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Arrow Exterminators Homeowner Pest Control Review (2026)

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Arrow Exterminators Homeowner Pest Control Review (2026)

Pests don’t wait for a convenient time to appear, and you don’t have to go through the stress of finding the right company to deal with them. You need people who know what they’re doing, show up when they say they’ll do it, and don’t turn a simple ant problem into a hard sell.

Arrow Exterminators has spent more than 60 years building a name across the Southeast and Southwest. We are known for our family-owned business and environmentally responsible approach to pest control. But will that reputation hold up if a technician shows up at your home?

USA TODAY took a deep dive into Arrow’s service, pricing, warranty, and customer reviews. We’ll show you what this pest control company does well, what it lacks, and whether it’s right for your home.

Arrow Exterminator Overview

  • 60% recommendbased on over 560 Yelp reviews.
  • Perfect for: Homeowners in need of robust, environmentally friendly pest control
  • Treated pests: Ants, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, biting insects, termites, mites

Get a free quote from Arrow Exterminators

Services provided

Arrow Exterminators’ main residential products include:

  • Pests in the home: Targeted treatment for ants, cockroaches, spiders and silverfish
  • Termite measures: Feeding systems such as Sentricon, liquid handling and pre-treatment for new construction
  • Wildlife and rodents: Capturing and removing mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons, as well as sealing entry points.
  • Mosquito control: Barrier spray to reduce mosquito bites in the garden during warmer months
  • Specialty pests: Stinging insects such as fire ants, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, and wasps

We also handle home maintenance related to pest problems such as:

  • Lawn care: Fertilization, weed control, and treatment of lawn-damaging insects
  • Moisture control: Prevent wood rot and mold with crawl space encapsulation and dehumidifiers
  • Insulation and handyman services: Attic insulation and general repairs (often needed after pest or wildlife damage)
  • Real estate inspection: Termite extermination letters and documents required for home sales

“Contact your local service center to find out what services are available in your area,” advises Mike Malone, a board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of marketing for Arrow Exterminators.

Arrow Exterminators plans and packages

Arrow doesn’t sell a one-size-fits-all package. All plans start with a free home inspection. A technician will evaluate your property and create a treatment plan based on your specific pest risk.

This plan falls under the STEPS Total Protection System, which bundles Arrow’s core services.

  • Pest control: Ongoing treatment for ants, cockroaches, spiders, and other common invaders
  • Termite control: Feeding and liquid handling options
  • with mosquitoes fire ant extermination: Add-on programs for garden and outdoor protection

price and value

Arrow does not list pest control costs online. Each home has a different pest problem, layout, and severity. That’s why the company uses free in-person inspections to generate accurate quotes, rather than guessing over the phone.

For pricing information, call your local branch or request a free evaluation through the Arrow website. Our technicians will walk around your property, flag any problem areas, and put together a custom-priced plan. There is no obligation to make a reservation even if it does not suit you.

Efficacy and quality of treatment

Arrow builds its treatments around integrated pest management, an approach that targets the root causes of infestations, such as excess moisture and overgrown landscapes. This is reflected in the company’s STEPS program, which uses EPA-approved products designed to be safer for homes with children and pets.

Results tend to depend on the technician and the severity of the infection. Still, many customers report solid and lasting results against common problems like ants and rodents.

Guarantee and Guarantee

Arrow backs our regular pest services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. But the site doesn’t detail what it entails or how retreatment actually works. It’s worth checking with your local branch to find out what the warranty includes before signing the contract.

Advantages and disadvantages

Strong Points Cons
environmentally friendly processing Immediate estimates cannot be given online or over the phone.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Some customers report high-pressure sales tactics during free evaluations
QualityPro certified. Means the technician has passed a background check and formal training Branch quality may vary

Arrow Exterminators vs. Competitors

Arrow currently operates 200 service centers in 16 states: Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. This is much smaller than large national companies like Orkin and Terminix. Arrow isn’t on that scale, but it offers a more personal experience and puts more emphasis on environmentally friendly treatments.

Orkin operates in hundreds of locations nationwide, and Terminix has built its entire brand around termite control and structural restoration work. If you’re outside of Arrow’s service area, or if you’re facing termite infestation severe enough to require major repairs, a large pest control company may be a better choice.

Customer reviews and testimonials

Like many exterminators, Arrow’s reviews run the gamut, ranking in the 3-star range on average across Yelp and BestCompany.com.

Here’s a look at what good and bad experiences are like.

Yelp reviewer Mike H. of Acworth, Georgia, gave Arrow a five-star rating. He says the treatment keeps his home free of pests, with only the occasional dead insect found. Arrow also instantly schedules a free return visit if new issues arise. He also uses the company for termite control without any problems.

Meanwhile, Rosita described her experience in Jupiter, Florida and left a 1-star review on BestCompany.com. She said she was scammed by a “soft-spoken” salesperson who stopped contacting her after the payment was completed. After that experience, she warned other homeowners to spell out every item on the contract before signing.

Final verdict: Are Arrow Exterminators worth it, and who should use them?

Get a free quote from Arrow Exterminators

Arrow Exterminators is a great value for homeowners who want to work with a family-owned company that is true to what it does. Although some customers report aggressive sales tactics and inconsistent service, most customers leave with pest-free homes and reliable technicians.

If you have selected a recurring plan, consider calling Arrow for a personalized quote. The free reprocessing built into STEPS can make a difference to problems like insects and termites in your home. Issues like this require more than just one visit from a specialist, and a recheck over time.

FAQ

Is Arrow Exterminators a good company?

Yes, that’s right. Arrow Exterminators has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, recognizing our friendly technicians and environmentally friendly processes.

How much does Arrow Pest Control cost?

Arrow pest control costs vary depending on your situation and pest problem. But as a rough idea, let’s say a homeowner in Atlanta, Georgia gets a home inspection and is quoted $175 for a one-time treatment or $80 per visit for a quarterly plan.

Who owns Arrow Exterminators?

The Thomas family owns Arrow Exterminators, which was founded in 1964 by James S. Thomas Sr.

Which company is best for pest control?

The best pest control company will depend on your region and needs. Orkin is a national leader in general pest control. Terminix is ​​especially good against termites. Arrow Exterminators is one of the top eco-friendly, family-owned and operated services in the area.

Lindsey Graham’s sudden death shocks Congress

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Lindsey Graham’s sudden death shocks Congress

The longtime South Carolina state senator had just returned from a trip abroad and was scheduled to appear on television the next morning.

WASHINGTON – On the morning of July 12, many Americans turned on their televisions expecting to see a familiar face on Sunday political talk shows: Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The South Carolina Republican had just completed an overseas trip to the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he was traveling with a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers. He has made countless such trips during the more than 30 years he has lived in Washington. He also met separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kiev before returning to Washington, D.C., for the Senate to return from its scheduled two-week recess.

Graham’s travels around the world led to a major spot on the network and he was scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” It was a familiar pattern for a senator known around Washington (and around the world) for frequently being in the thick of politics (and not exactly accustomed to television cameras).

Instead, when he suddenly passed away the night before, shock reverberated across Washington and the nation.

Graham’s office said in a statement that he passed away on Saturday, July 11, after a “short, sudden illness.” No further details were immediately released. He was 71 years old.

His colleagues in Congress were stunned.

“There are no words to describe Lindsey Graham, my friend of more than 30 years,” Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) said in a statement. “It’s possible to succeed Lindsey Graham, but it’s impossible to replace him.”

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said he will miss Mr. Graham’s “contagious laugh, wit and zest for life.”

Tim Scott, another Republican senator representing South Carolina, said Graham always “bred resourcefulness to the most difficult moments.”

“South Carolina has lost a politician and I have lost a friend,” he said in a statement.

Perhaps the biggest shock, other than Graham’s allies in the Capitol, came from across Pennsylvania Avenue. President Donald Trump, who often confided in and had a close relationship with Mr. Graham, said the country had lost “one of the greatest men and senators I have ever known.”

“Details and arrangements to come,” President Trump wrote on social media. “so sad!”

Graham was seeking re-election in the deep red state this year. His death will temporarily leave the seat open for a Republican candidate, but the seat will likely remain red regardless of the candidate. South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, plans to appoint an interim replacement until the next Congress is sworn in in January.

Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..

We have to talk about America’s love affair with Costco’s free samples

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We have to talk about America’s love affair with Costco’s free samples

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Caitlin Johnson has a motto she swears by. “I don’t tell Costco what I need. Costco tells me what I need.”

Patio set? “You can’t beat the price.” Dyson vacuum cleaner on sale? “Suddenly, I needed a new vacuum cleaner.” What’s inside the baked goods? “Who am I to refuse cake?”

Another sure-fire way Costco routinely gets the word out to this 34-year-old advertising executive from Long Island, New York: She loves free samples of everything from cinnamon raisin cookies to roasted cauliflower.

Wait, cauliflower?

“Stay here. I walked right past it twice. But I kept observing these people, and they said, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing.’ So eventually I thought, ‘Okay, this means something,”’ said Johnson, who has two refrigerators that hold things she buys at Costco. “We both left.”

In fact, she takes home 8 out of 10 samples she tries. “It’s amazing, this is the first time I’ve ever acknowledged it out loud,” Johnson said.

Is there such a thing as a free lunch? Don’t tell Costco

People like free food and Costco is no different. That makes a lot of money.

Costco won’t reveal the amount (or anything else for that matter), but no retailer is more famous for its smorgasbord of samples.

Tasty treats and sweet mini treats have spawned a slew of viral sketches and viral videos. Internet celebrities circle the aisles and return for a few seconds, often in disguise. They consume only Costco sample calories for 1-3 days, visit every sample station, clean out xiao long bao and strawberry cheesecake from vendor trays before anyone else can sample them, and collect clicks.

And people have strange reactions to a plain slice of salami or a cup of chocolate milk.

Stand-up comedian Josh Sneed recently joked, “Whenever I’m presented with a sample of a food I’ve had before and I know I like it, I pretend I’ve never eaten it. I don’t know why.” “What is this? Cheese? Am I right? Cheese? Oh, that sounds good.”

Snead, 49, doesn’t just get her ingredients from Costco. He gets everything there. He used to drive an hour to Costco on the other side of Cincinnati until a warehouse opened 10 minutes from his home.

What is Costco’s biggest selling point? Of course, enjoy the sample.

“That’s how picky I am. If I taste something and I like it, I’ll know that my son doesn’t like it. So I’ll tell my son I think he’ll like it, ask him to eat a little bit, give me the rest, and he can get another refill,” he said. “I hate that there’s a way to get Costco samples, but you and I are talking for USA TODAY, so it can’t be that bad, right?”

“Free” Samples Are Not Actually Free

Research shows that these delicious handouts excite shoppers and leave them wanting more. Free samples are a staple for cardholders, so when Costco temporarily suspended free samples during the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers were heartbroken.

“There’s a real commercial driver behind the samples, but they’re also part of Costco’s appeal and have a halo effect that shows Costco cares about its customers,” Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail, told USA TODAY.

Of course, “free” samples aren’t actually free. They send a subconscious message that says, “Buy me.” And often people do.

Saunders says membership perks are a clever tactic to get shoppers to try new things and refill their already full carts with more Costco items. The proposal is simple. A pinch in exchange for the purchase of a full size product.

“Shoppers who sample something in-store are much more likely to purchase it,” Sanders says. “It’s basically a marketing activity that increases revenue.”

And this marketing effort doesn’t just increase goose sales. Free samples drive loyalty, measured by annual fees, among Costco’s 145 million cardholders.

What’s the biggest draw for shoppers? Profits from these membership fees increase revenue and help Costco sell everything from pretzel bagels to Wagyu beef at lower prices.

Why are Costco’s free samples so hard to resist?

For Caitlin Merry, 28, and her husband, the highlight of a family date night at Costco is tasting food as they walk their 9-month-old son snacking down the aisles at Costco.

The New Jersey couple, who are also personal trainers, have a habit of reading ingredients before buying anything, and as a general rule, they don’t take home samples.

“They’re all terrible for you, but now that that’s over, you might as well give them a try. One bite won’t hurt us,” Melli said.

My last Costco shopping experience was an exception. After Meri tasted the organic mango salsa at Siete Chips, she couldn’t resist eating the container.

“It was great,” she said. Is it already gone? Almost, she said. “I went on Monday and today, Wednesday.”

Anna Tal, a behavioral economist and visiting professor at the University of Maryland, says the amazing selection of free samples has become an important and intuitive part of the Costco experience.

The first taste of a new food can create a lasting first impression, or taste memory, that stimulates appetite for that food and other foods like it, Tal said. Free samples take the guesswork out of your purchase. Once you try Lindor’s truffles and braised short ribs, you’ll know whether you like it or not.

That’s why Costco takes great care to expertly craft flavorful bites through a company called Club Demonstration Services, which manages in-store samples, said Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University.

Once people take that bite, they begin to see the sample as a unique and special treat. It may not have more flavor than any other food, but it feels that way because we’re focused on that flavor in the moment, he said.

And unlike other bite-sized treats, this one doesn’t cost any money, so it’s much harder to resist. That’s the appeal of something free, Ariely says. Ariely once hired a tattoo artist to hand out free tattoos at parties. He was amazed at how many people who had never thought of getting a tattoo got one on the spot.

What about free stuff? It creates social commitment, the urge to retaliate. Costco shoppers also often add bulk versions to their carts, Ariely said.

For years, Costco observers David and Susan Schwartz have watched samples fly off the shelves and into shopping carts, as well as bystanders.

While writing their book, “Costco Fun: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z,” the husband-and-wife team ate samples from warehouses around the world, some more unusual than others. In Asia we sampled vodka, and in Sweden we sampled prosciutto cut from a whole leg by a peddler in a pleated chef’s hat.

“Sampling is clearly one of the most popular things done in a warehouse,” David said.

Susan says she fell in love with Costco’s croissants after seeing the samples. Her grandson, who lives primarily on a diet of pizza and chicken nuggets, discovered a healthier alternative, Madras lentils, thanks to Costco.

“Samples appeal to everyone,” she said.

Love-hate relationship with Costco samples

Well, maybe not everyone.

Jesse Fernandez, 41, a comedian and self-proclaimed Costco fan from San Mateo, Calif., mostly skips the sample line, with the exception of comfort foods like pizza and macaroni and cheese. But he rarely buys what he likes.

“The best sample is the worst one for me,” he said. So after I’ve had that decadent bite, I just say, “Thank you, Costco, for this little treat. Then I’m off to buy some very boring low-sodium, low-cholesterol, low-whatever food.”

Free food can also bring out the worst in people. Like the all-you-can-eat buffet, some people belly up to sample stations for pizza rolls and trail mix. The Internet is full of names for freeloaders: locusts, jackals, zombies, trash pandas, and even vultures.

“I grab one and go around the aisle. I grab the other and go around the aisle again. Repeat until it’s full. Move on to the next sample,” one person confessed on Facebook.

The offenders who cause the most outrage are those who park in front of sample stations, blocking major arteries to stores and disrupting traffic. Some become violent, pushing other shoppers away or cutting in line to make their first purchases. In rare cases, food fights can lead to fistfights.

Salespeople get mad at people who don’t like ordering a la carte, making special requests like “extra-crispy” quesadillas, no crackers, more brie, more peppermint bark, or ordering freshly prepared pork loin cooked to 165 degrees instead of 145 degrees.

What habits do you dislike about Costco employees? Shoppers leave sticky half-eaten samples, dirty cups, napkins, toothpicks, and wrappers in carts, and products they’ve tried but never intended to buy sit on random shelves, leaving warehouse workers to clean up afterward.

“Members, we are not your maids,” an anonymous worker chided a shopper on Reddit.

The feeding frenzy becomes so severe that some members lose their appetite completely.

“Who else never takes a free sample?” one mean guy asked on Reddit. “I don’t think I’ve touched any of it in 20 years.”

One person replied: “No way. I hate them.” “I know it’s a semi-unpopular opinion, but the completely barbaric behavior of the other members around the sample table disgusts me.”

But even those who have never sampled will eventually be tempted. something. One person wanted to taste Thai mango gummies.

“It was actually pretty good, so I bought some,” Reditor said.

Not enough? Try this sample from Costco:

USA TODAY covers Costco’s culture, from how it lets shoppers splurge to why shoppers love its $1.50 hot dogs.

Americans fear death, but not as much as this post-retirement setback

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Americans fear death, but not as much as this post-retirement setback

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Americans are less worried about dying and more upset about the economic consequences of staying alive.

This is one of the findings of an annual survey by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement. It found that 67% of Americans are more worried about running out of money than death.

“The money is running out,” Kelly Lavigne, Allianz vice president of consumer insights, told USA TODAY in April. “It’s about not being able to afford health care. It’s about not being able to afford long-term care.”

An Allianz survey released in April asked Americans to choose the greater of two concerns. Death and lack of money. In the last five annual surveys, “lack of funding” has consistently prevailed. This year, profit margins were higher than ever. The survey was conducted among 1,000 adults ages 25 and older with household incomes of at least $50,000 or investable assets of at least $150,000.

There are several economic and socio-economic reasons why Americans have recently become more concerned about living longer than money. People’s lifespans have increased. Inflation remains high. Medical and long-term care costs are rising. Fewer workers are retiring with pensions that provide a guaranteed source of income.

Taken together, these factors raise expectations about how much money the average American will need to fund even a modest retirement.

“We’re starting to see stories about people needing $1.4 million to retire comfortably,” David John, senior strategic policy adviser at AARP’s Public Policy Institute, said in an April interview. “People see big numbers, and what the big numbers do or don’t really apply to them. But that’s what scares people.”

Biggest worry after retirement: Money, money, money

In a broader retirement study also released in April, the Transamerica Retirement Research Center ranked America’s top retirement fears. Most of them were about money. The top three are:

  • Declining health condition requiring long-term care (said by 39% of respondents)
  • Social security reduction (38%)
  • Survive by saving and investing (36%)

“The economic burden facing Americans cannot be overestimated,” Transamerica Center CEO Katherine Collinson said in an April interview.

Hard data supports these concerns.

Long-term care costs are increasing. The average assisted living facility currently costs $6,200 per month, according to CareScout.

Social Security could face a shortage as early as 2032. If Congress does nothing, research suggests retirees will see their monthly benefits cut by 28%.

Life expectancy at birth will reach an all-time high of 79 years in 2024, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Living longer increases your chances of living longer than money, which often increases the cost of care.

“While life expectancy and longevity have increased significantly in recent decades, this does not necessarily mean that healthy life expectancy has increased,” Collinson said.

Retirement experts say living beyond your savings is a terrible fear. Here are some financial moves you can make to alleviate that.

Delay in claiming social security

It’s tempting to start collecting Social Security at age 62, when most retirees become eligible for Social Security. But there are good reasons to wait.

Each time you postpone enrolling in Social Security, your monthly benefits increase until age 70. Economists make a convincing case, based on human lifespans, that if you wait, you’ll earn more money over your lifetime.

“The closer you are to age 70 by the time you file a claim, the higher your lifetime benefits will be,” said AARP’s John. “The more basic necessities that can be covered by Social Security, the better off you will be.”

Make the most of your retirement savings

Thanks to recent changes in federal law, workers nearing retirement age can now save more than ever in a 401(k) or IRA account.

Employees with 401(k) plans can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. Savers age 50 and older can make additional “catch-up” contributions of up to $8,000, increasing their total contributions to $32,500. There is an even higher ‘super catch-up contribution’ limit of $11,250 for workers aged 60, 61, 62 and 63.

IRA contribution limits are relatively loose. The 2026 cap is $7,500. The catch-up contribution limit for older savers is $1,100, for a total contribution of $8,600.

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President Trump signs TrumpIRA order expanding access to retirement savings

President Trump signed an executive order creating TrumpIRA.gov, which can be used by workers whose employers do not offer a 401(k) plan to enroll in a retirement plan.

make a retirement plan

Clearly, many Americans are worried about retirement. But you may not be spending enough time planning it.

According to a report by the Transamerica Center, only 29% of Americans regularly engage in retirement planning, and only 31% work with a professional financial advisor.

Retirement planning may begin by visiting the Social Security website. There, you can get personalized estimates of your monthly benefit check if you retire at various ages.

You can then tally up your main expenses: your monthly spending on food, housing, transportation, and other necessities.

Compare your monthly expenses to your expected Social Security benefits. Next, consider what other sources of income you have and see how they match up.

Retirement experts say working with a professional advisor makes all of these calculations much easier.

Mr Collinson said: “It may be helpful to consult a financial advisor because they have worked with hundreds or thousands of clients and have experience in what the potential risks and potential outcomes are.”

Consider long-term care insurance

There are various types of long-term care insurance. Costs vary widely depending on the amount of benefits, the length of care covered, and other variables.

The National Council on Aging reported in 2025 that a typical policy that provides $165,000 in benefits to a single adult aged 55 could cost a man $950 a year and a woman $1,500.

“If you can afford long-term care insurance and you can find someone to write it for you, long-term care insurance is the best answer,” Allianz’s Lavigne said.

Another option is to purchase life insurance with a long-term care rider. This allows some or all of the death benefit to be used to cover long-term care.

Lindsey Graham dies at age 71 due to sudden illness

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Lindsey Graham dies at age 71 due to sudden illness

Senators were stunned to hear the news. President Trump called Graham one of the greatest people he has ever known.

WASHINGTON—South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died on July 11, his office announced. He was 71 years old.

“On Saturday night, July 11th, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away after a brief and sudden illness,” a statement posted to his social media accounts said. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates your prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

Graham’s death marks the death of a longtime conservative member of the Senate and one of President Donald Trump’s closest political allies.

During his more than 30 years in Washington, Mr. Graham played a key role in crafting important legislation that affected the lives of millions of Americans, while also establishing a reputation as a tough foreign policy hawk. The Republican died just a year after he helped pass “one big, beautiful bill” as chairman of the powerful Senate Budget Committee.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) called Graham a trusted advisor and colleague in a statement, saying “many presidents and heads of state trust his advisors.”

“His impact on the federal judiciary, national defense and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations,” Thune said.

President Trump, a friend of Graham’s, called the South Carolina senator “one of the greatest people and senators I’ve ever known.”

“He was always on the job and a true American patriot,” Trump wrote on social media. “Lindsay will be sorely missed!!!”

Mr. Graham is an Air Force veteran and former state legislator who served in the Capitol for more than 30 years. He first entered the House of Representatives after winning the 1994 election and was then elected to the Senate in 2002, replacing Strom Thurmond.

He was a major supporter of Israel in Washington and a fierce critic of Iran. Appearing on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” in June, Graham said the United States would “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if it contested control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that is a key negotiating point in the Iran war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends.”

Mr. Graham remains a vocal defender of Ukraine, even as other Republicans have distanced themselves from publicly supporting the war-torn nation in recent years. The senator recently returned from the capital Kiev, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on July 10 to discuss Ukraine’s air defense needs and Russia sanctions bill.

Politics reacts to Graham’s death

Tributes for Graham continued to pour in from colleagues in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“I will miss his infectious laugh, quick wit and zest for life,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

“There are no words to describe his impact on American foreign and domestic policy,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“He stood steadfast for freedom and strength and fought for freedom around the world,” Wicker said in a statement. “It’s possible to succeed Lindsey Graham, but it’s impossible to replace him.”

“Lindsay Graham is an irreplaceable man,” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said in a statement posted to X, calling him “South Carolina and America’s fiercest warrior.”

This is a developing story.

Contributed by: Reuters

Trump support declines among rural white working-class voters

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Trump support declines among rural white working-class voters

Polls show support for President Donald Trump is declining among white working-class voters and rural voters, but that doesn’t mean they’re all leaning toward Democrats in the midterm elections.

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  • A CBS News-YouGov poll conducted in May found that 54% of white non-college voters disapproved of President Trump’s performance, up from 32% in February 2025.
  • Experts say the main cause of dissatisfaction is the soaring prices of essential goods such as gasoline and food, driven up by the Iran war and tariffs.

When Ashton Reid voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, he was drawn to Trump’s promises to boost the economy and curb inflation, which many people around his hometown of Jackson, Missouri, blamed then-President Joe Biden.

Reed, 22, who has worked at an auto equipment factory and a heating and air-conditioning company, has since seen rising prices and the kind of war with Iran that President Trump promised to avert. He is also concerned about President Trump’s heavy-handed immigration enforcement strategy.

A few months ago, Mr. Reed priced an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan for his wife, only to realize it was too high after President Trump and Congressional Republicans allowed pandemic-era subsidies to expire. Most recently, Mr. Reed, who did not have a four-year college degree, was fired from his job in HVAC.

“A big part of why I voted for him in 2024 was for economic reasons,” Reid said of Trump. “Obviously not happy with him at all.”

Since Trump first ran for president a decade ago, white working-class and rural voters have been a key base, drawn to his promises to revive manufacturing and crack down on immigration. Two in three white working-class voters supported him in 2024, according to a post-election poll by research group PRRI. Trump won 69% of the local vote in 2024, according to Pew Research Center exit polls.

But polls in recent months have shown rising disapproval among these groups, with some polls reaching majorities, especially in the economic field, raising potential new vulnerabilities for Republicans heading into the midterm elections to take control of Congress.

A May poll by CBS News and YouGov found that 54% of white non-college voters disapproved of President Trump’s performance, up from 32% in February 2025. His disapproval rating reached 49% in a June NPR/PBS/Marist poll and 51% in an April Fox News poll. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trump’s disapproval rating among rural voters was 48%, up from 34% the month after he returned to office.

“This decline is significant given that white working-class voters supported Trump fairly consistently from 2016 to 2020, after trending toward Republicans since the early 1990s,” said Norm Lupu, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University.

Experts say the main cause of dissatisfaction is the soaring prices of essential goods such as gasoline and food, driven up by the Iran war and tariffs.

White House Press Secretary Khush Desai said gasoline prices and inflation would fall once the Iran conflict was resolved. The Treasury has recently sought to highlight how households are benefiting from tax cuts.

Although Trump will not be on the ballot in November, Lupu said the growing disapproval could affect the party’s medium-term fortunes. America’s party affiliation means such voters are relatively unlikely to switch allegiance to the Democratic Party, but lower turnout could hurt Republicans.

Reed said that while he no longer supports the MAGA movement for a variety of reasons, many people in Missouri’s primarily conservative region, just west of the Mississippi River, still do. But Reed predicted he would not be the only former Trump voter who “may vote Democratic for the first time in his life” in the midterm elections.

more: President Trump says he’s not worried about Iran hurting Republicans’ midterm chances

Disapproval grows due to economic crisis

In Hazard, Kentucky, a small town in the once-coal-rich Appalachian region, resident Denver Feltner also had high hopes when she voted for Trump to return.

The 38-year-old father of five, who works two jobs as a public safety dispatcher and a court filing officer, said he felt Trump had done a good job steering the economy in his first term, before the coronavirus pandemic. He believed he could try again.

“I’m done with it,” he said in July.

Last year, the expiration of the ACA’s enhanced insurance premium tax credit, instead of providing cost-of-living relief, spiked her family’s grocery bills and quadrupled her health insurance premiums, leaving Feltner without insurance despite her health problems. A Fox News poll in April found that 38% of white non-college respondents supported President Trump’s efforts to combat inflation.

“He was pretty good in his first term, but now it’s completely different,” he said.

Feltner lives in Perry County, part of the Eastern Kentucky region, which has high rates of poverty and chronic disease. In 2024, about 44% of residents in the area’s congressional districts were dependent on Medicaid, according to the Kentucky Economic Policy Center.

Medicaid enrollment is expected to decline as President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Act” is expected to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and related children’s health programs, leaving millions of people across the country without coverage.

People without a four-year degree don’t all work in traditional blue-collar jobs, and include everyone from highly paid skilled workers and small business owners to typically low-wage home health care workers and retail store employees. Some companies are engaged in more traditional sectors such as mining or manufacturing.

President Trump’s tariffs were also aimed at encouraging a revival of manufacturing. Heath Brown, a professor of public policy at John Jay College in New York, said some industries are making new investments, but it will take a long time for those efforts to bear fruit or gain traction with voters.

Overall, manufacturing employment has declined slightly since President Trump took office. Some car companies are scaling back or shelving EV projects as the administration rolls back Biden-era aid and environmental regulations.

Last month, the Trump administration announced a nearly $700 million plan to expand coal-fired power plants and exports after a tariff battle with China caused coal exports to decline in 2025.

In Feltner, Kentucky, in the Appalachian Mountains, many coal unions and residents have historically supported the Democratic Party as the party of the working class. Over time, it evolved into a deep red Republican stronghold.

This fall, Hal Rogers, the area’s longtime Republican lawmaker who has served in the Legislature since 1981, is being challenged by an attorney running as a Democrat who has emphasized Medicaid cuts. This is widely seen as a difficult campaign. Mr. Rogers ran unopposed in 2024 and defeated his Democratic challenger in 2022 with 82% of the vote.

Feltner plans to vote in the midterm elections, but said he was not a partisan voter. He said he has not yet weighed the candidates’ policies, but said affordable health care is a top priority.

Whichever candidate “want to try to improve the health care situation, he’s probably going to get my vote,” he said.

Farmers face tensions, but some say President Trump is on the right track

In rural southwestern Minnesota, Bob Wirth grows 1,700 acres of soybeans and corn on the Lincoln County farm he took over from his father right out of high school.

“It’s a rewarding life, but financially it’s a very difficult one,” said the 73-year-old, who is used to ups and downs. This includes the fight against prices and costs during the Biden administration, which helped drive votes for President Trump in 2024.

US in 2025. Soybean producers have been hit hard by the dispute over President Trump’s tariffs, which halted critical sales to China, which had begun buying soybeans from South America. Since then, China has agreed to buy a certain amount of U.S. soybeans each year until 2028, which has helped, he said.

But Wirth, who has held various positions with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, said low crop prices, spiked by the Iran war, combined with high fuel and fertilizer costs create ongoing challenges. Mr Wirth said he was lucky to have so little debt, but that wasn’t the case for many young farmers.

“Cash flow is currently in the red,” he said.

Tim Slack, a sociology professor at Louisiana State University who studies rural America, said rising fuel prices are hitting rural areas especially hard because people drive long distances to work, school and buy groceries, and farms rely on trucks and equipment.

Elsewhere in the country, President Trump’s immigration crackdown has sometimes made it difficult for farmers and milk producers to find enough farm labor. According to the Department of Agriculture, agricultural bankruptcies in 2025 increased by 46% compared to the previous year.

In an April Fox News poll, 69% of white rural voters said the economy was getting worse.

But Trump supporters have long given the president free rein. Wirth, who said he voted for candidates from a variety of positions, believes the Iran war was worth stopping the regime from developing nuclear weapons.

“I think he’s on the right track. We won’t know until we get a little further along. I still have hope and faith that he’ll get it done. He’s a businessman, not a politician.”

Wirth did not provide details about his voting intentions in November, but said he would focus on candidates who want to support farmers. And he expects many people will want to go vote.

“I think there will be a big turnout in the election,” he said, even though he said there was fatigue surrounding politics on both sides.

Will dissatisfaction affect midterm exams?

It is typical for the president’s party to lose seats in midterm elections. During President Trump’s first term, Republicans lost 41 seats in the House of Representatives but maintained their Senate seats.

But a New York Times poll analysis found that in 2018, working-class white voters still approved of President Trump’s management of the economy by a 30-point margin. Currently, according to opinion polls, the disapproval rate has increased from 14 points to more than 30 points.

To be sure, disapproval from former Trump voters doesn’t necessarily cut across party lines, as the Democratic Party’s brand has waned in recent decades, especially in some rural and white working-class areas such as Appalachia.

Still, an April NPR/PBS/Marist poll found that 44% of white non-college voters said they were more likely to vote for a Democratic congressional candidate than a Republican, up from just 30% before the 2018 midterm elections. It could have an impact even in rural states.

For example, in Iowa, where President Trump has a 13-point lead in 2024 and Republicans hold six House seats, the governor’s race and two of the four House seats are considered to be contested amid local economic instability, the Wall Street Journal reported.

more: President Trump says Republican Party will hold midterm convention ahead of key elections

The bigger question, Lupu said, is whether the poll represents temporary price-driven dissatisfaction that will reverse once inflation cools, or whether it points to a permanent rift in the long-standing shift of working-class and rural voters toward the Republican Party.

A report from the University of Virginia Center for Politics found that Trump was able to rally support from the group in 2024 not just because of economic grievances but also because of ideological unity.

“People generally change their preferences and voting behavior very slowly, and often not at all,” Lupu says. “Many of the big changes we see in American politics are often intergenerational.”

World Cup semi-final match predictions for Argentina vs. England, Spain vs. France

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World Cup semi-final match predictions for Argentina vs. England, Spain vs. France

All four 2026 World Cup finalists have won the highest prize money in football to date, and the semi-final pairings will not disappoint.

France and Spain will face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, July 14, while England will play Argentina the following day in Atlanta, with the winner advancing to the final scheduled for Sunday, July 19.

France have won this tournament twice (1998 and 2018), the latter with Kylian Mbappé leading his team to victory, marking the start of a historic World Cup career for one of the game’s modern icons. blues They will need to stop Lamine Yamal and Spain’s attack, but it won’t be easy against a defense that has conceded just one goal in six games.

The match between Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina and England is a rematch of the famous “Hand of God” game from the 1986 World Cup. Argentina have won the World Cup three times, but England’s only win came in 1966, when they hosted the World Cup.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ picks for the 2026 World Cup semifinals.

France vs Spain predictions

Tuesday, July 14th, Arlington, Texas

  • john arnold: France 3 – 2 Spain
  • Seth Terny: France 3 – 1 Spain
  • Jesse Yomtov: France 1 – 0 Spain
  • victoria hernandez: France 2 – 0 Spain
  • Nancy Armor: France 2 – 1 Spain

Argentina vs England predictions

Wednesday, July 15th, Atlanta

  • john arnold: Argentina 2 – 1 England
  • Seth Terny: England 2 – 0 Argentina
  • Jesse Yomtov: England 3 – 2 Argentina
  • victoria hernandez: England 2 – 1 Argentina
  • nancy armor: Argentina 1-0 England (AET)

When is the World Cup final?

The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

‘Moana’ proves Disney’s live-action remake machine needs a rethink

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‘Moana’ proves Disney’s live-action remake machine needs a rethink

Disney has no plans to stop producing live-action versions of the studio’s animated classics. However, unlike “Moana,” it has to be creatively necessary.

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Disney remakes of animated classics as live-action films are as certain as death and taxes. It’s the big blue Will Smith genie that can’t be put back in the bottle.

It’s time to accept this fact. Expect the occasional cool origin story prequel (“Cruella”) or a well-written retelling (“Cinderella”), and when it does something positive (“The Little Mermaid”), you’re fine. As long as it’s not completely unnecessary and the new version definitely justifies its existence in some way.

The new “Moana” misses that mark by a wide margin, with a little man in a coconut shooting a blowgun.

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From Disney’s perspective, a very faithful remake of the original 2016 Oscar-nominated musical adventure is a smart, if not creatively interesting, move. It’s one of the most electric and exciting films in the entire animation canon, and the pairing of the powerful teenage Disney princess-but-not-princess wayfinder Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) and the macho trickster demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) is electrifying perfection.

It is an amazing adventure as they cross the ocean to deliver the heart of Te Fiti. It’s a big deal to see the live-action actors give it back. Johnson reprising her role is actually one of the saving graces of the new Moana, in which she teams up with Australian newcomer Katherine Lagaia. The film is painfully slow until around the 45-minute mark, when Maui lets loose with his signature song-and-dance number, “You’re Welcome.” Ironically, this is partially animated.

Part of the problem is timing. It’s only been 10 years since the first “Moana” was released. Movies like Snow White and Lilo & Stitch, released last year 88 and 23 years after the originals, respectively, reintroduced the story to a new generation of young people. The kids who grew up with the original Moana are now around Moana’s age and aren’t parents yet, so the pop culture popularity hasn’t been inherited in the same way. Can we agree on the statute of limitations here? Suppose you have to reach drinking age to reboot the movie.

It would be great to see value-added strategies like this. Perhaps it’s a major stylistic shift, similar to how Tim Burton brought a dark whimsy to Dumbo. Or you could revamp the arc of a character that desperately needs improvement, like Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid or Jasmine in Aladdin. Or you can flesh out a classic story with a new humanity, similar to Mulan or Beauty and the Beast.

Simply putting The Rock in a questionable wig and having Lin-Manuel Miranda write a new song (“Along the Way”) doesn’t cut it, especially at a time when audiences are flocking to original movies (“Project Hail Mary,” “Obsession,” etc.). Even throwing a bunch of babbling minions on the big screen isn’t as easy a home run as it used to be.

Live-action versions of popular manga can bring in big profits. No one is being fooled here. But at least you should try Don’t look like a cash grabber.

The best example of this isn’t Disney’s Jam. Like the OG “Moana,” 2010’s “How to Train Your Dragon” is a great animated fantasy that doesn’t need a live-action remake. But last year, the film won an award, not only recreating the emotional awe and spectacle of the first film, but also deepening the young characters’ relationships with each other. We removed unnecessary things and made them essential.

You can’t stop the Hollywood remake industrial complex. It’s good for Disney to tackle bad animated movies, Mars Needs Mama and The Black Cauldron are right around the corner, but folks, it’s only a matter of time before we see new versions of Hercules, Tower, and definitely Frozen.

Just be creative. The Mouse House was built on imagination and ingenuity. It’s not like Walt and his friends were mass-producing “Snow White and the Eight Dwarfs” and “102 Dalmatians” back in the day. (Of course, the latter was a live-action sequel.) Look at Pixar. For every “Toy Story 5” and “Inside Head 2,” the acclaimed studio has also released an extraordinarily original film (see: “The Hoppers”).

We live in a cynical world. So it’s not hard to think that someone has already made a prequel where Moana takes the wrong lesson and young Maui gets his first magical fishing hook.

Honestly, that wouldn’t be welcome.

The Powerball jackpot is $457 million. Winning numbers for July 11th

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The Powerball jackpot is 7 million. Winning numbers for July 11th

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The Powerball jackpot has increased to $457 million with a cash value of $202.8 million ahead of the drawing on Saturday, July 11th.

Since its launch in 1992, the Powerball jackpot has been hit more than 400 times. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the states with the most winning jackpot tickets.

No one took home a Powerball jackpot Wednesday, but one person from Texas did take home $1 million. The last time I won the top Powerball prize was on May 2nd. Two players split the $20 million prize that night.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday night’s Powerball drawing.

more: Which Powerball number should you choose?

What are the winning Powerball numbers for July 11th?

USA TODAY will publish the winning numbers at 11pm ET after the lottery drawing.

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

The short answer is no. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball. Anyone visiting any of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may purchase lottery tickets from authorized and licensed retailers, regardless of nationality, as long as they meet the legal age requirements (usually 18 years old) at the time of purchase.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

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

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

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online depending on your local jurisdiction.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes. “Power Play” multipliers can increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

A “Quick Pick” option is also available if you want the computer to select the numbers for you. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

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

US attacks Iran after container ship attack, efforts to shut down Hormuz

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US attacks Iran after container ship attack, efforts to shut down Hormuz

Kanishka Singh
|Reuters

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WASHINGTON – The U.S. military announced on Saturday, July 11, that it had launched a new offensive against Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“One civilian crew member is missing, and due to a fire on board and significant damage to the engine room, the ship cannot continue sailing,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement about the X.

U.S. Central Command said the airstrike was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Iran announced on Sunday, July 12, that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after a ship sailed through an unauthorized route and was struck, and warned that any retaliation for the incident would be met with a “stern response.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said in a statement that “a vessel that jeopardized maritime security by turning off its systems was hit and stopped,” without providing further details about the vessel.

The statement said several ships attempted to cross the waterway on “unauthorized routes” and ignored warnings to correct course.

The Revolutionary Guards said the strait would be closed “until further notice” and “until the end of U.S. interference in the region.”

The Navy said any act of aggression against Iran “will be met with a harsh response and new enemy bases in the region will be targeted.”

The United States is demanding that Iran stop attacking ships in the strait and open all shipping lanes through the waterway toll-free, a senior US official told reporters on July 10.

President Trump announced Friday that the United States and Iran agreed this week to continue talks despite escalating hostilities, while also declaring an end to the ceasefire.

A senior Iranian government official told Reuters that Iran, the United States, Qatar and Pakistan agreed to the talks in a telephone conversation arranged for Saturday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi while in Oman.

It was not immediately clear whether the effort was successful. Araqchi and Omani Foreign Minister Saeed Badr al-Busaidi met in Oman to exchange “opinions on appropriate mechanisms for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a statement from Iran’s foreign minister.

Oman’s state news agency later announced that Omani and Iranian negotiators would continue talks “at a technical and political level.”

Oman is helping broker an end to the war that has destabilized the Gulf and raised prices around the world since the United States and Israel began airstrikes on Iran on February 28.

Before the war, about one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran’s de facto blockade of the waterway sent energy prices soaring and fueled global inflation.

Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi,STebe Holland, Enas Alashley, Ahmed Elimam, Eman Abuhasira, Andrew Mills. Written by Kim Coghill, Tom Perry, Philippa Fletcher, Alexandra Alper

Kentucky governor asks McConnell to stop making ‘crazy speculations’ about health

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Kentucky governor asks McConnell to stop making ‘crazy speculations’ about health

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Mitch McConnell “continues to recover in the hospital,” his office announced Saturday, July 11, providing the same update it has been giving for weeks, even as new details emerged about the morning the senator was rushed to the hospital.

“As you can imagine, we are receiving messages from many people and will be sure to keep you updated as the senator continues his recovery,” a spokesperson said, as reported by WDRB and WAVE.

The spokesperson added that McConnell “appreciates the outpouring of support” and is “working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate issues while the Senate is in session.”

Saturday’s statement came as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear continues to seek information about the health status of the state’s senator.

“Stop the crazy speculation. Just tell us what’s going on,” Beshear wrote in a social media post on July 11.

The 84-year-old Republican senator was hospitalized on June 14, but his office has not done anything beyond confirming that he is still receiving treatment. Weeks later, questions about what happened that morning remain largely unanswered by his team.

USA TODAY reached out to McConnell’s office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Added by 911 call

Unanswered questions extend to the scene outside McConnell’s home on the morning he was hospitalized. CNN reported that one of the senator’s neighbors, who the news outlet did not name, captured video of the ambulance outside his home.

Audio from the initial 911 call appeared to indicate that McConnell was unconscious when emergency services arrived, and dispatchers called for advanced life support. It is one of the only concrete details revealed about the severity of the events that occurred that day.

Beshear renews its push for transparency

Bipartisan concerns have prompted calls for transparency, including Beshear, who has called on senators to speak publicly about their medical conditions. In a letter to McConnell’s office, the Democratic governor said Kentuckians are increasingly concerned about the senator’s health and asked him to share updates.

“I publicly and privately appealed to the previous administration to address the public’s concerns about the former president’s health,” Beshear wrote in a post on X on July 11, referring to former President Joe Biden, whose health has come under intense scrutiny.

“I am asking Senator McConnell to do the same and provide his constituents with updated information about his health,” the governor said.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.

Argentina vs Switzerland LIVE World Cup Score, Lineup, Messi Highlights

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Argentina vs Switzerland LIVE World Cup Score, Lineup, Messi Highlights

Editor’s note: Follow us for live updates on the England vs Norway World Cup clash!

Will Lionel Messi’s momentum continue, or will Switzerland pull off the biggest upset in World Cup history?

Defending champion Argentina enters Saturday’s quarterfinal match against Switzerland in Kansas City as a team on the brink.

Lionel Scaloni’s side overcame a scare against Egypt, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the final minutes and escaping with a 3-2 victory. Messi, who leads the Golden Boot lace with eight goals, remains the main event of the World Cup, but Argentina’s defense looked vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Switzerland is navigating uncharted territory by defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years. Losing top scorer Johan Manzambi to a knee injury severely hurt the team’s chances.

Stay tuned for live updates:

Argentina vs Switzerland highlights

Watch every World Cup match on Fubo

The matchup will kick off at 9pm ET.

Argentina’s starting lineup remains unchanged from the round of 16 win over Egypt.

GK: Dave Martinez

D.F.: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico

M.F.: Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandes, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister

FW: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez

Goalkeeper: Gregor Korbel

Defender: Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez

Midfield: Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka (C), Djibril Sow, Fabian Rieder

attack: Brielle Embolo, Dan Ndoye

  • 8 goals – Lionel Messi, Argentina 🇦🇷
  • 8 goals – Kylian Mbappé, France 🇫🇷
  • 7 goals – Erling Haaland, Norway 🇳🇴
  • 6 goals – Harry Kane, England 🏴‍♀️
  • 6 goals – Jude Bellingham, England 🏴‍♀️
  • 5 goals – Ousmane Dembele, France 🇫🇷

The quarterfinals will be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Seth Terny: Argentina 1-1 Switzerland (Argentina won on penalties)

They can’t keep getting away with it, right? Argentina just narrowly escaped Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout stages and the well-organized Swiss side should push them to the limit. In the end, Messi and his team won in a penalty shootout.

john arnold: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland

Argentina certainly weren’t making it easy on themselves or their star attacker Lionel Messi. However, stylistically, this match may resemble the group match against Austria more than the Cape Verde or Egypt contests. Advantage, Argentina.

Jesse Yomtov: Argentina 3-0 Switzerland

Argentina bounced back from the win against Egypt with a big win and an incredibly easy advance to the semi-finals.

victoria hernandez: Argentina 2-1 Switzerland

I don’t think Argentina will repeat the title, but I also don’t think Switzerland will beat Lionel Messi, especially without Johan Manzambi. La Albiceleste survives one more round.

round 16

  • July 4: France vs. Paraguay – Philadelphia
  • July 4: Morocco vs. Canada – Houston
  • July 5: Norway vs. Brazil – East Rutherford
  • 5th July: England v Mexico – Mexico City
  • July 6: Spain vs. Portugal – Arlington
  • July 6: Belgium vs. USA – Seattle
  • July 7: Argentina vs. Egypt – Atlanta
  • July 7: Switzerland vs. Colombia – Vancouver

quarterfinals

  • July 9: France vs. Morocco – Foxborough
  • July 10: Spain vs. Belgium – Inglewood
  • July 11: Norway vs. England – Miami
  • July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland – Kansas City

Semi-final

  • July 14: France vs. Spain – Arlington
  • July 15: Norway/England vs. Argentina/Switzerland – Atlanta

final

  • July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Lionel Messi plays club ball for Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.

Lionel Messi is 39 years old and celebrated his birthday during this World Cup.

Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland is scheduled to begin at 6pm Pacific time.

  • 2022: Argentina
  • 2018: France
  • 2014: Germany
  • 2010: Spain
  • 2006: Italy
  • 2002: Brazil
  • 1998: France
  • 1994: Brazil
  • 1990: west germany
  • 1986: Argentina
  • 1982: Italy
  • 1978: Argentina
  • 1974: west germany
  • 1970: Brazil
  • 1966: england
  • 1962: Brazil
  • 1958: Brazil
  • 1954: west germany
  • 1950: Uruguay
  • 1938: Italy
  • 1934: Italy
  • 1930: Uruguay

Argentina national team midfielder Enzo Martinez plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored eight goals through five games in the 2026 World Cup, setting a new World Cup scoring record.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia.

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister played for Liverpool and won the league title with the team in the 2024-25 season.

The World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland kicks off at 8pm Central time.

Lionel Messi has won one World Cup and won the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Argentina reached the final in 2014, making this the third of Messi’s six World Cup appearances.

The quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland is being held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Argentina national team defender Cristian Romero plays club soccer for Tottenham.

Lautaro Martinez from Argentina plays for Inter Milan in Italy.

If a match in the knockout stage is tied at the end of regulation, the match will go into 30-minute overtime (2 x 15-minute halves), and if the score is still tied after 120 minutes, penalty kicks will be taken.

The 2026 World Cup will be Lionel Messi’s sixth appearance in the world’s biggest tournament, his first appearance being in Germany in 2006.

Swiss captain Granit Xhaka is 33 years old and spent the 2025-26 season with Sunderland in the English Premier League.

The match between Argentina and Switzerland will kick off at 6pm Pacific time.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be held on Sunday, July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Xherdan Shaqiri represented Switzerland in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), but retired from the national team in 2024.

Shaqiri, 34, currently plays for Swiss club FC Basel.

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will also host one match each to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup.

Argentina national goalkeeper Emiliano “Div” Martinez plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League.

NYT announces Trump administration has summoned reporters over Air Force One issue

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NYT announces Trump administration has summoned reporters over Air Force One issue

Lucia Muticani and Jarrett Renshaw
|Reuters

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WASHINGTON – The New York Times reported on Saturday, July 11, that the U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several journalists who reported on safety concerns surrounding the new Air Force One, donated by President Donald Trump from Qatar, to testify before a federal grand jury.

The media organization announced that subpoenas had been issued on Friday, July 10, requiring the journalists to appear before a grand jury on July 15 to testify “regarding alleged violations of federal criminal law.”

The news organization said the subpoenas were issued by Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, and in some cases delivered to reporters’ homes by federal agents. The paper called the move “an extraordinary escalation in President Trump’s efforts to blackmail and intimidate independent news organizations.”

In a statement to Reuters, a Justice Department spokesperson did not confirm or deny the subpoena, but said the government was not targeting reporters but was concerned about those whose confidential information would be leaked. The White House referred all questions to the Department of Justice.

Journalism advocacy groups criticized the subpoena as a threat to press freedom and constitutional rights.

The National Press Club called on the Justice Department to “immediately” withdraw the subpoena.

“It is not normal law enforcement for federal agents to show up at a journalist’s home with a subpoena,” the club said in a statement. “This is an extraordinary attack on the freedom of the press that goes to the heart of the First Amendment.”

Creighton was recently nominated by President Trump to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Committee on Freedom of the Press has called on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee to hold Clayton accountable when he appears for his confirmation hearing on July 15.

“When the public’s right to know is crushed, as the Trump administration is attempting to do with its subpoena against The New York Times, we all suffer irreparable harm, as do the freedoms on which this country was built,” Committee on Reporters Chairman Stephen J. Adler said in a statement.

President Trump said on July 8 that he would use an older Air Force One to fly from Ankara to the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, England, “in a nod to the past,” and that the newer plane would stop so that U.S. military personnel stationed at the base could view the aircraft.

A video released late Wednesday showed President Trump boarding the new Air Force One, a gift from Qatar, at a British base and preparing to fly to the United States.

Reporting by Lucia Mutikani and Jarrett Renshaw. Editing: Philippa Fletcher, Mark Porter, Alistair Bell

Some restaurants change menus due to ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite outbreak

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Some restaurants change menus due to ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite outbreak

USA TODAY reached out to major national fast food chains to ask if they are doing anything differently in response to the rise in cystosis cases.

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The cyclosporiasis epidemic has left hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Americans with long-term parasitic infections, making eating out a unique challenge for those who want to avoid it.

Experts have tips for preparing meals at home, but eating out means having someone else do the prep work, like washing the produce and cooking the food to the right temperature.

“Consumers need to be a little more cautious and, frankly, paranoid, whether it’s at home or in a restaurant,” food safety attorney Bill Mahler told USA TODAY. Speaking on behalf of people who suffer from bouts of the disease, he said, “It’s not fun and it can last for months.”

As experts warn, some restaurants are removing risky ingredients from their menus. But major national chains have made little public information about their response plans. The outbreak has affected the country unevenly, with some states reporting hundreds or more cases and others reporting none at all.

map: See the ‘explosive’ diarrhea epidemic

USA TODAY reached out to the National Restaurant Association, which represents the industry, and several major national fast food chains to ask if they are doing anything unusual related to the outbreak. That included YUM!, the parent company of Taco Bell. Brands, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, Burger King, Subway, Wendy’s. No one immediately responded to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Meanwhile, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, Laurie Shallow, said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY on July 11 that Chipotle is monitoring the situation.

“We are aware of the Cyclospora investigation and do not believe the ingredients we source are related at this time,” Sharrow said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and evaluating new information as it becomes available. The health and safety of our guests and team members is our top priority.”

Latest information on Cyclospora outbreaks

Although researchers have not yet determined the cause of the rise in cyclosporiasis, it is known that cyclospora can be present in fresh food and water, and the infection is usually spread through feces from people who have eaten contaminated products.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tallied more than 840 cases as of July 9, but states are reporting far higher numbers of cases of cysticercosis, and thousands of people nationwide are suspected of having the disease. In Michigan, where infections are surging, health officials have identified more than 1,500 cases and 44 people are hospitalized.

Parasitic infections are usually not life-threatening, and people rarely infect each other directly. However, without treatment, symptoms of cyclosporiasis, such as watery bowel movements, explosive diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, can last for more than a month.

At home, you can take steps to reduce your risk of contracting parasites, such as washing your hands frequently before touching produce and cooking fruits and vegetables to kill parasites.

Some restaurants are making changes due to the spread of infection.

As authorities work to trace the source of the outbreak, some restaurants are already educating customers on steps to prevent the spread of the parasite.

On July 10, DiPisa’s Pizza in Stevensville, Michigan announced that it was simply removing lettuce, tomatoes, and onions from its menu out of caution.

“Rather than take an unnecessary risk, we have decided that it is best to temporarily suspend the provision of these fresh foods until more information is available and the situation is resolved,” the pizzeria’s Facebook post reads.

Red B Restaurant in Idabel, Oklahoma, said in a July 10 Facebook post that although there are no confirmed cases of cysticercosis in the state, the restaurant is taking additional precautions.

The post said restaurants are cleaning produce by re-soaking it, even if lettuce and spinach are pre-washed but not bagged. As a result, the salad may end up a little soggy, the restaurant’s post says. The post added that the restaurant discounted the cost of kale and parsley because they are difficult to clean.

Rome’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant in Michigan says it never uses bagged lettuce, instead purchasing whole lettuce and cutting it fresh in-house daily. The restaurant said in a July 9 Facebook post that the decision was made earlier due to the freshness, texture and quality of the whole lettuce. The restaurant said it has not received any reports of lettuce-related illnesses.

USA TODAY contacted the restaurant for more information.

Experts give their opinions on safe eating out

Advice from federal health agencies primarily focuses on preparing meals at home rather than eating out. Some experts say it’s a good idea to be careful if you want to avoid getting sick.

When eating out, at least for now, it’s best to avoid fresh fruit and salad bars, especially if you don’t know where they come from or how they’re cleaned, says Rodney E. Rohde, a microbiologist and chair of the medical laboratory science program at the Texas State University College of Health Professions.

Cyclospora can spread easily, he said. More resistant to traditional chlorine-based cleaning methods. Additionally, although washing produce is recommended, rinsing alone will not completely remove parasites that have found their way into the crevices of contaminated fruits and leafy vegetables. The key is awareness and caution about what people eat, said Rohde, who recently wrote about the parasite for the state of Texas.

Dr. Suraj Sagar, director of infectious diseases at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY that it is still unclear whether this is one large outbreak spanning multiple states or multiple smaller outbreaks occurring at the same time.

Sagar, who is familiar with the parasite, said there may be multiple clusters involving different sources of infection.

“What’s different this year is the unusually high number of cases and the fact that law enforcement has not yet identified a specific source. In many cases, public health officials can trace the source to a specific farm, producer, supplier, or contaminated water source and issue a targeted recall,” Sugger said. “Right now, they are unable to do that, suggesting that there may be multiple contaminated products, or multiple unrelated outbreaks occurring at the same time.

“Overall, this is a significant public health story due to the large number of cases and the lack of clearly identified sources,” Sugger concluded.

Marler, the food safety attorney, said cyclospora is also a summer problem, with cases not normally seen in the winter. It is unclear why infections are increasing in this country, especially if outbreaks are increasing domestically rather than abroad, as they were more than a decade ago.

Of course, it’s nearly impossible to avoid food poisoning, Rohde said. However, when an outbreak occurs, public health is critical not only to detect the pathogen and prevent its spread, but also to track cases and determine their origin.

Meanwhile, the number of federal public health workers in the country is lower than in the past, he said, adding that the outbreak is “probably more widespread than we realized.”

Elin Hilderbrand ‘Obviously screamed’ at Jennifer Garner on ‘Five Star Weekend’

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Elin Hilderbrand ‘Obviously screamed’ at Jennifer Garner on ‘Five Star Weekend’

Elin Hildebrand, author of “Five Star Weekend,” spoke to USA TODAY about the emotional moment she was pulled from her own life and the surprising reason she became so passionate about Nantucket.

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  • Author Elin Hilderbrand has two novels made into films: The Perfect Couple and Five Star Weekend.
  • Hilderbrand is retiring from writing typical summer novels set on Nantucket Island, and “Swan Song” in 2024 will be her last.

With over 30 books, many of them bestsellers, it’s easy to imagine that Hollywood has been knocking on Elin Hilderbrand’s door for years, hoping to adapt her story into a movie or TV show.

no.

One of her works finally hit the screen with her 21st novel, The Perfect couple. It had a megawatt cast (Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Meghan Fahey, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson) and earned impressive Nielsen ratings.

“The Five-Star Weekend” has appeared on Peacock. Adapted from Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel, the film follows Hollis, a best-selling cookbook author and food influencer, assembling friends for an over-planned and sometimes awkward girls’ weekend. The cast, including Jennifer Garner, Gemma Chan, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, and D’Arcy Carden, reunited.

Hilderbrand, 56, doesn’t consider her characters to be actors while writing the script (“You never know what’s going to happen,” she says), but when Garner’s name came up during the show’s development, it felt like kismet.

“Partly because of her fake cooking show and partially because she’s the greatest human being in the world,” Hilderbrand told USA TODAY. And when the deal became official, “of course I screamed.”

Garner is also the show’s executive producer.

“She leads by example. She’s so thoughtful, intentional, inclusive, and generous of spirit. When you look at her, it’s all about the kind of person you see her as,” Hilderbrand says. “And I love having someone in the cast to take care of everyone.”

Hilderbrand’s only rule for Hollywood adaptations

The “Queen of Beach Reads” is unsentimental about how her books are being adapted for film.

“There’s been a lot of fuss recently about adaptations of other books saying this is different. People get upset,” she says. “People were upset about ‘The Perfect Couple.’ What happened with ‘The Perfect Couple’ was that Netflix wanted a six-episode murder mystery. The Perfect Couple has a really great love story, but it didn’t get as much airtime as it wasn’t what Netflix wanted. ”

Hilderbrand has made it clear that he has no problem with that. “I am a person who fully believes in the word adaptation.,“You have to change the book to make it compelling television,” she says. People can and want to go read the books, but the show needs to move at its own pace so that each episode leaves you wanting more. ”

On “Five Star Weekend,” she gave showrunner Bekah Branstetter a “blank slate” to make great television. “For me, it’s much more important to do a really good show that’s different from the book than a mediocre show that sticks to the book.”

What is non-negotiable for her? Nantucket Island. “The only thing I was worried about was Nantucket. I wanted to make sure Nantucket was authentic and done right,” she says.

Her dedication to the island goes back many years, in part because Nantucket has, in some ways, saved her during difficult times in her life. After spending three summers there, Hilderbrand went to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, which was “surrounded by cornfields and hog farms and silos, with no water in sight.” She had just gotten married, but her husband had returned to Nantucket.

“I was miserable, miserable” she says.

She took advantage of the university’s free therapy. “I would go every week and cry, and my therapist said, ‘I think you should start writing about Nantucket.’ This is what I thought. I said, ‘Yes, that’s special, so let’s write about it.”’ That eventually became her first novel, The Beach Club.

Even if the criticism at the University of Iowa was excruciating (“nobody liked my work”), Hilderbrand never doubted that he would succeed as a writer. “I received a lot of encouragement from a young age,” she says.

When she was in second grade, her teacher noticed her talent. “Every kid won an award. And at 7 years old, my award was for best writer. And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m a writer. After all!'”

Her parents were also very supportive and she particularly remembers moments from her teenage years. “I was working at my father’s law firm over the summer, and I got in the elevator with one of his colleagues, and she turned to me and said, ‘So you want to be a lawyer?'” And my father said, “No, she’s too talented to be a lawyer.” She’s going to become a writer. ”

How ‘Five Star Weekend’ Reflects Hilderbrand’s Own Life

Hilderbrand’s father tragically died in a plane crash when she was 16 years old. And while grief is a theme in many of her books, she particularly poured her own memories into “Five Star Weekend.” Hollis’ husband dies and her daughter Caroline has to deal with her father’s death.

“Caroline was very easy for me to write because I lost my father when I was 16. There’s a line where Caroline says to[Hollis]’You can get another husband. I’m not going to have another father.'” I think that’s exactly what she said to her mother, Hilderbrand recalls. “I remember feeling like I had lost someone irreplaceable.”

Her fans, who call themselves “Hilderbaby,” may be feeling a little sad now that Hilderbrand has officially retired from writing novels about Nantucket. 2024’s “very intentionally titled” “Swan Song” was her last. Although she still plans to write (her second book with daughter Shelby is due out this fall), announcing her retirement was intentional.

“I wanted my readers to be prepared because they’re so loyal and dedicated that we’re coming to the end of the Nantucket Summer Book,” she says. “For 23 years, I’ve been delivering summer novels set on Nantucket Island. I wanted each novel to be unique, beautiful, wonderful, and engaging. I knew that at some point I would reach a point where I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.'”

Hilderbaby can at least relive her beach ecstasy through the latest film adaptation. And perhaps more Hilderbrand books will come to the screen.

“I completely credit Liane Moriarty for my success. When Big Little Lies did well, my phone started ringing,” Hilderbrand says. “And my hope is that if Five Star Weekend does well, the phones will start ringing for other writers as well.”

Another ICE shooting incident was in the news. What are your rights?

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Another ICE shooting incident was in the news. What are your rights?

The circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on July 7 are controversial. Here’s what you need to know about your rights.

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Another fatal shooting shows how encounters with federal immigration authorities can quickly turn deadly.

The circumstances of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s death in Houston on July 7 are disputed, with witnesses contradicting key details released by immigration authorities. The deaths mirror those of Renee Good, who was shot to death in Minneapolis, and Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was murdered in Chicago.

Authorities said Salgado Araujo, 52, “used a weapon” on the car and tried to run over the police, but passengers in the van insisted that was “completely false.” Meanwhile, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Salgado Araujo was “followed by an unmarked vehicle before he could identify himself.”

Federal immigration officers have a different role than local police officers who are expected to conduct traffic stops. The American Immigration Council, an advocacy group, says ICE can’t stop a car for a regular traffic violation, but it can stop a car if it has reasonable suspicion that someone is violating federal law, such as if someone appears to be in the country illegally.

Here’s what immigration and civil rights groups want you to know about ICE stops.

What are your rights if you are stopped by ICE?

According to the ACLU, there are several things you should do if you are pulled over by ICE, including remaining calm, telling the truth, and being cooperative.

However, there are some other important things you should know to stay safe if you are stopped.

  • You have the right to remain silent. You should say out loud that you are exercising your right to remain silent. Please note that in some states you may be required by law to identify yourself to police.
  • You don’t have to consent to a search of your home, but authorities may hold you in contempt if they suspect you of carrying a weapon.
  • If you are arrested by the police, you have the right to speak to and have an attorney appointed. If you are arrested by ICE, you still have the right to speak to an attorney, but the government is not required to provide one. You can request a list of free or low-cost attorneys.
  • In most cases, you do not need to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the United States. Different rules may apply at the border and for people with certain nonimmigrant visas.
  • If ICE detains you, you have the right to contact the consulate or have an officer notify the consulate that you have been detained.
  • You do not have to answer any questions or sign anything before speaking with an attorney. If you don’t understand what the police officer is saying or can’t read the documents he gives you, let him know that you need an interpreter.

What would you do if an immigration officer came to your house?

The ACLU says immigration officials cannot enter your home without your consent or a signed warrant. ICE has said it doesn’t require a judicial warrant, but an administrative warrant signed by an ICE officer can bring people into the country, a move some experts say is unconstitutional. The National Immigration Justice Center website has sample images to help you spot the difference between a judge-signed warrant and an administrative warrant.

According to the ACLU, here’s what you should do if an immigration officer comes to your home:

  • Please remain calm and close the door. Instead of opening the door, ask the officer to show your identification or documents by holding it up to the window or sliding it under the door.
  • Even if the officer has a warrant, you have the right to remain silent. The ACLU recommends that you remain silent until you speak with an attorney. Do not make false statements or submit false documents.
  • You have the right to refuse entry to an ICE officer unless the officer has a specific type of warrant.
  • The ACLU says that if a police officer forces entry into your building, you should not resist and say, “I do not consent to your entry or search of my premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I would like to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.”
  • Law enforcement has the right to enter if they have an arrest warrant naming a person at that address. They can also enter if they are on probation with the condition that they may be searched.

Contributions: Michael Loria, Eduardo Cuevas, Kinsey Crowley

US Gold Bureau Review 2026: Trusts, Fees, and Services

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US Gold Bureau Review 2026: Trusts, Fees, and Services

The United States Gold Bureau (USGB) is a leading precious metals supplier. The company offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to be purchased directly or included in retirement accounts such as IRAs. Customers can also sell precious metals to the USGB.

Below, we discuss USGB’s products, fees, customer experience, and how they compare to other precious metals dealers.

Overview of the U.S. Gold Bureau

USGB stands out for its retirement planning services. Its professionals work with clients to evaluate retirement accounts and devise a diversified portfolio of precious metals featuring an asset allocation designed to adhere to risk tolerance and investment goals.

The company helps clients rollover existing traditional, Roth, and SIMPLE IRAs into self-directed precious metals IRAs. However, customers with 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement accounts generally cannot roll over funds into a precious metals IRA if they are currently employed by the company offering the plan.

USGB does not act as a custodian for retirement accounts or a storage facility for precious metals. It works with third-party custodians that manage your retirement accounts and IRS-approved custodians that store your precious metals.

The IRS-approved preferred custodian is Equity Trust. USGB also has a relationship with the Texas Bullion Depository, the only state-backed precious metals repository in the United States. Both USGB and Texas Bullion Depository are owned by Lone Star Tangible Assets.

Overall, USGB may be suitable for investors who require professional guidance when developing a retirement strategy regarding precious metals.

U.S. Gold Bureau Snapshot

U.S. Gold Bureau Products and Services

USGB offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars, coins, and investment grade coins.

You can also purchase precious metals directly and have them delivered to your home. However, precious metals stored within an IRA must meet IRS purity requirements and be stored in a qualified vault. Purity requirements are listed below.

  • gold: 99.5%
  • silver: 99.9%
  • platinum: 99.95%
  • palladium: 99.95%

How do I sell gold to the US Gold Bureau?

To sell gold with the U.S. Gold Bureau, contact the company by phone or through its website for a quote. A representative will evaluate the items you’re selling and provide instructions for safely shipping your metal. After the item is received, inspected, and approved, USGB will complete the sale and issue payment. According to the USGB, payment is typically available within 72 hours after the item is sold.

The company also offers to buy back metals originally purchased through USGB. The company also offers a buyback guarantee, which allows it to buy back precious metals originally purchased from the U.S. Gold Bureau or facilitate the sale of those metals on your behalf.

How the US Gold Bureau Process Works

To open a precious metals IRA, customers first speak with a USGB specialist in the Retirement Services Department and fill out an application. That individual will evaluate your retirement account, investment goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and more to devise a diversified precious metals portfolio. Our experts can also recommend account types and help you transfer your retirement assets from checking accounts to your new precious metals IRA.

A typical USGB client experience looks like this:

  1. Complete the counseling and fill out the application. A USGB specialist will discuss your investment goals and help you complete your application and account setup.
  2. Fund your account. Transfer funds from an existing retirement account, such as a traditional IRA, to a new precious metals IRA.
  3. Select metal. Choose IRS-approved precious metals with guidance from USGB experts.
  4. Organize your storage. The metal is stored in an IRS-approved facility such as the Texas Bullion Depository.

U.S. Gold Bureau Fees and Pricing Considerations

Like many precious metal suppliers, USGB cannot sell bullion or coins at spot prices or fluctuating market prices for particular precious metals. Most suppliers sell precious metals at a price higher than the spot price.

The USGB website states that premiums over spot prices typically range from 2% to 15%, depending on factors such as weight, metal type, and rarity.

According to USGB experts, the minimum investment required by the company to establish a precious metals IRA is $30,000, and the USGB currently covers the setup costs. However, you can also pay fees to the custodian who manages your retirement account and the facility where your precious metals are stored. Storage fees range from $200 to $250.

It’s worth noting that the company does not list all account fees online and recommends potential customers discuss IRA fees directly with a USGB specialist over the phone.

US Gold Bureau Reputation and Customer Experience

USGB maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, customer reviews posted on BBB’s website are not considered in determining ratings. Overall, these reviews are a mix of positive reviews praising USGB’s customer service and negative reviews complaining about frequent marketing calls.

On Trustpilot, the company has a rating of 4.7 out of 5. Most of the reviews here are positive, with many users claiming that USGB staff are helpful and knowledgeable. However, negative reviews mentioned defective packaging and aggressive sales tactics.

Advantages and disadvantages of US Gold Bureau

Weigh these tradeoffs before committing to USGB.

Strong Points

  • Dedicated support from account specialists
  • Offering a variety of products
  • Huge library of educational resources

Cons

  • The pricing structure is not very transparent on the USGB website.
  • Shipping to other countries is not guaranteed.
  • International customers must pay by bank transfer.

Comparison of US Gold Bureau and competitors

Precious metal suppliers typically specialize in providing precious metals for direct purchase or inclusion in retirement accounts such as IRAs.

Typically, pricing structures and levels of customer support may vary. In this regard, USGB aims to create personalized investment strategies regarding precious metals on behalf of each client. It also stands out for its extensive free educational materials and customer support.

conclusion

The National Gold Bureau can be a strong choice for investors who want practical guidance on adding precious metals to their retirement strategy. The company offers access to all four major investment-grade precious metals, IRA rollover assistance, personalized portfolio recommendations, as well as extensive educational resources for new investors.

That said, many prices are not published online, so potential customers should be prepared to talk to a representative to get a complete picture of pricing and ongoing account costs. Comparing premiums, storage fees, and storage costs with other precious metals dealers will help ensure you get the best fit for your investment goals.

US Gold Bureau Frequently Asked Questions

Does the U.S. Gold Bureau offer Gold IRAs?

The U.S. Gold Bureau helps customers open self-directed precious metals IRAs and rollover qualified retirement accounts, including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. The company works with third-party custodians and IRS-approved custodians to manage and store IRA assets.

What is the minimum investment amount for a US Gold IRA?

The U.S. Gold Bureau requires a minimum investment of $30,000 to open a precious metals IRA. There is no minimum amount required for customers purchasing precious metals outside of an IRA.

Does the U.S. Gold Bureau charge storage fees?

Precious metals held in an IRA must be stored in an IRS-approved vault, and there is usually an annual storage fee. According to the USGB, storage and maintenance fees generally range from $200 to $250 per year, but the exact costs vary by custodian and storage provider.

Can I store U.S. Gold Bureau IRA metals at home?

No, IRS rules generally require that precious metals held within a self-directed IRA be kept in an approved storage facility rather than at your home. However, customers who purchase metals outside of their IRA can have eligible products shipped directly to their home.

Is United States Gold Bureau a legitimate company?

U.S. Gold Bureau has been in business for over 20 years and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It also has strong customer ratings on Trustpilot, with many reviewers praising the company’s knowledgeable staff, although some customers have reported concerns about its sales tactics and marketing calls.

Hunter Biden wins $1.7 million in lawsuit against former Overstock CEO Byrne

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Hunter Biden wins .7 million in lawsuit against former Overstock CEO Byrne

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A federal judge has awarded Hunter Biden $1.7 million in punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit against former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, ruling that Byrne made false claims about Biden’s alleged involvement in a bribery scheme with Iran, The Guardian and The Hill reported.

U.S. District Judge Steven Wilson of the Central District of California issued the ruling Friday, finding Byrne acted in an “intentional misrepresentation” and “conscious disregard” of Biden’s rights. The judge also awarded Biden $1 in nominal damages and ordered Byrne to pay nearly $35,000 in court penalties.

The lawsuit, filed by Biden in 2023, centers on Byrne’s interviews and online claims that Biden solicited $800 million in bribes from Iran while his father, former President Joe Biden, was in office. Byrne claimed that Hunter Biden offered to help persuade his father to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets and take a more flexible approach in nuclear negotiations.

Mr. Biden has denied the allegations and accused Mr. Byrne of deliberately spreading false information aimed at damaging his reputation. The case was scheduled for a jury trial, but Wilson entered a default judgment because Byrne failed to appear, and the judge said Byrne had repeatedly failed to comply with court orders and delayed proceedings.

Judge says Byrne lacks evidence for claim

Mr. Wilson said in his ruling that Mr. Byrne claimed to have believed the allegations because Iranian officials claimed they had shared the information.

The judge rejected that explanation, writing that Byrne had not presented evidence showing the official had direct knowledge of his alleged contacts with Biden. Mr Wilson said Mr Byrne had failed to produce any documents or other evidence to support his claims and it was found there was “sufficient evidence” that parts of Mr Byrne’s account were fabricated.

The judge also found that Mr. Byrne continued to promote the claims after Mr. Biden filed his lawsuit, including by encouraging others to spread the claims online.

Wilson wrote that Byrne’s actions went beyond ordinary negligence and amounted to intentional misconduct.

Biden lawyer praises ruling as ‘totally justified’

Hunter Biden’s attorney, Brian Sullivan, said the ruling clears his client of what he described as extremely serious charges.

“This is a complete vindication for Patrick Byrne’s false statements about Hunter Biden,” Sullivan said in a statement. “As the court found, Byrne had no basis whatsoever to suggest that Hunter was involved with Iran.”

In a follow-up statement to USA TODAY, Sullivan said Byrne had been using his public platform for years to spread allegations against Biden.

“For three years, Patrick Byrne has used his national platform to accuse Hunter Biden of treason and link him to the terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,000 people,” Sullivan said. “Yesterday, a federal judge appointed by President Reagan and who has served for 40 years found that all of these claims were fabricated by someone the court described as unreliable and someone who would make up far-fetched stories to draw attention to himself.”

Mr Sullivan added that the damages awarded by the court were only the beginning of possible consequences if Mr Byrne repeated similar claims.

“The judgment is $1.7 million in punitive damages, which is a minimum, not a maximum, of the amount Mr. Byrne may owe for his actions,” Sullivan said. “If Mr Byrne chooses to repeat either, we will return to court.”

Byrne’s history as a Trump ally

Byrne, who founded Overstock.com and served as its CEO until 2019, became a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and challenged the results of the 2020 election, The Hill reported.

He resigned from Overstock following reports about his relationship with Maria Butina, who was later convicted in the United States of acting as an unregistered agent for Russia.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.

England vs Norway LIVE World Cup Scores, Lineup, Highlights, Channels

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England vs Norway LIVE World Cup Scores, Lineup, Highlights, Channels

England will play Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday. This battle will feature some of the most famous stars on the planet and will determine who will qualify for the final four of the tournament.

Norway have featured Erling Haaland in their first World Cup since 1998, with the striker scoring seven goals so far, including two in three games. Meanwhile, England are looking to set a date for the quarter-finals with an emotional victory over Mexico in the round of 16.

“I believe that every match in this World Cup was the “most important” and best for Norwegian football,” coach Staare Solbakken said. “So this is the third ‘most important’ match and I think the players are in a relaxed yet competitive mood. ”

The winner will face Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 14 in Atlanta.

Follow us for live updates:

England vs Norway highlights

Watch every World Cup match on Fubo

The match between England and Norway will kick off at 5pm ET.

The quarterfinals will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

  • GK: Jordan Pickford
  • DF: Ezri Konsa
  • DF: Marc Gehi
  • DF: John Stones
  • DF: Nico O’Reilly
  • Midfielder: Declan Rice
  • Midfielder: Elliot Anderson
  • Midfielder: Jude Bellingham
  • FW: Noni Maduke
  • Forward: Harry Kane
  • FW: Anthony Gordon

Goalkeeper: Orjan Nyland

Defender:

  • julian ryerson
  • christopher ager
  • Torbjorn Hegem
  • david moeller wolf

Midfielder:

  • Patrick Berg
  • thunder barge
  • Martin Odegaard

forward:

  • alexander soros
  • Andreas Schjerderup
  • erling haaland

There were fears that the England vs. Norway match would be postponed, but there’s no lightning or thunder in the Miami area, and it’s very hot and humid anyway.

Several World Cup matches were affected by lightning, with two games delayed in Mexico City and a two-hour delay in Philadelphia.

Seth Terny: Norway 2-1 England

Unless Erling Haaland stops scoring every game (usually more than once), it will be difficult to pick a player for the match against Norway. England are in good form, but their backline will once again be no match for Norway’s stars.

john arnold : Norway 1-3 England

Haaland will be available, but Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the versatile wide attackers will not be able to cope with the Norwegian centre-back.

Jesse Yomtov: Norway 1-2 England

Haaland scored, but this is not an England team that crumbles under pressure. The Zee Lions are resilient and will outlive the upstart Norwegians.

victoria hernandez: Norway 2-3 England

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham play Batman and Robin, leading Erling Haaland’s magical run.

round 16

  • July 4: France vs. Paraguay – Philadelphia
  • July 4: Morocco vs. Canada – Houston
  • July 5: Norway vs. Brazil – East Rutherford
  • 5th July: England v Mexico – Mexico City
  • July 6: Spain vs. Portugal – Arlington
  • July 6: Belgium vs. USA – Seattle
  • July 7: Argentina vs. Egypt – Atlanta
  • July 7: Switzerland vs. Colombia – Vancouver

quarterfinals

  • July 9: France vs. Morocco – Foxborough
  • July 10: Spain vs. Belgium – Inglewood
  • July 11: Norway vs. England – Miami
  • July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland – Kansas City

Semi-final

  • July 14: France vs. Spain – Arlington
  • July 15: Norway/England vs. Argentina/Switzerland – Atlanta

final

  • July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Erling Haaland of Norway plays soccer for Manchester City in the English Premier League.

Saturday’s World Cup match kicks off at 4pm Central Time.

England’s World Cup squad includes four players from current Premier League champions Arsenal: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.

England’s Harry Kane plays for Bayern Munich in Germany.

England only won the 1966 World Cup at home.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has scored seven goals entering the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup and has already scored two goals in one game three times.

Nordic star Erling Haaland is 25 years old and made his senior international debut in 2019 at the age of 19.

Saturday’s game in Miami will kick off at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will also host one match each to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup.

Two Manchester United players have been selected to represent England at the World Cup: midfielder Koby Mainu and forward Marcus Rashford.

Top scorers advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals:

  • 8 goals – Lionel Messi, Argentina 🇦🇷
  • 8 goals – Kylian Mbappé, France 🇫🇷
  • 7 goals – Erling Haaland, Norway 🇳🇴
  • 6 goals – Harry Kane, England 🏴‍♀️
  • 5 goals – Ousmane Dembele, France 🇫🇷

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford plays for Everton in the Premier League. This will be his third World Cup appearance as the country’s starting goalkeeper.

“We played about 18 months ago. He invited me to play when I was in Palm Beach, so when the president invites you somewhere,” Harry Kane said. “Just meeting him and playing golf with him was a pretty surreal experience.

“Honestly, he plays pretty good golf. I wish I could play golf as well as he does when I’m his age, that’s for sure. So (it was) a unique experience and I’m just grateful that he invited me to play.”

The Three Lions’ World Cup squad includes Manchester City players John Stones, Mark Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and James Trafford.

England’s Harry Kane scored six goals in five games at the 2026 World Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals with 14 World Cup goals and tied for fifth on the all-time list.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham currently plays for Real Madrid in Spain.

  • 2022: Argentina🇦🇷
  • 2018: France 🇫🇷
  • 2014: Germany 🇩🇪
  • 2010: Spain🇪🇸
  • 2006: Italy🇮🇹
  • 2002: Brazil🇧🇷
  • 1998: France
  • 1994: Brazil
  • 1990: west germany
  • 1986: Argentina
  • 1982: Italy
  • 1978: Argentina
  • 1974: west germany
  • 1970: Brazil
  • 1966: England 🏴 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
  • 1962: Brazil
  • 1958: Brazil
  • 1954: west germany
  • 1950: Uruguay 🇺🇾
  • 1938: Italy
  • 1934: Italy
  • 1930: Uruguay

Norway’s Martin Odegaard played club ball for Arsenal, captaining the team and helping them win the English Premier League in 2026.

England star Harry Kane is 32 years old and will celebrate his 33rd birthday on July 28th.

Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for the third time.

England’s Anthony Gordon recently joined FC Barcelona from Newcastle United.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be held on Sunday, July 19th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

DirecTV-Scripps dispute ends with 5-week blackout of 54 channels

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DirecTV-Scripps dispute ends with 5-week blackout of 54 channels

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EW Scripps Co. and television provider DirecTV have reached an agreement that will bring 54 local stations back to subscribers in about 40 markets across the United States.

A new multi-year deal announced late Friday, July 10, ends a five-week shipping dispute between the satellite and streaming TV company and the Cincinnati-based media company and will restore millions of viewers to both stations.

Scripps stations have been without power since May 31 for DirecTV subscribers in 36 cities, including Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Nashville, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Tampa-St. St. Petersburg.

Both sides claimed the upper hand in the dispute, with Scripps describing DirecTV as “high-handed” and DirecTV accusing Scripps of “seeking record retransmission consent rates.”

IKEA: The retailer plans to open seven new stores by 2027.

Scripps confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that it will be returning its stations to DirecTV subscribers. “We thank our viewers for their patience and look forward to continuing to provide the important local news, weather, sports and entertainment programming we know they value on the DirecTV platform,” the company said in a statement.

Rob Thune, DirecTV’s chief content officer, said in a news release that the concentration of local TV stations into a few companies has led to “unbalanced negotiations.”

“We appreciate the patience of our customers. Like them, we are frustrated that broadcasters are using power outages as a tool to force them to accept unfair rate hikes that are consistently well above normal inflation rates,” Thun said. “At a time when affordability is more important than ever, families are too often asked to pay more while receiving less.”

Which stations owned by Scripps returned to DirecTV at the end of the conflict?

The 54 Scripps local stations returning to DirecTV’s satellite, streaming, and U-verse services include:

  • ABC station: Cities bringing back local ABC stations include Baltimore, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix and Buffalo, New York.
  • CBS station: Nashville, Billings, Montana, and Omaha, Nebraska.
  • fox station: Salt Lake City and Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, Michigan.
  • NBC station: Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colorado, Milwaukee, Lexington, Kentucky, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • Independent TV station: Denver, Kansas City, Missouri, West Palm Beach, Florida – Fort Pierce.

In addition to its local television stations, Scripps also owns the national network Aeon (it sold Courtroom TV to Law&Crime studios and networks in February 2026).

Back in December, Scripps unanimously rejected a $622 million takeover offer from rival Sinclair, arguing it was not in the best interest of the company or its shareholders.

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

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