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Israel’s decision to kill Iranian leader backdated to October 7th

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Israel’s decision to kill Iranian leader backdated to October 7th

Israel decided to target Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei days after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, but detailed plans were only announced later, USA TODAY has learned.

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  • Israel decided to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei following the October 7 attack by Hamas.
  • Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials were killed in a bombing campaign that began on February 28.
  • U.S. and Israeli officials said the operation was aimed at removing key Iranian leaders and disrupting the country’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

The decision to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and leaders of Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah was made in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack, when Israel decided to eliminate anyone involved in planning or supporting the devastating 2023 attacks, USA Today has learned.

But more specific plans for what Israel calls “Operation Roaring Lion” and the United States calls “Grand Fury” won’t begin until the end of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only ordered the operation in November 2025.

USA TODAY was the first news outlet to report on the timing of the decision to remove Khamenei and other Iranian officials and its direct connection to revenge for the October 7 attack, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Khamenei was killed as part of a bombing campaign by US and Israeli forces that began on February 28.

Since its founding in 1948 after World War II, Israel has a long track record of capturing and assassinating enemies wherever they are. Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was captured by Israeli agents in Argentina in 1960 to stand trial in Israel. More than a decade later, Israel launched a secret mission to track down and kill Palestinian militants responsible for the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The decision to kill Khamenei was made as part of Netanyahu’s order to target all those whom Israel believes were behind the October 7 attack and to prevent future attacks, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The targeting of Khamenei also appears to reflect Israel’s decision to expand its targeting to include Iran’s most senior leaders and Iranian-backed leaders starting October 7. Israel killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July 2024. Two months later, he assassinated long-time Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

In recent years, Israel has used everything from letter bombs to exploding pagers and cell phones, from drone attacks to AI-backed machine guns operated from satellites mounted on trucks. Khamenei, who has led Iran for 36 years, was considered by Israel to be Hamas’s chief architect of the October 7 attack, or at least Iran’s most senior supporter. Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Khamenei, have publicly denied any direct involvement in the October 7 attack.

Iran has long funded and armed a web of extremist partners across the Middle East to strengthen its influence and strategic goals across the region. These include Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Iraq’s multi-purpose armed group. Tehran has insisted that Iran’s nuclear program, which has long been a target of Israel, is only for civilian energy purposes, a claim that has been met with deep skepticism both in Israel and internationally. For decades, Khamenei and other Iranian government officials have repeatedly spoken publicly about the destruction or disappearance of the state of Israel.

The mission is aimed at killing key members of Iran’s leadership, destroying its ballistic missile capabilities and severely hampering Iran’s ability to advance its nuclear program, U.S. and Israeli officials said.

The killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and the death of Mohammad Pakpour, the supreme commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Mohammad Shirazi, Iranian Deputy Minister of Information. The attack was the result of a highly coordinated military operation and intensive intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel leading up to the attack, according to people familiar with the matter.

The two allies pursued close intelligence sharing on Iranian leadership for the first time after last year’s 12-day war, which began on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched airstrikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. The United States entered the war about a week later, targeting Iran’s three major nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The New York Times became the first news outlet to report that the United States and Israel were working together to share information specifically locating the Iranian leader who was killed at a compound in central Tehran on February 28.

The October 7 attack shocked the world. Gaza-based fighters from Hamas and its smaller group, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, overwhelmed Israel’s defenses and rampaged through southern Israel for more than 24 hours, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages. Lebanon-based Hezbollah has also joined the conflict, firing rockets into northern Israel. Israel’s war to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians and reduced the coastal enclave to rubble.

Officials’ claims that Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials were identified as targets for death in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack echo public comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials after the attack. As recently as February 28, Prime Minister Netanyahu described the Iranian regime as an “existential threat” to Israel.

He and other Israeli officials have used similar rhetoric about Iranian leadership and support for regional militant groups during their two decades at the top of Israeli politics. In 2002, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon argued that Iran should be number one on the Israeli military’s “to-do list.”

The operation to kill Khamenei and other Iranian officials began in Israel around 6 a.m. on February 28. The missile struck Khamenei’s compound at around 9:40 a.m. in Tehran. American and Israeli military planners had planned to carry out the operation under cover of darkness, but moved it to daylight to take advantage of new intelligence, people familiar with the matter said. The details were also first reported by the Times, which reported that Netanyahu ordered military leaders to begin planning an attack on Iran late last year.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Israel hacked traffic cameras in Tehran to monitor the daily lives of Ayatollah Khamenei and other Iranian officials in preparation for Operation Roaring Lion. This “pattern of life” included details about his security personnel, travel routes, hours of operation, and the identity of senior officials who typically accompany Iranian leaders.

Kim Hjelmgaard is an investigative journalist who covers global news from living rooms to war zones for USA TODAY. He is based in London.

Could changing jobs damage my career?

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Could changing jobs damage my career?

Johnny C. Taylor Jr.
| USA TODAY Special Feature

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. answers workplace questions every week on USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of SHRM, the world’s largest human resources professional organization, and author of Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.

Have a question? Please submit here.

Question: I change jobs every 1-2 years and am worried that I’m being “unhired.” Is this no big deal now or is it a red flag that will damage my career? – Ishaan

Answer: It’s a legitimate concern that your job search could be negative, so set the bar. Just because you change jobs every year or two doesn’t mean you’re automatically unemployable. It’s not how often people move that raises eyebrows, but why they move and how they leave.

There is a difference that too many experts overlook. Quitting a job for a thoughtful and legitimate reason, such as career growth, a better fit, a change in leadership, or a change in life circumstances, is much different than running away in frustration or burning bridges along the way. Employers won’t automatically react negatively to a move, but they will be concerned about a pattern that shows poor judgment, instability, or drama.

Sexism: Is it sexist to tell a woman she “smiles too much at work”? Ask Johnny

Here’s what hiring managers really care about: When you were there, did you get results? Did you handle yourself professionally, especially when you got into a difficult situation? And would your former manager say, “I’d hire them again?” Good performance and reliability are far more important than arbitrary length of stay. If the work is done well and the exit is done respectfully, it becomes much easier to explain short tenure.

That means you have to make your own choices. If the role isn’t a good fit, say so. But don’t blame, complain, or overshare. Explain what you were looking for, what you learned, and how the experience influenced your next action. Growth requires accountability. Excuses never get old.

I’ve personally helped people move on from roles they knew wouldn’t last long, and that’s not failure. Careers today are different than they were 30 years ago. What matters is whether someone showed up, contributed, and managed the transition with integrity. Leaders remember them. And if those boxes are checked, there are plenty of people who will help you later on.

This is where reputation matters. Maintain your relationships. Stay connected with former managers and colleagues. Don’t underestimate how small the industry really is. Resumes open doors, but recommendations and reputations decide who gets through those doors.

After all, changing jobs doesn’t derail your career. Poor judgment. If you consistently deliver value, treat people well, and delegate roles in the right way, your career will be fine. Employers don’t expect lifelong loyalty, but they do expect professionalism, contribution, and accountability.

Careers aren’t determined by movement. It depends on the impression you leave. Make sure your story tells the right story.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Do you want to go back to the office? Why is your boss trying to end remote work? Ask Johnny

Father found guilty of murder, manslaughter in Apalachee school shooting trial

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Father found guilty of murder, manslaughter in Apalachee school shooting trial

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A father whose son was charged with fatally shooting two teachers and two classmates at a Georgia high school in 2024 has been found guilty of murder, manslaughter and other charges for providing his son with the gun allegedly used in the shootings.

Colin Gray, 55, testified during the nearly two-week trial that he gave the rifle used in the Apalachee High School attack to his son, Colt Gray, as a Christmas present. Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimy were killed in the shooting, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit rural community.

Prosecutors argued the father should have been aware of the danger his son posed. Prosecutor Patricia Brooks told jurors in closing arguments that the case was “about who armed Colt and who enabled Colt to do what he did.”

Colin Gray testified in his own defense that he did not know his son was capable of carrying out a mass shooting. “I struggle with it every day,” he said in emotional testimony.

After deliberating for less than two hours, the jury found Colin Gray guilty on 29 charges, including second-degree murder, manslaughter, reckless conduct and child abuse. The most serious charge, second-degree murder, carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison in Georgia and is less than murder but more than manslaughter.

Colin Gray appeared to show little emotion as the sentence was read.

Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith, who prosecuted the case, said the charges mark the first time in Georgia history that a parent of a school shooting suspect has been charged in connection with the crime. Georgia’s unusual second-degree murder law, enacted in 2014, allowed prosecutors to charge Gray with murder.

Collin Gray’s indictment comes just months after Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of a 15-year-old boy who killed four of his classmates at a Michigan high school, were found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. Legal experts told USA TODAY that, like the Crumbley case, Collin Gray’s conviction could prompt more prosecutors to pursue similar cases.

“The conviction of Colin Gray, which follows the convictions of Jennifer and James Crumbley, sends a clear message that gun owners who recklessly arm children in crisis will be held accountable. With three out of four school shooters obtaining their guns from home, these tragedies are not only predictable, but preventable,” Nick Spurina, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, said in a statement. “This is not about punishing all parents. This is about the life-or-death duty of adults to keep weapons out of the hands of children.”

The younger Gray faces 55 charges, including murder, aggravated assault and child abuse. His case is pending, but his attorneys have previously indicated that a plea deal is in the works with the district attorney’s office.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributed by: Reuters

State court oral arguments to watch in March

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State court oral arguments to watch in March

monthly, state court report Preview upcoming oral arguments in prominent or interesting state court cases.

In March, state supreme courts will take up a wide range of issues, including a challenge by eight young people to an Alaska natural gas pipeline project, whether Ohio’s “medical freedom” amendment prohibits banning gender-affirming care for minors, and the eligibility of the death penalty for a California defendant whose trial contained racial bias.

Will fossil fuel projects violate the rights of Alaska’s youth? — March 4

Sagounik v. State of Alaska IIAlaska Supreme Court

The Alaska Supreme Court will hear a group of young people’s appeal to dismiss a challenge to a law requiring state officials to develop Alaska liquefied natural gas projects. The youth plaintiffs say the project is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever proposed nationwide and would more than triple the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Young people argue that the law violates states’ constitutional rights to equal access compared to previous generations to the natural resources they hold in trust for their citizens and the climate systems that sustain human life and dignity.

While youth climate action efforts have been successful in Montana and Hawaii, Alaska judges more generally relied on the Alaska High Court’s 2022 dismissal of a challenge to the state’s energy policy, finding the case was a political issue that has not been adequately resolved in court. On appeal, the plaintiffs argue that the high court’s decision expressly authorizes future challenges like this one to “individual” legislative measures to implement national resource development.

In May, the state Supreme Court rejected another motion filed directly with the court by plaintiffs seeking to block the state from transferring majority ownership of the liquefied natural gas project and all its permits to a private developer while the plaintiffs appealed the project.

See the discussion here.

Are California defendants absolutely ineligible for the death penalty if racial bias is revealed at trial? — March 5

People v. Bankston, People vs Barrera, People vs. Chun, people vs. destructionCalifornia Supreme Court

The California Supreme Court will hear several arguments together raising how to apply the 2025 Amendment to the state’s Racial Justice Act, a 2020 law that makes it easier for defendants to prove that a conviction or sentence was racially discriminatory by showing that prosecutors, judges, attorneys, witnesses, or jurors showed racial bias or used racist language. If such a violation is proven, the proposed amendment specifically provides that “the defendant shall not be subject to the death penalty.”

in bankstonIn a long-running appeal against a death sentence, the state’s attorney general found that a prosecutor’s comment during sentencing that compared a black defendant to a “Bengal tiger” was racist and violated the law. California high court asked for arguments bankston The other appeal concerns whether the amendment should be interpreted to eliminate the death penalty regardless of whether a violation of the Racial Justice Act prejudiced the defendant’s case or whether the defendant received a new sentencing trial. The court also asked whether interpreting the amendment either way would violate a provision in the state constitution that prohibits judges from reversing sentences unless they find an error “resulting in a miscarriage of justice,” or whether it would unlawfully amend a 1978 citizen initiative that expanded the class of defendants eligible for the death penalty.

See the discussion here.

Will Texas beaches be closed due to SpaceX flights? — March 5th

Texas General Land Office v. SaveRGV; Cameron County v. SaveRGV. Paxton vs. SaveRGV, Texas Supreme Judicial Court

The Texas Supreme Court will consider arguments by environmental groups and the Cariso Comecrude Nation that authorities relied on a law to close public beaches so Elon Musk-owned SpaceX could launch rockets nearby, violating an amendment to the state constitution that gives citizens an “unrestricted right” to use public beaches. State and county officials have challenged the validity of these claims, arguing in part that the public’s right to use and access beaches does not preclude the government from regulating their use for public safety reasons. Officials also argue that the plaintiffs are seeking to exercise a “private right of enforcement,” which the proposed amendment explicitly says would not create one. The Intermediate Court of Appeals acknowledged that the claim may proceed.

See the discussion here.

Did Missouri lawmakers violate the state constitution by redistricting? — March 10

luther vs hoskinsMissouri Supreme Court

The Missouri Supreme Court will hear voters’ appeal of a December trial court ruling that found the Legislature had the authority to establish the state’s new congressional district maps in 2025. Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years to account for population changes revealed in the new U.S. Census every 10 years. But President Trump began pushing Republican states to redraw their maps to favor partisanship ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, triggering a series of redistricting efforts in mid-decade that resulted in challenges like this one across the country.

The Missouri Constitution says the Legislature “shall” enact new maps if the new census results are certified by the governor, but there is nothing in the statute that prohibits lawmakers from conducting redistricting a second time based on the same census, the lower court said. On appeal, the parties are contesting whether the court properly interpreted the state constitution’s provisions. Whether implicit rather than explicit restrictions can limit the actions of legislators. And whether the map should remain in place until the 2026 midterm elections, based on a principle known as , even if lawmakers don’t have the authority to pass a new map. parcelfrom a U.S. Supreme Court case. Purcell vs. Gonzolasunwilling to change voting rules too close to the election.

See the discussion here.

Will Philadelphia’s ghost gun ban survive? — March 10th

Gun Owners of America v. City of PhiladelphiaPennsylvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will consider whether state laws regulating firearm ownership, possession and transfer preempt a Philadelphia ban on so-called ghost guns made from 3D printers and unassembled parts. The intermediate court found that while state law “occupies the entire field of firearms regulation” and thus precludes local regulation in the area, Philadelphia’s ordinance does not restrict firearms “per se,” but rather prohibits the use of certain unfinished products or manufacturing processes to create weapons from scratch.

The Pennsylvania high court will also consider whether the gun ban plaintiffs have waived another claim that the city’s gun ban violates the state constitution’s “right to bear arms” clause. Intermediate courts have held that, like the Second Amendment here, the rights have been waived by only broadly addressing the four factors that state supreme courts have established as grounds for uniquely interpreting state constitutional provisions as federally analogous.

See the discussion here.

Does the Ohio Constitution override the ban on gender-affirming care? — March 24

Maw vs. YostSupreme Court of Ohio

The Ohio Supreme Court will hear the state’s appeal of an intermediate court’s decision striking down a ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy prescribed to transgender minors for gender-affirming care. The intermediate court said the ban violates Ohio’s constitution, including the fundamental right of parents to direct their children’s medical care and the 2011 Medical Freedom Amendment, which prevents the state from banning the “purchase and sale of health care.” Six states passed such amendments as part of a conservative-backed effort to limit the impact of the Affordable Care Act, which has since become an unlikely tool on transgender and reproductive rights issues. In January, the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down the state’s abortion ban.

It remains to be seen how fair a ban on gender-affirming care would be under Ohio’s amendment, but the state Supreme Court in April blocked the lower court’s ruling without explanation pending resolution of the appeal.

See the discussion here.

Was it legal for Nebraska officials to share voter data with the Department of Justice? — March 31

Common Cause vs. EvnenNebraska Supreme Court

The Nebraska Supreme Court will consider whether the Secretary of State had the authority to turn over all registered voter data, including dates of birth, addresses, partial driver’s licenses and Social Security numbers, in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Department made similar requests to more than 40 states and Washington, D.C., and sued many states in federal court for failing to comply. Common Cause, a democratic rights nonprofit whose members include Nebraska voters, filed a lawsuit seeking to block the transfer. The group argued that state law prohibits state and local election officials from disclosing such information and prohibits third parties from making or receiving copies of Nebraska’s voter registry. In February, the Nebraska High Court declined to block the chief justice from releasing the data, but agreed to hear Common Cause’s case and scheduled expedited oral arguments.

See the discussion here.

Sarah Kessler is an advisor and contributing editor. state court report.

Recommended citation: Sarah Kessler Pay attention to state court oral arguments in MarchSᴛᴀᴛᴇ Cᴏᴜʀᴛ Rᴇᴘᴏʀᴛ (March 2, 2026), https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/state-court-oral-arguments-watch-march-0

New drinks and goods coming to Starbucks’ Spring 2026 menu

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New drinks and goods coming to Starbucks’ Spring 2026 menu

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Spring is almost here, but for Starbucks, it’s already here.

Starbucks’ spring menu arrives on Tuesday, March 3rd, and is filled with lavender, coconut, ube, and matcha. Iced Lavender Cream Matcha, Iced Lavender Latte, and Lavender Cream Frappuccino are back with a new cute frog cake pop.

On March 3, the coffee chain also introduced a new chai recipe featuring notes of cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, and sweetened with 2 grams of honey. This recipe allows customers to control their sweetness by leaving the drink unsweetened or adding the ideal number of classic syrup pumps. Other syrup flavors, such as vanilla, can also be added to reduce the spicy flavor of chai, according to a news release.

Here’s what you need to know about Starbucks’ Spring 2026 menu.

When does Starbucks’ spring menu end?

Starbucks’ Spring 2026 menu will go on sale on Tuesday, March 3rd.

food: Starbucks changes its chai latte recipe. Here’s what you need to know:

What is Starbucks’ spring menu?

Introducing our spring menu.

  • Toasted coconut cream cold brew (new)
  • Toasted coconut latte (new)
  • Iced ube coconut macchiato (new)
  • Iced lavender cream chai (new)
  • iced lavender cream matcha
  • iced lavender latte
  • lavender cream frappuccino
  • Frog cake pop (new)

New spring products

In addition to drinks, Starbucks will launch new products inspired by matcha and cherry blossoms.

  • Matcha splatter mug: A 12-ounce ceramic mug ($17.95) with a green splatter print inspired by an explosion of matcha powder.
  • Cool the matcha glass: 16-ounce green to-go cup ($29.95).
  • Glass wavy cup: Iced Lavender Cream Matcha-inspired 12-ounce 2-ton glass cup ($17.95).
  • Ripple matcha mug: 12 oz stainless steel mug with lid ($24.95).
  • Botanical glass mug: 12-ounce glass tea cup with etched botanical design ($17.95).
  • Botanical stainless steel cold cup: 12-ounce stainless steel tumbler decorated with dual-tone leaf design ($21.95).
  • Dream in green stainless steel tumbler: Matcha green and lavender 12-ounce stainless steel tumbler with “Dream in Green” inscription ($22.95).
  • Sakura cold cup: 20-ounce pale pink cold cup ($27.95) decorated with cherry blossoms and pink straws.
  • Sakura tumbler: White 16-ounce stainless steel water bottle with cherry blossom and pink lid ($32.95).
  • Sakura tumbler: A pale pink 12-ounce tumbler covered in cherry blossoms ($24.95).
  • Pink gradient cold cup and flower straw topper: 24-ounce plastic cold cup with checkered texture, pink ombre shading, and pink floral straw topper ($24.95).
  • Sakura Bearista Keychain: Starbucks Bearista ($14.95) with a small cherry blossom flower.
  • Cherry blossom enamel tweezers: 3 enamel pins ($14.95) including Sakura, Bearista and Starbucks cups.

Ube and coconut flavors now available in Starbucks Reserve

Starbucks Reserve is also introducing several new drinks and snacks, led by ube and coconut flavors. This time we will introduce such a famous menu.

  • Iced ube coconut latte: Espresso and coconut milk poured over ice and topped with ube coconut cold foam and coconut flakes.
  • Paradise Pool Duo Flight: Coconut Whiskey Barrel Aged Cold Brew (with cold brew, coconut cream cold foam, and strawberry pieces) and Watermelon Coconut Matcha (with coconut water, watermelon puree, and matcha).
  • Yuzu Espresso: Espresso served with yuzu puree and yuzu cold foam.
  • Ube Espresso Martini: Espresso, vodka, cream, and white mocha topped with ube coconut cold foam.
  • Double Matcha Margarita: Shake tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar and top with matcha cold foam and matcha powder.
  • Matcha strawberry financier: Brown butter almond cake with matcha topped with chocolate matcha glaze and freeze-fried strawberries.
  • Pistachio cookies: Pistachio cookies topped with chocolate pistachio cream, kataifi, and freeze-dried raspberry powder.
  • Demerara Queenie Amann: Croissant dough layered with caramelized demerara sugar.
  • Spring pea galette: Parmesan cheese pastry is stuffed with spring pea puree, topped with cherry tomatoes, pickled red radish, ricotta salata, and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
  • Sfilatino with cooked ham and olives: Enjoy prosciutto sandwiched between olive breadsticks.

In the United States, Starbucks Reserves are located in Seattle, Chicago, and New York City.

A new energy refresher, mango syrup, will be available later this spring

On April 7, Starbucks will release a Mango Cream Chai made with the coffee chain’s new mango syrup.

Later in spring, Starbucks will debut Energy Refresher, a customizable energy drink based on the coffee chain’s popular Strawberry Acai and Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers. According to a Starbucks news release, Energy Refresher is made naturally with a blend of B vitamins and caffeine.

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

Iranian and American flags raised at Manhattan celebration

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Iranian and American flags raised at Manhattan celebration

Crowds holding Iranian and American flags celebrated in Manhattan on Sunday, March 1, after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. Footage posted on Instagram by @nargeszp shows a euphoric crowd cheering and dancing before marching into Times Square. Similar celebrations were held in Washington, D.C., and London, England, among other cities around the world, and were preceded by protests in New York condemning President Donald Trump’s attack on Iran. Credit: @nargeszp (via Storyful)

How often should I change jobs to make more money?

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How often should I change jobs to make more money?

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You’ve been in this job for several years, and your salary hasn’t changed. Your thoughts turn to job advertisements.

Changing jobs to earn a higher income is a time-honored tradition. However, if you change jobs too many times, you run the risk of becoming a job hopper.

With this red flag in mind, we posed the question to some career experts. “If your goal is to make more money, how often can you safely change employers?”

American workers today appear to be less loyal to their companies than they have been in recent years. According to federal data, the median employee tenure in 2024 will be 3.9 years, the lowest number since 2002.

According to employment website Indeed, the typical job seeker has been at their current job for about two years and three months.

“The job market is more fluid today,” said Priya Rathod, workplace trends editor at Indeed.

Many workers who keep their jobs are seeing their salaries rise, but perhaps not as quickly as they would like.

The average employer is planning a total pay increase of 3.5% in 2026, according to an October survey of 1,000 organizations by human resources consultant Mercer.

With inflation hovering between 2% and 3% annually, a 3.5% raise is effectively flat.

Of course, one way to increase your salary is to get a higher paying job.

Corporate recruiters are inundated with job offers. According to a report in the New York Times, the number of applications submitted to LinkedIn increased by 45% from 2024 to 2025. Applying has become easier thanks to AI.

When does job hunting become job hunting?

But when does job hunting become job hunting?

The term is “often defined as remaining in a role for a little less than two years,” Rathod said.

Matthew Bidwell, a business professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, agrees, saying, “If they’ve been in a structured job for less than two or three years, they start to get nervous.”

Job changes can be a red flag to potential employers. This suggests one of two things, Bidwell said. “It’s either because you’re incompetent and always outnumbered, or it’s because your feet are really itchy.”

Employers hate turnover. Bidwell said training a replacement takes time and money, equivalent to one to two years’ salary.

“That means if you’re leaving in a year or two, I don’t want to hire you,” he added.

However, the stigma against changing jobs may be fading.

Is loyalty at work a thing of the past?

American workplace culture once valued loyalty, a theme embodied in pensions, retirement savings vehicles that reward workers for long service. But those sensibilities have changed.

“Things have changed a lot over the past 20 years,” said Christine Sandry, associate director of the Career Center at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. “Career paths today are not necessarily linear.”

Sundry said young people graduating from college today are taking on more debt and are under more immediate pressure to earn higher salaries.

The remote work revolution in the age of COVID-19 has simplified the process of changing jobs.

“Job hopping has become very serious in the last few years,” said Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at the networking site Bold.

Recent corporate layoffs may encourage employees to circulate their resumes.

“Job seekers don’t feel like the company needs to be loyal because the company isn’t loyal,” Sandry says.

Experts say changing jobs every one or two years isn’t necessarily the same as changing jobs.

It is expected that some people in their 20s will change jobs. Older workers may be expected to work longer hours.

“I think a lot depends on your job and your age,” Bidwell said. “If you’re in your early to mid-20s and change jobs every year, it’s probably not that bad. If you do that for years, it’s frowned upon.”

If you’re changing jobs, be prepared to explain your decision in a future job interview, career experts say.

“More important than the frequency of job changes is whether each job change makes sense, and more importantly, whether it can be explained to potential employers,” Rathod says.

Here are some alternatives to changing jobs.

If you don’t want to explain your job change to your future employer, consider alternatives. Here are a few:

negotiate a salary increase

Pew Research reports that most American workers report that they did not ask for a higher salary than they were offered when taking their current job. Employment experts say higher salaries will be important if significant raises are not available in the coming years.

ask for a raise

A 2023 survey by B2B review site found that while most American workers feel entitled to a raise, many are hesitant to ask for one. Employees say they don’t know how to ask questions, fear rejection, and worry about job security.

Clearly, workers who don’t ask for a raise are less likely to get one.

Request a promotion

Even better, career experts say, is to ask for a promotion.

“Another way people can increase their wages is by changing jobs within a company,” Bidwell says. “The good thing about promotions is that you get a raise and can reach higher salary levels.”

A promotion can qualify you for a higher-paying job at another company.

Utilize job offers to increase your salary

Career experts say one way to convince your employer to offer you a raise or promotion is to tell them you’ve been offered another job. However, this strategy is risky and can backfire.

Bidwell said co-workers “may think you’re a little dishonest” if your company gives you a higher paycheck because you turned down another offer. “If I think you’re only halfway successful, how much am I willing to invest in you?”

Los Angeles protests Iran war, says US is ‘biggest threat’

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Los Angeles protests Iran war, says US is ‘biggest threat’

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As dozens of people gathered outside Los Angeles City Hall to protest the US attack on Iran, it was clear from the chant alone that the conflict was just the country’s latest transgression.

“Money is for jobs and education, not bombs and deportations.” “Free Palestine.” “We have money for a new war, but not enough to feed the poor?”

On March 2, days after the United States and Israel launched a joint military offensive that led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, demonstrators staged a protest entirely opposed to any conflict between the United States and Iran, much less an attack that the president said could last for weeks.

President Donald Trump said the attack was to protect Americans from a nuclear threat, but organizer Kameron Hart pointed to another threat to world peace: the threat from our own nuclear weapons.

Hart is affiliated with the Los Angeles Party for Socialism and Liberation and has been a speaker at several protests involving members of the Action Now Coalition to Stop War and End Racism, PSL Los Angeles, and other groups.

“We have to remember that this is yet another rich man’s war,” Hart said. “Donald Trump doesn’t need to fight that war. His sons don’t need to go to that war. He wants your brothers, your sisters, your communities to go to that war.”

As of the morning of the 3rd, six U.S. military personnel have been confirmed dead in the conflict.

US at ‘tipping point’: protests planned for March 7th

Attacks on Iran without Congressional approval. A country with a proposed military budget of over 1 trillion. And it’s a country where many Americans face domestic problems. These are some of the points raised during the March 2nd protest.

Aida Ashouri, who is running for Los Angeles City Attorney and claims to be an Iranian immigrant, said many immigrants are forced to immigrate to the United States because their homeland has been bombed.

“And that is why we are a nation of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees,” Ashori said. “We were forced to leave our homeland and came here.”

Ashouri said the bombing in Iran was a nightmare come true for many. nevertheless:

“People realize that Iran is not America’s enemy,” Ashouri said. “Government change starts here first before we can even say we are on the moral high ground.”

Thousands of Iranians live in Southern California, especially in Los Angeles. Some members of the Iranian community are celebrating the military operation in the Middle Eastern country, seeing it as the end of a strong regime.

In explaining why he participated in the March 2 protests, Bert Voorhees said American society was at a “tipping point.” The Iran conflict is “illegal” and “unconstitutional” and shows American democracy is under attack. He acknowledged the violence Iranians faced under the Ayatollah. But Voorhees says that doesn’t give the United States the right to start a war.

“If people didn’t stand up and shout about this right now, we wouldn’t have a country,” the 70-year-old said. “So it’s time for people to get serious and take to the streets.”

Participants were urged to join the anti-Iran war protests scheduled for March 7th. Sponsors of the planned protest include the ANSWER Coalition.

“I think it’s time for a national strike,” Voorhees said. “It’s time to shut down this government. It’s time for Donald Trump to be out of the White House and in jail.”

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

Teachers often do not take maternity leave. Some people quit for that reason.

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Teachers often do not take maternity leave. Some people quit for that reason.

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Josette Cordell, 33, gave birth to her daughter Colette in April 2023.

As an elementary school music teacher, she was not entitled to paid maternity leave. She took about a month’s worth of sick leave after Colette was born, then took two weeks of unpaid leave in May before summer vacation started.

“I used all my sick days,” Cordell said. “When I came back the following August, there was no handover date at all. I had to start all over again.”

Cordell lives in Arkansas. Until recently, Arkansas, like most states in the United States, did not guarantee paid parental leave for teachers. In fact, only 15 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, D.C.) and Washington, D.C., require school districts to provide paid parental leave for educators, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.

more: Some workers are changing jobs to seek benefits for infertility treatment. Employers are trying to keep it that way.

Among states that require paid parental leave, Arkansas is currently one of only two, along with Delaware, which provides up to 12 weeks of full pay. This is remarkable for a profession that is 77% female, with more teachers likely to be of childbearing age than any other worker in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.

Colette was born three months before the state of Arkansas required districts to provide paid maternity leave. By the time Cordell gave birth to her second child, Calvin, in 2025, she knew 12 weeks of paid leave would make a huge difference for her family.

more: Her baby had an emergency and she had a C-section. Work told her to log on anyway.

“I just wanted another baby. You know, I just felt like my heart was tightening,” Cordell said. But learning she could take paid time off this time gave her the extra push she needed. “It’s okay financially.”

Cordell’s fall 2025 maternity leave wasn’t just a good bonding time for her and Calvin, she said. It was also a precious moment for Cordell to spend with his daughter. Cordell oversaw her daughter learn how to use glitter, glue and scissors. And most importantly, she was able to comfort her daughter while she transitioned to big sister status.

“I was so grateful for not only the time I spent with Calvin and the time my body needed to heal, but also the extra time I was able to spend with my daughter,” Cordell said. “And I was also able to help her form that bond with her little brother, because the journey from being an only child to now having a baby at home was tough.”

“Most teachers cannot afford to go unpaid.”

Some school districts in states that do not require paid time off include it as an additional benefit. Still, a new study conducted by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation found that 59% of American teachers who had a child or adopted a child while on the job took no paid parental leave at all, and 17% took no leave at all.

“Most teachers cannot afford to remain unpaid,” said Inimai Chettiar, president of A Better Balance. Her nonprofit supports paid teacher leave programs in several states, among other family-friendly labor policies. “If these leave policies are not in place, teachers will be forced to return to the classroom before they are ready.”

New parents often use a combination of paid time off (if available), sick leave, vacation time, and unpaid time off to spend the first few months with their newborn. But often that is not enough, and many teachers feel they have to choose between the students they look after at school and their own children. According to a recent survey by the National Council on Teacher Qualification, 15% of teachers retiring cited personal reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth, or caring for a family member. And teacher departures are expensive, costing districts $11,000 to $25,000 in recruiting and administrative costs, and disrupting student outcomes through disruption and loss of experience.

They were told they could have it all. So why do so many mothers quit their jobs?

“We’re asking too much of our teachers when it comes to trying to support their own families,” said Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Jennifer Hicks, 41, gave birth to her first child more than two months early in 2015, when she was teaching third grade. She said she thought she and her husband had planned it perfectly. Her due date was November 3, and her husband had graduated with a master’s degree and was scheduled to start a new job in December.

But everything changed when my son arrived early in the morning in late August. He spent 38 days in the NICU. “It was the most traumatic experience of becoming a mother,” she said. This experience later inspired her to write a book about premature babies.

A Gallup survey of nearly 2,000 K-12 teachers found that while 38% of teachers tried to plan the birth or adoption of a child at a time consistent with the school year, only 6% said their child was born outside of the school year.

“It is not a viable policy to tell women to plan their pregnancies and births around the summer holidays,” Chettiar said. “Teachers, like many female-dominated fields, are overworked and underpaid. The last thing teachers have to worry about is losing their pay or even their job when they have a child.”

After giving birth to her third baby in 2019, Hicks decided to stay home full time. It was a difficult decision, she said. Her students felt like part of her family.

“I put my heart and soul into teaching and felt like I was making a difference,” she said. “It was really hard to let go. But I mean, I’m a mom first, so I had to choose them.”

Fathers who teach teachers also need time off. “Day care is insanely expensive.”

Chettiar said there was significant bipartisan support for paid parental leave for teachers, especially in southern states. She said this is a great tool to address the teacher shortage and will make teachers feel more valued.

Stephen Walker, 36, works for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. Although the state does not require paid parental leave for teachers, school districts still provide it. His second child will be born in early February, and he plans to take paid parental leave after his wife’s leave ends.

“It makes me kind of proud to work for FCPS, knowing that they’re one of the few school districts that I think actually has (paid parental leave),” Walker said.

Of the 17% of teachers who did not take vacation time, Andrea Marek Asch, a senior research consultant at Gallup, said there was a strong gender split, with 45% of men and 8% of women saying they did not take vacation time. A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that most fathers take less than two weeks of parental leave, but nearly half would like to take more. Several studies have found that parental leave is beneficial for babies, fathers’ brains, and couples and families in general.

Walker and his wife both work in school districts and know how disruptive life can be with a newborn, so they are especially grateful to be able to take time off with their second child.

“It definitely brings peace of mind,” Walker said. “Because even after the baby was born, I realized how many doctor’s visits I had to go to and how many days off I had to take.”

When teachers use up all their sick days to spend time with their newborns, there is no safety net in case they or their babies inevitably get sick later, Ash said.

“We traditionally think of teaching as a somewhat family-friendly profession, but this really challenges that idea,” Ash said.

Cedric Jacobson, 40, teaches science at a charter school in Massachusetts. His second child was born in June 2025, but he waited until January, when his wife returned to work, to take paid parental leave.

Jacobson said this period is legally considered “detention leave.” I really took this to heart.

“We spend a lot of time playing and reading together,” he said. “I have a handwritten piece of paper on my refrigerator with all the programs at the different libraries within a 15-minute drive.”

Jacobson said his family couldn’t afford to take all that time off without 12 weeks of paid leave. “Day care is extremely expensive now.”

Madeline Mitchell’s role covering women and the care economy for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Contact Madeline at: memitchell@usatoday.com and @maddiemitch_ With X.

Wall Street futures fall as inflation concerns rise due to Middle East conflict

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Wall Street futures fall as inflation concerns rise due to Middle East conflict

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(Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures fell on Tuesday as investors assessed the impact of the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran and its potential impact on inflation and global trade.

Iran’s government has vowed to close the Strait of Hormuz and said it will fire on ships attempting to cross, sending global oil prices and shipping rates higher. The strait handles about one-fifth of the world’s total oil consumption.

Industries exposed to oil prices, such as airlines and travel, fell for a second day. Delta DAL.N and Royal Caribbean RCL.N each fell about 3%.

“A lot will depend on oil prices,” said Deutsche Bank’s strategist group led by Jim Reid. “If the spike persists, it will definitely trigger a more meaningful risk-off move.”

Investors worried that higher oil prices could spur inflation across the economy and further complicate policy decisions for central bankers who are already battling higher prices from tariffs.

more: Oil prices rise, but stock prices rebound due to Middle East conflict

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note US10YT=RR rose to its highest level in more than a week, data compiled by LSEG showed.

Markets will be watching for new signals from the Fed given the recent division over interest rate trends. Voters John Williams, Jeffrey Schmidt and Neel Kashkari are scheduled to speak later in the day.

Later this week, a jam-packed set of U.S. statistics is expected to be released, including January retail sales, ADP jobs, and the much-anticipated non-farm payrolls report.

As of 4:28 a.m. ET, the Dow E-mini YMcv1 was down 707 points, or 1.45%, the S&P 500 E-mini EScv1 was down 106 points, or 1.54%, and the Nasdaq 100 E-mini NQcv1 was down 511 points, or 2%.

Futures tracking the small-cap index RTYcv1 fell 2.3%, while Wall Street’s fear gauge CBOE Volatility Index .VIX rose to a three-month high of 25.56 points.

Oil and gas stocks and defense stocks were among the few stocks that gained. U.S.-listed shares of Occidental OXY.N rose 3%, Cheniere Energy LNG.N rose 8% and Scorpio Tankers STNG.N rose 2.2%. Lockheed Martin LMT.N rose 1.4% and RTX RTX.N rose 1%.

AI powerhouses Nvidia NVDA.O and Microsoft MSFT.O also fell.

US investors are also weathering uncertainty about the extent of disruption that AI models could have on traditional businesses, along with jitters in the private credit sector.

Mongo Database MDB.O shares plunged 27% after the database software company’s quarterly profit forecast fell short of market expectations.

(Reporting by Johan M. Cherian and Pranav Kashyap in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadev Chakrabarty)

Kelly Osbourne and the issue of skinny shaming

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Kelly Osbourne and the issue of skinny shaming

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Kelly Osbourne’s appearance at Saturday’s BRIT Awards sparked a buzz on social media, but her reaction served as a reminder of the harm that can come from commenting on other people’s bodies.

“There’s a special kind of cruelty when you hurt someone who is clearly going through something,” Osbourne, 41, wrote on her Instagram Story. “Kicking me when I was down, doubting my pain, spreading gossip about my struggles, turning away when I needed support and love the most.”

Osbourne was attending an event honoring her father, Ozzy Osbourne, who was posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

“None of this is a demonstration of strength and only reveals a serious lack of compassion and decency,” she continued. “I’m going through the most difficult time of my life right now. I shouldn’t even have to protect myself. But I’m not going to sit here and allow myself to be dehumanized like that!”

The problem with commenting on someone’s appearance is that you don’t know exactly what that person is going through, experts previously told USA TODAY. The Mayo Clinic lists a myriad of potential causes of weight loss, including physical illness as well as mental health.

Additionally, commenting on a person’s weight reinforces the belief that appearance is most important to that person, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director for Eating Recovery Centers, previously told USA TODAY.

“These comments about whether your body is acceptable or not are a reminder that you are not worth more than your body…and that you have to present yourself a certain way for the world to find you acceptable,” she said. “It just reinforces that kind of superficial, body-focused thinking that we know is very painful and harmful to each of us, because we are more than this vessel that carries us.”

Wassenaar added that comments about someone’s body don’t just affect them. They affect “everyone living inside the body.”

Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76, and in the months since, Kelly has opened up about how she was struggling with the loss.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life,” she said at the Grammy Awards in February, adding that “things aren’t going very well.”

This isn’t the first time Osbourne has addressed comments about her body.

She previously hit back at cruel comments about her weight in December, saying in a video she shared on Instagram: “By writing comments like ‘Are you sick’ and ‘Get off Ozempiku’ you make it look like you’re not right to the people who continue to think you’re crazy and mean.” My father just passed away, I’m doing the best I can, and now all I have to live for is my family. ”

If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating issues, the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free and confidential helpline is available by phone or text (1-800-931-2237) or click-to-chat message. Nationaleatingdisorders.org/Helpline. For 24/7 crisis information, text “NEDA” to 741-741.

Contributors: Brendan Morrow and Rachel Hale, USA TODAY

Powerball jackpot winners announced, winning tickets sold in Arkansas

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Powerball jackpot winners announced, winning tickets sold in Arkansas

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One very lucky person has defied the odds and won the Powerball jackpot.

According to the Powerball website, after the drawing on Monday, March 2nd, one lucky person in Arkansas purchased a winning lottery ticket in which the Powerball matched all five numbers drawn and won the $251 million grand prize.

Once winners receive their prize, they can choose to receive an annuitized payment or a lump sum of $118 million. At this time, no one has won the jackpot.

Lottery officials say the Powerball jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the game began in 1992. Currently in Puerto Rico, Washington DC,The U.S. Virgin Islands will participate in the lottery, but five states will decline: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

However, some states have had better luck than others. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are among the top five states with the most Powerball winners, USA TODAY previously reported.

Here’s what you need to know about winning Powerball.

Powerball March 2nd Drawing: See winning numbers

What are the winning Powerball numbers for March 2nd?

The winning numbers for the March 2nd Powerball drawing are: 2, 17, 18, 38, 62, and the powerball 20. The multiplier for “power play” is 2x.

Has anyone won the Powerball jackpot?

Yes, one lucky person from Arkansas won the Powerball jackpot and another lucky person from Puerto Rico won the Match 5 + Power Play prize of $2 million.

The Powerball jackpot was then reset to $20 million ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 11:00 PM ET.

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

The short answer is no. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball.

Anyone visiting any of the 45 participating states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, can purchase a Powerball ticket regardless of nationality. The only catch is that you must meet legal age requirements at the time of purchase (usually 18 years old) and you must purchase your ticket from an authorized retailer.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

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

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Available at most convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, tickets can also be purchased online depending on local regulations.

Once you have your ticket, choose 6 numbers. Five are white balls numbered 1-69 and the sixth is a red Powerball numbered 1-26.

For an additional $1, players can add a power play. This increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. Multipliers increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, and even 10x.

Don’t want to pick the numbers yourself? The (Quick Pick) option lets the computer do it for you.

To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls (in any order) and all red Powerballs.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one hits the jackpot, the prize money continues to roll and rise.

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..

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

Iran war, Texas primary, Austin shooting, Clinton’s criticism of Epstein, NASA, Moon: Daily Briefing

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Iran war, Texas primary, Austin shooting, Clinton’s criticism of Epstein, NASA, Moon: Daily Briefing

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

nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know on Tuesday, from Americans’ feelings on the Iran war to elections in Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina. MORE: Meet USA TODAY’s 2026 Women of the Year.

Rubio promises punishment for Iran

As the death toll of American service members continues to rise, Secretary of State Marco Rubio predicted that the “heaviest blow is yet to come” against Iran. Rubio spoke on Monday, days after a joint U.S.-Israel attack killed a senior Iranian official, prompting retaliation against Israel and missile attacks on Arab countries with U.S. military bases across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump faces a backlash at home. Prominent Democrats have accused the president of declaring “war without the consent of Congress.” Some conservatives worry that the attacks by Trump, who campaigned on the slogan “No more endless wars,” could be seen as a “betrayal” of President Trump’s supporters.

What do you want to know? USA TODAY reporters answer questions from readers on how to defuse the Iran war. Please ask your question here.

✉️ For the latest news and developments on Iran, subscribe to USA TODAY’s On Politics newsletter. Sign up here.

More news you need to know right now

International Women’s History Month

force. the purpose. progress.

USA TODAY’s 2026 Women of the Year have all taken different paths, but they all have one common goal. It’s about making a difference in the community. We’ll spotlight award winners and share their stories and their impact in daily briefings during the weeks of International Women’s History Month. Meet the women.

space

NASA’s path to the moon takes a detour

NASA has outlined a new vision for its Artemis moon program. Most notably, it includes an all-new mission ahead of the first moon landing in more than 50 years and the first of two possible moon landings in 2028. Speaking of the moon, did you see a total lunar eclipse this morning?!

before you go

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

Donald Trump faces MAGA blowback over Iranian military operation

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Donald Trump faces MAGA blowback over Iranian military operation

What haunts this discussion is the memory of past conflicts in the Middle East that claimed the lives of many American soldiers over the years.

Concerns about the protracted conflict, rising U.S. death toll and unclear mission objectives are contributing to MAGA’s backlash against President Donald Trump’s Iranian military operations, putting him at odds with some of his most ardent supporters.

Overshadowing this debate is the memory of past Middle East conflicts that claimed the lives of thousands of American soldiers over the years.

President Trump’s campaign tapped into Americans’ disillusionment with the long and costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He called the Iraq war a “disaster” and “one of the worst decisions in our country’s history.”

However, the president launched a series of dramatic military operations during his second term. The first two attacks, in Iran and Venezuela, were swift, resulted in no American deaths, and limited pushback from his political base.

But President Trump’s second attack on Iran has already killed six U.S. service members, and the president has warned that even more lives could be lost in a conflict whose timing is uncertain.

President Trump on March 2 discussed how long military operations could last, pushing back on the idea that he would get “tired” and move on quickly, saying, “From the beginning we expected it to be four to five weeks, but we have the capability to go well beyond that.”

“I’m never bored. Nothing is boring,” Trump said.

Trump allies discussed the U.S. military death toll in Iran and the possibility of extending the operation on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast over the weekend. Bannon is a leading MAGA figure who served as White House chief strategist during Trump’s first term, and his show has become a hub of the “America First” movement rallying behind the president’s message of rescuing the country from “endless wars.”

When one of Mr. Bannon’s guests predicted a “tough situation” for Iran, the host warned that it could be politically costly for Mr. Trump.

“If it’s going to be a tough fight, it’s because it wasn’t proposed in the 2024 campaign. It just wasn’t,” Bannon said on March 1. “We will lose support.”

Mr. Bannon’s guests repeatedly returned to the American soldiers who were killed, explained the “blood price,” and questioned how that would be perceived by the American public.

“I’m not entirely sure, or even entirely sure, what the American public’s appetite is to absorb the death toll,” said Kurt Mills, executive director of American Conservative magazine.

Mills said Trump is in politically dangerous territory.

more: “It’s disgusting and evil.” President Trump faces MAGA backlash against Iran.

“I think it’s politically significant that he was the ‘end endless wars’ candidate, especially in 2016 and 2024. This seems like a blatant betrayal of the base,” Mills said.

Among the voices on the right questioning the wisdom of attacking Iran are prominent conservative media figures Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly. Mr. Carlson told ABC News that the Iran operation was “disgusting and evil,” while Mr. Kerry said, “I want to be more convinced that this is worth the sacrifice of American blood and treasure.”

In an interview with journalist Rachel Bade, President Trump dismissed Carlson and Kelly by saying, “MAGA is Trump. MAGA is not the other two.”

“MAGA wants our country to be prosperous and safe,” Trump added. “And MAGA loves every aspect of what I’m doing…Frankly, this is a detour we have to take to keep our country safe and keep other countries safe.”

Amid mounting criticism, the Trump administration has rejected any comparisons with past Middle East conflicts and has pushed back.

“This is not Iraq. This is not an open-ended thing,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at a March 2 press conference. “Our generation knows better, and so does this president. He called the nation-building wars of the past 20 years stupid, and he’s right.”

Hegseth added that the Iran operation is “the opposite” of what President Trump has criticized, and that it has a “clear, destructive and decisive mission.”

But some conservatives question whether the administration has presented a clear and consistent rationale for the Iranian operation.

“Is the goal to remove the Iranian regime, to liberate the Iranian people, to reduce its nuclear capabilities, to reduce its conventional weapons capabilities, to eliminate regional hegemony, to cut off oil supplies to China, to help Israel, or what?” Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of the conservative web magazine The Federalist, wrote in a March 2 social media post. “The lack of a consistent message seems to suggest a lack of a consistent purpose.”

After conservative commentator Matt Walsh also described the administration’s message to Iran as “confused,” White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt responded to Walsh in a lengthy social media post on March 2, insisting that President Trump has “clear goals for the American people.”

The debate has divided the Republican coalition ahead of crucial midterm elections and could affect Mr. Trump’s ability to keep his base motivated as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress amid signs that Democrats are gaining momentum.

Mr. Mills told Mr. Bannon that he was glad Mr. Trump was president, but believed he received “very poor advice” as he pursued “a new war in the Middle East, much like the Iraq war.”

Introducing Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico, Democrats in the Texas Primary

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Introducing Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico, Democrats in the Texas Primary

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Two names that are attracting attention in the Texas Democratic primary are State Representative James Talarico and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett.

The primary election to decide which of the two Democratic senators will run in next fall’s Senate election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, and voting has already begun. Mr. Talarico and Mr. Crockett gained national attention for their campaigns to energize Democratic voters at a time when their party’s support among supporters was waning.

Here’s what you need to know about the two Democrats and why their race matters to the country.

Who is Jasmine Crockett?

Mr. Crockett, 44, is an outspoken liberal lawmaker who has served 30 Texas delegates in Washington.th Congressional District from January 2023.

Mr. Crockett currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. She was also appointed co-chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus’ Communications Task Force.

Crockett was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where his father was a teacher and preacher and his mother worked for the federal government, according to his campaign website.

She graduated from Rhodes College in 2003, studied law at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and then graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 2006, according to Ballotpedia. After graduating from law school, he worked as a public defender and then founded a civil rights and criminal defense law firm.

She ran for and won a seat in the Texas State Legislature in 2021. That same year, he joined Democratic state legislators, including Talarico, in a quorum-breaking walkout to prevent Republicans from passing legislation tightening voting restrictions.

Mr. Crockett was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. She gained national fame for her witty responses on cable news and heated debates with Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Attorney General Pam Bondi during Congressional hearings.

A Dallas-area lawmaker has announced his bid for the Senate in December 2025, raising the bar for a party that hasn’t claimed a statewide victory in more than 35 years. If elected, he would be the Lone Star State’s first black senator.

But in the first week of early voting in Texas, which began on February 17, Democrats outnumbered Republicans.

“We hope and pray that this surge is for me, because our theory was that our candidacy is generally different so we can excite new people, especially in the general election,” Crockett said in a one-on-one interview with USA TODAY.

“So I’m not a traditional candidate.”

Crockett: Video shows Bondy and Crockett clashing over release of Epstein files

Who is James Talarico?

Talarico has also received national attention. At least not after making headlines for her appearance on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert.

Talarico was born in Round Rock, Texas, in 1989 to a single mother, according to his campaign website. When the father became abusive, the mother moved the children to a hotel and then an apartment, raising Talarico in east Austin.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. He then began working with Teach for America as a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Rose Middle School on San Antonio’s west side, a historically Mexican-American community. Talarico later earned a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University, according to Ballotpedia.

Talarico was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2018 and gained attention as he walked throughout his district. Texas lawmakers prioritized education and promoted an “every student agenda.”

He has served on various committees related to education, housing, and economic development. He rose to national prominence in 2021 when he and other Democrats launched a quorum-breaking walkout over voting rights concerns. He also joined Democrats who fled the state in August 2025 to block Republican redistricting efforts.

The grandson of a preacher, Talarico is a devout Christian, and his faith has influenced his political career. He studied while serving as a state representative at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in theology.

Mr. Colbert said Mr. Talarico made headlines last month when CBS lawyers canceled Mr. Colbert’s appearance on the Feb. 16 episode of “The Late Show.” Colbert said CBS indicated it was concerned about a new interpretation of the FCC’s “equal time rule,” which requires broadcast networks and radio stations to give equal time to all candidates in elections. The interview was later posted on the show’s YouTube channel, and Talarico posted it on social media, describing it as “an interview that Donald Trump wouldn’t want you to see.”

Democrats and Republicans enter into infighting over Texas primary

There are slight policy differences between the two campaigns, particularly over who is more progressive on health care, immigration and affordability. But either way, as Democrats look to challenge MAGA politics, both Crockett and Talarico are proposing new styles.

Republicans are waging their own battle for electability. Incumbent Congressman John Cornyn, 74, is considered a key figure in Lone Star State politics. But he faces two aggressive, populist-minded challengers in Congressman Wesley Hunt and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Trump has not endorsed any candidate in the Republican race.

voting has already started

Early voting began on February 17, with turnout on the Democratic side more than double the past two election cycles, according to reports. In-person voting will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd. Find your polling place here.

Contributors: Jay Stahl, Phillip M. Bailey, Adam Powell

$251 million available on March 2nd.

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1 million available on March 2nd.

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The Powerball jackpot continued to rise ahead of the Monday, March 2nd drawing, eventually settling at $251 million, with a cash value of $118 million.

Lottery officials say the Powerball jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the game began in 1992. Currently, 45 US lottery companies are participating in the lottery, but five states are not participating in the lottery: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

Some states have had better luck than others. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are in the top five for most Powerball winners.

Here’s what you need to know about Monday Night Pictures.

more: Which Powerball number should you choose?

What are the winning Powerball numbers for March 2nd?

The winning numbers for the March 2nd Powerball drawing are: 2, 17, 18, 38, 62, and the powerball 20. The multiplier for “power play” is 2x.

Has anyone won the Powerball jackpot?

Yes, one lucky person in Arizona won the Powerball jackpot and another lucky person in Puerto Rico won the Match 5 + Power Play prize of $2 million.

The Powerball jackpot was then reset to $20 million ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 11:00 PM ET.

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

The short answer is no. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball.

Anyone visiting any of the 45 participating states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, can purchase a Powerball ticket regardless of nationality. The only catch is that there is a legal age requirement at the time of purchase (usually 18 years or older) and that you must purchase tickets from an authorized retailer.

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

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

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

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Available at most convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, tickets can also be purchased online depending on local regulations.

Once you have your ticket, choose 6 numbers. Five are white balls numbered 1-69 and the sixth is a red Powerball numbered 1-26.

For an additional $1, players can add a power play. This increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. Multipliers increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, and even 10x.

Don’t want to pick the numbers yourself? The (Quick Pick) option lets the computer do it for you.

To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls (in any order) and all red Powerballs.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one hits the jackpot, the prize money continues to roll and rise.

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

Human rights groups want answers over attack on girls’ school in Iran. The reason is as follows

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Human rights groups want answers over attack on girls’ school in Iran. The reason is as follows

As the death toll from the conflict tops 175, calls are growing for investigations into potential human rights violations and war crimes.

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WASHINGTON – The search for those killed in the suspected U.S. or Israeli missile attack on Iran’s Shajare Tayebeh Girls’ Elementary School has officially ended.

But questions surrounding the attack, which killed at least 175 people, have only just begun, with international condemnation, investigations and calls for accountability mounting on March 2nd.

The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), one of the world’s oldest human rights organizations, said in a statement on March 2 that “all alleged violations, including indiscriminate or unprovoked attacks, deliberate targeting of civilians or civilian infrastructure, and attacks on medical facilities and schools, must be promptly, independently and transparently investigated.”

It added: “If evidence of war crimes or other serious violations is found, those responsible, regardless of rank or official capacity, must be held accountable in accordance with international law.”

The Trump administration has neither denied nor acknowledged responsibility for the attack, which occurred during the opening wave of the U.S.-led operation on February 28.

The Pentagon says it is reviewing the incident, but has so far not publicly committed to a formal investigation, disciplinary action or other accountability measures.

“It would be difficult to establish a legal basis for a strike on a school building when the school is full of children,” David Schaefer, an international law expert who served as the first U.S. ambassador for war crimes, told USA TODAY. “This is likely based on incorrect targeting decisions or flawed information about the use of that building.”

Here’s what you need to know:

What happened at Shajare Tayebeh?

The military attack on an elementary school in Minab, in southern Hormozgan province near the Sea of ​​Oman, is considered one of the deadliest civilian casualties in the new US-Israel war against Iran.

President Donald Trump has championed war as necessary to deprive adversaries of their nuclear weapons and missile capabilities.

Most of the victims were children, including dozens of girls between the ages of 7 and 12, Iranian news agency IRNA and Iranian officials said, calling it an indiscriminate attack on civilians.

Iranian Health Ministry Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour shared an X post on February 28, calling most of those killed at schools “young child martyrs.”

“God knows how many more children will be pulled from the rubble,” he wrote. “May God give strength and patience to their family.”

According to Hengau, a Norway-based group focused on human rights abuses in Iran, the school was on its first of several school rotations when the strike occurred. The group added that about 170 students have registered for the school’s morning shift. However, it is unclear how many people were in the building during the strike.

Why was the school attacked?

It was not immediately clear why the school was targeted, but old satellite images show it was previously linked to facilities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Recent satellite images from 2016 show that the school has since been separated by a wall from the IRGC base. new york times Reported.

Video footage from the area circulated online appears to show that Revolutionary Guards bases were also targeted in attacks that occurred during the early stages of the US-Israeli military operation that began on February 28.

What are US officials saying?

So far, the Trump administration’s response has been silent.

The White House had no comment. The Pentagon offered little response other than to say it was investigating reports of civilian casualties.

“We are aware of reports of civilian casualties from ongoing military operations. We take these reports seriously and are investigating them,” said Col. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the region.

“The protection of civilians is paramount and we will continue to take every precaution to minimize the risk of unintended harm,” Hawkins said.

The school bombing was not mentioned at a March 2 press conference between Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Cain.

But Hegseth said the US mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, was “laser-focused” on destroying Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

“We are attacking them surgically, overwhelmingly and unapologetically,” Hegseth told reporters.

“As the president warned, there will be casualties in an operation of this scale. War is hell and always will be,” Hegseth said.

What do war crimes and humanitarian law cover?

Attacks on schools like this, especially intentional ones, could constitute a war crime under international and even U.S. rules of engagement, legal experts told USA TODAY March 2.

At the very least, it provides grounds for an intensive investigation into how the targets were chosen, who gave them permission, and whether it was intentional.

Col. Morris Davis, a former war crimes prosecutor and retired Air Force attorney general, said the laws of war are clear. Schools and other civilians cannot be targeted unless there is clear evidence that enemy forces are using the facilities for acts of war, such as operations, storing weapons, or quartering troops.

“In Gaza, you saw protected sites being converted to prohibited uses and potentially losing their protected status,” Davis said.

“Obviously, this is a monumental case, and normally an investigation would be convened to determine two things,” said Davis, the former chief prosecutor at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay. “One is to ensure accountability, and the other is to identify lessons learned. How do we prevent something like this from happening again?”

Your research should ask questions such as: Was the school the intended target? Was it attacked during an attack on a nearby Revolutionary Guards facility? If so, what intelligence services supported the attack and what civilian risk estimates were made?

Consistent with military policy, such investigations would be ordered and supervised by the military leadership in charge of that theater, Central Command Commander Davis told USA TODAY.

“But in the current environment, I think that’s a good way to lose your job on Monday,” Davis said, citing statements by Hegseth and other officials about the current war. “So do we expect someone to take responsibility? No.”

What do human rights groups say?

The Iranian government labeled the attack on the school a war crime and called for UN action.

UNESCO, the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization, also condemned the attack on the school as a “grave violation of humanitarian law”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the attack and Iran’s retaliatory strikes that have hit several countries in the Middle East.

The International Federation for Human Rights was one of a number of organizations calling on the United States and Israel to quickly investigate the matter to determine who ordered the attack and what information they had at the time.

The group said the “vast majority” of victims were children and named the attack on schools as targeting civilian infrastructure. However, the paper cited other reports showing that hundreds of civilians were also killed in various Iranian cities, including in attacks on hospitals.

Contributor: Jonathan Limehouse

Let’s take a look at who died in the Iran attack. Who will be the new supreme leader?

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Let’s take a look at who died in the Iran attack. Who will be the new supreme leader?

Dozens of Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, were killed in a major military operation carried out by the United States and Israel.

Iran has attacked U.S. military bases, Israel, and other countries across the Middle East. Six US military personnel were killed in these attacks.

President Donald Trump told Fox News senior White House correspondent Jackie Heinrich on March 1 that the Iranian leadership has been destroyed.

“Forty-eight leaders have disappeared all at once, and things are progressing rapidly,” President Trump said. A complete list of those killed has not been made public.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the ongoing war, and many are wondering who will step into the power vacuum created by Khamenei’s murder. Let’s take a closer look at who was killed and who remains within Iran’s power structure.

Who are the top Iranian leaders who were killed?

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How is Iran’s leadership made up?

The killing of Ali Khamenei left a vacuum in Iran’s leadership. The supreme leader appointed by the Council of Experts is the supreme commander of the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a Guidance Council made up of him, the attorney general and members of the powerful Guardian Council had temporarily taken over the duties of supreme leader, according to Reuters.

According to Al Jazeera, Alireza Alafi, a member of the powerful constitutional watchdog, was appointed to the extraordinary council along with Pezeshikian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei.

On the day of the attack, Trump encouraged Iranians to take control of the country in a video posted to Truth Social.

“When we’re done, take over your government. It’ll be yours. This will probably be your only chance for generations,” Trump said. “Now is the time to take control of your destiny and unlock the rich and bright future that is within your reach. The time to act is now. Don’t let it slip away.”

On March 2, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration “doesn’t care” if the Iranian people rise up and take control of the government.

“We want a new administration, but the bottom line is that no matter who is running this country, a ballistic missile or a drone will not threaten us a year from now,” Rubio said.

Contributor: Francesca Chambers

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Costco will open six stores in March and April. See list here

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Costco will open six stores in March and April. See list here

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Warehouse Club plans to open new locations in March and April, bringing Costco’s famous $1.50 hot dogs and rotisserie chicken to even more U.S. cities.

The company said new stores will open in Texas, Utah and California, with another in Manitoba, Canada. Costco, a membership-based wholesale store, opened its first store in 1976 as Price Club. The location was inside a renovated airplane hangar in San Diego.

Costco said Price Club changed from a small store to a warehouse as “growth in the warehouse club industry took off.” Costco’s first warehouse store opened in Seattle in 1983.

Costco said in its latest earnings report in early February that it has 924 warehouses, including 634 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as warehouses in Mexico and Japan.

Where will Costco open new stores?

Costco lists six stores scheduled to open in March and April on its “Coming Soon” page.

  • Liberty Hill, Texas (opens March 11)
  • Forney, Texas (opens March 12)
  • St. George, Utah (opens March 13)
  • Northern Visalia, California (TBD)
  • New Braunfels, Texas (TBD)
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba (TBD)

The new locations come after a busy 2025 in which the company opened new locations in The Villages, Florida, Richland, Washington, and North Guadalajara, Mexico, among others.

Contributor: Saleen Martin, USA TODAY

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

Jack Schlossberg slams Ryan Murphy’s ‘Love Story’ as ‘grotesque’

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Jack Schlossberg slams Ryan Murphy’s ‘Love Story’ as ‘grotesque’

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Jack Schlossberg is doubling down on his criticism of the popular show “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.”

The 33-year-old son of President John F. Kennedy’s only surviving daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who aspires to represent New York, slammed the Ryan Murphy-produced FX series for dramatizing his late uncle’s life in an interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” on March 1.

“If you want to know someone who has never met anyone in my family and doesn’t know anything about us, talk to Ryan Murphy. I want people who watch the show to watch the show with one letter in mind, which is the capital ‘F’ of fiction,” Schlossberg told correspondent Mo Rocca.

He added: “This guy has no idea what he’s talking about and yet he makes a lot of money by making a grotesque version of other people’s lives.”

Mr. Schlossberg suggested Mr. Murphy donate the proceeds to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum “to support the causes that John championed throughout his life,” or “to keep President Kennedy’s memory alive.”

“He’s making money. This isn’t a documentary. We’ll leave it at that,” Schlossberg said.

He fired one last shot by saying, “If Ryan Murphy really cares that much about the Kennedys, my uncle John, he might try to do something to remove Trump from power.”

USA TODAY has reached out to a rep for the show and Murphy for comment.

“Love Story,” the first installment of Murphy’s anthology, and its breakout stars Sarah Pidgeon (Carolyn Bessette) and Paul Anthony Kelly (JFK Jr.) have taken the internet by storm since its Feb. 12 release. The limited series, inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s biography Once Upon a Time: The Fascinating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, will air Thursday on FX and the next day on Hulu.

Behind the scenes of “Love Story” production — Stars talk about changing their hair and covering up their tattoos

Ryan Murphy ‘wasn’t ready’ for Kennedy family backlash

Director Schlossberg has been vocal about the problems with Love Story since 2025, at one point commenting on a first look photo of the cast released in June: “Hey Ryan – great praise for John, but maybe you should consider donating the proceeds to the Kennedy Library.”

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston is “dedicated to the memory of our nation’s 35th president” and “depicts the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy,” according to its website.

Murphy responded at the time, “Absolutely.”

Murphy acknowledged on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcast the following month that Schlossberg’s criticism was a “strange, dark moment.”

“What I wasn’t prepared for was something like the Kennedy fire, which I thought was very strange,” Murphy said. “It’s a very relatable piece, by the way. It’s a love story, not a takedown. It’s a story about untimely youth and idealism, which we need more of in politics.”

He continued: “It’s a family member speaking out. I took that with a grain of salt. It’s the younger generation.” Murphy also said that of all the movies and shows about the Kennedy family, “none of them were approved by the family.”

“I had no idea they would want that,” Murphy said.

Fact check “Love Story” The truth that the instructor missed the plane that killed JFK Jr.

Executive producer Brad Simpson insisted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that Love Story was made with “honesty” in response to real-life tragedy. (JFK Jr., Bessette, and his sister Lauren died on July 16, 1999, when a plane piloted by Kennedy Jr. crashed.)

“For all of us who produce television programs based on real events, we need to consider our ethical obligations to families and approach it with love and kindness,” Simpson said.

EP Nina Jacobson confirmed in an interview that the team has had no contact with the Kennedy family.

“Generally speaking, we don’t engage with people who are public figures because we either feel obligated to respect what they’ve asked you to do, ‘Please portray me this way, but not that way,’ or we feel you have a competing version.”

Pigeon sympathized with Schlossberg and said, “He has a right to share how he feels about it.”

He added: “We approached this with integrity and respect, and I think we were successful. But we also understood that these were not just real people, they had families and friends who are still with us, and their legacy continues to reverberate and live on through them.”

The final episode of “Love Story” is scheduled to air on March 26th.

Contributor: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY

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