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Many people have given up on it because it is difficult to obtain and obtain.

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Many people have given up on it because it is difficult to obtain and obtain.

Housing is basic. We all need a roof over our heads. We all need a place to raise our families, cook our meals, and escape from the world.

So it’s a cruel situation that we seem to misunderstand so much.

This is the idea at the heart of “The State of the Nation’s Housing,” a report produced annually by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Research. The 2026 edition, which will be released on June 17th, has solemn content.

“Sustained affordability challenges and heightened economic uncertainty are negatively impacting the housing market,” the report states bluntly. “A weak labor market and a sharp decline in immigration are slowing household growth and mobility. Existing home sales are at a 30-year low, and inventory is rising due to high home buying costs.”

What does that actually mean?

  • Only 1.1 million new households were formed in 2025, as student debt, a weak job market and weak consumer sentiment made Americans wary of striking out on their own. This number roughly matches the depth of the Great Recession more than a decade ago.
  • Similarly, only 11.2% of Americans immigrated in 2024, an all-time low.
  • In 2024, 20.7 million homeowner households (24% of the total) will spend more than 30% of their income on housing. 9.6 million people spent more than half of their income.
  • It could be even worse for renters. By 2024, 22.7 million households, or roughly half of all renting households, will be cost-burdened, with 12.1 million of them severely burdened.

What is the housing market like?

Beneath the bullet points, the story of a severely undersupplied and overcrowded housing market resonates. The diagram below shows those points.

In 2024, 11 million American households were “extremely low income.” This means their incomes were up to 30% of the area median. However, only 3.8 million affordable rental housing units were available, meeting the needs of only 35% of these households.

Among American renters of all income levels, 49% have moderate cost burden. That means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and a whopping 26% spend at least half of their income on housing costs. Both indicators have increased significantly since 2019.

Homeownership is becoming more expensive

Even though more is needed to afford housing, Americans often end up with less. As the report explains, the median age of owner-occupied homes is 42 years, while renter-occupied homes are 43 years old. This is important because the older the house, the more expensive it is to maintain and improve.

According to the report, as of 2023, “owners living in homes built before 1940 will spend an average of $6,700 annually on improvements and repairs, about 50% more than owners living in homes built after 2010.”

The housing crisis is not discrimination

It has become clear that housing is out of reach for people across America: young and old, from coast to coast and everywhere in between. The toughest states for renters are Florida and Nevada, while California and Hawaii are among the most expensive places to own.

Still, this crisis is hardest on America’s most vulnerable people. “The most severe and most difficult housing shortages involve housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income households,” the report said. In 2024, 11 million extremely low-income households will compete for just 3.8 million affordable rental units.

People of color are also disproportionately affected. Among Black-headed homeowner households, 32% are cost-burdened, and among Hispanic-headed households, 29% are cost-burdened. In contrast, 22% of households are headed by a white owner.

Supreme Court case on mail-in voting could impact military

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Supreme Court case on mail-in voting could impact military

A pending ruling on mail-in voting deadlines could limit grace periods, raising concerns that overseas troops and military voters could struggle to get their votes counted on time.

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For three years, Alberto Ramos had a 3-inch binder filled with all the important dates and rules related to voting in each state: deadlines for party registration and absentee ballot applications, election dates, and grace periods available to military voters.

In addition to his role directing operations aboard Navy submarines, the now-retired Navy lieutenant commander also coordinated the delivery of ballots onboard ships to assist sailors in voting, and soon began again as a voting assistant officer.

“We worked hard to get the ship up off the coast of this country and get all the mail. This involved things like throwing rope ladders and manually bringing all the mail below deck, sorting the contents, getting people to vote, and getting the mail out of the submarine before it had to go back in the water,” he said.

He and others in similar roles in each branch’s units are doing the “inverse algebra” of calculating how long it takes for a mailed ballot from the nearest port to disembark a Navy ship and return to the United States in time for Election Day. The role is “very important,” he said.

“As a military family, as a veteran and as an active duty military member, I really feel the weight of the election of voting for the people who might send me to war,” Ramos, 38, told USA TODAY.

But a pending Supreme Court ruling on whether states can offer grace periods for election officials to receive ballots postmarked by Election Day could make it more difficult for hundreds of thousands of military personnel stationed overseas or on bases far from home to vote, he said. The ruling could also affect millions of Americans living abroad.

Thirty states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories have “grace period” laws that allow at least some voters’ mail-in ballots to be shipped by Election Day and counted days later. Many of the laws have been in place for decades.

Supreme Court Justice Content

In 2024, a federal appeals court ruled in a lawsuit brought by the Republican National Committee that a 100-year-old federal law establishing “election day” prohibits states from granting grace periods for voting by mail. Although the lawsuit challenged Mississippi’s law, the ruling could apply nationwide.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in late March and announce a decision by the end of the month.

Congress has protected voting access for military and overseas voters through the Uniform Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986, which requires states to allow absentee voting, and the Military Non-Military Voter Empowerment Act of 2009, which requires states to send absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters at least 45 days before a federal election.

Neither law mandates a grace period after Election Day, and several bipartisan veterans groups said they were concerned that the court’s ruling could affect military voters and service members overseas and at home.

An RNC spokesperson said federal law already protects military voters.

Election-Related SCOTUS Decisions. What you need to know for the midterm exam

“Federal law already protects the rights of military voters through UOCAVA, ensuring they can vote absentee from anywhere in the world, and this case does not change those protections in any way,” said Allie Toriolo, director of election integrity communications for the Republican National Committee.

Still, as of 2024, 11 states that normally require domestic mail-in ballots to arrive by Election Day have given military voters additional time to cast their votes, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that promotes bipartisan solutions to policy problems.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, before a 2009 law required states to send ballots to overseas and military voters 45 days in advance, half of states sent out ballots so close to Election Day that voters didn’t have enough time to cast and return their ballots.

“We know that it takes a very long time for ballots to get to the military and then a very long time for them to be returned. And that doesn’t take into account the time along the way where military members have to get their ballots in their hands and consider them, when they might be busy with other really important things,” said David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works with election officials to strengthen election security and integrity. “It often involves multiple postal services, not just the U.S. Postal Service, but military postal services, and other countries’ postal services.”

Why military voting takes so long

Submarines often don’t surface for months at a time, and Ramos acknowledged that while it’s a worst-case scenario for receiving and mailing ballots, it will be difficult for U.S. military personnel around the world to get them.

Ramos heads Veterans for All Voters, a veteran-led nonprofit that works on state-level election reform. The group is part of a coalition of groups supporting military voters who are advocating for a seven-day grace period.

According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, in 2024 military and overseas mail-in ballots were rejected for being late at more than eight times the rate of domestic mail-in ballots.

“For states that have a grace period, if we choose to eliminate the grace period, it increases the likelihood that those votes will not be counted,” Ramos said.

stationed in the US

Goldbeck said many military personnel stationed in the United States maintain their voter registration in their home state. The former Marine Corps captain was registered in California while stationed in North Carolina and enrolled in a military academy in Virginia. Ramos said he was also registered in Nevada while in uniform.

“For those of us who have played or are playing, we are literally in the game,” Goldbeck said. “Wearing a uniform takes away a lot of freedom of speech, but making our voices heard at the polls is one of the things we absolutely want to do to ensure that our political leaders send us into foreign intervention and potentially lose our lives.”

Goldbeck leads the Vet Voice Foundation, which works with veterans to become civic and policy leaders. The foundation intervened in the case before the Supreme Court.

In addition to maintaining the status quo and abolishing the grace period, a third option has been floated to the Supreme Court: creating a grace period for military and overseas votes. Goldbeck said he doesn’t see how that would be logistically possible, especially for military personnel based in the United States but registered in other countries.

“Because there are so many different ways to vote by mail, it’s very difficult for election officials to pinpoint whether a vote is from a military voter,” she said.

Luca Zidane Zinedine Zidane’s son? Why a legend’s kid plays in Algeria

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Luca Zidane Zinedine Zidane’s son? Why a legend’s kid plays in Algeria

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Algeria’s World Cup journey began Tuesday against Argentina, with goaltender Luca Zidane starting in the team’s opener. This appearance was Zidane’s eighth international match. fennec fox.

Zidane is the son of the famous French international Zinedine Zidane. blues In 1998, they won their first World Cup on home soil.

Zidane, 28, represented France at youth level before switching allegiances in 2025. Zidane is eligible to represent Algeria because of where his grandparents are from.

“We have lived in Algerian culture since we were little,” Zidane told The Athletic. “It’s an honor to play for Algeria. The final decision was mine, but I talked it over with my family, my parents, my brother and my grandfather. My dad was happy and I knew it was something I wanted to do. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the World Cup.”

Watch every World Cup match on Fubo!

Why is Luca Zidane wearing a mask?

Zidane will be wearing an unconventional mask. Zidane suffered a broken jaw and jaw in a collision while playing for his club team Granada in April. He required surgery and missed more than a month. It was his first time on the field since April 26, ahead of a friendly against the Algerian national team earlier this month.

Zidane kept a clean sheet against the Netherlands in the run-up to the World Cup. He made six saves in Algeria’s 1-0 win on June 3.

After the match against Argentina, Algeria will face Jordan and Austria in Group J.

Coors Light also drops Tallboy cans. Well, then

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Coors Light also drops Tallboy cans. Well, then

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The limited edition Coors Light Collection item sold out quickly when it first went on sale, but shoppers will soon have another chance to get it.

The beer brand’s limited edition Taller Boy went on sale June 11 at 1 p.m. ET through Shop.CoorsLight.com, and the website says it sold out before 1:30 p.m. Coors Light said only 125 cans were available in online sales last Thursday.

However, there’s good news for fans who weren’t able to secure a Taller Boy can during the first go-around. Another 125 pieces will be released on Thursday, June 18th. While supplies last, buyers are limited to one purchase per person.

Announced earlier this month, the extra-large canister is designed to hold three full-size Coors Light cans at once. Coors Light is selling Taller Boy for $30 as part of a marketing campaign related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

goal! Where to score food and drink deals for the start of the FIFA World Cup

What is Coors Light Tallerboy?

Most beer drinkers are familiar with tallboy cans, but Coors Light took the idea a step further.

The Tallboy is a taller canister than the Tallboy, which stores three regular Coors Light cans in one oversized container. The company says the item is intended to keep beer cold and serve as a novelty collectible for soccer fans.

“Tallboy is everything The Coors Coal stands for, brought to life in physical form,” Matt Carpenter, vice president of marketing for Coors Light, said in a news release.

The product is based on Coors Light’s “The Cooors Call” campaign, which featured legendary Argentine soccer announcer Andrés Cantor and his signature “GOOOOAL” call.

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

Could Trump Tower’s new address be on Obama Street? the petition asks for that

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Could Trump Tower’s new address be on Obama Street? the petition asks for that

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  • More than 22,000 people have signed a petition to rename Wabash Avenue, the street where Trump Tower is located in Chicago, to Barack Hussein Obama Avenue.
  • The Obama Presidential Center will open on the South Side on June 19th.

A petition to rename a Chicago street after former President Barack Obama has garnered tens of thousands of signatures.

But it’s not just a street. Petitioners want the street where the creepy Trump International Hotel and Tower is located to be renamed and its address changed from Wabash Avenue to Barack Hussein Obama Avenue. Organizers of the petition said they are experiencing difficulties with President Donald Trump’s policies.

“This will send a small message about the values ​​we stand for as a city: inclusivity, resilience, positive change, and fighting back in every way possible,” the Change.org petition reads. As of June 16th, it has gathered over 22,000 signatures.

more: President Trump criticized the Obama Presidential Center. So they invited him on tour

Trump Tower is a frequent spot for protests

The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago is currently located at 401 N. Wabash Avenue on the Chicago River.

It’s hard to miss among Chicago’s glittering downtown skyscrapers. The word “Trump” written on the building is 20 feet tall.

It has long been a gathering point for protests because of the prominent name of the Republican president in a largely liberal city. During the recent “No Kings” protests, demonstrators walked by the towers holding placards. Even since his 2016 election, the building served as a backdrop for protesters.

Trump has long had a publicly contentious relationship with Chicago. He called the city a war zone and criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump administration conducted Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration crackdown in the fall of 2025, arresting more than 1,500 people in two months. There have also been ongoing clashes between federal agents and protesters, with some people afraid to leave their homes for basic reasons like grocery shopping or going to school.

A petition website calling for Wabash’s name change mentions the raids on immigrants during the Midway bombing and soaring gas prices due to what organizers called a “failed vanity war” (possibly referring to the Iran war).

“We propose to start a vanity war that we will win,” the petition, created on May 4, states.

On June 14, President Trump announced that Iran and the United States had reached an agreement to cease fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the global oil supply chain. Petition organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

Could the name of the road be changed to Obama Street?

The momentum behind the petition comes from an event being held at the Obama Presidential Center, which opens on June 19th, to commemorate the Obamas’ legacy in Chicago.

Legally changing a street name requires City Council approval. According to local media outlet Block Club Chicago, no living person is eligible for an honorary street name, which adds a brown sign above the legal green sign.

According to the Chicago Tribune, other petitions to change Trump Tower’s address have been launched in the past, but have not received much support.

If the latest petition has a very good chance of success, Barack Hussein Obama Avenue will be far from the Obama Presidential Center. The center includes a museum, civic center, athletic center, and Chicago Public Library branch, and is located on the south side of Jackson Park.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized the center online, posting illustrations depicting it as trash. The Obama Foundation told USA TODAY on June 3 that it would welcome President Trump’s own visit.

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.

Tropical Storm Arthur could soon form in the Gulf, according to NHC forecasts.

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Tropical Storm Arthur could soon form in the Gulf, according to NHC forecasts.

Even if it isn’t named Arthur, the system will bring “heavy rain” to parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

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National Hurricane Center forecasters announced Tuesday afternoon, June 16, that the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could form in the Gulf Coast within the next day.

According to the Hurricane Center, a tropical storm warning was issued for Louisiana’s coast from Sabine Pass to Morgan City at 5 p.m. ET due to the storm’s approach. This means tropical cyclone conditions are expected within the next 24 hours.

The system is currently a “potential tropical storm” over south Texas, but is expected to become Tropical Storm Arthur once it enters the Gulf of Mexico, renamed the Gulf of America by the federal government. “The disturbance is expected to gradually strengthen and could become a tropical storm by early Wednesday morning,” the Hurricane Center said in an online report Tuesday afternoon.

Tropical storms get their name when forecasters describe them as organized systems, or organized systems, with a warm core and maximum sustained winds of 39 miles per hour or more.

As of 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 16, the center of the storm was located approximately 55 miles south-southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas, and was moving northeast at 6 mph, according to the Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained wind speed was measured at 30 miles per hour.

Additionally, as of 5 p.m., a tropical storm watch remained in effect for the northwest Gulf Coast, from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana. This means that tropical cyclone conditions are likely to develop within the monitoring area within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Storm tracker: Tropical Storm Arthur could form in the Gulf soon

Even if it doesn’t become Arthur, this system will be a problem: “Regardless of tropical storm formation, officials in southern and eastern Texas and parts of Louisiana and Mississippi should prepare for a period of severe rainfall over the next several days, which could cause widespread life-threatening flash flooding, urban and river flooding.”

“Strong winds and coastal flooding are also possible in parts of the northwest Gulf Coast,” the hurricane center said.

Live updates: Texas flooding continues as tropical storm approaches

Heavy rain has the main effect

The main weather impacts on the Texas Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi River basin this week will be widespread heavy rain and the threat of flooding, Michael Rowley, a hurricane expert at WPLG-TV in Miami, said in an email to USA TODAY.

“The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center predicts a moderate risk (Threat Level 3/4) of heavy rain for parts of southeastern Texas, Louisiana, central Mississippi, and Alabama into early Friday morning.”

Lowery said radar shows that 5 to 8 inches of rain has already fallen in parts of east central Texas and central Louisiana since Sunday, June 14. An additional 10 inches or more of precipitation is expected to occur locally throughout the Deep South this week, with the potential for numerous significant flash flooding.

Flood safety measures: “Turn around and don’t drown.”

Alex Sosnowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said motorists should avoid roads that are prone to flooding during heavy rains and never drive on flooded roads.

Most people who die in flash floods drown, often after driving onto flooded roads and becoming trapped when their vehicles are swept away, the National Weather Service said.

In fact, the Bureau of Meteorology has announced that more than 50% of flash flood fatalities occur with vehicles driving into floodwaters. Many victims are swept away when cars stall or float in flowing water.

With this in mind, the Bureau of Meteorology’s flood slogan reminds us: “Turn around and don’t drown.”

Other impacts: wind, storm surge, rip currents, tornadoes

The main threat is heavy rain and subsequent flooding, but the Hurricane Center said in an update at 2 p.m. on June 16 that there will also be other impacts from the storm, including winds, storm surge, rip currents and tornadoes.

wind: Tropical cyclones, meaning winds of 50 km/h or more, are possible along the coast.

Storm surge: Up to 4 feet of saltwater flooding could occur along parts of the Gulf Coast from Port Bolivar, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana.

Waves/rip currents: Swells generated by this system can cause life-threatening wave and rip current conditions along the northwest Gulf.

tornado: One or two tornadoes are possible from southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the upper Texas coast near the Florida Panhandle into tonight (June 16).

A below-average hurricane season is expected

A “below normal season” is predicted for the Atlantic Basin in 2026, primarily due to the effects of hurricane-driven El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal outlook predicts between eight and 14 named tropical cyclones this season. This includes 3-6 hurricanes, 1-3 of which could become major storms.

Based on weather records from 1991 to 2020, a typical year averages about 14 tropical cyclones, seven of which turn into hurricanes.

Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, focusing on weather and climate.

Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open or closed on June 10, 2026?

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Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open or closed on June 10, 2026?

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Juneteenth is approaching. If you need to mail a package or perform a banking transaction, consider planning ahead.

That’s because most national banks and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Friday, June 19, due to the federal holiday.

Juneteenth, known as America’s second Independence Day, will be commemorated as a federally recognized holiday starting in 2021, giving millions of Americans a paid holiday and an opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery.

The holiday commemorates the day in 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, when Major General Gordon Granger led 2,000 Union troops to Galveston Bay, Texas, and declared the state’s more than 250,000 enslaved black people free.

Here’s what you need to know about banks, post offices and delivery services and whether they’ll be open on June 11, 2026.

When is Juneteenth in 2026?

Juneteenth is always celebrated on June 19th. This year, that day will be Friday.

What is Juneteenth? Will there be federal holidays in 2026?

Will the post office be open on June 1st? Will my mail be delivered?

According to the U.S. Postal Service website, all post offices will be closed to retail transactions on Friday, June 19th, and regular residential and business mail deliveries will not be made.

Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

Because June 19th is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, will be closed on June 19th.

We recommend checking with your local bank branch for specific holiday hours.

Is UPS open on Juneteenth? Will my packages be delivered?

UPS pick-up and delivery services will be available starting June 1, according to the company’s website. UPS Store locations will also be open. Please check with your local store for specific business hours.

Will FedEx be open on June 1st? Will my package be delivered?

FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available starting June 19, according to the company’s website. FedEx office locations will also be open.

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

Judge limits enforcement of Idaho’s transgender bathroom access law

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Judge limits enforcement of Idaho’s transgender bathroom access law

steve gorman
|Reuters

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A federal judge on June 16 blocked Idaho from fully implementing a new state law that would make it a crime for transgender people whose gender designation differs from their birth gender to use public restrooms, punishable by up to five years in prison.

The Idaho law, the most restrictive of a variety of laws enacted in about 20 U.S. states that limit bathroom access for transgender people based on their gender identity, was scheduled to go into effect on July 1.

But U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford in Boise, Idaho’s capital, granted a preliminary injunction to curtail enforcement of the measure while a class-action lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality proceeds.

Brailsford’s order allows transgender individuals to continue to use the single-stall restroom that matches their gender identity, or to use a multi-stall restroom if a single-stall restroom is not available on the same floor of a building. Otherwise, states are free to enforce the law, which applies not only to multi-purpose restrooms, but also to parts of the law that cover public changing and shower facilities that were not subject to court challenges.

The plaintiffs are seeking a narrow injunction that would temporarily ban only the parts of the statute they deem most onerous, but they are seeking a final court ruling that would invalidate the restroom restrictions in their entirety.

The lawsuit alleges that the law violates the plaintiffs’ rights to due process, equal protection, and privacy under the Fourteenth Amendment.

In a 30-page opinion, Brailsford sided with the plaintiffs on due process issues, finding that the plaintiffs’ argument that the measure’s enforcement provisions were unconstitutionally vague was likely to succeed.

He said that finding alone was enough to invalidate the state’s public safety claims and issue an injunction, without yet considering the plaintiffs’ privacy or equal protection claims.

“Strong political instruments”: How the bathroom became ground zero in President Trump’s battle over gender identity

Judges unmoved by national security claims

Supporters of the new law say it aims to make public restrooms safer and prevent men pretending to be transgender from sexually assaulting or filming women in women’s restrooms.

The justices agreed that the state has a legitimate interest in “promoting bodily privacy and protecting women and children in public restrooms from those who would seek to harm them,” but ruled that these concerns could be addressed under existing criminal law “without infringing on plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.”

The plaintiffs argued that instead of making public restrooms safer, the measure would expose transgender people to “possible violence, harassment, and psychological harm.”

In enacting the bill, the Republican-controlled Idaho Legislature “relyed on inaccurate beliefs and stereotypes about transgender people” and “conflated transgender people with sex offenders,” the lawsuit alleges.

Idaho is one of about 20 states that have some form of bathroom restriction for transgender people, according to a count by the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ rights think tank.

Please check your postal code: What are the best and worst places to be gay and transgender in America?

Besides Idaho, only three other states use the threat of imprisonment to enforce such laws: Utah, Kansas, and Florida. But Idaho’s measure is broader than the others and carries harsher criminal penalties.

The law makes it a crime to enter restrooms, locker rooms, or showers designated exclusively for the biological opposite sex when government buildings, restaurants, stores, and other private businesses are open to the public.

A first violation under the new restrictions would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison, while a second violation within five years would be a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Idaho has passed two previous laws restricting access to restrooms in public schools and college campuses for students whose birth sex falls within the gender designation of the facility in question, and seeks to enforce those laws by allowing students to sue if they encounter a transgender person in violation.

Both of these laws have faced legal challenges and will remain in effect until they pass through the courts.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

Ted Cruz suggests Katy Perry is not Justin Trudeau’s ally

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Ted Cruz suggests Katy Perry is not Justin Trudeau’s ally

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Sen. Ted Cruz criticized former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, suggesting his partner Katy Perry is out of step with him.

“There’s an old saying, ‘above the coverage,’ and I think Justin has done that,” Justin told TMZ on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 16, adding that he’s also in the same “camp” as Heidi Cruz, his wife of 25 years.

Asked what Trudeau’s romance with the “Dark Horse” singer meant for the relationship between the United States and Canada, the lawmaker quipped: “Well, objectively speaking, this is certainly a testament to the relationship between the United States and Canada.”

Perry, 41, and Trudeau, 54, were first rumored to be dating in July last year, about a month after her split from actor Orlando Bloom. The two confirmed their relationship in December and shared a collection of photos and videos from their time in Tokyo during their Life Times tour.which also includes snaps of his travels with the former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Katy Perry says she’s ‘so in love’ with Justin Trudeau

Mr. Perry acknowledged his feelings for Mr. Trudeau during a panel discussion following the screening of his new concert film “Lifetimes” at the Tribeca Festival.

“After 91 shows, I feel like I’m a more grounded person in many aspects of my life. I love it so much,” Perry told host Thomas Mir. “I met the love of my life, and that gave me a lot of peace of mind.”

love in the air: Watch Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau cozy up at their red carpet debut

she elaborated. “I’m like a rainbow kite. I fly super high…and sometimes I need to be anchored. So with that anchoring, I feel really complete now.”

Perry and Bloom ended their engagement in June 2025 after nine years of dating. The two have a 5-year-old daughter, Daisy.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire announced their divorce in August 2023 after 18 years of marriage and have three children. The politician served as Canada’s prime minister for 10 years starting in 2015, but resigned in January under political pressure.

Trump beats Kemp in Georgia, Oklahoma rejects wage hike: Key points

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Trump beats Kemp in Georgia, Oklahoma rejects wage hike: Key points

Voters in four states and Washington, D.C., gathered at the polls as the president’s extraordinary role weighed heavily on various campaigns.

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President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to gain an edge in the Republican primary ran into its first major pushback on June 16, when he opposed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s endorsement in a crucial U.S. Senate race.

Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the president successfully purges his Republican opponents, particularly in the South, by ousting longtime incumbents from Congress.

But Georgia Republicans remain sluggish after losing multiple Senate battles to Democrats while fielding candidates closer to President Trump than their own governor. The rumored White House candidate is popular with moderates and liked by conservatives, despite previous feuds with the president.

Other elections around the country have shown how Trump’s weight can affect election results, including the first-ever ranked race for mayor of Washington, D.C.

Two disparate Democrats, City Council member and self-described democratic socialist Janice Lewis George, and more moderate former City Council member Kenyan McDuffie, watched as Trump weighed his front-runner against Louis George. This support didn’t seem to hurt Louis George, who was leading 53% to 37% with 66% of the results counted.

Here are the key takeaways from Tuesday’s race.

Trump vs. Kemp: Who is best suited to defeat Ossoff?

Mr. Trump’s falling out with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last year was partly due to the president’s desire to run for a more powerful U.S. Senate seat in Georgia in 2026.

If Republicans can unseat Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in Georgia, it will be easier for them to maintain their Senate majority this year, but the primary battle has largely been about who is best for the job.

Kemp felt that a personal friend and former college football coach, Derek Dooley, was a better candidate. He put his entire political network behind Mr. Dooley, pitching him to Peach State voters as an outsider better suited for the general election.

The president made a last-minute endorsement of Congressman Mike Collins, and like Kemp, Dooley declared that Joe Biden had won the 2020 presidential election, noting that this is a no-no for a candidate seeking Trump’s approval.

As a result, Collins clinched the nomination less than an hour after voting ended. He is an immigration hardliner who is popular among conservatives for authoring the Laken-Reilly Act, the first bill Trump signed after returning to office.

But he could also become a lightning rod for Democrats, as he did when he suggested Bishop Marian Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, who directly implored President Trump to show mercy to immigrants in a January 2025 sermon, should be added to the deportation list.

Trump and Kemp agree on Georgia gubernatorial race, but lose

Things got a little dicey between Trump and Kemp when it came time to choose a Republican successor to take on former Atlanta Mayor Democrat Keisha Bottoms in this fall’s gubernatorial race.

Both supported Lt. Gov. Bert Jones, who joined President Trump in trying to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, but their combined efforts were not enough.

Georgia Republican voters ultimately supported Rick Jackson, the wealthy health care CEO backed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in a huge runoff.

“Tonight, you made your voices loud and clear,” Jackson told his supporters on June 16, after announcing his election.

He was a big shot, spending more than $100 million of his own money on the race, more than double Jones’ spending. He also relentlessly attacked Georgia’s lieutenant governor, arguing that his business background makes him uniquely qualified to tackle the state’s problems in foster care and other areas as an outsider.

The two companies spent a total of about $162 million on primary advertising, according to marketing analytics firm AdImpact.

Voters ignore President Trump’s warning; democratic socialist sworn in as D.C.’s new mayor

President Donald Trump did not hesitate when asked on June 16 if he would agree with electing Janice Louise George, a self-described democratic socialist, as mayor of Washington, D.C.

Trump quickly shot back, telling reporters in the Oval Office last week: “I don’t like that. And we’re probably going to take back Washington and run it on a federal basis. We won’t put up with it.”

Nevertheless, voters in Washington, D.C., appear ready to put the 38-year-old City Council member and his left-leaning agenda, which emphasizes universal child care, public housing and stronger labor unions, in charge of the nation’s capital. Louis George’s grassroots campaign has been compared by supporters and critics alike to last year’s elections of other democratic socialists, including New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.

This may explain why President Trump is leveraging the only wedge available to the White House: the 1973 Home Rule Act, which gives the federal government some authority over the governance of Washington, D.C.

“The threats we’ve heard from President Trump are not empty if he works with Congress to further interfere in how D.C., which is not a state, is governed,” Amy Bruno, executive director of DC Vote, a D.C. state rights group, told USA TODAY. “The residents of Washington, D.C., should have the right to choose their own elected officials without interference from the president or Congress.”

Louis George will win if he receives more than 50% of the votes in the first round. If not, it would proceed to an instant runoff based on voters’ sub-preferences, redistributing the votes of those who ranked the leading candidate first.

Oklahoma voters reject raise to $15 an hour

On the Oklahoma ballot, voters said openly that raising wages for the poorest workers was the driving force behind them going to the polls on June 16th, in a number of races across the state.

Congress has not raised the national minimum wage (which remains at $7.25 an hour) in nearly two decades, even though it is a widely held belief among Americans across party lines. According to the 2024 Data for Progress survey, 86% of likely voters, including 84% of Republicans, don’t think it’s enough to live on.

“I think this ($7.25) is a little crazy,” Oklahoma Democrat Eric Acosta told the USA TODAY Network.

At least 28 states and Washington, D.C., including conservative states like Florida, Missouri and Alaska, have raised the minimum amount minimum wage workers can receive through ballot initiatives since 2014.

But with more than 95% of Sooner votes counted, the ballot initiative, which would have phased in the wage increase to $15 an hour in 2029, failed by a decisive margin. About 56% of voters opposed the increase, while 44% supported it.

Trump-fueled Moore defeats Hudson in Alabama Republican Senate runoff election

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville is leaving Congress to run for governor, leaving Alabama voters with two candidates in the runoff to replace the former Auburn head football coach.

As in other Republican primaries across the country, rank-and-file Republicans followed the president’s direction and supported Congressman Barry Moore over former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. It’s a surprising reversal, given that some statewide polls have shown Moore with a lead of up to 10 points, but it underscores the importance of Trump’s support.

Moore’s primary victory in such a deep red state makes it almost certain that he will become Alabama’s next senator in the fall.

Contributions: Eileen Wright, Terry Collins, James Powell

It’s Marta, not Lionel Messi or Miroslav Klose, who holds the World Cup scoring record.

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It’s Marta, not Lionel Messi or Miroslav Klose, who holds the World Cup scoring record.

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Lionel Messi, well done. 16 goals in a World Cup is an incredible feat.

However, contrary to what Fox officials would have you believe, Messi does not have a total record. Not yet, anyway.

There is a woman named Marta from Brazil. You may have heard of her. female pele. The best female player of all time and one of the greatest players in the game. She scored 17 goals in the World Cup.

that is an all-time record. Messi equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s men’s record on Tuesday 16 June, but Malta holds the all-time record.

Seven years ago, when he overtook Klose during the World Cup in France, Marta said: “I’m very honored and happy to be able to make history in a sport that is still considered by some to be a man’s sport.”

“We are breaking records and showing how far women’s football has come. This is a story not only for Malta but for all women around the world.”

And while doing so, Christine Sinclair, not Cristiano Ronaldo, holds the international goals record.

Misogyny starts with FIFA

Sadly, Marta is not wrong about the misogyny that persists in football. The responsibility lies with many people, including broadcasters, specific federations and fans, but the problem starts with FIFA.

This tournament we’re all wondering about right now? It’s the World Cup. What competitions will be held in Malta’s home country next year? It’s the Women’s World Cup.

This amendment may not seem like a big deal, but it shows the world that FIFA does not consider the women’s tournament to be real. It’s definitely the World Cup. However, there are some that are less impressive. low value. Equality is low.

Not worthy of respect.

That’s nonsense. That’s sexist nonsense.

Women’s game starts from reverse

It is true that there was a time when women’s competition lagged behind that of men. We are under-invested and we should be thankful for this too, thanks to misogyny. When the U.S. women’s team first appeared in the World Cup, they wore recycled uniforms from the men’s team. U.S. Soccer is one of the few federations that pays its men’s and women’s national teams equally, and has only done so since 2022.

In England and Brazil, women were even banned from playing soccer for much of the 20th century.

Yes, that’s right. Forbidden. Playing the game is legally prohibited.

But as countries invested and women demanded better, the level of women’s competition rose. Suffice it to say, don’t look at Marta or Trinity Rodman and think she’s as noble or worthy of the same respect as Messi or Kylian Mbappe.

Let’s honor the name of Malta

Indeed, their game is different, just as Messi’s game is different from Klose’s or Brazil’s Ronaldo. But it doesn’t get any less than that. And it certainly does not mean that Marta’s achievements should be swept under the rug as if they never happened. On Tuesday night, that’s exactly what happened.

And before anyone starts screaming that the boys team can beat the girls team, just stop. That’s a Neanderthal way of thinking, and that’s not how we think. A goal is a goal, and if you score 17 of those goals, you’ll be declared queen.

Again, this doesn’t take anything away from Messi. This is about giving women the respect they deserve. Recognize their accomplishments and not diminish or, in this case, erase them outright. Because men are still the default in our society.

It is almost certain that Messi will win the World Cup overall scoring record at some point next month. But for now, Malta remains the record holder. Please give her the respect she deserves.

The respect she got.

Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

250-year-olds are pessimistic about democracy and the American Dream: Survey

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250-year-olds are pessimistic about democracy and the American Dream: Survey

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Americans are feeling depressed as they prepare to celebrate their nation’s 250th anniversary.th Anniversary.

A national survey found that they are primarily critical of President Donald Trump, increasingly pessimistic about democracy and the country’s course, and divided about national pride and the feasibility of the American Dream.

The division runs sharply along political lines, with Republicans primarily at odds with independents and Democrats. Almost 60% of Americans agree that “President Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy,” and more than two-thirds said the United States is “at real risk of losing important democratic rights and freedoms.”

“The fact that nearly seven in 10 Americans believe we are at risk of losing important rights and freedoms should ring alarm bells,” said Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), which conducted the survey. “Partisan divisions on this issue represent a serious threat to the democratic experiment.”

The survey of more than 5,400 adults in all 50 states also found that respondents are uncomfortable with American unilateralism and military aggression.

Seven in 10 respondents said they preferred the U.S. to be “a trusted neighbor who cooperates with other countries and uses military force only as a last resort,” compared to 27 percent who said they preferred the U.S. to be “a strong nation that does not hesitate to use military force to protect our interests.”

Democrats (90%) and independents (75%) were much more likely to agree with the former statement, while Republicans narrowly supported the latter (52%).

“Americans overwhelmingly want a nation that embraces pluralism at home and acts as a good neighbor to the world abroad,” said PRRI Founder and Chairman Robert P. Jones. “Successively, we see Republicans and white evangelicals embracing positions aligned with President Trump’s MAGA policies, but increasingly at odds with their fellow Americans.”

Americans torn over national pride and democratic rights

PRRI, a nonpartisan nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., also found that Americans are divided over national pride and identity and concerned about democratic freedoms.

About half of respondents said they were very or very proud to be an American (51%) or proud of this country’s 250-year history (49%).

Sixty-eight percent of respondents agreed that the country is at risk of losing important democratic rights and freedoms, but that percentage was highest among Democrats (86%) and independents (70%) and mixed among Republicans (51%). Only 3 in 10 Americans (29%) believe those rights will “continue to be protected into the future.”

Most Americans (60%) also agree that the country is at risk of losing its culture and identity, up from 55% over the past decade. This sentiment was highest among Independents (59%, up from 52% in 2016) and Democrats (54%, up from 40%), but the percentage of Republicans who agree with this fell from 80% to 69%).

“We’ve been in a cycle of decline around this issue for some time now,” said Samuel Kimbriel, founder and director of the Philosophy and Society Initiative at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. “No matter what political party you belong to, there’s an overall feeling of decline and lack of hope.”

Kimbriel said these sentiments are rooted in more than polarization.

“We recognize that society as a whole is going down rather than up, and that’s not increasing its ability to achieve a deep moral vision,” he says. “We don’t know what our country’s purpose is or what unites us.”

Is America still the land of opportunity?

Americans are concerned about whether the American Dream (the idea that you can get ahead through hard work) still applies, with 49% agreeing and 50% disapproving. The survey found that belief in the American Dream has declined across all age groups since 2024, with the largest decline among 18- to 29-year-olds (50% to 36%).

Belief in the American Dream remains strongest among Republicans (76%) but has declined over time, especially among Hispanics, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, women, and young people. Less than half of independents (46%) believe that to be true, while 30% of Democrats agreed.

“The American Dream is at the very heart of our identity and America,” said Mark Rank, a professor of social work at Washington University in St. Louis who teaches a course on the economic realities of the concept. “The fact that it’s in trouble is something we need to pay close attention to.”

Rank said views of the American Dream have worsened because people’s ability to achieve it has become increasingly difficult over the past 50 years. He said the concept includes the idea that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to provide for your children, and the optimism that each generation will do better than the last.

Instead, wages for full-time male workers have been “basically flat” since the early 1970s, Rank said. “They make no more real dollars today than they did back then,” he says.

Meanwhile, the costs of housing, child care, health care, and higher education are rising.

“People are paying more for a lot of things, but they’re not making enough money to keep up,” he says. “They’re playing by the rules, but they’re going against the grain.”

Dissatisfaction with President Trump

The poll found that President Trump’s approval rating has fallen from 41% to 34% over the past two years, driven by independents and less committed Republicans. (A Reuters/IPSOS poll released earlier this week showed President Trump’s approval rating at 36%.)

About 4 in 5 Republicans have a favorable view of the president, compared to 1 in 4 independents and 5% of Democrats. Trump’s approval rating among Republicans has fallen to 79% from 84% in 2024, and among independents it has fallen from 37% to 25%.

A majority of Americans (59%) agree with President Trump’s characterization as a “dangerous dictator” who threatens democracy, including 91% of Democrats and 65% of independents. Meanwhile, 38%, including 78% of Republicans, agreed that the president is a “strong leader who should be given the authority necessary to restore America’s greatness.”

The survey found that about two-thirds of Americans, 66%, disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Iran war, compared to 29% who approve. Support was highest among Republicans (67%), followed by independents at 21% and Democrats at 4%.

About 6 in 10 Americans (58%) say they disapprove of the president’s handling of immigration, compared to 37% who approve.

“Immigration is part of the American dream,” Rank said. “Coming here is a big step. You don’t just come here on a whim. You come here because you want a better life for yourself and your children.”

“Americans have passion.”

A solid majority of Americans prefer a country that reflects a diversity of faiths and national backgrounds, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds (64%) say they prefer the United States to be a diverse nation of faiths, compared to 34% who think the United States should be a Christian nation.

More than three-quarters of respondents, or 77%, said they preferred the United States to represent people from all over the world, compared to 20% who said they preferred people with a predominantly Western European background.

Half of Americans (50%) agree that Islamic values ​​conflict with American values, a number that has remained consistent since 2011. But this view is increasingly divided, with Republicans even more likely to agree (up from 63%) and Democrats less likely to agree (30%, down from 40%).

More Americans have a favorable view of Pope Leo XIV (56%) than President Trump (34%), and support for the president is higher only among Republicans and conservative white Christians. Less than half (47%) of Republicans view the Pope favorably, compared to 55% of independents and 73% of Democrats.

Aspen Institute’s Kimbriel said that while a divided society seems disappointing, he finds these noisy differences encouraging.

“Americans still have a very strong temperament,” he says. “The problem is figuring out how to bring it to the surface. Rather than tearing apart the fabric of society, a clash of ideals can be productive. Countries where people believe strongly in certain things and are willing to fight for them are much closer to finding their way forward than countries that are lethargic.”

Rep. Mike Collins wins Georgia Republican Senate primary runoff

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Rep. Mike Collins wins Georgia Republican Senate primary runoff

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The long and complicated primary race for the Republican Senate nomination has finally come to an end.

On Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins defeated former college football coach Derek Dooley. Immediate results showed an incredibly close race, but the gap widened as the votes were counted.

Collins received a last-minute endorsement from President Trump over the weekend, potentially putting him in a corner in the final days of the primary season.

Mr. Dooley was supported and largely supported by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp, a longtime family friend. Dooley defeated Buddy Carter in the fourth quarter of the May primary to compete for the second place in the runoff. Dooley and Kemp then became embroiled in a possible pay-to-play scandal dating back to Kemp’s early days in the governor’s mansion.

Polls showed Mr. Dooley and Mr. Collins nearly neck and neck heading into the runoff.

Trump makes last-minute endorsement in Georgia Senate primary

President Trump said, “It is a great honor to endorse MAGA Mike Collins, a highly respected lawmaker who has been with me since the beginning. Georgia is a very special place to me, and we just won a landslide presidential victory with the most votes for a single candidate in Georgia history in any election.” Sunday morning. “Mike has the strong support of some of the most respected MAGA patriots in Georgia and beyond, as well as many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate – he is a warrior and a winner!”

The president went on to call Collins a “successful businessman” and praise his work in the House. Collins has been serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023 for the 10th Congressional District in central Georgia. His seat is currently up for election.

“As your next senator, Mike will continue to work to grow our economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote Made in the USA, defend America’s energy advantage, strengthen our amazing military and veterans, promote election integrity, secure our borders, stop immigrant criminals, murderers, and other criminals from entering the country illegally, ensure law and order, and protect our nation, which is always under siege,” Trump said.

Ossoff returns to anti-corruption issue

Following Collins’ victory, Ossoff returned to some of his key talking points, adding support for Trump.

“Donald Trump’s handpicked candidate, Mike Collins, is a notorious bigot, anti-Semite, and extremist who is currently under federal investigation for misappropriation of tax dollars,” Ossoff said in a statement Tuesday night. “Collins became a congressman because his father was a congressman and voted for doubling health insurance premiums for more than 1 million Georgians, the Iran war, and the Trump tariffs.”

Mr. Ossoff has made anti-corruption a central tenet of his campaign and has regularly accused Mr. Collins and his former opponent, Mr. Dooley, of corrupt practices.

“They should come out now and answer questions about everything,” Ossoff said at a campaign event in Atlanta on May 31. “But Atlanta, it doesn’t matter who wins. They’re both corrupt political insiders, pro-war, pro-tariff, pro-healthcare cuts. They’re both Trump puppets, and we’ll defeat one of them in November.” Because this campaign isn’t just for Democrats, it’s for everyone who sees things spiraling out of our control, who longs for sanity and competence, and who sees the same old politics failing across the state. ”

Collins says it’s time to ‘get to work’

In a post on X after winning, Collins said he was “honored” to have been chosen as a candidate.

“Now is the time to get to work, defeat Jon Ossoff, and win this seat back for the people of our state,” Collins said. “Hammer down!”

The Senate race will be one of the most closely watched midterm elections, as seats could determine control of the Senate.

Georgia currently has a Republican governor and two Democratic senators. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms will face off against Republican Rick Jackson in November’s gubernatorial race, with Bottoms the favorite in polls and early polls showing Ossoff leading both Republican candidates. If Collins and Jackson lose in November, Georgia will vote yes in the state House and Senate. If Collins and Jackson win, they will control the governor’s mansion and one Senate seat, but the other seat will go to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is not up for re-election this term.

Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team, covering midterm races in Georgia. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick for Argentina

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Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick for Argentina

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Editor’s note: Follow all World Cup matches live

With an incredible hat-trick on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi equaled the all-time top scorer in Men’s World Cup history.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored three goals for Argentina in the World Cup opener against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, taking him to 16 World Cup goals in his illustrious career.

This was his first hat-trick at the World Cup and contributed to the defending champions’ 3-0 victory.

Buy Messi Argentina uniform

Messi entered the match with a three-goal lead over Miroslav Klose (Germany), but left the game as the joint top scorer in the history of the Men’s World Cup.

Earlier in the day, French star Kylian Mbappé scored twice against Senegal to advance to 14 goals. Mbappe is nearly 12 years younger than Messi, so he has the incredible talent to eventually surpass the Argentine legend.

Brazil legend Marta holds the all-time scoring record with 17 goals in six Women’s World Cup appearances.

Messi also made history on Tuesday when the match started, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups. His long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to join him on Wednesday when Portugal take on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Messi has a chance to break the record in Argentina’s next match against Austria on Monday 22 June.

World Cup Most Goals

  • 16 – Miroslav Klose, Germany
  • 16 – Lionel Messi, Argentina
  • 15 – Ronaldo, Brazil
  • 14 – Gerd Müller, West Germany
  • 14 – Kylian Mbappé, France
  • 13 – Juste Fontaine, France
  • 12 – Pele, Brazil
  • 11 – Sandor Kocsis, Hungary
  • 11 – Jurgen Klinsmann, West Germany and Germany
  • 10 – Helmut Rahn, West Germany
  • 10 – Gary Lineker, England
  • 10 – Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina
  • 10 – Teofilo Cubillas, Peru
  • 10 – Thomas Müller, Germany
  • 10 – Gzergor Lato, Poland

More to come…

Buy Argentina World Cup Tickets

Mega Millions jackpot reaches $430 million for June 16th drawing

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Mega Millions jackpot reaches $430 million for June 16th drawing

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The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $430 million, including a $191.2 million cash option, ahead of the Tuesday, June 16th drawing.

The prizes have been piling up for about three months without a winner. The final jackpot, a $60 million prize, was won by an Ohio player on St. Patrick’s Day.

If someone hits all six numbers tonight, they will be faced with the choice of receiving a one-off lump sum or opting for an annuity payment that increases by 5% each year.

With the next drawing just hours away, here’s what you need to know.

more: Which states have the most lottery winners? What you need to know.

Winning numbers for the June 16th Mega Millions drawing

Check back after 11pm ET for the winning numbers from Tuesday night’s drawing.

How to play Mega Millions

Players choose six numbers.

  • 5 white balls from 1 to 70
  • 1 mega ball from 1 to 24

Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at retail stores or online in some states. You can also choose Quick Pick for randomly generated numbers.

All tickets have built-in multipliers that increase winnings other than the jackpot.

When is the next picture?

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, June 19th at 11:00 PM ET.

Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots

  • $1.602 billion in Florida on August 8, 2023
  • $1.537 billion in South Carolina on October 23, 2018
  • $1.348 billion on January 1, 2023 in Maine
  • July 29, 2022, $1.337 billion in Illinois
  • December 27, 2024, $1.269 billion in California
  • $1.128 billion in New Jersey on March 26, 2024
  • $1.05 billion in Michigan on January 22, 2021
  • $983 million in Georgia on November 14, 2025
  • $810 million in Texas on September 10, 2024
  • March 30, 2012, $656 million in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland

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_.

The Secret Service kept the UFC conspiracy investigation secret. Then Kash Patel announced.

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The Secret Service kept the UFC conspiracy investigation secret. Then Kash Patel announced.

After the FBI director announced the suspected terrorist plot, a senior Secret Service official said the FBI was intentionally keeping the investigation secret.

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WASHINGTON – A top Secret Service official said the agency intentionally kept the investigation in the dark about the June 14 attack on the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House.

“This is an active conspiracy that is ongoing,” said Matthew Quinn, deputy director of the Secret Service. “There are still a number of suspects and we will continue to investigate until they are all identified.”

But FBI Director Kash Patel ended the effort’s secrecy in a social media post early on June 16, exposing the threat and claiming credit for thwarting it.

The FBI and our law enforcement partners were made aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington on June 10. “Multiple individuals are currently in custody and the alleged planned attack was thwarted in cold blood,” Patel said in a statement on X at 6:50 a.m. ET.

A federal law enforcement official told USA TODAY that the Secret Service and other authorities had sought at least 10 additional people for questioning in addition to those already indicted before Patel’s announcement that the investigation made headlines.

This is the latest in a series of disclosures by Patel that detractors say are unfair disclosures of confidential investigative information that complicate an ongoing investigation.

Patel is a frequent user of social media, with 2 million followers on X, and has posted far more about ongoing FBI operations than previous directors such as James Comey and Christopher Wray.

The most commonly cited example is in September 2025, when Patel prematurely claimed a breakthrough in the assassination of prominent conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, claiming a “subject” had been arrested, only for authorities to release him hours later.

He has also made inaccurate statements about the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, sparking backlash from other law enforcement agencies.

“Don’t choke on your own smoke.”

When asked about Patel’s X post at an unrelated press conference on Tuesday, June 16, Quinn did not name the FBI director or his agency.

However, Secret Service No. 2 expressed frustration that details of the investigation were made public before the Secret Service intended. He also said the Secret Service, not the FBI, was the lead agency in the case, which is still ongoing.

“I’ll tell you a phrase I learned early in my career in the New York field office: ‘Don’t choke on your own smoke,'” Quinn told reporters. “Anyone who believes that that incident was conducted in a bubble (by the FBI) ​​is naive. Let me tell you, the Secret Service was leading that investigation from the beginning.”

A federal law enforcement official who spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation said the entire case was intentionally filed in confidence to prevent details from leaking and to alert potential suspects to the ongoing urgent investigation.

At least five people have been charged in connection with the alleged conspiracy, including Theisen Proper, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, Brian Omar Lore, Michael Alan Thomas, and Daniel K. Eskridge. The suspects were spread across the United States, living in states such as Missouri, Ohio, and California.

“More than just a landscape”: President Trump wants to green the grass on his side of the fence after the UFC event on the South Lawn

Plan to raid UFC event at White House

Court documents allege there was a large-scale plot to attack the June 14 event attended by President Donald Trump and senior Cabinet members, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Patel.

The Secret Service and FBI became aware of the threat to the UFC event when a relative of one of the suspects contacted local police in Ohio.

Federal law enforcement officials said the Secret Service’s Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit (ATIU) was able to identify the alleged communications between the conspirators after identifying the signal chats used by the suspects. Those plans included coming to Washington, D.C., and using drones and snipers to attack an event on the South Lawn of the White House, court documents allege.

In public remarks, Quinn told reporters: “Let me tell you that the investigation is ongoing. In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation and our security program, we have chosen not to divulge any information. Look, this was a serious threat. We take all threats of a major nature very seriously and will investigate until we can 100% verify that it is no longer a threat.”

Then, late Tuesday, the FBI issued a joint statement from FBI and Secret Service spokespeople saying, “The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service are proud of our strong working relationship. This investigation highlights that continuing partnership and would not have been possible without the great work and collaboration between our two agencies. This weekend’s thwarted attacks should send a message to all criminals that if they target Americans, they will be found and brought to justice.”

“I’m really worried because they try to take the credit.”

Congressional Democrats have harshly criticized Patel’s use of social media, including during the Kirk scandal.

“On the day of the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, Secretary Patel again caused chaos on social media by falsely claiming that the shooter was in custody, and then had to backtrack with another social media post,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2025.

“In his desire to take credit for discovering Mr. Kirk’s assassin, Mr. Patel violated one of the fundamentals of effective law enforcement: remaining silent during critical stages of an investigation and leaving the job to the experts,” Durbin said.

Corey Feldman shares health update after hospitalization

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Corey Feldman shares health update after hospitalization

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Corey Feldman suffered an emergency on a plane and was released from the hospital after spending the night in the hospital.

The 54-year-old “Goonies” and “Lost Boys” actor is “much better and is currently being discharged from the hospital,” a spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement on Tuesday, June 16. A spokesperson said he was diagnosed with “very severe food poisoning.”

“Corey would like to thank everyone for your love and well wishes. He has definitely seen a lot of messages and is truly grateful for all of them,” the statement added.

He has recovered in time to release his latest single, “What Am I Here 4”, on June 22nd, and is “looking forward” to celebrating his birthday in Southern California on July 25th and 26th.

In an X post shared late on June 15, Feldman thanked his fans for their “love and care” and added that while the medical incident was “certainly scary,” he believes he will be okay. “For now, all signs look good,” he wrote.

The former child star was met by paramedics and taken to the hospital after landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, June 15th. He was on his way home from spending time in the Midwest on the Stand By Me 40th Anniversary Tour with co-stars Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton, and stopped by the Chicago Theater on Sunday, June 14th.

Who is Corey Feldman? Career spans music, reality TV – including ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Since his first credited role on Normal Lear’s America 2-Night in 1978, Feldman has been in the spotlight for decades thanks to his film and music career, his childhood friendship with Michael Jackson, and his work with frequent on-screen co-star Corey Haim, nicknamed “The Two Coreys.”

He debuted his first single, “Something in Your Eyes,” on the “Dream a Little Dream” soundtrack in 1989, and went on to build a music catalog with songs like “Ascension Millennium” and the Billboard chart-topping “Go For It!” A 2008 album with his band Truth Movement was also released on his label CiFi Records. Feldman also toured with nu-metal band Limp Bizkit in 2024 as an opening act.

Feldman is said to have subsequently experienced some personal hardship, including abuse from a number of men in Hollywood, as she landed major roles in Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, The Goonies, The Barbs (and its Peacock reboot series), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The actor himself was reportedly the subject of misconduct allegations in 2020, but no legal action was taken.

Feldman’s experiences as a victim of sexual abuse, as well as her recovery from addiction and reaction to the deaths of Haim and Jackson, are detailed in her 2013 autobiography, Coreyography: A Memoir.

He and dance pro Jenna Johnson were among the first to be eliminated from Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars in September 2025.

Monarch Money Review – Is the household budget app worth the cost?

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Monarch Money Review – Is the household budget app worth the cost?

The market for budgeting apps is more crowded than ever. From simple spending trackers to all-in-one financial dashboards, consumers have more options than ever when it comes to managing their money.

Among the best budgeting apps, Monarch Money has emerged as a popular choice for users who want to track their budget, investments, net worth, and financial goals in one place. Rather than relying on ads or a free tier model, Monarch charges a subscription fee and promises a more robust personal finance experience.

This Monarch review details how the app works, its price, and whether its premium features are worth the price.

What is Monarch?

Monarch is a personal finance app that combines budgeting, account tracking, and net worth monitoring into one platform. Users can connect their bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investment accounts, and other financial accounts to see their finances in one place.

This app was co-founded by a former Mint product manager and is designed to serve as an alternative to traditional budgeting tools. Monarch offers spending tracking and budgeting features, as well as subscription monitoring, investment tracking, goal planning, and in-home collaboration tools.

By syncing data from connected accounts, Monarch can automatically categorize transactions and update account balances, reducing the need for manual data entry. The goal is to help users track spending, monitor progress toward financial goals, and get a broader picture of their overall finances.

Which one is actually the most effective? Manual vs. automated budgeting

Main features of Monarch

Monarch includes a wide set of tools for budgeting, expense tracking, subscription management, and net worth monitoring.

While many budgeting apps focus primarily on spending, Monarch also includes investment tracking, financial goal planning, and household collaboration features. Below are some of the platform’s most notable tools.

Track and manage your money

The dashboard acts as the app’s central hub, bringing together account balances, budgets, investments, and net worth data. During testing, the layout was easily customizable and widgets could be rearranged or hidden based on the information most relevant to the user.

Monarch also uses connected accounts to automatically calculate your net worth and track changes over time. Users can view assets and liabilities across categories such as cash accounts, investments, retirement savings, and loans, making it easy to monitor your overall financial health from a single screen.

Advanced budgeting features

During testing, Monarch’s budgeting tool felt more flexible than the category-based templates used by some competing apps. Users can create custom budget categories and groups, set spending goals, and establish rules to automatically categorize transactions.

Rather than focusing on a single budgeting method, Monarch emphasizes cash flow by showing your income, expenses, and savings activity in one place. This approach may appeal to users who want more control over how they manage their finances, rather than following a preset budgeting framework.

investment tracking

Monarch allows users to connect eligible brokerage and retirement accounts alongside their bank accounts and credit cards. Once synced, the app displays your investment balances, account holdings, and portfolio allocation information within the same dashboard you use for budgeting and tracking your net worth.

For users who want to monitor both their spending and investments on a single platform, this integration provides a more complete picture of their finances without the need for multiple apps.

Reports and insights

Monarch automatically generates spending reports based on transactions from your connected accounts. Users can filter data by category, seller, and custom tags to better understand where their money is being spent.

During testing, reporting tools made it relatively easy to identify recurring expenses and spending trends without having to export the data to a spreadsheet. A visual overview also provides an easy way to see your monthly spending and budget performance.

Collaboration features

One of Monarch’s standout features is its native support for couples and families. At no additional charge, you can invite partners to join your account using their own unique login credentials.

Both users get a unified view of joint accounts while maintaining the ability to track separate accounts, making it a powerful tool for joint financial planning.

learn more: How to choose a household accounting app that suits your financial goals

Monarch pricing

Transparency regarding fees is important when choosing a personal finance app. This is Monarch’s main drawback. There is no permanent free tier.

Free version

Monarch does not have a free version, but it does offer a standard 7-day free trial with full access to all features. Monarch is known to extend this trial by 30 days, so be wary of promotional links.

premium version

  • core version Monarch costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year ($8.33 per month).
  • plus version For $199.99 per year, add access to more advanced tools for long-term financial planning and managing multiple income streams.

additional cost

A subscription to Monarch Money includes access to its core budgeting, account aggregation, investment tracking, and net worth monitoring features. At the time of writing, the platform does not charge additional fees for adding partners or connecting multiple financial accounts.

Unlike some free budgeting apps, Monarch Money relies on subscription revenue rather than advertising. As a result, you will see fewer promotional offers within the app than on ad-supported platforms.

Advantages and disadvantages of the monarch

Strong Points

  • Multiple data aggregators: Monarch allows you to switch between Plaid, Finicity, and MX to connect to your bank. If one service fails to connect to your credit card or credit union, you can try another service, reducing frustrating disconnections and increasing the number of financial institutions you can connect to seamlessly.
  • Collaboration tools: Free joint access for spouses or partners makes managing your finances seamless.
  • Clean UI: Because you pay for a subscription, the user experience is completely focused on data and not on selling financial products. Plus, it looks great!
  • Robust customization: From custom transaction rules to personalized categories, apps adapt to your workflow rather than forcing you into one.

Cons

  • Fee: For users who only need basic transaction tracking, this is a significant recurring expense of approximately $100 per year.
  • Focus less on tracking daily expenses: The app visually flags you if you spend too much, but it doesn’t automatically ask you to move money from another category to cover it. Very strict budgeters who want to get rid of debt or save for a specific goal may find other apps more useful for short-term planning.
  • Occasional lag: Depending on the securities company, there may be a lag in investment balances and transaction history.

Want to switch budgeting apps? How to keep your financial data safe

Comparing Monarch to other budgeting apps

Recommendation: Who is Monarch best for?

Monarch is ideal for households and individuals with complex financial portfolios. If you’re a paycheck-to-paycheck person focused on optimizing your checking account, multiple credit cards for rewards, investment portfolio, and possibly a mortgage mix, Monarch magically handles the complexity.

It’s also a strong option for couples who want shared financial visibility. The ability to invite partners without paying for a second license makes it the perfect framework for monthly money meetings, giving both parties a clear and equal view of the household’s total cash flow and net worth.

Who should skip?

If you only have a few financial accounts and primarily want an easy way to track your spending, it may be hard to justify the cost of a Monarch subscription.

Also, this app may not be very appealing to users who prefer highly structured budgeting systems. Monarch offers budgeting and planning tools, but its approach is generally more flexible than apps that use zero-based budgeting methods. Users looking for more practical guidance when it comes to spending decisions may prefer a platform with a more prescriptive budgeting framework.

Conclusion: Is Monarch worth it?

Monarch Money’s biggest strength is its ability to combine budgeting, investment tracking, and net worth monitoring into one dashboard. The platform is carefully designed, highly customizable, and includes collaboration features that are useful for couples and families.

That said, the annual fee doesn’t make sense for everyone. If you’re primarily looking for basic spending tracking, there are cheaper alternatives. But for users who want a more comprehensive view of their finances, including investments and long-term goals, Monarch Money offers an attractive feature set to help justify the cost.

FAQ

Is Monarch free?

No, Monarch does not have a free tier. However, a 7-day free trial is offered.

Is Monarch better than Mint?

These are different tools and it comes down to personal preference. That said, Monarch’s ad-free interface, multi-aggregator bank sync, and great customization options make it worth the price. (But Mint’s free features were certainly a big draw.)

Can Monarch track my investments?

yes. Monarch tracks investment accounts alongside traditional bank accounts. View portfolio balances, overall asset allocation, and historical performance charts in real time.

Are Monarchs safe?

yes. Monarch employs bank-level security protocols. Get transaction data through secure industry-standard aggregators like Plaid with read-only access. This means the app cannot move or access your actual funds.

Is Monarch suitable for budgeting?

Monarch is a great tool for cash flow analysis, tracking trends, and managing your financial picture. But it’s actually more of a tracking and forecasting tool than a strict budgeting tool.

Lincoln Memorial’s $16 million pool renovation still green

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Lincoln Memorial’s $16 million pool renovation still green

play

The total cost to renovate the algae-filled Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is about $16 million, according to government contract records.

President Donald Trump announced plans to renovate the pool in April, saying the landmark had been the subject of complaints due to its cleanliness and leaks from its foundation. The National Park Service told USA TODAY the pool was leaking 16 million gallons a year.

As part of efforts to beautify Washington ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the president told reporters on May 7 that a contractor would be responsible for sandblasting, caulking and resurfacing the pool basin.

Below is a breakdown of the costs incurred to date in renovating the reflecting pool.

more: Red white green? D.C.’s reflecting pools may not turn blue by July 4th

What contractors were hired to do the work?

Two contractors were hired for the project in the nation’s capital: Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions. Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded $14.2 million and Green Water Solutions was awarded $1.7 million.

The administration hired Atlantic Industrial Coatings to paint the pool “American flag blue,” a deep navy. The Washington landmark is approximately 2,000 feet long and 160 feet wide. The National Park Service previously told USA TODAY that the color will improve the reflective properties of the pool over the previously gray concrete, which had become slimy green due to algae buildup.

Before the pool had a concrete bottom, there was a black asphalt basin. In places, the water was dyed to improve reflection.

more: Was hydrogen peroxide dumped into the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial?

To improve water quality, the government hired federal contractor Green Water Solutions to install a water purification system to reduce toxins, algae and other substances in contaminated water, according to the website.

The Department of the Interior told USA TODAY in an emailed statement Monday, June 15, that the technology “successfully eradicated the algal blooms that have plagued every pool that has reopened since 1922.”

But by Tuesday, June 16, the pool’s green color had not disappeared, and workers were seen pouring hydrogen peroxide into the water, USA TODAY confirmed.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings confirmed to USA TOAY that it is lining the pool with polyurea, a waterproof sealant, to stop any ongoing leaks.

The original price for lining the pool was $13.1 million, but the price was increased to $14.6 million as NPS added work to the original scope, the company said.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings was paid $6,886,520 on April 3, $1,740,256 on April 13, $6,218,381 on May 8, and $1,086,576 on June 3. Green Water Solutions was paid on April 13th.

The pool may remain green until September

Hans Pearl, a research professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told USA TODAY on June 15 that the color could persist into the cooler fall months. Algae thrives in heated environments, and Washington state’s summers are notoriously hot and humid.

In July, the city is expected to experience several days of temperatures in the upper 80s to 90s.

Pearl warned authorities against using chemicals to treat pools as they could harm animals that drink the water. Ducks are often seen walking in this area.

The Department of the Interior told USA TODAY that hydrogen peroxide is a milder treatment than chlorine. “There are no harmful side effects to marine life or the environment,” the ministry said.

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

Contributor: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Shooting at Delaware hospital leaves 1 dead, suspect sought

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Shooting at Delaware hospital leaves 1 dead, suspect sought

A shooting at a Delaware hospital on June 16 left one person dead and another injured, prompting a massive police response and a temporary lockdown, authorities said.

Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos said in a news conference that officers were called to ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital around 3:30 p.m. local time after receiving reports of a shooting inside the building. Police initially asked the public to avoid the area while they responded to the scene.

“Police located two gunshot victims, one of whom tragically succumbed to his injuries,” Campos said at a news conference. He added that information about the second victim’s condition and the identities of both victims is being withheld “out of family sensitivity.”

As of the evening of June 16, the suspect was at large and investigators were working to confirm his identity and whereabouts, Campos said. The police chief said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, the Christiana Care community, and the affected residents,” Campos said. “Regardless of the motive in this incident, there is never an excuse for violence, and there is never an excuse for gun violence.”

The shooting prompted a massive law enforcement response.

The hospital was initially placed on lockdown as police responded, but the order was later lifted as police began clearing the scene. Earlier, the Delaware News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that dozens of police officers, some with long rifles and tactical gear, converged on the entrance to the hospital’s main office and emergency room.

Campos said multiple local, state and federal agencies responded to assist, including Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police, Wilmington Fire Department, county paramedics, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In a statement to the Delaware News Journal, hospital network ChristianaCare said it is “working closely with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers, and visitors.”

“Our priorities remain the safety and health of everyone on campus and the continuity of care for our patients,” ChristianaCare said in a statement.

Authorities did not immediately say what led to the shooting. Police said investigators will continue to work to arrest the suspect and uncover the circumstances of the attack.

Active shooter class took place immediately before shooting

Class officials said about 20 people were taking part in a marksmanship lesson held on the bottom floor of the hospital just before the shooting occurred.

Officials outside the hospital said the instructor received a phone call during class, became serious, and told everyone to leave the building. Class participants then exited the building along the steps of a nearby street.

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