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President Trump calls the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center a ‘disaster’

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President Trump calls the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center a ‘disaster’

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  • President Donald Trump has criticized the newly opened Obama Presidential Center as trash and a disaster.
  • The Obama Presidential Center is located in Chicago and opens to the public on June 10th.

President Donald Trump often talks about former President Barack Obama, who left office nearly a decade ago.

President Trump has recently spent considerable time talking about renovating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying President Obama failed to restore the landmark. He made it clear that any future agreement to end the Iran war will be different from President Obama’s nuclear deal. (Obama told Stephen Colbert that he wanted Trump to believe him when he said it was an Obama initiative and that it was a bad deal because it “seems like a pattern.”)

President Trump is also targeting the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. On May 30, he posted a fake image of a giant trash can in a parking lot under the heading “Obama Presidential Library.” He also called the Obama Presidential Center a “disaster” in a Truth social post dated Feb. 22, saying it was over budget and behind schedule.

Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett responded to the remarks in an interview with USA TODAY during the center’s June 3 media preview.

“Judge for yourself,” she said. “When our visitors come, they’re going to see a great campus. If (Trump) wants to come and visit in person, we’ll welcome him and give him a tour.”

The White House did not immediately comment on whether Trump was planning a visit.

The center, which took about 10 years and cost $850 million to complete, is scheduled to open to the public this month. Please take a look:

more: President Trump files suit over plans for hotel on expensive presidential library site

When will the Obama Presidential Center open?

The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public on June 19th. As of June 3, tickets are sold out through the end of August.

Where is the Obama Presidential Center located?

The museum and surrounding campus are located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. It is near the University of Chicago and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

How much time and money was spent on the Obama Presidential Center?

In 2015, the Obama Foundation announced that Chicago would be the home of its presidential center. The following year, the focus was on Jackson Park. Jackson Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, triggering a multi-year review process by the federal government.

A Chicago-based nonprofit organization called Protect Our Parks filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the historic site, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. The center also faced concerns from some local community groups that its presence would be at the expense of local residents. The foundation promotes its investment in the community through an estimated 750,000 annual campus visitors and 300 permanent jobs. The Chicago City Council also passed a neighborhood affordable housing ordinance.

When the Obama Foundation finally broke ground in 2021, it estimated the project would cost $500 million. Recent estimates by the Foundation put the price at $850 million.

The center includes a ticketed museum, a civic center with a cafe and restaurant, an athletic center, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and more.

Contributor: Grace Hawk

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.

Silver price today on June 4, 2026

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Silver price today on June 4, 2026

How much is silver worth per ounce today?

As of 8:05 AM ET on June 4, 2026, the spot price of silver is $74.27 per oz., according to the latest market data. The stock fell 0.67%, or $0.50 from its previous closing price of $74.77.

One year ago, silver was trading at $34.55 per ounce. This means that the price has increased by 114.97% in the last 12 months.

Key levels to look out for this week:

52 week low: $34.51

52 week high: $117.39

Silver is trading 36.73% below its 52-week high. The stock is 115.23% above its 52-week low.

What is the historical price of silver?

today 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago
$74.27 $74.49 $72.85 $34.55

A week ago, silver was trading at $74.49 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 0.29%.

A month ago, silver was trading at $72.85 per ounce. Since then, the price has increased by 1.96%.

USA TODAY is an independent publisher and not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional regarding any specific financial decisions you may make. Trading commodities, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss. Individual investment results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prices change rapidly and unpredictably due to factors such as supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

What is driving the price of silver today?

The price of silver is driven by inflation expectations, central bank policy, global economic conditions, and investor demand. The strength of currencies, especially the US dollar, can influence daily prices, as well as physical and industrial demand. For more on the market, read the latest investment news on USA TODAY Money.

What does XAG/USD mean?

XAG/USD is the ticker symbol used to track the spot price of silver in US dollars.

XAG stands for 1 troy ounce of silver and USD stands for US dollar. The estimated price tells you how many dollars it costs to purchase one ounce.

Prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.

Spot prices reflect real-time market transactions and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs, and retail bullion prices.

how to invest in silver

Investing in silver can be done by buying physical coins or bars, buying ETFs that track its price, or investing in mining stocks. Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs, and risk tolerance before making a decision. The retail price of a coin or bar typically includes a premium over the spot price.

Disclaimer: This USA TODAY Money article was automatically generated using live market data from Alpha Vantage. If you think we made a mistake or have feedback, please use this form.

Trump administration rushes federal investigation into MARTA stabbing incident

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Trump administration rushes federal investigation into MARTA stabbing incident

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The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into MARTA (Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority) following two recent stabbings on its network.

An investigation has been announced after a 66-year-old woman was stabbed to death in what appeared to be an unprovoked random attack while waiting for a MARTA train in the city. A 40-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in an attack that stemmed from an argument at a MARTA station a week ago, federal authorities said.

“All Americans should be shaken by the horrific crimes we witnessed at MARTA last month,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a June 4 statement. “No one should have to worry about their safety just because they choose to take public transportation.”

What is the Trump administration investigating?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the rate of “personal safety incidents” involving assaults, robberies, assaults and other safety violations against MARTA employees and passengers is twice the national average.

The agency said the review would “examine the transit agency’s security spending, safety protocols and risks to passengers and workers” as the city prepares to welcome thousands of tourists for the World Cup in just two weeks.

“The[Federal Transportation Administration’s]investigation will determine whether systemic conditions exist that put Atlanta’s public transit and transit workers at risk,” the department said.

MARTA officials will have 15 days to provide a detailed report on crime and fare evasion mitigation, security and safety funding, historical crime trends, annual budgets, and other safety compliance information.

At the same time, FTA will conduct an independent evaluation of MARTA’s safety risk mitigation program and examine FTA’s implementation of the General Directive on Mandatory Measures on Assaults on Transportation Workers starting in 2024.

“From our nation’s capital to Chicago, we’ve made significant progress in holding systems accountable and increasing security for transit workers and riders,” Duffy said. “President Trump has made it clear that American families deserve better, and we are making that happen in Georgia.”

Investigation begins over great-grandmother’s death

The Trump administration announced an investigation into the death of her great-grandmother, 66-year-old Atlanta resident Margaret Swan.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Swann was traveling from the Lakewood MARTA Station to the Oakland City Station on May 30 when she was sitting near the train door with a man standing next to her.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Swann at least 20 times in the neck and chest as he tried to defend himself. Other passengers also ran for help, but later confirmed to law enforcement that the man had no contact with Swann before the attack.

The man was arrested at the Oakland City Station and identified as John Elijah Matthews, 25, of Decatur. The suspect was charged with “committing an act of violence with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause death on public transportation,” which is a felony. The U.S. attorney general will decide at a later date whether Georgia will seek the death penalty.

MARTA addresses safety concerns

Swann’s death comes less than a week after a 40-year-old man was attacked at Georgia Tech’s MARTA station.

On May 24, a man was stabbed repeatedly by another man wearing black pants, a flannel-style shirt, and a black baseball cap. The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries, but is expected to survive. MARTA officials issued a warning to be vigilant, although the identity of the attacker has not yet been determined. It is not yet clear whether the assailant and victim interacted with each other before the stabbing.

The World Cup begins on June 11th, with the first leg to be played in Atlanta on June 15th, but MARTA has been forced to answer questions about passenger safety as recent attacks appear to be unexplained.

MARTA Interim General Manager Jonathan Hunt and MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher told Fox 5 that the World Cup safety plan includes 12,000 surveillance cameras, more uniformed and undercover officers, and real-time monitoring from a crime center.

MARTA staffing will also be increased to help manage large crowds on train platforms, and the MARTA Hope program, which helps passengers experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse and homelessness, will be expanded.

Other law enforcement agencies, from Atlanta police to FBI agents, will also be stationed throughout the city during the World Cup.

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

Today’s gold price for June 4, 2026

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Today’s gold price for June 4, 2026

How much is gold worth per ounce today?

As of 8:05 AM ET on June 4, 2026, the spot price of gold is $4,501.36 per oz., according to the latest market data. The stock rose 0.57%, or $25.73 from its previous closing price of $4,475.63.

One year ago, gold was trading at $3,356.75 per ounce, which represents a 34.10% increase in price over the past 12 months.

Key levels to look out for this week:

52 week low: $3,267.56

52 week high: $5,477.79

Gold is trading 17.83% below its 52-week high. The stock is still 37.76% above its 52-week low.

What is the historical price of gold?

today 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago
$4,501.36 $4,447.62 $4,527.57 $3,356.75

A week ago, gold was trading at $4,447.62 per ounce. Since then, the price has increased by 1.21%.

A month ago, gold was trading at $4,527.57 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 0.58%.

USA TODAY is an independent publisher and not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional regarding any specific financial decisions you may make. Trading commodities, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss. Individual investment results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prices change rapidly and unpredictably due to factors such as supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

What is driving the price of gold today?

The price of gold is driven by inflation expectations, central bank policies, global economic conditions, and investor demand. The strength of currencies, especially the US dollar, can influence daily prices, as well as physical and industrial demand. For more on the market, read the latest investment news on USA TODAY Money.

What is XAU/USD?

XAU/USD is the ticker symbol used to track the spot price of gold in US dollars.

XAU stands for 1 troy ounce of gold and USD stands for US dollar. The estimated price tells you how many dollars it costs to purchase one ounce.

Prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.

Spot prices reflect real-time market transactions and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs, and retail bullion prices.

how to invest in gold

Investing in gold can be done by buying physical coins and bars, buying ETFs that track the price of gold, or investing in mining stocks. Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs, and risk tolerance before making a decision. The retail price of a coin or bar typically includes a premium over the spot price.

Disclaimer: This USA TODAY Money article was automatically generated using live market data from Alpha Vantage. If you think we made a mistake or have feedback, please use this form.

His chair didn’t fit on the plane. No one was caught until later.

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His chair didn’t fit on the plane. No one was caught until later.

A traveler with cerebral palsy said his wheelchair was damaged by airline staff despite safer alternatives being available.

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  • A man’s custom-built power wheelchair broke when American Airlines staff forced it through a cargo door that was too small.
  • The passenger and his partner spent nearly 12 hours at the airport arranging emergency repairs.
  • On the return flight, the airline admitted the chairs didn’t fit and rerouted the couple on another aircraft.

John Krieger’s wheelchair broke on an American Airlines flight from Detroit to Phoenix, but it didn’t have to break and the problem didn’t occur on the return trip.

“This problem could have been solved if someone had looked at my chair and said, ‘This can’t go through the door,'” Krieger told USA TODAY. “They have other solutions that say, ‘Oh, this doesn’t fit.’ Instead of stuffing it into a hole.”

Krieger, 41, was on vacation in Phoenix with his partner, Amy Fry, on March 5. He said that when he got off the plane, he was immediately told that his chair was damaged.

“We’re waiting for my chair on the jet bridge, and the ground agent who brought me the chair said, ‘I had to tilt the chair back a little bit,'” Krieger said. He didn’t know what that meant, but he soon found out.

her scooter Damaged during flight. she says it continues

“The chair didn’t move. It was leaning a lot further back than it was supposed to, so it didn’t move,” he said. “These chairs are designed to automatically stop if you sit in the wrong position as a safety measure to prevent users from falling into dangerous positions.”

Krieger has cerebral palsy and relies on a custom-built power wheelchair to get around. After learning of the damage, he and Fry ended up spending nearly 12 hours at the Phoenix airport waiting for temporary repairs.

Eventually, a technician recommended by Krieger’s regular repair shop in Michigan was able to get the chair back into service, but not fully functional. Still, it was enough to get Krieger and Frye out of the airport.

“Four of the six chairs are working, enough to enjoy your vacation, but they are not working properly,” Kreiger said.

It wasn’t until they flew home on March 14 that they fully realized what had happened.

“When you load the plane, it’s the same type of plane that you went there with, so you’re like, ‘Oh, let’s go home. It’s not going to break down this time,'” Krieger said. “When I got on the plane, it was delayed, and then it was delayed again, I looked at my partner Amy and said, ‘I guess I’m the only one delaying the flight.'”

But after about 45 minutes, he and Frye were asked to exit the plane. It turns out his chair couldn’t fit through the cargo door.

“John and I looked at the cargo door earlier. Boeing 737 statistics, data can be found on the Internet. You can look at the dimensions. And I measured his chair,” Fry said. “The manager said, ‘Technically, it should fit based on the numbers, but because of the conveyor belt, it’s taking up a significant portion of the 6 inches of the cargo door.'”

A previous baggage handler bent the chair beyond its design limits to get it onto a flight to Phoenix.

In the end, Krieger and Frye had to reroute through Charlotte on a different type of plane to safely handle the chairs.

“If they had treated this accessibility equipment the way it was supposed to be treated and asked the right questions about dimensions, it would have been very unnecessary,” Fry said.

AI is tracking how Your flight has departed. The reason is as follows

“We know how important mobility devices are to our customers, and we regret Mr. Krieger’s experience. Our team has reached out directly to Mr. Krieger to apologize and get his wheelchair repaired as soon as possible,” American Airlines spokeswoman Gianna Urgo said in a statement. “Given the inconvenience this situation has caused, we have also provided an act of goodwill.”

Krieger said American Airlines distributed $400 worth of vouchers to Krieger and Frye.

For Kreiger, the lack of active support was the most frustrating part.

“We’ve improved our training and are now able to tell people with disabilities, ‘This is inappropriate. We have to change the route because of XYZ,'” he said. “that’s ok.”

Frye said she hopes airlines treat Kreiger and other passengers with disabilities with more dignity in the future.

“We need to treat people’s medical devices the same way we treat people,” she said. “This is part of John’s livelihood, this is how he interacts with the world.”

How common is airline wheelchair damage?

In fact, U.S. airlines showed significant improvement in wheelchair breakage rates in 2025 compared to 2024, but there is still work to be done.

According to the Department of Transportation, the 10 largest U.S. airlines and their subsidiaries transported 907,259 wheelchairs and other mobility devices in 2025, and the Department received 9,910 reports of mishandling (a rate of 1.09%). For comparison, carriers mishandled 1.26% of the mobility devices they transported in 2024.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and can be reached at zwichter@usatoday.com.

New World Screwmaggot, Snap in Daily Briefing

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New World Screwmaggot, Snap in Daily Briefing

Welcome to the daily briefing. Start your morning by reading the book below.

nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know on Thursday, from threats to the U.S. livestock industry to the June 2nd June primaries in some California states that still have no winners.

Possibility of screw maggot incident in the New World in the United States is considered first

A day after announcing there were no cases of the parasitic fly in the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced there may be a confirmed case of the parasitic fly in South Texas, potentially impacting the state’s $15 billion livestock industry.

Lawmakers and federal officials are locked in a heated argument over whether the country is ready. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said a social media post by a “very well-meaning” Texas lawmaker about the confirmed New World screwworm incident is false. But then-Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also released a statement Wednesday night criticizing the USDA’s “slow, bureaucratic and incomplete response” to the screwworm threat.

More news you need to know right now

entertainment

“Let’s Groove”

twenty fiveth As part of the Tribeca Festival, which will be held across New York City from June 3rd to 14th, there will be a huge musical offering, with icons like Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire, Peter Frampton and more premiering music films.

nba finals

All of New York heads to the NBA Finals

Suddenly, New York City feels like one big, loud family. The Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and they opened Game 1 last night against the San Antonio Spurs, taking an early lead in the best-of-seven series with a thrilling 105-95 back-and-forth victory. This city hasn’t had a moment like this in 27 years. And it shows.

before going

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

Bret Michaels’ daughter Reign Michaels talks about life, Calabasas Confidential

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Bret Michaels’ daughter Reign Michaels talks about life, Calabasas Confidential

Rayne Michaels, star of Netflix’s new series Calabasas Confidential, talks candidly about growing up as the daughter of rocker Bret Michaels and finding herself in the spotlight on a reality TV show.

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Count Rain Michaels removed from the drama scrum of “Calabasas Confidential.”

The 26-year-old model and daughter of Poison frontman Bret Michaels isn’t looking to stir up scandal or party hard in the Netflix reality series, which premiered on May 29, following influencers and Nepobabies from California’s bougie neighborhood.

“I know being in the middle of the drama obviously gets the most attention,” Lane told USA TODAY. “But someone has to be the voice of reason. Otherwise there will be chaos everywhere.”

Rain is I was there, I saw it All her life, she grew up with her rocker father and mother, actress and model Christy Gibson, and they often toured together. Reign and his sister Jorja Michaels, now 21, were endearing characters on the 2010 VH1 series “Bret Michaels: Life as We Know It,” which followed the father of two as he balanced rock stardom with family life.

“Honestly, my sister was like a reality TV star. She didn’t have a filter,” Lane says. “I was about 9 or 10 years old, in the preteen phase of my life.”

A typical series scene featured Brett offering his simmering eldest daughter a financial incentive to get straight A’s in school.

“He said, ‘I’ll give you $20.’ I thought, ‘Why don’t you give me $100 for every A?'” Lane recalled. “I’ve always had a business mindset.”

Bret Michaels’ feet don’t get any love on Feetfinder. Rain doesn’t want to know

The financial headspace and special parent-child relationship is on display in episode 7 of Calabasas Confidential in an intimate scene at Brett’s Los Angeles mansion (Raine still lives there and is in no rush to leave).

“He’s giving me life advice, so I brought up the fact that I might be considering a new career path, which is Feet Finder,” Lane says, laughing about a fetish website that “sells pictures of feet.”

“That’s a joke, by the way,” she added.

Before Brett realizes his daughter’s dreams of becoming a footy content creator are a joke for the camera, the doting dad spins the wheel, recovers from surprise, and even manages to give some encouragement.

“He was very genuinely supportive and was like, ‘Yeah, do whatever you want,'” Lane said. The conversation quickly turned to his father and TMI. “He actually started talking about how his feet had 11 negative reviews on Feet Finder. I was like, ‘Oh my god!’

Reign won’t watch father Brett appear on reality show ‘Rock of Love’: ‘Think about it in my shoes’

There’s too much information about the leg for the family, but this scene shows that Lane can tell her father anything.

“Every father is a rock star in their own right, but my dad is a really great dad,” Lane says. “Sometimes I think, ‘Shut up, Dad, I don’t need any advice.’ And I think, ‘This guy might actually figure something out.’

However, Brett didn’t give much advice to his daughter about appearing on reality TV, telling her, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“That doesn’t make much sense,” Lane says. “It should be taken with a pinch of salt.”

Lane has only seen snippets of Brett’s appearances on the infamous VH1 reality dating show “Rock of Love” (2007-2009), where fans competed to be the girlfriends of rock stars.

“Put yourself in my shoes,” Lane says. “That’s my dad. A lot of girls are flirting with him and saying weird things to him. I don’t need to see my dad in that situation.”

Ford model Lane’s appearance on “Calabasas Confidential” as the most high-profile participant is partly due to his famous father, who is back in the spotlight after pulling out of the “Freedom 250” concert series sponsored by President Trump.

She is one of four “Confidential” stars with famous families, along with Hershey Miller, the son of rapper Master P. Preston Pippen, son of Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen and reality TV star Larsa Pippen. Jodie Woods, model Jordyn Woods’ look-alike sister.

Laine, 26, is “like a grandma” to the kids on Calabasas Confidential.

Rain also earns the highest salary in the series for her modeling work. At the age of 18, she earned a coveted spot in the prestigious 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

“I still have the magazine framed in my room, and my mom and dad have it framed too. It’s really nice,” Lane says. “That was my first real step into the spotlight.”

The rock star’s wise-cracking daughter is also the eldest of the “Calabasas Confidential” group, which includes singer, DJ and influencer Kimora Lewis, 23, and Dylan Wolf, 24, known as “Malibu Cowboy.” Instead of getting a shot on her 26th birthday last month, Michaels did Pilates with friends and visited a wolf sanctuary.

“I’m 26 years old. I’m like a grandma to people who are like 23 or 22. They’re supposed to be partying,” says Lane, who doesn’t understand how she can stay so calm. “I don’t know what happened. Maybe my dad brought his partying gene to partying in the ’80s, because he didn’t pass it on to me.”

What is Oura Ring? Problems with smart wearable devices

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What is Oura Ring? Problems with smart wearable devices

About five years ago, Taylor Poindexter wore the Oura ring, a wearable device that promises metrics like tracking sleep patterns. Now it’s probably collecting dust in a storage unit at the bottom of a random box.

The 35-year-old from Arlington, Virginia, says, “I’m not one to try too hard to get healthy, but I feel like sleep is one of the things I can really focus on and have a positive impact on my body. So the idea that there was something that could help me sleep better and be healthier overall was very appealing to me.”

But as the months passed, she realized something. Once she felt better and was able to be herself, the ring told her that she felt tired and needed rest. Did she miss something? Thoughts ran through her head: “Something is wrong internally and it’s telling me so.” She later became disillusioned and disappointed. Poindexter stopped wearing her ring late at night with friends because she was afraid to wear it if she had a glass or two of wine or stayed out late.

A year later, she took off the ring for good.

She recently shared her experience on social media. Some agreed with her, while others disagreed.

One X user wrote, “Placebo effects are underestimated. Too much surveillance can be your worst enemy. Tracking is not always positive.” “You don’t need a wearable to communicate how you’re feeling,” said another, while another added, “The real value of these things is understanding trends over months and years.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Oura for comment.

Research shows that wearable devices cause stress and anxiety in some patients. Today, more data is available to the average person than ever before thanks to devices like the Oura ring, WHOOP bracelet, and Apple Watch, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to track these metrics. With longevity influencers, government officials, private sector experts, traditional medicine experts and more clashing on the subject, consumers are often literally left to their own devices, without clear instructions on who (or what) to trust.

According to medical experts, regular visits to your primary care physician remain the standard recommendation for maintaining good health. But wearable technology devices can be an additional tool in your toolbox.

It said: This 24-year-old man almost died from a rare heart disease. This device saved her life.

Wearable devices as “potential insights” into longevity

Poindexter still wears an Apple Watch. Step counts, heart rate, and general calorie burn are worth monitoring, she says, but tread carefully. “I like to look at it as kind of a potential insight, but I try not to rely on it too much, because over the years I’ve also found myself doing things where, for example, right before a workout my Apple Watch goes off, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, it’s not tracking me or I don’t know how many calories I’ve burned.'” And, you know, getting into that mindset, that’s exactly what I want to avoid. ”She never wears it to bed.

Wearables can absolutely be beneficial and even life-saving for the right patients. The key is to view every data point as a small part of the overall story, rather than as an indicator of overall health. According to a blog post from Banner Health, “Your energy, mood, strength, and comfort matter.” “If you are in good physical condition, slight changes in your numbers may not require immediate attention.”

These companies will help you with your “biohack.” What exactly does that mean?

The way WHOOP Chief Marketing Officer John Sullivan sees it, data can only become overwhelming if left unchecked. Think of the information you get from wearables as nudges, not report cards. “It’s important to make all of these small decisions add up and experience a virtuous cycle of positive reinforcement and behavior change,” he previously told USA TODAY.

Rather than relying solely on wearables, Poindexter gets annual health exams and enrolls in functions that include more thorough blood and biomarker tests.

Either way, we’ll all start tracking our health more closely. Take wearable data with a (huge) discount.

A ferocious octopus resembling a kraken is discovered from fossils from the dinosaur era

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A ferocious octopus resembling a kraken is discovered from fossils from the dinosaur era

Scientists recently discovered the fossilized jawbone of Nanaimoteutit hagarti, a giant kraken-like octopus that roamed the Earth some 72 million years ago. These giant cephalopods were some of the largest marine creatures of the Cretaceous period, and may have been the largest invertebrates in history, according to a recent study published in the journal Science.

“These findings revise the view of the Cretaceous ocean as a world dominated only by large predators,” study co-author Yasuhiro Iba, a paleontologist at Hokkaido University in Japan, told Live Science. “They show that the octopus, a large invertebrate, also occupied the top of the food web.”

Where the fossilized remains of a kraken-like octopus were discovered

Researchers working in Japan’s Ezo Group, a large Late Cretaceous formation on Hokkaido Island, and the Nanaimo Group on Canada’s Vancouver Island have discovered an extremely large jaw fossil. The jaws appear to belong to an octopus-like creature, but its exact classification, size and possible ecological role remain a mystery, according to Science News.

The researchers identified 12 more jaw fossils in Japanese rocks and examined 15 previously discovered jaw fossils. According to the Natural History Museum, the creatures were classified into two species, N. Jeletzkyi and N. Haggarti, based on their size and shape.

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

more: Meet the tiny blue octopus, about the size of a golf ball

How big was the Kraken-sized octopus?

The top marine predators were all thought to be vertebrates such as plesiosaurs and mosasaurs.

The study calculated that N. zeretskii’s body length can reach 10 to 26 feet, based on its largest jaw, and the newly discovered N. hagarti’s body length is 23 to 62 feet. According to the Creation Research Institute, this suggests N. haggarti may be the largest invertebrate ever discovered.

The discovery may show that prehistoric marine ecosystems were much more complex than previously imagined, with a wide variety of predators.

Can Tom Steyer close the gap in California’s close race for governor?

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Can Tom Steyer close the gap in California’s close race for governor?

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  • Republican Steve Hilton currently has a narrow lead over Democrat Xavier Becerra, with more than half of the votes counted.
  • Democrat Tom Steyer is in third place and is trying to take advantage of a late surge in Democratic voters to close the gap.
  • California election officials are asking for patience, prioritizing accuracy and security over rushing votes.

California will have to wait to learn the final results of the June 2 gubernatorial primary as the nation’s most populous state continues to count votes.

The results could take weeks in the Golden State, which is currently led by Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra, as the Golden State’s large number of mail-in ballots and last-minute surge among liberal voters takes time to count, officials said.

State election officials are notorious for starting processing ballots postmarked by Election Day after in-person voting has concluded. They warned that it could take several weeks to know the final results.

“California election officials are prioritizing voting rights and election security over rushing vote counting,” Secretary of State Shirley Weber said in a June 2 news release. “We call on all Californians to be patient as we have a process by law that guarantees both the right to vote and the integrity of our elections.”

So far, about 56% of the total votes have been counted, and according to the Associated Press, Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, has a one-point lead over Becerra, a member of the Biden administration.

Mr. Hilton received 27.6% of the vote, while Mr. Becerra, who rose sharply in the final stages of the campaign, only received 25.6%. But trailing them is Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate change activist who is currently in third place with 19.6%.

“There are still about 3.5 million to 4 million votes that have not been counted,” Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data, a nonpartisan voter data company based in Sacramento, told USA TODAY. Mitchell estimates that about 9 million voters participated in the primary, about less than 40% of California’s 23 million registered voters.

“We should definitely know the details by at least Friday,” Mitchell said, adding that the 9 million voter participation is 2 million more than in the 2022 primary, where current Gov. Gavin Newsom easily sought re-election.

Here’s what the nation needs to know while waiting for California’s final preliminary results.

California election results: Key primary races still too close to call

Steyer camp asks to ‘give democracy time’

Mr. Steyer currently trails Mr. Becerra in most counties by about 300,000 votes from the top two, meaning he needs to gain significant ground to catch up, Mr. Mitchell said.

In a June 3 letter provided to USA TODAY, the Steyer campaign reiterated the importance of counting each vote, calling on supporters to ensure their votes were received.

They have more than enough incentives. Steyer’s campaign alone spent more than $200 million, accounting for 64% of all dollars spent in the primary, according to media tracking firm AdImpact.

“There is still much to see, but we will give our democracy time to work,” Steyer campaign manager Heather Hargreaves said in the letter.

“The most important thing we can do while we wait is to visit our state’s vote tracker and confirm that our ballot was received,” Hargreaves added.

Will “Red Mirage” help Steyr?

Some Steyer supporters have argued that Hilton’s current lead is a “red mirage” in which the Republican candidate takes an early lead and subsides as subsequent votes arrive, as many unconvinced Democratic voters waited until Election Day rather than vote by mail early.

But Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Silicon Valley’s Menlo College, said that’s unlikely to help Steyer’s chances. He said there is usually a backlash when deep-pocketed “big money” or “big tech companies” like Steyer try to influence the outcome of a campaign.

“So it’s very likely, it might be mathematically possible,” Michelson said of Steyer. “He surged early to buy name recognition, but was unable to close the deal as Californians finally took notice and started learning more about the candidate.”

Mitchell said Steyer has a good chance of finishing in the top two, ahead of his primary challengers, and they are also likely to receive more votes.

“He needs to make up about 14 to 15 percentage points, but over 50% of the votes have already been counted,” Mitchell said. “Not only does Mr. Steyer need to receive about 30% of the remaining votes, Becerra or Hilton would need to cut off about 6% of the remaining votes.”

Mr. Michelson gives a very frank assessment. “As far as I can see, voters just don’t want him.”

Heading to Sacramento? The final tally is not yet in the highly scrutinized and closely watched California gubernatorial primary.

Hilton allies lament slow voting process

President Donald Trump, who supported Hilton, has long criticized mail-in voting and has repeatedly suggested, without evidence, that it is being used by Democrats to steal U.S. elections.

While some political commentators have dismissed speculation that a flood of votes could push Steyer into the top two, conservative activists are watching closely.

“Let’s say they were planning to steal this from you. Would you sue? If all of a sudden, 100 percent of the ballots were submitted in favor of Xavier or Tom, how would you act?” conservative podcast host Benny Johnson asked Hilton in a June 3 interview.

Hilton criticized how long California’s voting process is taking, but downplayed suggestions by MAGA-influenced media members that corruption was occurring.

“Right now, we don’t see any signs of that,” he said.

Ahead of Election Day, Democrats’ share in late voting, which often determines California’s results, had steadily increased as liberal voters began making their choices.

A month before the election, about 40% of mail-in ballots were from registered Democrats, according to L2 Data, a national voter data company. A week before the election, that percentage had increased to about 53%.

But Hilton said his campaign remains “very confident” there aren’t enough uncounted votes for his Democratic rival to crowd out the Republican this fall.

“Even if we had that kind of effect, it wouldn’t be enough to knock us out of the top two spots,” Hilton said.

2026 National Donut Day Sale, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’ Giveaways & More

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2026 National Donut Day Sale, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’ Giveaways & More

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National Donut Day is here.

The holiday, celebrated on the first Friday in June, was established by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the organization’s Donut Lassi and Donut Girls, who traveled to France to provide donuts and other snacks to soldiers during World War I.

“The story of the Donut Lassies is one of extraordinary courage,” Salvation Army National Commander Merle Heatwal said in a news release. “Women who served on the front lines of the world wars demonstrated compassion and courage. On this 88th National Donut Day, we join our nation’s veterans in honoring their remarkable accomplishments and reminding ourselves to bring that same joyful spirit of service to every community we serve.”

According to the Salvation Army, the donut lassies provided spiritual care, necessities and freshly fried donuts to soldiers in makeshift huts, quickly turning the treats into symbols of comfort and joy.

The Salvation Army will be distributing donuts to veterans in several cities across the country, and will also be holding events such as the upcoming National Donut Day World Donut Eating Championship in Washington, D.C.

Across the United States, donut vendors both large and small are also participating in National Donut Day. Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme, officially known as Donuts, will be giving away free donuts on June 5th.

Dunkin’ is giving out free tote bags. But I have to hurry

Get a free donut of your choice at Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme fans can get their favorite donuts for free on June 5 with no purchase required, the company told USA TODAY. Limit one per person, this offer is valid in-store and at the drive-thru.

Plus, get 12 Original Glazed Donuts for $2 when you buy 12 at regular price.

“National Donut Day is one of our most joyful traditions. It’s a moment to celebrate the donuts we love, the guests who inspire us every day, and the simple happiness that comes from sharing sweet treats,” Krispy Kreme chief brand and product officer Alison Holder said in a news release. “We look forward to welcoming everyone on Friday and celebrating with them as they enjoy their favorite Krispy Kreme for free.”

Get a free donut with the purchase of a drink at Dunkin’

For the 16th year in a row, Dunkin’ will be giving away a free donut with the purchase of a drink on National Donut Day, Friday, June 5th.

The coffee and donut chain is giving away a limited-edition tote bag with the purchase of six or more donuts on June 1, and is also collaborating with lifestyle accessories brand Stoney Clover Lane on a “sweeter limited-edition collection” that includes “new, playful accessories inspired by Dunkin’ classics.”

The collection will be available online and at select Stoney Clover Lane retailers starting Friday, June 5th at 10am ET.

“National Donut Day is one of Dunkin’s favorite traditions, but this year we’re making it even more magical for our guests,” Jill Nelson, Dunkin’ chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “From bringing back our free donut offer to expanding our collaboration with Stony Clover Lane to giving Dunkin’ Rewards members more ways to participate, we’re celebrating all week long.”

Get a free donut with the purchase of a drink at Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons customers can get a free donut with the purchase of a small, medium or large drink through June 7, the company told USA TODAY.

This offer can be redeemed once per day through June 7th using the offer in the Tim Hortons app.

Buy a 50 cent donut at a convenience store

Starting June 5, 7-Eleven will offer 7 Rewards and Speedy Rewards members unlimited classic glazed donuts for just 50 cents each at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations nationwide.

You can also purchase 7-Select Mini Donut Packs for just $1.

Get free Korean donuts at Bonchon

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken will give customers a free signature Korean-style donut coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a sweet cream dipping sauce with any purchase of $15 or more.

Customers can redeem the offer through Bonchon.com or the Bonchon app by using the code “DONUTDAY” at checkout from June 5th to 7th.

Lidl gives loyalty members free donuts from in-store bakery

Lidl is celebrating National Donut Day on June 5 by giving myLidl members a free donut from their in-store bakery (no purchase necessary).

The offer is valid for one day, while supplies last, and shoppers must redeem the offer by clipping the coupon in the myLidl app and presenting it at checkout, the company told USA TODAY.

Winn-Dixie Loyalty Members Earn Extra Points on National Donut Day

Winn-Dixie Rewards members will earn $3 in points when they purchase a six-pack of Bakery Donuts on June 5th.

Contributor: Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.

Brexton Busch returns to racing after Kyle Busch memorial service

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Brexton Busch returns to racing after Kyle Busch memorial service

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Brexton Busch was in a race car at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday night.

The 11-year-old son of the late Kyle Busch ran laps on June 2 at a track in Concord, North Carolina, during a practice session for the weekly Legend Car Series Cookout Summer Shootout. Busch was piloting the neon green No. 18 car around the track, according to a photo posted on social media by Charlotte Motor Speedway’s official account.

Just hours after a private memorial service for his father was held in the Charlotte area, Busch returned to his legendary car.

Kyle Larson hinted that a memorial service would be held after his dirt race victory at Iowa State on Monday night, and Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockras also confirmed that there would be a memorial service. “My eyes got pretty watery yesterday,” retired NASCAR driver Mark Martin wrote in a tweet Wednesday morning.

Brexton Busch has been racing since he was 6 years old. Last year, he won 48 competitions in multiple disciplines, from Legend Cars and Bandereros to Micros, Bandits, Late Models and Sprint Cars. The Legend Car is designed to recreate an old-style car from the 1930s on a five-eighths scale and is powered by a Yamaha motorcycle engine. Top speed is 115 to 140 miles per hour.

Legend Cars is one of the many series that produce drivers who compete in NASCAR. Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all started as legends. So was Kyle Busch in Las Vegas.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died on May 21 at the age of 41 after complications from severe pneumonia progressed to sepsis. His sudden death shocked NASCAR, and drivers continued to pay tribute to him. Many of the Legend cars that participated in Tuesday night’s practice had Busch decals on their bodies.

Busch is the all-time leader in NASCAR history with a combined 234 wins between the top three U.S. Touring Series drivers. He won his last race just six days before his death, putting him in victory lane in the Truck Series race at Dover.

Brexton will compete in Round 1 of the Cookout Summer Shootout on Monday, June 8th.

Here’s how to get a free Chipotle burrito after the NBA Finals

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Here’s how to get a free Chipotle burrito after the NBA Finals

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Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced a new campaign titled “53 Years. 53 Real Elements,” giving away 53,000 free burritos nationwide and during the 2026 NBA Finals game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

The brand said in a June 3 news release that the theme is based on 53 years of threads shared between the team and Chipotle’s 53 ingredients.

The campaign ties the 2026 NBA Finals matchup to a common historical milestone that leads back to 1973, which the company says underpins the storylines of both franchises. That year was the Knicks’ final NBA championship and the beginning of San Antonio’s professional basketball era.

Here’s how to win a chance at a free burrito.

More news: Dunkin releases pink summer drink in collaboration with Barbie

How fans can get a free Chipotle burrito

Chipotle says the giveaway will begin immediately after the championship ends, at which point a code will be posted to X that unlocks access to 53,000 free main rewards. Fans must text the code to 888-222 and the first 53,000 eligible entries will redeem.

2026 NBA Finals Schedule

The NBA Finals will be broadcast exclusively on ABC, with all games starting at 8:30 PM ET. All games can also be streamed on Fubo.

*- as needed

  • Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 | New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • Game 2: Friday, June 5 | New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • Game 3: Monday, June 8 | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • Game 4: Wednesday, June 10 | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • *Game 5: Saturday, June 13 | New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • *Game 6: Tuesday, June 16 | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | 8:30 PM ET | ABC
  • *Game 7: Friday, June 19 | New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs | 8:30 PM ET | ABC

USA TODAY reporter Elizabeth Flores contributed to this report.

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

Most Americans think the Supreme Court usually rules in Trump’s favor.

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Most Americans think the Supreme Court usually rules in Trump’s favor.

A new investigation carried out in May was announced as judges prepare to hand down their biggest sentence of the term.

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WASHINGTON – As the justices prepare to hand down their biggest decision of the season, a new poll shows most adults think the Supreme Court usually sides with President Donald Trump.

In a Marquette Law School poll conducted in May, about six in 10 adults said the courts rule in Trump’s favor “almost always” or “most of the time.”

This is despite the fact that in February, a court struck down the sweeping tariffs that were the centerpiece of President Trump’s economic policy.

But the majority of justices have often allowed President Trump to advance controversial policies during litigation, even when those policies are difficult to overturn.

These interim decisions allowed the administration to suspend billions of dollars in federal spending, fire thousands of civil servants, lift deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, and ban transgender people from military service, among other changes.

By contrast, the court’s tariff decision marks the first major ruling on President Trump’s controversial expansive view of executive powers.

It is unlikely to be the last.

The court is expected to decide in the coming weeks, as early as June 4, whether President Trump can change the birthright citizenship rule, remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board, and exercise control over other agencies that Congress created to make them independent.

more: The Supreme Court enters decision season. Find these rulings on Trump’s power

President Trump has predicted that a judge will rule against an executive order that ordered federal agencies to deny citizenship to infants born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Only about a third of adults surveyed in the Marquette Law School poll said they believe courts should uphold President Trump’s executive orders. Nearly 7 in 10 said the court should rule the order unconstitutional because the 14th Amendment makes everyone born in the United States a citizen.

According to the survey, a majority also does not want President Trump to be able to fire members of the Federal Reserve Board and would like to see checks on the president’s ability to fire leaders of other independent agencies.

But based on the justices’ comments when those cases are argued, a 6-3 conservative majority on the court is expected to side with Trump on the issue of presidential control over some independent agencies. But a majority is unlikely to approve of Mr. Trump’s removal of Mr. Cook from the Fed, and unlikely to support his birthright citizenship executive order.

The public is divided on the two biggest decisions the court has already handed down that don’t directly implicate Trump.

That includes an April decision to water down key provisions of the landmark civil rights law.

Forty-nine percent of adults surveyed supported the court’s ruling that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did not require states to create majority-nonwhite congressional districts, while 51% disapproved.

more: Supreme Court disadvantages black voters in blow to landmark civil rights law

In March, a court struck down Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” for young people, ruling that it violated the free speech rights of Christian counselors.

Among adults surveyed, 52% supported the decision and 48% opposed it.

more: Supreme Court upholds Christian counselor in blow to LGBTQ+ protections

There was even greater disagreement over another LGBTQ+ issue that courts are still deciding: whether states can ban transgender women and girls from competing on women’s sports teams.

More than six in 10 adults said courts should uphold such a ban. However, 37% disagreed.

The survey of 1,001 adults nationwide was conducted from May 20th to 26th. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Body of missing cruise ship passenger found in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Body of missing cruise ship passenger found in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis announced that a cruise ship passenger who had been missing for several days on the Caribbean island was found dead on June 1.

The Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force said in a Facebook post on June 1 that a search team had found Wang Zhuang, 33, but did not give a cause of death. The police department said, “We have not yet received detailed information, and the detailed circumstances are under investigation.”

According to a May 28 post from the ministry, the Chinese national was last seen on a hiking trail on Mount Liamuiga around 10 a.m. local time on May 27, and was “traveling alone without a guide at the time of his disappearance.” Juan called emergency services around 2pm on the day of his disappearance and reported him missing in the Liamuiga Mountains.

At some point, authorities said communications were cut off.

In a June 1 Facebook post, police asked the public to “refrain from speculation and rely solely on official sources for accurate information as this matter progresses.”

Royal Caribbean confirmed in a statement provided to USA TODAY that Juan is an employee of the company.

“We are saddened to learn of the loss of our crew,” the statement said. “We would like to thank the local authorities and rescue teams for their hard work, who have worked tirelessly over the past few days.”

USA TODAY contacted the Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Department on June 3 for further comment.

What is Mount Liamuiga?

According to mountliamuiga.com, Mount Liamuiga is a dormant stratovolcano on the island of St. Kitts and Nevis with a peak of 1,793 feet above sea level.

Hiking website All Trials describes the trail as “more of a jungle climb than a hike” and “not for the faint of heart”, warning that “it’s easy to get lost on the muddy and bumpy trail”.

“Please be aware that there are many areas where you will have to climb steep slopes using slippery tree roots as makeshift ladders,” the website says.

This story has been updated with new information

Google commits $10 million to Texas water as part of national initiative

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Google commits $10 million to Texas water as part of national initiative

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Google has committed $10 million to water management in Texas as it works to expand its data center footprint in the state. This is the largest of seven state-level commitments in a new $17 million national initiative.

The Texas Water Impact Fund, announced Wednesday, will support local water sources, infrastructure and access across the state, Google said.

This impact fund supports Google’s ongoing water management and replenishment efforts, furthering our commitment to responsibly manage critical water resources in the construction and operation of our data centers.

Ben Townsend, Google’s global head of infrastructure strategy and sustainability, said in a statement that the company believes it has a responsibility to balance data center expansion with regional water needs.

“As data centers evolve to support a growing digital world, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to protect local water resources while investing in watersheds and public water infrastructure to ensure we all have a bright water future. Our goal is to deliver on these promises while creating a blueprint for responsible water use across the industry,” Townsend said.

The Texas pledge is part of a larger $17 million investment to support new projects that advance Google’s water management goals in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. Google has a total of 165 water management projects In 97 basins nationwide.

Those goals include:

  • By 2030, replenish more water than you consume at your business sites
  • We help communities modernize their water and wastewater infrastructure.
  • Protect at-risk watersheds with air cooling solutions.
  • Transparent reporting of your company’s annual water usage.
  • Seeking alternative and regenerative solutions to protect water resources.

Google has also committed more than $500 million to develop water, wastewater, and water reuse infrastructure and to utility partners that provide water to the communities where we operate and build data centers.

The announcement comes as Google is building or planning data centers across Texas, including a super-large data center in Archer County near Wichita Falls, which has drawn opposition from the community.

Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email us at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

Southern California city passes permanent data center ban

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Southern California city passes permanent data center ban

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Voters in a Southern California city appear to have given their thumbs up to a ballot measure banning data center facilities citywide, moving to solidify what is believed to be the first data center ban in the nation.

In March, the Monterey Park City Council unanimously voted to submit a ballot measure (known as Measure NDC) seeking a permanent ban on data centers within city limits to the June 2 special city election. The measure would amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Framework to add a citywide ban on data centers, according to city officials.

While other cities and communities in the United States have passed data center bans, Monterey Park, California is believed to be the first city to implement a ban through a ballot initiative. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder-County Clerk, as of June 3 night, about 86% of the vote was in favor of the NDC measure.

The ballot language states that the ban will remain in effect unless voters decide to overturn it, giving residents continued power over whether such establishments can operate in the city. City officials described the ban as a measure to protect air quality, drinking water resources, public health, and avoid the potential impact of large-scale computing facilities on electricity and water rates.

The overwhelming support by voters came after months of protests by residents and nearby community members who expressed concerns about the proposed renovations by investment firm HMC StratCap. Local organizations San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action and No Data Center in Monterey Park said the developer proposed converting the vacant office complex into a 250,000-square-foot “hyperscale data center.”

“Monterey Park is the first city in the nation to ban data centers through ordinance and ballot measure!” local organizers said in a June 3 social media post. “We made history thanks to the power of our community.”

Monterey Park, with a population of over 57,000, is located in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County. The city is approximately 13 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Community members organize against data center project

In late 2024, HMC StratCap purchased a vacant office complex in Monterey Park for $39 million, the Los Angeles Times reported at the time. The developer proposed building a data center building that would also include several backup diesel generators and a 24,000-square-foot electrical substation, according to a state environmental filing.

Last year, residents and neighborhood members began protesting the proposed data center. Local organizers advocated for a permanent ban and urged action from city leaders, saying residents “never” wanted a data center in Monterey Park and calling for a citywide ban, according to the petition.

“Many residents are concerned about the size of the project and its potential impacts, including increased power demand, noise from cooling equipment and standby generators, and limited local economic impact,” San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action said on its website.

“This proposal also raises broader questions about the appropriateness of large data centers in densely populated residential areas like the San Gabriel Valley,” the local organizing group continued.

Erin Brockovich is targeting data centers. Why is it controversial?

After hearing concerns from area residents, the Monterey Park City Council passed a 45-day moratorium on the city’s data centers in January. The city then unanimously extended the moratorium by 10 months and 15 days in March and voted June 2 to ban the data center.

In response, Mayor Elizabeth Yang said the developer’s attorney “will increase the likelihood of litigation if Monterey Park moves forward with its data center ban.” In a letter to the city in February, the developer’s attorney called the city’s opposition to the project “hostile” and “another step in demonstrating the city’s malice and bias.”

In April, Yang announced that HMC StratCap had formally withdrawn its data center planning application and “confirmed that it will not object to the June ballot measure.”

“Residents have made it clear they want to show up, speak up, and have a say about what’s going on in our city,” Yang said in an April 2 Instagram post. “As a City Council, we took a pause and moved forward with the ballot measure to allow the community to decide. That was always the goal. Now, that decision will be in the hands of Monterey Park voters this June.”

Data center banned at Monterey Park amid growing opposition to facility

Across the country, data center construction and proposals are met with resistance. Global analytics consultancy Gallup reported in May that 70% of Americans oppose building data centers in their region, with 48% “strongly opposed.”

According to the Global Data Center Directory’s Data Center Map, there are more than 4,300 data centers across the United States. Data centers are rapidly proliferating across the United States, and some states are tightening regulations for their facilities.

Environmental advocates, anti-artificial intelligence activists and residents across the country have raised concerns that such facilities could strain the power grid, consume large amounts of water, pollute the air, create noise for nearby residents and create a disproportionate number of temporary jobs.

Data center ban: Texas AI data center growth accelerates as other states consider bans

USA TODAY previously reported that environmental activist Erin Brockovich launched a website called Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting in April. A new website will allow the public to report issues they encounter at data centers in the region and view facilities in operation, under construction, and proposed.

In a new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, researchers say data centers are expected to consume twice as much electricity and water by 2030 as they expand to meet the surge in demand from AI.

Unless governments pay attention to the rising environmental costs of AI, rapid adoption could strain scarce land resources and create mountains of electronic waste, a study warns.

“While public discourse still often treats AI as software, it is also physical infrastructure such as data centres, power generation, cooling systems, power grids, chips, minerals, land and water,” said Kaveh Madani, director of the institute and lead author of the report.

Contributor: Greta Cross, USA TODAY. Reuters

Does Spencer Pratt have a chance to win the Los Angeles mayoral race?

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Does Spencer Pratt have a chance to win the Los Angeles mayoral race?

Spencer Pratt emerged as one of the most notorious villains in reality TV history on MTV’s “The Hills” in the early 2000s. Now he’s using the same dramatic strategy in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

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Before last January, Spencer Pratt was best known as the early 2000s instigator of the girl-next-door show on MTV’s hit reality show “The Hills.”

He rose to superstardom after teaming up with his current wife, Heidi Montag, to embarrass Montag’s former best friend, Lauren Conrad. (Conrad later became a very private designer for Kohl’s and a mother of two.)

In a 2018 retrospective video, MTV highlighted Pratt’s top six “Hills” meltdown moments, all of which involved confrontations with women.

One year after the Palisades wildfires,s Mr. Pratt, 42, who vandalized Southern California and destroyed homes, has announced his candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles.

Twenty years after “The Hills” premiered in 2006, Pratt had finished second to incumbent Karen Bass in the city’s Jungle primary by the afternoon of June 3. He has so far received about the same number of votes as businessman Rick Caruso, who won about 36% in the 2022 runoff against Bass, but ultimately lost by nearly 10 points.

Live Election Results: California Governor; The LA mayoral race is not completely decided.

Armed with a decades-long strategy for attracting attention, Pratt has emerged as the leading candidate to unseat Bass, the former congressman who came under fire over his response to the Los Angeles fires. She was traveling abroad to Ghana when a dangerous fire broke out.

And it seems like it was a real-life experience that made him a conservative firebrand. He accused city leadership of incompetence in addressing rising costs, drug use and homelessness rates. Politico journalist Alex Burns suggested that Pratt may be President Donald Trump’s heir apparent. Pratt boasts support from former co-stars Kristin Cavallari and Brody Jenner, but notably not from his former reality TV adversary Conrad. The coming months will tell whether he can make his hopes as mayor a reality.

USA TODAY repeatedly contacted the Pratt campaign requesting an interview. Pratt’s team has not yet made him available for an interview.

infamous reality show villain

One of the most notable reality TV shows in history, “The Hills” was the successor to MTV’s “Laguna Beach.” Earlier this year, Conrad, Cavallari and their alumni starred alongside their Laguna Beach High School cast and classmates in a lively 20-year reunion special set in the seaside enclave of Orange County.

After leaving school, Conrad and Cavallari starred in The Hills, starring Pratt. The spinoff follows the lives of the provocateur, his current spouse Montag, Caitlyn Jenner’s youngest son, and other twenty-somethings who aspire to Hollywood A-list fame, as well as each other.

The pair, who along with their spouses are known as “Speddy,” made tabloid headlines for their outlandish personal choices. In 2010, at the age of 23, Montag appeared on the cover of People magazine, revealing that he had 10 plastic surgeries in one day.

In 2010, Pratt’s departure from The Hills was surrounded by controversy. He appeared on other reality shows such as “Celebrity Big Brother” and “Marriage Boot Camp,” but failed to garner the same level of public attention as his former co-stars.

Republican brawl over President Trump The “slush money” isn’t over yet.

Conrad is the most famous of them, and Cavallari, who married and divorced NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, launched a successful jewelry line and starred on E! A show about her life in Nashville. Pratt and Montag directed “New Beginnings,” MTV’s short-lived “The Hills” reboot, which followed the couple, Jenner and other lesser-known stars. However, they never regained the dramatic pop culture status they had in their early 20s.

Will reality TV’s King of Shock be able to surprise Karen Bass?

And then the Palisades fire happened.

“In one January 2025 Instagram post, Pratt was planted in front of the couple’s dilapidated home wearing a T-shirt with the cover of Montag’s 2009 single ‘Body Language’ emblazoned on the front. ‘Stream @heidimontag’s music on any platform, it makes a huge difference!’ Thank you,” he wrote, using Montag’s 2010 single ‘Look How I’m Doin.’

Montag’s 2009 song and 2010 album “Superficial” hit No. 1 on iTunes 15 years after its release. After announcing his candidacy for mayor on January 7, Mr. Pratt immediately lashed out at Mr. Bass, calling him his “worst nightmare.” The shock factor he brought from his 20 years of reality TV ruffled feathers and sparked a national response. Trump himself is also participating in the campaign. “I heard he’s a big MAGA figure,” President Trump said at a press conference. “He’s fine.”

California election results: Latest information on the gubernatorial, House, and LA mayoral primaries

Shortly after announcing his mayoral campaign, Pratt began promoting his personal memoir, “The Man You Hated: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain,” which was released on January 27. Like Trump, he has tapped into popular culture to enhance his campaign. He is reportedly filming a behind-the-scenes show about racing against buses.

In late April, an ad titled “THEY NOT LIKE US,” after Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning song, ran for genre rival Drake and took issue with Bass and Nisya Raman’s home.

In the ad, Pratt claims to live in an Airstream trailer, but after the outlet reported that he lives in the luxurious Hotel Bel Air, he told TMZ, “I’ve never told anyone that I live there.”

Mr. Pratt delighted Republicans during a raucous mayoral debate in early May (he called Mr. Bass an “incredible liar”).

During an appearance on Fox News’ “Gutfeld” last month, he said he hates the current mayor. “These people burned down my house and my mother’s house,” Pratt said.

On the night of the primary, the mayoral candidate posed hand in hand with Montag in a glossy paparazzi-style photo. “LA is coming back,” he captioned the photo.

Contributor: Taijuan Moorman

Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot reaches $194 million

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Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot reaches $194 million

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The Powerball jackpot has increased to $194 million with a cash value of $86.7 million ahead of the drawing on Wednesday, June 3.

According to Powerball, the jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the lottery’s inception in 1992. The five states with the most winners include Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

It’s been over a month since I won the Powerball jackpot. The last big prize was won on May 2nd, when two winners from Texas and Florida split the $20 million jackpot prize.

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

What are the winning Powerball numbers for June 3rd?

The winning numbers for Wednesday, June 3rd Powerball drawing are 14, 16, 38, 55, 64 and Powerball is 12. The “power play” multiplier is 3x.

Powerball lottery number generator: Which number should I choose?

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 US 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
  • January 1, 2024, $842.4 million in Michigan.
  • March 27, 2019, $768.4 million in Wisconsin
  • August 23, 2017, $758.7 million in Massachusetts

Lottery players thought they had won a lot of money. A “technical problem” has occurred

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 allow you to 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 and 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_.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns lift Knicks: NBA Finals analysis

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Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns lift Knicks: NBA Finals analysis

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If Game 1 was any indication of how this series would ultimately turn out, the 2026 NBA Finals will definitely be fascinating.

On Wednesday, June 3, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling 105-95 back-and-forth victory, taking an early lead in the best-of-seven series.

With 1:50 left in the game, Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson hit a huge 3-pointer to give New York a lead they would never relinquish, ending the game on an 11-0 run.

Brunson scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks, who have won 12 straight postseason games.

With this, New York is now three wins away from winning its first NBA title in 53 seasons.

Here are live takeaways from Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 12 rebounds, but his biggest contribution was on defense.

Tasked with being the primary defender against Victor Wembaneyama, Towns not only defended his defense, but defended him with a physical and disciplined approach.

Wenbanyama finished with 26 points, but made only 6 of 21 shots, including 2 of 9 3-pointers.

Wembangyama never looked comfortable, taking just four shots in the paint. Towns placed his hands and body on top of Wembaneyama to make him feel his presence. Because of this, Wenbanyama often retreated from the paint and settled for jumpers.

Jalen Brunson’s 30-point performance may get a lot of attention, but Towns had a much better game.

In the first half, the Knicks committed eight turnovers and scored 12 points for the Spurs from those giveaways. New York played fast and tried to match San Antonio’s speed, which was a losing proposition.

New York committed just one turnover in the second half. This allowed us to do a few things.

One led to better, higher quality shots. The other thing is that it has limited the transfer opportunities Spurs have. To be fair, the Knicks did a much better job of getting back on defense in the second half, but New York did a much better job coming out of intermissions in terms of getting to the paint, making extra passes, taking care of the ball, and playing more like they should.

A team may decide to focus its defensive attention on the team’s star player. Considering San Antonio has Wembane Yama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox, you might want to trick them into sending help.

But New York came under fire for that tactic, leaving San Antonio’s top 3-point shooter Julien Champagnie open. To make matters worse, the Knicks left him open at corner, where Champagnie excels.

He made 5 of 6 shots and sparked 15 points in the first half, all from beyond the arc, sparking San Antonio’s run. The Knicks can’t continue to treat him like an afterthought.

It’s obvious to say, but Brunson’s adjusted knee changes everything for the Knicks. Brunson returned to the game after a brief stay in the locker room and appears to be back to his normal self. Brunson made four of his first seven attempts in the second quarter after returning to the floor, and was a big reason New York’s offense was consistent during that period.

The injury occurred when Spurs forward Harrison Barnes collided with Brunson’s right knee, which was planted on the court.

Still, if Brunson ends up being affected by this issue, there will be a lot of pressure on Karl-Anthony Towns to be New York’s primary offensive starter, especially if this becomes a clutch game where Brunson can’t play. New York’s offense was a bit of a mess while Brunson was in the locker room.

The Spurs are just four days removed from a very physical seven-game series against the defending champions. They are a very young team and this is the first time they are playing for such high stakes.

It all showed up early in Game 1, with the Spurs playing in such a hurry throughout the set that it looked as if they had gained momentum by that moment. As the first quarter progressed, San Antonio settled in very well and used their defense to create turnovers and make the offense easy.

It became clear very early in Game 1 that Wembaneyama was going to set the tone for San Antonio. Whether it was handling the ball and bringing it up the floor or setting screens in his offensive actions, Wenbanyama was proactive and clearly tried to lead by example.

He made two of his first four shots and finished the first quarter with five points, but San Antonio tends to take advantage of Wembangyama’s energy. It was a decent start for the 22-year-old.

However, the Knicks did a decent job of keeping Wembaneyama in check, not allowing him to take too many easy shots, and limiting him to 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting through three quarters.

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