Home Blog Page 503

Prince William may buy Prince George a ‘brick phone’

0

play

Even Prince William doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to parenting.

The 43-year-old father-of-three, who is first in line to the British throne, revealed that he has had candid conversations with his wife Princess Kate and their children George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7, about everything from social media to their mother’s health following her cancer diagnosis.

Prince William, who was in Rio de Janeiro for the Earthshot Awards ceremony on November 5, was asked in an interview by Brazilian journalist Luciano Huck about how Prince William and Duchess Kate have been communicating with their children during the difficult years of King Charles and Kate’s battle with cancer.

“We decided to communicate more with our children, which can be good or bad,” William answered. “Sometimes I feel like I’m sharing too much with my kids, and maybe I shouldn’t. But most of the time, hiding things from them doesn’t work.”

The Prince of Wales explained that he and Duchess of Wales discuss emotions with their children and help them explore their own emotions. This “gives kids the big picture and allows them to be more relaxed and approach things without worrying about, ‘What am I hiding? What am I missing? Why is this happening?'” he said.

He continued, “When there are no answers, more questions arise. It’s always a balancing act. Every parent knows it: ‘How much to say, what to say, and when to say it.'” There’s no manual for being a parent. You just have to follow your instincts. ”

In January, Duchess Kate announced with “relief” that her cancer had gone into remission, about 10 months after announcing her diagnosis and upcoming “preventative chemotherapy.”

Prince George may have a mobile phone with ‘no internet access’

Another challenge he and Kate experience as parents is the issue of technology and social media. The royal family decided a “brick phone” was the solution, he told Mr Haq.

When asked how he deals with digital access with his children, he replied, “It’s really difficult.” “Our kids don’t have phones. When George goes to middle school, I think he might have a phone that doesn’t have internet access.”

George is in 8th grade, the American equivalent of 7th grade, and his final year at Lambruck School.

“To be honest, things are getting a little tense, but I think he understands,” William admitted. “I think the problem I have is internet access. I think kids have too much access to things they don’t need to see online.”

Transgender troops sue Air Force to cancel retirement benefits

0

play

A group of transgender service members who served in the Air Force for up to 18 years are suing the military, claiming they were stripped of their retirement benefits after the Trump administration banned all transgender soldiers from the military ranks.

In a lawsuit filed Nov. 10, more than a dozen transgender service members are asking a court to refund the pensions the Air Force promised them when they were forced to leave the military, only to have them revoked in subsequent months.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order earlier this year ordering the Pentagon to expel all transgender soldiers.

According to Department of Defense guidelines, transgender soldiers who voluntarily leave the service will receive “voluntary separation benefits.” Those who fail to do so could be identified through a “medical record review” and expelled.

Air Force strips transgender service members’ pensions

Amid the purge, the Air Force told transgender soldiers in May that those discharged after 15 to 18 years of service could apply for early retirement benefits. All plaintiffs received formal resignation orders the following month.

Then, on August 4, the Air Force changed its mind.

Brian Scarlett, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Personnel and Reserve Affairs, said in a memo that “after careful consideration, I do not approve” the retirement benefits requests of all these Airmen.

“The military and air force view my service as meaningless,” said Logan Ireland, 37, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Ireland, who worked for the company for 15 years, told USA TODAY that when his retirement benefits were suddenly revoked, he started rebuilding his finances and applying for other jobs. His command team has been cooperative, but officials have not responded to his requests to meet with military leaders, he said.

“I’d like to know why,” he said. “Why is my retirement money being taken away?”

The Air Force said the group who lost benefits had the opportunity to apply for voluntary separation benefits. The Air Force said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Shannon Minter, legal director of the National LGBTQ Rights Center and an attorney representing the group, said some plaintiffs could lose millions of dollars. They and their families will also lose military health care, Minter added.

Minter said the military would only cancel retirement benefits in extremely rare circumstances. He pointed to Air Force policy that cites “fraud, obvious error, mathematical error, error of law, or material new evidence” as the only acceptable grounds for pension revocation.

“Usually when the military, in this case the Air Force, issues a retirement order, it’s sacred,” Minter said. “It is unprecedented for an order like this to be revoked, much less for it to be revoked without any explanation or justification.”

The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration, allowing the ban on transgender military service to go into effect in May.

See a map of flight cancellations related to government shutdowns

0

The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing flights at 40 major airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The shutdown, which started on October 1 and lasted more than 40 days, forced about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security inspectors to work without pay.

The FAA has reduced the number of flights by about 6% due to safety concerns, but some airports have been far more affected than others, according to data from Flightaware.

Over the weekend, major international airports saw a sudden increase in canceled flights. Here are the companies most affected:

Cancellation rate by departure airport

Of the 40 airports affected by FAA flight reductions due to closures, the following 38 airports experienced high numbers of cancellations between Nov. 7 and 11:15 a.m. Nov. 10, according to Flightaware data:

Even before the shutdown, the FAA had long struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers. In May, USA TODAY reported that the FAA was short 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.

Where most flights have been canceled across the United States

Air traffic controllers continued to work without pay as essential personnel during the grounding. But the FAA ordered airlines to cancel 4% of their flights over the weekend because some people were unable to come because they were looking for other jobs to make ends meet amid the gridlock in Congress. More than 10,000 flights were delayed on November 9th.

Bert Jansen, USA TODAY Contributor

Alternatives to Starbucks’ Bearista cups include buying ducks and DIY.

0

play

Starbucks fans may be a little disappointed that they can’t get their hands on the much-talked-about Bearista cup, but some people online are taking matters into their own hands and making their own DIY cups.

Starbucks’ stock shortages haven’t stopped creators from searching online for alternative bottles and DIY-ing them to match the holiday trends.

The video shows the creator pouring his morning iced coffee into a bear-shaped cup. Some people online have joked that they’ve emptied bear-shaped honey jars to create Bear Cup ducks, while others have offered tips on where to find bear-shaped and other holiday-shaped jars.

So if you miss your chance to get a “Bearista” cup, you don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to an online reseller. Here’s how to make it yourself.

How can I DIY a “Bearista” cup?

Creators like Jack and Jerry on TikTok went to HomeGoods to make ducks.

The online author purchased two bottles. One is shaped like a gingerbread man and the other is shaped like a teddy bear. The bottles were filled with candy and sprinkles, and after emptying the bottles, Jerry was able to fill them with the drink of his choice.

Content creator Alexandra Wroten decided to reuse an empty Kirkland honey bottle in the shape of a bear and posted a video on TikTok of her drawing the Starbucks logo on it and adding it to her coffee.commission.

Regardless of how you make your own bear cup, if you plan on storing food or drinks, make sure the container you use is food-safe.

“Bearista” cup camo now available in stores and online

If you’re not into DIY, you can also buy camo. Other creators point out that Target’s “Kids 13-Ounce Figure Gingerbread Tumbler” is a duck to the “Bearista” cup. It’s made of plastic, comes in brown and pink, and retails for $5.

Other creators have also reported finding Bear Cup camos at Amazon, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and other retailers.

What is the “Bearista” cup?

The “Bearista” cup is a 20 oz glass cup in the shape of a bear. The lid looks like a green beanie and holds a Starbucks cup with the chain’s logo.

The cups went on sale on Thursday, Nov. 6, the same day Starbucks announced its holiday menu, and quickly sold out.

The cup is now being resold online for hundreds of dollars, USA TODAY previously reported.

Will “Bearista” cups be restocked?

The chain confirmed in a statement that the Bearista cups are sold out.

“Excitement about our product has exceeded our wildest expectations, and even though we shipped more Bearista Cups to coffeehouses than almost any other product this holiday season, the Bearista Cup and several other products quickly sold out,” Starbucks said in a statement.

USA TODAY has reached out to Starbucks for more information, but it’s unclear whether the coffee chain will restock the viral cup.

Contributions: Melina Khan, Amaris Encinas. American TOD

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

Federal judge rules SNAP recipients can continue state-provided benefits

0


A judge blocked the USDA’s threat to take back all SNAP funds from states that distributed food stamps in November.

play

  • Some states distributed a month’s worth of federally funded food aid as soon as courts ruled that federally funded food assistance should be provided.
  • The Department of Agriculture then told states that they had sent out food stamps prematurely and needed to take back at least some of their food stamps.
  • The Massachusetts federal court disagreed.

A federal judge on Nov. 10 ordered that states that distributed full benefits to SNAP recipients over the weekend do not have to seek refunds.

A flurry of court decisions in recent days has caused confusion and frustration for tens of millions of Americans who are waiting for final information on when they will receive the federal food aid they rely on.

Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani blocked the Department of Agriculture’s order on Saturday, Nov. 8, that would have required states to recoup benefits distributed in November before the Supreme Court’s ruling the night before.

“What you have now is a mess of the government’s own making,” Talwani told the court.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a Nov. 7 memo that it would send benefits to states, following a federal judge’s order in Rhode Island to provide full benefits for November. Hours later, the Trump administration received a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court, but more than a dozen states had already distributed the funds to millions of Americans.

Late Saturday night, the USDA in a separate memo called for states to take back the funds they distributed. The agency ordered states to stop disbursing all food assistance benefits, saying in a memo that it “does not have the authority” to disburse the full amount and must instead disburse only a portion of the funds.

“Countries must immediately reverse the actions they took to issue full SNAP benefits in November 2025,” the memo states.

But many states asked Judge Talwani in the Massachusetts lawsuit against the government to block the USDA from carrying out its threats.

she agreed. “Even if there was an error here, it seems to me that the states acted fairly reasonably to follow the Nov. 7 guidelines,” she said.

At least 17 states have already announced full benefits, according to a study by the Center for Food Research and Action. The list includes several plaintiffs in the Massachusetts lawsuit, including California, Michigan, New York and New Jersey.

Talwani pointed out that the guidance issued by the Department of Agriculture does not mention the possibility of appeals or suspensions, nor does it instruct states to withhold funds.

“We’re not saying, ‘Don’t do anything because we’re appealing and asking for a stay,'” Talwani said.

Justice Department attorney Tyler Becker argued that the states knew the Trump administration was appealing Rhode Island’s decision and should have waited until they knew the results before giving food aid to people.

“States have decided to give up their guns,” he said.

Michelle Pascucci, a state trial attorney with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, said the USDA could have issued a new guidance memo once the Supreme Court’s stay went into effect.

“They could have submitted that correction at any time within the 24 hours between the clerk’s stay in the Supreme Court and the email sent at 10:30 Saturday evening,” she said.

Tarawani questioned how states expected to recover funds from SNAP recipients that the Department of Agriculture may have already disbursed, saying the administration should have come to court instead of “sending threatening letters on Saturday night.”

First SNAP confusion in 60 years

In late October, the Department of Agriculture announced that November benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would not be available during the government shutdown. The fund has been used to provide benefits during past shutdowns, but the agency said it does not believe it is legally allowed to use the emergency fund created by Congress.

This decision led to the first destruction of food benefits in SNAP’s more than 60-year history.

The U.S. Senate reached a tentative agreement on November 9 to reopen the federal government and provide funding for multiple agencies and programs, including food assistance.

The deal, agreed to with eight Senate Democrats, reopens the government until January 30 and provides high levels of funding for SNAP through September 2026.

The Senate could vote to approve the deal as early as Monday night, Nov. 10, with the House expected to vote later in the week.

Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY’s senior national political correspondent, can be reached at swire@usatoday.com.

Top 5 car waxes that shine, protect, and are easy to apply.

0

play

Waxing your beautiful car will make it look even better. Its gorgeous and shiny appearance will attract attention wherever you go. Wax also protects your car’s paint from UV rays, bird droppings, small scratches and rust.

Our guide introduces the best car waxes and provides tips for choosing the right one based on your preferences.

Here we will introduce some of the best car waxes with their description and main features.

Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax

This synthetic car wax gives your showroom a shiny look. Meguiar’s special hydrophobic polymer technology allows water to bead up and roll away, making it harder for dirt particles and harmful chemicals to stick to your paint. Safe for all paints and easy to apply even in direct sunlight. It is also highly durable and will remain effective for several months if applied correctly.

Main specifications:

  • What’s special: long-lasting polka dot effect

Chemical Guy Butter Wet Wax

This all-natural car wax offers superior color depth and high-quality shine. It’s easy to apply and relatively durable, but it doesn’t last as long as synthetic car waxes or most paste-based ones. This wax is perfect if you want to spend time taking care of your car, as it needs to be applied every time you wash your car. Safe and biodegradable for all surfaces.

Main specifications:

  • What’s special: Buttery consistency and warm shine

Mother’s California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Liquid Wax

Made from pure Brazilian carnauba, this liquid wax provides a deep shine that looks great on classic cars. Protects your car’s paint from harmful UV rays. Although it is easy to apply, it usually requires multiple applications to achieve its full effect.

Main specifications:

  • What’s special: Benefits of liquid carnauba wax

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution Ceramic Spray Coating

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution Ceramic Spray Coating is a combination of carnauba wax and synthetic polymers. It combines the deep shine of natural wax with the long-lasting luster and water repellency of synthetic wax. Once applied, it lasts for over half a year, making it perfect for those who want a deep glow without much effort. Installation is easy, just spray and wipe.

Main specifications:

  • What’s special: Hybrid technology that takes advantage of both natural wax and synthetic wax

Car Guys Hybrid Spray

This versatile product is a blend of natural carnauba wax and synthetic ingredients. Its innovative formula acts as a wax and paint sealant to protect your vehicle. Suitable for all surfaces, it can also be used on other parts of your car, such as rims and plastic parts.

Main specifications:

  • What’s special: The effects last for several months and are effective on a variety of surfaces.

How to choose the right type of wax for your car

There are three main types of car wax: paste, liquid, and spray. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

spray car wax

This is generally the easiest and quickest type of wax to apply, making it suitable for casual users who don’t want to spend all day buffing their cars. It is resistant to wet roads, so you can use it immediately after washing your car. Creates a smooth finish in minutes.

Its main drawback is that it is the least durable of car waxes. You will probably need to apply it after every wash to get the desired effect. It also doesn’t offer as much protection against the elements, and other types offer a good shine.

liquid car wax

This type has better shine and protection than spray wax, and lasts longer. It can be applied manually, but a buffer is usually required for the full effect. You should also be careful not to use too much product so that no residue remains.

apply car wax

This is the most durable and effective type of car wax. Paste wax provides a deep shine and protects your car’s paint from harmful UV rays and chemicals. It is also highly durable and performs well in all weather conditions. In addition to being more expensive than the other two types, paste wax can be difficult to apply properly. But if you invest some time and effort, the results will probably be worth it.

Photos by manufacturers

Sidney Sweeney’s ‘Christie’ loses in box office debut

0

play

Audiences aren’t rushing to the Octagon to watch Sidney Sweeney’s sports biopic.

Christie, Sweeney’s new film about the life of pioneering professional boxer Christie Martin, opened to $1.3 million after opening on November 7, making it the worst box office gross of its size in history (Box Office Mojo).

It ranks 12th on the list of worst wide openings among films released in over 2,000 theaters, and 9th when excluding rereleases.

After the box office numbers were announced, Sweeney reflected on social media how “proud” he was to tell Martin’s story.

Sweeney posted a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram on Monday, Nov. 10, with the caption, “I’m so proud of this movie,” adding, “I’m so proud to be able to represent a strong and resilient person like Christy Martin.”

The actress touted the film’s efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence, adding, “We all went into this film believing that Christie’s story could save lives.”

In 2010, Martin was stabbed, shot and left to die by her trainer and then-husband of 19 years, James Martin (played in the film by Ben Foster). He was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison nearly two years later.

“Thank you to everyone who saw it, felt it, believed it, and will continue to believe in us for years to come,” Sweeney continued. “If Christie inspired even one woman to take that first step towards safety, we would have succeeded. We don’t always make art for numbers, we make it for impact, and Christie is the most impactful project of my life.”

The film follows Martin as he overcomes sexism and abuse to become a world champion. She was the first woman to sign a promotional contract with boxing promoter Don King. The first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, she competed from 1989 until the mid-2010s, holding the World Boxing Council Women’s Super Welterweight Title in 2009. Martin was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.

“Christie” grew out of Sweeney’s success in “Anyone But You,” a romantic comedy made famous by “Euphoria,” alongside Glen Powell. But it also grew out of other significant failures, including “Americana” and the controversial American Eagle ad that played on words to portray a jeans-wearing Sweeney as having “good genes.” Critics said the jeans campaign amounted to a dog whistle against eugenics and white glorification.

Sweeney, who is also a biopic producer for Fifty Fifty Films, said “the reaction was definitely surprising” to the American Eagle ad and that it was “unrealistic” for the president and vice president of the United States to comment on it, but noted that much of the chatter didn’t get through to her.

“I was like, I just put my phone away,” she told GQ. “I was filming every day. I’m filming ‘Euphoria,’ so I’m working 16 hours a day, but I don’t really bring my phone on set, so I just work and then go home and sleep. So I didn’t really watch it.”

Contributed by Ralphie Aversa and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

Who are the top financial advisors of 2026? We can help you choose the best one.

0

USA TODAY will publish its fourth annual Best Financial Advisors list in April and ask readers to help determine the top companies.

The results of the study, produced by the independent market research and data firm Statista, form the annual ranking of the “Best Financial Advisory Firms” in the United States.

The 2025 rankings can be found here.

Our goal is to publish a guide to hundreds of registered investment advisory firms (so-called RIA firms) that are most recommended and considered the best by our clients and peers.

Readers who have consulted with financial advisors or professionals working for financial advisory firms are invited to participate in the survey, open now through January 9th.

Clients and industry experts who don’t work for RIA firms can tell us what they think about the firms they know. However, readers affiliated with RIA firms are asked to rate and recommend other firms they know and value. You can then share your findings with people who can evaluate your company.

Click here to start the survey and let us know what you think.

Survey participants’ opinions will remain anonymous. However, this survey allows clients and professionals to consent to being contacted by USA TODAY’s editorial team.

Industry participants who complete the survey will also be notified of the survey results via email if they wish.

This list is created based on customer and peer recommendations, as well as the growth of a company’s assets under management. Some of the data regarding these assets will be included in the final list.

Click here to learn more about the project and research.

Will President Trump pardon this “large group of Americans” next?

0


Justice Department attorney Ed Martin said Trump is leading a broader effort to identify people he believes have been wronged by Presidents Obama and Biden.

play

WASHINGTON – The more than 70 people President Donald Trump has pardoned, including fake electors accused of aiding and abetting his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, are likely just the beginning.

President Trump’s pardon lawyer Ed Martin said on November 10 that more conservatives allegedly “targeted” by the Joe Biden and Barack Obama administrations are next.

Martin’s statement comes amid a year-long flurry of presidential pardons wiping out a clean slate of convicts, including the Jan. 6 rioters, numerous convicted fraudsters and several political allies.

“Just a little bit behind the curtain, when I started working as a U.S. pardon attorney, the president encouraged us to focus on two categories of Americans in particular,” Martin said, referring to Trump as president of the United States.

The first are “people who need and deserve a pardon, especially long-serving prisoners who are ready for release,” Martin said in the X post.

“Second, he said he wants us to look at the people who have been targeted by the Biden administration,” Martin said. “The target was a large group of Americans.”

Martin said his first job was with 2020 “alternate electors and their associates,” a group targeted by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith and other investigators and prosecutors at the state level in Georgia, Arizona and other states.

But Martin said, “There are many other Americans that Biden targeted. We are working to help them.”

In the pardons Martin announced late on Nov. 9, President Trump pardoned a number of allies, including his former personal lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations for allegedly interfering in the 2020 election.

These pardons, which President Trump called a “process of national reconciliation,” followed the pardons on the first day of President Trump’s second term of approximately 1,600 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Those recently pardoned include Mark Meadows, President Trump’s former White House chief of staff. Jeffrey Clark, former Assistant Attorney General; Kenneth Chesebro is a private attorney who previously advised Trump. and Sidney Powell, a lawyer who worked for Trump in the 2020 election. All four are facing state charges related to election interference in Georgia, and Chesebro and Powell have pleaded guilty.

Find someone who “deserves a break”

Martin went further in an extended interview with former Trump aide Steve Bannon on the War Room podcast on November 10th.

Martin said that as a pardon attorney and head of the Justice Department’s Use of Weapons Task Group, he is leading a wide-ranging effort to identify a wide range of people who Trump believes have been wronged by either of the past two Democratic presidents.

Martin said during a meeting in the Oval Office that the president directed him to find “those who deserve a break,” including “those who were given arms against us by Biden and, by the way, Mr. Obama.”

“And the pardon is going to start to change that, so I think this is a start,” Martin said. “I know because I’m involved in knowing the truth about 2020.”

Martin said the list also includes people who have not yet been pardoned in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

He also mentioned the FACE Act, which clearly refers to people charged under the Freedom of Admission to Clinics Act, a 1994 federal law that prohibits physically interfering with people receiving abortion or reproductive health services or damaging related facilities.

President Trump calls for release of Colorado state employees

“We have been fighting for two months to find a resolution regarding Tina Peters,” Martin said, including putting pressure on Colorado officials.

Peters, a former Colorado Republican Party secretary and recorder who denies Biden won the 2020 election, was convicted of allowing someone to access secure voting system data in an effort to prove a baseless election denial conspiracy.

She was sentenced in October 2024 to nine years in prison on seven charges related to tampering with election machines in Mesa County, including attempting to influence a public official, conspiracy to commit identity theft, and first-degree official misconduct.

President Trump himself called for Peter’s release in a social media post on Aug. 21, saying she is an “old woman” and “very ill” who should be released from prison, threatening “very severe action” if she is not released, while repeating his claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent.

Contributor: Bert Jansen

Jimmy Kimmel’s wife opens up about ‘lost’ relationship over support from Trump family

0

play

Jimmy Kimmel’s wife has revealed that she has “lost” relationships with some family members over her support for President Donald Trump.

Molly McNerney, 47, said on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast that navigating her relationship with her conservative family has been “definitely difficult,” especially after Kimmel became a target of Trump’s attacks.

McNerney, who works as a producer and writer for her husband’s late-night show, said she was disappointed but felt “understandable” when Trump was first elected in 2016 because she grew up in a “very conservative Republican” family.

As for President Trump’s second term, McNerney feels less positive.

McNerney said on her show on Nov. 6 that some of her family members continue to support Trump, saying, “It hurts my heart because of my personal relationship with my husband being on the ground fighting this guy.”

Earlier this year, the Trump administration’s chairman of the Federal Communications Commission criticized Kimmel’s response to the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The aftermath was a political domino effect that ultimately led local broadcasters to pull Kimmel’s show from their lineups.

After that, Disney, the parent company of ABC, which broadcasts the show, suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. – Trump himself praised the move. Kimmel was later brought back on the air and apologized that his comments, which seemed to imply that the person who killed Kirk was a conservative, may have been misinterpreted.

“For me, for them to vote for Trump is the same as not voting for my husband and me and our family,” she added, revealing, “Unfortunately…I lost relationships with people in my family because of Trump.”

Since Kimmel’s show returned to the air, the late-night host has continued to mock Trump and criticize the president’s political policies.

“I feel like I’m always conflicted and I’m always angry, which is not healthy at all,” McNerney continued. “But I own everything now. When I see these terrible stories every day, I quickly get angry at certain uncles, aunts and cousins ​​who put him in power. And it’s really hard.

“I emailed my family multiple times right before the election, saying, ‘Please, here are 10 reasons not to vote for this person. Please don’t.’ And I was either ignored by 90% of them or got really insane responses from a few. It definitely caused a strain,” she said later in the podcast.

“I’ve definitely moved closer to my family, where I feel more included. And you don’t want something like this to happen, right? It feels ridiculous. You know, part of me is like, ‘Don’t let politics get in the way.'” But for me, this is not politics. It’s really about values,” she explained. “And we weren’t aligned anymore.”

Kimmel and McNerney married in 2013 and have two children together.

Expected shutdown to end without ACA health insurance coverage

0

play

If you’re one of the millions of Americans enrolled in an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan (often referred to as “Obamacare”), you’re probably facing the prospect of significantly higher spending next year with no guarantee of relief.

A bipartisan agreement to end the month-long government shutdown won’t change the situation. The government reopening agreement postpones ACA affordability decisions to December. Congress will then decide whether to extend pandemic-era tax credits that make ACA plans more affordable. If the credit is not extended, it will expire at the end of 2025.

Although the change will not directly impact the household finances of most working-age Americans who purchase health insurance through their employers, experts say uncertainty and concerns about affordability will likely cause some cost-conscious and healthier consumers to opt out of the ACA.

“Unfortunately, this agreement will prolong uncertainty for the millions of Americans who have insurance through the Affordable Care Act,” said Sabrina Corlett, co-director of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Care Reform. “Congress has all but guaranteed that the market will lose enrollment of the people it wants to keep: young, healthy people.”

Who does this affect?

KFF estimates that the 22 million Americans who receive Obamacare tax credits will see their monthly premium payments more than double, on average. This doesn’t mean the price of these ACA plans will double, but without the additional subsidies, consumers will pay an average of $1,016 more in 2026. The amount a consumer ultimately pays depends on age, income, location, and coverage level.

Why are consumers facing high prices for Affordable Care Act health insurance?

If Congress approves the bipartisan deal, the insurance tax credit would return to its original level under the Affordable Care Act. Under the 2010 health care law signed by President Barack Obama (often referred to as Obamacare), cost-saving tax credits were limited to people with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level.

Congress has temporarily approved more generous subsidies during the coronavirus pandemic to help more Americans afford health insurance.

People who earn more than four times the federal poverty level will have to pay the full cost of their ACA plans because the pandemic-era subsidies have ended. Low-income Americans are eligible for Obama-era subsidies, but not the coronavirus-era subsidies that drastically reduced out-of-pocket costs.

How much will premiums increase for ACA members?

Health insurance companies typically increase premiums based on the underlying cost of medical care and how often a consumer receives treatment or writes prescriptions from a doctor or hospital.

Insurers selling plans in the ACA’s federal and state marketplaces are raising prices for plans by an average of 26% in 2026, according to an analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit.

But the out-of-pocket costs for most ACA consumers will further accelerate as pandemic subsidies expire.

People who earn more than four times the federal poverty level ($62,600 for an individual and $128,600 for a family of four) must pay the full amount. People with incomes less than four times the poverty level receive less financial support. In other words, they would receive the original Obama-era subsidies based on a sliding scale percentage of their income.

What happens to consumers who are asked to pay more?

Consumers would have the option to switch to Obamacare plans that offer less generous benefits. Enrollees in a “silver” plan may choose a bronze plan with a lower monthly premium but a higher deductible (the amount a consumer must pay before coverage begins).

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in June that up to 4.2 million Americans could lose their ACA coverage due to the pandemic-era credit expiration. But if the pandemic-era subsidies are extended, more than 3.4 million Americans would have coverage each year through 2034, the CBO said.

The nonprofit group Small Business Majority says entrepreneurs who can’t afford employer health insurance will be among those who will suffer if the pandemic tax credit expires.

“The agreement to reopen the federal government without renewing the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credit is a major blow to the fortunes of America’s small businesses,” said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of the Small Business Group.

Corlett said other people who could face higher premiums include farmers and gig economy workers who don’t have access to insurance through their workplaces.

Corlett said that without the pandemic-era subsidies, ACA health insurers could end up serving a larger share of high-cost enrollees.

“We could find ourselves in a situation where insurers have to raise premiums again to reflect the contraction and deterioration of the market,” Corlett said. “As such, premiums are likely to be even higher in 2027, and some insurers may decide that this is a market they do not want to continue to be in.”

Major airports ban private jets due to FAA flight reductions

0

play

Many major airports closed to commercial aircraft this week amid continued aviation restrictions stemming from the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The move follows the Federal Aviation Administration’s Nov. 6 order to reduce flights at 40 U.S. airports to “maintain the highest safety standards in the nation’s airspace system.”

These airports were ordered to reduce their operations by 4% on November 7th, with the reduction gradually increasing to 6% by November 11th, 8% by November 13th, and 10% by November 14th.

On November 9 alone, more than 10,000 flights were delayed and more than 3,200 were cancelled.

Restrictions on commercial flights that came into effect on November 10 will further increase the disruption. According to the National Institute for Policy Studies’ 2023 Environmental Impact Report, about one in every six FAA flights is a private jet.

The affected airports are:

  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport
  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
  • Los Angeles International Airport
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

“More than anything, this moment underscores the need to reopen government to serve all Americans,” Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association, said in a Nov. 9 news release about the restrictive measures.

The FAA did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

New York falls to 2-8, Giants fire Brian Daboll

0

play

  • The Giants fired manager Brian Daboll on Monday, according to multiple reports.
  • New York lost a 10-point lead to the Bears, 24-20, dropping their season record to 2-8.
  • Daboll finished his tenure with a record of 20 wins, 40 losses, and 1 draw.

The New York Giants have reached breaking point with Brian Daboll.

The team fired its embattled head coach on Monday, a day after a 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears with four minutes left in which New York held a 10-point lead and dropped its season record to 2-8.

Daboll finished his tenure with the team with a record of 20-40-1 in three and a half seasons. His career record is the worst of any Giants coach who led the team for at least 50 games.

Associate head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach.

Why did the Giants fire Brian Daboll?

“We discussed the direction of our franchise on the field this morning and determined it was in our best interest to make a change to the head coaching position at this time,” Chairman John Mara and Chairman Steve Tisch said in a joint statement. “After the disappointing past few seasons, we didn’t expect much from this series. We understand our fans’ frustrations and are committed to delivering a much-improved product.

“We would like to thank Coach Daboll for his contributions to our organization and wish the Daboll family the best of luck in the future.”

Daboll is the second Tennessee Titans coach to be fired this season after firing Brian Callahan in October.

Giants talk about Joe Schon’s future

The Giants added that general manager Joe Schoen will remain in place and lead the search for a new head coach.

“We feel Joe has assembled a talented young core and we look forward to their development,” Mara said. “Unfortunately, the results of the past three years have not been what any of us had hoped for. We take full responsibility for those results and look forward to the kind of success our fans have come to expect.”

With the loss, New York is now 0-4 in road games in which it led by at least 10 points. Asked after the game if he was worried about his job security, Daboll said, “I’m just focused on the guys in the locker room.”

Rookie quarterback Jackson Dart left midway through the second half with a concussion. The first-round pick, who replaced Russell Wilson after the veteran started the first three games of the season, was assessed to have sustained a head injury in three regular-season games and one preseason contest, and both his style of play and the team’s planned high pitch count have come under scrutiny.

“Unfortunate,” Daboll said Sunday when asked if the hit to Dart ultimately “caught up” to the quarterback. “It’s unfortunate that he got hurt.”

How Brian Daboll’s tenure with the Giants was revealed

Daboll was named NFL Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022, leading New York to a 9-7-1 record and its only postseason berth since 2017. However, the situation was resolved fairly quickly after that. After posting a 6-11 record in 2023, running back Saquon Barkley became a free agent and was traded to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley won the Offensive Player of the Year award en route to winning Super Bowl 59.

The Giants also parted ways with quarterback Daniel Jones last season, benching him as a starter in November and then releasing him permanently. Jones signed with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason and led the team to an 8-2 record while leading the league’s highest-scoring offense.

Mara retained both Daboll and Shane after last year’s 3-14 season, but it was known that he was not happy with the franchise’s trajectory.

“We don’t want to wait too long, because we’re getting close to being at the end of our patience,” Mara said in January when discussing the timeline for a potential turnaround.

How to get Krispy Kreme BOGO donuts on World Kindness Day

0

play

World Kindness Day is Thursday, November 13th, and Krispy Kreme is celebrating by offering sweet perks to customers.

Fans of the chain will receive a free original glazed dozen with the purchase of a regular-priced dozen on Nov. 13, according to a news release.

This offer is available for purchase in-store and drive-thru at participating U.S. stores, or for pick-up or delivery via the Krispy Kreme website and app using the code BOGOFREE, while supplies last. The donut chain says there is a limit of two treats per guest.

“We believe in the power of kindness and the joy that comes from sharing,” Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme’s chief brand and product officer, said in a news release. “Donuts are a great way to be kind and show you care.”

Krispy Kreme revamps donut menu

Krispy Kreme announced earlier this month that it would be “updating” its daily donut menu, offering fans “more variety and more ways.”

The popular donut chain has added nine new flavors and offers a daily menu of 10 to 16 full-sized donuts.

According to Krispy Kreme, the new menu has been developed and tested for over a year and includes trending flavors, fan favorites, and returning flavors that were previously available for a limited time. The chain added that it will “rotate out four new donuts seasonally five times a year,” giving customers “more flavors and choices.”

Krispy Kreme’s new flavors include:

  • New York cheesecake: An unglazed donut dipped in vanilla-flavored icing, topped with graham crunch, and filled with cheesecake-flavored cream.
  • Oreo: Unglazed donuts with Oreo cookies and cream filling are dipped in chocolate icing, topped with Oreo cookie pieces, and sprinkled with vanilla-flavored icing.
  • Original glazed cake: A classic, old-fashioned cake donut with an original glaze flavor.
  • With cinnamon apple: Unglazed donuts filled with apple cinnamon filling and coated with cinnamon-flavored powder.
  • Original glazed cream donut: This is an original glazed donut with cream filling.

Seasonal flavors include:

  • Biscoff cookie butter: Unglazed donuts are filled with Biscoff cookie butter-flavored cream, dipped in Biscoff cookie butter, topped with Biscoff cookies, and topped with vanilla-flavored icing.
  • Maple ice: Original glazed donut dipped in maple icing.
  • Chocolate fudge brownie donut: An original glazed donut topped with brownie batter-flavored buttercream, brownie crunch topping, and rainbow sprinkles.
  • Original Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cake Donut: A classic cake donut flavored with pumpkin spice.

Krispy Kreme’s latest menu items are available for purchase in-store, or for pick-up or delivery individually or in batches of a dozen via the chain’s app or website. Find your nearest Krispy Kreme store here.

Contributor: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY

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

President Trump proposes work orders and bonuses for air traffic controllers

0


President Trump reprimanded air traffic controllers who were not paid and were absent during the shutdown. But he proposed giving $10,000 bonuses to essential workers who continued to report to work.

play

President Donald Trump threatened to cut pay for air traffic controllers who don’t report to work after the Senate reached a compromise to end the 41-day government shutdown.

“All air traffic controllers must get back to work now!!!” President Trump said on social media on November 10. “Those who don’t will be effectively ‘grounded’.”

The Senate bill, introduced on Nov. 9, would provide temporary funding to the government through Jan. 30 to provide back pay to federal employees affected by the government shutdown. But the House and Senate still need to vote on the bill, which could take several more days.

Air traffic controllers continued to work without pay as essential personnel during the grounding. But the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cancel 4% of their flights over the weekend because some people were unable to come because they were looking for other jobs to make ends meet amid the gridlock in Congress. More than 10,000 flights were delayed on November 9th.

President Trump called on air traffic controllers who do not report to work to resign. He promised to recommend $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who kept their jobs.

“I recommend that the air traffic controllers, who are great patriots and did not take any time off because of the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ be given a $10,000 bonus each for their service to our country,” Trump said. “For those of you who complained and took time off even though we all knew you would be paid your full salary in the near future, I’m not happy with you.”

Progressives call for Schumer’s resignation after closed vote

0


Progressive groups are angry that Mr. Schumer was unable to bring members together and that the deal did not include what Democrats had hoped for.

play

The leader of one of the nation’s largest progressive political organizing groups has called for the resignation of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following Sunday’s vote by Republicans to reopen the federal government without a guarantee to extend expiring federal health insurance subsidies.

New York’s Mr. Schumer was not among the eight Democrats who joined Republicans in breaking the filibuster, but progressives are angry that Mr. Schumer was unable to unite lawmakers and that the deal did not include key demands from Democrats.

“Chuck Schumer should immediately resign as Senate Minority Leader,” Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Guivarghese said in a statement. “If he secretly supported this capitulation and voted ‘no’ to save face, he is a liar. If he could not maintain the tone of his caucus, he is incompetent. Either way, he has proven incapable of leading the fight to prevent rising health care costs for millions of Americans. This country can no longer afford his failed leadership.”

None of the eight Democrats who joined Republicans in breaking the filibuster on Nov. 9 will be on the 2026 ballot. Progressive groups say it shows a concerted effort to end the government shutdown while avoiding fallout from angry Democratic voters in next year’s midterm elections.

Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin said on social media that the timing so soon after this year’s election was intentional. The group called for Schumer to resign seven months ago, when he joined the Republican Party to avoid a government shutdown.

“It’s important to understand this. There’s a good chance that the Democratic senators who voted against it and are now going insane were involved in this drama. It’s the same reason they planned to capitulate after this week’s election. They didn’t want people to be angry with the Democrats right before the election,” he said.

President Trump proposes 50-year mortgage loan

0

good morning! I’m Daniel de Visé from Daily Money.

President Donald Trump is proposing 50-year mortgages. Is that a good idea?

What is Universal Basic Income?

Pilot programs across the country are giving unconditional cash payments to low-income Americans. Does giving people money help lift them out of poverty?

Government shutdown could end

Indeed, the longest government shutdown in history may be nearing an end after several Senate Democrats split their votes with Republicans.

This is our coverage.

📰 Other stories you can’t miss 📰

Daniel de Visse covers personal finance for USA TODAY. Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

When will the next closed vote take place? How to watch live

0

Lawmakers were scheduled to return to the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 10, after the Senate passed a resolution clearing a path to ending the longest government shutdown in history.

The Senate voted 60-40 on November 9 to move forward with a temporary spending measure that would fully reopen the government through January 30.

On the 40th day of the government shutdown, seven Democrats and one independent who caucuses with Democrats reached a bipartisan agreement with Congressional Republicans.

But the shutdown is not over yet, and the Senate will need to take a final vote to pass the funding deal. The bill will then pass the House of Representatives and need to be signed by President Donald Trump.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Senate vote.

When will the next shutdown vote in the Senate take place?

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 10, with a vote expected to take place that day. For this continuing resolution to be sent to the House, lawmakers must pass the continuing resolution.

As for when exactly a vote would take place, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor on November 10 that his colleagues would vote “in the very near future.”

“I hope it’s hours instead of days,” Thun said. “Let’s get this over with and get it through the House to open up this government.”

It only takes one senator to delay consideration, but Thun urged lawmakers of both parties to move the bill quickly.

“The American people have suffered for a long time. Let’s not drag out this bill needlessly,” Thune said. “I ask all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, both parties, to help us pass this bill quickly.”

Watch Live: Senate Vote on Government Shutdown

Watch the Senate vote in real time by watching USA TODAY’s live stream in the embed at the top of the page or on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel.

How long has the government been shut down?

The government has been partially shut down since October 1st.

As of November 10, the closure is in its 41st day. It entered its 36th day on November 5th, making it the longest in history. The previous longest closure period was 35 days in 2018-2019.

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

This story has been updated with additional information.

Thousands of layoffs reversed in agreement to end shutdowns

0


The Trump administration began layoffs, citing a need to cut costs during the shutdown, but they were put on hold by a federal judge in California.

play

Thousands of laid-off federal employees will keep their jobs as part of an agreement to end the federal government shutdown that also prohibits new layoffs until January 30.

The bill passed the Senate on Nov. 9 and now heads to the House after eight Democrats joined with Republicans to approve the bill.

The Trump administration began layoffs on October 10, citing the need to cut costs during the shutdown, but they were put on hold by a federal judge in California.

The American Federation of Public Employees has filed a lawsuit to block more than 4,000 layoffs announced by President Donald Trump. The union argued that the dismissal was arbitrary and capricious and therefore illegal.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston temporarily halted all imposed or pending layoffs.

Contributor: Bert Jansen

New York’s abortion protection law survives initial challenge by Texas

0

you are reading state court report Biweekly newsletter. Subscribe to get it in your inbox.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022 Dobbs The judges who dissented from the ruling warned of an “interjurisdictional war on abortion.” Travel, telemedicine, and other cross-state interactions can raise complex legal questions about which state’s laws apply.

Last week, a New York state trial court ruled against Texas in a dispute over whether New York should recognize a Texas legal judgment against a New York abortion provider.

Back in 2023, New York passed an abortion protection law. The law, designed to protect both patients and providers, places broad limits on the ability of New York state and local governments to cooperate when other states seek to impose civil or criminal liability for abortion care received or provided in New York.

Specifically, this includes telehealth services, such as when a New York provider mails abortion pills to patients in states where abortion is prohibited. Currently, nearly half of all states have some form of shield law in place, and eight states, including New York, have explicit telehealth protections. These shield laws have led to widespread use of telemedicine abortion services by patients in states where abortion is prohibited.

Enter Texas. In 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a civil lawsuit against New York doctor Margaret Carpenter for shipping abortion pills to patients in Texas in violation of Texas law. Carpenter did not respond to the lawsuit, and a Texas judge entered a default judgment against her, ordered her to pay a $100,000 fine and other costs and interest, and ordered her to be prohibited from providing abortion telehealth services to Texans.

But the big question was whether Texas could enforce the New York judgment and recover Mr. Carpenter’s assets.

As a general matter, under New York State, a person seeking to enforce an out-of-state judgment must first go through legal proceedings in a New York court to “domesticate” the judgment. Texas sought to begin the process by filing documents with New York County Clerk Taylor Brooke. However, Mr. Brooke pointed to New York State’s shield law and refused to proceed with the application.

Texas then filed a state lawsuit against the clerk seeking an order (or writ of mandamus, for you legal buffs) requiring Mr. Brooke to accept Texas’ filings. To the extent New York’s shield law prohibits clerks from doing so, Texas argued that the law violated the U.S. Constitution’s Full Faith and Trust Clause. Texas lawyers argued that “the Texas court’s decision cannot claim that New York’s public policy is an exception to plenary faith and credit.”

last week, texas vs brookNew York Judge David Gandin dismissed the Texas lawsuit. The court reasoned that Mr. Carpenter’s conduct fell squarely within the scope of the Shield Act. And Mr. Brooke was legally barred from proceeding with the Texas application because the law prohibits state and local officials from using “time, resources, equipment, or personnel” to facilitate proceedings that would impose liability on Mr. Carpenter.

But the potential big legal challenge was Texas’ constitutional claims, which the court struck down on procedural grounds. Although Texas raised the Full Faith and Credit Clause at the press conference, its petition to the court did not address constitutional challenges to New York’s shield law. The court therefore ruled that constitutional issues were “not at issue” in the proceeding.

Even if the court’s procedural rulings could prevent New York courts from taking up Texas’ constitutional arguments; Bruckbut Texas’ full faith and credit claim looms over future litigation.

In an 1892 incident called Huntington vs. Attrilethe Supreme Court laid out a complete faith-and-fiduciary duty framework for states, explaining that states need not recognize essentially “penal” judgments from other states. Although this clearly applies to criminal penalties, the court also indicated that civil laws aimed at punishment are also covered.

However, as UCLA law professor Lindsey Wiley explains: state court reportexisting precedent on what constitutes a criminal purpose is scant. Wiley argues that the relevant question should be whether a civil judgment “punishes an individual in the name of protecting public morality and the health and lives of future pregnant patients.” If the court adopts Wiley’s formula, cases like Carpenter’s would likely fall outside the state’s full trust and confidence obligation.

After all, this is an issue that is almost certain to end up before the Supreme Court. The cross-jurisdictional war on abortion has only just begun.

Alicia Bannon is the editor-in-chief state court report. She is also the director of justice programs at the Brennan Center for Justice.