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Jenna Bush Hager celebrates daughter becoming a teenager on ‘Today’

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Jenna Bush Hager celebrates daughter becoming a teenager on ‘Today’

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Jenna Bush Hager is now a mother to a teenage daughter, and she recently celebrated the milestone with her “Today” show co-host and more than 1.5 million Instagram followers.

Hager, the granddaughter of 41st US President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, posted on her Instagram Stories on Monday, April 13, a photo of herself cradling her now 13-year-old daughter Mila with the caption, “Happy birthday to the girl of my dreams.”

The 44-year-old author and journalist reflected on how quickly her daughter has grown up on Monday’s episode of “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.”

“That little one turns 13 today. I can’t believe it,” Jenna said on the Today show.

Co-host Sheinelle Jones also joined in on the birthday celebration, telling Hager, “You’re officially a teenager.”

Jenna Hagar recalls going into labor at baby shower

Hager also posted a photo of her newborn, Mila, on her Instagram Stories with the caption, “What was the day like 13 years ago when I became a mom?” She added a video of herself having a tender moment with baby Mila.

The reminiscences didn’t stop there, as Hager, a mother of three, recalled the moment Mila’s contractions began at Mila’s baby shower, about three weeks before her due date.

“All of a sudden the water exploded and everyone had different reactions,” Hager said on the “Today” show. “There was one guy who was the caterer, and he just threw a roll of paper towels and walked out the door.”

He added: “Those who were pregnant there started crying in fear.”

Hager says Mila is “coming into her own.”

Jones, who is already the mother of two teenagers, twins Clara and Uche who will turn 13 in July 2025, echoed Hager’s sentiments.

“It’s only a few months away,” Shinel said of the twins becoming teenagers. “You know, they become their own thing. For years, I say, ‘Wear this,’ and they just wear it. Finally, Clara is old enough to wear what she wants.”

In response to her co-host’s remarks, Hager said, “If you told Mila Hagar what she should wear, she would laugh.”

Hager also talked about how Mila is coming into her own, away from her younger sister Poppy, 10, and older brother Hal, 6.

“I think you could tell she was her own person,” Hager said. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh, she’s going to go trick-or-treating with her friends, I’m not going to remember her,’ and that was fine.”

And how will Mira react when she hears her mother talk about her birthday on live TV? “She’ll be happy that I talked about it on the show,” Hager joked.

Tinder agrees to a $60.5 million settlement. Which users are eligible to receive payments?

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Tinder agrees to a .5 million settlement. Which users are eligible to receive payments?

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Tinder has agreed to pay customers $60.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the dating platform of charging users over the age of 29 exorbitant fees.

A 2015 complaint filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles County accuses Tinder of charging older customers $19.99 a month for Tinder Plus, while charging customers under 30 just $9.99 to $14.99 a month. The dating app company released Tinder Plus in 2015, which offers premium features to customers.

The company’s pricing policies violate California law, the complaint alleges. California law prohibits companies from treating consumers unfairly based on characteristics.

“Tinder brazenly announced and adopted multi-tier pricing plans that treated consumers unequally based solely on age,” the complaint states.

The parties agreed to a $60.5 million settlement in December 2025, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY.

According to the class action notice, Tinder has settled the case, but the company “denies any wrongdoing, violation of law, or any harm caused to class members by its age-based pricing policies.”

USA TODAY contacted Tinder on April 13, but did not immediately receive a response.

How much does Tinder pay?

The $60.5 million settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. A final approval hearing is scheduled for May 20, according to the settlement website.

If the settlement amount is approved, affected customers will have until August 18 to select a payment method. Additionally, if you do not receive a notification, you must confirm your membership in the class by that date.

If a customer does not select a payment method, payment management will attempt to pay the customer via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle based on their Tinder records, the website states.

How to qualify for Tinder payments

The settlement applies to those who purchased Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California after March 2, 2015, if they were 29 years of age or older, or after March 2, 2016, if they were 28 years of age or older.

How much settlement money will I receive?

According to the settlement website, people will receive a share of the settlement money on a per capita and pro rata basis. The website states that each class member is entitled to a share equal to the court-approved net settlement amount, divided by the total number of class participants participating in the settlement.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

Judge dismissed for blocking deportation of pro-Palestinian students

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Judge dismissed for blocking deportation of pro-Palestinian students

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The Trump administration is firing more immigration judges, including two who dismissed high-profile deportation cases against pro-Palestinian student activists earlier this year, according to the union representing immigration judges.

The National Association of Immigration Judges confirmed on Monday, April 13, that six immigration judges were fired over the weekend, and three were fired on April 3. The layoffs were first reported by the New York Times last week.

The union said the dismissals also included Massachusetts judges Roopal Patel and Nina Froese, who were appointed during the Biden administration. Patel and Froese had thwarted the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Rumeisa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, and Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student who was born and raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank.

“The recent firings mean that 113 immigration judges have been fired without due process, reason or explanation since January of last year,” the National Immigration Judges Association said, according to Reuters.

The union called the firings “wrong and unjust,” noting that it is highly unusual for an immigration judge to be fired before President Donald Trump returns to the White House. In July 2025, USA TODAY reported that the Justice Department had fired 17 immigration judges from federal courts in 10 states amid the Trump administration’s deportation push.

Immigration courts have come under increasing scrutiny as immigrants who wish to attend regular hearings are being restrained from entering and exiting the courts by masked officials. Courthouses and other federal buildings have become centers of protests across the United States, including in Los Angeles and New York.

Deportation case against Rumeisa Ozturk and Mohsen Mahdawi dismissed

Ozturk, a child development researcher, was arrested in March 2025 after the State Department canceled his student visa. Her arrest was made public by a video that showed masked, plainclothes immigration officers detaining Ozturk as she walked on a sidewalk near her Boston-area home.

The incident comes as the Trump administration seeks to deport pro-Palestinian campus activists. Ozturk was arrested after co-authoring an opinion piece criticizing Tufts University’s response to students’ calls to divest from companies with ties to Israel and to “recognize the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

She was released in May 2025 after spending more than six weeks in a Louisiana immigration detention center. In February, Patel ruled there was no reason to deport Ozturk.

“I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that despite the flaws in the justice system, my case may offer hope to others who have also been wronged by the United States government,” Ozturk said in a statement at the time.

President Trump targeted college students. The campus fell silent.

In April 2025, Mahdawi was arrested after participating in a pro-Palestinian protest. Federal authorities detained him when he arrived for his naturalization interview. He was then detained at a correctional facility in Vermont.

After two weeks in custody, a federal judge in Vermont ordered his release. Froese blocked his deportation in February, saying the Department of Homeland Security had failed in its obligation to prove he could be deported.

“This decision is an important step to protect what terror sought to destroy: the right to speak for peace and justice,” Mahdawi said in a statement at the time.

President Trump targets college campuses in response to pro-Palestinian protests

The Trump administration has come under intense scrutiny over its immigration policies. Some lawmakers and civil rights groups have condemned the controversial crackdown, alleging human rights violations and disregard for due process.

In 2024, pro-Palestinian protests erupted on university campuses across the country as demonstrators demanded that university endowments be stripped of Israeli benefits and that the federal government end military aid to Israel. The protests began in October 2023 after the start of the Israel-Hamas war and subsequent US-backed Israeli attack on Gaza.

When President Trump began his second term in 2025, he cracked down on pro-Palestinian activities, including attempting to deport international students and threatening to freeze funding to universities where protests took place. The crackdown faces judicial hurdles.

President Trump and his allies have accused university administrators of allowing anti-Semitism to flourish on campus, alleging that some pro-Palestinian campus protesters have physically attacked and harassed Jewish students and community members. Protesters say the president mistakenly conflated criticism of Israel’s attack on Gaza with anti-Semitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.

Contributors: Eduardo Cuevas, Trevor HughesMr. Miss, and John Bacon, USA TODAY. Reuters

Dallas Wings acquire Aji Fuad, reuniting him with UW teammate Paige Bakkers

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Dallas Wings acquire Aji Fuad, reuniting him with UW teammate Paige Bakkers

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NEW YORK — After all the drama surrounding the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, it ended the way many expected before the college season began.

In fact, UConn All-American Aji Fuad was selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft held at The Shed at Hudson Yards on Monday, April 13th. She becomes the seventh UW player to be selected first, joining Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Brianna Stewart and Wings teammate Paige Bakkers.

“I’m excited to be playing with Paige again, a great player, a great person,” Fudd told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after his selection.

Bueckers sat in the crowd with the entire UConn team. Fudd said he is grateful for the support of his teammates and family.

The 5-foot-11 shooting guard helped the school win 54 straight games over the past two seasons, including the 2025 All-America Championship where he was named Most Valuable Player. The Huskies’ winning streak ended this season with a loss to South Carolina in the national semifinals.

“It’s not how I wanted the season to end, but I think the biggest takeaway is how great my five years have been,” Fudd said when asked about college. “If you can learn from it and embrace every experience, wins and losses, tough practices, good and bad, you can grow from it.

“All those habits, that championship, that winning mentality, I have to be able to bring them back.”

Fudd averaged 14.7 points and shot 42.2% from 3-point range during his four years in college. This season, she averaged 17.3 points and 3.1 assists per game. Fudd finished his career with the highest free throw percentage in UConn history (92.5%).

“Everything we did, we did it with discipline and intensity,” Fudd said of what he learned from the Huskies. “We did it the right way. That winning mentality, that culture, the way we think… being able to read the defender, being able to learn the tendencies of the offensive players, and still being able to just play without being too restricted.”

Fudd was a first-team All-American and a finalist for both the Wood Award and the Naismith Trophy. She was also named to the All-Big East first team the past two seasons. Fudd can put up a lot of points, as he did in March when he scored 34 points, including eight 3-pointers, against Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament.

Fudd, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the 2021 class, has suffered several injuries during his career.

  • April 2019: Fudd tears his ACL and MCL during the U.S. Under-18 3-on-3 Championship.
  • As a college freshman (2021-22 season): Fudd missed 11 games as a freshman due to a foot injury.
  • As a sophomore (2022-23 season): Fudd missed 22 games due to a knee injury sustained when a teammate took a knee in a game against Notre Dame in December.
  • Junior (2023-24 season): Fudd tore his ACL and medial meniscus in his right knee during practice in November. A non-contact injury kept her out of two games.

When asked about becoming a professional basketball player, Fudd listed all the things he’s looking forward to in his next chapter.

“I feel like I can’t pinpoint one thing,” Fudd said. “No matter what happens next or where I end up, I have endless opportunities in front of me. I’m excited to go to a new city, learn from the players around me, play with great players, learn from the coaches, everything.”

Texas investigates Lululemon over ‘permanent chemicals’ in activewear

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Texas investigates Lululemon over ‘permanent chemicals’ in activewear

Texas’ top prosecutor announced on April 13 that the agency has opened an investigation into Lululemon’s possible presence of toxic “permanent chemicals” in its activewear, despite Lululemon’s insistence that the allegations are false.

Attorney General Ken Paxton said he has launched an investigation to determine whether the clothing company misled consumers about the safety, quality and health effects of its products.

The company markets itself as a lifestyle wellness brand with a focus on sustainability and performance, but “emerging research and consumer concerns are raising questions about the potential presence of certain synthetic materials and chemical compounds in apparel that may be associated with endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer, and other health issues,” according to a news release.

“Americans shouldn’t have to worry about being deceived when they try to make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” Paxton wrote in the release. “We will not allow any company to sell harmful substances to consumers at a premium price under the guise of health and sustainability.”

Lululemon said it is aware of the investigation and is “cooperating with the Texas Attorney General’s Office.”

“Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products,” the company wrote in an April 13 email to USA TODAY. “We phased out this substance in FY23, which was used in a small number of our durable water repellent products.

The company said the health and safety of its customers is its “top priority” and that its products “meet or exceed global regulatory, safety and quality standards.”

“We require all of our vendors to undergo periodic testing for restricted substances, including PFAS, by a trusted third party to ensure ongoing compliance,” the company said.

Lawsuit: Tinder agrees to a $60.5 million settlement. Who is eligible for payment?

What is the eternal chemical?

Chemicals persist in the environment long after their intended use and have been linked to long-term illnesses, including cancer and other health problems. They are best known for their use in non-stick cookware and waterproof or stain-resistant products. Critics have warned of its potential toxicity.

Their use has led to lawsuits by towns and cities across the United States seeking funds to purify their water. Firefighters and other first responders who believe the chemicals affected their health have also filed lawsuits.

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

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces the 2,026 inductees. See complete list.

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces the 2,026 inductees. See complete list.

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026 puts rock back in the spotlight, with Iron Maiden, Billy Idol and Oasis joining the eight new members.

This lineup also includes Sade, the only female.

The latest participants announced during the live broadcast of the April 13 “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night” episode of “American Idol” are:

The chosen group was chosen from a pool of 17 candidates, 10 of whom appeared on the ballot for the first time, and spanned rock, hip-hop, pop, soul and Latin music. Mr. Collins, Mr. Vandross and the Wu-Tang Clan were voting for the first time.

Those not chosen include the Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Melissa Ethridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Pink, Shakira and fan vote winner New Edition.

In addition to the Hall of Fame performers, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons will receive the Early Influence Award. Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin will receive the Excellence in Musical award. The annual Ahmet Ertegun Award will be in memory of Ed Sullivan.

When will the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony be broadcast?

Rock Hall ceremonies have been broadcast live for several years, but plans are to return to a recorded format in 2026. The ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 14th and will premiere on ABC and Disney+ in December, date to be determined.

Ticket sales information for the 2026 entrance ceremony will also be announced at a later date.

The 2027 ceremony will return to its home base in Cleveland.

Who won the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fan vote?

New Edition received over 1 million votes in this year’s fan vote, followed by Phil Collins with 900,825 votes, Pink with 852,581 votes, Shakira with 738,034 votes, and Luther Vandross with 732,747 votes.

New Edition joined Phish in 2025 and the Dave Matthews Band in 2020, making them the only artists who received flowers from fans but were not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the same year (DMB will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024).

Approximately 9.5 million votes were cast during the fan voting period from February 25th to April 3rd.

After that period and voting ended, the top seven fan votes each received one vote towards the final total.

How does an artist get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

To be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an individual artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination.

Melissa Ruggieri is one of more than 1,200 voting members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, made up of artists, historians, and members of the music industry.

Powerball jackpot rises to $45 million for April 13 drawing

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Powerball jackpot rises to million for April 13 drawing

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The Powerball jackpot has increased to $45 million with a cash value of $20.5 million ahead of the drawing on Monday, April 13th.

According to Powerball, the jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the lottery’s inception in 1992. Currently, 48 lotteries in the United States participate in Powerball games, but five states do not offer Powerball games: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

The top five states with the most recipients include Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This year, there were three Powerball winners who won a total jackpot of $668, but that’s still a long way from the seven winners in 2025.

Here’s what you need to know about Monday night’s Powerball drawing.

What are the winning Powerball numbers for April 13th?

USA TODAY will publish the winning numbers at 11pm ET after the lottery drawing.

feel lucky: Which Powerball Number Should You Choose?

Do I have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?

The short answer is no.

You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball. Anyone visiting any of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may purchase lottery tickets from authorized and licensed retailers, regardless of nationality, as long as they meet the legal age requirements (usually 18 years old) at the time of purchase.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

  • $2.04 billion in California on November 7, 2022
  • December 24, 2025, $1.817 billion in Arkansas.
  • $1.787 billion in Missouri and Texas on September 6, 2025
  • $1.765 billion in California on October 11, 2023
  • January 13, 2016, $1.586 billion in California, Florida, and Tennessee
  • April 6, 2024, $1.326 billion in Oregon.
  • $1.08 billion in California on July 19, 2023
  • January 1, 2024, $842.4 million in Michigan.
  • March 27, 2019, $768.4 million in Wisconsin
  • August 23, 2017, $758.7 million in Massachusetts

States with the most lottery winners: What you need to know.

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores.

In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online depending on your local jurisdiction.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26.

You can also add a “power play” for $1. This increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. “Power Play” multipliers can increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

A “Quick Pick” option is also available if you want the computer to select the numbers for you. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

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

A look back at President Trump’s 10 most controversial Truth Social posts

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A look back at President Trump’s 10 most controversial Truth Social posts

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President Donald Trump sparked criticism on Sunday, April 12, after posting and then deleting an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus on Truth Social, which quickly sparked a backlash from the religious community, calling it blasphemous and blasphemous.

This is not the first time President Trump’s social media posts have caused a stir. The president regularly uses Truth Social to circumvent traditional media, often gaining attention for posts that critics have described as inflammatory, misleading and offensive.

more: F-bombs, profanity and politics: Not a story fit for this family newspaper.

Here are 10 of President Trump’s most controversial social posts this season.

President Trump posts an AI image of himself that resembles Jesus

On April 12, the president posted an image of himself dressed as Jesus on his Truth social account.

The post showed Trump, wearing a white robe, placing his hand on the forehead of a man lying in bed. A light shines in Trump’s other hand, and a light also shines around the sick man’s head. An American flag flies in the background as a bald eagle flies nearby.

The image was removed from President Trump’s social media feeds after harsh criticism from Trump supporters. The president later defended the post and pushed back against the idea that he was comparing himself to Jesus in an image shared on April 13.

“I actually posted it, but I thought it was me as a doctor,” the president told reporters at a White House event on April 13. “I just heard about it and I said, ‘How did you come up with that?'” he added. It’s supposed to be me as a doctor who makes people better, and I actually make people better. I make people better. ”

more: “It’s a terrible blasphemy.” An image depicting President Trump as a statue of Jesus was removed after the uproar.

President Trump calls Pope Leo XIV “weak” and “terrible”

Just before posting the now-deleted AI Jesus photo, Trump posted a long message on Truth Social criticizing Pope Leo

“I don’t want a pope who criticizes the president of the United States because he’s doing exactly what I was elected to do in a landslide,” President Trump said in a post on Truth Social on April 12. “Leo should behave himself as a pope, use common sense, stop pandering to the radical left, and focus on being a great pope, not a politician.”

Hours later, the pope responded to Trump’s comments, saying he was “not afraid” of the Trump administration and calling the name of the president’s social media platform “Truth Social” “ironic,” but did not elaborate.

AI-generated video depicts Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys

In February, President Trump posted an apparent video meme depicting former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, but the post was ultimately deleted after bipartisan backlash.

The minute-long video, released on February 5, featured footage discussing baseless allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, before briefly cutting to a clip of the Obamas that appeared to be created using artificial intelligence. The image of the Obamas featured the remains of two monkeys, whose faces had been replaced with those of the former president and first lady. They looked like they were in the jungle with monkeys flying in the background.

The White House initially dismissed criticism that the video was racist, saying it was derived from a meme depicting President Trump and the Obamas as characters from “The Lion King.” Trump posted the video without text just before midnight on February 5th, but it was deleted by noon ET on February 6th.

Asked about the video aboard Air Force One on February 6, President Trump told reporters he had only seen the beginning of the video and had no intention of apologizing.

“I didn’t make a mistake. I looked at it the first time and it was fine,” the president said on his way from Washington to the Florida resort of Mar-a-Lago.

Trump says Rob Reiner had a ‘ferocious obsession’ with him after his death

Shortly after the death of director and actor Rob Reiner on Dec. 14, President Trump said on Truth Social that his death was “reportedly due to the anger he provoked in others due to a debilitating illness known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

“He was known for driving people crazy with his rabid obsession with President Donald J. Trump,” the president added in a Dec. 15 social media post. Trump continued to criticize Reiner in the rest of his message, calling him “tortured and suffering” and describing his view of the president as “an enormous, humiliating, incurable pain.”

more: President Trump slams Rob Reiner after death

The message came a day after Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer, were murdered in their Los Angeles home on December 14th. There is no suggestion from officials that Reiner’s death had anything to do with his political beliefs.

Amid ‘No King’s’ protests, President Trump posts ‘AI poop’ video

During the nationwide “No Kings” protests in October 2025, President Trump posted an AI-generated video that appeared to show him wearing a crown, piloting a fighter jet labeled “King Trump,” and dropping feces on protesters below.

Previous posts: President Trump attacks ‘No Kings’ protesters with AI video of himself wearing a crown

The post was one of several shared by Trump throughout the day. But it struck a chord with some Americans and social media users, who demanded answers from the White House about why the video was posted in the first place.

President Trump lashes out at Iran

The president escalated tensions with Iran earlier this month when he used profanity in a Truth social post and threatened to attack Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.

“Tuesday is Power Plant Day and Bridge Day rolled into one in Iran. There’s no better day than this!!!” Trump wrote in an April 5 post on Truth Social. “Open the F—— Channel, you crazy bastard, or you’ll live in hell – look!” The president signed the message, “Praise be to Allah.”

Further threats: President Trump calls on Iran to open Strait of Hormuz, ‘or you’ll live in hell’

The United States and Iran have since struck a fragile ceasefire, but peace talks earlier this month failed to reach an agreement. President Trump has issued similar warnings to Iran on social media, including that it may have sea mines in the strait.

President Trump: ‘Entire civilization will perish tonight and we will target Iran’

President Trump took to social media again on April 7, threatening Iran as a deadline looms for the United States to target the country’s critical infrastructure if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz.

“Tonight, an entire civilization will perish, never to rise again,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

The US did not target infrastructure and instead struck a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

President Trump uses slur in social media post

President Trump also came under fire over Thanksgiving after posting a series of anti-immigrant messages on Truth Social, including one that disparaged Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

In a Nov. 27 post, Trump accused political leaders of allowing the country to be “divided, confused” and “ridiculed” over immigration policy, then singled out Minnesota and used the so-called “r-word” to describe the state’s Democratic governor. The term was once used medically to describe people with intellectual disabilities, but is now widely considered offensive and is frequently cited by advocacy groups as harmful and demeaning.

Disability rights groups have been campaigning to stop using the term, but it has started to appear again, including on Joe Rogan’s podcast and Elon Musk’s social media posts.

Other posts: President Trump says he’s “glad” by Robert Mueller’s death as his enemies increase

President Trump is ‘glad’ over Robert Mueller’s death

President Trump did not offer online condolences or condolences for former special counsel Robert Mueller, who died on March 20, instead reacting to his death on Truth Social on March 21 in a manner that people would later call “shocking.”

“Robert Mueller just passed away. I’m glad he’s dead,” President Trump posted on Truth Social. “He can no longer hurt innocent people! President Donald J. Trump.”

Mueller, who served as special counsel in the investigation into possible Russian interference in President Trump’s favor during the 2016 presidential election, died at the age of 81 after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He served as FBI Director from September 4, 2001 to September 4, 2013.

President Trump accuses Democrats of ‘sedition’

On November 20, 2025, President Trump accused Truth Social of committing “seditious acts punishable by death” in numerous posts after a group of six Democratic congressmen released a video urging soldiers to refuse illegal orders.

“This is called sedition at the highest level,” Trump wrote. “Each and every traitor to our country must be arrested and brought to justice. Their words cannot be ignored – we no longer have a country!!! We must set an example.”

“Sedition, punishable by death!” he added in a later post.

Read the first report: President Trump accuses six Democratic congressmen of “sedition, potentially punishable by death”

Some Democrats and officials later described the president’s message as “appalling” and threatening. President Trump clarified in a November 21, 2025 interview on the FOX News radio program “The Brian Kilmeade Show” that he was “not threatening to kill” members of Congress.

“I think they’re in deep trouble,” Trump added in a Nov. 21 interview. “In the old days, it was death.”

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.

Contributors: Zach Anderson, Cybele Mays Osterman, Kinsey Crowley, Melina Cahn, Joey Garrison, Jonathan Limehouse. america today

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez to resign over extramarital affair allegations

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Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez to resign over extramarital affair allegations

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Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez has announced he is resigning from Congress after admitting to having an affair with a former staffer who self-immolated.

“There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for all of us. Tomorrow, when Congress reconvenes, I will tender my resignation,” Gonzalez wrote in an April 13 post for X magazine.

According to a report in the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY network, Gonzalez initially denied the allegations and claimed the report was an attempt at extortion. Gonzalez appeared on the Joe Pags podcast on March 4 and admitted to the affair, saying, “I made a mistake.”

Gonzalez dropped his bid for re-election in March after House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leaders asked him to withdraw from a May runoff for the party’s nomination against gun activist Brandon Herrera.

The announcement came on the same day that Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who is facing accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, also announced he would withdraw from the House. The California Democratic Party said the accusations are “completely false.”

House exit: Eric Swalwell announces resignation from Congress

What are the charges against Tony Gonzalez?

Gonzalez has been embroiled in controversy over rumors that he had an affair with former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who has since passed away.

In February, NBC News reported that Gonzalez sent multiple sexually explicit emails in May 2024 to Santos Aviles, who died in September 2025. The San Antonio Express-News also reported that Santos Aviles admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a former co-worker in a text message.

“I made a mistake in judgment and lacked faith. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Gonzalez said on the podcast. “I asked God for forgiveness and He granted it. My faith is as strong as ever.”

House reacts to Gonzalez’s resignation

House members on both sides of the aisle approved Gonzalez’s resignation on social media.

New Mexico Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez threatened to bring up an expulsion vote against Gonzalez after saying on X shortly after Swalwell’s resignation that “any member of Congress who sexually harasses or abuses a staff member needs to leave.”

“Public outrage + solutions = accountability for sexual abuse of women,” she added after Gonzalez’s announcement.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said on social media that Gonzalez’s resignation was “the right thing to do.”

After Gonzalez’s announcement, Luna wrote to X: “This week we succeeded in draining some of the quagmire with the resignation of two highly corrupt members of Congress.”

Former Congressman George Santos, whose sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump last year, had harsh words for Gonzalez.

“Okay, you asshole!” Santos said in an April 13 post on the X show. “May you never find peace in the face of what you did to that poor woman.”

This story has been updated with new information

Details about ‘The Pit’ Season 3 from Noah Wyle at PaleyFest finale event

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Details about ‘The Pit’ Season 3 from Noah Wyle at PaleyFest finale event

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LOS ANGELES — Noah Wyle is previewing season 3 of “The Pit.” And it will cause a boom.

Weil, who serves as star, writer and executive producer, shared important details about the upcoming season with USA TODAY ahead of PaleyFest LA’s “The Pit” event on April 12 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

The next season of the HBO Max show will begin filming in June and will take place in the fictional Pittsburgh ER in early November.

“It’s going to be before Thanksgiving and we’re going to move into colder weather. The holidays are coming up. The weather is changing. People are going to turn on their heaters for the first time,” said Wiley, 54.

“It’s going to be explosive,” he promises.

More from PaleyFest: Noah Wyle sets record with Supriya Ganesh’s ‘The Pit’ ejection

Season 1 took place over one shift in September. The current season 2 took place 10 months later, during a 15-hour shift over the July 4th weekend. The next season is just four months away.

“So it’s not as big a jump (in time) as it was last time,” says author R. Scott Gemmill. “And let’s play in the cold weather.”

This season required nine months of intensive filming, leaving the cast and crew exhausted. But Gemmill said writers, including Weil, are already working on a medical series that mimics the old Hollywood model of annual seasons.

Amid a major career resurgence and multiple award wins, “ER” star Wiley says he doesn’t need a break anyway.

“You’re so worried about losing your job again that you try your luck,” Weil says. “We’re working on the story in the writers’ room and will be back filming in June and hopefully back on the air in January.”

Season 1 of “The Pit,” he says, was “a speculative adventure.” No one expected it to become such a hit. Wiley said he was able to enjoy the worldwide excitement that followed this year’s Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.

“We created Season 1 with nothing, and once the first episodes started airing early on, we had an inkling that this might be really popular,” Weil says. “During Season 2, we were honored at award ceremonies and had our pictures taken. It was great.”

Wiley called the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on April 6, which he had dreamed of since childhood, just steps away from the Los Angeles landmark, “the best cherry blossom of my year and my life.”

PaleyFest crowd goes wild as they preview ‘The Pit’ finale

Wiley and Gemmill, along with fellow Emmy Award winners Katherine LaNasa (Chief Nurse Dana Evans) and Taylor Dearden (Dr. Melissa “Mel” King), felt the love firsthand at Sunday’s raucous PaleyFest event. All four floors of the Dolby Theater were filled with cheering fans, many wearing customized “The Pit” T-shirts.

“I’ve been living under a rock, so this helps me,” Dearden said, looking out at the appreciative crowd.

The crowd got even louder when event organizers announced they would be previewing the Season 2 finale, which won’t air until April 16 (up to 8 ET/PT). The atmosphere was positively excited as they showed the entire finale episode to hundreds of fans.

Gemmill promised the audience the same in Season 3 as the beloved cast moves forward.

“We’re going to accept these people and follow the next shift,” Gemmill said. “We follow each of their journeys through life. Every year, we get to know them a little bit more.”

Wiley said Dr. Michael “Robbie” Rabinovich, a highly talented but mentally challenged man, will continue to evolve and learn that he is unable to effectively deal with the trauma from the ER and his own life.

“The theme of season one is that the doctor is the patient,” Wiley said. “Season 2 is about how doctors don’t make very good patients. Season 3’s theme is that doctors can benefit from being patients.”

What records are required for IRS tax relief?

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What records are required for IRS tax relief?

Documentation is very important when applying for tax credits. Whether you apply for an installment agreement, offer in compromise (OIC), or other form of relief, the IRS requires a clear picture of your financial situation. This means you will need to provide detailed records of your income, expenses, debts, and assets so that your eligibility can be assessed.

Requirements vary by program, so it’s important to check the specific criteria before applying. Gathering the appropriate documentation in advance can streamline the process, reduce interaction with the IRS, and avoid unnecessary delays.

If you’re wondering what records you need to claim a tax credit, here’s a complete checklist.

Why documentation is important for tax relief

Many forms of tax relief, including installment agreements, offers in compromise (OIC), and currently not collectible (CNC) status, are designed for taxpayers who cannot afford to pay their taxes in full. To determine whether you qualify, the IRS needs a complete and accurate picture of your financial situation.

That’s where the documentation will be needed. Typically, you’ll need to provide records of your income, expenses, debts, and assets so the IRS can assess your overall ability to pay. This financial review is central to determining both eligibility and relief conditions.

“The burden of proof is on the taxpayer, so any claims or assertions should be well documented,” says Sergio Garcia, CFP, EA, senior financial planner at Hightower Signature Wealth.

Providing thorough documentation will not only support your case but also help prevent fraud and misrepresentation. Missing or incomplete records can slow down the review process and even cause your application to be denied.

Key records typically required for tax relief

Documentation requirements vary by program, but most types of tax relief rely on the same core financial records. Generally, you will need to provide evidence of your income, expenses, assets, and overall financial situation.

  1. income certificate

The IRS will request documentation of all sources of income to assess your ability to pay. This may include:

  • pay slip
  • W-2 or 1099
  • Income statement if self-employed
  • social security benefit letter
  • Pension or retirement income statement
  1. Bank statements and financial accounts

You’ll also need to provide records of your financial accounts so the IRS can examine your available cash and savings. These may include:

  • Checking and savings account statements
  • Investment and retirement account statements
  • cash value life insurance documents
  1. monthly living expenses

The IRS will evaluate your living expenses and determine what you can reasonably pay. You may be required to provide the following documents:

  • rent or mortgage payment
  • public works
  • food expenses
  • Transportation expenses
  • health insurance premium
  • medical expenses
  • Childcare fee
  1. asset documentation

The IRS will examine your assets to determine whether you can sell or borrow them to pay your tax liability. This analysis helps you calculate the reasonable collectibility (RCP), or the amount the IRS believes can realistically be collected.

You may be asked to provide documentation showing:

  • Real estate, including current home prices and mortgage balances
  • the vehicle, both its current value and loan balance
  • Other valuable assets such as investments or personal property
  1. Tax returns and IRS notices

To qualify for most tax relief programs, you must file a current tax return, even if you can’t pay the taxes owed. The IRS may require:

  • Recent tax returns (usually from the past 1 to 3 years)
  • A copy of any IRS letter or notice regarding your debt.

Records required by certain tax relief programs

Some tax relief programs require more detailed documentation than others. Here’s what you can expect based on the type of relief you apply for.

Offer in compromise (OIC)

An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than what you owe, but you must provide detailed records to prove your eligibility. Records of compromised offers may include:

  • Detailed financial disclosures, specifically Form 433-A for individuals or Form 433-B for businesses.
  • Form 656, Application to OIC
  • Proof of income, expenses and assets
  • Application fee and first payment

installment agreement

Installment agreements allow you to pay back your taxes over a period of time. Documentation requirements are usually less extensive, but a clear financial overview is still required.

You may need to provide:

  • Summary of monthly income and expenses
  • Bank account information
  • Confirming that all required tax returns have been filed

The IRS may require Form 433-F, which is a less detailed financial disclosure than Form 433-A.

Currently Not Collectable (CNC) Status

If you can’t afford to pay taxes, you may be able to obtain CNC status. The IRS will ask you to provide the following information:

  • proof of financial hardship
  • Detailed breakdown of monthly living expenses
  • Documents proving inability to pay

reduction of penalties

The IRS may waive penalties in certain circumstances. If you request a penalty reduction for reasonable grounds, you may be required to provide the following information:

  • A written explanation of the situation such as a serious illness or natural disaster.
  • Supporting documents such as medical bills, insurance claims, and official records

Common mistakes to avoid

Dealing with delinquent taxes is already stressful, so the last thing you want is your application to be delayed due to missing documents. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for.

  • If your documents are missing or outdated: Complete the tax relief documentation checklist and make sure all records are current and up-to-date.
  • Inconsistent financial information: Your income, assets, and other financial details must match across the various documents.
  • If you’re underreporting your income or assets: Please include all income and assets. Otherwise, the IRS may deny your request.
  • Unable to include all required forms: Find out which IRS forms you need to fill out, such as Form 433-A and Form 656.

New to tax reduction rules? Check this out: IRS Fresh Start Program

How to organize tax relief records

Being organized before you apply for tax relief can save you time and prevent delays. By taking a few simple steps, you can make the process smoother and ensure you get everything the IRS requests.

  • Create a checklist. Start with a clear list of all documents required for tax relief so you don’t miss anything
  • Keep a digital copy and a physical copy. We store records electronically for easy access, but keep hard copies as backups.
  • Label your documents clearly. Use consistent and descriptive file names or folders so you can quickly find what you need.
  • Keep your records up to date. Before submitting your application, please ensure that your documents reflect your current financial situation.

Taking the time to organize your records in advance will streamline your application and reduce the risk of delays and follow-up requests from the IRS.

What happens after I submit my records?

Once you submit your records, the IRS will review your application and supporting documents to assess whether you qualify for tax relief. During this process, the agency may request additional information, such as updated bank statements and a description of your income, expenses, and assets.

Timelines can vary widely depending on the type of relief sought and the complexity of the case.

“In most cases, the process is not quick and can take anywhere from several months to a year or more to resolve,” Garcia says.

While your application is being reviewed, it’s important to respond promptly to IRS requests and keep your financial information up to date. By being organized and proactive, you can avoid unnecessary delays and move your case forward.

If you need professional help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your tax situation, it may be helpful to consult a qualified professional. Tax relief companies use certified public accountants, enrolled agents (EAs), and tax accountants who can explain your options, help you complete the paperwork, and, in some cases, interact with the IRS on your behalf.

“Taxpayers should always seek professional guidance if they feel they cannot be fully and accurately addressed,” Garcia said. “The support of experienced and knowledgeable professionals will speed up the process and reduce the burden on taxpayers.”

Professional help is especially helpful if:

  • Have a complex financial situation or multiple sources of income
  • you are in arrears with a large amount of tax
  • Not sure which tax relief option is right for you?
  • I have difficulty collecting and organizing the necessary documents.

You don’t need to hire an expert, but the right support can help you avoid mistakes, stay compliant, and move through the process more efficiently.

conclusion

Understanding what records are required to claim tax credits is an important step in the process. Each program has its own requirements, but most require up-to-date documentation of your income, expenses, debts, and assets.

Submitting complete and accurate records will make your application go more smoothly and reduce the risk of delays. However, providing the proper documentation does not guarantee approval. The IRS ultimately makes its decision based on your financial situation and overall ability to pay.

What records are required to claim a tax credit?

How far back do I need records for tax relief?

Records from the past one to three years are often required, but some tax relief offers may require a more detailed history.

Do I need to submit original documents?

Unless the IRS requires originals, you can usually submit copies of your documents.

Can missing documents delay my application?

Missing documentation can result in your tax relief application being delayed or denied. Please double-check that your records are complete, consistent, and up-to-date before submitting.

What if I can’t find a particular record?

You may need to contact the IRS, your financial institution, or other parties to trace missing records. For example, you may be able to obtain old tax returns from the IRS or duplicate account statements from your bank.

Do all tax relief programs require the same documentation?

Most tax relief programs ask for financial information, but specific documentation requirements vary. OIC and CNC status requests typically require more detailed financial disclosure than installment agreements, while penalty abatement requests may require proof of illness, natural disaster, or other qualifying reasons.

Inside Delta Air Lines’ new Delta One cabin on future Airbus planes

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Inside Delta Air Lines’ new Delta One cabin on future Airbus planes

Delta Air Lines has announced a redesigned Delta One Business Class Suite that will be introduced on its new Airbus A350-1000 and upgraded A330 aircraft.

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Delta Airlines has announced a new generation of Delta One Business Class. It will be introduced on the new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and the overhauled Airbus A330-200 and -300 aircraft.

The new business class configuration is expected to enter service on the A330 from December and on the A350 in 2027.

The airline says the new suites will feature Bluetooth connectivity, additional accessibility features and larger beds than existing business class seats.

Here’s what Delta’s high-paying passengers can expect on upcoming flights.

new suite

All of Delta’s new business class suites are equipped with privacy doors, and the airline plans to have privacy doors on 90% of its business class seats by 2030.

On the A350-1000, seats are laid out in a reverse herringbone configuration, with window passengers facing the window and middle passengers facing each other.

Adjacent middle seats will have retractable privacy dividers for travelers not traveling together.

The new suites are finished with Delta’s latest in-flight décor, which the airline said has been well-received by customers since it was first previewed exclusively by USA TODAY in 2024.

“Every time a customer flies on a Delta flight, the experience and environment should be familiar and create a feeling of home and comfort on the go,” Mauricio Parise, Delta’s vice president of brand experience, said in a statement. “This is the driving force behind every intentional design feature and investment we made as we developed the brand new A350-1000 experience, expanded through nose-to-tail upgrades on the A330-200/300, and will continue to be rolled out across our fleet.”

Improved accessibility

While many airlines are leaning toward touchscreen controls for business class seats, Delta is sticking with analog to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities.

“In consultation with Delta’s Advisory Committee on Disability and Accessible Travel, new accessibility features have also been incorporated into both the A350-1000 and A330-200/300 aircraft,” the airline’s statement said. “The new custom-designed seat control center, inspired by luxury cars, uses haptic elements that allow customers to intuitively adjust seat comfort through touch.”

Accessibility improvements extend to the restrooms, with each aircraft equipped with new Delta One Suites with private accessible bathrooms onboard.

Other improvements

Delta’s updates include new, larger, higher-quality screens in all suites and improved storage.

In addition to regular seat service, Delta One cabins also feature grab-and-go snack bars.

The overhauled aircraft will see improvements across all cabins, including more legroom in economy and updated premium economy seats.

“This experience is designed to be thoroughly human-centric, with every part of the aircraft crafted to provide first-class comfort and connectivity,” Parisse said. “These aircraft will ensure our customers have the right capacity, efficiency and experience they expect from Delta as we expand our network into Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond.”

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

USA TODAY shares American Girl memories after relaunch of original doll

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USA TODAY shares American Girl memories after relaunch of original doll

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We are taking a trip down memory lane.

USA TODAY reporters and editors dusted off their childhood American Girl dolls for a nostalgic reunion after news of the brand’s latest line.

On April 7th, American Girl re-released eight of its original historical character dolls in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

“This is more than just a product launch, it’s a nostalgic reunion that reconnects longtime fans with the stories and dolls that shaped their childhoods,” American Girl said in a release.

Watch us share your memories with American Girl dolls in the video at the beginning of this story.

Which original American Girl dolls are available for purchase?

The collection is available for purchase on the American Girl website and each doll retails for $175.

They include Addie Walker, Felicity Merriman, Josefina Montoya, Kirsten Larson, Kaya, Kit Kittridge, Molly McIntyre, and Samantha Parkington.

Each re-released doll was designed to be “as close as possible” to the original, including distinctive outfits, accessories, packaging and more, American Girl said in a release.

Read more about the relaunch of American Girl dolls.

Hilton, Bianco loses support from California Republican Party

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Hilton, Bianco loses support from California Republican Party

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Weeks before California’s primary began, Republican delegates were divided on who to support in California’s gubernatorial race after neither Republican candidate received party support.

More than 1,000 California Republican Party delegates gathered in San Diego on Sunday, April 12, for a three-day convention to decide whether to support Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco or Fox News commentator Steve Hilton. Both Republican candidates have held leads in multiple polls in recent weeks.

“Neither gubernatorial candidate was able to reach the 60% threshold for gaining the support of the California Republican Party,” the party posted on social media about the convention.

USA TODAY reached out to the California Republican Party for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication.

Remarkably, a week before the event, President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton as a gubernatorial candidate in a post on Truth Social, calling him “a truly amazing person and someone who has watched this once great state go to hell.”

But Trump’s endorsement ultimately didn’t seem to help Hilton win enough delegates. By the end of the convention, Bianco had garnered about 49% of delegate support, while Hilton had garnered about 44%. Both were well below the required threshold.

The lack of decisiveness was a surprise to Bianco. “It shouldn’t have been such a close race,” he told a KCRA3 reporter after the votes were counted. In the end, Bianco said he’s not worried and believes he can win this year’s gubernatorial ballot leading up to the November general election.

Hilton, meanwhile, told ABC10 that his campaign has made “progress” in recent weeks, counting his ability to block support for his opponent as a victory.

This news was brought to you by Congressman Eric. Swalwell’s announcementHe suspended his California gubernatorial campaign after several women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.

The lawmaker is also under investigation in Manhattan and reportedly announced his resignation from Congress on April 13.

Noe Padilla is a Northern California reporter for USA Today. To contact him, npadilla@usatodayco.comX Follow him at @1NoePadilla or Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow TODAY Californian on Facebook.

Boy charged with sexual abuse and murder in death of sister-in-law Anna Kepner

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Boy charged with sexual abuse and murder in death of sister-in-law Anna Kepner

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with sexual abuse and first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, who died while the family was vacationing on a cruise ship.

The boy, identified in court records as TH, was indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury in the death of Anna Kepner on or about Nov. 6 or 7, according to a statement released April 13 by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. The brothers-in-law were on board the Carnival Horizon with other family members when TH “allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Mr. Kepner” in international waters, according to the statement.

Kepner’s body was discovered under the bed in the guest room on November 7 by a staff member cleaning the room. Once the ship docked in Miami, her body was taken to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, where her death was determined to have been caused by mechanical asphyxiation.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family who have suffered this unimaginable loss,” said Jason A. Redding Quiñones, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious crimes that allegedly occurred on board a vessel on the high seas. We will present evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in all cases, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Brother-in-law was initially charged as a juvenile in the death of sister-in-law Anna Kepner

TH was originally charged as a juvenile in February, and the case remained sealed.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered the case transferred for adult prosecution, which made it public. If convicted, TH faces up to life in prison.

According to court documents, the brother-in-law was hospitalized after the incident and was later taken in by maternal relatives in nearby Hernando County. He was mentioned as a suspect in Kepner’s death during a court hearing in his parents’ custody case.

Who is Anna Kepner?

Kepner, an “A” student at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, was described by his family in his obituary as “pure energy, bubbly, funny and outgoing.”

She earned her boating license before she could drive and had plans to join the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school next year, with long-term plans to become a K-9 officer. A lifelong gymnast, Kepner was active on her school’s cheerleading team.

Hundreds of people turned out to celebrate her life on November 20th. In the days after her death, loved ones turned her car into a makeshift memorial with flowers, balloons and messages.

Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network in Florida. She covers breaking news in Florida as the network’s Rapid Response reporter. Sign up for our free Florida Today newsletter to receive all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday. https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

StubHub pays $10 million settlement to consumers over ‘deceptive’ prices

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StubHub pays $10 million settlement to consumers over ‘deceptive’ prices

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StubHub will pay ticket buyers $10 million for violating federal regulations regarding unfair and deceptive fees.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on April 9 that it will pay StubHub, a ticket exchange and resale platform, a $10 million settlement for “deceptively advertising ticket prices on its website without clearly and conspicuously disclosing in advance the amount that consumers would actually pay, including all required fees.” This settlement includes tickets purchased from retailers between May 12 and May 14, 2025.

“We have long supported all-in pricing to provide clarity for our fans,” a statement from StubHub obtained by USA TODAY said. “This settlement covers a limited number of transactions over just three days in May 2025. Some listings on our site may display ticket prices excluding fees. Although we strongly disagree with the FTC’s position on this case, we are addressing the FTC’s concerns by refunding a portion of these buyer fees.”

The FTC’s announcement comes after the FTC sent a warning letter to StubHub on May 14, 2025, revealing that the retailer was displaying inaccurate ticket prices for the 2025 NFL season. In its official complaint, the FTC noted that tickets available for the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys game in November 2025 were originally listed at $236 each when consumers checked ticket prices on the website. However, after selecting the ticket, the consumer learned that the actual cost was $319 due to the $59 handling fee and $24 tax.

The FTC began cracking down on ticket prices for live events after adopting the Unfair or Deceptive Fees Rule (also known as the Junk Fee Rule) on May 12, 2025.

shopping: The ultimate guide to the best places to buy concert tickets

Who is eligible to receive the StubHub settlement?

Consumers who purchased tickets from StubHub between May 12 and May 14, 2025 are eligible for the settlement, according to an FTC news release.

What does a ticket purchaser need to do to receive payment?

StubHub provided additional information to consumers who purchased tickets between May 12 and May 14, 2025, according to a statement from StubHub. Consumers don’t need to do anything.

When will payment be made to ticket buyers?

The FTC’s order was issued on April 9th ​​and requires StubHub to begin issuing settlement letters 90 days later, by July 8th.

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

Trump committee condemns separation of church and state

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Trump committee condemns separation of church and state

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  • The Commission on Religious Freedom, which President Trump established by executive order in May, held its final hearing on April 13 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
  • Repeating themes from past hearings, members criticized the idea of ​​separation of church and state and praised President Trump’s work on religion.

Members of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission criticized the idea that church and state separation is necessary during the commission’s final hearing on April 13 in Washington, D.C.

The commission’s chairman, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, at one point called it “the biggest lie that has been told in America since the founding of the country.”

The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” but the term “separation of church and state” does not appear in the Constitution. President Thomas Jefferson popularized the term in the early 1919s.th century.

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State called Patrick’s comments “an attack on our democracy.”

Rachel Laser, the group’s president and CEO, said the separation of church and state is “uniquely American and something we should be proud of, fight for and cherish.”

Past committee hearings have addressed topics such as anti-Semitism in public education and religious freedom. A common theme throughout the hearings was the commissioners’ view that the legal system has been used as a weapon against people of faith, particularly Christians, under past administrations.

Trump established the commission through an executive order in May. The commission announced that it will end on July 4, 2026.th American Independence Day – unless extended by the President.

Civil rights activist: Religious freedom ‘essential’ to Greensboro sit-in

Helen Alvarre, professor of law and religion at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia School of Law, was the first of many witnesses at the hearing held at the Museum of the Bible.

She said religious freedom is an “objective good” for this country and argued that there is “much more peace” in the United States than there is discord between religious groups. Historically, government overreach in Americans’ religious practices has been a bigger problem, she said.

Albarre praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s move in recent years toward a broader application of the First Amendment’s free exercise clause, exemplified by a 2025 decision in which the court sided with a group of Maryland parents who wanted to exclude LGBTQ+ themes from their children’s public school curriculum.

The idea that public school teachers could ignore the religious instruction their students receive at home in the name of the Constitution “has always bordered on absurdity,” she said.

Later hearings featured a different tone for a state law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, which is being legally challenged by parents who say it amounts to religious coercion. Patrick said more than 50% of the state’s approximately 9,000 public schools have implemented displays.

At one point, Patrick also touted Texas’ school voucher program, which allows taxpayer funds to be used to pay for tuition at private religious schools. He said more than 250,000 applications were received for about 100,000 spots. Parent and school groups sued the state over the program, alleging it discriminates against private Islamic schools in violation of the First Amendment.

Clarence Henderson, who participated in the Greensboro, North Carolina sit-ins that sparked widespread civil rights movements in the 1960s, also addressed the committee. Religious freedom was “vital” to the movement, he said.

“Church was the meeting place, faith was the language, and the Bible was the foundation,” Henderson said.

‘There’s a lot of work to do’ before submitting report to President Trump

Commissioners and witnesses also expressed concern about worrying trends regarding religion and other developments in the country.

Bishop Robert Barron lamented the negative effects of rising rates of religious withdrawal.

“It’s dangerous for our democracy. People start to forget, people stop hearing the story of the Good Samaritan, they stop hearing the Ten Commandments, they stop hearing the Beatitudes,” he said. “It affects our democracy. It’s not just a religious issue.”

Dr. Akshar Patel, president of the Hindu organization BAPS, said religious freedom is a means by which Hindu Americans can “thrive.”

At the same time, he was concerned about what he perceived as society’s increasing intolerance towards religion, particularly Hindu beliefs. “The environment of fear and insecurity has been devastating for our communities,” he said, referring to recent attacks on Hindu temples.

“Mandirs (Hindu temples) that once felt like sanctuaries of peace and unity are now places of concern for safety,” Patel said. “Families who came to this country seeking religious freedom now feel unsafe practicing their faith publicly.”

Commissioner Phil McGraw, widely known as the television character “Dr. Phil,” was similarly troubled by the situation at the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, a New York-based group of nuns that operates nursing homes in New York. They sued the state earlier this month, in part on First Amendment grounds, alleging that the state’s laws regarding the care of transgender patients violate Catholic beliefs.

The White House says the commission’s purpose is to “protect and advance America’s founding principles of religious freedom.” A comprehensive report on the foundations and current state of religious freedom in the United States must be submitted to President Trump by the end of his term.

Patrick said the committee “has a lot of work to do” before its presentation. During the hearing, there was also a suggestion that the commission could be expanded beyond its original charter, something that commissioners said was important to both President Trump and the nation as a whole.

Many advocacy groups have accused the commission of promoting Christian nationalism rather than true religious freedom for all. They include multifaith groups that sued the Trump administration, alleging that the commission illegally lacked religious and ideological diversity.

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, which represents the plaintiffs in the case, echoed similar sentiments after the committee’s final hearing. “We condemned the separation of church and state, which is a fundamental pillar of religious freedom,” the group said.

Carrie Prejean Boller was removed from the committee after a February hearing on anti-Semitism. In an interview with USA TODAY, she claimed her firing was in retaliation for public statements inconsistent with the Trump administration’s position on Israel.

But commissioners at the April 13 hearing praised President Trump’s efforts on religious freedom.

“At the end of the day, I believe this will be one of his greatest legacies,” Patrick said.

Breanna Frank is USA TODAY’s First Amendment reporter. please contact her bjfrank@usatoday.com.

USA TODAY’s coverage of First Amendment issues is funded by the Freedom Forum in collaboration with our journalism funding partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Stonewall’s pride flag to be permanently flown after Trump administration approves

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Stonewall’s pride flag to be permanently flown after Trump administration approves

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WASHINGTON – The federal government will continue to fly the Pride flag at Stonewall National Monument in New York City.

In a decision announced April 13, the Trump administration agreed to keep the rainbow flag flying at the monument, which honors one of the most important events in LGBTQ+ history.

The flag had been flying for years on a flagpole in a park across from the popular gay bar Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village. The Stonewall Inn was the site of a 1969 clash between bar patrons and police that has come to be seen as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ movement.

But in February, just weeks after the National Park Service released federal guidance on the types of banners allowed to be flown in national parks, the government quietly removed the flag. The government argued that the flag did not comply with its policies and said the Park Service only allows the U.S. flag and other approved flags to be used on flagpoles it manages.

A week later, a coalition of nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit seeking the flag’s return.

As part of the settlement, the government agreed to return the flag that had been flown on the monument’s official flagpole within seven days and maintain it forever. The government acknowledged in the settlement that the flag falls within federal law and Park Service policy.

“We will not be erased”: Stonewall Pride flag is raised defiantly

LGBTQ+ advocates praised the reconciliation and accused the Trump administration of trying to erase LGBTQ+ history.

“The sudden, arbitrary and capricious removal of the Pride flag from Stonewall National Monument was yet another act by the administration to erase the LGBTQ+ community,” said Karen Lowy, an attorney for the group that filed the lawsuit.

With the settlement, “the government is committed to returning this important symbol to its rightful place,” said Lowy, senior counsel and director of constitutional law practice at civil rights group Lambda Legal, which advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

The Gilbert Baker Foundation, which honors the flag’s creator, also praised the ruling.

“Gilbert Baker created the rainbow Pride flag as a symbol of hope and liberation,” said Charles Beale, chairman of the foundation. “Today, that symbol has been restored to its original location and stands guard over the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.”

The flag is internationally recognized as a symbol of advancing LGBTQ+ equality and the hard-won victories the community has won through decades of struggle.

more: Stonewall veterans sound alarm over Trump’s attempt to erase transgender history

Stonewall National Monument commemorates the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, when police clashed with members of the LGBTQ+ community after officers stormed the Stonewall Inn. For six days, gay men and women, transgender people, bikers, street kids and others were tired of police harassment and fought back. The riot is believed to be the spark that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The uprising is considered such an important chapter in American history that President Barack Obama designated the bar’s exterior, adjacent park, and surrounding streets as a national monument in 2016 so that what happened there and the people involved in its history would not be forgotten. The bar itself remains privately owned.

Days after the government removed the flag in February, New York City officials and activists held a ceremony at the site to once again raise it atop the flagpole in defiance of the Trump administration.

The settlement means the flag will continue to fly atop the monument.

Michael Collins writes about the intersection of politics and culture. He is a veteran reporter who has covered the White House and Congress. Follow him on X: @mcollinsNEWS

Dollar General class action lawsuit settlement deadline is April 13th

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Dollar General class action lawsuit settlement deadline is April 13th

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Monday, April 13th is the deadline for consumers to file claims in a multi-million dollar class action settlement involving discount retailer Dollar General.

Dollar General has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging discrepancies between the prices of products on shelves and the prices customers are charged at checkout, according to the settlement’s website. Dollar General denies wrongdoing.

Any consumer in the United States who paid more than the advertised price displayed on a Dollar General store shelf between October 10, 2016 and November 19, 2025 is eligible to file a claim. Some affected customers received an email earlier this year informing them that they were eligible for the settlement.

Here’s what you need to know about the settlement and how to file a claim.

When is the deadline to file a claim?

Consumers must submit or return claims by April 13, 2026 to receive cash payments from the settlement fund. The opt-out deadline was March 2nd.

How to file a claim

Consumers can submit claims and register for in-store offers on the Dollar General payment website.

What eligible consumers can receive if they file a claim

Consumers are eligible for cash payments if they file a complaint about an overcharge directly with a government agency or Dollar General between October 10, 2016 and November 19, 2025, and can provide specific evidence that the complaint specifically referred to the overcharge. This complaint must also remain unresolved by Dollar General.

If you can provide documentation that you were overcharged during that period, you may also qualify for a cash payment. This may include dated photos of shelf prices and corresponding receipts.

Consumers eligible for cash payments will receive the greater of $10 or the excess bill amount. Additionally, there is a maximum of two overage claims per household. This means each household is eligible to receive a total of $20, or the total amount of the excess bill if it is higher.

In addition, payment class members are eligible for an in-store benefit of $3 off the first $10 of pre-tax purchases of $10 or more. Consumers do not need to provide evidence of overcharging to receive this benefit. In-store offers can be redeemed during a two-day period at Dollar General stores nationwide.

That two-day period will run from June 1-2, 2026, according to the payment website, but the discount cannot be used in conjunction with other Dollar General Store coupons. However, it can be combined with manufacturer coupons from all over the country.

Please see the payment website’s FAQ for more information.

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

President Trump is not clear on gas prices. Will there be another jump?

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President Trump is not clear on gas prices. Will there be another jump?

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  • Gasoline prices have stabilized at around $4 per gallon following the temporary ceasefire in the US-Iran war.
  • Experts predict further price increases are likely due to failed peace talks and the US naval blockade.
  • The national average gasoline price rose from $3.12 per gallon before the war to $4.12 per gallon as of April 12.

Gasoline prices have stabilized at around $4 a gallon since the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in the U.S.-Iranian conflict. But negotiations to achieve a longer-term peace have so far failed, and some experts predict that U.S. gas prices are likely to rise again.

Patrick de Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, said in an April 13 blog post that gas prices held steady at a national average of $4.12 per gallon between April 7 and April 13. But De Haan said failure of talks led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to produce long-term peace could lead to further pain for U.S. drivers.

“Average gasoline prices rose for many Americans early last week, but fell in some regions as oil prices fell following President Trump’s cease-fire announcement,” De Haan wrote. “However, with the breakdown in negotiations and a new escalation over the weekend, motorists should brace for further price increases.”

DeHaan said President Trump’s decision to force the U.S. Navy to close the Strait of Hormuz, which has proven critical to global oil supplies, is likely to worsen prices for U.S. drivers in the short term.

“Moves towards a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz are exacerbating global supply concerns and risk further disruption to oil flows, sending oil prices soaring in Sunday night trading,” he said. “As a result, petrol prices are likely to rise again this week, with diesel expected to follow, until shipping through the Channel recovers significantly.”

What have happened to gas prices since the Iran war began?

According to AAA, the national average price of gasoline was $3.12 per gallon on February 27, the day before the United States launched its first military attack on Iran. Above. The average price of gasoline as of April 13 of last year was $3.19 per gallon. Since then, the average price of gasoline has been:

  • Average gas prices on March 13: $3.63
  • Average gasoline price on April 7th: $4.12
  • Average gasoline price on April 12th: $4.12

What is President Trump saying about gas prices and the Iran war?

President Donald Trump said oil and gas prices could continue to rise until the November midterm elections, hours after direct peace talks between the United States and Iran broke down.

In case you missed it: President Trump says gas prices could stay the same or be ‘a little bit higher’ by midterm elections

In an April 12 interview, President Trump told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” host Maria Bartiromo: “It should be the same, maybe a little bit higher, but about the same.”

The comments came as gasoline prices soared by a record 21.2%, the largest monthly increase in history, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 10th. Gasoline prices rose 18.9% over the year.

The inflation rate rose sharply due to soaring gasoline prices, and the inflation rate rose 3.3% in March compared to the previous year.

USA TODAY White House correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy contributed to this report.

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