Check out Rivian, offering an off-road experience in downtown Austin, Texas.
Fox – 7 Austin
Rivian is offering a $5,000 lease bonus on select new R1S and R1T electric vehicles.
The proposal comes as rival Ford plans to transition its F-150 Lightning to a hybrid model.
Rivian’s R1T sales declined in 2025, lagging behind competitors such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck.
Buyers could save $5,000 on the lease of a new electric pickup Rivian R1T or R1S SUV, as the Irving, Calif.-based plug-in car maker looks to take advantage of changes in the electric pickup market segment.
Rivian said in a post on its website that car buyers can apply $5,000 toward the amount owed at signing for “new 2026 R1S and R1T Dual vehicles with Larger Battery or Maximum Battery and Performance Upgrades if you receive an approved lease offer by March 3 and take delivery by March 31.”
The deal comes as Ford, one of Rivian’s main competitors in the electric pickup segment, announced plans to transition its F-150 Lightning pickup from a fully electric vehicle to a type of hybrid vehicle known as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).
It also comes as Rivian is positioning itself to become a mainstream EV maker with the introduction of a new $45,000 plug-in SUV.
How many R1Ts does Rivian sell?
Rivian sold 7,416 R1T electric pickups in 2025, according to Cox Automotive. This figure was a 33.1% decrease from the 11,085 vehicles Rivian sold in 2024. For comparison, Ford sold 27,307 F-150 Lightning electric pickups last year, and General Motors sold 11,275 Chevrolet Silverados.
Here are the sales figures for other popular models in the electric pickup segment last year:
Tesla Cybertruck: 20,237
GMC Hummer EV: 15,788 units
What is an Elev vehicle?
EREV is a type of plug-in hybrid vehicle with a gasoline engine. These engines are used solely to power larger-than-normal batteries intended to increase range. This differs from most hybrids, which use both the gasoline engine and battery to power the vehicle at various times while the car is being driven.
EREV was developed to address consumer concerns about the battery life of fully electric vehicles and the fact that most hybrid vehicles still use gasoline engines that cause air pollution. Concerns about the lifespan of EV batteries have become so common that they are sometimes referred to as “range anxiety.”
A poll released in January by the EV-friendly advocacy group EVs for All America found that 20% of 600 potential EV buyers in 2025 said their biggest concern about plug-in models was unreliable charger networks.
Why would Ford change the F-150 Lightning from an EV to a hybrid?
In a December 2025 news release, Ford said it was transitioning the F-150 Lighting from an all-electric powertrain to an EREV format to “offer the best of both worlds: the seamless, immediate power of an electric powertrain and the freedom of an estimated generator range of more than 700 miles.”
“Unlike traditional hybrids, the F-150 Lightning EREV is 100% propelled by electric motors,” the Dearborn, Michigan-based company said. “This ensures owners get their preferred pure EV driving experience, including rapid acceleration and quiet operation, without the need to stop and charge during long-distance towing.”
In a 2024 news release announcing the second-generation R1 vehicle, Rivian said the R1T will be offered in “tri-motor and quad-motor configurations.” “The 1,025-horsepower quad-motor R1T delivers 0-60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds when using Launch Mode and delivers an impressive 1,198 pound-feet of torque,” the company said.
Will Ford customers consider Rivian electric pickups?
Stephanie Valdez Streety, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY that Ford’s move to electrify the F-150 Lightning will not open the door to further sales of electric pickups from Rivian.
“EV trucks will account for only 6.8% of total EV sales in 2025, and the segment shrank by 12.9% in the same year,” he said. “This is a category that is struggling to scale, and Ford’s decision reflects that reality.”
Valdez Streeti added that “there is also no buyer overlap” between Rivian and Ford.
“Lightning was sold in traditional truck states like Michigan, Texas and Florida,” she says. “The R1T is sold in outdoor adventure and coastal markets like Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Hawaii. These are fundamentally different buyers and have different motivations.”
“Ford’s move to EREVs is an acknowledgment that converting traditional truck buyers to full BEVs is a difficult challenge,” Valdez Streeti said.
“Traditional truck buyers are not Rivian’s customers,” she says. “Rivian buyers were already keen on electrification.”
Miami teacher uses soccer to teach character, wins Hall of Fame award
Miami teacher Mary Crippen used NFL football to teach math, reading and character, making her the first Hall of Fame recipient of the character award.
Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow stormed Congress on March 3 and delivered an impassioned speech on child sex trafficking.
He began by speaking about unidentified victims of online child sexual abuse. Tebow pointed out that just two years ago, that number was estimated at about 20,000, but research collaborations through the Tim Tebow Foundation found that number was a gross underestimate, with more than 57,000 children still unidentified.
“(The kids) pray every day that we will respond,” Tebow said. “But how should we react?”
Tebow’s testimony primarily concerned child exploitation in the digital space, and he called on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Crime and Counterterrorism Subcommittee to find flaws in the federal investigative system to better assess child trafficking crimes.
Tebow’s full testimony can be viewed here.
How did Congress react to Tebow’s comments?
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism is led by Sen. Josh Hawley. Hawley has long supported Tebow’s statements. In December 2025, he called child trafficking “a scourge on our society.”
Hawley was one of the first to challenge the subcommittee to change its view of these crimes.
Mr Hawley said what the government currently lacks to attack child trafficking is funding and the ability to identify victims. “These are children that the government could identify and rescue if we had the will and the resources,” he said.
Stakha Shehan, deputy director of the analytical services division at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, claimed that the organization received more than 21 million reports of child sexual exploitation in 2025, with more than 61 million media coverage of the reports.
What does Tim Tebow’s foundation do?
The Tim Tebow Foundation works in several areas, but its website says it specifically works on anti-human trafficking/child exploitation and has helped rescue more than 3,500 survivors of child sexual exploitation.
The foundation operates in 60 countries and has 46 safe houses for abused children around the world.
The company’s mission is to “bring faith, hope, and love to those who need a brighter day in the darkest of circumstances.”
Hillary Clinton speaks out about Epstein in newly released video testimony
“It’s a global scourge.” The House Oversight Committee released video testimony of former Secretary of State Jeffrey Epstein to Hillary Clinton.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denied knowledge of the criminal activities of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell in recorded testimony to the House Oversight Committee.
Ms. Clinton said she had never met Mr. Epstein, flown on Mr. Epstein’s plane, or traveled to Mr. Epstein’s island. She admitted that she knew Maxwell “by chance.”
“Like every decent human being, I am horrified by what I have learned about their crimes,” Clinton said.
“Congressional investigations are too often partisan political theater,” the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate said in his opening statement. Proceedings were then suspended after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) leaked a photo of the former secretary of state to conservative YouTuber Benny Johnson.
The next day, former President Bill Clinton appeared before the committee, becoming the first former president to be forced to testify before lawmakers. He also said he had “no knowledge of the crimes committed by Epstein.”
The Clintons have never been formally accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein. The deposition, which lasted more than four hours, was held on February 26th and the video was released on March 2nd.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to transport minors for illegal sexual activity. Critics of the investigation have questioned why more co-conspirators have not been indicted.
Here’s what you need to know about Hillary Clinton’s deposition.
Clinton demands Trump’s deposition
Citing his expertise as a former lawyer, Clinton asked Trump to give a deposition before the committee.
He pointed to his conviction for sexually abusing and defaming author E. Jean Carroll and his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records as “past conduct that may be related to money or crime.”
“He has supported the Fifth Amendment hundreds of times, so I’m not saying we’re going to get a lot of information, but given what’s in the file and what he’s done and what he’s done, he’s going to be on my witness list,” Clinton said.
Latest news on Epstein: Bill Clinton testifies about hot tub photo
Video shows the moment Clinton found out about the photo leak
The deposition video shows the moment Ms. Clinton discovered that Ms. Boebert had first leaked her photos.
Mr. Clinton was talking to a fundraiser for Rep. Nita Lowey when a lawyer interrupted to tell him that the photo had been posted of Mr. Johnson.
“If you’re doing that, I’m done. You can disrespect me from now until the cows come home. This is just typical behavior,” Clinton said. She is seen starting to leave the room before the deposition is taken off the record.
The leak temporarily halted depositions, and Clinton told a news conference that she was “upset” and “suggested a possible violation of other agreements we had.”
Clinton’s lawyers have argued that the press should be allowed to participate in the hearing when depositions resume. They do it again when they notify the committee of the second photo posted by Johnson.
Boebert defended her actions after the deposition, telling reporters, “I really respect her blue suit and I wanted everyone to see that.”
“Fishing expedition”: Republicans accuse Hillary Clinton of Epstein charges
Clinton asks ‘Pizzagate’ questions during Epstein deposition
During her deposition, Boebert asked Clinton about the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory in a series of questions.
“Pizzagate” refers to a conspiracy theory spread by the far-right conspiracy movement QAnon, which first emerged ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The paper alleged that Clinton and other Democratic Party officials were involved in a child sex ring operating out of the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington, D.C.
“This was an outrageous allegation that ended up hurting a lot of people,” Clinton said in response to a question, referring to an incident in 2016 that caused a deranged young man to show up with an assault rifle and shoot up a local pizza place.
Federal prosecutors said Edgar Madison Welch showed up at Comet Ping Pong in December 2016 with a loaded weapon to investigate “unsubstantiated rumors of a child sex trafficking ring” allegedly operating inside the restaurant. He opened fire on the restaurant, but no one was injured.
He pleaded guilty in March 2017 to federal charges related to interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition and District of Columbia charges related to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to four years in prison.
News outlets such as the Washington Post and the New York Times have repeatedly debunked this conspiracy theory.
“I expected a lot of interesting questions today, but Pizzagate was not on my list,” Clinton said in the affidavit.
Mace and Clinton have tense exchange over Lutnick and Epstein
Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) fought with Mr. Clinton over her relationship with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
Mr. Lutnick invited Mr. Epstein to a fundraiser for Mr. Clinton in 2015, even though Mr. Epstein and his wife had said in 2005 that they were determined to avoid the wealthy financier, according to emails on file. The invitation came at a time when Epstein was already a convicted sex offender.
It is unclear whether the wealthy investor attended the event. He did not donate to Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Mr. Clinton said he had known Mr. Lutnick since his time in the Senate following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. At his company, Cantor Fitzgerald, 658 people were killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.
“I knew him as someone who had lost employees he knew closely, including my brother,” Clinton said.
Mr. Mace repeatedly made remarks about Mr. Clinton trying to answer questions about her fundraising efforts, to which Mr. Clinton responded, “You asked the question, so I’m going to answer your question!”
On March 3, Lutnick agreed to transcribe an interview with the commission about his relationship with Epstein.
The charges came after a group of Cuban nationals took a boat they had stolen from a man in Florida into Cuban waters on February 25 and then engaged in a gunfight with Cuban troops.
President Trump says the US could have a ‘friendly occupation’ of Cuba
President Donald Trump said Cuba is in a “severe” financial crisis. He proposed a “friendly takeover” of Caribbean nations.
On March 3, Cuban authorities indicted six people on terrorism charges in connection with a February 25 incident in which 10 people entered Cuban territorial waters on a stolen boat and engaged in a gunfight with government forces on the island.
According to Cuban authorities, the shootout occurred after Cuban border guards asked the soldiers to identify themselves. Four of the stolen boat’s crew were killed. Six people were injured and taken to Cuban authorities. A Cuban government military commander was also injured.
“Based on the provisions of the Penal Code, six defendants have been charged with terrorist crimes. The Attorney General’s Office has ordered their detention with provisional detention as a precautionary measure,” the Cuban embassy said in a statement. “Respecting the rights and guarantees enshrined in the Constitution and law, the Attorney General’s Office will ensure compliance with due process and adopt corresponding procedural decisions once the investigation is concluded.”
Another person was also arrested in connection with the scheme. Cuban authorities said the men were sent ahead to prepare for the arrival of others. It is unclear whether he is among those charged.
Cuba announced at the time that the group was planning to invade the island to carry out acts of terrorism amid heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba.
Finding a flooring contractor you can trust can mean fewer headaches, a smoother installation, and a professional look. Is Home Depot your flooring installer? It depends.
Home Depot’s flooring service is nationwide and has hundreds of flooring options, but because the company outsources to local third-party installers, you’re not guaranteed a good experience.
From the services offered and installation process to pricing and red flags, here’s everything you need to know about Home Depot flooring.
About flooring materials at home centers
Home Depot is primarily a home improvement retailer, but it also provides specialized services, such as flooring installation, through local contractors. Home Depot offers carpet, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, tile flooring materials and installation services, as well as garage floor coating and sealing services.
Home Depot was founded in 1978 and has become the national chain that many homeowners rely on for their home improvement projects. Because Home Depot provides materials and not labor, the company that installs your flooring is not affiliated with Home Depot and may be less experienced.
Advantages and disadvantages of flooring materials from home improvement stores
Strong Points
Nationwide support
Wide variety of flooring options
competitive pricing
Potential savings on Home Depot branded products
In-house financing also available
Includes manufacturer and labor warranties
Cons
Unreliable customer service from third-party installers
Warranty coverage varies depending on the product
Customer complaints regarding communication
How is Home Depot flooring installed?
Home Depot will manage the project, supply materials, and provide customer service. Home Depot does not complete flooring installation. Instead, the company subcontracts all flooring installation to third-party contractors in the area.
When you choose Home Depot as your flooring provider, a representative will meet with you in-store or over the phone to discuss your project and schedule an in-person measurement. Once the measurement is complete, the person in charge will send the measurement results to the hardware store. The home improvement store converts the estimate into an itemized list of materials and labor costs.
Home Depot will then coordinate the installation with a local installer, collect your payment, and schedule the work.
Home Depot flooring installation price
The actual cost of flooring from Home Depot varies widely depending on several factors.
Type of floor to be installed
room size
layout complexity
Existing flooring that needs to be removed (if applicable)
condition of the base
Local vendors assigned to the project
Home Depot lists average flooring installation costs and additional materials costs on its website. You can use the table below to get an idea of how much your flooring project will cost. Please note that these prices vary.
Types of flooring
Average cost (per square foot)
carpet
$2～$4.50
Luxury vinyl plank (LVT) or tile (LVT)
$2 – $6
laminate
$3.80 – $4.80
Hardwood/artificial wood
$6-$7
tile
$9 – $10
Home Depot also provides estimates for additional prep work that may be required, including:
Removal of old flooring: $1 to $4 per square foot
Level the subfloor: $0.25 to $1 per square foot
It is important to note that these are just estimates and the totals can vary considerably. Derek Schumann, co-founder of HOMEstretch, a company dedicated to maximizing pre-sale home value through renovation, explains:
“The floor you see is not the be-all and end-all of a project; the underlying conditions will drive the cost. The best way to avoid surprises is to ask the vendor how much the floor will cost as a complete system, from demo, prep, installation, and finish.”
The flooring will be installed by the home center.
Home Depot offers all the standard flooring options, including vinyl and laminate flooring. If you’re looking for less common materials like cork, polished concrete, or bamboo, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Types of flooring
ideal placement
not ideal
carpet
bedroom
Areas with heavy traffic or areas prone to spills or leaks
LVP/LVT
Bedroom, living area, kitchen, basement, bathroom
Not applicable
laminate
Laundry room and low-traffic living area
High traffic area
Hardwood/artificial wood
bedroom and living area
kitchen, bathroom, laundry room
tile
kitchen and bathroom
Most living areas and bedrooms
more: Is there really a difference between hardwood and engineered wood?
How Home Depot measures the floors it installs
Home Depot will send in-house experts to your home to measure your project and inspect for issues that could complicate your project. The measurement takes an estimated 45 minutes. During that time, your specialist will perform the following tasks:
Measuring floor coverage: A professional will measure the overall dimensions of your installation space and estimate the cost.
Assess the complexity of your installation. They will evaluate the difficulty of the installation by looking at things like the complexity of the room and the location of the heating elements on the baseboard.
Measuring trims and other add-ons: If you’re having Home Depot reinstall trim and room transitions, they can take measurements for these additional items.
Assess the condition of existing floors and subfloors. Whenever possible, the professional will assess the condition and flatness of the subfloor and take notes on potential repairs.
Take a photo and share it with your instructor. Finally, your representative will take photos and videos and share them with the installer. This ensures the installer understands the project and ensures a smooth transition.
Should you buy flooring before or after home improvement measures?
You can purchase your flooring before requesting a quote from Home Depot, but you don’t have to. If so, your representative will ensure that the total compensation is appropriate and will estimate costs based solely on labor costs.
If you do not purchase flooring in advance, your representative will include the cost of materials in your estimate.
How much does a professional measurement at Home Depot cost?
Home Depot charges a non-refundable fee of $35 for professional measurements, which varies by location. This is a small fee you pay to get an accurate quote and purchase the right amount of flooring.
home depot flooring reviews
There are very few third-party reviews for Home Depot’s flooring installation services. However, Home Depot has thousands of reviews from customers on its site. Each type of flooring has its own reviews.
We read hundreds of online reviews and found that our customers were generally satisfied. Overall, 75% to 90% of customers recommend Home Depot’s flooring installation services.
Most reviews are positive, commenting on the professionalism, timeliness, and affordability of materials and labor. Some customers have made positive comments about the quality of the installation, especially when it comes to carpet installation.
As with all installation services, there are some negative reviews to be aware of. Most of the negative reviews mention a lack of communication from Home Depot personnel, with some mentioning that the installers left the work area a mess.
A few reviews complained of poor installation quality, including visible gaps in the floor. But they were few.
Alternatives to home improvement flooring
If Home Depot isn’t your best bet, there are countless other flooring contractors out there. If you want to ensure the security of installations by domestic companies, the following options are available:
read more: Lowe’s flooring installation review
You can also choose a local flooring company that only serves your area. Although many customers find local companies to be more expensive, they often offer better customer service and may include long-term labor warranties due to superior craftsmanship. We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies and comparing them.
“The advice we give homeowners when comparing flooring options is to make sure they get a true ‘match-in’ comprehensive figure that includes materials, labor, demo, disposal, and standard preparation and finish details to avoid any surprises,” Schuman added.
How does USA TODAY rate flooring companies?
For each flooring company you research, consider all of the following:
Types of flooring offered
Material and labor costs per square foot
online evaluation
General customer consensus based on reviews
Measurement and installation process
Years of establishment
Will the company complete the installation in-house or outsource the labor?
Ratings and past customer opinions paint the clearest picture of what you can expect, so we focus on reading reviews to determine what you can expect throughout the process.
Bottom line: Is home improvement flooring right for you?
If you’re on a tight budget or need multiple types of flooring installed at once, Home Depot may be your best option. However, if you want top-notch customer service and a company that handles everything from start to finish, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
Home Depot flooring covers the entire country and offers a wide range of flooring options at affordable prices, including carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and garage floor coatings.
According to customer reviews, they outsource all installation work to local providers, which doesn’t necessarily provide great communication or customer service.
FAQ
Can Home Depot install flooring?
Home Depot also sells flooring products and provides installation services, but outsources all labor to local third-party installers. Home Depot can measure your flooring project and subcontract it to flooring professionals, but Home Depot installers aren’t the ones who actually complete the project.
How much does it cost for a contractor to install the flooring?
According to the flooring experts we spoke to, flooring installation costs range from $1.50 to $12 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring needed. Stone, tile, and wood floors have the highest installation costs, while vinyl, laminate, and carpet have the lowest installation costs. Prices may also vary depending on the type of floor that needs to be removed before installation, as well as any necessary surface preparation or repairs.
Is it better to hire a construction company or a flooring company to install the flooring?
Both flooring contractors and flooring companies can be great resources when it comes to flooring installation, but experience will vary depending on the specific company. If possible, read customer reviews and note any patterns you notice among the negative reviews. This will give you important insight into how the company operates and the experience you may have.
Which is better for flooring: Lowe’s or Home Depot?
Lowe’s and Home Depot offer similar flooring services, including access to the most common flooring types and competitive prices. Both retailers outsource the actual installation work to local installers, and both have had some issues with customer service as a result. However, while Lowe’s offers a one-year labor warranty, Home Depot’s coverage goes far beyond that and includes a lifetime warranty on carpet installation.
If you have dietary restrictions or dietary issues, grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a hassle. The app makes it easy to find foods that are safe for you.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health warning that beef jerky products may contain allergens not listed on the snack packaging.
In a notice shared online March 1, FSIS said the three products may contain soy lecithin, an allergen. Because the product is no longer available for purchase, authorities issued a public health warning rather than a recall.
According to the alert, there have been no reports of side effects related to beef jerky.
Learn more about public health warnings.
What beef jerky products are included in the public health warning?
The agency’s health warning covers three Punahele Jerky Company products, including:
Dry Hawaiian Style Beef Crisps 6oz Bag (Salt and Pepper Flavor)
4 oz bag of Uncle K’s Beef Crisps
Kilauea Fire Spicy Beef Crisps 4oz Bag
latest: USA TODAY’s recall database
In which states was the beef jerky product sold?
The snacks were sold at retail stores in Hawaii as well as online nationwide, the notice said. According to the alert, FSIS noticed the problem during a routine label review.
What to do if you have a beef jerky product with a public health warning
FSIS said in a public health alert that the agency is concerned that some customers may be storing the product in their pantries, which is the reason for the public health alert.
According to the agency, the package of ready-to-eat beef jerky has a best-before date of February 17, 2027.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” FSIS said in the warning. “These products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.”
If you have any questions, please contact Hilo Fish Company at 808-961-0877.
Customers can also call USDA’s Food Safety Meat and Poultry Hotline toll-free at 888-674-6854, email questions to MPHotline@usda.gov, or report problems with meat, poultry, and eggs using the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System (www.foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF).
What is soy lecithin?
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, lecithin is a group of chemicals that the body uses to move fat.
It is found in foods such as egg yolks, soybeans, wheat germ, peanuts, and liver. Some people take it as a supplement. It is available in capsule, liquid, and granule form.
In the food industry, lecithin is used as an additive to combine foods, the medical center added. One example is salad dressing. Judy Simon, a clinical nutritionist at the University of Washington, previously told USA TODAY that soy lecithin emulsifies ingredients such as oil and water, blending salad dressings into a smooth consistency.
Contributor: Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY
Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
Bill Clinton’s video testimony about Epstein released
“No one is above the law.” A new video of Bill Clinton’s Jeffrey Epstein deposition has been released, showing the former president’s plea for justice for his victims.
Former President Bill Clinton told House Oversight Committee investigators that he had no knowledge that a photo of himself in a hot tub was taken that was later released as part of the Epstein file.
The image shows Clinton relaxing in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been edited. A second photo shows Clinton in a pool with a woman whose face has been edited and another woman believed to be Ghislaine Maxwell, an accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Midway through the more than four-hour deposition, Mr. Clinton testified that he did not know the identity of the woman in the bathtub photo and denied any sexual activity with her. He added that Secret Service agents were present on the other side of the pool.
“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Bill Clinton shot dead by House of Representatives during Epstein deposition
Ms. Clinton said she was introduced to Mr. Epstein by former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who described Mr. Epstein as a willing donor who flew Mr. Clinton and his staff around the world to help establish a charitable AIDS foundation.
Clinton said the photo was taken during a visit to Brunei at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei.
“He invited me to stay there and said, ‘I want you to stay in this hotel. I want you to use the pool,'” Clinton said. “I swam around. I stayed in the bathtub for about five minutes, then got up and went to bed.”
Mr. Clinton acknowledged traveling to Asia, Africa and Europe, and riding on Mr. Epstein’s jet once from Florida to New York, but said he had moved on to other donors after 2003.
“I thought Mr. Epstein was an interesting guy, but I didn’t think he was really interested in what I was doing,” Clinton said.
“I had no knowledge of the crimes Mr. Epstein was committing,” Clinton said in her opening statement. He is the first former president to testify before Congress.
The deposition took place on February 27, the day after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the same committee. Videos of both depositions were released on March 2nd.
The Clintons have never been formally accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Iran has said it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key Middle East export route that carries 20% of global oil flows, in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli attacks, halting oil shipments and sending oil prices soaring.
The announcement came two days after the start of the war, which spread across the region. At least five oil tankers in the strait were damaged and 150 ships were stranded.
“The strait is closed,” an Iranian Revolutionary Guards official said on March 2. “If anyone tries to cross the strait, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships on fire.”
However, the US military announced that it had defeated the Iranian navy from the air.
As of noon on March 3, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil, the world benchmark, was hovering around $83, an increase of about 25% since the start of the war.
The national average price of a gallon of gasoline rose about 18 cents from March 1 to March 3, according to GasBuddy. It is unclear whether or how long gasoline prices will continue to rise.
Let’s take a closer look at the important waterways here.
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More than 3,000 vessels use the strait each month. Most of them transport crude oil, refined oil (the equivalent of about 20 million barrels of oil per day), and liquid natural gas from docks in the Persian Gulf to ports in China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
Some oil shipments go to Europe, and about 4% of crude oil exports go to the Americas.
How has tanker traffic changed over time?
This animation provided by Marine Traffic shows a visible drop in vessels passing through the Channel between February 27th and March 3rd. Tankers marked in red can be seen waiting on either side of the waterway.
Where is the Strait of Hormuz?
The 160-mile-long Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea.
The strait is one of three major waterways that enable the export of natural gas and oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe and North America. Others include the Bab el-Mandeb River and the Suez Canal. Iran’s southern border runs along the length of the Gulf.
How have U.S. gas prices changed?
GasBuddy tracked that the national average for regular gasoline rose from $2.941 per gallon on March 1 to $3.12 per gallon on March 3. If the war continues, prices could rise further. According to NBC News, retail gasoline prices change by about 2.5 cents for every $1 change in crude oil prices.
President Donald Trump told reporters on March 3 that oil prices could remain high “for some time.”
As soon as the war ends, “these prices are going to go down. I believe they’re going to go down even further than they have before,” Trump said. The president also said the United States has the ability to fight Iran “forever” without running out of arms.
Prices for consumer goods related to crude oil, such as gasoline and household heating oil, are also moving at roughly the same rate, so prices could also rise in the coming days and weeks. USA TODAY reported.
Where was the oil tanker attacked?
The tankers reported to have been attacked are:
MT skylight |Oil/product tanker (Palauan flag).
where: Approximately 5 nautical miles north of Khasab, Musandam province, in the Strait of Hormuz.
when: March 1st
what happened: The ship was hit and a fire broke out. Four crew members were injured and 20 were evacuated.
MKD Vyom |Product tanker (Marshall Islands flag).
where: 44-50 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat in the Gulf of Oman.
when: March 1st-2nd
what happened: It is believed that a projectile from the drone boat hit the ship, causing a fire in the engine room. One crew member was killed. The rest were evacuated.
hercules star |Tanker (Gibraltar flag)
where: Approximately 17 nautical miles from Mina Sakr, UAE.
when: March 1st
what happened: Report of a strike. The ship continued sailing.
stena instructions |Tanker (US flag)
where: At anchor in Mina Salman, Bahrain.
when: March 2nd
what happened: The ship was damaged in an airstrike as part of Iran’s attack on Bahrain. No casualties were reported on board, but one dockworker was killed and two others injured.
Ate Nova |Asphalt tanker (Honduran flag)
where: Strait of Hormuz.
when: March 2nd
what happened: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the ship was attacked and caught fire off the coast of Khor Fakkan.
What happens next?
The Trump administration has not given a clear timeline for how long the war will last. President Trump said it could take about four weeks.
Vice President J.D. Vance suggested the U.S. is in a “multi-year” conflict, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio predicted that “the biggest blow is yet to come.”
In a March 3 social media post, President Trump also promised insurance and military protection for maritime trade.
“If necessary, the U.S. Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world.”
Contributed by Francesca Chambers, Michael Loria, Zach Anderson, Janine Santucci
SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Reuters; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gas Buddy; Oh.com; Marine Traffic; Globalmaritimetraffic.org
Oil prices rose on March 3 as the U.S.-Israel-Iran war escalated, sending prices for some items that American consumers depend on soaring.
Brent crude, the world benchmark and the index most affected by the Middle East conflict, soared 9% on Tuesday morning to trade around $85 a barrel, its highest in about 18 months and up about 25% in just a few days.
All eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supplies flow and which is effectively blocked by Iranian forces.
more: Iran war updates: Oil prices soar. President Trump says America can fight ‘forever’
Rachel Ziemba, an independent energy analyst and nonresident senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said prices have been rising since the strike began, but the intensity of Monday and Tuesday’s escalation may have spooked the market.
“If anything, the transportation disruptions that are starting to occur are greater than the market expected,” Ziemba told USA TODAY. Traders are watching to see how the United States responds on Tuesday to move the strait from a “frozen and implicit blockade” to a more open state, he said.
“If it’s not successful, I think the price could go upwards of $90,” she said.
How does the oil supply chain impact consumers?
The strait is important to global energy markets, with more than 20% of oil supplies flowing through it, oil analyst Patrick de Haan said in a report Tuesday morning.
“If the risk increases near that corridor, the market will immediately price in the possibility of curtailed flows,” he said. “Only risk can act like a supply constraint.”
As previously reported, oil from Venezuela, which is currently under the effective control of the United States, cannot replace lost Middle East output.
Pump pain and home heating
After three days of conflict, consumer products that rely on oil are starting to feel the pinch.
As of mid-morning Eastern time, the national average gas price was $3.089 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.
And March 2 marked the biggest single-day price increase since March 4, 2022, at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, De Haan said.
Ziemba said the cost of household heating oil would also rise as many households spent more on heating than usual after a cold and snowy winter.
Meanwhile, “spring is approaching,” Ziemba said, which means demand for kerosene is decreasing. But on the other hand, de Haan said Americans will be driving more as the warmer months continue.
Meanwhile, concerns about energy infrastructure persist across the Strait of Hormuz, Ziemba said. Did producers who shut down their equipment as a precaution have been able to protect everything? “The question is not just how long they’re stuck at home, but how quickly they can get back online,” Ziemba said.
Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a March 2 analysis that higher energy prices, in addition to certain products consumed by households, are also pushing up inflation measures, even as they weigh on economic growth.
Although it is too early to say that the U.S. economy will suffer significant “stagflation,” a combination of low growth and high prices, the current scenario could complicate matters for the Federal Reserve’s decisions on whether to raise or lower interest rates.
North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has threatened to suspend legislative work unless the Department of Homeland Security answers questions about immigration enforcement in the state.
Senators question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during tense hearing
Kristi Noem is facing pointed questions from the Senate during a tense hearing about the number of DHS employees, the targets of immigrant arrests and the Minneapolis shooting investigation.
WASHINGTON – In some cases, all it takes is one influential lawmaker to significantly slow down proceedings in the U.S. Senate.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina made his findings known on March 3, when he harshly criticized Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem regarding her leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.
He said he asked her for more information about Operation Charlotte Web a month ago. This is an escalation of immigration enforcement that DHS launched in Charlotte late last year, resulting in hundreds of arrests. But he couldn’t understand them, he said.
Until they do so, the maverick Republicans said they will immediately suspend bloc nominations of U.S. senators appointed by President Donald Trump. And if he doesn’t get the answers he wants within two weeks, he vows to raise fees, including raising bills and postponing meetings of his influential committees.
Tillis later said on the Senate floor: “Until we get answers to these important questions, I will not make any nominations, no confirmations, no markups.”
The threat was a reminder of how even the slightest Republican criticism of the Trump administration can go a long way, especially in the Senate, as wars in the Middle East escalate and the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down.
For example, Tillis, who often leaves the party to criticize the White House, is perhaps the only lawmaker standing between the president’s whims and the Federal Reserve’s traditional independence. Mr. Tillis said he would block Mr. Trump’s nomination to head the central bank until the Trump administration concludes its investigation into current Federal Reserve Director Jerome Powell.
Tillis has also been a vocal critic of Noem, particularly after the killings of Alex Preti and Renee Good in Minnesota in January. Unlike many Republicans, he has called for her resignation.
DHS did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment in response to Tillis’ questions.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
There is a keyword that is often thrown around when there is a big snowstorm in the Tohoku region, but what exactly does this mean?
When snow piles up across the country, snow removal crews work around the clock to keep local roads passable. However, during major winter storms, trucks can sometimes cause property damage, such as damaged mailboxes or dented vehicles.
These situations are unfortunate, but they do happen. And if you find your property destroyed by snowplows this winter, here are some tips for dealing with it.
document the damage
Most departments only cover damage caused by vehicles, so you first need to make sure that the damage to your property was caused by a direct hit from a snowplow and not by the snow itself. Check for paint transfer, scuffs, and tire marks.
Next, document the damage to your property as soon as possible. This includes taking photos and videos of the damage and the surrounding area, collecting surveillance footage, and creating a list if several parts of your property were affected.
Submit a claim
To file a claim for damage to your mailbox or landscaping, you will need to determine whether it was a municipal, county, or private snow plow that hit your property. This depends on whether you live on roads maintained by a town or county, or in a private community with private services.
In case you missed it: Here’s why your neighbor’s outdoor lights are so bright
You can then contact your local or county public works department or private company directly and file your claim within about 3 days or up to 90 days, depending on your location. Also, check with your insurance company to find out if your homeowner’s insurance will cover repairs.
Additionally, if your mailbox is severely damaged, you should contact your local post office and ask them to temporarily hold your mail until it is repaired.
To file a claim for vehicle damage, report the accident to the police in a non-emergency manner. You should also contact your auto insurance company immediately to determine whether your policy will cover the necessary repairs.
make necessary repairs
Whether and how mailboxes and landscaping are repaired varies by municipality and county.
Most businesses typically repair damaged landscapes after a snowstorm ends and the ground thaws in the spring.
Also, when it comes to mailboxes, most departments will be provided with standard posts and mailboxes rather than replacing them with the same mailboxes they had before. Some departments will install it for you, while others will require you to install it yourself.
Maddie McGay is a real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering everything that’s worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay or X @maddiemcgayy and sign up for the North Jersey Living newsletter. Have a tip, trend, or great home she should know about? Email MMcGay@gannett.com.
Aftermath of US and Israeli ground air strikes on Iran
The United States and Israel have launched more than 1,000 attacks against Iran. This is what the damage to the ground looks like.
When the stock market falls off a cliff, the natural urge may be to panic and sell. There’s nothing more stomach-churning than watching your 401(k) sink into the red with no bottom in sight.
And that’s probably how many investors felt on the morning of March 3, when stock indexes plummeted as the Iran conflict escalated.
But panic selling violates two or three basic rules of investing: buy stocks when prices are low and sell when prices are high. Don’t make impulsive movements. Stick to your plan.
Here are some rules to remember when markets are turbulent.
Don’t try to time the market
It may sound appealing to take cash out of the stock market when the index is falling, avoid an economic downturn, and reinvest it when the market bottoms out.
The big problem with this strategy, experts say, is figuring out the right time to withdraw and put in cash.
“Anytime you’re trying to avoid a recession, the risk of being wrong is very high. And you have to be right twice,” St. Louis certified financial planner Peter Lazarov told USA TODAY in a 2025 interview.
As Lazarov explains, you have to make two decisions: when to sell high and when to buy low. That requirement is more difficult than you might think.
Christy Akrian, head of iShares investment strategy for the Americas at BlackRock, told USA TODAY in 2025.
Case in point: On April 9, 2025, amid President Donald Trump’s dramatic tariff campaign, stocks rose dramatically after several days of declines.
Patrick Means, vice president and branch manager of the Schwab branch in Dallas, told USA TODAY in 2025.
This brings us to our second tip.
stick to the plan
Stock prices rise and fall, sometimes dramatically. Experts say the best strategy for long-term investors is usually to sit back and wait for the drama to unfold.
Schwab points out that bear markets are typically shorter than bull markets. Since 1966, the average bear market has lasted about 15 months, while the average bull market has lasted almost six years.
Following a long-term investment plan requires discipline and is one of Vanguard’s investment success principles. Other: Create clear and relevant investment goals. Maintain a balanced and diverse mix of investments. and minimize costs.
“You can’t control the market. You don’t know what the market will do,” James Martini, Vanguard’s head of investment and trading services, told USA TODAY in 2025. “I can control myself by not making emotional decisions.”
And that brings us to our third tip.
do nothing at all
Advisers say today’s stock price movement is less important to long-term investors.
And that advice applies to almost everyone. Experts say stocks may not be for you if you don’t have a long-term outlook.
“If you need the money right away, don’t invest. If you don’t need the money for 15 years, stop looking at volatility,” Randy Bruns, a certified financial planner in Naperville, Illinois, told USA TODAY in 2025.
Market downturns tend to be short-lived. Recessions are shorter than you think. People who save for retirement or other long-term goals are usually able to weather their savings.
“If you can afford to be a long-term investor, by all means be a long-term investor,” Akrian says.
Consider buying stocks at a discount
Financial experts don’t like investors to make impulsive trades, but a drop in the stock market presents an opportunity for those looking to buy stocks on sale.
The stock market has historically been expensive. There are few bargain items. A market correction effectively means that investors may be getting a better deal on the stocks they buy.
If you’re concerned about the volatility of individual stocks, another option is to buy broad-based index funds, which are generally less risky.
Another option, BlackRock’s Akrian said, is to look for “stocks that are less sensitive to volatility.”
Some mutual funds and exchange-traded funds have portfolios that are more predictable than the market as a whole and are tailored to minimize volatility. BlackRock provides an instruction sheet on “Minimum Volatility” investing.
A federal judge appointed by President Trump wrote that the decision to end the program was “arbitrary and capricious.”
New York Governor slams President Trump over congestion charge U-turn
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on February 19, 2025, criticized the Trump administration for rescinding approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program.
NEW YORK – A federal judge has upheld congestion pricing in New York City after the Trump administration sought to eliminate the transit pricing program.
On March 3, U.S. Judge Lewis J. Lehman of the Southern District of New York sided with New York state officials who sued federal transportation officials seeking to end congestion pricing, which was first introduced in early 2025.
Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district by imposing fees to discourage driving and encourage more public transportation options, such as subways and buses. Funds from the program will help pay for the transportation system.
The ruling was a blow to President Donald Trump, a Queens native, and his conservative allies in New York City’s suburbs, who had sought to abolish congestion pricing early in his second term. Officials said congestion pricing lacks the legal authority for the Federal Highway Administration to enter into agreements with state agencies to enact the program at the federal level.
In a 149-page ruling, Lehman, a Trump appointee, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s decision to end the program was “arbitrary and capricious because the basis of the policy was an after-the-fact rationalization, which itself was arbitrary and capricious.” Discussions about the program date back to 2019 and included meetings and compromises to establish congestion pricing, Lehman wrote.
Department of Transportation spokeswoman Danna Almeida said in an email that the department is considering its legal options with the Justice Department, including appealing the decision. Congestion pricing makes federally funded roads inaccessible to commuters without free alternatives, she said.
“The Trump administration will not stop fighting to make everyday life more affordable for American families,” she said.
The White House declined to comment, referring questions to the Department of Transportation.
In February 2025, President Trump declared on Truth Social that “congestion pricing is dead” as the Department of Transportation moved to end the program through administrative funding cuts. Duffy said congestion pricing is a “slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners” who are unfairly forced to pay for the transit system.
Data shows that lower Manhattan, where congestion pricing, which uses electronic cameras to read license plates, is in place, has less traffic and fewer pollutants. In the year since congestion tolling went into effect on Jan. 5, 2025, toll revenue has exceeded projections to fund transit system repairs and the city’s subway expansion by more than $550 million, state officials said.
New York Gov. Cathy Hochul, a Democrat who oversaw the introduction of congestion pricing, including delaying its launch, called congestion pricing a “once-in-a-lifetime success story.”
“The judge’s decision is clear: Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to trample on the autonomy of his homeland has failed spectacularly,” Hochul said in a statement. “Congestion pricing is legal, it works, and it’s here to stay. The cameras will remain on.”
In late May, Lehman filed a preliminary injunction to prevent the administration from ending the program. Lehman said in his latest opinion that the court had reached a similar conclusion.
Liman said the ruling does not permanently prevent the government from abolishing congestion pricing. But he left open the possibility that New York authorities could seek relief if they determine the administration has violated the court’s ruling.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).
USA Today’s Sara Moniuszko eats all day like a cardiologist. This is what she made.
What do cardiologists who specialize in the heart usually eat?
Dr. Renato Apolito, a board-certified physician in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease who has been seeing patients for more than 20 years, said it’s important to eat well and maximize the nutritional value of your diet to maintain a healthy weight and optimize your heart and overall health.
“If you manage your weight, you can reduce the incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and all of the associated comorbidities,” Apolito, who is also director of cardiac catheterization at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, told USA TODAY.
So what does he eat in a day?
What cardiologists eat every meal
breakfast. A combination of organic low-fat milk and egg whites. “It’s high in protein and I find it very satisfying in the morning after a workout,” he said. “It’s quick and easy, takes up less time in the morning, and doesn’t cause postprandial hypoglycemia, which I experienced previously when eating carbohydrate-based breakfasts.” Postprandial hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar levels drop after eating a meal. Additionally, he added, his breakfast is completely natural and unprocessed.
lunch. Combine protein-rich foods like pork loin or chicken breast with as many vegetables as possible. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming at least three servings of vegetables per day.
dinner. Green vegetables and lean protein, or sometimes pasta. “By dinner time, I’m usually less hungry, but I usually cook myself and again prefer green vegetables with lean protein,” he said. “Once in a while, I can’t help but make healthy pasta with vegetables and protein. My parents are from Italy, so I can’t abandon my roots!”
Snacks/desserts. With treats like dark chocolate, dark chocolate-covered almonds and dried fruit with ricotta and honey, Apolito said they are “as satisfying as any other candy bar.” “I also like high-quality ice cream,” he said, but he makes sure the ingredients are whole and simple. “It’s okay to cheat sometimes, just be mindful of it,” he said, noting that processed products with lots of added sugar and salt are bad for health.
more: She thought she was too young to have high cholesterol or be healthy. She was wrong.
What makes your diet heart healthy?
Eating fiber-rich leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fruits can help lower LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, for heart health, Apolito said.
“Choose a variety of vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, berries and carrots. And remember, the greener, the better,” he said. “Eating whole foods (and) lean proteins is much better than eating processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats, which are especially high in sodium and preservatives, which are linked to heart disease.”
Unfortunately, Apolito acknowledged that living in a society “surrounded and inundated with unhealthy processed foods that are constantly advertised everywhere” makes the situation more difficult, but his motto for his patients is “If you can pick it or kill it, you can eat it.”
“This is essentially a farmhouse diet, leading to eating more seasonal, locally sourced, whole foods,” he said.
Nutrition experts agree that whole foods are best, but access and affordability are important factors when Americans decide what to eat.
More than half of the calories consumed at home by U.S. adults and children come from ultra-processed foods (UPF), according to a 2025 analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics.
The latest dietary guidelines also recommend avoiding highly processed “packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat foods, or other foods that are salty or sweet.” This includes products such as chips, cookies, and candy that have added sugar or salt.
While Apolito finds whole foods “just as satisfying as fast food or processed foods,” he understands that we all “need a treat every once in a while.”
More incentives? Higher prices? What car buyers can expect in 2026
Auto industry experts predict that car sales will be flat compared to 2025.
A majority of auto dealers cite the U.S. economy as the biggest factor holding back auto sales.
Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe buying a new car is unaffordable, with the average price close to $50,000.
The average monthly payment for a new car will reach an all-time high of $772 in the second half of 2025.
Car dealers say the U.S. economy is the biggest factor holding back car sales, according to new data released by Cox Automotive on March 3.
According to the data, 52% of car dealers say economic conditions are holding back car sales in the first quarter of 2026, up from 45% in the same period in 2025.
The only factor in the survey that exceeded 35% was market conditions, with 37% of dealers saying it was an issue.
The findings come after a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 74% of Americans said they think buying a new car is unaffordable.
The average price of a new car reached $49,191 in January 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book. The group is expected to report new data on average car prices for February soon.
Cox said automakers are expected to sell 1.19 million vehicles in February 2026, down 3.4% from February last year.
Learn more about car affordability: Car prices will rise in 2026. Will incentives help buyers?
What is the average car payment?
The average monthly payment for a financed new car reached an all-time high of $772 in the fourth quarter of 2025, Edmunds said. This figure compares to $754 in Q3 2025 and $754 in Q4 2024.
The group said the percentage of new car buyers with monthly payments of $1,000 or more also reached a record high of 20.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025. This percentage increased from 19.1% in Q3 2025 and 18.9% in Q4 2024.
“Faced with persistently high vehicle prices and borrowing costs, many consumers have been forced to take out large amounts of money, extend loan terms and reach four-digit monthly payments,” Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, said in a statement.
Looking into 2026, Drury said, “New car prices remain high but are starting to stabilize, lower interest rates may provide some relief to buyers of both new and used cars, and we expect increased off-lease revenues to provide more affordable alternatives in the used car market.”
What is the most expensive car?
The most expensive car brand in January was Porsche, with an average selling price of $128,761, according to the latest available data.
Here are the rest of the top five most expensive car brands so far this year:
Understanding the grief and health concerns behind celebrity deaths
The death of a celebrity often triggers collective mourning and, for some, serious health concerns. Here’s why it happens and how to take care of yourself.
Todd Meadows, a deckhand on the Discovery Channel’s thrill-seeking reality series “Deadliest Catch,” has died. He was 25 years old.
Rick Shelford, the captain of the Aleutian Lady, the crab fishing boat at the center of the series, confirmed Meadow’s death on February 25 in a lengthy social media post, writing: “We lost a brother.”
“Todd was a new member of our crew and quickly became part of the family. His love of fishing and his strong work ethic quickly earned everyone’s respect,” Shelford wrote on Facebook. “His smile was contagious. His laughter, heard across the wheelhouse steps and deck calls, is something we will always have.”
“Todd’s love for children, family, and life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him. At this time, our hearts are broken beyond words,” he continued. “We hold Todd’s children and family in our prayers and keep them in our thoughts as they face the days ahead without him. Todd will forever be a part of this ship, this crew, and this brotherhood. We lost him too soon, but his legacy will live on through his children and in all the memories we have of him.”
Shelford did not confirm Meadows’ cause of death, but said he died while fishing in the Bering Sea, the dangerous strait that separates Alaska and Russia. A GoFundMe has since been set up to raise support for the three sons, raising more than $26,000.
A representative for Warner Bros. Discovery, which airs Deadliest Catch, also confirmed Meadows’ death, saying in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crew, and the entire fishing community at this incredibly difficult time.”
First released in 2005, “Deadliest Catch” follows crab fishermen off the coast of Alaska who overcome life-threatening conditions during an expedition in the Bering Sea. The series follows the lives of fishermen during two major crabbing seasons and documents the dangers they face on deck as their boats are often exposed to waves and strong winds.
Nike investigated over allegations of discrimination against white employees
The EEOC is investigating Nike over allegations of discrimination against white employees and cracking down on its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Two employees at a Smoothie King store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have “no longer worked” after a couple claimed they were refused service because the husband was wearing clothing with President Donald Trump’s name on it.
In the viral X video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times as of March 3, a woman said her husband was refused service because he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with Trump’s name on it, leading to actions by Smoothie King and personnel changes.
A video of the couple’s interaction with a Smoothie King employee appears to have been originally posted to TikTok, but has since been deleted. But the clip was posted to X and shared by an account called Leftism, which says its purpose is “to expose the left,” and an account called Meme’nOnLibs, whose mission is “to mock liberals enough to end the woke movement.” “She refused service at @SmoothieKing because her husband was wearing a Trump hoodie,” the leftist said in a post on Monday. “She posted a GoFundMe in which she bragged about denying service to Trump supporters, claiming that she was filmed without permission, that she is underage, and that she received a lot of hateful comments.”
The post also called on GoFundMe to “take appropriate action and not allow her to raise money by discriminating against others.” The GoFundMe page was later deactivated, as reported by the Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Before it was disabled, the GoFundMe account said the employee “denied service to Trump supporters, who recorded me as a minor without my permission. After posting the video, I received hundreds of hateful comments and threats, making it impossible for me to return to work safely.”
The X account also posted a video that appeared to be taken of an employee talking to a customer, saying, “We don’t stand for it. Our company has nothing to do with it. Like we’re not really comfortable with that,” before adding, “We have the right to refuse service.” The employee’s original video uploaded to TikTok has hundreds of thousands of likes as of March 3.
More news: Nike investigated over allegations of discrimination against white workers
Smoothie King says employees are ‘no longer’ with the company
The Texas-based smoothie company has since confirmed in a series of social media posts that it has moved to sever ties with its employees.
“Following an investigation into an incident yesterday involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan, the franchise owner took immediate action and the two employees involved have now left the company,” the company said in a statement.
The company added that Smoothie King corporate officials and franchise owners have apologized multiple times to guests. The franchise owner is also “taking further steps and implementing mandatory retraining for all employees outlining guest experience standards,” the post said.
Smoothie King added in a statement to USA TODAY that it is “committed to ensuring our stores are places free of discrimination of any kind and where all guests and team members are treated with kindness and respect.”
“We value everyone who wants to live a healthy and active lifestyle, regardless of race, gender, religion or political affiliation,” the statement said.
Contributed by Max Reinhart and Charles E. Ramirez, Detroit News
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
A satirical website urging President Donald Trump’s youngest son Barron to be drafted into the military appeared online in the wake of the deadly U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, quickly gaining attention for its sharp timing and over-the-top praise of the president’s family.
The site, DraftBarronTrump.com, was created by comedy writer Toby Morton, who previously worked on South Park and Mad TV, according to his personal website and Variety. Morton describes himself as the “creator of anti-fascist websites” and is known for registering domain names that appear official but redirect to parody pages impersonating celebrities or organizations.
Morton has launched a number of similar sites targeting politicians, religious leaders and organizations, including parody pages targeting the Trump Kennedy Center, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Andrew Cuomo, televangelist Joel Osteen and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
DraftBarronTrump.com assumes a patriotic tone, exaggerating praise for Trump and his family. The site’s landing page says, “America is strong because our leaders are strong.” “Naturally, his son Baron is ready to defend the country his father boldly commands. Service is an honor. Strength is inherited. Dog blessings to Baron.”
The website also features fabricated satirical quotes attributed to the president and his eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, portraying them as enthusiastic supporters of Mr. Barron’s hypothetical military service.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment. An email sent through the DraftBarronTrump.com contact form did not immediately elicit a response.
What is Barron Trump doing?
Barron Trump is the youngest of President Donald Trump’s five children and his only child with First Lady Melania Trump. The 19-year-old is a second-year student at New York University’s Stern School of Business and prefers to stay out of the public eye, but at around 6 feet 7 inches tall, it’s difficult to do so.
“He’s an amazing young man and we’re so proud of him,” Melania Trump said on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” on January 29. “This time it’s very different because he’s 19 years old and he was 10 the first time. He understands politics and he’s giving advice to his father and talking about it. It’s very different.”
Barron recently made a public appearance at the president’s State of the Union address on February 24, where he attended along with other members of the Trump family.
Contributions: Michael Loria, Zac Anderson, Jeanine Santucci, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY / Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY NETWORK
Law enforcement agencies are releasing updates on the Nancy Guthrie case.
Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed new developments in the disappearance of Guthrie, the mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, in an interview with NBC News. While the sheriff “absolutely” believes they are close to solving the case and hopes Guthrie is alive, NBC reported that a specialized team from the homicide division is working with the FBI in the search.
One of the key clues in the case is the backpack the suspect was wearing when he was captured on video outside Guthrie’s home. The black 25 liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack turned out to be a private label brand sold only at Walmart. Experts say authorities could use that information to subpoena retailers for lists of people in the greater Tucson, Arizona, area who have recently purchased the item.
But Nanos said the suspect may have purchased it elsewhere. “We now know that it probably wasn’t purchased from Walmart,” he told NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz. “That new backpack is a Walmart exclusive, but who’s to say I didn’t buy it and put it up on eBay? … That’s what we’re looking at.”
The Nancy Guthrie incident? Is it close to a solution? These questions will remain forever
Nanos told NBC that investigators in the case have not yet determined what the suspect was wearing in surveillance video and photos previously released by the FBI. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office previously said they were looking into the possibility that the clothing was purchased at Walmart.
The suspect was seen approaching Nancy Guthrie’s home and using the Nest doorbell camera, and is described as a “male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, of average build. Investigators have not yet ruled out multiple suspects.
Nanos also commented on surveillance footage obtained by Fox News Digital that shows cars passing through Guthrie’s neighborhood between midnight and 6 a.m. on Feb. 1. One of the recordings was recorded about eight minutes after Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker was last synced to her iPhone, the newspaper noted. USA TODAY has not verified the footage.
“Look, what I’m saying is this: Like any other piece of evidence, we’re aware of it and we’re investigating it,” he said, adding that he had not yet identified the car. “We are investigating that vehicle as well as hundreds of thousands of other vehicles that were traveling at that time.”
Nancy Guthrie had not been seen since Saturday, January 31st, and her family reported her missing the next morning. A source close to the family told NBC News that she regularly gathered with friends and neighbors to watch church services online, but when she didn’t show up at a friend’s house on Sunday, friends called her daughter Annie, who lived nearby.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said they believe she was taken from her home against her will.
savannah guthrie family make a rare outing to see her mother’s monument
On March 2, Savannah Guthrie, her sister Annie Guthrie, and brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni were seen holding their own flowers as Pima County Sheriff’s Office deputies escorted them to a memorial near Nancy Guthrie’s home.
The three placed flowers at the memorial and hugged each other as Annie Guthrie cried softly.
Hours later, Savannah Guthrie shared a photo of the flower stand on Instagram and wrote, “We feel the love and prayers from our neighbors, the Tucson community, and the nation 💛 Please join us in praying and never stop hoping.” She also repeated her call to “take her home.”
Law enforcement is asking anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Office tips.fbi.gov.(520-351-4900) or 88-CRIME.
Contributor: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY. Perry Vander, Arizona Republic
Newsom slams Trump during US military action in Iran
Newsom criticized President Trump in recent remarks for taking little time to acknowledge the four U.S. service members killed in the conflict with Iran.
California Democrats running for Governor of California, your party has a message for you. Carefully consider your candidacy and campaign efforts ahead of the fast-approaching filing deadline.
California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks called on candidates seeking to serve in the state’s highest office to “honestly assess the feasibility of their candidacy and campaign” as March 6, the last day to declare candidacy, approaches. In an open letter on Tuesday, March 3, Hicks said concerns about crowding among Democratic candidates “remain lingering.”
The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that recent polls show five leading candidates, including Democrats Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer, are “virtually tied.”
Hicks said of the reasoning behind the latest message that while it may be “improbable” that two Republican candidates are displacing the California Democrat in the gubernatorial race, “it’s not impossible.” Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (both Republicans) are at the top of the list, according to an average of various polls conducted by RealClear Polling.
The party chair specifically focused on the need for leadership from the California Democratic Party around Prop. 50. Proposition 50 is a voter-approved measure that temporarily implements new congressional district maps, paving the way for Democrats to hold more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“If the Democratic Party does not advance to the gubernatorial general election, Democratic turnout in California could drop in November,” Hicks said. “This outcome poses a significant risk to winning the seats we need and will jeopardize Democrats’ chances to retake the House, cut Donald Trump’s term in half, and save our country from the pain that so many have endured since January 2025.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a March 2 press conference that when he’s out in the community, people don’t talk about the gubernatorial race. He said this is an “interesting” observation given the voting in the primary elections that begin in May.
“I think it was tough to focus on that race,” Newsom said, noting the focus on President Donald Trump, redistricting and other issues.
What exactly is the California Democratic Party looking for in a candidate?
Hicks gave instructions to candidates in an open letter.
First, evaluate your candidacy and campaign. If you do not have a realistic path to the general election, please do not apply to have your name placed on the June primary election ballot. Additionally, if you decide to file but cannot demonstrate “meaningful progress toward winning the primary,” please be prepared to cease campaigning and support another candidate by April 15th.
When is the next California election? 2026 Primary Election
California voters will narrow down their field for governor on June 2nd. Regardless of party preference, only the two candidates who receive the most votes will advance to the November election.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
