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HTB AI Range offers cyber resilience training experiments

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HTB AI Range offers cyber resilience training experiments

Cybersecurity training provider Hack The Box (HTB) has launched the HTB AI Range, designed to help organizations test autonomous AI security agents under realistic conditions, albeit under the supervision of human cybersecurity experts. Its goal is to allow users to assess how well AI, and mixed human-AI teams, can defend their infrastructure.

Vulnerabilities in AI models add to the vulnerabilities already present in traditional IT, so before you angrily deploy agents or AI-based cybersecurity tools, HTB suggests a testing environment where AI agents and human defenders can work together under realistic pressure to measure their cybersecurity capabilities.

How HTB AI Range works

HTB describes the AI ​​Range as a simulation of enterprise complexity with thousands of continually updated attack and defense targets. The platform supports mapping to established cyber frameworks such as MITER ATT&CK, NIST/NICE guidelines, and the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10.

According to HTB, in a recent AI-versus-human capture-the-flag (CTF) exercise, autonomous AI agents solved 19 out of 20 basic challenges. However, human teams outperformed AI agents on multi-step tasks in more complex environments.

The company suggests that AI struggles with complexity and multi-step operations, indicating that human expertise remains valuable, especially in high-stakes or complex tasks.

Testing and closing the skills gap

Companies can use AI Range to validate whether existing security measures work against AI-powered attacks, provide cybersecurity teams with experience with AI-powered threats, and develop more resilient cybersecurity tools based on agent AI. Such exercises could be used to justify investments in cybersecurity to financial decision makers, Hack The Box suggests.

HTB’s AI Range can be used for continuous testing and validation of cybersecurity defenses. According to the company, this is more effective in the long term than static audits or penetration testing exercises, and is therefore closer to the CTEM model (Continuous Threat Exposure Management).

HTB will launch the AI ​​Red Teamer certification early next year with the aim of quantifying the skills needed to strengthen AI defenses.

For now, it seems prudent to think of the cyber scope of AI as part of a layered security and resiliency offering. As AI matures and frameworks like MITER ATLAS become popular, tools like HTB’s AI Range could become standard components of enterprise security programs.

“Hack The Box is a place where AI agents and humans learn to act together under real-world pressure,” said Gerasimos Marketos, Chief Product Officer at Hack The Box. “We are addressing the urgent need to continuously validate AI systems in realistic operational situations where risk is high and human oversight remains critical. The HTB AI Range enables us to do just that.”

Haris Pylarinos, CEO and Founder of Hack The Box, said, “For more than two years, we’ve been developing AI-driven learning paths, labs, and research where machines and humans compete, collaborate, and co-evolve. At HTB AI Range, we’re not reacting to the rise of AI in cyber, we’re defining how defenses will evolve with it. This is how cybersecurity will evolve: not through fear, but through mastery.”

(Image source: “Main Cast” by Tim Dorr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

SEE ALSO: New Nvidia Blackwell chips for China could outperform H20 model

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

Target’s Black Friday favor bags disappoint some shoppers

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Target’s Black Friday favor bags disappoint some shoppers

“I think Target could have done better,” TikTok user Stacia Brandt said in a video. “I think we could have provided more coupon codes and samples.”

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Target is facing backlash for missing its goal from customers who waited in line for hours on Black Friday to receive free swag bags.

As part of Target’s Black Friday sale, the first 100 customers at each store received a free swag bag “filled with holiday favorites,” according to a Target news release. Details of these items were not announced in advance. Ten customers at each store also received take-home prizes ranging from a retail price of $99 to $350, including a $100 Target gift card, Beats Solo 4 headphones, a Reifen hair dryer and a Ninja Slushi machine, according to a Target statement obtained by USA TODAY.

As of Dec. 3, Target has not confirmed the contents of the giveaway bag, but a video shared by a social media user showed the same five key items, including a pack of Uno cards, lip oil, and a bag of candy.

“Target could have done better.”

TikTok user Stacia Brandt said in a recent video that she arrived at her local Target around 11:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving and got in line around 3:45 a.m. on Black Friday. Ms. Brandt expressed disappointment with the selection of gift bags given that she arrived at the store early.

“I think Target could have done better,” Brandt said in the video. “I think they could have had more coupon codes and samples. Honestly, I don’t feel it’s worth waiting in line for an hour, even 30 minutes.”

But not everyone was too upset, especially those who took home the big prizes.

TikTok user Ebony Influences was one of 10 customers at the store who received take-home prizes. Content creators picked up frozen drink maker Ninja Slushi, which was on sale at Target for $270 as of Dec. 3. Another TikTok user, Jerilyn Mendez, scored the Reifen High Speed ​​Hair Dryer SE Lite, which was on sale at Target for $100 as of Dec. 3.

“Worth it or not?” Mendes said in the video’s caption. “But I’m glad we won.”

Receive your gift on time: See holiday shipping deadlines for USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

What was in your Target favor bag?

Here are the key items and their prices at Target, according to a social media video showing the contents of the giveaway bag.

In total, the giveaway bag contained approximately $30 in retail value.

While these five items were staples across the board, some social media users received a few other freebies. Ebony Influence said she also received rainbow-colored fabric, Target greeting cards, holiday stickers and a miniature Target bag keychain.

What does Target say about its Black Friday favor bags?

In a statement shared with USA TODAY on Dec. 3, Target did not directly answer questions about the Black Friday giveaway bags.

“We were thrilled to see everyone who visited Target on Black Friday, including the tens of thousands of shoppers who were first in line at the store that morning,” the statement said. “Throughout this season, our team is focused on delivering great deals, great gift selections, and a festive holiday experience, and we value all guest feedback to make the holidays even better for guests and their families.”

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

Trump administration may suspend some SNAP funds to states over personal data

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Trump administration may suspend some SNAP funds to states over personal data

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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at a Tuesday, Dec. 2, Cabinet meeting that the Trump administration will withhold certain funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if about 20 Democratic-led states do not provide personal information about recipients of the nutrition program.

Starting next week, federal funding will be withheld from states that don’t comply with federal requests, Rollins said in a video conference.. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) later clarified that only the funds sent to support the program’s administrative costs, which are split 50-50 between USDA and each state, would be seized, not the benefits themselves.

Rollins said 29 Republican-led states have already sent the requested personal data, including immigration status and Social Security numbers, while 21 Democratic-led states have not yet. The USDA revised those numbers in a Dec. 3 statement sent to USA TODAY, saying 28 states and Guam provided information, but 22 “blue states” including California, New York and Minnesota did not.

The USDA claims it needs this information to “root out” what Rollins has repeatedly characterized without evidence as widespread “fraud.” USDA has declined multiple requests from USA TODAY to share more information about these claims

“Therefore, starting next week, we have begun and will begin halting the transfer of federal funds to these states until they comply and direct and allow us to root out this fraud and work with us to protect American taxpayers,” Rollins said on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Request for SNAP data previously blocked by federal judge

The request for sensitive data about SNAP recipients, which helps about 42 million Americans, was first issued in February before being challenged in court by 22 states and Washington, D.C. That order was blocked in October by a federal judge in California, which temporarily barred the federal government from collecting information or withholding funds from states that don’t provide it.

USDA has until Dec. 15 to appeal the decision, but the judge has already said the court will not temporarily suspend the injunction in the event of an appeal. USDA declined to answer questions about the appeal or compliance with the order.

The USDA also told USA TODAY it has formed a “SNAP Integrity Team” to scrutinize data to end allegations of “indiscriminate welfare fraud.” An April 7 report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service said SNAP fraud is “rare” and said that based on available data and reports, a large number of overpayments could be due to unintentional errors.

“We are sending additional data requests to Democratic states, and if they do not comply, USDA will issue a formal warning that administrative funding will be withheld,” the USDA said in a Dec. 3 statement.

States challenging the requirement have cited privacy concerns, arguing in an earlier lawsuit that it is yet another attempt to “amass vast amounts of personal information and private data in furtherance of goals that have nothing to do with combating waste, fraud, and abuse in federal benefit programs.”

SNAP requirements in the spotlight

The nation’s largest nutrition assistance program became the flashpoint of a 43-day government shutdown, leading to unprecedented payment disruptions and a flurry of court rulings. The spending package that ended the shutdown on Nov. 12 restored full funding to the Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, after benefits were withheld in November for the first time in the program’s history.

The Trump administration has repeatedly promised to overhaul the program. Rollins said in November that the USDA would have all recipients “reapply” to continue receiving benefits, but the agency later told USA TODAY it would use the “standard recertification process for households” that already exists. Currently, recipients must recertify periodically to maintain eligibility, and approved recipients have a limited time frame in which they can use their benefits.

The massive tax and spending bill, which President Trump called “a beautiful big bill,” will cut SNAP funding by an estimated $186 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also placed new restrictions on the program, including expanding work requirements (raising the working age from 55 to 65) and eliminating work exemptions for veterans, recent elderly nursing home exits, and people without housing.

States are currently responsible for up to 15% of the cost of benefits, depending on payment error rates, and administrative costs are expected to increase.

The polar vortex is coming. See where the frigid temperatures reach

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The polar vortex is coming. See where the frigid temperatures reach

Frigid temperatures are expected to affect much of the east-central United States in the coming weeks.

The first of three polar vortex systems is expected to occur this month, according to AccuWeather. A surge of arctic air can create gusts and squalls in certain locations, which can foster more widespread snow-bearing storms.

“This week’s outbreak will likely be the first of three such rounds, with another cold wave likely next week and a third one the week after,” AccuWeather chief long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said on the website. “Arctic atmospheric waves will lead to a significant surge in energy demand.”

“This week’s outbreak will probably be the first of three such rounds. There will probably be another cold wave next week and a third one the week after that,” Pastelok added.

Temperatures are very low in December

The upper Midwest and Northern Plains are experiencing sub-freezing temperatures in Canada. Wind chills are expected to reach -10 to -25 degrees on Thursday, December 4, and are expected to continue in the eastern United States through Friday, December 5.

As the leading edge of the polar atmosphere moves southward, blowing snow, snow and larger snow squalls are possible as the front crosses the Great Lakes region and into the northern half of the Appalachians, AccuWeather said.

Don’t see the graphic? Click here to view it.

How do polar vortices form?

The North Pole is covered by the polar vortex, a giant circular upper-air weather system located in the North Pole. This is a normal pattern that tends to include extremely cold climates near the North Pole and is stronger in winter. Parts of the polar vortex can sometimes break or drift southward, bringing frigid weather to the United States, Europe, and Asia. Normally, the jet stream traps the vortices and keeps them there.

In winter, the cold wind can make you feel even colder.

When temperatures start to drop, especially when temperatures dip below or below freezing, cold weather significantly increases the risk of frostbite.

The National Weather Service uses computer modeling to “provide accurate, easy-to-understand, and useful formulas” for calculating wind chill. The index calculates wind speed at 5 feet above the ground (the average height of an adult’s face) while incorporating “heat transfer theory based on heat loss from the body to its surroundings,” according to the NWS.

The Wind Chill Index helps you understand how low temperatures and strong winds can cause frostbite. To determine the wind cooling temperature in the graph below, find the associated wind speed at the top and the outside temperature at the right. You can see the wind chill temperature where they intersect.

Contribution: Doyle Rice/USA TODAY, Cailey Gleezon, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Source AccuWeather, National Weather Service, USA TODAY research

Chili Skillet Queso is back after being removed from the menu

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Chili Skillet Queso is back after being removed from the menu

After two months of disappointment on social media, Chili’s is bringing back its popular appetizer, Skillet Queso.

In October, the restaurant chain replaced its longtime cheese appetizer with a new recipe, to the dismay of some customers and fans.

However, Chili’s confirmed to USA TODAY that its original queso will be back starting next week. Chili’s first teased the move on social media in late October, just weeks after introducing a new Southwest Queso to replace Skillet Beef and White Queso on the menu.

If you’ve missed Skillet Queso and are eagerly awaiting its return, here’s what you need to know about its arrival.

When will chili skillet queso be back?

Two social media posts by Chili’s designate Tuesday, Dec. 9, as the first day Skillet Queso will return to the menu, the chain confirmed to USA TODAY.

The first post, on Oct. 27, hinted at a possible return for the cheese dish with the words, “We tried to make it a skillet, but you love skillet” over a photo of the popular skillet beef queso.

A second post, which included the words, “You know what they say: If you love something, let it go. And get it back in 63 days,” alerted fans that Queso was set to officially return next week.

More news: Jimmy John’s is offering free wraps on Spotify Wrapped Day. How to get it.

What did Chili’s replace the queso in the skillet?

The restaurant debuted its Southwest Queso in October, featuring a blend of American and cheddar cheeses, green chili peppers, sweet onions and lime notes.

“The new queso brings a smooth texture and southwestern flavor, making it the perfect pairing with Chili’s iconic tortilla chips,” Chili’s said.

The chain confirmed that Southwest Queso will remain on the menu after Skillet Beef Queso returns, but White Skillet Queso will not return to restaurants.

Social media reacts to the return of Skillet Queso

People initially took to social media to express their disappointment with the removal of Skillet Queso from the menu, including comments from X user @jga41agher, who wrote, “I just learned that @Chilis has removed Skillet Queso and I am completely outraged. What happened to this country that I love?”

The announcement made Chile’s comment section even happier. Many of the comments thanked Chili’s for bringing the dish back, including: “My prayers were answered,” “Dreams come true,” and “I cried tears of joy.”

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributor: Melina Khan, USA TODAY

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @katecperez_.

What is the biggest Powerball jackpot in history? Current prize is $775 million

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What is the biggest Powerball jackpot in history? Current prize is 5 million

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One of the biggest prizes in Powerball history could be yours in just a few hours.

The jackpot reached a record-breaking $775 million, an increase of about $35 million from the beginning of the week.

The estimated cash value is $362.5 million (pre-tax) and can be paid as a one-time lump sum cash payment or as annuity payments over 29 years. Either way, players will have a fun holiday if they win the prize after Wednesday night’s drawing.

The last time a jackpot of this size was won was in September, when players in Missouri and Texas split a $1.787 billion jackpot, making it the second-largest prize in history.

With so much cash up for grabs, you might be wondering what the biggest prizes are and where they were won. The top 10 are:

What is the biggest prize in Powerball history?

Here’s how the biggest jackpot prizes in Powerball history stack up.

  • $2.04 billion won in California on November 7, 2022
  • $1.787 billion won in Missouri and Texas on September 6, 2025
  • $1.765 billion, won in California on October 11, 2023
  • $1.586 billion won in California, Florida and Tennessee on January 13, 2016
  • $1.326 billion won in Oregon on April 6, 2024
  • $1.08 billion won in California on July 19, 2023
  • $842.4 million, won in Michigan on January 1, 2024
  • The $775 million winner could be decided Wednesday night.
  • $768.4 million, won in Wisconsin on March 27, 2019
  • $758.7 million, won in Massachusetts on August 23, 2017

How to play Powerball

How to play Powerball is easy:

  • Buy a $2 ticket anywhere tickets are sold.
  • Think about which six numbers you would choose.
  • For Powerball, select five “white” numbers from 1 to 69 and one “red” number from 1 to 26.

Players can also add “Power Play,” a $1 feature that increases the winnings on all non-jackpot prizes. “Power Play” multipliers can increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

If you’re not feeling particularly lucky, or just want to let the computer do the work, you can take advantage of the “Quick Pick” option. All numbers selected in the “Quick Pick” option are computer generated.

To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball in any order. The draw takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores all sell lottery tickets. Tickets may also be sold at some airport terminals.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery courier, in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.

The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. USA Today Co., Inc may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visitjackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Contributor: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY

MyPillow founder Mike Lindell files to run for Minnesota governor

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MyPillow founder Mike Lindell files to run for Minnesota governor

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MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, is considering jumping into the Minnesota gubernatorial race.

Lindell’s campaign committee filed documents with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Disclosure Commission on Wednesday, Dec. 3, indicating that Lindell may run as a Republican candidate.

Meanwhile, Lindell said in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio that he has not yet made an official declaration.

“Ninety-eight percent of the time they will,” Lindell told the magazine. Lindell did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Lindell, 64, will join 12 other Republicans who have already announced their bids for governor, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and state Rep. Kristin Robbins. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tim Walz has announced that he will run for a third term.

Rick Wieble, Lindell’s campaign chairman, told the USA TODAY Network’s St. Cloud Times on Dec. 3 that he filed Lindell’s paperwork ahead of the Dec. 13 state Republican Party Central Committee meeting in case Lindell wanted to speak at the event.

Weeble said the measure would give Lindell more freedom and not have to worry about whether he would comply with running for governor.

“If you start a committee, for example, it’s very easy to get out of compliance quickly,” Weeble said. “Let’s say you get something signed and someone gives you money, like $1,000, and you basically have a limited amount of time to get a committee up and running.”

Weeble added that it’s better to register “before any major announcements are made.”

The campaign chair also said that the deadline Lindell declares is entirely up to him, but that he could easily shut down the committee if he decides not to run.

“As we all know, Mike Lindell is very animated and excited and is able to make quick decisions to get into races,” Wieble said.

Lindell’s misadventures in court: MyPillow founder Mike Lindell tells federal judge that legal battle has cost him money

Democrats quickly respond to Lindell’s possibility of running for governor

Democrats were quick to respond to Governor Lindell’s intentions.

“Mike Lindell is the latest extreme and unconventional candidate to jump into a race to the far right that is becoming more chaotic and dangerous by the day,” Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Izzy Levy said in a written statement provided to the USA TODAY Network. “His entry into the race is a bitter pill for Minnesota Republicans.”

Lindell still has legal issues despite potentially running for governor

The 64-year-old businessman is a staunch Trump supporter who gained national attention not only for his quirky TV ads promoting pillows, but also for his claims of fraud following the 2020 presidential election. Multiple recounts, investigations, and audits confirmed the legitimacy of the election results.

Lindell has also been sued several times over claims of election fraud, including a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems in 2021.

Lindell must also pay $5 million to a software engineer who was able to debunk data that Lindell claimed proved China interfered in the 2020 election, a federal judge ruled in 2024.

Additionally, in December 2024, a Minnesota judge ordered MyPillow to pay global shipping service DHL approximately $778,000 in unpaid invoices and legal fees. Rival shipping company FedEx sued MyPillow in March for failing to pay more than $9 million in shipping fees, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

Meanwhile, Lindell continues to claim that he is out of money due to repeated legal battles.

“I’m devastated,” Lindell told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on April 16, according to ABC News.

Voting machine company Smartmatic in March asked Nichols to hold Lindell in contempt, alleging that Lindell had avoided paying a court-ordered $56,369 fine against Smartmatic to cover legal costs, which the complaint called “Lindell’s frivolous claims.”

Kimmel mocks Trump for seeking truth in social posts

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Kimmel mocks Trump for seeking truth in social posts

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Jimmy Kimmel thinks it might be time for President Donald Trump to take a break from screens.

The late-night show host on Tuesday, Dec. 2, mocked President Trump for having an unusually active night on Truth Social, posting more than 150 posts in one night. On Dec. 1, the president posted exactly 158 times between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., according to Axios.

Kimmel referred to the “onslaught” of posts from “the guy who supposedly runs the country,” saying, “I’ve said it before, but the truth is, this time he went completely insane last night.”

To visually convey President Trump’s “stormy posts,” Kimmel projected a number of Trump’s truthful social messages on a screen behind him.

“Do you know how long you have to be in the bathroom to post that much?” he joked, before going on to ask, “What was Melania doing during this five-hour manic Monday marathon? Was she hiding under the Christmas tree?”

Trump’s social posts included everything from attacks on political opponents to footage of his cameo in the 1992 film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” which Kimmel said he believed was “the last time Donald Trump was happy.”

Jimmy Fallon also weighed in on President Trump’s post controversy on “The Tonight Show,” quipping, “I think we know where the Venezuelan cocaine went.”

jimmy kimmel Stephen Colbert said he thought the show was ‘over’ after the hiatus

“It’s like someone saying to President Trump, ‘Give me the MRI results without telling me the MRI results,'” he continued. “160 posts overnight. President Trump’s thumb was as swollen as his ankle this morning.”

Various late-night show hosts also covered President Trump’s recent Cabinet meeting on Dec. 2. Kimmel characterized it simply as an excuse for President Trump to “heap praise on him” and played a montage of clips of the president appearing to close his eyes during the meeting.

Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel Tim Walz insults President Trump over MRI test

“Tell me again how Sleepy Joe is doing,” Kimmel joked. “Of course he was tired. He had been up all night posting!”

Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert also claimed on “The Late Show” that Trump “fell asleep” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at a Cabinet meeting.

“Let’s be fair,” Colbert joked. “Maybe he’s so old that he fell asleep during the afternoon meeting. Or maybe he just closed his eyes to concentrate on his adult diaper. Then he fell asleep.”

Key points from the Tennessee election: Republicans won, but Democrats outperformed.

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Key points from the Tennessee election: Republicans won, but Democrats outperformed.

Republicans may breathe a sigh of relief that disaster has been avoided, but Tennessee’s 7th Congressional election is a red flag for 2026.

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WASHINGTON – Republicans avoided a major Democratic upset in a high-profile Tennessee special legislative election, but the race was surprisingly close in a predominantly red district.

Still, while Republicans can breathe a sigh of relief that they avoided disaster, Tennessee’s 7th Congressional special election is yet another warning sign for Republicans about the possibility of a blue wave in the 2026 midterm elections.

Here are the key takeaways from Republican Matt Van Epps’ victory over Democrat Aftin Behn.

Democrats continue to dominate nationally

Van Epps, a military veteran and former state government official, defeated Van Epps, a liberal Democratic state representative, by 9 points (54% to 45%) in the Middle Tennessee district, where Trump had a 22-point lead in the 2024 presidential election. He will replace retiring Congressman Mark Green (R-Tenn.).

This represents a significant 13-point swing in the Democratic direction and continues a pattern of Democratic overperformance in special elections this year.

more: Matt Van Epps prevents Democratic upset in Tennessee special election

In five other special elections to fill U.S. House vacancies this year, Democrats beat 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ performance by 17 points (Arizona’s 7th District), 23 points (Florida’s 1st District), 16 points (Florida’s 6th District), 28 points (Texas’ 18th District), and 17 points. (11th District of Virginia).

Republicans publicly downplayed the changes in Tennessee, claiming the results were not as close as some polls suggested. But the larger trend is a troubling sign for Republicans as they seek to maintain their current 219-213 House majority in 2026.

At the same time, Democrats are increasingly confident that a double-digit swing in electoral votes nationwide could give them control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.

Which way will the Senate lean in 2026? Here are 11 important races that will make your decision.

Trump’s Republican rescue mission was a success

Van Epps needed Trump’s direct participation in the race (he held multiple teletown halls for Van Epps) and millions of dollars in outside funding led by the Trump-affiliated MAGA PAC to keep the Democratic Party’s lead at 13 points.

The money funded attack ads depicting Mr. Behn as a radical liberal to boost Republican turnout.

Those efforts appear to have paid off. The race ended up with midterm-level turnout, far exceeding the low turnout totals of most special elections. Mr. Behn stood to benefit from a race where voter turnout was low and Democrats gained momentum. But in the end, about 180,000 Tennesseans voted, comparable to the roughly 181,000 who voted in Tennessee’s 7th District midterm election in 2022, which Republicans easily won.

Tennessee is sending ‘warning signs’: Is the blue wave heading toward Trump and the Republican Party?

Mr. Behn appears to have won a majority in early voting, reflecting a national trend in recent election cycles where Democrats vote early while Republicans wait until Election Day. But Mr. Van Epps, backed by an aggressive last-minute push from Mr. Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other national Republicans, took advantage of the massive turnout of Republicans on Election Day to carry him to victory.

While Republican efforts to nationalize the race have worked in Tennessee’s ultra-conservative 7th District, the same formula is unlikely to work in battleground states where Trump is less popular. According to a Gallup poll released on November 28, President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36%, the lowest in the United States during his second term.

The quality of Democratic candidates is debated.

Republicans were able to continue their attack on Behn because the former community organizer and progressive activist provided much of the material.

Mr. Behn, an active user of social media and online videos, has given the Republican Party a series of offensive statements in an effort to galvanize the Republican base.

Republicans responded to the onslaught of ads, labeling Behn a “far-left lunatic” and “Tennessee’s AOC” and highlighting her past social media comments questioning whether police should be disbanded, saying the visibility of religion in the statehouse “makes her uncomfortable” and commenting that “men and women” can have children.

more: Tennessee legislative elections unlikely to be a test of the blue wave

Democratic voters in October chose Behn by a narrow margin over three less polarizing candidates: state Reps. Beau Mitchell and Vincent Dixie, and Nashville businessman Darden Copeland.

Some argue that a more moderate candidate would have done better against Van Epps. But Monday Morning’s quarterback ignores Mr. Behn’s success in boosting turnout in the Democratic base, especially in Democratic stronghold Nashville, far outpacing Ms. Harris’ performance in 2024.

The debate over the qualifications of candidates highlights a major dilemma among Democrats over who to field in the 2026 midterm elections.

Mr. Behn does not fit the same centrist profile as Abigail Spanberger of Virginia or Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey. They won a lopsided double-digit victory in the Nov. 4 gubernatorial election and helped deliver a strong Democratic performance.

At the same time, much of the energy within the party shifted to the left, as evidenced by the victory of New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani on the same election night.

Democrats will need to carefully assess what type of Democratic Party will function in each election campaign.

X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.

New Jersey Mega Millions jackpot winner secures $90 million

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New Jersey Mega Millions jackpot winner secures million

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One lucky person has won the Mega Millions jackpot.

On Dec. 2, just weeks after someone in Georgia won the $983 million Mega Millions jackpot, the eighth-largest jackpot in the game’s history, another lucky ticket sold in New Jersey matched all six numbers drawn and won a $90 million jackpot. The winner has the option of a one-time cash payment of $41.9 million.

The win in just five drawings marks the shortest jackpot win since August 2023, when a lucky person in Florida won a $39 million jackpot in two drawings, after a record-breaking $1.602 billion jackpot was won in Florida, according to a Mega Millions news release.

In 2025, a total of six jackpots were won. Most recently, one lucky person in Georgia won a $983 million jackpot in November.

Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/2/25

The winning numbers for Tuesday, December 2nd drawing are: 17, 25, 26, 53, 60 and the mega ball 16.

The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.

More lottery news: See the Powerball winning numbers for the December 1 drawing. $740 million jackpot

Where was the winning ticket purchased?

According to Mega Millions, the winning ticket was purchased in New Jersey.

Win the jackpot in 2025

According to a previous report from USA TODAY, the latest jackpot winners for 2025 are:

  • $113 million: Win at Arizona State on January 17th.
  • $344 million: Win at Illinois on March 25th
  • $112 million: Win at Ohio State on April 18th.
  • $348 million: Won in Virginia on June 27th.
  • $983 million: Winner at Georgia on November 14th
  • $90 million: Winner in New Jersey on December 2nd

What is the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

According to the Mega Millions website, it lists the top 10 biggest jackpots in the history of the game.

  1. $1.602 billion: Won in Florida on August 8, 2023
  2. $1.537 billion: Win in South Carolina on October 23, 2018
  3. $1.348 billion: Win in Maine on January 13, 2023
  4. $1.337 billion: Won in Illinois on July 29, 2022
  5. $1.269 billion: Win in California on December 27, 2024
  6. $1.128 billion: Won in New Jersey on March 26, 2024
  7. $1.05 billion: Victory January 22, 2021, Michigan State
  8. $983 million: Win in Georgia on November 14, 2025
  9. $810 million: Won in Texas on September 10, 2024
  10. $656 million: On March 30, 2012, three tickets were won in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland.

How to play Mega Millions

To play Mega Millions, you must purchase a ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Mega Millions tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered 1-70. The golden mega ball ranges from 1 to 24.

If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can request a “quick pick” or “easy pick.” When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.

Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets onlineJackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythe following states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery games and numbers, place your order, view your tickets, and claim your winnings, all from your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos For full terms and conditions.

Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY, covering scientific research and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamaigz or email jgomez@hannett.com.

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

Changes to NASA’s Hubble James Webb Control Center raise concerns

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Changes to NASA’s Hubble James Webb Control Center raise concerns

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland is facing controversy over the potential closure of the building.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, home to iconic missions such as the Hubble Telescope and the James Webb Telescope, is embroiled in controversy over its possible closure.

For months, workers, advocates and lawmakers have been steadily sounding the alarm about alarming changes occurring at Goddard College’s main campus in Greenbelt, Maryland. Campus building closures reportedly increased when many employees were absent during the government shutdown, sparking outrage with unions arguing it would be a significant loss to America’s spaceflight ambitions.

“The hastily planned relocation and closure of government agencies, some of which I understand are already well underway, risks significant delays to a multibillion-dollar mission in development,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said last month.

NASA downplayed the concerns in a public statement, insisting that the actions at Goddard were in line with plans laid out years ago.

Here’s everything you need to know about Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA’s plans to close or consolidate some of the buildings there.

What is Goddard Space Flight Center?

Goddard Space Flight Center, located just outside Washington, DC, is one of NASA’s main centers for space research. Goddard bills itself as home to “the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers, and technicians” dedicated to designing and building instruments to study Earth and the surrounding universe.

Named after American rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard, the center was established in 1959 as NASA’s first spaceflight facility.

To this day, Goddard manages operations for the iconic Hubble Space Telescope and is where its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, was developed ahead of its 2021 launch.

At Goddard, scientists and engineers are also putting the finishing touches on the even more powerful Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The nearly completed telescope has high hopes of changing our understanding of how the universe began.

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch by May 2027, and could launch as early as fall 2026, NASA announced on November 25.

Is NASA shutting down Goddard? What you need to know

As the government shutdown began in October, concerns began to grow that NASA had begun dismantling Goddard’s major laboratories and offices. The measure prompted accusations that it was a premature implementation of President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, which has not yet been approved by Congress, according to multiple reports, including Space.com and CNN.

The small number of workers who remained on site during the closure reported witnessing or participating in the removal and disposal of specialized equipment and other items, according to the report. The Goddard Society of Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians (GESTA) said in a statement on Nov. 25 that it is aware that 13 buildings at the center, including about 100 laboratories, are on track to close by a March 2026 deadline with little notice to employees.

GESTA said in a Nov. 14 brief that the deadline “would only cause damage or destruction to NASA’s strategic capabilities and could impact current and future NASA missions,” and that “unplanned and hasty actions could result in the loss of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded experimental facilities, including sophisticated and expensive equipment that would be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.”

But NASA officials said in a statement to multiple media outlets that the move is part of a 20-year master plan to improve the Maryland campus through renovation and demolition. Leaders said the changes are aimed at cutting costs but are not expected to delay or cancel ongoing projects.

The USA TODAY Network left a message with NASA’s media office on Wednesday, Dec. 3, seeking more information.

Congressional leaders want answers

But some Congressional leaders are not convinced by NASA’s explanation.

And they are taking action to prevent further action by the space agency, at least for the time being.

A Nov. 10 letter from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, called on NASA to “cease” the closure of Goddard Station.

The letter at the time, addressed to NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy, gave the U.S. space agency 24 hours to respond confirming the operation had been suspended.

Maryland’s entire Democratic Congressional delegation also sent a letter to Duffy demanding answers.

In a letter dated Nov. 13, the lawmakers gave Duffy until Nov. 17 to answer a series of questions, including “voluntary departures, deferred resignations, and troop reductions” at Goddard.

NASA Inspector General’s Office Requests Investigation

Lofgren has since sent two more letters, one dated Nov. 21 and the latest on Tuesday, Dec. 2, outlining his plans to ask NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate the integration efforts at Goddard.

A Nov. 21 letter signed by Lofgren and other Democrats on the committee slams NASA’s closure of Goddard, calling it “not prudent, prudent, honest, or reasonable.”

“While Mr. Goddard’s challenge is real, we find it difficult to see any justification for suggesting a sudden crisis that requires drastic and chaotic intervention on a timeline of months, weeks, or even days,” the letter continued. “But that is what NASA is claiming to justify its actions in recent months and clearly for the foreseeable future.”

An OIG spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by USA TODAY Network on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Eric Lagatta is a Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact elagatta@gannett.com.

Walmart announces drone deliveries in metro Atlanta

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Walmart announces drone deliveries in metro Atlanta

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Walmart’s drone delivery service is getting off to a good start in one city.

Starting December 3, Walmart will begin drone deliveries in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, according to a news release.

In June, the company announced it would expand its existing drone delivery service, which was previously only available in two cities. Atlanta is the first of the five cities to benefit from the expansion.

Walmart is touting drone delivery as a more convenient and faster way to get products to customers’ doors. This is made possible through a partnership with Wing, a drone company and subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet.

Walmart first began testing drone delivery in 2020 and rolled it out the following year, but it’s far from the only company to do so. Amazon, Chipotle, and DoorDash, among others, are some of the big-name brands that utilize drone services for deliveries.

Where does Walmart deliver by drone?

Walmart announced it will add six stores in the Atlanta metropolitan area to its drone delivery service. It is already available in the Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas areas.

The following stores are participating in drone delivery in metro Atlanta.

  • Walmart #575, 12182 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA
  • Walmart #2475, 1436 Dogwood Dr, Conyers, GA
  • Walmart #618, 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy, Hiram, GA
  • Walmart #3403, 3615 Charles Hardy Pkwy, Dallas, GA
  • Walmart #3201, 135 Willow Ln, McDonough, GA
  • Walmart #5252, 4221 Atlanta Hwy, Loganville, GA

Walmart drone delivery begins in more cities

In addition to Atlanta, Walmart announced that it will soon launch drone deliveries in four other cities. This expansion will enable drone delivery to a total of 100 stores, including six in Atlanta.

Here are the cities you can look out for Walmart drones in the near future.

  • Charlotte, North Carolina
  • houston texas
  • Orlando, Florida
  • tampa, florida

more: This Grinch likes jazz. Walton Goggins stars in Walmart’s holiday ad.

How does Walmart drone delivery work?

Walmart says its drone deliveries can arrive in as little as 30 minutes after an order is placed, and the average drone flight time is less than five minutes.

The Wing drone can carry up to about 2 pounds and fly at about 90 miles per hour. According to Walmart, the most common items delivered by drone are fruit, eggs, pet food, and ice cream.

Here’s how to use the service:

  1. Check if your address is eligible for delivery at wing.com/walmart
  2. If you’re eligible, download the Wing mobile app
  3. Place your order and check your delivery location
  4. The drone will fly towards you and lower the package to the ground

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

Epstein Island appears in ‘never-before-seen’ photos released by Democrats

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Epstein Island appears in ‘never-before-seen’ photos released by Democrats

The Justice Department must release more records from its files by Dec. 19 under a law passed by Congress in November.

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WASHINGTON – House Democrats on Dec. 3 released more photos from the investigation into disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, while continuing to press the Justice Department to release files as requested by Congress.

One photo appears to show a dentist’s chair in a room with masks on the walls. Another photo shows a phone with a list of speed dials that appear to be phone numbers for people named Darren, Rich, Mike, and Larry.

Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee called the revelations “unseen-before photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein’s private island that reveal the horrors behind Epstein’s closed doors.”

The documents are from a civil lawsuit involving JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But Democrats continue to press the Justice Department to release documents from the criminal investigation, as Congress required in a bill with a Dec. 19 deadline.

“We will continue to release documents and files as we receive them,” California Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, said on social media. “The survivors deserve justice and the truth. We need the Department of Justice to release all files now.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she would follow the law.

How Bad Bunny became Spotify Wrapped’s top global artist – Exclusive

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How Bad Bunny became Spotify Wrapped’s top global artist – Exclusive

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Bad Bunny has become Spotify’s Global Top Artist for the fourth time.

In the streamer’s much-anticipated year-end report, “Spotify Wrapped,” the company announced that Benito has taken the title of the world’s most streamed artist. Bad Bunny won the most streamed title in 2020, 2021, and 2022, but his record was broken by Taylor Swift in 2023 and 2024.

In statistics shared exclusively with USA TODAY, Spotify revealed that if one person were to listen to all of Bad Bunny’s streams from 2025 in a row, it would take 124,620 years, or more than 1,200 centuries of nonstop music. He has a loyal band of 27 million listeners, and his music is streamed more than 60 million times on the app every day.

Bad Bunny’s 31st Puerto Rico match The stay was a love letter to the island and its people.

The Puerto Rican superstar’s latest project, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, was also named one of Spotify’s Global Top Albums of 2025, cementing his place in the streaming stratosphere and serving to silence the chorus of American consumers who balked when the NFL announced him as this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.

Bad Bunny sings almost entirely in Spanish, a fact that appears to have angered multiple Fox News speakers and President Donald Trump, who has slammed the soccer league for choosing him as its signature singer. His popularity, reflected in the numbers, is undeniable. In particular, the United States was the top streamer of Bad Bunny’s music among non-Spanish speaking markets.

“This is the fourth time we’ve had Bad Bunny as our global artist. This is historic, unprecedented and unlike anything we’ve seen before,” Mia Nygren, general manager of Spotify Latin America, told USA TODAY. “He’s doing this in an unapologetic way about his roots and his Puerto Rican story, so it’s very cool and special and meaningful.”

Spotify Rap is here! How to find yours and what’s new in 2025

Bad Bunny sets record in 2025

The Spotify title caps a record-breaking year for Bad Bunny, who made history with his Puerto Rican sojourn and embarked on a world tour. In conjunction, Spotify is going all-in on a campaign to celebrate his new title. Fan events are planned in Paris, Mexico City, Madrid, Puerto Rico and Bogota, and a short film will be released on December 3rd that shows how DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, which follows Bad Bunny’s Sapo Concho as he travels around the world and spotlights Puerto Rico and its music, will be released.

Nygren gushes about Bad Bunny’s “very loyal” fan base and says that despite all the awards he’s won over the years, this award still means a lot to him.

“This is not what we are giving him. This is what our users and his fans are giving him,” she says. In return, he gave the music industry clear proof that hyperlocal stories can be universal, and that people are still hungry for authenticity, whether it comes across in their native tongue or not.

Spotify Wrapped Top Artists of 2025, Song and album revealed

“I think there’s a big shift happening in the way music is orchestrated,” Nygren says. “Who would have thought that someone[would be so successful]in a familiar environment with such a strong sense of identity from a local perspective, and even in an environment with a different language?

“The way he speaks about meaningful things resonates beyond Puerto Rico because these are universal traits,” she continued.

Spotify Wrap Includes Top Audiobook, First Narrator – Exclusive

The moment when Sapo Concho attracts attention

At the center of Spotify’s campaign celebrating Bad Bunny is the Sapo Concho, a kind of MacGuffin for the artist in the form of a crested frog native to Puerto Rico.

On Bad Bunny’s latest album, the endangered and endearing character sends a larger message, but with no historical relevance, the straw hat-wearing Concho appears in a Spotify short film. In this video, produced in collaboration with Stillz and A1 Productions, Frog travels around the world taking photographs (Él no olvidó) and telling the story of the culture that gave rise to the album.

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Spotify video celebrating Bad Bunny’s title as World’s Top Artist.

The film shows how Bad Bunny’s “Sapo Concho” travels around the world and “DtMF” puts Puerto Rico and its music in the spotlight.

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Spotify users who enjoy Bad Bunny’s music will also see a small frog animation on their play button.

Even wealthy Americans don’t feel wealthy.

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Even wealthy Americans don’t feel wealthy.

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A million dollars is not what it used to be.

Only 36% of American billionaires believe they will be wealthy in 2025, according to a new study from Northwestern Mutual.

The findings come from the 2025 Planning and Progress Survey, which was updated in early November. The study is based on a Harris poll of 4,626 Americans, including 969 with household investable assets of more than $1 million.

Even the wealthiest Americans worry about money, a study finds. They worry about having enough money and decide how to spend it and whether to pass it on to their heirs.

If $1 million isn’t enough, how much money do you need to feel wealthy?

“There are no hard numbers,” said Mark Mascarenhas, a private wealth advisor at Northwestern Mutual’s Haven Wealth Advisors.

Many billionaires don’t consider themselves wealthy

Feeling wealthy has a lot to do with context and perspective, he said.

In rural West Virginia or Kansas, $1 million might be a lot of money. In New York or Los Angeles, you may feel like that’s not enough.

Billionaires who hang out with other billionaires are bound to make boring comparisons with their wealthier friends.

“None of my millionaire clients consider themselves wealthy. They never will be,” said Liz Windisch, a certified financial planner in Denver.

“People who have that much money are necessarily millionaires, and they spend time with people who have even more money than they do, and like the rest of us, they compare themselves to others who have more money,” she said.

Northwestern Mutual found that nearly half of U.S. billionaires say their financial planning “needs improvement.” Only 53% said they would leave a legacy or charitable donation.

“It’s not that they don’t want to leave a legacy, it’s just that they’re worried about their retirement funds,” Mascarenhas said.

The study found that millionaires’ biggest retirement concern is the possibility of outliving their savings.

Rise of the Everyday Billionaire

According to the UBS Global Wealth Report, the United States has approximately 24 million billionaires, the most in any country in US dollar terms.

According to a report by UBS, the number of American billionaires will increase by more than 1,000 people per day in 2024. In fact, millionaires have become so common that the report describes people with assets of $5 million or less as “everyday millionaires.”

Average 50-something becomes a millionaire

The average American in their 50s now has a household net worth of more than $1 million, according to the 2022 Federal Consumer Finance Survey.

Household wealth has ballooned at a record pace during the pandemic. Soaring housing prices and an increase in stock holdings were factors that pushed it up.

The average household net worth for Americans in their late 30s is now over $500,000. If you’re in your late 40s, that’s over $750,000. By the age of 50, it will reach seven figures.

But if you’re in your 50s and not a millionaire, don’t despair. These numbers are averages and are inflated by the super wealthy.

Do you need $1 million to be “comfortable” financially?

Research shows that whatever “wealthy” means in late 2025, it will mean a net worth of more than $1 million. In the latest Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, released in July, consumers set their wealth threshold at $2.3 million.

But if your goal is simply to be “comfortable,” Schwab has found that just over $800,000 is more than enough.

It may be mostly semantics, but American consumers believe there is a big difference between the economic goals of comfort and wealth.

Rob Williams, managing director of financial planning at Schwab, says the distinction boils down to needs, wants, and desires. Williams said that for many Americans, finances mean having enough money to meet their needs and wants. Being wealthy means having enough to satisfy your needs, wants, and aspirations.

For other financial experts, “wealth” simply means freedom.

“I believe the ultimate measure of success is being in control of how you spend your time,” says Michelle Crum, a certified financial planner in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

How much does the American Dream cost?

Inflation has eroded the currency of American billionaires. The cost of achieving the American Dream has also increased.

According to a September report from Investopedia, it currently costs $5 million over a lifetime to fund the eight elements of the American Dream, including homeownership and raising children.

The lifetime costs are:

  • Severance pay: $1.6 million
  • Home ownership: $957,594
  • New car ownership: $900,346
  • Raising two children and paying for college: $876,092
  • Healthcare: $414,208
  • Annual vacation: $180,621
  • Pet: $39,381
  • Wedding: $38,200

Americans with six-figure incomes are in survival mode

Just as many billionaires don’t feel wealthy, quite a few high-income Americans struggle from one paycheck to the next.

That’s the conclusion from a recent Harris poll, which suggests that many people with six-figure incomes feel far from wealthy.

One in three people with six-figure incomes describe themselves as financially strapped. Two in three people said a six-figure salary is not a sign of wealth. The study, released Nov. 14, was conducted among 2,109 Americans.

Three-quarters of people with six-figure annual incomes said they recently used a credit card because they were short on cash.

“People used to feel that when you hit six digits or higher, it was a sign of financial stability,” Harris Poll chief strategy officer and futurist Libby Rodney told USA TODAY in early November. “And now we just see it as a sign that we’re surviving and that we’re in survival mode.”

President Trump appears to have fallen asleep during a Cabinet meeting. See photos.

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President Trump appears to have fallen asleep during a Cabinet meeting. See photos.

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A new photo shows President Donald Trump appearing to fall asleep during a Cabinet meeting.

The footage was filmed at the White House on Tuesday, December 2, during the ninth Cabinet meeting, and was released after President Trump slammed the New York Times last week over its reporting on his energy levels.

It also comes after a Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent about 20 minutes struggling to keep his eyes open during a recent Oval Office press conference.

Photos taken by Reuters and Getty showed Trump repeatedly struggling to keep his eyes open, at times closing them completely during the meeting.

Other major news outlets also reported that President Trump was seen appearing to nod his head during a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others.

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt issued a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Dec. 3, saying that President Trump “listened carefully and facilitated the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting.”

President Trump’s latest move comes in the wake of his frequent “Sleepy Joe” comments in public about former President Joe Biden, who was 82 years old when he left office.

Trump will turn 80 in June.

President Trump criticizes reports about his age: “Definitely not now!”

Photo shows President Trump with his eyes closed during a Cabinet meeting.

How much will groceries cost this week? Use this grocery price tracker.

What was discussed at President Trump’s cabinet meeting?

At Tuesday’s meeting, President Trump blamed Democrats for complaining about inflation, claiming prices for products such as gasoline and groceries have fallen.

President Trump said on December 2nd, “The word affordability is a fraud by Democrats.”

In recent months, President Trump has insisted his administration has brought down prices to some extent and curbed inflation, USA TODAY previously reported.

However, the prices of some foods are rising, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to the BLS, overall food prices rose last year, and household food costs also rose.

This story has been updated to add new information and video.

Contributed by: Reuters

Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund

National Cookie Day 2025 on Thursday means free cookies and deals

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National Cookie Day 2025 on Thursday means free cookies and deals

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Of course, Cookie Monster would have something to do with National Cookie Day, which is Thursday, December 4th.

According to the National Day Calendar, “Sesame Street” added National Cookie Day to its calendar in 1976, designating November 26th as an unofficial holiday, and Cookie Monster promoted this special day in his 1980 book “Sesame Street Dictionary.”

Matt Nader, co-founder of Blue Chip Cookie Company, chose to move National Cookie Day from a few days later on the calendar to a day during the holiday season in 1987, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The December 4th date has stuck, and has been adopted by Cookie Monster, who has been celebrating National Cookie Day on Sesame Street and social media.

Currently, many gourmet spots and bakeries celebrate this day. Here are some National Cookie Day specials and giveaways that even Cookie Monster will love.

Dairy Queen’s National Cookie Day Sale

Through December 7th, if you prefer crumbled cookies in your ice cream drinks, get a free Mini Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard (or any other Mini Blizzard) when you purchase a Signature Stackburger Combo or 6-piece Chicken Strip Basket on December 4th. Also, until December 7th, members of the DQ Rewards loyalty program can receive $3 from a small Blizzard.

McDonald’s new Grinch meal: Are limited time meals worth the hype? See our reaction.

National Cookie Day Sale

  • 7-Eleven: Although it’s not a cookie per se, members of the 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs can try the convenience store chain’s Vanilla Cookie Butter Cold Brew Latte and get a breakfast sandwich for $2 with the purchase of a drink (or hot coffee through January 6th).
  • corner bakery: On National Cookie Day, you can get cookies for $1. (Suitable for single bakery cookies only, not for mini cookie packs, while supplies last.)

  • Insomnia cookies: The first 100 people in the Insomnia Rewards loyalty program to visit a store on National Cookie Day will receive a free Snowball Classic cookie, a limited-time sugar cookie filled with buttercream and topped with powdered sugar and edible glitter. When you purchase one cookie at each of the cookie chain’s 350 stores, the purple buttercream filling will reveal a prize: a free cookie for a year. (Before making and eating Cookie Monster, please take a photo of the cookie with your receipt, scan the QR code installed in the store, upload the photo, and fill out the application form.)

  • Jimmy John: JJ Rewards members can get a free Holiday Magic cookie made with M&Ms on December 4th with any mobile or app purchase of $5 or more.
  • Maman: The cafe and bakery chain is offering an upgrade from an 8-cookie box to a 12-cookie box for National Cookie Day on all blue and white boxes purchased online (use code COOKIEDAYUP4).

  • Milk bar: The dessert bakery will be giving away free McCormick x Milk Bar Eggnog English Toffee Cookies at its New York City flagship store and three other locations in New York City’s West Village, Los Angeles (7150 Melrose Avenue) and Washington, DC’s Logan Circle. The cookies are available for nationwide shipping until Dec. 31 on Milk Bar’s website, and the recipe is available on McCormick’s website.
  • My better batch: Buy one Classic Sugar Cookie Mix online on December 4th and get your second free on December 4th.
  • Panera Bread: Members of the MyPanera loyalty program will receive buy one, get one free cookies on December 4th.
  • Nestlé toll gate: The baking brand will be giving away cookie taco kits online on a first-come, first-served basis starting December 4th at 2pm ET (while supplies last). The kit includes a $25 gift card that covers additional ingredients such as Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Rolls, semisweet chocolate morsels for additional toppings, a taco stand, and eggs.

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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President Trump pardons Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar

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President Trump pardons Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3, that he has pardoned Texas congressman Henry Cuellar.

Cuellar, considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, won with 11 votes.th His term ends in November 2024, despite facing federal indictments on charges of accepting foreign bribes.

“For years, the Biden administration has weaponized the judicial system against political opponents and those who disagree with them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Democratic Radical Left is a complete and utter threat to democracy! They will attack, rob, lie, deceive, destroy, and massacre anyone who dares to oppose their far-left agenda. This agenda, if left unchecked, will wipe out our great country.”

“Based on these and other facts, I hereby announce a full and unconditional pardon for my beloved Texas Representative Henry Cuellar and Imelda,” Trump wrote. “Henry, I don’t know about you, but please sleep well tonight. Your nightmare is finally over!”

Mr. Queriel has been elected to the Texas House of Representatives eight times and was first elected to Congress in 2004, but his position was thrown into jeopardy in May when he and his wife were indicted by the federal government on charges of bribery and money laundering.

Prosecutors accused Mr. Cuellar of receiving about $600,000 from a company with ties to the Azerbaijani government and a bank headquartered in Mexico City. The indictment says the bribes were laundered through a shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund

F for Alabama, D for Notre Dame

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F for Alabama, D for Notre Dame

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  • The penultimate College Football Playoff rankings set the stage for conference championship week.
  • The top of the projected field looks great, with Ohio State and Indiana still in the top two spots.
  • Alabama’s bizarre jump over Notre Dame came at an odd time, benefiting the Crimson Tide and hurting the struggling Irish.

This is the last practice round before the finals. Can the College Football Playoff Selection Committee pass the test?

Conference Championship Week presents a unique perspective in the field projection of 12 teams. The automatic bid stands, but players who don’t win a conference title or don’t play can no longer control their fate. As a result, the penultimate ranking is the ultimate precedent for how a team will feel on Selection Sunday.

Does the team feel like it has a chance or does it feel good? Or does that hill seem too big to climb? It’s sure to elicit a lot of emotions about where their team lands on the final day, some of which are justified and others that don’t make much sense.

Road to the playoffs: Sign up for our college football newsletter

With the stage set for Conference Championship Week, here’s how each spot in the final College Football Playoff rankings fared before the playoff field is officially set on Sunday, Dec. 7.

1. Ohio State: A+

The Buckeyes are in a great position to defend their title as the top seed in the bracket. They just need to beat the only remaining undefeated team in the Bowl Subdivision.

2. Indiana: A+

There’s a lot of history at stake in Indiana’s Big Ten Championship Game, including a No. 1 ranking and its first Rose Bowl appearance since the 1967 season.

3. Georgia: A+

Georgia is in great position to advance to the quarterfinal round of the Sugar Bowl if they can secure the SEC title.

4. Texas Tech: A-

It’s possible that Texas Tech suddenly gets a first-round bye, but it would have been pretty spectacular for the Red Raiders to host a playoff game.

5. Oregon State: B

The Ducks could finish in the top four, but having three Big Ten teams will be a big topic.

6. Mississippi State: A

Credit the committee for not punishing Mississippi for losing its coach, and the Rebels have a slightly better resume than Texas A&M.

7. Texas A&M: B-

While this decrease feels significant, it’s a reasonable number for a Texas A&M team that hasn’t had a notable win since Week 2 against Notre Dame. At least the Aggies will get to play a home playoff game.

8.28:B+

Some may argue that Oklahoma has a better resume than Texas A&M, but there’s nothing wrong with being inferior to the Aggies.

9. Alabama: F

Jumping over Notre Dame makes no sense at all, but it looks like they’ll really protect the Crimson Tide no matter what happens in the SEC title game.

10. Notre Dame: D

The Fighting Irish could be left behind on the field, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out throughout the conference title weekend.

11. Brigham Young: C+

It’s either win the Big 12 title or go home for the Cougars, an unfortunate reality for an 11-win team.

12. Miami: B

With losses to SMU and Louisville looming large, Miami will likely be out, and a win against Notre Dame doesn’t seem to matter.

13. Texas: B-

Let’s give Texas credit for handing Texas A&M its first loss. Despite having more losses than Vanderbilt and losing to unranked opponents, the Longhorns still beat Vanderbilt for a ranked win.

14. Vanderbilt: B+

Vanderbilt probably wants to move up the standings instead of staying put, and is almost certain it won’t make the 12-team field.

15. Utah: A

It would be tough to move Utah down two spots, but they had already reached a plateau and didn’t have a great chance of making the playoffs.

16. Southern California: B+

One of the better three-loss teams, USC benefited from Michigan’s loss to Ohio State.

17. Virginia: A

It doesn’t really matter where Virginia ends up, since the ACC title should guarantee a playoff berth and there’s enough space ahead of the Group of 5 teams to be the No. 11 seed.

18. Arizona: C+

The biggest jump in the rankings could go either way if Arizona has the best resume of the teams ahead.

19. Michigan: B-

The University of Michigan’s ranking last week was quite a headache, but the Wolverines dropped considerably after losing to Ohio State.

20. Tulane: A

Now no longer the only Group of Five team in the standings, Tulane knows a win will clinch its first playoff appearance.

21. Houston: D

It’s certainly an option for the Cougars to beat a five-win team and enter the rankings ahead of a potential playoff team.

It’s always strange when a team gets promoted even after losing. However, the Yellow Jackets moved up in the standings after a close game against Georgia.

23. Iowa State: F

Is Iowa really the best team with four losses?The Hawkeyes have no big wins.

24. North Texas: A-

The Mean Green have given clear instructions that if they can knock out Tulane, they should be happy to make the field.

James Madison won’t be able to get into the playoff field unless an upset occurs on Saturday, Dec. 6, behind two teams in the American Conference title game.

EY and NVIDIA help companies test and deploy physical AI

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EY and NVIDIA help companies test and deploy physical AI

AI is moving deeper into the physical world, and EY is building a more structured way for companies to work with robots, drones, and other smart devices. The organization is deploying a physical AI platform built on NVIDIA tools, opening a new EY.ai lab in Georgia, and adding new leaders to guide its work in this space.

This platform uses the NVIDIA Omniverse library, NVIDIA Isaac, and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software. EY says this setup will provide organizations with a clearer way to plan, test and manage AI systems operating in real-world environments, from factory robots to drones and edge devices.

The Omniverse library supports the creation of digital twins, allowing businesses to model and test systems before deployment. NVIDIA Isaac tools provide open models and simulation frameworks for designing and validating AI-powered robots in detailed 3D settings. NVIDIA AI Enterprise provides the compute base you need to run heavier AI workloads.

EY explains that the platform is built around three key areas.

  • AI-enabled data: Synthetic data that mirrors a wide range of physics scenarios.
  • Digital twin and robot training: Tools that connect digital and physical systems, monitor performance in real time, and support operational continuity.
  • Responsible physics AI: Governance and management that addresses safety, ethics, and compliance.

The platform aims to support everything from initial planning to long-term maintenance in sectors such as industrial, energy, consumer, and health.

Raj Sharma, EY’s global managing partner for growth and innovation, said physical AI is already “transforming the way companies across sectors operate and contributing to value creation” and could bring further automation and help reduce operating costs. He said the combination of EY’s industry experience and NVIDIA’s infrastructure is expected to accelerate the speed at which companies move “from experimentation to enterprise-scale deployment.”

NVIDIA’s John Fanelli notes that more and more companies are deploying robots and automation in their environments to adapt to a changing workforce and improve safety. He said the EY.ai Lab, supported by NVIDIA AI infrastructure, helps organizations “simulate, optimize, and securely deploy robotics applications at enterprise scale,” and sees this as part of the next phase of industrial AI.

New leadership and dedicated physics AI lab

EY also appointed Dr. Youngjun Choi as Global Physical AI Leader. He will oversee robotics and physical AI efforts and help shape EY’s role as an advisor in this area.

With nearly 20 years of experience in robotics and AI, Choi previously led the UPS Robotics AI Lab, working on digital twins, robotics projects, and AI tools to modernize networks. Previously, he was a research faculty member in aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he contributed to aeronautical robotics and autonomous systems.

A key part of his role is leading the newly opened EY.ai Lab in Alpharetta, Georgia. This is the first EY site focused on physical AI. The lab includes robotic systems, sensors, and simulation tools so organizations can test ideas and build prototypes before deploying at scale.

Joe Depa, EY Global Chief Innovation Officer, says customers are demanding better ways to use technology for decision-making and performance. He added that physical AI requires a strong data foundation and trust from the beginning. With Choi leading the lab, the EY team is beginning to “beyond the surface of what is possible” and laying the foundation for a scalable operation, Depa said.

In the lab, organizations can:

  • Design and test physical AI systems in virtual testbeds.
  • Build solutions for humanoids, quadrupeds, and other next-generation robots.
  • Improve logistics, manufacturing, and maintenance with digital twins.

The new platform and labs build on previous collaborations between EY and NVIDIA, including the AI ​​agent platform launched earlier this year. Both organizations plan to expand their physical AI efforts into areas such as energy, health, and smart cities. We also aim to support automation projects that reduce waste and reduce environmental impact.

See also: Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Anthropic forge AI Computing Alliance

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

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