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President Trump speaks with ICE officials about New York mayoral race in ’60 Minutes’ interview

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President Trump speaks with ICE officials about New York mayoral race in ’60 Minutes’ interview

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said in a wide-ranging interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that immigration enforcement officials are “not going far enough” to deport people who enter the country without legal authorization.

President Trump also assured Norah O’Donnell that China would not invade Taiwan while he was president. He said the topic did not come up in his Oct. 30 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

And President Trump called for an end to the Senate filibuster, which allows a small number of senators to block controversial legislation, as a way to end the government shutdown.

Here’s what you need to know about the interview, which took place on October 31st at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

President Trump: ICE officials are ‘not doing enough’

O’Donnell asked Trump whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had gone too far, attacking his mother, using tear gas in the Chicago area and breaking car windows.

“No, I don’t think they’ve gone far enough because we’ve been held back by the judges, liberal judges appointed by Biden and Obama,” Trump said.

O’Donnell went on to ask whether Trump agreed with these tactics.

“Yes, because we have to get people out,” Trump said. “You have to look at the people. Many of them are murderers. Many of them are people who were kicked out of the country because they were criminals.”

President Trump: “We can’t give away secrets” about China meeting

O’Donnell said if China violated Taiwan’s shipping lanes, airspace or cyberspace, it could become a flashpoint in international relations. She asked what President Trump would do in response.

President Trump declined to provide details about what would happen, but Mr. Xi said he understood the consequences would be significant. President Trump said the topic did not come up at the trade meeting in South Korea because the other countries’ understanding was very clear.

President Trump said, “I can’t give away my secrets.” “I don’t want to be the guy who tells you exactly what will happen if something happens.”

President Trump claimed that Mr. Xi knows what will happen if China attacks Taiwan.

“He’s said it publicly, and his associates have said it publicly in meetings, ‘We’re not going to do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences,” Trump said.

President Trump says Maduro’s stay in Venezuela is over

The Trump administration sank several Venezuelan ships believed to be carrying drugs and sent an aircraft carrier to the area.

Trump declined to say whether he was aiming to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government, but said he had many days left.

“I think so. I think so,” President Trump said.

President Trump declined to comment on reports that he was considering attacks on Venezuelan territory in addition to attacks on ships.

“I’m not saying it’s true or false,” Trump said. “But I don’t talk to reporters about whether I’m going to go on strike, so I’m tempted to say I will.”

President Trump calls for end to filibuster

The government shutdown is expected to become the longest in history on November 5, and President Trump has said he expects Democrats will eventually agree to reopen the government.

Democrats have advocated restoring summer Medicaid funding cuts and extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

“They’ve turned into crazy lunatics,” Trump said. “I’m not going to do it by extortion.”

President Trump has called on Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster to avoid Congress blocking him from ending the government shutdown without Democratic cooperation. But Republican leaders oppose ending the legislative filibuster.

President Trump said, “Republicans have to get tougher.”

Government shutdown: President Trump asks Senate Republicans to abolish filibuster rule

President Trump denies retaliation for prosecuting critics

The Justice Department secured indictments against Trump’s critics, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former FBI Director James Comey, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. But Trump denied that he had directed the Justice Department to prosecute his critics.

“No, not in any way, shape or form,” President Trump said.

President Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel independently pursued the opponents.

“Our honest people automatically go after them,” Trump said. “I think I had a very warm personality.”

President Trump calls Mamdani a “communist” during New York mayoral race

The New York mayoral election ends on November 4th. President Trump is campaigning against the election of Zoran Mamdani, who is the frontrunner in polls against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Trump interrupted O’Donnell’s description of Mamdani as a “democratic socialist” (a banner he has campaigned for), claiming that Mamdani is a “communist.”

President Trump said, “I’m not a socialist, I’m a communist.” “He’s much worse than a socialist.”

President Trump said the federal government would not support New York if Mamdani became mayor. “It’s going to be difficult to fund New York as president,” he added.

Mr. O’Donnell asked what he thought about people comparing Mr. Mamdani to Mr. Trump as a charismatic leader who broke old rules.

“Well, I think I’m a much better-looking guy than he is, right?” Trump said.

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Jennifer Lawrence wonders if criticizing Trump is helpful

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Jennifer Lawrence wonders if criticizing Trump is helpful

Jennifer Lawrence is having second thoughts about whether to continue speaking out against President Trump: ‘I don’t really know if I should’

Jennifer Lawrence is rethinking her approach to discussing her political views.

During an appearance on The New York Times podcast “The Interview,” the “Die My Love” star, who has long been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, questioned whether he should continue to share his political opinions.

“I don’t really know if I should do it,” Lawrence said on the Nov. 1 episode. “We’ve learned from election after election that celebrities have no influence on who people vote for. So what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on things that only add fuel to the fire that’s tearing our country apart. I mean, we’re so divided.”

The 35-year-old Oscar-winning actress continued that she is “going through a complicated readjustment” and doesn’t want people to avoid her work because they disagree with her politically.

Jennifer Lawrence talks about her politics: “I would like to clarify my voting record.”

“I don’t want to turn people away from films and art that have the potential to change consciousness and change the world just because they don’t like my political opinions,” she said. “If I can’t say anything that will lead to peace or lower temperatures or some sort of solution, then I just don’t want to be part of the problem. I don’t want to make the problem worse.”

Although he may be less politically vocal in the future, Lawrence said he will continue to express his politics through his work, telling the New York Times, “A lot of my films that come out from my production company express political landscapes, and I feel like I can be useful in that way.”

Lawrence said she grew up in a Republican household and voted for John McCain for president in 2008, before she started identifying as a Democrat. “I’m proud to be a Democrat because I grew up realizing that I was voting against my rights throughout President Obama’s term,” she said in 2020.

In 2015, she told Entertainment Weekly magazine, “If Donald Trump becomes president, it’s the end of the world.”

She supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, telling V Magazine, “Donald Trump has and will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of America. He does not represent my values ​​as an American and most importantly as a human being.”

Jennifer Lawrence on ChatGPT: Star shares the moment she shed tears during postpartum anxiety

In 2022, the Unique Playbook star criticized people who are “apolitical” in an interview with Vogue magazine. “You live in the United States,” she said at the time. “We have to get political. It’s too tragic. Politics is killing people.”

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Lawrence endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, telling People, “She’s a great candidate and I know she’ll do everything she can to protect reproductive rights.”

On the interview podcast, Lawrence also reflected on why President Trump’s second term “feels different” than his first. “He said what he was going to do,” she said. “We knew what he had been doing for four years. He was very clear. And that’s also what we chose.”

Lawrence is promoting her Oscar-nominated film Die My Love, in which she stars as a young mother opposite Robert Pattinson. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, marks Lawrence’s first film role since the 2023 comedy No Hard Feelings. She won praise for her performance and was early Oscar buzz.

Donald Trump says he won’t appear in Supreme Court tariff case

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Donald Trump says he won’t appear in Supreme Court tariff case

Tariffs on imports from other countries are central to President Trump’s economic policy. But lower courts ruled he went too far in imposing them.

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WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump says he will not attend Supreme Court oral arguments on the legality of tariffs on imports from other countries.

The justices will hear arguments on Nov. 5, and Trump has said the case is so important that he may make history as the first sitting president to appear before the high court. But President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Nov. 2 that he “doesn’t want to do anything to distract from the importance” of the decision.

“I will not be in court on Wednesday because I don’t want to distract from the importance of this decision,” Trump said in a social media post on Nov. 2. “In my opinion, this will be one of the most important and consequential decisions ever handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States.”

President Trump’s tariffs on countries around the world are projected to generate $4 trillion for governments over the next 10 years. The tariffs prompted countries to negotiate trade deals with President Trump and persuaded companies to build more manufacturing in the United States.

But a lower court ruled that Trump overstepped his authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which has historically been used to impose economic sanctions and other penalties on foreign enemies.

Fire and explosion in Hermosillo, Mexico kills 23 people and injures dozens

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Fire and explosion in Hermosillo, Mexico kills 23 people and injures dozens

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An explosion at a dollar store in northwestern Mexico on Nov. 1 killed 23 people, including children, and injured more than a dozen more during the country’s lively Day of the Dead celebrations, officials and authorities said.

Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo said in a video on social media that the explosion that turned into a fire occurred in downtown Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora state near the country’s west coast.

The cause of the fire and explosion was not immediately clear. Officials said the fire broke out at a Waldo’s store, a popular Mexican discount chain. Durazo said in a social media post that he had ordered a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the explosion.

“Today is a sad day for the state of Sonora, especially for the families who lost their loved ones at the Waldo’s store in Hermosillo,” Durazo said in the post. “I respectfully participate in this expression of solidarity with them and the community as a whole.”

Sonora state Attorney General Gustavo Salas said evidence from the forensic team showed that the death appeared to be the result of inhalation of toxic gases. He said there was no evidence to suggest the fire was the result of an attack.

“The working hypothesis is that this incident was coincidental and the investigation concerns a transformer located within a commercial facility,” his office said in a statement.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Prado said in a post about X that she expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed the government to provide aid to the region.

The Sonora Red Cross said 40 staff members and 10 ambulances participated in the effort, making six trips to the hospital.

The fire occurred during Mexico’s celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday to remember loved ones who have died.

Contributed by: Reuters

Claudia Sheinbaum promises justice after brutal murder of mayor

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Claudia Sheinbaum promises justice after brutal murder of mayor

Brendan O’Boyle
|Reuters

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MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised on Sunday, November 2, that there would be justice for the brazen murder of local mayor Carlos Manzo. Carlos Manzo has been an outspoken critic of organized crime and has called on the government to do more to protect him and others.

Manzo, 40, was shot on November 1 while attending a candlelight Day of the Dead festival in the city center of Uruapan in the violent western state of Michoacán. Two suspects were arrested and a third person was killed, Mexico’s Ministry of Security said.

Mr. Sheinbaum convened an emergency meeting of his security cabinet on November 2, after which he condemned Mr. Manzo’s “despicable” assassination in a statement on X.

“We reaffirm our determination to deploy all national efforts to achieve peace and security with zero impunity and full justice,” said Sheinbaum.

A march was called for in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state, on November 2 to demand justice for Manzo’s death and an end to violence and corruption.

Manzo, one of the few independent politicians elected to public office in Mexico, had been the mayor of Uruapan since September 2024. Manzo, who has often been seen wearing a bulletproof vest since taking office, has expressed concerns for his own safety and called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime.

“I don’t want to be just another mayor on a list of people who have been executed, people who have had their lives taken away,” Manzo said in an interview with Mexican journalist Joaquín López-Driga in September.

Uruapan is called the avocado capital of Mexico because it is located in the heart of Michoacán’s avocado-growing region. The industry is growing rapidly due to surging demand in the United States, and avocado production has become a target for organized crime groups.

Several politicians and journalists have been killed in recent months and years, including other mayors.

In a September interview with Mexico’s Milenio TV, Manzo asked, “How many mayors have we not killed because they opposed signing deals with organized crime?”

He told Sheinbaum that Uruapan’s avocado industry is important ahead of a review of Mexico’s trade agreements with the United States and Canada, and appealed for stronger security measures.

Manzo also said that more determination was needed from Security Minister Omar Khalfucsi.

“Minister Omar Khalhouf, please help us,” Manzo said in an interview.

Mr. Harfucci said at a press conference on November 2 that Mr. Manzo has been in federal custody since December 2024, and that protection was increased in May. Security included 14 National Guard troops tasked with perimeter security, and local police provided immediate security.

“A sad day for Sonora”: Dollar store fire kills 23 people, including children, in northwestern Mexico

“The perpetrators took advantage of the vulnerability of a public event,” Harfucci said of Manzo’s murder. “Make sure there is no impunity.”

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau shared a photo of Manzo and her young son on social media shortly before the mayor’s killing, condemning the killing.

“The United States stands ready to deepen our security cooperation with Mexico to root out organized crime on both sides of the border,” Landau wrote in X.

(Reporting by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Nia Williams)

Government to investigate ‘close call’ between Southwest passenger plane and helicopter

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Government to investigate ‘close call’ between Southwest passenger plane and helicopter

david shepherdson
|Reuters

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The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Sunday, Nov. 2, that it is sending a team to investigate a close call between a Southwest Airlines passenger plane and a medical helicopter that occurred on Oct. 29 near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio.

The NTSB said Southwest Airlines Flight 1333 was on final approach from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) when the two aircraft experienced a loss of separation, or approaching each other beyond the required minimum safe distance.

This caused the Southwest pilot to abort the landing. Southwest Airlines said the Boeing 737 landed safely a short time later.

The NTSB and Southwest Airlines did not disclose the number of passengers and crew on the plane. Judging from the identity of the helicopter at the time, it appears the helicopter was transporting a patient at the time of the incident.

“We appreciate the professionalism of our crew members in responding to the situation. We are working with the National Transportation Safety Board and assisting with the investigation,” Southwest Airlines said in a statement on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Representatives for the medical transportation company did not respond to requests for comment.

On January 29, a mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the outskirts of the U.S. capital killed 67 people and raised alarm over a close call between commercial planes and helicopters.

Southwest plane had to veer off course

Air traffic control audio and flight tracking showed that the Southwest plane was forced to veer off course to avoid a Eurocopter helicopter that was passing in front of it in the Cleveland incident, according to flight tracking website Flightradar 24. At one point, the planes were at an altitude of 2,075 feet (632 meters) and as close as 0.56 miles (0.9 kilometers) apart, the site said.

According to audio posted by Flightradar24, air traffic controllers asked the helicopter to pass behind other aircraft traffic near the airport, to which the helicopter pilot replied, “If possible, it’s better to fly over and in front of it,” and the controller agreed.

In a report to the Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest said the accident was an “extremely close” incident that required immediate action to avoid a collision, two people briefed on the matter said. The FAA announced last month that it was rerouting helicopters near BWI and Washington Dulles International Airport to add a buffer zone after the January crash and President Reagan’s crash.

Government shutdown: Can air traffic controllers end another government shutdown? They hope that doesn’t happen.

The FAA has faced criticism from U.S. lawmakers and NTSB investigators for failing to act on reports of near-miss incidents before the Jan. 29 crash. The Army Black Hawk helicopter was above its maximum allowable altitude when it crashed. Both the helicopter and the airliner crashed into the Potomac River.

In May, the FAA banned the Army from flying helicopters near the Pentagon after a close call that forced two civilian planes to ground on May 1.

In March, the NTSB revealed that since 2021, there have been 15,200 air separation incidents between commercial aircraft and helicopters near President Reagan, including 85 close calls.

President Trump hosts ‘Gatsby’-themed party at Mar-a-Lago on eve of SNAP cutoff

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President Trump hosts ‘Gatsby’-themed party at Mar-a-Lago on eve of SNAP cutoff

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President Donald Trump hosted a 1920s-themed party at Mar-a-Lago on October 31, as the government shutdown continues and multiple federal judges rule that the administration cannot cut off funding for food aid.

The party was labeled as “a little party that didn’t kill anyone,” according to multiple media attendees. The title is taken from a song on the soundtrack of the 2013 film The Great Gatsby.

According to ABC News, those in attendance included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, and their husbands Jared Kushner and Michael Boulos. Trump did not speak while in the presence of reporters, the network said.

Guests were seen imitating clothing from the Roaring Twenties era. This was the period just before the Great Depression, when historians point to staggering income inequality. History.com points out that in 1928, the top 1% of households received 23.9% of all pre-tax income, and about 60% of households had incomes below the income level that the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies as the minimum livable income for a family of five.

The party has drawn harsh criticism from Democrats amid an extended federal government shutdown, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom saying on social media that President Trump “doesn’t care about you.”

“The way he rubs the inhumanity of the American people in his face never ceases to amaze me,” Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said on the X show. “He’s illegally refusing to pay food stamp benefits…all the while hosting outrageously over-the-top Gatsby parties for his right-wing billionaire and corporate friends.”

White House press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to ABC News that Democrats are “full of it.” “President Trump has consistently called for us to do the right thing and reopen the government, which is always possible,” Kelly said.

Order to resume SNAP benefits

Within minutes, judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island issued orders on Oct. 31 requiring the department to use $5.25 billion in contingency funds to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled in Rhode Island that “there is no question or dispute that irreparable harm will begin to occur if the fear it has caused some people about securing food funds for their families has not already occurred.”

SNAP benefits for 42 million low-income Americans were scheduled to end on November 1st. But the Rhode Island Council of Churches, the National Council of Nonprofits, several other nonprofits and the mayor filed a federal lawsuit seeking to keep the program open.

Justice Department lawyers have argued that the program, which spends up to $9 billion a month, cannot be partially funded from a $5 billion emergency fund.

Massachusetts District Court Judge Indira Talwani ruled against that argument, saying the government has the option of providing reduced benefits in reserve funds or moving other discretionary funds to make up the shortfall.

In a short written order, McConnell directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to utilize emergency funds to continue providing benefits. The government was asked to report on the distribution status by noon on November 3.

“For now, these families will be able to keep food on the table, and thousands of nonprofit food banks, pantries and other organizations across the country will be able to avoid the impossible burden that would have occurred if SNAP benefits had been suspended,” said Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits.

President Trump insisted on Truth Social that the government would fund SNAP with “appropriate legal direction from the courts.”

Helen Obiri sets a women’s record. Benson Kipruto won the boys race.

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Helen Obiri sets a women’s record. Benson Kipruto won the boys race.

NEW YORK – A trio of Kenyan women topped the podium in the TCS New York City Marathon pro race, with Helen Obiri crossing the finish line first in Central Park and breaking the course record in the final spurt.

Obiri, the 2023 winner, completed the race in 2:19:51, breaking the old record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Sharon Rokedi, who won in 2022, finished second, 16 seconds behind Obiri, and won a $50,000 bonus and $100,000 for winning the race for breaking the course record.

Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui slowed down with five miles to go and finished third, nearly 34 seconds behind.

This is the seventh consecutive time Kenya has won the women’s professional race, excluding the 2020 event, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was also the second year in a row that Kenyans took the top three spots in the women’s category.

Kenya’s advantage extended to the men as well, with a group of eight runners stuck at 20 miles quickly reduced to two, with Alexander Mutiso and Benson Kipruto quickly separating.

The final 50 meters were as thrilling as ever, with Kipruto beating Mutiso in the final sprint in 2:08:09, winning by 0.16 seconds and the closest finish in men’s history. The 2021 winner, fellow Kenyan Albert Korir, finished third, just like last year.

Joel Reichou was the top American in seventh place with a time of 2:09:56.

In the women’s race, the Kenyan and American Fiona O’Keeffe, a Stanford graduate from Davis, California, led for the first 15 miles of the race, but O’Keeffe fell back and finished fourth. At 23 miles, the Kenyan women were still within milliseconds of each other until Obiri took the victory.

Annie Frisbie, a 28-year-old American from Wisconsin, came in fifth with a time of 2:24:12, and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, a Paris Olympic marathon gold medalist competing in her first New York Olympics, came in sixth with a time of 2:24:43.

Marcel Hug wins his seventh New York City Marathon wheelchair title. Susanna Scaloni defends her title

Previous winners also competed in the wheelchair category, six of whom started, but it was Marcel Hug and Susanna Scaroni who stole the show.

Hug, nicknamed “Silver Bullet” to match the color of his racing helmet, bounced back from a disappointing 2024 race in which he finished fourth to extend his record by winning his seventh wheelchair title. He also won in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Hug, who won his eighth Boston Marathon in April, took control around the 9-mile mark, increasing his lead to more than a minute and sprinting from there. The 39-year-old Swiss native averaged an incredible pace of 3 minutes 27 seconds on the backstretch, resulting in a hazy result but falling short of the course record he set in 2022, finishing in 1 hour 30 minutes 16 seconds.

“To be honest, it may not have been as easy as it looked,” Hug said. “I had a problem with my backstroke, so I was a few seconds behind, but I didn’t care. I won the race and I’m really happy,” Hug said after the race.

England’s David Weir took second place, nearly four minutes behind, while Japan’s Tomoki Suzuki rounded out the podium with a time of 1 hour 36 minutes 28 seconds. Reigning men’s wheelchair champion Daniel Romanchuk did not compete at the Sydney Marathon after sustaining a shoulder injury in a collision with a spectator on the course.

In addition to winning in 2022 and 2024, Scaloni was quick to compete from the start, breaking the record in 1 hour, 42 minutes, 10 seconds, more than 5 minutes, 40 seconds ahead of five-time New York City Marathon winner Tatiana McFadden and 2023 champion Katherine DeBrunner.

Hug and Scaloni each took home $50,000 in first place prize money, up from the $35,000 that last year’s wheelchair winner received. In addition to his wins in 2022 and 2024, Scaloni raced quickly from the start, finishing in 1 hour, 42 minutes, 10 seconds.

Five-time New York City Marathon winner Tatiana McFadden was second, and 2023 champion Catherine DeBruner was third, both finishing more than 5 minutes and 40 seconds behind Scaloni.

In terms of numbers:

  • 4:31:31 – Average completion time in 2024
  • 20 – Therapy dogs from New York Pet Therapy stand at the start line to assist runners
  • 137 – Countries represented in 2024
  • 300 – Gallons of Gatorade Endurance Formula
  • 6,000 – Hot tea/hot chocolate
  • 43,000 – with bagel
  • 50,000 – 1 cup of coffee
  • 55,642 – 2024 Finishers (New York City Marathon Record)
  • 1,445,304 – Participants who crossed the finish line

famous runner

  • alex cola –Boston Red Sox Manager
  • Alex Pappas – Former Olympic runner
  • Anthony Ramos – Actor, “Hamilton,” “The House of Dynamite”
  • Isaac Rochelle – Former NFL player
  • Patina Miller – Tony Award-winning Broadway star and actor
  • Tayshia Adams – TV host and former Bachelor contestant
  • phil cogan – Host, “The Amazing Race”
  • errol burnett – CBS News Anchor and National Correspondent
  • Nev Shulman – Host of “Catfish: The TV Show”
  • Nore – hip hop musician

This story has been updated to add more information and a gallery.

‘SNL’ mocks demolition of White House East Wing to make way for President Trump’s ballroom

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‘SNL’ mocks demolition of White House East Wing to make way for President Trump’s ballroom

“SNL” host Miles Teller played Drew and Jonathan Scott from “Property Brothers” and helped tear down the east wing of President Trump’s White House and send off the ballroom.

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“Saturday Night Live” is getting a new look at the White House.

A pre-recorded sketch for the show’s Nov. 1 episode parodied President Donald Trump’s controversial demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The sketch depicts a “very special episode” of HGTV’s “Property Brothers,” in which Miles Teller plays twin hosts Drew and Jonathan Scott, who are hired to build President Trump’s $300 million ballroom.

In the sketch, the brothers are seen working on the renovation with Trump (James Austin Johnson), with Jonathan Scott asking Trump if he needed a permit, to which the president laughs and replies, “I could build this banquet hall out of the bones of my enemies, and no one could stop me.”

‘SNL’ takes on New York mayoral debate: Host Miles Teller plays Andrew Cuomo in cold open

Drew Scott also explained that she “told Donald that our first priority was to preserve the historic nature of the building,” but that President Trump only sent him a GIF of the White House being blown up on “Independence Day.”

Trump is shown repeatedly enlarging the ballroom with computer models and creating boards based on visual inspirations, such as Jabba the Hutt’s palace from “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” The sketch also mocks President Trump’s decision to pave over the Rose Garden, with Jonathan Scott saying, “Now it looks like outdoor seating at the Olive Garden.”

Mr. Johnson’s Mr. Trump ultimately declared that the banquet hall would be “ready for my third term” because he was “not leaving” and “doing something called a coup.” The sketch ends with Jonathan and Drew Scott going to President Trump to get their reward, but President Trump ends up calling in ICE agents to arrest them because they’re Canadians.

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President Trump’s demolition of the East Wing of the White House was also parodied on “South Park” this week. In a special Halloween episode, Trump unleashes his vengeance as he destroys the East Wing, leading members of his administration to hold a séance.

A recent poll from The Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos found that 56% of Americans oppose President Trump’s plan to demolish the East Tower and build a ballroom, with only 15% saying they “strongly support” it. President Trump said the project is being paid for by private donations.

Skewering Pam Bondi on “South Park”: New episode also mocks President Trump’s destruction of the East Tower

Teller hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live” that began with a skit parodying the New York mayoral election, starring Teller as Andrew Cuomo, Ramy Youssef as Zoran Mamdani, and Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa.

Contributor: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Is a 20 year old car too old to buy? How to estimate the lifespan of a car

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Is a 20 year old car too old to buy? How to estimate the lifespan of a car

Is the model year of a used car just a number?

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  • The deterioration of a car depends more on mileage than on model year.
  • One study demonstrated that some vehicles can last up to 250,000 miles.
  • Drivers can estimate the lifespan of their car by dividing the total number of miles driven before major repairs by the annual mileage.

Buying older used car models can save drivers a lot of money. The question is, how old is too old to be a used car? Are there any specific age restrictions when purchasing a reliable used car model?

There are several factors to consider when looking for an older used model. Surprisingly, when it comes to a car’s lifespan, age isn’t as important as mileage, make/model, and overall reliability.

Is a used car from 20 years ago too old to buy?

Age can affect the lifespan of a vehicle, but it’s not always the best indicator of a vehicle’s potential lifespan. Some older, well-maintained vehicles can be nearly as reliable as newer models, depending on their design.

A 20-year-old car that has driven an average number of miles per year (14,489 according to Kelley Blue Book) may be long past its prime. On the other hand, a well-maintained vehicle that drives fewer than average annual miles may last many years before developing major mechanical problems.

Capital One’s article on vehicle age lists deteriorating rust and major mechanical failure as signs that a vehicle is “too old to drive.” That said, there is no specific vehicle age at which any vehicle becomes obsolete and useless.

Mileage: A true indicator of a car’s age and deterioration

While model year may not be the best indicator of a car’s lifespan, mileage (of original parts) can help car buyers understand the average remaining mileage and age of a car. Research from car research website iSeeCars.com has compiled a list of the 30 cars most likely to last up to 250,000 miles. The study analyzed odometer reading data from more than 402 million vehicles.

According to iSeeCars, the average vehicle only lasts for more than 250,000 miles 8.6% of the time. Therefore, 250,000 miles is (optimistically) a good mileage number to set as the end of a vehicle’s life. Realistically, most vehicles can only go up to 200,000 miles (or less) before developing serious mechanical problems.

Cheapest cars to drive in 2025: Analysis reveals surprising picks and discontinued models under $30,000

Several Toyota models topped iSeeCars’ list of vehicles most likely to reach 250,000 miles or more. Vehicles like the Toyota Tundra pickup truck and Toyota Sequoia SUV are more than 36% likely to reach mileage milestones, which is a much higher percentage than the average vehicle (8.6%).

Models like the Toyota 4Runner SUV and Toyota Tacoma pickup truck have a greater than 26% chance of reaching 250,000 miles or more. The yearly miles a driver accumulates can vary, so vehicle age and mileage are not correlated.

Average lifespan of a car based on mileage

Assuming that the car is driven at the Kelley Blue Book estimated average of 14,489 miles per year and averages about 200,000 miles before a major mechanical problem occurs, the car’s lifespan is conservatively estimated at 13 to 14 years. You can get a more specific estimate for your vehicle by dividing the total mileage of 200,000 by the average annual mileage. Vehicles with above-average reliability, such as the Toyota models that topped iSeeCars’ list, are likely to have an above-average lifespan.

The numbers used to calculate a car’s lifespan are based on mileage, not years of ownership. Therefore, a 20-year-old car with less than 200,000 miles could last for many years, depending on its mileage and reliability. Research from iSeeCars shows that at least six types of vehicles have a greater than 25% chance of reaching 250,000 miles or more, significantly extending their estimated lifespans.

5 Vehicles Most Likely to Drive 250,000 Miles, According to iSeeCars

  • toyota sequoia
  • toyota tundra
  • toyota 4runner
  • toyota tacoma
  • toyota highlander hybrid

No car is too old to buy, but a car with too many miles on it may not be reliable without significant repair costs. After a car has driven 200,000 miles, parts such as the engine and transmission experience extreme wear and tear.

Fortunately for motorists, some cars (such as Toyota models) age faster than others in terms of deterioration. If your car has so many miles that it needs a new engine or transmission, the cost of parts and repairs may not make it worth it.

New Coaches Poll Top 25

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New Coaches Poll Top 25

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The top rankings in the US LBM coaches poll did not change much after the weekend’s results. However, there are some important developments in the second half of the top ten.

Teams No. 1 through No. 7 hold their positions this week, with Big Ten leaders Ohio State and Indiana still in the lead. The Buckeyes received 60 of 64 first-place votes over Penn State, while the Hoosiers received first-place votes over Maryland. Texas A&M is off this week, but they hold onto the No. 3 spot with three teams remaining as favorites for the No. 1 spot. Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Mississippi will also maintain their positions.

Brigham Young moved up a few spots to No. 8, and fellow Big 12 representative Texas Tech also returned to the top 10 at No. 9. These two will face off next week. No. 10 Notre Dame has been slowly climbing since an 0-2 start. The Fighting Irish moved up two spots with six straight wins.

Top 25: Respond to US LBM Coach Poll after Week 10

Virginia overcame a long road trip to California and currently leads the ACC in polls at 11th place. Several other league members playing away from home weren’t so lucky. Georgia Tech dropped six spots to 14th after losing its first tournament to North Carolina State, while Miami (Fla.) dropped nine spots to 18th after losing its secondary league game against SMU. The University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas moved up six spots to No. 12 and No. 13, respectively, after defeating SEC-ranked opponents.

Southern California rejoins the poll at No. 21, while Iowa moves up to No. 24 on the eve of an important home date with Oregon. Cincinnati remains in 25th place after a rough night against No. 19 Utah.

Houston and Navy are this week’s eliminations.

2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgole is fast, luxurious and sporty

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2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgole is fast, luxurious and sporty

Maserati doesn’t need a gasoline engine to create thrilling luxury performance cars.

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  • The 2025 GranTurismo Folgore is the most expensive version of the GranTurismo.
  • This EV is shockingly fast and proves there’s more to the Italian luxury automaker than big engines.

In 2025, Maserati won’t just be making gasoline-powered Italian luxury cars.

One of the fastest and most impressive new models is the electric luxury grand touring coupe. The 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore EV electrifies the powerful and luxurious coupe body style and goes even faster thanks to its electric motor.

The GranTurismo Folgore is not for everyone. Those lucky enough to own this electric vehicle will have an incredible driving and ownership experience behind the wheel. USA TODAY Cars got to test the GranTurismo Folgore and its lightning-fast acceleration.

What makes the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore stand out?

The exterior of the Maserati GranTurismo Folgole is unique and aggressive. His attitude is ferocious, and the trident shows that the world should not be taken lightly. The GranTurismo Followgre looks fast, but its appearance doesn’t give the driver a complete idea of ​​just how fast this EV is.

Its cabin is predictably luxurious, constructed with premium materials and surfaces. The interior also features impressive technology. Overall, what sets the GranTurismo Folgore apart is certainly its driving dynamics. USA TODAY Cars tested several powerful models this year, but few are as powerful as the GranTurismo Folgore.

What makes the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore different from its rivals?

  • 0-60MPH acceleration time is only 2.6 seconds
  • Bold and impressive exterior design
  • super luxurious cabin

Luxury car reviews: Intricate details take Mercedes’ $225,000 Maybach SL 680 Monogram to the next level of luxury

How do you drive?

Maserati’s 2025 GranTurismo Folgore uses three electric motors and an 800-volt battery to produce a whopping 751 horsepower. For a vehicle as small as the GranTurismo Folgore, this power is impressive.

It has a range of about 342 miles, which is average for a high-performance EV. DC (direct current) fast charging can charge an EV’s battery from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes, depending on the wattage of the charger. The GranTurismo Folgore achieves approximately 90 MPGE (miles per gallon) in the city and 85 MPGE on the highway.

When it comes to handling, the Italian luxury EV is well balanced thanks to all-wheel drive, and cornering is precise. Acceleration takes some getting used to, but there’s plenty of space and it’s thrilling. It’s so fast that it’s scary to drive (in the best sense of the word).

What’s it like inside?

The 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore’s cabin screams sports car. Although its Italian luxury car heritage is clear, the GranTurismo Folgore EV is also very futuristic, thanks to the many advanced technology features and settings accessible through the 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

A genuine leather steering wheel and high-quality genuine leather seats are standard equipment. The front seats are equipped with heaters. This EV includes a 12.2-inch digital dashboard. Our test model had a heads-up display that projects information such as navigation directions.

Does it fit into your life?

Maserati’s sporty and luxurious EV is a unique car for a unique type of driver. It is a coupe that seats up to 4 people. The GranTurismo Folgore is an Italian super-fast sports car model created for driving enthusiasts. The modest 10 cubic feet of cargo space isn’t exactly designed for transporting groceries.

Is it worth it?

Prices for the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore start at $197,800. Its main competitors are EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Audi RS e-tron GT.

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is the most expensive of the three models ($231,995) and the most powerful with 1,019 horsepower. Maserati’s EV isn’t the most impressive model in the segment, but it’s by no means lackluster.

Its quick acceleration and unique design language make it a strong contender in the luxury electric vehicle category for drivers shopping in its price range. Maserati is proving that EVs can be just as exciting as gasoline models.

Ranking 2026 World Series candidates as MLB teams chase Dodgers

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Ranking 2026 World Series candidates as MLB teams chase Dodgers

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Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers on winning the World Series. Now, what should we do for encore?

Last season was full of surprises, so success in 2025 doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be playoff contenders in 2026. But it’s a great place to start.

We’re aware that free agent signings, trades, and injuries will certainly change the relative strength of clubs between now and the start of the regular season, but we’re still taking a premature look at which teams will be ready to compete in 2026 and which teams will be in contention.

A chance for a three-peat?

Los Angeles Dodgers: There are stars everywhere you look in LA. Sure, they use their economic power to attract the brightest and best talent, but they’re also very good at finding the right complements. As long as Shohei Ohtani is around, it will be difficult to beat the Dodgers. (And he’s under contract until 2033.)

Top candidates

Toronto Blue Jays: Their relentless attack paved the way for the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1993. Most of those hitters will be back, but will the AL pennant be enough to keep free agent SS Bo Bichette? The pitching staff certainly looks much better with postseason hero Trey Yesavage in the rotation.

Seattle Mariners: The Ems made it to the ALCS with the help of free agents Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, but key cogs on the roster such as Cal Lowry, CF Julio Rodriguez, and starters Brian Wu, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Luis Castillo will all return. It’s a solid foundation, and along with a great bullpen, that elusive World Series appearance certainly looks within reach.

New York Yankees: Two-time (maybe three?) MVP Aaron Judge anchors the offensive line, filling Cody Bellinger’s free agent slot. The starting rotation should be among the best in MLB, especially if Gerrit Cole can return from Tommy John surgery in the second half.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves rarely have the best team on the field at the same time all season. OF Ronald Acuña and SP Spencer Strider were out early with injuries, and OF Jurickson Profar was suspended from the midfield. In the second half, SP Spencer Schwellenbach and 3B Austin Riley missed time. With a little more luck, the Braves will come back with revenge.

Milwaukee Brewers: They have a major league-best 97 wins, and almost everyone is back. The midseason pickup of 1B Andrew Vaughn looks like a (typical) stroke of genius. A full season from rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski will make the Brew Crew even more dangerous.

solid foundation

Boston Red Sox: Boston’s future is bright with ace Garrett Crochet and promising OF Roman Anthony, IF Marcelo Mayer, and 2B Christian Campbell. The biggest unknown is what will happen to 3B Alex Bregman, who can opt out in the final year of his contract.

Philadelphia Phillies: Was 2025 the last hurray for this version of the Phils? DH Kyle Schwarber, C.JT Realmuto, and SP Ranger Suarez became free agents. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Aaron Nola are entering their age-33 seasons. Ace Zack Wheeler underwent shoulder surgery in September and may not be ready for Opening Day.

Chicago Cubs: Their core is strong and their defense is probably the best in the majors, but will the front office go the extra mile to get them over the hump? OF Kyle Tucker is a free agent, and losing his bat will be a big blow to the offensive line. All-Star Matthew Boyd and Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Horton will lead the rotation, with left-hander Justin Steele likely to return by midseason.

New York Mets: There’s no way a team this talented (and this expensive) would hover around the .500 mark. Juan Soto is only 27 years old, but the big question this offseason is what will happen to slugging 1B Pete Alonso. If they don’t re-sign him, how will they replace the bats on the offensive line? Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean could be the ace in 2026.

Detroit Tigers: They’ve picked up some chips to shore up their postseason roster, but there are several marquee players on the verge of making it to the majors that could help keep the Tigers competitive for years to come. Additionally, teams with Tarik Skubal at the top of their rotation need to be taken seriously.

San Diego Padres: The Padres have a good core in OFs Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill and 3B Manny Machado, but their depth is a bit questionable after several years of short-term upgrades for the stretch run. The most intriguing offseason decision for the front office will be whether Mason Miller, acquired in the fireball trade deadline, will be a starter or a reliever.

Baltimore Orioles: With a new coach and (hopefully) improved health, it should be a bounce-back season in Charm City. Even better if the owners decide to loosen the purse strings for an impact free agent or two. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish lead the pitching staff, which should be the focus of offseason upgrades.

Cleveland Guardian: Jose Ramirez is a steady rock in all aspects of the game. Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibby are part of a never-ending pitching pipeline. We got a glimpse of the future in this year’s playoffs when young OFs George Varela and Chase DeLauter performed.

I have a question

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds, who are a playoff team for the second time in over a decade, are built around ace Hunter Green and SS Elie Delacruz. Is it on an upward trend? The starting rotation could be special with youngsters Andrew Abbott and Chase Barnes, but they will need more run support from an offense that has been below average in 2025.

Houston Astros: We now know how important a full season for OF/DH Yordan Alvarez will be to the success of the Astros, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Father Time is an obstacle for veterans Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Christian Walker and Josh Hader who are over 30 years old. Hunter Brown is a legitimate ace, but losing Framber Valdez to free agency will create a big hole in the starting rotation.

Texas Rangers: Only a handful of players remain from the World Series championship team from two years ago. Skip Shoemaker will be the new manager to replace Bruce Bochy. Led by veterans Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adris Garcia and Jacob deGrom, the Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the majors. Fun fact: Texas had the lowest ERA (3.47) in MLB last season.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Led by OF Corbin Carroll, 2B Ketel Marte, and SS Gerardo Perdomo, the D-backs have the offensive power to remain competitive. However, the pitching staff is full of question marks. Corbin Burnes was scheduled to be the anchor, but he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and may not be able to pitch again until the end of 2026.

Miami Marlins: The Marlins improved their 2023 record by 17 wins. There’s a lot to like on this roster, especially with the rise of OFs Kyle Stowers and Jacob Marcy. If everyone stays healthy, especially Eury Perez, Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, the starting pitching will be special.

Kansas City Royals: At the top of the standings, MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and left-handed sluggers Vinny Pasquantino and Jack Carianone have reason to be excited. Depth is a major concern, as is the ability of ace Cole Lagance to bounce back from starting just 13 games in 2025 due to a torn rotator cuff.

Tampa Bay Rays: Although the Rays took a step back this season, there is optimism surrounding a budding superstar in 3B Junior Caminero (45 HR, 110 RBI). He may not be able to replicate those power numbers and the offense may struggle overall when the team returns to Tropicana Field, but the above-average pitching staff will welcome the change.

San Francisco Giants: General manager Buster Posey made the bold move of selecting Tony Vitello, a former college player, as the new manager. The bold move of acquiring Rafael Devers midseason didn’t work out, but mid-major sluggers don’t grow on trees. The Giants could have the widest range of results of any major league team in 2026.

Needs improvement

Athletics: The team’s first season at its temporary home in Sacramento brought many surprises. That includes a seven-win jump from 2024. With the rise of rookies Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, the offensive line has become good enough to be dangerous. But pitching…

St. Louis Cardinals: The Chaim Bloom era begins in earnest as he takes over baseball operations from John Mozelak. His first order of business will be to find a trade partner and sign veteran 3B Nolan Arenado. The next important thing is to find more power in an offensive line that has hit fewer home runs than any other team except the Pirates.

Minnesota Twins: Giving up more than half of the major league roster at the trade deadline was certainly a choice. The Twins now have to find a way to reload, perhaps without making a big splash in free agency. CF Byron Buxton is the only true star, but his career has been plagued by injuries. The same goes for 3B Royce Lewis. At least the pitching staff should be able to keep the games close.

It’s still a long way off

Los Angeles Angels: Even in his 16th MLB season, Mike Trout is still unable to win in the postseason and remains stuck in an eternal merry-go-round. SS Zach Neto and OF Joe Adell are exciting but flawed players. But as always, Trout needs more help and the organization doesn’t seem to be giving him any.

Chicago White Sox: After several years of trading veterans and prospects, it’s time for some of those moves to start paying off. C Kyle Thiel and 2B Chase Meidroth are part of the first wave, along with first-rounder SS Colson Montgomery.

Washington Nationals: The youth movement continues with the appointment of 33-year-old Blake Butera as the new coach. OF James Wood has superstar potential, while SS CJ Abrams has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Pitching is the biggest problem. Only the Rockies had a worse ERA in 2025.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skeens is amazing, isn’t he? All it takes is support from the offensive line. And from ownership,

Colorado Rockies: They don’t have the talent to compete. They don’t have a manager. They are coming off a season with 119 losses. Do they have a plan?

Opinions of Democrats and Republicans diverge in Trump approval rating survey

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Opinions of Democrats and Republicans diverge in Trump approval rating survey

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President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have plummeted over the past month, but with more than two-thirds saying his party is “out of touch” with Americans, a new national poll shows little room for Democrats to gloat.

The four-day Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll showed the president’s approval rating among respondents at 41%, tracking a trend that has seen Trump in the mid-to-low 40s in various national polls for months. However, in this poll, disapproval has risen to 59%, a level not seen in post-ABC polls since January 2021, one week after the Capitol attack.

The survey, conducted Oct. 24-28, surveyed 2,725 U.S. adults and had an overall margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.

Live updates: Government shutdown. Latest updates on SNAP benefits and funding struggles.

More votes: Trump’s approval rating remains stable despite the hardships of government shutdown, poll shows

The polls have maintained a consistent trend since President Trump began his second term, showing deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats over his job performance. A new poll found that 86% of Republicans say they approve of the president, while 95% of Democrats disapprove. Among independents, 69% say they do not support Trump becoming president, while 30% do.

Most Americans say they are dissatisfied with the way he is handling each of eight issues, including the economy, immigration, tariffs, running the federal government, crime, and conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. His lowest points were on federal control and tariffs, with approval ratings of 36% and 33%, respectively. He had the highest approval ratings on Israel and Gaza, with 46% approving of his approach to the conflict and 52% disapproving.

The majority also said President Trump is exercising too much authority. In a poll, 64% said he was going too far in “trying to expand the president’s powers.”

Still, that disapproval did not translate into support for the opposition, as respondents said they saw the president and the two major parties as “out of touch” with their lives. But Democrats are bearing the brunt of it, with respondents identifying them as the most out of touch. For Democrats, 68% agreed with the criticism, while for Republicans and the president, 61% and 63%, respectively, said the same.

more: 7 big questions hanging over US politics heading into Election Day 2025

When asked how they would vote if the 2026 midterm elections were held today, Democrats did no better than Republicans. Less than half of registered voters, 46%, said they would support the Democratic candidate in their precinct, while 44% said they would support the Republican candidate. Another 9% said they would not vote at all.

The difference in support between the two parties in a hypothetical midterm election is within the margin of error, plus or minus 2.2 percentage points in a sample of 2,203 registered voters.

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

Will the Dodgers visit the White House? President Trump congratulates Los Angeles on winning the World Series

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Will the Dodgers visit the White House? President Trump congratulates Los Angeles on winning the World Series

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The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2025 World Series with a roaring overtime victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 on November 1, clinching the team’s second straight championship.

The Dodgers were forced down to the final two outs, but Miguel Rojas hit a spectacular game-tying home run, and Los Angeles finally took the lead in the 11th inning with Will Smith’s home run.

President Donald Trump shared his congratulations to the Dodgers on social media after the game. “With an inferior group of men, we could never have won that game, much less Game 6,” Trump wrote. “So many stars made it all happen…

“See you at the White House (!!!)”

Earlier this year, the Dodgers visited President Trump at the White House to celebrate winning the 2024 World Series.

Celebrate the Dodgers World Series with our book

The unfortunate truth about maxing out your 401(k)

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The unfortunate truth about maxing out your 401(k)

You may be saving more with easy-to-contribute retirement savings vehicles, but you’re giving up a lot of flexibility.

james bramley
|The Motley Fool

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This premise sounds great. The more money you save for retirement during your working years, the larger your retirement nest egg will be. Contributions to a workplace retirement account are also tax-deductible, making it a little easier to direct some of your income toward these vehicles, even if it’s for psychological reasons.

However, if you’re planning on maximizing your 401(k) account contributions as much as possible, you might want to take a step back and reevaluate that idea. There are downsides to stashing money too aggressively in this type of retirement savings account (in fact, there are several downsides, but they all fit into one category).

This means that 401(k) accounts are much less flexible than other accounts. Let’s see why and what to do about it.

Potential Downsides of Stashing Money in a 401(k)

Don’t get me wrong: 401(k) plans have distinct benefits. The most important of these is the amount you can donate. This year, all participants in such plans can put up to $23,500 of their income into one of these workplace retirement accounts, and those ages 50 to 59 and those 64 and older can add an additional $7,500 (bringing the total up to $31,000). Lucky workers between the ages of 60 and 63 have the option to make a ‘super’ catch-up contribution of $11,250, increasing their maximum annual contribution to $34,750.

And that’s just a portion of the money employees put into their 401(k) accounts. Most employers also put a portion of employee contributions toward their own retirement savings, up to 6% of each employee’s gross income. Some lucky employees have reached the legal limit of $70,000 in total annual contributions to their 401(k) accounts this year.

Nevertheless, there are debatable drawbacks to making the most of workplace retirement savings options. As mentioned earlier, these vehicles can be very inflexible in some ways.

One drawback is the limited number of investment options available within most 401(k) plans. In most cases, these plans are managed by mutual fund companies, and in most cases, your only option is to invest in mutual funds rather than individual stocks.

This will probably work for most people (maybe a simple index fund is the best choice, or maybe a target date fund is best). However, if you consistently pick the right stocks, your 401(k) account can underperform other investments.

Funds held in a 401(k) account are also more difficult to quickly access and sometimes cost more than assets held in a traditional IRA. And it’s certainly more so than funds held in brokerage accounts.

Ideally, you wouldn’t want to remove money from your retirement account before you actually retire. But things happen in life. Sometimes unexpected expenses arise and you have to do what needs to be done.

Early withdrawals from non-Roth retirement accounts (before you reach age 59 1/2) are almost always taxed as income and typically subject to an additional 10% penalty, but withdrawing money from a 401(k) account requires both time and a significant amount of paperwork. And, in some cases, your employer may require you to first take this distribution in the form of a loan and then repay it to you through payroll deductions, which does not necessarily solve your current financial problems.

In contrast, assets and money in a regular IRA held at a brokerage firm like Charles Schwab or Fidelity can often be turned into a payable check within just a few days. No hassle. All you have to do is file your tax liability by April 15th of the following year.

It’s also worth mentioning that while there are some hardship exceptions that waive the 10% penalty for early withdrawals for 401(k)s, there are even more exceptions for IRAs. That means 401(k) plans typically don’t allow penalty-free withdrawals for expenses related to higher education, withdrawals of up to $10,000 to fund your first home purchase, or withdrawals for health insurance costs if you lose your job. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs both offer all three.

In this vein, even if maxing out your 401(k) means you don’t have any short-term emergency funds at all, it may be better in the long run to keep your funds a little more liquid so you can buy time to weather emergencies without having to tap your retirement accounts.

Finally, while the idea of ​​lowering your taxable income now by making tax-deductible contributions to a tax-deferred vehicle sounds great on the surface, it may not necessarily be the best choice for you. A Roth 401(k) might be a better option. I don’t We will provide you with a tax break while you donate, but do Provides tax-free withdrawals after retirement.

Broadly speaking, you should pay income tax on your retirement savings when your taxable income is at its lowest and avoid income tax when your income is at its highest. It may be now, but it is It was done Please come later.

The only problem? Not all employers offer Roth 401(k) options. Vanguard, a leading mutual fund and retirement plan manager, reports that as of the end of last year, only 86% of the companies it manages with retirement plans offered access to Roth 401(k) accounts. If the Roth is your best choice, maxing out your non-Roth 401(k) contributions will only make you more financially challenged in the long run.

Most people will want to do a little bit of both

Don’t look at comparing retirement savings options from an extreme “either-or” perspective. You’ll probably use a hybrid approach that combines savings in a 401(k) account with savings in an IRA. This combo approach also has the potential to blend Roth and non-Roth retirement savings vehicles.

The first priority in your savings strategy is to put enough money into your 401(k) to ensure you qualify for the maximum matching contribution your employer wants. Once vested, it’s truly free money. Where you store it will then be determined based on your specific plans and expectations.

No matter how and where you save for retirement, try to save as much as possible without restricting your access to cash.

Charles Schwab is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. James Brumley has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Charles Schwab and recommends the following options: December 2025 $95 short calls on Charles Schwab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner providing financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

The $23,760 Social Security bonus that most retirees completely overlook

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Government suspends live updates. Latest information on SNAP benefits

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Government suspends live updates. Latest information on SNAP benefits

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WASHINGTON – It’s unclear when millions of families will receive their November food assistance payments, even after two federal judges ruled last week that the Trump administration must pay at least a portion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as the government shutdown continues.

Payments appear to be scheduled to stop in early November as the closure extends into another week. But federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled on October 31 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture must use $5.25 billion in contingency funds to make at least a partial payment.

The justices also said the Trump administration has the option of using certain discretionary funds to pay out the full November benefits. They gave the government a limited number of days to provide an update on what it was doing.

Stay up to date with the latest from the USA TODAY Network.

Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income, retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, will continue during the government shutdown.

Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory expenditures by law and are therefore not affected by the expiration of appropriations. Payments will continue to be made regularly during the shutdown.

Social Security offices will remain open during the closure, but only some services will be available.

– Sudiksha Kochi and Melina Khan

it’s complicated. TSA employees and FAA air traffic controllers are considered essential employees. Therefore, they are required to work during the shutdown even if they are not receiving a paycheck.

Although the number of delays overall is fairly low, staffing levels at some air traffic control facilities are causing problems. Earlier this month, the FAA had to delay a flight to Burbank, Calif., after the tower there was deserted for several hours in the evening.

It is important to note that not all delays during the shutdown are due to lack of funds. Regardless of what’s happening in Washington, weather remains a major factor in flight delays.

Still, in previous shutdowns, more of these essential workers started missing work, which led to longer security lines and delays at some airports.

– Zack Wictor and Kathleen Wong

SNAP is the nation’s largest food assistance program, accounting for about 70% of USDA’s nutrition assistance spending in fiscal year 2024, according to the agency.

However, there are many other food assistance programs run by the government, including:

  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves at-risk children under age 5 and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women.
    • According to USDA, WIC served approximately 6.7 million participants each month in fiscal year 2024, including an estimated 41% of all young children in the United States.
  • The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free school lunches to children.
    • According to USDA, NSLP served more than 4.8 billion lunches in fiscal year 2024.

The impact of the government shutdown on WIC, NSLP, and other government-sponsored programs varies by program.

– Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Melina Khan

Federal Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts said in a written decision that the government must use reserve funds to the extent necessary to maintain funding for the SNAP program. He also said the government is allowed to transfer other funds derived from import fees to supplement the emergency fund.

Mr. Talwani ordered his administration to provide a timeline by Nov. 3 for deciding whether to approve reductions in benefits for at least November, and if so, whether to approve full benefits through a combination of contingency funds and other funds.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island Judge John McConnell, in a brief written in the Oct. 31 docket after the court hearing, ordered the government to allocate the reserve funds and report on the allocation by noon on Nov. 3. In response to the order, the administration filed a motion saying the judge should better explain what is needed, including the reasons.

McConnell responded in a written order on Nov. 1, saying the government must use reserve funds for at least a portion of November’s benefits, with the option of using other available funds. Mr. McConnell asked the administration to pay the full amount by Nov. 3 if it intends to use discretionary funds to make that possible. He said if the administration chooses to pay only a portion of the reserve fund, it must do so by Nov. 5.

Mr McConnell’s offer to extend the deadline for partial payments may come as the government has said that implementing partial payments in the country requires tweaks to the existing system.

Why are government offices shut down?

Most of the federal government shut down on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a new spending bill to fund the government.

The battle in Congress centered on health care. Democrats wanted a bill that would extend subsidies that lower health insurance costs for millions of Americans. The subsidy is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.

When did the shutdown begin?

The federal government shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to pass legislation to continue funding government operations. Approximately 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed. Hundreds of thousands more are working without pay.

What you need to know about daylight saving time as clocks “set back” on November 2nd

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What you need to know about daylight saving time as clocks “set back” on November 2nd

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Daylight saving time ended early on Thursday, November 2nd, when clocks went “back” by one hour, giving people in most parts of the United States an extra hour of sleep.

Daylight saving time always begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Despite calls to make Daylight Saving Time a permanent part of Americans’ daily lives, and a failed Senate vote earlier this week, the time change was pushed back and rewarded by giving Americans much-needed extra time.

Here’s what you need to know:

When will daylight saving time end in 2025?

In 2025, daylight savings time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 2.

What is daylight saving time?

Daylight Saving Time is a period from March to November when most Americans set their clocks forward one hour.

In March, clocks are moved forward to allow more sunlight on summer nights. However, the reason they “retreat” in November is to gain more morning sunlight.

Summer time or summer time?

The correct term is “save” time (not savings) for daylight saving time. However, the incorrect term “daylight saving time” is commonly used, especially in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Do all states observe daylight saving time?

no. Currently, the following states and territories do not observe daylight saving time.

  • Hawaii
  • Arizona (excluding Navajo Nation)
  • american samoa
  • Guam
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • puerto rico
  • US Virgin Islands

Reuters and USA TODAY’s Emily DeLetter, Julia Gomez and Kinsey Crowley contributed to this report.

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

How much could tariffs add to your holiday budget?

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How much could tariffs add to your holiday budget?

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The ongoing tariffs could put pressure on holiday budgets.

On average, holiday shoppers could spend an additional $132 per person, according to new analysis from Lending Tree, an estimate based on what they would have spent last holiday season if current tariffs were in place.

A total of $28.6 billion will be passed on to shoppers. The biggest increases were seen in electronics, where shoppers spent an extra $186, and clothing and accessories, which saw shoppers spend $82 more. Together, these two categories account for an estimated 60.7% of the customs burden on winter holiday gifts, according to Lending Tree.

“If you want to get the same amount of stuff you had last year, you should expect that you might have to spend a little more this holiday season,” Matt Schultz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree, told USA TODAY.

What is the latest information on customs duties?

Tariffs are an ever-changing subject.

The future of President Donald Trump’s tariffs will be determined on November 5, when the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on whether President Trump has the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Powers Act of 1977.

On October 29, President Trump changed some tariffs on China after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. As USA TODAY previously reported, President Trump said he would immediately cut fentanyl tariffs in half from 20%. It will be reduced to 10%. Various other tariffs remain in place, with rates on some Chinese imports ranging from 45% to 47%.

Shoppers will feel the burden of customs duties

If current tariffs had been in place, consumers and retailers would have faced an estimated $40.6 billion in additional costs during the 2024 winter holidays, according to an analysis by Lending Tree. Consumers would have seen an increase of $28.6 billion, while retailers would have absorbed $12 billion, Lending Tree said.

Imported goods are big business, especially during the holidays. Lending Tree estimates that consumers spent $377.7 billion on imported goods during the 2024 winter holidays. Of this, 88.0% of imported goods, or $117.5 billion, was spent on clothing and accessories, and $111.6 billion was spent on electronics.

Fee: President Trump announces reduction of tariffs on China after meeting with Xi Jinping

The additional cost to shoppers “doesn’t make holiday shopping any easier, but I think people are already expecting the holidays to be a little more expensive this year,” Schulz said.

How to budget this holiday season

They are already seeing price increases.

Morning Consult’s monthly survey of 2,200 Americans found that consumers continue to see further price increases due to tariffs in October.

49% of shoppers surveyed said they spend the most on tariff-related price increases at grocery stores, followed by personal care and gasoline (tied for 38%), and medicine and medical supplies in third place at 36%.

41% of U.S. consumers say they are already buying fewer items because of higher costs, and 25% say they would consider doing so. A further 38% said they had already adjusted their budgets to account for rising costs, and 28% said they were considering it.

Schulz suggests saving up a little extra money before the holidays, evaluating credit card sign-up bonuses and comparison shopping.

“Life is expensive in 2025. There are steps people can take to make life a little easier for themselves,” he said.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her at @blinfisher on X, Facebook and Instagram and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky.. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, breaking down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

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