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McDonald’s latest Happy Meal is sure to turn heads among Crocs fans.

It comes a few weeks before this year’s McDoug Boys and Girls Game, which will be held March 31 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here’s what you need to know:

more: McDonald’s biggest hamburger, the Big Arch Burger, is now on the menu

What’s inside McDonald’s Crocs Happy Meal?

According to a video posted on McDonald’s Instagram, the lineup of toys available at the meal includes mini Crocs in red, blue, orange and yellow.

You can also scan the QR code on your Happy Meal box to unlock digital games and visit HappyMeal.com for other activities.

McDonald’s Crocs Happy Meal will be sold at stores nationwide from March 10th (Tuesday).

However, the period of availability is limited. McDonald’s hasn’t announced when the Meals will be discontinued, but it’s possible it may coincide with the timing of the annual McDAAG game on March 31.

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

USA TODAY names Jamie Stockwell as vice president of news

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USA TODAY names Jamie Stockwell as vice president of news

USA TODAY hired Jamie Stockwell as vice president of news, effective March 30, as the national station modernizes and strengthens its collaboration with the USA TODAY Network’s more than 200 local news organizations.

Stockwell brings extensive experience leading high-stakes reporting across large and complex newsrooms. Most recently, she was deputy news editor at The Washington Post.

“Jamie’s career has been defined by ambitious journalism, digital innovation and a deep commitment to the evolving needs and tastes of modern audiences,” USA TODAY Senior Vice President Monica Richardson said in a March 10 announcement.

“Her experience building high-performing teams at the local and national levels, driving change, and creating impactful storytelling with her outspoken leadership style will help accelerate USA TODAY’s evolution and solidify its role as America’s essential factual news source,” Richardson said.

Mr. Stockwell will report to Mr. Richardson and will work to grow the company’s broad national audience with “unbiased, high-impact journalism,” company officials said.

Stockwell began her journalism career at the Washington Post, where she worked for about eight years, first as an intern and then as a subway reporter covering criminal justice.

Stockwell later served as deputy national editor at the New York Times and editor-in-chief at the San Antonio Express-News.

She also played a key role in building Axios Local, serving as Editor-in-Chief during its rapid expansion from eight markets to 30 markets and over 100 journalists.

Prior to becoming deputy news editor at The Washington Post, he served as regional editor, leading major crisis coverage and leading investigative and corporate journalism.

“USA TODAY has a strong mission and a unique position in American journalism,” Stockwell said. “I’m honored to join this highly regarded newsroom of accomplished journalists. We will embrace modernity, cut through the noise, and work together to deliver journalism and content that informs, empowers, and connects people across the country.”

Stockwell earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and completed executive leadership training through the Hearst Management Institute and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Clams and oysters sold in nine states have been recalled. Let’s take a look at where and what to know.

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Clams and oysters sold in nine states have been recalled. Let’s take a look at where and what to know.

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Oysters and Manila clams sold in nine states have been recalled because they may be contaminated with norovirus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.

According to a safety advisory issued by the FDA on Monday, March 9, the clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council from February 13 to March 3 and the oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company from February 13 to March 3 were distributed from Washington to restaurants and retailers across the country.

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell the recalled products and to throw them away. Consumers should not eat the recalled oysters or clams.

“Eating shellfish contaminated with norovirus or raw live mollusk shellfish, such as oysters or clams, can cause illness and can cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems,” the FDA said in the notice. “Food containing norovirus may look, smell and taste normal.”

Norovirus infections can affect people of all ages. According to the FDA, the most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Here’s what you need to know about salvaged oysters and clams.

Frito-Lay potato chips recalled: Check your pantry for these products.

Where did the collected oysters and clams go?

The recovered oysters and clams were distributed to the following states:

  • arizona
  • California
  • florida
  • georgia
  • illinois
  • nevada
  • new york
  • Oregon
  • washington

What is norovirus?

Norovirus, commonly known as gastroenteritis, is a leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea caused by inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis), according to the CDC.

The virus is also the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, accounting for 58% of illnesses.

What should I do if I get infected with norovirus from collected oysters or clams?

According to the FDA, anyone who believes they have been exposed to norovirus from recalled food should contact their doctor or health care provider and report their illness to their local health department.

What symptoms do you get if you get norovirus?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health and the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of norovirus infection include:

  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • Less urination or dark colored urine
  • dry mouth
  • I feel weak
  • dizziness

Less common symptoms include:

  • low-grade fever or chills
  • headache
  • muscle pain

Symptoms typically appear 12 to 24 hours after contracting the virus and last one to three days, according to the FDA. People with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill if they contract the virus.

Elderly people and children are most affected by norovirus

Although anyone can contract the virus, certain age groups are more severely affected than others.

According to the CDC, children under the age of 5 and people over the age of 85 are most likely to visit an outpatient or emergency department.

The virus is responsible for about 1 million pediatric health care visits, according to the CDC.

Julia Gomez is USA TODAY’s trends reporter, covering popular toys, scientific research, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamariegz or email jgomez@gannett.com..

New York City ‘Terrorism’ Attack, Iran War, Georgia Special Election, Gas Prices, TSA, World Baseball Classic: Daily Briefing

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New York City ‘Terrorism’ Attack, Iran War, Georgia Special Election, Gas Prices, TSA, World Baseball Classic: Daily Briefing

Welcome to the daily briefing. This morning’s breaking news is:

nicole farato Here’s Tuesday’s must-know news, starting with an incident in New York City that’s being investigated as an “ISIS-inspired act of terrorism.” Plus, we’ll show you some epic baseball wins and ways to save money on gas.

Improvised explosive device ignites near Gracie mansion, NYPD says

A device thrown outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani during dueling protests on Saturday, March 7, was confirmed to be an improvised explosive device, according to preliminary analysis by police.

Mamdani said he and his wife were not home when two men allegedly ignited the device outside Gracie’s residence.

Emir Barat, 18, and Ibrahim Qayumi, 19, of Pennsylvania, who were accused of igniting the explosives, were indicted on Monday on federal charges of supporting ISIS and conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction, records show. The two men said they were inspired by the Islamic State group, according to the federal complaint.

More news you need to know right now

sports

person biting baseball nails

In front of a raucous crowd, the United States defeated Mexico 5-3 on Monday to remain undefeated in the World Baseball Classic. Here are all the games to be played on Tuesday:

money

avoid pump pain

On Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States rose to $3.47, according to the AAA Auto Club. This is up from an average of $2.99 ​​a week ago. The USA TODAY Cars team has compiled a list of tips to help drivers save money on gas. First piece of advice? Skip premium gasoline.

before you go

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

Liza Minnelli talks Hollywood, Judy Garland, and addiction

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Liza Minnelli talks Hollywood, Judy Garland, and addiction

As you read Liza Minnelli’s memoir, imagine the star lounging on a lipstick-red couch and talking to you like a friend.

“Children, Wait Until You Hear This!” (now available from Grand Central Publishing) reads like a conversation with a close friend. Her longtime friend Michael Feinstein began recording her telling her life story in his living room in 2014. In just over 400 pages, Minnelli opens up about her childhood with her mother, Judy Garland, her career-making role in Cabaret, and her journey to sobriety.

Although the 79-year-old Minnelli chronicles dark moments of grief and addiction, her memoir is a comprehensive look at her life in showbiz, filled with wit and provocation. Readers will be delighted by the Hollywood “so-and-so” in which Minnelli depicts the wild parties, frenzied happenings, and theatrical magic.

Liza Minnelli talks about her complicated relationship with mother Judy Garland

Minnelli details her troubled relationship with Garland, who abused drugs and alcohol from an early age and for most of her adult life. Minnelli wrote that Garland lay in bed for days, became depressed and took large amounts of drugs. She also “began confessing her fears, resentment, and anger to Minnelli” when she was just five years old. Minnelli fled to the shelter of her father, Vincente Minnelli, as Garland and her then-husband Sid Luft got into a “vicious altercation.”

Minnelli recalled that Garland attempted suicide several times, including when she was struggling with postpartum depression and substance abuse. Minnelli felt “responsible” to get more prescription medication for her mother, but she often replaced the pills with aspirin to prevent Garland from overdosing. At the time, the family was also “penniless” and fled the hotel before checking out to avoid having to pay the bill.

“When I was 13, I was my mother’s caregiver. I was a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, and psychiatrist rolled into one,” she writes.

As she got older, Garland’s “wild mood swings” worsened. She would sometimes lock Minnelli’s half-brothers out of the apartment, and Minnelli would take the children in the middle of the night.

Minnelli wrote that in several instances, Garland tried to sabotage her career, using Minnelli’s boyfriend and the press as bargaining chips to get her to quit off-Broadway performances and stay with her mother instead. Minnelli writes of the “creative tension” that was evident when the two worked together.

“None of this would have been obvious to anyone in the audience. They saw the love and affection. … Behind the scenes, Mom was proud, confused, and scared. She was holding the torch in front of me, but she had no intention of passing it on,” Minnelli wrote.

Minnelli was 23 when her mother died of an accidental overdose at age 47. Despite their complicated relationship, Minnelli writes fondly about her mother’s legacy and their subsequent memories together.

“My beautiful mother is still with me and always will be. Through the good times and the bad. We talk to each other every day. And we laugh like crazy,” Minnelli wrote.

Minnelli reveals her Hollywood love story

Minnelli did not go into detail about her four ex-husbands and Hollywood lovers, many of whom she remained on good terms with after their breakup. Minnelli first married Australian singer Peter Allen, but later came out as gay (Minnelli witnessed him having sex with a man).

She writes about her “sexual energy” with choreographer and “Cabaret” director Bob Horse and her disastrous relationship with Martin Scorsese during the filming of “New York, New York” in the ’70s. She guides readers through her whirlwind romances with Broadway actors Ben Vereen and Desi Arnaz Jr., comedian Peter Sellers, and ex-husbands Jack Haley Jr. and Mark Gero.

“If this upsets you, how do you think I felt?” Minnelli wrote. “I married a gay man and was engaged to two other men at the same time!”

She also said she regrets her last, short-lived marriage to film producer David Guest. She said she married Guest in 2002 when she was “very lonely” even though she “didn’t feel physically attracted to him.” Minnelli wrote that Guest, who died in 2016, deceived her into believing her career could be “hotter than ever.” He controlled who she hung out with and talked to, didn’t let her have her own cell phone, and spent money lavishly. They separated after 16 months, but officially divorced four years later.

Minnelli wrote that she felt “disgusted” and “humiliated” by the marriage and vowed never to marry again.

Liza Minnelli felt ‘sabotaged’ by Lady Gaga and Oscar producers

If we’ve learned anything about “Kids” so far, it’s that Minnelli isn’t afraid to name names, living or dead.

In the final chapter of her memoir, she criticizes Lady Gaga for bringing her on stage to present the Best Picture award at the 2022 Oscars ceremony. Minnelli had planned to sit in her usual director’s chair to give her some peace of mind. However, just before going on stage, Minnelli was informed that she would only be allowed on stage if she was using a wheelchair.

Minnelli “uses a wheelchair to travel any distance, but never for performance,” she writes. Although she felt it was insulting and fought back, Lady Gaga agreed with the producers that she would not accompany Minnelli unless she was in a wheelchair.

“Then, unbelievably, she asked me if I shouldn’t go home. ‘Why?’ was my unbelievable answer. At one point, she asked me questions to make sure my memory was intact,” says Minnelli.

Minnelli wrote that she was “deeply hurt” when she went on stage thinking that her resignation would be better than the speculation around her, but felt “sabotaged by this young woman whose talent I had mentored and whose talent I had admired and publicly recognized for so many years.”

When she stumbled over her words on stage, Gaga held her hand and leaned over her. Minnelli wrote that although the “seemingly gentle gesture” drew praise from the audience, she felt humiliated because it was Gaga who had upset her in the first place.

“Stefani Germanotta, who created the fantasy of Lady Gaga, was a stranger to me on Oscar night,” Minnelli says.

USA TODAY has reached out to Gaga and the Academy for comment.

Liza Minnelli talks about keeping addiction at bay

Minnelli has written extensively about her substance use disorder, which she calls “the final gift, the genetic inheritance from my mom that I couldn’t escape.” Her drug use began after Garland’s death, with her doctor prescribing Valium to help her get through the “stress and tension” of the funeral.

“I had a front row seat to my mommy demons, but I was convinced otherwise,” Minnelli writes. “As I’ve learned, dealing with addiction has nothing to do with luck and brains. You’re dealing with a mysterious, insidious, powerful chemical. If you keep going and keep denying it, you’ll become dependent on it sooner than you think. You’ll be fooling yourself for years, even decades.”

Minnelli wrote that she continued to use while telling the world about her sobriety and recovery. In 2003, she passed out drunk on a New York City sidewalk, writing that she was in a “nearly comatose state” for “God only knows how long” as passersby stepped on and around her body.

Eventually, Minnelli developed severe encephalitis due to drug abuse. After her brain swelling and seizures worsened, Minnelli wrote that she had an epiphany that she had to stop. In March 2015, she entered a rehab facility and began working with a new doctor who no longer allowed her to self-prescribe medication.

Minnelli has now been sober for 11 years, she wrote.

“I have not ‘overcome’ addiction. No one does that when addiction is in their blood. If you are not careful, it can relapse without warning,” Minnelli wrote. “But for the first time, we fought to a draw. We’re preventing a draw. That’s the truth. That’s the difference. One day at a time. And baby, there’s no going back.”

Claire Mulroy is USA TODAY’s books reporter, covering hot releases, chatting with authors, and diving into reading culture. please find her on instagramsubscribe to our weekly magazine book newsletter Or tell her what you’re reading cmulroy@usatoday.com.

Here’s why you should buy Rivian (RIVN) stock before March 12th

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Here’s why you should buy Rivian (RIVN) stock before March 12th

EV makers may be approaching a “Model 3” moment.

Leo Sun
|The Motley Fool

Rivian (NASDAQ:RIVN)is a high-end EV manufacturer that went public in late 2021 and currently sells three vehicles: the R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and electric delivery van (EDV). Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) And other companies. But on March 12th, at the SXSW 2026 festival in Austin, Texas, Rivian will finally unveil its next vehicle, the R2 SUV. Let’s take a look at why R2 is so important to Rivian’s future and why it’s wise to buy its stock before the big event.

What does the launch of R2 mean for Rivian?

Rivian has struggled to ramp up production since its public debut. The company’s production doubled from 24,337 units in 2022 to 57,232 units in 2023, but that number decreased to 49,476 units in 2024 and 42,284 units in 2025. It also remains highly unprofitable.

more: Rivian discounts electric pickup leases as Ford withdraws F-150EV

Rivian blamed these declines on supply chain constraints, reduced EV subsidies, rising interest rates, and intense competition in the premium EV market. To reach a broader market, the company plans to launch the R2 for around $45,000, which is roughly $30,000 to $40,000 less than the R1T and R1S.

The R2 also costs much less to manufacture than the R1T and R1S thanks to fewer electronic control units (ECUs) and overall parts, improved battery pack design, simplified wiring, and larger castings, so the lower price doesn’t hurt gross margins.

Its streamlined design makes R2 easier to expand than other vehicles. To support this expansion, the company plans to open a Georgia factory (to off-load from its main Illinois factory) and triple its total production capacity by 2028. If Rivian is successful in increasing production and sales of the R2, it could increase brand awareness and lay a stronger foundation for the R3, a high-end SUV expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.

Why should you buy Rivian stock today?

Rivian’s stock price is $15 a share, more than 80% below its IPO price, and valued at less than three times this year’s sales. However, if the company is successful in expanding the R2’s addressable market and launching additional vehicles, analysts expect the company’s sales to more than triple to $16.3 billion by 2028 from $5.4 billion in 2025. The company also expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to turn positive by the final year.

In other words, Rivian’s R2 launch tesla‘s (NASDAQ:TSLA) The more affordable Model 3 was first introduced 10 years ago. Considering Tesla’s stock price has risen more than 2,800% over the past decade, it might be wise to take a bite out of the unpopular Rivian stock before turning heads.

Leo Sun has a position at Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Tesla. 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.

Should you buy Rivian Automotive stock now?

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How did Aaron Parnas become famous for liberal news on social media?

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How did Aaron Parnas become famous for liberal news on social media?

One of the left’s biggest online stars, Aaron Parnas was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and has 7.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok. Parnas, 26, also has a story of his own.

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In September, Vice President Kamala Harris defied tradition by choosing liberal genius Aaron Parnas, rather than a cable news host, to lead the first tour of her 2024 tell-all book “107 Days.”

“Thank you for giving me the best job in the world,” Parnas wrote on social media after an event in New York, sharing a selfie with Harris in front of a packed Manhattan Town Hall venue. “We’re just getting started.”

Parnas rose from a mysterious boy in Boca Raton, Florida, to one of the most popular left-wing figures during President Donald Trump’s second term. The one-man content-generating factory introduces each story with a variation of his signature catchphrase, “Now I have news,” and deadpans the day’s biggest developments in a flat tone.

From his forward-facing iPhone camera, this unassuming lawyer, originally a civil litigation practitioner, has amassed more than 7.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok. His fan base dwarfs that of progressive American media companies such as Huffington Post and Mother Jones.

In December, business magazine Forbes named him one of its annual list of 30 media influencers under 30, an honor bestowed on influential people in their 20s. Two weeks later, on Dec. 17, Parnas racked up more than 5.5 million views on TikTok while sitting outside a coffee bar in Washington, D.C., talking about his rise.

“My dream in all of this is to one day run a nonprofit or some kind of foundation that can fund public defense efforts,” Parnas said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Fighting with Trump, bashing Biden, Charlamagne the god attacks American politics

Parnas, a highly regarded public figure in his own right, is the son of Lev Parnas, a Soviet-born colleague of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani., He was sentenced to prison for campaign finance crimes aimed at supporting President Trump’s 2020 reelection bid.

“For me, and I’ve said this many times, the day my father was arrested on October 10, 2019, I was no longer Aaron Parnas,” he said. “I became Lev Parnas’ son, and that shift in public attention was really frustrating for me.” His recent rise comes as audiences around the world are shifting away from the linear television industry and toward personal figures.

Aaron Parnas: I’ve lived ‘multiple lives’

Aaron Parnas started taking college classes at the age of 14 and collected his high school and college diplomas by the age of 18. He quipped in a newsletter last year that people often call him Doogie Howser, a nod to sitcom star Neil Patrick Harris’ turn as a teenage doctor in the early ’90s. “I grew up fast, but maybe too fast,” he wrote. “We have missed milestones that help young people discover who they are.”

Parnas considered himself a Republican when he was younger, but changed his mind when he turned 18. “I’ve always set big goals,” Parnas told The Palm Beach Post in 2017. “I want to be president of the United States someday.”

“When you grow up in a household where the only thing on TV is Fox News, that’s all you know,” Parnas said in an interview last October. His father was charged with federal campaign finance violations in 2019. The younger Parnas self-published a memoir about the ordeal the following year, “Trump First: How the President and His allies turned their backs on me and my family.”

The eldest son, Parnas, a businessman, left the Soviet Union with his family as a child and resettled in the United States. He was convicted in October 2021 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements related to President Trump’s 2020 election campaign.

This red state is Democratic Will a political successor take back the working class?

Federal prosecutors said he was involved in a scheme to provide foreign currency to U.S. political campaigns and dig up damaging information about Joe Biden in Ukraine in order to support Trump’s 2020 presidential bid. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, part of which was served under home confinement.

Obama and Harris sounding board

After graduating from George Washington University Law School at the age of 21, Aaron Parnas worked at large and small law firms. He developed a large following in 2022 when he posted a TikTok video about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine when Biden was in the White House.

“I tell people I’ve lived multiple lives in the past, I don’t know eight or nine years, because I haven’t accomplished that much,” Parnas said. “But I’ve been through a lot.”

Will she be the Democratic Party’s best hope? Meet Tim Walz’s TikTok famous daughter.

The 2024 presidential election has completely changed the public discourse surrounding political creators like Parnas. When Biden resigned and Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, commentators emphasized that influencers were shaping the national cultural conversation.

Harris declined to appear with Joe Rogan, the world’s most listened to podcast host, in October after the two sides could not agree on terms. Political observers questioned the Harris campaign’s rationale for passing up the opportunity after she lost to Trump in November 2024.

Commentators wondered why Democrats couldn’t fully match Republicans by relying on popular online creators like Parnas to get their message across.

“Democrats have started investing in social media in the last year or two,” Parnas said. He said Republicans have been doing this since 2015. The influence of Parnas and other creators drew parallels with the podcast giant. “He’s not the Joe Rogan of leftists, but he might be even better,” declared the headline of a Rolling Stone article in June.

His TikTok has around 600 million likes in total. His Parnas Perspective newsletter on Substack is ranked #1 in the News category. He wakes up by 7:45 a.m. every day, pours coffee, and releases his first Substack morning report by 9:30 a.m. ET. His loyal fan base ranges from Gen Z political observers to white MS NOW moms and Black TikTokers who praise his steady posting schedule. He typically posts about 10 articles a day.

Parnas always shares “big news” and attracts the attention of the Internet. “We now have some important updates on the Iran war,” he said on March 3, in keeping with his usual catchphrase.

Breakout Voices Skip Explanation

Parnas, who calls himself an independent reporter, had a breakthrough year in 2025.

Harris hosted the kickoff for “107 Days” in New York, but the first night of her tour was briefly interrupted by anti-war demonstrators in Gaza. “I’m not president right now. There’s nothing I can do,” she said, as seen in an online video. Parnas has also faced criticism for his support for Israel.

When asked generally about the backlash, he said, “As I regularly do on multiple platforms, I have reported on and will continue to report on atrocities in Israel and the Gaza Strip.”

Parnas said it was a “great night” and an “honor” to host the event. A year after Harris’ defeat, he participated in a roundtable discussion with Barack Obama. And he earned “30 Under 30” honors from Forbes magazine.

When asked why people are drawn to him in an interview with USA TODAY last October, Parnas explained, “The way you express yourself on TikTok and Instagram is exactly the same as the way you express yourself in real life.” Independent internet reporters, including Parnas, have also faced occasional backlash over their sources.

“At this point, I do a lot of my own sourcing and reporting, and I always cite third parties when I rely on them for any of my videos (and) content,” Parnas said on March 4.

Jess Rauschberg, a communications professor at Seton Hall University, said Parnas’ approach to content production resonated with viewers because “the way he presented his reporting was very objective, which appealed to independents and conservatives who were dissatisfied with MAGA.”

Cultural critic Saron Orcaba of the social media page @saronthings said Parnas’ success was due to his objectivity. “I think it’s the fact that he doesn’t add much of his own commentary or anything like that,” Orcaba said, adding that he is “very clear” about his beliefs but builds trust.

“A constant battle”

Parnas, who turns 27 in April, is still unraveling the “traumatic” experiences of the past 10 years.

When asked if she felt vindicated in her ability to control the narrative, given the impact the reporting had on her family, Parnas said no. “It’s a constant battle to this day to try to define the narrative,” Parnas added, explaining that she now makes quarterly videos about her family and her relationships with them.

‘hiking. I’ll call you back. ” Harris attacks. Democrats who doubted whether she could win: Key points of the book

“Some days I wish I could just be Aaron Parnas, my husband, son, and brother, instead of Aaron Parnas the journalist and TikToker,” he said. But with more than 7.5 million followers, Mr. Parnas has at least one powerful person who doesn’t mind sitting with him on multiple occasions. Harris did not appear on MS NOW or CNN on February 25, the day after President Trump’s first State of the Union address.

She chose the “Parnas point of view” and said President Trump’s speech was “full of lies.” Harris also said he has regrets about the 2024 race. “I mean, I wrote a book about it, right?” she joked. When she returned to public life five months ago, Harris first spoke to Parnas.

Wall Street futures rise on hopes for a quick end to Middle East conflict

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Wall Street futures rise on hopes for a quick end to Middle East conflict

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March 10 (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as investors hoped for a quick resolution to the Middle East conflict, which has caused soaring energy prices and heightened concerns about inflation following President Donald Trump’s comments about war.

Oil and natural gas prices fell from feared levels of $120 a barrel after President Trump said on Monday that the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran may be nearing an end, moving forward from the originally expected four to five week schedule.

But the enthusiasm was accompanied by an element of alarm, as Iran vowed to continue its oil blockade across the region and President Trump promised stronger military retaliation. Energy producers in the Middle East have not yet restarted production in earnest, and transportation costs are likely to rise for some time.

Still, Tuesday’s drop in energy prices came as a relief to beleaguered travel stocks. Airlines American AAL.O and Delta DAL.O each rose more than 1% in premarket trading, while cruise lines Carnival CCL.N and Royal Caribbean RCLH.N edged higher.

more: Why did oil prices reverse and fall below $100 per barrel?

Energy companies such as Occidental OXY.N fell 2.5%, while ConocoPhillips COP.N and ExxonMobil XOM.N edged lower.

The rise in oil prices since the start of the conflict had investors concerned that the U.S. economy could face stagflation, complicating the Federal Reserve’s efforts, as some data suggested a weakening labor market.

Traders are pricing in a possible 25 basis point (bp) rate cut around September, according to data compiled by LSEG.

As of 5:14 a.m. ET, the Dow E Mini YMcv1 was up 211 points, or 0.44%, and the S&P 500 E Mini EScv1 was up 29.75 points, or 0.44%. The Nasdaq 100E Mini NQcv1 rose 134.25 points (0.54%).

more: Stock prices are stunned by the sudden rebound. The market thus ended.

Global markets, including Asian and European stocks, also rose, with the CBOE volatility index .VIX, Wall Street’s fear gauge, dropping 2.19 points to 23.31.

Two inflation reports are expected to be released later this week, which are unlikely to reflect recent spikes in energy and transport costs, but will bring scrutiny to the level of inflation before the Middle East conflict.

Technology stocks .SPLRCT have rebounded, capping losses across Wall Street relative to their peers since the war began, making them the best-performing sector on the S&P 500 index .SPX this month, up 1.4 percent.

Semiconductor companies such as Nvidia Inc NVDA.O rose 0.4% on Tuesday, while SanDisk SNDK.O and Western Digital WDC.O each rose more than 2.3%.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise rose 2.9% after the networking equipment maker reported better-than-expected second-quarter sales.

Focus will turn to corporate software maker Oracle ORCL.N’s earnings after the market closes, with traders scrutinizing signs of debt-fueled AI spending. The stock price rose 2%.

Reflecting the broader risk-on mood, crypto stocks such as Strategy MSTR.O rose 3%, while Coinbase COIN.O rose 3%, trailing Bitcoin’s BTC.O rise of 2.7%.

(Reporting by Johan M. Cherian in Bangalore; Editing by Shinjini Ganguly)

From law school to TikTok news star

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From law school to TikTok news star

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, episode of the podcast The Excerpt: Aaron Parnas went on to graduate law school and become one of the most influential political voices on TikTok and Instagram. The independent reporter talks with USA TODAY senior reporter Jay Stahl about why young audiences trust him, how he tells news differently than traditional media and his goals for the future.

Press play in the player below to listen to the podcast and follow the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated and edited in its current format for clarity. There may be some differences between audio and text.

Podcast: For true crime stories, in-depth interviews, and more USA TODAY podcasts, click here

Jay Stahl:

From lawyer to TikTok star, Aaron Parnas’ career path was anything but typical. He was already in college at age 14, and by age 18 he was attending law school. Parnas is currently the most popular new Substack and independent reporter with around 8 million followers on Instagram and TikTok. There’s some news now, along with variations on his signature catchphrase. He also succeeded in something that mainstream media has really struggled to do: get Gen Z invested in politics and current events. So what’s his secret?

Hello. Welcome to this excerpt from USA TODAY. I’m Jay Stahl, senior reporter for USA TODAY. Today is Tuesday, March 10, 2026. I join Aaron Parnas now to talk about politics and his personal rise. Thanks so much for joining us, Aaron.

Aaron Parnas:

Very excited.

Jay Stahl:

So one of the things I wanted to ask you when we talked earlier is why do you think so many people trust you?

Aaron Parnas:

I guess that means I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. I think that’s number one. Second, I think the way you see me online is the same way you see me in real life. The element of authenticity does exist. And thirdly, I think the way the information is presented is relatable. I provide information from my bed, from an airport bathroom, and from my Snuggy couch. It doesn’t matter where I am, what I look like, or what I sound like. I’m just providing you news and information. And, going back to my first point, I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. I think it’s important in this day and age to not only provide accurate information, but when we do something wrong, when we misinform our viewers, to say it, share how it happened, why it happened, and correct our mistakes.

Jay Stahl:

Can you talk about the authenticity factor? I think for people our age, we’re 26 years old and you’ll be 27 in April. I think one of the things that people our age really struggle with when consuming news is that it doesn’t feel real. And it’s the difference between watching someone online from your couch and seeing them sitting in a chair at your anchor desk.

Aaron Parnas:

Listen, at the end of the day, I think… Growing up over the past five or six years, what really annoyed me was that I would turn on the TV or turn on a streaming service and often see news anchors who don’t look or sound like me talking about issues that matter to me. Some were much older and had been in the field much longer, but had never talked about the issues Gen Z cares about. So I’ve always thought that big media companies should hire younger anchors to reach younger audiences. Although some have done so in recent years, the average age of people still on TV is probably 40 to 50 years old. That’s 20 years older than me. And I think part of that is also where I share this information.

The average 26-year-old these days, as we all know, doesn’t have cable. We don’t regularly watch CNN, MSNow, or Fox News to stay informed. There’s TikTok, there’s Instagram. So the platforms that we’re on and the platforms that young people are on are simply… We’re looking for new places to get our news and new people to get our news from. In a way, it’s like a perfect storm.

Jay Stahl:

I think it’s interesting that you saw the meme and also all the TikToks about your work ethic. You’re basically a one-man machine working all day long. Can you talk about that and what it takes? I don’t have any of that in myself.

Aaron Parnas:

Yeah. I mean, I tell everyone that I’ve been burnt out ever since I started law school. The way I do this job is similar to how I work as a lawyer, working nonstop on big cases. So I wake up between 7:30 and 8:00 every morning. I usually get to my desk by 8am and work non-stop until I go to bed at 10pm and 11pm. I sleep comfortably for 8 to 9 hours every night, but I never miss work during the 16 hours of the day. In my case, I think my workflow is very different from the average person’s in that I’m very hyperactive. I have multiple screens in my house and constantly watch CSPAN and other news outlets. Tips arrive in my inbox daily. I have notifications on social media platforms of all congressmen and world leaders.

I mean, this is like a constant… Have you ever seen the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with 10 screens and different tickers on it? That’s what my life is like and my brain is like. That’s why I never concentrate on one thing for more than 5 minutes at a time. It’s like a constant stream of information. Are you healthy? Definitely not. But is it the key to success? Yeah.

Jay Stahl:

Speaking of success, last year was a great year. You were named one of Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30.” You hosted the first night of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ book tour and spoke at a roundtable with former President Obama. And I wanted to hear how that felt for you. What year was 2025 for you?

Aaron Parnas:

Yeah, I mean, I think 2025 was great. So, to this day, I haven’t even realized the rise of last year, especially the success of 2026 already. For me, this award is just recognition for my work. Those aren’t what I’m working toward, if that makes sense. I think Forbes is great, but I could do without it. I think Kamala’s book tour was great, but it could have been done without, but it’s the recognition that we’re doing something good. At the end of the day, for me, my goal in all of this is to fill the gap left in the fact that civics education and media literacy are not being taught to children across the country. And if I can educate some people, I’ll be doing my job.

Jay Stahl:

You told me that your goal is not to be famous, but something deeper. Can you talk about that, wanting to start a nonprofit, and the criminal justice work that interests you?

Aaron Parnas:

My childhood dream, my childhood dream job…The reason I went to law school was to be on the court. I wanted to be a public defender in the true sense of the word, fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves, people who can’t afford to fight for themselves. That was always the goal. In my opinion, one of the biggest problems in our justice system right now is the fact that public defenders are overworked and underpaid. I think my starting salary when I graduated from law school in Florida was $36,000 or $40,000 a year. And in Miami, that’s a wage that many people living in a city like Miami can’t live on. So my dream is to one day start a foundation or nonprofit that can help ease the burden on public defenders across the country and do that work for free.

Public Defender Jobs, Public Defenders shouldn’t have hundreds of cases in their workload, and they are some of the best lawyers in the country. They must be able to provide adequate legal representation without being overworked at all times. I mean, it’s like a pipe dream for me. I have no intention of continuing my current job forever. I would like to return to court someday.

Jay Stahl:

you do?

Aaron Parnas:

i will do it. Yeah.

Jay Stahl:

I don’t think you’ve ever said that to me.

Aaron Parnas:

Yeah. I mean, I don’t think there’s anything more exhilarating than standing up in front of a jury of six or 12 people or a judge and arguing. I mean, it’s really exciting.

Jay Stahl:

Really? I’m trying to stay out of court, Aaron.

Aaron Parnas:

I think everyone stays away from court unless they want to argue in court.

Jay Stahl:

Your father is Lev Parnas, who was involved in campaign finance crimes related to his former colleague Rudy Giuliani, and you came into the public eye several years ago. Many people our age don’t even know that. So I wanted to ask you if it’s positive for you to be known, but not yourself.

Aaron Parnas:

that’s right. But also, at this point, unfortunately, in this process of work, it’s kind of a given that I have to constantly define myself, redefine myself, and let people judge me, not the actions of others, including my family. I think the real problem in our society is this kind of judgmental impulse. And yes, my father’s sins are much greater and much more public than the average person’s. But if you asked 100 Americans today whether they want their parents to be judged, more than half would say no. You wouldn’t think so because your parents could go to jail or your parents could have an affair. In other words, there are many different things in the world that you don’t want to be criticized for. So it’s a constant struggle to have to define yourself as Aaron rather than Lev’s son.

Jay Stahl:

The final question is: What does the future hold? Looking ahead to the midterm elections and 2028, what do you think will happen next year?

Aaron Parnas:

Yeah, I mean, it’s just doing its job. That’s the future. And if I keep working hard every day until 2028, I will see where it takes me. I take advantage of every opportunity every day when they come. If you had asked me 10 years ago, would I be here now? They’ll say, “You’re crazy.” So, as someone who grew up always planning my life like, “I’m going to do this when I’m 20, I’m going to do this when I’m 30.” For the first time, I was able to say, “I’m just going to have fun, and I’m going to enjoy this job.” And I know that if I stop enjoying it, there will come a time when my clock in this industry will run out. I’m going to know it, realize it, and move on to bigger pastures.

So we don’t know if it’s the end of this year, the end of 2028, or 30 years from now. So I feel like I take each day as it comes.

Jay Stahl:

Thank you so much, Aaron. Thank you very much for your time.

Aaron Parnas:

This was great.

Jay Stahl:

We would like to thank Senior Producer Kaely Monahan for her production assistance. Executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think about this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thank you for your attention. I’m Jay Stahl, senior reporter for USA TODAY. Tomorrow we’ll bring you another episode of USA TODAY Excerpts.

President Trump touts House Republicans on Iran war by calling it ‘a quick trip’

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President Trump touts House Republicans on Iran war by calling it ‘a quick trip’

The president stopped by his Doral golf club for a retreat to tout the Iran war and encourage Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections.

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DORAL, Fla. — President Donald Trump has cast the war with Iran as a “quick excursion” during a retreat for House Republicans and portrayed the ongoing U.S. bombing campaign as necessary.

“I went out a little bit because I felt like we had to do that to eliminate evil,” Trump told Republican lawmakers and donors, in an apparent reference to the conflict. “And I think it will be a short trip.”

Trump stopped by a retreat at a Miami-area golf club to try to galvanize Republican lawmakers, who would need their support to pass legislation to supplement the Pentagon’s budget if he chooses to continue attacking Iran. Congressional Republicans overwhelmingly support the war, but polls show most Americans oppose President Trump’s handling of the conflict.

The United States and Israel have killed hundreds of Iranians, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. At least 175 people were killed in the attack on the girls’ school. Seven American soldiers were also killed.

President Trump is fending off a revolt by some in the MAGA movement over repeated military attacks on foreign countries, including the recently ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who campaigned against endless wars.

The president noted that past military conflicts haunt his predecessors, citing former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and Jimmy Carter’s handling of the Iran hostage crisis.

President Trump said Carter was a “victim of the election.” But the president said military operations in Iran and Venezuela are different.

more: Is Donald Trump considering recruiting troops to Iran? what we know

“We really worked hard. We got all the good stuff,” he said.

The president is eager to give the war a short-term deadline, as public opinion polls suggest there is little public appetite for prolonging the conflict. An NBC News poll released March 4 found that 77% of Republicans support attacking Iran, while 54% of Americans oppose President Trump’s handling of the issue.

President Trump said at a news conference after the withdrawal that the war would not end this week. “No, but soon,” he said. When asked, he added, “I’ll think about it soon.”

In previous remarks, President Trump has described Iran as a “dark cloud” looming over Israel and the region.

“I think they were trying to conquer the Middle East,” Trump said. “They were going to attack us within a week.”

“Everyone wants to rule the world”

The music inside the Republican convention was festive, with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” blaring before Trump’s remarks, followed by Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” But morale within the House Republican caucus is low, and Democrats are likely to take control of the House after the November elections, needing to win a net three seats to secure a majority.

At least 30 Republicans will leave Congress. Some are looking for another office. Others are retired. The couple lost the primary election. Last week, fellow California Rep. Darrell Issa added his name to the list. Mr. Issa would have faced a tough battle in a newly redrawn congressional district that favors Democrats.

On the same afternoon as President Trump’s remarks, California Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent, dealing a further blow to the Republican majority. Kiley said he will continue to caucus with Republicans to keep his seat.

Incumbent presidents typically lose Congress in midterm elections. The Republicans lost the House of Representatives midway through President Trump’s first term, and Republicans regained control two years after President Biden took office.

At a retreat before Trump’s arrival, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain acknowledged that the Republican Party is bearing the weight of public dissatisfaction with the Iran war and the economy.

“I don’t know about you, but history got it very wrong this year,” McClain said, referring to President Trump’s 2024 re-election and the Republicans’ massive tax and spending cuts bill in 2025. “I think we’re going to defy history again.”

After touting his actions in Iran, President Trump turned to affordability.

“Our message is simple: Democrats created high prices, and our policies will end them once and for all,” he said.

This message is complicated by the fact that President Trump’s tariffs have increased prices. Gasoline prices are soaring due to tight oil supplies due to the Iran war, which could make it difficult to sell.

But Trump continued to argue that he used tariffs as leverage to push for deals “that no other president could have made.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who spoke to President Trump at the event, expressed a similar view.

In introducing Trump, Johnson said he would receive a call from Trump early in the morning and said, “Right now, he’s the best choice.” “This president tries to solve problems as soon as he sees them.”

Scott McFarlane leaves CBS; Bari Weiss faces further turmoil

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Scott McFarlane leaves CBS; Bari Weiss faces further turmoil

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After five years covering Washington, D.C. and federal courthouses for CBS News, Scott McFarlane is bidding farewell to the station.

MacFarlane announced his resignation in a post on X on Monday, March 9, sharing a memo he sent to colleagues at CBS.

“To my wonderful colleagues at CBS: I would like to personally inform you that my work will soon no longer be featured on CBS News. This was my decision, and I thank my bosses at CBS for understanding it. I will always cherish the opportunity to work with the talented and dedicated professionals here,” he wrote. “I’m proud to have ‘CBS Correspondent’ next to my name, and always will be. In the next phase of my career, I look forward to some independence and finding new spaces to share my work in alignment with my personal goals. Thank you to everyone. The work never stops and you’re always welcome to call.”

Anderson Cooper leaves “60 Minutes” for the first time in about 20 years

McFarlane joined CBS in 2021 and quickly rose to prominence for his reporting on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot ahead of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election.

His departure from the storied news organization comes amid major turmoil caused by last year’s controversial merger of CBS parent company Paramount and Skydance Media.

After Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison appointed Free Press founder and opinion writer Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief in October, her hiring sparked controversy over her lack of experience in broadcast news.

Maury Povich also shares his opinion. CBS changes, why Connie Chung shut him down

Several subsequent moves, including the station’s decision to pull a “60 Minutes” segment featuring a huge prison in El Salvador housing immigrants deported from the United States hours before its broadcast in December, drew backlash and accusations that they were politically motivated.

A town hall by Erica Kirk, widow of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, also caused controversy among viewers. Tony Ducoupil, who served as host of “CBS Evening News” under Mr. Weiss, also got off to a rocky start, having several broadcasting mishaps during his first broadcast.

Dokoupil’s appointment as host follows the departure of anchor Norah O’Donnell, who had held the position since 2019, in 2024, as well as the departures of John Dickerson and Maurice Dubois, the latter after 15 years with the station.

Contributors: Kimi Robinson, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

Krispy Kreme launches festive donuts as St. Patrick’s Day giveaways

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Krispy Kreme launches festive donuts as St. Patrick’s Day giveaways

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Krispy Kreme is ready to get into the festive spirit with its upcoming lineup of sweets.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Krispy Kreme is bringing back the Green Original Glazed Donut and four other holiday exclusive donuts.

Ahead of the festival, Krispy Kreme is also helping people recover from the hour of sleep lost due to daylight saving time. On Monday, March 9, customers can receive a free Original Glazed Donut with the purchase of a dozen or 16 mini donuts, according to a news release.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Here’s what you need to know about Krispy Kreme’s St. Patrick’s Day collection and sales.

food: Ranch, jalapenos, and strawberries highlight Chick-fil-A’s spring menu

What is Krispy Kreme’s St. Patrick’s Day Collection?

Krispy Kreme’s St. Patrick’s Day Collection includes four donuts and will be on sale from Tuesday, March 10th through St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17th.

  • Shoot the shamrock: Original glazed donut dipped in green vanilla icing and topped with light green icing loops and shamrock sugar
  • Over the rainbow: Unglazed shell donuts filled with fluffy cream, dipped in light green vanilla icing, and topped with shamrock rainbow sprinkles and rainbow sugar.
  • plaid party: Original glazed donut dipped in vanilla icing and topped with green icing
  • Chocolate ice cream with St. Patrick’s sprinkles: Original glazed donut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles

The collection can be picked up in person or delivered for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme website or mobile app.

Wear green and get a free donut

On March 16 and 17, customers wearing green in-store or at the drive-thru will receive a free Green Original Glazed Donut. No need to purchase.

A news release states that 4,000 guests will be randomly selected to receive a “Lucky You Golden Dozen Pass,” which includes a year’s supply of Original Glazed Donuts (one dozen per month from April 2026 to March 2027).

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

What will people in Georgia vote for today? A special election is underway

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What will people in Georgia vote for today? A special election is underway

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The time has finally come for Georgia voters to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Greene is a former congressman from Georgia’s polarizing 14th District and was once a staunch ally of Trump. But in the aftermath of the fallout over the Epstein file, U.S. actions abroad and other important issues, Greene distanced herself from the president and burned bridges.

Greene has a big, noisy job ahead of her, but her outsized presence in Washington hasn’t intimidated candidates hoping to replace her.

When does voting start?

Voters in northwest Georgia are heading to the polls Tuesday for a special election to fill Greene’s House seat.

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A winner likely won’t be announced Tuesday night because a long list of Republican candidates will split votes with Democratic front-runner Sean Harris, and no candidate will likely reach the majority needed to win.

If a majority is not reached, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held on April 7th. Early voting for the runoff election will be announced as soon as possible.

Who is running to replace MTG?

Some candidates are in the spotlight ahead of Election Day, including Republican District Attorney Clay Fuller, who was endorsed by President Trump on Truth Social and is visiting Rome, Georgia.

Sean Harris, who ran against Greene in 2024, is back on the ballot along with two other Democrats.

The sample ballot shows Star Black (R), Reagan Box (R), Beau Brown (R), Jared Craig (R), Eric Cunningham (R), Jim Davis (D), Clay Fuller (R), Tom Gray (R), Sean Harris (D), Larry E. Hilley (R), Jonathon Hobbs (D), Christian Michael Hurd (R), Trey Kelly (R), and Nikki Lama. (Right), Colton Moore (Right), Rob “Rush” Rushkowski (Right), Brian Stover (Right), Megan Strickland (Right), Jim Tully (Right), Jenna Turnipseed (Right), Andrew Underwood (Left).

However, votes for Christian Hurd, James Marty Brown, Larry E. Hilley, and Jared Craig will not be counted, as they have all submitted withdrawals.

Where is Georgia’s 14th Congressional District?

The district that Mr. Green once served is located in the northwest corner of Georgia, stretching from just northwest of Atlanta to the southern border of Tennessee and the eastern border of Alabama.

This includes areas in Dade, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Walker, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Floyd, Polk, Haralson, Paulding and Cobb counties.

The area has a population of approximately 765,000 people and a median household income of $78,969, according to 2020 Census data. Only 28.5% of people in the district have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the district’s employment rate is 61%.

Although the district is majority white, it also has a large Hispanic community of more than 90,000 residents.

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

Best Home Appliance Warranties of 2026: Picked by USA TODAY Experts

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Best Home Appliance Warranties of 2026: Picked by USA TODAY Experts

Choosing the right appliance warranty can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. To help you make informed decisions, the USA TODAY team researched more than 20 leading home warranty companies to identify the best options based on coverage, value, reliability, and customer experience.

Below, we’ll briefly explain the characteristics of each provider, then show you why they made our list of best appliance warranties.

USA TODAY Top Picks for Home Appliance Warranties

Things to be careful about when warranting home appliances

  • Upper limit of coverage: Make sure the per-appliance limit matches the price of the appliances you have. Professional or self-contained products often require higher limits for complete coverage. For example, AHS covers up to $4,000 per appliance with ShieldPlatinum.
  • Manufacturing warranty period: A longer warranty period can save you on repeat service fees if repairs fail. Providers like Cinch HomesWarranty have 180-day warranty plans, and 2‑10HomeBuyer’sWarranty offers workmanship warranties that last the length of the plan.
  • Add-ons and customization: If you have an additional refrigerator, ice maker, or smart appliance, look for a robust add-on. Liberty Home Guard has over 40 options.
  • Claim speed and flexibility: Improve your quality of life with app-based claims and the ability to choose your own licensing technology. Companies like HomeSafe have made it easier than ever to file a claim.

Best Appliance Warranty of 2026

Choosing the right appliance warranty can make a big difference in long-term repair costs and peace of mind. We used an in-house methodology to review the industry’s top providers and rank them based on strength of coverage, customization, quality of service, and appliance-specific benefits.

Liberty Home Guard: Perfect for customization

Something that stands out

  • 40+ add-ons for complete customization
  • High customer satisfaction across third-party review channels.
  • Appliance/system coverage is up to $2,000 per item.

While traditional home warranty plans don’t cover additional appliances, Liberty Home Guard plans allow you to cover all the appliances in your home under one warranty plan. Their plans cover all the basics, but they also have over 40 add-on options to further customize your plans. We have everything from extra refrigerators and standing freezers to high-end appliances and home service options.

Why choose Liberty Home Guard? Read provider reviews

2‑10 Home Buyer Warranty: Perfect for Kitchen Appliances

Get a Free Quote 2-10 Home Buyer Guarantee

Something that stands out

  • We offer a workmanship guarantee over the planning period.
  • Easy-to-understand plan structure with appliance-specific add-ons.
  • $75 low call rate option.

Do you want to prioritize only kitchen appliances? 2-10 Home Buyer’sWarranty is the provider for you. We offer plans that only cover basic kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves. Plans are also cheap, starting under $30 for appliance-only plans.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty also comes with a long-term workmanship guarantee that lasts for the duration of your plan, so you don’t have to worry about recurring repair costs. Additionally, we offer low service call rates, so you don’t have to pay a hefty fee if you need a technician to come to your home.

However, depending on the plan, there may be a separate monthly fee for laundry appliances.

Why choose 2-10? Read reviews

HomeSafe: Best choice for choosing your own technician

Something that stands out

  • Choose your own licensed contractor.
  • Short waiting period of 20 days.
  • Multiple plan options

If you want to choose your own service technician to complete repairs on your appliance, HomeSafe is a good option. With HomeSafe, you can choose which company to work with instead of assigning you an in-network repair company near your home. Choosing your own licensed technicians means you’re not limited to a provider’s network and can work with someone you trust.

HomeSafe’s short waiting period of 20 days allows you to file your claim 10 days faster than our competitors. Its coverage spans major appliances through appliance, system, or combination plans, so you can choose the coverage plan that best fits your needs.

Why choose Home Safe? Read reviews

American Home Shield: Best for high coverage caps

Something that stands out

  • High limits for appliances — Up to $4,000 per appliance for ShieldPlatinum.
  • Covers unknown existing diseases
  • The top plan also includes roof leak coverage.

If you have older appliances that you know will probably need to be completely replaced, American Home Shield is one of your best options. This provider offers the highest coverage limits in the home warranty industry, with up to $4,000 per appliance and $50,000 in annual repairs.

American Home Shield is also one of the few providers that offers coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions. This means that if you buy a home with appliances that are about to break down, you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket (unless you knew about it beforehand).

Additionally, AHS has decades of experience and a proven track record covering powerful and comprehensive appliances. American Home Shield also includes rarely seen benefits like HVAC tune-ups.

American Home Shield Reviews: 2026 plans, coverage, and pricing

Super Home Warranty: Best for cutting-edge technology coverage

Click here for a free quote on Super Home Guarantee

Something that stands out

  • App-based billing and scheduling.
  • Integrate home maintenance services like HVAC tune-ups and vent cleaning.
  • Covers unknown and existing diseases.

Super brings a modern approach to home warranties with an easy-to-use, digital-first platform. Super knows how stressful it can be when your most used kitchen appliance breaks. So instead of logging on to your desktop or calling customer service, you can use Super’s mobile app to submit a claim.

The Super Home Warranty also offers a hefty $10,000 in appliance coverage, so you probably won’t have to pay extra for repairs to your kitchen or washing machine.

Cinch Home Services: Ideal for long-term workmanship guarantees

Get a free quote from Cinch Home Services

Something that stands out

  • 180-day workmanship guarantee.
  • Benefits on home appliances such as rust and corrosion covers.
  • Response times are fast, sometimes less than 2 hours.

Unlike some home warranty companies that take up to 72 hours to process claims, Cinch Home Services approves claim requests in as little as 2 hours. This means we can send a service technician to your home in no time.

With nationwide coverage, a six-month warranty, and affordable appliance plans, Cinch is the perfect choice for homeowners looking for coverage for their kitchen and laundry appliances.

First Premier Home Guarantee: Perfect if you’re on a budget

Something that stands out

  • Service call charges are low.
  • Fast claim processing. In most cases, claims are processed within 24-48 hours.
  • The Platinum plan adds a wide range of appliances, including a refrigerator and a full laundry set.

If budget is your top priority, First Premier Home Guarantee is a great choice. Low monthly rates of less than $52 and low service fees of $75 have your appliance covered. With coverage limits of up to $3,000 per appliance, this home warranty is a great value.

The basic plan covers all important appliances, and over 20 add-ons make it a customizable option.

Choose the right warranty plan for your home appliances

Not sure which home warranty provider is right for you? One of these scenarios may help.

  • “I have a high-end French door refrigerator and a professional range.” To avoid large out-of-pocket costs, we recommend higher limits per appliance (American Home Shield).
  • “We want to save you headaches if the repair goes wrong.” Look at the warranty period on the work. Cinch (180 days) and 2‑10 (planning period) stand out.
  • “I have a refrigerator and a smart wall oven in my basement.” Liberty Home Guard’s 40+ add-ons make it easy to customize your coverage. Many providers will not cover additional appliances unless you add them.
  • “We don’t want a rigid claims process.” Super’s model uses a mobile app that lets you submit claims from your phone.
  • “We believe in local appliance technology and want to continue using it.” With HomeSafe, you can choose your own licensed contractors.

How USA TODAY ranks the best appliance warranties

The USA TODAY team reviews each home warranty provider using an internal ranking system. This rating system is fair and objective and takes into account cost, coverage, company reputation, and service.

How to get a home warranty: How to rank the top providers

FAQ

Is a home warranty different from a manufacturer’s warranty?

yes. Manufacturer warranties are associated with one new appliance and will expire immediately. A home warranty covers wear and tear on multiple home appliances (often systems), regardless of age.

Does the warranty cover existing issues?

Some people do. American Home Shield covers unknown pre-existing conditions and improper installation.

What is a workmanship guarantee and why should I care?

A workmanship warranty tells you how long the company will continue to perform the repairs you arrange. A longer window reduces the risk of paying another service fee if the fix fails.

Can I customize coverage for additional appliances?

yes. Liberty Home Guard is known for its wide range of add-ons. Can include a second refrigerator, professional kitchen appliances, and more.

America went on to defeat Mexico in front of a raucous crowd in Houston.

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America went on to defeat Mexico in front of a raucous crowd in Houston.

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HOUSTON — The party at Daikin Park was long over, with the sold-out crowd long gone home Monday night, but Team USA decided to hold its own get-together inside its private clubhouse.

After the 5-3 win over Mexico, they sat for about two hours talking about stories and life, reminding each other that they still needed four more wins to get where they ultimately wanted to go in the World Baseball Classic.

It was an old-fashioned bond, just like the days when players routinely hung out in the clubhouse and talked about ball after games instead of rushing back to their hotel rooms to play video games.

This American team has only been together for a week, but it feels as if they’ve known each other for years.

And oh yeah, they can also play with small balls.

Paul Skeens pitched like the greatest young pitcher in baseball. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had two great plays and looked like the best young player in the game.

Roman Anthony looked like the guy who would one day be the face of the Boston Red Sox franchise.

And yes, there’s Aaron Judge, showing why he’ll be in the Hall of Fame someday.

On Friday night, a sold-out crowd of 41,678 at Daikin Park in Houston looked on as if to ensure the U.S. made it to the quarterfinals.

Buy tickets to the World Baseball Classic!

Team USA currently leads Pool B with a 3-0 record and could clinch the top seed with a win over Team Italy on Tuesday night. They will then have two full days off before returning to Daikin Field to face Puerto Rico, Cuba or Canada.

And there will be plenty of time for everyone to continue praising the greatness of the judge who has carried the American team on his shoulders, and the closer his teammates are to him, the more they will be in awe of him.

“Obviously one of the best players to ever play in this game,” said U.S. third baseman Alex Bregman.

Judge’s heroics began in the third inning, when Mexico threatened American starting pitcher Paul Skeens for the only time in four innings. After an error by second baseman Bryce Turan, with Joey Ortiz at first base, Jalen Duran hit a hard liner to right field, and Ortiz tried to advance to third base.

The judge had other ideas.

While Ortiz was running toward third base, Judge grabbed the ball in one leap and threw a 92 mph laser to third baseman Alex Bregman, who gave Ortiz the out for the end of the inning.

“So it’s an unbelievable pitch to put him at third base,” Bregman said.

“One of the best pitches I’ve ever seen,” Skeens said.

When Judge stepped up to the plate with first baseman Bryce Harper, he didn’t have time to notice the cheers from his teammates. He hit a slider from reliever Jesús Cruz with two outs and first base into the right field seats.

The judge began his home run trot, circling the bench and gesturing to the American bench. The explosion started the American offense, and by the end of the inning they had a 5-0 lead on a three-run home run by 21-year-old Roman Anthony, making him the youngest American to hit a home run in the WBC.

“It was a big moment just to get some momentum, and being able to use that offensively was huge,” Bregman said late Monday night.

With Mexico refusing to withdraw, the United States proved to need all the offensive violence it could muster. Duran of the Boston Red Sox hit two home runs and provided late-game drama in the right fielder that night. They threatened again in the 9th inning with Joey Manesses’ first hit, but Garrett Whitlock ended the game with three consecutive strikeouts.

The Air Force Academy duo of Skeens and Griffin Jacks kept Mexico’s offense in check during two stints, much to the delight of the Air Force Academy baseball team, which was invited to spend one more day in Texas after the weekend’s game against Baylor.

Skeens, who spent two years at the Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU, pitched four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven batters. The former cadet was so fired up that he threw 21 pitches in the first two innings, clocking at least 97 mph on the radar gun. Jacks, the first Air Force Academy graduate to reach the major leagues, came off the bench in the eighth inning and forced Alejandro Kirk into an inning-ending double play, sealing off Mexico’s last batter.

After his first WBC appearance, Skeens said, “It’s nice to feel like I’m doing something rather than occupying a hotel room and eating all the free food. It’s nice to be able to go out and do my job.”

And even if the AFA duo didn’t shut out Mexico, U.S. shortstop Bobby Witt made two must-see plays with his knee throws to stop it.

“Bobby’s two plays were great,” Bregman said.

Judge was so intoxicated that when Witt came into the dugout after striking out Nick Gonzalez in the bottom of the fifth inning, he yelled in Witt’s face, “Are you kidding me?”

And now the rest of the World Baseball Classic players are repeating the same thing about Team USA.

They are very talented. they play together a lot. And, sure enough, they’ve turned into a close-knit family, too, as a late Monday night gathering showed.

“This team is different. It’s special. And I’m proud to be a part of it,” DeRosa said.

2026 American Home Shield Review. We will explain the coverage and costs.

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2026 American Home Shield Review. We will explain the coverage and costs.

Looking for a comprehensive home warranty? American Home Shield is a leading provider. High coverage limits, comprehensive service plans, and unknown pre-existing condition coverage make this company a good choice for many homeowners. But is it right for you?

This American Home Shield review details costs, coverage, exclusions, and more so you can decide if this home warranty company is right for your home.

About American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) is well known in the home warranty industry and offers coverage in every state except Alaska. AHS is known for its high coverage limits and inclusion of unknown pre-existing conditions, making it ideal for homeowners who want maximum protection for their home. Plans start at $49.99 per month for system-only coverage and go up to $99.99 per month for comprehensive ShieldPlatinum plans that include additional features like roof leak protection and HVAC tuning.

AHS offers great coverage, but it comes at a price. Monthly costs are higher than most competitors, with a standard service fee of $125 approximately $50 more than the average $75 per case. Although it costs more, comprehensive coverage is hard to beat.

Pros and cons of American Home Shield

Strong Points:

  • Covers unknown existing diseases
  • High total coverage limit of $50,000
  • Up to $4,000 per appliance; up to $5,000 per HVAC system

Cons:

  • Monthly fees are higher than competitors
  • High service charge of $125
  • No appliance-only plans available

American Home Shield Availability

Home warranty plans from American Home Shield are currently available in every U.S. state except Alaska. Coverage options may vary depending on your location. Enter your zip code in the map below to see what types of coverage are available for your home.

American Home Shield plans and pricing

American Home Shield comes in three plans: a one-system only plan and a two-combo plan. American Home Shield’s home warranty plans start at $49.99 per month to cover only the most basic systems and go up to $99.99 per month for comprehensive ShieldPlatinum systems and appliance plans. All plans include a high coverage limit of $50,000 (total) per year.

The prices in the table below reflect a $125 service call charge, which is approximately $50 more per claim than our competitors. There is an option to lower the service fee to $100, but each plan increases by $10 per month.

  • ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99/month): 19 home systems (heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing systems). The maximum coverage per HVAC system is $5,000.
  • ShieldGold (starting at $69.99/month): 28 home systems and appliances (ShieldSilver and kitchen and laundry appliances); Coverage limits are $5,000 per HVAC system and $2,000 per appliance.
  • ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99/month): 28 home systems and appliances, plus leaky roof repair, free HVAC tune-ups, violations and permits, and other member benefits. Coverage limits are $5,000 per HVAC system and $4,000 per appliance.

Cost data was collected for a 2,500 square foot home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Data is current as of March 2026.

American Home Shield Discount

American Home Shield offers discounts to active military and veterans, AARP members, and those who want coverage for multiple properties. AHS also has a referral program that gives you a $25 Amazon gift card for every referral.

more: Is a home warranty worth it in 2026?

American Home Shield add-on coverage

American Home Shield’s plans are powerful, but they don’t cover everything. AHS offers six add-ons ranging from $5 per month to an additional $24. These add-ons are more expensive than what competitors offer (often less than $10 per add-on), so add them only when you need them.

additional items average cost
Roof leak repair* $10/month
Electronic equipment protection plan $14/month
Pool and built-in spa facilities $24/month
guest unit $20/month
septic tank pump $5/month
well pump $8/month

*ShieldPlatinum includes roof leak protection, which can be added to other plans for $10 per month.

Cost data was collected for a 2,500 square foot home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Data is current as of March 2026.

What does American Home Shield cover?

ShieldSilver is AHS’s most basic coverage option, which only includes your home’s core systems, such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum include the ShieldSilver system, and both cover the same 28 systems and appliances. The main difference is that ShieldPlatinum comes with additional benefits like roof leak protection, HVAC tune-ups, and code violation and permit coverage (which we don’t think are covered by other providers).

  • HVAC (heating and cooling system): Air conditioners, ductwork, heat pumps, furnaces, mini-splits, geothermal systems.
  • Electrical system: Outlets, built-in exhaust fans, light switches, doorbells, wiring, breaker boxes, ceiling fans, and garage door openers.
  • Piping system: Water heaters, water pipes, permanent drain pumps, gas pipes, drain pipes, toilets, shower heads, ejector pumps, plumbing stops, etc.
  • Kitchen appliances: Refrigerator, range, oven, stove, dishwasher, built-in kitchen extractor fan, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispenser.
  • Laundry appliances: washer and dryer.

If you choose ShieldPlatinum, you get all of the above, plus:

  • unlimited ac refrigerant
  • $1,000 roof leak repair coverage
  • Coverage limit of $4,000 or more per appliance
  • Coverage for breaches, permits, and changes up to $250 per period

What American Home Shield Doesn’t Cover

American Home Shield has a standard list of exclusions, but unlike most home warranty providers, it covers pre-existing conditions as long as the known conditions are unknown. The following items are not expected to be covered by the AHS Home Warranty:

  • Cosmetic damage and damage that does not affect the main functions of the product
  • Problems caused by misuse, vandalism, pests and pets
  • Known pre-existing disease
  • Failure due to system or appliance not being sized correctly for your home
  • outdoor kitchen
  • smart home system
  • chimney and fireplace

To learn more about American Home Shield exclusions, read our online sample agreement.

American Home Shield Alternatives

American Home Shield is the best option for homeowners who want the most comprehensive coverage. Because AHS covers unknown pre-existing conditions, it is also an ideal option for new homeowners purchasing older homes with unknown histories. However, if you want the most comprehensive coverage, this provider will be expensive.

If you want a more affordable option, Liberty Home Guard or Select Home Warranty may be better options.

How to file a claim with American Home Shield

American Home Shield has a standard 30-day waiting period during which you are not eligible to make a claim. Once this period has elapsed, you can begin the claim process for systems or appliances that have failed due to normal wear and tear. The easiest way to do this is to visit the AHS MyAccount portal online or use the mobile app.

  • Log in to MyAccount and select the option to request service.
  • Select the item you need repaired and select the problem or symptom.
  • Please pay the service fee ($100 or $125).
  • American Home Shield will begin processing your service request.

Once your request is in our system, it may take up to 48 hours for American Home Shield to schedule your diagnostic appointment. Repairs will be performed at the time of your booking or at a later date if parts or replacements are required.

What we like about American Home Shield

American Home Shield has been offering home warranty plans for decades and has proven to be a reliable provider. There are three tiered plans that cover appliances, systems, or both, and several add-ons for even more coverage.

We like the high coverage limits for systems and appliances, plus the $50,000 annual coverage limit for all claims. Many home warranty companies limit this amount to $10,000 or less, so you can’t even compare it to AHS.

The added benefits make American Home Shield a top home warranty company. Complimentary HVAC tune-ups, key renewal services, dryer vent cleaning, and more add to the value of your plan.

What I don’t like about American Home Shield

The downside to American Home Shield is the price. Plans can cost upwards of $100 per month, so if you want extra benefits, you’ll need to buy the most expensive ShieldPlatinum plan.

American Home Shield rating by USA TODAY

USA TODAY’s editorial team applies rigorous in-house methodologies to evaluate and rank home warranty providers, including big names like American Home Shield. To create our list of the top 10 home warranty companies, we researched 20 of the nation’s largest providers. We used factors such as plan options, coverage details, pricing, quality of service, customer satisfaction, and overall reliability to create our list.

Bottom line: Is American Home Shield right for you?

If you want comprehensive coverage and high coverage limits, AHS is your home warranty company. No other provider can match our hefty $50,000 coverage limit, which almost guarantees you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket if your home systems or appliances break down due to normal wear and tear.

The disadvantage is that the monthly insurance premium is high, as is the service fee. So if you buy a home warranty from American Home Shield and don’t use it, it will cost you money. But if you end up making one or two approved claims, it can easily pay for itself.

FAQ

Is American Home Shield better than HomeServe?

It depends on your needs. If you want a lower monthly fee and low or no bill-time service fees, HomeServe may be the right option for you, but American Home Shield has stronger coverage options.

What isn’t covered by American Home Shield?

American Home Shield does not cover cosmetic damage, pest or vandalism damage, or known pre-existing conditions.

Will American Home Shield replace my air conditioner?

If your air conditioning system fails due to normal wear and tear, American Home Shield will repair or replace your air conditioning system at your expense.

Wegovy manufacturer terminates contract with Hims and drops lawsuit

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Wegovy manufacturer terminates contract with Hims and drops lawsuit

Stein Jacobsen and Maggie Fick
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Novo Nordisk announced Monday that it will sell its blockbuster drugs Wigovy and Ozempic through U.S. telemedicine company Hims & Hers Health Platform, ending a legal dispute that erupted last month.

The Danish drugmaker sued Hims in February over a combination version of its Wigovy weight loss drug, which Hims released and then discontinued two days later, and a combination version of Novo’s injectable GLP-1. The Food and Drug Administration was also planning legal action against Hims over the unlicensed drug.

Hims’ stock price rose more than 40% on Monday.

Novo is grappling with telemedicine companies selling cheaper, formulated copycat versions of its obesity drugs, while Hims faces higher costs for its personalized GLP-1 products, which the company says is driving up product costs.

Under the agreement, Hims will offer approved Ozempic and Wigovy injections, as well as Wigovy tablets, to consumers on its platform at Novo’s out-of-pocket prices. Hims had a short-term deal with Novo to sell its Wegovy brand in 2025.

Hims will no longer promote GLP-1 combination medicines, but will continue to offer them if deemed clinically necessary by healthcare providers. FDA regulations allow companies to sell compounded drugs in individual doses or with special ingredients not available in branded formats.

“We are pleased that HIMS will stop advertising unapproved combination drugs and instead sell FDA-approved products through our new partnership with Novo Nordisk. Importantly, HIMS will keep them affordable (not raise prices) and limit combination GLP-1 to rare (FDA-compliant) cases,” FDA Commissioner Marty McCulley wrote in a post on X.

“Following our recent actions, I would like to congratulate both parties on this transaction.”

The FDA announced last month that it would take decisive action against companies selling large quantities of illegal counterfeit drugs, including Hims, prompting the company to change its policy on selling copy copies of Novo’s pills.

Price reduction due to competition

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doesder said Wigovy’s tablets have generated more than 600,000 prescriptions since its launch two months ago, and telemedicine partnerships are accelerating adoption.

The Danish company faces stiff competition from rival Eli Lilly, which has become the leader in the weight-loss drug market. To boost sales, Novo has lowered the price of its weight loss drugs on its website from about $1,000 per month to between $149 and $299.

Low pricing is a key part of the partnership, Dusdahl said, adding, “Currently, the price of genuine products is about the same as composite products.”

The deal comes after U.S. regulators warned 30 telemedicine companies last week over misleading advertising of compounded GLP-1 drugs. The FDA said some companies are incorrectly equating compounded products with approved drugs.

Hims CEO Andrew Dadham said the partnership with Novo follows the company’s decision to transition its weight loss business from combination GLP-1 drugs to branded, FDA-approved treatments and reflects growing demand for a broader range of lower-cost options.

“That’s where we see business growth,” Dudum said in an interview.

Dudum said on a call to discuss financial results that most subscribers accessing GLP-1 are using branded options.

“Both sides lack trust but are still bound by mutual need,” said Jailendra Singh, an analyst at Trust.

In light of the agreement, Novo Nordisk said it would withdraw its patent infringement lawsuit “while reserving the right to refile.”

Novo ended a similar agreement last year over concerns about the marketing and sales of compounded drugs.

Former Missouri House Speaker convicted of COVID-19 pandemic fraud

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Former Missouri House Speaker convicted of COVID-19 pandemic fraud

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Prosecutors announced Monday, March 9, that a former Missouri House speaker was sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to misusing federal COVID-19 relief loans for personal expenses.

U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlik also fined John J. Diehl Jr. $50,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. Deal, 60, confessed to defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration of hundreds of thousands of dollars by fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 pandemic loans and pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in September 2025, prosecutors announced.

Prosecutors said Diehl previously served as an alderman for Town and County, an affluent suburb west of downtown St. Louis, and was chairman of the St. Louis County Board of Elections. He resigned as speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives in 2015 after the Kansas City Star reported that he exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college intern.

Prosecutors said in a plea agreement last September that Deal admitted to obtaining federal loans totaling $379,900 for his law firm from 2020 to 2022. In applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, a program created to help small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, Deal promised his law firm would use the funds to “reduce the economic injury caused by the disaster,” prosecutors said.

President Trump has launched a “war on fraud.” This is why it’s a 50 state problem

Instead, prosecutors argued, Mr. Deal used the funds for personal benefits, including car payments, bills and paying civil settlements related to his time as speaker of the state House of Representatives. His lawyer previously acknowledged that Mr. Deal later repaid the money to the U.S. Treasury.

“This defendant’s practice of law was not affected in any way during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said in court, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Mr Goldsmith said Mr Deal never used loans for his law firm, adding that Mr Deal was “looking at easy and cheap ways to make money”.

FBI: John Deal ‘misappropriated those funds for personal use’

Prosecutors said Diehl applied for a federal loan in March 2020 and received $94,900. About two years later, he applied for a loan modification and received $285,000 from his second loan.

In those applications, prosecutors said Mr. Diehl signed an agreement that falsely certified that his law firm would “use all proceeds of this loan solely as working capital to alleviate the economic harm caused by the disaster that occurred on January 31, 2020 and continues thereafter.”

Chris Crocker, special agent in charge of the FBI’s St. Louis division, said in a statement that “Mr. Deal legitimately obtained pandemic relief loans for his law practice, but he diverted the funds to his personal use rather than the purpose intended by Congress.” “Relief programs like this were created to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic, not to line anyone’s pockets.”

After the proceeds of the federal loan were transferred to his law firm’s bank account, prosecutors said Deal would transfer some of the funds to his personal bank account. Prosecutors said Deal paid $1,320.15 in personal dues and fees to the country club in April 2020 after receiving a $1,000 advance from the loan.

Deal then received the remaining approximately $93,900 from the original loan in June 2020 and “illicitly used” the funds for fraudulent personal use, prosecutors said. He paid for Tesla, Audi, and Jeep cars. personal credit card. Mortgage loan. Family college tuition. Pool maintenance. Additional Country Club Dues and Fees. and cash withdrawal.

Prosecutors said Diehl also transferred $50,039.55 from the loan in September 2020 to a law firm retirement plan in which Diehl was the sole participant.

Prosecutors said Diehl received the funds from the second loan in April 2022 and continued to use the funds for personal payments, including fees paid to a St. Louis law firm for personal legal matters and another $150,000 transfer to a retirement plan.

Deal was later fined $47,392 after entering into a consent order with the Missouri Ethics Commission in 2023. Prosecutors said Deal was charged with misusing $6,762.70 in campaign committee funds for personal expenses and “failing to report additional expenditures of campaign committee funds, including at least $28,700 in personal expenses.”

“I made a mistake in judgment.” Congressman Tony Gonzalez admits extramarital affair, ends re-election bid

Former Missouri House speaker resigns in 2015 amid sexting scandal

Court documents say Mr. Deal used some of the loan funds to repay “civil settlements related to his time as Speaker of the House.”

Mr. Deal was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008, but announced in 2015 that he would resign as speaker after the Kansas City Star revealed that he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college freshman who was participating in an internship program at the state Capitol.

At the time, Deal acknowledged in a written statement that he had made a “significant error in judgment.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions and am truly sorry to those I let down. I apologize for my poor judgment in putting me and those closest to me in this situation,” Deal said in a statement. “I also regret that a woman was involved in this situation. The responsibility ends here. I ask for your patience. I will immediately work to restore the trust of those close to me and return to the important work required on the last day of the session.”

Following news of the text message, local newspapers reported that Missouri Southern State University had decided to end its internship program at the Capitol a month early.

Richard Miller, dean of Missouri Southern University’s College of Arts and Sciences at the time, told the Star that the university pulled four interns from the state Capitol building after an unspecified incident.

How to play Mega Millions for $533: Step by Step

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How to play Mega Millions for $533: Step by Step

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The Mega Millions jackpot remains unclaimed until 2026 and has grown to a staggering $533 million as of Monday, March 9th.

Even if the odds of winning the grand prize are only about 1 in 290.5 million, this inflated number certainly increases the incentive to buy a ticket.

If you’re concerned about the odds, you can go to your local corner, gas station, or grocery store and play the lottery. If it’s your first time tossing a $5 bill into a ring, the process may seem like some kind of impromptu math lesson. Don’t worry. For better or worse, this game of chance requires minimal calculations.

Here’s what you need to know when playing the Mega Millions lottery.

“Please be quiet:” Here’s what you need to know and do if you win the Mega Millions jackpot

How old do I have to be to buy Mega Millions tickets?

You must be old enough to legally gamble in your state.

In most states, you must be 18 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets. However, the following states require you to be a little older to buy or redeem lottery tickets:

  • arizona: 21 years old, according to the Arizona Lottery.
  • louisiana: 21 years old, according to the Louisiana Lottery.
  • nebraska: 19 years old, according to the Nebraska Lottery.

Check your state’s rules to see if you are eligible to play the lottery.

Where can I buy Mega Millions tickets?

Tickets can be purchased at grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, depending on your location. They may also be sold at some airport terminals. Depending on your state, you may be able to purchase tickets online.

How to choose Mega Millions tickets

To win Mega Millions, you need to select a total of six numbers and hope that the number drawn matches the number you selected. Players can choose numbers from two separate number pools.

Five of the numbers come from white balls with numbers ranging from 1 to 70, and the last number comes from a golden mega ball with numbers ranging from 1 to 25.

When purchasing tickets, you can choose your own numbers or ask the cashier to do a “quick pick” or “easy pick,” where a computer randomly generates a number for you.

How much do Mega Millions tickets cost?

Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play.

As of April 2025, new Mega Millions tickets include built-in multipliers that increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10x.

Previously, in some states, multipliers known as megapliers were available for an additional fee. Similarly, the “Just the Jackpot” feature available in some states has been discontinued.

How to check winning Mega Millions numbers

After purchasing a ticket, you will have to wait for the next draw. Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:59pm EST.

The Mega Millions picture will be broadcast live on local television stations, including affiliates of major networks such as ABC and CBS. Channels vary by state, so check your local listings to see where you can watch live.

Online, you can watch live on the official Mega Millions website or on the Mega Millions YouTube channel, which posts live streams and recordings of past draws. Numbers from previous drawings are also available on the Mega Millions website.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing? What is the jackpot?

The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Tuesday, March 10th at 10:59 PM ET. As of Monday, March 9th, the jackpot was $533 million.

What happens if no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday?

If no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday, the jackpot will be raised again and anyone interested in playing will have to buy a new lottery ticket on Friday.

GHaving a problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS).

Kai Trump gets criticized for his viral high-end grocery shopping video

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Kai Trump gets criticized for his viral high-end grocery shopping video

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Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, is facing social media backlash after releasing a video showing her shopping at a Southern California market with Secret Service agents.

The video, posted to Kai Trump’s YouTube channel on March 8, shows her browsing Erewhon Market in Santa Monica, California, and purchasing items that she will later review. The title of the video was originally “We brought a secret agent to Erewhon,” but it was changed to “We Tried the World’s Most Expensive Grocery Store.”

At one point, Kai Trump said he had to “file for bankruptcy” after learning about the store’s $165 branded sweater. This ultra-premium grocery chain in the Los Angeles area is known for its extremely expensive items, like $22 smoothies and $13 Medjool dates.

The video briefly shows Secret Service agents as Kai Trump exits the store and enters the motorcade. In what appeared to be a hotel room, Kai Trump revealed that his bill for the market trip totaled $233.

Multiple comments on the YouTube video referenced Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution. Some comments called for drafting Kai Trump and Barron Trump to fight in the war against Iran.

In a March 9 post about X, Democratic strategist Mike Nellis called the video “a modern-day ‘let them eat cake’ moment.”

The Lincoln Project also stated on

Kai Trump’s rescue dog is adopted. Why wasn’t it Grandpa?

Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife Vanessa Trump, is active on social media, with nearly 1.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and 2.7 million followers on Instagram.

Her video was released as her grandfather dismissed concerns that oil and gas prices would rise as the war in Iran escalates.

“Once Iran’s nuclear threat is destroyed, near-term oil prices will fall rapidly, but it will be a very small price to pay for America, the world, security and peace,” the president said in a March 8 social media post. “Only a fool would think otherwise!”

Oil prices rose about 7% on March 9, settling at their highest since 2022. The average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.478, up nearly 50 cents from a week ago, according to AAA data.

In a February survey by The Economist and YouGov, 53% of respondents said they thought the economy was getting worse. Public opinion polls taken before the war showed that the president’s net approval rating for the economy was at its lowest level in both terms.

Contributors: Zach Anderson and Eileen Wright, America today. Reuters

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