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A Virginia woman is seeking $1.5 million from Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-themed casual dining restaurant chain, after she claims she slipped on mashed potatoes inside the restaurant and fell face-first onto the floor, sustaining serious and permanent injuries.
Tracy J. Renshaw, 56, claims the incident occurred on May 14, 2023, while she was dining with her family at Outback Steakhouse in Sterling, Virginia. The lawsuit, first filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court in May 2025 and later transferred to federal court on May 27, 2026, accuses the restaurant of failing to maintain a safe environment for its customers.
Renshaw was walking to the bathroom when she stepped on a slippery object on the floor that looked like mashed potatoes, according to the complaint. The fall caused her to land face-first on the hard floor, according to the complaint.
Her application claims the chain had a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment and warn customers of the dangers. The paper alleges that no warnings about the substance were posted and that the restaurant left the spill on the floor for an unreasonable amount of time.
Lawsuit alleges negligence and permanent damages
Renshaw’s complaint says the situation created an “unreasonably dangerous” situation for patrons and alleges negligence for failing to address or clean up the spill. The lawsuit also alleges that the fall caused her to experience significant pain, impaired her ability to work, and incurred ongoing medical expenses.
The lawsuit does not provide a detailed medical explanation of her injuries, and her attorney has not publicly detailed her condition.
Although the lawsuit is ongoing, Outback Steakhouse has denied the charges. The company claimed it had not notified it of any hazardous conditions and had no obligation to post a warning about the alleged leak. He also disputed claims about the extent of Renshaw’s injuries.
USA TODAY has reached out to attorneys for Outback Steakhouse and Renshaw for additional comment on the allegations.
Past injury lawsuits related to chains
The Independent previously reported on several lawsuits involving Outback Steakhouse locations in various states, centering on allegations of injury to customers. In one case, a Florida man filed a lawsuit alleging he was seriously injured when a toilet at Outback in Ocala allegedly “cracked” while he was using it.
In another case, a South Carolina woman was awarded $315,000 in damages after she claimed she ingested a metal hair embedded in a chicken dish, requiring emergency surgery to remove the hair from her esophagus. The incident involved allegations that hair grew from a wire brush used to clean grills at the Outback store she visited.
Other lawsuits cited in previous reports include one in South Carolina involving a customer who allegedly swallowed broken glass in a plate of sweet potatoes, and one in Oregon in which a diner claimed he broke two of his molars by biting into a piece of plate that had gotten into his food.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT..
Activists rally in Montgomery to protest repeal of black voting rights
Demonstrators in Montgomery, Alabama, gathered to express their opposition to a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act.
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court said June 2 that Alabama may use a congressional map that was previously deemed to have intentionally discriminated against Black voters. The conservative court’s latest redistricting will help Republicans in their efforts to maintain a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the midterm elections.
The ruling confirms how difficult, if not impossible, it is for racial minorities to challenge electoral maps after the court significantly relaxed the Voting Rights Act in April.
In an unsigned opinion dissented by the court’s three liberal justices, the majority suspended a lower court’s ruling that blocked Alabama from using the disputed map.
The map, passed by the Republican-led Legislature in 2023, includes only one district with a large black population, instead of the two districts included in the map that lower courts said the state must use.
The three-judge panel said the Republican-favored map was “tainted with intentional racism.”
“We conducted a thorough review of extensive and incontrovertible evidence from members and Congress, and the 2023 Plan could not be understood as anything other than a deliberate effort to dilute votes based on race,” the committee wrote. “We have concluded that if this record does not rebut a strong presumption of legislative integrity, we doubt that the presumption is rebuttable.”
But the Supreme Court said the panel incorrectly interpreted Alabama’s consent to the lower court’s original ruling on the map as evidence of discriminatory intent.
The majority also said the commission should not have blocked the map right before the election because states “are free to decide for themselves whether last-minute electoral changes are in their own interest.”
In a dissenting opinion joined by two liberal colleagues, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the majority’s decision “upends an entire election in Alabama and undermines our democratic process in the name of recognizing discrimination against black Alabamians in Alabama.”
Intentional discrimination is a new standard set by the Supreme Court in its April decision in Louisiana v. Calais to assess whether racial minorities’ voting rights are being unfairly restricted.
The Trump administration supported Alabama’s argument that the Supreme Court should intervene because the lower court’s decision contradicts Louisiana v. Calais.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the three-judge panel was nervous about finding racial bias while ignoring “many legal explanations” for district lines, including keeping similar communities together in the same district and not requiring two incumbents to run against each other.
“Mr. Curry justified Alabama’s position,” Marshall wrote in the state’s emergency appeal, “yet in one week the district court ruled that Mr. Curry did not change anything.”
Voting Rights Act ruling sets off battle
The Voting Rights Act “requires strong evidence of intentional discrimination,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in a majority opinion that held up Louisiana’s map for relying too much on race to classify voters. He said it was not enough that maps “failed to provide a sufficient number of majority and minority areas.”
A new interpretation of the Voting Rights Act forced several Southern states to redraw their congressional maps to eliminate minority-heavy districts, even though voting for this year’s candidates had already begun.
After issuing its decision, the court rushed to finalize the decision so that Louisiana could quickly impose new maps.
The justices then directed Alabama’s three-judge panel to reconsider its 2025 rejection of the Republican-preferred map, resulting in a new rejection in May and the state immediately appealing to the high court.
Kristen Clark, general counsel for the NAACP, said in a statement that the Supreme Court “is stripping black voters of their power and voice at a rate that would put even Jim Crow jurists to shame.”
Alabama’s map has been controversial for years.
Alabama’s maps have been in dispute since the 2020 Census, when the Alabama Legislature drew new boundaries that included one of seven districts with a majority of Black voters. African Americans make up more than a quarter of the state’s total population.
In 2023, the Supreme Court unexpectedly ruled against the state, striking down the map as a violation of the Voting Rights Act. The maps passed by the Republican-controlled Congress in response to that decision are the subject of the latest ruling.
Other Supreme Court redistricting decisions
In other redistricting decisions this year unrelated to the Voting Rights Act, the court allowed Texas to use a map drawn to give Republicans up to five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The justices also allowed California to use a map that could send five more Democrats to Congress.
The court declined to intervene after the Virginia Supreme Court blocked the creation of new maps aimed at electing four more Democrats from the state.
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes takes a look at the states with the most Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots.
The Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow ahead of the drawing on Tuesday, June 2, and now stands at $346 million, with a cash value of $153.8 million.
If someone is lucky enough to win the jackpot on Tuesday, they have two options. Take home one-time cash or get paid instantly, then receive an annual check that’s 5% larger than the previous year.
It’s been over two months since I won the Mega Millions jackpot. The last time it happened was on March 17th when the Ohio State player won $60 million.
With Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing just hours away, here’s what you need to know.
What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for June 2, 2026?
USA TODAY will publish the winning numbers for Tuesday’s Mega Millions lottery after the drawing at 11pm ET.
more: Which states have the most lottery winners? What you need to know.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, June 5th at 11:00 PM ET.
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots
$1.602 billion in Florida on August 8, 2023
$1.537 billion in South Carolina on October 23, 2018
$1.348 billion on January 1, 2023 in Maine
July 29, 2022, $1.337 billion in Illinois
December 27, 2024, $1.269 billion in California
$1.128 billion in New Jersey on March 26, 2024
$1.05 billion in Michigan on January 22, 2021
$983 million in Georgia on November 14, 2025
$810 million in Texas on September 10, 2024
March 30, 2012, $656 million in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a lottery that is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each ticket costs $5, and players can choose six numbers from two different number pools: five different numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (gold mega ball), or choose Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
If you match all six winning numbers in the drawing, you win the jackpot. If there are multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared.
How to play Mega Millions
To play Mega Millions, you must purchase a ticket. This can be done at several locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Mega Millions tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered 1-70. The golden mega ball ranges from 1 to 24.
If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can request a “quick pick” or “easy pick.” When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.
Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
Jill Biden’s memoir tells the story of the night that ended Biden’s campaign
Jill Biden reveals her horror and shock during the 2024 debate in her new memoir, “View from the East Wing.”
Former first lady Jill Biden told ABC’s “The View” on June 2 that no one approached her because of concerns about former President Joe Biden’s health amid his dismal performance in the 2024 presidential debate.
Biden’s comments came during his media appearances as the former first lady’s new memoir, “A View from the East Wing,” hit stores.
Asked if she still believes her husband could have served four more years in the White House, Biden said he doubted it, especially given that his husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
“Well, based on what I know now, that’s not the case,” she said. “God, who knew? I mean, being diagnosed with cancer was such a shock.”
During an appearance on “The View,” Biden was asked whether anyone in her husband’s inner circle had consulted her about her husband’s health before his debate appearance with then-Republican candidate Donald Trump, especially as Americans were increasingly concerned about the former president’s health.
“A lot of aides say they saw this. Not one person came up to me and said, ‘Jill, look, Joe has aged or something is wrong,'” she said. “When I saw that, when all of America saw that moment on TV at the debate, I mean, I was scared out of my mind because I thought, ‘Oh my God, he’s having a stroke.’
Book publication and cancer diagnosis
The release of Biden’s book comes a year after the former president announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and just days after she gave an update on her husband’s health.
In an interview on NBC’s “Today” on June 1 to promote her new memoir, she said that she is “doing well” despite her husband’s continued battle with prostate cancer.
“If he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, I think that would be a different matter, because it is curable,” the former first lady said. “But the fact that it metastasized to his bones makes it a completely different story.”
She added: “So I think Joe will be living with cancer ‘for the rest of his life.'”
USA TODAY’s Melina Khan contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
FDA announces emergency recall of food allergy and asbestos toys
The FDA and CPSC have issued a nationwide recall of Birch Benders pancake mix, Whole Foods Minestrone Soup, and Orb Funky Squishy toys due to undeclared allergens and possible asbestos contamination.
Fox – Seattle
Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall that includes do-not-drive warnings for certain vehicles due to defects that may increase the risk of collisions.
More than 4,600 vehicles are included in the recall warning issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The alert said affected vehicles may experience installation-related issues.
“The front lower control arm ball joint may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, which could result in the control arm becoming separated from the front wheel knuckle,” the recall states.
Here’s what you need to know about which models are subject to the recall and what car owners should do.
More car recalls: More than 419,000 Jeep vehicles have been recalled. Check affected models
Which vehicles are subject to the recall?
According to NHTSA, 4,653 vehicles may be affected. The recall number is 26S36.
The models listed are:
2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport
2022-2026 Ford Maverick
What should car owners do if they own a Ford vehicle that is subject to a recall?
NHTSA is asking owners not to drive their vehicles. Your auto dealer will repair the front lower control arm ball joint free of charge if necessary.
Notifications will be sent out by June 5th. Ford customer service can be reached at t 1-866-436-7332.
Taylor Eardley is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at tardrey@usatodayco.com.
Lucy Liu talks about the misdiagnosis of breast cancer that led to surgery
Lucy Liu shares how a misdiagnosis led to surgery and changed the way she looks after her health.
Obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer, but could some women reduce their chances of this common type of cancer by taking weight loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound?
A study of more than 111,000 women published June 2 in a peer-reviewed journal found that women who took the popular GLP-1 drug prescribed for obesity and diabetes had a more than 30% lower risk of breast cancer. However, the researchers cautioned that this observational study does not prove that the popular weight loss drug reduces cancer risk.
University of Pennsylvania researcher Elizabeth MacDonald said that studies linking GLP-1 drugs to breast cancer prevention, along with a study published in May that found GLP-1 users were less likely to see metastasis of some obesity-related cancers, “only raises the possibility that there are real biological signals” that should be studied in robust clinical trials.
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, accounting for an estimated 380,000 cases annually. Approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
McDonald, a professor of radiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said that if GLP-1 drugs help lower the risk of breast cancer, “the benefits will be transformative for women’s health.”
What researchers know about GLP-1 and breast cancer
McDonald presented the findings at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the study was published June 2 in the medical journal JCO Oncology Practice. The study examined the health records of more than 111,000 overweight women between the ages of 45 and 80 who underwent breast imaging at health care facilities in Pennsylvania.
Health records from 2022 to mid-2025 show that more than 15,000 women had a prescription for a GLP-1 drug, while more than 96,000 had no record of a GLP-1 prescription. Researchers compared the two groups and found that women prescribed GLP-1 drugs had a 35.1% lower risk of developing breast cancer.
The researchers also analyzed the records to match more than 15,000 GLP-1 users with a control group of non-GLP-1 users. Groups were matched across age, race, ethnicity, BMI, breast density, and diabetes status. When researchers compared the two groups, those prescribed GLP-1 drugs were 30.5% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
The study did not say what type of GLP-1 drug was used or how long the women took weight loss or diabetes drugs. The study also did not take into account genetic risk factors or whether the cancer was at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis.
And because the study relied on the health records of women who visited the Pennsylvania facility, it does not address whether the patients received GLP-1 drugs elsewhere, such as through telemedicine companies or compounding pharmacies. During the study period, consumers flocked to telemedicine providers and compounders selling cheap knockoffs of GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
If study participants had secured GLP-1 drugs through a telemedicine provider or compounder, “we would never have known they were taking the drug,” MacDonald said. “There would be people in the control group taking GLP-1, so this would make it less effective.”
McDonald and other researchers are seeking funding to start a clinical trial to evaluate whether GLP-1 drugs can reduce breast cancer cases in high-risk women. The study was designed to follow participants over five years and also seeks to answer whether GLP-1 drugs can reduce the risk of tumor recurrence in women who previously had breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania who were not involved in the study said the study contributes to growing research into GLP-1 drugs, which are commonly prescribed for weight loss and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1s have been approved to reduce the risk of sleep apnea and heart disease. And researchers are studying its potential in treating addiction and cancer.
“With some of these new (weight loss) drugs coming to market, I think we’re going to see potential utility in cancer survival and perhaps cancer prevention,” said Bernard Fumeler, associate director of population sciences at the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
In May, VCU researchers published a study in JAMA Network Open suggesting that breast cancer patients treated with GLP-1 had better outcomes than those who did not take the drug.
The VCU study of more than 840,000 patients matched similar groups of breast cancer patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Patients who took GLP-1 had better survival rates and were less likely to have their tumors come back after 10 years than those who did not take GLP-1.
Previous studies have shown that breast cancer patients who lost weight through treatment or surgery had improved heart health and longevity. Therefore, it makes sense that weight loss through the use of GLP-1 could lead to better outcomes for breast cancer patients, the researchers said.
“If we can find ways to reduce the risk of cancer in people who have (greater) risk factors, that’s key to what we want to do in cancer prevention,” Fumeler said.
The “Ice Ice Baby” rapper has no qualms about performing at the Great American State Fair, a Freedom 250 event created by President Trump. “I’d like to play for anyone, even President Putin.”
These music stars pull out of President Trump’s Freedom 250 concert
Several artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair, organized by President Donald Trump’s nonprofit organization Freedom 250, have pulled out of the event.
If you don’t mind paying for it, I recommend vanilla ice cream.
The rapper, who was one of the remaining artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair, said he was scheduled to perform at the event for President Donald Trump’s nonprofit Freedom 250 and had no hesitations about it.
For me it’s as simple as a pimple. It’s nothing. “Today is America’s birthday,” he told CBS News in an interview published on Monday, June 1. “It has nothing to do with politics. I don’t understand why they would bring it into politics.”
The “Ice Ice Baby” rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, said he would “go and play for anyone,” including Russian President Vladimir, “President Putin. Anyone. If you want, I’ll go to Iran. It doesn’t matter.”
Almost every Great American State Fair Artists including Bret Michaels leave
The comments come after most of the artists scheduled for the June 25-July 10 event withdrew, including The Commodores and Martina McBride, who suggested they were led to believe the event was “nonpartisan,” and Bret Michaels, who said he had received “completely unfounded and inexcusable” threats about appearing on the lineup.
Freedom 250 is “dedicated to uniting Americans in commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida were among the artists who remained. White House officials said President Trump indicated he would give a speech at the trade show instead, following his resignation. His headline speech is scheduled for June 24th.
As stars disdain concerts, President Trump says he will headline Freedom 250 event
Vanilla Ice said he understands artists pulling back “for fear” of backlash or the event being too political, but he doesn’t care whether the event is partisan or not. “When we do an event, we never ask about the event,” he said.
The rapper, who admitted he’s “never voted in my life,” said art “should never get involved” in politics, adding, “You should do whatever you want to do.
“You can’t choose your fans. They choose you,” the rapper continued. “You’re just an entertainer. Never think you’re anything more than that.”
According to the official Freedom 250 website, the Great American State Fair will transform the National Mall in Washington, D.C., into “the nation’s largest and most daring state fair” in celebration of the United States’ 500th anniversary, or 250th anniversary. In addition to a Ferris wheel and carousel, attractions include a rodeo and livestock competitions.
Contributors: Zachary Schermele and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
Gold and Bitcoin are two of the most popular alternative investments, but they are attractive to investors for very different reasons. While gold has a centuries-old history as a store of value, Bitcoin offers a newer, technology-driven approach to preserving and growing wealth.
When choosing between the two, it’s important to understand how they differ in areas such as volatility, scarcity, inflation protection, liquidity, and long-term performance. Here’s how to compare gold and Bitcoin and decide which one is right for your portfolio.
Are you ready to buy gold? Best Gold Dealers for Your Investment in 2026
Gold is a physical asset. Bitcoin is digital
“Gold is a tangible, rare metal with 5,000 years of financial reliability,” explains Henry Yoshida, a certified financial planner and co-founder of Dallas-based fintech company Rocket Dollar. Its value is independent of whether governments, banks, and companies fulfill their promises.
In contrast, Bitcoin exists entirely in digital form. It runs on a decentralized blockchain network, and its value depends primarily on investor demand, adoption, and trust in the technology. Bitcoin’s supply is limited by design, but its short track record means investors need to have more faith in the network’s continued growth and acceptance.
Gold has a long track record. Bitcoin is relatively new
Gold has served as a store of value for thousands of years, giving investors a long history of assessing how it performs during times of inflation, market turmoil, and economic uncertainty. “Gold’s thousands of years of track record means we know how it behaves through wars, currency collapses, and inflation cycles,” Yoshida says. “Bitcoin has only experienced one Fed tightening cycle and zero true global recessions.”
This difference in history creates trade-offs for investors. While gold’s long history may make it easier to evaluate it as a defensive asset, Bitcoin’s short history leaves more uncertainty about how it will perform in the broader economic environment.
At the same time, new assets offer greater growth potential if adoption continues to expand. Alexander S. Bloom, CEO of Two Prime, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, said investments like Bitcoin “may be difficult to attract large-scale adoption, but they also offer even greater benefits if successful.”
Bitcoin is generally more volatile than gold
Bitcoin has historically experienced much greater price fluctuations than gold. “Bitcoin’s annual volatility is about 70% to 80%, which is about four times gold’s 15% to 20%,” Yoshida points out.
This volatility creates both opportunity and risk. Large price movements can lead to large profits in a bull market, but they can also lead to large losses in a short period of time. Gold tends to move more slowly, and many investors find it easier to hold onto gold during times of market stress.
Volatility is not automatically negative, Blume said. Investors can manage risk by keeping volatile assets a small portion of their portfolio, and investors with a long-term horizon may be able to weather market fluctuations. However, retirees and investors who may need to access their money in the near future should be wary of investing too much in Bitcoin.
Compare even more options. Is Silver or Bitcoin the Right Choice for You?
Gold is widely accepted as a safe-haven asset
Gold has long been considered a safe investment, with investors often turning to it during times of economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and inflation concerns. “Gold has achieved its status as a safe-haven asset because central banks hold it in reserves, there are no issuers that can default, and historically gold appreciates when confidence in paper money declines,” Yoshida says. He cited the recent rise in gold prices to more than $5,400 this year amid tensions in the Middle East as a recent example.
Unlike stocks and bonds, gold is not tied to a company’s profits or a government’s ability to service its debt. Its independence has allowed it to maintain its reputation as a store of value during times of market downturn and financial stress.
Blume describes gold as “hard money.” This means that its supply is naturally limited. “Hard money assets tend to do well in times of inflation and uncertainty because people trust them and seek security,” he said.
Bitcoin offers potential for growth as it gains adoption
Like gold, Bitcoin is in limited supply and is often seen as a hedge against currency depreciation. In fact, some investors refer to Bitcoin as “digital gold” because there are only 21 million Bitcoins in existence. The key difference is that Bitcoin’s value is highly dependent on its continued adoption by investors, institutions, and governments.
Every time a new exchange-traded fund (ETF), government, or company buys Bitcoin, it adds demand to a supply that cannot grow. At its best, this dynamic helped drive triple-digit profits. As Yoshida says, “Gold won’t go 10x from here, but it won’t go to zero even if hiring stagnates.”
The potential for huge profits is one of Bitcoin’s biggest attractions, but it also brings additional risks. Unlike gold, which derives some of its value from its long history as a store of value, the investment case for Bitcoin relies heavily on continued trust and adoption in the network.
Brian Kuderna, a certified financial planner and founder of the Kuderna Financial Team, warns that the price of Bitcoin can also be influenced by factors that have little to do with fundamentals. Social media trends, investor sentiment, and politicians publicly supporting or criticizing cryptocurrencies can all contribute to sharp price swings, making Bitcoin’s path to widespread adoption more bumpy than it appears on paper.
Gold and Bitcoin supply dynamics are different
Scarcity helps support the value of both gold and Bitcoin, but their supply mechanisms are very different.
“The supply of gold increases by about 1.5% to 2% every year due to mining,” Yoshida says. This growth is slow enough to maintain gold’s purchasing power over time while meeting demand from investors, central banks, jewelers, and industrial users.
In contrast, Bitcoin’s supply is fixed. The network is programmed to never exceed 21 million Bitcoins. Unlike gold, whose supply can gradually increase as more metal is mined, Bitcoin’s supply cannot expand in response to increased demand.
For supporters, its fixed cap is one of Bitcoin’s most attractive features. They argue that Bitcoin’s limited supply makes it resistant to currency depreciation, making it potentially valuable as a long-term inflation hedge. Critics counter that scarcity alone does not guarantee value if investor demand weakens.
Compare even more options. Is it better to invest in silver or gold in 2026?
Inflation hedging: Gold is proven. Bitcoin is being discussed
Many investors buy both gold and Bitcoin because they believe that assets with limited supply can help protect purchasing power when inflation erodes the value of cash. The difference is that gold has a much longer track record.
“Gold has maintained its purchasing power through major inflation episodes of the last century, but Bitcoin’s inflation hedging theory is still under stress testing,” Yoshida observes. “Bitcoin was sold off during a spike in inflation in 2022, and has fallen in 2026 even as the CPI (Consumer Price Index, a key inflation indicator) is soaring.”
That doesn’t necessarily invalidate Bitcoin’s inflation hedge argument. Proponents argue that Bitcoin should be valued over the long term and that its fixed supply may be more important than short-term market sentiment.
Bloom takes that view, noting that Bitcoin has outperformed inflation for several years. The challenge is that investors need to tolerate significant volatility along the way. Those with shorter time horizons or lower risk tolerance may feel uncomfortable holding onto Bitcoin through the sharp drawdowns that often accompany long-term gains.
Liquidity and accessibility
Gold and Bitcoin are both relatively liquid assets, so they can usually be bought and sold without much difficulty. However, the ownership experience is very different.
Gold is traded through dealers, banks and exchanges around the world, primarily during market hours. Bitcoin trades 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so investors can buy, sell, and transfer their Bitcoin virtually any time. As Yoshida points out, Bitcoin can be sent around the world in minutes from your smartphone.
The trade-off occurs after the purchase. Physical gold requires safe storage and often requires insurance to protect against theft or loss. Bitcoin eliminates those costs, but it also introduces risks of its own. Investors who store their own cryptocurrencies must protect their private keys and account credentials, as forgetting a password or losing a key can permanently cut off access to your holdings.
For some investors, Bitcoin’s 24-hour accessibility is a big advantage. Others prefer the simplicity and tangibility of owning a physical asset they can hold in their hands.
Which is better: gold or Bitcoin?
There’s no winner between the two, and most financial planners will tell you that the better question is how much of each to own. Yoshida recommends placing 5% to 10% of your portfolio in gold, and says that when it comes to Bitcoin, “a 1% to 3% allocation can make a big difference in portfolio returns.”
Consider Gold if…
Consider Bitcoin if…
Consider both if…
Prioritizing capital preservation over growth
Have a long-term perspective and don’t need money right away
You need a portfolio anchor with a bet on growth
Are you near or near retirement?
More than 50% stomach drop possible without selling
Diversified across different investment types
You want to hedge around economic factors, not headlines.
Want exposure to mature investments with greater upside potential
I would like to have a basic allocation in gold and a small speculative position in Bitcoin.
conclusion
Gold and Bitcoin can both play a role in a diversified portfolio, but for different purposes. Gold has a long history as a store of value, has a reputation as a safe asset, and generally has low volatility. Bitcoin has greater growth potential, but is riskier and has a shorter track record.
For many investors, the choice is not necessarily one or the other. Gold and Bitcoin often react differently to economic and market conditions, so owning both can help diversify your portfolio. Investors can gain exposure through the purchase of physical gold (such as coins and bars), cryptocurrencies, or through ETFs that provide access to one or both assets.
Consider your time horizon, risk tolerance, and overall financial goals before investing. If you’re not sure how either asset fits into your portfolio, start with a small position and reconsider with your financial advisor as your goals change.
About the editor
Roxanne Downer is an editor and writer with nearly 20 years of experience covering personal finance, consumer services, and investing. She specializes in translating complex topics and thoroughly dissecting industry terminology and sales tactics to provide readers with clear, trustworthy guidance they can use, whether it’s comparing providers, managing debt, or considering new investment strategies.
Read full biography
FAQ
Is Bitcoin better than gold?
it depends. If you want stable, long-term protection for your money, gold makes more sense. Bitcoin has the potential for greater profits, but larger price fluctuations are expected.
Is gold safer than Bitcoin?
For most investors, gold is safer. It has a centuries-old history as a store of value and does not rely on technology to maintain its value. Although Bitcoin has become increasingly mainstream in recent years, it has yet to survive every economic cycle.
Can Bitcoin replace gold?
So far, most investors and analysts are saying no. Gold’s 5,000-year history and central bank support give it a kind of staying power that Bitcoin has not yet built.
Which is a better hedge against inflation?
Gold has long been valued as a reliable inflation hedge. Although Bitcoin has survived most major periods of inflation in the last century, Bitcoin has only survived one.
Should I invest in gold or Bitcoin?
It depends on the type of investor. Many hold both gold as a source of stability and Bitcoin as a smaller growth position.
Can I invest in both gold and Bitcoin?
yes. Many investors use gold as a more stable store of value and Bitcoin as a riskier growth asset. The two assets often react differently to market conditions, so owning both can provide diversification benefits.
President Trump’s anti-weaponization fund faced growing political challenges
The rare criticism from Republican lawmakers adds two legal challenges to the political and legal storm surrounding President Trump’s $1.8 billion IRS settlement.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a June 2 Congressional hearing that the Justice Department will not move forward with President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” that could provide funding to people convicted of assaulting police during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Justice Department said in a June 1 statement that it would comply with a judge’s ruling that ordered the funds to be suspended ahead of a June 12 court hearing. But he did not respond to follow-up questions ahead of Mr. Blanche’s testimony about whether he was permanently abandoning the $1.776 billion effort.
The fund has sparked widespread anger and a standoff between the White House and Congress, as Senate Republicans have refused in recent days to move forward with an immigration enforcement spending bill until the fund is limited or eliminated.
Following the Justice Department’s June 1 statement on suspending the fund, some Republican senators said they wanted a clearer message that the Trump administration was done pursuing the fund.
“We are not moving forward with plans for the fund,” Blanche said in testimony to Congress.
Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) told Mr. Branch that she expected a written statement from the Justice Department that it would not proceed with administering the fund, even after the June 12 court hearing.
“So I think what I say here will be recorded, so it will be in writing,” Blanche said.
Nevertheless, the acting attorney general left open the possibility that the Justice Department will fight any legal challenges brought in court against the fund.
“Despite what we’re doing in these cases, defending our rights and making sure our rights are protected, we’re not going to proceed with the operation of the fund,” he said.
How was the Anti-Weaponization Fund born?
The Department of Justice announced the creation of the fund as part of a settlement of a $10 billion lawsuit brought by President Trump and his two eldest sons against the IRS for failing to protect their tax returns. The contractor leaked tax return information from 2019 to 2020, along with that of hundreds of thousands of other taxpayers.
Later, Justice Department lawyers and lawyers for Trump and his two sons settled the case, agreeing for the government to establish a fund and relieve the family of any previous tax liability.
The New York Times reported in 2020 that President Trump is engaged in a decade-long audit battle with the IRS over his $72.9 million tax refund claim. Losing the battle could cost the company more than $100 million, according to the Times.
Blanche said in a subsequent hearing that the Justice Department was not waiving the tax portion of the settlement.
“Nothing has changed since then,” Blanche said.
“As with all IRS settlements with individual taxpayers and other businesses, it is standard and typical to exclude past ongoing audits as part of the settlement,” he added.
The agreement raised widespread ethical concerns. Government watchdogs argued that it was inappropriate for a Justice Department lawyer, presumably under the president’s control, to enter into such a contract with the president’s personal lawyer without judicial oversight.
Dozens of former federal judges have asked the Miami federal judge who closed Trump’s case against the IRS to reopen the case. They said the government had been fighting “nearly identical claims” filed against the IRS by others and said the disparate treatment of Trump showed the settlement was unethical.
While the justices consider what to do next, he asked Trump to respond by June 12 to allegations that he improperly colluded with the Justice Department.
(This article has been updated with additional information.)
World leaders are particularly concerned about the prospect of droughts, heavy rains and heat waves that are expected to occur unevenly around the world.
Can scientists still really trust El Niño forecasts?
Scientists have warned that while El Niño reduces the likelihood of hurricanes, storms can still form because the ocean stores excess heat.
On June 2nd, a new warning was issued regarding the impending El Niño weather pattern.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations’ meteorological agency, has announced that there is an 80% chance of an El Niño phenomenon starting this summer.
The prospect of a strong El Niño event is raising concerns that long-term climate warming will be compounded by even more heat, including ocean heatwaves. Forecasts are on high alert around the world as this pattern has a major impact on global weather, and a strong event could have ripple effects for months to come.
The WMO said the El Niño phenomenon, driven by unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean, is beginning to affect global temperatures and rainfall patterns.
What does El Niño mean for the weather?: Here’s what you need to know
After this summer, there is a nearly 90% chance that El Niño will continue through at least November. WMO said in a statement that while uncertainty remains about the strength and timing of El Niño’s peak, most forecast models suggest that El Niño will be at least moderate and possibly strong.
El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean are above average. Natural climate patterns influence weather around the world.
“The science is clear: El Niño has a 90% chance of arriving on our doorstep in the coming months,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video statement. “The world must treat this as an urgent climate warning: El Niño will add fuel to the fire of a warming world.
“The impact will be even more intense, it will travel further and it will cross borders with devastating speed,” he said.
What happened today? This breaking news roundup makes a long story short.
Prepare for a “strong” El Niño
Scientists say this could be a very strong El Niño, potentially a “super” El Niño, but this is not the official term used by the WMO or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event, which will exacerbate droughts and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heat waves both on land and in the oceans,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Sauro said in a statement. “The recent El Niño event of 2023-2024 was one of the fifth strongest on record and contributed to record global temperatures observed in 2024.”
WMO says El Niño is typically associated with increased rainfall in southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa and parts of central Asia, and drought in Australia, Indonesia and parts of South Asia.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a natural climate pattern in which surface ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than average.
The name means little boy or Christ child in Spanish. El Niño was originally recognized by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s when unusually warm water appeared in the Pacific Ocean around Christmas.
The entire natural climate cycle is officially known as El Niño (Southern Oscillation), and scientists refer to it as ENSO. This cycle moves back and forth between warm and cold ocean water in areas along the equator of the tropical Pacific Ocean. La Niña is characterized by lower than average seawater levels in the region.
How warm is the water temperature?
In the El Niño region along the equator in western South America, sea surface temperatures have recently been rising rapidly. In the El Niño region, sea surface temperatures are moving westward at near-record levels, a clear sign that El Niño is beginning.
El Niño outbreak ‘progressing smoothly’
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the formation of circulation patterns is already “clearly well underway.” The atmosphere and ocean are working together and appear to be consistent with model predictions of “a significant El Niño by midsummer,” Swain said in a recent update on WeatherWest’s website.
NOAA’s latest forecast predicts that El Niño will likely occur in June or July. The agency’s next update on weather patterns is expected to be released on June 11.
Seasonal Forecast Outlook predicts that El Niño could lead to a busier-than-normal hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean and a slightly less-than-normal season in the Atlantic Basin.
good morning! I’m Daniel de Visé from Daily Money.
Have you ever gone on a trip and wished you could do it all over again later? Maybe you crammed too much into one week, or you took so much on the trip that you almost slept on the bus. (We did it once.)
Are you disappointed? As Kathleen Wong reports, travelers are experiencing a few things.
When food is too delicious to eat
Betty Lin-Fisher tells a story about an app called Too Good to Go. It started in Europe and is available in 62 cities in the United States. Through the service, supermarkets and restaurants can offer “surprise bags” filled with food at more than 50% off the retail price.
Prepare for new student loan rules
Medora Lee reports that federal student loans are undergoing an overhaul. The changes will take effect on July 1st, so borrowers should start preparing now.
📰 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.
Some online users shared their reactions to jokes told about George Floyd and Charlie Kirk on Netflix’s “The Roast of Kevin Hart.”
The Minnesota Republican Party distanced itself from observing a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin during its state convention, saying the act was not part of its leadership plan, was not part of its official program and should not be construed as a party position.
Republican officials said in a Facebook post on Monday, June 1, that the recognition of the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd in 2020 came from a spontaneous delegate motion at the convention floor and was not initiated or approved by leadership.
The controversy quickly escalated after state leaders, civil rights lawyers and Democratic lawmakers condemned the action, saying it was deeply harmful to Floyd’s family and inconsistent with accountability under the law.
The moment of silence was held May 30 at the party’s annual convention in Duluth, days after the sixth anniversary of Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis, which reshaped the national conversation about police and racial justice.
More news: Supreme Court rejects Derek Chauvin’s appeal to reconsider George Floyd’s murder conviction
Minnesota Republican says gesture is not leadership behavior
The Minnesota Republican Party said in a statement that Derek Chauvin’s confirmation stemmed from a delegate request during floor proceedings at the Duluth convention and was handled according to standard rules of order.
Party officials stressed that the convention leadership, including Speaker Danny Nadeau, had not proposed the motion. The statement said the leadership’s role was only procedural and presiding over a motion does not reflect agreement or support for its subject matter.
Officials reiterated that the convention agenda itself did not include Chauvin’s planned confirmation and said the episode should not be interpreted as a leadership-driven decision or policy stance.
More news: Kevin Hart addresses backlash over Tony Hinchcliffe’s George Floyd joke
Minnesota Attorney General denounces attack as ‘grave brutality’
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution of Chauvin, harshly criticized the action, calling it a “profound brutality” against the Floyd family.
Ellison said the timing of the attack so close to the anniversary of Floyd’s death made it even more damaging.
He said honoring Chauvin “sullies the memory of George Floyd and re-harms his loved ones,” and called it “disturbing” to recognize someone who was convicted of violating his oath as a police officer.
Ellison also called the action “disrespectful” to law enforcement officers who honorably perform their duties, and reiterated that courts have already upheld Chauvin’s conviction through multiple appeals.
Widespread backlash and political fallout
Democratic state Rep. Jamie Long called the moment of silence “disgusting” and argued that Republicans chose to honor a convicted murderer rather than a victim of violence or a military member.
The gesture also drew criticism from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represented George Floyd’s family in civil litigation following his death. Lawyers called the moment of silence immoral and disrespected both Floyd’s family and the extensive public record surrounding Chauvin’s conviction, and called for a retraction and apology.
Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer, knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 and a half years in state prison.
The killing sparked global protests and was a defining moment in the Black Lives Matter movement and debate over police enforcement in the United States.
Chauvin’s conviction has been upheld by multiple appeals, including a 2023 dismissal by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is currently serving his sentence in federal custody.
Despite the controversy, party officials said they were focused on supporting candidates and the upcoming election, rather than the actions on the floor that sparked the backlash.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT..
Video: Raising Cane’s Grand Opening in Ocala on March 3, 2026
Raising Cane’s will hold its grand opening in Ocala on March 3, 2026. The store is located at 2410 SW College Road.
In June, the company confirmed that Raising Cane’s would add 12 stores to its group of chicken finger restaurants, including a flagship location in Southern California.
Locations will be located in Illinois, Maryland, and Texas, as well as new markets such as Pensacola, Florida, and Lynnwood, Washington.
“A standout opening in June is the unveiling of our flagship restaurant in Inglewood,” the company said in an email to USA TODAY on Monday, June 1.
The Inglewood store is located about six minutes from SoFi Stadium, which will host World Cup games starting June 11. The Intuit Dome, the home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers, is also nearby, according to the Raising Canes.
Recent job openings: Raising Cane’s is opening two new stores in Florida.
“Designed to attract attention, the restaurant draws inspiration from the innovations of the surrounding landmarks and features a striking multi-level layout, glass exterior, distinctive aluminum halo and LED screens that will captivate locals and visitors alike,” the company said.
The company currently has more than 950 stores across the United States, with most stores concentrated in Texas and California.
Here’s what you need to know about Raising Cane’s new location.
Where will the new restaurant open?
In addition to opening 12 new Raising Cane locations, the restaurant chain is also hosting two reopenings. One will be held June 15th in St. Norman, Oklahoma, and the other will be held June 29th in Lexington, Kentucky.
Raising Cane’s said the restaurant, which is set to reopen, has been “completely renovated” with “updated signage and bright colors and design elements inspired by local schools and universities.”
“The indoor dining area features new tables, chairs and lighting, as well as community-focused décor that reflects the spirit of the area,” the company said in a June 2 statement.
Raising Cane’s is still working out the details As for opening dates for the Inglewood and Santa Monica locations, the fast food chain said it plans to open other locations as well. From June 2nd to June 29th.
A complete list of June Raising Cane jobs can be found below.
Illinois – 151 E. Townline Road, Vernon Hills (opens June 2)
Maryland – 10231 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills (opens June 3)
California – 7595 Broadway, Lemon Grove (opening June 8th)
California – 4246 E. Ontario Ranch Road, Ontario (opens June 15)
Florida – 5110 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola (opening June 16)
California – 146 S. Palm Ave., Alhambra (opening June 22)
Washington – 1232 164th St. SW, Lynnwood (opens June 23)
California – 1008 Broxton Avenue, Los Angeles (opens June 29)
Florida – 1200 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee (opening June 29)
Texas – 12901 N. Interstate Highway 35, Bldg. Austin 21 (opens June 29)
California – 3895 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood (date TBA)
California – 1401 3rd St., Santa Monica (date TBA)
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
What is “Boy Kibble”? Listen to what social media has to say.
Boy kibble is a simple, protein-rich meal that has been suggested on social media to be similar to what dogs find appetizing.
In February, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared an end to the “protein wars.” Around the same time, major food companies like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Dunkin’ began incorporating protein into their products, from cold foam to ice cream coolants.
However, due to increased demand for protein, the industry is currently facing shortages and rising prices for whey protein, a milk protein often used as a powdered supplement, forcing brands to rework recipes and reconsider retail prices.
A “best-selling” whey protein tab that normally costs $36 on Amazon reached $57 last month, with small businesses posting on social media that soaring raw material prices have strained production or halted it altogether.
Some food science experts say there is no real war over protein now, and that there never was one to begin with. In fact, protein consumption in the United States is at an all-time high, and many Americans already consume more protein than they need. So, is a lack of whey protein a problem?
The answer is not that simple.
According to registered dietitian Michelle Pirpich, whey protein powder can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, and other foods, making it an easy way to increase your protein intake. However, you can get your protein intake without using fancy products by eating plenty of protein-rich whole foods like meat, eggs, dairy products, edamame, and tofu.
What is whey protein?
Whey protein is obtained from the watery part of milk, which is separated from the curd when making cheese. According to WebMD, it can be used as a dietary supplement to improve athletic performance and increase muscle strength. Some studies have shown that it can be used for immune health and conditions such as asthma.
Whey protein is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids.
Manufacturing the powder involves several steps, including testing and pasteurizing the milk, separating the curds and whey, draining and pasteurizing the liquid whey, and sending it to a processing facility for further liquid removal by evaporation and spray drying. By the end of the process, the whey is reduced to a fine powder that can be flavored or sweetened before being packaged and sold.
Pirpich says that despite being a milk protein, whey protein is a safe supplement for people with lactose intolerance. Lactose is the sugar found in dairy products, and whey is only protein. However, she recommends that people who are extremely sensitive to lactose should look for “whey isolate,” adding that vegans and people with milk allergies should avoid it completely.
Protein is the latest trend, but “more doesn’t necessarily mean better.”
Protein additives are used everywhere: in coffee, lunch, and even Dunkin’ refreshments. “This is our latest obsession with macronutrients,” Amy Bentley, a historian and professor of food studies at New York University, told USA TODAY in February. “Sometimes it’s fiber, sometimes it’s vitamins, and now it’s protein.”
“Proteinmaxxing” is a new trend, with TikTokers sharing “what I ate in a day” videos that consume as much as 186 grams of protein. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult weighing 165 pounds should eat 60 grams of protein per day (0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight), but daily dietary recommendations also vary by gender, age, and activity level.
But, says Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine expert at New York University Langone, “more is not always better.” Jaisinghani warns that excess protein can accelerate the decline in kidney function in people with diseases such as chronic kidney disease.
And with nearly one in five U.S. adults reporting current or past GLP-1 drug use, the food and diet landscape is already changing. Reduced protein intake due to decreased appetite can negatively impact muscle health in GLP-1 users, leading to decreased bone density, increased risk of osteoporosis, and pelvic floor dysfunction. People taking GLP-1 may benefit from supplementing their diet with protein.
But the demand for more protein requires increased supply, and manufacturers are struggling to keep up.
How to increase your protein intake without supplements
On TikTok, some creators are encouraging people to “stock up on protein powder” as a shortage looms. It’s a popular supplement among “gym broth” and other fitness influencers.
Our bodies need protein. But if whey protein isn’t available or the cost is beyond your budget, natural protein sources such as whole foods are your best bet for a protein-rich diet.
According to Harvard Health, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, lean meats like chicken and turkey, fish, dairy products like milk and yogurt, and soybean products like tofu are all good sources of protein.
Many of these choices are high in protein and low in unhealthy saturated fats, such as choosing chicken breast over red meat.
Eating more red meat and saturated fat can lead to a variety of health complications, including an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
Fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in protein and contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have a positive impact on heart health.
Pirpich says some of these foods seem to have specific parts associated with them, such as eating two eggs “because of the amount.”
“But it’s perfectly fine to eat more; you’ll feel fuller and more satisfied if you do,” she says.
You may be looking for a safe used car for your newly licensed teenage driver this summer. If so, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports can help.
The organization recently released a list of 29 used cars and SUVs that typically cost less than $20,000, perform well in crash tests, and have highly rated headlights and automatic emergency braking systems that can detect pedestrians.
“Driving poses additional risks for teens, which is why we curate this annual list specifically for teens,” IIHS senior researcher Rebecca West said in a statement. “That said, this proposition is suitable for drivers of all ages looking for a balance between affordability and crash protection and avoidance.”
“A first car is a big milestone for a teenager,” Emily Thomas, Consumer Reports’ associate director of auto safety, said in a statement. “Whether you’re buying a car or deciding which car your family should start driving, these lists can help parents make confident choices without sacrificing safety.”
The USA TODAY Cars team has researched the group’s listings and compiled information for consumers on featured models.
1. Mazda 3 Hatchback
Recommended model year: 2019-2025
Median used price: $13,200
What they said: In its review of the 2019 Mazda 3 Hatchback, Car and Driver said, “The fully loaded AWD hatchback (priced at $31,335) weighs just 117 pounds more than a similarly equipped front-drive 3 sedan. The extra weight accelerates slightly 0.2 seconds slower, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds and 60 mph time of 15.6 seconds.” A quarter mile. ”
2. Mazda 3 sedan
Recommended model year: 2019-2023
Median used price: $13,600
What they said: In his review, Edmunds said, “The 2023 Mazda3’s strengths don’t show up on the spec sheet. Practicality, fuel economy, and driveability, for example, are all average. But the 3’s unique style and refinement make it more fun to drive and own than most other small sedans, making it a great value premium sedan.”
3. Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid
Recommended model year: 2019-2023
Median used price: $13,600
What they said: In its review, Kelley Blue Book says, “The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a practical plug-in hybrid that’s adventure-ready. It’s light-footed in corners and has a smooth ride. All-electric range is modest, but the hybrid’s feature-rich cabin and standard all-wheel drive make it well-suited for a variety of needs.”
4. Nissan Maxima
Recommended model year: 2020-2023
Median used price: $15,200
What they said: MotorTrend said in its review, “There’s a lot to like about the Nissan Maxima. The interior is modern and high-quality, the adaptive cruise control is great for road trips, and the standard V6 engine is smooth and powerful. IIHS 2020 Top Safety Pick+ designation means the Maxima is very safe. Gas mileage is also decent, but buyers of full-size sedans with lower MPGs or higher may be better served by the Avalon Hybrid.”
5. Subaru Legacy
Recommended model year: 2020-2025
Median used price: $16,500
What they said: In its review, MotorTrend said, “The 2024 Subaru Legacy is a comfortable and thoroughly capable midsize sedan, with plenty of space in the large trunk and standard all-wheel drive. But the non-turbocharged Legacy model lacks distinctive character and lacks oomph, and its infotainment system isn’t the quickest or easiest to use either.”
6. Nissan Altima
Recommended model year: 2021-2024
Median used price: $17,000
What they said: In its review, Car and Driver said, “Embrace the Altima as a capable family sedan that’s been around for 30 years, and enjoy a relaxed, laid-back driving experience.”
7. Toyota Camry
Recommended model year: 2019-2025
Median used price: $17,300
What they said: “An automotive staple for nearly 40 years, the Toyota Camry needs little introduction,” MotorTrend said in its review. “Even as consumer tastes shift towards crossovers, this family sedan continues to sell in large numbers.”
8. Become K5
Recommended model year: 2021-2024, built after November 2020
Median used price: $17,500
What they said: “The 2023 Kia K5 has a style and substance that sets it apart from other midsize family sedans,” Edmunds said in his review. “Thanks to its excellent suspension and extremely quiet cabin, it’s incredibly easy to drive and comfortable on long trips.”
9. Subaru Outback
Recommended model year: 2020-2025, built after October 2019
Median used price: $18,700
What they said: Kelley Blue Book said in its review, “All the qualities that contribute to the Outback’s popularity are still here: standard all-wheel drive, high resale value, safety, space, practicality and attractive pricing. And since no one buys a Subaru just for looks, the 2023 mid-generation improvements shouldn’t drive potential customers elsewhere.”
10. Hyundai Ioniq 6
Recommended model year: 2023-2025
Median used price: $19,400
What they said: Car and Driver said in its review, “The Ioniq 6 offers much more range and performance than you’d expect from an affordable EV sedan, and its design makes it even more appealing.”
11. Genesis G80
Recommended model year: 2019-2020
Median used price: $19,700
What they said: MotorTrend said in its review, “What Hyundai introduced in 2009 as the Genesis has evolved into the G80, a comfortable tweener car from the Genesis brand that sits above the 2019 Car of the Year winner the Genesis G70 and below the larger and more expensive Genesis G90.”
These music stars pull out of President Trump’s Freedom 250 concert
Several artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair, organized by President Donald Trump’s nonprofit organization Freedom 250, have pulled out of the event.
Two separate groups are planning celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary this year. So far, neither has been completely well-received.
The America250 and Freedom 250 groups have organized their own series of events and initiatives throughout the year in connection with the nation’s sesquicentennial.
Although both organizations are rooted in marking milestones, they are different because they are run by different people.
America 250 is a bipartisan commission run by Congress, and Freedom 250 is a quasi-governmental organization founded by President Donald Trump.
America250 and Freedom 250 are the two main groups planning this birthday, but they’re not the only ones. Other hyperlocal organizations also celebrate the event across the country.
So who is doing what? Here’s the breakdown.
What is the difference between America 250 and Freedom 250?
America250 was established by Congress in 2016.
According to the law, the American Semicentennial Commission is to “plan, encourage, develop and coordinate” commemorations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The commission is supported by the nonprofit America250.org, Inc., which includes private citizens, and works with lawmakers throughout the plan, according to its website.
Alternatively, Freedom 250 is run by the Trump administration.
In January 2025, the president established Task Force 250, a group of Cabinet members to plan events other than those run by the official America 250 Committee. Freedom 250 is a division of Task Force 250, a “public-private partnership,” according to the White House.
After President Trump announced the launch of Freedom 250 in December 2025, America 250 Board President Rosie Rios told USA TODAY that the group supports the president’s plan.
What kind of events are America250 and Freedom 250 planning?
Highlights of America250’s planned projects include field trip competitions for students, philanthropy, and record-setting volunteer efforts. Additionally, the group plans to bury a time capsule that will be opened on America’s 500th anniversary in 2276.
To find a local event near you, check out the America250 website.
As part of the president’s plan, Freedom 250 is organizing UFC matches on the White House lawn and athletic competitions for high school students. Last month, he also held a prayer event called “Rededicate 250” on the National Mall.
President Trump’s “Freedom 250,” a 16-day concert event planned, has also been the focus of criticism from several artists who were scheduled to perform but have since withdrawn.
What happened to the Freedom 250 at the Great American State Fair?
After the performer lineup for the 16-day Great American State Fair was announced on May 27, a number of artists dropped out of the event, some citing confusion over the event’s perceived political support and the content of their applications.
Country musician Martina McBride wrote to X that she was misled into thinking she would be performing at a “nonpartisan event.”
“I have had the opportunity to be a voice for those who felt they had no voice. I am deeply upset that my fans, who have been touched by my music, feel like I am abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you that is not the case,” she wrote.
Bret Michaels said his exit was due to the “divisive” nature of the event.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something far more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,” he wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
In response, President Trump announced on May 30 that he would be the show’s new headliner.
In a post on Truth Social, he criticized the musicians and said he would organize what he called an “America Is Back Rally” in their place.
More controversy regarding the Freedom 250
Apart from the concert, Freedom 250 itself has been at the center of criticism over funding transparency and religious expression.
The New York Times reported in February that Freedom 250 was suspected of trading access to President Trump for donations, sparking concerns among Congressional Democrats.
Some historians and religious experts have also raised alarm over the Trump administration’s almost exclusive emphasis on Christianity through several Freedom 250 initiatives, including prayer meetings.
Freedom 250 spokeswoman Rachel Reissner said in a May 28 statement to USA TODAY that the organization is “dedicated to uniting Americans in commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
“Freedom 250 focuses on our signature celebrations and events that celebrate our history and engage all Americans, and we welcome all who share our goal of commemorating this milestone in a way that uplifts and unites America,” added Reisner.
Contributors: Saman Shafiq, Mike Snider, Karissa Waddick
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
The turmoil continues on 60 Minutes, with longtime correspondent Scott Pelley slamming CBS president Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton in a leaked exchange.
Anderson Cooper ends his appearance on “60 Minutes” after 20 years
Anderson Cooper is bidding farewell to CNN’s “60 Minutes” after 20 years as a correspondent. The journalist will remain at CNN as an anchor.
Scott Pelley, the increasingly outspoken “60 Minutes” correspondent, appears to have harsh words for his new boss at CBS.
During a staff meeting, the anchor reportedly accused the station’s editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, of “murdering” the news organization, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times and reported on Monday, June 1. Perry, who has been with the network for nearly 40 years and appeared on “60 Minutes” for more than 20 years, also wooed newly hired executive producer Nick Bilton, digital news outlet and newsletter Status also reported based on leaked audio.
USA TODAY has reached out to CBS for comment.
The meeting also served as an introduction to Bilton, a former Times technology columnist and investigative journalist who was chosen to lead “60 Minutes” in late May, the outlet said.
In a tense exchange during a meeting in which the New York Times reported that Mr. Perry called Mr. Bilton’s qualifications “frivolous,” the broadcast journalist questioned Weiss’s commitment to the news program’s prosperity.
“60 Minutes” undergoes a major staff overhaul – who cut it out
Bilton’s career has also included investigative work for Vanity Fair and writing and producing documentaries, most of which exist in print. He has never worked in broadcast journalism or led a newsroom.
At one point, Mr. Bilton allegedly told staff that Mr. Weiss “loves this facility” and “loves ’60 Minutes,'” which apparently angered Mr. Perry.
“She’s trying to kill 60 Minutes,” Perry, 68, interjected, the outlet reported. “She doesn’t love this place. She was brought here to kill this place, and that’s exactly what she’s doing.”
Mr. Perry also questioned Mr. Bilton about recent mass layoffs at the network, known in the news industry as “Black Thursday,” which reportedly included longtime 60 Minutes executives such as executive producer Tanya Simon, editor-in-chief Dragan Mihailovic, and correspondents Sharin Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. In a public statement, Alfonsi and Vega said the firings were politically motivated.
Sharyn Alfonsi leaves “60 Minutes” They say it’s because of the CBS article controversy.
According to the paper, Perry continued: “She is not qualified for the job. You are hardly qualified for the job. The changes she has made at the Evening News have been devastating. So why should we expect things to get any better?”
Weiss, who is said to have not attended the meeting, made further changes to the network, including moving Tony Dokoupil, who co-hosted CBS Morning with Gayle King, to the CBS Evening News anchor chair on December 10. Dokoupil’s term began on January 3 following the departure of anchor Norah O’Donnell in 2024, but he remains far behind his competitors.
Mr. Bilton reportedly promised Perry that he would “demonstrate” his determination to make things better on “60 Minutes.”
“This is my plan for the next two weeks,” he said, according to the newspaper. “I’m going to meet everyone. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone, including you.”
The changes at CBS have drawn a lot of criticism inside and outside the news industry, including recently departed “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who recently stressed that the station is not a place where “partisans and ideologues should be employed.”
Tom Keene Jr. has not been seen at Capitol Hill since early March, telling close associates that he was dealing with medical issues.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., a Republican from New Jersey who is seeking re-election despite mysteriously disappearing from the Capitol for three months.
Trump said the congressman, the son of a former Republican governor of the Garden State, is “working tirelessly” despite losing more than 100 votes in the House since early March.
“He will never let you down!” the president wrote in a June 1 social media post.
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Mr. Keene is running for a third term in Congress and is campaigning unopposed in the Republican primary on June 2nd, but there is a competitive general election coming up in November. Long before the absentee controversy, last year’s bipartisan Cook Political Report flipped the general election outlook in Keene’s district from leaning Republican to flipping.
Let’s dig deeper into the report. Where the heck is this Republican?
Keene said he was dealing with medical issues with a good prognosis, but did not provide any details about his condition. He did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY.
Even Rep. Mike Johnson, who continues to support Mr. Keene, said the congressman had not told him exactly what was going on with Mr. Keene’s health.
“He has medical issues,” Johnson recently told reporters. “I don’t know the details either, but I have to respect that.”
Tracy DiFrancesco Zaikoff, a local Republican leader in Somerset County, New Jersey, told USA TODAY in a May 26 email that they spoke by phone earlier that week.
“I have confidence in Tom’s ability to move forward and jump into the campaign in the coming weeks,” she wrote. “While I am not familiar with his medical issues, I am confident he will share that information with everyone when he returns. In the meantime, his office continues to work tirelessly to assist his constituents.”
The congressman occasionally posted on his campaign and Congressional social media accounts during his disappearance. On May 29, he remotely introduced a bill to provide federal health coverage for preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
See what Uber’s Forgetfulness Index reveals about forgetful passengers
The most common items left behind with Uber are cell phones, wallets, bags, and keys. But riders forgot many more unique items last year.
Have you ever gotten out of an Uber and realized you left something in the car the second the driver took off? If so, you’re not alone.
The ride-sharing company released its annual Uber Lost & Found Index on Tuesday, June 2, detailing the most common and not-so-common things people leave behind in Uber.
The unique items people left in Ubers last year included dentures, breast milk, ankle monitors, 75-gallon fish tanks, brand new mini-fridges, oxygen tanks and more, according to the report. Other items include live fish, a cape featuring the Statue of Liberty, a mannequin, handcuffs, and a dishwasher.
Below is a complete list of what riders left behind.
Uber’s 2026 Lost and Found Index: See the full list of the most unique items left behind by passengers
dentures with two teeth
breast milk
human hair
Donny Osmond group photo
ankle monitor
420 donuts
George Washington Hospital discharge papers
bag with marbles
oxygen tank
gold mouse grills
brand new mini fridge
One pair of Louboutin red bottom heels
electrical harness
live fish
mannequin
two trees
Cape with the Statue of Liberty
$200 worth of Temu items
grass
Textured photo with rhinestone photo of Jesus
75 gallon aquarium
pool stick in case
fish loin for my restaurant
2 chrome exhaust tips
portable thermal printer
bald hat
dishwasher
Work respirator and helmet
wizard’s wand
welding helmet
2 pound blue raspberry gushers
shower pole
partial tooth pairs in tissue
toboggan
police radio
coffee table
Zayn Malik merchandise
handcuffs
2 wedding dresses
pelvic implant
20 pounds of duck sausage
live butterfly package
propane tank
double door oven
hunting waders
child’s prosthetic eye
black stethoscope
meat slicer
kitchen faucet
sleep apnea machine
See to believe: Guard dog boldly steals Uber Eats order from front door
More findings from Uber’s 2026 Lost and Found Index
According to Uber, the most common items left unsurprisingly are cell phones, wallets, bags, and keys, with passports, glasses, and laptops also on the list.
The company says the most “forgetful” cities include New York, Miami, Chicago and San Francisco, and Sunday is the day you’re most likely to leave something behind in your car.
Looking back at what people forgot in the past 10 years
This is Uber’s 10th year releasing this report, so the company looked back at some of the most unique items left behind by passengers since 2016. A live lobster, a salmon head, a lanyard with the words ‘Virgin Rock’ written on it, a large painting of Kate Middleton and divorce papers all made the list.
Uber rolls out “improved lost item experience” in app
Uber said in the report that it has introduced an improved way to retrieve your belongings “with just a few taps” within the app.
According to the company, here’s how it works:
Open the Uber app and tap Activities in the icon menu at the bottom.
Scroll down to “Find a Lost Item” in the Help section and report a lost item.
Once the driver confirms that the item is in the vehicle, you will receive a notification.
Select ‘Request round-trip trip’ with original driver.
Enter the address of the item you are returning and check the return shipping cost.
Track your driver’s return route with the app.
When your driver arrives with your item, confirm the return by providing the PIN number associated with your trip in the Uber app.
Uber says the feature is currently available in California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, and will be rolled out nationwide by the end of the year.
Uber says if a passenger loses an item during a trip, they can also contact the driver directly to find out if the item is there and arrange a time and location to retrieve it.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Talarico reacts to Paxton’s nomination for U.S. Senate
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico shared a video on social media Tuesday night reacting to Texas Gov. Ken Paxton being named his opponent in the November election.
Fox – 26 Houston
Sen. Ted Cruz plans to serve Texas favorites like barbecue and Bluebell ice cream if the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs.
With the Knicks scheduled to play the Spurs in the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3, Cruz, a Republican, posted a friendly bet and tagged New York State Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) in an X post on June 1.
“If the New York Knicks win the series (which they won’t!) you and your team get Texas barbecue, Shiner Bock beer, and Blue Bell ice cream. If the Spurs win, the loser wears the winner’s jersey. Would you like a deal?” Cruz posted, tagging Gillibrand.
Gillibrand responded to the friendly bet by saying, “I’m in! If the @spurs somehow win the series, we’ll treat you and your staff to world-famous Joe’s Pizza and Brooklyn Lager. Go New York Go!”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also showed his support for the Spurs by posting an image of himself towering over New York Governor Kathy Hochul and dunking on a basketball while wearing an AI-generated Spurs jersey. President Donald Trump is also seen in the image, clearly having fun.
“Just like the Texans dunked on New York, the Spurs are trying to dunk on the Knicks. Go Spurs,” Abbott’s post read.
Some people responded to the governor’s post calling it “childish” and “embarrassing,” while another said the image was all in good fun.
“Take heart in the comments to X criticizing a fun post showing the Governor of Texas dunking a basketball on the Governor of New York. This is in the long tradition of Governors supporting their state’s sports teams in championship competition, which adds to the fun,” the comment said.
Contact Natassia Paloma at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook..
more: Why some Texas Republicans are supporting Talarico in the U.S. Senate race
