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Christmas market launch will be even bigger

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Christmas market launch will be even bigger

Every year, Christmas markets draw thousands of river cruise guests to Europe, and Holland America Line offers a new take on holiday itineraries.

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While the Christmas markets draw large numbers of river cruise guests to Europe each year, Holland America Line offers passengers an alternative holiday itinerary.

The cruise company plans to operate two Christmas market cruises in 2027 as part of its expanding presence in Europe, as well as offer year-round cruises in Europe. The itinerary of the New Statendam ship, which carries about 2,700 guests on this line, incorporates a celebratory stop on its ocean voyage.

“There’s something special about experiencing European Christmas markets on an ocean cruise because of the range,” Paul Grigsby, the cruise line’s vice president of development and itinerary planning, told USA TODAY. “Rather than focusing on a single country or small region, ocean voyages allow us to connect multiple countries and traditions in one seamless journey. Its broad reach means our guests won’t see just one style of market or one interpretation of a holiday.”

When does Holland America’s Christmas Market Cruise take place?

The 13-day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Market Cruise will depart on December 5, 2027, followed by the longer 15-day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Market Holiday Cruise on December 18, both with round-trips from Rotterdam, Netherlands. Each cruise includes the option to return from Dover, England instead.

Where does Holland America’s Christmas Market Cruise go?

The 13-day itinerary includes stops in Kiel, Germany, with access to Hamburg’s Christmas Market, as well as Tallinn and Copenhagen, Estonia. Guests will stay in Stockholm and Helsinki.

“We can include places like Helsinki, which is a port only accessible by sea and has a great Christmas market on Senate Square, and then work with our shore excursion team to create something even more memorable, in this case a visit to Lapland, known to many as the homeland of Santa Claus,” Grigsby added. “That’s where ocean itineraries really shine.”

The 15-day option, on the other hand, includes overnight stays in Hamburg and Copenhagen, a visit to Aarhus, Denmark, and multiple stops in Norway, including Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger. “By extending our stay in Bergen, guests will be able to leave the city and experience the surrounding winter landscape, from fjords to mountain villages,” the cruise line said in a news release.

Additionally, this trip takes place during both Christmas and New Year.

How much does Holland America’s Christmas Market Cruise cost?

13-day itineraries start at $2,544 per person based on double occupancy, including fees and taxes, and 15-day cruises start at $2,974. Holland America’s fares include accommodations, many meals, entertainment, and more.

This article has been updated to update the headline.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.

Florida judge rejects temporary injunction on new state legislative map

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Florida judge rejects temporary injunction on new state legislative map

A Florida judge on Tuesday left in place the state’s congressional maps adopted earlier this month that are likely to give Republican candidates a significant advantage in this year’s midterm elections. Voting rights groups and Florida voters had asked a judge to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the map, arguing that it violates the state constitution’s ban on partisan gerrymandering.

The ban, included in the state’s Fair Districts Amendment, which was approved by 63 percent of Floridians in 2010, prohibits congressional apportionment plans from being “designed with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.”

Despite the wording of that amendment, and even though mapmakers acknowledged that partisan data was used to draw districts, the Florida Legislature approved the new congressional map. The mid-decade redraw was conducted at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), and Florida’s 28 congressional districts were shaded in red (24) and blue (4) and provided to Fox News before being submitted to Florida lawmakers. Plaintiffs, Equal Ground Education Fund v. Birdone of three lawsuits filed against the state challenging the map, calls it “one of the most extreme gerrymanders in American history.” (The cases are grouped together.)

The effort to change Florida’s congressional maps was part of a nationwide redistricting frenzy that began last year at the urging of President Donald Trump and began to heat up with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month. louisiana vs curryThis significantly narrowed the ability of states to take race into account when drawing congressional districts and made it more difficult to prove improper racial discrimination in drawing those lines.

Florida defendants, including the Florida Secretary of State and state legislators, argued that the plaintiffs did not sufficiently prove that the map was drawn with partisan intent and questioned whether the previously established map from 2022 could be used because it was drawn with race as a factor. These defendants and DeSantis have argued in public comments that the 2022 map likely violates and potentially conflicts with the federal Constitution’s equal protection requirements. chalice I’m holding it.

Florida Judge Joshua Hawks sided with the state defendants in refusing to block the maps, finding that the plaintiffs had not shown a substantial likelihood of success to issue a preliminary injunction. The court found that “the cartographer’s intent is not as clear as plaintiffs assert,” and that “the record also does not establish the applicability of attributing[the cartographer’s]intent, if any, to Congress as a whole.”

Hawks, a DeSantis appointee, questioned whether he could order the use of the 2022 map, given that the governor and Legislature have ruled the map unconstitutional. “To the extent that courts must balance Florida’s[Fair Districts Amendment]prohibition against unjust partisan intent with the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection, it seems clear that the potential partisan intent contained in the 2026 maps is the lesser of two evils,” Hawks wrote. And if the 2026 map is later determined to violate the Fair Districts Amendment, he said it is not uncommon for maps later determined to be unconstitutional to be used in elections while litigation is ongoing, echoing the defendant’s statements at the injunction hearing.

The plaintiffs have appealed to an intermediate court, but the final decision on whether to block the map and ultimately enforce the Fair Districts Amendment will likely fall to the Florida Supreme Court. DeSantis appointed six of the current court’s seven members. In recent years, courts have sided with him by restricting abortion rights, overturning precedent and allowing him to undermine prosecutorial independence.

Mr. Hawks did not reach the state’s most aggressive and controversial argument against partisan gerrymandering, that parts of the Fair Districts Amendment may violate the U.S. Constitution and should be invalidated in its entirety. In addition to prohibiting partisan gerrymandering, the amendment also prohibits reducing the ability of racial or linguistic minorities to elect representatives of their choice. The state argues that the provision is unconstitutional. chalicefurther argues that the entire amendment is invalid because that portion of the amendment cannot be severed from the prohibition on partisan gerrymandering or from the rest of the amendment.

The passage of the map and pending litigation comes as Florida election officials prepare to hold primary elections in August. Hawks said it was in the public interest to issue the injunction, following the state’s request and respecting “pre-election stability.” He quoted: parcel The doctrine states that as a “common sense and sound principle,” federal courts should not change election rules too close to an election.

The plaintiffs argue that the public’s interest is actually in voting in districts that do not violate the state’s prohibition on drawing legislative lines that favor political parties, and that Floridians will not be harmed by maintaining the “status quo,” meaning voting based on the maps used in 2022 and 2024 rather than being rushed through the Legislature months before the election. “The Legislature has the filthy hand of claiming any damages for the timing of this redistricting, because the timing was determined by Congress itself,” plaintiffs’ attorneys argued during the preliminary injunction hearing, noting that election officials have been directed to maintain the ability to conduct elections based on the 2022 maps in case the court rules in the plaintiffs’ favor.

While it is true that state legislatures, governors, and Trump are partially responsible for the redistricting spree of mid-decade, the U.S. Supreme Court’s footprint is also visible. When the high court rejected a nationwide ban on partisan gerrymandering in 2019, it ensured that redistricting rules vary from state to state and could allow states to dictate partisan objectives in the process of drawing Congressional lines. and by issuing chalice Without restricting states’ actions in the run-up to the midterm elections, the court effectively approved the current redistricting chaos, even though the midterm elections are just around the corner.

Erin Geiger-Smith is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. What you need to know

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Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. What you need to know

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Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving office earlier this year and is undergoing treatment, a person familiar with her condition said.

Bondi, 60, was fired by President Donald Trump in April and is expected to return to the Trump administration to serve on an advisory committee on artificial intelligence policy to fight cancer.

According to the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer is caused by malignant cells that grow in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that makes hormones. These hormones regulate how your body uses energy, including your metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thyroid disease is more common in older adults and women.

detail: Former Attorney General Pam Bondi diagnosed with thyroid cancer

What causes thyroid cancer?

The Mayo Clinic notes that while it’s not always clear what causes the DNA changes that cause thyroid cancer, there are risk factors to be aware of, including:

  • Gender (because thyroid cancer occurs more often in women than men)
  • radiation exposure
  • Certain hereditary genetic syndromes

A family history of thyroid cancer, obesity, and insufficient iodine intake are also risk factors, the Cleveland Clinic added.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

According to the Mayo Clinic, most thyroid cancers don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages, but as the cancer grows, you may develop the following symptoms:

  • Voice changes, such as increased hoarseness
  • difficulty swallowing
  • swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • My neck and throat hurt
  • lump in neck

These lumps on your neck are called thyroid nodules, says the Cleveland Clinic, but if you notice them, don’t panic. “Most nodules are not cancerous. Only 1 in 10 thyroid nodules turns out to be cancerous.”

Treatment of thyroid cancer

Treatment options for thyroid cancer include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted therapy.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common treatment is surgery, which may include complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland.

Most thyroid cancers can be permanently cured with treatment.

“This is especially true if the cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body,” the clinic added. “Treating thyroid cancer early reduces the risk of the cancer spreading.”

Tina Fey reacts to Timothée Chalamet’s ‘manspreading’ photo going viral

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Tina Fey reacts to Timothée Chalamet’s ‘manspreading’ photo going viral

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Tina Fey held no ill will toward Timothée Chalamet after the “Marty Supreme” star was criticized online for spreading his legs during an NBA playoff game at Madison Square Garden in April.

On the May 27 episode of the “New Heights” podcast, the “30 Rock” actress acknowledged the swarm of memes slamming Chalamet over a photo of him “spreading manhood” next to her. This photo was taken during the NBA playoff game between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks on April 28th.

“I have to start off by saying Timothée Chalamet was just lovely and very friendly,” she told hosts Jason Kelsey and Travis Kelsey. “And it was the next day that I saw what all these people were spreading.”

The “Mean Girls” director added that while Chalamet may have been manspreading, he was “doing the opposite,” joking that he was tucking his foot in to put “a big ol’ can of food” behind him.

“As Amy Poehler says, God is fair,” she quipped. “Everything went well and the Knicks won, so everyone was happy.”

What is manspreading?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, manspreading is “the act or practice of men sitting with their legs spread wide (as in public seating areas) so as to infringe on the space of others.”

Oxford University Press added the word to its dictionary in 2015.

According to the University of Oxford, the phrase originated colloquially and was in use as early as 2008, but gained popularity in 2014 when the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority launched a poster campaign targeting manspreading.

Contributor: Melina Khan, USA TODAY

Difficulty in affording housing persists even after ownership and retirement

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Difficulty in affording housing persists even after ownership and retirement

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Data shows that while purchasing a home is perceived as unaffordable for millions of Americans, so too is homeownership, especially among older adults.

According to housing research firm Regi Club, 54% of the nation’s 35 million homeowners without a mortgage are over the age of 65, making up just over a third of all homeowners in the United States. Of that population, approximately 64% own their home outright.

But data shows a record 12.5 million households, or more than a third of people aged 65 and over, may be experiencing ‘housing poverty’ or spending a disproportionately large proportion of their monthly income on housing costs. According to U.S. Census data, people will spend more than 30% of their income on housing in 2024, and half of them will spend more than 50%.

The government’s general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of your gross income, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities, on housing to avoid cost burdens. Since 2019, elderly households account for about half of all households that have incurred new costs, according to Harvard University’s Joint Housing Research Center.

“This shows that housing affordability challenges persist into retirement age, and may be even more problematic for seniors on fixed incomes,” Kristin Healy, chief growth officer at senior living technology company Seniorly, said in the report.

“Even older adults who have done everything right are not safe,” she added. “For homeowners who have paid off their mortgage in full, median housing costs are still rising 35% since 2019, about 1.5 times faster than income growth.”

What is the cause of the housing shortage for the elderly?

Experts say all housing-related expenses have skyrocketed since the pandemic, outpacing the overall inflation rate of 28.67%, making it difficult for even seniors without mortgages to afford it.

For example, rents have increased 36.2% nationwide since the pandemic, according to a March report from real estate listing company Zillow, and median property taxes rose about 30% between 2019 and 2024, according to the nonprofit Tax Policy Center. According to price comparison site LendingTree, home insurance premiums rose 40.4% from 2019 to 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricity prices rose 40% between 2020 and 2025.

“While these staggering increases have proven insurmountable for many Americans, no group has been more affected than older adults, especially those on fixed incomes,” Healy said. “Property taxes, utilities, and insurance are now eating away at savings, and unlike younger Americans, many older adults cannot simply pick up a second job or pay a higher salary to make up for it.”

Suffering varies geographically

An analysis by long-term care solutions company CareScout, which looked at the percentage of seniors nationwide who spend 30% of their income on things like housing, real estate taxes, home insurance, electricity and assisted living, found that seniors in some areas are being hit harder than others.

California has the highest cost burdens for seniors, while West Virginia has the lowest, helped by having the lowest property taxes in the nation ($881) and the lowest percentage of households facing high premiums (10.2% pay more than $2,000), CareScout said.

How can the elderly cope?

Steve Azouley, a certified financial consultant and owner of Azouley Financial, said preparing early is always the best way to avoid a housing crisis. He suggested:

  • Think about what your income source will be to pay your expenses and how long it will last, even if there is some inflation each year.
  • If applicable, consider the scenario if one spouse dies and how taxes, home insurance, and other expenses would be paid.
  • Check out local property tax breaks and other benefits for seniors. More than 9 million eligible seniors are missing out on $58 billion in benefits, according to the National Council on Aging. Use NCOA’s benefits check tool to find out what you’re missing. For surviving spouses, there are also nonprofit organizations like Wings for Widows that help them navigate their new financial situation.
  • Consider downsizing early and invest some of your money for income later. Up to $500,000 in capital gains can be excluded from the sale if a married couple who have lived in the home as their primary residence for some time file jointly. If the spouse dies, the exclusion is cut in half two years after death.
  • By purchasing whole life insurance when you’re young, if your spouse dies, your surviving spouse can receive an immediate, tax-free lump sum, “which is not subject to stock market fluctuations and can come in handy when you need it,” he said. Part of the money can be used to pay expenses and the rest can be invested to generate income.
  • If you can afford it, consider renting out rooms in your home to earn extra income.
  • If you love your home and want to keep it, but you can’t afford the monthly home equity loan payments, consider a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages, which previously had a bad reputation for predatory lending practices, high upfront fees, and lack of consumer protections, are now more regulated.
    • Reverse mortgages are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration as a standardized, government-backed loan option with defined guidelines and borrower protections. “You get money that you can use for income that’s paid to you every month,” Azouly said. “You still own your home and pay taxes, utilities, insurance, and upkeep, but now you have a little more money to spare. You have the option to stay in your home until you die, or sell your home and pay off your debt.”

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.

Kyle Busch’s death certificate reveals new details about driver’s death

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Kyle Busch’s death certificate reveals new details about driver’s death

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Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina, after his death last week, according to a death certificate first obtained by US Weekly.

According to the certificate, Mr. Bush, 41, had been battling bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before dying of natural causes on May 21 at 4:37 p.m. Pneumonia progressed to sepsis, which occurred approximately 1 day before death. The sepsis caused disseminated intravascular coagulation, an abnormal clotting throughout blood vessels that blocks flow to organs. This was followed by hemorrhagic shock due to severe bleeding. DIC and hemorrhagic shock lasted several hours.

Bush’s family announced Saturday that severe pneumonia progressed to sepsis, “causing rapid and overwhelming complications.”

There were multiple reports that Mr. Bush was apparently unwell in the weeks before his death. FOX Sports reported that Busch asked for medical attention during the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen on May 10. “I need an injection,” Busch said.

On May 16, the day after winning the Truck Series race at Dover, he told The Athletic that he was “still not feeling well,” adding that his cough the previous week was “pretty bad.”

On May 19, Busch attended the opening of an indoor karting facility in Durham, North Carolina, and the next day he posed for photos at the team’s race shop.

On May 20, around 5:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported someone at the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, having trouble breathing, feeling very hot, thinking they were going to pass out and coughing up blood, according to a recording obtained by USA TODAY. The caller said the person was on the bathroom floor and asked responders to turn off the siren upon arrival.

Mr. Bush passed away the next day at 4:37 p.m.

NASCAR, Busch’s team and family jointly announced his death less than an hour later at 5:30 p.m.

He leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4. They made their first public appearance three days later at the Coca-Cola 600 for a pre-race memorial.

Who pays taxes on your HSA after death? Spousal vs. non-spouse rules

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Who pays taxes on your HSA after death? Spousal vs. non-spouse rules

Trusting your HSA to a beneficiary may not be as easy as you think.

Dana George
|The Motley Fool

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When you consider the benefits associated with a Health Savings Account (HSA), it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. In addition to being tax-deductible, HSAs allow you to keep your funds forever. You can also take it with you after you retire and use it as needed.

If you’re lucky enough to have access to an HSA, it’s important to know that your account won’t be treated like any other asset when you die. Depending on who you name as your beneficiaries, you may need to plan for:

If your spouse is the beneficiary

Spouses receive the most preferential treatment when inheriting an HSA. Your spouse can treat the HSA as their own, effectively becoming the owner.

There are three obvious benefits.

  • Ongoing tax benefits: Your spouse can still make tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.
  • Ongoing contribution: If eligible, your spouse may continue to contribute to the account.
  • Distribution requirements: There are no forced withdrawals.

The advantage of a spouse inheriting an HSA is that the transition is very smooth. Additionally, if you need to minimize taxes as part of your estate planning, leaving an HSA to your spouse is definitely the most tax-efficient option.

In case you missed it: Why medical savings accounts are a tax bomb for your heirs

If the beneficiary is someone other than your spouse

If you name someone other than your spouse as a beneficiary (such as a child, relative, or friend), the account will lose its HSA status upon your death, which can have significant tax implications.

Here’s what happens when you leave your HSA to someone other than your spouse.

  • No longer treated as an HSA: Rather than receiving the special treatment associated with HSAs, funds are treated like many other assets.
  • Taxable: Non-spouse beneficiaries must include the fair market value of the account as of the date of death in their gross income for the year. However, you can reduce your tax liability by qualifying medical expenses you paid before your death.

The downside to leaving your HSA to a non-spouse is the fact that you will be liable to pay ordinary income taxes on the distribution. While this may not be a burden for some, it can be a significant problem for others.

If your property is the beneficiary

If you do not designate a beneficiary or designate your estate as the beneficiary, the HSA reverts to your estate. In that case it would look like this:

  • tax: The final distribution will be taxed as income on your final Form 1040.
  • Probate: Once the money becomes part of your estate, it must go through the probate process. Additionally, beneficiaries looking to make the most of their inherited assets may experience significant delays in receiving their inheritance due to the estate process.

HSAs are valuable tools. However, continuing to benefit your loved ones after you’re gone takes a little strategic planning.

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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The state should revisit solar power plants on Bill Gates’ land

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The state should revisit solar power plants on Bill Gates’ land

The Ohio Supreme Court has partially sided with a Madison County municipality in a legal dispute over a solar power project planned on part of land owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

A majority of the justices reversed the Ohio Power Siting Commission’s March 2024 decision to approve the 6,050-acre Oakland solar project, saying the commission needed to more thoroughly consider the application’s visual plan.

Local governments also argued that the commission did not properly consider other factors such as battery storage safety, water quality data and wildlife surveys. Although the majority of the court agreed that the applicant shared less information than the regulations required, the local government did not provide sufficient evidence that the plan was harmful.

The court will send the case back to the siting board, which must review photographic images and sketches of the proposed building before approving the construction application.

What did the judge say?

Justices Patrick DeWine and Joseph Deters joined Justice Patrick Fisher’s majority opinion. In a separate opinion, Justice Jennifer Brunner, the only Democrat on the court, agreed with most of Fisher’s opinion, but added that Oaklan had shared sufficient information about the visual impact because the tallest structure would not be prominent from the project’s boundaries.

Justice Daniel Hawkins, in an opinion joined by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy and Justice Megan Shanahan, said the board approved the project without conducting required water quality and wildlife studies, and that the plan did not address safety concerns about the battery storage system, which could be toxic if it caught fire.

In a separate opinion, Kennedy added that the project’s “incomplete” emergency response plan was harming local governments.

“These are not small details that can be filled in later, and the harm caused by these omissions is not something that can be easily fixed after the fact,” Kennedy said.

What is the Oak Run Solar Project?

The Oak Run Solar Project spans more than 6,000 acres in rural Madison County, approximately 55 miles from Columbus. The project includes land in Monroe, Summerford and Deer Creek townships and could be the largest in the United States.

This agricultural project involves planting crops and grazing livestock inside the panels. The Dispatch previously reported that at least 70% of the farmable project area must include an agricultural power plant within the first eight years of operation.

It is also expected to generate $8.2 million in annual revenue for local governments and schools.

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers regional/suburban trending news for The Columbus Dispatch. You can contact her at: awinfrey@dispatch.com.

Judge allows President Trump to implement mail-in voting executive order

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Judge allows President Trump to implement mail-in voting executive order

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May 28 (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected an injunction against President Donald Trump’s stricter administrative rules for voting by mail, saying they were a loss to Democrats and could disenfranchise millions of voters, Democratic lawyers said.

The decision comes as President Trump’s Republican Party is locked in a fierce battle to maintain control of both chambers of Congress in November’s midterm elections. President Trump has long criticized mail-in voting, falsely claiming that his 2020 election loss was the result of widespread voter fraud.

An executive order signed by President Trump on March 31 directed the administration to create a list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and to leverage federal data to help state election officials confirm who is eligible to vote.

It also requires the U.S. Postal Service to deliver ballots only to voters on state-approved mail-in voting lists and requires states to retain election-related records for five years.

The plaintiffs, including New York Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asked Washington-based U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the bill, arguing that the order violates states’ right under the U.S. Constitution to regulate elections.

more: President Trump signs order imposing federal control over mail-in voting

Democrats argued that the executive order’s directive for government agencies to use data from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to create “state citizenship lists” risks unfairly excluding legally registered voters because the data sources are outdated and may contain errors.

The Justice Department countered that the lawsuit is premature because federal agencies have not yet implemented the executive order.

more: President Trump attacks Gov. Wes Moore over Maryland ballot mix-up, urges investigation

Nichols at times appeared sympathetic to this argument during oral arguments on May 14th.

A coalition of Democratic states has filed a similar lawsuit challenging the executive order in federal court in Boston.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

Rising costs will change the way Americans care for their pets

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Rising costs will change the way Americans care for their pets

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Olivia Sablan is willing to do anything for her 3-year-old golden retriever, Lemon, including cutting other parts of her budget if necessary.

“She’s my whole world,” said Sablan, 27, a postdoctoral researcher in atmospheric science in Seattle. Sablan rescued and adopted Lemon when the puppy was 10 months old.

But pets aren’t cheap.

A new analysis from the Bank of America Research Institute finds that pet ownership is becoming increasingly expensive. The Bank of America Research Institute said pet adoption rates and pet ownership rates are retreating as costs, including veterinary care, rise, and affordability may be playing a larger role among animal lovers.

Pet ownership in the US remains strong

The U.S. pet market is still growing steadily, although at a slower pace, with 95 million households (or about 71% of Americans) owning a pet. Spending on pets will reach $158 billion in 2025, according to the American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owner Survey cited in the Bank of America analysis.

According to a study by CivicScience, dog ownership is higher than other pets at 68%. Cats were the second most popular pet at 46%, with fish, birds and small mammals less common.

“Pet ownership is strong, but like many other aspects of people’s budgets, the cost of caring for pets is rising,” Bank of America Research Institute economist Taylor Bowley told USA TODAY.

Bowley said price constraints are increasingly determining whether consumers add pets to their families and how they purchase them.

A Bank of America global study found that pet adoptions will slow in the first half of 2025, with dog adoptions declining slightly year-over-year and cat adoptions remaining stable. The percentage of households with pets has declined over the past two years, with a sharp decline of about 0.7% among low-income households from 2025 to 2026, according to Bank of America data.

Pets become more expensive

Spending on pet supplies and services is increasing.

According to Bank of America data, spending at pet stores rose 1% in April compared to the same month last year, but the biggest growth for pets was in veterinary care.

Consumer spending on veterinary services rose nearly 6% year-over-year, according to the data. Part of that increase is due to the consolidation of veterinary services into private equity firms, which could hurt competition and drive up prices, according to a Bank of America global study.

However, spending on pets varied by income bracket.

According to Bank of America data, spending at pet stores among lower-income millennials decreased by just over 2% in April, compared to a 1% increase among higher-income millennials. Gen X shoppers decreased by about 0.6%, while high-income Gen

“This variation reflects ‘selective spending,’ where households adjust their spending on discretionary categories (such as toys, accessories, and supplies) in response to differences in their budgets,” the report said.

Bowley said Millennials and Gen

Grocery prices: Why are food prices at their highest in four years? We explain

Where you live also affects the cost of caring for your pet. The Bank of America Research Institute ranked Seattle at the top of the list using card data on pet store, pet insurance, and veterinary spending across 20 large “core-based statistical areas” (CBSAs) compared to national averages. Seattle’s average monthly spending in the first four months of 2026 was nearly 23% higher than the U.S. monthly average. Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine came in second and third.

Meanwhile, pet spending in Atlanta, Dallas, and Orlando, Florida remains below the national average, at about 10% less. Differences in spending on pets likely reflect regional differences in the cost of living, Bowley said.

Furry loved ones are worth the sacrifice, owners say

Sablan, who has been documenting her life with Lemon on social media, recently outlined the monthly costs of caring for the pet.

She admits that Lemon’s cost is quite low compared to other services she’s seen, at $118.73 per month. Costs include food, flea and heartworm medication, and pet insurance. She also grooms Lemon herself, increasing her savings.

Sablan, who primarily works from home, said her bill would increase significantly if she had to send Lemon to doggy daycare. Still, Sablan said she believes she and other pet owners will cut other parts of their budgets to keep their furry friends paid.

“People will continue to pay because we love dogs. We’re not going to just cut back on dogs because they start getting more expensive,” she said.

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

New York State’s 3D-printed gun ban raises First Amendment concerns

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New York State’s 3D-printed gun ban raises First Amendment concerns

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  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill requiring 3D printers to include blocking technology that prevents users from printing guns.
  • The legislation would establish a working group of experts in relevant fields to make recommendations to the Division of Criminal Justice, which would then set final rules and regulations.
  • Groups such as the National Rifle Association and the Electronic Frontier Foundation argue that such requirements raise First Amendment concerns.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law on May 27 that requires 3D printers sold in the state to include technology that prevents them from printing guns. Supporters describe it as a first-of-its-kind provision with the potential to reduce gun violence, but critics say such technology impedes free expression.

The provision was introduced as part of the state’s 2026-2027 budget and approved by the state Legislature on May 21.

The law requires all 3D printers sold in the state to be equipped with blocking technology (hardware, software, firmware, or other means) to prevent the printer from producing guns or illegal gun parts.

Violations of the law result in civil penalties of $5,000 in fines for each product sold.

Groups such as the National Rifle Association and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have expressed concerns about the law, in part on First Amendment grounds.

“This ultimately requires that tools not work for creators and pass through censorship filters,” Rory Mear, director of open access and technology community engagement at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told USA TODAY.

Sabrina Bierer, Hochul’s deputy public safety secretary, said constitutional concerns are “always on our minds.”

“We don’t want a law to be repealed on constitutional grounds, because it doesn’t help anyone,” she said.

3D printers are now ‘much more lethal’

New York City police recovered a 3D-printed ghost gun in 2021, Muniya Lin, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, told USA TODAY. The number increased to 4 in 2022, 42 in 2023, and 109 in 2024.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a May 22 X post that the bill’s passage is a “huge step forward for public safety.”

Sam Levy, policy advocacy director for Everytown for Gun Safety, told USA TODAY that the capabilities of today’s 3D printers are “miles away” from what they were 10 years ago, adding that today’s 3D printers are “much more lethal and reliable.”

Survey data released in January by Everytown for Gun Safety found that 74% of respondents supported requiring 3D printers to be equipped with blocking technology, while 16% opposed.

Giffords, an organization founded by former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, also supported New York’s bill, as well as similar bills in California and Washington.

Foundation says law ‘unsustainable’

The National Rifle Association criticized the New York effort in January, saying the bill “aims to punish technology, ideas, planning, and the First Amendment.”

“Is Kathy Hochul also suggesting that she has the authority to ban books, videos, diagrams, blueprints, instructions, lectures, etc. about firearm design and manufacture, including those that are illegal to possess under state law?” the organization wrote in a news release.

Levy said there is “no question” that the regulations raise First Amendment issues, but the law’s proponents do not “intend to adversely affect or restrict anyone’s freedom of expression” or have “the ability to use them in a way that does not endanger public safety.”

“It’s a complex issue, but our singular focus is to stop people with dangerous backgrounds and violent extremists from manufacturing untraceable, unserialized guns domestically, in complete violation of New York law. That’s exactly what this bill seeks to accomplish,” Levy said.

The new law establishes a working group comprised of experts in topics such as additive manufacturing technology, artificial intelligence, and public safety. This group is tasked with making recommendations for minimum safety standards for 3D printers to comply with legislation based on existing technology.

According to the law, if the group determines that New York’s requirements are “not technically feasible,” the group will report its findings and “will not be required to promulgate any regulations until the working group determines that they are technically feasible.”

Pending that outcome, the Division of Criminal Justice will consult with the New York State Department of State to “promulgate and promulgate rules and regulations establishing performance standards for blocking technology and any other rules and regulations necessary for implementation” of the law’s requirements.

The law also states that the department will establish and maintain a “library of firearm blueprint files and illegal firearm blueprint files.”

Levy said it will likely take about three years for 3D printing requirements to go into effect in the state.

Mir said the Electronic Frontier Foundation does not believe the law is “sustainable,” but would like to see authorities adopt the “least burdensome” restrictions if the law moves forward.

“We want this process to be open and transparent, and if it turns out to be unworkable, we don’t want to have to move forward,” Mir said.

Breanna Frank is USA TODAY’s First Amendment reporter. please contact her bjfrank@usatoday.com.

USA TODAY’s coverage of First Amendment issues is funded by the Freedom Forum in collaboration with our journalism funding partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Swiss Google engineer charged in $1.2 million Polymarket plot

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Swiss Google engineer charged in $1.2 million Polymarket plot

Federal prosecutors allege the software engineer used internal data to place Polymarket trades in Google search results.

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Federal authorities announced on May 27 that a Google software engineer is the latest person to be indicted in connection with a prediction market insider trading scheme.

Michele Spagnuolo, an Italian national and Google employee based in Switzerland, accessed confidential information through Google’s internal data in order to make $1.2 million in polymarket bets, federal prosecutors said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where the case is being prosecuted, said in court documents that Spagnuolo conducted transactions related to trends in Google search data.

“Today’s indictment reinforces the decades-old message that corporate insiders cannot exploit confidential business information to profit from the marketplace,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. “Insider trading undermines the integrity of our nation’s markets, and the American people want this greedy practice investigated and prosecuted.”

Spagnuolo is charged with merchandise fraud, wire fraud and money laundering stemming from a scheme to misuse confidential information of his employer, prosecutors said.

The New York City incident is the latest incident involving insider trading in prediction markets. A new financial forum allows users to bet on everything from the Super Bowl to the development of Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian aggression.

In April, a U.S. Army special forces member involved in the raid to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was indicted in connection with a scheme to earn approximately $400,000 through polymarket bets made in the raid.

Spagnuolo’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. The 36-year-old was charged with fraud and money laundering and could be sentenced to up to 50 years in prison if convicted.

USA TODAY has reached out to Polymarket for comment. After Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke was indicted in connection with the Maduro gambling scheme, the platform’s founders cooperated with the investigation and indicated they will continue to help federal prosecutors uncover potentially illegal polymarket transactions. It is unclear whether such assistance was provided in Mr. Spagnuolo’s case.

According to the federal indictment, Spagnuolo used the alias “AlphaRaccoon” to conduct polymarket transactions related to Google’s 2025 search results. Data released annually shows top searches from around the world. The results are based on an analysis of sensitive search data the company stores as part of its advertising efforts.

Approximately 4 billion people use search engines, and year in search results are highly anticipated by enthusiasts for what they reveal about users’ interests. Among bets, Polymarket users traded the most searched passes of the year. What are the top results? Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was murdered while speaking on a college campus in September.

Spagnuolo made polymarket trades based on Google’s results for the top five most searched people in 2025, including a winning bet that D4vd, the rapper accused of murdering a 14-year-old girl, would be the most searched person of the year, according to federal court filings. The market’s predicted probability that a 21-year-old music artist would be the most searched person was almost 0%.

Spagnuolo also placed bets on people he expected to appear at the top of search results, including Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump.

Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot reaches $154 million

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Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot reaches $154 million

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The Powerball jackpot has reached an estimated $154 million, or about $67.7 million in cash, ahead of the next drawing on Wednesday, May 27th.

The lottery has already produced several big winners in 2026, including one who won four jackpots in just four days in late April and early May.

Here’s what you need to know before tonight’s draw.

Lucky star: Which state has the most lottery winners in the US? What you need to know.

What are Wednesday’s Powerball numbers?

The winning numbers for Wednesday, May 27th’s Powerball drawing are 5, 14, 21, 31, 51 and the Powerball is 13. The “power play” multiplier is 4x.

Did anyone win last time?

No jackpot winners were reported for Monday’s Powerball drawing, and the prize was rolled over, increasing to $154 million on Wednesday night.

No player matched all six numbers, but smaller prizes are usually awarded to players who match combinations of numbers.

How to play Powerball

  • Tickets cost $2.
  • Choose 5 White Balls (1-69) and 1 Powerball (1-26) or choose Quick Pick.
  • To increase your non-jackpot winnings, add a Power Play ($1).
  • Match all 5 numbers with the Powerball to win the jackpot.

What are the odds of winning Powerball?

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million.

To put this into perspective, it’s much more likely that:

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots (all times)

  • $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

Hurricane forecasters fear early storms in 2026

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Hurricane forecasters fear early storms in 2026

There was no hurricane activity near the Gulf Coast in 2025, leaving a large amount of hot water in the region, potentially leading to more hurricane activity.

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Just two weeks into the 1972 hurricane season, a tropical storm formed near the Yucatan Peninsula. When it made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a weak Hurricane Agnes just four days later, it became, and remains, one of the costliest storms to ever hit the continental United States.

More than 50 years later, Agnes remains a landmark event in the Pennsylvania and New York communities and a textbook example of the grave warning from the nation’s leading hurricane forecasters as the 2026 hurricane season begins. Devastating storms early in the season can and do occur even during El Niño periods, and can occur again.

Warnings like “All you need is one” and the Gulf Coast is a “wild card” were born out of storms like Agnes and Allison. Although Allison was only a tropical storm when it made landfall in Texas in 2001, it ranks 23rd on the list of the 25 deadliest storms on record, one spot below Agnes, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Agnes also highlighted why National Weather Service Director Ken Graham is stressing the dangers of hurricane season to millions of people living far inland from landfall.

Similar to 2026, when Agnes occurred in 1972, a strong El Niño was occurring in the Pacific Ocean. Strong weather patterns along the equator are known to quell Atlantic storm formations, but hurricanes can and do form, especially in the Gulf of America (known as the Gulf of Mexico before being renamed by the Trump administration).

The Gulf Coast can be a hotbed for storms regardless of El Niño due to its warm temperatures, especially in early summer.

But during El Niño season, storms can form in the Gulf at different times during the season, said Matthew Rosencrans, NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s chief seasonal hurricane forecaster.

El Niño has the greatest impact on Atlantic hurricanes that form deep in the tropics, potentially reducing the number of storms that take days to cross the Atlantic from Africa. But there may be more storm-prone spots along the Gulf Coast, Rosencrans said.

Hurricane activity will end in 2025, making the Gulf Coast particularly storm-friendly right now. Surface water temperatures are just one degree away from the all-time temperature record set at this point in 2024.

According to NOAA data, sea surface temperatures in the Gulf on May 24 were an average of 2.5 degrees above normal for that day. Average temperatures were just 0.6 degrees below the 2024 record.

Graham, former director of the National Hurricane Center, said people living along the Gulf Coast should remember that storms can develop at any time and quickly.

People often suffer from a false sense of lead time, believing that big storms will move through the Atlantic Ocean in plenty of time, but that’s generally not the case, Graham said. “Every Category 5 that made landfall in this country was less than a tropical storm within three days.”

“They intensify quickly and get here quickly,” he said. “Early preparation is absolutely key.”

Gulf Storm poses danger far inland

The storm also absorbs a lot of moisture as it passes over the warm Gulf Coast. In 2001, Allison dumped a total of 30 inches of rain on the east side of Houston and in Schriever and Thibodaux, Louisiana, according to the Hurricane Center’s post-storm report. The storm claimed 41 lives, flooded more than 70,000 homes and caused an estimated $11.82 billion in damage along the Gulf Coast, adjusted for 2024 prices.

Some studies indicate that such storms could produce even more water under a changing climate. That moisture moves with storms and can be carried far inland, often in arcs to the north and northeast.

Storms that make landfall 1,000 miles away on the Gulf Coast can cause devastating effects, causing flash flooding deaths as far as Tennessee and Virginia, and Hurricane Camille in the northeastern United States, a legendary storm that made landfall on the Gulf Coast in 1969, causing nearly as many or more deaths in Virginia as in Mississippi, Graham said.

Problems with Agnes became even worse after a weakened storm moved along the coast. It interacted and strengthened with another weather system on the mainland, causing record rainfall and deadly flooding from Virginia to New England, including 19 inches of rain in Pennsylvania.

Agnes killed more than 120 people and caused an estimated $12.52 billion in damage adjusted for 2024 prices, according to a National Weather Service report. Similarly, the remnants of Hurricane Helen in 2024 left deadly and devastating impacts hundreds of miles inland after reaching the region following a different weather pattern.

Both Helen and Agnes embody the inherent dangers of Gulf Storms and why Graham continues to scream the message, “Early preparation is everything. It’s over.”

Dinah Boyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news. Contact dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or dinahvp.77 on X or Signal.

Senate Democrats seek investigation into Pentagon’s Iran war cost calculations

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Senate Democrats seek investigation into Pentagon’s Iran war cost calculations

Outside estimates suggest the cost could be up to tens of billions of dollars more than the Pentagon has announced.

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Senate Democrats are asking the federal budget examiner to examine the difference between the Pentagon’s $29 billion estimate for the cost of the Iran war and outside estimates that put it up to tens of billions more than the cost.

In a May 27 letter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asked the Congressional Budget Office to “consider the large discrepancies between the government’s public estimates and external estimates from media and analysts” about the cost of the Iran war.

“We are concerned that the administration has thus far not been fully truthful or transparent in its public accounting of war costs,” they wrote. 17 more Democratic senators signed the letter.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a government agency tasked with providing analysis and information to members of Congress on a nonpartisan basis.

In early March, Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, called on CBO to investigate the costs of the Iran war. The war began in late February with a massive bombing campaign by the United States and Israel.

The Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment.

How much does the Pentagon say the war cost?

Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hearst told Congress during a May 12 budget hearing that the Iran war would cost taxpayers $29 billion, an increase of $4 billion from the $25 billion price tag Mr. Hearst presented to lawmakers two weeks ago. Hurst said this total does not include damage to U.S. military bases and assets from the Iranian attack, which the Pentagon has not yet fully counted.

more: How much will the Iran war cost taxpayers? Here are the estimates

Independent estimates of costs range from slightly higher to significantly higher than Hearst’s figure. Mark Cancian, a senior defense adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told USA TODAY earlier this month that the cost for the period covered by Hearst’s original estimate would likely be closer to $32 billion to $35 billion. An analysis by the American Enterprise Institute estimates that the cost from the start of the war to April 7, when the U.S. and Iran signed a temporary cease-fire agreement, could be up to $35 billion.

A person familiar with Congress’s estimates previously told USA TODAY that combat damage could add an additional $15 billion to the total cost. CBS and CNN reported last month, citing anonymous sources, that the total cost of the war was nearly $50 billion.

The military has requested a record $1.5 trillion budget for next year, and Pentagon officials said they would submit additional requests to Congress for additional funding for the Iran war. Pentagon officials have not said how much more they plan to request, but reports have put it between $80 billion and $100 billion.

The Iranian conflict has not returned to full-scale war since a ceasefire began seven weeks ago, but the US military launched so-called “self-defense” strikes into southern Iran on May 25, and Israel continues to strike Lebanon in what it claims are “strengthening” operations against Iran’s ally Hezbollah. Negotiations continue between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that Iran has blocked in retaliation for the war, causing a spike in global oil prices.

The United States and Israel launched their first joint attack on Iran on February 28th. The war killed 13 U.S. military personnel and at least 3,000 Iranians.

35 former judges ask court to investigate President Trump’s contract with IRS

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35 former judges ask court to investigate President Trump’s contract with IRS

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WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of 35 federal judges has asked a federal court in Florida to reopen a lawsuit between President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service and investigate whether the parties’ out-of-court settlement was a fraud on the court.

In a May 27 court filing, the former judges argued that President Trump and his co-plaintiffs did not mention the settlement plan in their motion to dismiss the case against the IRS. The Justice Department last week agreed to create a much-criticized $1.766 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that would collect payments to Trump’s political allies in exchange for Trump voluntarily dropping the case.

“The court was deceived,” the 24-page complaint says, adding that the settlement “orders an artificial amount of $1.776 billion from the U.S. Treasury to be delivered to recipients chosen by a committee effectively controlled by the President.”

more: President Trump releases more than $1.8 billion in “anti-weaponization” funds after Republican backlash

President Trump sued the IRS and Treasury Department in January for $10 billion in damages over leaks of past tax returns, effectively suing his government.

The voluntary dismissal of the case means that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, who is overseeing the case, did not rule on the merits of the case, nor did she consider the settlement the plaintiffs reached with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal lawyer.

“This purported ‘settlement’, which the parties have never submitted to this court, raises serious questions about the parties’ integrity with the court and the operation of the judicial system, and threatens to undermine confidence in the administration of justice,” the 35 former judges wrote in their motion.

They said reopening the case would allow the court to “begin an investigation into whether the court was deceived, including the existence of the underlying litigation and controversy and the arm’s length negotiations that allegedly took place to resolve it.”

Former judges say settlement was ‘not legally justified’

Former judges asking the court to reopen the case include former U.S. District Judge Michael Luttig, a prominent conservative judge and one of the key witnesses at the House Select Committee hearing on January 6th.

Although the former judges are not parties to the lawsuit, they cited federal rules of civil procedure that allow a federal court to vacate a judgment for misconduct against the court.

more: Why President Trump’s $1.776 Billion “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Caused So Much Uproar

“Let me be clear: the parties’ settlement is not and will never be legally justified,” the motion says, alleging that Blanche unfairly imposed a judgment on AG officials and asked them to compromise the settlement when she created the Anti-Weaponization Fund. “Both authorities require the existence of a legitimate case, not collusion, misrepresentation, or fraudulent litigation as here.”

The agreement with the IRS also includes assurances that the tax agency will no longer pursue any tax liability claims that Trump, his family, or his companies may have.

President Trump and his administration have faced fierce bipartisan criticism over the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which has few guardrails for the allocation of funds.

Blanche said anyone is welcome to apply for compensation, but the fund was designed to make payments to individuals who Trump and others say were unfairly targeted by prosecutors in past Democratic administrations. Blanche and other administration officials have not ruled out the possibility that checks could be sent to the roughly 1,600 Trump supporters who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including some convicted of assaulting police officers.

more: January 6: Police officers file lawsuit seeking to stop President Trump’s $1.8 billion “slush fund” to “insurrectionists.”

A five-member committee, each appointed by Mr. Blanche, will be responsible for deciding which claimants will receive awards from the fund, the Justice Department said.

Two police officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack have sued the Trump administration, seeking to block the anti-weaponization fund.

President Trump has defended the fund amid backlash, writing in Truth Social last week that it is “helping those who have been horribly abused by the evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden administration finally receive justice.”

X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.

How to repair an air conditioner that blows warm air

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How to repair an air conditioner that blows warm air

Nothing ruins a perfect summer day like a broken air conditioner. When you go inside expecting a blast of cold air, you are instead met with stale, lukewarm air.

When your air conditioning system breaks down, your home quickly becomes unbearable and you may want to move out. At least you can feel the fresh air and breeze outside.

Fortunately, a lack of cold air doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new HVAC system. But that certainly means you need a professional HVAC company to come to your home as soon as possible.

USA TODAY breaks down common reasons why your air conditioner might turn on when it won’t cool. Learn easy air conditioner troubleshooting tips, DIY fixes, and how to know when it’s time to call a professional.

Reasons why the air conditioner does not cool and what to do about it

Hot air coming from your air conditioner is a surprisingly common problem for homeowners. Often the system is still running, pumping air through the vents, but the temperature never drops.

If your central air isn’t cooling your home properly, the cause usually falls into one of two categories:

  • Easy airflow restrictions that you can fix yourself
  • Mechanical failure requiring professional repair

Before you call to schedule an appointment, you may be able to diagnose the problem yourself by running through a basic checklist. Additionally, understanding how the unit works makes it easier to pinpoint the exact fault.

How does an air conditioner work?

Air conditioners don’t actually produce cold air. It works by removing heat and moisture from indoor spaces and venting it outdoors. However, achieving that relocation requires the process to work in a continuous loop.

  • An indoor fan pushes warm air into a cold evaporator coil.
  • A chemical refrigerant inside the coil absorbs heat from the indoor air.
  • The cooled air is forced back into the home through the ducts.
  • The refrigerant moves to an outdoor condenser unit where a compressor releases the trapped heat to the outside.

“The importance of maintenance may vary a little depending on where you are in the U.S., but semi-annual maintenance is the basics,” says Joey Dooley, general manager of ARS, Texas, with more than 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry. “Nearly all manufacturers recommend it, but many also require substantial maintenance to protect their warranties.”

While it’s important to protect your HVAC warranty, regular maintenance also protects your wallet. The U.S. Department of Energy asserts that regular HVAC maintenance is essential to keep the heat exchange process operating efficiently. If any part of this cycle is interrupted, the system will struggle to cool down and may require repair.

The most common reasons why your air conditioner won’t cool down

Some of the most common reasons why your air conditioner won’t cool can be fixed without professional help. These include:

  • Clogged air filter: Dirty filters restrict airflow and prevent warm air from passing through the cooling coils. If you don’t replace your filters when needed, your AC system can become less efficient. “[Modern]systems help us understand what is really going on and diagnose problems before panic or major failures occur,” Dooley says. This problem is often avoidable.
  • Thermostat settings are incorrect: In some cases, the fix can be surprisingly easy. Check your thermostat to see if it’s accidentally set to “Heat” or if the fan is set to “On” instead of “Auto.” Setting your thermostat to “auto” is a good way to save energy and ensure your air conditioner responds accurately to indoor temperature.
  • Dirty outdoor condenser unit: The outdoor unit requires space for heat to escape. Choking with tall grass, leaves, dirt, etc. traps heat in the system. Clear the area to ensure at least 2 feet of clear space on all sides.
  • Low or leaking refrigerant: Refrigerants are the lifeblood of the cooling process. If your system has a small leak, it won’t have enough chemical power to absorb the heat in your room. This usually causes lukewarm air to be blown out of the system.

AC Troubleshooting Quick Checklist

Before you spend money on a service call, take these simple steps to eliminate minor issues.

  • Check your thermostat. Make sure it is set to “Cool” and the temperature is lower than the current room temperature. In some cases, smart home technology can even diagnose the problem and report it to your home’s thermostat hub.
  • Check the air filter. If the filter looks gray or is clogged with dust, replace it.
  • Look at the outdoor unit. Remove any debris, branches, or weeds blocking the metal fins.
  • Check the circuit breaker. Make sure that the breakers for the indoor fan and outdoor unit are turned on.

When to contact an HVAC professional to repair your air conditioner.

Homeowners can perform filters and basic cleaning, but certain tasks are dangerous or require special tools.

For example, Dooley points out that one of the most common problems that HVAC technicians discover early on is a bad capacitor. “Depending on where you live in the country, most people will have their system fail at least once within the first year or two. Capacitors don’t last as long as they used to.”

Diagnosing capacitor problems at home is difficult. So, after going through the troubleshooting checklist, contact a certified technician. Contact a technician immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • There is a hissing or bubbling sound coming from the refrigerant line.
  • Ice forms on copper wires or indoor evaporator coils.
  • My outdoor compressor keeps clicking but won’t turn on.
  • There is a burning electrical odor or smoke coming from any part of the system.

Handling chemical refrigerants can be dangerous, and EPA certification is often required to purchase chemical refrigerants. Leave your AC refrigerant-related problems to our HVAC experts. Don’t risk solving the problem with a DIY solution.

Are you using too much energy? How to understand your home’s energy use and reduce costs

How much does it cost to repair an air conditioner?

Air conditioner repair costs vary depending on the nature of the problem. Minor adjustments only incur a standard diagnostic fee, while replacing major parts requires a larger investment.

“Prices range from $8,000 to $35,000,” says Josh Condor, division operations manager for ARS Central Division, a national HVAC installer. “I know it’s good to have a solid answer, but there are so many variables and factors involved: the size of your ducts, the current condition of your home, etc…”

The cost of purchasing a new air conditioner depends on the size of your home, system efficiency, air conditioner brand, ductwork, and more.

How to prevent AC cooling problems

The best way to deal with your air conditioner not cooling is to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. Regular maintenance is important to keep your home comfortable.

These simple habits will help keep your air conditioner running smoothly.

  • Change your filters regularly. Replace standard filters every 30 to 90 days.
  • Schedule annual reconciliation: Have your system inspected by a technician each spring before the summer heat arrives.
  • Keep the register organized. Make sure that furniture and curtains do not block the indoor air supply vents.

Investing a small amount of time into preventive maintenance can extend the life of your system and potentially reduce your monthly energy bills.

FAQ

Why is my AC running but not cooling?

This usually indicates an airflow restriction, such as a clogged filter, or a mechanical problem, such as a failed condenser or low refrigerant. If you can’t resolve the problem yourself by cleaning the filter or adjusting the thermostat, contact a certified technician for a more accurate diagnosis.

How do I reset my AC?

This may vary slightly depending on brand and model, but powering down the unit, waiting 60 seconds, and powering it back on may help. You can also turn off the AC circuit breaker on your electrical panel, wait one minute, and then turn it back on.

Why is my air conditioner suddenly blowing warm air?

If warm air suddenly blows out, the outdoor unit may be turned off or the compressor may be overheating. Check if the circuit breaker is tripped.

Can refrigerant deficiency be repaired naturally?

No, air conditioners operate in a closed loop, so they don’t consume refrigerant like gas in your car’s tank. If the refrigerant is low, there is a physical leak and you will need to have it professionally repaired.

How to choose the best HVAC system for your home

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How to choose the best HVAC system for your home

Purchasing an HVAC system used to be easy. If the old unit broke down, all I had to do was call the contractor and replace it with a similar one. Today, this is a more complex and more important decision than ever before.

Modern HVAC systems are smarter, more efficient, and more customizable. But it also means homeowners need to consider more factors, such as energy efficiency, climate, home layout, insulation, long-term costs, and even how long they plan to live in the home.

At the same time, technology has transformed the functionality of HVAC systems. From smart thermostats that monitor performance in real time to high-efficiency heat pumps that both heat and cool your home, today’s systems offer more control and information.

Good news: You don’t have to figure it all out yourself. USA TODAY asked the experts at ARS to share how to buy your next HVAC system.

7 Steps to HVAC Shopping for Homeowners

Step 1: Understand your home’s heating and cooling needs

Choosing the best HVAC system for your home used to be a simple process. There were only a few brands and models available, so I chose whatever I could install.

now? Finding the right HVAC unit requires a lot more work. Energy goals, climate, home insulation, square footage, etc. all impact your bottom line.

“Back in the day, there was a little thermostat on the wall with some numbers written on it,” says Josh Conder, division operations manager for ARS Central Division. ”Your thermostat will now alert you if there is a problem with your system. It might notify you, “I don’t know if you saw this, but this seems to be happening on your system.”

The type of HVAC you install will depend on your home. A good installer will perform a complete energy analysis to make sure a heat pump, AC unit, furnace, or other HVAC system is right for you.

“We visit homes and do a complete energy analysis and heat load calculation to determine what is actually best for your individual situation, rather than just giving you a flat price and hoping it works,” Conder says.

Step 2: Compare HVAC system types

There are three main types of HVAC systems to choose from.

  • Central air conditioning: If you already have ductwork in your home and you just want to replace your system, purchasing a new central air conditioner makes the most sense. It works well in hot climates, but if you live in a colder climate, you’ll need a separate furnace to provide heat.
  • heat pump: Ideal for homeowners who need an all-in-one heating and cooling system, heat pumps offer higher efficiency than other types of HVAC systems. However, they are expensive and may not perform well in extremely cold environments.
  • Ductless mini split: Ductless mini-split systems are ideal for controlling air conditioning in individual rooms and are a more affordable option when you need air conditioning but don’t have the ductwork to support that type of system. However, whole-home air conditioning requires multiple units, and the units are visible on the walls, which is not very aesthetically pleasing.

Step 3: Determine appropriate system sizing

Sizing your HVAC system is more than just square footage equaling unit size. There are far more factors and decisions involved.

Your HVAC technician will determine the right size unit for your home by considering things like square footage, home insulation, window size and placement, climate zone, and air leakage.

“You have to size it right,” says Gregory Milich, HVAC expert at ARS. “You can’t just remove a three-ton system and install a four-ton system just because the customer says, ‘I just want more air conditioning.’ It doesn’t work that way.”

Step 4: Set a budget and consider financing

Costs vary and are difficult to estimate. “You can go from a basic-end 80% furnace to a high-end 96% efficient multi-stage communication system,” says Conder. That means costs can range from $8,000 to $35,000.

Highly efficient systems have higher initial costs, but can potentially save you money in the long run. However, if you plan to sell your home, it may not be worth as much. In that case, save your money and choose a less efficient unit.

The total cost of an HVAC system involves more than just the unit itself. You should also consider:

  • Installation fee
  • Duct repair or replacement
  • electrical upgrade
  • Permits and inspections

There are several options for paying for your HVAC system. You can use cash if you have emergency savings, but you can also use:

  • Contractor financing plans (often low or no interest promotions)
  • Home Improvement Loan or HELOC
  • personal credit card

As a hint: To save money on HVAC installation, take advantage of local and federal rebates and energy efficiency tax credits.

Step 5: Vet your HVAC contractor

You can buy the best HVAC system on the market, but if it’s not installed correctly or something goes wrong in the first year, a reputable company will take care of it properly.

“An HVAC system isn’t complete until it’s installed correctly,” says Scott Urquhart. HVAC Sales and Customer Experience Expert at ARS. “So whether it’s the best equipment in the world with the best warranty or the cheapest equipment you’ve ever found or heard of, it has to be installed correctly or you’re going to have problems.”

Cost is an important part of choosing the right HVAC system, but the cheapest quote may not be the best. To cut costs, these companies may cut corners.

“In some cases, you may see companies cutting corners and only replacing the furnace box or evaporator coil box and leaving all other parts alone as if they were fully operational,” warns Steve Wade, senior director of operations and procurement at ARS. A quality HVAC company will do the job right the first time and give you a fair quote to get it done.

Follow these best practices when researching local HVAC contractors.

  • Get quotes from at least three companies and compare prices, brands, and customer service.
  • Make sure each company has the proper licenses and insurance.
  • Read reviews online to see what homeowners in your area have had experiences.

Step 6: Evaluate the energy efficiency rating

HVAC energy efficiency ratings measure how well your HVAC system converts fuel to heat your home or converts electricity to cool your home. The more efficient your unit, the more you save on energy costs. HVAC efficiency is measured in three ways:

  • SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio): Measure cooling efficiency over a full season
  • EER2 (Energy efficiency ratio): Measure efficiency at peak conditions (hot days)
  • HSPF2 (Heating Season Performance Factor): Measuring the heating efficiency of heat pumps
Efficiency evaluation minimum efficiency High efficiency
Thea 2 14.0 (northern states) to 15.0 (southern states) 16.0+
EER2 8.0 12.0+
HSPF2 7.5 8.5+

Evaluating energy efficiency is important. These will tell you if the unit will work properly and save you money. However, you don’t always want the most efficient HVAC unit. For many homeowners, 14 or 15 SEER2 units are sufficient, especially if they plan to sell their home and don’t see any long-term benefits.

Step 7: Installation date and after installation

Most HVAC installations only take a day or two to complete, but may take longer if new ductwork is required or for more complex projects.

On the day of installation, an air conditioning company will come to your home and prepare the installation location. We’ll remove your old HVAC unit for disposal, install your new system, and clean it once you’re done.

Common HVAC purchasing mistakes to avoid

Whether it’s an emergency or it’s simply time to replace an old unit, due diligence is an important part of any HVAC purchase. You can also choose the type of HVAC system you need before finding an installer. Alternatively, you can start by contacting a reputable HVAC company to determine the best system for your home.

“The most important advice I can give to people purchasing HVAC systems is to choose a company that offers a money-back guarantee,” Urquhart says. “We’ll be running this system for a year, and if there’s something we don’t like, the company will have to fix it.”

Without a warranty or manufacturing guarantee, you could end up paying for repairs that didn’t need to be made in the first place.

Dana White claims UFC Freedom 250 at the White House is patriotic

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Dana White claims UFC Freedom 250 at the White House is patriotic

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In an interview with Time magazine, UFC president and CEO Dana White insisted that the UFC’s event at the White House next month is patriotic, not political, and said he has vowed not to engage in political activity after the 2024 election.

When asked about UFC Freedom 250, White told the publication, “You can make anything political if you want to.” “I love this country as much as someone on the left loves this country. I love this country as much as someone on the right loves this country. This basically means I’m spending a lot of money to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with America and the world.”

UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled for June 14th on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. According to Time, President Donald Trump “planted the seeds” for a White House event after his re-election in 2024 after speaking with White at a UFC bout at Madison Square Garden.

The Time magazine profile also details White’s relationship with Trump and his ties to the Make America Healthy Again and manosphere movements. The president previously said White was “very important” to his 2024 campaign, and UFC executives arranged for Trump to appear on a podcast popular with young people, including Joe Rogan.

“He introduced me to people and young kids I had never heard of,” Trump said, Time reported. “They’re good kids, they have a big crowd, and that all helps.”

White endorsed Trump in 2020 and spoke on his behalf at a rally in Colorado. In 2024, he introduced Trump at the Republican National Convention before he accepted the Republican presidential nomination.

White claimed that the UFC would lose approximately $30 million on this event. But Mark Shapiro, president and chief operating officer of UFC parent company TKO, told Time that the event was “the biggest acquisition marketing tool in history.”

What is UFC Freedom 250?

UFC Freedom 250 will be held on June 14th on the South Lawn of the White House. Fans can watch the event on large screens at The Ellipse, which can accommodate up to 85,000 people.

The event itself is invitation-only, with 1,200 of the 4,300 planned attendees being active military. The event, which also happens to be President Trump’s 80th birthday, was planned as an early celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

The incident has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Adam Schiff.

“While Trump is building a golden ballroom and arranging a UFC fight on the White House grounds for his birthday party, you’re fighting to pay this month’s bills,” Schiff told X on May 26.

Unwelcome combatants: UFC’s White House event is expected to draw uninvited guests

UFC Freedom 250 invitees listed in Time’s Dana White profile

Time’s profile included a list of celebrities White said he had invited to UFC Freedom 250.

  • adam sandler
  • guy ritchie
  • tom brady
  • jared leto
  • Jason Statham
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
  • mario lopez

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives of the designated invitees for comment.

What is UFC Freedom 250?

UFC Freedom 250 will be held on June 14th on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. Fans can watch the event on large screens at The Ellipse, which can accommodate up to 85,000 people.

The event itself is invitation-only, with 1,200 of the 4,300 planned attendees being active military. The event, which also happens to be President Trump’s 80th birthday, was marketed as an early celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The card includes two title fights: lightweight champion Ilia Topria vs. Justin Gaethje, and Cyril Gane vs. Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title. The rest of the card includes Sean O’Malley vs. Ayeman Zahavi, Josh Hokitt vs. Derrick Lewis, Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Luffy, Kyle Daukaus vs. Bo Niccal, and Steve Garcia vs. Diego Lopez.

White said in his profile that he would like to book a title fight between Weili Zhang and Mackenzie Dern, but that “that just wasn’t going to happen.”

Death of Matthew Perry – Kenneth Iwamasa received the last of five sentences

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Death of Matthew Perry – Kenneth Iwamasa received the last of five sentences

Matthew Perry’s former assistant Kenneth Iwamasa has been sentenced, ending the criminal proceedings surrounding the “Friends” actor’s death.

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The last person charged in the 2023 death of Matthew Perry has been sentenced.

Kenneth Iwamasa was sentenced to three years and five months in prison by U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, ending a criminal case against five people for their roles in the “Friends” star’s overdose death.

On October 28, 2023, Perry was found dead in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home after a decades-long battle with substance abuse. His autopsy report ruled that his death was “an accident due to the acute effects of ketamine, with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website, Iwamasa was Perry’s live-in assistant and injected her with ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that “has hallucinogenic properties” and “distorts visual and auditory perception” at his home. At the time of his death, Perry had 3,540 nanograms per milliliter of the drug in his system, the coroner said, adding that “general anesthesia levels typically range from 1,000 to 6,000 ng/ml.”

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the overdose resulted in the arrest of Iwamasa, addiction counselor Eric Fleming, Ketamine Queen Jasbeen Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, and Dr. Mark Chavez. All five defendants ultimately pleaded guilty.

Let’s take a look back at the legal actions taken after Perry’s tragic death.

The Department of Justice issued five criminal complaints in August 2024

Martin Estrada, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, said in a press conference on August 15, 2024, that those who participated in Perry’s use of ketamine “knew what they were doing was wrong” and “tried to cover up what they had done.”

“(Ketamine) is a drug that has to be administered by a medical professional, and patients have to be closely monitored. That didn’t happen here,” Estrada said.

In a separate statement at the time, then-U.S. DEA Administrator Ann Milgram said the five defendants “played a significant role in (Perry’s) death by misprescribing, selling, and injecting ketamine.”

“Matthew Perry’s journey began from an unscrupulous doctor who abused his position of trust by taking Perry as a payday, to a street dealer who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials,” Milgram added.

Doctor and assistant charged with conspiring to traffic drugs during Matthew Perry’s ‘final weeks’

After learning that Perry wanted to obtain ketamine in September 2023, California physician Salvador Plasencia contacted Mark Chavez, a doctor who previously ran a ketamine clinic, to obtain the drug for Perry. Investigators said Plasencia texted Chavez about pricing, saying, “I wonder how much this idiot will pay,” and “Let’s find out.”

In late September, Plasencia taught Perry’s live-in assistant, Iwamasa, how to inject ketamine. At certain points over the next six weeks, Perry was receiving up to six to eight shots a day, according to the Justice Department.

Matthew Perry’s stepmother breaks her silence About the “irreparable” pain of family members

Iwamasa and his co-conspirators then began communicating about drug deals through encrypted messaging applications and encrypted language, including referring to bottles of ketamine as “Dr. Pepper,” “cans” and “bots,” according to the indictment.

On October 12, two weeks before Perry died, Perry had an “adverse reaction” to the “high dose of ketamine” Placencia had injected him with, causing his blood pressure to spike and leaving him “frozen” and unable to “speak or move.” Plasencia reportedly told Iwamasa, “Let’s not do it again.”

A subsequent email from Placencia to Iwamasa indicated that Perry planned to take a break from using the drug, but the doctor wrote that he had “left supplies with the nurse” in case Perry wanted to “resume” use while he was away.

Matthew Perry was injected with ketamine three times on the day he died.

Investigators said on the morning of Oct. 28, 2023, Iwamasa gave Perry ketamine shots at 8:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and 40 minutes earlier, Perry asked Iwamasa to prepare the hot tub and “shoot me in the big tub.” While Perry was “in or near the hot tub,” Iwamasa injected him with ketamine using another syringe, marking his third in five hours.

Perry was pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m., just 10 minutes after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to his Pacific Palisades home. They told USA TODAY in a statement at the time that Perry “died prior to the arrival of first responders.”

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Doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine pleads guilty

The doctor who allegedly provided the ketamine that caused the overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry will plead guilty, according to an agreement filed in court Monday.

Scripps News – June 17, 2025

Investigators ultimately determined that Iwamasa used instructions and a syringe provided by Placencia to administer the fatal dose of ketamine distributed by Eric Fleming, a former director and certified drug addiction counselor. Fleming obtained the drug from Jasveen Sangha, the “queen of ketamine” in North Hollywood.

According to the indictment, Sangha was found to be storing and distributing drugs, including ketamine and methamphetamine, from his home in Los Angeles, and used an encrypted messaging app to instruct Fleming to “delete all of our messages.”

All five people charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death have pleaded guilty.

Iwamasa initially reached an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to cause death by distributing ketamine. He was sentenced to three years and five months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.

Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to five felonies, including one count of maintaining a drug-related facility, three counts of distributing ketamine, and one count of distributing ketamine causing death or serious bodily injury. At sentencing, she said: “These were not mistakes, these were terrible decisions.”

Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death and was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years. After the verdict, he said, “I want to do everything in my power to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. I don’t want anyone to die from ketamine.”

Placencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, suspended for two years, and fined $5,600. In court he said he was “truly sorry” to Perry’s family.

Chavez entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and three years of supervised release. After the verdict, he said: “My heart goes out to the Perry family.”

Contributors: KiMi Robinson, Anthony Robledo, Taijuan Moorman, Jay Stahl, USA TODAY

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