation, saying, “It’s taken me through all the worst days, all the hellish experiences it’s given me. It’s given me the birth and care of three beautiful children. My body has supported me through all the challenges life throws at me, and I’m not ashamed of it.”

Smart’s kidnapping is one of the most publicized incidents in American history. The 14-year-old was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2002. She spent nine months in “horrible” captivity before being rescued, where she was sexually abused by Brian David Mitchell, a man her family had previously hired for “chores.” Mitchell and his then-wife and co-defendant, Wanda Barzee, were arrested by law enforcement shortly after.

Mitchell was convicted of kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines “for the purpose of sexual activity.” He is currently serving a life sentence. Barzee pleaded guilty in 2009 but was released in 2018. Barzee was arrested again in 2025 after visiting multiple parks, which violates his status as a sex offender.

Since her rescue, Elizabeth Smart has become a child safety activist, founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, and written about her experiences. She lives in Utah with her husband and three children.

“I only wish that we all find the courage to pursue new experiences, goals, self-improvement, and most importantly, happiness,” she wrote.

Contributed by Amaris Oaks, USA TODAY

Will consumers also be able to receive a refund of customs duties?

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

Rachel Barber reports that U.S. importers who paid duties under the policy struck down by the Supreme Court in February are working to secure refunds from the federal government.

Will consumers also be able to receive a refund of customs duties?

Ask for someone’s credit score

As if dating wasn’t difficult enough, Medora Lee reports that Gen Z and Millennials have found themselves having to worry about people exaggerating or fabricating evidence of their financial health.

Raising children becomes expensive

The cost of raising children in America is already high. And according to a new report, that percentage is getting higher and higher.

📰 Other stories you can’t miss 📰

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

Private Washington, D.C. club mentioned in Kash Patel lawsuit

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FBI Director Kash Patel’s court filing in his $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic includes a private social club in Washington, D.C.

What’s Ned’s stuff? Why is it tangled inside Patel’s suit?

What did The Atlantic say about Ned?

In an April 17 article titled “FBI Director MIA,” The Atlantic claimed that Patel’s alleged drinking habits were well known in Washington, D.C., circles.

“He has been known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication at his private club Ned’s in Washington, D.C., in the presence of the White House and other administration staff,” the article said, citing unnamed sources. “He is also known to drink excessively at the Poodle Room in Las Vegas, often spending part of his weekends there. Early in his tenure, alcohol-intoxicated nights resulted in meetings and briefings having to be rescheduled to later in the day.”

What is Ned?

Neds Club is described on its website as a private space for “diverse professionals to gather, work, and have fun.”

Ned’s, which also has locations in London, New York and Qatar, is located on 15th Street Northwest, across from the White House.

Ned’s offers daily events including CEO-led workshops and panel discussions, access to fine dining and bars, spa access, special bedroom rates and other perks.

Potential members must provide a photo and introduction of themselves before being allowed to join.

Neds values ​​privacy and photography is prohibited inside the club.

When the club opened last year, WTOP announced a $5,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual dues.

What did Kash Patel say about Ned?

Patel said the Atlantic’s accusations that he was frequently drunk at Ned’s and the Poodle Room were “false and defamatory.”

“Secretary Patel does not drink to excess at these establishments or any other location, and this is not, and has never been, a concern to the entire government,” Patel said in the lawsuit.

Mr. Patel insisted that The Atlantic never contacted Mr. Nedd to assist with the sources’ statements.

“At no time did they cross-check Secretary Patel’s public schedule against his claim that the meeting had to be rescheduled for an ‘alcohol-fueled night,'” according to the complaint.

“We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel,” The Atlantic said in a statement Monday.

“We will vigorously defend The Atlantic and its journalists against this meritless lawsuit,” the magazine said.

What is “broken heart syndrome”? The Shreveport shooting highlights the risks.

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A Shreveport mother was rushed to the hospital in the early hours of April 19 after her husband shot her, killing her eight children, police said.

Her children were among those killed. Her cousin Francine Monroe Brown said her family initially didn’t tell her because of the risk of a rare and sometimes fatal heart disease caused by severe mental stress. Police have not yet identified the mother. She was shot multiple times and remained hospitalized on April 22, her family said.

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that between 2016 and 2020, nearly 200,000 adults were hospitalized with the disease, known as “broken heart syndrome.” It can occur suddenly and can lead to serious complications, said study author Dr. Mohammad Reza Mobahed, an interventional cardiac specialist.

“This is a very serious disease because once you get it, it can actually be fatal,” Movahed said.

What is Broken Heart Syndrome?

Movahed said the syndrome occurs when parts of the heart stop working due to extreme stress. This can happen after someone hears good news, such as winning the lottery, or tragic news, such as a death in the family. In the Louisiana case, victims included 3-year-old Jayla Elkins. Sheila Elkins, 5 years old. Kayla Pugh, 6 years old. Layla Pugh, 7 years old. Markedon Pugh, 10 years old. Sariah Snow, 11 years old. Kedarion Snow, 6 years old. Shamar Elkins also shot and killed a second woman, but she survived. Police have not identified her.

An asthma attack, severe bleeding, extreme pain and even the physical stress of waking up from surgery can also cause symptoms, Movahed said.

“In fact, one-third of patients had no provoking factor,” he said. “When they suddenly wake up and feel short of breath and go to the hospital, they have broken heart syndrome.”

When the syndrome affects the lower part of the heart, known as the apex, it can cause the heart to look like a balloon, Movahed said. The condition was first reported in Japan in 1990 and was named “takotsubo cardiomyopathy” after the shape of an octopus trap that resembles the shape of an affected heart, according to the American Heart Association.

Movahed said it’s not entirely clear why stress causes this condition. Hormones released during stress likely play a role, he said. However, experts do not know exactly why the disease attacks different parts of the heart in different people.

“Unfortunately, this is a disease that is still poorly understood,” Movahed said.

Symptoms may reflect a heart attack

Movahed said symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain can be similar to a heart attack.

Anyone experiencing such symptoms should go to the hospital, said Dr. Harmony Reynolds, former chair of the American Heart Association’s Clinical Cardiology and Stroke Women’s Health Scientific Committee. Heart attacks can also be caused by stress, she says, and it’s impossible for patients to tell the difference.

“You can’t tell it apart outside of the hospital,” says Reynolds, a cardiology professor who heads the Sarah Ross Souter Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Research at New York University School of Medicine.

Can you die from it?

According to Movahed’s research, the mortality rate for the syndrome was 6.5% and remained unchanged from 2016 to 2020.

Serious complications can occur, Movahed said, including cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition in which the heart suddenly stops pumping enough blood. Blood clots can form, a stroke can occur, the heart muscle can rupture, and the patient can develop an arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest. Congestive heart failure occurred in more than one-third of the patients studied.

However, the syndrome is treatable and the majority of patients recover, Movahed said.

Who is most at risk?

Postmenopausal women are most at risk for this syndrome, and people with mental health conditions may be more vulnerable to this syndrome. Movahed’s research found that while the condition is more common in women, men are almost twice as likely to die from the disease. In rare cases, the syndrome can come back, he said.

Movahed and Reynolds said there is no proven way to prevent the syndrome. But maintaining physical health and treating anxiety can help prepare you for bad news, the researchers said.

Contributors: Julia Gomez and Natalie Neysa Alund