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Coast Guard chief warns of Department of Homeland Security shutdown

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Coast Guard chief warns of Department of Homeland Security shutdown

Lt. Gen. Thomas Allan, acting deputy commander of the Coast Guard, told the House Appropriations Committee that the closure would have a negative impact on recruiting efforts.

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  • Coast Guard leaders warned lawmakers that a government shutdown could hurt morale and hurt military families.
  • Congress is deadlocked over immigration enforcement policies and faces a deadline for funding the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The closure will affect multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, ICE, FEMA, and TSA.
  • In addition to disrupting paychecks, the closure could limit Coast Guard operations, worsen staffing shortages and delay ship inspections.

With the federal government on the brink of another shutdown, top Coast Guard officials this week begged lawmakers not to defund the Department of Homeland Security, warning that it would not only disrupt paychecks but also damage morale.

Lt. Gen. Thomas Allan, acting deputy commander of the Coast Guard, testified at a Feb. 11 House Appropriations Committee hearing that “shutdowns are demoralizing.” “A gunner’s officer carrying a weapon in the Strait of Hormuz does not have to worry about whether his family will be able to pay his rent while pursuing an Iranian vessel.

“Aviation survival technicians deploying from helicopters into dangerous oceans don’t have to worry about whether their families will be able to buy groceries this week,” Alan continued.

more: Why ICE won’t stop operating even if the Department of Homeland Security shuts down

Allan’s comments came two days before Congress is set to strike a deal on homeland security funding. If lawmakers don’t act by midnight on February 13, DHS could enter a partial shutdown, wreaking havoc on disaster response, border security, and travel.

Shutdown is imminent: Deadlock on funding bill brings Department of Homeland Security closer to shutdown

The closure could affect agencies such as the Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration.

The impasse has focused on immigration enforcement, with Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries continuing to push for stricter ICE warrant requirements, unmasking of federal agents, stricter use-of-force standards and a ban on immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches, among other demands.

But Senate Republican Leader John Thune of South Dakota has said he plans to introduce a short-term continuing resolution, but with no vote scheduled, there is little room for compromise.

“Other”: Government shutdown or ICE to blame? Senator says that’s the ‘bottom line’

Still, Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said Republicans were negotiating in good faith.

“The White House continues to demonstrate its determination to take its own action,” Thune said, referring to the Trump administration’s Feb. 12 decision to scale back immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. “Democrats will never get everything on their wish list. That’s not going to work.”

The standoff is reminiscent of last year’s 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.

The closure may also limit some Coast Guard activities.

Allan reiterated that even though the Coast Guard continues to operate overseas with the military and handle other critical missions, the closure would not only result in the potential foreclosure of the salaries of 56,000 Coast Guard active duty, reserve and civilian members, but would also close DHS.

He also said that even a few days of closure would affect not only pay and morale, but also the Coast Guard’s ability to recruit and retain personnel, which is suffering from staffing shortages.

“This is not a distant administrative issue,” Allan said during his testimony. “The uncertainty of not being paid has a negative impact on readiness and creates significant financial hardship for service members and their families.”

“Ripple effects could cause delays in ship inspections, financing, and regulatory approvals, costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars each week,” Allan added, adding that this would lead to “higher prices for Americans everywhere.”

Homeland Security Secretary Christine Noem used funds from the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” to pay for the Coast Guard during the last government shutdown, but it’s unclear whether a similar move will occur this year.

more: National Guard troops left three cities. Where are they left?

Looking for a solution, Alan was feeling anxious due to the uncertainty. “Short-term solutions will only provide temporary relief,” he added, adding that no member of the U.S. military “should be forced to live with this uncertainty from paycheck to paycheck.”

He hopes a long-term contract can be reached.

“The work our crews do is dangerous and challenging,” Alan said. “Our employees deserve the resources they need to perform their jobs safely and efficiently. These jobs require dedication, focus, and attention to detail.

Contributed by: Zachary Schermele, Bart Jansen, Zach Wichter, USA TODAY

How many medals will there be at the 2026 Winter Games on February 13?

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How many medals will there be at the 2026 Winter Games on February 13?

Athletes from more than 90 countries competed for medals at the Winter Olympics in 116 events over 16 days, and USA TODAY is keeping track of the countries that made it to the podium. Here’s a look at the latest medal standings as of Friday morning, February 13th, and when each medal event will be held.

USA TODAY Sports will have a team of more than 10 journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA, keeping you up to date on every medal win, big moment and winning finish. Get the Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates straight to your text.

Broadcast coverage of the 2026 Milan-Cortino Winter Olympics is being shown exclusively on NBC’s network, with many competitions being broadcast live on the streaming service Peacock. You can sign up here.

Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on Peacock

How many medals will there be at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics?

All data as of 8:56 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2026.

Introducing Team USA 2026: Get to know the athletes behind the game

  • 1. Italy: 17 total (6 gold, 3 silver, 8 bronze)
  • 2. Norway: 16 total (8 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze)
  • 3. USA: 14 total (4 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze)
  • 4. Austria: Total 12 (3 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze)
  • 5. Japan: 10 people in total (2 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze)
  • 6. Germany: Total 9 (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze)
  • 7. France: Total 9 (3 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze)
  • 8. Sweden: Total 8 (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
  • 9. Switzerland: Total 7 (4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
  • 10. Canada: Total 7 (0 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze)
  • 11. Netherlands: Total 6 (3 gold, 3 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 12. Korea: Total 4 people (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
  • 13. China: Total 4 (Gold 0, Silver 2, Bronze 2)
  • 14. Czech Republic: Total 2 (1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 15. Slovenia: Total 2 (1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 16. New Zealand: Total 2 (0 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
  • 17. Bulgaria: Total 2 (0 gold, 0 silver, 2 bronze)
  • 18. Australia: Total 1 (1 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 19. Latvia: Total 1 (0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 20. Poland: Total 1 (0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze)
  • 21. Belgium: Total 1 (0 gold, 0 silver, 1 bronze)
  • 22. Finland: Total 1 (0 gold, 0 silver, 1 bronze)

Upcoming medal event schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics

February 13th

  • Cross-country skiing: Men’s 10km interval start free
  • Biathlon: Men’s 10km sprint
  • Snowboarding: Women’s Cross Final
  • Speed ​​skating: Men’s 10,000m
  • Figure skating: Men’s free skating
  • Snowboarding: Men’s Halfpipe Final
  • Skeleton: Men’s Heat 4

February 14th

  • Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Dual Moguls Final
  • Cross-country skiing: Women’s 4×7.5km relay
  • Alpine skiing: Men’s giant slalom final
  • Biathlon: Women’s 7.5km sprint
  • Speed ​​skating: Men’s 500m
  • Skeleton: Women’s Final
  • Ski Jumping: Men’s Large Hill
  • Short track: Men’s 1500m

February 15th

  • Biathlon: Men’s 12.5km Pursuit
  • Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Dual Moguls Final
  • Cross-country skiing: Men’s 4×7.5km relay
  • Alpine skiing: Women’s giant slalom
  • Snowboarding: Mixed Team Cross Final
  • Biathlon: Women’s 10km Pursuit
  • Speed ​​skating: Women’s 500m
  • Skeleton: mixed team
  • Ski Jumping: Women’s Large Hill

February 16th

  • Short track: Women’s 1000m
  • Alpine skiing: men’s slalom
  • Figure skating: Pair skating Free skating
  • Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Big Air Final
  • Ski Jumping: Men’s Super Team Final Round
  • Bobsled: Women’s Singles

February 17th

  • Nordic Combined: Large Hill/10km: 10km
  • Snowboarding: Women’s Slopestyle Final
  • Biathlon: Men’s 4×7.5km relay
  • Speed ​​Skating: Men’s and Women’s Team Pursuit Finals
  • Bobsled: Men’s Doubles

February 18th

  • Cross-country skiing: women’s and men’s team sprint free finals
  • Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Aerial Final
  • Snowboarding: Men’s Slopestyle Final
  • Alpine skiing: women’s slalom
  • Biathlon: Women’s 4x6km Relay
  • Short Track: Women’s 3000m Relay
  • Short track: Men’s 500m

February 19th

  • Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Aerial Final
  • Ski Mountaineering: Women’s and Men’s Sprints
  • Nordic Combined: Team Sprint/Large Hill 2×7.5km
  • Ice Hockey: Women’s Final
  • Speed ​​skating: Men’s 1500m
  • Figure skating: Women’s free skating

February 20th

  • Freestyle skiing: Women’s cross final
  • Biathlon: Men’s 15km mass start
  • Speed ​​skating: Women’s 1500m
  • Curling: Men’s 3 Medal Tournament
  • Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Halfpipe Final
  • Short track: Men’s 5000m relay final
  • Short track: Women’s 1500m final

February 21st

  • Cross-Country Skiing: Men’s 50km Mass Start Classic
  • Freestyle Skiing: Mixed Team Aerial Finals
  • Freestyle skiing: Men’s cross final
  • Ski mountaineering: mixed relay
  • Curling: Men’s gold medal game, women’s bronze medal game
  • Biathlon: Women’s 12.5km Mass Start
  • Speed ​​skating: men’s and women’s mass start
  • Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Halfpipe Final
  • Ice Hockey: Men’s 3rd place match
  • Bobsled: Women’s Doubles: Heat 4

February 22nd

  • Cross-Country Skiing: Women’s 50km Mass Start Classic
  • Curling: Women’s gold medal match
  • Bobsled: Men’s Quad Finals
  • Ice hockey: Men’s gold medal match

Friendships between adult women are important. Just ask this cancer patient.

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Friendships between adult women are important. Just ask this cancer patient.

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Jennifer Taylor’s breast cancer story started like thousands of other women: finding a lump.

Her doctor assumed it was hormonal, but sent her for a mammogram and ultrasound just to be sure. In the days leading up to her mammogram appointment, Taylor began to get nervous. She called her best friend, Adrian Finkel, and asked, “Probably nothing, but I don’t want to go alone so can you come with me?”

Nearing 40, and after a devastating breakup, Finkel had just upended his life in Los Angeles, moved across the border with his two dogs, and made a new start in New York City, where Taylor and his family live. She didn’t have a job yet. That was easy.

“My husband was upset that I wanted Adrian to come,” Taylor said. But it turns out she was good to do so, as men were not allowed in the back room where she anxiously awaited her results.

Taylor might be up to something. The 2021 American Perspectives Survey found that more than half of Americans say they turn to their partner first when they have a problem, while 16% say they turn to a friend first. Several studies over the past 20 years have shown that having good friends can help you live longer and improve your mental health. A 2016 study of breast cancer patients found that women with more social connections were less likely to suffer from cancer recurrence and less likely to die from breast cancer than women without strong support systems. The findings confirmed a similar study conducted in China in 2011.

“I feel so lucky to have Adrian and to have friends who support me, because a lot of women don’t have that,” Taylor said.

“They’re like sisters.”

Taylor and Finkel have continued to support each other in everything they do ever since they met in kindergarten. They went to the same high school and college, grew up doing plays together, and have seen each other through birthdays, breakups, jobs, ugly cries, belly laughs, and every moment in between.

“We’re like sisters,” Finkel said. Taylor interjected, “But it’s better, because you’re probably not that close to your sister.”

It felt natural for Finkel to be by Taylor’s side as she faced her most difficult challenge yet: a cancer diagnosis.

Taylor said that when doctors gave him the news, “Adrienne passed out.” “I went into survival mode.”

That was in July 2025. Since then, Ms. Taylor has undergone three months of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy with Ms. Finkel at her side. Early on, Taylor’s husband asked her if she wanted him to take her to her first appointment. Taylor told him “no.” She wanted it to be Finkel.

Taylor loves her husband and family, and they sometimes visit her during treatment. But more often, Taylor has Finkel and some of his other girlfriends spending a lot of time with her in the hospital, she said. She likes listening to her friends talk about their lives and the “normal” challenges of a 40-year-old’s life, like kids, work, and dating struggles. They work on crafts together, making stunning clothes and medicine bottles. They watch “Sex and the City.”

“Some people want to be with their husbands, but on the first day, Jen really kept saying, ‘I need Adrian,'” Finkel said. “I think there was something about this whole experience that made me feel feminine, not girly.”

Their followers think so too. Taylor and Finkel created an Instagram account to post about Taylor’s cancer journey. Taylor said most of their followers are women, some of whom have become friends.

“The support has been incredible,” Taylor said.

Cancer, Kismet, and the Peace of Childhood

Taylor and Finkel know that not every cancer patient has a close friend who lives close enough to go with them, let alone have time to go to appointments.

“The timing is crazy,” Finkel said. “It just so happened that I hadn’t found a job yet, so my purpose became like, I’m going to be there with Jen. No matter what happens, I’m just going to be there.”

“It was very sweet,” Taylor said. “In Adrian’s mind, he was like, ‘I can’t leave Jennifer alone in that horrible hospital.’ And I didn’t even think about it, but you did.”

They have a core group of girlfriends from their days as students at the University of Cincinnati College of Music, and they still send each other birthday presents every year. “They’re our family too,” Taylor said. Finkel contacted them and kept them updated on Taylor’s condition, and some of those friends came with Finkel to Taylor’s chemotherapy treatments.

“It’s girl time,” Finkel said. “There’s something soothing about when women come together.”

Taylor says he feels especially lucky to have such a close girlfriend at his age. “For many women, as they get older, friendships fade and fade,” she says. “And that’s really sad to me.”

Taylor and Finkel hope their social media posts can help give hope to other cancer patients. When Taylor was diagnosed, she said she looked online to connect with other breast cancer patients, and all of their videos were shocking.

“It was really depressing. It was really hard. I never felt better,” Taylor said. “It’s part of this whole journey, but it’s not all of it.”

Taylor and Finkel focus on finding humor and laughing in their videos while explaining the realities of cancer treatment. “The only time I knew what chemotherapy was was when I watched scary movies and saw people sitting in chairs. In a way, I felt deflated,” Taylor said. Over the past few months, women have been reaching out to them seeking support on their cancer journey.

“If I can handle this, you can have this too,” Taylor tells them. “I can do this.”

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.

Why the 2026 Acura Integra is the best budget luxury car

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Why the 2026 Acura Integra is the best budget luxury car

New luxury cars are surprisingly affordable and perfect for driving enthusiasts.

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  • The Integra is praised for its sporty handling and strong value proposition.
  • Other affordable luxury cars launching in 2026 include the Cadillac CT4, Audi A3, and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

New car prices have skyrocketed in recent years, but you can still buy a new luxury car in 2026 for less than $34,000.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new car is more than $50,000. Thankfully, in 2026, competitive cars, trucks, and SUVs will be available at lower starting prices. Additionally, there are some luxury models with affordable starting prices and more attractive trims.

The most affordable luxury car in 2026 is Acura, which boasts solid performance specs and excellent standard technology. Should drivers buy this Acura, or is it worth splurging on a more expensive alternative? What drivers need to know.

2026 Acura Integra starts under $34,000

Prices for Acura’s premium sports compact car, the Integra, start at $33,400. It is equipped with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower. This small car gets 29 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Acura Integra is known for its affordable price and sporty driving dynamics. Upper trims are even more appealing to drive and cost less. Integra comes with a long list of standard features.

Purchasing a luxury car: Top 10 most expensive car brands in early 2026

2026 Acura Integra Standard Equipment

Acura’s compact cars come standard with keyless access, LED cabin ambient lighting, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also included are standard paddle shifters, heated front seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The 2026 Acura Integra comes standard with adaptive cruise control with low-speed tracking, post-collision braking, and blind spot information system. Three trims are available: the base Integra, A-Spec ($35,950), and A-Spec with Technology ($39,200).

The A-Spec with Technology trim includes a standard head-up display (HUD), ultrasuede-trimmed front seats, smart entry with walk-away autolock, front and rear parking sensors, a collision mitigation braking system, and many other standard features.

Is the 2026 Acura Integra a good car?

The 2026 Acura Integra is an above-average luxury small car with impressive handling and great available features. Its best features may be reserved for the top trims, but even that is affordable compared to the average new car.

A review of the vehicle by U.S. News & World Report said, “The price and level of standard features make it an excellent value.” According to MotorTrend, the ride quality is “firm in that it’s sporty, but not intrusive.”

Most Affordable Luxury Cars in 2026

Other than the Integra, the 2026 Cadillac CT4 ($37,795) is the only new luxury car that starts under $40,000 before taxes and fees. There are several new luxury car models with starting prices under $45,000. Other notable 2026 luxury cars that are relatively affordable compared to average new car prices include the 2026 Audi A3 ($40,100) and the 2026 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe ($42,200).

If you’re looking for a new, affordable luxury vehicle, the 2026 offers several options with a good balance of performance and standard features. If you’re looking for an even lower price, buying a used luxury car is a great way to benefit from depreciation.

Puberty blockers banned under amended Georgia bill. what it means

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Puberty blockers banned under amended Georgia bill. what it means

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Georgia becomes the latest state to place additional restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors after the state Senate made last-minute changes to its home health bill.

HB 54, sponsored by Republican David Clark of Buford and others, was first introduced in the state House of Representatives during the 2025 legislative session.

The bill was originally intended to increase home health care by allowing advanced practice certified nurses and physician assistants to order home health services for patients at licensed home health agencies.

But after passing the House and Senate in the 2025 session, the bill was brought back to the floor this year with amendments targeting other health issues.

What is gender-affirming care?

Gender-affirming care is defined by the World Health Organization as health care that includes “social, psychological, behavioral, or medical (including hormone therapy and surgery) interventions, alone or in combination, aimed at supporting and affirming an individual’s gender identity.”

This includes puberty blockers, which are hormone treatments that stop the body from producing sex hormones when given before or around the onset of puberty. For biological males, this means stopping the growth of facial and body hair and deepening the voice, while also limiting the growth of the penis, scrotum, and testicles. For biological women, this means cessation of breast development and menstruation.

Minors who are exploring their gender identity (how they express themselves, regardless of their gender) can be given puberty blockers early in life to prevent the distress caused by gender dysphoria and the inability to identify with the gender assigned at birth.

Bill to block treatment of minors in Georgia

The proposed amendments to HB 54 specifically target this type of health care, particularly when the minor has state-paid health insurance or the facility is operated by the state.

The bill states that state funds for “medical benefit coverage” cannot include gender-affirming care, and the ordinance prohibits “any individual, entity, or local government from purchasing separate insurance coverage for gender-affirming care.”

This includes doctors who prescribe “puberty blockers” or “treatments.”

The amendment was added by Republican Sen. Ben Watson, a doctor from Savannah, and Republican Sen. Blake Tillery of Vidalia.

The ban doesn’t affect anyone over 18 and “if you’re an adult and that’s your choice, that’s your responsibility,” Watson said.

The bill had the support of gubernatorial candidate and current lieutenant governor Bert Jones, but Senate Democrats opposed it, saying Republicans were quickly moving from affordability issues to divisive topics in an election year, according to the Georgia Recorder.

“Concerns about the legislation will not reduce the cost of everyday life for Georgians,” Sen. Rashaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, told the outlet. “Fear of legislation continues to divide us.”

The bill passed the state Senate along party lines, with 30 votes in favor, 18 against, and 8 with no votes or exemptions.

Which states ban gender-affirming care?

Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly targeted gender-affirming care at the national level, declaring at a press conference in December that “treatments for gender dysphoria are neither safe nor effective.”

These states have several variations on gender-affirming care bans, ranging from bans on minor surgery to puberty inhibition.

  • idaho
  • montana
  • wyoming
  • Utah
  • arizona
  • north dakota
  • south dakota
  • nebraska
  • Kansas
  • oklahoma
  • texas
  • iowa
  • missouri
  • arkansas
  • louisiana
  • Indiana
  • kentucky
  • tennessee
  • mississippi
  • Alabama
  • ohio
  • west virginia
  • north carolina
  • south carolina
  • georgia
  • florida
  • new hampshire

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

Lindsey Vonn’s injury update reveals she will undergo two more surgeries after accident

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Lindsey Vonn’s injury update reveals she will undergo two more surgeries after accident

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MILAN – Lindsey Vonn has posted a new injury update following her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, saying she will need more surgery on deck.

In an Instagram video shared on Friday, Feb. 13, the downhill skier thanked people who sent flowers and gifts, saying they were “really amazing and really helpful,” before detailing his upcoming recovery.

“It’s been a quiet and difficult few days here at the hospital. I feel like I’m finally starting to feel like myself, but I have a long way to go,” Bon said. “I’m scheduled to have another surgery tomorrow, which I hope goes well. After that, I’ll likely be discharged from the hospital to go home, but at that point I’ll need another surgery. We won’t know exactly what that means until we get better images.”

“That’s the situation I’m in right now. I’ve just been admitted to the hospital and can barely move, but I have a lot of friends and family visiting me,” she said.

Vonn has already undergone three surgeries since the accident. Her surgery scheduled for Saturday will be her fourth day, with a fifth scheduled for when she is able to go home. She thanked the medical team for starting her on the road to recovery and offered words of encouragement to other U.S. Olympians in Milan-Cortina.

“Go Team USA, it was really uplifting to watch,” Vonn said.

What happened to Lindsey Vonn?

Bong hooked the fourth gate with his right arm and spun into the hard-packed snow. She fell several times before stopping.

“Things happen so fast in this sport,” American teammate Vera Wright said after the race. “Lindsay seemed to have incredible speed coming out of that turn and ended up catching her arm.”

The three-time Olympic medalist remained face down in the snow and screams of pain could be heard. Fans’ gasps and groans faded into a shocked silence as medical workers treated her. Vonn remained on course for approximately 13 minutes before being loaded onto a helicopter.

What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?

In an Instagram post on February 9, Vonn shared the shocking news that she had suffered a compound fracture of her tibia and would need multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated her fans on February 11 after undergoing her third surgery in Italy, including some scary photos showing her progress.

A tibia fracture is a fracture of the shin bone that requires urgent treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “The tibia is some of the strongest bones in the body, and it typically takes significant force to break it.” “If you fracture your shin bone, you probably won’t be able to stand, walk, or put any weight on your foot.”

According to Yale Medicine, a compound fracture involves multiple fractures of the bone and damaged soft tissue. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness, and in some cases, bones may protrude through the skin. Treatment includes stabilization and surgery.

Lindsey Vonn Accident Video

NBC broadcast the Olympics and posted video of Vonn’s crash.

USA TODAY Sports’ Samantha Cardona-Norberg provides commentary in the aftermath of Lindsday Vonn’s crash.

Fans fell silent as soon as Vonn crashed, reacting with shock and sadness, then cheering as a helicopter hoisted her into the sky. USA TODAY Sports spoke to some fans after the accident.

Is Lindsey Vonn okay?

After the crash, Vonn was clearly in pain but was able to move her arms, head and neck.

Approximately 18 minutes after the crash, the helicopter slowly began its flight towards Cortina. “Let’s hear from Lindsey Vonn!” the American announcer said as the helicopter flew away with her, and the crowd cheered and applauded.

Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow was on the downhill course today and told an NBC reporter during a live broadcast:

“That was definitely something we didn’t want to see happen and it happened so fast. When something like that happens, you just hope she’s okay right away. And then when you start seeing the stretcher being taken out, it was scary because that’s not a good sign,” Kildow said. “But she really…she was very brave and gave it her all. So it’s really hard to tell, but we really hope she’s okay.”

“She has all her surgeons and PT staff here, as well as her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll see her wherever she is at the hospital.”

Lindsey Vonn suffers anterior cruciate ligament tear

It was the second time in recent weeks that Vonn had left the summit by helicopter. She suffered a complete rupture of her left anterior cruciate ligament, a torn meniscus and bone contusions in a downhill accident on January 30, the last World Cup event before the start of the Olympics.

Vonn has had her right knee partially replaced and is also skiing. She was dominating the sport even before her accident, finishing on the podium in all five downhill races this season and winning two of them.

Despite her recent injury, Vonn was determined to compete in her fifth and final Olympics. She said her knee feels stable and strong and has been doing intensive rehabilitation, pool training, weightlifting and plyometrics over the last week. She skied both training runs and had the third fastest time on the second run before it was canceled due to fog and snow.

Lindsey Vonn suffers anterior cruciate ligament tear

Vonn, 41, skied in her fifth Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2026). She won three medals at the Olympics (1 gold, 2 bronze).

If prices continue to fall, 2027 could be the smallest cola since 2016

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If prices continue to fall, 2027 could be the smallest cola since 2016

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Some Social Security experts said January’s weaker-than-expected price increases are generally welcome news unless you rely on Social Security to pay for everyday necessities.

Former Social Security and Medicare analyst Mary Johnson said seniors could expect their Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to rise 1.2% in 2027, based on January’s annual consumer price data released on February 13. This is the smallest increase since 2016, according to government data.

“For many consumers, these numbers may seem inconsistent with the price they pay,” she said in an email.

While the final COLA, typically released in October, is based on inflation data from July, August and September, “these monthly check-ins can give you a glimpse of what the actual inflation data for the third quarter is showing and can help you make retirement financial decisions, such as CD renewals and budgeting,” Johnson said.

In January, Social Security recipients began receiving a 2.8% COLA increase in their monthly checks for 2026.

How was inflation in January?

The annualized pace of the consumer price index (CPI) in January slowed to 2.4% from December’s 2.7%, and was below economists’ average estimate of 2.5%. It was also the smallest increase since May 2025.

Core interest rates, which exclude the volatile food and energy sectors, rose 2.5%, in line with expectations.

The Social Security Administration calculates the COLA each year based on the average annual increase in a portion of the overall consumer price index called the Urban Wage and Clerical Workers Index from July through September.

The urban salaried index primarily reflects a broader index published monthly by the Department of Labor, but may vary slightly. Last month, the overall consumer price index rose by 2.4%, and the index for urban salaried workers rose by 2.2%.

Why does COLA always feel so small?

Prices are still rising, but not as fast. Additionally, the details of the CPI report show that prices for some essential goods and services remain stubbornly rising.

“This report brings mixed news for household finances,” Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at comparison site Bankrate, said in a note after the data was released. “Lower gas prices have given us some breathing room, but it doesn’t erase the cumulative price increases that have already been etched in. Grocery bills are still up 2.9% year over year, and electricity prices are up more than 6%. Families may find some relief at the pump, but everyday essentials continue to cut into their budgets.”

The frigid temperatures that recently gripped much of the country are expected to cause U.S. home heating costs to rise 11% this winter, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

That’s more than four times the rate of inflation and means average seasonal heating costs will reach about $1,011 per household, about $100 more than last winter and the highest level in four years, said NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolff.

“The rapid increase has worsened our financial difficulties,” he said. “These price increases may be inconvenient for high-income households, but they are devastating for low- and middle-income households. Millions of previously scraped households are being forced into utility debt and out of business simply because they cannot afford to keep their homes warm.”

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

Pentagon will move aircraft carrier from Caribbean to Middle East, officials say

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Pentagon will move aircraft carrier from Caribbean to Middle East, officials say

Idrez Ali and Phil Stewart
|Reuters

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WASHINGTON – The Pentagon is sending aircraft carriers from the Caribbean to the Middle East, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday, Feb. 13, as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s newest aircraft carrier and the world’s largest aircraft carrier, operates in the Caribbean with escort ships and also participated in operations in Venezuela earlier this year.

One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would take at least a week for the aircraft carrier to reach the Middle East.

Gerald R. Ford will join the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, several missile destroyers, fighter jets and reconnaissance planes that have moved to the Middle East in recent weeks.

The United States most recently carried out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June last year and stationed two aircraft carriers in the area.

With only 11 aircraft carriers in the U.S. military’s arsenal, carriers are a scarce resource, and their schedules are typically set far in advance.

U.S. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America, said in a statement that it remains focused on countering “illegal activity and malign actors in the Western Hemisphere.”

President Donald Trump said this week that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East if a deal is not reached with Iran.

He suggested Thursday that a deal with Iran could be concluded within the next month.

“We have to make a deal, or it’s going to be very traumatic, very traumatic,” Trump told reporters.

long term development

The Ford has been essentially at sea since June 2025 and was supposed to have operated in Europe before abruptly moving to the Caribbean in November.

Aircraft carrier deployments are typically nine months, but are often extended during periods of increased U.S. military activity.

Navy officials have long warned that long deployments at sea can damage ship morale.

Officials said the administration had considered sending another aircraft carrier, the Bush, to the Middle East, but it is currently being certified and would take more than a month to arrive there.

The Ford is equipped with a nuclear reactor and can carry more than 75 military aircraft, including fighter jets such as the F-18 Super Hornet and E-2 Hawkeye, which serve as early warning systems.

The Ford also has advanced radar to help control air traffic and navigation.

Support ships such as the Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser USS Normandy and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Kearney, and Roosevelt include surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Jordan Stoltz chases Olympic glory in speed skating. how is he doing?

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Jordan Stoltz chases Olympic glory in speed skating. how is he doing?

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MILAN, Italy — Jordan Stoltz will resume his quest for four Olympic gold medals when he competes in the 500 meters at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, February 14th.

He also follows the legendary Eric Heiden, who in 1980 became the only person to win five gold medals in one Winter Olympics.

Stolz, 21, may not be able to win five of these Olympics, but he has solidified his status as a legendary speed skater alongside Heiden. And there’s no better person to compare the two than Bob Corby, who once played against Heiden, trained with him and now coaches Stolz.

more: American Jordan Stoltz wins gold medal and sets new Olympic record in speed skating

“Hyden was probably a little bit stronger, really powerful,” Kobe told USA TODAY Sports. “He just did things like that to the hilt.

“And Jordan has a lot of speed and is really comparable to Hayden as far as being a phenomenon in the three short distances: 500, 1,000 and 1,500.”

Jordan’s speed and endurance were on display in the 1,000 meters, as he overcame a 0.4-second deficit in the final 400 meters to set a new Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28.

He will be tested again in the 500 meters and will take advantage of the different factors that propel him on the ice.

Jordan Stoltz’s Evil Engine

Bonnie Blair, a five-time Olympic gold medalist who competed in the Winter Olympics from 1984 to 1994, said she regularly watches Stolz train at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee.

“He can do an unbelievable amount of laps,” she said.

What’s more impressive, Blair said, is that Stolz doesn’t have anyone to push him. In contrast, Ms. Blair said she trained with Olympians such as Dan Jansen, Nick Thometz and her husband Dave Cruikshank.

“They will take me to speeds that I could never have imagined on my own,” Blair said. “Jordan doesn’t have that. He does it all himself, and he does it day in and day out.”

That leads to what Mr. Blair calls Mr. Stolz’s “evil engine.”

“The engine should run longer and we should be able to maintain pretty consistent lap times,” she said. “And then there’s the power that comes with it, which you need in terms of sprinting.”

Blair said Stolz’s tempo was also impressive, citing the last 250 meters of Stolz’s gold-medal performance in the 1,000 meters on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

“A lot of athletes feel like they’re trying to hit the ball in the right direction when they enter the turn,” she says. “They need a long, powerful stroke to get in, so it feels like they’re downshifting sometimes. And Jordan does a quick 1, 2, 3 to get into the turn, then keeps the motor revving and accelerating out of the turn.”

“But it’s hard to accelerate coming out of 1,000 mph in the last corner. That’s what he did. It was a hell of a race.”

check all boxes

Shani Davis, a retired speed skater and four-time Olympic medalist, cites genetics.

Stolz is 6-1 and weighs about 180 pounds.

“One of his biggest assets is his (body) structure,” Davis said. “He’s the right height and a great weight.”

Not only does Stolz have the perfect body, he makes the most of it.

“He has physical strength that a lot of guys don’t have and can fit very deep and low,” Davis said. “He’s able to get great extension and he’s putting a lot of power force pressure on the ice by pushing it down the ice and creating incredible turnovers for speed.”

Davis says a great skater’s checklist includes technique, strength, endurance and speed.

“I feel like Jordan checks all those boxes,” he said. “He doesn’t have an Achilles heel, and we’re seeing that more and more.”

“A pretty amazing combination.”

Stolz’s coach, Kobe, said success begins with good and efficient technique.

“You’re moving the ice 40 miles per hour and you’re constantly putting pressure on the ice, and that’s very difficult. Once your feet start going back, it’s really hard to get that speed,” Kobe said. “He has really good technique on the straights and in the corners. That’s one of the things that makes him fast.”

But Kobe says the hidden factor is Stolz’s feet.

“He looks like a lean hitting athlete, but his leg strength is incredible,” Kobe said. “That’s the secret ingredient.

“You can see their technique, but you don’t see how much force they’re putting on the ice. And that’s what he’s doing. He’s got really strong legs and really good technique. So it’s a pretty phenomenal combination.”

US inflation fell to 2.4% in January, according to CPI

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US inflation fell to 2.4% in January, according to CPI

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Inflation slowed in January, with prices rising 2.4% year-on-year, the Labor Department announced on February 13.

The report, which was delayed by two days due to a brief government shutdown, found that inflation fell in the first month of 2026 after remaining flat at 2.7% in December. The slight decline in January’s numbers reflected modest increases in housing and food prices, as well as a 1.5% decline in the energy index.

Prices are still rising, but inflation remains well below the 2022 pace and far from the levels consumers and businesses expected after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on nearly all of the United States’ trading partners last year. Still, a New York Times/Siena College poll released on January 22 found that Americans ranked the economy as their top concern, with 51% saying the president’s policies have made their lives harder.

On a month-on-month basis, prices rose 0.2%, slowing from December’s 0.3% rise. Prices for airfare, personal care, recreation, and medical care increased month on month. Meanwhile, prices for used cars and trucks, household equipment and operating expenses, and auto insurance fell.

more: US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, unemployment rate fell to 4.3%

What is the core inflation rate in the United States?

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, fell to 2.5% over the past 12 months, down from 2.6% in the previous month.

This is a developing story and will be updated to add new information.

Contact Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her at X @rachelbarber_

RFK Jr. has been serving as health secretary for one year. what did he do?

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RFK Jr. has been serving as health secretary for one year. what did he do?

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It’s been one year since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. How is he doing so far?

It depends on who you ask.

The HHS website has a page highlighting the first year of President Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” motto (MAHA), which states that the administration has built a “healthier and stronger America.”

Under President Kennedy’s leadership, the department is “taking bold and decisive action to identify the root causes of the chronic disease epidemic and transform America’s food, health, and science systems to make America healthy again,” the message said.

Brad Woodhouse, president of the social services nonprofit Protect Our Care, disagrees. “Over the past year, RFK Jr. has made America even sicker,” he said at a Feb. 10 press conference.

“He has given measles a foothold back in the United States. He continues to undermine the effectiveness of measles vaccines. He is undermining public confidence in vaccines. He is spreading dangerous conspiracy theories,” Woodhouse continued. “He installed quacks in key positions to wreak havoc on our nation’s public health infrastructure.”

Over the past year, Kennedy has won a loyal following of outspoken fans while also making moves that infuriated his equally vocal critics. So perhaps the best way to assess his success in the presidency is to look at what he’s done so far.

Here, in no particular order, are seven major moments from RFK Jr.’s first year as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

President Kennedy’s message on measles

President Kennedy said in an April 2025 interview that he encouraged people to get vaccinated against measles after an outbreak killed multiple people in the United States. It was the first death in the United States from one of the world’s most contagious diseases in a decade. As of February 2026, the measles outbreak has worsened, with hundreds of cases reported across the country.

“We’re encouraging people to get the measles vaccine,” Kennedy told CBS News in April.

He reiterated his support on social media platform X, posting: “The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”

The post received backlash from anti-vaxxers, but infectious disease clinician and scientist Dr. Neil Stone welcomed Kennedy’s comments. “Words I never thought I’d hear Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say,” he wrote. “He’s absolutely 100% right. Hearing his words was a relief,” he wrote.

Later that month, President Kennedy changed his message, saying measles vaccinations are “leaky” because they become less effective over time, a claim that medical experts dispute.

RFK Jr. focuses on artificial food dyes

In April 2025, Kennedy announced plans to eliminate certain artificial dyes from the U.S. food and drug supply, a step towards one of his campaign promises.

“For too long, some food producers have given the American people petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” he said.

Food activists and watchdog groups praised the move, calling it a step in the right direction.

The FDA has announced that it will “phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply” by the end of 2026.

There are no formal agreements or laws in place to formally ban these substances. Instead, HHS and the Food and Drug Administration have a “mutual understanding” with the food industry that colorants will be phased out, Kennedy said.

Kennedy missed the deadline to declare he was autistic.

One thing Kennedy failed to do was meet his previously announced deadline to find a “cure” for autism by September 2025. Many experts opposed this goal because research shows there is no one “cure” for autism spectrum disorders. President Kennedy later rescinded the deadline, saying it would take more time.

But in September 2025, the conversation about autism reached a fever pitch after President Donald Trump said the FDA believes the use of Tylenol and acetaminophen, the active ingredient in many cold and flu medicines, during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of autism. However, many medical experts, citing comprehensive research, say the drug is safe.

A large study published in 2024 that followed nearly 2.5 million children in Sweden for 25 years found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy did not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Several medical organizations, including the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Psychiatric Association, support the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.

“Based on strong evidence, acetaminophen has been shown to be safe for use during pregnancy when taken as directed,” APA said in a statement after the administration’s announcement.

RFK Jr. Changes Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations

On January 6, HHS announced that it would review the pediatric immunization schedule and revise it to recommend four vaccines, including vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis A. These vaccinations are now less of a full recommendation and more of a shared decision between parents and health care providers.

There have also been changes to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Previously, two or three doses were recommended depending on age at first vaccination, but now only one dose is recommended.

Last year, the CDC also changed its vaccination recommendations for hepatitis B and COVID-19.

With the hepatitis B vaccine update, the CDC officially ended its long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive the vaccine at birth, leaving the decision to parents in consultation with their health care providers.

The change advances one of President Kennedy’s long-term goals, but public health experts say it could come at the expense of children’s health.

Dr. Andrew D. Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called the changes “dangerous and unnecessary.”

Michele Slavkoski, executive director of Families Fighting Influenza, added: “The lives of America’s children are now at risk.”

In a statement after the announcement, President Kennedy said the decision “protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.”

RFK Jr. Changes US Dietary Guidelines

President Kennedy announced new U.S. dietary guidelines on January 7, although the announcement was later than originally expected.

Recommendations included eating more protein as well as cutting back on sugar and ultra-processed foods. The guidelines also ease restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

“My message as Secretary of Health and Human Services is clear: Eat real food,” Kennedy said.

Many nutrition experts across the aisle praised the emphasis on eating whole foods, but some felt other messages were misguided.

For example, the new guidelines include a new inverted food pyramid, with red meat clearly at the top, but saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products increase the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease, Dr. Daniel Dunham, medical director at Lenox Hill Hospital, told USA TODAY.

Dunham also addressed the issue of access to fresh food for many Americans.

Kennedy introduced a new vaccine committee

In June 2025, President Kennedy fired all 17 current members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP is an independent expert panel that has helped the agency establish vaccine recommendations for more than 60 years. Days later, he appointed a new board that included some vaccine skeptics.

President Kennedy’s move contradicted an earlier promise he made during his confirmation hearing to maintain the current composition of the advisory board.

President Kennedy said at the time that the changes would be a “sweep” that would “restore public confidence in vaccine science.” While some supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement applauded his decision, former health officials and some medical experts worry that the layoffs will spread mistrust in the public health system and in vaccines that have long been considered safe and effective.

RFK Jr. Cuts HHS Role and Funding

Shortly after confirmation in March 2025, Kennedy announced thousands of layoffs at HHS, with about one in four federal health agency jobs eliminated.

President Kennedy later said that some programs and workers forced out in HHS’s dramatic reorganization would be reinstated, saying they were mistakenly cut.

“People were cut that shouldn’t have been cut,” he told ABC News in May 2025. “We’re bringing them back to work and that was always the plan.”

Contributors: Adrianna Rodriguez, Ken Alltucker, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Mary Walras-Holdridge, america today

Isn’t groceries a big part of your budget? It’s the worst in these states

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Isn’t groceries a big part of your budget? It’s the worst in these states

Monique Johnson
| USA Today Special

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All Americans are experiencing higher grocery prices at the checkout counter. Everyday necessities like beef, coffee, and fresh produce are becoming increasingly burdensome for families due to issues beyond their control, such as inflation, tariffs, and the weather.

But depending on where you live, some people may be on a tighter budget than others.

A new WalletHub study released on February 12th found that people living in some of the poorest states tend to spend the most on basic food necessities. The study looked at the impact of grocery costs on American households in all 50 states and analyzed 26 common grocery items, including meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, frozen foods, and detergents. We added up their expenses and compared them to the state’s median household income to see where people were spending the most.

States with the highest percentage of median monthly household income spent on groceries:

  1. Mississippi 2.60%
  2. West Virginia 2.54%
  3. Arkansas 2.44%
  4. Louisiana 2.38%
  5. Kentucky 2.37%
  6. Alabama 2.33%
  7. New Mexico 2.30%
  8. Oklahoma 2.22%
  9. South Carolina 2.21%
  10. Tennessee 2.19%

“Grocery affordability isn’t just about the price of the products on the shelf, it’s also about how those prices compare to people’s incomes,” says Wallethub writer and analyst Chip Lupo. “States like Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas actually have relatively low food prices overall, but they also have some of the lowest median household incomes in the nation, so their residents end up spending the largest percentage of their income on food—2.6 percent of their monthly income in Mississippi.”

Tired of grocery shopping? Introducing how to deliver groceries.

“In contrast, residents in high-income states like Massachusetts and New Jersey spend only about 1.5% of their income on groceries. With grocery prices up nearly 30% since 2019 and income growth slowing, households in low-income states are feeling the greatest burden, making careful budgeting and smart shopping more important than ever.”

States with the lowest percentage of median monthly household income spent on groceries:

41. California 1.66%

42. Washington 1.66%

43. Virginia 1.63%

44. Colorado 1.61%

45. Connecticut 1.61

46. ​​Utah 1.58%

47. New Hampshire 1.56%

48. Maryland 1.55%

49. New Jersey 1.51%

50. Massachusetts 1.51%

spend more and buy less

By 2026, many Americans, especially those with low incomes, may need to buy fewer items and spend more on essentials.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Survey Food Price Index, “In 2026, all food prices are projected to increase by 3.0%, with a forecast interval of 0.3% to 5.9%. Meanwhile, household food (grocery and supermarket) prices are projected to increase by 1.7%, with a forecast interval of -2.3% to 6.0%.”

There are several main factors that cause supermarket prices to rise.

“The main drivers of food prices are the labor and material costs of each product and the services involved in retail sales,” said William Masters, a food economist and professor at Tufts University in Massachusetts. “Over the past year, tariffs have increased the cost of materials, and the deportation of workers has increased labor costs, especially for the low-wage work of recent immigrants. Most Americans’ wages have not risen as much as prices, so their purchasing power has declined.”

Reduced purchasing power forces families to prioritize necessities, often cutting back on healthier, fresh produce in favor of cheaper processed goods. In addition, supply chain disruptions and higher transportation costs will further exacerbate price increases. All these factors make it difficult for low-income households in particular to maintain adequate nutrition and food security.

5 easy ways to save money at the supermarket

No matter where you live, everyone can benefit from these tips for saving money at the supermarket. Masters spoke to USA TODAY about her grocery-saving strategies.

  • Create a shopping list and stick to it.
  • Browse Warehouse Retail Stores – Stores like Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club sell large quantities of fresh and frozen foods and cleaning supplies at deep discounts.
  • Buy store brands.
  • Look for sale items in our weekly in-store circular.
  • Before you buy more items at the store, plan your meals using what you have in your fridge and freezer.

DHS, ICE, Shutdown, Chloe Kim, Olympics, Nancy Guthrie, Galentine’s Day: Daily Briefing

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DHS, ICE, Shutdown, Chloe Kim, Olympics, Nancy Guthrie, Galentine’s Day: Daily Briefing

Friday Olympic Schedule | Medal Count | Olympic Proposals

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

nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know on Friday, from looming (another) closure to reversal of critical environmental findings. Happy Galentine’s Day to my girls too! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

Why ICE doesn’t shut down when DHS shuts down

In their attempt to force the White House to reform the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats are risking further partial government shutdowns.

But Republicans are quick to point out the irony of that strategy. Regardless of whether DHS loses funding after February 13, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will continue to operate.

The branch of the agency most responsible for Democratic outrage, driven in large part by the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis last month, has been strengthened by billions of dollars from the so-called “Big and Beautiful Act” passed by Congress in 2025.

More news you need to know right now

  • Big blow to environmental protection: Former President Barack Obama said the United States has become “less safe” after the Trump administration repealed the Environmental Protection Agency’s “danger findings,” which have been the legal basis for regulations targeting man-made greenhouse gases for nearly two decades.
  • New details about Nancy Guthrie: “The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build. In the video, he is seen wearing a black 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack,” FBI Phoenix confirmed in a social media post Thursday.
  • If your child kills someone, are you also a murderer? A Georgia man accused of killing his son in a school shooting is on trial for murder. This is perhaps the most extreme example yet of a movement to hold parents accountable after their children are accused of gun violence.

2026 Winter Olympics

Chloe Kim soars to silver medal

During Thursday’s women’s halfpipe final, Team USA’s Chloe Kim hugged her rival Gaon Choi after the latter suffered a bad fall. A few hours later, Choi visibly limped to the podium and won the gold medal. The 17-year-old dethroned Kim, who finished with silver after back-to-back gold medals. Regardless of the outcome, we were just as surprised as Kim’s boyfriend snowboarding her sky high.

Galentine’s Day 2026

Today is for girls

Hey everyone, it’s time for Galentine’s Day. 💗💗 This girly-pop holiday falls the day before Valentine’s Day (yes, Friday the 13th) and celebrates platonic love between female friends and female empowerment (we can thank Amy Poehler). So ditch your boyfriend, drink a bottle of rosé, and celebrate your love for your best friends and the amazing women in your life. I’ll try it breakfast style.

before going

  • Shop our President’s Day Sale.
  • Dream NYFW lineup: Mary Beth Barone, Pamela Anderson, Tessa Thompson, Amanda Seyfried.
  • This weekend’s NBA All-Star Game will have a new format.

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

How chocolate shaped America in unexpected ways

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How chocolate shaped America in unexpected ways

Chocolate has played a pivotal role in America’s milestones, from the Revolutionary War to the Apollo program.

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Americans’ love of chocolate dates back to the nation’s earliest days more than 250 years ago.

According to some ancient evidence, indigenous tribes in Central and South America began cultivating and consuming cacao around 3300 BC. Chocolate was a delicacy when it arrived in Europe in the 1500s.

Currently, it is estimated that Americans eat about 2.8 billion to 3 billion pounds of chocolate annually, which is the equivalent of about 10 pounds per person, or about 100 Hershey bars, each year.

In many ways, chocolate’s path to ubiquity traces the broader history of the United States.

Jared Ross Hardesty, a scholar of Colonial America and author of “The Rising Sun Rebellion: A Tragic Story of Smuggling, Slavery, and Chocolate,” said the confectionery “helps us better understand some really important themes in American history.”

It has also played a pivotal role in the nation’s major milestones, from the American Revolution to space travel.

It tells the story of how chocolate is involved in the history of this country.

Chocolate existed in the Americas before European settlement.

Thousands of years before European settlers landed in what is now the United States, the indigenous Olmec, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations of the region we know as southern Mexico and Central America began cultivating and producing chocolate.

The word chocolate comes from the Aztec word “chocoatl,” which was a bitter, spicy drink made by grinding cocoa beans with water, chili peppers, and other spices. These early American civilizations used chocolate drinks for religious ceremonies such as births and marriages, and some even treated them as currency.

Chocolate didn’t make its way to Europe until the 1500s, when Aztec emperor Montezuma II introduced it to Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, who brought it back to Spain.

Chocolate was a substitute for tea for revolutionary colonists

Two centuries later, chocolate became a luxury item throughout Europe and the American colonies. Although still consumed only as a drink, Europeans used chili peppers in place of spices such as cinnamon and sugar.

The drink became popular in the American colonies in the mid-1700s, when tensions with the British Empire began to rise and tariffs were imposed on goods such as tea. Colonists boycotting Congress and buying taxed British goods turned to chocolate instead of tea.

Cocoa beans were primarily grown in the Caribbean and South America. To avoid paying the British for their goods, the colonists set up an illegal trading network and smuggled chocolate into the ports.

This drink became a symbol of patriotism during the Revolutionary War.

The history of chocolate is intertwined with the slave trade

The history of chocolate production is deeply rooted in slavery. In many of the Caribbean and South American countries that produced cocoa beans, the population of enslaved people exceeded the number of free people.

As the demand for chocolate in Europe and America increased, enslaved people were forced to plant, harvest, ferment, and transport cocoa beans. Once the beans arrived in the colonies, chocolate merchants from as far north as Boston used slave labor to process them into beverage products.

“Chocolate shows how deeply ingrained slavery was in the American economy during this period of colonial revolution,” Hardesty said.

“If you want chocolate at this time of year, you are consuming something made and produced by slave labor.”

the industrial revolution brought the first chocolate bar

The Gilded Age in the United States conjures up images of palatial homes, lavish parties, and tables covered in decadent food, including sweet chocolate treats. Technological innovations brought about by the Industrial Revolution allowed chocolatiers to create what we think of as chocolate today.

In 1828, a Dutch inventor discovered a way to separate beans into cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Then, in 1847, the British created the first solid chocolate, and in the 1870s, Swiss confectioners developed milk chocolate.

These developments also reached America. At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, a man named Milton S. Hershey was so fascinated by the display of chocolate-making machines that he went home and began experimenting. After selling his caramel business in 1905, Hershey opened a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania and began selling his signature milk chocolate bars.

Chocolate was included in World War II military rations

Chocolate bars probably wouldn’t be at the top of the list of recommended foods for Army soldiers, especially now that the Secretary of the Army is looking to increase physical fitness requirements for the military.

But when World War II began, Army officials met with Hershey’s leaders to develop a high-energy chocolate ration bar for soldiers that tasted “a little better than a boiled potato” and could withstand battlefield conditions.

They created this deal after soldiers during World War I loved the milk chocolate bars in their ration kits so much that they handed them out to the little children they met.

“That kind of defeats the purpose of ration bars, which are supposed to be eaten when food is scarce,” said Amy Zeigler, senior director of The Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Gardens.

(By the end of the war in 1945, Hershey estimates that it was producing 24 million Ration D bars per week.) The company claims that from 1940 to 1945, it manufactured more than 3 billion chocolate bars and distributed them to war zones around the world.

Ziegler said the ration bars helped Hershey win the second-most Army and Navy E Awards, given to companies that contributed to World War II production.

Chocolate has traveled to space many times

Chocolate has also supported America’s adventurous spirit over the past 250 years, from Lewis and Clark’s journey west to NASA’s space missions.

In his 1806 diary, Meriwether Lewis wrote that at the end of his 28-month, 8,000-mile journey down the Missouri River, when he was ordered by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase, he felt “greatly relieved” by drinking “about a pint” of chocolate.

In July 1971, astronauts on the Apollo 15 mission to the moon also enjoyed chocolate. Hershey’s Tropical Chocolate Bar was originally developed for the Pacific Theater during World War II, where they were sent on missions.

Mars candy-covered chocolate M&Ms flew on the first space shuttle mission a decade later and have been used on every shuttle flight since then, the company said. It is also featured on the menu of the International Space Station.

Carissa Waddick, who covers America’s 250th anniversary for USA TODAY, can be reached at kwaddick@usatoday.com.

Roth IRA conversions are gaining in popularity. How to know when to convert

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Roth IRA conversions are gaining in popularity. How to know when to convert

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As Gen

A Roth conversion is the transfer of assets from a pre-tax retirement account, such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), to a Roth IRA. People pay income tax on the converted amount in the year they transfer it, but the money grows tax-free and withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free. Additionally, Roth accounts are not subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) upon retirement and are not taxable to your heirs.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), income taxes can be a retiree’s biggest expense, so it’s natural for people with most of their retirement savings in traditional 401(k) or IRA accounts to consider moving to a Roth account. Roth IRAs didn’t exist until 1997, more than a decade after Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) started working, so most of their savings are likely in traditional accounts. Conversions in the second quarter of 2024 increased 46% year over year across all age groups, according to data from investment firm Fidelity.

However, “everyone’s situation is nuanced, so a thorough analysis is required to understand the complete picture to determine whether a switch to Roth is right for you,” said Chris Barkel, investment advisor and president of AXIS Financial. “If you have two people in the same situation except for one variable, a transformation may be wise for one person and not for the other.”

Can I mathematically determine whether I should do a Roth conversion?

People typically compare their current marginal tax rate to their expected future marginal tax rate. “The rule of thumb is that if future tax rates are high, conversion is more desirable; if future tax rates are lower, conversion is less desirable,” investment management firm Vanguard said in a report.

Financial advisors say this is a good start, but Vanguard argues that this simple rule overlooks situations in which Roth conversions are advantageous even if expected future tax rates are lower. Instead, Vanguard promotes a “BETR” or break-even tax rate.

BETR is the future tax rate whether or not you convert. You can calculate it using Vanguard’s Roth BETR calculator.

How does BETR work?

Compare an individual’s expected future marginal tax rate to BETR to determine whether a Roth conversion is beneficial. “In some ways, the decision comes down to one number,” Vanguard said.

Vanguard says this is how it works:

  • If the future tax rate is BETR, converting will make no difference
  • If BETR is below, the conversion will further worsen the investor’s return.
  • If you are above BETR, conversion is the better option

example: A person with $100,000 in a traditional IRA in the 35% marginal tax bracket can expect to see a 24% lower tax rate in retirement. The IRA is expected to triple to $300,000 over 20 years. Based solely on tax rates, the person skips the conversion in the hope that they will pay less tax when they withdraw later. With BETR, you’ll see a different story.

Without conversion, your balance after paying 24% tax on withdrawal, or $72,000, would be $228,000.

A Roth conversion costs $35,000 (35%) in prepaid taxes. Assume that if you had kept investing that $35,000, it would have doubled to $70,000 after taxes. The loss in growth reduces the balance after 20 years to $230,000.

That translates to $2,000 more, Vanguard said, despite the lower expected future tax rate of 24%.

(Vanguard used this equation: $300,000 * (1 – BETR) = $230,000 to find the BETR, which is 23.3%, which is lower than the expected future tax rate of 24%, so the person should convert.)

Is there anything I should consider when deciding on a Roth conversion?

BETR is “a good rule of thumb as a starting point, but it doesn’t get into the weeds of someone’s particular situation,” Berkel said.

People also need to look at “softer” considerations, he said. These can include savings in taxable accounts (such as brokerage accounts and money market accounts), pre-tax accounts (such as 401(k)s and IRAs), and tax-free accounts (such as Roth accounts and health savings accounts). Future sources of income, such as traditional pensions, tax-free military benefits, and Social Security, should also be considered.

“Then you also need to factor in your expenses, including how much you want to spend on retirement and traditional goals,” Berkel said. “Most people don’t realize that if they leave a large pre-tax IRA to their children, they may have to pay even more taxes. Some may not care about this, but others may want to be conscientious about the taxes their children pay.”

By law, most non-spouse IRA beneficiaries must distribute the account in full by December 31 of the 10th year after the original owner’s death. If the deceased person already took required minimum distributions (RMDs) before death, his or her heirs must continue to receive RMDs each year and drain the account by year 10.th year. Distributions are taxed as income.

Distributions from inherited Roth accounts are not taxed as long as the account has been open for at least five years.

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

CBP may have dropped the balloons with a laser. Will “cartel drones” be next?

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CBP may have dropped the balloons with a laser. Will “cartel drones” be next?

Federal authorities appear to have shot down a balloon, not a drone, near the border. But concerns about cartel drones persist.

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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. – Under a deep blue midday sky, the soundscape near the border fence included the crowing of Mexican roosters, the U.S. Union Pacific Railroad and law enforcement helicopters chopping overhead.

The din of “cartel drones” was unheard of at the time.

Trump administration officials and security experts say drones used by Mexican criminal organizations to smuggle drugs and monitor Border Patrol agents are a potential national security threat and caused the sudden eight-hour closure of nearby El Paso International Airport on February 10.

According to multiple media reports, government officials publicly blamed the no-fly order on “cartel drone infiltration,” and later competing explanations from other government officials suggested that Border Patrol agents fired new laser technology at what turned out to be party balloons. The FAA suddenly closed the airport as a precaution.

Experts say it’s true that Mexican cartels are using drones more frequently and with improved capabilities. Cartels monitor U.S. law enforcement at the border and smuggle tons of drugs. Inside Mexico, drones have begun to be outfitted with explosives to attack rival criminal organizations and security forces.

But the last thing Mexican criminal organizations want is to incur the wrath of the U.S. government by attacking Americans or U.S. law enforcement, said Juan Camilo Jaramillo, a Colombia-based investigator with Insight Crime, a cartel research group.

“That’s a line they shouldn’t cross,” he said.

“There is no evidence of weaponized drones on the U.S. side.”

President Donald Trump reclassified six Mexican cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” in a 2025 executive order that U.S. officials say gives them greater authority to target them with military force. Experts question the legitimacy of that claim.

The Department of Homeland Security has tracked tens of thousands of suspected drone sightings in recent years, but experts say none have yet posed a deadly threat inside U.S. territory.

The Pentagon recently provided anti-drone laser technology to DHS, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed it to El Paso on Feb. 9, a person familiar with the matter told USA TODAY.

DHS did not respond to requests for comment about the technology’s implementation or its role in shutting down airports.

Sunland Park is part of the El Paso metropolitan area, where the U.S.-Mexico border fence cuts through miles of urban sprawl, separating the city and communities in southern New Mexico from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses thermal and other technologies at ports of entry to detect drug traffickers, including those bringing drugs into the country. But drones present new challenges.

During a July Senate hearing, Stephen Willoughby, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s program to counter unmanned aerial vehicles, said that in the last six months of 2024, more than 27,000 U.S. or Mexican drones were detected near the border. Many were flying above legal altitudes and at night, when darkness could mask illegal activities.

He warned lawmakers that rival cartels were using explosive-laden drones to attack each other and that it was “only a matter of time before Americans and law enforcement become targets in our border regions.”

Insight Criminal Investigator Jaramillo said most of the cartel’s drone capabilities are basic and business-related, involving commercially available drones used to monitor smuggling routes and competitors.

He said warring criminal factions are increasingly using drones to deliver improvised explosive devices, but their use is concentrated in lawless areas in Mexico’s interior.

According to data obtained by Insight Crime from Mexico’s Department of Defense, 40% of IEDs seized in Mexico originate near the border between Michoacán and Jalisco in the country’s south. It’s where a new generation of the Jalisco cartel has been battling disparate armed criminal groups for control of smuggling routes.

Mexican states such as Guerrero, Zacatecas and Sonora are also seeing a “rapid increase” in drone use, Insight Crime reports.

Still, “there is no evidence of a public presence of weaponized cartel drones on the U.S. side of the border,” said Austin Docter, director of strategic initiatives at the University of Nebraska’s National Center for Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education.

“They primarily target rival cartel forces or local civilians to facilitate evacuation or attack local security forces,” he said. “The question is: Are we at increased risk of that change?”

“The threat has been neutralized”

On the morning of the El Paso airport closure, at 7:37 a.m. local time on February 11, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on social media that the FAA and Department of Defense “acted quickly to address cartel drone intrusion.”

“The threat has been neutralized,” he said in a post on X, adding that “there is no risk to business travel.”

Other government officials disputed that version of events as the day progressed. Shortly after Duffy’s post, a reporter asked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo what her government knew about the so-called invasion.

She had no information, she said. “If the FAA or any other department of the U.S. government has any information, they can ask the Mexican government (about it),” she added. “We will maintain what we have always maintained: permanent communication.”

Roberta Jacobson, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and co-founder of consulting firm Dinamica Americas, said U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security issues improved dramatically under Sheinbaum Pardo. This includes partnerships on extradition, information sharing and joint monitoring, she said.

Over the past year, Sheinbaum Pardo has faced dangerous political obstacles in its relations with its powerful northern neighbor. But every time Trump posts on social media angry about drug trafficking or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded Trump of their partnership, Jacobson said.

The two leaders met in January. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Mexican counterpart followed up a few days later, and a “ministerial security” meeting was planned for February.

“Maybe it’s ironic or not, but it’s always seemed to me that the best collaborations happen behind the scenes without much fuss,” Jacobson said. “It comes from the low-key, behind-the-scenes information sharing that happens behind the scenes.”

Lauren Villagran covers immigration and the border for USA TODAY. Contact him at lvillagran@usatoday.com.

Cybele Mays-Ostermann will be in charge of national security.

South Carolina State University shooting leaves 2 dead, 1 injured

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South Carolina State University shooting leaves 2 dead, 1 injured

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At least two people were killed and another injured in a mass shooting at South Carolina State University on February 12, school officials announced. This latest gun-related incident has rocked the American university community.

South Carolina State University officials announced in a statement that the campus was placed on lockdown at approximately 9:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, February 12, after a shooting was reported at the Hugin Suites student housing complex. The school is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, approximately 72 kilometers southeast of the state capital, Columbia.

Investigators with the South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the shooting, school officials said. The identities of the victims, the condition of those injured, and whether the suspect in the shooting is still at large are not known at this time.

The campus remains on lockdown as of 3 a.m. ET on February 13th. USA TODAY has reached out to the university and the South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement for comment.

“I know all the victims”: What we learned about Canadian school and home shootings that killed 8 people

The school announced on Facebook that Friday’s classes have been cancelled. “Students will be attended to by counselors.”

South Carolina State University was founded in 1896 and has more than 3,000 students, according to the school’s website. The school is the only public black college in the state.

The South Carolina incident comes after a mass shooting at Brown University in December 2025 that killed two students and injured nine others. In October 2025, a mass shooting on the campus of South Carolina State University left one person dead and another injured as the school was hosting a homecoming celebration.

Contributor: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY

Egg prices are coming down. Could they fall further or rise again?

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Egg prices are coming down. Could they fall further or rise again?

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At least for now, egg prices this year are very different from last year.

In January and February of 2025, grocery shoppers were paying escalating costs as they scrambled to find eggs on empty shelves. Additionally, restaurant patrons will be charged a surcharge for eggs as the industry deals with the worst year of bird flu outbreaks.

Although the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or avian influenza, remains high, the egg industry is currently oversupplied, with wholesale egg prices at record lows in early January, egg farmers and industry officials told USA TODAY. Egg farmers currently sell their products for less than the cost of production.

“There’s never been a better time to buy eggs,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board..

What happened to the price of eggs last year?

What happened to the egg industry and egg prices is classic supply and demand. Last year, when a large portion of the U.S. egg supply was affected by avian influenza during a period of seasonal demand, shoppers became concerned and began buying too many eggs, Thompson said. And prices have soared.

But over the past seven months, wholesale prices have fallen nearly 90%, reaching historic lows in early January, Metz said. According to the USDA egg market overview on January 9, the wholesale price of 12 large eggs hit a record low of 36 cents per dozen.

Matt Sutton-Vermeulen, Kearney’s principal for agriculture and food, told USA TODAY that the price of eggs on the wholesale market has increased since the loss of 4.5 million chickens to avian influenza in January and February.

The Feb. 6 USDA Egg Market Overview Report lists 12 large eggs at a wholesale price of $1.25.

Are grocery store prices going down?

Sutton-Vermeulen said grocery store prices have fallen, but not as dramatically as wholesale prices.

Retailers often fulfill contracts with suppliers on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, he told USA TODAY. Additionally, retailers may delay raising or lowering prices if the market spikes or softens, he said.

Comparing the retail price of eggs in December 2025 and December 2024, the most recent price information available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI), the average price of 12 Grade A eggs in the United States was $2.72 in December 2025, compared to $4.15 in December 2024. The highest CPI price for eggs was $6.23 in March 2025.

Prices remained high in April and May, but began to decline in June 2025. The latest CPI information for January will be released on February 13th.

Egg prices have been on a roller coaster since mid-2022, peaking in the winters of 2023 and 2025 and rising more than 150% above pre-pandemic prices in January, according to USA TODAY’s Grocery Tracker based on data from Datasembly. Since then, prices have calmed down. Nationwide, prices in the first week of February fell by 37% compared to the same week last year, but still remain about 47% higher than in February 2020.

Some Walmart shoppers may have already seen egg prices drop at local stores, according to USA TODAY’s Shopping Cart Tracker provided by data-scraping firm BrightData. Track real-time prices collected weekly from at least one Walmart online marketplace in each state. Data shows egg prices have fallen in several states since USA TODAY began its research in late October.

For example, egg prices in New Jersey fell from $6.54 to $2.96 per dozen at Walmart stores last week. In Chicago, prices fell from $3.46 to $2.96.

Is avian influenza still a threat to the U.S. egg supply?

The H5N1 avian influenza strain began in the fall of 2020 in poultry flocks and wild birds in Europe and has since spread to the United States, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, making it the largest outbreak of its kind in the United States.

According to Metz, between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. egg industry lost 50 million laying hens to avian influenza.

Metz said it could take nine months to more than a year for egg farms to recover from detection of chicken flu and return to full production.

But “it’s not the same situation this year,” Metz told USA TODAY, adding that while bird flu is still present, it’s not as severe.

Groceries: Are Walmart customers being overcharged for mis-measured meat?

Will the price go back up?

Thompson said no one can predict what prices will be because bird flu is unpredictable.

“Next month, millions of birds could disappear from the system and this whole issue could turn around again,” she says.

Additionally, Thompson said that while it’s good for consumers that the price of eggs is lower than the cost of production, it could make some farms unviable, which could impact retail prices. “Nobody signs up to lose money,” Thompson told USA TODAY, referring to egg farmers.

The first bird flu in the United States hit a flock of egg farmers.

Mike Paglisi said the egg farming industry always has periods of highs and lows, but nothing on the scale of avian influenza over the past five years. His family is the third generation to operate Paglisi Egg Farms, which have two locations in New Jersey and Delaware.

The last year has been especially tough, he told USA TODAY, as the industry has lost so many birds, creating a “disaster” and huge shortages that have caused prices to go “crazy.”

He said February 2022 was even worse for him personally, when his farm became the first commercial egg farm in the U.S. to become infected with the latest strain of HPAI avian influenza and lose its entire flock.

Currently, there are more eggs than people need and prices are below the cost of production, Paglisi said.

We won’t be dyeing Easter potatoes this year.

Last year, egg prices were so high that consumers turned to alternatives such as dyeing potatoes instead of eggs for Easter.

“Easter is coming up. It’s the Super Bowl,” Mets said. “No one should be worried about dyeing potatoes this year. We’ll be dyeing eggs and an additional dozen.”

contribution: Data journalists Suhail Bhat and Dian Zhang

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her at @blinfisher on X, Facebook and Instagram and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky.. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, breaking down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

Former astronaut found guilty of false space crime charges

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Former astronaut found guilty of false space crime charges

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No one in space can hear your plans. On Earth, the story turned out to be different.

This week, a 51-year-old woman was sentenced to federal prison for overreaching and ultimately gravity-defying accusations that her ex-spouse illegally accessed her bank account while she was an astronaut on the International Space Station in the summer of 2019.

Summer Heather Worden, of Sedgwick County, Kansas, was sentenced to three months in prison and two years of supervised release for making false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and representations to law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett of the Southern District of Texas also ordered her to pay $210,000 in restitution.

Mr. Worden pled guilty in November 2025.

According to court documents, Worden falsely accused former astronaut Anne McClain of guessing her bank account password and gaining unauthorized access from the space station during her divorce proceedings.

As a result of an internal investigation, McClain, who had denied the charges, was ultimately found not guilty. Despite this, Worden continued to promote false claims to the press and hired media consultants to amplify them, the documents state. Evidence showed that Mr. Worden also released personal information about Mr. McClain.

McClain, a decorated NASA astronaut and U.S. Army colonel, was one of three crew members whose Soyuz spacecraft docked at the orbiting research facility in December 2018. Mr. Worden had filed for divorce that same year, so he may have needed some space.

The charges came seven months later and were the first time anyone had been charged with a crime in space.

However, an investigation revealed that Warden’s bank account was opened in April 2018 and was accessible to McClain until January 2019, when Warden changed the account credentials. Authorities determined that Worden had given McClain access to his personal assets as early as 2015.

Worden remained free on bail and was allowed to voluntarily surrender with a decision on whether he would be committed to a federal prison in the “near future.”

NASA’s Office of Inspector General investigated the incident.

McClain returned to the space station in March 2025 as mission commander for a four-person world crew that rescued two astronauts who were forced to stay at the orbiting research facility beyond their scheduled term because NASA determined the spacecraft was incapable of returning to Earth.

Oklahoma executes Katrina refugee Kendrick Simpson for double murder

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Oklahoma executes Katrina refugee Kendrick Simpson for double murder

Kendrick Simpson was executed in 2006 for murdering two men who were fighting at a nightclub in Oklahoma by tailing them and firing 20 bullets into their car.

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A Hurricane Katrina evacuee who killed two men in a hail of gunfire in Oklahoma City 20 years ago became the second person executed in the United States this week.

Oklahoma executed Kendrick Antonio Simpson on Thursday, February 12, for the 2006 murders of two young men, Glenn Palmer and Anthony Jones. He was pronounced dead at 10:19 a.m. Central Time.

Simpson, 45, is a New Orleans native who fled to Oklahoma in 2005 as a Hurricane Katrina refugee. Simpson’s execution came about a month after an emotional pardon hearing in which the parole board, which will decide his fate, heard from the victims’ families, survivors of the shootings and Simpson himself.

Simpson told the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Parole that he was “ashamed to be a murderer” and did not deserve the death penalty. “I’m not the worst of the worst. I’m not a monster.”

In a 3-2 vote, the board narrowly approved moving up Simpson’s execution after hearing from his lawyers how he rehabilitated himself in prison, earned his GED, became a “devoted father” to his two sons, and deeply regretted the murder.

“In the name of ‘justice,’ the state chose to perpetuate the cycle of trauma rather than end it, taking the life of a man who spent years learning how to make a better life for others,” Simpson’s attorney Emma Rawls said in a statement shortly after Simpson was pronounced dead. “This execution was a grave and unnecessary loss.”

The state scoffs at Mr. Simpson’s claims for relief and requests for mercy. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement last month that the parole board made the right decision, calling Simpson “a ruthless, violent killer who hunted down his victims without remorse.”

What was Kendrick Simpson convicted of?

On January 15, 2006, Kendrick Simpson loaded an assault rifle into a friend’s car before going to a house party and then going to a club called Fritz’s in Oklahoma City.

While at the club, Simpson passed three men who commented on his Chicago Cubs baseball cap. The men were three close friends named Glenn Palmer, Anthony Jones, and London Johnson.

After thinking about the comment, Simpson returned to the men and told them he was going to “cut them up,” according to court records. That’s the term Simpson used to refer to his rifle or “chopper,” prosecutors said. He left again, but soon returned, holding out his hand to Palmer in a gesture of peace and saying, “We’re cool.” That’s when Palmer punched Simpson in the mouth and knocked him to the floor, according to court records.

Shortly after leaving the club, Simpson and two friends were at a gas station when Palmer, Jones and London arrived in Palmer’s car. Simpson’s lawyers say that, by chance, Simpson thought the men were going to kill him.

Simpson then directed one of his friends to follow Palmer’s car and another to retrieve the gun, according to court records. They pursued Palmer, Jones, and London for more than three miles, and when the car Simpson was in stopped next to Palmer’s car, Simpson opened fire.

After nearly 20 gunshots, Palmer and Jones were dead, but London survived, crouching in the back seat.

At trial, jurors heard testimony about the shooting from Simpson’s friends. During the sentencing phase, where a person’s criminal history is considered, jurors also heard from a man named Hung Pham, whom Simpson punched and shot in the face during a home invasion in New Orleans. Simpson was just 16 years old at the time of the crime and served six years in prison for the crime.

The jury found Simpson guilty of the murders of Palmer and Jones and recommended the death penalty.

Is it played by the monster or the victim?

Simpson grew up in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, a notoriously violent place rife with prostitution, drugs, and murder during the ’80s and ’90s. Simpson’s mother was 16 years old when he was born and became addicted to crack, and his father abandoned him at birth.

“Kendrick’s earliest memories as a child include seeing dead bodies, shootings, stabbings, and other acts of violence on the project grounds,” attorney Emma Rawls told the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Parole last month.

She said a family member began sexually abusing Simpson when he was 11 years old, and it continued until he was 16. Simpson was the same age he was when he raised two children and went to prison for six years after committing a home invasion shooting.

About a year after he was released from prison, Mr. Rawls said Mr. Simpson was shot in a “vehicle attack” that nearly killed him, suffering gunshot wounds to the leg, chest, abdomen and skull. He was still recovering from the many surgeries he had undergone and was using a colostomy bag when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

By the time she arrived in Oklahoma City, Rawls said Simpson’s life experiences had caused her to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and was in a state of fear and paranoia. She said this was the perfect setting for Ms Simpson to take action on the night she killed Palmer and Jones.

“I think it’s very easy to remove the humanity of someone by reducing them to a one-dimensional character, like a monster,” she said. “But it refuses to acknowledge the real nuances and facts of a living human being… He’s far beyond what he’s done.”

The state rejected that depiction. Brad Clark, general counsel for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, told the board that Simpson was a “violent repeat offender who repeatedly chose to prey on others.”

“What mercy did he show Glenn and Anthony? What compassion did he show their families?” he asked. “These families have endured unimaginable loss and have now spent nearly 20 years of Christmas, birthdays and other holidays without their loved ones.”

He said the state of Oklahoma extended its reach to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, including Simpson, and they had a chance to get a fresh start.

“He could have chosen a legal path forward,” Clark said. “But he made the choice to corner two unarmed men and attempt to kill a third. His crime was premeditated, cowardly and calculated. Make no mistake, he chased his victims for miles and then pulled the trigger 20 times.”

Kendrick Simpson: “I’m not a monster”

Simpson’s lawyers said he became a prolific poet while in prison and was published in the Rose State Literary Journal. Shortly after his execution, they shared excerpts from some of his writings about the state of Oklahoma’s pursuit of his execution.

“Like a mad dog who claims to have bitten too many people, I too must be executed,” he wrote, calling his execution “state-sanctioned murder.”

“It seems the height of hypocrisy to be killed for murder,” he wrote. “But they are committing murder under the banner of justice, so there must be a difference.”

As he lay on the execution stretcher Thursday, Simpson kept his last words short and smiled as he thanked his family for their support. “I love you all,” he said.

Crystal Allison, whose brother Glenn Palmer was killed by Simpson, witnessed the execution and said she was disappointed that Simpson did not apologize.

“I’m still hurting and struggling with this,” she told reporters, according to the USA TODAY Network’s Oklahoman newspaper. “Today, I was tormented. Even on my deathbed, he is smiling.”

When is the next execution?

Simpson’s execution was the third in the United States this year, and came two days after a man on death row was executed in Florida in 1989 for the murder of a traveling salesman.

The next execution in Florida is scheduled for February 24th, when Melvin Trotter will be executed for the 1986 murder of 70-year-old Virgie Langford during a convenience store robbery.

Florida continues its record-breaking execution pace this year. In 2025, the state executed 19 inmates, a state record and far more than any other state in the nation in that year. The states that executed the second most prisoners in 2025 were Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina, with five each.

Nationwide, 47 inmates were executed in each state in 2025. The figure is the highest in 15 years, and experts blame the country’s political climate, largely under pro-death penalty President Donald Trump and a more conservative Supreme Court.

Contributor: Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman

Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter covering breaking news, cold case investigations and the death penalty for USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat.

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