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Chicago alderman calls ICE raids a ‘reign of terror’

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Chicago alderman calls ICE raids a ‘reign of terror’

Aldo. Mike Rodriguez said eight people, including four Americans, were detained in an immigration enforcement raid on the Little Village neighborhood, the heart of Chicago’s Mexican community.

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CHICAGO – Federal immigration enforcement agents raided the city’s long-established Mexican neighborhood on Oct. 22, removing several people, causing traffic accidents and brandishing weapons, according to residents, local leaders and advocates.

The raid comes as Chicago awaits an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on whether President Trump can deploy the National Guard to the city. White House lawyers argue that immigration authorities cannot enforce federal law without military cooperation. Also on October 22, lawyers for the administration agreed to leave in place a lower court judge’s decision barring the deployment of troops pending a higher court ruling.

Agents descended on the Little Village commercial corridor in the South Side neighborhood in the morning, the heart of Chicago’s Mexican community. Photos and video from the scene show masked U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents speeding after people and local business owners who had locked their doors ahead of the agents.

“A reign of terror has been brought to our neighborhood,” said local Aldo. Mike Rodriguez told USA TODAY. “They took at least eight people, four of whom were U.S. citizens and two of whom were my staff.”

The raid on the city’s most prominent Mexican neighborhood was part of President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” a crackdown on immigration in the Chicago area. President Trump launched the blitz on September 8, saying it was necessary to catch the “worst of the worst” criminal immigrants. Many local critics argue that innocent people are being terrorized instead.

Federal judges in the Northern District of Illinois, who handle air raid-related cases, have begun ruling against the president over aggressive tactics by the Department of Homeland Security and have begun barring the White House from deploying the National Guard.

But the ruling in federal court in downtown Chicago has not slowed the pace of immigration enforcement across the region. On Oct. 22, investigators scoured the historic South Side Mexican community and nearby suburbs. On October 21, an Illinois congressman said he was stopped at gunpoint by federal agents for documenting an attack on the North Side. A Chicago City Councilwoman also said she was stopped by investigators for documenting her activities.

Homeland Security officials did not respond to requests for comment on the attack.

An agency spokesperson last responded to questions about the raids on Oct. 8, saying, “ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested more than 1,500 illegal aliens, including pedophiles, murderers, child molesters, kidnappers, gang members, and armed robbers.”

Click here for the latest information on the riots in Chicago.

Will the National Guard come?

President Trump moved to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops from Illinois and Texas to the Chicago area as part of the blitzkrieg. But a federal judge in downtown Chicago temporarily blocked his actions.

White House lawyers had argued that an “insurrection” may be underway in Chicago. Trump administration lawyers cited protests outside local immigration enforcement facilities and arrests made by federal agents near the city.

U.S. District Judge April M. Perry questioned whether Homeland Security claims cited by White House lawyers in their arguments were “tied to reality.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld Perry’s decision. But Trump’s lawyers appealed again, and the case is now before the Supreme Court. It is unclear when they will be able to govern.

Trump administration lawyers agreed to keep Perry’s order barring the deployment of the National Guard in place pending a Supreme Court ruling. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that legal experts say the White House’s proposal shows it believes the high court will rule in its favor.

Federal judge questions ICE over aggressive tactics

A group of journalists, clergy, and protesters also filed a lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security officials over the use of chemical weapons against people in the Chicago area. At an Oct. 9 court hearing, Assistant Attorney General Eric Hamilton said federal agents deployed $100,000 in non-lethal weapons to stop “rioters” from interfering with immigration.

U.S. District Judge Sarah L. Ellis issued an order restricting agents’ use of chemical weapons in the Chicago area and forcing them to wear identification cards.

Concerned that immigration officials were not following his orders, Ellis amended his orders a week later, on October 16, to ensure officers were equipped with body-worn cameras. She also ordered top officials from the Department of Homeland Security to appear in court and testify.

Customs and Border Protection Incident Deputy Commander. Kyle Harvick and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Sean Byers told a judge on Oct. 20 that agents were acting on her order to issue a warning before using chemical weapons.

Local residents who have been tear gassed say they did not hear the warnings being issued. Harvick and Byers’ testimony came after Perry found the Department of Homeland Security’s account of events in the city unreliable in a separate case.

Mr. Harvick also justified federal agents shooting a local pastor with a pepper ball. A clip of the incident shows the Rev. David Black, who was standing among a group of protesters, shot directly in the head by an agent stationed on the roof of the building.

“What is not shown is that he was given multiple orders to move,” Harvick said.

Byers said 75 people were arrested in connection with attempts to thwart immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.

Next, Ellis confirmed that Customs and Border Protection’s top commander, Gregory Bovino, would be removed in connection with his direction to officials. Bovino is the face of the Blitz. Among the actions he participated in were the raid on Little Village and the September 30 raid on the South Side Apartment Building, where he witnessed agents rappelling from a Black Hawk helicopter.

More than 6 million eggs have been recalled due to the risk of salmonella. See which brands?

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More than 6 million eggs have been recalled due to the risk of salmonella. See which brands?

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned in a recently updated notice that more than 6 million eggs are being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Black Sheep Egg Company announced its first voluntary recall of hundreds of thousands of cartons of eggs on September 29 after FDA testing detected seven different strains of Salmonella in 40 samples taken from its processing center in Arkansas. On October 17, the FDA updated its advisory after Kent’s Hentz also announced a recall of its 12-pack egg cartons.

Because Black Sheep distributes eggs to both wholesalers and retailers, some eggs may have been rebranded by other companies with different packaging. The recalled items also include large shipments of eggs sold to third parties such as restaurants and retail stores.

According to the advisory, as of Oct. 17, no illnesses related to the Kents Henz recall have been reported.

Thousands of recalled eggs are still on store shelves and may be in your pantry. Here’s what you need to know:

Which eggs have been recalled?

  • Black Sheep Egg Company Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs in Cartons of 12, Best Before Date August 22, 2025 – October 31, 2025 and UPC 860010568507.
  • Black Sheep Egg Company Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs in Cartons of 18, Best Before Date August 22, 2025 – October 31, 2025 and UPC 860010568538.
  • Kenz Henz 12-count carton of grade AA large pastured eggs, best before dates 10/11 – 10/14 and 10/16 – 10/17, UPC 86949400030. Available at retail stores in Houston, Texas.

Black Sheep Egg Company’s recalled products were also sold to retail stores and other wholesale companies in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, California, and Indiana from July 9, 2025 to September 17, 2025, where they may have been repackaged. The FDA believes the eggs may have been distributed to more states and will update the recall list if additional potentially contaminated products are identified.

What to do if eggs are recalled

The FDA said consumers, restaurants and retailers should not eat, sell or serve the recalled eggs. Customers can return the eggs to the place of purchase for a refund or to dispose of them.

If you have unlabeled eggs in your refrigerator and aren’t sure if they’re part of the recall, throw them out.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled eggs should clean and disinfect all surfaces and containers they may have touched. Hands, equipment, and surfaces should be washed with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs.

If you develop salmonella symptoms after eating eggs, contact your doctor.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

Most healthy people recover in four to seven days without treatment, but some vulnerable people, such as children under 5, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems, can develop more severe symptoms that require treatment and hospitalization.

If you experience any of these more serious symptoms, the CDC recommends contacting your health care professional.

  • Diarrhea and fever greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Diarrhea does not improve even if it continues for more than 3 days
  • bloody diarrhea
  • I’m vomiting so much that I can’t keep fluids down
  • Signs of dehydration (such as not urinating much, dry mouth or throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up)

Comparison of fidelity and fintech reveals limitations of the 401(k) system

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Comparison of fidelity and fintech reveals limitations of the 401(k) system

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The letter Kelly Havins received in September seemed suspicious.

Mr. Havins, 63, lives in Phoenix and works as a food retail consultant. The letter appeared to be from Fidelity Investments, where he had a 401(k) account for decades.

The letter says some Fidelity customers may have provided online login credentials to “third-party platforms used by advisors to access their accounts.” It instructs Havins to contact Fidelity to verify his credentials or be locked out of his account.

“There have been a lot of scams lately, so I immediately made a copy and sent it to Kyle,” Havins said.

Kyle Luber, CEO of wealth management firm Guided Capital, has been a financial advisor to Habins for several years. Houston-based Lubar, with Habins’ blessing, is using the type of platform described in Fidelity’s letter.

“I don’t know how to use stocks or how to trade them,” Habins told USA TODAY. “That’s their job.”

The tool that allows remote access for advisors like Louvar is called Pontera. When Fidelity implemented its month-long decision to crack down on its use, many clients lost digital access to their accounts and were forced to contact Fidelity to re-establish their credentials.

Fidelity says it protects client account information and funds and that advisors who want access to client accounts have a safer alternative to Pontera. Meanwhile, Pontera said its technology is sound and the investment giant is cutting out third parties to sell its advisory services to captive clients.

Industry insiders say the heart of the controversy exposes a harsh truth about America’s retirement savings conundrum. With pensions declining, the responsibility to financially prepare for the end of life falls squarely on the shoulders of ordinary people with jobs, children, aging parents, and many other everyday concerns.

Additionally, the financial literacy and investment skills of most Americans are questionable, leaving them at the mercy of providers of all types of financial services and products.

This do-it-yourself move is “probably one of the biggest mistakes we’ve made as a society in the last 40 years,” said William Birdthistle, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School who previously served as director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s division of investment management. “It reminds me of the cigarette ads I saw when I was a kid, because they almost always pitched themselves like the Marlboro Man, with a financial theme: You decide your own financial destiny.”

Financial advisor wants access to 401(k) account

A financial advisor who spoke with USA TODAY about Pontera said Pontera solves a real problem.

Customers may have large sums of money in 401(k), 403(b), and other accounts, but have little or no idea what’s inside. Your quota may have been chosen years ago when you first started your account, and may have changed little or not at all. These may overlap with some of the investment strategies that the Advisor has implemented in more actively managed accounts. Or it may conflict with those goals.

Gregory Gunter, managing partner at New Jersey-based Grantvest Financial Group, said Pontera “is creating a bridge between us as advisors and the retirement portfolios of our corporate, municipal or federally sponsored clients.”

“This just replaces the outdated framework of, ‘Send us your statement, we’ll add it to our file, we’ll include it in our review.’ It’s 2025. This is the solution for 2025.”

Are there other ways to view my retirement accounts?

But Pontera isn’t the only alternative to old-fashioned or manual attempts to share account information.

In response to USA TODAY’s request for comment, a Fidelity spokesperson said in an email: “Requiring customers to share their login credentials with a third party, which then stores them, is widely considered unsafe and is not supported by Fidelity, especially since the third party can perform actions such as executing trades on any customer’s Fidelity account.” Following a 401(k) allows you to do so because you have access to solutions and advisors that utilize safe practices. ”

One such solution is Absolute Capital, a Pittsburgh-based company. The company has formal agreements with Fidelity and other retirement plan providers. Brenden Geben, the company’s CEO, said these agreements make it clear to companies like Fidelity that they are the absolute authority logging in on behalf of their clients, rather than advisors masquerading as clients. He says this is what’s happening in Pontera.

“We are a regulated organization,” Geben said. In contrast, Pontera is not regulated from a financial perspective, he said. “They’re a financial tech company.”

more: Homeownership was “okay” for baby boomers…and their kids would be lucky too.

Pontera’s perspective

Pontera, founded in 2012 and based in Manhattan, says it doesn’t need regulation in the traditional sense as a technology provider. The company says the security concerns expressed by Fidelity are disingenuous and that the access restrictions are actually a means for Fidelity to sell its services to customers.

In response to a request for comment, a Fidelity spokesperson referred to registered investment advisers who do not work for Fidelity and said they “work closely with plan sponsors to assist many RIAs in safely advising on employer-sponsored retirement accounts under the supervision of plan sponsors.”

Retirement accounts are “one of the only situations in which a consumer who is a plan participant is bound and subject to any requirements unilaterally imposed by the plan provider,” Pontera spokesman Zachary Pardes said in an email. “If Fidelity decides to permanently lock you out of your 401(k) account for any reason, your only option is to quit your job and switch providers.”

Pontera cites a variety of regulations, ranging from Department of Labor guidance to SEC rules, that show it operates within generally accepted industry standards. It also has deals with Fidelity’s competitors, including Manulife John Hancock and 401Go.

The company said it has been repeatedly offered to work more closely with Fidelity to establish a best-in-class “API” electronic interface, but Fidelity has not responded to those requests.

Meanwhile, Fidelity told USA TODAY that many retirement account holders “said they were unaware that their credentials were being shared.”

Without an API or interface like the one Fidelity approved with Absolute Capital, “Fidelity has legitimate concerns about how Pontera is currently accessing its information,” said Corey Freyer, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonpartisan advocacy group. “Furthermore, from my perspective, the Pontera model certainly looks like an attempt to circumvent some of the (regulatory) rules that would be triggered if an advisor were to do this same thing directly.”

Customers want choice

Pontera bills itself as an ally of consumers who want choice. “Retirement savers, you deserve better. You have a choice, not a prisoner,” CEO Yoav Zuler wrote in an Oct. 10 blog post.

However, the people who pay to use Pontera are financial advisors, not savers themselves. This means that only those customers who can afford to hire an advisor will benefit from their services.

This speaks to the disparities that have arisen in employer-directed, self-directed retirement plans that have evolved over the years. Academic research shows that black and Hispanic workers with access to 401(k) or 403(b) plans contribute about 40 percent less than white workers, giving black workers $0.31 in tax benefits for every dollar earned by white workers.

A 2024 paper found that the tax benefits available to employees are being borne by taxpayers overall, at a cost equivalent to more than 1.5% of annual GDP.

Whatever the shortcomings of the current system, consumers like Kelly Havins say it’s important to be in control of your money. He believes that both working with an independent financial advisor and using Pontera serve the purpose.

“I understood what they were doing,” he said of Fidelity. “It was a power play to take out Kyle and his team…and they sold me a program to manage my money and kept it at home.”

A Fidelity spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on Havens’ opinion.

“We didn’t want to be pushed by a big company,” Havins said.

Indiana Republicans still don’t have the votes to redraw districts

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Indiana Republicans still don’t have the votes to redraw districts

Republican Gov. Mike Brown remains confident his party can pass new maps to take control of the Legislature.

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Indiana Senate Republicans don’t have the votes to pass mid-decade redistricting despite a months-long campaign by the White House to keep two more Republican seats open.

The pressure culminated in a phone call from President Donald Trump on October 17th, and a dial-in poll was conducted. According to Politico, a majority of Republicans who participated in the call indicated they support redistricting, and there are many resistance groups in the Senate leadership.

But to pass new maps without Democratic support, Republicans would simply need a majority of their members to support redistricting.

“The votes are not for redistricting,” said Molly Swigert, press secretary for Senate President Pro Tempore Roderick Bray, R-Martinsville. He did not respond to questions from the USA Today Network seeking confirmation whether a majority of Republican lawmakers support redistricting or whether efforts are underway to change their minds.

But Indiana Gov. Mike Brown is still moving forward with redistricting efforts.

“I continue to have positive conversations with members of Congress,” Brown, a Republican, wrote in an Oct. 22 post about X. “I am confident that the majority of Republicans in the Indiana General Assembly will support efforts to ensure fair representation for all Hoosiers in Congress.”

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared even stronger sentiments, calling the Senate “the place where conservative ideas in the House go to die” and urging his colleagues to “find their backbone.”

Some Republican lawmakers and observers told USA TODAY NETWORK that their reluctance to redistrict comes from common-sense Hoosier values ​​and believe Indiana politics is above the partisan rancor that characterizes the national debate.

But not all Senate leaders are hesitant about redistricting. Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) made this clear in an Oct. 22 post about X.

Other supporters describe Indiana’s redistricting as part of a larger fight for the nation and see the Republican Party’s wide control in the state as a mission to strengthen the party’s slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trump won 58% of the state in the last presidential election, and seven of Indiana’s nine U.S. House members are Republicans. The White House wants redistricting to dilute Democratic votes in the bluest parts of the state, namely Indianapolis and northwest Indiana.

Meanwhile, redistricting opponents seized the opportunity to thank the Senate.

“We are grateful to the senator for listening loud and clear to Hoosiers across the state that mid-decade redistricting is unnecessary, unpopular and unfair,” Indiana Conservation Voters Director Megan Robertson said in a press release.

Nearly 20,000 Hoosiers contacted their legislators to urge them to oppose the map redrawing, according to a press release. Multiple polls show a majority of Hoosiers do not support mid-cycle redistricting.

Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find @marissa_meador on X.

2025 World Series, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays series, MVP odds

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2025 World Series, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays series, MVP odds

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With the 2025 World Series just days away, bettors across the country are trying to answer the age-old question: “Who will win?”

Will the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers win? They are a talented team and have made it through the playoffs so far. Or will it be the Toronto Blue Jays? They are the No. 1 seed in the American League, have home-field advantage in this series, and are fresh off a dramatic come-from-behind victory in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Here are the odds for each team heading into Game 1.

MLB News: Tony Vitello named Giants manager, historic move for Tennessee coach

2025 World Series Odds:

All odds via BetMGM

Who will win?

According to BetMGM, the Dodgers are favorites to win the 2025 World Series.

  • Dodgers (-220)
  • Blue Jays (+180)

According to betting odds, the most likely outcome of the series is a tie between the fifth-place Dodgers and the sixth-place Dodgers. The odds for either series outcome are (+350). According to the odds, the most unlikely outcome is a Blue Jays sweep at (+1800).

World Series MVP odds

Here are the players with the top 15 odds to win World Series MVP:

  1. Shohei Otani, DH/SP, LAD (+165)
  2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, TOR (+600)
  3. George Springer, DH/OF, TOR (+1000)
  4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, LAD (+1300)
  5. Teoscar Hernandez, OF, LAD (+1600)
  6. Mookie Betts, SS, LAD (+1800)
  7. Beau Bichette, SS, TOR (+2000)
  8. Blake Snell, SP, LAD (+2000)
  9. Dalton Varsho, OF, TOR (+2500)
  10. Alejandro Kirk, C, TOR (+3000)
  11. Max Muncy, 3B, LAD (+3000)
  12. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, LAD (+3000)
  13. Will Smith, C, LAD (+3500)
  14. Tommy Edman, 2B, LAD (+3500)
  15. Addison Berger, 3B, TOR (+4000)

Game 1 odds, lines

  • Spread: Dodgers (-1.5)
  • Money line: Dodgers (-150); Blue Jays (+125)
  • Top/Bottom: 7.5

2025 World Series Schedule

* — if required

  • Game 1: Friday, October 24th, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, 8pm ET on FOX.
  • Game 2: Saturday, October 25th, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, 8pm ET on FOX.
  • Game 3: Monday, October 27, Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, 8pm ET on FOX.
  • Game 4: Tuesday, October 28th, Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, 8pm ET on FOX.
  • *Game 5: Wednesday, Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, airs October 29th at 8pm ET on FOX
  • *Game 6: Friday, October 31st, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, 8pm ET on FOX
  • *Game 7: Saturday, November 1, Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, 8pm ET on FOX

MLB News: Which teams will play in the World Series? Updated MLB playoff brackets and schedule

Ross has opened 36 new stores in the past two months. See location.

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Ross has opened 36 new stores in the past two months. See location.

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Ross Stores announced earlier this month that it opened 36 Ross Dress for Less stores and four dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in 17 states in September and October, completing the company’s plan to open 90 new stores in 2025.

“This fall, we continued to strengthen our brand presence with store openings in existing markets and expansion in new markets,” Richard Lietz, executive vice president of real estate development, said in an Oct. 13 news release.

“At Ross Dress for Less, we were excited to expand our presence in Sunbelt states while opening new stores in Michigan, New Jersey and New York, as well as adding stores in the Northeast as well as the Midwest. At dd’s, we strengthened our presence in our core markets of California and Texas,” Lietz said in a news release. “Looking to the future, we remain confident in our expansion plans and believe there are many opportunities to grow to at least 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores over time.”

With the addition of 90 stores this year, Ross Stores now operates a total of 2,273 Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discount stores in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, the company said.

According to the company, Ross Dress for Less is “America’s largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain,” offering “the highest quality, seasonal, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashion.” According to the company, DD’s features a “more affordable selection” of similar products.

New store openings: Marshalls plans to open nine new stores soon. Please see location and business days.

Where has the new Ross Dress for Less store opened?

Ross Stores provided USA TODAY with a list of 36 new Ross Dress for Less stores that opened in September and October. A list of new locations is below.

  • Douglas Center: 204 W. 5th Street, Suite D, Douglas, Arizona
  • Santan Village Marketplace: 2711 South Market Street, Gilbert, Arizona
  • Loma Linda Shopping Center: 351 W. Mariposa Rd., Suite 1, Nogales, Arizona
  • Oracle Plaza: 6310 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona
  • Former Rite Aid: 6305 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California
  • Village Oaks: 1165 Arnold Drive, Martinez, California
  • Ridgecrest Town Center: 840 North China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest, California
  • Camellia Center: 5712 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
  • Gateway Plaza Shopping Center: 470 River St., Santa Cruz, California
  • Pacific Town Center: 730 W. Hammer Lane, Stockton, California
  • Sarasota Village: 3750 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, Florida
  • Crossroads South: 7965 Tara Blvd., Suite C, Jonesboro, GA
  • Valley River Center: 125 Valley River Drive, Suite 103, Rexburg, ID.
  • East Court Village: 3522 Court Street, Beijing, IL
  • Manawa Power Center: 3125 Manawa Center Drive, Council Bluffs, Iowa
  • Fairlane Green Phase II: 3181 Fairlane Drive, Allen Park, Michigan
  • Arborland Center: 3685 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Brighton Mall: 8393 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton, Michigan
  • Kentwood Town Center: 4160 28th Street SE, Kentwood, Michigan
  • North Park Plaza: 2353 North Park Drive, Holland, Michigan
  • Cornerstone Plaza: 23647 Greenfield Road, Southfield, Michigan
  • Batesville Marketplace: 190 Covenant Drive, Batesville, Mississippi
  • Sunrise Mountain Shopping Center: 5051 E. Bonanza Rd., Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Middletown Marketplace: 1115 State Route 35, Middletown, New Jersey
  • Unnamed Center: 240 RT 22 West, Springfield, New Jersey
  • Gateway Center: 410 Gateway Drive, Brooklyn, New York
  • Freeway Plaza: 2280 N. Ocean Ave., Farmingville, New York
  • Cayuga Shopping Center: 2309 North Triphammer Road, Suite 1A, Ithaca, New York
  • Western Hills Plaza: 6180 Glenway Avenue, Suite E, Cincinnati, OH
  • Portland Power Center: 18016 Grove Pkwy., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Boca Chica Square: 2921 Boca Chica Boulevard, Suite 14, Brownsville, Texas
  • La Palmera Shop: 4938 S. Staples St., Suite B4-B, Corpus Christi, Texas
  • Buckingham Plaza: 1445 W. Buckingham Rd., Garland, Texas
  • Market East Shopping Center Phase I: 1515 N. Town East Blvd., Suite 112, Mesquite, Texas
  • Founders Point: 945 N. Main St., Suite E, Tooele, Utah
  • Mount Vernon Center: 525 E. College Way, Suite A2, Mount Vernon, Washington.

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

NFL defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance amid backlash from President Trump

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NFL defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance amid backlash from President Trump

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The NFL stands by its decision to have Bad Bunny on stage at the 2026 Super Bowl amid criticism from President Donald Trump and numerous other conservative politicians.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Oct. 22 that the selection of the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist to headline the halftime show was “carefully considered,” according to the Associated Press.

Addressing the controversy during the NFL’s post-fall press conference, Goodell said, “I don’t think I’ve ever picked an artist that didn’t have some backlash or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do that with literally hundreds of millions of people watching.”

The 31-year-old, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, will be the first headline act to perform exclusively in Spanish.

Bad Bunny’s ‘SNL’ monologue hits back at FOX News

“He’s one of the most popular, top-notch entertainers in the world, and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. This is an important stage for us. It’s important to the entertainment value,” Goodell said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

9月にこのニュースが発表されると、政治家やソーシャルメディアユーザーがバッド・バニーの今後の公演を政治問題化した。 Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, said “God Bless America” ​​singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood would be a “clear and unequivocal priority,” and Trump criticized the NFL’s choice to name Roc Nation and Bad Bunny as headliners.

President Trump claimed in an interview with conservative news network Newsmax that he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny, one of the most streamed artists around the world in recent years.

“I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing this. It’s like crazy,” he said. “Then they claim it’s the promoters they hired to take away the entertainment. I think that’s completely ridiculous.”

Bad Bunny has voiced his opposition to President Trump and his policies in the past. During President Trump’s first term in 2017, two hurricanes, including Hurricane Maria, hit Puerto Rico in quick succession, killing about 3,000 people and forcing thousands more to evacuate.

At the time, the reggaeton star criticized the Trump administration’s response and lack of aid to the island after the natural disaster.

more: History of beef between Trump and Bad Bunny

Despite backlash, Roger Goodell says Bad Bunny performance ‘will be a good show’

A Change.org petition to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait as the halftime show headliner has 70,000 signatures and counting as of October 22nd.

The online petition states that while the music world’s biggest stages have “increasingly tilted towards modern pop and international artists” in recent years, artists like Strait “represent the heart and soul of American music.”

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Strait, Bad Bunny and Roc Nation for comment.

more: Bad Bunny’s 31-day stay in Puerto Rico was a love letter to the island and its people

Contributors: Rebecca Moerin and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

How to remove pet hair from car seats

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How to remove pet hair from car seats

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Do you have a pet dog, cat, or furry friend? Chances are, they’ve made their presence known in your car, leaving hair all over the seats. But how can we get it out?

The inside of your car needs to be kept just as clean as the outside. Car washes work on the exterior of cars. Working on the interior requires more effort and tools to reach every nook and cranny. It takes the same amount of effort to remove pet hair.

How do I remove pet hair from my car?

The American Kennel Club recommends grooming your dog regularly to prevent hair from building up inside your vehicle. This requires washing and brushing your pet frequently.

Seat covers are another way to prevent hair buildup, but hair can still become trapped in the seats. The AKC said if pet hair gets stuck in the seats, it’s best to remove the hair from a large area and then move it to a small crevice in the car.

Home cleaning brand TruEarth recommends using multiple tools and methods to completely remove pet hair. Drying methods include running a lint roller or brush over the upholstery to remove loose hair. For wet applications, the brand recommends mixing 1 part fabric softener and 3 parts water in a spray bottle, misting the inside, then wiping with a dry cloth.

According to the website, “fabric softener helps relax hair and release it from fabric.”

What other tools can I use to remove pet hair?

Biggs Mobile Detailing, a Washington-based auto repair company, said vacuuming is “one of the best ways” to remove pet hair. Most vacuum cleaners are suitable for the job with attachments suitable for getting into small crevices.

According to the company, “Using a lifting motion when vacuuming your car’s carpet, you can lift loose hairs from the carpet fibers and remove them.” “Avoid scrubbing your carpet using a hard plastic vacuum head as this can damage the carpet.”

Traveling with your pet made easy: Read expert advice from the experts and discover tips your furry friend will love

In addition to a vacuum cleaner, other creative tools that many pet owners should have are a handheld cleaning brush and a pumice stone for pet hair.

Cleaning brushes generate static electricity, which can cause pet hair to stick to the brush or be pulled from the seat. Some have a rubber surface that can remove surface hair. Detailers add that hair cleaning stones are great for removing stubborn pet hair, as is common pumice stone found in plumbing passageways.

What breed of dog or cat sheds the most hair?

According to pet food company Purina, when it comes to cats, Persian, Birman, Himalayan, and Turkish Angora cats shed the most of all cat breeds. In the case of dogs, 50 breeds are considered heavy shedding, including Afghan Hounds, German Shepherds, and Huskies.

For more information, see Curious. We will be happy to assist you.

USA TODAY investigates the questions you and others ask every day. From “How many people can watch Netflix at once?” to “Why is it called winter?” to “What is December’s birthstone?” we strive to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Visit our Curious section to see what else we can answer.

Contact reporter Crystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X @KrystalRNurseBlueSky @krystalrnuse.bsky.social.

University of Virginia reaches agreement with Trump administration over investigation

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University of Virginia reaches agreement with Trump administration over investigation

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The University of Virginia has reached an agreement with the Trump administration that will subject it to White House guidance on admissions and hiring and suspend a Justice Department investigation into the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

The agreement comes after the Justice Department accused the university and other universities across the country of trying to defy White House demands to eliminate DEI policies on campus.

When the Department of Justice announced the agreement on Wednesday, Oct. 22, officials said the agreement would “protect UVA students, faculty, and employees from violations of federal civil rights laws, including discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin.”

Meanwhile, the school said in a message to the community that the agreement “includes no financial penalties or external oversight and affirms UVA’s academic freedom.”

Under the agreement, the university agreed to follow the Department’s guidance on discrimination as a recipient of federal funds and submit data demonstrating its compliance on a quarterly basis through 2028, according to the Department of Justice.

“Once UVA completes its reform plan to ban DEI on campus, the Department will conclude its investigation into UVA,” the Justice Department said.

“This remarkable agreement with the University of Virginia will protect students, faculty and staff from unlawful discrimination and ensure equal opportunity and equity is restored,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a news release. “We are grateful for the university’s progress in combating anti-Semitism and racial bias, and other American universities should be vigilant as the Department of Justice ensures that federal civil rights laws are enforced for all Americans without exception.”

In a message to University officials, University of Virginia Interim President Paul Mahoney said the school intends to “continue a thorough review of its practices and policies to ensure compliance with all federal laws.”

“We will also redouble our commitment to the principles of academic freedom, ideological diversity, freedom of expression, and, as Thomas Jefferson said, the unwavering pursuit of ‘truth wherever it leads.’ “Through this process, we are committed to ensuring our communities, state and federal partners, and the public that we are worthy of the trust they place in us and the resources they provide us to advance our education, research, and patient care missions.”

The university’s agreement with the administration follows similar agreements across the country as universities struggle to preserve federal funding amid government investigations and threats. Other universities that have agreements with the administration include Brown University in Rhode Island and Columbia University in New York.

Under pressure from the Trump administration since April, University of Virginia President James Ryan resigned, saying, “I cannot unilaterally decide to fight the federal government to save my job.”

Victoria Beckham addresses rumors of affair between David Beckham and Rebecca Roos

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Victoria Beckham addresses rumors of affair between David Beckham and Rebecca Roos

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After more than 25 years of marriage to David Beckham, Victoria Beckham has clapped back at critics who doubted their relationship would last.

The fashion designer and former Spice Girl, 51, appeared on an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast on October 22nd, where host Alex Cooper asked her how she had been navigating “speculation” about her marriage to the former footballer.

Cooper was likely alluding to the fact that David Beckham’s former assistant Rebecca Roos claims she had an affair with Beckham. He has denied the allegations, which first surfaced in 2004.

Victoria Beckham said: “We’ve had a lot of things thrown at us.” “We recently celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary, so we were talking about it. By the way, everyone said it wasn’t going to work out. 26 years! We’ve had a lot thrown at us, but we’ve always stuck together and just weathered the storm.”

Victoria and David Beckham have been married since 1999 and have four children.

David Beckham has hinted at cheating before

David Beckham previously alluded to allegations of cheating in his 2023 documentary series Beckham, without directly naming Loos. “Victoria means everything to me,” he said. “It was incredibly hard to see her hurt, but we are warriors and we needed to fight for each other back then. We needed to fight for our families and what we have was worth fighting for. But ultimately, it’s our personal lives.”

Victoria Beckham’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ interview came after the release of her documentary series titled ‘Victoria Beckham’ in which she opened up about her struggle with an eating disorder.

victoria beckham Documentary series talks about eating disorders: ‘I didn’t like what I saw’

Victoria Beckham opens up about eating disorders in conversation with daughter Harper

In the podcast, she said that in the 1990s she was “afraid of eating fat” and felt unable to confide in anyone about her struggle. “When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t know what I was looking at,” Beckham said. “I had no idea. You lose all sense of reality, you’re so drained, you’re so tired, it takes over you. It really takes over.”

“I was too scared to tell anyone,” she added. “I never felt like I could trust anyone. I managed to do it on my own and turn my unhealthy obsession with food into a healthy relationship.”

Beckham also recalled talking about eating disorders with her 14-year-old daughter Harper before the documentary was released. “I took some time to talk to her about it so she could understand,” she said. “When you have an eating disorder, you’re miserable. You’re sad, lonely, and all-consuming. I’ve been there for years, but I wasn’t really in the moment.”

victoria beckham Looking back on breast implant removal, I now feel free to be “my true self”

In the Netflix documentary series, Beckham recalled how he was criticized for his height when he was a member of the Spice Girls, revealing that when he looked in the mirror he became “very critical of himself” and “didn’t like what he saw.” “I was able to control my weight, but I was controlling it in an incredibly unhealthy way,” she said. “When you have an eating disorder, you become very good at lying.”

Beckham also opened up more about being bullied “physically and mentally” at school on “Call Her Daddy”, revealing that he didn’t tell anyone, including his parents, about it at the time. “I think I was embarrassed and embarrassed,” she said. “That’s why I didn’t tell anyone. But my school life was always miserable.”

Contributors: Erin Jensen and Naledi Ushe, america today

Tesla recalls thousands of cars due to defective battery parts

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Tesla recalls thousands of cars due to defective battery parts

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday that Tesla Inc TSLA.O is recalling 12,963 vehicles in the United States due to a defective battery pack component that could cause a sudden loss of power.

An issue in some 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles could prevent drivers from accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash, regulators said.

Tesla has announced that it will replace contactors in affected battery packs free of charge. The company did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

As of Oct. 7, Tesla said it had identified 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to the condition, but was not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the defect.

Earlier this month, the National Automobile Safety Administration announced it would launch an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla cars equipped with fully self-driving systems after reports of more than 50 traffic safety violations and a series of crashes.

Consumer and Tesla Safety: Do Tesla electric cars produce harmful radiation? Here’s what drivers need to know

The investigation comes amid increased Congressional scrutiny of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance systems and weeks after a new NHTSA administrator was confirmed.

The company is scheduled to release third-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday.

Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru. Edited by: Janane Venkatraman and Arun Koyyur

Tropical Storm Melissa’s path, spaghetti model, and hurricane outlook

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Tropical Storm Melissa’s path, spaghetti model, and hurricane outlook

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Tropical Storm Melissa continues to develop in the Caribbean, with heavy rain and flooding expected in parts of Hispaniola and Jamaica starting Thursday, October 23rd.

The National Hurricane Center announced in an advisory at 2 p.m. ET on October 22 that Melissa is located approximately 320 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with maximum sustained wind speeds near 80 mph and higher gusts.

Forecasters say Melissa is moving slowly westward, with a slow advance, and is expected to gradually turn northwest and north over the next few days before turning west by the end of this week. The hurricane center said Melissa is expected to approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti later this week.

The hurricane center said in an advisory that it is expected to gradually strengthen over the next few days and that “Melissa could become a hurricane by Friday.”

Forecasters said Melissa is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to the southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti and eastern Jamaica through Saturday, Oct. 25, with more locally possible. The Hurricane Center said “massive flash flooding and landslides” were possible.

The northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain through Saturday, October 25, with the potential for flash flooding and urban flooding into Saturday.

Swells generated by the storm are expected to spread across Hispaniola, Jamaica and eastern Cuba over the next few days, forecasters said.

Where will Tropical Storm Melissa go? It’s a meteorological mystery.

Tropical Storm Melissa Path Tracker

This predicted track shows the most likely path of the storm’s center. This does not indicate the full width of the storm or its impact, and the center of the storm can move outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Tropical Storm Melissa Spaghetti Model

Illustrations include a variety of predictive tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five best-performing models to make predictions..

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are formed over warm water in the tropics. Thunderstorms can form over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the cluster will swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical cyclone.

A tropical cyclone becomes a named tropical cyclone when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 miles per hour. When wind speeds reach 114 miles per hour, a storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare for hurricanes now

Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends, “Get disaster supplies while shelves are stocked and get your insurance check early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.”

  • make an evacuation plan. If you are in danger of a hurricane, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to start planning where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.
  • Prepare disaster prevention supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’ll need supplies to not only survive the storm, but also likely for the long-term aftermath, NOAA says.
  • Get an insurance check and fill out the paperwork with your belongings. Contact your insurance company or agent today to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or replace your home and belongings. Note that home insurance and renters insurance do not cover floods, so you will need separate insurance for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down your hurricane plan and share it with your family. Decide where your family will gather, and be sure to include locations outside the city in case you evacuate.
  • strengthen your home. Now is the time to make your home more resilient to hurricanes. We cut down trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact-resistant glass. Seal openings in exterior walls.

This story has been updated to add new information.

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

Uber expands EV program with $4,000 subsidy for drivers to purchase electronic products

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Uber expands EV program with $4,000 subsidy for drivers to purchase electronic products

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Uber Technologies Inc UBER.N on Wednesday said it would rebrand its “Uber Green” service to “Uber Electric” and launch a $4,000 subsidy program for drivers as part of the ride-hailing giant’s commitment to zero-emission rides by 2040.

The new grant, dubbed “Go Electric,” will provide eligible drivers $4,000 toward the purchase of a new or used EV in states including California, New York, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

The program, which can be combined with other discounts and state-level incentives, could be critical to Uber’s efforts to meet its climate goals and competitiveness in the green mobility race, and could potentially cut thousands more off the list price even if the federal tax incentives end.

End of EV tax credit: Why EV lease deals are attractive even after federal tax credits expire

A $7,500 federal tax credit for new electric vehicle purchases introduced during President Joe Biden’s term expired last month, making EVs more expensive for buyers.

Earlier this year, Uber transitioned its Uber Green service in the U.S. to an all-electric model, moving away from a mix of hybrid and all-electric vehicles.

Uber says it currently has more than 200,000 EVs on its platform worldwide, and drivers in the U.S., Canada and Europe are electrifying up to five times faster than other drivers. According to the company, one in four passengers said their first EV experience was with Uber.

To celebrate the rebrand, passengers will receive a 20% discount on their next electric trip.

Uber is also expanding its battery-aware matching feature to 25 countries, with the aim of alleviating driver “range anxiety” — the fear that an electric vehicle will run out of charge before arriving at a charging station or completing a trip.

Report by Akash Sriram via Vengurul. muhammad’s reading

Jasmine Crockett teases Texas Senate campaign

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Jasmine Crockett teases Texas Senate campaign

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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is hinting at a run for the U.S. Senate.

Crockett, who represents the Dallas metropolitan area, may run in the primary to oust Republican Sen. John Cornyn, she shared on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

“Every other day, a poll comes out and it becomes clear that I can win the Texas Senate primary,” Crockett said on SiriusXM’s “The Lurie Daniel Favors Show,” according to The Hill and Axios.

He suggested he may enter the race if the Texas Republican Party succeeds in relinquishing the seat in an effort to dramatically redirect Texas’ redistricting. “If you want to take away my 766,000 seats, I think there has to be some kind of karma for me to take your 30 million seats,” Crockett said.

Championed by Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett ‘Hot Wheels’ comments about Governor Greg Abbott

The Texas congressman is known for his testy (and viral) exchanges with colleagues, including calling Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a “bleached blonde, bad-ass piece of shit” after the Georgia Republican mocked her “fake eyelashes.” Earlier this year, she referred to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is in a wheelchair, as “Governor Hot Wheels.”

“You all know we put Governor Hot Wheels there,” Crockett said at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles in March. “And the only thing that’s appealing about him is that he’s a (expletive) messed up person, honey.”

Crockett later claimed that his comments were not about his “condition,” but about “the planes, trains, and automobiles he has used to deliberately incite tension and fear among the most vulnerable and transport immigrants into communities led by black mayors.” At the age of 26, Abbott was paralyzed from the waist down by a falling tree while running.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first extended interview since losing the 2024 presidential election to President Donald Trump last month, responded to a question from Rachel Maddow about her support for Zoran Mamdani in the New York mayoral race and singled out Crockett as a rising star in the Democratic Party.

Despite his occasional antics in Washington, D.C., Crockett is likely to be the front-runner among Texas primary voters, according to a University of Houston-Texas Southern University poll released earlier this month.

Crockett leads the poll with 31%, followed by Texas Rep. James Talarico and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke with 25%. Rep. Colin Allred was behind with 13%, and 6% of primary voters remained unsure.

Mr. O’Rourke defeated Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 by less than 3 points, while Mr. Allred easily lost to Mr. Cruz in his re-election bid last year by a margin of nearly 8.5 percentage points. Cornyn defeated his last opponent, veteran former House candidate MJ Hegar, by nearly 10 points in the 2020 campaign.

Mr. Cornyn faces a looming primary battle against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch ally of Mr. Trump whose personal conduct over the past few years has unnerved some party members. Paxton is facing criticism over his 2023 impeachment trial on charges of abuse of power, including bribery and adultery charges, which were brought by his estranged wife, Texas Sen. Angela Paxton, in her July divorce filing.

Contributor: James Powell

US raids suspected drug ship off South America’s Pacific coast

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US raids suspected drug ship off South America’s Pacific coast

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On October 21, the United States attacked another ship believed to be carrying drugs in South American waters, killing two crew members, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed.

The airstrike is the eighth known attack on a drug smuggling vessel since military operations against drug cartels intensified in September. The previous seven events took place in the Caribbean, but this time it took place in the Pacific Ocean.

Hegseth said in a social media post that the attack occurred at the direction of President Donald Trump and affected a boat operated by a designated terrorist organization. Although he did not name the terrorist organization, he likened drug traffickers to al-Qaeda.

“Our information indicates that this vessel was involved in illegal drug smuggling and was traveling along known drug trafficking routes, transporting drugs,” Hegseth wrote. “During the attack, there were two narco-terrorists on board… Both terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this attack.”

Just a few days ago, on October 19th, the Pentagon announced that it had carried out airstrikes alleging that it was affiliated with a terrorist organization. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the attack had nothing to do with the drug trade and hit a distressed boat carrying fishermen.

President Donald Trump’s administration has increased the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean in recent months and allowed the CIA to operate inside Venezuelan territory. The admiral who oversees the region’s military also announced his early retirement on October 16th.

more: President Trump steps up military and CIA action against Venezuela. Here’s what you need to know:

Legal experts have questioned why the U.S. military carried out the attack rather than the Coast Guard, the nation’s main maritime law enforcement agency, and why other efforts were not tried to stop the shipment before the U.S. resorted to deadly attacks.

President Trump has accused the Venezuelan government and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, of intentionally flooding migrants into the United States and supporting drug cartels.

Contributed by: Reuters

Photos show changes to President Trump’s White House in 2025

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Photos show changes to President Trump’s White House in 2025

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In the nearly nine months since President Donald Trump took office, the second-term president has made significant aesthetic changes to the White House, including renovating his Mar-a-Lago home.

Most recently, demolition work on the East Wing of the White House began on Monday, October 20th. The construction is part of President Trump’s plan to build a ballroom on the east side of the White House. The president said at an event in the East Room on October 20 that construction work on the ballroom began earlier in the day.

The demolition will be one of the most significant White House construction projects ordered by a president in decades.

Earlier this year, the central part of the rose garden, traditionally covered with grass, was replaced with stone tiles. The Oval Office also received a style change, with more gold around the room.

Here’s what President Trump has changed in the White House this year.

Demolish the east room

stone rose garden

new flagpole

golden oval office

USA TODAY’s Saman Shafiq and Zac Anderson 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_.

Expanding into podcast content through partnership with Netflix and Spotify

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Expanding into podcast content through partnership with Netflix and Spotify

Find out what this Netflix and Spotify move means for sports, entertainment, and your portfolio.

anders byland
|The Motley Fool

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The future of streaming media is about to get even more interesting. I certainly didn’t see it coming, and I’m sure no one else did either. Last week on Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Spotify (NYSE: Spot) We’ve teamed up to bring some of Spotify’s top podcasts to the video streaming veteran’s global platform.

Netflix and Spotify’s groundbreaking podcast partnership is more than just a content deal. This is a glimpse into a fundamentally different entertainment ecosystem. Former rivals form alliances, audio-only podcasts become TV shows, and the very definition of “content” becomes beautifully chaotic and fluid.

This is an evolution in streaming that no one expected. Professional platforms are finally realizing that collaboration can be the ultimate competitive advantage.

what’s happening?

Starting early next year, some Spotify podcast shows will be available on the Netflix service in the US. This partnership begins with several true crime talk shows, a massive pop culture and lifestyle show, and a truly heaping array of sports-oriented podcasts. Other markets will have access to these series in the future, but the exact timing and geographic scope is unknown.

Spotify believes this partnership is an effective way to increase people’s access to these podcasts, including ultra-premium ones like “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” As a reminder, Spotify paid Simmons $185 million for Ringer Studios in 2020, and will likely pay even more for the March 2025 contract renewal.

Netflix executives emphasized that video-style podcasts are growing in popularity, creating one more content type for subscribers to enjoy.

Netflix lets you get sports content for cheap

It’s a stroke of genius on both sides of the negotiating table, but it’s likely that Netflix will get a better end of the deal.

Netflix suddenly and very quickly expanded its coverage of a fast-growing sport by acquiring podcast rights without paying billions of dollars for direct event coverage contracts. Leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB want large sums of money for game tracking contracts. for example:

  • comcast’s (NASDAQ:CMCSA) The NBCUniversal division is reportedly nearing a three-year deal with Major League Baseball worth $200 million annually.

  • The National Basketball Association signed an 11-year media deal in the summer of 2024, splitting rights between NBCUniversal and Amazon. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Prime Video and Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) ESPN makes about $7 billion a year.

  • When it comes to the National Football League, Netflix has its hands in some specific games, but the big deals are elsewhere. Comcast, Disney, Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY)Amazon and Fox (NASDAQ:FOX) They all pay billions of dollars a year for their portion of NFL media rights. YouTube also entered the space as Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:Google) The subsidiary entered into a seven-year agreement to indemnify Sunday Ticket for $2 billion a year.

Financial details of the Netflix and Spotify partnership are unclear, but there are indications that the payments may be small enough not to require disclosure. After all, both partners expect positive results from this deal. But even though Netflix spent hundreds of millions of dollars, it found a cheaper way to tap into the lucrative sports market.

Audio meets video (and more)

I consider podcasts to be an audio-centric media format, and this deal was an eye-opener. Adding some high-end cameras and proper lighting to a radio-like studio creates a video stream instantly instead, and many people prefer that format. From a podcast producer’s perspective, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to upgrade your studio environment and pay more attention to visuals.

This results in smeared edges and borders between different content types. Spotify offers video content, and Netflix is ​​adding audio-centric programming. And it doesn’t end there. So Netflix already has dozens of video games, and the mobile Spotify app has a hidden “Snake” game. Digital entertainment is digital entertainment, which allows experts in a particular media type to easily expand into other areas.

This is especially true for the wealthy global giant that entered the video streaming industry in 2011. Netflix has the resources to continue growing its business by exploring new media types. Recent examples include brick-and-mortar stores and upcoming Netflix House experience centers in Philadelphia and Dallas.

Anders Byland has held positions at Alphabet, Amazon, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Netflix, Spotify Technology, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast. 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.

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Vance details US role in Gaza security during Israel visit

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Vance details US role in Gaza security during Israel visit

“There are no American boots on the ground in Gaza,” Vice President J.D. Vance emphasized during a visit to Israel.

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Kiryat Ghat, Israel – The military facility is located in southern Israel, just north of Gaza, in an area that U.S. authorities had kept secret until this week, citing security concerns.

It’s an industrial building, full of concrete columns and artificial grass carpeted rooms with terrible acoustics.

From here, about 200 U.S. soldiers are tasked with maintaining the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Working with American allies, their goal is to build an international force that the Trump administration envisions to provide security to Gaza.

more: US prepares to send up to 200 troops to monitor ceasefire in Gaza

It has not been announced what this peacekeeping force will look like or which countries will participate. The United States is hoping that volunteers from outside the region, such as Arab countries and Indonesia, will be firmly on the ground.

The United States is just beginning to “envision” what its forces will look like to shore up the fledgling ceasefire, Vice President J.D. Vance said from his military base in Tel Aviv after landing on Oct. 21.

“We’re not going to force anything on our friends in Israel when it comes to the presence of foreign troops,” Vance said.

The vice president is one of several senior Trump administration officials who traveled to Israel this week to flesh out the next steps in the president’s 20-point peace plan. They also mediate disputes over the future of Gaza between Israel and countries with which it has strained relations or no diplomatic relations.

One such country is Turkey, which helped persuade Hamas to sign President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement. Whether the state will provide troops or financial and communications support for the stabilization forces is still under discussion.

more: ‘This is not the end’: Vance aims to restore unstable Hamas ceasefire in whirlwind trip to Israel

America’s boots are not on the ground

U.S. officials have emphasized for several days that U.S. troops would be in a supervisory role and would not be fighting or stationed in Gaza, a point Mr. Vance emphasized at the start of a multi-day visit to Israel.

“There are no American boots on the ground in Gaza,” Vance said at a press conference. “What we can do is provide adjustments that will help.”

As envisioned by President Trump, the international force would train and support a vetted Palestinian police force, help prevent weapons from entering the Gaza Strip, with the goal of eventually replacing the Israeli military currently stationed in the enclave.

public execution

For Trump’s plan to work, Hamas would have to lay down its arms and agree not to get involved in ruling Gaza. But since the war with Israel was temporarily suspended, Hamas has made no such commitment and has carried out public executions of rivals.

The delicate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came as Vance joined Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in talks in Tel Aviv. They met for two hours over lunch at Ben-Gurion Airport and then attended a conference with military leaders.

more: President Trump’s Gaza agreement is in a delicate situation. Will JD Vance be able to save it?

Vance’s agenda also includes talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials.

Vance said at a press conference on October 21 that the Israeli government had been “very cooperative” in setting up the coordination center.

The vice president said he traveled to Israel to meet with U.S. troops stationed there and gain perspective on the conflict. He denied that accusations of ceasefire violations by Israel and Hamas prompted his sudden trip.

“This is not the end,” he said of the ceasefire. “We’re in a very good position. We’ll just have to keep working hard.”

Francesca Chambers is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. Follow her on X: @fran_chambers

Sam Adams’ 2025 Utopia Beer is 30% ABV and Illegal in Some States

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Sam Adams’ 2025 Utopia Beer is 30% ABV and Illegal in Some States

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Boston Beer Company’s malty, boozy Samuel Adams Utopia beer is back and reaching new heights of 30% ABV.

A pioneer in the craft beer movement, Boston Beer began selling Samuel Adams Boston Lager in 1985 and has been producing barrel-aged Extreme Utopias beer every other year since 2001. But this year’s version is the strongest yet, with the previous three releases (2019, 2021, and 2023) all coming in at 28% alcohol by volume.

Utopia has garnered a lot of attention in recent years due to its strength, making it illegal to sell in 15 states. A powerful ale, Utopias is a blend of vintages aged up to 30 years, some aged in barrels and casks that previously held Irish whisky, cognac, ruby ​​port and scotch.

A rich flavor that goes beyond your typical beer. This edition has “layered flavors of caramel, oak, dried fruit, smoke, and subtle citrus,” the brewer said in a news release.

“When we first began our utopian journey more than 30 years ago, we set out to explore the limits of what beer is capable of,” Samuel Adams founder and brewer Jim Koch said in a statement.. “Achieving 30% ABV is a remarkable milestone for Utopia, not the number itself, but what it represents: the relentless pursuit of uncompromising craft. Every vintage, barrel and bottle reflects decades of experimentation, innovation and collaboration, delivering a drinking experience that is truly one-of-a-kind, collectible, memorable and worth the wait.”

Change is coming: These women are changing the beer boys’ club

What’s so special about Boston Beer’s Samuel Adams Utopia?

Less than 10 years after Boston Beer was founded, Jim Koch began creating “extreme” beers with higher alcohol content. While major beer makers are trying to make lighter beers, “I was drawn to beers that are darker and richer on the spectrum,” Koch said in 2023. “We brewed Samuel Adams Double Bock in 1988 and Triple Bock in 1994. These beers are the forerunners of the extreme beer movement. After releasing Millennium (a 21% ABV strong ale) in 1999, we challenged ourselves to create stronger, more unique beers.” ”

That led to Utopias, which was made using a special yeast strain that could brew stronger ales. Its first release reached a world record-setting 24% alcohol content, Koch detailed in his 2016 book, Quench Your Own Thirst.

“We didn’t set out to make beer with a high alcohol content,” he writes in the book. “Rather, we sought to take beer to new heights so that people could see beer on a par with wine, on the level of cognac, brandy, and port.”

Journalist Chris Morris wrote in Fortune in 2021 that the beer is “quite unlike anything else on the market.” “It’s not carbonated because the alcohol content consumes carbon dioxide. Its taste is similar to fine spirits, with the sweetness of port or cognac and a smooth, buttery, malt-packed finish.”

Where you can and can’t get Sam Adams’ Utopia

  • Samuel Adams’ Utopia ($240): Available at select beer and liquor stores in 35 states starting October 21st. It is sold in handmade, numbered ceramic bottles shaped like copper brewing kettles. The content is 24.5 ounces, which is equivalent to 12 to 24 servings.
  • States where Samuel Adams Utopia is illegal: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

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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Trump approval rating rises amid government shutdown and Israel-Hamas ceasefire

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Trump approval rating rises amid government shutdown and Israel-Hamas ceasefire

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Despite the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have slightly increased in a new poll. Additionally, 51% of survey respondents said the president would be credited with brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas if it were to be reached.

A six-day Reuters/Ipsos poll released Oct. 21 put the president’s approval rating at 42%, up two points from the pollster’s previous poll earlier this month, but the increase remains within the poll’s margin of error.

Live updates: This will be the second longest government shutdown as President Trump attacks Democrats.

According to surveys conducted by public opinion polling organizations since early April, the president’s approval rating has ranged from 40% to 44%.

According to the average New York Times poll, as of October 22nd, President Trump has an approval rating of 43% and a disapproval rating of 53%. The average RealClearPolitics poll is a few points higher, with 45% approval and 52% disapproval. Both averages have been nearly stagnant for several months, with net negative trends.

The poll was conducted between October 15th and 20th among 4,835 American adults. There is a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.

The majority of Americans support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

But while the survey shows Americans are leaning toward supporting the ceasefire and praising President Trump’s role, it also shows the president is more out of touch with the people on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

Polls show that most Americans believe the United States should recognize Palestinian statehood, a position that has not been promoted by the administration or previous administrations. In recent weeks, a number of countries, including some of the United States’ closest allies – Britain, Canada, France and Australia – have formally recognized a Palestinian state, drawing condemnation from Israel.

President Trump has been a major supporter of Israel in its more than two-year war with Hamas, which began after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis, including many civilians. Israeli shelling has destroyed large swathes of Gaza and killed more than 67,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Authority.

A majority of respondents, 59%, supported recognition of a Palestinian state, while 33% opposed recognition. The remaining 8% were unsure or did not answer the question.

learn more: What does recognizing a Palestinian state mean for each country? Explain.

Support for an independent Palestinian state is divided along party lines. It is strongest among Democrats, with 8 in 10 backing the idea and 41% of Republicans.

About 60% of poll respondents said Israel’s response in Gaza was excessive, while 32% opposed it.

Republicans are taking more of the blame for the government shutdown.

The government shutdown is in its third week, now at 22 days, the second longest in history. Among both parties, the survey found that Republicans are more enthusiastic about the crisis than their Democratic colleagues.

As of October 22, there is no sign that Congress will reach a breakthrough before President Trump departs on October 24, a few days later, on a multi-day trip to Asia. As the impasse approaches a month, 50% of respondents in the poll blame Republican Congressional leadership, followed by 43% who blame Congressional Democrats.

The results echo several other polls released during the government shutdown, which showed a slight majority of Americans blame Trump and Congressional Republicans over Congressional Democrats for the federal government shutdown.

Contributed by: Reuters.

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

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