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Virginia Democratic Party enters Trump-led redistricting battle

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Virginia Democratic Party enters Trump-led redistricting battle

Virginia law requires both chambers of Congress to adopt the constitutional amendment again early next year before the plan goes before voters.

steve gorman
|Reuters

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Oct 29 (Reuters) – Virginia’s Democratic-led House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a state constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps next year, escalating a mid-decade multi-state redistricting war sparked by President Donald Trump.

The Democratic-sponsored resolution passed on a party-line vote of 51-42, sending the bill to the Virginia Senate, where the Democratic majority is also expected to approve it.

Under Virginia law, both chambers of Congress would have to pass another constitutional amendment early next year before the redistricting plan can be sent to voters for approval by referendum.

more: Any clues to the interim period and 2028? Watch Virginia, New Jersey, and California now. (perhaps.)

The bill would temporarily bypass the independent redistricting commission created by voters in a 2020 constitutional amendment that would allow the Democratic-controlled Legislature to reshape congressional boundaries to favor partisan advantage ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Republican lawmakers condemned the Democratic effort, calling it a naked power grab. But Democrats countered that the move was in response to a larger power grab launched by President Trump, who wants Texas to rewrite its congressional maps to give Republicans five more seats in the House this year.

Republicans, including Mr. Trump, have publicly acknowledged that the plan enacted this summer in Texas, followed by similar plans in Missouri and North Carolina, is aimed at preserving their party’s narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the hotly contested 2026 midterm elections.

more: Dissatisfied voters caught up in redistricting wars: ‘This is not a healthy way to run a republic’

Democrats are fighting back by pursuing their own redistricting efforts, starting in California, where a plan to redraw congressional lines to favor the party was passed by Congress in August and will be decided by voters in a special election next week.

In Indiana, Republican Gov. Mike Braun bowed to a White House pressure campaign and called a special legislative session next Monday to consider the state’s redistricting plan.

This week, the Virginia Democratic Party has entered the fray as the gubernatorial race and the election of 100 members to the state House of Representatives are in the spotlight.

There are no specific changes proposed to the political map in Virginia. However, Democrats are expected to have a good chance of picking up at least two more seats. Democrats currently hold six of Virginia’s 11 House seats.

New York Mayor Adams blocks Zoran Mandani’s rent freeze plan

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New York Mayor Adams blocks Zoran Mandani’s rent freeze plan

Mamdani said he wants to freeze rents for rent-stabilized apartments. Current Mayor Eric Adams may do everything he can to stop it.

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NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams could jeopardize Zoran Mamdani’s signature housing cost proposal before he leaves office.

Mamdani, who is the Democratic Party’s mayoral candidate in the November 4 election, is running on the platform of freezing rent increases for the city’s roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.

But Mr. Adams could thwart Mr. Mamdani’s plans at the end of his harsh one-term government.

The mayor will appoint all nine members of the vague Rent Guidelines Committee, which sets or halts rent increases that rent-stabilized landlords can make. The terms of the six committee members have already expired.

Once Adams appoints new members, they can join the board immediately and serve terms of two to four years. The current board includes one member whose two-year term expired in 2020, before Adams was elected in 2021, and four members whose terms expired in 2022, Adams’ first year.

The Adams administration has already contacted at least one candidate to replace him.

Eleonora Surgo, a real estate broker and reality TV star of the Netflix show “Selling the City,” confirmed to USA TODAY that government officials contacted her about the board. Slugo said the mayor did not offer her the job directly.

Slugo, a friend of Adams, said she is unlikely to become a member for now as she is considering appearing on her TV show. But she opposed Mamdani’s proposal.

“I believe the rent freeze provides false hope and underestimates the intelligence of New Yorkers,” she said in an Oct. 28 message. “We’re smarter than that.”

The New York Post first reported on Slugo’s possible appointment.

Landlord advocates say rent increases are necessary to offset the rising costs of maintaining and improving buildings. Mamdani’s proposal would not apply to market-rate units or public housing.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, gained national recognition for her campaign, which focused on rising costs, particularly housing costs. Adams supported former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate who opposes the rent freeze. Adams has received significant campaign contributions from the real estate industry.

Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak did not rule out appointing new Rent Guidelines Committee members.

“Mayor Adams will continue to spend the remainder of his term serving New Yorkers every day,” Mayor Mamelak said in a statement. “Mayor Adams has the authority to appoint members of the commission, just as he inherited appointees from the Rent Guidelines Commission when he took office.”

Dora Pekek, a spokeswoman for Mamdani’s campaign, referred to USA TODAY a recent interview Mamdani gave to New York City news outlet Hell Gate. “This is a fitting end to an administration that has failed working-class New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.

But he also argued that he could not stop Mr. Adams from fulfilling his campaign promises. Although he did not elaborate on specific strategies, he suggested that he might be able to emulate what he described as Republicans’ imaginative approach to “how they want to use power.”

During the eight years of Adams’ predecessor, Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Rent Guidelines Commission froze rents three times. Under the Adams administration, the board never froze rents. Tenant advocates claim the board raised rents by 12% under Adams.

“Mr. Adams is going to do whatever he wants in the coming months to ensure that his legacy of rent increases continues,” said Ritti Singh, a spokeswoman for Tenant Block of New York, an advocacy group that organized renters to support Mr. Mamdani in June’s Democratic primary. “But we are ready to fight it and win a rent freeze.”

She cited organizing efforts, such as in 2023, that resulted in left-wing city councilors and activists storming the Rent Guidelines Committee podium to prevent large rent increases. Singh hoped lawmakers would do so again.

If Adams were to appoint a new commissioner binding future mayors, it would be unprecedented in the Rent Guidelines Commission’s 56-year history, said Tim Collins, who served as the commission’s executive director from 1988 to 1994. It could also create a pattern in which future mayors wait until the last minute to exert more influence over their successors’ terms.

If Mamdani wins the mayoral election, he will take office on January 1. The chairman of the Rent Guidelines Committee, which is appointed at the mayor’s discretion, may be replaced immediately. One member’s term expires on December 31st, and another member’s term expires in December 2026.

Under the state’s Rent Stabilization Act, Mamdani can remove members for “just cause,” but he will also have the opportunity to appeal the dismissal.

The law does not specify what cause means or provide details of the hearing process. Collins, who wrote a biography for the board, said removing a sitting director had never been attempted before.

Ultimately, Adams’ actions could lead to the City Council stepping in to gain a greater say in the board appointment process, which until now has been reserved for the mayor, Collins said in an email.

“The bottom line is that executive arrogance is likely to backfire,” Collins says.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).

How SNAP recipients use DoorDash, Gopuff to make grocery transactions

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How SNAP recipients use DoorDash, Gopuff to make grocery transactions

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Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to run out on November 1, leaving millions of people without access to nutritious foods. However, there are several meal and grocery delivery services.

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides monthly stipends for healthy food to low-income individuals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP, 42 million Americans use the program each month.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP is currently lacking the regular federal funds it relies on to operate. The USDA said emergency funds cannot be used to issue monthly allocated benefits. Therefore, beneficiaries will not be able to receive their regular aid in November.

In order, Food banks are probably They are bearing the brunt of the lapse in SNAP benefits. However, some companies have announced sales for SNAP recipients, and you may also find discounts at your local grocery store.

SNAP recipients can get $50 off on groceries through Gopuff

Grocery delivery company Gopuff is offering SNAP recipients $50 off groceries. This deal will be available in two parts during November, each costing $25 to use on SNAP eligible items.

Here’s how SNAP recipients can access Gopuff discounts. Gopuff discounts are implemented in two stages.

  1. Add your SNAP EBT card to your Gopuff account.
  2. Add SNAP-eligible groceries to your cart.
  3. November 1st – November 15th: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout to get $25 off SNAP eligible items and free shipping.
  4. Nov. 16-30: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout to get $25 off SNAP eligible items and free shipping.

DoorDash shipping fees are waived for SNAP recipients

SNAP recipients will be able to use DoorDash on one order during November without paying any additional shipping or service fees, the company announced Oct. 26.

This offer is available to customers who link their SNAP/EBT card as a payment option in their DoorDash profile and place an order at a participating store. They include:

  • dollar general
  • food lion
  • sprout
  • schnucks
  • giant foods
  • huge company
  • hannaford
  • stop & shop
  • Hy-Vee
  • giant eagle
  • wegmans

DoorDash says a promo code is required to redeem the offer, but users who upload a SNAP/EBT card as a payment method will see the code in the app during the promotional period, available from November 1st to November 30th.

DoorDash said it will waive fees on about 300,000 orders as part of the promotion.

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

Health secretary says there is insufficient data to show Tylenol causes autism

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Health secretary says there is insufficient data to show Tylenol causes autism

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services, said Tylenol should be used with caution during pregnancy, but there is a lack of hard data linking it to autism.

Susan Heavey and Ahmed Abrenuin
|Reuters

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  • President Trump said last month that U.S. officials would recommend restricting Tylenol’s use during pregnancy, even though doctors maintain it is safe.
  • On October 28, the state of Texas sued Tylenol maker Kenvue, accusing it of concealing data about health risks.
  • RFK Jr. said there isn’t enough data to confirm a link between Tylenol and autism, but painkillers should be avoided during pregnancy if possible.

WASHINGTON, DC – Although there is not enough evidence to confirm that Tylenol causes autism, the painkiller should still be used with caution, President Donald Trump’s top health official said on October 29, a month after the president said U.S. health officials would recommend limiting Tylenol’s use.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s comments also came a day after the Republican state of Texas sued Kenvue, the maker of the drug, also known as acetaminophen, which has been widely sold for decades.

“The causal relationship between Tylenol administered during pregnancy and the perinatal period is not sufficient to say with certainty that it causes autism. But it is very suggestive,” Kennedy told reporters, citing animal, blood, and observational studies.

“It requires a cautious approach,” he added.

In September, President Trump, who is not a doctor, warned pregnant women not to take the drug, without citing any scientific evidence. His unproven claims initially hurt the stock price of Kenvue, a consumer health company spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, and sparked a backlash from many doctors.

Dr Kenbue has repeatedly defended painkillers, saying there is no scientific link to autism and warning that such proposals could put maternal health at risk.

The company asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reject calls to put an autism warning on Tylenol’s labels and reportedly hired a new head of marketing.

“As Secretary Kennedy stated, we agree that the best message to pregnant women is to consult a health care professional before taking acetaminophen, and our Tylenol label instructs consumers to do so. We also agree that there is no definitive causal link between taking acetaminophen and autism,” the company said in a statement.

Kenview stock was down 1.4% as of market close on October 29th.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Ahmed Abrenuin in Washington and Kamal Chaudhry in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler, Deepa Babington and David Gregorio)

“Dancing with the Stars” Rock Night Exclusive Release

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“Dancing with the Stars” Rock Night Exclusive Release

The cast of “Dancing with the Stars” is gearing up for another rowdy themed night, and USA TODAY has an exclusive look at the songs and dance styles.

With Halloween night in the background, the glitter-toed cast members of “Dancing with the Stars” are gearing up for another rowdy themed night.

USA TODAY has an exclusive look at the upcoming Rock Night songs and dance styles. That’s because the wildly popular ABC show sees the remaining couples (including stars like social media favorite Alix Earle and surprise fan favorite Andy Richter) dancing to classic rock hits. Each dance will be performed to a song by an artist or group who has been or will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Flavor Fluff, himself a member of the R&R Hall of Fame, will serve as a guest judge on the November 4th episode. In traditional fashion, before the couple takes to the ballroom floor, viewers will watch a choreographed performance that aligns with the night’s theme.

Next week, these numbers will be performed alongside Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” and OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” Additionally, Team Kool, which includes half of the cast, will perform a dance to Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” and Team Chicago, which includes the other half of the cast, will perform a dance to Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4.”

Below is an exclusive look at the songs and dance styles each of the remaining stars will perform on the November 4th broadcast.

Elimination of “DWTS” Shock the viewer. Who will remain on ‘Dancing with the Stars’?

‘Dancing with the Stars’ cast songs and dance styles revealed

Alix Earle and partner Val Chmerkovskiy

Dance style: paso doble

Song: “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

Robert Irwin and partner Whitney Carson

Dance style: paso doble

Song: “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes

Whitney Leavitt and partner Mark Ballas

Dance style: paso doble

Song: “No More Tears” by Ozzy Osbourne

Dylan Efron and partner Daniela Karagacci

Style: Jive

Song: “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

Andy Richter and partner Emma Slater

Dance style: contemporary

Song: Beach Boys “God Only Knows”

Elaine Hendricks and partner Alan Bersten

Dance style: Viennese waltz

Song: “What the World Needs Now Is Love” Dionne Warwick

Daniel Fischel and partner Pasha Pashkov

Dance style: contemporary

Song: Aerosmith “Dream On”

Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa

Dance style: Jazz

Song: “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner

How to enable Rivian’s “Spooky Swamp” theme for Halloween 2025

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How to enable Rivian’s “Spooky Swamp” theme for Halloween 2025

With a new software update, the Rivian EV now includes costumes. Is this the best seasonal car feature the industry has ever seen?

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  • Rivian took over Times Square on October 21st to reveal its Halloween mode, “Spooky Swamp.”
  • Special vehicle features create an innovative and immersive Halloween experience for Rivian owners and spectators.

Rivian has something special for drivers this spooky season.

The electric car company is rolling out seasonal themes made for ghouls, goblins, and things that go bump in the night as part of a software update. Rivian is known for its software-centric driving experience and unique features.

See how brands are making Halloween even more festive this year.

Rivian releases spooky new features just in time for Halloween

Electric vehicle company Rivian uses over-the-air (OTA) updates to continuously provide customers with an enhanced driving and ownership experience.

Thanks to advanced technology, updating your Rivian EV to include the company’s latest and greatest software is as easy as updating your smartphone.

Rivian’s “Spooky Swamp” is the brand’s official Halloween theme for 2025. This theme completely transforms your compatible vehicle using animations, lights, sounds, and more to create a Halloween interior ambiance and exterior display that is unrivaled by the competition. Tesla has been creating unique themes, but Rivian’s Spooky Swamp takes it to a whole other level.

This theme allows users to turn spooky overhead lights on and off, play custom Halloween music, and choose from several different Halloween animations that appear on all interior screens (for 2025 and newer models). Rivian owners can also choose from unique ambient music tracks, including snake and alligator sounds, that fill the cabin.

Theme settings are easily accessible from the Rivian app. Drivers can use the theme from October 21st to November 1st.

How to use Rivian’s Halloween mode

Rivian’s Halloween Mode is available on all Rivian models through a recent over-the-air update, but only second-generation R1T and R1S models have access to all of its features. Second-generation models consist of everything from the 2025 model year onwards.

Steps to enable Halloween mode

  • Download software update version .38 to ensure your Rivian mobile app is up to date.
  • Activate Rivian’s spooky swamp costume by tapping the “Let’s Get Spooky” card in the mobile app
  • Customize interior and exterior effects to your liking through the app and enjoy unique experiences hand-picked by the Rivian team

Rivian R1 Quad Launch Edition review: How Rivian R1 Quad Launch Edition breaks the EV glass ceiling

What’s so special about Rivian’s Halloween mode?

Rivian’s Halloween mode is important because it proves the brand is committed to providing owners with fun new features through regular over-the-air updates.

Halloween mode may have no practical purpose, but it allows the company’s software to shine and reinvent the way drivers and passengers interact with their vehicles. These updates enable automakers to find new and exciting ways to help drivers appreciate their cars even after the initial purchase.

Whether it’s a new vehicle theme or tweaking important safety or technology features, automakers now have the technology to improve and improve their vehicles without requiring physical maintenance by certified technicians.

The future of automobiles is one in which car buyers buy a car once and enjoy the benefits of intuitive design throughout its lifecycle, with new features and upgrades available at no additional cost.

Blood pressure medication recalled due to cancer risk

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Blood pressure medication recalled due to cancer risk

The recall includes more than 580,000 Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules sold by Teva Pharmaceuticals.

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More than 500,000 prescription blood pressure medications have been recalled because they contained cancer-causing chemicals, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On October 7, Parsippany, New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA issued a voluntary recall of some of its Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules, which the FDA classified as a Class II risk level on Friday, October 24.

The drug is approved by the FDA to treat high blood pressure, but it is also sometimes prescribed off-label to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly nightmares and sleep disturbances. This drug works by relaxing blood vessels, improving blood flow, and lowering blood pressure.

more: Neutrogena recalls wipes after positive bacterial test results

According to the FDA, a Class II risk refers to a situation in which “use or exposure to a violative product is likely to cause a temporary or medically reversible adverse health effect, or the likelihood of a serious adverse health effect is remote.”

more: Taco dinner kits sold at Aldi are being recalled due to mix-up of seasonings

The federal agency’s risk classification indicates that the recalled medications may contain a nitrosamine impurity, also known as “N-nitrosoprazosin Impurity C.” The FDA reported that exposure to the product may pose serious health risks.

Here’s what you need to know about the recall, including how many bottles were recalled.

more: Eggs, cinnamon, chicken, pork. See recent food recalls you should know about.

What blood pressure medications are being recalled?

The recall includes more than 580,000 Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules sold by Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Prescriptions affect:

  • 1mg capsules: 181,659 bottles
  • 2mg capsules: 291,512 bottles
  • 5mg capsules: 107,673 bottles

According to the FDA, a bottle may contain between 100 and 1,000 capsules.

For detailed code information and recall lot numbers, please see the FDA enforcement report here.

What should people do about recalled medications?

Neither Teva nor the FDA had issued guidance on handling the recalled tablets.

However, according to GoodRx, people affected by drug recalls are encouraged to check the lot number of their medications, contact their pharmacist as well as their prescriber, and discard the recalled medications.

USA TODAY reached out to Teva.

Contributor: James Powel of USA TODAY.

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

USPS unveils 2026 stamp designs featuring Bruce Lee, Route 66 and more

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USPS unveils 2026 stamp designs featuring Bruce Lee, Route 66 and more

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Route 66, Muhammad Ali, Phillis Wheatley, and the Declaration of Independence are all scheduled to appear on U.S. Postal Service stamps in 2026.

On Wednesday, October 29th, the USPS announced 19 stamp designs that will be released in 2026. The stamp collection pays homage to the natural world, celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States, and reflects the diverse individuals and communities who contributed to American history.

The stamps will be available for purchase at local post offices and the official USPS website throughout next year. Release dates for all designs have not yet been released.

What you need to know: Will the Postal Service or Post Office be affected by the government shutdown?

Take a look at USPS’s 2026 stamps

The 19 stamps below do not represent the entire 2026 USPS stamp lineup. More stamps and release dates will be announced as the new year approaches.

4 cent angel trumpet

The 4-cent stamp, featuring a photo of the Angel’s Trumpet, follows low-denomination flower stamps released by the USPS in 2024, including 1-cent fringe tulips, 2-cent daffodils, 3-cent peonies, 5-cent red tulips, and 10-cent poppies and cornflowers. These stamps are sold in packs of 20 or coils of 10,000.

To create the 4-cent stamp, photographer Harold Davis created a backlist of flowers by combining multiple images taken from different exposures, according to a USPS news release.

muhammad ali

Muhammad Ali, the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, will appear on a stamp set in 2026. The stamp features a 1974 Associated Press photo of Ali staring into the camera and his name, “Ali,” in all capital letters.

The designs on the stamps represent Ali’s career, including promotional posters, his movements in the boxing ring, and the chants that greeted him while traveling abroad, according to a USPS news release.

The first Muhammad Ali stamp will be issued in Louisville, Kentucky on January 15, 2026.

love

The USPS 2026 Love stamps include four love bird designs inspired by mid-century American design and Japanese children’s books, according to a USPS news release. Design created by James Yang.

Colorado status

To celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary, the state will receive its own stamp. The photo features a photo of the jagged mountains of the San Juan National Forest taken by the late nature photographer John Fielder, according to a USPS news release. The stamp will be first issued in Denver, Colorado on January 24, 2026.

Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley

The USPS’s 49th Black Heritage Stamp honors Phillis Wheatley, the first author of African descent to publish a book in the American colonies. The stamp features a portrait of Wheatley by artist Kerry James Marshall, according to a USPS news release. The stamp will first be issued in Boston on January 29, 2026.

Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse

The seventh stamp in the USPS Lunar New Year collection features a paper-cut horse mask created by artist Camille Chu, according to a USPS news release. The stamp will first be issued in Houston on February 3, 2026.

bruce lee

The Bruce Lee stamp features a black-and-white picture of Midkick, a Chinese-American martial artist commanded by Cam Mack. The stamp also features a bright yellow brushstroke in the background, referencing the yellow jersey worn by Lee in the 1978 film Game of Death.

harriet powers

The Harriet Powers stamp features a collection of four panes from the artist’s 1898 “Picture Quilt” depicting Biblical scenes and local folklore. Powers learned to sew while enslaved on a plantation near Athens, Georgia, according to a USPS news release.

lowrider

The Lowrider stamp collection features five classic cars: a blue 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline, a blue 1958 Chevrolet Impala, a red 1963 Impala, an orange 1964 Impala, and a green 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pocket Change. The stamp features a photo of the vehicle taken by Philip Gordon and Humberto “Beto” Mendoza, according to a USPS news release.

Lowriders date back to the working class Mexican American and Chicano communities of the American Southwest in the 1940s.

sunflower

The 2026 Sunflower stamp was illustrated by Nancy Stahl, who has designed more than 40 USPS stamps, according to a news release.

a day at the beach

The “A Day at the Beach” stamp collection features four panels depicting popular beach day scenes, including looming sand castles and perched seagulls. The stamp features a vivid oil painting by Gregory Manchez.

figures of the american war of independence

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the People pane features 25 people who helped shape American independence as we know it. The stamps feature portraits drawn by 13 contemporary artists.

Notable figures include John Adams, Elizabeth Freeman, Agwalondonwas, Thomas Jefferson, Deborah Sampson, and George Washington.

route 66

To commemorate Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026, USPS will release a collection of eight stamps featuring photos taken by David Schwartz along the Mother Road.

Bald Eagle: From hatchling to adult

Paying homage to America’s iconic bald eagle, this set of four bald eagle stamps depicts various stages of the bald eagle’s life. The stamps were illustrated by David Allen Sibley, according to a USPS news release.

american bison

The 2026 American Bison stamp is inset with artwork from the 1923 stamp, which also featured the American Bison. In addition to the 100-year-old stamp, the modern design features a photo of Tom Murphy, according to a USPS news release.

international peace

The 2026 International Peace Stamp features a photo of an origami crane folded by Sue DiCicco, founder of the Peace Crane Project. The crane was photographed by Sally Anderson Bruce, according to a USPS news release.

declaration of independence

Another stamp commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Declaration of Independence stamp, has “1776” written in red, white and blue feathers. The stamp was designed by Juan Carlo Pagan.

Sarah Orne Jewett

The 35th stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Sarah Orne Jewett, a founding figure in regionalism in American literature. The stamp features Mark Summers’ original portrait of Jewett depicting the Maine coastline, according to a USPS news release.

winter squirrel and chipmunk

The collection of four stamp designs, “Winter Squirrels and Chipmunks,” features photos of two chipmunks, one gray squirrel, and one red squirrel, according to a USPS news release.

Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

Supreme Court seeks more information on Chicago National Guard case

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Supreme Court seeks more information on Chicago National Guard case

President Trump asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s hold on the use of the National Guard in Chicago. The judges said they needed more information before making a decision.

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WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Thursday delayed a decision on whether to lift a stay put by a lower court in a dispute over National Guard troops that President Donald Trump wants to send to Chicago, requesting more documents.

The National Guard normally operates under the command of a state’s governor, but can be called to federal service by the president only under certain circumstances. The Trump administration claims that two of these conditions exist in Chicago: an insurrection against the government and an inability to enforce the law “by regular military.”

The justices asked the Justice Department and the cities and states to submit written explanations on whether the term “regular military” meant the regular forces of the U.S. military. The justices also asked how the term relates to the National Guard.

The high court set a Nov. 10 deadline for the government to file its complaint, and a Nov. 17 deadline for the city and state to respond.

In an Oct. 9 ruling, U.S. District Judge April Perry said initial evidence shows that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are able to perform their duties without military assistance, and that sending in troops would likely lead to civil unrest.

Chicago based 7th The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely agreed with the district judge’s opinion.

But the Justice Department told the Supreme Court that it is up to the president, not the courts, to decide whether the national military is needed. And they argued that even though a judge could review the president’s deployment decision, Trump’s decision was correct.

The Justice Department said the situation in Chicago “now poses an unsustainable danger to federal employees who risk their lives performing essential law enforcement functions.”

Chicago is not the first city in which Trump has tried to deploy security guards, but it was the first case to reach the Supreme Court.

Officials in California and Oregon are suing to block deployments in their states.

State and local officials argue that federalizing the military is an unconstitutional usurpation of state power.

The Chicago area has become the epicenter of the administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown known as Operation Midway Blitz. Protests have erupted in response, many in front of the ICE facility in the Broadview suburb.

President Trump federalized approximately 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and approximately 400 members of the Texas National Guard.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told the Supreme Court that state and local law enforcement officials were responding to “isolated protests,” some of which are constitutionally protected by the First Amendment.

In a letter supporting Illinois, a group of former military officials said that federalizing the National Guard should be “a last resort to avoid the inevitable politicization of the military that undermines public confidence, negatively impacts the draft, and undermines morale.”

“Peaceful protests against government actions are constitutionally protected speech and deserve the highest protections,” they wrote, “not military intimidation.”

Former police officer convicted of murder in Sonya Massey shooting

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Former police officer convicted of murder in Sonya Massey shooting

The killing of Massey, a Black mother of two who had suffered from mental health issues, sparked a wave of protests and a federal investigation by the Justice Department.

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PEORIA, IL – A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of second-degree murder in the Oct. 29 shooting death of Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman. His killing sparked protests and a Justice Department discrimination investigation last year.

The verdict against Sean Grayson, 31, was handed down on the second day of deliberations. Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, but a second-degree murder option was added to jury instructions before deliberations began.

The former deputy now faces up to 20 years in prison. Judge Ryan Cadagin scheduled the sentencing hearing for January 29, 2026.

Lawyers for the Massey family said while they hoped Grayson would be convicted of first-degree murder, the sentence represented “a measure of justice for Sonya Massey.”

“Accountability has begun and we look forward to the court imposing meaningful sentences that reflect the gravity of these crimes and the lives lost,” attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a statement. “We will continue to fight for Sonya’s family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.”

more: Sonya Massey’s death and how race, police, and mental health collide in America’s heartland

Grayson, who is white, shot and killed Massey, 36, in his home in July 2024 after he called police about a possible intruder. At the time, Massey was in the midst of a mental health crisis, family members and officials said.

Prosecutors argued that Grayson escalated the situation and that his use of force was excessive and unwarranted. Grayson, who was fired after the incident, said he shot Massey because he thought he was going to throw a pot of boiling water at him, claiming self-defense.

The killing of Massey, a mother of two who had long battled mental illness, sparked a wave of demonstrations and calls for police reform nationwide. The shooting shocked the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a series of personnel changes and policy changes.

In February, Sangamon County agreed to a $10 million settlement with Massey’s family, believed to be the largest settlement in the county’s history.

What happened in the incident?

On July 6, 2024, Grayson and another deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Massey’s home in Springfield, Illinois, after reporting a possible intruder. Body camera footage shows officers telling Massey they searched the area around his home and found nothing.

A few minutes later, inside Massey’s house, Grayson asked her to get a pot of hot water from the stove. Massey held the pot and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson said, “You better not,” and replied that he would shoot Massey.

He drew his weapon and yelled for Massey to drop the pot.

“Okay, sorry,” Massey said, crouching behind the kitchen counter. Grayson approached and fired three times, hitting Massey once in the face. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Within weeks, Grayson was fired and arrested on murder charges. Sangamon Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned after pressure from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to resign. And to resolve a federal investigation by the Department of Justice, the sheriff’s office and county agreed to update their procedures and training to better engage with people facing mental health crises.

Meanwhile, Springfield officials called for a review of the department’s hiring practices after past misconduct allegations against Grayson came to light.

Grayson’s stain included two counts of driving under the influence, a discharge from the U.S. military for “gross misconduct,” and charges from people he policed ​​and other law enforcement officers. Details of his previous work in law enforcement were excluded from the murder trial.

Defense and prosecution make conflicting arguments regarding use of force

In court, prosecutors argued that Grayson’s actions amounted to murder. To strengthen their case, they called several law enforcement experts to the stand, who argued that Grayson’s actions escalated the situation. Massey’s partner, who responded to his home, also took a stand, saying Massey “did not threaten me.”

“I’m sorry!” said State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rogers, jumping off the podium during closing arguments. “These were the last words Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just as he said he would do.”

Meanwhile, Grayson’s lawyer said his client feared for his life. They called a use-of-force expert to the stand who said Grayson’s actions were appropriate. One expert evaluated the shooting incident as “successfully quelled.”

Grayson, defending himself, told the court he considered using a Taser, but did not because he was unsure whether it would be effective against her clothing.

“Tasers don’t work on everyone,” he says.

He added: “I believe she will throw water. We have been trained to use violence to get compliance.”

The trial placed a heavy burden on Sonya Massey’s family.

Massey had been in critical condition in the weeks leading up to the shooting and reportedly spoke with Springfield’s Mobile Crisis Response Team three times in the two weeks before his death, according to details of the conversations released by the sheriff’s office.

Massey’s family said he suffered from mental illness and was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause headaches, confusion and memory loss. Ms. Massey was employed as a home health aide until a chronic illness forced her to quit her job.

A year after her death, Massey’s relatives described her in interviews as a loving mother who cared deeply for her family, often taking on the role of cook at family barbecues.

“She was always a happy person,” her cousin Crystal Chalmers previously told USA TODAY. “I never saw her upset or angry. She always did everything she could to help those in need.”

Grayson’s murder trial was painful for them to watch.

“It’s tough, but we have to get to the finish line,” Sonja Massey’s other cousin, Sonte Massey, said outside the courthouse last week.

“We want Sonya to still be here,” she added. “I still think about Sonya every day and want to call her every day. If (deputies) had done their job, that might have happened.”

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributed by: N’dea Yancey-Bragg

Outback Steakhouse has closed more restaurants. Look where.

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Outback Steakhouse has closed more restaurants. Look where.

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Several Outback Steakhouse restaurants across the U.S. are serving the last of their Bloomin’ Onions.

Parent company Bloomin’ Brands has closed several locations across the United States, including at least two restaurants in Florida. Bloomin’ Brands opened its first Outback in 1988 in Tampa, Florida.

Bloomin’ Brands operates more than 1,450 restaurants across the U.S., including more than 670 Outback Steakhouses, according to its most recent quarterly report filed Aug. 7. These recent closures are the first in about 20 months since Bloomin’ Brands closed 41 restaurants in February 2024, with Outback Steakhouse restaurants accounting for the majority of closures.

Bloomin’ Brands’ restaurant portfolio also includes Carrabba’s Italian Grill (more than 200 locations in the U.S.), Bonefish Grill (more than 160 locations), and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine (more than 60 locations). The company operates more than 350 restaurants in other countries, primarily Brazil and South Korea.

Restaurant closing days: Smokey Bones closes more restaurants, converts other locations to Twin Peaks

Bloomin’ Brands spokeswoman Elizabeth Daley told USA TODAY in a statement that employees who worked at the closed restaurant will be given the opportunity to work at a nearby restaurant if possible.

The stores were closed after a regular review, she said, adding: “These are business decisions that are part of our ongoing turnaround plan.”

“We considered a variety of factors, including sales, traffic, trade area, and the potential for investment to improve performance,” Daly said.

Outback Steakhouse: These locations have closed.

Bloomin’ Brands did not provide a list of restaurants that have closed. However, the following stores were reported to be closed by local media and later reported to USA TODAY by Bloomin’ Brands.

  • BIRMINGHAM, AL – 20 20th Street North in Midtown.
  • Birmingham, Alabama – Inverness location on US 280.
  • Jacksonville Beach, Florida – 3760 South 3rd Street
  • Naples, Florida – 4910 US 41 North
  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Jones Creek Boulevard
  • Silver Spring, Maryland – 8661 Colesville Road at Ellsworth Place Mall
  • Merrick, NY – 2124 Merrick Mall
  • Madison, WI – 4520 E. Towne Boulevard. (7345 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Bonefish Grill is also closed)

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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What is President Trump’s approval rating? See the poll on ‘No Kings’ and shutdowns

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What is President Trump’s approval rating? See the poll on ‘No Kings’ and shutdowns

President Donald Trump traveled to Asia for several days the week of October 27, as the US government shutdown stretches into its fourth week.

President Trump told reporters while flying between Malaysia, Japan and South Korea that his poll numbers were high because he had been toying with the idea of ​​seeking a third term. However, on October 29, he acknowledged that the constitution limits his term to two terms.

But polls consistently tell a different story. Despite a turbulent first nine months, his approval ratings have remained stable at historically low levels. Here’s what Americans think about President Trump’s job performance, the “No Kings” protests and the government shutdown.

more: Can Donald Trump win a third term? No, but his comments keep hinting that

The Economist/YouGov: Support for ‘No Kings’ protests has increased since June

According to a poll of 1,623 American adults conducted by The Economist and YouGov between October 24 and 27, President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 39%. According to the public opinion poll, 58% of voters disapproved of him, resulting in a net approval rating of -19 points, the lowest in his second term. However, it was only 2 points worse than last week’s poll. The poll has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

The poll also asked about the October 18th “No Kings” protests. This is the second nationwide protest, the first taking place on June 14, which would have been President Trump’s 79th birthday. Most respondents (87%) had heard about the protests, but only 8% said they had participated.

But polls from The Economist and YouGov show that Americans are expressing support for the protests. 49% said they were in favor, while 33% were opposed. The gap has widened by 12 points since the June protests, according to the pollster.

Reuters/Ipsos: 50% dissatisfied with closure, 20% angry

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 28 showed the president’s approval rating at 40%, up from 42% last week. Although the three-day poll showed a two-point drop from the previous poll, the difference was within the margin of error and the president’s ratings remained stable.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that positive opinion of his job performance has not deviated by more than 1 or 2 percentage points from the current 40% level for more than five months. However, disapproval rates rose over the same period, rising from 52% in the May 16-18 poll to 57% in the most recent October 24-26 poll.

The poll was conducted online among 1,018 adults nationwide and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

The poll also asked about people’s thoughts on what is currently the second longest government shutdown in American history. The survey found that 50% of Americans are dissatisfied with the government shutdown, and an additional 20% are angry. About 29% said they were either not concerned or happy about the closure, according to Reuters.

What is President Trump’s overall average approval rating?

President Trump’s approval rating is a net negative, but has remained relatively stable over the past few months, according to an average based on RealClearPolitics and the New York Times aggregators.

According to graphics from RealClearPolitics, President Trump’s approval rating was 50.5% as of January 27th, making him net positive, but by March 13th, his approval rating was 47.8%, and his disapproval rating was 48.5%, making him net negative. Trump’s approval rating reached its lowest point on April 29 at 45.1%, but it declined near the 100th anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration. On September 30, the day before the government shutdown began, the approval rating hit an all-time low of 44.8%.

According to a tally by the New York Times, President Trump’s approval rating fell from 52% in January to 44% in April, and has remained roughly flat since then. According to the Times, Trump’s lowest approval rating during his term was 43%, which he first reached on August 21, about 10 days after he took over Washington, DC.

As of October 29, President Trump’s average approval rating is 45.1%, according to RealClearPolitics, and 43% according to the New York Times.

President Trump’s approval rating is lower than other presidents

A Gallup poll conducted from October 1 to 16 found that 41% of people approve of President Trump’s job performance, a slight increase from the previous month.

Trump’s approval ratings in his first October as the 45th and 47th president of the United States were lower than any other modern president during the same period, according to a historical analysis by Gallup. According to Gallup, his October confirmation compares to other presidents’ first year in office.

  • Joe Biden (October 2021) – 42% support
  • President Trump (October 2017) – 37% approve
  • Barack Obama (October 2009) – 53% approve
  • George W. Bush (October 2001) – 88% approved
  • Bill Clinton (October 1993) – 48% support
  • George H.W. Bush (October 1989) – 68% approve
  • Ronald Reagan (October 1981) – 55% approve

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky (@kinseycrowley.bsky.social).

Kathryn Palmer is USA TODAY’s political reporter. You can contact her at kapalmer@usatoday.com or at X@.Kathryn Purml.

President Trump says it’s ‘pretty clear’ the Constitution prevents him from seeking a third term

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President Trump says it’s ‘pretty clear’ the Constitution prevents him from seeking a third term

Regarding the possibility of a third term, President Trump said, “I think it’s pretty clear if you read it, I can’t run.” “It’s a shame.”

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After months of considering the idea of ​​running for a third presidential term, which is prohibited by the Constitution, President Donald Trump acknowledged that the law is “pretty clear” against such a scenario.

“If you read it, it’s clear: I’m not authorized to run,” President Trump told reporters on Air Force One while traveling overseas on October 29. “It’s a shame.”

The comments came a day after Trump said he would be “willing” to serve beyond 2028, once again fueling speculation about his intentions.

Mr. Trump has regularly nod toward a third term. He brought up the topic at a Black History Month event at the White House in February and asked questions to the audience. “Should I run again? Please tell me.”

The audience cheered and began chanting, “Four more years.” That same month, President Trump said in a speech to Republican governors that he had been told he could not run again, but added, “I don’t know.”

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: “No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice.” Constitutional law experts agree with Trump’s assessment that the language is clear.

Deborah Perlstein, a constitutional law scholar at Princeton University, told USA TODAY in February that the 22nd Amendment would “absolutely prevent” Trump from running for office again.

Legal restrictions haven’t stopped some Trump supporters from pushing for a third term.

Steve Bannon, who served as White House chief strategist during Trump’s first administration and now hosts the influential MAGA podcast, told The Economist on October 23: “Trump will be president in 2028, and people should adjust to that.”

But House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of Trump’s closest allies, told reporters on Oct. 28 that Trump is limited by the Constitution.

“We have the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution,” Prime Minister Johnson said at a press conference. “I think the president knows, and the president and I have talked about the constraints of the Constitution.”

Johnson downplayed the idea that Trump would run again, saying he was “having a good time” trolling Democrats and that “Democrats are fired up by the prospect.”

But President Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election have raised questions about what he will do to remain in office. This effort culminated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, to prevent the certification of the election results.

Among the ideas being floated for President Trump’s third term is that he would be elected vice president and then the president would resign. President Trump dismissed that scenario this week.

“I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on October 27 while traveling overseas. “Well, I’ll rule that out because it’s too cute. I don’t think people will like it. It’s too cute. It’s not. That’s not right.”

Contributor: Zachary Schermele

AI migration from Nvidia to Huawei: Opportunities and tradeoffs

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AI migration from Nvidia to Huawei: Opportunities and tradeoffs

When considering migration, several business benefits may guide your final decision. Reliance on one large vendor (Nvidia) can introduce risks such as pricing impacts, export controls, supply shortages, and single points of failure for innovation. Adopting or migrating to Huawei could provide negotiating leverage, avoid vendor lock-in, and provide access to alternative supply chains. This is particularly relevant in regions where Nvidia faces export restrictions.

If an organization operates in a region where the Huawei ecosystem is stronger (e.g., China, parts of Asia) or where domestic incentives favor local hardware, a move to Huawei may align with corporate strategy. For example, ByteDance has started training new models primarily using Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip with notable success.

Because Huawei’s technology focuses on inference and large-scale deployment, it may be better suited for long-term use than occasional use of large-scale infrastructure for training, followed by less intensive inference. If your organization’s workloads are inference-heavy, the Huawei stack may offer cost and power advantages. Huawei’s mobile internal clusters (such as CloudMatrix) have shown competitive results in some benchmarks.

Can roadkill be eaten legally? Here’s what you need to know

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Can roadkill be eaten legally? Here’s what you need to know

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In some states, it is illegal to catch fish with a lasso or hunt wild animals from a moving vehicle. However, when it comes to road accidents, the rules are a little more flexible depending on the animal and situation.

Many states allow certain animals accidentally killed by vehicles to be removed for personal use and consumption. Also, be careful as eating multiple seeds carries serious risks, including parasitic infections and the bacteria that cause leprosy.

Overall, laws vary from state to state. While wild animal roadkill is typically allowed to be picked up and taken home for consumption in many parts of the country, some animals accidentally killed by motor vehicles may require state notification, licensing or other formalities first.

In some jurisdictions, if you accidentally kill a deer on the road, you must notify a law enforcement officer within 48 hours. The person must also provide their name and address.

For example, to take a bear found on a road in Tennessee, you must first obtain a permit and a “kill tag” from a Department of Wildlife Resources official. However, other wild game animals such as elk and turkeys do not require tags or notices.

What roadkill can you eat without notice?

In some states, there are 18 species of small game and small game animals that can legally be eaten if killed by a vehicle, officials said.

Often includes rabbits, quail, grouse, armadillos, mink, weasels, and otters.

Animals such as rabbits, quail, and grouse are often used in the culinary field, but other animals that are legally allowed to be consumed can also pose health risks.

Armadillos, mink, weasels, and otters all have varying degrees of risk associated with ingestion.

Armadillos are at high risk among game animals because they are the only non-human species known to harbor Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy, according to the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Research Institute. Mink, weasel and otter can be cooked, but readysetfeast.com warns that these animals can contain harmful bacteria and parasites.

Striped skunks are edible, but Coalition Brewing warns of their strong odor, scavenger feeding, and susceptibility to parasites.

Foxes, bobcats, and coyotes can be infected with trichinosis, a parasitic infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, trichinosis can be transmitted by eating undercooked meat, and the parasites can make “home in muscle tissue.”

In case you missed it: Has Kentucky Speedway been discontinued? A look back at the history of the old NASCAR race track

Other animals in the small animals category are:

  • squirrel
  • beaver
  • groundhog
  • muskrat
  • opossum
  • bullfrog

Street murder using banknotes: What is edible?

Animals with beaks are considered wild game animals and are usually all edible.

Pigeons, woodcock, gallinules, moorhens, common rails, and sandpipers are commonly consumed. But another bill, crow, is not recommended to be eaten at all, as it tends to carry harmful bacteria.

US sale of TikTok could be completed on October 30th, says Scott Bessent

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US sale of TikTok could be completed on October 30th, says Scott Bessent

President Donald Trump valued TikTok’s U.S. assets at $14 billion in an executive order signed in September.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sale of TikTok to a U.S. buyer could be completed on Thursday, October 30th.

In an Oct. 26 interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Bessent said President Donald Trump finalized the TikTok deal during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in September. The two leaders will meet in South Korea on Thursday, October 30th.

“As of today, all the details have been worked out and the two leaders will be in South Korea to finalize the transaction on Thursday,” Bessent said of the sale. He did not provide additional information about the sale, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for clarification when contacted by USA TODAY on Oct. 29.

More TikTok: President Trump: TikTok’s young people owe a debt for saving the popular app

What is a TikTok preliminary agreement?

On September 25, President Trump signed an executive order valuing TikTok’s U.S. assets at $14 billion. This comes days after the White House announced that a tentative agreement had been reached to keep the short video platform available in the United States.

The agreement will separate TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new joint venture with majority American ownership. Oracle, a US-based technology company, will act as a security provider for TikTok’s US operations. The complete portfolio of ownership is expected to be combined upon closing of the transaction, which is expected in early 2026.

How did we get here? Summarizing the ban on TikTok

Talks of selling TikTok to a U.S. buyer have been in the works since President Trump took office.

Some government officials have expressed concern that TikTok poses a national security threat, believing that ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, is sharing U.S. user data with China. TikTok has repeatedly denied these claims.

In January, the platform went dark in less than 24 hours under a federal law signed into law by former President Joe Biden that is set to become law in 2024, after ByteDance failed to sell the platform by a set deadline.

Since January, President Trump has signed four executive orders extending deadlines for selling TikTok.

Contributors: Joey Garrison and Zac Anderson, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

Mackenzie Scott donates $38 million to HBCU Alabama State University

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Mackenzie Scott donates million to HBCU Alabama State University

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Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott has made a monumental gift to another historically black college and university (HBCU) in what the school is touting as a “defining moment.”

In a social media post on Monday, Oct. 27, Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. acknowledged that Scott, the ex-wife of billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos, donated $38 million to the school.

“I am proud and deeply grateful to announce that Alabama State University has received the largest single gift in its 158-year history,” Ross said in a statement.

The public four-year institution, known for its black and gold colors, is based in Montgomery. Notable alumni include civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy, comedian Ricky Smiley, and former NFL player Reggie Barlow. Grammy Award-winning rapper 2 Chainz also attended for a time on an athletic scholarship.

It was an exciting week for the university, which defeated in-state rival Alabama A&M University, 56-13, in a heated football game and tailgating event known as the Magic City Classic. It was held on October 25th in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Ms. Scott’s generosity affirms Alabama State University’s reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education. This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU’s history,” Professor Ross continued.

Scott recently donated to a Maryland-based HBCU.

Scott’s donation is the latest in her philanthropy to Black organizations and programs. This month, she donated $63 million to Morgan State University in Baltimore and $38 million to Princess Anne’s University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Scott’s recent gifts also include $40 million to the African American Heritage Action Fund, part of the Washington-based National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Action Fund said in an Oct. 15 press release that Scott’s $40 million gift follows an additional $20 million investment made just four years ago.

The Action Fund’s efforts include preserving historic Black sites such as churches and hotels and raising money for HBCUs.

Who is Mackenzie Scott?

Scott was married to Bezos for more than 25 years, and they announced their divorce in early 2019. When the couple reached a divorce settlement, Scott received 4% of his Amazon stock, worth more than $38 billion, according to Bloomberg. After their breakup, Scott pledged to donate the majority of his wealth to charity.

Scott, who has an estimated net worth of $33.9 billion, was ranked 28th on Forbes magazine’s 2025 list of America’s 400 Richest People.

In 2020 alone, she donated millions of dollars to several other HBCUs, including Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Tuskegee University, and the University of Louisiana at Xavier University.

contribution:

Taylor Eardley is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact tardrey@gannett.com.

Google plans to report earnings. See dates, times and viewing instructions.

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Google plans to report earnings. See dates, times and viewing instructions.

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Google’s parent company Alphabet is scheduled to announce its third quarter financial results on Wednesday, October 29th.

As ChatGPT continues to threaten the company’s business model, investors will be watching to see if the company is poised for further growth. Alphabet said this year it is investing heavily in its family of AI models, called Gemini, as well as additional products and services.

According to CNBC, analysts expect the company’s third-quarter results to “show that faster product development rates are driving momentum in search, cloud, and Waymo.” Alphabet is Waymo’s parent company.

The paper said Alphabet’s stock rose 38% in the third quarter, the company’s best quarterly performance in decades. In September, the company’s stock price rose after a judge ruled against forcing the company to sell its Chrome browser in the largest antitrust case in decades.

However, CNBC noted that the company’s growth has slowed and is expected to reach 12% in 2026. As a result, investors are changing their view of the company’s future.

Google announces Gemini Enterprise

Still, Wall Street expects the company to integrate artificial intelligence and become a contender in the space.

Earlier this month, Google announced the launch of Gemini Enterprise, an advanced AI platform for enterprises, with the goal of bringing more artificial intelligence into the workplace and growing its enterprise customers. The company announced in September that it would extend Gemini to use in Chrome, allowing users to ask questions about web pages.

The company said in a September blog post that the feature will be rolled out to Mac and Windows users in the United States.

“The browser is no longer just a window to the web; it’s an intelligent partner that learns and adapts to your needs,” said Parisa Tavris, Google vice president and general manager of Chrome.

Here’s how to listen to the call when revenue approaches.

How can I watch Alphabet’s earnings call?

Alphabet is scheduled to release its financial results after the market closes on October 29th. The conference call will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET. Investors can access both the results and conference call through the company’s Investor Relations website.

What are Wall Street’s expectations?

According to CNBC, Wall Street expects the company’s sales to rise 13% to $99.89 billion and earnings per share to be $2.26.

What did Alphabet say in its last earnings report?

When Alphabet reported its second-quarter results over the summer, its revenue and profits exceeded Wall Street expectations. But the company announced a $10 billion increase in capital spending this year, a common theme as tech companies rush to expand their AI infrastructure.

According to CNBC, the company’s stock soared 3% in after-hours trading following the report.

What is Alphabet’s stock price?

Alphabet traded in the red on Tuesday, October 28, down 0.56%.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

Meta to report earnings. See dates, times and viewing instructions.

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Meta to report earnings. See dates, times and viewing instructions.

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Meta is scheduled to announce third-quarter financial results on Wednesday.

The company’s earnings are expected to grow 14% in the third quarter, down from 27% in the second quarter, according to Bloomberg data.

In the first and second quarters of this year, the company reported better-than-expected revenue. Meta has a long history of outperforming Wall Street expectations, and the company’s stock soared 12% after its last report.

The company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, expects third-quarter sales of between $47.5 billion and $50.5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

The company’s third quarter report is scheduled to be released after the stock market closes on October 29th, and will provide an overview of the company’s financial performance and outlook.

Meta is the first of many Magnificent Seven companies, including Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc., Nvidia Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc. and Tesla Inc., to file reports this week.

Microsoft and Google will also report their results on October 29th, and Apple and Amazon will report on October 30th. Tesla will report its financial results on October 22nd. NVIDIA will report its financial results on November 19th.

As of this month, the S&P 500’s largest constituent, the Magnificent Seven, accounted for 34% of the index’s total value.

Here’s how to check your Meta earnings

Meta will release its earnings report on its Investor Relations website after the bell on October 29th. At 4:30 p.m. ET, company leaders will hold a conference call to discuss the results. The conference call will also be accessible through the company’s Investor Relations website.

Wall Street’s expectations

According to CNBC, Wall Street analysts expect third-quarter sales to rise 22% year-over-year to $49.4 billion, in addition to a 19% increase in 2025 sales to $196.2 million.

What did Meta say in its last earnings report?

The company is increasing its investment in AI. According to Bloomberg, during the company’s last earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company aims to build a “personal superintelligence” that helps people’s jobs, not takes them away.

The company said it has the resources and expertise to build out its AI infrastructure and continue to bring new technology to people across its products. However, the company said that AI-related costs will continue to increase. Meta previously said it expected capital spending to be up to $72 billion this year.

What is Meta’s stock price?

Meta Inc. stock rose 0.08% to close in the green on Tuesday October 28th.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

Republican senators demand investigation of wedding planning site

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Republican senators demand investigation of wedding planning site

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate wedding planning website The Knot for possible fraud.

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  • U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate wedding website The Knot for possible fraud.
  • He said the request followed about 200 reports from whistleblowers and small businesses across the country.
  • Not Worldwide denies the allegations, insisting it operates with transparency and integrity.

The chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate allegations of fraudulent and deceptive business practices by international wedding planning website The Knot.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in a news release that he was requesting an investigation after receiving “hundreds of reports from whistleblowers, including from Iowans.”

Not Worldwide denies engaging in fraudulent or deceptive business practices, and Grassley said he has not been contacted to discuss the matter.

From August: Swifties scour New York City for $10,000 engagement rings

The Knot provides wedding planning services to couples around the world and offers vendors such as caterers and photographers the opportunity to advertise on the site. According to the company’s website, the company connects more than 4 million users with more than 900,000 small businesses in countries across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The company says it operates in New York. Washington DC; Barcelona, ​​Spain. Delhi, India. Galway, Ireland. And London.

Grassley said in a news release that he has received complaints of “repeated breaches of contract and intentional fraud.”

Mr Knott denies the allegations. Default judgment entered in Iowa case

Iowa’s senior senator said he first raised concerns about The Knot with the FTC in March. Since then, he said, his office has received nearly 200 allegations of wrongdoing against the company.

“These small businesses allege that The Knot did not advertise their businesses on its website in accordance with its contractual obligations, and that most of the leads it received were bogus or lacked legitimacy,” Grassley said in a letter to the FTC. “Additionally, they allege that The Knot promised discounted prices but did not add them to customers’ bills. Additionally, they have received warnings from several small businesses in Iowa who claim to have been defrauded by The Knot through these fraudulent and deceptive business practices.”

Knott said in a statement that it does not engage in fraudulent or deceptive business practices.

“Our mission has always been to build meaningful connections and support the wedding community with transparency, integrity and care,” The Knot said. “We are focused on innovation to help wedding professionals generate quality leads, grow their businesses, and support the planning of millions of couples each year. We remain focused on continually enhancing our products, support and safety standards, and every experience reflects the values ​​on which our brand was built.”

At least one lawsuit filed in Iowa alleging fraud and breach of contract resulted in a default judgment against The Knot.

In August 2021, Des Moines-based Q Squared Systems LLC filed a small claims lawsuit seeking $3,050 in advertising fees it allegedly paid, $2,550 in statutory damages under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, and $900 in attorney’s fees. Knott did not respond to the lawsuit, and as a result, the court awarded Q Squared $6,500 plus interest.

Cornelius S. Qualley, listed in court documents and on the company’s website as the attorney and owner of Q Squared Systems LLC, did not respond to numerous requests for comment.

The company says it is working to improve the system.

Shannon Stefani, owner of Simply Stunning Events, a West Des Moines-based wedding planning company, said most of the conversations between wedding vendors related to The Knot revolve around spam emails.

“We do get spam, and a lot of people I talk to don’t fully trust[The Knot],” Stefani said.

Stephanie said that when she previously planned events at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, 50 percent of her wedding event leads came from The Knot.

Kelly Thomason of Bella Flora Event Design in Urbandale, Iowa, said she is aware of the allegations against The Knot.

“Many local vendors have expressed negative feelings to me about these platforms, very similar to what is currently being claimed, but our experience has been very solid over the years,” said Thomason, a 22-year veteran of the industry. “Some would say that because of this, we have remained an iconic wedding platform for decades.”

Meanwhile, The Knot confirmed that it is working on improving its systems based on vendor feedback. New CEO Raina Moskowitz issued a letter to vendors in March announcing several internal process upgrades, including reducing spam and ghosting.

Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Please contact kbaskins@registermedia.com.

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