Search
Menu
Home Blog Page 67

Who got Eli Lilly’s new obesity drug? White House: ‘Not Trump’

US-NEA
-
0
Who got Eli Lilly’s new obesity drug? White House: ‘Not Trump’

play

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. has given an unidentified 79-year-old man exclusive access to the company’s experimental obesity and diabetes drug, according to a report from life science media organization STAT.

The practice was so unusual that the magazine asked the White House whether President Donald Trump was the only person to receive the coveted drug, according to clinicians, bioethics experts and current and former government health officials interviewed by STAT. Trump was 79 years old when the drug was requested (in April) and previously told the New York Times that he “probably should” take the GLP-1 drug.

However, after not directly answering STAT’s questions, the White House denied reports that the request for special access to the drug was for the president.

An Eli Lilly spokeswoman said the company does not respond to questions about individual applications.

“In the rare event that an individual is unable to participate in a clinical trial and treatment options are exhausted, Lilly may work with the referring physician to provide an investigational drug,” said Michael Jamison, Lilly’s communications director for litigation and special products. “We make these decisions in accordance with all applicable regulations.”

Here’s what we know:

What is medicine?

Eli Lilly’s new drug, letratortide, is a triple hormone receptor agonist currently in Phase 3 clinical trials to treat a variety of conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea.

In other words, it’s a more powerful version of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, which are expected to revolutionize weight loss and create a $100 billion market by 2030.

Weight loss results from the latest phase of clinical trials of letratortide show that the drug has a level of efficacy comparable to bariatric surgery. This breakthrough led to the creation of a black market for the drug, which has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

How did the individual gain access?

The drug was requested through the FDA’s “compassionate use” program, a process that makes drugs available to patients with life-threatening conditions before they reach the market, STAT said.

STAT reported that the drug was requested by a senior clinician at the National Institutes of Health for a patient with refractory obesity who has obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension.

Experts STAT spoke to said it was unusual for Eli Lilly to give just one person exclusive access to an obesity drug that could help millions. STAT’s report also suggested that the individuals who received the drug were well-connected, especially since one public post about the drug’s compassionate use program did not provide information about which patients or conditions were eligible.

Spokespeople for the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to STAT’s questions about the patient’s identity, but the publication pointed to Trump’s most recent medical exam in May, which said Trump was in “excellent health.”

President Trump has expressed interest in weight loss drugs in the past, but told the New York Times in January that he had never taken them. But sources who spoke to STAT said the unnamed patient had been treated with another Lilly obesity drug for a year.

Speculation surrounding President Trump and the mysterious drug application stems from the president’s close relationship with Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks.

For example, Trump dined with Ricks at Mar-a-Lago and praised his talents as a CEO. The president bought $680,000 in Lilly stock earlier this year, and his administration has promoted initiatives that benefit the company.

How common is it to get exclusive access?

According to Lilly’s website, Lilly offers three primary avenues for patients who urgently need access to investigational medicines: clinical trial participation, expanded cohort access, and expanded individual patient access.

Lilly provides expanded access (another term for compassionate use) under certain conditions.

  • The person has a serious or life-threatening illness and there is no alternative treatment.
  • That person cannot participate in clinical trials.
  • There is evidence that taking experimental drugs provides benefits to a person that outweigh the risks.
  • The requested drug is currently undergoing human testing.
  • The provision of medicines does not interfere with clinical trials.

Once a company has a good understanding of how a new drug works, expanded access may be offered to certain groups of people. But access by individuals is even rarer, according to Lilly’s website.

“In the absence of a cohort expanded access program, and in rare cases where local regulations permit and our expanded access criteria are met, Lilly may decide to provide individual patients with access to investigational medicines at the request of their physicians,” the website’s expanded use policy states.

Contact political news reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@indystar.com or find her at X (@marissa_meador).

Federal judge blocks ICE arrests in U.S. courts

US-NEA
-
0
Federal judge blocks ICE arrests in U.S. courts

U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts of the Northern District of California also limited the length of time the Trump administration can hold noncitizens in temporary detention facilities.

play

A federal judge in California issued an order on Tuesday, June 23, blocking the Trump administration from arresting non-Americans in immigration court and limiting the length of time non-Americans can be held in short-term facilities.

U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts’ order comes in response to a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California over Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arresting noncitizens participating in immigration court proceedings. The lawsuit challenges authorities’ practice of holding noncitizens in facilities without beds or other suitable accommodations, sometimes for days.

In his 71-page order, Pitts criticized the Trump administration’s policy of making arrests in immigration courts as having a “chilling effect” that could weaken the nation’s immigration system. He rejected arguments that immigrants with solid legal cases need not fear the Trump administration’s directive to arrest them in court.

“The proper functioning of the immigration system depends on the participation of such noncitizens in scheduled removal proceedings,” Pitt wrote. “Thus, the chilling effect of court arrests can undermine the proper enforcement of immigration law, even if it only affects noncitizens who are likely to be removed at the end of the process.”

Pitt also noted that witnesses testified that President Trump’s policy of holding immigrants in facilities intended only for 12-hour detention resulted in “inhumane” conditions. Noncitizens have testified about similar conditions in presumably temporary ICE detention facilities across the country.

A top lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security called the judge’s order “judicial activism.”

“When a judge sentences a defendant, the defendant is detained. The same thing should happen when an alien is ordered deported by an immigration judge. For a district judge to order otherwise is a naked judicial exercise in anti-American, open-borders politics,” James Percival, general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement.

ICE under the Trump administration has widely used the practice of arresting noncitizens who regularly appear in immigration court. The case, filed in California, said the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Enforcement Division had turned “immigration courts and routine reporting check-ins into dragnet arrest operations.”

The regime also widely holds noncitizens in facilities that lack beds and have limited access to food and toilets, sometimes for several days.

Immigration advocates across the country praised Pitt’s ruling.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) called it “great news.”

“Immigrants who come to court the ‘right way’ are being targeted by this administration,” El Paso area representatives said in a statement. “I am very happy to see this blatantly illegal and cruel policy abolished.”

JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg expected to lose in New York City primary

US-NEA
-
0
JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg expected to lose in New York City primary

A new day dawns in Democratic politics, and the Kennedy family no longer has the fame and fortune to defeat their seasoned opponents.

play

Being a Kennedy was once a surefire path to success in Democratic politics. But that’s no longer the case.

Jack Schlossberg, the eccentric grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is expected to lose the congressional primary in New York’s heavily Democratic 12th District, despite his typical Kennedy hair and Ivy League pedigree.

With most votes counted shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m. ET on June 23, The Associated Press and NBC News showed Schlossberg leading Democratic state Reps. Alex Boaz and Mika Lasher by a wide margin. The Democratic candidate is expected to advance to victory in November and replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), a longtime liberal lawmaker from an affluent district in central Manhattan.

The race was not expected to be called immediately, but with more than 82% of votes counted, Mr. Schlossberg received less than 11% of the vote. According to preliminary results, Mr. Lasher received 39% of the vote and Mr. Boas received 35%.

Previous polls had shown Boas and Lasher in the lead, with Schlossberg trailing them.

Mr. Schlossberg, a 33-year-old lawyer, began his campaign by pledging not to accept any money from corporations or super PACs, promoted himself heavily on social media and previously attracted attention for bizarre antics, such as asking whether second lady Usha Vance was more attractive than her grandmother, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Before that, she had posted a video of herself reading Lord Byron’s lyric poem “She Walks Beautifully” while wearing Lipstick.

Mr. Schlossberg faced criticism for his thin resume for running for office. Like many other descendants of East Coast elites, he holds degrees from Yale and Harvard but has never held elected office, although he spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Mr. Schlossberg’s work history was short. He spent several months at the State Department while his mother, Caroline Kennedy, served as ambassador. He also held temporary jobs at an e-commerce company and a distillery.

Nothing has ever hindered the Kennedy family. After John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960, his younger brother Ted, barely old enough to qualify, waltzed into the veteran Senate seat from Massachusetts. Two years later, Robert F. Kennedy claimed a U.S. Senate seat in neighboring New York.

Younger Kennedys have achieved positions ranging from lieutenant governor of Maryland to members of the House of Representatives in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

But a new day has dawned.

Schlossberg sought to tap into her family’s history by talking about her family’s legacy of public service.

A survey commissioned by his Democratic opponents also showed him leading in early polls, with a 9-point lead from late February to early March.

He also gained attention for his uncle’s conflict with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the failure of his 2024 presidential campaign a “disgrace.”

Kennedy-friendly neighborhoods weren’t enough.

Young voters and those disillusioned with the party may no longer be excited about the Kennedy connection, but it still carries some weight on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, which has a large population of older, committed liberal voters.

“Voters are still often drawn to names that they know,” said Basil Smickle, a New York City-based political consultant and Columbia University professor. “They also want guys who are going to be fighters in Washington, D.C.”

The problem is that Schlossberg wasn’t the only one with high-profile, high-ranking friends.

Mr. Boaz and Mr. Lasher have previously appeared on Manhattanite ballots in state elections.

Mr. Lasher, who represents the Upper West Side, has attracted a long list of endorsements from prominent New York Democrats. In addition to incumbent Nadler, he has the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

Mr. Boaz, of the Upper East Side, is backed by Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. More importantly, Bolles, who has a degree in computer science, has made a name for himself as an advocate of AI regulation, and millions of dollars have been funneled to the district for and against regulatory issues. The AI ​​issue appears to have changed the race, with Boas jumping into the lead in some polls.

Mr. Schlossberg had the support of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, an 86-year-old Democratic icon who met Mr. Schlossberg’s grandfather. Other celebrities also supported Schlossberg’s campaign, including “Saturday Night Live” executive producer Lorne Michaels, musician Paul Simon and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to election filings.

As the campaign progressed, Schlossberg came under intense media scrutiny from The New York Times, which reported on high turnover within the campaign and allegations of erratic behavior.

In New York City, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, voting from his official residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, did not endorse a candidate for the 12th Ward.

Instead, Mamdani focused his energy on helping challenge the Democratic establishment from left-wing candidates in younger, less wealthy and more progressive districts in the June 23 primary.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).

Dairy Queen adds Blizzard flavor, Stars & Stripes Misty Slush Float

US-NEA
-
0
Dairy Queen adds Blizzard flavor, Stars & Stripes Misty Slush Float

play

Dairy Queen is adding more treats to its menu with new Blizzard flavors and patriotic slushies.

According to a June 23 news release, Blizzard’s three new products will be released as “historic celebrations take center stage across America this summer,” including the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and the excitement of international soccer on home soil.

The full lineup of Blizzard Treat Cups is as follows:

  • Strawberry Mango Mochi Blizzard: Topped with mango flavored mochi pieces and strawberries, blended with soft serve ice cream.
  • Biscoff Cookie Blizzard: Made with crunchy caramelized Biscoff cookies blended with soft serve ice cream.
  • Mexican-Style Hot Chocolate with Abuelita Blizzard: Made with Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate mix, chocolate chunks, fudge-covered marshmallows, and cocoa fudge blended with soft serve ice cream.

The obsession of World Cup fans TSA-compliant ranch dressing is now available

Dairy Queen also adds patriotic slashes

DQ will also launch new themed frozen desserts to commemorate the 250th anniversary celebrations.

Dubbed the Stars & Stripes Misty Slush Float, this patriotic float includes layers of cherry misty slush, world-famous soft serve ice cream, and blue raspberry misty slush with festive star sprinkles.

Dairy Queen says the $2.50 float will be available at participating stores beginning Monday, June 29, and will be available in smaller sizes.

Dairy Queen offers new treat-related deals

From “Sweet Sale” to the Globe sweepstakes DQ Go, Dairy Queen is offering customers the opportunity to earn bonus DQ points and sweepstakes entries.

DQ Rewards members can enter the DQ Go for the Globe sweepstakes through the DQ app from June 29 to July 6 for a chance to win a “dream vacation.”

DQ Rewards members can earn up to three sweepstakes entries for each flavor of the Blizzard Cup lineup purchased, and fans can earn up to 15 bonus entries when they purchase all three Blizzards.

Then, from June 29 to July 5, customers can purchase a small Stars & Stripes Misty Slush Float for $2.50 to earn 250 bonus DQ points and three sweepstakes entries.

A deadly heatwave is hitting Europe. Will America be next?

US-NEA
-
0
A deadly heatwave is hitting Europe. Will America be next?

play

A deadly sweltering heatwave engulfing parts of Europe has broken temperature records and is believed to have killed dozens of people in recent days. And Americans are wondering: Are we next?

Britain, Italy and Spain are experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures in some parts of France expected to reach at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit on June 23.

Chad Merrill, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said there may be some connection between the heat wave in Europe and the weather in parts of the United States, particularly on the East Coast, in the coming days. In fact, temperatures are expected to rise in parts of the east next week, potentially leading to heatwave conditions, he said. And this summer, he said, there will be more days of extreme heat that could develop into heat waves.

Forecasters said the summer outlook across the United States shows a widespread chance that temperatures will exceed historical averages in much of the country.

The first few days of full-fledged summer, which began on June 21, have already seen above-average temperatures from parts of the Western United States to the Southern Plains, according to the National Weather Service. On June 23, heat advisories were issued for more than 26 million people in the Pacific Northwest and parts of New Mexico and Texas. Millions more people are under heat warnings across Arizona and California.

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing its second heatwave in June, AccuWeather reports. Cities like Seattle and Portland experienced temperatures in the 90s from June 13 to 15, the paper said.

more: European tourists face extreme temperatures under ‘heat dome’

40 people die in France due to heat wave

According to Reuters, Europe’s heat wave is coming from what is known as the “omega block,” so-called because its shape resembles the Greek letter omega. An area of ​​high pressure between two low pressure systems.

Around 40 people have drowned while trying to cool off in canals and rivers since mid-June, according to French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Two children, aged 2 and 4, died in a hot car in the country’s southeast.

Transport cancellations are occurring in France due to the heat. Dozens of schools in England have announced they will close early because old buildings are not suitable to accommodate enough children during the hot months.

Heatwaves in Europe are particularly dangerous due to the relatively low heat mitigation capacity. Only about 20% of European homes have air conditioning. In contrast, nearly 90% of American homes have some type of air conditioning. Reuters reports that residents in Paris are spending sleepless nights in apartments without heating.

Will there be a heat wave in America this summer?

If a large high-pressure ridge sinks over Europe and brings record-breaking heat, a similar phenomenon could occur along the U.S. East Coast, Merrill said. That’s due to the wavy pattern of the jet stream, which rises north up the East Coast, sinks into the Atlantic Ocean, and rises again in that part of the world, he said.

The heatwave coming in the East next week could be what meteorologists know as a teleconnection with the European heat wave, Merrill said.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a heat wave is defined as a period of unusually hot weather lasting two or more days in a specific area. Merrill said the eastern United States, including Philadelphia and other cities, was already experiencing a heat wave in June.

Merrill said a heat wave could hit the Midwest in July, stretching from the Dakotas to Nebraska and west to Washington state. He said the areas most susceptible to heatwaves in August will include the Northwest, Northeast and parts of the Gulf Coast.

The Pacific Northwest, like Europe, is not as well prepared for the heat.

The Pacific Northwest is similar to Europe, but is less prepared for sweltering heat than other parts of the United States. Axios, citing census data, reported that about half of homes in King County, Washington state, which includes Seattle, have air conditioning.

“They’re not really used to the intense heat of the Pacific Northwest, especially Seattle and Portland,” Merrill said.

The heat dome that hit parts of the Pacific Northwest and Canada in June 2021 highlighted the danger. Hundreds of deaths were reported in the region, with some of the most vulnerable people without air conditioning.

Merrill said the Pacific Northwest is more susceptible to heat waves this summer than many other parts of the U.S. due to drought and El Niño conditions. He added that heatwaves and temperature fluctuations could cause a “shock to the system” in the region in the coming months.

Contributed by: Reuters

McDonald’s has brought back fried apple pie. we tasted it

US-NEA
-
0
McDonald’s has brought back fried apple pie. we tasted it

play

What is McDonald’s current popular menu item? Fried apple pie.

Earlier this month, McDonald’s announced that fried apple pie would be back on the menu for a limited time starting Tuesday, June 23rd.

Once a staple on the fast food chain’s menu, fried apple pie was first served at McDonald’s locations in East Tennessee in the 1960s. McDonald’s discontinued fried apple pie in 1992 and replaced it with a healthier baked apple pie.

The original fried apple pie was born from a family recipe. “When Ray Kroc, who built McDonald’s into an international brand, was trying to come up with a dessert for McDonald’s, his grandfather, Lytton Cochran, suggested fried apple pie as a beloved classic,” said Eric Cochran. Like his grandparents, he is the owner and operator of a McDonald’s restaurant in Tennessee.

Starbucks: Introducing the adorable pink Bearista Cup

“My grandmother, Joe Cochran, spent months perfecting the recipe, and it seems only fitting that we bring back fried apple pie for our fans this summer to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,” Cochran said in a news release.

McDonald’s is bringing back the iconic dessert to select restaurants nationwide for a limited time in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The pie will be available all day and will feature McDonald’s signature filling made with 100% American apples, the company said. You can get one pie or two packs.

We got fried apple pie at the drive thru and ate it right away. It was hot, but not uncomfortably so. The pie crust was flaky and there were plenty of apple chunks in the sweet and savory cinnamon filling.

Fans online seemed pretty excited about the fried apple pie. “Yesterday I took my dad to buy it. It was delicious, just like in the old days!” wrote one commenter on social platform X.

“Please make it permanent!” one person wrote on Instagram. However, another Instagram poster was less impressed, writing: “Not the same pie!! They don’t even look alike.”

Nutritional information for McDonald’s fried apple pie

The new limited-time fried apple pie actually has 10 grams fewer calories and 2 grams less fat than the current baked version, according to the restaurant chain.

  • calorie: 220 (11% of daily intake for a 2,000 calorie diet)
  • Total fat: 9 grams (approximately 14%).
  • cholesterol: 0mg
  • sodium: 125mg (5%)
  • Total carbohydrates: 33g (11%)
  • protein: 2g (approx. 3%)

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.

Marjorie Taylor Greene joins Tucker Carlson in Republican split

US-NEA
-
0
Marjorie Taylor Greene joins Tucker Carlson in Republican split

play

Marjorie Taylor Greene declared on Monday, June 22, that she is “no more” supporting the Republican Party, joining Tucker Carlson and his dramatic departure from the Republican Party months before the midterm elections.

Carlson said on a recent episode of the “Cannot Censor” podcast that there is “no chance” he would support the Republican Party, citing deep dissatisfaction with the party’s direction. Within days, the former Georgia lawmaker publicly endorsed him, hinting at a widespread revolt among once-loyal allies and raising new questions about how deep the rifts within the Republican Party now run.

more: ‘I’m done with it’: Tucker Carlson says he’s done supporting Republicans

In a post to X after Carlson’s podcast, Green said he would be joining the former Fox News host.

“Tucker is not the only one who is done with the Republican Party,” Greene said. “Many of us are completely fed up and will not support a party that betrays our voters and our country. That doesn’t mean we’re going to become Democrats either. But we are no longer the last Republican Party in America.”

ongoing feud

Greene’s comments come against the backdrop of a growing rift between the Republican Party and President Donald Trump. In an April interview with Politico, she said she wasn’t sure if she still considered herself a Republican.

“I’m not sure I consider myself that person right now,” Green said. “I definitely think I’m leaning more toward calling myself an independent. … I haven’t changed yet. But I’d probably think pretty deeply about doing so.”

The conflict worsened when Ms. Greene criticized the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein file and clashed with Mr. Trump and other Republicans.

The conflict further escalated as President Trump began calling her “Marjorie Traitor Greene.” She then chose not to seek re-election to her U.S. House seat and resigned from Congress earlier this year.

USA TODAY’s Saman Shafiq and Irene Wright contributed to this report.

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_.

Bipartisan housing bill passes Congress as living costs rise

US-NEA
-
0
Bipartisan housing bill passes Congress as living costs rise

Lawmakers touted this as a major step towards solving the housing affordability crisis.

play

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives on June 23 passed a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating the growing housing crisis by streamlining building regulations, fostering local innovation, and restricting investors from purchasing homes.

The bill was a major priority for both Republicans and Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections, and ultimately passed by an overwhelming vote of 358-32. The vote comes a day after the Senate passed the bill 85-5. The bill will now go to President Donald Trump’s desk, where he is expected to sign it.

The bill gained broad support in an election year after breaking deadlocks in the White House and the House, but both parties are increasingly aware that voters say they are fed up with the high cost of living.

twenty onecent The Century Road to Housing Act was more than a year in the making and spurred a national discussion about why housing is so unaffordable and what can be done to fix it.

“This is a very significant bill,” said Dennis Shea, executive vice president of the Terwilliger Housing Policy Center, a bipartisan policy center. “This shows that members of both parties are working together to address housing affordability challenges. They are hearing from their constituents that rising housing costs are a real problem.”

The bill was sponsored primarily in Congress by Representative French Hill (R-Arkansas). Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Hill characterized it as “one of the most important bipartisan housing reforms in recent memory.”

In his speech, he called the bill an example of “Congress doing what it does best to address the challenges of the American people, offer solutions, and pass them into law.”

Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, said this is a “first step” in addressing the nation’s affordable housing crisis.

“This bill speaks to the real change that voters have been demanding,” she said.

Why is there a housing crisis in America?

There are many reasons for the housing shortage, but one of the most important is the sharp drop in development after the 2008 financial crisis. New home construction fell and remained sluggish for more than a decade. Economists currently believe the United States is millions of homes short.

With supply so low, prices have soared, putting both renting and buying a home out of reach for many Americans. The median price of existing homes sold in May was $429,300, up 52% ​​from just before the pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Meanwhile, more Americans are feeling the pinch as housing continues to be unaffordable. A quarter of all owners and half of all renters are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than a third of their income on housing. The number of people living with family and friends is also increasing, with a report released in early June showing a sharp decline in household formation since the pandemic.

What’s included in the housing bill that just passed Congress?

Because the crisis is so deeply entrenched in the economy, housing experts believe it needs to be tackled on multiple fronts.

Shea believes one of the key elements of the bill is changes to federal regulations for manufactured housing that will streamline the construction of homes. Factory-built homes can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars less than site-built homes.

The law also seeks to limit home purchases by large investors (those who own at least 350 properties). While the idea has wide support from lawmakers, most housing experts disagree that such measures are necessary.

The bill “doesn’t solve the affordability challenge,” Shea told USA TODAY. “It’s going to take action in collaboration with the state, local level and the private sector. But it’s very meaningful.”

This is one of the biggest retirement withdrawal mistakes.

US-NEA
-
0
This is one of the biggest retirement withdrawal mistakes.

How you deal with this could determine how you spend the rest of your retirement.

Kylie Hagen, CFP®
|The Motley Fool

play

Even if your investments are going well, retirement can be stressful. Volatile markets can turn low-level background anxiety into a recipe for sleepless nights. You’re worried that your savings will be gone quickly, but you’ll also need to sell your investments to pay your bills.

How well you handle these situations, especially in the early stages of retirement, depends largely on your retirement strategy. There is no best option, but there is one mistake that is almost guaranteed to cost you.

flexibility is key

There’s no need to create a rigid retirement withdrawal strategy when market volatility becomes an issue. You need a plan that allows you to adapt to your circumstances and grow your savings over the rest of your life.

Sticking to a strict schedule may feel effortless at the moment. But if you strictly follow the 4% rule, for example, you could end up withdrawing more money than is prudent while your investments are down. This can leave you with less money to invest to cover future expenses, and you could run out of money quickly.

When your investments are down, you may want to cut back on your spending some. For example, you might only withdraw 3% or 3.5% for a while instead of 4%. Once your investment recovers, you can increase your withdrawal rate again if that’s what’s best for you.

Also consider using a bucket strategy

A bucket strategy for saving for retirement involves investing your money in different ways over different time periods. Funds that you don’t plan to use for more than 10 years remain invested, so they can continue to grow until you need them.

Any savings you plan to spend within the next three to 10 years should go into low-risk investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs) or money market accounts. This way, your money will still grow little by little, but you will not be at risk of big losses.

The money you plan to spend over the next year or two remains in flux. A high-yield savings account is a good option for this. This will give you access to your money. It also gives you some flexibility in when to sell your investments.

If your investments are down, but you already have a year or two worth of cash saved, you can afford to wait a bit for your investments to recover before selling your stocks. That may be just what you need to ease your worries about covering costs in the short term.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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

The $23,760 Social Security bonus that most retirees completely overlook

Offers from the Motley Fool: If you’re like most Americans, you’re several years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But there are some lesser known ones “Secrets of Social Security” It may help ensure that you increase your retirement income.

One Easy Trick Could Pay You Up to $23,760…Every year! By learning how to make the most of your Social Security benefits, we think you can retire confidently with the peace of mind we all desire. participate stock advisor To learn more about these strategies,

See “Secrets of Social Security” »

Ken Paxton leads James Talarico in Texas Senate poll

US-NEA
-
0
Ken Paxton leads James Talarico in Texas Senate poll

play

Nearly a month after clinching the Republican nomination in a tight primary race against Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has a narrow lead over his Democratic challenger in the U.S. Senate race, according to a new poll.

The November general election is still months away, but a new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released Tuesday shows Paxton leading Democratic Texas Rep. James Talarico (43% to 42%) by several percentage points.

The new poll results also come after a previous poll by Texas Poll showed Paxton trailing Talarico in late May despite winning the Republican primary runoff, with Paxton winning the support of President Donald Trump and securing 63% of the vote for Cornyn.

Internal poll numbers show how each party’s support base is strengthening.

Republicans rally behind Paxton as Senate race remains close

The poll, conducted among 1,200 self-reported registered voters from June 5 to 12, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 percentage points, or a weighted adjustment of 3.47 percentage points.

In the Texas Politics Project’s last poll, conducted in April, only 63% of Republicans said they would support Paxton in a hypothetical matchup with Talarico. But a June poll found that 84% of Republicans said they would support Paxton if the election were held today.

The poll also found that 5% of Republicans support Talarico, 2% support Libertarian candidate Ted Brown, another 2% support an unspecified “someone else,” and 7% have no opinion.

Among Democrats, 88% support Talarico, 1% support Paxton, 3% choose the Libertarian candidate, 2% choose “someone else” and 6% have no opinion.

Independents, who made up 9% of the weighted poll sample, supported the Democratic candidate by a wide margin.

  • 40% chose Talarico.
  • 12% preferred Paxton.
  • Seven percent said they would support a Libertarian candidate.
  • 8% said they would vote for “someone else.”
  • So far, 34% of independent voters have no opinion about the contest.

Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email us at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

Ronaldo ignores Messi’s question after Portugal’s second World Cup match

US-NEA
-
0
Ronaldo ignores Messi’s question after Portugal’s second World Cup match

After scoring two goals against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, June 23, Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo was not in the mood to talk about Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups with his first-half goal in Houston, and added another late in the first half as Portugal won 5-0.

It was an emphatic response to the 41-year-old’s critics, many of whom said he should not have started after his below-average performance in Portugal’s opening game against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ronaldo is the latest in a long line of sporting icons to score twice at the World Cup, including Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

Messi has already scored a hat-trick and two goals, while Mbappe and Haaland have each scored twice in their first two games.

After Tuesday’s match, reporters in the mixed zone started asking Ronaldo questions about Messi, but the Portuguese star quickly cut them off before enough questions could be heard.

“Yesterday, Lionel Messi scored two goals,” a reporter asked in Spanish, and Ronaldo suddenly turned away and asked another question.

“Go ahead,” Ronaldo said to the next reporter.

Ronaldo and Messi are widely considered to be two of the best players of their generation and have been closely linked throughout their careers. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, while Ronaldo has won it five times.

This duo has already made history in this tournament. Ronaldo and Messi became the first two players to appear in six World Cups. Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups, while Messi became the highest scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.

Hurricane window description

US-NEA
-
0
Hurricane window description

Hurricane season has arrived. Are you doing everything you can to protect your home?

Anyone who lives along the coast knows the power of hurricanes and tropical storms. Strong winds can break glass, peel off exterior walls, and tear off roofs. And then there are the disasters caused by water damage and flooding.

One thing is for sure: Windows is vulnerable. That’s where impact windows, also known as hurricane windows, can make a big difference, even if they cost a lot of money.

Are hurricane windows worth the cost? Experts shout “Yes!” Danny Niemela, vice president and chief financial officer of ArDan Construction, LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, says this is “especially (true) if you live near water.” “If you live in Florida, impact windows are recognized by home appraisers as an upgrade. When you sell, you can expect to get back 60% to 75% of your investment.”

USA TODAY covers technology, costs and expert opinion in this guide to hurricane windows.

Important points

  • Hurricane windows are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris by cracking without breaking.
  • In addition to storm protection, impact windows offer benefits such as noise reduction, energy efficiency, and UV filtering.
  • Although more expensive upfront than shutters, hurricane windows provide ongoing and easy protection.

What is a hurricane window?

Hurricane windows are designed to withstand high winds (over 100 miles per hour) and debris blown by the wind. Impact windows, designed similar to car windshields, feature special laminated glass with a polymer layer that cracks rather than shatters when impacted. Unlike regular windows, they can protect your home during extreme weather.

Replace the window. 8 Best Window Installers Ranked by Cost, Quality, and Value in 2026

How hurricane windows work

“The core purpose[of impact windows]is to keep the exterior walls of a building intact in the event of glass impact,” says Nicole Willits, design trends, products and sustainability manager at national window manufacturer Pella Corporation. If a window breaks, the entire house is at risk of collapsing or being blown away.

“Think of it like heavy-duty bubble wrap,” says ArDan Construction’s Niemela. Rather than shattering the window, the debris simply bounces off the glass without breaking through the opening. Glass can become “spider-webbed” but will not break. The house and everything in it will remain intact. “This is important because if a window breaks, the wind can put pressure on the house and literally lift the roof from the inside,” he says.

The core technologies that distinguish hurricane windows from standard windows include:

  • Laminated glass technology: Hurricane windows work thanks to a 0.09-inch-thick laminate interlayer that joins the two panes of glass together. “In testing, these windows were able to withstand impacts at speeds up to 34 mph using a 9-pound 2×4,” Niemela explains.
  • Pressure resistance and debris impact test: “The windows themselves are also more specifically tested and rated based on a specific design pressure (DP rating) measured in pounds per square foot,” Willits says. Standard windows have a DP of 15 to 35, while impact windows often have a DP of 50 to 100 and can withstand winds of 140 miles per hour or more. “Standard windows are not held to the same standards or ratings,” says Pella Corporation’s Willits. Impact windows are designed to protect against hurricane force winds.
  • Frame strength: Impact windows are strongly fixed and reinforced in rough openings in the exterior. “The frame itself is usually reinforced aluminum or heavy vinyl and is fixed to the house,” Niemela added.

Advantages of hurricane windows

Homeowners are often interested in impact windows for storm protection, but impact windows have benefits beyond just protecting your home.

“Impact-resistant windows not only help protect your home from hurricanes and coastal storms, they also provide year-round benefits such as noise reduction, energy efficiency, UV protection, and enhanced safety,” says Willits. “Many homeowners appreciate that they are investing in a product that provides value every day, not just when inclement weather is expected.”

  • Storm protection and safety: Impact windows are designed to not shatter or shatter when hit by debris, protecting your home during hurricane season.
  • Energy efficiency and insulation: Impact windows often feature cutting-edge window energy efficiency technologies, such as low-emission (Low-E) coatings and argon filling.
  • UV filtering: Impact windows block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
  • Noise reduction: Multiple layers of glass reduce noise and create a more peaceful home.
  • Possible insurance discounts: Installing hurricane windows can save you hundreds of dollars a year on home insurance.

How much do hurricane windows cost?

For basic casement or slider windows, expect to pay a fee. Between $500 and $1,200 for materials and labor. However, for more complex projects or custom windows, a single hurricane window can cost up to $4,000.

“The price of a full house with 12 to 15 windows is $12,000 to $35,000 “When you factor in installation, the cost goes up or down for a glass-sized drive, and then there’s the frame material,” says Niemela. Anything that is difficult to install will be layered on top of it. ”

materials or labor average cost
Individual impact windows (double hung) $500 to $1,200 each
custom window $1,500 to $4,000 each
labor $100 to $300 per window
Full home installation Total $12,000 to $35,000

Where to buy hurricane windows

Most of the top window replacement and installation companies, such as Renewal by Andersen, offer impact windows and hurricane windows. The main options for hurricane windows include:

Read our review: 2026 Champion Windows Review

hurricane windows and shutters

window type average cost Ideal for these people
hurricane window Installation prices range from $500 to $1,200 Easy storm protection
shutters $15 to $50 per square foot budget cuts

Both storm shutters and hurricane windows serve the same purpose, but in the end, convenience and cost matter. “We actually found this question to be split down the middle,” Niemela says. Although installing storm shutters is cheaper upfront, the work required after each storm may not be worth the money saved, especially if your home in the tropics is only a part-time residence.

“This is the one with the shutters,” Niemela says. “When a storm is coming, someone has to go outside and close the windows. Hurricane windows are always there. If you travel a lot for work, live in a hurricane-prone area, or just don’t like climbing on ladders, hurricane windows tend to be a winner, despite the sticker shock.”

Investing in hurricane windows is often a better option. “Shutters protect the glass, but if the shutters fail or don’t open, the window itself is often vulnerable,” says Willits. “Impact windows protect the entire assembly and do not require a deployment method.”

Conclusion: With impact windows, homeowners no longer have to worry about closing shutters every time a storm is predicted.

Do hurricane windows increase the value of your home?

Hurricane windows do more than just protect your home. If you live in a storm-prone area and offer home insurance benefits, your home will be more attractive to buyers.

“In the active hurricane market, impact windows are becoming less of a premium feature and more of a baseline expectation and can be considered a key selling point,” says Willits. Buyers expect impact windows and some form of storm protection and are willing to pay for it.

Depending on where you live, “the most tangible financial benefits are often tied to insurance savings,” Willits says. In areas where home insurance premiums are two to three times higher than homeowners in more geographically stable areas, installing impact windows is an obvious choice.

Home insurance premiums are high in hurricane-prone areas, but you can lower your premiums by installing hurricane windows.

“Insurance companies that write policies on Hurricane Street often give credits ranging from 10% to 45% if there is an impact assessment window from wind mitigation testing,” Niemela says. “Imagine taking a $3,200 annual policy and reducing it by $300 to $1,400.”Additionally, claims tend to be processed more quickly when there is an impact period.

Are hurricane windows worth it?

If you live in a coastal area, impact windows are worth the cost every time. It saves you money on insurance, protects your home from storm damage, and gives you the peace of mind that your home is protected if a weather event occurs while you’re away.

If you live in an area where you can escape extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes, you don’t need impact windows.

“It all depends on where you are and how long you plan to stay,” says Niemela. “If you plan to stay for more than five years and live on the storm side of town, Hurricane Windows is always a great option.”

New poll shows Trump approval rating at record low

US-NEA
-
0
New poll shows Trump approval rating at record low

play

A recent American Research Group poll found that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to an all-time low, with only 30% of Americans approving of his job performance as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

The poll, conducted June 16-20 among 1,100 respondents (plus or minus 3 percentage points), found that 66% disapproved of President Trump, the highest disapproval and lowest approval ratings ever recorded by pollsters during both presidential years.

Economic pessimism is widespread among those who disapprove of President Trump, with polls showing 82% expect the situation to worsen next year.

White House press secretary Davis Ingle rejected the findings in a statement to USA TODAY, pointing instead to Trump’s 2024 re-election victory as the “ultimate poll.”

Approval and financial hardship

The poll numbers released on June 22 came just days after President Trump scored similarly low in a June 18 PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. According to Marist, the poll showed the president’s approval rating at 39%, the lowest in his second administration.

The American people also remain dissatisfied with President Trump’s economy. According to the latest poll, only 26% of Americans approve of President Trump’s economic policies, while 70% disapprove.

The same economic dissatisfaction was evident in a June 18 Marist poll, in which 60% of Americans said they disapproved of President Trump’s economic performance.

more: A majority of people think the Iran war has caused more problems than it solved, according to a poll

Earlier this month, President Trump dismissed concerns about sharp rises in consumer prices across the country, saying, “I love inflation.”

His comments were in response to a question about the Labor Department’s latest consumer price index, which showed prices rose 4.2% in May from a year earlier. This is the first time the inflation rate has exceeded 4% since 2023, and the largest increase in three years.

“No, I love it. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love inflation. You know why?” President Trump said on June 10. “Because as soon as this war is over, I can say now, I can tell you things you didn’t know.”

What is President Trump’s average approval rating?

President Trump’s approval ratings have been net negative for more than a year, and have fluctuated but become increasingly negative over the past few months. According to the aggregator, President Trump’s average approval rating is:

Kinsey Crowley contributed to this report.

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_.

The Shelley Winter Show host switches to supporting Democrats in Senate race

US-NEA
-
0
The Shelley Winter Show host switches to supporting Democrats in Senate race

play

A conservative Georgia radio host is keeping his word and endorsing Democrat Jon Ossoff in the U.S. Senate race, a major ideological shift.

Shelley Winter, host of the Shelley Winter Show on 95.5 WSB in Atlanta, endorsed Ossoff in an interview with the senator on June 17, the day after U.S. Rep. Mike Collins defeated former college football coach Derek Dooley in the Republican runoff, after the host had publicly supported Dooley throughout the primary season.

“I’m here to tell you live on the radio for the rest of the summer that I’m Team Ossoff, and I’m going to do everything I can on this show to get re-elected,” Winter said after speaking with Ossoff. “I look at re-election as a job interview. In my humble opinion, I haven’t seen anything from Sen. Jon Ossoff that would warrant firing him.”

The Senate race is in the spotlight across the country because of President Trump’s vocal endorsement of Collins, and Republican control of Congress could extend to seats currently held by Democrats.

Why did the persona of a “never fearful black conservative” turn his back on the Republican candidate? Mike Collins is a moral compass, Winter says.

“If[Derek Dooley]is not the candidate, I will vote for Jon Ossoff.”

Georgia’s Republican Senate primary was a closely contested race, with Collins and Dooley the top two candidates as of election night in May. Collins had been leading in the polls for weeks, but as the former coach said, the Kemp-backed Dooley had made significant gains in the fourth quarter of the race.

As the pair prepared for a June run-off, Collins faced mounting criticism from his own party over comments he made about a woman who took her own life by one of his staffers (who was later fired) and for repeatedly saying he was proud of his staff and the campaign they were running. The staffer previously joined Mr. Collins at the center of the House ethics investigation after he was accused of paying a staffer’s girlfriend despite there being no evidence that she worked in his office.

In late May, Winter told Collins that he had “lost his moral center” and was a “person at the bottom of society”.

He said Collins’ campaign tactics were untenable and that if Dooley lost the June race, Winter would switch his support from the Republican candidate to the Democratic candidate.

“If[Derek Dooley]is not the candidate, I will vote for Jon Ossoff…that kind of action, that kind of campaign…will never get my vote,” Winter said on the air.

Mr. Dooley was mired in his own scandal, with accusations of paid politics dating back to his first days in the Governor’s Mansion, leading to his loss in the Republican runoff.

Collins was also endorsed by President Donald Trump in the days before the runoff, directing his Georgia MAGA base to support central Georgia legislators who opposed the election.

Winter interviews Ossoff, supports candidate on air

The day after the runoff, Mr. Ossoff spoke with Mr. Winter by phone to discuss the results and his strategy for the November general election.

“I think character matters. I think integrity matters. And in an age where these words are thrown around so casually, it’s no exaggeration to say that Congressman Mike Collins is a notorious bigot, a notorious anti-Semite, a notorious extremist, and on the wrong side of many issues,” Ossoff said. “He’s pro-war, pro-tariff, pro-health care cuts. And to be honest, he’s only a congressman because his father was a congressman.”

Ossoff pitched to voters, pledging to stop Georgia’s rural hospitals from closing, expand peanut farmers’ access to global markets, reform Georgia’s foster care system, stop the development of AI data centers and fight rising costs across the state.

Mr. Winter said he had not heard from any candidates about these issues during the campaign and pressed Mr. Ossoff to explain why his campaign focused on issues that may not impact Georgia voters.

“The honest answer is that this Republican primary runoff was all an audition for the president’s favor,” Ossoff said. He criticized the race as “Washington-centric” and unsubstantive.

By the end of the conversation, Winter kept his promise to support Ossoff against Collins, saying, “I agree with everything I’m hearing, everything you’re doing, everything you’ve done. We have some small disagreements on some small issues, but when it comes to the big things, I’m on your team.”

“The Shelley Winter Show is endorsing Sen. Jon Ossoff’s re-election,” he concluded.

You can watch the full 22-minute interview here.

In response to the endorsement, Ossoff’s campaign denounced it as a “major blow to Mike Collins’ efforts to unite the coalition,” but Ossoff followed suit shortly after the May primary by appearing at a campaign event alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms. Mr. Collins and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson have not yet appeared together, and Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Jackson’s opponent, Bert Jones.

Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team, covering midterm races in Georgia. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

Norwegian princess receives lung transplant due to chronic pulmonary fibrosis

US-NEA
-
0
Norwegian princess receives lung transplant due to chronic pulmonary fibrosis

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway underwent a lung transplant to treat a progressive lung disease called chronic pulmonary fibrosis.

According to a statement released by the royal family on June 17, Mette-Marit’s transplant surgery at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet was successful.

“We are pleased that everything has gone well so far,” Aare Holm, professor of medicine at the university and senior consultant and pulmonologist at Rikshospitalet, said in a statement. Holm added that the 52-year-old princess will remain in hospital for several weeks, which is “standard practice for all patients who have recently undergone a transplant.”

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that worsens over time and occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.

“When this tissue becomes thick and hard, it becomes difficult for the lungs to function properly,” the clinic added.

The clinic says lung damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis cannot be repaired. Medications and therapies can slow the rate of fibrosis, alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, but lung transplantation may be an option for some people, the clinic added.

Laura Dern Talks about her late mother’s lung disease diagnosis

Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:

  • shortness of breath
  • take short, shallow breaths
  • dry cough
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • club-shaped fingers
  • bluish, gray or white skin around the lips, eyes, and nails

What causes pulmonary fibrosis?

In most cases, the specific cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, but experts believe it occurs when the lungs are not healing properly from injury or inflammation, the Cleveland Clinic explains.

Specific causes include environmental exposures, certain illnesses, medications and treatments, and smoking, the clinic added.

How long can you live with pulmonary fibrosis?

“Life expectancy for people with the most common form of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is three to five years,” notes the Cleveland Clinic. “However, the life expectancy of people with PF has increased in recent years.”

The royal family said in a statement on June 5 that the princess had been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant, calling her chronic lung disease “serious” and “life-threatening.”

Lung transplants can improve quality of life and help people live longer, but the surgery can come with complications such as rejection and infection, the Mayo Clinic added. Both clinics advise that it’s important to discuss the best treatment options with your doctor.

Judge repeals SNAP soda and candy ban. See states with restrictions

US-NEA
-
0
Judge repeals SNAP soda and candy ban. See states with restrictions

play

A federal judge on Monday, June 22, struck down rules restricting food stamp recipients from purchasing certain “unhealthy” foods, dealing a blow to a program touted by the Trump administration.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled in favor of five plaintiffs who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, arguing that new rules imposed in five states can limit access to food and impact families managing conditions such as diabetes.

Jackson said the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program federally, does not have the authority to approve states’ requests to impose limits on what SNAP benefits can buy, excluding things like soft drinks and sugary foods.

In his ruling, Jackson specifically singled out Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, saying her actions encouraging and approving participation in the “food restriction” exemption program bypassed proper channels and contradicted Congress’ definition of what constitutes “food.”

“Federal defendants and states may have a genuine desire to improve the health of SNAP households by encouraging healthy choices in their stores, and they can take lawful steps to achieve those goals,” Jackson said. “But what they must not do is violate the law or their own regulations along the way.”

What you need to know: New SNAP work rules come into effect

SNAP “Dietary Waiver” Program

Mr. Rollins, along with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., encouraged states to apply for exemptions from food restrictions, touting the move as another pillar of the movement to “make America healthy again.”

According to the USDA, President Kennedy’s provision of federal funding for local health care costs, subject to food restriction exemptions, further encouraged states to take steps to “limit purchases of non-nutritious items such as soda and candy.”

Limiting what can be purchased with SNAP benefits based on what is “healthy” has long been a popular topic among politicians, but critics say there is little evidence that such rules improve health outcomes and have expressed concern about inconsistent and subjective definitions of what is “nutritious” or “healthy.”

“The court’s decision is a major step toward restoring essential food assistance to millions of families across the country who rely on SNAP,” Katherine Diebler Meadows, a plaintiffs’ attorney at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, told Reuters.

The USDA defended the program after the ruling and indicated it would move forward with attempts to restrict it.

“The idea that taxpayer funds should not be used to purchase junk food should not be moot,” the Department of Agriculture said in a statement to Reuters. “The Department of Agriculture will not back down from the fight to make America healthy again, including the families and communities that rely on SNAP.”

5 states’ SNAP rules struck down by judge

The ruling specifically applies to pilot programs in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, although USDA data shows a total of 23 states have applied for exemptions. Exemptions vary by state, but primarily limit the purchase of “sugar-sweetened” products such as soda and candy. Each has a different definition of what items are prohibited.

Before the judgment is issued,

  • colorado Banned SNAP users from purchasing soft drinks.
  • iowa Soft drinks, sweetened beverages, candy, certain sweetened foods, and other processed foods are prohibited.
  • nebraska It would ban the purchase of soda, soft drinks and energy drinks, and add candy.
  • tennessee Purchases of processed foods and beverages such as carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and candy were prohibited.
  • west virginia The purchase of soda was prohibited.

Ban on snap foods: More states are restricting what SNAP recipients can buy with food benefits

Other states with SNAP food restrictions

The Jackson decision applies specifically to the five states listed above, raising questions about the enforceability of the exemption in 18 other states that have applied or implemented their own restrictions.

USDA has approved exemptions in 18 additional states that prohibit the purchase of the following products:

  • Arkansas: Sodas, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% fruit juice, energy drinks, unhealthy drinks, and candy.
  • Florida: Sodas, energy drinks, candies, and prepared desserts
  • Hawaii: soft drinks
  • Idaho: soda and candy
  • Indiana: soft drinks and candy
  • Kansas: candy and soft drinks
  • Louisiana: Soft drinks, energy drinks, candy
  • Missouri: candy, prepared desserts, and certain unhealthy drinks
  • Montana: High sugar drinks, energy drinks, candies, and prepared desserts
  • Nevada: candy and sugary drinks
  • North Dakota: Sweet drinks, energy drinks, candy
  • Ohio: sweetened drinks
  • Oklahoma: soft drinks and candy
  • South Carolina: Candies, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages
  • Texas: sweet drinks and sweets
  • Utah: soft drinks
  • Virginia: sweet drinks
  • Wyoming: sweetened carbonated drinks

The Trump administration made major changes to SNAP.

For 60 years, the USDA under presidents of both parties has rejected requests from states to limit SNAP foods, saying they cannot waive the definition of “food” for purchase with SNAP benefits that Congress established in law, USA TODAY previously reported.

The Trump administration began granting exemptions in 2025, even though the law remains unchanged, citing authority for pilot projects to test the health and nutritional effects of excluding some foods.

The waivers are just part of the administration’s sweeping changes to the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program, which as of March 2026 supported more than 37 million low-income Americans.

Passed in July 2025, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will cut SNAP funding by an estimated $186 billion by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also added new restrictions to the program, including expanded work requirements. In early June, another judge blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new conditions for states to receive billions of dollars in SNAP funds, including provisions on immigration, “gender ideology” and “equal athletic opportunity” for women and girls.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that about 4 million people lost benefits between July 2025 and March 2026 as a result. At least 808,000 of those deaths were children, based on data from 13 states.

To qualify for SNAP, a household must be below 130% of the poverty line. That means they earn more than 30% more than the federal poverty guidelines ($15,960 per single person in 2026). $27,320 for a three-person household. $38,680 for a five-person household. Many of the beneficiaries are the elderly, people with disabilities, and children.

SNAP benefits are determined by the state and funded by the USDA. To maintain eligibility, recipients must recertify periodically. Benefits are typically only provided for three months out of a 36-month period unless additional work-related requirements apply. Approved recipients will have a limited timeline to access benefits.

Contributor: Reuters; Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY

Qatar Air Force One aircraft to be kept in President Trump’s library

US-NEA
-
0
Qatar Air Force One aircraft to be kept in President Trump’s library

play

  • President Trump’s new Air Force One plane is a $400 million gift from Qatar.
  • After President Trump’s term, it will no longer be a presidential plane.
  • The presidential plane will be moved to the Trump Presidential Library in Miami.

President Donald Trump unveiled the new Air Force One Boeing 747, a gift from Qatar, from an airplane hangar in Maryland on June 19.

President Trump has long bemoaned Air Force One, accepting Boeing in May 2025 after criticizing Boeing for taking too long to build new planes.

President Trump called the new jetliner “a flying White House with a level of luxury no one has ever seen before.” The donated plane, valued at $400 million, has raised ethical concerns, but President Trump said he would be a “stupid person” to refuse the plane in 2025.

Also, the “Flying White House” won’t last long. The plane will be known as Air Force One, the designation for the president’s aircraft, until 2028, when Boeing’s two new presidential 747s are expected to be completed. The Qatari plane will then head to President Trump’s future library. Where is it?

“That’s not true.” President Trump unveils new Air Force One from Qatar

Where is President Trump’s library located?

In September, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis allocated a 2.63-acre parcel of land currently being used as a parking lot for Miami Dade College for the future Presidential Center. The land is located next to the Freedom Tower landmark near the waterfront in downtown Miami.

A rendering of the library and museum released by Eric Trump shows it will be a glass skyscraper with the word “TRUMP” written across the top.

In the rendered video, the plane sits in what appears to be a lobby surrounded by golden archways. The plane in the video is robin’s egg blue, like the old Air Force One plane, but Qatar’s gift is painted red, white and blue. Renderings of the building’s interior show multiple mezzanines overlooking the planes, some connected by golden escalators reminiscent of the one Trump descended on from Trump Tower in New York to announce his candidacy for president.

Libraries will no longer be traditional, like President Obama’s library.

Former President Barack Obama opened the doors to the Presidential Center in Chicago over the weekend of June 11th. Instead of creating a traditional presidential library to house presidential records, he digitized the records, created a ticketed museum, and created a 19-acre park with community amenities. It is run by the nonprofit Obama Foundation.

President Trump’s building is also likely to break with tradition.

“It’s probably going to be a hotel,” President Trump said from the Oval Office on March 31. “The concept could be an office, but it’s most likely a hotel with a beautiful building in the basement and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby. That would be a trick.”

Trump and DeSantis were sued by a Miami nonprofit group and residents on May 13, alleging that the donated land was a “quid pro quo” from the state government, which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

“In defiance of this prohibition, Florida officials have given hundreds of millions of dollars worth of state property to the President,” the complaint states. According to a New York Times article cited in the lawsuit, the property was valued by the county at $67 million, but real estate consultants estimated it could be sold for at least $360 million. “Importantly, the Florida Commission’s approval does not restrict President Trump or the Trump Library Foundation from developing commercial commercial or residential properties, such as hotels, on the MDC parcels.”

The White House referred questions to the Trump Library Foundation on June 23. A legal representative for the foundation did not respond to a request for comment.

Contributed by Joey Garrison, Aysha Bagchi, Antonio Fins, USA TODAY Network

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.

President Trump’s reflecting pool remodel has algae problems: See how it works

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump’s reflecting pool remodel has algae problems: See how it works

In April, President Donald Trump announced a project to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and paint the bottom “Stars and Stripes Blue” to address leaks and dirty water. But now he sees green.

So is the company hired to do the job. One of the companies, a donor to President Trump and connected to Mar-a-Lago’s neighbors, reportedly received a $1.7 million no-bid contract to improve water quality. Another company will earn $14.7 million to resurface the pool.

The renovation work was declared complete and the pool was refilled by June 9th. Since then, it has turned green due to algae. On June 16, USA TODAY confirmed that the color was still there and that workers had added hydrogen peroxide. By June 18, images surfaced of what appeared to be blue paint peeling off the pool floor.

With the basin set to be drained again, we spoke to an expert on algae blooms to understand the science behind President Trump’s pool issue.

Patricia Glibert, a professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, says three things have to be in water. “And all of the building blocks of cells, such as algae, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are already dissolved in natural water.”

“If you add sunlight and heat, the algae will start to grow,” Glibert said. And they grow rapidly, doubling their biomass once a day. “Over the course of seven to 10 days, a large amount of algae bloom can occur.”

Gribert said a possible contributing factor is that darker pool floors cause the water to warm up faster. “Many algae grow faster in warmer water, so that may have been a factor, but it wasn’t the only one.”

Water depth is also a factor. “Like all photosynthetic organisms, algae grow on light and nutrients, and in shallow systems, light can reach all the algae, even at the bottom of the reflecting pool,” Glibert said.

As for hydrogen peroxide treatment, Glibert said it is effective at killing algae, but it only solves today’s problems. “That algae sinks to the bottom and rots, releasing nitrogen and phosphorus into the water, and some of the algae continues to grow, creating an ongoing problem.”

Reflecting pools will require improved filtration as well as continuous monitoring of water chemistry and possibly treatments such as algaecides and nanobubblers, Glibert said.

“It’s clear that the treatment they’ve been getting is not enough.”

Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions were awarded the contract for the work. Atlantic Industrial Coatings will be paid $14.2 million to resurface the pool, and Green Water Solutions will be paid $1.7 million to improve water quality.

USA TODAY reached out to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, but calls were not returned prior to publication. A post on the company’s website indicated that some areas of the reflecting pool required repairs and the pool would need to be drained to complete.

The Home Office previously said in a statement that “all pools that have reopened since 1922” have been plagued by algae blooms. USA TODAY cataloged a list of previous efforts to address pool issues.

President Trump rejected a $300 million Biden-era plan to replace the granite and instead decided to sandblast the bottom, caulk and resurface the surface. President Trump has since blamed vandalism for the renovation problems, drawing attention to the cost of the former president’s renovation project.

President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on April 23, “You can get a better product for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the time.”

Contributor: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

This is a developing story and may be updated.

more: Timelapse of President Trump’s Washington DC Reflecting Pool Renovation

more: Water turns into a cry: Centuries-old problems rage at Lincoln’s reflecting pool

more: Is hydrogen peroxide the pool solution? DC Reflection Pool Algae Explained

more: President Trump renovates ‘dirty’ reflecting pool near Lincoln Memorial

more: Red white green? D.C.’s reflecting pools may not turn blue by July 4th

Starbucks unveils pink Bearista cups. let’s see how it looks

US-NEA
-
0
Starbucks unveils pink Bearista cups. let’s see how it looks

play

The Bearista Cup is back at Starbucks, but this time it’s summer-ready.

The coffee chain launched the original Bearista Cup in November 2025, and launched a soccer-themed version earlier this month to commemorate the World Cup, which started on June 11. The original cup became a hot topic on the internet, with social media users expressing disappointment that it had sold out so quickly.

The newest glass cup is pink and features a bear wearing a hat with a strawberry straw topper. According to the company’s website, the cup has a style that feels “bright, playful and unmistakably Starbucks,” and is designed to “bring a playful and seasonal feel.”

When will the pink Bearista Cup drop?

Starting July 9, Starbucks Rewards Reserve members will have early access to Pink Bearista Glass Cold Cups through Starbucks stores, according to the company.

The cups will then go on sale in select locations across the U.S. on July 13, while supplies last. Starbucks stores limit in-store and online purchases to two items per customer.

Starbucks hasn’t disclosed the price of the pink cup, but the original Bearista cup retailed for $29.95.

Chick-fil-A’s reign is over. Let’s see who are the top fast food chains at the moment

What is the Bearista Cup?

The original glass Bearista cold cup came with a straw and was shaped like a teddy bear with a green Starbucks stocking cap on its head. This cup is designed to hold 20 ounces of cold beer or your other favorite beverage.

The original cup debuted last year as part of Starbucks’ holiday product line.

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

From drones to nuclear weapons, the damage Iran war has done to the US

US-NEA
-
0
From drones to nuclear weapons, the damage Iran war has done to the US

play

Was the Iran war worth it?

Although a memorandum of understanding has been signed and 60 days of negotiations are underway, the ceasefire is too fragile and the conflict too fresh to answer that question with confidence. But the early summaries highlight what has been gained and what has been sacrificed since President Donald Trump ordered the attack on Iran on February 28th.

He initially expected the conflict to last four to five weeks, suggesting it would be a kind of easy victory and quick spoils following the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.

Rather, the Iran conflict is now four months old and the crisis continues, despite President Trump’s regularly optimistic predictions that peace is just around the corner. As modern predecessors from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush discovered before him, wars are easier to get into than out of.

The death toll announced by the government agency includes 13 U.S. military personnel and 26 Israelis. According to government agencies around the world, about 3,500 people, including more than 100 children, lost their lives in a girls’ school strike in Iran on the first day of the war, and more than 3,500 people lost their lives in Lebanon.

And it will take months and years to fully calculate the impact, with repercussions for the global economy, regional alliances, and U.S. domestic politics.

President Trump has hailed the war as a victorious exercise of American military power that restrained a rogue regime and protected the world from its nuclear ambitions. But Democratic critics and some influential MAGA voices, usually Trump’s defenders, say this is a misfortune that has emboldened Tehran.

Most Americans oppose war and are skeptical about its value. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted June 17-19 found an overwhelming majority, 57% to 21%, said the conflict “created more problems than it solved.”

Let’s take a look at the previous five tradeoffs.

Iranian military degraded but not destroyed

The US and Israeli attacks decimated Iran’s navy and destroyed much of its air defenses. The stockpile of ballistic missiles is deteriorating.

But the Iranian government has enough small boats, drones, missiles and mines to block passage through the Strait of Hormuz and threaten U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.

Eliminating Tehran’s missile capabilities has been a top priority for Israel from the beginning. That’s not something President Trump still shares.

“We’re going to let Saudi Arabia have missiles, but can’t they have missiles?” the president told reporters at the G7 summit in France. “It doesn’t work that way, it doesn’t work that way.”

MAGA split. Congressional opposition

The Iran war has caused rifts in the MAGA coalition built by President Trump, with some leading commentators accusing him of violating his “America First” campaign promise to avoid foreign entanglements. They argue that Trump’s pending deal is worse than the multilateral agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama in 2015, which Trump withdrew from during his first term.

compare: How is President Trump’s interim Iran deal different from President Obama’s?

“So there’s no lie in this,” longtime ally Tucker Carlson said on social media platform X’s show on June 17. “This is a pretty humiliating loss for the United States.”

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a conservative Republican whose bid for a second term was canceled due to President Trump’s opposition, called Iran “the worst foreign policy failure in decades.”

Trump responded by slamming “stupid people” who criticized the memo, saying on Truth Social that they are “either jealous, evil or stupid.”

Still, the White House felt compelled to issue a news release declaring, “President Trump’s Iran deal is an America-first action,” listing favorable quotes from Republican lawmakers, Fox News anchors, foreign leaders, and even Pope Leo XIV.

Trump did not seek Congressional authorization for the war. Now, the backlash over the course of the war and the failure to consult Congress is starting to cause some backlash within the Republican Party.

The Senate approved a procedural vote to advance the War Powers Resolution on May 19, 50-47, with the support of four Republicans. On June 3, the House of Representatives voted 215-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in passing a largely symbolic bill aimed at ending the war.

See poll: Congressional Republicans push back against President Trump on Iran, anti-weaponization fund, etc.

Opening the Straits and Reducing Inflation

Iran’s commitment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days helped calm energy markets. The average price of gasoline in the United States is below $4 a gallon, down from its May peak but still well above the pre-conflict average of $2.96.

This is good news not only for American consumers but also for Republican candidates running in the midterm elections. Economic anxiety, short-sighted as “affordability,” is now at the top of voters’ concerns, and inflation is increasing dissatisfaction with the president and his party.

By the time the ceasefire was announced, the war had already cost U.S. consumers and taxpayers at least $132 billion in higher prices, higher interest rates and military spending, according to economic research firm Moody’s Analytics.

Economists have warned that it will be many months before prices for gas, fertilizer, food and other products return to pre-war levels before they can be transported openly and reliably through the Channel. Until now, about 20% of the world’s oil passed through the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open sea.

What remains at issue is whether Iran will seek to impose a “user fee” after the 60-day agreement expires.

Another point is that opening the strait will solve the problems caused by the war.

rupture with Israel

The war with Iran began as a joint operation between the United States and Israel, but negotiations to end it have become a hotly contested issue between President Trump and his longtime ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Trump claims the war protected Israel from nuclear annihilation. However, Israel was not informed of the draft cease-fire agreement until it was announced, and the draft included provisions that Netanyahu claims endangered Israel’s security.

At the G7 summit in France, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and used other expletives. In the region, Israel continued to attack Lebanon in a conflict with Hezbollah, threatening a ceasefire.

For Israel, the war has yet to achieve its fundamental objectives, such as eliminating Iran’s missile arsenal or clearly curbing its nuclear ambitions.

Undetermined: Iranian nuclear constraints

It’s too early to submit: The ceasefire gives two months to negotiations to resolve restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program, among other things.

This was President Trump’s main goal in starting the war, but it was not mentioned in the 14-page ceasefire agreement, and the United States and Iran have given different explanations for how talks on the issue will proceed.

Vice President J.D. Vance said Iran had agreed to reinvite U.N. nuclear inspectors to inspect its damaged nuclear facilities, calling it a “major milestone,” but Iranian officials said they had made no such new commitment.

President Trump claimed of Truth Social: “If they don’t agree to this, there will be no further negotiations!” he warned, adding, “Negotiations are progressing well!”

Susan Page, USA TODAY’s Washington bureau chief, has covered 12 presidential elections and seven presidential elections. Her most recent book is The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper, 2026).

1...666768...1,006Page 67 of 1,006

About us

Stay informed with the latest breaking news, expert insights, and in-depth coverage across USA, Politics, Economy, World News, Technology, Health, Sports, Science, and more. Your trusted source for daily news and trending topics.

Editor's Picks

The latest

When will the Trump administration’s Dulles Airport renovation work begin?

Politics 0
President Trump pressured Senator Schumer to rename Penn Station...

Lindsay Clancy, ex-husband’s testimony and nature of mental illness

USA 0
Massachusetts mother goes on trial for killing her three...

Chili’s announces nationwide restaurant renovations. What you can expect

Economy 0
Server impressed by customer's ketchup portraitWhen Jacqueline Mang realized...

Subscribe

©2025 US-NEA.COM. All Rights Reserved.