Search
Menu
Home Blog Page 489

The best and worst days to travel for Thanksgiving in 2025

US-NEA
-
0
The best and worst days to travel for Thanksgiving in 2025

play

  • A record 81.8 million Americans are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Travelers should avoid driving in the afternoon and evening on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving to avoid the worst traffic jams.

One of the busiest travel days is Thanksgiving, November 27th, which also marks the beginning of the holiday travel season.

According to AAA, 81.8 million Americans will travel between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1 this year, an increase of about 1.6 million from last year and once again setting a new record for domestic travelers. While the majority of Thanksgiving travelers will be traveling by car, approximately 6 million people will be flying to reach their destinations.

There will also be a record increase in the number of cruisers enjoying the holiday week.

“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because the holiday is synonymous with getting out of the city and spending time with loved ones,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Whether they’re visiting extended family or meeting friends, people are willing to brave crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to create memories that will last a lifetime.”

Here’s what you need to know about Thanksgiving travel.

Travel cheap: We looked into how much it would cost to travel for Thanksgiving without flying.

Will Thanksgiving flights be more expensive this year?

Actually, no. The average price for a round-trip domestic ticket is $700, close to last year’s prices, according to AAA data. The average round-trip ticket for domestic flights is even cheaper, dropping 5% to $403 compared to 2024, according to Priceline data.

What are your favorite destinations for Thanksgiving?

Many domestic travelers head to warmer climate destinations, one of the most popular being Orlando, Florida. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami, Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida, according to AAA.

Those going abroad will be heading to a mix of European and beach destinations such as Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, and Mexico’s Cancun and Punta Cana.

When is the best time to drive over Thanksgiving weekend?

Drivers who want to avoid traffic jams on their Thanksgiving trip should leave as early as possible. INRIX recommends that if you’re leaving for your vacation destination, you depart before noon on Tuesday, November 25th and before 11am on Wednesday, November 26th, as traffic will be at its lowest on Thanksgiving Day.

After Thanksgiving, the best time to drive is until 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Before 10am on Saturday, November 29th and before 11am on Sunday, November 30th. On Monday, Dec. 1, traffic is expected to be at its lowest after 8 p.m.

When is the best time to drive over Thanksgiving weekend?

According to INRIX, the heaviest traffic days during Thanksgiving week are expected to be from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when travelers head to their final destination, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., when travelers head to their final destination, on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Sunday, November 30th will also see heavy traffic as people head home, especially between 11am and 8pm.

Traffic congestion is possible on other days of the holiday week, particularly between 1pm and 7pm on Friday, November 28th. Saturday, November 29th, 1pm and 8pm. Monday, Dec. 1 at noon and 8 p.m., according to INRIX.

Peak congestion hours in major U.S. cities

atlanta

  • Worst route: Atlanta to Savannah via I-16 E
  • Worst day: Sunday, November 30th
  • Worst time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 5 hours 16 minutes
  • Travel time increased by 53%

boston

  • Worst route: Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim’s Highway S
  • Worst day: Thursday, November 27th
  • Worst time: 11:45 a.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 2 hours
  • Travel time increased by 108%

denver

  • Worst route: Pueblo to Denver via I-25 N
  • Worst day: Tuesday, November 25th
  • Worst time: 5:30 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 3 hours
  • Travel time increased by 64%

houston

  • Worst route: Galveston to Houston via I-45 N
  • Worst day: Tuesday, November 25th
  • Worst time: 5:30 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 47% increase in travel time

loss Angeles

  • Worst route: Los Angeles to Bakersfield via I-5 N
  • Worst day: Wednesday, November 26th
  • Worst time: 7:45 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Travel time increased by 147%

new york

  • Worst route: New York to Hamptons via Long Island Expressway E
  • Worst day: Tuesday, November 25th
  • Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 4 hours 8 minutes
  • Travel time increased by 163%.

san francisco

  • Worst route: San Francisco to Santa Rosa via US-101 N
  • Worst day: Tuesday, November 25th
  • Worst time: 7:15 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 2 hours 34 minutes
  • Travel time increased by 114%.

Washington DC

  • Worst route: Washington DC to Baltimore via Baltic/Wash Parkway N.
  • Worst day: Tuesday, November 25th
  • Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
  • Estimated travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Travel time increased by 166%.

Deion Sanders dodges questions about Cleveland Browns and Shedule Sanders

US-NEA
-
0
Deion Sanders dodges questions about Cleveland Browns and Shedule Sanders

play

  • At the soccer clinic, a young girl asked Sanders if she wished Schedeur had played on a different team.
  • Sanders humorously deflected the question, suggesting he was asking it to get his point across.
  • Shedur Sanders made his first NFL appearance after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion.

Colorado State football coach Deion Sanders said he became emotional and was “in tears” after learning that his son Shedur was making his NFL debut as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against Baltimore. But he also fielded tough questions about his son’s situation in Cleveland from a girl who later attended a family football clinic in Boulder.

“Would you like Shedur Sanders to be on another team?” the girl asked.

Mr. Sanders dodged the question.

“She’s trying to give me a virus. I’m going to stay away from that,” Sanders said at the clinic, as recorded on YouTube by Sanders’ eldest son, Dion Jr.

Sanders laughed and called it “good.”

“Who are your parents?” he asked the girl, unable to believe that she “just figured it out on her own.”

“Why are you asking me that?” Sanders asked her while others in the crowd laughed.

“That’s just a question,” the girl answered.

“No, that’s not just a question,” Sanders said, amused.

“I just wanted to hear your opinion,” the girl said.

“Wow, she’s good,” Sanders said.

Why this is a sensitive topic for Deion Sanders

Fans of Shedule Sanders are unhappy with the fact that he was demoted to backup quarterback behind fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel and didn’t receive any playing time in the NFL until Sunday. The Browns are 2-8 this year and could face Shedur and the Las Vegas Raiders again on Sunday if Gabriel remains sidelined with a concussion.

Deion Sanders has previously vowed to step in on Shedour’s behalf to prevent him from playing for a team he doesn’t like. But that approach probably didn’t help Son in the NFL Draft, where he fell to the fifth round despite previously being projected as a first-round pick. There’s not much Sanders can do about his son’s position with the Browns right now after agreeing to a four-year contract with the team before the season.

Deion Sanders told family members at the doctor’s office after Schedeur’s eldest son played in an NFL game that he was “in tears” and “crying.”

“What team do you coach?” a young fan asks Deion Sanders

Not all of the questions he received from young players were as tough as the questions about the Browns.

“Which team do you coach?” one young man asked.

“We called this team the Colorado Buffaloes,” Sanders said.

Another asked which team he would like to coach if he had a choice.

“That would be right here,” Sanders said. “That would be Colorado.”

Colorado State is 3-7 on the season and will play Arizona State at home on Saturday night.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

How do I put my company truck in my name? Contact the DMV

US-NEA
-
0
How do I put my company truck in my name? Contact the DMV

play

  • Employers must create a bill of sale to transfer a company car into their personal name.
  • A company cannot gift a vehicle, so the company must transfer ownership of the vehicle to an individual.
  • Each state has its own procedures and requirements, so be sure to check with your local DMV.

question: I own a small contracting business and plan to retire this year. My personal pickup truck is registered and insured under my company name. All of my private insurance companies have insisted that my pickup truck or van is covered under commercial auto insurance. How do I put the truck in my name when I go out of business?

− Joe S.

answer: Your company will need to create a sales invoice for the desired vehicle in your personal name and sign title to the vehicle to you. (Companies cannot gift vehicles to individuals, and vice versa.)

Several documents are required for this registration. All forms can be found on your local DMV website. However, it is important to remember that each state has its own procedures and requirements. So be sure to check with your state’s DMV before taking any action.

  • Application for registration and rights. Each state has its own tax return forms or procedures. Some states may also require sales and use tax.
  • Proof of original ownership or previous ownership from the state of no ownership (such as a registration certificate or paid sales tax form).
  • A title is often required unless the vehicle is older than a certain model year. This requirement is not universal throughout the United States, as each state sets its own model year standards (or requires title for all vehicles).
  • Seller and buyer must sign on the back of the title.
  • Sales invoice from the company to you.
  • Driver’s license or ID.
  • valid insurance
  • If two owners are making a new registration and title, both parties must be present at the time of registration. Otherwise, the absent party’s signature must be notarized.
  • VIN Check: If the title is in another state or the vehicle is registered in another state, a VIN check is required before registering the vehicle. Please bring the title with you to this interview. Note that this requirement is often state-specific.
  • If your state requires sales tax on car sales, you must pay sales tax before or at the time of registration. The sales tax you pay is based on the year, make, and model of your vehicle.

Chuck Hollis is the Deputy Administrator of the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles.

Some of Amelia Earhart’s records released include her last communications.

US-NEA
-
0
Some of Amelia Earhart’s records released include her last communications.

play

U.S. authorities have released sealed government records about the final travels of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared nearly a century ago.

The new documents, released last week by the National Archives, total more than 4,600 pages and come after President Donald Trump ordered them released this fall.

This famous female pilot went missing over the South Pacific on July 2, 1937.

In a statement Friday, Nov. 14, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the first batch of records includes some of Earhart’s final communications. Although experts did not immediately say the documents would change the public’s understanding of Earhart’s journey, they paint a more complete picture of her work.

Gabbard explained that the declassified files from the National Security Agency include Earhart’s “last known communications, weather and flight conditions at the time, potential search locations, and subsequent investigations and theories regarding her disappearance.”

These also include reports, maps and messages from the US Navy and US Coast Guard that “tracked her final flight and initial search in the days immediately following her disappearance.”

According to the document, Earhart’s last communication from the plane was at 8:43 a.m. on July 2, 1937, when she was on the line: “157 337 wl rept msg we wl rept…”

Other newspaper clippings and memos released include Japan’s diplomatic message to the United States expressing condolences over Earhart’s disappearance. They also point to some of the “misinformation surrounding Earhart’s circumnavigation of the world,” including suggestions that she died on the western Pacific island of Saipan.

Additionally, the document includes:

  • Comments from a man who claims Earhart was buried in Spain
  • Comments from a woman who claims Earhart is still alive and communicated telepathically
  • The government telegraphed that Earhart had been captured by the Japanese and executed.

Described by the Smithsonian as “the most famous female pilot in the history of aviation,” Earhart was the first woman to fly solo, nonstop, across the Atlantic Ocean. She was theoretically on her way to completing the first flight around the world when she disappeared after running out of fuel.

According to the Smithsonian Institution, “Earhart’s disappearance has spawned a myriad of theories, including radio failure, poor communications, poor navigation and pilot skills, alternative landing sites, espionage missions and imprisonment, and even a quiet life on a rubber plantation in New Jersey or the Philippines.”

Additional documents about Earhart will be made available “on a rolling basis” on the National Archives website as they are declassified, Gabbard said in the release.

Epstein files: what we know

“Her Last Journey”

On Friday, September 26, President Trump ordered his administration to release “all government records about Amelia Earhart, her last travels, and everything else about her.”

“The release of Amelia Earhart’s files will shed light on the disappearance of a beloved American aviator who has been at the center of a public investigation for decades,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Click here to view the documentation.

Contributor: Zach Anderson of USA TODAY

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

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade performance opens with Cynthia Erivo

US-NEA
-
0
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade performance opens with Cynthia Erivo

play

Cynthia Erivo is changing Thanksgiving morning forever.

The Tony Award-winning “Wicked” star has been chosen to open this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 27, USA TODAY can exclusively reveal.

Erivo will perform the opening number to kick off the event in New York City, which will air on NBC and Peacock one week after the release of the highly anticipated musical sequel “Wicked: For Good.”

The previously announced performer lineup for the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade includes EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Lei Ami, who provide the singing voices for HUNTR/X from the popular Netflix musical “KPop Demon Hunters.” Busta Rhymes, Callum Scott, Christopher Jackson, Ciara, Jewel, Kool & the Gang and Lil Jon are also scheduled to perform as Radio City Rockets celebrates their 100th anniversary.

This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature 34 balloons, 28 floats and 11 marching bands, organizers said. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will host the NBC telecast.

Cynthia Erivo There’s a ‘witchy’ way to impersonate ‘Wicked: For Good’ characters

Erivo previously appeared at last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to talk about the release of his first film, “Wicked,” and agreed to let the audience sing while watching it in theaters. She also gave Kotb a bouquet of flowers ahead of her exit from the station’s “Today” show.

Erivo’s parade performance caps off a significant month for the award-winning star of stage and screen. Erivo will reprise her Oscar-nominated role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good and will publish her new book Simply More on November 18th. Erivo also performed a song from “Wicked” with co-star Ariana Grande on the NBC special “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” which aired on November 6th.

When is the Thanksgiving Day Parade? Performers, viewing methods, etc.

In a recent interview for her book Simply More, Erivo spoke to USA TODAY about her self-care habits during her hectic Wicked: For Good press tour.

“What I didn’t do last time was do a planned lymphatic massage,” she said. “They help remove toxins and water retention in the body, but at the same time they make me feel really good. It really helps me reconnect. So I’ve tried to plan[these massages]at every place I’m going to go.”

How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will be broadcast in all time zones on Thursday, November 27th from 8:30 a.m. to noon on NBC. The encore will air on NBC at 2pm ET/PT, and the parade will also be streamed on Peacock.

Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Patrick Ryan

Medicare Part B will eat up much of next year’s Social Security increase

US-NEA
-
0
Medicare Part B will eat up much of next year’s Social Security increase

play

It’s official. Medicare costs will eat up much of the Social Security cost-of-living increase for senior Americans next year.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on November 14 that the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care, physician services, durable medical equipment, and preventive services, will be $202.90 in 2026. This is an increase of $17.90 (nearly 9.7%) from $185.00 in 2025.

While this is smaller than the $21.50 increase previously anticipated by the Medicare Administrative Board, it is still the second-largest dollar increase in program history behind the $21.60 increase in 2022 and nearly 3.5 times the 2.8% Social Security hike next year. This means the standard of living for older people is likely to decline again, experts say.

Poverty increased in 2024 only among the elderly. All other age groups decreased or remained the same.

“The public is likely to perceive this Part B increase to be a significant or large portion of their COLA,” said Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst. “In other words, further relentless increases in costs are hurting consumer finance.”

The 2.8% COLA will increase your monthly Social Security check by an average of $56 starting in January, according to the Social Security Administration. After the $17.90 increase in Medicare Part B, the average monthly COLA increase will be reduced to $38.10.

hold harmless provision

Johnson said such a large increase in Medicare Part B would likely trigger an injunction for Social Security recipients whose Social Security benefits are less than $640.

Medicare’s Hold Harmless Clause prevents Part B premium increases from being larger than the Social Security COLA. If the premium increase is higher than the COLA, this rule prevents the beneficiary from paying the full increase. Any increase not paid by the beneficiary will be distributed to others not protected by the rules.

For people with Social Security benefits of $640 or less, If your COLA is 2.8% next year, your Social Security check will increase by less than $18 per month. Without the Hold Harmless Rule, Part B premium increases would swallow up the entire COLA.

In 2022, only about 1.5% of Medicare beneficiaries had their Part B premiums limited by hold-and-harmless provisions, according to government data. Part B increased by $21.60 to $170.10 in 2022, increasing your Social Security check by $92 due to the average monthly COLA increase.

In 2017, when Medicare premiums rose 10% ($12.20) to $134.00, far exceeding the monthly COLA increase of 0.3% (average $5), 70% of Medicare Part B enrollees paid lower-than-standard Part B premiums due to hold-harmless provisions.

Hold harmless rule is not a panacea for all costs

Johnson said hold-harmless provisions can protect seniors from rising Part B premiums, but they can come with other costs.

“If an individual receives other automatic deductions, such as Medicare Advantage or Part D premiums, an increase in those premiums could result in a reduction in Social Security benefits,” Johnson said. Optional Part D covers prescription drugs.

Some Part D plans will increase premiums to $50 in 2026, the maximum allowed under the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Program, according to KFF, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization.

“What complicates matters is that there are fewer independent Part D plans to choose from,” Johnson said. According to KFF, the total number of prescription drug plans has been cut in half since 2024.

Is everyone eligible for a harmless hold?

The following people are not covered by the Hold Harms Clause:

  • New Medicare enrollees
  • People who do not receive social security benefits
  • high income earner

What about deductibles?

In addition to rising premiums, an increase in annual deductibles next year will make health insurance even more expensive for Medicare enrollees.

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries before insurance covers the cost will be $283 in 2026, an increase of $26 from $257 in 2025, according to CMS.

Could it have been worse?

CMS says the Part B premium could have been higher.

“Had the Trump Administration not taken steps to address the unprecedented spending on skin substitutes, Part B premium increases would have increased by approximately $11 per month,” CMS said. “However, with the changes determined in the 2026 Physician Compensation Schedule Final Rule, spending on skin substitutes is expected to decrease by 90% without impacting patient care.”

Skin substitutes are materials such as biological, synthetic, or biosynthetic products that mimic human skin and are used to cover and treat chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The Trump administration reclassified these bandages so that they would no longer be billed separately. CMS estimates that this change will reduce Medicare spending on these items by nearly 90% in calendar year 2026.

The Medicare Administrative Board also estimated earlier this year that standard monthly premiums for Part B would rise from $185 in 2025 to between $21.50 and $206.50 in 2026. This would exceed the increase from $17.90 to $202.90 in 2026.

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

Will Comey charges be dismissed? Why do judges say it could be justified?

US-NEA
-
0
Will Comey charges be dismissed? Why do judges say it could be justified?

A federal judge in Virginia said the Justice Department’s actions in former FBI Director James Comey’s case raise “genuine misconduct issues” that merit dismissal of the charges.

play

  • Prosecutor Lindsey Harrigan, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, appears to have made a “fundamental misrepresentation of the law” to the grand jury that indicted Comey, the judge wrote.
  • The judge also expressed concern about whether the government improperly used information protected by attorney-client privilege to prepare the case for the grand jury.

A federal judge in Virginia said there may be grounds to dismiss the case in a scathing opinion that highlighted a number of potential irregularities in the way the Justice Department under President Donald Trump secured the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.

The record “points to an alarming pattern of serious investigative errors, errors by FBI agents and prosecutors that potentially undermined the integrity of the grand jury process,” Judge William Fitzpatrick wrote on Nov. 17.

Mr. Fitzpatrick issued his decision based on Mr. Comey’s request to see documents from the grand jury that indicted him on September 25. These materials are typically kept secret, even by the defendant, but Fitzpatrick said the circumstances of Comey’s case justified giving him access.

more: Should James Comey stand trial? Former FBI director asks court to throw out case

“The government’s conduct in this case, whether intentional, reckless, or negligent, raises questions of genuine misconduct, is germane to the government’s grand jury statements, and deserves thorough examination by the defense,” the judge wrote.

Mr. Fitzpatrick ordered the court clerk to provide Mr. Comey with grand jury materials by 3 p.m. EDT, and for prosecutors to provide Mr. Comey with a “complete audio recording” of the grand jury proceedings by 5 p.m. EDT.

Mr. Comey’s lawyer declined to comment. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but within hours it filed a motion to suspend the order, saying Fitzpatrick “may have misunderstood some facts.” It said it would take a week to express its opposition more fully.

more: Politicization of the Department of Justice? Comey’s accusations take Trump’s threats to a new level

Comey was charged in 2020 with lying to Congress and obstructing Congress while testifying before a Senate committee. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, but federal sentences are usually less than the maximum sentence. The former FBI director had publicly proclaimed his innocence, but pled guilty in early October.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was elected to the position by all district judges in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2022 and is serving an eight-year term as a judge in the district. He is a former federal prosecutor who served for many years under both Democratic and Republican presidents.

The judge raised a series of potential questions about how Comey, a longtime critic of Trump, could be prosecuted. Trump’s former personal attorney, newly appointed prosecutor Lindsey Harrigan, took over around September 20, the day Trump posted on social media that Comey was “thoroughly guilty” and that delay was not an option. Harrigan secured the indictment on September 25, just five days before the legal deadline to file charges expired.

Harrigan was appointed after the former head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which she now runs, expressed skepticism about the possibility of a case against Comey.

Fitzpatrick wrote in a Nov. 17 opinion that there is evidence suggesting the government may have used information protected by the attorney-client privilege to prepare its presentation to the grand jury, even if it did not actually present the privileged communications to the grand jury.

“This is particularly troubling because the government’s only witness before the grand jury was exposed to a ‘limited overview’ of privileged material immediately before testifying,” the judge wrote.

In its request to stay the order, the Justice Department said the “primary focus” of Fitzpatrick’s investigation was whether privileged information was shared with the grand jury, and that the judge appears to have resolved that issue in the government’s favor. The paper said it was “premature” to address other issues because Comey and the government have not presented a complete case on those issues.

Mr. Fitzpatrick also expressed concern about whether accurate information was given to the grand jury. He said two statements Harrigan made to grand jurors “appear to be fundamental misstatements of the law that could undermine the integrity of the grand jury process.”

Harrigan’s statements are redacted in Fitzpatrick’s opinion. Still, the judge said there were potential problems with the statement.

One of the statements Mr. Fitzpatrick wrote misstated the law, writing that it “may have created a reasonable expectation in the minds of the grand jurors” that the government did not have the burden of proving Comey’s guilt at trial, but instead that Comey had the burden of explaining the government’s evidence. He said the statement was in response to “challenging questions from the grand jury.”

Fitzpatrick’s second statement “clearly suggested to the grand jury that it did not need to rely solely on the record before it to determine probable cause, and that it could be confident that the government had more evidence, and perhaps better evidence, that it would present at trial,” Fitzpatrick wrote.

In its request to suspend the order, the Justice Department said Mr. Fitzpatrick may have misunderstood the “full context” of Mr. Harrigan’s statements, but did not provide further explanation.

Fitzpatrick wrote that defendants rarely have access to grand jury materials. But he said the records in Comey’s case justified that access because there was concrete evidence of wrongdoing that “may justify the dismissal of one or more of the charges.”

On October 29, District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who is presiding over the entire Comey case, appointed Mr. Fitzpatrick to manage proceedings dealing with how the government handled privileged material obtained in the case. Nakhanov was appointed to the federal bench by former President Joe Biden.

While full district judges are appointed by the president and then confirmed to the role by the Senate, magistrate judges are appointed by the courts and may be called upon to handle serious criminal matters.

This story has been updated with additional information.

USPS shipping service price increases scheduled for 2026

US-NEA
-
0
USPS shipping service price increases scheduled for 2026

play

The United States Postal Service has announced shipping rate increases for 2026.

The USPS filed a notice of change with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), which oversees the postal service. The price increase for delivery services will take effect from January 18, 2026.

Despite rising prices for delivery services, the Postal Service is sticking to its original plan and announced in January that it would not increase prices for delivery services. In other words, the price of first-class postage stamps will remain unchanged.

The agency announced the changes in a news release on Friday, Nov. 14, saying the changes are part of the service’s 10-year transformation plan to deliver a financially sustainable and excellent service.

What will happen to these price increases?

Examples of price increase plans based on the Consumer Price Index and adjusted to market conditions include 5.1% for Priority Mail Express Service, 6% for Parcel Select, 6.6% for Priority Mail Service, and 7.8% for USPS Ground Advantage.

The Postal Service generally does not receive tax dollars for operating costs and relies on sales of postage, products and services, he said. Officials believe the new shipping fees will keep agencies competitive while providing needed revenue.

Thanksgiving for less than $20? See what deals grocery stores are offering this year.

Price increase announced on the same day as 2025 financial report

News of the price increases came on the same day the Postal Service released its fiscal year 2025 financial report. The Postal Service’s controllable losses (net losses adjusted for non-operational costs such as workers’ compensation) increased from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $2.7 billion in 2025. This is an increase of $900 million, the Postal Service said.

The agency added that net loss decreased by $542 million compared to 2024, and operating revenue increased by 1.2%, totaling $80.5 billion. The increase in sales was primarily due to growth in the USPS Ground Advantage service and “strategic price increases,” the agency said.

Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia. – Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.

Trump can’t withhold funding for University of California under judge’s rule

US-NEA
-
0
Trump can’t withhold funding for University of California under judge’s rule

play

  • U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin temporarily blocked the Trump administration from withholding federal funding from the University of California.
  • Lin said the First Amendment is at the heart of the case, writing that the court will need to decide whether the government can “hold university funding hostage to pressure censorship of speech.”

A judge has temporarily blocked the federal government from withholding funding to the University of California, marking the latest development in the Trump administration’s battle with higher education institutions.

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin wrote that a coalition of plaintiffs, led by the American Association of University Professors and including other groups representing faculty, staff, and students, “presented overwhelming evidence” that the administration is “engaged in a concerted campaign to purge ‘woke,’ ‘leftist,’ and ‘socialist’ perspectives from our nation’s leading universities.”

The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the University of California in March. The government said it would work to determine whether the school engages in “a pattern or practice of discrimination against faculty, staff, or other employees on the basis of race, religion, or national origin by creating an anti-Semitic and hostile work environment on campus.”

The American Association of University Professors filed a lawsuit in September against numerous administration officials, including President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The complaint accuses the defendants of “targeting and bullying” higher education institutions and engaging in unconstitutional conduct..

Mr. Lin’s preliminary injunction was consistent with these characteristics, as it was an interim measure that maintained the status quo until the court considered the merits of the case. She wrote that the administration has placed “impermissible conditionalities on aid in a manner that burdens First Amendment rights,” and that the plaintiffs are likely to prevail on the merits of the case.

He also noted the administration’s similar commitments to other major schools, including a $200 million settlement with Columbia University, a $50 million deal with Brown University, and a losing lawsuit over federal funds withheld from Harvard University.

A September ruling granting Harvard’s motion for summary judgment asked the court to decide the case without a trial., U.S. District Judge Alison Burrows said the government has not proven a connection between the withholding of federal funds and efforts to combat anti-Semitism.

“Indeed, upon reviewing the administrative record, it is difficult to conclude anything other than that the defendants used anti-Semitism as a smokescreen to conduct targeted, ideologically motivated attacks on this nation’s premier universities, and to do so in a manner that violated the First and Sixth Amendments,” Burrows wrote.

The Trump administration has vowed to appeal the Harvard University funding case.

USA TODAY has reached out to the White House, Department of Education, and Department of State for comment on the California ruling. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Breanna Frank is USA TODAY’s First Amendment reporter. Please contact bjfrank@usatoday.com..

USA TODAY’s coverage of First Amendment issues is funded by the Freedom Forum in collaboration with our journalism funding partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Ariana Grande attacker jailed, Cynthia Erivo speaks out

US-NEA
-
0
Ariana Grande attacker jailed, Cynthia Erivo speaks out

play

Cynthia Erivo is speaking out after she intervened when a fan jumped over a barricade at the Wicked: For Good premiere.

“We all go through some things in our lives and in our day-to-day jobs,” Erivo said at a Screen Actors Guild screening of the film, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I mean…last week. Honestly…we really had to deal with some things, but this movie really allowed us to grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.”

Erivo’s comments date back to the November 13 premiere of Wicked: For Good in Singapore. At the time, an Australian man, now identified as Johnson Wen, was caught on a viral video running towards co-star Ariana Grande. Ms. Grande’s castmates, especially Ms. Erivo, immediately crowded around her and chased the man away.

Cynthia Erivo had a ‘witchy’ way of doing things To become a character in ‘Wicked: For Good’

Wen was later arrested and charged with causing a public nuisance, NBC News and the BBC reported. Social media footage of Wen, who describes himself as a “troll” on his Instagram profile, shows him rushing onto the stage at various concerts, including Katy Perry and Chainsmokers shows, and then being dragged away by security.

On Monday, November 17, Wen was sentenced to nine days in prison for the incident, the BBC reported. According to the newspaper, under local law he could have been sentenced to up to three months in prison, but prosecutors asked for a one-week sentence. The BBC, citing a local broadcaster, said the trial also revealed that Erivo pushed Wen off the Grande and tried to jump over the barricade again, but was held down by security guards.

He posted a video of the “Wicked” carpet incident and captioned it, “Dear Ariana Grande, thank you for letting me ride the yellow carpet with you ❤️.” The moment quickly went viral as fans criticized Wen’s actions and applauded Erivo for taking action.

Erivo, who plays the evil witch Elphaba in the film, helped pull the man away from her co-star before security intervened, a video showing the moment from multiple angles.

Qdoba offers turkey trotters a chance to win free food for a year

US-NEA
-
0
Qdoba offers turkey trotters a chance to win free food for a year

play

If you’re planning a turkey trot this Thanksgiving, you have a chance to win free food from Qdoba, but there’s a catch.

The fast-casual Mexican food chain is launching the Qdoba Turkey Trot Challenge, inviting runners across the country to dress up like a Qdoba burrito for a chance to win free burritos for a year and receive free burrito rewards in their Qdoba Rewards accounts.

To participate, runners must wear a burrito costume for the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Nov. 27, take a photo at their local race, post it on Instagram with the hashtag #QDOBA_Giveaway, and tag Qdoba in their post.

To be eligible, participants must be a Qdoba Rewards member and follow Qdoba on Instagram, the company said in a news release. You can participate in Qdoba Rewards at any time through Qdoba.com or the Qdoba mobile app. New users receive free chips and queso just for joining.

Additionally, you don’t have to call your race a “turkey trot” to qualify. Qdoba said in a news release that community races and runs held on Thanksgiving are fine.

“Turkey trot brings communities together in a special way, and at QDOBA we are passionate about doing the same for bold and delicious flavors,” said John Burke, QDOBA’s chief marketing officer, in a news release.

More news: Spirit Christmas store takes over defunct retailers such as Joann Fabrics, Big Lots

When did turkey trotter start?

Industry experts say Thanksgiving has become arguably the biggest running day on the calendar, making the annual turkey trot an ideal entry point for serious and casual runners to take part in a holiday that essentially brings families together.

The YMCA Turkey Trot in Buffalo, New York, was founded in 1896 and is believed to be the world’s oldest continuously held foot race. The first race pitted six runners against each other in a five-mile cross-country race on dirt roads. As many as 14,000 runners will take part in the 130th annual race on November 27, 2025.

Online race management tool website Run Signup told USA TODAY last year that more than 1 million participants had registered for 922 Thanksgiving races as of the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Johanna Good, Run Signup’s marketing director, told USA TODAY last year that she estimated her company’s U.S. market share for online race registration was approaching 50%. She also said Thanksgiving race participation at Run Signup increased by 10%, with races ranging from 10 to 20,000 runners.

Asked why turkey trotters are so popular, Good told USA TODAY, “It really has to do with it being a family vacation.” “Multi-generational families are together and want to do things together. This allows multiple people to participate and builds family traditions.”

Contributor: Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY

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

Thomas Massey talks about grief, love, and Trump attacks on newlyweds

US-NEA
-
0
Thomas Massey talks about grief, love, and Trump attacks on newlyweds

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie’s longtime wife passed away last year. In the midst of his recent remarriage, President Donald Trump attacked him online.

play

  • U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky recently remarried after the unexpected death of his longtime wife last year.
  • Massie’s new wife is Carolyn Grace Moffa, a former staffer to Republican Sen. Rand Paul.
  • Former President Donald Trump publicly mocked the lawmaker’s remarriage on social media.

FORT MITCHELL, Ky. – After Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and his new wife married this fall, they immediately went to work on their Kentucky farm.

“We put on our work clothes, she kept her veil on, and we slaughtered the chicken,” he said. Carolyn Grace Moffa, a former staffer to Republican Sen. Rand Paul, helped bleed, burn and pluck the birds.

The private ceremony in Garrison, Kentucky, remained secret for about two weeks, but the couple tied the knot on November 2 at a farm in Pennsylvania with about 150 guests, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

more: President Trump changes stance on Epstein file, House vote expected on Tuesday. Live updates.

There, the couple enjoyed margaritas made with raw milk and fresh peaches from the orchard along with their wedding cake. This was after he signed a disclaimer stating that he would take full responsibility if a guest became ill while eating.

The wedding took place about 16 months after Massey’s wife and high school sweetheart, Rhonda Massey, suddenly passed away after a long battle with health issues. She was 51 years old.

“I still cry every day,” Massey told USA TODAY network partner The Enquirer in an exclusive interview Nov. 15 at Bigby Coffee Shop in northern Kentucky. “People say, ‘Wait, he didn’t grieve long enough for his wife.’ I’m still grieving.”

His comments came a day after President Donald Trump mocked the congressman for remarrying.

President Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Is Thomas Massie…married already?? Well, that was quick! No wonder polls give him less than an 8% chance of winning the election. Anyway, Thomas Massie (?), have a great life. His wife will soon realize she’s a loser!”

In response, Massey said, “His attacks have gradually gotten more intense and his attacks have gotten softer, but he still managed to maintain that with his attacks last night.”

But Massey and Moffa didn’t take the comment too seriously.

“Carolyn and I were at odds, and she said, ‘You said he’d be mad if you didn’t invite him to the wedding,'” Massey said.

After all, the incendiary lawmaker frequently endures insults from Trump and other Republicans.

Massey and Trump’s public feud

Massey and Trump have had an on-and-off feud over the years, but after Trump was re-elected as president in January, it looked like the feud would be permanent. President Trump has publicly called for Massie’s ouster and is supporting Republican Ed Galine in the Republican primary against Massie.

Their latest public spat concerns the highly controversial Epstein file.

Massey led the public release of the files. He sidestepped Republican leadership with a discharge petition that received final signatures on November 12th.

more: Adelita Grijalva takes oath after 7 weeks delay, secures vote on Epstein file

With the clock now ticking and his bill expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives for passage on Tuesday, Trump reversed his position late Sunday, urging Republicans to support it.

Massey’s mystery

Trump’s comments aren’t the worst or weirdest things Massey has read online.

“Some people think I have a shadow,” he said. “They have their own conspiracy theories, like that I was fired or that I had a jaw implant.”

But the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, an inventor and tinkerer, has yet to find a way to clone himself.

In fact, she says her recent change in appearance is mainly due to sadness.

Without his wife of many years, Rhonda (who frequently took care of the farm, home, grown children, and elderly parents), Massey didn’t know what to do with himself.

“So while I didn’t have anyone to share my grief and food with, I lost half my weight that way. And I started running to clear my head and get healthier,” he said.

In total, I lost about 30 pounds in just over a year.

He also sported a salt-and-pepper beard during last year’s parliamentary Christmas break.

His late wife and “Mamaw” didn’t like him growing a beard, so he remained clean-shaven for decades. When he was scheduled to appear on television that winter, he didn’t shave.

“My mom said I looked like a hobo… then some people on the internet said I looked like a homeless person on a bender,” he said.

But I noticed that women seemed to like it, so I left it alone.

“What to do if your spouse dies”

After Massey’s wife died, he anonymously joined a Facebook group for widows and widowers.

There he connected with others, “compared notes,” and eventually learned that happily married men often seek such relationships again.

But that wasn’t what he and Rhonda talked about. They always thought he would die first.

“We thought we were going to roll the tractor ourselves, crash the bulldozer into the ravine, (and) not be seen for two days, flip the car over in the mountains of West Virginia and head to Washington, D.C.,” he said.

He talks to her about what part of the farm to sell and tells her the value of her gun collection so that she can get a fair price if she sells it.

But eventually, he talked to his two daughters about dating and whether it was what Rhonda wanted.

“One of my daughters was particularly insightful because she had just gotten married that year, literally months before (Rhonda’s death), and was having conversations with her wife about what to do if her spouse died,” he said.

Massey doesn’t want to talk about exactly when they started dating because she’s already under scrutiny. However, after his wife’s death, his relationship with his four children became the most important thing in his life, and he said he would not have started dating if his children had not approved of it.

reconnection and butterflies

Massey met his new wife about 10 years ago through his good friend, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Moffa was an employee and later worked with Paul on agricultural policy, so her and Massey’s paths sometimes crossed.

Once, she even visited the farm she shared with Rhonda during a farm tour in Kentucky. Massey and Rhonda showed her the Crack Capacitor, a mobile solar-powered chicken coop that collects rainwater.

Although it had been years since they had met Mofa, he eventually contacted her and asked her out on a date.

“I don’t hesitate to say this. When I first saw her in the Library of Congress, I was surprised, because I had a general image of her, but never in the context of a date,” he said. “So when she showed up, I was very (emotionally) attracted to her.”

Massy’s “extension of expiry date”

“Carolyn accomplished what most people could never do. She got Mr. No to say yes,” the pastor said at the November wedding.

Massey, who is known for voting no on issues even if it makes him unpopular with other Republicans, didn’t see the joke coming.

more: Who is Thomas Massey? President Trump slams House Republicans’ squeaky wheels

“I wasn’t ready for that. I laughed twice. We were all going wild when we heard that,” he said.

As for the new marriage, there is a lot to find joy in for him.

For example, before an interview with the Enquirer, Ms. Moffa said that Ms. Massey had something in her tooth and helped her remove it with dental floss before the photo was taken.

Massey boasted that his new wife is politically savvy, interested in farming and healthy eating, and that they travel together to and from Washington, D.C. The latter is something he always hoped Rhonda would be able to do at some point, but they never had that opportunity.

Most of all, Massie’s remarriage is bad news for those hoping to unseat him in the 2026 Republican primary.

“I think Carolyn is trying to extend my shelf life far beyond what my enemies would like,” he said.

President Trump’s son is Mamdani, the next mayor of New York.

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump’s son is Mamdani, the next mayor of New York.

play

  • President Donald Trump said he is working toward a meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani.
  • Mr. Trump had previously criticized Mr. Mamdani, labeling him a communist and supporting his opponent, Andrew Cuomo.
  • After his win, Mamdani said he was interested in speaking with President Trump about services to New Yorkers.

President Donald Trump said he plans to meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani, calling him a communist, and has endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who ran as an independent in the general election after losing the primary. But Mamdani, a 34-year-old state representative from Queens who identifies as a democratic socialist, won with historic turnout.

“The mayor of New York wants to meet with us and we’ll work something out, but he wants to come to Washington,” Trump told reporters on Nov. 16. “We want to see everything go well for New York.” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed to USA TODAY that Trump was referring to Mamdani (the current mayor is still Eric Adams). Mamdani’s transition team did not respond to requests for comment.

more: What is democratic socialism? Mr. Mamdani’s victory in the New York mayoral election highlighted his ideology.

What did Trump say after Mamdani’s victory?

On Nov. 4, Mr. Mamdani, one of the few Democratic leaders to win key local and state elections, was seen by some as speaking out against Mr. Trump’s policies in his first poll ruling since returning to power. Mamdani’s campaign has garnered national attention for mobilizing record-breaking volunteer and voter turnout, especially given the Democratic Party’s crushing defeat in 2024.

President Trump has acknowledged that Republicans underperformed in these off-year elections, with some conservatives pointing out that the races were in blue states that Trump lost in 2024.

“According to the pollsters, ‘Trump didn’t show up and the government shutdown were two reasons why Republicans lost tonight’s election,'” Trump wrote on Truth Social late on Nov. 4, without mentioning the pollsters by name.

President Trump mentioned Mamdani the next day while speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, Florida.

“On November 5, 2024, the American people took back their government,” President Trump said. “We have regained our sovereignty. We lost a little sovereignty in New York last night, but don’t worry, we will take care of it.”

President Trump has repeatedly called Mamdani a communist and supported Cuomo, a longtime Democrat, in the general election.

President Trump told “60 Minutes” the weekend before the election, “If it were a race between a bad Democrat and a communist, I’d honestly choose the bad Democrat any day.”

Mr. Mamdani is not a communist, but a democratic socialist. Communist societies are not democratic, but democratic socialism exists in European democracies such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

President Trump reiterated his claim that Mamdani was a communist in remarks on November 5 and said New Yorkers would flee to Miami.

“I hope it does well in New York. I love New York,” he said.

Mamdani addressed Trump in his victory speech on election night.

When he takes office in January 2026, Mamdani will lead not only the most populous city in the United States but also Trump’s hometown. Although his campaign focused on affordability, he did not shy away from progressive messages about fighting inequality and protecting the rights of immigrants.

“If there’s anyone who can teach the country betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it’s the city that produced him,” Mamdani said in his Nov. 4 victory speech. “So, Donald Trump, I know you’re watching, so I have four words for you: Turn up the volume.”

During the announcement of his transition team the day after the election, Mamdani said he had not received any congratulations from the White House but was interested in speaking with Trump.

“I remain interested in talking with President Trump about how we can work together to serve New Yorkers, whether it’s fulfilling his campaign promise on the cost of living, or the many issues New Yorkers have shared with me about the dramatic impact that the legislation President Trump has filed in Washington will have on them and their lives,” Mamdani said on Nov. 5.

Contributors: Francesca Chambers, Michael Collins, Eduardo Cuevas, america today

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

Is there a chance I will receive a customs dividend check? Treasury Secretary responds

US-NEA
-
0
Is there a chance I will receive a customs dividend check? Treasury Secretary responds

play

President Donald Trump has floated the idea of ​​sending $2,000 tariff dividend checks to Americans, and the Treasury secretary said on Sunday, Nov. 16, “we’ll see” if the plan actually comes to fruition.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” when asked about the checks that the administration “needs a bill for that,” adding that the checks “could be leaked.” Bessent also said the checks will be targeted to “working families.”

President Trump recently hinted at the possibility of checks from tariff revenue. On Nov. 9, he posted on Truth Social that “everyone will receive a dividend of at least $2,000 per person (except for high earners!).”

Three days later, on November 12, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt was asked about dividends and echoed the president’s support for them. “The White House is fully committed to making that happen, and we are currently considering all legal options to make that happen.”

Trump says he floated the idea in July.“We might get some rebates, but what we want to do is pay down our debt” with the customs revenue.

“I want to make up.” Marjorie Taylor Greene talks about her fight with Donald Trump

President Trump expressed a similar idea through DOGE.

President Trump said on Truth Social on November 10 that the $2,000 payments would go to “low- and moderate-income Americans.” But this isn’t the first time President Trump has hinted he’d give money to Americans, so taxpayers could be forgiven for being skeptical about the arrival of the checks. None of the checks resulted from the president’s February consideration of stimulus checks funded by expected savings from Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts.

The idea came from Azoria investment firm CEO James Fishback, who had been lobbying Company X to issue stimulus checks to Musk based on his claimed savings. The checks, which required Congressional approval, were not issued.

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

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

Audi’s first F1 car to be unveiled for 2026

US-NEA
-
0
Audi’s first F1 car to be unveiled for 2026

mac morrison
|Motor Trend

play

F1 fans could be forgiven for thinking: audi‘s entry into the fast-growing series has been put on the back burner in recent months. At the time of writing, there are three races left in the exciting 2025 F1 season, with the drivers’ championship still to be decided. And while there has been plenty of talk and talk about the 2026 campaign, which begins in less than four months in Melbourne, Australia, from March 6-8, much of it has focused on F1’s new technological era.

The new formula mandates slightly shorter, narrower and lighter cars with slightly narrower tires, increased reliance on the powertrain’s hybrid electric system that splits power 50/50 between the internal combustion engine and battery electric system, reduced downforce and more advanced active aerodynamics instead of today’s simpler rear wing-only drag reduction system.

CadillacI also have grabbed a lot of headlinesthe automaker is the first of the big three Compete in the series as a complete American factory team. The hiring of IndyCar star and California native Colton Herta as a test driver with the aim of graduating to F1 after at least a year of racing in F2 next season drew a lot of attention as well.

But now it’s Audi’s turn to make headlines again, and the German automaker did so today at a showcase event it hosted in Munich, Germany, where it took the wraps off a non-driving show car called the R26 Concept, which features an early look at the 2026 F1 livery.

simple but recognizable

Unlike Cadillac, Audi isn’t building an F1 team from scratch. Rather, he is in full control of the eponymous Sauber team, which was introduced into F1 in 1993 by Swiss motorsport legend Peter Sauber. For the past two seasons, Sauber has featured an eye-catching bright green, black and white car identity, supporting the colors of sponsors Kick (Australian streaming service) and Stake (Curaçao’s cryptocurrency-based online gambling platform). Audi’s new livery, unsurprisingly, covers the front half of the car in silver (one of Germany’s traditional motor racing colors dating back to the 1930s), with the manufacturer’s corporate colors of fluorescent red and black dominating the rear section.

Trade in your car: How to get the highest trade-in value for your car

More specifically, Silver is the same new titanium shade seen above. The Audi Concept C we recently droveLava Red, on the other hand, is a fresh shade for what the company calls its next-generation products. As for the black, it’s unpainted glossy carbon fiber.

Audi told us during the F1 livery announcement that we expect titanium and lava red to be featured on Audi’s production models in the near future. As for the exposed carbon fiber on next year’s actual race cars, we wouldn’t be surprised if they were left matte to save weight, a common practice in F1.

Hits of pseudo-glowing lava red also trim other areas, including the airbox and sidepod inlets, the R26 Concept’s nose, engine cover and Audi’s standard four-ring logo prominently placed on the rear wing. It’s far from a wild or particularly original design. Some might say it’s boring or too modest. But whenever drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortleto appear at the 24 tracks that make up F1’s 2026 calendar, it will at least be instantly recognizable to fans and commentators.

Oh, and for detail-obsessed F1 fans, you won’t be seeing things: It certainly has the Lava Red graphic treatment on the concept’s Pirelli, a bespoke element the company went to for this reveal instead of offering the typical dark red-tinted rubber that indicates the supplier’s soft-compound tires during a race weekend.

The livery of this official car is not as loud as it appears in front of you. What Audi unveiled when announcing its F1 plans Fast forward to summer 2022, and it’s certainly more approachable to clearly display sponsor logos on race-spec versions. By the way, Audi is contractually prohibited from including this information in this first public release, and negotiations are currently underway with several commercial partners to finalize this. The first of these deals will be made public in December, with more expected to follow in the new year. Backers confirmed so far include British financial tech company Revolut, which has signed on as the team’s main title sponsor, Adidas as Audi’s official apparel provider and BP as its fuel and lubricants partner. The latter will promote both BP and Castrol’s major brands through the deal.

While the car seen here is just a showpiece to show off the livery, the actual F1 car will indeed be called the R26, and Audi says the livery will be pretty close to the final installment, apart from changes needed to accommodate sponsor branding and work with the lines and geometry of the physical bodywork of the actual race car.

Eagle-eyed Audi enthusiasts may notice that the “Audi Sport” branding often seen on the company’s race cars is missing. That’s because the F1 project is intended to represent Audi as a whole, and not just the Audi Sport division, which operates as a subsidiary of the mother ship and is not responsible for the F1 program.

high expectations

Perhaps interesting for trivia buffs, and certainly worth noting, Sauber’s original F1 entry was made possible with the support of Mercedes-Benz, based on the close relationship between the two companies when they previously raced in Group C sports car competition for several years. Additionally, BMW held a majority stake in the Sauber F1 operation from 2006 to 2009, and Audi’s acquisition of the team will single-handedly link Sauber with the German “big three” car manufacturers (Volkswagen Group, which owns Audi) and Alfa Romeo from 2017 to 2023 in Grand Prix racing.

Overall, Sauber’s best championship finish while competing in F1 under the independent Sauber banner was fourth place in the 2001 constructors’ championship, driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld. Racing with support from BMW, the team finished second in the constructors’ standings in 2007 with Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, the latter taking the team’s only victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, with Heidfeld following in second place, the best result in the team’s history.

Tesla Model Y Juniper review: New Model Y highlights technical strengths and ride comfort weaknesses

Even in today’s era of cost constraints, where teams are expected to spend more than $215 million per season starting next year, such long-term results won’t be worth it for Audi or any manufacturer-owned team. Audi’s five-year plan aims to win races and compete for championships by the 2030 season.

To that end, the team has been increasing its resources in recent seasons in preparation for 2026. Currently, the team boasts three separate facilities. One is at Sauber’s existing headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, where chassis development continues in a facility that boasts one of the largest full-scale wind tunnels used in F1. The new real estate will be added to Audi’s existing motorsport facility in Neuburg, Germany, where the full powertrain (1.6 liter turbocharged combustion engine, hybrid system and gearbox) will be designed and manufactured. And the outpost near Britain’s Silverstone circuit, a hub of F1 know-how and experienced talent, serves as a support center for Hinwil’s team.

According to the Audi team leader we spoke to, around 430 employees work on powertrains in Germany, with around 750 F1 team members across the three locations, with around 250 new hires over the past two years. This brings the former Sauber business closer to the existing major F1 companies, which boast over 1,000 staff, and is sure to continue to strengthen.

With F1’s new regulations for 2026, Audi, on the other hand, has the chance to be more competitive than it would have been if it had joined the series at a time when established teams had years of data and experience with the existing rules package. For example, Hinvill’s team has years of experience in aerodynamics and chassis development, and the addition of Audi’s greater resources could produce a solid car at a time when F1 teams are also adapting to new aero packages and trying to find the best solution.

On the other hand, as for the powertrain, this is Audi’s first attempt at building such a gas-electric hybrid unit, so there are many unknowns. The new rules call for a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and hybrid drive in terms of producing a total peak power of about 1,000 horsepower, compared to 80/20 under current regulations dating back to 2014. No matter how many simulation tools teams have at their disposal, there is no existing powertrain data to compare with, no correlating previous track driving data. That is the main reason why the company is targeting 2030 as the time to reach the forefront of F1’s competitive standings. And as Mattia Binotto, Audi’s head of F1 projects, admitted in Munich: “It’s possible, but it’s ambitious. It could take more time.”

As he points out, and as many teams have discovered over the years, successfully competing in F1 is a tall order on any timeline. For now, at least we know pretty much what Audi’s car will look like when it fires its first shots in Australia in March.

Photo by Audi

President Trump supports releasing Epstein files ahead of House vote. live updates

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump supports releasing Epstein files ahead of House vote. live updates

play

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suddenly had a change of heart this week as the House of Representatives looked all but certain to approve a bill that would force the Justice Department to release all records related to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr. Trump reversed his previous position and gave his party permission to support a bill that he spent months trying to cover up and broke with his former allies.

“We have nothing to hide. It’s time to move on from the Democratic Party hoax perpetrated by radical leftist lunatics to distract from the great success of the Republican Party,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

President Trump’s reversal was an acknowledgment of the harsh political reality in front of him. Many Republicans were preparing to vote in favor of a bill that would require the Justice Department to release all documents relating to Mr. Epstein and his former girlfriend and colleague, Ghislaine Maxwell. A discharge petition that secured a House vote received the required 218 signatures last week. Four of the signatories were Republicans.

“I think there’s a chance we’ll see a huge Republican swarm. It could be over 100,” Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican sponsor of the bill, said on ABC News’ “This Week” the same day.

House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged on “Fox News Sunday” that the bill likely would have a lot of support, and cast it for a vote as a way to demilitarize the accusations against Trump.

Will the Epstein files be made public? Here’s what needs to happen:

The president has denied any wrongdoing and last week ordered the Justice Department and FBI to investigate Democrats with ties to a convicted sex offender.

Epstein died by suicide in prison while awaiting trial. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking of a minor and is serving a 20-year prison sentence in connection with the case. The Trump administration approved her transfer from a maximum-security prison in Florida to a maximum-security facility in Texas in August.

The Epstein File Transparency Act would require the Department of Justice to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

Personal information about the alleged victim will not be made public in the agency’s release, as will any information that could impede the progress of a federal investigation. The Justice Department would be required to report to Congress, justifying the reasons for withholding or redacting information.

Under the House proposal, Attorney General Pam Bondi would have 30 days after the law passes to release all unclassified materials related to convicted sex offenders.

– Kathryn Palmer

Days before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote, Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors came together via video to call on Congress to release Epstein’s files.

“It’s time to bring the secret out of the darkness,” one of the survivors said in the video. “It’s time to shine a light on the darkness.”

Survivors hold up photos of themselves at the age they were when they met Epstein. Most people shed tears just talking about their age and looking at their photos.

The survivors tearfully said they had “suffered a lot” and described their ages as 14, 16 and 17 when they met the sex offender. “This is me when I met Jeffrey Epstein.”

“There are about 1,000 of us,” says one survivor.

The public service announcement was created by World Without Exploitation, an organization that fights sexual exploitation. The document, released Sunday evening, urges Americans to call their members of Congress.

– Sarah D. Wire

Lawmakers plan press conference with Epstein survivors

The bill’s Democratic leader, Rep. Ro Khanna, announced Sunday that he and Massey and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will hold a press conference with Epstein survivors at the Capitol on Tuesday ahead of an expected vote.

“This was abhorrent,” Khanna said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” Epstein had set up a rape island where the rich and powerful abused young girls with impunity. And there were thousands of victims, and the rich and powerful still have buildings and scholarships named after them. “This is not partisan. They all need to be held accountable. The Epstein class needs to go.”

Khanna said he expects at least 40 Republican votes to support the bill.

Financial and political information? Epstein’s emails reveal about the rich and famous who asked him for advice

President Trump slams Greene over Epstein petition

President Trump bashed Massey over the weekend and told Republicans they should vote in favor of the Epstein bill after disavowing Greene.

He repeatedly called Greene a “traitor” and threatened to call a primary. She appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Nov. 16 and accused him of “putting” her life at risk.

President Trump fired back that night, telling reporters on his way back to Washington from Palm Beach, Florida: “I don’t think her life is in danger. Frankly, I don’t think anyone cares about her.”

When will there be a vote on releasing the Epstein files?

The House is scheduled to vote on releasing Epstein’s file on Tuesday. A bill to force the Justice Department to release documents is expected to pass the House with bipartisan support.

It still needs to be passed in the Senate, where Democrats hold a minority with 47 seats. Lifting the filibuster would require the cooperation of 13 Republicans.

President Trump has not said whether he will sign any legislation that would force his administration’s hand, but Truth Social said that as far as President Trump is concerned, the House Oversight Committee “can have whatever he is legally entitled to.”

“I don’t care! All I care about is getting the Republican Party back on track,” Trump said, referring to his administration’s campaign to cut costs for Americans.

Alibaba releases improved Qwen chatbot as model price drops

US-NEA
-
0
Alibaba releases improved Qwen chatbot as model price drops

Alibaba is updating its artificial intelligence chatbot Qwen to catch up with tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The revised app replaces the old Tongyi version and was available in both major app stores last Friday.

In its app store description, Alibaba calls Qwen “the most powerful official AI assistant for its models” and the main way for users to try out the latest Qwen models. The company also plans to add agent-style features to help shoppers on platforms like Taobao. bloomberg. Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment.

Over the past two years, Alibaba has been working to expand its use of the Qwen model amid growing global demand for AI tools. Alongside Chinese startups such as DeepSeek and Moonshot AI, Alibaba has become one of China’s largest AI developers. It also supports an open source approach by allowing others to use and adapt its model.

Alibaba is trying to turn these models into stable revenue streams, and its efforts appear to be paying off. In the June quarter, the company’s AI product sales recorded triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter.

At the same time, Alibaba reportedly cut the cost of using its largest model, Qwen3-Max, by almost half. South China Morning Post. The trillion parameter system was launched in September with the highest price among Alibaba Cloud. The company has now lowered its minimum API rate from USD 0.861 to USD 0.459 per million input tokens and from USD 3.441 to USD 1.836 per million output tokens. Users who run batch tasks during off-peak hours receive an additional 50% discount.

The model recently won first place in a cryptocurrency investment contest that compared top models from both the United States and China. The price drop comes amid increased competition in China’s model market. Several startups have released new systems in recent months, promoting their performance and low cost, including Moonshot AI, Zhipu AI, and MiniMax.

China has already seen several price cuts across the AI ​​sector. There have been previous battles between major model developers, and new competition has since begun in areas such as coding tools. This week, Volcano Engine, ByteDance’s cloud division, introduced a new coding agent priced at RMB 9.90 (US$1.30) for the first month.

Businesses are also trying new ways to attract customers. Last Tuesday, Alibaba-backed Moonshot AI launched an offer for new users to try out its Kimi K2 Thinking model for just 0.99 yuan. People were encouraged to negotiate their own discounts with the Kimi chatbot, which led some users to share “instant injection” tips online, including messages that tricked the system into thinking they were working for Moonshot. Within hours, the company announced that the chatbot began exhibiting “hallucinations” and engineers were called in to resolve the issue.

Alibaba’s rapid progress in the field of AI is attracting attention in the United States as well. “Silicon Valley hates to admit it, but the symptoms are clear. We are witnessing a full-blown Quen Panic,” marketing expert Tulsi Soni wrote on social media on Saturday.

At the same time, Alibaba had to defend itself against the reported claims. financial times. According to the report, a White House memo alleges that Alibaba provided certain technical assistance to the People’s Liberation Army of China, including access to some customer data such as IP addresses, Wi-Fi details, payment information, and AI services. The memo claims that Alibaba staff passed on information about a “zero-day” security flaw.

The FT could not independently confirm the memo, but said the claims demonstrate growing concern in Washington about the risks associated with Chinese cloud and AI providers.

Alibaba denied the allegations, saying they were “completely false” and questioning the motives behind the leak. A spokesperson called the report a “malicious PR ploy” aimed at undermining the recent US-China trade deal.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US similarly criticized the FT report, calling the accusations “baseless” and a distortion of the facts.

(Photo provided by Zhang Hui)

See also: Alibaba’s new Qwen model powers AI transcription tools

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.

When will the House vote on the Epstein files take place? Here’s what could be released

US-NEA
-
0
When will the House vote on the Epstein files take place? Here’s what could be released

play

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on November 18 on a bill that would force the Justice Department to release more files related to convicted sex offender and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

This comes less than a week after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson bowed to mounting pressure to schedule a vote after a bipartisan group of lawmakers used a vague petition to bypass House leadership opposition and avoid bringing the issue to the floor.

The bill in question, the Epstein File Transparency Act, has caused turmoil within the president’s party as several Republicans openly support many Democrats who are pushing for passage of the bill. One of the most vocal advocates is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose support for releasing the Epstein files has contributed to her public feud with President Donald Trump.

Lawmakers supporting the bill saw a new focus on the disgraced financier after House Democrats released thousands of emails from Epstein on Nov. 12. Some of the bombshell messages that mentioned Trump included emails from Epstein in which Trump allegedly “spent hours at my house” with the victims and “knew the girls.”

After months of calling the Epstein investigation a “hoax” and a Democratic “trap,” President Trump reversed course on November 16, calling on House Republicans to vote for full release of the files.

But even if it passes the House, the bill must pass the Senate and be signed by the president to take effect.

more: Why are Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump fighting? What you need to know.

This is exactly what the bill’s supporters want made public.

What will the House vote on regarding the Epstein file?

The Epstein File Transparency Act would require the Department of Justice to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

Personal information about the alleged victim will not be made public in the agency’s release, as will any information that could impede the progress of a federal investigation. The Justice Department would be required to report to Congress, justifying the reasons for withholding or redacting information.

What is subject to disclosure under the Epstein File Transparency Act?

Under the House proposal, Attorney General Pam Bondi would have 30 days after the law passes to release all unclassified materials related to convicted sex offenders.

This includes all material relevant to the investigation, prosecution, or detention matters relating to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, including flight and travel records and individuals named or mentioned in the investigation. The bill specifies that the names of government employees may be made public.

The law also requires the Justice Department to release the names of all corporate, non-profit, academic and government entities known or suspected of having ties to Epstein’s human trafficking and financial networks, and to release files related to his 2019 suicide in prison awaiting trial. Internal Justice Department communications regarding decisions to indict, not indict, investigate, or decline to investigate Epstein and his associates would also be made public under the House law.

Kathryn Palmer is USA TODAY’s political reporter. She can be reached at the following address: kapalmer@usatoday.com And to X@Kathryn Purml.

Tony Hawk talks cancer screening, aging, diet, exercise, and skateboarding

US-NEA
-
0
Tony Hawk talks cancer screening, aging, diet, exercise, and skateboarding

play

Tony Hawk has a cold.

The skateboarding legend said through a cough during a Zoom conversation from his home in San Diego that his grandson gave it to him. Ten years ago, he probably would have canceled this interview because of that. But now, at 57 years old, things are different. Become healthier in body and mind.

“I take care of myself in other ways as well, which has helped me get through this disease,” he says.

Part of that health quest includes taking a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test called Cancerguard from the makers of the colorectal cancer screening tool Cologuard. Cancerguard is a blood test that scans for cancer signals, including aggressive cancer signals, without other detection options. A positive result requires further testing to confirm the diagnosis. The price is $689. This is one of several MCED testing options on the market, including Galleri, as people look for ways to get ahead of the disease. 70% of cancer deaths are caused by people not getting recommended screening tests. In the United States, such tests are available for five cancers: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer (high-risk patients only).

Hawk took the Cancer Guard test earlier this month and is currently awaiting the results.

“I’m grateful that we live in an era of modern medicine and have the opportunity to undergo tests like this,” he says. His father died of lung cancer at age 72. Is he worried about the outcome? Absolutely. “Isn’t that what we all do?” But he also says he’s “excited about early detection.”

In case you missed it: There is a lot of talk about a blood test that detects 50 types of cancer. I tried it.

“I’m not Peter Pan”

As Hawke has gotten older, she has chosen a more moderate diet, avoiding junk food and soda. He stays as active as possible.

“I had never exercised outside of skateboarding until a few years ago,” he says, but it’s helped him improve his stamina, flexibility, and overall strength. Breaking his leg then caused a huge reality check.

“That was literally the hardest lesson I learned: I’m not Peter Pan. If I want to continue doing this at a high level, I have to work hard and not just skate,” he says. Not only is he a grandfather, he is also the father of six children with his wife, Katherine Goodman. “I want to be around forever.” Part of his daily routine includes stretching to combat his back problems, and he still skateboards almost every day.

Also, what happens every day? People who see him in public don’t believe it.

“People don’t expect this name or this face to be old, and that’s usually what trips people up. I’ve literally had people say, ‘You look like an old Tony Hawk.'” That’s literally who I am. ”

Hmm: People spend $20,000 at this resort to discover their health secrets. Is it worth it?

“No one knows what the future will bring.”

A typical day for Hawk starts early. He wakes up by 6 a.m., eats eggs and chicken chorizo, then works out for about an hour, then attends to business needs such as interviews, social media, and emails. By mid-morning, it’s time to go skating. Later in the day, I enjoy some quality family time, including taking care of my grandchildren.

As Thanksgiving approaches, he is grateful that his family is happy, healthy and relatively close. “I’m grateful for that, because you never know what’s going to happen in the future.”

On interview day, for now, that means secretly putting on your skates once you’re done. Even if a cold breaks out, that plan won’t be ruined.

Quantitative finance experts don’t know much about AI

US-NEA
-
0
Quantitative finance experts don’t know much about AI

New insights from the CQF Institute, a global network of quantitative finance professionals (quants), reveal that fewer than one in 10 professionals believe new graduates have the AI ​​and machine learning skills they need to succeed in the industry. This highlights a growing problem in quantitative finance: a lack of human comprehension and machine language fluency.

CQF’s research highlights serious skills shortages for people working in or entering the quantitative finance sector. This is an alarming trend as AI becomes increasingly important to success. Experts say the industry needs to close this skills gap by improving education, training and upskilling efforts.

AI adoption is on the rise. Despite limited understanding of AI and machine learning, the survey found that 83% of respondents use or develop AI tools, with 31% using machine learning and AI. Popular tools include ChatGPT (31%), Microsoft/GitHub Copilot (17%), Gemini/Bard (15%), and 18% use deep learning. 54% of quants use these tools daily.

30% of quants use generative AI for coding and debugging, 21% for analyzing and researching market sentiment, and 20% for reporting. AI and machine learning are influencing key quantitative finance areas. For example, 26% leverage AI for research/alpha generation, 19% for algorithmic trading, and 17% for risk management.

44% of respondents reported a significant increase in productivity thanks to AI, and 25% said AI-assisted processes saved them 10 hours or more each week.

However, challenges still remain. According to the report, 16% of respondents have regulatory concerns, 17% are concerned about the cost of computing, and model explainability (understanding how AI reaches its conclusions) is the biggest barrier, with 41% reporting it as a primary concern.

Formal AI training is also a challenge, with only 14% of companies offering such programs or talent development. As a result, only 9% of new graduates are considered “AI-ready.”

Dr Randeep Gug, Managing Director of CQF Institute, emphasizes the importance of equipping graduates with the skills to use AI effectively.

“Our future professionals need to get serious and know when AI tools truly add value.”

However, momentum exists despite these obstacles. 25% of enterprises have established a formal AI strategy, 24% are developing a plan, and 23% anticipate increasing budgets to support enterprise infrastructure over the next year.

The future of quantitative finance will rely more on collaboration between humans and technology than traditional mathematical expertise. The industry faces challenges, but the key to overcoming them is whether humans are prepared and well-skilled to effectively implement these tools.

Dr. Gug concluded, “Continuing education and embracing innovative technology are critical to shaping the future of quantitative finance.”

(Image source: “In Quantity” by MTSOfan is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.)

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.

1...488489490...1,006Page 489 of 1,006

About us

Stay informed with the latest breaking news, expert insights, and in-depth coverage across USA, Politics, Economy, World News, Technology, Health, Sports, Science, and more. Your trusted source for daily news and trending topics.

Editor's Picks

The latest

When will the Trump administration’s Dulles Airport renovation work begin?

Politics 0
President Trump pressured Senator Schumer to rename Penn Station...

Lindsay Clancy, ex-husband’s testimony and nature of mental illness

USA 0
Massachusetts mother goes on trial for killing her three...

Chili’s announces nationwide restaurant renovations. What you can expect

Economy 0
Server impressed by customer's ketchup portraitWhen Jacqueline Mang realized...

Subscribe

©2025 US-NEA.COM. All Rights Reserved.