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The Powerball jackpot is $327 million. Winning numbers for June 24th

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The Powerball jackpot has increased to $327 million with a cash value of $148 million ahead of the drawing on Wednesday, June 24th.

Since its launch in 1992, the Powerball jackpot has been hit more than 400 times. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the states with the most winning jackpot tickets.

So far in 2026, seven people have won the Powerball jackpot. The last time someone won a big prize was almost two months ago, on May 2, when a $20 million jackpot was split between two tickets.

Here’s what you need to know about Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.

What are the winning Powerball numbers for June 24th?

The winning numbers for Wednesday, June 24th’s Powerball drawing are 13, 14, 16, 21, 38 and Powerball is 14. The “power play” multiplier is 2x.

Do I have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?

The short answer is no. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball.

Anyone visiting any of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may purchase lottery tickets from authorized and licensed retailers, regardless of nationality, as long as they meet the legal age requirements (usually 18 years old) at the time of purchase.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

  • $2.04 billion in California on November 7, 2022
  • December 24, 2025, $1.817 billion in Arkansas.
  • $1.787 billion in Missouri and Texas on September 6, 2025
  • $1.765 billion in California on October 11, 2023
  • January 13, 2016, $1.586 billion in California, Florida, and Tennessee
  • April 6, 2024, $1.326 billion in Oregon.
  • $1.08 billion in California on July 19, 2023
  • January 1, 2024, $842.4 million in Michigan.
  • March 27, 2019, $768.4 million in Wisconsin
  • August 23, 2017, $758.7 million in Massachusetts

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores.

In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online depending on your local jurisdiction.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes.

“Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

A “Quick Pick” option is also available if you want the computer to select the numbers for you. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

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

Nancy Guthrie’s Ransom Note – Timeline of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing

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Nearly five months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, new details about the ransom note are raising questions about the status of the case.

Today anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the night of January 31, when her family dropped her off at her home in Tucson, Arizona, after dinner. The next morning, she was reported missing and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation.

In the days that followed, a purported ransom note was sent containing details about Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping. Savannah Guthrie said in an interview with NBC in March that she and her family believed two of those bills (the first bill asked for money) were “real.”

But nearly five months after the abduction, NBC News, ABC News and CBS News reported on June 22 that a second note claimed Nancy Guthrie was dead.

Look back at the complete timeline of the ransom note, its contents, and what investigators said about its effectiveness.

February 3: Nancy Guthrie’s first ransom note confirmed

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News that a local news affiliate, later identified as KOLD News 13, received a letter on Feb. 2 “with specific details about the home and the clothing Nancy Guthrie was wearing that night.” Nanos said he shared the memo with Savannah Guthrie.

On February 3, TMZ reported that they also received a letter demanding money in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release. The same day, a reporter for the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, witnessed blood later confirmed to be Nancy Guthrie’s on the front porch of her home.

Officials later revealed that these initial memos contained two deadlines. One on Thursday, February 5th at 5pm and the other on Monday, February 9th.

February 4: Guthrie family acknowledges reports of ransom note

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings posted a video on Instagram speaking directly to their mother’s potential kidnapper. The post was captioned: “Take her home.”

“We have also heard reports in the media about the ransom letter,” the “Today” host said at the time. “We are doing the best we can as a family. We are ready to talk. But we live in a world where sounds and images are easily manipulated.”

“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and you have her. We want and are ready to hear from you. Please contact us,” Savannah Guthrie added, Nancy Guthrie added, “She’s 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She doesn’t have medication. She needs it to live. She needs it to not suffer.”

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Savannah Guthrie pleads claim that ransom note listed mother’s death

“Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie made an emotional on-air appeal after receiving a ransom note that reportedly left her mother dead.

February 5: FBI addresses suspicious memo and announces arrest

FBI Special Agent in Charge Heiss Janke said in a Feb. 5 press conference that the notes reviewed by investigators did not contain “proof of life,” but instead contained “facts related to deadlines,” an Apple Watch, a floodlight, and “monetary value.”

Authorities also announced the arrest of a Southern California man suspected of sending a false ransom demand to Nancy Guthrie’s family.

February 5th: First ransom note due

Savannah Guthrie’s brother, Camron Guthrie, addressed a person who may be “holding our mother” in an Instagram video posted on February 5, the day of the original deadline that was allegedly included in the original ransom note.

“We want to hear from you,” said Camron Guthrie. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need to reach you and we need a way to communicate with you in order for us to move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mother.”

February 6: Second ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie is dead

A second ransom demand letter was sent on February 6th, and KOLD confirmed it on social media when it was received. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department also confirmed they were investigating “new messages,” according to a post on X at the time.

Several months later, on June 22, multiple news outlets reported that this second note stated that Nancy Guthrie had died after being abducted, and CBS reported that investigators familiar with the case had reason to believe both notes were from the same person.

February 7: Savannah Guthrie accuses possible kidnapper

Savannah Guthrie and her brother shared another video on social media on February 7, mentioning the potential kidnappers and the ransom note.

“We received your message and we understand it,” Savannah Guthrie said. “We now ask you to return our mother to us and celebrate with us. This is the only way we can have peace. This is very precious to us and we will pay the price.”

February 9th: Ransom note expires

As the second deadline for the letter expired on February 9, Savannah Guthrie offered “some thoughts as we move into another week of this nightmare” in a video message. She explained that she and her family “believe that my mother is still outside,” and appealed to the public for help.

“Law enforcement is working 24 hours a day to bring her home and search for her. She’s been taken and we don’t know where she is, so we need your help,” Savannah Guthrie said, adding, “If you see anything, hear anything, feel at all strange. We are in a desperate situation and we need your help.”

The next day, the FBI released an image on X showing an unidentified armed person who appears to have tampered with Nancy Guthrie’s front door camera the morning she disappeared. Later that month, the Guthrie family offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.

March 26: Savannah Guthrie says some ransom notes were real

Savannah Guthrie sat down with longtime colleague Hoda Kotb for an emotional interview in March ahead of her return to the Today show after leaving her job in February. Savannah Guthrie explained that she and her siblings are “in pain” over Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance and opened up about the ransom note.

“There’s a lot of different notes, I think it came. And my understanding is I don’t think most of them are real,” she said. “However, we believe the two returned notes we received are genuine.”

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Savannah Guthrie shares emotional appeal to missing mother

Savannah Guthrie revealed to Hoda Kotb that her mother has been missing for more than 50 days in an interview on the “TODAY” show, and once again appealed for her mother’s return.

June 22: New reports of ransom notes emerge

NBC News, ABC News, and CBS News reported on June 22 that the February 6 ransom note listed Nancy Guthrie as dead. NBC and ABC cited anonymous people “with knowledge of the matter,” and CBS cited “sources who reviewed the memo.”

NBC also reported that the alleged kidnapper did not apologize for abducting Nancy Guthrie, but did express regret for her death.

A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Office in southern Arizona told USA TODAY that inquiries about the ransom note should be directed to the FBI. “The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case,” the department said in a statement.

After a June 23 episode of “Today” featured an NBC News segment with an update on the reported ransom note, Savannah Guthrie said she “does not comment on this story” and is “not involved in our reporting,” and went on to “implore people to come forward with information.”

“Someone knows something and this is the news story of the day that is getting your attention. But this is the life that my sister is living, this is the life that I am living, this is the life that my brother is living, our extended family is living, our children are living every day, and we are suffering. We cannot be at peace,” she said.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Office tips.fbi.gov. (520-351-4900) or 88-CRIME.

Contributors: KiMi Robinson, Melina Khan, Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

Dunkin’s releases its Fourth of July menu. Let’s see what’s on there

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Independence Day is the next major holiday on the calendar, and Dunkin’ is celebrating with a new menu lineup of limited-time drinks and baked goods.

The coffee and donut chain announced on June 24 a festive lineup of refreshers, lemonades, Dunkin’ Zero and coffee beverages inspired by summer’s biggest holiday, featuring “nostalgic flavors, colorful toppings and indulgent twists.”

The lineup of drinks that will be released nationwide from June 24th is as follows.

  • Fruit punch refresher: A refreshing taste of black cherry and pineapple flavors mixed with lemonade.
  • Peach Berry Tea Dunkin’ Zero: A sugar-free energy drink made with black tea flavored with peach and blackberry.
  • Starlight lemonade: A layered lemonade featuring Freeze Pop flavors and dragon fruit.
  • Freeze Pop Limeade: A tart and tangy limeade inspired by classic summer freeze pops.
  • Cherrylicious Daydream Refresher: Black cherry flavor is blended with oat milk and topped with sweet cold foam and patriotic sprinkles.
  • Peanut Butter Dankaratte: A combination of espresso and coffee milk with a mellow peanut butter flavor.
  • Iced coffee with cookies: An original blend of iced coffee and cream wrapped in chocolate cookie flavor.
  • Oreo & PB coffee chiller: A frozen coffee drink featuring peanut butter flavor and Oreo cookie pieces, topped with whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and more Oreo crumbles.
  • Strawberry Sparkler Cloud Latte: A latte made with unsweetened vanilla syrup and topped with strawberry-flavored cold foam and patriotic sprinkles.
  • Shakin’ espresso and unsweetened vanilla: Espresso is shaken with oat milk and added with vanilla flavor without sugar.
  • Dazzle Berry Coolatta: Blue raspberry coolatta with marshmallow cold foam is poured into a cup and topped with whipped cream and patriotic sprinkles.

Dunkin’ is also adding red, white and blue to its bakery case with limited-time treats.

  • Rocket Pop Donut: This festive donut has been updated with an American flag encrustion, featuring a star-shaped yeast shell and rocket pop-flavored filling, topped with blue icing and an American flag sprinkle blend.
  • Stars and Stripes Donut: A classic donut dipped in blue icing and topped with festive red, white and blue sprinkles.
  • Stars & Stripes Munchkin Donut Hole Treats: Glazed chocolate munchkin coated with a festive American flag sprinkle blend.

Dunkin’ releases Eagle Cup merchandise to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary

In addition to the menu items, Dunkin’ will also introduce limited-edition Eagle Cups designed to “capture the spirit of Independence Day,” according to the company.

The collectible cup will be available in stores nationwide starting June 29th, priced at $10.99 while supplies last. Each Eagle Cup includes a free Medium drink with purchase and a unique promo code to unlock a $3 Medium Refresher or Dunkin’ Zero drink for 30 days.

“This summer, Dunkin’ will bring the energy of America’s 250th anniversary to every part of our menu,” Anthony Epter, Dunkin’ vice president of menu innovation, said in a news release. “Inspired by Fourth of July traditions, we’ve made every Dunkin’ Run a little more festive, creating a lineup of drinks, bakery treats and collectible Eagle Cups that make every sip feel celebratory.”

Check out Dunkin’ limited edition Independence Day merchandise collection

Dunkin’ fans can also get ready for Independence Day with a limited-edition merchandise collection inspired by “summer fun and classic Americana, with a unique Dunkin’ twist,” the company said in a news release.

Available on DunkinRunsOnMerch.com starting Wednesday, July 1st at 10am ET, the collection includes:

  • Star Donut Boxy Cropped T-Shirt ($22): A playful graphic tee featuring two festive rocket pop donuts.
  • Women’s one-piece swimsuit ($49.99): A blue one-piece women’s swimsuit printed with rocket pop donuts and summer-inspired motifs.
  • Men’s Swim Shorts ($49.99): Printed with rocket pop donuts and summer motifs.
  • All-over print camp shirt ($45): The all-over print combines rocket pop donuts and eagle graphics for a bold summer look.
  • Liberty T-shirt ($35): A baby pink graphic T-shirt featuring the Statue of Liberty holding a Dunkin iced coffee.
  • Shark hoodie ($60): A playful graphic hoodie featuring shark, seagull, and Dunkin’ graphics.
  • Crabby Drop Shoulder Short Sleeve Sweatshirt and Shorts Bundle ($80): A graphic sweatshirt and shorts set featuring a crab clutching a Dunkin’ iced coffee.
  • Kids long sleeve rash guard ($40): A blue rash guard with a rocket pop donut and summer motif printed on it.
  • Crabby Tote ($48): A classic carryall featuring a crab holding a Dunkin Iced Coffee.
  • 24 oz stainless steel tumbler ($29.99): A stainless steel tumbler printed with images of Rocket Pop donuts and classic Americana.
  • Captain’s Hat ($24.99): A captain’s hat featuring a golden Dunkin’ iced coffee cup.
  • Trucker Hat ($24.99): A trucker-style hat depicting a shark reaching for a Dunkin’ iced coffee.
  • 3′ x 5′ Boat Flag ($24.99): A baby blue boat flag depicting a crab grabbing a Dunkin iced coffee.
  • Dunkin’ Bees Cup Holder ($35): A pink beaded strap to carry your iced coffee.

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

Clues about Taylor Swift’s marriage revealed in New York City permit application

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As the wedding of the century’s pop royalty approaches between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey, clues are also being revealed.

The New York Times first reported, citing three anonymous sources, that road closures around Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan were authorized from July 2 to around noon on July 4 for the July 3 event. The Times reported on a wedding ceremony held in a garden.

USA TODAY has confirmed that permits have been applied for to close city streets near the iconic arena, as well as events that could draw hundreds of people.

New York City Hall spokeswoman Dora Pekek confirmed to USA TODAY the existence of the permit, as first reported by the Times. City Hall refused to share physical permits.

The request includes increasing capacity from 500 to 999 people, setting up tents outside Madison Square Garden, and closing roads near Madison Square Garden. Pekek said the permit was obtained through the city’s Street Permit Office. Pekets added that the road closure authorization only covers the area near the gardens, not multiple city blocks.

Pekek said it’s not unusual for events of potentially similar size to apply for permits.

“That means they have the right protocols in place to keep everyone safe and get them moving,” Pekek said.

The New York Times also reported, citing anonymous sources, that some of Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates have booked hotel rooms for dates around July 3 at the Marriott Marquis, about 12 blocks from the arena in Times Square.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives from Swift and Madison Square Garden for comment.

Speculation has swirled for months that the pop icon’s impending nuptials with her NFL beau have been swirling for months, with fans and media scrambling for any hint that the nuptials, or perhaps the post-wedding reception, will actually take place at one of the world’s most famous venues, a venue befitting Swift’s status in the music industry.

The venue also provides a secluded location for the celebrity guest list, with an underground ramp into the arena and private access away from cameras.

If the Swift/Kelce production does indeed take place in the crowded Manhattan hub, it would add another layer to an already crowded weekend. A huge fireworks display is planned near the Brooklyn Bridge and the Hudson River on July 4th to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.th Meanwhile, a World Cup match is scheduled for July 5 at MetLife Stadium (renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium).

Social Security Changes to Direct Express Debit Cards

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Big changes to Social Security for beneficiaries whose benefits will be transferred to debit cards.

Most of the 70.6 million Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security income benefits (more than 99%) receive payments electronically through direct deposit into their checking accounts or through Direct Express prepaid debit cards. Those receiving paper payments should know that the Social Security Administration plans to fully transition to electronic payments for all beneficiaries by the end of the year.

Changes are also coming to recipients who use Direct Express debit cards. SSA said in a May 18 notice that the Treasury Department is changing the banks that handle recipients’ debit cards, with Fifth Third Bank replacing Comerica Bank as the financial agent for the Direct Express Card Program.

SSA says new Direct Express Card registrants already have a Fifth Third Bank card. The transition of current recipients of existing Direct Express cards from Comerica to Fifth Third Bank is expected to begin late this year or early next year, the agency said. The change will affect about 3.6 million cardholders, according to The Motley Fool.

When will Social Security ship my new Direct Express card?

Later this year, the Treasury Department plans to begin sending current Direct Express cardholders a new Fifth Third Bank card to replace their current Comerica card. Once the current card expires, the recipient will receive a new card issued by Fifth Third Bank, officials said.

Cardholders will be notified before their new card arrives. In the meantime, current cards will continue to be fully functional, officials said. Direct Express says the new card will work exactly like the current card, and benefits will arrive on the same schedule.

However, the recipient may want to take some action before receiving the new card. “If you recently moved, make sure you have up-to-date contact information so the Social Security Administration knows where to send your new debit card,” suggests Kylie Hagen, contributing retirement analyst for The Motley Fool.

The SSA states that beneficiaries must keep all contact information up to date to ensure they receive all communications.

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.

Judge blocks Trump from requiring proof of citizenship to vote

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A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled on June 24 that President Donald Trump’s request for proof of citizenship to register to vote exceeded his authority.

The ruling is the latest legal blow to the requirement, which was part of an executive order signed by President Trump in March 2025. The provision would require state and local governments to report details of citizenship documents on national forms used for voter registration applications.

American citizenship is required to vote in the United States, and the registration form requires proof that you are already a U.S. citizen. Some states argue that requiring applicants to provide documentation of citizenship could be a major impediment to voting because some forms of government ID do not include citizenship information and many Americans do not have passports.

Judge Dennis Casper, an Obama appointee, agreed with several Democratic-led states that the requirement exceeded Trump’s authority under the Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act, a 1993 law that establishes voter registration procedures.

Article 1 of the Constitution explicitly grants the states and Congress the power to conduct elections, but not the president.

The Justice Department and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Several other courts around the country have also blocked Mr. Trump’s requests in recent months, ruling that they exceeded their authority.

The citizenship requirement is just one of several election-related requirements that President Trump has sought to implement during his administration. These include new regulations regarding mail-in voting, which also face legal challenges.

The election coverage requirements follow the president’s long-standing and baseless claims that elections he or other Republicans lost were fraudulent, including the 2020 presidential election he lost to then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Dolly Parton surprises fans with unusual Tennessee trip

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CORNERVILLE, Tenn. — On opening day, traffic began to build up on the streets as travelers made their way to Dolly Parton’s Tennessean Travel Stop.

“Dolly is on her way,” Tennessean Travel Stop owner Gregory Sachs told reporters at the new truck destination in Cornersville, noting that Parton will cut the ribbon on Wednesday, June 24 at 2 p.m.

Anticipation was high at destinations along the new Interstate 65 road this morning. The 80-year-old country legend arrived wearing a blue and pink fringe ensemble and her signature stiletto heels.

The “9 to 5” singer used the moment to make a playful joke about Travel Stop’s competitor, Buc-ee’s.

“I think some people want to know why I wanted to stop the truck,” Parton said. “Well, I couldn’t leave it to Beaver.”

Parton ended the short ceremony with a ribbon cutting, complete with a flurry of colorful confetti featuring her signature butterflies.

The message drew cheers from guests who spent the afternoon exploring the grounds, sampling food from DLY BBQ and sampling “Cup of Ambition” coffee, waiting to see if Parton would make an appearance. Previous promotional materials for the grand opening stated that the country music icon would not be participating in the public celebration.

The appearance will be one of Parton’s few public events in 2026.

The East Tennessee star returned to Dollywood in March to begin the theme park’s 41st season after missing several appearances while recovering from health issues and grieving the death of husband Karl Dean. During that appearance, Parton told fans that she was rebuilding herself “mentally, emotionally and physically.”

Parton, who has been open about dealing with kidney stones, said in May that she was working with doctors because her “immune system and digestive system have been completely thrown out of whack over the last three years.”

What is Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop?

Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, located at Exit 22 of Interstate 65 in Cornersville, officially opened to the public on June 24th. The flagship store was created as a partnership between Ms. Parton, her longtime manager Danny Nozell, and Gregory H. Sachs, owner of the Tennessean Travel Stop brand.

Inspired by Parton’s decades traveling the country in her tour bus and her East Tennessee roots, the destination combines fuel services, dining, shopping, live music and Tennessee-themed hospitality.

Brian West is a music reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Instagram, TikTok, and X as @BryanWestTV.

Will gold reach $5,000 an ounce again this year?

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Earlier this year, gold prices topped $5,000 an ounce for the first time. These record highs were driven by geopolitical uncertainty, changing Federal Reserve policy expectations, and strong central bank demand.

Now investors are wondering: Was the $5,000 level just a temporary spike that won’t be repeated anytime soon? Gold prices have fallen back from January’s record highs and are hovering in the low $4,000 range, but several factors could push prices back in the long run.

According to experts, the outlook for gold prices and the current price increases are as follows:

Why gold may not reach $5,000 again by 2027

Gold prices have soared above $5,000 this year, but several factors could keep them below that high in the coming months.

A relatively strong US dollar, rising interest rates and subdued demand in global markets are putting downward pressure on gold prices.

However, some of these conditions are temporary. With several possibilities such as lower interest rates, less confidence in the US dollar, and geopolitical shocks, gold could easily rise above $5,000 again.

“It’s not likely this year, but it’s very likely next year,” said Purba Mukherji, an economics professor at the University of Connecticut and an expert on international finance and trade.

Maitland Wealth research analyst Steve Maitland agrees that while a return to $5,000 is possible, it probably won’t happen until 2026.

“Gold prices are already strong and the market doesn’t necessarily trend in one direction. There is usually a consolidation before the market goes up again,” he says.

Gold prices are currently falling due to rising interest rates.

Currently, geopolitical tensions such as the Iran war and tariffs are causing concerns about inflation. As a result, many traders expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by the end of the year.

As interest rates rise, real yields tend to rise. When this happens, investors can earn higher returns from other interest-bearing assets such as bonds rather than gold. This makes gold less attractive to investors and drives down its price.

Sluggish demand in India is pushing down global gold prices

Restrictions on gold purchases in India this year amid the ongoing war with Iran are another reason for softening global demand.

If India imports less gold, demand will fall. This puts downward pressure on prices and helps explain why gold remains below all-time highs.

“India…is a major player in the gold market,” Mukherji said. “India is discouraging its citizens from buying gold this year in hopes of improving the value of the Indian rupee.”

Why India wants to reduce gold demand

Mukerji said India’s demand for foreign currency is already high due to the ongoing war in Iran and rising oil prices. The rise in oil prices means India is spending more foreign currency than usual on fuel imports, as oil prices are denominated in dollars. This will put pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

If India also imports large amounts of gold, this could further increase foreign exchange demand and depreciate the Indian rupee. India’s gold purchase import restrictions are in place to prevent that.

Central bank buying supports gold over the long term

Central banks have been buying gold at high interest rates in recent years in response to economic turmoil. “Central banks purchased more than 240 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026 alone, with volumes exceeding 850 tonnes per year for the third consecutive year,” said Luciano Duque, CEO of C3 Bullion.

Other factors have kept gold prices below $5,000 since January’s record highs, but sustained purchases by central banks have been a key factor in keeping gold prices high over time.

Why central banks buy gold

Central banks buy gold to protect against geopolitical risks (such as sanctions), store value, and diversify their holdings. Holding gold is a key way for central banks to create financial stability through economic turmoil.

Declining confidence in the US dollar could push gold higher over time

The US dollar is currently relatively strong. Gold prices are determined in US dollars, which makes gold more expensive for buyers around the world, reducing demand and keeping gold prices low.

But there are also longer-term factors that could weaken the dollar, such as the US’s high debt. When the dollar falls, the price of gold rises as people look for alternative ways to store their wealth.

“In times of uncertainty, gold is increasingly seen as a confidence factor,” Maitland said.

US high debt and borrowing could depreciate the dollar

In 2026, the U.S. national debt will reach the size of the entire U.S. economy for the first time since World War II. And while borrowing has been trending upward for decades, the recent spike in spending due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Iran war has further heightened concerns about how sustainable U.S. debt levels are.

As the U.S. debt grows, investors begin to worry whether the government will be able to pay back the debt or whether it will need to print more money to keep interest rates low and pay down the debt. This could lead to a long-term decline in confidence in the long-term value of the dollar. When this happens, investors turn to gold and other currencies that are considered better stores of value.

So is now a good time to buy gold?

Although global conditions that affect the price of gold continue to change, gold remains a powerful store of value and is used by many investors for asset protection.

Gold prices are currently below the all-time highs reached in January of this year. However, Mukerji believes that long-term prices will trend upwards.

“I think this is a great time to buy on the spur of the moment,” she says.

Bottom line: Gold likely to return to $5,000, but near-term headwinds remain

Gold may return to $5,000 someday, but several factors are currently weighing on demand. The dollar remains strong, interest rates are relatively high, and short-term market trends are putting downward pressure on prices.

Still, long-term factors such as supply constraints, declining confidence in the U.S. dollar, and global uncertainty are likely to push gold prices higher, with some experts predicting gold prices to rise above $5,000 an ounce again in 2027.

Jalen Brunson denies Knicks’ White House visit with Trump

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James Dolan is ready to take the NBA champion New York Knicks to the White House. Finals MVP Jalen Brunson isn’t ready to say whether he’ll take part in that trip.

The Knicks owner and longtime friend of President Donald Trump said the team has accepted the invitation to the White House. Brunson told New York Magazine that the players had not even discussed the matter.

“We haven’t talked about that yet,” Brunson said. “But we will talk about it as a team and cross the bridge when we get there.”

Dolan made some pretty definitive statements on WFAN the day before the championship parade.

“We just received an invitation from the White House and we accepted,” Dolan said. “We still need to figure out the details and all that, but of course we invited the president to the game. He’s a friend. We’ve known each other for 30 years and I’m very proud to be able to bring the team to the White House.”

Trump joined Dolan for Game 3, becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. Trump sat in Dolan’s suite and was booed only when he appeared on the jumbotron before the game. That night, the Knicks lost 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs, ending their winning streak at 13. They finished off the Spurs in five games, ending a 53-year title drought.

Trump then congratulated the team on Truth Social, calling out Brunson by name and calling the title perhaps the best in basketball history.

Some champions skipped the traditional White House visit during Trump’s first term, including the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019. The Oklahoma City Thunder also sat out last year due to timing issues. In 2017, Trump withdrew his invitation from the Warriors after Stephen Curry said he was reluctant to join the team and several Warriors players disagreed with Trump’s policies.

How much do Americans really tip?

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

Have you ever wondered if you tip too much or not enough?

Betty Lynn Fisher has a story about it. Here’s how much people actually tip:

America’s wealthiest suburbs

We’ve updated the list we first published a year ago with a new article about America’s wealthiest suburbs.

What surprised us about this top 10 was how little we knew about most of the suburbs. How many of you have ever visited West University Place?

Americans still struggle with planning for retirement

Finally: Americans are getting pretty good at saving for retirement. But at the end of the day, most of us don’t have a plan for how we’ll spend our money in retirement.

Medora Lee tells our story.

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Bill Cassidy says he was furious with Trump in private meeting

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“I threw a tantrum,” Cassidy told reporters. “That’s not appropriate. It’s the Irish in me.”

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump made most of his remarks Wednesday as he headed to the Capitol for an unusual closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans.

Few lawmakers asked him questions. There wasn’t much of a chance, they later admitted. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said the president himself “spoke for an hour and 15 minutes.”

But one Republican was a notable exception.

A particularly heated exchange involved U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana congressman who fell out of favor with President Trump several years ago following his impeachment conviction over the Jan. 6 riot. Since Cassidy was re-elected in the Republican primary earlier this year, he has fiercely opposed the administration on a variety of political fronts, including the Iran war.

Cassidy, whose support for ending the war was critical to the success of several Senate policies, told reporters after the meeting that he made his dissatisfaction clear.

Cassidy told Trump that “our original objective has not been achieved,” and that the president “didn’t really care about what I said,” before “raising his voice.”

After weeks of internal party feuding, the exchange stood out as one of the few moments of open defiance from Republican senators face-to-face with President Trump.

Just two hours before the tête-à-tête, President Trump once again disrupted Congress’ schedule by abruptly refusing to attend the signing ceremony of a landmark housing bill that passed both chambers of Congress this week. He said he won’t sign the bipartisan bill, an election-year victory, until Republicans pass the Save America Act. The bill is a major voting restriction bill, but key senators say it doesn’t have enough support in Congress to realistically pass.

It was not clear at Wednesday’s meeting whether Republicans had reached a solution on how to resolve the impasse, but this is just the latest issue that is driving a wedge between Republicans and the president.

But “a voice has been raised,” said Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).

Marshall, who like Cassidy is an internist, said it was “like a hospital board meeting with a bunch of doctors yelling at each other.”

At one point, Cassidy referred to Trump as “brother” rather than “president,” said West Virginia Republican Sen. Jim Justice.

“Obviously there was a little back and forth between Bill Cassidy and the president,” he said. “They have bad feelings. That may be fair, but it may not be.”

Mr. Cassidy acknowledged that he could have been more calm, but that his tone and volume were tailored to Mr. Trump’s.

“I threw a tantrum. That’s not appropriate,” he said. “It’s the Irish in me.”

Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him at @ZachSchermele on X and @zachschermele.bsky.social on Bluesky..

Brendan Thorsby must face harsh reality after NFL rejection: He’s not a victim

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Texas Tech tried to make Brendan Thorsby look like a victim. I didn’t buy it, the Big 12 didn’t buy it, the NFL didn’t buy it.

Thorsby had been breaking NCAA gambling rules for years. He bet on his team. After his arrest, he confessed to being addicted to sports gambling and entered a recovery program.

He’s a rule breaker, an addict, and a talented quarterback.

He’s not, it’s the victim.

Betting on sports doesn’t make Thorsby a bad guy, but he’s definitely responsible for the mess he’s in.

If Thorsby overcomes his gambling addiction, he may have a future in the NFL. However, that is not the case this season.

The NFL announced it would decline to hold an additional draft that could have allowed Thorsby to join the professional roster in time for this season.

I’m not blaming the NFL. It’s Sorsby’s fault. This adversity he is facing is self-inflicted. He repeatedly broke the black and white rule. College football players can’t bet on college football, NFL concedes Texas judge ignored: Thorsby’s actions raise integrity concerns.

NFL says Brendan Thorsby tried to avoid gambling consequences

The NFL does not need to conduct an additional draft. The league’s collective bargaining agreement gives the NFL sole discretion over whether to enter into an agreement. No players have been selected with additional picks since 2019.

Let’s watch Thorsby go a year without betting on sports, and then let’s talk about Thorsby in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s basically what the NFL said, but denied drafting him additionally.

“The issues raised in your petition are too serious and inextricably tied to the league’s core bona fide interests to receive meaningful consideration within the time frame provided,” NFL Governing Council General Counsel Larry Ferrazzani said in a letter to Thorsby rejecting the supplemental draft petition.

In effect, the NFL has said the quiet part out loud: Mr. Sausby, you are not special. You are a rule breaker who puts yourself in a bad position.

“After receiving notice in May of the NCAA’s decision to revoke your college eligibility, rather than accept responsibility for your actions, you sought to avoid the consequences of that decision through litigation and pursued entry into the NFL only after abandoning that effort,” Ferrazzani wrote to Thorsby.

For Thorsby, these must be hard truths to hear, but they are true nonetheless.

Thorsby developed a gambling habit that put his right to play in 2026 at risk.

“By all accounts, you are a talented player with potential for future success, and I encourage you to focus on preparing for the NFL through the 2027 NFL Draft,” Ferrazzani added.

In response, Thorsby’s lawyers threatened further action in comments to multiple media outlets, including USA TODAY. The only winners in this story are still the lawyers and their billable hours.

Brendan Thorsby receives treatment for addiction and can enter 2027 NFL Draft

The NFL’s latest ruling may be exactly what Thorsby needs.

Instead of competing for a spot on the NFL depth chart over the next few months, Thorsby could focus on proving to NFL officials that he can overcome his addiction and avoid relapse. He could also use this time to work with a personal trainer to fine-tune his mechanics in preparation for next year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

Thorsby has the physical attributes to be a future NFL player, but those who know the league will say his form and mechanics need a little more polish.

If not for his gambling background, Thorsby would have been an interesting pro candidate. Throw in your gambling history and things get even more complicated.

Thorsby wouldn’t be the first NFL player to bet on college football. Kayshon Boutte illegally bet on college games while playing for LSU, including bets involving his own team. Boots was already in the NFL when he was caught gambling in the past. The league chose not to suspend him. He’s still in the NFL.

“Don’t give up” on athletes who develop gambling addictions, Boot wrote in a 2026 essay. “Maybe they just need help.”

If Sausby gets help and accepts responsibility for his mistakes, he could potentially get an NFL boot, but not this year.

It’s a sad story, but the NFL doesn’t view Thorsby as a victim and he doesn’t deserve a special path into the league. He is a recovering addict.

Blake Topmeyer is USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow at X @btoppmeyer.

Hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade families are struggling to make ends meet.

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Hundreds of thousands of families in Miami-Dade were unable to make ends meet, according to the latest data available from United Way.

In Miami-Dade County, 155,328 households are considered to be in poverty, up from 145,803 in 2023, according to the 2026 Florida ALICE State Report, which analyzed 2024 data. Additionally, 408,619 households met ALICE requirements, up from 381,666 households the previous year. This acronym stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.” ” This refers to “households with incomes above the federal poverty level but below the county’s basic cost of living.”

41% of Miami-Dade County households were ALICE households, compared to the state average of 34%. Fifteen percent lived in poverty, compared to the state average of 12%.

Within counties, there were also significant differences between ZIP codes. For example, the percentage of households below the ALICE threshold (including ALICE households and households in poverty) ranged from 83% in both ZIP code 33142, which serves part of Brownsville, and ZIP code 33128, which serves part of Downton, to 15% in ZIP code 33158, which serves part of Deering Bay.

Household “survival budget” gives Miami-Dade County residents some breathing room

United Way’s household survival budgets “reflect the minimum costs of living and working in today’s economy and include housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes.” This does not include emergency savings or funds for college or retirement. In 2024, “household costs in every county in Florida were well above the federal poverty level.” That’s $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.

In Miami-Dade County in 2024, housing costs per adult are $1,892 per month, food costs $549, transportation costs $424, and health care costs $189, and this is not an exhaustive list of necessities. After factoring in additional expenses, the total comes to $3,982 per month. The hourly wage for each adult was $23.89, according to United Way’s Household Survival Budget for the area. For multiple adults with children, housekeeping costs, food costs, transportation costs all increase, and childcare costs are added as well.

For complete charts and breakdowns, visit United Way’s Miami-Dade County data page.

Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect reporter on USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday. florida today.

Diana Russini knew about Mike Vrabel’s photo days before informing New York Times executives

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Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of The Athletic’s editor-in-chief Stephen Ginsburg’s name.

Executives at The New York Times and The Athletic scrambled to respond to a bombshell report from the New York Post that included a photo of former NFL insider Deanna Russini and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, but what they didn’t initially know was that the newspaper had contacted Russini two days earlier, according to a new Times report published June 24.

The newspaper reported that Russini was contacted directly by the newspaper on Easter Sunday, citing a company spokesperson. She waited two days to alert her boss, who initially sided with her. Things changed when The Times, which owns The Athletic, launched an investigation into her earlier reporting. Russini resigned a week after the first photo was published, and other media outlets published more photos in the coming weeks.

A NYT spokeswoman said Russini’s first call was to Meredith Poppit-Levien, president and chief executive officer of The New York Times, and not to her boss at The Athletic. Ultimately, The Athletic’s editor-in-chief, Stephen Ginsburg, issued a statement of support, saying the photo lacked important context.

Daniel Rhodes-Ha, a spokesperson for the paper, told The Times in an email that the article contained “more photos than Stephen was initially shown or made aware of.” “The photos that were eventually published raised new questions about Deanna’s actions.”

diana russini salary

According to the article, Russini, who earns about $800,000 a year, referred to himself as a “former journalist” in a text exchange with a reporter for the story and asked that some of his responses not be published.

“This has had a profound impact on my life, both professionally and personally,” Russini wrote.

Both Russini and Vrabel are married to other people.

Atlanta tourist wins $10.3 million jackpot in Las Vegas after 3 minutes

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A short stop at a Las Vegas casino turned into a life-changing payday for a visitor from Atlanta, who won more than $10 million on a slot machine just minutes after sitting down to play.

Officials said the guest won the jackpot while playing a slot machine at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on June 16. This jackpot ranks as the largest slot machine payout ever won at this resort located just off the Las Vegas Strip. The identity of the winner has not been made public.

Bet $5 and win $10 million.

Westgate said the guest was playing an IGT Megabucks progressive slot machine when the winning spin hit. The final jackpot totaled $10,292,912.32, making the single $5 wager one of the property’s largest payouts in recent years.

“Las Vegas is built on unforgettable moments, and there’s nothing more memorable than turning a $5 bet into more than $10 million,” Westgate Las Vegas president and general manager Kami Christensen said in a statement. “We are excited about our guests from Atlanta and love seeing these legendary stories happen at Westgate.”

Casino officials said the winners celebrated with other customers and employees as news of the jackpot spread across the casino floor.

How rare are Megabucks jackpots?

The Atlanta visitor’s $10.29 million jackpot ranks as the second-largest slots jackpot in Westgate Las Vegas’ history, according to PlayUSA. The resort’s largest jackpot occurred in March 2015, when Trinidad Torres, a 78-year-old woman from Magna, Utah, won $10.7 million while playing a Megabucks slot machine.

The IGT Megabucks progressive slot machine is one of the most famous jackpot systems in Nevada. Unlike traditional slot machines, Megabucks jackpots are linked to in-state casinos, and the top prize increases as players place bets.

Although this game has long been associated with life-changing wins, jackpots of this magnitude remain rare. Similar Megabucks jackpots have created millionaires across Nevada, including a more than $12.3 million jackpot won in February 2025 and an $11 million Megabucks payout in November 2025.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.

Magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Northern California, USGS says

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According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck northern California on the morning of Wednesday, June 24, triggering warnings throughout the Bay Area.

The quake was recorded at 8:10 a.m. Pacific time just over nine miles from Redwood Valley and was felt by people throughout the region, according to the USGS.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured or if any damage was reported. The depth of the quake was 13.1 miles, according to data provided by the USGS.

Redwood Valley is located in Mendocino County, approximately 120 miles north of San Francisco.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed in a social media post that the governor has been briefed on the earthquake.

“The Governor’s Office is working closely with emergency officials to assess potential impacts and damage,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Shortly thereafter, another small magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred in Redwood Valley. As of 9 a.m. Pacific time, officials said no tsunami was expected.

Earthquake scale

According to Michigan Technological University, the effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes are:

  • Less than 2.5: Usually not felt
  • 2.5 to 5.4: Minor damage or no damage
  • 5.5 to 6.0: Minor damage to building.
  • 6.1 to 6.9: Severe damage
  • 7.0-7.9: Major earthquake, severe damage
  • 8.0 and above: Can cause significant damage and destroy communities

This is a developing story.

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

Eric Adams’ aide arrested in New York City on bribery charges, fraud investigation

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Frank Carone, a close political ally of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with federal corruption charges for allegedly extracting funds from the city’s immigration crisis.

Carone and three others – Anthony Carone, his brother; Hotel manager Crystal Chen. According to the indictment, prosecutors allege that hotelier Yang Po Zhu and hotel owner Yang Po Zhu were indicted for “devising and executing a scheme to profit from the city’s immigration crisis.” Frank Carone alleges that in exchange for the contract, he “agreed to accept a series of bribe payments” from Zhu and Chen through his brother.

According to the indictment, Zhu and Chen paid a total of about $120,000 to Frank Carone for a “multimillion-dollar emergency shelter contract.”

Carone, an attorney, served as Mayor Adams’ chief of staff during his first year in office. The New York Times reported earlier this year that he was under federal investigation.

The indictment includes 13 charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. The defendants were scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday for arraignment.

Arthur Aidala, a prominent criminal lawyer who works with Russell Capone and represents Carone, told USA TODAY: “Frank Carone was part of an administration that publicly challenged what he saw as the previous White House’s dangerous immigration policies and their negative impact on New York City. Three years ago, after speaking out on these issues, Mr. Carone was notified by federal authorities that he was under investigation.”

“After an extensive three-year investigation that examined various aspects of Mr. Carone’s personal and professional life, prosecutors ultimately brought these charges. Mr. Carone maintains his innocence and looks forward to addressing these allegations through the legal process.”

Mr. Capone did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the USA TODAY Network.

“Frank Carone has dedicated decades of his life to public service, the legal community, and supporting countless individuals, businesses, and charities across New York,” Adams spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a statement.

“This is an ongoing legal matter and our prayers are with his family.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

President Trump halts signing of housing bill, demands passage of SAVE America Act

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The president said the housing bill is less important than election reform.

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump abruptly canceled the signing ceremony for a landmark housing affordability bill on Wednesday, saying he wants Republicans in Congress to pass major election reform legislation first.

Hours later, Trump arrived at the Capitol for a pre-scheduled lunch with Republican senators.

Asked whether the Save America Act, which affects voter registration laws, is more important than the housing bill, he said, “Every election is important. They want a lot of communists to participate.”

The housing bill passed the House and Senate by large bipartisan margins this week, marking a significant and rare victory on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers and experts called it a radical “first step” to tackling the nation’s housing shortage.

If Congress is in session, a housing bill can become law without the president’s signature within 10 days after it is submitted to the president.

Still, delaying the bill’s passage is likely to infuriate some in both parties. President Trump and Senate Republicans have clashed recently on a number of issues, from the Iran war to the filibuster.

Mr. Trump has long pushed Congress to approve election legislation that would limit mail-in voting and require voters to provide identification and proof of citizenship.

He is calling on the Senate to abolish the filibuster, which allows a minority of at least 41 members to block legislation such as the SAVE America Act.

Although he has repeatedly threatened not to sign any other legislation until the election bill is approved, he has signed 20 bills into law since last March.

President Trump said on social media on March 8, “As President, I will not sign any other legislation until this passes.”

Since then, new legislation President Trump has signed includes major legislation such as funding for the Department of Homeland Security and legislation on rural broadband access.

But some were narrower in scope, such as the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025, named after the late Virginia House Democrat.

Some Senate Republicans weren’t happy with President Trump’s 11th-hour blowout of signing the housing bill.

“We have to get our act together and stop surprising people,” said retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina). “That doesn’t make sense.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said he couldn’t think of any precedent for something like that happening. He called it “a kind of incomprehensibility.”

“I think ultimately what the president wants to do is get rid of the filibuster,” he said. “And we don’t have the votes to do that.

“At some point you have to deal with reality,” he added.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) said it would be “really sad” if President Trump ultimately vetoed the housing bill because of the SAVE debacle.

“You’ll see a grown man cry,” he said, pointing to himself.

At the same time, President Kennedy said it was the president’s prerogative to set other legislative priorities.

Senate Republicans are debating a number of creative ways to potentially pass the SAVE America Act.

One of them involves updating the government’s key spying law, a bill that Kennedy said he supports.

“I’ll stand on one leg and bark like a dog if that’s what it takes to get this passed,” he said of SAVE.

This housing bill is called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. It’s bipartisan legislation designed by advocates to increase the number of homes built in the United States. Housing advocates have long argued that the low supply of housing means that real estate prices are too high for many Americans to buy.

The bill targets construction costs, regulatory bureaucracy, zoning restrictions and banking hurdles. The bill also modernizes programs through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

– Erin Mansfield

Trump made the announcement while Republican leaders in both chambers were busy with other matters. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), who was scheduled to attend the bill signing, spoke on the Senate floor about abortion. As he left the chamber, he said he had just learned of the schedule change.

“I don’t have any opinion on that at this point,” he told reporters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was in the middle of a press conference. He said he spoke with the president for 20 minutes earlier in the day and understood the White House’s urgency to pass voting reform.

“The president believes in the integrity of elections,” Johnson said. “That’s the top priority.”

The SAVE America Act was amended several times and passed by the 119th Congress. Key parts of the bill, which President Trump has placed at the top of his agenda on Capitol Hill, include requiring proof of citizenship to vote and directing states to turn over voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security. There will also be barriers to registration. Voting rights advocates have expressed concern that the bill could disenfranchise millions of voters.

Politically, President Trump’s attempts to push this bill through Congress are creating a huge wedge between the White House and the Republican Party, especially the Senate. Democrats, on the other hand, rejoice in the Republican family drama.

“Watching President Trump come to the Capitol today to meet with Senate Republicans is like watching a clown car arrive at a circus,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. “Republicans are strangling each other.”

The American Voter Eligibility Protection Act (SAVE America) is a law that requires voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and to present a government-issued photo ID to vote.

It would also create new rules for voting by mail, requiring Americans to send a copy of their ID when requesting and submitting a ballot.

Republicans say the bill is needed to protect elections and prevent non-citizens from voting, but the data rarely shows that’s the case. Meanwhile, Democrats and voting rights groups say the bill would disenfranchise millions of Americans by making it harder to register and vote.

For example, if the bill passes in its entirety, millions of married people whose names on their birth certificates or passports don’t match the names on other forms of identification could face additional hurdles when registering to vote or voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy organization.

Under current law, many Americans must show some form of identification to register to vote. The law would require Americans to present additional documents proving their citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.

– Terry Collins

Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him at @ZachSchermele on X and @zachschermele.bsky.social on Bluesky..

Americans have 401(k) savings but have no idea how to use them, survey finds

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I’ve saved up money, but how do I use it?

Millions of Americans are familiar with how to save in a 401(k) plan, from making regular contributions to securing a match with a company, but they don’t have a concrete plan to turn those savings into recurring income, a Nuveen and TIAA Research Institute survey of more than 2,100 workers found. On average, workers only answered about a quarter of survey questions correctly about withdrawing their retirement savings, and nearly half could not answer a single question correctly on the subject. Only 19% of people nearing retirement have even thought deeply about how to withdraw retirement income from their 401(k) savings.

The decision to withdraw is very important when retiring. Without a plan, experts say, retirees can run out of money or end up with excess funds on a tight budget, preventing them from enjoying their retirement to the fullest.

“With more than $8 trillion in assets spread across 725,000 plans serving 80 million active employees, 401(k) plans have become the primary retirement savings vehicle offered by employers in the private sector,” said Brendan McCarthy, president of Nuveen Retirement Investing. “But despite their size, too many Americans enter retirement without a clear strategy for turning their savings into ongoing income, and that gap has real consequences.”

How can Americans calculate how much they spend?

There are many general rules and tools you can use to ensure your retirement savings last. Some are:

  • 4% rule: Withdraw 4% of your total retirement portfolio in the first year and then adjust that amount annually to account for inflation. Historically, under this rule, a stable income portfolio of stocks and bonds would last for about 30 years, assuming stable expenses.
  • 4.7% rule: Latest version of the 4% rule. Some think this is outdated and too conservative. Critics of the 4% rule said it doesn’t take into account more diversified portfolios that include more than stocks and bonds, or the stock market, which has been booming in recent years.
  • healthy life expectancy and lifespan: You can use a person’s life expectancy and healthy years, or healthy years, to determine how much they can spend. With a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release signed by our customers, Abacus Life can utilize your medical records to find potential people who match your health and medical history, provide you with the best possible life expectancy, and plan accordingly. People who are wary of signing up for access to their medical records can choose free online health tests like the American College of Certified Public Accountants and Abacus to find out how long they have to live.

Surya Kolli, director of the TIAA Institute, a think tank within the financial services company TIAA, said these guidelines are helpful but still leave retirees unsure whether their money will last as long as they need.

“Nearly half of 401(k) employees underestimate how much life they have left after age 65, and that misperception directly undermines their ability to plan for a sustainable income,” he said.

“People need assurance,” Corli said. “They shouldn’t be insecure. They need to feel confident that me and my spouse will be taken care of.”

What is an easy way to determine retirement income?

Given the difficulty 401(k) participants have in understanding retirement and estimating longevity, Corli said employers and retirement plan planners need to provide workers with more education and options to turn retirement savings into income.

Corli and his fellow researchers have found that an option that resonates with people nearing retirement is the ability to automatically convert 401(k) money into a type of annuity that provides lifelong income.

During the 2023 UAW contract negotiations at the Detroit Three automakers, striking workers demanded their pensions back. As most experts expected, they didn’t get it. Instead, they received the option to put some of their 401(k) savings into a low-cost annuity for a more predictable source of income in retirement.

“If you buy whole life insurance, you don’t have to calculate a withdrawal rate,” Corli says. “I always get paid.”

But he also acknowledged that he would not suddenly return to pensions in the future. “The future is probably going to be hybrid, adding some capital and lifetime income to the market,” he said.

Medora Lee is USA TODAY’s money, markets and personal finance reporter. Please contact us at mjlee@usatoday.com. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.

Fence found near DC reflecting pool is for July 4th

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Following President Donald Trump’s reports of vandalism to the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, fencing was seen on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 24, ahead of the kickoff of the Great American State Fair.

The interior ministry said the fences, which are regularly erected to coincide with Independence Day events, will be erected early this year.

“The reflecting pool was always set up to be fenced in front of the four pools.”th of July. “As was the case several years ago, one of the firework launchers is located around the pool, so a fence has been installed to ensure public safety. Due to increased vandalism by left-wing activists, we are installing the fence sooner than originally planned to prevent further damage to this historic site,” the statement said.

As of Wednesday, people could still access the reflecting pool and walk freely around it.

Here’s what we know:

What’s going on in the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial?

Trump said fencing had already been installed around the pool throughout the spring during the two-month renovation, which was completed on June 6.

Since then, the pool has been plagued by problems such as green algae discoloring much of the water and causing paint to peel and float to the surface of the pool.

President Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday, June 23, that six people were arrested for vandalizing the pool and blamed them for the damage.

“This is an act of vandalism,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “There’s a 290, 300-foot cut in there, probably some type of cutter or knife.”

“They slashed very roughly,” he added, without providing evidence.

President Trump deferred questions about the criminal investigation and proof of intentional damage to the pool to the National Park Service, which manages the National Mall where the pool is located, and its parent organization, the Department of the Interior. Neither agency immediately responded to USA TODAY’s requests for comment on the alleged vandalism.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the company that renovated the pool, said the areas requiring repairs are “a small portion of a 7-acre megaproject and do not indicate liner failure.”

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority has issued a permit to drain the 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool for repairs, USA TODAY previously reported.

Trump added on Truth Social that the reflecting pool remains “as beautiful as it can be.”

“Some of the water will be drained to make permanent repairs either right before or after Independence Day,” the post said.

The cost of the pool renovation rose to $16 million, according to federal contract records.

Where is the fence on the National Mall?

On Tuesday, fencing was seen near reflecting pools, including by the World War II Memorial.

They are not installed around the pool.

Most of the fencing was installed on a secondary walkway beyond the pool and closer to a nearby street, rather than on the sidewalk along the reflecting pool.

A sign on one of the fences read, “Danger: Explosives. Authorized Personnel Only,” marking an area where fireworks could be set off.

Great American State Fair Kickoff

Security has also been tightened at the Reflecting Pool and the surrounding area in preparation for the Great American State Fair, which is scheduled to open with President Trump on Wednesday, June 24th. The additional security is part of a larger ramp-up to protect the Freedom 250 event in the nation’s capital, backed by President Trump.

Other upcoming events include President Trump’s July 4th keynote address and what is expected to be the largest fireworks display in American history. In August, Washington, D.C. will also host the first IndyCar race around the nation’s capital.

Officials estimate the event will draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city over the next two months.

Federal officials say the security threat to the festival is more than theoretical. The rally came less than two weeks after authorities announced they had thwarted an elaborate plot involving drones and explosives against the Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament held at the White House on June 14.

This story has been updated to add new information.