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Medicaid Cut, Epstein, Vaccine, CDC, Economy, Powerball, Hurricane Kiko: Daily Briefing

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Medicaid Cut, Epstein, Vaccine, CDC, Economy, Powerball, Hurricane Kiko: Daily Briefing

good morning!🙋🏼‍♀️I’m Nicole Forelt. Who is your favorite season 34 of “Dance with the Stars”?

Take a quick look at Thursday’s news:

  • Some Kentucky orthotics for Medicaid reduction.
  • Jeffrey Epstein’s victims urged the House to force the release of more investigative files.
  • When will your next chance to win the eye-opening $1.4 billion?

Will Medicaid Cut make a big hit for Appalachia?

In the heart of Appalachia in eastern Kentucky, many residents were beneficiaries of the state’s 2014 Medicaid expansion against low-income adults, providing a major boost to some of America’s poorest counties, suffering at a high rate of chronic disease, disorders and disability and opioid abuse disability. Medical visits have increased. The hospital budget has been relaxed. The health clinic expanded and hired workers and supported local economics. And drug treatments have increased. However, now we are preparing to test its sustainability. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed in July, has cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, and over a decade, the associated children’s health program has reduced the requirements for a new 80-hour work.

  • The cuts in the federal programs Kentucky uses to pay providers mean the state is projected to see a decline of around $11 billion in rural Medicaid spending, one of the nation’s biggest declines. USA Today has looked into how some Kentucky healthcare providers are already tightening their services.

Epstein victims speak as pressure increases to release files

The woman who claims to have been sexually abused by the late, dishonest investor Jeffrey Epstein, spoke at an emotional press conference, calling for the full release of the criminal investigation file in the September 3rd case.

What this means: This demand challenges President Donald Trump and Republican Congress leaders. For many years, he had requested more information about Epstein, a former friend of the former president, but now full disclosure could hurt Epstein’s victims.

  • The document “helps bringing together fragments of your life. “Newly disclosed Brazilian Epstein accuser, Marina Lacerda, has called on lawmakers and the Department of Justice to not only release all Epstein files, but also to give her and other victims a copy of all copies related to their case.
  • Divided Houses: House Speaker R-Louisiana Mike Johnson said there is no longer a need for a vote to force the Justice Department to release more documents. Meanwhile, R-Kentucky’s Rep. Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, D-California, are gathering efforts to vote House voters.
  • A coincidence? During a press conference, the US Capitol military overpass owned some of the Epstein’s accuser’s remarks.

More news you need to know now

What’s the weather today? Check out your local forecast here.

There are no more NFL style tests for soldiers

The Army announced the cancellation of its flagship officer selection program on September 2 after officials of Defense Secretary Pete Hegses ordered the review. The Army Command Evaluation Program, an NFL combine-style program known as CAP, placed battalion and brigade commanders through a series of physical and mental examinations and was cancelled “immediately into effect.” A high-ranking defense official who is well versed in CAP but is not permitted to speak publicly told USA Today that Hegseth’s office ordered the cancellation without meaningful consultation with the Army. Army experts told USA Today that the move to cancel the cap was pointless.

Hurricane Kiko is currently a Category 4 storm

Two hurricanes are spinning in the Pacific Ocean, with Hurricane Kiko and Hurricane Lorena, more than 1,500 miles east of Hawaii, potentially causing flooding in northwestern Mexico. Kiko was located about 1,560 miles east of Hiro, Hawaii, as of September 3rd, when consulted at 11pm from the National Hurricane Centre. Kiko had high gusts and maximum sustained winds near 145 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane. The storm is expected to move west until Thursday, September 4th, then begin a turn towards the west and northwest. Track Kiko’s path.

Today’s speaker

He is in debt of $130,000 and is fed by a one-year-old.

“We’re barely a coast run. It leads to a spiral, something else. You can go from something good to something really bad.

Pablo Pratt, age 28, was one of the millions registered in savings for the precious education (SAVE) plan, which he charged interest for the first time in a year. His family in Texas was already living on payroll when the surprising interest charges added additional stress. Gen Z told USA Today how they navigate the fast-changing landscape of student loans.

Today’s Photo: How do you choose your number?

Powerball Lottery Jackpot has reached $1.4 billion, and many hope. Some shared secret formulas for choosing numbers.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer for USA Today and sign up for your email here. Want to send a note to Nicole? Please email her at nollert@usatoday.com.

Has anyone won the Powerball drawing on September 3rd? $1.44 billion jackpot

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Has anyone won the Powerball drawing on September 3rd? .44 billion jackpot

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Winning numbers were drawn on Wednesday night, September 3rd in history in the fourth-largest Powerball drawing, with no winners in the jackpot again.

The Powerball jackpot continued its historic run before September 3rd, appearing for an estimated $1.444 billion after no one won the Top Award on Monday, September 1st.

The September 3rd drawing offered a one-off cash payment of $654.3 million to anyone who matched all five numbers and Powerballs.

To check the number of wins in Powerball drawings on September 3rd, check the following:

Powerball win counts on 9/3/2025

Winners for Wednesday, September 3rd: 3-16-29-61-69 And the Powerball: twenty two

Power play: 2x

To win a lottery number is as follows: Jackpocke is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network.

Has anyone won the Powerball?

No, no one won the Powerball Jackpot on Wednesday, September 3rd.

The jackpot in the next drawing for September 6th was estimated at $1.7 billion on the morning of Thursday, September 4th.

To find the full list of previous Powerball winners, Click on the link to the lottery website.

When will the next Powerball picture be?

The following drawings will take place on Saturday, September 6th, just after 11pm.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball you will need to buy a ticket for $2. This can be done in a variety of places, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, Powerball tickets can be purchased online.

Once you have your ticket, you will need to select six numbers. Five of these are white balls with numbers 1 to 69. Red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add “Power Play” for $1.

The “Power Play” multiplier can be multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x on the prize.

If you feel unlucky or want your computer to do your job, the “quick pick” option is available. Here, the computer-generated numbers are printed on the Powerball ticket. To win a jackpot, players must match all five white balls with any order and Red Powerball.

The Powerball painting takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the prize money will continue to be engraved.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jack Pocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today NetworkThese US and territories include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maine, Maine, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app lets you select lottery games and numbers, order, look at tickets, and collect all your winnings using your mobile phone or home computer.

Jack Pocket is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket Services. Gambling issues? Call 1-800-Gambler and call 877-8-Hopeny/Text Hopeny (467369) (NY). 18+ (19 years old and over for NE, 21+ for AZ). It is physically present where the jack pocket works. Jack Pocket is not affiliated with any state lottery. Eligibility restrictions apply. If it is prohibited, it is invalid. Clause: jacketpocket.com/tos.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA Today. Contact him at fernando.cervantes @gannett.com and follow him at x @fern_cerv_.

Social Security recipients will not receive a paper check soon

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Social Security recipients will not receive a paper check soon

Trump’s executive orders directly affect more than 500,000 Social Security beneficiaries.

Shawn Williams
|A miscellaneous fool

Since the first benefits check was mailed in January 1940, Social Security has provided a financial foundation for the American people. Initially, it was considered a program to financially support older people who could no longer provide themselves, but has been expanded to include workers with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. In July, nearly 70 million people received traditional Social Security payments.

But social security is not static. The Social Security Act requires 60 votes in the Senate of Congress, which will bring about major changes, but will involve various adjustments to the Social Security Agency (SSA) programme almost in year to date.

More than seven months ago, a surge in changes to the Social Security program was announced after Donald Trump took office for his second discontinued term. Some social security adjustments will decline and flow according to the political parties that control the White House, but one of these shifts is set to change Social Security forever on September 30th.

Donald Trump is directly transforming into Social Security by the end of this month

The major changes in the matter will come courtesy of the Executive Order (EO) signed by President Trump on March 25th. While government programs affected by EO are not the only social security programmes, paper Social Security benefits checks mean that it has been less than a month since it is a thing of the past.

The good news is that most Social Security beneficiaries are not currently receiving paper checks, so they will not be directly affected by this EO. However, for 0.8% of beneficiaries still receiving paper checks (over 500,000 recipients), the “date of sentencing” of payments is rapidly approaching.

SSA provided three reasons why it makes sense to move to digital payments and move away from paper checking.

  1. Paper checks are much more expensive than e-fund transfers (EFTS). Paper checks cost around $0.50 to issue US government, but EFT costs less than $0.15. This should reduce the cost of issuing Social Security payments by more than $2 million a year.
  2. EFTS offers a faster way to benefit from the recipient’s hands. Paper checks can take several days to arrive in the beneficiary’s mailbox, but EFTS can be deposited and cleared faster.
  3. Digital payments are safer than paper checks. According to the SSA, paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen than electronic payments.

Based on renewals from President Trump’s EO and SSA, more than 500,000 beneficiaries still receiving paper checks must set up direct deposits with banks or credit unions or use direct high-speed cards, a prepaid debit card that deposits federal benefits.

The Trump administration oversees other social security changes, including decorations

The end to the paper Social Security check is a direct result of President Trump’s EO, but since taking office he has overseen other changes to America’s major retirement programs.

On the first day he signed EO and created an office called the Government’s Efficiency Bureau. This is known as Doge. The purpose of Doge was to position Capitol Hill’s government inefficiency and save federal government money. Based on Doge’s findings, SSA chose to reduce its workforce from 7,000 to 50,000 employees, and closed some of its physical locations to reduce operating expenses.

Donald Trump also oversaw Frank Vignano nominations (and final confirmations) as his latest SSA commissioner. Bisignano was CEO of Global Financial Technology (“Fintech”) company Fear It was almost five years before taking on a role in SSA. He seems the perfect individual to lead the agency as it moves to digital payments.

Additionally, the SSA has implemented changes to personal identification methods that are consistent with the President’s clear desire to reduce fraud cases. As of April 2025, most beneficiaries are no longer permitted to change their direct deposit information or to apply for retirement or survivor benefits via telephone. These changes must be made directly at the Social Security Agency through my “My Social Security” account with two-factor authentication. These changes were made to reduce the likelihood of social security fraud.

Finally, President Trump oversaw changes in overpayment recovery rates since Joe Biden’s days.

By the end of the federal government’s fiscal year 2023 (September 30, 2023), $23 billion in Social Security overpayments remained collected. Biden had reduced the decoration rate to 10% due to overpayments during the presidency, but the Trump administration set an overpayment clawback rate at 50% in April. This is significantly higher than the Biden-era overpayment recovery rate, but lower than the 100% ornamental rate during Trump’s first term and during the Barack Obama administration.

There could be more changes to be brewed, but nothing will forever change the Social Security program, like closing paper checks from EO.

Sean Williams has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Motley’s fools have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Motley Fools have a disclosure policy.

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

Most retirees with the $23,760 Social Security Bonus are completely overlooked

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What type of corporate culture do you work in? The four styles explained

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What type of corporate culture do you work in? The four styles explained

Julia Sullivan
| USA Today’s Special

Think of each individual workplace as a country where each is governed by a particular social norm and way of operation. The same goes for moving from company to company, just as you don’t travel to Japan, expecting the same lifestyle as the US. New jobs have specific ways to communicate to get the job done.

That’s why it’s important to find a company that has a culture that suits your preferred work style, says Vicki Salemi, a career expert based in New York City.

“If, for example, you are an independent worker and the culture strengthens microcontrollers, that will probably be the number one reason you will leave to look for new opportunities elsewhere,” explains Salemi. “If the opposite is true and you prefer a practical management style, if it’s embedded in the culture, you’ll be happy and productive in the environment that’s best suited for you.”

A study published by the Journal of Acupational and Environmental Medicine shows that when employees are satisfied with the company’s work culture, there is more established trust between staff and leaders and improves work performance.

Of course, workplace culture is much more subtle than mere management style. It covers a vast variety of characteristics, ranging from openness and risk-taking to growth and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Here are four common types of workplace cultures: clan, adhocracy, market/competition, hierarchy, and ways to thrive or survive based on where you are.

Family

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the “family” workplace culture is based on strong cooperation, teamwork and interpersonal relationships among staff. “When you think about family workplace culture, think about family business or large companies with a family-like environment,” says Salemi. “Teamwork comes first with collaboration and the idea that ‘we’re all together.’ ”

Strong Points: Salemi observes that employees of this type of organizational culture often (but not always) feel very faithful. She adds that this type of workplace culture is for you if you want to feel your voice is important in your decision-making. “There’s usually a strong sense of family,” she explains. “Employees usually feel very loyal and have a stake in the business. Even if they don’t, they feel connected to each other and the company.”

Cons: Conversely, Salemi adds that if you are someone who thrives when you feel like a star at work and is very ambitious, this may not be for you. “You may be too loyal and overlooked the basics you need. For example, if you’re not enough, you may be seduced to stay instead of looking elsewhere,” she says.

Adhocency

When it comes to advocacy-oriented workplace culture, Salemi says, “Think of having a culture that embraces innovation, entrepreneurialism, shaking things, potentially failing, but accepting failure rather than warning them.” “This type of culture usually supports risk-taking and wants to color outside the line.”

A study in the Journal of Financial Services Marketing states that workplaces with an adhocratic culture often produce some of the most efficient and innovative types of workers, and of course many results.

Strong Points: If you want to be pushed to creative limits and mind running freely with ideas and experiments, I say this is your kind of culture. “Employees who thrive in this culture are usually very adaptable, flexible and versatile in thinking outside the box and problem solving,” she adds.

Cons: Second, adhocracy is a nightmare for employees who prefer to stick to their job descriptions, Salemi points out. In the spirit of innovation and risk-taking, it may be encouraged to spend more time or carry out duties beyond the day.

Market/Competition

Market/competition is much more stringent when adhocracy is about taking risks and celebrating its efforts even if it fails, then markets/competition is far more stringent. “There’s a focus on competitors and profits,” Salemi said sales jobs tend to have the best culture, with a focus on quotas and targets. Salemi adds that culture in this case may also vary by sector. “For example, companies may be adhocacy for innovation, but within the sales sector there may be more market/competitive culture,” she says.

Strong Points: If you want to thrive when given a goal and have concrete evidence of your achievements to demonstrate leadership, then this style of work is for you. “And that could further encourage competition internally,” Salemi points out.

Cons: “If internal competition is not healthy, it can be a fierce environment,” warns Salemi. “You might feel like someone can throw you under the bus or take your clients.”

hierarchy

A hierarchical workplace culture clearly communicates roles, responsibilities and job descriptions. You know who is doing what and who is in charge. Salemi usually says that you find standard operating procedures (SOPS) for these types of jobs, as well as find the formally outlined paths to promotions, metrics to hit, and pay ranges and job titles.

Strong Points: Like family culture, the roles are easy to understand. You may be asked, but no one is going to force you to spend more time than normal time, moving beyond your job description. Such behavior is largely discouraged. Salemi says it’s for those who like direction and clear communication.

Cons: All of this type of culture is to stay within the line, explains Salemi. And because creativity and innovation are so discouraged, employees who thrive in entrepreneurship may feel suffocated or frustrated. You might also say that all of this type of tissue is about optics. Modifying the manager in a meeting will give you blowback even if you’re on the right. Furthermore, as a study published by the MIT Sloan Management Review suggests, this type of company may truly push off innovative employees.

Which company culture is best for me?

As Salemi says, your preferred work culture type may fluctuate throughout your career. As you go through various life changes, you will see that entrepreneurship flows with decline. That’s completely fine. Mortgages and kids may drive you into an adhocacy organization by being in your early 20s, but they may seek hierarchical or family workplaces.

To determine which corporate culture style is best for you at this moment, Salemi suggests that you consider your own work style first. “Quest yourself whether you’re jumping outside the box and working independently, or whether a well-defined job description will not deviate over time,” she points out. “That’s just an example, but once you determine what your work style is, you can evaluate the environment and the company to see if it’s appropriate.”

According to Salemi, the conclusion is to be self-aware throughout your career. “You can check in every six months or on an annual basis to assess your salary compared to your current role, market value, and evaluate what you need most in your company culture, and enjoy your prosperity, success and your role,” she encourages.

What is USA Today Top Workplaces 2025?

Do you work for a great company? Each year, USA Today Top Workplaces is a collaboration between Energage and USA Today, ranking US organizations that excel at creating positive work environments for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winner.

In 2025, over 1,500 companies were recognized as the best workplaces. Check out our overall rankings. You can also get more insight into workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.

Ukrainian ally Volodimia Zelensky meets in Paris

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Ukrainian ally Volodimia Zelensky meets in Paris

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PARIS, Sept. 4 (Reuters) – About 30 Western leaders on Thursday hope to hold consultations with Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky about Kiev’s security guarantees if a peace agreement occurs with Russia, and to persuade the United States to support their efforts.

The Willing’s Union summit in Paris brought leaders from Europe, Australia, Japan and Canada, and even neighboring countries chose to attend via video link.

Members of the coalition, which does not include the US, have been discussing for months at various levels, for months to define future military support for Ukraine, to help prevent Russia from attacking again if there is a final truce.

more: UN Kim Jong promises to support Russia “all” and President Putin thanks Ukrainian war aid

However, these efforts have stagnated as the government says that European military roles require its own US security assurance as a “backstop.” President Donald Trump has no clear commitment to providing them.

Trump envoy meets Europeans

His special envoy group, Steve Witkov, met a senior European official in Paris on Thursday morning before the meeting, two diplomats said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, along with Zelensky in Paris, the coalition leaders would support a security assurance plan created by the military.

According to a summary sent to participants, British and French army chiefs were to briefly explain the leaders on Thursday.

“We are ready to provide security assurances to Ukraine in a time when there is a signed peace,” Macron said, adding that it is a problem to see how sincere Russia is now.

Two European officials said the goal was to send political cues to Trump. This underscores the lack of progress towards direct peace negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky since Trump hosted Putin in August, and encourages Trump to put pressure on Moscow now.

more: Russian, Chinese and North Korean leaders meet to “conspire” against us, Trump says

Trump, who unveiled the Alaska red carpet, accused Putin of conspiring with China and North Korea on Wednesday after leaders from three countries staged a show of Beijing’s unity in a gorgeous commemoration at the end of World War II.

NATO Executive Director Mark Latte said Wednesday that he was expecting clarity from the coalition soon.

Peace in Ukraine is still “fantastic and remote”

Putin told Kiev on Wednesday that he would have the opportunity to end the war in Ukraine through negotiations that “if common sense wins.”

Western officials say a key element of the assurance is continuing strong support for Ukrainian military forces.

However, they were also expected to include international forces to support and reassure Kiev, based in both Ukraine and its neighboring countries, despite the emphasis on foreign deployments in Ukraine.

Diplomats say there is a big difference between the allies on the issue.

European leaders have made it clear that such a force can be put into practice with our support alone – something Trump has generally promised last month. But Washington has not yet written about what he wants to contribute.

more: Exclusive-Vance condemns Zelenskyy Oval office explosion on Biden’s Ukrainian policy

Some leaders will call Trump after the summit, the French presidency said.

John Foreman, a former UK defense attorney to Kyiv and Moscow, said it is important to understand exactly what is being offered.

“That being said, there is a growing awareness that peace requires strong Ukrainian and Ukrainian troops, European support needs to last long, and that Ukraine cannot rely on its aid to punish Russia if Ukraine is attacked again,” he said.

“This is all preparatory work for peace that remains fantastic and distant due to Trump’s inconsistent diplomacy and lack of substantial consultation.”

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray and Tom Birmforce of Brussels, London, edited by Cynthia Osterman and Kevin Liffey)

This is the best place to retire in the US in 2025

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This is the best place to retire in the US in 2025

According to a new study by personal finance site Wallethub, three Florida cities rank among the five best places to retire in 2025.

The analysis, published on September 2nd, ranked over 180 cities on 45 metrics across four broad areas: affordability, activity, quality of life and healthcare. The report utilizes dozens of data sources, including the Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control.

According to Wallethub, the top five cities for retirees are:

  1. Orlando, Florida
  2. Scottsdale, Arizona
  3. Minneapolis
  4. Miami
  5. Tampa, Florida

That list more or less tracks the general wisdom about where Americans retire: Florida and Arizona.

“Tell your instincts to you and go to Florida. It’s warm and there’s something to do,” said Chip Lupo, a writer and analyst at Wallethub. Orlando, Miami and Tampa are also “very retirement-friendly from a tax perspective,” he said.

The complete analysis covers 182 cities, including the 150 largest US cities and at least two most populous cities from all states.

Of course, each retirement destination has its advantages and disadvantages.

Casper, Wyoming, ranks as the country’s most affordable city, but has a poor quality of life. San Francisco is the first in the nation to rank for activities that retirees enjoy, but it’s relatively unruly. Scottsdale ranks top in overall quality of life, but is low in affordable prices. Missoula, Montana, is the first to rank in the healthcare system, but has a poor quality of life.

Which retirement destinations do you fish the most?

Some other notable top-notch in the Wallethub report are:

  • Washington, DC is ranked first for per capita museums, followed by San Francisco.
  • Scottsdale has the highest share of the population over 65 years old, followed by Pearl City in Hawaii.
  • Glendale and Riverside, California rank among the number one and second in the nation for “moderate” weather.
  • Charleston, South Carolina has the most fishing facilities per capita, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
  • Chicago has per capita recreation and senior centers. Honolulu ranks second.

Resignation isn’t just about money. Retireers should consider living in cities where they can live an active life, access to good health care and enjoy the weather, the report says. And that may require some planning.

“One of the biggest mistakes older workers make is that they assume their retirement is a long way off, and they don’t need to plan that,” Phyllis Moen, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Minnesota and Cornell University, spoke in the report. “And planning requires us to consider lifestyle, not just financial issues.”

15 Best Retirement Cities in America

According to Wallethub, these are the 15 best places to retire in the US in 2025.

  1. Orlando, Florida. Orlando, a tax-friendly city in a tax-friendly state, ranks as the best place to retire within the country. Florida has no real estate or inheritance tax and no income tax. Orlando is not the cheapest city, but it ranks third in the nation for its recreational purposes.
  2. Scottsdale, Arizona. This Phoenix suburb ranks highly in terms of per capita adult volunteer work, art galleries and golf courses. Arizona, like Florida, does not have real estate, inheritance or income tax. And while Scottsdale ranks fourth in the nation for its “moderate” weather, it could get hot.
  3. Minneapolis. America’s third best retirement spot is one of the nation’s most elderly job markets. The city is considered a friendly environment for retirees and has a high-ranking hospital system.
  4. Miami. Known for its refreshing weather, Miami ranks fifth in the nation for its activities. Like Orlando, Miami does not have real estate, inheritance or income tax.
  5. Tampa, Florida. Another tax-friendly city, Tampa is ranked highly for its advanced activities and overall quality of life.
  6. Atlanta. The city ranks fourth nationwide for its advanced activities. It is also well ranked in healthcare.
  7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rank 14th Nationwide for advanced activities. Also, health care is expensive.
  8. Cincinnati. It ranks third nationwide for its activities aimed at the elderly. And it has a strong healthcare system.
  9. Madison, Wisconsin. This university town ranks sixth in the nation and eighth in healthcare for its quality of life.
  10. Casper, Wyoming. According to Wallethub, Casper is America’s most affordable city for retirees.
  11. Las Vegas. Ranked 6th and 13 nationwide for advanced activities.th For affordable prices.
  1. St. Petersburg, Florida. High ranking for activities, quality of life, and affordable prices.
  2. Sioux Falls, SD is ranked third nationwide for healthcare. It is also ranked reasonably priced.
  3. Pittsburgh. Wallethub praises Pittsburgh for its relatively strong healthcare and a wealth of activities aimed at retirees.
  4. Wilmington, Delaware. Ranked nationwide for healthcare and advanced activities.

Hegseth Kill Make-or Break Army Assessment Program

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Hegseth Kill Make-or Break Army Assessment Program

The NFL combination program to evaluate future Army commanders began during President Donald Trump’s first term.

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The Army announced the cancellation of its flagship officer selection program on September 2 after officials of Defense Secretary Pete Hegses ordered the review.

A high-ranking defense official who is well versed in CAP but is not permitted to speak publicly told USA Today that Hegseth’s office ordered the cancellation without meaningful consultation with the Army.

The Army Command Evaluation Program, known as CAP, is an NFL combine-style program that placed battalion and brigade commanders through a series of physical and mental tests and was cancelled to “activate immediately,” Army spokesman Travis Shaw confirmed.

Hegseth welcomed the program’s end in a September 3rd post, saying, “Good Riddance.”

The rigorous programme began with Trump’s first term

Cap was a trial for officers who were trying to command battalions and brigades, demanding roles that would create or destroy the officer’s careers.

Cancellation comes as part of a Pentagon review of executive personnel processes, among other career milestones, from ratings to promotions and command selection.

more: Missional military fears in LA deployments could have “wide-range” significance, records show

Stuart Scheller is a former Marine colonel who was convicted in court and was forced to step down from public criticism of his leaders during the tragic evacuation in Afghanistan in 2022, leading the review. Scheller did not respond to emails from USA Today.

A high-ranking defense official who is well versed in CAP but is not permitted to speak publicly told USA Today that Hegseth’s office ordered the cancellation without meaningful consultation with the Army.

Unrelated to the executive promotion system, CAP began during President Donald Trump’s first administration and became a permanent program in early 2025 after a pilot period of more than five years. The programme was modelled on how military special operations units evaluate and select members and leaders.

Participants complete physical fitness tests, measure body fat, receive psychological evaluations, receive leadership evaluations from their former peers and subordinates, and complete oral and written communication assessments.

“Crown Jewel”

The interview panel anonymously determines candidates’ communication skills based on their performance in the interview settings. Officers deemed “ready” by the panel will be ranked for command opportunities based on Cap’s performance and review of HR files.

The program was “Crown Jewel” of the service’s extensive talent management reform, according to Michael Arnold, who led cap development during his nearly six years’ term as assistant director of the Army Talent Management Task Force. The program was designed to find talent that is often overlooked, while also preventing toxic and abusive leaders from assuming a position of power.

more: Trump wants to take home the War Department: “It had a stronger sound.”

“Political appointees absolutely have all the rights to reconsider the (command selection) process,” says Arnold, a fellow at the conservative Hoover facility think tank. “But to cancel the best they’ve done in terms of modernizing the way they choose us…it’s a bit myopia.”

Before the CAP, the Army Battalion and Brigade Command selection process consisted simply of reviewing paper files. The executive’s “board” examines and grades officer personnel files, then ranks the order’s role assignments. There was no face-to-face verification.

Kate Kuzminski, a military expert at the new American security center, told USA Today that the old paper-based selection process “begins in 1975.”

Shaw, an Army spokesman, said the service is back to its “long-aged” process.

Arnold insisted that the move to cancel was pointless. “Bringing back to the old system is contrary to what I think the administration is trying to do — picking people based on their merit,” he said.

Contributor: Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today

Maha hits a road bump. Frustration grows in and out of movement

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Maha hits a road bump. Frustration grows in and out of movement

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fighting several fires.

The day before the Health Secretary made his appearance on the Senate Finance Committee, more than 1,000 current and former Health and Human Services officials called for Kennedy to step down from his position as they discussed President Donald Trump’s 2026 health care agenda on September 4th.

The letter will be followed in office just a month after Susan Monales, the outcast of CDC director Susan Monales, after a disagreement over vaccine policy with Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who promoted the controversial, unfounded theory that links vaccines to autism. Monales’ firing was followed by resignations from three other CDC staff who protested Kennedy’s leaders.

Meanwhile, some of Kennedy’s core “Again American Health” constituencies are unhappy with not doing enough to regulate pesticides, particularly glyphosate, the main active ingredient in Roundup.

Citing the provisions of the Congressional Budget Bill that provides immunity to pesticide manufacturers, Zen Honeycutt, one of Kennedy’s most solid supporters and one of the founders of moms across the United States, is an organization that raises awareness about food supply and environmental toxins, and she warned Trump that she “signs Republicans poisons.”

Signed by more than 240 people, including many prominent MAHA activists, doctors and farmers, the letter warned that it represents “the danger of a Republican majority in the mid-2026 House of Representatives.”

Kennedy and his Maha base have long been railroading to limit the spread of Covid-19, raising questions about the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, a technology used to develop Covid vaccines. On April 27, Kennedy announced that emergency use permits for the Covid-19 vaccine have ended.

Under updated approval, the Covid-19 vaccine is recommended only for 65 or more young people with underlying health conditions. At the same time, anyone who wants to consult with a doctor and get it is available to you.

In August, the Department of Health and Human Services closed 22 federally funded mRNA vaccine programs representing $500 million in strategic biomedical research.

Rock Mahamaga Alliance?

Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat in 2024, then switched to independence and ultimately supported Trump. When he joined Trump camp, he brought with him his newly minted “American Health Again” movement, with Trump promising Kennedy to “become wild” about health, food and medicine.

Kennedy’s base, made up primarily of independents, was essential to Trump’s victory.

But his nomination by Trump, who leads HHS, will become one of the most divisive cabinet picks. His promotion of conspiracy theory claiming vaccines can cause autism, linking antidepressants to school shootings, and even suggesting WiFi, leading to health professionals and democratic lawmakers.

However, his claim that the large foods and large pharmaceuticals behind the “chronic disease epidemic” with additives and junk food have gained support from society, particularly the mother’s cross section.

In April, he announced that eight artificial dyes would be phased out from the drug and the country’s food supply by the end of 2026, including those found in candy, ice cream, soft drinks and jams. The move has earned bipartisan praise.

Vaccines, CDC, Trump’s Truth Social Post

Kennedy’s headache only grew on September 3rd. After Pfizer suggested that Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize for Operation Warp Speed, which was launched by Trump in 2020 in response to the pandemic. The initiative gathered results and companies quickly developed a vaccine a year later to stop the virus. Kennedy calls the Covid vaccine “the deadliest vaccine ever made.”

Pfizer’s statement (Trump has not made a secret to longing for Nobel) comes after Trump expressed his ambiguity about the vaccine’s success in the Truth Social Post on September 1. The post comes days after Adminstartion handled the fallout from his resignation at the CDC over vaccine policy.

“Many people think they’re a miracle that saved millions of lives. Others don’t agree!” Trump said of Covid-19 drugs, including vaccines created by Pfizer, Moderna and other pharmaceutical companies. “I want the answer because the CDC is torn apart with this question, but I want it now.”

Maha Action President Tony Lyons celebrated Trump’s demands.

“Secretary Kennedy and President Trump are working to protect Americans from conflicts of interest ramping up the American people, from blatant corruption that hurts the American people, and from poisoning children by putting people first to the people,” he said. “This is a big step in that direction.”

Meanwhile, others thought Trump might be hedging his bet.

“They show me a lot of numbers and results, but they don’t seem to show them to many others. I want them to show them now and show them to the CDC and the public. “I hope that Warp Speed ​​is just as ‘glorious’ as many people do. Otherwise, we all want to know about it, why? ”

Arthur Kaplan, founder of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s medical ethics division, said the post from Trump is trying to walk the line between easing some of the vaccine-skeptical Maha base, while also trying to leave the door to keep him away from Kennedy if that comes.

Ultimately, Kaplan said Trump made the vaccine a core part of his response to Covid and worked closely with the pharmaceutical company on approval of the original vaccine.

“My reading about that announcement was that he felt pressured to do something about Kennedy, who went too far in terms of opposition to the vaccine and causing so much confusion,” he said. “Kennedy has created such confusion, so he’s buying time.”

As far as they post raw data, Caplan said it’s pointless for a pharmaceutical company to do that, as critics say the data is unreliable.

“Pharmaceutical companies rely on scholars to conduct research independently and to have them participate in peer-reviewed journals,” he said.

White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said the president “has the utmost confidence and confidence in leading the HHS in Secretary Kennedy.

At the same time, she acknowledged that Trump’s pledge to “make America healthy again” was “the key to his election day victory in 2024.”

The letter of the Maha leader implied that very sensitive coalition – creating a broad range of liability protections for pesticides “is a lost issue for your party and your coalition, and may sacrifice a majority of the mid-term home to you.”

On September 3, Pfizer CEO Albert Brula said he welcomed Trump’s call for transparency.

“To date, data on Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines have appeared in over 600 peer-reviewed publications,” he said in a statement. “Detailed US FDA data has been submitted to regulators in 130 countries and after thorough review and analysis, all vaccines have been approved.”

In response to Trump’s request, the company added a link to the Pfizer website with updates on published research and safety data.

Paul Offit, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Vaccine Education Center, and voice Kennedy critics, said Trump may be misinterpreting Maha’s appeal to soothe his base.

His base may generally be behind Kennedy and Maha, but he said that is true when it comes to “anti-big food and anti-big AG.”

“It’s true and I think a lot of people feel we can eat better and we can live longer, but most people support the vaccine, and most parents support the vaccine, Republicans, or Democrats,” he said. Many polls show that it is true. Nearly 80% of US adults support the use of vaccines to prevent disease, according to the NBC News Decise Desk Poll, which was announced in June.

When asked about vaccine use to prevent illness, 69% of Republicans, 93% of Democrats and 76% of independents responded to an NBC poll that supports vaccinations to protect public health.

Outfit said HHS’ deep budgets and staff cuts are undermining its ability to collect and manage public health data in the event of an outbreak of illness.

“I think that’s a disaster. I think RFK Junior has reduced the CDC. I think it’s in all aspects, including surveillance capabilities.”

It was expected that a second MAHA strategy report would be released in August after publishing his first MAHA report in May to establish the “Make America Healthy Again” committee, to investigate chronic illnesses and submit plans to combat childhood illnesses.

A White House spokesperson confirmed that the report was submitted, but said there is no scheduled date for publication.

However, a leaked draft of the report has been published by the New York Times. The White House did not comment on the truth behind the report.

Honeycutt called the statement in the draft pesticide report “very disappointing.”

“The pesticide report in this Maha Committee report was clearly affected by the impact of chemical companies,” she wrote on her blog, adding that the report “protects the benefits of pesticides and addresses the convenience of agrochemical farmers.”

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA Today. X @swapnavenugopalswapna venugopal Ramaswamy can follow her on X @swapnavenugopalswapna, White House correspondent for USA Today.

AI Hacking Tools exploit Zero-Day Security Vulnerabilities in Minutes

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AI Hacking Tools exploit Zero-Day Security Vulnerabilities in Minutes

New AI tools, built to help businesses discover and fix their own security weaknesses, are being taken away by cybercriminals, used as catastrophic hacking weapons that lift their heads and take advantage of zero-day vulnerabilities.

According to a report from cybersecurity company Checkpoint, a framework called Hex Strike Eye is a turning point that security experts are scaring, and the pure power of AI is placed directly in the hands of those who want to do harm.

Tools for good, twist for evil

Hex Strike – Eye was assumed to be one of the good guys. The creator described it as an “innovative AL-driven offensive security framework” designed to help security experts better protect their organizations like hackers.

Think of it as the AI ​​”brain” that functions as a conductor for a digital orchestra. It directs over 150 special AI agents and security tools to test your company’s defenses, find and report weaknesses, such as zero-day vulnerabilities.

problem? What makes the tool great for defenders is also very appealing to attackers. Soon after its release, the dark web chatter lit up. The malicious actors didn’t just discuss the tools. They were actively thinking about how to weaponize it.

Competition with zero-day vulnerabilities has been shortened

The timing of this AI hacking tool could not be worse. Just as Hexstrike-AI came across, Citrix has announced three major “zero-day” vulnerabilities in its popular Netscaler product. Zero Days are so new that there is zero days to create patches, and businesses are completely exposed.

Typically, you need a very skilled hacker and a team of work, if not a few weeks, to take advantage of such complex flaws. With Hexstrike-AI, the process has been reduced to less than 10 minutes.

The AI ​​brain does all heavy lifting. An attacker can give simple commands like “Exploit Netscaler” and the system automatically knows the best tools to use and the exact steps to take. Democratize hacking by turning it into a simple, automated process.

As one Cybercriminal boasts on the underground forum, “To see how everything works without participation is just a song. I’m no longer a coder worker, I’m an operator.”

What these new AI hacking tools mean for enterprise security

This is more than just a problem for large companies. The speed and scale of these new AI-powered attacks means that the windows to protect businesses from zero-day vulnerabilities have been dramatically reduced.

Checkpoints encourage organizations to take immediate action.

  • Patch: The first and most obvious step is to apply the released fix to a Netscaler vulnerability released by Citrix.
  • Fighting fire with fire: Humans can no longer keep up, so it’s time to adopt AI-driven defense systems that can detect and respond to threats at machine speed.
  • Speed ​​up your defense: The days that took several weeks to apply the security patch are over.
  • Hear the whisper: Dark web chat monitoring is no longer an option. This is the source of intelligence that can give you a much-needed head start on your next attack.

What once felt like a theoretical threat is now very realistic and presently dangerous. As AI is now an aggressively weaponized hacking tool to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, the game is changing and its approach to security must change.

reference: AI Security Wars: Can Google Cloud defend against tomorrow’s threats?

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Is President Trump a supporter of the Covid-19 vaccine? That’s different

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Is President Trump a supporter of the Covid-19 vaccine? That’s different

Trump has been a strong supporter of the vaccine in the past despite now calling on drug companies to “justify success” in the fight against the virus.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on September 1 that Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers are demanding that their shots prove effective.

Trump called on drug companies to “justify success” in the fight against the Covid-19 virus and called for an immediate release of data on the issue.

“Many people think they’re a miracle that saved millions of lives. Others don’t agree!” Trump said of Covid-19 drugs, including vaccines created by Pfizer, Moderna and other pharmaceutical companies. “I want the answer because the CDC is torn apart with this question, but I want it now.”

Trump said he hopes the CDC will release numbers and results from “now” “to clear the way it is now”!!!”

It appears that Trump and his administration are far less supportive of the Covid-19 vaccine than during Trump’s first term. He defended the “Operation Warp Speed” campaign to develop safe and effective shots of the pandemic that occurred in Wuhan, China in late 2019.

Recently, Trump and his health and welfare benefits. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked controversy with moves such as cutting funding for mRNA vaccine development, new restrictions on access to Covid-19 vaccines, and the White House fired a centre for disease control and prevention director Susan Monaretz.

These actions, and hundreds, if not thousands, federal vaccine experts, will “continue to put national health at risk,” a group of more than 1,000 current and former HHS employees said in a September 3 letter calling for Kennedy to step down.

However, Trump was not always in line with Covid-19 vaccine skeptics as he was initially a passionate supporter who fought the virus by developing and deploying vaccines against the vaccine. This is a timeline of some of Trump’s important comments on the issue.

April 23, 2020

At a White House briefing, Trump made a curious comment that he could use disinfectant as an “injection or near-cleaning inside,” allowing him to fight the Covid-19 virus, prompting a hard blow from doctors and other health officials. White House officials later suggest he was making a joke.

May 15, 2020

Trump announced the Warp Speed ​​speed, saying “unlike what our country has seen since the Manhattan Project, it is a “large-scale scientific and industrial, logistical effort,” and “the vaccine could arrive before the end of the year.”

September 15, 2020

At ABC News Town Hall, Trump says the vaccine could be “three or four weeks” apart, and then publicly replies to then-CDC director Robert Redfield, who said the timeline was long.

November 13th, 2020

After news that the Pfizer vaccine is effective, Trump touted Warp Speed, calling it “the single biggest mobilization in US history – to produce therapy, development, manufacturing and vaccines at a record time.” He also falsely argued that Pfizer and the Food and Drug Administration had waited until after Election Day that the virus was effective in politicizing him.

December 11, 2020

In a video announcing the emergency permit for Pfizer’s vaccine, Trump calls it a “medical miracle” by administering its first dose “in 24 hours,” “saving millions of lives and ending the pandemic for good.”

August 21, 2021

At a rally in Calman, Alabama, Trump told supporters “I’m going to take the vaccine. I did it – that’s a good thing,” which was recently developed by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and painted a short boo.

December 19, 2021

Trump tells former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly that he received the Covid-19 vaccine booster shot and pulls a boo again from the Dallas crowd. “Look, we did something historic,” Trump said. “We have saved tens of millions of lives all over the world.”

December 22, 2021

Trump conservative influencer Candice Owens said, “I came up with a vaccine, all three vaccines are very good,” and people said, “To get very sick and go to the hospital is something that doesn’t get the vaccine, but that’s still their choice and that he opposes his duty.

June 22, 2024

Trump has repeatedly adopted anti-vaccine rhetoric at presidential rallies, saying that he will not give a penny to schools with vaccine orders or mask orders if re-elected at events in the Christian faith and Freedom Coalition.

February 15, 2025

Trump has signed a presidential lawsuit banning federal funding for Covid-19 vaccine mandate in schools and universities, citing “the incredibly low risk of serious Covid-19 diseases in children and young adults.”

August 6, 2025

After Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the government was cancelling its development of a federally funded mRNA vaccine, Trump praises Operation Warp Speed, but says that “it used to depend on other things.” He also says the administration is “looking for other issues, other answers to other illnesses and illnesses.”

September 1, 2025

Trump is asking pharmaceutical companies to “justify success” in the fight against the Covid-19 virus, and is requesting an immediate release of data on the issue on the X-Post while the CDC is “torn apart by this question.”

Dairy Queen Offers Complimentary Cheeseburgers on National Cheese Burger Day

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Dairy Queen Offers Complimentary Cheeseburgers on National Cheese Burger Day

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Dairy Queen fans can order a cheeseburger to celebrate the classic American main dish as they announced their contract with National Cheese Burger Day on September 2nd.

Fast Food Stubborn is offering a free double original cheeseburger stack burger with a $1 purchase on an unofficial holiday held on Thursday, September 18th.

National Cheeseburger Day celebrates one of the most popular meals in American cuisine and ranks sixth in the country’s most popular dish Yougov poll. The voting company discovered that cheese was the most popular topping for burgers as of the 2021 poll.

Here’s how to get a complimentary Dairy Queen Double Original Cheese Burger Stack Burger for this special day.

How to get a free double original cheeseburger stack burger

Existing and new DQ Rewards members can purchase $1 or more on the company’s website or app from September 15th to September 19th to receive a free cheeseburger.

Menu items include two patees topped with American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

According to the company, customers must be rewarded members to participate in the offer by September 15th.

Dairy Queen has over 7,700 locations in 20 countries.

Tiktok influencer Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, finds her family dead

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Tiktok influencer Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, finds her family dead

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Prosecutors announced that an investigation is ongoing after the Tiktok influencer and her family were found in western Mexico.

Esmeralda Ferra Galivey, creator of Tiktok content, her husband, and their two young children, a boy and a girl, were found to have been murdered on Friday, August 22nd in the San Andres area of ​​Guadalajara.

According to the prosecutors, Ferragaribai, known as Esmeralda FG of Tiktok, was 32 years old. Her husband was 36 years old, her son was 13 and her daughter was six, the attorney general’s office said.

The family lived south of Jalisco in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. There, prosecutors said that influencer’s husband, Licea Garibay, had sold the car.

The Financial, the National Daily Newspaper of Mexico, reported that Garibay also cultivated tomatoes in nearby Michoacán.

This is what we know about this incident so far.

Georgia’s murder: Dentist accused of murdering his wife before killing himself

Who was Esmerelda Ferrer Garibay?

According to Ferrer Garibay’s Tiktok profile, as of Wednesday, September 3rd she had nearly 50,000 followers.

The influencer posted a lifestyle video showing off her trips, her family and designer items, including Lovebus.

In her last post on Thursday, August 7th, Ferragaribai will be seen driving the car, coupled with her message about the “Dirt Road District.”

As of Wednesday, September 3rd, approximately 3.3 million people had watched the post.

A body was found wrapped in plastic at a mechanic’s shop

The bodies of Ferra Galivey and her family were found to have been abandoned at the mechanic’s shop, and although the violence appeared to be pointed to Tiktkar, her husband, the prosecutor’s office, said at release.

Citing Attorney General Jalisco’s office, newspaper El Universal reported that the body was wrapped in plastic and found inside a late model truck.

“The scene was edited and investigators found multiple pieces of evidence suggesting that the family was killed there,” said Alfonso Gutierrez Santilin, the assistant prosecutor at the office, according to the outlet after the bodies were found. “While forensic results do not exist yet, ballistic and blood evidence almost certainly confirms that he was murdered there.”

Mexican officials are searching for murderers in Esmeralda Galivai murder case

The preliminary investigation included a search for the mechanics’ shop. There, a truck was found along with the body inside, officials said.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the site is currently under the protection of authorities and is working to collect evidence and incorporate it into the investigation file by experts from the Jalisco Forensic Institute (IJCF).

Investigators from the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office’s intentional murder office were working with Jalisco security secretary, the National Guard and other Mexican federal agencies to hunt killers, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA Today. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at x @nataliealund

Conoco Phillips Lays off up to 25% of the global workforce

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Conoco Phillips Lays off up to 25% of the global workforce

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US oil giant ConocoPhillips has told employees it will cut “20-25%” of the global workforce as part of a broad restructuring, the company confirmed to USA Today on September 3.

Dennis Nuss, media relations director at Conocophillips, said the cuts are “to look at ways to make them more efficient with the resources we have,” and that the majority of the layoffs are part of what will happen in 2025.

Reuters first reported that Conoco Phillips CEO Ryan Lance detailed the plan in a video message.

The decline in oil prices has resulted in sector-wide layoffs, with BP confirming it will cut staff by 5% in January, Chevron reported a 20% reduction in February, and oil services company SLB was cut in the same month.

US crude oil futures have fallen by about 11% so far in 2025. Reuters reported that Lance rose to $13 per 15 from $11 in 2024, a rise of more than 18%.

ConocoPhillips’ net profit shrunk to about $2 billion in the second quarter, reaching about $2 billion, according to Reuters.

The company has approximately 13,000 employees worldwide. This means that between 2,600 and 3,250 employees will be affected.

Contribution: Reuters

Free podcast highlights cop quests in the rape kit backlog

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Free podcast highlights cop quests in the rape kit backlog

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Listen to the first episode for free with the following players: Here’s how to listen to other episodes:

Emily Zabaros sat at a naked table in a windowless room waiting to be interviewed by the police. It was April 2020 and she was waiting to talk to the detective about a rape report she filed a month ago.

Zabaros had already spoken with police several times about the night Marshawn Curtis said he had raped her. However, detective Angela Carter asked Zabaros to come to the station and answer additional questions.

Their interviews were recorded both audio and video.

“So the reason I wanted to take you here is because I reviewed everything we have ever had. I spoke to Curtis and all of that,” Carter told Zabaros. “I reviewed video footage from the police. You told him something different than what I told him… You’ve got to literally step on me from when he got there when he left.

Carter wanted to know: Did Zabaros have a drink that night? How much did she have to drink? Why didn’t she ask him to leave? Why didn’t she do it? make Will he leave?

With all the answers, Zaballos’ voice became quiet. The pause between her answers became longer. Tears formed in her eyes.

And from Carter: “Let’s ask a serious question: do you want to indict this?”

Zaballos replied: “I don’t want him to think this behavior is okay, but I don’t want to kick this out.”

more: America has tested 100,000 forgotten rape kits. But justice remains elusive.

Carter interrupted: “So, how do you want to move forward? What do you want to do from here?”

Zabaros was crying now and blew his nose. “At this point, I don’t want to try again and again.”

“We need an answer,” Carter insisted. “Want to go to prison for him? Do you want to prosecute this?”

Zabaros sniffed. I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to go through this… this is too much for me right now.”

“So you don’t want to indict this?”

Another sniffle. Sigh. “No.” Pause. Whisper: “I want to erase it.”

“It’s okay. I feel like you’re upset. Do you have any more questions for me?”

“no.”

more: “Unacceptable”: How USA Today’s rape kit reported how officials ignite to seek changes

“So, at this point, there’s no basis for what will happen,” Carter told her. “It’s going to be closed, and no one should contact you about this. Understood?”

USA Today, a new podcast from USA Today, a true crime collection powered by investigative journalism, will be launched in collaboration with witnesses. As the story unfolds, Detective Annie Harrison discovers that the same man as Zabaros is linked by DNA to another rape complaint 800 miles away. She wins Zabaros’ trust and seduces her as an ally in the fight for justice. In five untested episodes, Harrison brings in listeners as he tracks suspected rapists from Georgia to Michigan, from prison to court.

Follow the links above to listen to all five episodes.

What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s $1.4 billion jackpot?

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What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s $1.4 billion jackpot?

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Do you feel lucky? Match these numbers and you get the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history.

The number of wins for Wednesday, September 3rd is as follows: 3-16-29-61-69 and Powerball 22

If you are the only lucky winner matching all five numbers and Powerball, you can opt for a one-off cash payment of $634.3 million. It’s before federal and sometimes state taxes, depending on where you live and where you purchased your ticket.

Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not impose state taxes on lottery tickets.

No matter how you slice it, one winner of the September 3rd Powerball could win a lump sum payment of over $300 million after tax.

According to the Powerball website, the chances of winning a jackpot on the latest drawings are 1 in 292.2 million people.

Jackpot is the largest since April 2024

No one has matched all six Powerball numbers on the previous two drawings weekly since May 31st to 40th – no one has matched all six Powerball numbers. The jackpot is the largest since its $1.326 billion won in April 2024. Is it the biggest Powerball jackpot? Over $2 billion won in November 2022.

There were four Powerball Jackpot winners in 2025, but the most recent Californian was awarded the $204.5 million award on May 31st.

The Oregon lucky player has his first Powerball ticket to win the 2025 Jackpot, winning $328.5 million on January 18th. The second jackpot winner won all six Powerball numbers on March 29th, winning $527 million. The winner of Kentucky’s third jackpot was awarded the $167.3 million award on April 26th.

To check the number of wins in Powerball drawings on September 3rd, check the following:

Powerball win counts on 9/3/2025

The number of wins for Wednesday, September 3rd is as follows: 3-16-29-61-69 and Powerball 22

To win a lottery number is as follows: Jackpocke is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network.

Has anyone won the Powerball?

Powerball winners will be posted here after being announced by lottery officials.

To find the full list of previous Powerball winners, Click on the link to the lottery website.

When will the next Powerball picture be?

The following drawings will take place on Saturday, September 6th, just after 11pm.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball you will need to buy a ticket for $2. This can be done in a variety of places, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and even grocery stores. Additionally, some states can purchase Powerball tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you will need to select six numbers. Five of these are white balls with numbers 1 to 69. Red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add “Power Play” for $1.

The “Power Play” multiplier can be multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x on the prize.

If you feel unlucky or want your computer to do your job, the “quick pick” option is available. Here, the computer-generated numbers are printed on the Powerball ticket. To win a jackpot, players must match all five white balls with any order and Red Powerball.

The Powerball painting takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the prize money will continue to be engraved.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jack Pocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Networkthese US and territories include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maine, Maine, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app lets you select lottery games and numbers, order, look at tickets, and collect all your winnings using your mobile phone or home computer.

Jack Pocket is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket Services. Must be over 18 in AZ, 21+, and 19+ in NE. It is not affiliated with the state lottery. Gambling issues? Call 1-877-8-Hope-Ny or Text Hopeny (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-mylimit (or); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-Gambler (all other). visit jacketpocket.com/tos In perfect conditions.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA Today. Contact him at fernando.cervantes @gannett.com and follow him at x @fern_cerv_.

Travis Kelce talks about his engagement to Taylor Swift: “I’m still going to be a whim.”

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Travis Kelce talks about his engagement to Taylor Swift: “I’m still going to be a whim.”

“I’ve never heard of silence, but this loud volume” may be the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s song “Story of Us,” but it could serve as the theme for this week’s episode of “New Heights.”

Singer’s fiance Travis Kelse avoided sharing almost every detail about his engagement, from the wedding date to the invitation of a bachelor’s degree, but he and his brother spent seven minutes at the top of the episode.

“Thank you, and I would like to thank everyone who reached out and sent something and all the posts and all the excitement that was going on,” Travis said. “It was really fun telling everyone I was going to spend the rest of my life together.”

The brothers joked about the difference between saying “girlfriend” and “fiance.” Jason cited comedian John Mulanie. Travis admitted that the shift hit him in his alma mater’s season opening game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 28th.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelse After they get engaged, they make their first public.

“100% of the time I actually felt that in the game,” Travis said. “It was my first time introducing Taylor to some of my teammates as my fiancé. …I’m still a whim. It’s an exciting time. It’s still fresh.”

As Jason tried to press more, Travis collided.

“Bachelor’s degree, man. How do you know that a bachelor’s degree is coming?” he laughed. “I didn’t think about it for a moment.”

When Jason asked if “Intern Brandon” or social media producer Jake Chatsky was invited to the wedding, Travis said:

Despite keeping most of the details private, Travis offered one piece of wisdom to anyone considering the proposal.

“It’s a love story.” Taylor Swift and Travis Kelse are engaged.

Ask in the Secret Garden

Travis’ dad, Ed Kelse, did not hesitate to share behind the scenes details shortly after the engagement posts were viewed by millions. Ed revealed to ABC Affiliate in Cleveland that Travis had proposed to the Kansas City Estate shortly after recording “New Heights” on Swift.

Ed said he and Taylor’s father Scott Swift both provided advice on how to make the moment special.

“You can do that on the side of the road, you can do something where you can make it a special event,” Ed said.

Don’t miss out on Taylor Swift’s news. Sign up for this quick beat for our free weekly newsletter.

Instagram, Tiktok, and x As @bryanwesttv.

2025 Ford Bronco Sports Sasquatch Raises Bar for Compact SUV

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2025 Ford Bronco Sports Sasquatch Raises Bar for Compact SUV

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  • The new Sasquat package improves trim-level off-road capabilities of the Bronco Sports Badlands and Outer Banks.
  • Interior changes include a large touchscreen and a configurable equipment cluster with off-road gauges.

Ford’s growing Bronco off-road sub-brand has made life tough for small SUVs with off-road aspirations. The Sasquat package for the new 2025 Bronco Sport Compact SUV easily dispatches steep slopes, sharp rocks and soft, deep sand on a challenging off-road trail in the dry desert east of San Diego.

It also worked well in the cold rain, as we headed back to downtown San Diego on busy California highways, winding roads and wild drives on a day’s drive.

The compact and medium-sized SUV is one of the most popular vehicles in America. Most people don’t go farther than carrying beer to the REC League softball game, but some owners want more.

The new Sasquat package aims to provide it, as it does with the most capable version of the larger Bronco SUV. The subtle lines on the badge identifying the trim line indicate vehicles using the Sasquat package. A gorgeous hood and rear fender decals are also available.

2025 Ford Bronco Sports Trim Levels and Prices

  • Big Bend: $28,495
  • Heritage: $31,540
  • Freewheeling: $31,540
  • Outer Bank: $33,390
  • Badlands: $38,400
  • Sasquat Package: Add $3,535 to the outer bank and $2,990 to the badlands

Source: Edmunds

Prices exclude new import duties and $1,595 purpose fees.

Why does Bronco Sports’ Sasquatch make it special?

The Sasquat package is available at the outer bank and badlands trim levels on the 2025 Bronco Sport. It costs $3,535 for a 1.5L outer bank with 180 horsepower and $2,990 for a 2.0L Badlands with 250 horsepower.

All Bronco Sports Sasquatches have all-wheel drive.

Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquat competitors

  • Honda Passport Trail Sports
  • Jeep Compare Trail Hawk
  • Land Rover Evoke
  • Subaru Crosstrek’s wilderness

As most compact SUVs are not suitable for off-road capabilities, the less powerful Outer Banks Susquatch has fewer direct competitors.

Both sasquatches feature twin clutch rear drive units that can handle 40% of the total engine torque and shift it to all the rear wheels.

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2025 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquat Features

  • Steel skid plates for front, fuel tanks and carbon canisters
  • Front brush guard
  • Accessory-compatible front and rear bumpers
  • 29 inch Goodyear Territory All Terrain Tires
  • 17 inch black painted aluminum wheels
  • 4 pre-wiring accessory switches for headliner
  • Four Recovery Loops
  • Tie down for 150 pounds of capacity on front fenders
  • Passenger grab handle on the center console
  • Twin clutch rear drive unit
  • Rear differential lock
  • 360-degree camera with wheel guidelines
  • Electronic trail control
  • One-pedal driving
  • Usually, eco, sports, slippery, off-road, rock crawl, rally drive mode
  • 850 watt cooling fan
  • Bilstein position sensitive rear damper features pig reservoir
  • Full size spare
  • 8.3 inch front suspension trip
  • 8.7 inch front suspension trip
  • Class II Trailer Towing Package
  • 2,700 pounds towing capacity

2025 Bronco Sport Outer Banks Sasquat Features

  • Steel skid plates for front, fuel tanks and carbon canisters
  • Front brush guard
  • Accessory-compatible front and rear bumpers
  • 29 inch Goodyear Territory Full
  • 4 pre-wiring accessory switches for headliner
  • Four Recovery Loops
  • Tie down for 150 pounds of capacity on front fenders
  • Passenger grab handle on the center console
  • Twin clutch rear drive unit
  • Rear differential lock
  • 360-degree camera with wheel guidelines
  • Electronic trail control
  • One-pedal driving
  • Usually, eco, sports, slippery, off-road drive mode
  • Full size spare
  • 7.7 inch front suspension trip
  • 8.1 inch front suspension trip
  • Class II Trailer Towing Package
  • 2,200 pounds towing capacity

Drive impressions

I drove the Bronco Sports Badlands Sasquatch on desert roads, passing deep, powdery sand, and up and down steep slopes. It handled all the challenges.

Rally mode was useful for high-speed off-roading, but trail control and one-pedal driving skillfully allocated torque, rock, ruts and tilt, and was unable to manage other compact SUVs.

Surround view camera with guidelines that show where the wheels provide a large, clear view of the path in front of the center touchscreen.

The towing system was equally proficient around flat, sandy plain slalom courses.

The suspension climbs the absorbed punishment collision rock and drives faster on washboard trails

The 1.5L outer banks sasquatch won itself on twisted mountain paths, flat desert routes and city highways.

The interior features a large new 13.2-inch touchscreen, a configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster, including an inclinometer-like off-road gauge and a passenger grab handle on the center console.

The only noticeable drawback at first is the lack of buttons and dials for climate control. It’s difficult to use small rows of icons on the touchscreen when the sasquatch is hitting the lining.

Why buy the 2025 Bronco Sport Sasquat?

Actual off-road capabilities are unusual in the abundance of small SUVs. The Sasquatch package is a real deal and carries the Bronco Sports through much greater challenges than most owners face. It is also comfortable and housed in cities, highways and neighbourhood driving, which are habitats for most owners, and has some excellent ones including wireless charging, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Heated, and Ventilated Seat.

2026 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquat at a glance

Compact SUV with 5 seats all-wheel drive

Now on sale

Price as tested: $44,630

Engine: 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder

Power: 250 HP; 280 pound-feet of torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City/27 mpg Highway/23 Union. Regular gasoline. $2,050 per year fuel cost

Wheelbase: 105 inches

Length: 175.1 inch

Width: 74.3 inches

Height: 72.1 inch

Ground clearance: 8.7 inches

Passenger volume: 102.3 cubic feet

Cargo volume: 29.4 cubic feet behind cubic feet. 60.6 cubic feet behind the front seat

Curb weight: 3,849 lbs

Towing capacity: 2,700 lbs

It was assembled in Mexican Hermosilo

Please contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Please read more Auto And sign up for us Automotive Newsletter. Become a subscriber.

Rudy Giuliani reveals that a car accident was the “difficult” thing he has ever been hit

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Rudy Giuliani reveals that a car accident was the “difficult” thing he has ever been hit

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Former New York mayor, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is focusing on recovery after saying he was temporarily paralyzed after a car accident.

“And then suddenly… we got hit in the back. I think it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever been attacked, including the two accidents I had when I was a child,” said President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer during a taping of “Rudy Giulianishao” on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Giuliani, 81, and his driver Theodore Goodman were at the rear end near Manchester, New Hampshire, shortly after supporting a woman involved in a domestic violence incident, according to his security officer, Michael Ragusa.

Both the car and Giuliani drivers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment by ambulance.

“I put on my seat belt and instead of whipping my neck, I whipped my body. “And I could feel the pain right in the middle of my body. Not in my neck, not in my legs, but in the middle of my body, I couldn’t move. I basically couldn’t move out of the pain.”

Giuliani was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and injuries to the left arm and lower limb, according to a statement shared by Lagusa on August 31st.

More about Rudy Giuliani’s car accident

Giuliani said when he and Goodman returned to the accommodation after a baseball game they were flagged by a woman on the side of the road.

“The first thing I saw was a woman with something white… she was suffering from it,” Giuliani said. “I didn’t know what the pain was, but ‘Ted’, Ted was driving, ‘Ted, let’s stop the car, hand it over and see if we can help.” ”

While New Hampshire State Police did not provide details surrounding the domestic violence incident, Giuliani says a woman with another unidentified individual asked her to enter the car.

Goodman reported the incident to law enforcement just after 9pm, and he and Giuliani remained on the scene until police arrived. After informing officials what they saw, the two men were confirmed by both the state police and the man.

A few minutes after they left the scene, the Ford Bronco carrying Goodman and Giuliani was on the rear end by the Honda HR-V. According to New Hampshire State Police, the crash happened “almost directly from the scene of a reported domestic violence incident.”

The agency believes that the driver who attacked Goodman and Giuliani’s vehicle has nothing to do with the domestic violence incident.

Police said the cause of the crash, including whether “distraction or curiosity in the first scene” was a factor, remained under investigation.

Rudy Giuliani is awarded “The nation’s highest civilian honor”

Giuliani was released from the hospital on September 1st. Trump has announced that he will award the former mayor the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.

Trump broke news about the true society and called his longtime ally and friend Giuliani “a great mayor in the history of New York City (and equally great American patriots).

more: Meghan McCain asks Usha Vance about his chances of becoming a first lady

The president had not said he was planning to present Giuliani with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “Details on the time and place to follow,” the president shared.

Giuliani, who is still recovering, said getting a call from Trump is “actually the best medicine.”

“I think what came with that was that the US president called me and said he would be awarded the President’s Medal of Freedom,” Giuliani said. “After that, I felt almost completely better.”

Aside from the back braces, Giuliani told his audience and the world as a whole he was healing as he “predicted by the doctors.”

Contributors: Melina Kahn and Joey Garrison, USA Today

Epstein’s accuser suspended by the White House military jet flyover

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Epstein’s accuser suspended by the White House military jet flyover

The White House confirmed that the fighter planes were taking part in the pilot to honor the fallen Polish military pilots who were killed in training exercises.

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WASHINGTON – The US Capitol military overpass owned some of their comments at a nationwide press conference in which accusers urged Congress to release Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking file.

Was that a coincidence?

The White House said the fighter planes were taking part in the pilot to “celebrate the special relationship between the two countries” in honor of the fallen Polish military pilot who was recently killed in a training exercise.

The White House said in several X posts showing white over videos that when President Donald Trump met with newly elected Polish President Karol Naulocki at the White House, a loud honorific language occurred before 11:30am.

more: How Trump and “Amazing Man” Jeffrey Epstein’s Party Boy Friendship Finally Ends

Capitol Police issued an alert around 11am that four F-35 Lightning IIs and four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft would conduct permitted flights near the Capitol.

“The aircraft will fly at low altitudes and become more visible to ground personnel,” Capitol Police Alert said that its command center will “monitor the entire flight throughout this event and maintain full situational awareness.”

The timing of the overpass came just 30 minutes after the scheduled press conference, when Epstein accusers gathered from all over the world to tell their stories. Some of them were moving forward for the first time to put pressure on Congressional Republican leaders to release the previously unannounced Mammoth Trobes of the Epstein Files.

more: “There’s no generosity or dealing,” Epstein’s victims say as pressure increases to release files

Many event participants showed the sky as the Jets cried overhead. Several women who have publicly denounced the deceased investors who are dishonested in horrifying behaviour shook their heads incredibly.

“It’s hard to exaggerate how rude this overpass is given that this flyover is known by the administrator,” Amber Woods, one of the attendees, said in a post on X.

“My heart was standing next to these brave women. Some were already in tears or shaking,” Woods said. “There’s no security provided to them for this meeting. I wanted to wrap my arms around them all.”

Anouska de Georgiou, one of the two speakers interrupted by the flight, stopped mid-sentence as the noise of the jet made her voice own. She raised her arms into the air and waited a few seconds before resuming speaking.

Another Epstein accuser was surprised and surprised to see where the deafening noises came from.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the timing of the flight or the exact order.

According to a White House statement, “The epic elevated road honors the memories of brave Polish fighter pilots who have captured the special relationship between the two countries, with lives being tragically abolished.”

more: “A totally blown away panic attack,” Senator Nancy Mace sheds tears and meets Epstein’s victims.

A White House video posted by the White House shows Trump and Now Rocky standing outside the White House looking up at the Jets.

“Trump will spend $$ on an absurd military overpass to silence Epstein’s victims and Maxwell’s terrible crime victims.

Some observers raised questions about the timing of the elevated roads.

“At that moment, who allowed the fighter planes to fly on the Capitol?” asked the former US official Malcolmnance on the X-Post.

Top 5 compact cars for city driving include Toyota, Honda and Kia

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Top 5 compact cars for city driving include Toyota, Honda and Kia

The compact car segment is more competitive than ever. Discover 5 best models for city driving in 2025 and why they are turning their heads.

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  • The compact car segment is extremely popular.
  • In 2025, you can get a new compact car for under $30,000.
  • One compact car offers the most value in terms of performance, efficiency and standard features.

Driving in cities can be very taxable. From traffic to parking, driving in a city is very different from open roads. Luckily for drivers, some major automakers produce compact cars that thrive in the city. They are extremely fuel efficient and have many driver assistance and safety features to make driving in the city easier and safer.

Determining the decisive “best” compact car for city driving can be difficult, but several models stand out in the segment. These five compact cars are perfect for drivers who live in the city or plan to commute regularly.

Why are compact cars perfect for driving in the city?

City drivers value safe and reliable vehicles that are fuel efficient. Perfect for city driving, compact cars come with a range of reasonable starting prices, standard technical features, and performance specifications that stand out in terms of power, efficiency, or both.

5. The KIAK4 is a compact car with added value

Korean automaker KIA began production in 2024 with an international version of its K4 compact sedan, making it one of the brand’s latest vehicles (for the American market). The 2025 Kia K4 stands out in its segment due to its extremely low starting price ($21,990) and a lot of standard features for money.

The K4 uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to generate 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Earn 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. It’s slightly inadequate for a compact car, and its fuel economy is average.

EV preparation: The electric car is here, but is your garage ready for a charger?

Kia’s compact car comes in five trims: the LX, LXS, EX, GT-LINE and GT-LINE turbo. The base model comes standard with an updated Over-the-Air system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Kia’s K4 is a great city car as it is relatively inexpensive and efficient, and offers the latest standard technology features to the driver.

4. Hyundai’s Elantra compact car is a serious candidate

In the segment dominated by Japanese brand cars such as Toyota and Honda, Hyundai’s Elantra compact car remains an outstanding model. The Elantra features an attractive, futuristic exterior design and performance specifications that compete with the bestselling compact cars.

Hyundai’s 2025 Elantra starts at $22,125 and comes in four trims: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Convenience and Limited. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to create 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The compact car reaches 32 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway. It comes with excellent standard safety features such as lane keeping assist, driver warning, and rear traffic collision avoidance assistance.

Like Kia’s cousin, the Hyundai Elantra has plenty to offer at the bottom edge of the compact car pricing spectrum. Additionally, drivers can add the desired functionality by selecting valuable upper trim levels such as SEL Sport or SEL Conceniency. It’s balanced without breaking the bank, making it perfect for driving in the city.

Advice for car shoppers: Do you want to shop for high-performance EVs? This is what you need to know

3. The 2025 Mazda3 is a luxurious adjacent compact car

If models like the Kia K5 or Hyundai Elantra are not refined enough, the quality of Mazda cabins has been bringing significant improvements in recent years. Japanese compact cars have an even more luxurious design language at the top trim level.

The 2025 Mazda3 sedan starts at $24,150. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to generate 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The compact car reaches 27 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Mazda3 is less efficient than some of its major rivals, but boasts plenty of power for its size, making it refreshing to drive. There are a whopping 6 trims. A review by Edmunds praises its “premium interior design and materials” and “confident handling.” It is a great city car for enthusiasts who are willing to drive extra payments for better driving dynamics.

2. Toyota Corolla Small Cars are the royal family of that segment.

The Toyota Corolla is value-oriented, reliable and has been around for decades, making it a synonym for the compact car vehicle segment. The Cololla Nameplate is in the 12th generation and there are no signs of losing market relevance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asjmpdtnypa

Toyota’s 2025 Colllella Compact Car starts at $22,325. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to generate 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Corolla earns 32 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla comes in LE, SE, FX (latest for 2025) and XSE trims. City cars have good fuel efficiency. Additionally, Corolla name plates are known for their affordable cost of ownership and longevity.

1. Honda Civic Hybrid is changing the game of compact cars

Like the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic has been around for decades and competes at the top of its segment. Affordable and reliable small car, easy to customize and plenty of aftermarket parts available. The Civic Hybrid is an ideal small city car, as it has incredible fuel economy and features excellent standard features.

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid starts at $28,950. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two motors to create 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The Civic Hybrid reaches 50 miles per gallon in the city and 47 miles per gallon on the highway.

It comes in two trims: a sports hybrid and a sports touring hybrid. The base model includes standard heated front seats, a one-touch power moonroof and a leather-covered steering wheel. It combines power and efficiency in a way that is hard to beat for a rival. Civic Hybrid may be the most expensive on this list, but there are some that can be easily offered.

Selecting the Sport Touring Hybrid Final Configuration ($31,950) gives you features like leather seats and the Bose Premium Sound System. The Civic Hybrid scored perfect review scores from the cars and drivers. If you’re looking for a great compact car for city driving in 2025, there are many options that offer great value for money.

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