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Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s bombshell statement revealed during ‘Summer House’ reunion

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A fiery ‘Summer House’ reunion sheds light on the confusing timeline of the budding romance between Amanda Batula and West Wilson and Ciara Miller’s reaction.

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The long-awaited “Summer House” reunion kicked off on May 26, highlighting the ambiguous timeline of the budding romance between reality TV castmates Amanda Batula and West Wilson.

The announcement of their relationship confirmation on March 31st caused an upheaval and devastating change throughout the Bravo sphere, as Wilson was dating Batula’s best friend, Ciara Miller, in Season 8, which aired in 2024. Miller and Wilson dated throughout the fall, but broke up in December 2023.

Further complicating matters, Batula and her estranged husband Kyle Cook (one of the original three housemates who lasted for 10 seasons) announced their separation in January of this year.

The first of the three-part reunion (Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET) saw footage of the cast restless, anticipating a long day even before they took the stage.

Miller told host Andy Cohen that she felt betrayed by Batula, who couldn’t tell backstage whether “it was because she was anxious and couldn’t breathe, or because the corset was so tight.” In contrast, Wilson, who shared a dressing room with Batula, said, “I felt good. Actually, I feel… Zen-like.”

Here are the biggest bombshell shots from the reunion, taken on April 23, 2026.

Ciara Miller’s allegations date back to January

Miller said she called and texted Batula on Jan. 17, inviting her to have drinks with housemate Mia Calabrese, who was introduced this season. Miller said Batula didn’t respond immediately and Miller became interested when he learned he was at Wilson’s.

Their exchange quickly heated up when Batula explained that “West was by my side all summer,” and Miller repeatedly asked, “Where was I?”

“You’ve been there for me too,” Batula acknowledged, “and I’m not denying that.”

Miller said that when he asked Batula to meet, he acted as if he “couldn’t get through on the phone.” The two exchanged F-bombs and Miller warned Batula about going down this path.

“It doesn’t look like your guy is doing it for you right now,” Miller observed a silent Wilson.

Amanda Batula and West Wilson say their first kiss was in February

Miller received a text message from Batula on March 5 denying the romance rumors. “I can’t believe I have to send this email right now, but West and I are really just friends,” Batula wrote.

Batula confessed at the reunion that he was “talking” to Wilson at the time. “Everything was PG,” she said. “It all started with a conversation and a feeling.”

Miller continued reading the rejection email from Batula. Miller asked, “Did you and West ever date, make out, hold hands under the table, have sex?” and he just said, “Correct.”

“And I lied. I lied 100%,” Batula said.

Wilson said it started while the two were out together. He felt something and asked Batura. “Maybe there’s a little something going on here?” They said they first kissed at the end of February and didn’t have sex until their statement was released on March 31st.

Miller said Batula should have realized he had feelings for her and distanced herself from Wilson.

“So I’m not allowed to pursue something I feel strongly about?” Batula asked, receiving a firm no.

West Wilson denies having an exclusive girlfriend

Bravo previously teased the reunion revelation in a video released in early May that Wilson appears to have had a girlfriend since February 2025, which if true would overlap with Miller and Batula’s appearances.

Miller referenced his connection to Maya Moreno in Part 1 of the reunion, while also accusing Wilson of being “the biggest fraud on this couch.” However, Wilson denied having an official relationship with Moreno at the reunion, telling his castmates, “We weren’t girlfriends, but we were dating someone,” adding that the two had no special relationship.

Batula said she knew Wilson and Moreno were dating and “we’d been talking about it.”

Ciara Miller slept at West Wilson’s after kissing in ‘Summer House’

In the finale of “Summer House,” Miller and Wilson locked lips, but when they reunited, Miller was confident that he wasn’t leading her on. Wilson said her feelings for Miller were genuine, “but I also knew at the time that I couldn’t be what Ciara needed, so I called it quits.”

Wilson said the two did not have sex during their time together in the fall, but Miller claimed she stayed at his house twice.

Lindsay Hubbard predicted that Wilson and Batula’s relationship would eventually end, but Miller said, “Maybe they’ll end up together. I honestly think the best woman for West would be someone who doesn’t check things out, and that’s totally Amanda. She’s very quiet. She’s going to be the vulnerability he needs, and he could always be the star of the relationship.”

These words moved Batula to tears and Cook to come to his ex-girlfriend’s defense. “That was a little harsh,” he whispered gently to Miller.

“it is your “She’s not my wife,” Miller replied indifferently.

Part 2 of the “Summer House” reunion airs next Tuesday, June 2nd at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo.

2026 National Hamburger Day Sale Includes Free Hamburger on May 28th

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Any day is a great time to eat a burger, but on National Hamburger Day, Thursday, May 28th, you can get a great deal on burgers.

Hamburgers are one of America’s favorite foods and are often paired with another favorite, fries. French fries have taken the top spot in YouGov’s Most Popular American Food survey. Hamburgers rank fourth behind grilled cheese and cheeseburgers.

Consumers will spend $115 billion at U.S. burger chains in 2025, according to Kevin Shimp, senior director of industry research at Technomic. Burger chains account for 20% of all annual consumer spending at chain restaurants, he said.

Of course, you can also fry or grill burgers at home. However, many people prefer to purchase through a drive-thru or at a restaurant. We will introduce you to some great deals.

Burger King’s National Hamburger Day Sale

To celebrate National Hamburger Day on Thursday, May 28, Burger King Royal Parks Royal Parks members can earn a free burger with any purchase of $3 or more at participating Burger King restaurants nationwide using the BK app or bk.com. Royal Perks members get 4 months of Spotify Premium free with any $10 purchase. This offer is suitable if you are a Royal Park member who has opted in to receive emails and are a new user of Spotify Premium (only suitable for Spotify Personal plans; offer ends on June 13th).

Past Spotify Premium users whose access ended more than 30 days ago and who haven’t taken advantage of a Spotify Welcome Back offer in the past 24 months will get two months free. (Spotify costs $12.99 per month after the trial period.)

More National Hamburger Day deals

  • Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: The restaurant chain’s special burger for May (which is also National Hamburger Month) is the Smashadilla Burger. A quesadilla bun, stacked with two taco-seasoned smash patties, made with Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, chipotle ranch dressing, smashed avocado, and served with red salsa.

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: If you’re new to the Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards program, get a free burger with any purchase of $15 or more.
  • Carl’s Jr. and Hardy’s: My Rewards members will unlock the offer in the Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. app on May 28th and get a buy one, get one Famous Star for 1 cent at participating restaurants. New members who join on May 28th will automatically receive the benefit.
  • Checkers and Rally: Buy one classic burger, get one free on May 27th and May 28th.

  • From Taco: For National Hamburger Day, get a buy one get one free Double Del Cheeseburger (great deals May 28-30).
  • Dairy queen: Members of the DQ Rewards loyalty program will receive $1 off Signature Stackburgers all week long (May 25-31).
  • Duffy’s Sports Grill: On Thursday, May 28, you can get a 1/2 pound Certified Angus Beef Original Cheeseburger with fries for $7.99 with the purchase of a beverage.

  • Farmer Boys: The fast-casual chain has a deal on the Big Cheese Cheeseburger for $3.99 on Thursday, May 28, but you must be a member of its VIF (Very Minimum Farmer) loyalty program. Get deals on the Farmer Boys app.
  • Firebird wood grill: Celebrate National Hamburger Day with the $14.95 Perfect Pair Menu. This menu includes a Smashburger and another dish of your choice (caesar salad, mixed green salad, BLT salad, mac & cheese, chicken tortilla soup or chef’s soup of the day), and this value is also available for weekday lunches. Fun times: In honor of National Burger Day, the chain is offering a $2.99 ​​Deluxe Cheeseburger (regularly $6.79). Perfect for dine-in only.
  • Hard Rock Cafe: On National Hamburger Day, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM local time, buy one Classic Smash Burger, get one free Classic Smash Burger. Members of the Unity by Hard Rock Global Loyalty Program get a free Classic Smash Burger.
  • Hat Creek Burger Company: Just in time for National Burger Day and National Burger Month, the Texas-based burger chain has teamed up with Terry Black’s Barbecue for a limited-time menu collaboration. The menu includes the Hat Creek Burger, layered with Pitmaster Stack, chopped brisket, barbecue sauce, melted cheddar, pickles and crispy onion rings.

  • Jack in the Box: On May 28th, get a free Junior Jumbo Jack with any purchase of $1 or more. There’s also a limited-time Smash Jack Slider Munchie Meal (prices vary by store), which includes two sliders, two tacos, curly fries, and a drink in a limited-edition surprise cup. It includes entry for a chance to win a $75,000 grand prize and comes with exclusive digital offers found on the Jack app.
  • Metro Diner: The restaurant chain is offering the $12.49 Classic Burger as part of its Summer Favorites menu for a limited time in conjunction with National Hamburger Day.
  • Red Robin: On Thursday, May 28, the burger chain signed a Big YUMMM deal offering Red’s Double Burger, Bottomless Sides and Bottomless Drinks for $9.99. Additionally, throughout the month of May, Red Robin Loyalty members will earn 2x points on two or more dine-in or take-out purchases.
  • Ruby Tuesday: On National Hamburger Day, you can get a Single Patty American Smash Burger with fries or tots and an Endless Garden Bar for $8.99.
  • Shake Shack: Through Sunday, May 31st, get a free ShackBurger on orders of $10 or more using the code FREEBURGER in the Shack app, online or in-store. Until May 31st, you can also enter a contest to win free burgers for a year.

  • Smash burger: At participating locations nationwide, you can purchase a single patty Smash Burger for $5.28. Mention the offer at checkout if in-store or enter promo code 528SINGLE when ordering online or on the Smashburger app. (Offer does not apply to Smashburger $4.99 All-The-Time Menu items.)
  • Sonic: Through May 31st, members of the Sonic Rewards loyalty program can get a free Sonic Smasher or All American Smasher with any $3 purchase or a free medium drink including the new Refresher with any $3 purchase.
  • Wayback Burger: Get the Classic Burger for $5 at participating locations nationwide on May 28th. The fast-casual chain recently launched a summer menu that includes red, white and blue shakes.
  • Whataburger: On Thursday, May 28, members of the Whataburger Rewards rewards program can get a free Whataburger when they order medium fries and a medium drink (to get the reward, just order online or scan the app in-store). Every qualifying order also gives you a chance to be one of 50 lucky winners of a year of free Whataburger sales. (Click here for details)

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

See Texas election results for Paxton vs. Cornyn and other House runoff elections

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The winner of the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history has been decided.

On Tuesday, May 26, Attorney General Ken Paxton won Texas’ Republican Senate runoff election, confirming President Donald Trump’s victory. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, a four-term congressman who has been supported by and at times opposed to Trump. Mr. Paxton’s victory in the senior legislative bid marks a broader move by the president to purge his critics within the Republican Party ahead of November’s midterm elections.

“Now that we have a candidate, one thing is certain: Texas is going to have a big, messy and expensive election this year,” said Josh Blank, research director at the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.

Here are the results of the Texas Senate and House runoff elections and why they represent a big change in politics in the Lone Star State.

Who won the Texas Republican runoff?

Paxton finished the day with 63.8% of the vote, for an estimated 98% vote count, according to the Associated Press and CNN. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in the November election, forcing Texans to choose between a MAGA ally and a liberal with a growing national profile.

“Democrats are going to be faced with the fact that Paxton is a very effective campaigner who knows how to mobilize the Republican base,” Blank said. “He just defeated a four-term incumbent while significantly outspending.”

Blank said it will be interesting to see if Cornyn’s supporters vote for Paxton in November. But he says it could be costly for Paxton if voters choose someone else.

And the struggle in the spring to secure candidates was not cheap. AdImpact said it spent more than $110 million on advertising. Cornyn outspent Paxton, spending $64 million versus $3.6 million, respectively.

Texas House runoff election results

Runoff elections were held May 26th in congressional districts across the Lone Star State. According to the Associated Press and CNN, the results are as follows: Candidates will head to the November elections for seats in the National Assembly.

Democratic Party Congressional Runoff Election

  • District 1: Yolanda Prince (72.3% of the vote) defeated Dax Alexander (27.7% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 97%.
  • 5th ward: Chelsea Hockett (53% of the vote) defeated Ruth Torres (47% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 99%.
  • District 14: This race between Richard Davis and Thurman Bill Barty has not yet been called.
  • District 17: Casey Shepard (59.9% of the vote) defeated Mira Flores (40.1% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 97%.
  • 18 districts: Christian D. Menefe (69.4% of the vote) defeated incumbent Al Green (30.6% of the vote) with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
  • district 24: With an estimated vote count of 99%, Kevin Burge (78.1% of the votes) defeated TJ Ware (21.9% of the votes).
  • district 33: Colin Allred (53.9% of the vote) defeated incumbent Julie Johnson (46.1%) with an estimated 99% vote count.
  • district 35: Johnny Garcia (63.8% of the vote) defeated Maureen Galindo (36.2% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 99%.

Republican Congressional Runoff Election

  • district 7: Alexander Hale (64.3% of the vote) defeated Tina Cohen (35.7%) with an estimated vote count of 72%.
  • district 9: Alex Mealor (68.3% of the vote) defeated Briscoe Cain (31.7% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 74%.
  • District 16: Adam Bauman (68.6% of the vote) defeated Manuel J. Barraza (31.4% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 99%.
  • District 19: With an estimated 99% vote count, Tom Sell (64.3% of the vote) defeated Abraham Henriques (35.7%).
  • district 23: Tony Gonzalez vs. Brandon Herrera (Gonzalez withdrew from the race).
  • district 30: Everett Jackson (57.5% of the vote) defeated Shodon Daniels (42.5% of the vote) with an estimated 99% vote count.
  • district 32: Ryan Binkley vs. Jace Yarbrough. (According to the Texas Tribune, Binkley has withdrawn from the race.)
  • district 33: Patrick David Gillespie (57.1% of the vote) defeated John Sims (42.9% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 99%.
  • district 35: Carlos de la Cruz (57.6% of the vote) defeated John Luján (42.4% of the vote) with an estimated vote count of 99%.
  • district 37: With an estimated vote count of 99%, Lauren B. Peña (58.2% of the vote) defeated Genell Gary (41.8% of the vote).
  • district 38: With an estimated vote count of 98%, John Bonk (64.8% of the vote) defeated Sherry Dezeballos (35.3% of the vote).

Texas’ “end of an era”

Blake Farrar, an associate professor of political science at Texas State University, said that although Mr. Paxton and other names were on the ballot, Mr. Trump was the real winner of Tuesday’s race.

“Trump’s influence with Republican voters remains strong in Texas, and the MAGA wing of the party has won a major battle,” Farrar said. “It clearly feels like the end of an era in Texas politics.”

The other Texas incumbent defeated on Tuesday was Democratic Rep. Al Green, who lost to Christian Menefe in the 18th District House runoff election. Greene has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021.

“Texas lost two long-time Washington stalwarts and decades of seniority,” Farrar said.

Contributor: Philip Bailey

Carnival Cruise passenger files lawsuit after burning foot on heated pool deck

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A passenger claims he suffered severe burns after walking barefoot on a hot pool deck aboard a Carnival Cruise Line.

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A Carnival Cruise Line passenger is suing the company after suffering burns to his leg on the lido deck.

Jorge Luis Alberio Nuñez suffered second-degree burns in late May 2025 while walking barefoot between the pool and deck chairs on the Carnival Magic, according to a lawsuit filed May 13 in the Southern District of Florida. “Although passengers could reasonably expect that the exterior deck surfaces exposed to sunlight would become warm, Plaintiff could not reasonably have expected that the deck surfaces would reach temperatures capable of causing severe second-degree burns within seconds of normal contact,” the complaint states.

The distance between the pool and the chairs was approximately 20 steps. There were no signs or other warnings about the risk of burns from the heat of the deck surface, according to the complaint.

At least 25 Carnival passengers suffered similar burns on the cruise line’s ships in the six years prior to the incident, and at least 42 passengers complained about high deck temperatures during the same period, the complaint said. The manufacturer of the decking material also reportedly told the company that it could reach dangerously high temperatures in 2014.

The cruise line’s parent company, Carnival Corp., told USA TODAY it does not comment on pending litigation. Lawyers listed for Mr. Nuñez did not immediately respond to separate requests for comment.

Nunez suffered “severe and life-changing injuries” and incurred medical costs for disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of income and other consequences. He alleged negligence and filed a claim for punitive damages.

“Defendants’ conduct outlined in this complaint was not merely negligent; its conduct was willful, wanton, and demonstrated a reckless disregard for Plaintiff’s safety and rights,” the complaint states. The lawsuit seeks more than $5 million in damages and a jury trial.

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

US government subpoenas streamer Hasan Piker after April event with Rep. Lee

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  • Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has reportedly been subpoenaed by the US Treasury over his visit to Cuba in March.
  • Piker and activist Mehdi Benjamin said they had not actually received a subpoena, despite reports.
  • Mr. Piker recently appeared at a campaign event with Congressman Summer Lee, drawing criticism from pro-Israel groups and Jewish politicians.

More than a month after appearing at a campaign event in Michigan with Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pennsylvania), left-wing Twitch streamer Hassan Piker has been subpoenaed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control over his trip to Cuba in March, according to multiple reports.

Piker, who goes by the name Hasan Abi on the streaming platform Twitch and has 3.1 million followers, is being subpoenaed along with Medea Benjamin, feminist and co-founder of the anti-war nonprofit Code Pink: Women for Peace, Fox News reported on May 23.

In a repost of the outlet’s May 23 article, Piker denounced the move.

“The US government would rather criminalize delivering aid to starving countries than punish Epstein’s class,” he said.

The report comes a little more than a month after the Los Angeles-based streamer appeared alongside Lee and a number of other speakers at a campaign event for U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at the University of Michigan. Mr. Lee’s appearance with Mr. Piker prompted a backlash from Jewish colleagues and the pro-Israel advocacy group Stand With Us, all of whom accused Mr. Piker of being anti-Semitic.

Mr. Lee will be elected to Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District in 2022. The district covers much of Pittsburgh, including Skrel Hill, which has a historically Jewish community. She won the May 19 Democratic primary, defeating challenger William Parker.

Here’s what you need to know:

Who is Hasan Piker?

Piker, a Turkish-American left-wing Twitch streamer and commentator on political topics, has drawn ire from both sides of the aisle. He has often said on his streams that he opposes Zionism but protects Jewish rights, but both Democrats and Republicans have accused him of being an anti-Semite. He has made a number of inflammatory comments, including saying “America deserved 9/11” and telling a livestream viewer, “It doesn’t matter if a rape happened on October 7th. It doesn’t change the dynamics for me,” Penn State reported.

Piker has faced government scrutiny before. He said he was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in May 2025 after traveling to France, according to NBC News.

Despite reports, Piker and Benjamin said they have not received subpoenas.

Fox News reported on May 23 that Piker and Benjamin both received subpoenas seeking financial, logistical and communications information related to a humanitarian trip to Cuba with the Nuestra America Convoy in March, but Piker said on May 24 that he had not received a subpoena, according to HuffPost.

He also said on a Twitch livestream the same day that he had obtained permission from the Office of Foreign Assets Control before traveling, HuffPost reported.

Benjamin also told HuffPost that as of May 24, he had not received a subpoena.

Lee and Piker appeared together in April ahead of PA primary

On April 7, the University of Michigan hosted a campaign rally for El-Sayed that was attended by about 500 students and watched by an online audience via a live stream on Twitch, according to the Michigan Daily. Speakers included Mr. Piker. Lee; Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). Amir Makred, University of Michigan Board of Trustees candidate. Ann Arbor mayoral candidate Yusef Rabi. and LSA sophomore Samit Routh, University Central Student Government President.

During the rally, Lee emphasized the importance of the collective strength of voters, according to the Michigan Daily.

“Right now, I’m not here to tell you to believe in us,” Lee said. “I’m asking you to vote for us. But what I’m saying is, I want you to believe. I want you to believe in how powerful we are as a collective.”

Pennsylvania officials, pro-Israel advocacy groups condemn Lee’s collaboration with Piker

State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Pittsburgh) and State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Redding), co-chairs of the PA Legislative Jewish Caucus, issued a joint statement condemning Lee and Piker, saying Piker has “repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements.”

“At a time when the Jewish community faces increasing threats and harassment, public officials have an obligation to be clear about the voices they are elevating and the allies they maintain,” they said in an April 6 statement posted on ”

After the event, StandWithUs condemned Lee, who appeared with Piker, in a lengthy statement posted on its website.

“At a time when anti-Semitism is at record levels, it is more important than ever for elected officials to take a firm stand against those who may be promoting or amplifying anti-Semitic or anti-Zionist messages,” said Julie Parris, Stand With Us Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. “Congresswoman Summer Lee’s decision to campaign with Mr. Piker sends a message to voters that she does not represent all of us. In her role as a Congressional leader, she has a responsibility to represent Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli voters just like any other constituent.”

Lee defends appearance, says he remains ‘unambiguous’ in condemning hate

Lee defended his appearance with Piker in a statement to Penn City and State University ahead of the event.

“If this is what some people are focusing on now, with President Donald Trump threatening catastrophic violence against Iran and saying, ‘Entire civilization will perish tonight,’ our priorities are way off,” she said. “We need to invite young people, take them seriously, and recognize that our politics are most powerful when ordinary people are actually involved in shaping our politics.”

He added: “We will continue to appear to speak to young people about the issues that will define their lives and futures, and we will continue to unequivocally condemn Islamophobia, racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred.”

“If reporters have questions about what Hassan Piker has said, they should ask Hassan Piker,” Lee said. “My focus is on reaching young people and getting more people involved in the democratic process, which too often alienates them.”

According to Politico, Lee withdrew his involvement with Muslim groups in 2024 following backlash over anti-Semitic and homophobic comments made by other speakers.

“I wanted to join other members of Congress and elected officials at this event to support our Muslim neighbors across the Commonwealth and country, who desperately want to feel heard and supported by their elected representatives at a time of rising anti-Muslim hatred and violence,” she said. “I do not condone or support the previous comments of other speakers.”

Finch Walker is a Pittsburgh Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.

Martin Short’s daughter found dead after medical examination begins

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This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in trouble or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Martin Short requested a medical examination, which confirmed that his eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, had died in February, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

According to a report obtained by USA TODAY on May 26, the Emmy Award-winning actor, 76, asked a friend of his late daughter to check on her on February 23 after he hadn’t heard from her in more than 24 hours. According to a report obtained by USA TODAY on May 26, the friend used a duplicate key to perform a medical check on her home and found a note taped to her bedroom door.

A friend then called 911, after which authorities forced entry into the room and found Katherine Hartley Short dead in her bed.

Martin Short’s representative confirmed Katherine Hartley Short’s death in a statement shared with USA TODAY on February 24, saying, “The Short family is devastated by this loss and requests privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”

Father of the Bride actor Katherine Hartley Short and his wife Nancy Dolman Short, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010, have sons Oliver, 30, and Henry, 36.

Martin Short talks about his ‘family nightmare’

The “Bill Murder” star opened up about her daughter’s death in an interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” that aired May 10, saying the past few months have been “a nightmare for our family.”

“But, like my wife, there has to be an understanding that mental health and cancer are both illnesses, and in cases of illness, terminal stages,” he told CBS. “And my daughter struggled for a long time with extreme mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, and did her best until she couldn’t anymore.”

He added that he would like to see more people bring “mental health” out of the shadows so that people are no longer “ashamed” to talk about it. “Instead of hiding behind the word suicide, accept that this may be the final stage of the disease,” he says.

He also talks about the deaths of his older brother, mother, and father, all of which occurred before he was 20 years old.

“Ever since I was a child, I understood that the end of life comes to us all, and for some it comes too soon,” he said. “We have to celebrate what we’ve been through with them and we’re so fortunate. … When I think about them, they just went next door for a while.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.. The Crisis Text Line also provides free 24/7 confidential support via text message when people in crisis dial 741741.

Contributors: KiMi Robinson and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

Key points from Thunder vs. Spurs Game 5, OKC advances to one win from NBA Finals

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals.

On Tuesday, May 26, the Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, taking a 3-2 lead in the series.

This was by no means a clean game that showcased Oklahoma City’s abilities, but the Thunder adapted to San Antonio’s plan to use Victor Wembaneyama, who finished with a frustrating 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting.

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 32 points, but the Thunder had three different players score at least 20 points.

Here are the highlights from Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between Thunder and Spurs.

Spurs need Victor Wembaneyama to be more proactive

And San Antonio needs him to do the paint job. Wenbanyama wandered along the boundary line too much and was unable to focus on attacking. Sure, Oklahoma City made a physical adjustment with Wenbang Yama, but his response to that was mostly to avoid low blocks.

In Game 5, Wenbanyama took just nine shots in the paint and made four of them. The Spurs had their best performance in this series when Wenbanyama’s presence in the paint opened up opportunities for the rest of the offense.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was asked if there was more the team could do to get Wenbangyama healthy, and he said, “We’ll need to do that.” “He’s got to take more than 15 shots, including free throws. Yeah, he’s definitely going to have to score more than 20 points.”

Once Wenbanyama calms down, the rest of his teammates seem to calm down as well. San Antonio was lackluster throughout the game, and the only time the Spurs showed any fight was when he activated them during a heated huddle on the bench.

“I think it’s tough at times because they send so many bodies at him. I think he just wants to make the right play and he just wants to win,” Stephon Castle said of Wenbanyama. “But yeah, we need him to be aggressive because he’s our best player. And by him being aggressive, it’s going to give other guys a chance.”

Wembaneyama will need to be a catalyst for Spurs heading into the season.

Once the Thunder’s perimeter shots fall, they’re hard to beat

In Game 4, a 21-point loss to Oklahoma City, the Thunder shot just 6-of-33 (18.2%) from beyond the arc. On Tuesday night, the Thunder focused on efficiency from deep and didn’t force any looks. This time they fell.

Oklahoma City made 14-of-32 (43.8%) from beyond the arc. That was just two more 3-point conversions than the Spurs, but San Antonio had to attack the rim on 41 attempts to get there.

That goes for the entire offense, not just shot-making. This creates better space for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to attack the rim and allows role players more movement.

Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein provide solid minutes

And stability is all Oklahoma City needs.

The two combined for 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting (70.6%). They also cleaned the glass and scooped 26 rebounds, nine of which were on offense.

This was a good sign, especially for Holmgren, who had struggled to score in the series. In fact, the Thunder started the game poorly and missed some easy looks. However, Holmgren provided stability by converting all four of his shot attempts in the first quarter.

“He was really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Chet has all the tools and everyone in our building and in our league knows that. He’s a hell of a player, and you’re going to go through ups and downs as a player. I don’t worry about Chet because I know how much he loves the game, how much he cares, how hard he works.”

The longer this series goes on, the better it will be for the Knicks.

The New York Knicks may end up being the underdogs in the NBA Finals, regardless of their opponent. Still, in at least one area they have a clear and decisive advantage.

By the end of May, the Knicks will have played just eight basketball games that month. New York entered a decisive Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a fully intact injury.

And now the Knicks have the luxury of scouting these two teams from home. All the while, the Spurs and Thunder are expending tremendous amounts of energy trying to win.

When asked where this series ranks among the list of physical series he has ever played, Holmgren replied, “This is the best of them.” “The last three series last year were all disasters, both teams just beating each other, and I would say we’re at that point again this time.”

The NBA season is tough. The players began preparing for this season when training camp began in late September. This extra rest will go a long way.

And if the series goes to seven, even better for the Knicks.

Why off-lease cars will be the smartest purchase in 2026

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  • Average prices for both new and used cars are nearing record highs.
  • Used cars are becoming more valuable because new cars are depreciating faster than before.
  • It is expected that a large number of 2023 model cars will be on the used market in 2026.

Average prices for new and used cars are near all-time highs, and many car buyers are searching high and low for a bargain.

The standard price for a three-year-old used car in the first quarter of 2026 was $31,548, the second-highest quarterly average price on record, Edmunds said.

The findings come after Kelley Blue Book reported that the average price of a new car in April was $49,461, an increase of 1.8% from the same month last year.

“The long-standing debate about whether the new or used car market offers shoppers better value has officially taken a new turn as residual values ​​trend back to pre-pandemic norms,” ​​Edmunds Director of Insights Ivan Drury said in a used car analysis.

Drury said used cars are starting to become more valuable to buy cars because new car values ​​are falling faster than before.

Drury also said 2026 is likely to see a large number of 2023 model year cars with leases ending, including a number of hybrid and electric vehicles that were touted when the federal government previously offered tax credits for those models.

“A surge in off-lease availability is predicted this year, driven in part by an increase of 500,000 units, or 25.7%, compared to 2025,” Drury wrote. “Used EVs in particular are an outstanding deal and should see significant inventory growth through the remainder of 2026.” The USA TODAY Cars team looked at Edmunds’ list of the top-selling vehicle models coming off lease and that should soon be in used car showrooms.

1. Nissan Rogue

Original starting price: $35,500

Average used price in Q1 2026: $21,496

what they saidNissan said on its website, “When the unplanned becomes the plan, the Nissan Rogue will volunteer to be your partner. So load up the family, pack your gear, plug everyone in, and rev up the VC Turbo. Rogue is ready to tackle the moments that matter most – the ones you never saw coming.”

2.Honda CR-V

Original starting price: $36,127

Average used price in Q1 2026: $28,953

what they saidHonda said in a press release, “CR-V was originally an abbreviation for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.” Based on the concept of the “Creative Mover” series that supports people in creating a more enjoyable lifestyle, the CR-V was developed as an innovative SUV model that pioneers a new genre of “urban SUV” with excellent comfort and drivability.”

3. Ram 1500

Original starting price: $62,118

Average used price in Q1 2026: $39,559

what they said: Ram said in a press release, “The Ram 1500 lineup has transitioned to six-cylinder engines for the 2025 model year. Consumer sentiment for the legendary engine has created momentum to bring the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 back to the Ram 1500.”

4. Chevrolet Equinox

Original starting price: $32,747

Average used price in Q1 2026: $20,851

what they said: General Motors, which owns the Chevrolet brand, said on its website, “The 2026 Equinox stands out with a bold grille and sophisticated taillights. The sporty RS and adventure-ready ACTIV complement a variety of lifestyles, making the Equinox one of the most exciting SUVs to drive.”

5. Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Original starting price: $64,112

Average used price in Q1 2026: $29,505

what they saidStellantis, which owns the Jeep brand, said in a press release that the Wrangler 4XE offers “34 miles of pure electric operation for most daily commutes and trails.”

6.Chevrolet Silverado

Original starting price: $64,112

Average used price in Q1 2026: $29,505

what they saidStellantis, which owns the Jeep brand, said in a press release that the Wrangler 4XE offers “34 miles of pure electric operation for most daily commutes and trails.”

7. Honda Civic

Original starting price: $27,374

Average used price in Q1 2026: $23,249

what they said:Honda says on its website, “Impressive.” 50 cities/47 highways With an mpg-rated, 200-horsepower hybrid powertrain, the sporty Civic sedan blends efficiency and excitement with powerful hybrid performance. ”

8. Ford F-150

Original starting price: $64,510

Average used price in Q1 2026: $42,523

what they said: Ford said in a press release that the F-150 is “an important part of the Ford F-Series, which has been America’s best-selling truck for 46 years.”

9.Honda HR-V

Original starting price: $27,862

Average used price in Q1 2026: $22,941

what they said“The Honda HR-V is already America’s most popular SUV among first-time buyers and Gen Z, and we take that leadership to another level with stylish design upgrades and enhanced standard technology features,” Honda said in a press release.

10. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Original starting price: $53,361

Average used price in Q1 2026: $30,353

what they said: Stellantis, which owns the Jeep brand, said in a press release that the Grand Cherokee is “America’s most awarded SUV.”

Populations in major cities were recovering after the coronavirus. Then came the Trump administration.

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America’s largest cities were recovering from post-pandemic population declines. But the post-COVID-19 recovery in many large cities will stall or reverse in 2025, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau.

Large cities lost population during the pandemic, with nearly half of America’s largest cities reporting fewer residents in 2022 than in 2020. By 2024, two-thirds of these cities will begin to add residents again. However, in 2025, almost all residents showed a decline in momentum, and many residents recorded losses again.

Experts believe much of this is due to one major factor: a sharp decline in net international migration.

“Internal immigration is sort of zero-sum. Some places lose population, some places gain. But immigration is more widespread across the country, which is why the decline could be more widespread,” said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

New York City lost more than 388,000 residents, or about 4.5% of its population, from 2020 to 2022, but the city regained more than half of its residents over the next two years. However, the recovery was short-lived. Although the city remains the most populous city in the United States, it recorded the nation’s largest population decline of more than 12,000 people from 2024 to 2025.

Los Angeles will lose nearly 4,000 residents in 2025, and Boston will lose more than 1,000 residents compared to a year ago. These are statistically flat declines in a city that was recovering from a pandemic-era population exodus.

While these cities are recovering, others have not recovered at all. Memphis, Tennessee, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and St. Louis, Missouri all experienced population declines due to the coronavirus pandemic and continue to lose residents every year.

The slowdown extends far beyond these beleaguered subways. The U.S. population grew by 1.8 million people, or 0.5%, the slowest growth rate since the pandemic, according to Census Bureau data that estimates population change from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.

Current strict immigration policies are reducing the influx of immigrants that many large cities have long relied on to offset internal out-migration and aging populations. Frey added that all 56 major metropolitan areas with populations of more than 1 million people are seeing declines in immigration.

In addition to immigration trends, the high cost of living in large cities is driving residents to move to the suburbs. Population growth in medium-sized cities remained relatively stable, according to census data, and some medium-sized cities at the edges of metropolitan areas grew faster than the metropolitan areas themselves.

For example, the New York state village of Port Chester saw its population grow by 4.1%, while its closest metropolitan city, New York City, experienced a 0.1% decline.

Matt Erickson, a statistician in the Census Bureau’s Population Division, said in the latest population report released May 14 that “mid-sized cities have discovered a ‘Goldilocks zone’ where a combination of domestic and international migration and new housing helps prevent the growth slowdown seen in small towns and large urban centers.”

Similar changes were seen in several other major cities. Celina, Texas, about 40 miles from Dallas, is a mid-sized city with a population of more than 64,000, and its population grew by 25%, while Dallas’ population decreased by 0.1%.

The slowdown means that about one-third of America’s largest cities now have fewer residents than they did five years ago, according to a USA TODAY analysis of population estimates.

“These are some of the most expensive places to live,” David Beer, director of migration studies at the Cato Institute, said of the coastal metropolises. “People are moving to more affordable and better places to live.”

The idea of ​​leaving a metropolitan area to buy a home and settle in the suburbs is nothing new. The pandemic has reinforced these migration trends.

“When families move to the suburbs, that in itself can create a momentum. They follow where their friends and family go. Many of these trends are self-reinforcing once they start happening at scale,” Beer said.

What is happening now may be just the beginning.

Beer warned that current census estimates only capture part of the impact of recent immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. Beer said an even steeper decline was expected when next year’s figures, covering July 2025 to July 2026, are released.

Immigration plays a key role in sustaining population growth in many large U.S. cities, Frey and Brookings said. Without this influx, cities that already rely on immigration to offset internal out-migration may struggle to sustain growth in total population, child population, and working-age population.

“Immigration not only increases the size of the population, it also contributes to making it younger,” he says. “Long-term declines in immigration could have an impact on the age structure and thus the number of births, but it would take several years for this to appear.”

The future of U.S. Soccer depends on the USMNT’s success at the 2026 World Cup

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Quarterfinals or elimination?

That’s the reality for the U.S. men’s national team at this World Cup. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an unexpected injury, a tough opponent, or an unlucky bounce. If soccer is to be considered a major sport in this country, the American public needs proof that the USMNT benefits more than the rest of the world.

That means a historic performance in the tournament, which begins June 11th, and defeating one or two of the world’s strongest nations along the way.

A run like this captures the attention of not only the people who own Messi jerseys (Argentina, Barcelona, ​​PSG, Inter Miami), but also the entire country, who can learn who Tyler Adams is and know the difference between the Champions League and the Premier League.

Buy USMNT tickets!

Runs like this make people talk about soccer and want to know more about soccer. Performances like this encourage kids to stick with soccer beyond the Lil’ Kickers, giving the USMNT a talented player pool enough to rival France, Argentina, and Spain.

A run like that would ultimately bring the United States the Men’s World Cup title.

But if it exits sooner, the opportunity to accelerate gaming growth here will be wasted for decades to come.

“For us, there is no reason to set an exact goal of World Cup success,” Christian Pulisic said after the 26-man squad was confirmed. “…We’re going to do the best we can, and we’re going to compete. You can decide how you feel about how we did.”

A vastly different soccer landscape than in 1994

It doesn’t work exactly like that.

This is the second time the Men’s World Cup has been held in the United States, and the first time in 32 years since the last one in 1994. If soccer is ever going to rival football and basketball for America’s hearts, minds, and future athletes, it will be because of this World Cup.

“We hope that even people who don’t know much about soccer in the United States can feel that passion, and that we can provide services here that will get people hooked on soccer,” Weston McKennie said.

Let me be clear: Since the 1994 World Cup, the United States has made great strides toward becoming a soccer nation. There are both men’s and women’s professional leagues, and both are thriving. The United States not only produces enough players to go to Europe, but they also start for the biggest clubs and play in the continent’s biggest competitions.

Most importantly, soccer has carved out a space in the sports world beyond its traditional hotbeds. Soccer jerseys are as ubiquitous as NFL and NBA jerseys, and it’s easier to watch the EPL than an out-of-market NFL game.

But the primary purpose of bringing the World Cup to the United States, then and now, was to put soccer on an equal footing with basketball and football. To do that, the USMNT needs to show they can compete with the best teams in the world, and they have yet to do that despite having more talent than ever before.

USMNT has little to show at the World Cup

Since ending a 40-year absence from the World Cup in 1990, the Americans have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals. And its only Elite 8 appearance came back in 2002. Landon Donovan first grew hair a long time ago.

Now there is no shame in being eliminated in the round of 16 every now and then. Argentina achieved one in 2018, then returned four years later to win the World Cup title. But like the USMNT’s last three World Cup appearances, the knockout stage needs to be a base, not a ceiling.

Equally concerning is the USMNT’s performance against the world’s top teams.

This year’s American team opened with a barrage of top-10 teams Belgium and Portugal. They lost 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal, neither of which were as competitive as the scores indicated. Especially considering that both took place at home.

These were not one-offs either. The Americans haven’t beaten a European team in over four years. He had one win against the number one opponent at the time. 9th place Mexico in November 2021, the last 15 games against top 10 teams.

It’s no longer enough to qualify for the World Cup or make it past the group stage. It’s about time for the USMNT to start making noise.

Expanded tournament should help USMNT

The USMNT is set for success in this first-ever 48-team World Cup. The top two teams in each group, plus the top eight third-place teams, will advance to the finals. So, barring a failure in the group stage, the USMNT should be the better team in the first game of the knockout round, maybe the first two games.

The USMNT will also be supporting the entire nation when they take on Paraguay on June 12th. Few things unite Americans more than athletes with “USA” on their sleeves, and the raucous reception to the roster announcements offered a glimpse of the enthusiasm that will greet the USMNT in places like Los Angeles and Seattle.

“Why not us?” USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino asked. “I think it’s important to really believe. In sports, it’s about first believing and then working hard to get what you want. Americans know that it’s a dream and it’s impossible (to do).”

What if it isn’t? What if the USMNT struggles or leaves sooner than expected? People will tune out.

Oh, the die-hards will still watch the World Cup, and the casual observer might check in to see how Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappe are doing. But that moment will pass. This golden opportunity to make soccer America’s game came to a screeching halt, and it would be decades before another one came along.

No pressure or anything, USMNT. Please know that the future of soccer in America depends on you.

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Jenny Molen shares life lessons after breakup with Jason Biggs

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Jenny Molen is getting real about the challenges she faces as she navigates her separation from her husband of 18 years, Jason Biggs.

The “Crazy, Stupid, and Love” actress, 46, used her Substack “best friend experience with Jenny Molen” to share with her followers “lessons I’ve had to relearn over and over again throughout my life” in a May 25 newsletter. More than a week after her and Biggs’ reps confirmed their split, Moren said she’s thinking about ways to keep things moving in her life.

“When you’re young and ambitious, or just middle-aged with ADHD, it feels impossible to appreciate anything while you’re at it. The highest heights of my life have all come to me like a penny disappearing into a bottomless well,” she wrote.

“I would wait, maybe a minute or two until I heard something land, but before that, I would move on to the next thing,” Moren said. “I hope that what comes next will finally be the thing that heals me. It’s the kind of thing that makes me feel worthy and validated in a way that has always eluded me.”

She also explained that although she has an upcoming trip abroad, she has no intention of using it as an opportunity to do anything rash.

“I’m leaving for Italy on Wednesday. Eat, Pray, Love would be amazing given my current living situation. But I have no intention of finding myself or sleeping with a beautiful Italian stranger. I already have two half-Italians at home,” Molen wrote. “Actually, I’m just going because my friend invited me to a birthday party. It also happens to be my birthday.”

Moren and Biggs, who co-star in the new comedy film Influenced, met in 2007 while filming the Dane Cook and Kate Hudson romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Girl. The two married the following year, and their son Sid was born in February 2014, followed by their second son Laszlo in October 2017.

The reason for Biggs and Moren’s separation has not been disclosed, but a representative for the couple told USA TODAY on May 14, “They are on very good terms and remain focused on raising their two sons.”

Contributor: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

Mega Millions jackpot reaches $311 million on Tuesday, May 26th

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For the Tuesday, May 26th drawing, the Mega Millions jackpot was estimated at $311 million, with a cash option of $136.4 million.

It’s been more than two months since your last jackpot win. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, a single ticket in Ohio won a $60 million prize.

Check out the latest numbers to see if you’re the next winner.

What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for May 26, 2026?

Winning number: 1-5-49-51-59 And the gold mega ball: 7

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, May 29th at 11:00 PM ET.

Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots

  • $1.602 billion in Florida on August 8, 2023
  • $1.537 billion in South Carolina on October 23, 2018
  • $1.348 billion on January 1, 2023 in Maine
  • July 29, 2022, $1.337 billion in Illinois
  • December 27, 2024, $1.269 billion in California
  • $1.128 billion in New Jersey on March 26, 2024
  • $1.05 billion in Michigan on January 22, 2021
  • $983 million in Georgia on November 14, 2025
  • $810 million in Texas on September 10, 2024
  • March 30, 2012, $656 million in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland

What is Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is a lottery that is played in 45 states, Washington DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Find out where you can play here.

Tickets cost $5 and players select six numbers from two groups.

  • 5 numbers (1-70): white ball
  • One number (1-24): Gold Mega Ball

If all six numbers match, you win the jackpot. If multiple tickets are hit, the jackpot will be split between the winners.

How to play Mega Millions

To play, purchase tickets at a convenience store, gas station, grocery store, or in some states online.

Then select 5 white ball numbers (1-70) and 1 mega ball number (1-24).

Players can also choose Quick Pick/Easy Pick, which randomly generates numbers.

Tickets have built-in multipliers that increase non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

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

Paxton beats Cornyn in Texas runoff: Points

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Democrat James Talarico names scandal-plagued Republican candidate ‘most corrupt politician in America’ in fall campaign that will shake up 2026 Senate map

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  • Donald Trump-backed Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff.
  • Paxton will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the general election, which some political observers believe could be a rivalry.
  • In the Houston-area congressional race, freshman Rep. Christian Menefee defeated longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green.

President Donald Trump’s purge of Republicans who oppose him reached new heights on May 26 with the ouster of Texas Sen. John Cornyn.

Cornyn is a four-term pillar of the Republican establishment and once rose to the post of the party’s second-ranking leader in the Senate.

But despite the support of Senate leadership and a fundraising advantage, the 74-year-old lawmaker lost a tight runoff to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a scandal-plagued MAGA-coded conservative who also had the support of the president.

The Associated Press, Fox News and others called for Paxton’s candidacy about an hour after voting ended.

Trump’s endorsement was announced a week before the election after nearly two months of fruitless lobbying by Cornyn’s allies. This created a rift between Republicans in the Lone Star State and Washington, pitting Mr. Cornyn’s perceived electability against Mr. Paxton’s unflinching loyalty to Trump.

While Cornyn is a reliable conservative vote in Congress, he had expressed concerns about Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.

Paxton is now heading into a fall campaign against state Rep. James Talarico, 37, a Democratic candidate and a Presbyterian seminarian, but some in his party believe he can win the first Texas Senate race since 1988.

“Right now, we need to come together to defeat the most well-funded radical Democratic Party in America,” Paxton said in a May 26 post on the X show.

Further down the line, voters had to contend with the Texas Legislature reshaping the state’s congressional maps to give Republicans more representation, forcing them to face Democratic incumbents in primaries.

Here are the key takeaways from the May 26 results:

Paxton upends Texas politics, praises Trump’s victory

Mr. Paxton defeated Mr. Cornyn in most of the state, performing much better than in the March 3 primary.

Mr. Cornyn lost by 26 points with about 70% of the vote counted, according to preliminary results, a stunning setback for a powerhouse in Texas politics once tied to the George W. Bush administration.

Mr. Paxton’s victory also highlights that loyalty to the president remains the most powerful issue within Republican politics, even as Mr. Trump’s approval ratings slump outside the Republican base.

The president supported Paxton despite concerns from Senate Republicans that a scandal-plagued attorney general would be less electable than Cornyn.

“Everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, but he didn’t listen,” Paxton said in his victory speech.

Can Democrats make Texas competitive again?

Mr. Talarico argued that it doesn’t matter who wins the Republican primary, but observers speculate that Mr. Paxton is more vulnerable to Democratic disruption in heavily Republican states.

Mr. Trump easily won Texas by 14 percentage points in 2024, but Mr. Paxton was impeached on bribery charges by the Republican-led Texas House in 2023 (he was acquitted by the Republican-led state Senate).

The 63-year-old attorney general made headlines again when his wife, state representative Angela Paxton, announced in 2025 that the two would be divorcing. After nearly 40 years of marriage, she said the breakup was based on “biblical grounds.”

“Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in America,” Talarico, who has made his Christian faith and values ​​central to his political identity, said in a May 26 video released shortly after the results were announced. “He embodies the broken system we face. It’s time to come together. The People vs. Ken Paxton.”

Talarico also thanked Cornyn for “representing our state for many years,” adding that while the two sides don’t see much of an agreement, Cornyn’s supporters “have a place in our campaign.”

President Trump, Republicans ready to launch Talarico attack

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating of Texas from a “Republican-leaning” state to a “Republican-leaning” state shortly after Paxton’s victory.

A poll released earlier this month by Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Center for Public Policy Research found Paxton and Talarico tied at 45 percent.

But before Democrats gloat that Texas is in their hands, conservative activists have a warning of their own.

“When you start looking at candidates like James Talarico, we truly believe there are multiple weaknesses, and we intend to prosecute those,” Greg Keller, a spokesperson for the pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC, told USA TODAY.

“This guy has a history of showing himself to be completely out of sync with mainstream Texans and, frankly, with mainstream Americans in general.”

Trump had already begun mocking the Democratic nominee on a variety of fronts, primarily culture war issues, calling Talarico a “weird candidate.”

For example, the president said Talarico believes there are “six genders,” an attack that referenced his opposition to an April 2021 Texas bill that would require public school students to play on athletic teams based on the gender they were assigned at birth.

Mr. Paxton appeared to echo some of these narratives when he launched an attack on Mr. Talarico after winning the Republican nomination. He loudly called out his Democratic opponent’s nickname to the crowd, calling him “Low T Talarico.”

Democrats make generational choice in Houston-based district

When the Texas Republican Party drew new congressional maps last year at the behest of President Trump, several members were forced to run against members of their own party.

Among them was a generational Democratic battle between longtime Rep. Al Green, 78, and freshman Rep. Christian Menefee, 38, over a newly created Houston-based district.

In the previous primary held in March, neither candidate passed the required 50% threshold, but the May 26 runoff results showed Menefe won with about 68% of the vote. This makes Greene, who was first elected in 2004, the first Democratic incumbent to be defeated in this year’s primary.

Since the 2024 presidential election, Democrats have debated whether elder statesmen like Greene, who is known for interrupting Trump’s speeches, have been in power too long. Across the country, young progressives have launched primaries against veteran incumbents. Some older incumbents, like 87-year-old Rep. Maxine Waters, are focused on their futures.

During the campaign, Menefe emphasized generational change, but Green faced fierce opposition from the crypto industry and argued that seniority was essential in Congress.

“Mr. Greene represents protest politics and likes to disrupt things and pressure people on the inside to change, whereas Mr. Menafee is an institutional reformer who is working from the inside out to try to make change. This is certainly quite a change,” Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, told USA TODAY.

Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a 2024 Democratic Senate candidate, faces a similar battle to survive in a runoff against U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson.

In the key Republican runoff, veteran Carlos Delacruz, backed by President Trump, will face state Rep. John Lujan.

Chip Roy loses primary election for attorney general

The race to replace Mr. Paxton as state attorney general featured a MAGA-on-MAGA runoff between Rep. Chip Roy and state Sen. Mays Middleton, with no formal endorsements from either Mr. Trump or Mr. Paxton.

As a result, state party leaders were divided in a primary race filled with attack ads.

Roy is a hardliner in Congress backed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and has at times clashed with House leadership and the White House. For example, he supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, initially opposing President Trump’s signature “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” but ultimately supporting the bill.

But with the help of big Republican donors and an astonishing $8 million fundraising effort in the final weeks of the contest, he was able to electrify Mr. Middleton, the oil company president who poured $3 million into his campaign.

Trump did not participate in the campaign, but that didn’t stop Middleton from calling herself “MAGA Maze” to curry favor with Trump supporters. It appeared to work well enough to give Middleton an 11-point victory.

Contributor: Terry Collins, Sarah D. Wire

Kevin Hart defends Tony Hinchcliffe over George Floyd roast joke

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Kevin Hart is defending the comedian with one of the most shocking jokes in his roast on Netflix.

In an interview on “The Breakfast Club,” the “Jumanji” star, 46, spoke about the backlash some of the cast members of Netflix’s “The Roast of Kevin Hart” have received for their material. In particular, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe has been criticized for a joke about how George Floyd, who was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, is “looking up at all of us and laughing so hard he can’t breathe.”

Mr Hart said on ‘The Breakfast Club’ that Hinchcliffe’s joke about Floyd was ‘not classy’ but he was ‘not shocked’, adding that Hinchcliffe had had ‘absolutely one of the best roasts, or one of the best’.

“Tony joked,” he said. “It wasn’t a joke in good taste for us. We didn’t like it. OK…we move on. I don’t understand why we’re over the hill and it’s such a big deal… It doesn’t have to be that way. Literally, either you’re a fan of this level of content or you’re not. And if you’re not a fan, don’t watch it.”

Pointing to other shocking jokes at the roast, including Pete Davidson’s joke about killing Charlie Kirk, Hart said, “Would you tell that joke? No. But do you know why it’s said? Yeah. I don’t look at Pete as crazy. I don’t look at Tony as crazy. I know what you’re trying to do. I know your style of comedy.”

George Floyd’s brother Terrence Floyd previously told “The Breakfast Club” host Lauren LoRosa that Hart should have pushed back on Hinchcliffe’s jokes “on the spot” and brought “a Will Smith energy” to the roast.

However, Hart defended himself in an interview on The Breakfast Club, saying there was “nothing” that could be done at this time. He also stressed that he was not the one who made the joke and that he should not be blamed.

“This is a live production,” Hart said. “I’m not going to compromise my live production for the sake of any reaction. What do you want me to do? Are you going to drag him out? Do you want us to fight after that? That’s not what I agreed to.”

Shane Gillis, host of Netflix’s “The Roast of Kevin Hart,” also drew criticism for some of his material, including jokes about lynching and comedian Sheryl Underwood’s husband’s death. Underwood was in the lineup for the roast.

Another roast attendee, Chelsea Handler, criticized the “terrible” and “offensive” jokes made at the event during an appearance on the podcast Funny Knowing You. She particularly criticized Gillis and Hinchcliffe.

“People are like, ‘This is a roast. Good luck,'” she says. “It’s like, ‘You can do it without making me feel bad.'”

Nikki Glazer, who has cracked many shocking jokes at comedy roasts over the years but did not attend Hart’s event, echoed similar sentiments. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the American Music Awards, Glaser said he “loved watching” the roast, but without naming names, “there were some things I didn’t like.”

“I don’t think racist jokes, ironically racist jokes, should be made,” she told ET. “The problem isn’t that it’s racist. It’s… if you really want to do a joke, you have to find a way to make it meaningful.”

Anne Hathaway was legally blind for 10 years

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Anne Hathaway revealed that at one point in her career, she was “basically legally blind” in her left eye.

The 43-year-old “The Devil Wears Prada 2” star spoke about her medical issues on the April 22 episode of The New York Times’ “Popcast.”

Hathaway suffers from early-onset cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye, the Mayo Clinic said. Cloudy vision caused by cataracts initially affects only a small portion of the eye’s lens, which can result in slight vision loss.

However, as the cataract progresses and the lens becomes cloudy, it can affect your daily life.

“Eventually I had surgery, but I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I could finally see the whole area,” Hathaway said. “I’ve calmed down since then. I didn’t know it was actually taxing my nervous system.”

Hathaway was filming Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning science fiction film Interstellar when her vision problems began in 2013. Her eyesight had been impaired for 10 years, from age 30 to 40, before treatment. Around the same time, she also appeared in The Intern, Colossal, Ocean’s 8, Dark Waters, and Armageddon Time.

Legal blindness is defined by the Social Security Administration as meeting any of the following criteria: Even with corrective glasses or contacts, the patient’s “better eye” has visual acuity of 20/200 or less, or a field of vision of 20 degrees or less.

Hathaway went on to talk about what life has been like since receiving treatment for cataracts.

“I’m grateful for (my) vision because it feels like a miracle to literally wake up every day and see myself,” she said.

Health warning issued for beef kofta sold at Kebab Shop restaurant

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A public health alert has been issued for beef products served at The Kebab Shop restaurants in three states due to possible E. coli contamination.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health warning for beef kofta products served at kebab shops in California, Florida, and Texas. The FSIS report says these products may be contaminated with E. coli, which produces Shiga toxin. There was no recall as the product is currently no longer on sale.

The beef kofta was produced in January by Olympia Food Industries of Franklin Park, Illinois, and supplied to The Kebab Shop restaurants in California, Florida and Texas. All The Kebab Shop locations stopped selling beef kofta products on May 18, according to an FSIS report.

The potential contamination was discovered as part of an ongoing E. coli outbreak investigation in California. The California Department of Public Health and local health departments are investigating a local outbreak of E. coli involving nine people, according to an FSIS report.

Where were beef products sold?

Beef kofta products were sold at The Kebab Shop restaurants in California, Florida, and Texas.

What to do if you eat beef kofta from a kebab shop

Immediately throw away leftover beef kofta from the kebab shop.

Consumers who begin experiencing symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating beef kofta from The Kebab Shop restaurant should contact their health care provider.

Consumers with questions about food safety should call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email MPHotline@usda.gov.

When cooking, make sure the meat reaches a certain internal temperature to kill bacteria such as E. coli. Hot dogs and hamburgers made with ground beef, pork, veal, and lamb must reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. All cuts of pork must also reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (more commonly known as Escherichia coli) is a group of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However, under certain conditions, some strains of E. coli are potentially deadly and can cause infections in the intestines, urinary tract, or other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of E. coli infection?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, common E. coli infection symptoms include:

  • Watery diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
  • slight fever
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • fatigue

Symptoms may occur 2 to 8 days after exposure.

Contributor: Mike Snider, USA TODAY

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

2026 Texas Elections, Live Results for Statewide Races

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Live results will be updated here throughout the night as Texas counties report their vote totals. This page tracks key races across the state, including the hot John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton U.S. Senate primary and other major races.

Totals, percentages, and precinct reporting will change as additional votes are counted, including early votes and Election Day votes. Results are unofficial until certified by state and local officials.

Refresh this page for the latest updates and to see how the race is shaping up across Texas in real time.

Texas runoff election live results

Texas Republican Election Results

Texas Democratic Party Results

Click here for detailed results.

Get a sneak peek at the biggest 4th of July fireworks show in American history

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We took a behind-the-scenes look at Washington, DC’s massive 40-minute Fourth of July fireworks show.

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NEW CASTLE, Pennsylvania – Organizers say a rainbow of colors will shine over Washington, D.C., on July 4 in what will be the biggest fireworks show the world has ever seen. For 40 minutes, a flare of light will fill the sky above the National Mall.

Explosives will be launched from 10 locations, including eight barges on the Potomac River and several locations in West Potomac Park. They also line the reflecting pool, creating a runway-like flow of pops, crackles and whooshes surrounding the Lincoln Memorial.

A typical Independence Day show in the capital lasts about 18 minutes and includes about 10,000 fireworks. More than 860,000 copies are expected to be used at this year’s 250th anniversary celebration.

“No matter how many times you watch it, you see things that you didn’t see the first time,” Jason Farrell, one of the show’s designers, told USA TODAY during a recent visit to the New Castle, Pennsylvania, facility where the show is being planned.

Freedom 250, the White House-backed nonprofit organizing the milestone commemoration, tapped Pyrotecnico, a six-generation family-owned company, to develop the dazzling spectacle.

The only request they received? It broke the Philippine record set in 2016 for the largest fireworks display in history.

USA TODAY went behind the scenes at the show and spoke with Pyrotecnico about what it takes to put on a spectacular show.

“Logistics phenomenon”

The Pyrotechnico facility in New Castle, Pennsylvania, is tucked away on an inconspicuous back road surrounded by acres of grass and homes and houses hundreds of thousands of pounds of explosives. It is one of 13 locations operated by the company nationwide.

The telephone poles dotted around the site are more than half a century old. They were installed by the U.S. government during World War II when Pyrotechnico shifted production to make smoke bombs for the war effort.

Cardboard boxes filled with assorted fireworks are neatly stacked inside a white and blue shipping container.

Michael Fox, Pyrotecnico’s vice president of operations, has spent more than 40 years making sure he knows all the pieces.

On a recent particularly sunny Tuesday afternoon, he and employee Aaron Troutman were standing in a small building packaging and labeling fireworks for a July 4th show in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This is one of about 700 shows the company puts on for small towns and private groups over the festive weekend.

Fox and Troutman picked up egg-shaped 4-inch and 6-inch shells. Fox said each piece goes through at least eight sets of hands before being launched into the air.

The pair attached a label to each piece with information about its exact location in the show. Eventually they will all be connected to the igniter and computer wires. The controller will now be able to turn them off with the press of a button.

When one show is full and ready, the next one begins. Soon, they will begin the same process of packing up the Washington fireworks show and loading it onto semi-trucks.

“It takes hours to get a minute,” Fox said.

Super-large spectacle

Farrell’s first “wow” moment creating the July 4th show came when his laptop unexpectedly crashed just a few weeks after making plans. He used the machine to design displays for the Super Bowl, F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, New Year’s Eve, and other major events. But this time, he couldn’t process his thoughts.

“This is the opening of any show we’ve ever done. And not this one,” Farrell said with a laugh.

That was about 6 months ago.

He and a team of other designers at Pyrotecnico brainstormed ways to captivate the millions of people flocking to malls and watching on television.

They decided on a panorama of fireworks covering some of the city’s most iconic monuments. Each of the 10 locations will have about the same amount of fireworks as a typical Fourth of July show in a medium-sized city.

“Breaking records is very important, but what we really want to do is have people go away believing they’ve seen the best fireworks display of their lives,” said Pyrotecnico CEO Stephen Vitale.

Next, they handpicked the lockets, candles, and fountains, choosing ones from China, Italy, and Spain that few people have seen in the United States. In early renderings, some fireworks cascade like water sprinklers, while others move into the sky in strange patterns and explode.

Designers combined these large shells with smaller features close to the ground to provide viewers with multiple spots of interest during long shows. And we timed everything to flow with the music.

Thousands of hours were spent creating the final version, and Vitale said the team will continue to fine-tune it over the coming weeks.

He said the piece “depicts a family sitting on a picnic blanket and the fascination they see in the lights, sounds and noises.”

I hope the weather cooperates here.

Carissa Wadick covers America’s 250th anniversary on USA TODAY. She can be reached at kwaddick@usatoday.com.

Chipotle’s new crispy chicken test divides the internet

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The “Limited Time” Chicken Wars at Chipotle Mexican Grill are heating up with a new contender entering the ring: Crispy Chicken.

Chipotle is testing a new Crispy Chicken Protein in some California stores, but some diners are still clamoring for Chipotle Honey Chicken, the limited-time chicken the Tex-Mex chain currently offers.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Chipotle said it will “use guest and operational feedback to determine whether to move forward with broader market testing as part of the stage gate process.”

Chipotle has remained relatively tight-lipped about the product, but social media users have been sharing photos of the test restaurant’s sign stating that the crispy chicken is free of gluten, antibiotics, and artificial ingredients.

Here’s what you need to know about the internet’s reaction to Chipotle’s new Crispy Chicken.

Skeptics, fans stop beating

Although advertised as “tender, light and crispy,” some commenters on social media were skeptical about whether the chicken would be able to maintain its outer crispiness when mixed with things like wakuwa and salsa.

One person wrote on Instagram: “Wow, it’s going to be so soggy.”

On Reddit, someone wrote, “Crispy chicken doesn’t stay crispy after you cut it. Breaded chicken automatically steams within 5 minutes. That’s a pain.”

Some are excited and hope it will be rolled out nationwide soon.

“Bring it to (Florida),” one user urged.

“I hope Ohio State is next,” wrote another hopeful.

Limited time chicken war intensifies

Still, with Chipotle Honey Chicken now on the menu, some customers argue the chain doesn’t need a new chicken option.

“The only thing you guys need to add forever is honey chicken,” one user claimed, adding: “Nobody wants fried chicken with rice and beans.”

“They might take the honey chicken out of my cold, dead hands,” another threatened.

Is it vegan friendly?

The fine print on one sign says the restaurant’s chips and crunchy taco shells are fried in the same oil as the chicken, leaving vegan and vegetarian customers confused.

“They’re really making that move to cater to their vegetarian customers,” one source pointed out. “Do you fry chicken and chips in the same oil? The chips start to taste weird.”

It is unclear how long the test launch will last. Other than issuing a statement, Chipotle did not respond to several other questions from USA TODAY.

Drew Pittock covers trending news from around the country for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.

RFK Jr. wrestles snake with bare hands and gets bitten in latest animal video

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Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has added snakes to the list of creatures in dispute.

In a now-viral video posted to X on May 26, Kennedy is seen grabbing and picking up two creatures from the home of Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

As with previous wildlife encounters, the Health Secretary took it upon himself to deal with the situation. Of course, it was done with his bare hands, much to the chagrin of his wife, Cheryl Hines.

“Honey, honey! Why? Why?” Kennedy, dressed in full business professional attire, could be heard asking Hines as he bent down to grab the black reptile. As the snake jumped and slithered in an attempt to escape, Kennedy managed to grab it with both hands, narrowly avoiding their attempts to grab a mouthful of skin.

As he proudly dangled them in the air for the camera, one of them managed to land a nice blow on Kennedy’s hand. While Hines continues to worry off-camera, Oz and Kennedy laugh it off while trying to identify the type of snake and therefore whether the bite is anything to worry about.

“Are you biting?” Oz asks.

“Yeah,” Kennedy laughed, holding up his injured hand.

Hines expressed concern that the snake might be a poisonous water moccasin, but Kennedy ultimately dismissed his concerns as the reptile continued to writhe in his hands.

“Honey, please, let them go! Bobby, please!” Kennedy can be heard saying as she beckons Oz to “take a picture” with the creature.

“Cheryl is rooting for the removal of a pair of black racers from Dr. Oz’s courtyard,” Kennedy wrote in the caption of the post, identifying the species of snake.

Was the snake that bit RFK Jr. poisonous?

Fortunately for Kennedy, the Southern Black Racer is a common, non-venomous species commonly found in the southeastern United States. Their bites can be unpleasant, but they pose no danger to humans. According to the Florida Museum, unless you try to catch a snake with your bare hands, you’re unlikely to get bitten in the first place.

“North American racers are not dangerous to people or pets, but they can easily bite to protect themselves,” the museum said. “Racers are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. Virtually all bites occur when the snake is intentionally sexually abused.”

Still, the museum warns that they should be left alone, especially if the species is unknown, as they are not known to attack unless cornered.

Do not interact with, remove, or kill snakes without consulting a professional. In many cases, there is no need to interfere at all. If bitten, remove any jewelry that may restrict blood circulation. If swelling occurs, keep the bitten limb below heart level and consult a doctor.

If you are bitten by a venomous or unidentified snake, prompt treatment with antivenom is important. Please consult your nearest hospital or medical institution immediately.

“I’ve been picking up roadkill all my life”: Kennedy and the history of animals

It’s no surprise that Kennedy’s previously publicized wild animal escapades, from freezers full of car crashes to home biology “experiments,” regularly draw attention to his animal-related posts. For example, in early May, an Instagram photo of President Kennedy “rescuing” a bird at Dulles Airport prompted a flurry of jokes about him eating a starling, with one commenting that the president looked like he was holding the bird “like an ice cream cone.”

The Secretary of Health’s alleged encounter with a whale carcass is one of his most famous wildlife stories. Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, President Kennedy’s eldest son, said in a 2012 interview with Town & Country that her father used a chainsaw to bring the giant animal’s head to life during a family vacation in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Kick Kennedy, who was six years old during the trip, recalled his father rushing to the beach after word spread that a whale carcass had washed up on shore. She recalled that after decapitating the body, Kennedy tied its head to the roof of the family’s minivan with a bungee cord and made the less-than-comfortable five-hour drive to Mount Kisco, New York.

“Every time I accelerated on the highway, whale juice poured into my car window. It was the worst thing on earth,” Kick Kennedy told the magazine. “We were all wearing plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people were pointing fingers at us on the highway, and it was just a normal, everyday thing for us.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service told The Associated Press in 2024 that it was investigating the incident as a possible violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but the investigation was ultimately discontinued.

Kennedy’s apparent roadkill tendencies have crept into other headlines in recent years, and one such article raised eyebrows in April, in the midst of publication of his biography, RFK Jr.: The Fall and Rise. In the book, journalist Isabel Vincent details a 2001 entry in Kennedy’s personal diary in which he describes how he pulled over to cut out the genitals of a dead raccoon while his children waited in the car.

“I was standing in front of a parked car on Route 684, cutting the penis out of a dead raccoon in the road, thinking about how weird some of my family members had become,” the entry reads. Vincent told People magazine that Kennedy intended to “research” the body part.

“I’ve been picking up roadkill all my life. I have a freezer full of roadkill,” Kennedy told reporters while running for president in 2024, this time in response to a New Yorker report about a man who picked up a dead bear cub on the side of the road.

The then-presidential candidate also told comedian Roseanne Barr in an August 2024 conversation that he witnessed a car hit and kill a bear during a hiking trip in upstate New York in 2014. He placed the body in his car, intending to skin it and put the meat “in[his]refrigerator.” He then carried the car around all day, including visiting a steakhouse in Brooklyn, and when he realized he had to catch a flight, he abandoned the body in Central Park.

“I thought it would be interesting for whoever found it,” Barr told Barr of his plan to stage the bear’s body to look like it had been hit by a bicycle in the park. The unexplained presence of a 6-month-old baby in New York’s largest urban green space has sparked a decade-long mystery.

An experienced falconer, Kennedy is also known for raising and training birds of prey. This hobby went a little too far in the eyes of at least one family member, cousin Caroline Kennedy, who wrote a letter to the senator during Kennedy’s health secretary confirmation hearings, calling him a “predator.”

She claimed that President Kennedy “enjoyed showing off how he would put baby chickens and mice into a blender to feed the hawks” and that “perverted scenes of desperation and violence” often occurred.

And, of course, there was a parasite that “got into my brain and ate parts of it and died,” Kennedy told the New York Times in 2025, but whether that constitutes an animal rights issue is debatable.