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New movies streaming on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Prime Video

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Need to see a new movie? Stream these 10 movies for free in your home with Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Peacock.

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  • One of these movies is the one you should watch tonight.
  • Theatrical releases include the animated sequel “Zootopia 2” and the survival thriller “Not Without Hope.”
  • Several new films incorporate historical elements, including the Melania Trump documentary and the historical drama “Nuremberg.”

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It’s Oscar weekend. If you haven’t streamed the nominated movies before the big night, Talking Animal Cop or First Lady might be faster.

Services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video are bringing a slew of theatrical releases into homes, including a Melania Trump documentary, a historical thriller from Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, a survival thriller from Zachary Levi, and a sequel to Disney’s hit children’s hit “Zootopia.”

Here are 10 hottest new movies you can stream right now.

“Body cam”

This urban horror festival combines found footage horror and “cops.” Two police officers are sent to investigate a domestic dispute, but the situation escalates and someone is shot and killed. However, as the two try to cover up the accidental murder, the night becomes pitch black and the entire neighborhood becomes very strange.

Where to watch: tremble

“Fackham Hall”

“Airplane!” Give the “Downton Abbey” spin you never knew you needed. This hilariously daffy parody is set in England in the 1930s, and tells the story of the aristocratic but often incestuous Davenport family, whose daughter Rose (Thomasin Mackenzie) is torn between marrying her cousin Archibald (Tom Felton) to protect the family or staying with pickpocket-turned-servant Eric (Ben Radcliffe).

Where to watch: HBO Max

“Hamnet”

Prepare to be emotionally overwhelmed by the end of Chloé Zhao’s heartfelt look at William Shakespeare’s family life. Jessie Buckley plays Will’s (Paul Mescal) wife Agnes, who raises their children while he works in London. The tragedy causes a disconnect between the two, but it also ultimately leads to the creation of “Hamlet” and different ways of dealing with grief.

Where to watch: peacock

“It was just an accident.”

Director Jafar Panahi’s thriller is an unforgettable mix of serious moral questions and clever screwball comedy. A breathtaking modern-day fable about a mechanic (Vahid Mobaseli) who stumbles upon his supposed tormentor (Ebrahim Azizi) in an Iranian prison, kidnaps him, and decides what to do with him by bringing in other political prisoners.

Where to watch: Hulu

“Melania”

Director Brett Ratner’s not-so-revealing documentary focuses on the life of Melania Trump, a former fashion model and wife of President Donald Trump. The film follows the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration, giving behind-the-scenes glimpses into the first lady’s personal and personal life.

Where to watch: prime video

“It’s not like there’s no hope.”

Based on a tragic true story, director Joe Carnahan’s survival thriller stars Zachary Levi as one of four friends on a fishing expedition whose boat capsizes during a severe storm. Josh Duhamel is a Coast Guard captain who leads rescue missions as people face dehydration, hypothermia and other dangers at sea.

Where to watch: paramount+

“Nuremberg”

This crowd-pleasing, realistic and moving historical thriller stars Russell Crowe as Adolf Hitler’s narcissistic right-hand man, Hermann Goering (Russell Crowe). As he and others in the Nazi high command are put on trial for war crimes, Goering plays mind games with military psychiatrist Douglas Kelly (Rami Malek).

Where to watch: Netflix

“The Secret Agent”

Set in the 1970s, this political thriller stars the brilliant Wagner Moura as a Brazilian researcher pursued by a mercenary killer. A former teacher aims to escape the country’s ruthless dictatorship with her son by assuming a different name and working with fellow dissidents, but she wonders who she can really trust.

Where to watch: Hulu

“War Machine”

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you crossed the movie “Full Metal Jacket” with the movie “Transformers”? Reacher stars Alan Ritchson as an Army combat engineer who enters a program to become a Ranger. His final mission fails when an armored enemy emerges from space, and he must work with his fellow soldiers to survive.

Where to watch: Netflix

“Zootopia 2”

Disney’s animated comedy sequel features bunny cop Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and feral fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). The unlikely friends and partners must once again save the city of Zootopia by helping a fugitive Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and uncovering a long-standing conspiracy against the reptiles.

Where to watch: disney plus

Chipotle offers free tattoo BOGO on Friday the 13th

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Customers with tattoos, real or drawn, will be able to take advantage of a special Chipotle offer starting March 13 of this year. The Mexican fast-food chain is offering a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) promotion during certain hours in its restaurants.

This offer is available from 3pm to 4pm local time and is only applicable to those who visit a Chipotle restaurant in person and display any tattoos. Temporary tattoos and tattoos drawn with markers are also eligible for discounts.

This promotion is inspired by the Friday the 13th tradition at tattoo studios, with many stores offering discounts on that day. Chipotle also referenced a viral meme that compared tattoos to the graphic designs on its to-go bags.

What does Chipotle offer on Friday the 13th?

The chain is offering a buy-one-get-one-free BOGO on any entrée on its menu. This means that when customers purchase one item, such as a burrito, bowl, or salad, they receive the other item for free.

The promotion aims to tie in with the growing popularity of tattoo culture every Friday the 13th, when many tattoo studios lower prices and attract new customers.

Stephanie Perdue, Chipotle’s interim director of marketing, said the campaign is also inspired by the popular online phrase “tattooed like a Chipotle bag,” which likens tattoos to the icons printed on the brand’s bags.

How to get Chipotle BOGO?

To take advantage of this offer, customers must meet several requirements.

  • Go directly to a Chipotle restaurant
  • Visit between 3pm and 4pm local time
  • Displaying a tattoo (permanent, temporary, or painted)

Restaurant staff will determine if a tattoo is eligible for the promotion.

This offer also has important limitations.

  • You can receive up to 5 free items per account, but each item must correspond to a purchase of equal or greater value.
  • Each free item must be claimed by the person with the tattoo.

In other words, if you want to give a group 5 free meals, 5 people with tattoos must participate.

Who are the artists participating in Chipotle promotions?

This year’s campaign includes a collaboration with rap duo Rae Sremmurd and singer Swae Lee, known for their upcoming album. same difference‘ will be released on April 3rd.

Lee helped design a sheet of temporary tattoos inspired by Chipotle bags. These tattoos will be given away for free at a Chipotle restaurant in Midtown Miami on March 13th.

The event aims to celebrate tattoo culture and the bond that many fans have built with the brand.

It is important for consumers to arrive early during the promotional period, as only one hour is available at each participating restaurant.

Contributor: Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.

Max Crosby spot, trade reversal results are ‘extremely conservative’

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  • The trade that sent Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens was canceled due to concerns from the Ravens’ medical staff.
  • Team doctors often take a conservative approach to player physicals, which can lead to deals being voided.
  • This situation is reminiscent of when the Miami Dolphins released Drew Brees in 2006 due to concerns about a shoulder injury.

The Miami Dolphins’ equipment staff quickly donned Drew Brees’ jerseys for the introductory press conference. That never happened — even though former Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller claimed in 2006 that a five-year, $50 million deal was in place to sign Brees.

Instead, Brees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer thanks to his heroics as a member of the New Orleans Saints, the same reason Maxx Crosby went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens and back to the Raiders in four days.

The team’s medical staff intervened and voided the contract.

The shoulder that Miami doctors were worried about was healing well for Brees, and the Saints took a risk while Dolphins management bet on Daunte Culpepper’s broken knee over Brees’ hip arm.

Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask said there’s a good reason why team doctors are “very conservative” in their prognosis when recruiting players.

“Because you don’t want to be the team doctor who sticks his neck out and does the wrong thing,” Trask told USA TODAY Sports.

Crosby is recovering from a partially torn meniscus that was surgically repaired in January. Due to this injury, the Raiders asked Crosby to miss the final two games of the season. According to FOX Sports, Crosby was not satisfied with that and left the team in anger.

With Crosby’s final days in the silver and black firmly entrenched and a rebuild in the desert seemingly underway, the Ravens traded Crosby and sent 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to Las Vegas. The shock came Tuesday night when the Raiders revealed in a statement that the Ravens had “withdrawn” their contract.

“Even if you trade for a player who has repaired his meniscus, he’s not in good shape at this point,” said former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum. “How different was it from what they expected?”

Tannenbaum said it’s more common for medical issues to be discovered during pre-draft testing. Another team may perform a medical on Crosby and find it less of an issue, or maybe not at all.

Tannenbaum pointed out that the text of the law is that nothing can be officially announced until 4 p.m. on the day the league’s new year begins.

“Until then, this is all hypothetical,” said Tannenbaum, now an ESPN analyst.

The Ravens didn’t necessarily do anything wrong.

“I think they just see it differently,” Tannenbaum said.

Shortly after news of his return broke, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero quoted an anonymous general manager as saying, “This is a (expletive) statement on the part of Baltimore.”

Tannenbaum doesn’t necessarily agree that any reputations have been tarnished.

“In the NFL, everything is transactional,” he said. “And if it’s the best opportunity to work with the Ravens, they’ll work with the Ravens. I’m not really focused on that.”

Opinions about the Ravens’ level of deception will vary from front office to front office. But even if the Ravens have players that other teams want, Trask said that doesn’t affect other teams’ desire to acquire them.

“It’s probably situational ethics,” said Trask, now an analyst for CBS Sports.

Trask doesn’t think this indicates any remorse on the part of the buyer. However, the doctor’s findings certainly affected the value of Crosby, who the Ravens originally considered to be two first-round picks.

DeCosta said at a press conference Wednesday that he understands the skepticism.

“Every decision we make is based on the idea, ‘Is this what’s best for the Ravens?'” DeCosta told reporters. “This is very, very challenging. Again, I understand that people may feel that way – maybe from a distance, but no one is more upset about this than I am. I’m disappointed in this. In fact, it’s very disappointing to me.”

But he didn’t necessarily intend to undo anything, other than the deal itself.

“It was a really, really, really tough decision,” he said. “I had a moment yesterday, to be honest, where I was probably speechless. I was just sitting in my office chair trying to figure out what the next step was and trying to get as much information as possible. In a situation like this, you try to get as much information as possible from as many different sources as possible, and it just didn’t work out.”

Trask’s initial reaction to the reversal was that Crosby would appreciate the opportunity to show the Ravens they were wrong to back out of his contract.

“He’s always played with passion and purpose,” Trask said. “I think he’s going to be more ferocious and ferocious now.”

Tannenbaum believes the Raiders will continue to try to trade Crosby, and said any future move for Crosby could include conditions based on Crosby’s availability in 2026, such as number of games started or percentage of snaps played.

Tannenbaum said a second-round pick could turn into a first-round pick, depending on whether certain criteria are met. That would help the Raiders if moving Crosby is a priority.

“I’m sure they’ll find suitors,” he said. “I’d be surprised if you didn’t.”

Meanwhile, Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson “pivoted really well and quickly.” DeCosta said the Ravens’ trade for Crosby and signing Hendrickson are “mutually exclusive.” DeCosta said interest in Hendrickson began after it became clear that the Raiders had lost center Tyler Linderbaum, who ironically signed a three-year, $81 million contract with the Raiders.

Having problems during a physical exam is not a new phenomenon. Three years ago, Jimmy Garoppolo’s press conference for joining the Raiders was delayed by a day due to wording in his contract due to a foot injury he underwent surgery shortly after. It happens in other sports too. In the NBA, a trade for Mark Williams from the Los Angeles Lakers was canceled due to poor health. MLB shortstop Carlos Correa has agreed to a six-year deal with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, opting out of two long-term contracts due to concerns over an injury sustained nearly a decade ago.

But in the NFL, not every example involves players like Brees or Crosby. The Athletic noted that a deal with wide receiver Ryan Grant fell through in 2018 due to medical concerns, and the same thing happened with defensive lineman Michael Brockers in 2020.

Trask said the story took on another level of magnitude because of the players involved and the compensation.

“In other words, a dominant defensive lineman and two first-round picks,” Trask said. “I think that’s why this story got more attention than situations like this in the past.”

David Protein Bar Lawsuit Claims Bars Contain Extra Fat and Calories

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“No one supports Regina Georgede,” David wrote on social media about his protein bars.

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A class action lawsuit against popular protein bar brand David’s accuses the company of underestimating the fat and calories in its products.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges David’s misled and deceived consumers by labeling its protein bars with lower fat and calorie content than they actually were, in violation of federal law, according to court filings obtained by USA TODAY.

Three Plaintiffs – Daniela Lopez of Los Angeles, California; David Freifeld of Vernon Hills, Illinois; and Crystal Patterson of New York, New York, said in the lawsuit that they tested the products for fat and calorie content in a laboratory.

Plaintiffs said their results showed the bars had more than 100 calories than the advertised 150 calories and more than 10 grams more fat than the advertised 2 to 2.5 grams.

David appeared to address the claims on social media, claiming that “the confusion comes from how calories are measured.” USA TODAY has reached out to David for comment.

Lawsuit claims David’s protein bars have ‘far more’ fat and calories than advertised

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that both the fat and calorie counts in David Bar “far exceed the claimed values.”

The lawsuit alleges that when tested by the plaintiffs, the bars contained between 263 and 275 calories, depending on flavor. All bars are advertised as having 150 calories.

The test also found that some flavors had a fat content of more than 13 grams, though advertised as less than 2.5 grams.

Because this lawsuit is a class action lawsuit, it was brought on behalf of a larger group of people who may be affected. In this case, the class consists of consumers across the country who purchased David Barr.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial. If David is found liable, he would be required to pay damages to the members of the class.

Comparisons to ‘Mean Girls’ abound, but David says ‘nobody’s paying attention to Regina George’

As news of the lawsuit spread online this week, David’s clients drew comparisons to “Mean Girls.” In the 2004 film, the character Regina George discovers that the snack bars she’s been eating to lose weight are actually having the opposite effect.

However, David said in a post on TikTok that “no one is crazy about Regina George,” adding that the confusion over the calories in the company’s bars stems from “the way they measure calories.”

In a video posted to David’s Instagram, food scientist Mitch Culler reiterated the explanation, stressing that David’s protein bar has 150 calories.

“The misconception comes from the confusion surrounding a device called a bomb calorimeter, which measures the heat released when food burns. In fact, that’s where the phrase ‘burn calories’ comes from. But the human body is not a furnace,” Culler said.

Professor Culler continued: “Nutrition panels measure the calories your body can absorb from food, not just the calories released when the food is burned.”

A bomb calorimeter is an instrument used to measure the thermal energy stored in food. The complaint does not specify whether a bomb calorimeter was used to test the bars, but says the bars were measured using the Atwater system.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Atwater system is a method of measuring calories in foods. Some studies question its accuracy.

USA TODAY has reached out to the plaintiffs’ attorneys for comment.

Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

Emma Bloomberg could have done anything. she chose to help the weak

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The founder and CEO believes the secret to changing democracy is to start small and have the right tools.

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Emma Bloomberg is one of USA TODAY’s 2026 Women of the Year, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact in and outside of their communities. Here are this year’s winners.

Every Fourth of July, there was a tradition that Emma Bloomberg did as a child. She and her sister Georgina stood before their father and read the Declaration of Independence.

The document’s elaborate English round-hand script did not make it easy for young readers. “I remember it being really difficult,” she says. Over time, it became more manageable. As I grew older, like any other teenager, I started to develop an eye for exercise. Now she realizes how much it shaped her worldview.

Her parents divorced in 1993. His mother, Susan Bloomberg, is British. Her father is Michael R. Bloomberg, an American businessman and former mayor of New York. The couple remains close, but Emma’s public loyalty is clear, sometimes to the chagrin of her mother.

“I’m a patriot,” says Bloomberg, 46. “When I look back fondly on my childhood and think about all the opportunities I’ve had, there’s this phrase: ‘Only in America.’ I believe in ‘Only in America.’ And I want to make that possible for as many people as possible. ”

Those same ideals drive my work as CEO of Murmuration, a nonprofit I founded to ensure small local organizations have the same data, technology, tools, and insights as large corporations and lobbying firms.

If that mission sounds a little like that of a tech company, here’s an exciting, powerful, but a little amorphous example of how it works in the real world. LEE, a nonpartisan leadership development organization, is a long-time partner of Mamlaration, Inc., specifically dedicated to developing talent to run for local office. To run an effective campaign, candidates need access to voter information, data that helps them knock on registered voters’ doors, find people interested in particular issues, and solicit campaign contributions.

“Typically, that information is controlled by political bosses. New candidates are not in those power circles. They may be young people who have ideas and just want to make a difference on the school board,” says Michael Bouman, executive director of LEE. “The political world will often not be very welcoming to them and say, ‘No, we don’t have this information,’ or charge exorbitant fees.” Tweets allow anyone, regardless of party or affiliation, to access that information and take the same shot.

If it’s David vs. Goliath, “this is the biggest slingshot you can get,” Bouman says.

reluctant CEO

The idea for Bloomberg’s Murmuration didn’t come to us in an “aha” moment. At Princeton, where she majored in medieval literature, her parents questioned her employment opportunities “many times,” she says with a laugh. He went on to earn master’s degrees in public administration and business from Harvard University and worked as a junior planning official in New York City during his father’s administration. “I love civil engineering problems. For example, I love thinking about how trash gets from the kitchen to where it ends up and all the steps in between. Fun and messy problems like that.”

She then spent six years at the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that fights poverty in New York City through education. The mission weighed on her head and heart. “If we think about how to break the generational cycle of poverty, there is no doubt that providing our children with access to high-quality public education from K-12 is one of the greatest tools we can use to drive this kind of change.”

It has shaped her family’s trajectory. “When I was young, my father would often talk to me about the American Dream and how a poor kid from Medford, Massachusetts, could go to public school, get a great education, and have a career like his.”

In each role, she continued to face recurring problems. It was that community groups were always at a disadvantage. They were parents who organized to survive for their children and their families. They knocked on doors, took notes on legal pads, and mapped the network from memory. They were unruly and committed, but they were up against an established and well-resourced system. “I was just surprised,” Bloomberg said. “They didn’t have access to technology or data, and they were competing with the status quo that did have access to it.”

Still, she hesitated. She didn’t want to ruin her happy life with her two children, Zelda and Tobias. “And I had a little bit of impostor syndrome. Who am I to start something? It took me a few years to feel comfortable enough to take the plunge.”

In 2014, she launched Murmuration, a name inspired by starlings in flight. “Each bird influences the seven birds around it,” she explains. She wanted a similar network for community organizations. Each can maintain their own identity and values, and everyone can move forward and learn together.

Murmuration currently works with 269 organizations in 26 states. The groups range from Rank the Vote, which aims to increase support for ranked-choice voting across the country, to Memphis Lift, which works to improve the city’s failing schools.

For example, when Mumlration first started working with Memphis Lift, its volunteers could fit into a small conference room. Everything was done on paper. More than 14,000 parents have now participated with the help of Murmuration’s tools and training.

“When it comes to education, they are focused on outcomes for children,” Bloomberg said. “But what I love most is that everyone who touches the Memphis Rift knows that there are people out there supporting them.” This is the kind of change that Bloomberg finds most meaningful, one that doesn’t attract attention but is deeply embedded in a sense of belonging to a community.

What is the political solution? act locally

Even at the local level, she’s seen heated politics calm down and real progress made.

She says that while national politics allows people to hide behind screens and scream, things need to be more civil at the community level. “Our kids go to the same school or walk down the same street, and I meet them when I pick them up,” she says. “We don’t agree on everything, but we can build more bridges.”

She is acutely aware that many people are losing faith in the American Dream in which they were raised. She saw data showing that only 39% of Gen Z believe hard work leads to progress. This was researched by Marmulation. Still, she’s optimistic.

“They don’t seem to have lost hope that they can make a difference in their communities,” she says. “We see them showing up, volunteering, and participating in civic activities.” At the local level, democracy feels real, personal, and possible if we can lower barriers to entry.

Ms. Bloomberg’s sunny outlook and calm demeanor belie her intensity. She is focused and determined, which is reflected not only in her work but also in her golf handicap of 11.6. She wants more women to play. That’s because the sport has taught her so much more than just watching the women on the rink. Humble. Business acumen. life skills.

“You can do a super technical swing, or you can just walk and swing,” she says. “Typically, when you’re faced with a problem in life, you can go down one of these two paths. It’s important to be able to flex both muscles.”

When asked what advice she would like to pass on to her children, she didn’t hesitate: You don’t need a life plan. You don’t need to know the destination.

“Life is not linear,” she says. “When you’re given an opportunity, take it. If you’re not given an opportunity, go find it.”

This is a very modern way of talking about life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.

One of these teams will win the NCAA Tournament

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Based on recent trends in the NCAA Tournament, only a handful of teams could be true national championship contenders once March Madness officially begins.

Seven of the past eight national champions have been No. 1 seeds, with the only exception being Connecticut, which will be a No. 4 seed in 2023. The Huskies were also a little more talented than Seed, especially as they won back-to-back national championships the following season.

Additionally, 18 of the past 25 national champions since 2000 have been No. 1 seeds. The last No. 4 seed or higher to win a national championship was also UW in 2014, making the Huskies the only top-seeded team to win the title since 2000 to hold both spots.

Since 2000, three No. 3 seeds have won national titles, and one No. 2 seed has won during that time.

Suffice it to say, if a team has a dominant regular season, that’s a good predictor of national championship odds. Let’s take a look at the nine teams that could win the National Championship in 2026 based on seeding trends.

Duke, the No. 1 overall seed according to USA TODAY Sports’ bracket projections, is on the wagon this season. Led by true freshman Cameron Boozer, one of the nation’s top Most Valuable Player candidates, the Blue Devils finished the regular season 29-2 with impressive wins over projected No. 1 seeds in Michigan and Florida. No. 2 seed Michigan State. 4 seeds Kansas and Virginia. and 6-seeded North Carolina (twice).

Duke ranks No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 5 in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and is currently the likely front-runner for the national championship.

Arizona State is key to earning the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, along with Duke, Michigan and Florida State. All the Wildcats have accomplished this season is dominate one of the best conferences in college basketball.

Arizona finished the season with a 29-2 record, including 16-2 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Kansas and Texas Tech in February, but won every other game, including wins over Iowa State, Kansas, Houston, Alabama, UW, and Florida.

According to KenPom, Arizona ranks third in adjusted defensive efficiency and seventh in adjusted offensive efficiency. It also ranks 15th in strength of schedule.

Michigan State, another lock for the No. 1 seed, also dominated the regular season. The Wolverines suffered one loss in a Big Ten game at Wisconsin earlier in the season before taking the lead in the conference, only to lose again against Duke at a neutral site in February.

Michigan State has the tools to win a national title, forming a Big 3 along with Duke and Arizona State as the favorites for the national title, with Florida State likely to be close behind.

Defending national champion Florida was 9-5 this season after losing its SEC opener to Missouri. This was followed by Duke, Arizona and TCU, which lost to non-conference teams. But then something clicked for the Gators, who won 16 of their final 17 games to end the regular season and once again looked like one of the top national title contenders.

Led by the trio of returnees from last season’s national championship team in Thomas Ho, Alex Condon and Ruben Chiniel, Florida State boasts one of the strongest frontcourts in college basketball. The Gators are the current favorites to earn the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and their breakthrough to end the regular season in particular could easily put them in contention for the national title.

According to KenPom, Florida ranks fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency, which coincidentally only ranks behind the previous three teams on this list.

UConn has proven itself in the past by winning national championships from various NCAA Tournament seedings. However, the Huskies are gearing up to be a No. 2 seed in 2026 and are near the top of the national title contenders.

UW may have lost its chance at the No. 1 seed with a blowout loss to Marquette to end the regular season, but coach Dan Hurley’s team still has a chance to win the school’s third title in four seasons. The Huskies don’t have a reliable scorer, but they do have one of the best starting lineups in college basketball, with a trio of solo ball veterans Taris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, plus NBA lottery pick Braylon Mullins and Georgia transfer Silas Demarie Jr.

UW was an eighth seed last season, but still nearly beat eventual national champion Florida in the second round of March Madness.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has one of the better teams in recent years, led by standout guard Jeremy Fiers Jr., who leads the Big Ten in assists per game (9.1) this season.

The Spartans last won a national title in 2000, but were runner-up in 2009. They have also reached the Final Four three times since 2010. USA TODAY Sports projects Michigan State to be the No. 2 seed.

Houston returns three star players from last season’s runner-up team and replaces the players it lost with two five-star true freshmen, including Kingston Flemings, who is projected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Flemings raised the offensive ceiling for the Cougars this season, averaging 16.5 points and 6.4 assists per game. They also have a typically strong defense that ranks No. 6 nationally according to KenPom.

Coach Kelvin Sampson, one of the best coaches to never win a national title, has led Houston by a narrow margin in recent years. The Cougars will probably overcome their crisis as a No. 2 seed in 2026, according to USA TODAY Sports.

Three No. 3 seeds have won national championships since 2003, and Gonzaga is projected to be a No. 3 seed in 2026, according to USA TODAY Sports. The Bulldogs have one of the best frontcourts in college basketball in Graham Icke and Braden Huff, and if they can play strong from the backcourt and hit 3-pointers, it will be a tough battle.

Gonzaga has one of the best coaches in the sport in Mark Few and was a runner-up at the national championship in 2017 and 2021. They also have a run-ready defense that ranks No. 9 according to KenPom.

Never leave the Jayhawks and coach Bill Self out of the picture during March Madness. Especially since their roster includes one of the best scorers in college basketball.

True freshman Darrin Peterson has been healthy so far, playing at least 29 minutes in all five of Kansas’ final regular season games. His performance significantly increases Kansas’ ceiling in the NCAA Tournament.

Kansas also has a strong defense led by Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Florrie Vidunga. Kansas, led by fellow veteran guards Tre White and Melvin Council Jr., has a team that could win a national championship if Peterson hits his stride.

USA TODAY Sports projects Kansas as a No. 4 seed, and there has been one No. 4 seed to win a national title since 2000 (UConn in 2023).

Bath & Body Works’ new Rooted collection also includes Taylor Swift’s name

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Bath & Body Works is doing great.

Weeks after unveiling its Easter-themed spring collection in collaboration with Peeps, the body care and home fragrance brand continues to take steps toward warmer weather with Rooted, a new collection that embraces “slow living, homesteading, and food-forward rituals.”

Bath & Body Works said in a press release that the new collection “taps into cultural moments in which everyday routines, from baking sourdough to making matcha, are a source of comfort, creativity, and community.”

What does the Rooted collection include?

The Bath & Body Works Rooted collection spans body care, home fragrance, décor and accessories and incorporates scents that are trending among consumers.

  • morning matchaaromas of creamy cold foam, fresh matcha, and sweet strawberry syrup.
  • berry almond drizzle
  • carrot charm, A bright and cheerful blend of candied musk, orange carrots and juicy nectarines.

Bath & Body Works is also bringing back “fan-favorite seasonal stars,” including:

  • Off the vine, Tomato scent that was popular with customers
  • poppyIt features aromas of wild poppy, candied rhubarb, and fresh morning dew.

Sourdough takes center stage

But the collection’s “standout scent” is a three-wick homemade sourdough candle inspired by the “viral baking renaissance.” It features aromas of freshly baked sourdough, a drizzle of olive oil, and whipped butter. Although BBW didn’t say exactly, it hinted that the candles would pay homage to everyone’s favorite pop star baker, Taylor Swift, and that the collection would be released on her favorite day.

Last August, Swift appeared on her then-fiancé Travis Kelsey’s New Heights podcast and revealed that her new favorite hobby is sourdough bread.

From cinnamon swirls to blueberry lemons, Swift said her interest in baking became “an obsession that took over my life.”

“It’s gotten pretty crazy around here. I’m always baking bread and texting my friends and saying, ‘Can I send you some bread? I need some feedback,'” the singer said on the podcast.

Other 3-wick candle fragrances include Spring Apple and Carrot & Nectarine.

Among the home décor items are the Beat 3 Wick Pedestal and Veggie Wallflower Fragrance Plug, which “add a quirky, fresh garden touch and instantly brighten any space.”

When will Bath & Body Works’ Rooted collection be available?

The Bath & Body Works Rooted collection drops in two parts.

The collection’s candles will be available for purchase from March 13th, while body care, soaps and home décor products will be available on March 23rd, “just in time to refresh your space, your daily life, and your spring vibe.”

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

Killing of US military personnel, Iran, SAVE Act, TSA, Oscars, March Madness, World Baseball Classic: Daily Briefing

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Welcome to the daily briefing. Start your morning with the following story.

nicole farato here. Friday’s news includes the deaths of four more U.S. military personnel in the war with Iran. Plus: A look at the realities of having children in America today.

US soldier dies in plane crash

Four more U.S. service members have been killed in the Middle East and rescue efforts continue for two more after a military tanker crashed, officials said Friday, as the war in Iran reaches its second week with little sign of slowing.

The military said the incident over Iraq involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly artillery fire. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. Armed groups allied with Iran had previously claimed responsibility for the attack.

More about the war from USA TODAY: Explosive underwater devices in the Strait of Hormuz are left to explode when ships pass. Clearing these mines is time-consuming, expensive, and dangerous.

More news you need to know right now

98th Academy Awards

Oscar weekend kicks off in Hollywood style

Now, I feel nostalgic. This weekend, movie stars including Emma Watson and Macaulay Culkin will be in Hollywood for a star-studded event ahead of Sunday’s 98th Academy Awards. Prepare your Oscar viewing party with your own GlamBOT video, and don’t forget to sign up for USA TODAY’s Style Meter and vote for your favorite red carpet look.

2026 March Madness

Selection Sunday is approaching!

In between watching the Oscars, tune in to Selection Sunday, where the men’s and women’s brackets will be officially announced and fans will learn the field of all 68 teams for this season’s NCAA Tournament. The men’s tournament will have its first four games played on Tuesday, March 17, and the women’s tournament will have its own first four games a day later. Get your printable brackets.

before you go

Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.

Democratic doctors are running for Congress to oppose President Trump and RFK Jr.

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Last summer, shortly after Congress passed a Republican tax and spending bill that cut Medicaid and food assistance for millions of people, internist Thomas Fisher headed to the emergency room for his regular shift.

There was already chaos in the ER.

“There were people in every room, there were people in the hallways, there were people waiting to be admitted. And it’s not just my ER. It’s every ER,” he told USA TODAY. “It’s one thing to accept, as I do, that there is a degree of suffering that is uniquely human in life, and another to accept that people in government are intentionally making it worse.”

He felt he had to do something in response to the vote. run for public office.

Fisher, 51, is currently competing against more than a dozen Democrats in the March 17 primary for the chance to represent Chicago’s Downtown and West Side.

Congress already has doctors, nurses, and scientists from both Republicans and Democrats. As of 2025, there were four physicians and one optometrist in the Senate, according to the Congressional Research Service’s biennial report. There were 16 doctors and 4 dentists in the House of Commons. The House also included a psychologist, two pharmacists, four nurses and an emergency medical technician.

But a year after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became secretary of Health and Human Services and the rise of the Make America Healthy Again movement, scientists and doctors like Fisher are entering the political world, motivated by concerns about changes in health care policy, anti-science movements, and cuts to social programs.

They hope they can slow or block new policies that change vaccination schedules, find common painkillers can cause autism and change federal dietary guidelines.

“The gears have slipped away. We have undermined the fundamental tenets of medicine and science, and I feel called to public service at this moment,” Fisher said. “I think we can speak with moral clarity.”

Some of them are running in voting districts that could determine which party controls Congress in President Donald Trump’s remaining second term and how far he can advance his policies.

Advocacy groups, including the progressive political action committee 314 Action, are calling for Democratic doctors and scientists to step into the ring at all levels of government.

“As Trump and RFK Jr. lead us down a dangerous anti-science path, Americans are looking for whom they can trust, and doctors and scientists bring what Washington so desperately needs right now: credibility rooted in evidence and real-world experience,” Shaughnessy Norton, president of 314 Action, said in a statement.

Emily Hilliard, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement that Americans have lived with the health care status quo for decades.

“Ultimately, it’s Secretary Kennedy who’s getting it right. Many of the voices now criticizing reform were part of that system as outcomes worsened,” she said. “Secretary Kennedy’s focus on transparency, informed consent, and patient choice is about restoring trust, not undermining public health.”

Most of the currently elected medical professionals in Congress are Republicans, and several Republican candidates are also running.

“House Republicans are making real achievements by advancing affordable, healthy and common-sense nutrition policies that the American people overwhelmingly support,” Mike Marinella, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement. “The polls are clear: a growing number of strong Republican incumbents and candidates are leading the way, while Democrats are left with empty talking points and voters continue to reject the same radical policies.”

rural healthcare

Jasmeet Bains, a family physician and California congressman, said she wouldn’t have run for Congress before Republican Rep. David Valadao voted for the Republican tax-and-spend bill last summer.

The legislation, which Valadao initially vowed not to support, would strip health insurance from millions of low-income Californians, including about 290,000 residents of his rural Central Valley district, according to the California Budget and Policy Center.

Baines, 40, whose clinic in Delano, Calif., serves only Medicaid patients, said he was surprised by Valadao’s change of heart.

“In the Valley, your word is your bond. To go against your word is the biggest slap in the face you can give a community, especially a vulnerable community like this,” she said. “I fully believed he would do the right thing and stand up for the district. But he didn’t.”

Valadao said in a statement after the bill passed that he remains concerned about some of the Medicaid changes but appreciates the new fund aimed at supporting rural hospitals that are disproportionately hit.

“While no law is perfect, this bill ultimately reflects CA-22’s priorities: lower taxes, stronger farms, better infrastructure, and a commitment to protecting Valley residents’ access to health care,” he said.

His campaign did not respond to additional requests for comment.

Baines, who is running against Valadao along with three other Democrats in California’s June 2 primary, wants the voices of rural Medicaid doctors to be heard in Congress. California uses a top-two primary system, and the two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

“We’re going to have a completely different understanding of what we need to do to strengthen health care,” she says. “Often people have ideas about health care, but if you don’t have the experts actually working in the areas that need it most, you can’t create effective programs.”

facts and data

Megan O’Rourke, 46, of Blairstown, N.J., said she realized soon after President Trump took office that she couldn’t continue working as a public servant focused on food security and climate change at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and began making reforms.

“It was clear to me that I was not going to follow orders and participate in what they wanted me to do, and I did what I thought was the most strategic thing I could do in my position, which was to resign and run to bring him down,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke, who has a doctorate in ecology, said running for Congress was “one of the most strategic ways to resist the overreach of this presidency and the executive branch, restore checks and balances, and uphold my oath to the Constitution as a public servant by running in a flippable seat in my home state.”

O’Rourke is one of eight Democrats running in the June 2 primary to represent central New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.

Fluoridation in Florida

Emily Gregory, 40, of Jupiter, Florida, holds a master’s degree in public health and health policy and management. She has watched with concern over the past few years as state legislatures removed vaccine mandates, downplayed the health threat posed by permanent chemicals and made changes to whether drinking water should be fluoridated.

She is more concerned about the state’s water quality than the concerns of some Kennedy supporters, such as what food dyes can be used. President Kennedy has pledged to eliminate certain synthetic dyes from the food supply by the end of 2026.

“I agree that red food dye is a concern, but my kids don’t eat M&Ms every day,” Gregory said. “They drink water every day, and they drink a lot of water every day. We have to think at scale. So if we’re going to put our energy into creating something that’s safe, creating clean drinking water that’s permanently free of PFAS and chemicals is going to be much more important and will have a much bigger impact on the health of our children and everyone than red food dye No. 5.”

Florida Democrats have outnumbered Republicans this year, and Mr. Gregory decided to run for an open state House seat previously held by Republicans in a district that includes President Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago. She won the Democratic primary with 88% of the vote. The special election is March 24th.

“I want to be part of … bringing data and science back to Congress,” she said.

pediatric vaccines

Pediatrician and California Sen. Richard Pan has already been at odds with Kennedy, with Kennedy attacking Pan’s 2015 bill that would have made it harder for parents to opt-in to mandatory vaccinations in schools, saying vaccines were causing an autism “holocaust.”

Kennedy later apologized for using the word in that context.

Pan, 60, of Sacramento, said Kennedy was evasive and accused him of lying during an August appearance before the Senate Finance Committee about Trump’s 2026 health care policy. He said it was a “turning point” in his decision to run.

“He’s in Washington, D.C., and to keep people safe and to keep our children safe, I have to go to Washington, D.C., and bring him on behalf of the people,” Pan said.

Pan is one of five Democrats running in the June 2 primary, including three Republicans and incumbent U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, who recently announced he would run as an independent rather than a Republican.

Pan said Kennedy turned a government agency that was once one of the most accurate sources of medical and scientific information in the United States into a major source of disinformation. He encouraged other doctors to join him in running for office.

“Right now (this moment) is asking people like doctors and scientists to step up, because you can’t do it from a clinic, a hospital, an operating room or a lab,” Pan said. “We’re seeing the fruits of our work undermined by policy decisions made by unqualified people. Frankly, it seems like they’re making decisions based on their own personal interests, whether political or economic or both, rather than what’s best for the American people.”

What does the video of Ruben Ray Martinez’s murder by DHS officers show?

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Details of the first American citizen killed by federal immigration agents during President Trump’s second term were just released.

New footage of federal immigration agents fatally shooting an unarmed American has drawn national attention to one family’s yearlong search for more information.

Video and recordings released by Texas authorities are raising new questions about the Department of Homeland Security’s interpretation of the chaotic traffic scene that led to the killing of Ruben Ray Martinez.

March 15, 2025, marks nearly a year since Homeland Security Investigations agents fired at Martinez’s car at point-blank range at the scene of a late-night car crash on South Padre Island, a resort town off the south coast of Texas. Officials said Martinez, 23, accelerated his car toward the agency, a theory long disputed by his family.

For months, little was known about the incident, which involved local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Martinez, an Amazon and Walmart employee from San Antonio, became the first American killed by federal agents amid the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.

But Martinez’s case gained attention after two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Preti, were killed by immigration agents in Minneapolis in January. The killings of Good and Preti have drawn scrutiny from Americans and members of Congress of both parties about the tactics of federal agents.

Their killings occurred during an ongoing immigration crackdown, but agents killed Martinez while helping local police control traffic at an intersection in a popular spring break destination.

Martinez’s mother, Rachel Reyes, has drawn attention to her son’s case even though she says she supports President Donald Trump.

Information about Martinez’s case came to light after a watchdog group released internal documents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An internal ICE report obtained by the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight said Martinez was “accelerated” to become an officer. HSI Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens told Texas authorities that he shot Martinez three times out of fear, according to the memo.

Martinez’s family and her best friend, Joshua Orta, who was the only passenger in the car, strongly dispute the government’s explanation. Lawyers for the family said video footage released by state authorities supports their suspicions, but they are seeking more evidence.

“It’s clear that ICE officials used dramatic language in their statements,” Butch Hayes, one of Reyes’ attorneys, said in an interview. “And those dramatic words don’t match the video we saw.”

On February 25, the Texas Tribune reported that a Cameron County grand jury found no probable cause to indict federal agents in the shooting. Orta, 25, died in an unrelated car accident days before the grand jury verdict.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said ICE “supports the grand jury’s unanimous decision not to find criminality.”

“This incident was independently investigated from all angles and our officers were exonerated,” Lyons said in a statement.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, which investigated the shooting and released evidence on March 6, did not respond to emailed questions. South Padre Island Police did not respond to requests for comment. It is unclear whether the federal officers involved in the shooting had body cameras.

Body-worn cameras from local police and surveillance video from local businesses paint a rough and incomplete picture of what happened at the intersection.

Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, said in a statement that the incident is part of a “troubling pattern” of escalating use of force, delayed disclosure of information and “misleading information about incidents involving deadly force.”

What happened in Martinez’s murder?

About a year ago, Martinez and Horta visited a friend’s condominium on South Padre Island, according to a draft witness statement provided to USA TODAY by Reyes’ attorney. Local and state investigators also interviewed Mr. Orta, whose interviews were included in state evidence released in March.

Martinez’s birthday was a few days before the shooting, and he and Orta went out for a late birthday celebration. That night, Martinez and Orta drank alcohol, stayed out of the club, and ate at Whataburger, according to Orta’s statement.

On their way back, they arrived at the accident scene. They had a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey and marijuana in the car, according to evidence records. Toxicology tests later revealed that Martinez’s blood alcohol content was 0.124%, above the legal limit, and that he also had marijuana and the anti-anxiety drug alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax) in his system.

Orta appeared to be nervous that Martinez had been consuming alcohol in the car, and told investigators that Martinez was “nervous” and panicking toward police, police said. Orta said Martinez never intended to hurt anyone.

Surveillance footage shows Martinez’s Ford Focus driving slowly behind the ambulance as local law enforcement officers from various agencies slowed traffic. The video shows a line of cars driving in the left-turn lane, but Martinez’s car is in an empty lane near the police vehicle. Martinez brakes at several points.

In body camera footage, an officer can be heard saying he saw an open container inside Martinez’s car. In the video, the officer can be seen telling Martinez to continue. Officers from behind Martinez’s car yelled for him to stop.

According to the video, one of the officers repeatedly yelled “stop” and then “get rid of me.”

Another video shows Martinez briefly slowing down as officers waved at pedestrians as they passed. “Where is he going?” the officer at the crosswalk says to Martinez’s car. “Hey, where are you going?”

That’s when Martinez’s car rolled forward. “Hey, stop,” the police officer at the crosswalk says.

Dispute an agent’s account with video

In the middle of the intersection, two HSI agents appeared and tried to stop him.

Martinez’s car is then seen stopped. HSI Special Agent Hector Sosa can be seen standing in front of the vehicle. “The driver accelerated forward and hit himself and ended up hitting the hood of the car,” Sosa told the Texas Rangers.

The video shows Martinez’s car slowly making a left turn as officers move towards the car. Orta’s statement said Martinez turned the car around and tried to leave.

An angled video captured by The New York Times shows Sosa pushed against the front of the car, appearing to be on the hood. Orta told investigators that the car was moving slowly and that Sosa was on the hood and appeared to be tripped by the car.

Sosa’s email signature listed him as a “defensive tactics instructor coordinator” and “body-worn camera coordinator.” It is unclear whether he or Stevens had a body-worn camera when they shot Martinez. Reached by phone, Sosa declined to comment.

The video shows Stevens, who was near the driver’s window, firing into the vehicle. Orta said in a witness statement that there was no warning or command when Stevens fired at the car. Stevens did not respond to requests for comment.

In a memo to the Texas Rangers, Stevens said he smelled marijuana, could see “the driver’s eyes wide open and his fists clenched on the steering wheel,” and that Martinez was facing officers at the scene despite failing to comply with verbal commands from multiple law enforcement officers.

Ms Stevens said she was concerned for “the safety and lives of SA Sosa, myself, local police officers who were in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle’s path, and pedestrians in the area who were crossing the crosswalk or sidewalk in the vehicle’s path.” He said the 2025 vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans is “still fresh in our minds.”

Video from the aftermath of the shooting shows Stevens pulling Martinez from the car. He forced Martinez face down on the sidewalk and handcuffed him. Sosa said he removed Orta from the passenger side.

After Martinez was handcuffed, first responders began performing CPR compressions on him, according to the video. The footage shows Orta sitting in the middle of a crosswalk, on the opposite side of the car from Martinez, with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

The IRS may have to pay coronavirus refunds to millions of Americans. How to get it.

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While Americans are probably happy to put the memory of the COVID-19 pandemic behind them, it may be worth digging into the past to see if you’re eligible for an IRS refund, tax accountants said.

Once a federally declared disaster takes effect, Section 7508A(d) of the Tax Code requires a deferral of applicable tax deadlines for the disaster period plus 60 days. Last November, a federal court ruled that the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus from January 20, 2020 to May 11, 2023 falls under this provision. Adding 60 days will result in a new tax deadline of July 10, 2023 for returns for tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

If the taxes were not paid, the IRS likely would not have had the right to impose penalties or interest during that period, tax attorneys said. Therefore, if you are charged fines or fees, you may be required to pay them back.

The IRS will likely appeal this ruling, but taxpayers cannot wait that long to file a claim. By law, taxpayers have a limited amount of time to request a refund or reduction of penalties and interest.

“Millions of taxpayers could potentially qualify, but if they don’t file by July 10, 2026, they will lose the possibility of a refund or reduction,” said John Wasser, a partner at Fox Rothschild who specializes in tax issues.

Who is eligible?

Lawyers said businesses and individuals who were assessed fines and interest between January 20, 2020 and July 10, 2023 may be eligible to seek restitution.

“The potential amounts could be large, especially for companies that have faced liquidity challenges and incurred large (tax) nonpayment penalties during the pandemic,” Frost Law partner Jessica Mullin said in a blog post last month.

Western Digital sued the government in February, seeking a partial refund of $53.6 million in taxes it paid in August 2023, when a tax dispute dating back to 2008 was resolved. The data storage company said it should not have been charged nearly $21 million in interest during the pandemic pause.

Why are there deadlines for claims and when are they due?

Lawyers say the statute of limitations for claiming refunds typically runs three years after the return is filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later.

A court ruling in November suggested the tax deadline would be moved to July 10, 2023, making July 10, 2026, three years from that date, the last day a potential refund or relief claim could be held, Wasser said.

How do I know if I owe a refund?

Wasser said taxpayers should check their tax records to see if the IRS has assessed penalties or interest during the tax filing suspension. You can do this by asking a tax professional or reviewing your IRS tax return.

IRS tax account records show tax information for each year, including filing status, taxable income, and adjustments made after the original return was processed. It also displays the dates on which payments, penalties, and interest were made or assessed.

According to the IRS, tax account records can be viewed, printed, and downloaded online by registering using a personal online account, or by mail. Americans can order by mail through the IRS website or by calling the automated telephone transcription service at 800-908-9946. Arrives within 5-10 calendar days.

How do I request a refund?

Wasser said a tax professional can file a claim on a taxpayer’s behalf, or a taxpayer can use information from their tax return to file a claim using IRS Form 843, Claim for Refund and Claim for Abatement.

Lawyers say taxpayers should clearly indicate on the form that they are claiming protection under Section 7508A(d) and Kwon v. United States regarding the COVID-19 disaster period.

“You’re basically saying to the IRS, ‘I have a refund request, please hold on to it for now,'” Wasser said. Once all litigation is complete and the IRS is required to issue a refund, you have retained the right to claim your rights.

“You need to notify the IRS now,” Wasser said.

Medora Lee is USA TODAY’s money, markets and personal finance reporter. Please contact us at mjlee@usatoday.com. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.

Who will Elle Fanning bring to the Oscars?

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AUSTIN — Elle Fanning will celebrate her first Oscar nomination for “Sentimental Value” with her boyfriend, Gus Wenner, and her mother.

“This is a family affair,” she told USA TODAY with a smile on the SXSW red carpet. Fanning, who will be nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards on March 15, credits “20th Century Women” director Mike Mills for the role.

“I loved making that movie more than anything. Mike Mills is someone who is really important to me,” Fanning said. “Actually, he recommended ‘Sentimental Value’ to (director) Joachim Trier. So if he hadn’t been in that movie, I don’t think I would have been in that movie.”

She was in Austin on March 12 to promote her new Apple TV series, “Margo’s Got Money Trouble,” which she stars in and executive produces with her sister Dakota Fanning. Based on the book by Luffy Thorpe.

Elle Fanning plays Margo, a college girl whose life changes when she has an affair with a college professor. Due to her experience with an unexpected pregnancy and raising a child, she is looking for ways to make money on sites like OnlyFans.

“It was kind of a hot item,” Elle Fanning said. “I was able to talk to her over Zoom because a lot of people wanted this book, and she thought I would be a good home for this book. And so we assembled this major team with David E. Kelley, A24, Michelle Pfeiffer, Apple, Nicole Kidman. It continued to grow and now we’re finally here.”

she gushed while discussing the role.

“I love playing Margo. She’s in my heart. She’s a very resilient character and a very optimistic character at all times,” the actress admitted. “When she faces some challenges in her life, she really overcomes them in unexpected ways. And that was fun to play.”

Stormy weather forecast for the weekend

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Severe weather gripped much of the United States on March 12 as a combination of weather patterns dumped snow in the Northwest, scorched the Southwest, gusted winds as high as 90 mph east of the Rocky Mountains, and caused dramatic temperature swings along the East Coast.

We expect similar things to happen in the future, so be prepared. Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, told USA TODAY that snowstorms are expected in the Northern Plains and Great Lakes over the weekend of March 14-15, with another round of storms and cold in the East.

After storms spawned deadly tornadoes and 6 inches of hail in Indiana and Illinois earlier in the week, a very strong front moved through the East on March 12, causing major weather changes in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland areas.

At Reagan National Airport, temperatures of 77 degrees at 2 a.m. turned to heavy snow about 12 hours later, with snow actually accumulating in grassy areas, Oravec said. On the same day, the airport broke the record for the highest temperature when snow was observed by more than 10 degrees.

“We went from summer weather to winter weather in less than 24 hours. It was pretty dramatic,” said Oravec from the Prediction Center’s office in College Park, Maryland.

Oravec added, “This is the time of year when you see such a big contrast. But in all the years I’ve been here, I can hardly remember a day when it got close to 80 degrees and then it snowed.”

southeast storm

On March 12, strong winds and downed trees were reported across large areas of Georgia and the Carolinas, particularly along the coast of North Carolina.

Multiple structures were destroyed or damaged and injuries were reported in Bayboro, Pamlico County, North Carolina. At one point, more than two-thirds of the county was without power, according to USA TODAY’s power outage tracking information. Meteorologists from the local weather station in Morehead City are scheduled to leave on the morning of March 13 to assess damage in areas where the tornado may have occurred. However, the office warned that it may be difficult to distinguish between damage caused by high winds and damage caused by a passing tornado.

Other damage reported to the Bureau of Meteorology includes:

  • IRMO, SC – Multiple trees were down and structural damage to a home was reported.
  • GREENVILLE, N.C. – A home under construction partially collapsed.
  • ASHTON, Ga. – Two people were injured after a shed collapsed.

Strong winds expected across western United States

High wind advisories are in effect for parts of the West, including Colorado, Montana and the Dakotas.

  • Wind gusts of 99 mph were reported in Pinnacle, Flathead County, Montana.
  • On March 11, at least seven counties in Colorado experienced wind gusts exceeding 125 mph, including Sunshine in Boulder County, which experienced wind gusts of 92 mph.
  • Colorado State University announced that it will close early on March 12th and remain closed on the 13th to assess damage caused by strong winds in the Fort Collins area.

weekend weather forecast

“Heavy snow and blizzard conditions will occur across the northern Plains and Great Lakes this weekend,” Oravec said.

Meanwhile, the upper ridges are expected to set new high temperature records for much of next week across much of California and the Southwest.

Dinah Boyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news. Contact dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or dinahvp.77 on X or Signal.

Meta stocks face pressure from rising AI costs

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Meta plans to significantly increase spending on AI this year.

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Back in January, Meta Platform (NASDAQ:Meta) announced that it will increase capital investment from $72 billion in 2025 to up to $135 billion in 2026. The company plans to use most of the money to expand its Meta Superintelligence Lab AI division.

This strategy is not surprising since Meta uses AI algorithms across its core social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. However, this plan could backfire and put pressure on the company’s stock price, which has fallen 3% since the beginning of the year.

Could the meta splurge backfire?

Meta is the world’s largest social media company, serving 3.58 billion daily active users (DAPs) across its family of apps (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp) at the end of 2025. This is a 7% increase from the end of 2024.

For the full year, Meta’s revenue increased 22%, but operating margin fell 1 percentage point to 41% and EPS decreased 2%. The decline in EPS was primarily due to one-time taxes. Still, continued losses at Reality Labs (an augmented reality and virtual reality business), expansion of its AI research and engineering teams, and investments in AI infrastructure compounded the pressure. Free cash flow (FCF) decreased 16% to $43.6 billion.

Meta plans to increase spending on AI infrastructure by purchasing more GPUs, developing custom chips, and building more data centers, which will further reduce FCF in 2026. This decline will compress valuations, as many investors value technology companies based on FCF yield (the percentage of FCF generated for every dollar invested in a stock) rather than EPS.

Meta’s trailing 12-month FCF of $43.6 billion divided by its current market cap and multiplied by 100 yields an FCF yield of 2.6%. A year ago, the FCF yield was 3.3%. The FCF yield will decline further as Meta’s increased capital expenditures will reduce FCF in 2026.

Meta’s increased spending could also weigh on its operating margins, which are already under pressure from the Reality Lab investment. As a result, Meta will need a higher-margin advertising business to make up for and subsidize its losses, which could be difficult if macro headwinds cause companies to rein in advertising spending again.

Should long-term investors be concerned?

Analysts expect Meta’s revenue and EPS to both grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2025 to 2028. The company’s stock appears to be undervalued at a P/E ratio of 19 times next year, likely because concerns about short-term spending are weighing down the company’s valuation. But if you expect these investments to pay off and strengthen Meta’s dominance in the social media and digital advertising markets, Meta’s recent pullback could look like a great buying opportunity.

Leo Sun has a position in Meta Platform. The Motley Fool owns a position in and recommends Meta Platform. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner providing financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Study finds referral programs hurt homebuyers and sellers

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A new report from the Consumer Policy Center argues that referral programs through companies like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin are contributing to high commission rates and impacting the quality of service agents provide to consumers.

The report, titled “Commission-Based Housing Placement Services: Consumer Implications and Proposed Reforms,” ​​was authored by CPC Senior Fellow Stephen Brobeck and Fellow Wendy Gilch. It found that an estimated 80% of all home sales come from referrals.

This report considers several forms of referral fees, including agent-to-agent referrals. The group argues that commission-based referral programs through major real estate platforms, which can charge up to 40% of the proceeds to the program’s brokers when a deal closes, are particularly harmful to buyers and sellers.

They found that agents who pay up to 40% of their commissions in referral fees are less likely to negotiate lower commissions. Similarly, agents may be incentivized to make buyers pay more for a home in order to earn higher commissions, or may provide lower quality service for lower-priced transactions.

It also alleges that these companies and agents violate their fiduciary duties because the “contact agent” buttons on some real estate portal sites connect consumers to purchasing agents without clearly disclosing the referral relationship.

“What struck me was how much risk and cost consumers are taking on by using these referral services that charge agents 30% to 40% for referrals,” Brobeck said. “We are not against referral fees, but this percentage is too high.”

The report names Zillow as the most prominent company with a commission-based referral program, noting that the company facilitates more than 1.4 million buyer connections annually through its Premier Agent program and approximately 10% of all home sales through its platform.

A Zillow spokesperson disputed the report, saying it had little to no evidence for its claims and relied heavily on anonymous online comments rather than verified sources.

“Referral fees are a business expense, and agents pay for marketing in the same way they spend thousands of dollars on billboards, print ads, and other marketing tools,” Zillow said. “More than that, there is no evidence in this report that the cost of referral fees actually impacts commissions.”

Zillow also said that consumers’ buying experience will not be negatively impacted when working with affiliated agents, as the company connects potential buyers with agents with a strong track record.

The report also names major platforms such as Realtor.com and Redfin as strong players, as well as companies such as Ramsey Trusted Agent, HomeLight, Sold.com., Home and Money, and Agent Pronto.

This is not the first time the impact of commission-based referral fees has been considered in recent months. A class action lawsuit filed against Zillow in November 2025 accuses the company of deceiving buyers into working with Zillow-affiliated agencies and concealing large referral fees.

The report calls for mandatory up-front disclosure of referral fees and urges consumers to think twice before contacting referral services.

“I would like to see buyer’s agents disclose if they are compensating Zillow, Realtor.com or other referral companies, and at what percentage,” Brobeck said. “Fees have to be disclosed, so it’s fairly easy for consumers to understand what’s going on financially.”

Maddie McGay is a real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering everything that’s worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay or X @maddiemcgayy and sign up for the North Jersey Living newsletter. Have a tip, trend, or great home she should know about? Email MMcGay@gannett.com.

New York anchor Ernie Anastos dies at 82: “He was a news legend.”

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Emmy Award-winning journalist and former New York news anchor Ernie Anastos has died at the age of 82. WABC station confirmed.

Anastos’ family confirmed his death to WABC, but no further details were released.

“He was a news legend, not just in New York, but throughout the tri-state. He was a news legend here at Channel 7 Eyewitness News. Tonight, we’re remembering him,” WABC anchor Bill Ritter said on the March 12 broadcast. “He was something unique and had nothing to do with politics.”

Ritter praised Anastos, a longtime friend and colleague, for being trusted by viewers, adding that Anastos believes in reporting the truth and facts. He shared a note Anastos sent him two weeks ago that read, “Hello Bill, I love you and please stay happy and healthy, Ernie.”

The former Eyewitness news anchor worked at the New York City station from 1978 to 1989, having previously worked at WWOR, CBS affiliate WCBS, and FOX affiliate WNYW. He also hosted the radio talk show “Positively Ernie” on WABC 770 AM.

what did you do Ernie Anastos cover?

His decades of coverage have included several historic events, from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has earned over 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, and also received the prestigious Lifetime Emmy Award.

Anastos It also covered the incident in which John Lennon was shot and killed while in front of the Beatles singer’s home just before the incident. Anastos It was later featured in the 2020 documentary “Witness to the Death of John Lennon.”

He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Northeastern University and several honorary doctorates from New York Institute of Technology, Marist College, Manhattanville College, Curry College, and Sacred Heart University. The first news jobs he completed were in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, before covering the Big Apple.

Ernie Anastos On what being a newscaster means to him

WABC He shared an interview with Anastos, in which he talked about what being an anchor means to him and how much it means to someone to come up to him on the street.

“They’ll probably tell you about the comments that you would have said. It’s very personal. It’s like you can really understand that they were watching this. They didn’t just flip, they just passed by. They sat and paid attention to what you were saying. It’s very personal, Bill,” he told Ritter.

FOX affiliate WNYW released a statement expressing its “deep sadness” over Anastos’ death. “An Emmy Award-winning journalist and beloved former Fox 5 News anchor, his voice, integrity and lasting impact on New York journalism will never be forgotten.”

Primark opens first Minnesota store at Mall of America

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A new retailer is coming to the North Star State with its first Minnesota store at Mall of America.

Primark, founded in Ireland in 1969, is preparing to open on the ground floor of the mall in 2026, according to a Mall of America release. However, an official grand opening has not yet been announced.

The retail chain offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, according to the release. We also carry household items and beauty products. A Mall of America release said the brand caters to “budget-conscious shoppers who don’t want to compromise on style.”

“Our focus is on creating a shopping experience that has international relevance while introducing exciting regional firsts,” Mall of America Vice President Carrie Charleston said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to welcome Primark to our range as the brand’s first Minnesota location. Primark’s arrival reflects the growing demand for accessible, trend-driven fashion that truly connects with today’s consumers.”

The 45,000 square foot Mall of America store will join Primark’s chain of more than 430 stores in 16 countries around the world, according to its website.

The retailer has stores in cities including Boston, Chicago, Memphis, Philadelphia and Orlando.

Other new stores opening at Mall of America include Roni’s Mac Bar, Giordano’s, Sweetgreen, KPOP Nara, J.Crew and Banana Republic, according to the Mall of America website.

Corey Schmidt covers politics and public safety for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.

Tennessee Titans’ new uniforms borrow magic from Houston Oilers’ iconic look

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Usually, in the world of fashion, what’s old is new. (If you don’t know about the industry’s 20-year cycle, you’ve got this dad rock, Air Jordan, sweats, and baseball hat enthusiast right in front of you. But I digress.)

And if this rule of thumb holds true for Milan or Paris Fashion Week, or even the highly coveted teenage demographic, why doesn’t it apply to the NFL, where expanding uniform closets and retro looks have been all the rage in recent years?

Pro football fans certainly had flashbacks to March 12, when the Tennessee Titans unveiled a sleek new look that was very reminiscent of the brand from decades ago. This callback seems likely to appeal to more casual football fashionistas (by the way, can fashionistas even be casual?). Titans has gone through various iterations and numerous color combinations since 1999, not to mention bold design choices on the shoulders and hips, simplifying an overly busy thread. Similar to how the Arizona Cardinals went in 2023, going from a mess of different panels and oddly tapered piping and striping to something more Ohio State-adjacent… if you’re interested. that Some kind of thing.

(FWIW, the Titans are ranked 29th out of 32 teams in the league in USA TODAY Sports’ latest NFL Uniform Power Rankings.)

Also? The Titans will no doubt gaslight some of their die-hard supporters, namely Houston fans, especially Houston Oilers fans who lost their beloved “Love Ya Blue” team when they relocated from Texas to Tennessee after the 1996 season. They played for two years as the Tennessee Oilers and re-raised the banner as the Titans in 1999, which was notably the only year the franchise qualified for the Super Bowl…which they lost to the “Greatest Show on the Turf” St. Louis Rams, another organization caught up in franchise free agency in the stupid 1990s.

But there was a fundamental difference between the Oilers, who collected stakes in the Volunteer State, and the Browns, who fled Cleveland for Baltimore in 1996. Meanwhile, while the Browns left their uniforms, wordmarks, colors and records in Cleveland — renaming themselves the Ravens in the process and enabling the Browns’ rebirth as an expansion team in 1999 — the Oilers took all their intellectual property, history and logo with them. Residents of Houston, Tennessee are very angry.

Houston eventually welcomed the Texans in 2002, still the youngest organization in the NFL, but a team with an even worse success track record than the Oilers. The Oilers won at least two AFL titles in the 1960s and lost one game to the legendary Steel Curtain Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s in the AFC Championship Game. The Texans remain the only NFL team to never reach the conference title game.

And Thursday night’s revelations only reopen wounds that have barely healed.

What do the Tennessee Titans’ new uniforms look like?

In a nutshell, these are basically modified versions of the classic Oilers uniforms. The jersey numbers have a simple white, red, and “Titans Blue” color scheme, and appear to have almost the same font. (And yes, “Titans Blue” is almost identical to Pantone’s identical twin of the Oilers’ gorgeous “Columbia Blue.”)

There are subtle differences. The blue home jerseys have “Titans” written above the red-trimmed number, while the white roadie jerseys have “Tennessee” written on them instead. The stripes along the centerline of the helmet and on the sides and shoulders of the pants are also distinctive. It has a wide stripe outlined in red and a series of very narrow “Titans Blue” stripes with a dark outline in between.

What about the new logo? At least, it doesn’t remind you of the Oilers’ iconic oil derrick. Instead, it’s a stripped-down version of the logo the Titans have used since their inception in 1999. The outer fireball effect is gone, and the stylized shading of the “T” that doubles as a dagger is gone. The three stars representing Tennessee’s state flag are left in place and, oddly enough, appear to have been added, grouped more closely together, near the armpit of the jersey.

Shop new Tennessee Titans jerseys and gear.

There’s none of the navy palette that the Titans have always featured (similar to the hue used in the state flag) or the gray and silver trim that has long been a prominent part of the presentation.

To summarize, the effect looks a lot like an Oilers uniform with a modified Titans logo on it…which ironically (or isn’t it?) looks like an “O”.

“We’ve been talking and listening to our fans, and there’s a clear desire to have the Titans and their teams on the field in these striking colors, just as we have from Houston in 1960 to Memphis to Vanderbilt to when we played at (Nashville’s) Nissan Stadium,” Titans president and CEO Burke Nihil said last year.

“This year, I’m going to emphasize that and change the primary color to Titans Blue.”

Will the Texans ever get permission to wear an Oilers throwback?

Hehe. The Titans have dealt with retro looks from time to time over the years, even as recently as 2024, and while they don’t seem to have any plans to do so again, they’re still reluctant to share it. Much to the delight of salty Houston fans, the Texans defeated the Titans in both 2023 and 2024 at their home in Nashville, decked out in Oilers throwbacks.

But now, after being away from the Oilers for five seasons (two more than Cleveland had to wait), those in Houston will be inspired every time they watch Tennessee play.

And certainly, the Oilers’ memories remain strong in H-Town. The Texans have developed an alternate uniform in 2024 with trim very close to Columbia Blue. The University of Houston football team even debuted imitation Oilers uniforms in 2023, prompting the NFL to demand that they stop wearing the uniforms.

The Titans, who are coming off a 3-14 consecutive season, have made a ton of free agent acquisitions in recent days and now own the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft. The infusion of talent should further support second-year QB Cam Ward and first-year coach Robert Saleh, who should figuratively look even better between the lines in 2026. Literally, they definitely will.

now? Let’s have dreams and hopes. Perhaps in these divisive days, it’s time to throw past history with Houston under the bridge. Perhaps by lending some of its past history, oil derricks and the like, to Houston’s current team.

All your NFL news on and off the field. sign up For USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday Newsletter.

FTC to send $47 million to renters who were misled by their landlords. Who is eligible?

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More than 400,000 people will receive checks as part of a $47.2 million settlement against one of the nation’s largest landlords, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC announced the settlement on Wednesday, March 11, saying the payments would go to customers of home rental company Invitation Homes. The company, which the FTC calls one of the largest single-family home landlords in the U.S., was accused of “a series of illegal acts” in a lawsuit filed by the FTC in September 2024.

The lawsuit alleges Invitation Homes engaged in deceptive practices, including misleading applicants about lease costs, charging undisclosed fees for services such as “smart home technology” and “utility management,” and unfairly withholding tenants’ security deposits. The company was also accused of fabricating unreasonable fees for tenants to move out, resulting in consumers paying unreasonable fees for normal wear and tear, pre-occupancy damage and renovations.

According to the complaint, Invitation Homes is charging excessive exit fees, returning only 39.2% of the total security deposits returned to consumers between 2020 and 2022, compared to the national average of 63.9%.

Some of the mandatory junk fees could total $1,700 per year per renter, and prospective tenants also paid non-refundable reservation and application fees ranging from $55 to up to $500, according to the complaint. The FTC said application fees alone generated $18 million in profits for Invitation Homes between 2019 and 2024, and accused the company of lying about pre-occupancy inspections and forcing tenants to contend with “significant disrepair.”

As part of the settlement, Invitation Homes agreed to pay $48 million in compensation to affected renters. The company was also subject to several rules, including full disclosure of lease prices and a new system for “fair” refunding of security deposits.

In a September 2024 statement, then-FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said, “No American should have their rent increased or forced from their home because of illegal tactics by a corporate landlord. The FTC will continue to use all of its tools to protect renters from illegal business practices.”

Who will receive the Invitation Homes settlement?

As part of the $47.2 million agreement, the FTC will send checks to 444,131 affected consumers.

To be eligible to receive a portion of the payment, a consumer must:

  • Paid $45 or more in qualifying fees or charges to Invitation Homes from January 2021 to September 2024.
  • I have not yet received a credit or refund from Invitation Homes.

The recipient must cash the check within 90 days. Consumers with questions about the settlement should contact the Refund Administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc. (800) 804-6915 or email info@InvitationHomesRefund.com.

Kylie Armbruster Humphries hands Olympic medal to President Trump

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Kylie Armbruster Humphries, who won six Olympic medals, thanked President Trump for expanding IVF treatment that helped her give birth to her son, Alden, in June 2024.

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump recognized six-time Olympic bobsledder Kylie Armbruster Humphries as part of a Women’s History Month celebration at the White House, and she returned the favor with Olympic honors.

Armbruster Humphreys, a naturalized citizen of the United States from Canada, said it was an honor to win the medal in his adopted home. She said she was especially happy to achieve this honor as a mother who was told she would never be physically and mentally fit enough to win a medal again. He won two bronze medals for the United States at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

“My ultimate dream was to become a mother and stand on the Olympic podium,” she said. “This year, I was able to do it with my son, who is one and a half years old. To win these two bronze medals, it feels like a gold medal. It really is. He is my gold medal and will always be with me for the rest of my life.”

Armbruster-Humphries thanked President Trump for signing an executive order that expands in vitro fertilization treatment to have children and bans biological males from participating in women’s sports. She gave birth to her son, Alden, in June 2024 after two and a half years of IVF treatment after being diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis in 2021.

Armbruster Humphries, 40, made his first Olympic appearance in 2010, representing Canada in Vancouver. She also competed in Sochi in 2014 and Pyeongchang in 2018 before transferring to Team USA in 2019. She became a US citizen in 2021, five years after immigrating to the US with her husband Travis Armbruster in 2016.

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Armbruster Humphries won the bronze medal in the women’s monobob on February 16, and Elana Myers-Taylor of Team USA won the gold medal. Armbruster Humphreys teamed up with Jasmine Jones in the women’s two-person bobsled on February 21 to win her second bronze medal at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Olympic athletes can award medals called the Order of the Olympic Ikko to those who have made a meaningful contribution to reaching the podium. Armbruster Humphries tearfully submitted a photo of herself to President Trump.

“It’s another great honor and a dream come true to have my one-year-old son follow me on the Olympic podium,” she said. “I would like to encourage all mothers out there to follow their dreams and not let anyone limit what they believe they can do.”

She said she believes this is the first medal ever awarded to a president.

“I knew I liked her,” Trump said. “It’s really nice.”

Contributor: Peyton Titus and Nancy Armor

(This story has been updated to include video.)