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Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open or closed on Memorial Day 2026?

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Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open or closed on Memorial Day 2026?

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Memorial Day is fast approaching. If you need to cash a check or mail a package, it’s a good idea to plan ahead.

This is because Memorial Day is a federal holiday, so most national banks and the U.S. Postal Service are closed for the holiday.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day is “the nation’s largest annual day of remembrance and remembrance of fallen military personnel.” Originally called “Decoration Day,” the holiday dates back to the 1860s and commemorates those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Here’s what you need to know about banks, post offices, and delivery services and whether they’ll be open on Memorial Day 2026.

Memorial Day savings: Prices will be higher on Memorial Day weekend. Is there a way to save it?

When is Memorial Day in 2026?

Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday in May. This year’s Memorial Day is May 25th.

Is the post office open on Memorial Day? Will my mail be delivered?

Memorial Day is a USPS holiday, and no mail will be delivered on May 25, and post offices will be closed for retail transactions, according to the agency’s website.

Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.

Are banks open on Memorial Day?

Because Memorial Day is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, will be closed on May 25.

We recommend checking with your local bank branch for specific holiday hours.

Is UPS open on Memorial Day? Will my packages be delivered?

UPS pickup and delivery service is not available on Memorial Day.

According to the company’s website, UPS Store locations may be closed. Please check with your local store for specific business hours.

According to the company’s website, UPS Express Critical service is available 24/7. For more information, visit marken.com or call 1-800-714-8779.

Is FedEx open on Memorial Day? Will my packages be delivered?

Most FedEx pickup and delivery services will not be available on Memorial Day, according to the company’s website. FedEx business hours also change, so we recommend checking with your local store for specific business hours.

However, FedEx Custom Critical is said to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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

Colbert, Kyle Busch, Iran Daily Briefing

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Colbert, Kyle Busch, Iran Daily Briefing

Welcome to the daily briefing. Start with the following story.

nicole farato Now, I’m interested in Dunkin’ Bucket. Friday is packed with news you need to know, from the finale of a television titan to the sudden death of a NASCAR legend.

Colbert’s last broadcast

Less than a year after CBS canceled the show and nearly 11 years later, Stephen Colbert announced last night that he was permanently canceling “The Late Show.”

Who showed up? During the live taping, Colbert was joined by an all-star lineup that included Paul McCartney, Ryan Reynolds, Elvis Costello, Paul Rudd, and former bandleader Jon Batiste.

What were Colbert’s parting words? At New York’s famed Ed Sullivan Theater, the film concludes with humorous wit and a political punchline, with an optimistic message of joy, gratitude, and hope.

Take a look back at the top 10 moments from the show’s history and see photos from the emotional final episode.

More news you need to know right now

movie

Demi Moore goes out with a bang

Demi Moore sported a new cropped hairstyle as the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on the French Riviera. Moore is one of the jurors at this year’s festival, which is not only a premier destination for global film premieres, but also an unofficial fashion show for big stars. We can’t all be Demi. But dress up your own film festival this weekend with these new movies available to stream right now.

Memorial Day 2026

MDW Save money on gas bills

Memorial Day weekend is here. For many people, that means a road trip to the beach or a relaxing staycation for a long vacation weekend. However, due to soaring oil prices, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay within budget. Some of the most powerful fuel saving tools may already be in your pocket.

before going

Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.

Tips for grilling burgers and avoiding food poisoning for Memorial Day cooking

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Tips for grilling burgers and avoiding food poisoning for Memorial Day cooking

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As you gear up for outdoor grilling season, be careful not to serve unsafe food over Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, is a day to remember U.S. military personnel who have died in the service of their country. The holiday also marks the unofficial start of outdoor grilling season, as families and friends gather for delicious grilled food.

But backyard chefs want to avoid food poisoning from ruining the festivities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food poisoning makes 48 million people sick each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

Memorial Day Weekend: Holidays will be more expensive. Is there a way to save it?

According to the CDC, raw or undercooked meat and poultry and unwashed fruits and vegetables can carry bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

“When planning a cookout, think beyond the menu and plan for food safety,” says Quad Whitson, Extension Culinary Nutrition and Food Safety Program Associate at the University of Arkansas College of Agriculture, in his Food Safety Primer.

“A little preparation in advance can prevent a lot of problems down the line,” Whitson said, adding that outdoor cookouts may require additional supplies. For example, he notes, packing food in a well-insulated cooler will keep cold food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and hot food above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

before lighting the grill

Here are some food safety preparation tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration.

  • Keep it cold: When shopping, choose meat, poultry, and fish last, and keep raw meat separate from other items in your shopping cart. Freeze raw meat as soon as you get home from the supermarket. Freeze chicken and ground meat that will not be used within two days. Freeze other meats within 4-5 days.
  • Thawing: If possible, thaw frozen meat or poultry in the refrigerator. However, sealed packages can be thawed in cold water, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service said. If you are using the microwave to thaw, place the food on the grill immediately.
  • Marinade: Whatever marinade you use, marinate your food in the refrigerator (note: do not thaw or marinate meat, poultry, or seafood on the counter). Ideally, any marinade used on raw meat should be discarded. If you want to use the marinade as a sauce for cooked food, set some aside before adding the raw meat. Also, if you want to use it as a sauce while grilling meat or poultry, you’ll need to simmer it for a few minutes to kill any bacteria.

Appropriate cooking temperature for grilling meat

When cooking, meat must reach a certain internal temperature to kill bacteria such as E. coli, which has been linked to repeated recalls of ground meat and leafy vegetables. E. coli infection can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain three to four days after exposure, and can cause kidney failure in children under 5, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems, the CDC said.

A food thermometer helps ensure that food is cooked to at least the minimum internal temperature. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat and read the temperature after 10 to 20 seconds.

  • According to the USDA’s FSIS, chicken must be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • 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.
  • To achieve medium-rare steaks, roasts, chops, and other whole cuts of meat, you should cook them to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.6 degrees Celsius) and let them rest for 3 minutes after removing them from the grill. If you want your meat cooked to medium, increase the temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • For fish, cook according to the CDC and USDA Safe Cooking Temperature Chart at 145 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the meat is opaque and separates easily with a fork.

Prevent the spread of bacteria while cooking

To prevent bacteria in raw meat from contaminating other foods, the CDC recommends using one cutting board or plate for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and a separate board or plate for produce, bread, and other non-cooked foods.

Don’t use the same plates or utensils to transport raw meat to the grill and to collect cooked meat or poultry. Wash it or use another one. According to the FoodSafety.Gov website run by the Department of Health and Human Services, there is no need to wash raw chicken or meat before cooking, unless you need to wash the meat or poultry because of marinades or brine. This is because washing can spread germs to the sink, countertops, and other foods that can make you sick.

If you’re taking food to the kitchen, pack the raw meat in a sealed container or bag and place it in the bottom of the cooler to avoid dripping onto other food.

After you put the meat on the grill, wash the countertops and take the platters and utensils you used to put the meat on the grill to the kitchen and wash them in hot, soapy water.

The CDC also recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, flour, and eggs, and after preparing food or before eating.

Memorial Day Cookout: Leftovers

When preparing meals to serve, place cold food on ice both before and during serving. Hot food must be kept above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and may need to be kept warm until served.

Meredith Carothers, a USDA food safety expert, said people should remember the “two-hour rule” when they’re done eating. She said this is the amount of time fresh food can be safely left at room or outside temperature before bacteria reaches dangerous or unsafe levels that cannot be stopped by reheating.

And if it’s really hot, the rule about eating outside is cut in half. “When temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, that time actually reduces to just an hour,” Carothers says.

Refrigerate leftovers immediately in a small container. You can put hot food in small portions directly into the refrigerator or back into the insulated cooler. Cut large items, such as whole roasts or hams, into smaller pieces before refrigerating. You can leave the legs and wings whole.

“If food has been sitting out for too long and you’re not sure if it’s staying cold enough, the best advice is ‘when in doubt, throw it out,'” says Whitson. “When you reheat leftovers later, they should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.”

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

Sister of Cuban GAESA military business leader arrested in US

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Sister of Cuban GAESA military business leader arrested in US

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The United States has arrested the sister of a Cuban official who controls a huge Washington-approved military-run enterprise on the island, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Mr. Addis Lastres Morera is the brother of the executive president of Grupo de Administración Empresarial, or GAESA, which stands for “Management Management Group.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed in a May 21 statement that Morella, who lived in Florida, was in U.S. custody awaiting deportation proceedings. U.S. officials believe Morella’s presence threatens U.S. interests and undermines U.S. foreign policy.

why is it important: Morella’s arrest comes as the Trump administration repeatedly presses Cuba to agree to sweeping economic and political changes on the Caribbean island. They are also openly discussing the overthrow of the Cuban government. Her seizure is the latest development in the White House’s efforts to address Cuba’s endgame.

What happens in Cuba could fundamentally alter business relations with the United States, a longtime regional adversary. Alternatively, Cuba could become the Pentagon’s next target, following operations in Venezuela and Iran. Some experts believe that further unraveling of the Cuban Missile Crisis could lead to a new wave of immigration to the mainland United States.

Mr. Rubio said Mr. Morella managed real estate assets while “supporting the communist regime in Havana.” Her sister is Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera. The Cuban government refers to her as GAESA’s “Brigadier General.” Cuban officials in Washington, London and Rome did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations.

Rubio told reporters in Miami on May 21 that Cuba posed a “national security threat” to the United States and that it was “not likely” that the two long-time adversaries would come to a peaceful agreement. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez pushed back, accusing Rubio of “lies” and saying the island had never posed a threat to the United States.

IOther recent U.S.-Cuba developments:

  • The aircraft carrier Nimitz and three escort warships arrived in the Caribbean on the same day the Justice Department announced murder charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro, 94. The naval buildup mirrors what happened near Venezuela at the end of 2025. The naval buildup ended on January 3, when U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Syria Flores.
  • The Castro murder charge stems from the 1996 shooting down of two civilian planes in international waters, killing four people, three of them American, and one American resident. The evidence for his indictment is based on audio recordings of senior Cuban officials talking about shooting down the plane. This information was shared among U.S. intelligence officials and members of Congress. But until now, he has never taken action.
  • A U.S. delegation led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with senior Cuban officials on May 14, conveying President Donald Trump’s message that the United States is willing to take economic and security issues seriously, but only if Cuba undergoes fundamental changes, including a promise that it is no longer a safe haven for U.S. adversaries in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Rubio visited the Vatican in early May and met with Pope Leo XIV. Cuba and its spiraling humanitarian crisis were on the agenda. The two Americans met at a time when the Pope, President Donald Trump, and Trump’s Catholic vice president, J.D. Vance, are taking their differences over war, peace and church doctrine to spectacular new heights of rhetoric. Rubio slammed Cuba’s military junta and elite with new sanctions just hours after meeting with the first American pope.
  • Cuban national security officials visited two prominent political prisoners on April 15, five days after U.S. and Cuban officials held secret talks in Havana and issued an ultimatum, according to a recording of the call obtained by USA TODAY. Investigators offered them the option of leaving Cuba or remaining in prison.
  • USA TODAY reported in mid-April that military planning for a possible Pentagon-led operation in Cuba had been quietly underway for weeks in the event President Trump ordered an intervention in Cuba. USA TODAY first reported in early March that the Trump administration was moving forward with an economic deal with Cuba.
  • cuba background:The Trump administration imposed an oil embargo on Cuba, pushing the country to the brink of humanitarian collapse. President Trump has a variety of options in Cuba, from pursuing an economic deal to regime change. All seem diverse and troubling, but each is fraught with political minefields.
  • Learn more about Cuba:For Rubio, contempt for the Cuban government was practically a birthright. He grew up among Cuban exiles in Florida, and his political rise from local politician to U.S. senator was propelled by his unwavering hardline stance against Fidel Castro and his successors.
  • US and Cuba timeline: A relationship defined by hostility, pressure, and regular cycles of violence.
  • USA TODAY reported on the unfolding U.S.-Cuba story in Spanish.

‘Late Show’ finale proves Stephen Colbert’s work isn’t done

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‘Late Show’ finale proves Stephen Colbert’s work isn’t done

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What will Stephen Colbert’s legacy be?

Despite the pomp and circumstance of the final episode of CBS’s “The Late Show,” which Colbert has hosted since 2015, the story of the quintessential American comedian did not end on May 21st. Even if this act of his career is over, the 62-year-old Colbert still has many miles to go before he sleeps. Depending on how you count, this is his second or third time ever doing it.

But Stephen Colbert’s long story will include an incendiary chapter about this moment in cultural history. It started almost a year ago when he announced that CBS was canceling “The Late Show” and thus his daily on-screen tenure. The move threw the industry into turmoil, sparking both political backlash and celebration, resulting in a month-long final hurray from Colbert and his many friends that ignited the zeitgeist of a nation on edge like the series finale of “Game of Thrones.”

Colbert took to the stage for the May 21 finale, burdened by a divided nation, a tongue-lashing Internet hater, a former president (Barack Obama) sitting on a couch, and a current president (Donald Trump) tweeting around his neck. He was always a showman and a professional, calmly conducting the finale.

The comedian started with a short farewell to the crew, followed by a fairly typical monologue that poked at regular news (airport cave-in, etc.) and his own news (I know even Dolphin was canceled). He pivoted to a very lively regular segment, “Meanwhile,” which included at least one attempt to sue CBS, two celebrity interruptions, and one laugh-out-loud sushi joke.

The final guest on “The Late Show” was not actually Pope Leo While other hosts may have used icons like McCartney to put more spotlight on themselves, Colbert chatted with McCartney like any other night. The musician talked about his new album, his childhood, and recalled appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964, where he got his first impressions of the great democracy of America. McCartney told Colbert that he hoped the country would continue to do so.

There was talk about CBS and Equal Time. There were spitting scenes and too many celebrity cameos to count. There was a wormhole. Colbert cited his great literary love, “The Lord of the Rings.” Former bandleader Jon Batiste returned to sing with Colbert (and current bandleaders Louis Cato and Elvis Costello). There was great joy, and Colbert said he championed it every day with his crew and colleagues.

And mainly, there was Colbert, his clumsy, goofy, and endearing self. From his early career with the improv group Second City and his time as a correspondent on The Daily Show to his decade-long run on network television, The Colbert Report, his brand of comedy has never been about glamor, glitz, or flamboyance.

Colbert’s strength has always been his point of view: satire, nerdiness, and sharp cuts to the heart. Anyone watching could feel the emotions radiating from the host throughout the night, even if he pretended to be sucked into the abyss.

It was a silly, funny, and touching episode of television. By the time Colbert was singing “Hello, Goodbye” with McCartney, Costello, Cato and Batiste, there was nothing else to say.

You shouldn’t expect anything more from Colbert than confidence and grace. He’s a conservative thug for more than a decade, a man who made “Strangers with Candy” one of the strangest and most entertaining comedies on television, and who once again insulted another president (George W. Bush) to his face at Washington, D.C.’s biggest celebration.

No, Stephen Colbert isn’t done. “Late Show” has ended. Late-night TV may be coming to an end soon. But a voice like Colbert’s doesn’t just disappear into the wind unless you have a shiny wooden desk in front of you and a broadcast company behind you.

This chapter is over. Another one begins.

Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Finale – What You Didn’t See

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Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Finale – What You Didn’t See

Stephen Colbert officially ended “The Late Show” on May 21, but fans who attended the taping of the finale revealed that there was more going on inside the Ed Sullivan Theater that wasn’t caught on camera.

NEW YORK CITY — For fans inside the Ed Sullivan Theater, the final taping of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Thursday, May 21, was television history unfolding before their eyes, and it was history repeating itself.

Outgoing host Stephen Colbert ended his final show in sensational fashion, singing the Beatles classic “Hello Goodbye” with Paul McCartney on stage. According to audience member Ray Lingenfelter from Eugene, Oregon, Colbert loved the moment so much that he requested an encore.

“They actually did that take twice. Again, you might not see it on TV, but Stephen was so excited that he said, ‘You don’t get to sing with the Beatles every day,'” Lingenfelter told USA TODAY. “So he put everyone back in first position and sang (the song) again the second time.”

Cameo appearance at Colbert’s final show

During the live taping, Colbert was greeted by an all-star lineup that included Ryan Reynolds, Elvis Costello, Paul Rudd, and former bandleader Jon Batiste.

“I was so emotional,” Batiste said as he exited the building, waved to fans and hopped into a waiting SUV.

“It was a very emotional show,” Lingenfelter added. “There were a lot of cameos. A lot of people showed up.”

Steve Hannis, of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, said he drove to New York thinking McCartney would be his last guest.

“I didn’t have any inside information. It all added up,” Hanis said, adding that when McCartney came out backstage, “everyone went crazy.”

According to Hanis, after “Hello, Goodbye,” the band assembled and began jamming to a new song with the fictional lyrics “We love you, Stephen Baby.” McCartney was then handed the trumpet for “March of the Saints,” which was conducted by New Orleans native Batiste.

After the recording, a “sentimental speech” was given.

After the finale, bandleader Louis Cato and other Late Show colleagues “gave very emotional speeches,” Lingenfelter said.

“He was a true friend of Stephen’s, and behind the scenes he said[Colbert]was this great guy,” Lingenfelter says. “And that wasn’t something he saw much of in the entertainment industry.”

Lingenfelter had seen a taping of “The Late Show” before, but it was nothing like the historic TV finale.

“Only 20 percent of the show looked normal,” Lingenfelter said. “They were having a celebration. Everyone was so excited to be here and be able to do it for so long. But you can tell some of their jokes about it being canceled stung a little bit because they didn’t want to go.”

Dunkin’ Bucket is dropping today, but only for a limited time

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Dunkin’ Bucket is dropping today, but only for a limited time

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Why not head to Dunkin’ to pick up your Friday energy? You just might get the drink bucket of your dreams.

The much-talked-about 48-ounce beverage bucket is now available at Dunkin’ stores nationwide.

Customers can choose how to fill their bucket with iced coffee or refreshments, adjusting to their desired flavor or sweetness.

The limited launch comes several months after the coffee chain tested the beverage bucket in a limited number of stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Here’s how to catch it, if you act fast.

Only 25 Dunkin Buckets available at each store

Dunkin’ beverage buckets will be available for a limited time on Friday, May 22nd.

The buckets will be sold at stores across the country, but each store will only have 25 buckets available.

Each bucket costs $12.99 and cannot be refilled after initial purchase.

Social media explodes over Dunkin Bucket

The release of the limited edition bucket has been eagerly awaited by some Dunkin’ fans.

Speculation that the chain was selling the product was fueled earlier this year after social media posts showed it was being sold in some stores.

Dunkin’ did not publicly say at the time whether it was testing the buckets, but posts about the buckets, including X and Reels, each received millions of views within days.

Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.

Krispy Kreme’s data breach settlement claim deadline is next month

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Krispy Kreme’s data breach settlement claim deadline is next month

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The deadline to claim Krispy Kreme’s $1.6 million settlement stemming from a class action lawsuit alleging the company failed to prevent a data breach that occurred in November 2024 is approaching.

The lawsuit alleges that personal information was compromised, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial account access information. Krispy Kreme denies any wrongdoing or liability.

According to the settlement website, individuals who reside in the United States and receive a data breach notification indicating that their personal information may have been affected are included in this class.

Here’s what you need to know about the settlement and how to file a claim.

More news: Avis Car Rental may be liable for up to $5,000. When is the billing deadline?

When is the deadline to request settlement money in a Krispy Kreme lawsuit?

Consumers must submit claims by June 22 to be eligible for payment. The deadline to opt out of or oppose the settlement is June 6th.

What eligible consumers can receive if they file a claim

The entire class will receive a $75 cash payment, according to Krispy Kreme’s payment website. This number is subject to change depending on the number of claims filed.

Class members with documented losses may receive up to $3,500 in compensation for fraud, identity theft, and other losses. Evidence such as receipts, emails, and phone records must be included in the claim form.

Class members who do not file a claim will still have access to one year of credit monitoring. According to the payment website, class members should receive an activation code via postcard notification.

How to submit a claim form

Class Members may submit claims on the Krispy Kreme Settlement Website or by mail to the Settlement Administrator at the address listed on the claim form. A claim form is also available by calling 877-239-1879.

Consumers who have questions or require further information should visit the FAQ page on the payment website.

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

Democratic Congressional primaries featuring Kennedy heirs intensify in New York

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Democratic Congressional primaries featuring Kennedy heirs intensify in New York

Nostalgia for Kennedy’s short-lived “Camelot” is now more than 60 years old, contrasting with modern American politics in 2026 around Trump and AI.

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NEW YORK – New York’s 12th Congressional District encompasses central Manhattan. There’s Chelsea, a gay enclave turned tech haven, Times Square, home to tourist traps and corporate headquarters, and even the upscale Upper East and West Sides, home to the rich and famous.

So who better to represent a liberal-leaning, wealthy district than Kennedy?

The race is tight, with some early polls showing Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, leading in the crowded field to replace retiring Congressman Jerry Nadler.

With the June 23 Democratic primary set to decide the overwhelming favorite in a Democratic-heavy district, Schlossberg is far from guaranteed to win the party’s nomination, which once seemed like a foregone conclusion.

The candidates enjoyed early media hype and had a 9-point lead from late February to early March, according to one study commissioned by Democratic opponents.

However, that lead has slipped. A recent Emerson College Poll/PIX 11 poll released on May 21 showed state Rep. Micah Lasher with 22% support and state Rep. Alex Boaz on the other side of Central Park with 20% support. Mr. Schlossberg was in third place with 11%, followed by former Republican cable news commentator George Conway, who was “never Trump”, with 10%.

The campaign not only evokes nostalgia for President JFK’s short-lived Camelot, but also addresses current debates in Democratic politics about how to counter the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to the federal government, declining support for Israel, and battles over AI regulation.

“If Jack Schlossberg wasn’t a Kennedy, we wouldn’t be talking about him, would we?” Chris Coffey, a Democratic strategist who supports Rusher, told USA TODAY. The district is one of the wealthiest and best-educated in the country, making it likely to see through Schlossberg’s thin resume, he said.

“Where his votes go will determine the winner of this race,” Coffey said.

A new type of Kennedy

Schlossberg, 33, is best known as the tall, handsome son of former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, the only survivor of President Kennedy.

He gained a massive following on social media for his bizarre antics, such as asking if second lady Usha Vance was more attractive than his 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. In another article, he called his uncle Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s failed 2024 presidential bid “disgraceful.” Kennedy currently serves as Secretary of Health in the Trump administration.

Like much of his family, Schlossberg boasts an impressive academic background, including a degree from Harvard Law School. However, his work history is short. In government, he worked at the State Department while his mother served as an ambassador for several months. He also held temporary positions in Japan at e-commerce company Rakuten and Suntory Distillery. He spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Schlossberg’s campaign is focused on restoring his family’s legacy as a pillar of Democratic politics, with the slogan “Let’s Believe in Something Again.” But he has also vowed not to accept PAC money, saying it inevitably compels politicians to compromise. It also promised to provide tax breaks to renters.

Like many liberal Democrats, Schlossberg has opposed aggressive military aid to Israel. Both Mr. Boas and Mr. Lasher support continued U.S. military aid to Israel in areas with large Jewish populations. Schlossberg, who is half-Jewish, supports funding Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.

New York Magazine reported on one of Schlossberg’s campaign events, a March Madness watch party that heavily skewed toward women and young people.

Election filings show that celebrities such as “Saturday Night Live” executive producer Lorne Michaels, musician Paul Simon and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken have donated to his campaign. He also received the support of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, an 86-year-old Democratic icon who met Schlossberg’s grandfather.

But with his celebrity endorsement, Mr. Schlossberg has recently been the subject of critical reporting in the New York Times, which reported on high turnover within his campaign and allegations of erratic behavior.

Schlossberg’s campaign did not respond to requests for an interview.

There was once a chance that Mr. Kennedy would emerge victorious in the Northeastern Democratic primary, as Mr. Schlossberg’s great-uncle Robert F. Kennedy did in the 1964 New York State Senate race, but that may not be the case now.

“It’s unclear whether Kennedy’s name will be much of a help,” Basil Smikle, a Columbia University professor and former state Democratic Party executive director, said in an email. “And in some ways, the balance of power favors Boas and Rusher, the two candidates who already represent the area.”

Legislative power to fight Trump

If Schlossberg is the epitome of an adventurer’s heir, Lasher is the archetypal ordinary politician trying to seize that opportunity.

If endorsements were to matter anymore, Mr. Lasher would win by a wide margin. In addition to Mr. Nadler, a 17-term lawmaker, Mr. Lasher has the support of Gov. Kathy Hochul, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former Gov. David Paterson, and a long list of city and state Democratic officials.

Schlossberg ran for Congress in 2024 after working as an aide to Nadler, who was Bloomberg City Hall’s state legislative affairs director and policy director under Hochul. Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire who has invested heavily in local elections, poured $5 million into the New York primary super PAC stand in March.

As he entered the diner, shaking hands with customers, Lasher told USA TODAY that voters, more than past Democrats, are looking for someone they can trust to actually take on President Donald Trump.

“I often tell the voters I meet that the Democratic Party needs to find its spine. I want to lead the search party,” Mr. Lasher, 44, said after breakfast.

Lasher said he knows how to use the legislative process to effect change, citing his past work on public health, immigration and voting rights.

“I’m not a tech guy, I’m not a TikTok influencer,” he said, apparently referring to Boas and Schlossberg. “I’m a legislative warrior, and that’s the job we’re all running for.”

Lasher has put together a roadmap for Democrats called Project 2026, which is modeled after the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which laid out priorities for the second Trump administration. “Project 2026” is a strategy for oversight and investigations that could be launched if Democrats take control of the House.

But he also said Democrats need a “positive agenda” that people believe in, and should focus on economic concerns such as housing, child care, health care, jobs and wages.

“Voters should not have to choose between having experience and know-how and having a fighting spirit,” he said. “And with me, they don’t have to make that choice.”

AI arms race

In an interview with USA TODAY over coffee near Grand Central Terminal, Boas, 35, argued that his experience in the technology industry makes him the best candidate. Boaz boasts a degree in computer science, making him the first Democrat elected to the state Legislature. He worked for Palantir Technologies until he clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement over a contract.

“This is a race about who is best suited to serve the voters of this district going forward, not who comes from the most prestigious family, or who comes from the most storied political machine, or who the establishment will work with,” Boas said. “The competition is to see who can draw a vision for the future.

His signature, the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act of 2025, which requires AI developers to create and publish safety protocols and allows civil lawsuits against developers who fail to file required reports or make false statements, is one of the strongest state-level regulations for artificial intelligence.

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order calling for overriding state AI laws and allowing the field to “freely innovate without burdensome regulation.”

A super PAC associated with OpenAI leaders has pledged to spend millions of dollars on attack ads against Boas. Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by tech billionaire Trump donors Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz and Greg Brockman, first announced in November that it would target Boas.

The Public First super PAC, aligned with OpenAI rival Anthropic, appeared to be more supportive of regulation and contributed significantly to Boas.

“In a campaign that we’re all committed to running against Donald Trump, I’m the only one that Donald Trump’s mega-donors are spending millions of dollars on,” Boas said.

Boas said he also sees localized harm from AI. The region has a high concentration of white-collar workers, many of whom are at risk of having many of their jobs replaced by AI, he said.

Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, endorsed Boas. Joseph Guivarghese, who heads Our Revolution, said the race is a proxy war between different factions in the tech industry. Guivarghese said the “big tech oligarchs” don’t want AI regulation and see Boas as a threat to introduce consumer guardrails into an emerging industry.

“At the end of the day, it’s a grassroots versus tech giant issue,” Geevarghese said. “The level of outside spending, especially from technology companies, speaks to why this is such an important election. Again, this is an area where there is no strong leadership in Congress who has demonstrated the ability to hold big technology companies accountable.”

‘Never Trump’ Cable News Stardom

Mr. Conway, a 62-year-old former Republican lawyer who gained notoriety on cable news and social media as a “definitely not Trump,” entered the Manhattan race in January.

Mr. Conway, who is married to senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, previously told New York political news organization City & State, “I feel like I’m not doing enough.” “And I think that in this particular moment, we really need people who are very focused on fighting authoritarianism because there’s so much at stake.”

His focus seems to have been on defending democracy. The campaign website also said President Trump is making Americans worse off, including by increasing costs and health care costs from cutting Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act.

Conway’s campaign did not respond to requests for an interview.

Now that he’s moved into the mayor’s mansion, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani is identified as a Democrat in the district, according to State Elections Commission records. However, he has not yet endorsed anyone in the race.

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

Minnesota nonprofit leader convicted of $250 million fraud

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Minnesota nonprofit leader convicted of $250 million fraud

On Thursday, May 21, a judge sentenced the leader of a Minnesota nonprofit organization to more than 40 years in prison for a nearly $250 million COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud scheme that exploited federal child nutrition programs.

Amy Bock, one of 70 people charged in the case, was found guilty of her role by a jury in March 2025, along with co-defendant and former restaurant owner Salim Ahmed Said.

Bock is the founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future, whose employees recruited restaurant owners and others to open food distribution sites across Minnesota during the pandemic.

“These sites, created and operated by Mr. Bock, Mr. Syed, and others, fraudulently claimed to be feeding thousands of children a day within just days and weeks of their creation,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota said in a statement.

“This was a vortex of fraud, and you were at the epicenter of it,” U.S. District Judge Nancy Brassell told Bock during a sentencing hearing in Minneapolis federal court, the USA TODAY Network’s St. Cloud Times reported.

“I made a mistake, a lot of mistakes,” Bock, 45, said at the sentencing hearing. “If I could go back, I would do everything differently. I don’t have the words to express how awful I feel.”

What happened in Feeding our Future?

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Bock and Syed oversaw a “large-scale fraud scheme” in Minneapolis “perpetrated by sites sponsored by Feeding Our Future.”

The program was tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s federal child nutrition program, which provides meals to children in need. This resource was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow for-profit restaurants to operate federally funded food distribution sites as long as they are sponsored by nonprofit organizations.

Prosecutors alleged that restaurant owners and others bribed Feeding Our Future employees to get the organization to sponsor the fake distribution site. The participants then spent the federal funds directed to the location on personal purchases such as luxury cars, homes, jewelry, and resorts overseas.

As USA TODAY previously reported, prosecutors accused Bock of being the “ringleader.”

The case gained further attention in 2024, when five people were charged with conspiring to bribe jurors to the tune of $120,000. Dozens of other defendants have already pleaded guilty in the case, and at least seven others have been sentenced, prosecutors said.

Earlier this year, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz suspended his re-election bid following widespread pressure within his administration over the scandal.

Proposed amendment: Nancy Mace pushes for ban on naturalization within US government

What was Amy Bock charged with?

Bock and Syed, 37, were charged with multiple crimes, including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery, according to court records. Mr. Said was also charged with multiple counts of money laundering.

“Amy Bock and Salim Said took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to carry out a massive fraud scheme to steal money intended to support their children,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick said in a statement after they were sentenced.

“Defendants falsely claimed to have provided 91 million meals and fraudulently received approximately $250 million in federal funds in return. That money was not used to support their children, but to fund their lavish lifestyles,” she added.

Contributed by: Alisa Chen and the Minnesota Reformers

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

Target unveils new shopping cart. New features include:

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Target unveils new shopping cart. New features include:

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Target is revamping key parts of its in-store shopping experience.

The retailer announced in a recent news release that it is redesigning its shopping cart. Target said it aims to make the new carts “highly functional, long-lasting and redesigned with reduced environmental impact in mind.”

Target says the new carts are made from fully recyclable materials and components can be replaced individually, “extending lifespan and reducing the need to replace the entire cart.”

Target says the new cart, called the Series 3 All-Plastic Cart, will roll out to select stores over time and is already available in some stores.

More shopping news: Dollar General unveils new kitchenware line under $12

What customers can expect with the new Target shopping cart

According to Target, the Series 3 APC cart will include the following features:

  • Smoother operation and ergonomic handle
  • Deeper, more comfortable and safer child seat
  • Increased basket space
  • large cup holder

The goal is to renovate more than 130 stores.

In addition to shopping carts, your local Target store itself may soon be getting a new look.

The company announced earlier this month that it would open 30 new stores in priority markets and spend about $5 billion renovating more than 130 stores, in what the company called “the most significant transformation for our stores at any point in the past decade.”

The company says the redesign includes an updated layout for easier navigation and a “more intuitive” shopping experience. New features in the newly renovated store include:

  • Expanding the lineup of dry foods, and expanding the fresh and frozen food sections in some stores
  • Facilities with modern decor and special LED lighting
  • In addition to updates to our traditional and self-checkout lanes, we have updated spaces and expanded services to support order pickup, drive up, exchanges and returns.
  • Modern guest amenities such as restrooms and designated lactation areas
  • In some stores, Target is installing natural refrigeration systems, more efficient lighting, and HVAC systems to help reduce emissions.

“All of these investments are designed to make Target an easier, more exciting and friendlier place to shop,” said Laurie Mahowald, senior vice president of Target Properties, in a news release. “From more intuitive layouts to expanded selections, we are evolving our stores to reflect the way our customers shop today, while strengthening the role they play in enrichment and our long-term growth.”

Target told USA TODAY what’s new for guests will vary by location and the timing of each renovation will vary.

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

Kyle Busch’s last post before his tragic death is heartbreaking

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Kyle Busch’s last post before his tragic death is heartbreaking

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Editor’s note: Follow here for updates on the tragic death of Kyle Busch.

Kyle Busch was one of NASCAR’s greatest legends.

It was. That keyword completely changes the atmosphere and makes the rest difficult to understand. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion tragically passed away on May 21 at the age of 41 after battling a serious illness.

Bush was rushed to the hospital early in the day, according to his family. And while condolences have been pouring out on social media, it’s important to remember that his family has been hit hardest. NASCAR fans may have known the driver for his aggressive style and excitement outside the car, but his two children, Brexton and Lennix, knew him just as their father. And his wife, Samantha, knew him as her husband.

It was just May 18th that Busch tweeted a birthday message to his son Brexton, who was starting his own racing journey. I hope you have tissues nearby.

“Happy Birthday @BrextonBush!!!” Bush wrote to X, “Your mom and I are so proud of who you have become! You are the best kid on and off the track and you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you are doing and there are no limits to what you can accomplish! Love you buddy!”

The 11-year-old started racing in 2020, following in the footsteps of his father, uncle Kurt and grandfather Tom. Brexton won his first race just one month into his racing career, which continues to this day.

That post showed Brexton’s evolution, but it’s also a timeless image from a driver who left a lasting image on the sport.

Perhaps the hardest thing to understand is its finality. This is enough to melt the coldest heart, especially since the driver just celebrated a NASCAR Truck Series victory less than a week ago. Busch, fresh off his 69th Truck Series win and fifth at Dover Motor Speedway, responded when asked why that moment never gets old.

“Because you never know when the end will be,” Bush said on May 15.

As the racing community mourns the loss of a driver, let’s not forget that it is also very sad for the husband and father who passed away too soon.

Because this is the checkered flag that no one is ready for.

Stephen Colbert’s Last Show – Complete Recap of ‘The Late Show’ Finale

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Stephen Colbert’s Last Show – Complete Recap of ‘The Late Show’ Finale

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The era of late-night television has come to an end.

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” aired its series finale on Thursday, May 21, ending Colbert’s nearly 11-year run on the show and ending the late-night show started by David Letterman in 1993. CBS announced its controversial decision to cancel “The Late Show” in July.

The comedian began working on “Late Show” in September 2015, taking over after Letterman left his desk earlier that year.

The end of “The Late Show,” which CBS described as a financial disaster, marks a major shift in late-night comedy and is a worrying sign for a format that has been a television staple for decades. All eyes were on what Colbert, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, would say as questions continued about whether the show’s cancellation was politically motivated.

But despite all the controversy, Colbert chose to go out in a fun and celebratory mood, with the help of Paul McCartney, who returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater for the first time in more than 60 years after performing with the Beatles.

Here’s everything that happened during Colbert’s “Late Show” series finale.

This is how Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ ended

In a long, pre-recorded video, Colbert investigates a green portal backstage, which was used as one big metaphor for the end of “The Late Show.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson explained that this is an interdimensional wormhole that threatens all of late-night television. “Your cancellation has created a rift in the comedy and variety talk continuity!” he said. Jon Stewart came in and read a statement from Paramount, saying that Paramount “strongly believes we can cover both sides” of the black hole.

As Colbert tried to figure out what to do, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver offered advice.

“Without you, where would Americans see middle-aged white men making jokes about the news?” Meyers joked, while Kimmel said a portal opened on last year’s show but “gone in like three days,” referring to the September suspension.

After Colbert quotes “The Lord of the Rings,” Elijah Wood is briefly shown, and Andy Cohen appears to be sucked into a wormhole. After the late-night host encouraged Colbert to end the show on his own terms, he returned to the stage and tried to get things back on track, but a wormhole opened a rift and sucked Colbert inside.

After a commercial break, Colbert found himself in a black void, where he sang with Jon Batiste, his original bandleader Louis Cato, and Elvis Costello.

In the final minutes of the show, Colbert returned to the theater stage for a fun performance of “Hello, Goodbye” with McCartney, Cato, Costello and Batiste. This moved into a pre-recorded moment backstage, where McCartney helped Colbert turn off the lights at the Ed Sullivan Theater. The wormhole then shrinks the theater, creating a snow globe, similar to the ending of “St. Elsewhere.” In the final shot of the show, the “Late Show” theme could be heard playing from the snow globe. And the scene.

Who will be Colbert’s final guest on the ‘Late Show’ finale?

The Pope may not have made it to the “Late Show” finale, but the Beatles were in attendance.

There was speculation that Colbert, a devout Catholic, had booked Pope Leo XIV for his final show, but Colbert toyed with that with a fake gag. After returning from commercial, Colbert acted as if he was trying to bring the Pope out for an interview, only to learn that the Pope was refused permission to come out of his dressing room because he “brought the wrong snacks.” Colbert has described the Pope in media interviews as a guest in “Moby Dick.”

“Who was the Pope? absolutely “Tonight’s guest has been canceled!” Colbert said. “Now, who will be our last guest?”

“Hey, Stephen, what about me?” Paul McCartney said as he took the stage to the applause. This musician turned out to be Colbert’s real “last guest.” The pair did a traditional “Late Show” interview, with McCartney reflecting on his appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” with the Beatles in 1964.

“It’s always great to come back here,” he said.

Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd and Ryan Reynolds make cameos on ‘Late Show’ finale

Many stars made cameos during the show as part of a joke, but they all assumed they would be Colbert’s last special guest.

Colbert explained in his monologue that he was considering a “huge special” finale, but felt it would be more appropriate to do a “regular episode.” As he began to cover the day’s news, Bryan Cranston, wearing a “Late Show” hat, interrupted from the audience and suggested that he might be Colbert’s final guest. “The truth is, we already have something pretty special in store,” Colbert explained, prompting Cranston to depart at short notice.

Last “Late Show” episode: All of Stephen Colbert’s final guests, including a surprise Paul McCartney

Later, Paul Rudd and Tim Meadows made cameos in quick succession from the audience, both of whom believed they were special guests Colbert was teasing. “I have a very long poem that I would like to read, and I don’t want to run out of time,” Rudd said, announcing that she had brought Colbert six bananas as a “traditional retirement gift.”

After the first commercial break, Tig Notaro appeared in the audience and pretended not to know about the big night. “Is this your last show? I’ve lived a very full life, Stephen,” she said. Ryan Reynolds was also seated in the audience, but Colbert explained that he was not a special guest either.

Colbert opens ‘Late Show’ finale with emotional message

Colbert opened the show with an emotional and introspective message before the theme song. Outside in the cold, he talked about how “fun” it was to work on The Late Show, saying, “I can’t express enough what the people who work here have done for each other and how much we value each other.” He also emphasized to viewers “how important you are to what we’ve done.”

“We love doing this show for you, but what we really, really love is doing this show with you,” he said.

See works by Stephen Colbert Touching final message to “Late Show” viewers

After the “Late Show” theme played one last time, Colbert took the stage for his official monologue, beginning with the joke, “If you’re just tuning in to ‘Late Show,’ you’re missing out on a lot!”

He talked about the history of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the show was taped, and said he was “honored” to be a part of it. The audience booed Colbert’s statement that this was his last show, but he discouraged that reaction. “No, no, we’ve been lucky to be here for the past 11 years,” he said.

Fans leaving the Ed Sullivan Theater after the final episode

Outside New York City’s famous theater, fans finished taping the finale and revealed the emotional episode they just witnessed.

“It was a very emotional show,” Ray Lingenfelter of Eugene, Oregon, told USA TODAY. “There were a lot of cameos. A lot of people showed up.”

“Only 20% of the show looked normal,” Lingenfelter added. “They were having a celebration. Everyone was so excited to be here and be able to do it for so long. But you can tell some of their jokes about it being canceled stung a little bit because they didn’t want to go.”

From the Beatles to “The Late Show,” What will become of the Ed Sullivan Theater?

The show continues at Ben and Jerry’s

Despite the end of Late Night, Ben & Jerry’s confirmed on social media that Americane Dream, the ice cream flavor that gave Colbert its name, is not going away.

“Can’t cancel great taste. While we’ll miss @colbertlateshow, Americane Dream stays calm and continues with the sweet new look coming soon to our freezers!” the ice cream brand wrote on May 21, “and as always, proceeds will support philanthropy through the Stephen Colbert Americane Dream Foundation.”

Since the fund was established in 2007, Colbert has raised more than $7.5 million.

When was Colbert’s last show on CBS?

The final episode will air on CBS at 11:35pm ET. According to CBS’ schedule, the show is scheduled to end at 12:54 a.m., making it 17 minutes longer than usual.

Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, who air the show opposite Colbert, will honor Colbert’s last show with a rebroadcast on May 21. Starting May 22, CBS will replace “The Late Show” with Byron Allen’s comedy panel show “Comics Unleashed.”

Colbert’s final guests include performances from Obama, Jon Stewart and Bruce Springsteen.

In his final weeks on “The Late Show,” Colbert interviewed former President Barack Obama, reunited with his former “Daily Show” boss Jon Stewart and brought Letterman back to his old home base. The former “Late Show” host joined Colbert in a gleeful throwing segment from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater, making a bit of a comeback from his Letterman run.

On May 20, Colbert’s penultimate show included a performance by Bruce Springsteen, who the comedian said was “the first man in America to lose a show to a president who can’t take jokes.”

CBS cancels Stephen Colbert’s show

CBS announced in July that it was canceling “The Late Show,” but parent company Paramount Global said it was a “purely financial decision given the difficult circumstances of late night.” But critics question whether politics played a role in the move.

Colbert has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, and the cancellation comes as Paramount is in the process of merging with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Trump administration.

The cancellation of Colbert’s show sparked widespread outcry in the entertainment industry and led to a debate about whether late-night television would remain a viable genre for years to come, or whether the format could be on its way.

In a speech last year, former “Conan” host Conan O’Brien predicted that “late-night television as we have known it since about 1950 will disappear.”

Senate Republicans call off vote on ICE funding, furious at President Trump over ‘slush funds’

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Senate Republicans call off vote on ICE funding, furious at President Trump over ‘slush funds’

Senate Republicans looked gloomy after a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Then they decided to leave town.

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WASHINGTON – Furious over President Donald Trump’s roughly $1.8 billion Justice Department fund that could potentially compensate allies, Senate Republicans stalled a massive immigration enforcement bill and left town until early June.

Concerns about the so-called “anti-weaponization fund” came to a head Thursday morning during a meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. On January 6, 2021, the top Justice Department lawyer was called to the Capitol to allay concerns from lawmakers about what Democrats characterized as a “slush fund” that could fund individuals involved in the riot.

“So the highest law enforcement official in this country is asking for slush funds to pay people who assault police officers?” Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement after the rally. “It’s completely stupid and morally wrong. Make your own choices.”

Senate Republicans emerged sober from a rally with Mr. Branch, Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer. Eventually, they decided to return home, betting on a vote on a months-long budget bill that would inject more than $70 billion into federal immigration enforcement agencies. President Trump originally told Congressional Republicans to pass that funding by June 1, but the new delay means Republicans have largely waived that deadline.

“It’s clear that our members have very legitimate questions,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), acknowledging that Republican senators want to “ensure that the Justice Department’s funds are appropriately ring-fenced.”

“It makes everything more difficult than it needs to be,” he later said.

The sudden decision was a clear sign of the escalating conflict between Senate Republicans and the White House. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) became free agents in the Republican conference after Mr. Cassidy lost his re-election campaign and Mr. Trump refused to endorse Mr. Cornyn, angering many of his longtime colleagues. The president also endorsed Cassidy’s primary opponent, preventing him from advancing to a runoff and making him a lame duck senator until January.

It all happened amidst the sudden creation of a controversial Justice Department fund, of which Thune immediately said he was “not a big fan.”

The backlash is already jeopardizing the president’s legislative agenda in a midterm election year that will determine the success of his remaining second term.

“They’re stuck. They’re confused,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said of Republicans. “And it’s a spectacle.”

Justice Department tries to quash senators

As Republican senators prepare to vote on immigration enforcement funding this week, some have begun eyeing the budget bill as a potential legislative move to break through the Justice Department’s funding guardrails. Other lawmakers, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), opposed the push.

“I don’t understand why anyone would do anything else,” he said.

To quell Republican agitation, the Justice Department sent a memo to lawmakers outlining restrictions on so-called “anti-weaponization” funds.

In a memo obtained by USA TODAY, the agency said lawmakers themselves may also be able to receive taxpayer money through the fund. Targeted Americans could include “Americans whose online speech is censored by government order, parents forced to remain silent on school boards, senators who are secretly subpoenaed, and churchgoers targeted by the FBI.”

A quarterly report on which Americans received relief will be produced and shared with Congress, the memo said (albeit with redactions). The fund plans to stop processing claims in 2028 and return any remaining funds to the federal government.

The memo did little to allay Republican concerns. The tense talks ended without any concrete compromise between Trump administration officials and lawmakers.

“This will be a call for leadership,” said Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas).

Contributed by: Reuters

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

Kroger reportedly plans to cut prices on thousands of items

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Kroger reportedly plans to cut prices on thousands of items

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Kroger’s new CEO Greg Foran acknowledged industry speculation that the company plans to cut prices on “thousands of items” in an effort to reignite sales growth, according to news reports.

“I think of our business like a Formula 1 race. We have a front group of cars that are doing a very good job,” Foran told Bloomberg in a May 21 article. “Our aim is to break out of the midfield and start lapping faster, closing the gap with the cars in the lead group and ideally overtaking them.”

CEO wants lower prices as Kroger customers lighten their baskets

Foran said Kroger’s “basket” of customers is shrinking, in industry parlance, and are buying cheaper and fewer items amid rising gas prices, persistent inflation, the Iran war and overall economic uncertainty. He noted that Kroger’s competitors, including Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Amazon, are winning more customers by emphasizing lower costs.

“The reality is, the basket has to go down,” Foran said. “It has to span thousands of products and it has to meet the common sense of the customer.”

Foran said Kroger will test the price cuts in the coming months and then roll them out more broadly over time. He added that Kroger will have the funds to lower prices by improving its sourcing from suppliers and using technology more efficiently.

Kroger is also considering an acquisition.

Beyond price improvements, Foran added, Kroger is open to acquisitions to expand its store operations, particularly in high-growth markets including the Northeastern United States (where it doesn’t have a presence) and parts of Texas, the Carolinas and Florida.

Foran, a former executive who led Walmart’s U.S. operations from 2014 to 2019, joined Kroger in February after the supermarket operator spent 11 months searching for a new CEO.

The new CEO’s comments came after Kroger reported flat annual sales of nearly $148 billion in March.

TJ Holmes and Amy Robach set wedding date, couple reveals

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TJ Holmes and Amy Robach set wedding date, couple reveals

The controversial broadcast journalist has opened up about her upcoming wedding in a new interview, nearly four years after the couple was embroiled in a dating scandal.

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TJ Holmes and Amy Robach are one step closer to walking down the aisle.

The former “Good Morning America” ​​hosts appeared on “Bill and Juliana: The Podcast” on Tuesday, May 19, and opened up about their upcoming wedding.

Holmes, 48, threw his fiancée something of a marital curveball when he revealed to hosts Giuliana and Bill Rancic that he had set a wedding date.

“Are you okay with that date? There was a date that I really wanted,” said Robach, 53, who declined to give a specific date. “Are you just saying on the podcast that that date is okay?”

Holmes said her conversations with the hosts of “Bill and Juliana” made her “feel more comfortable” committing to a date for the ceremony.

In December 2022, Holmes and Robach were removed from hosting Good Morning America after the Daily Mail published videos and photos of the two married anchors holding hands and Holmes spanking Robach. The following month, ABC News confirmed that the controversial news personality would not be returning to the show.

Although the couple claimed that their respective marriages were almost over, they both decided not to respond to the allegations to avoid escalating drama.

TJ Holmes and Amy Robach’s wedding: 3 years after ‘GMA’ scandal, couple reveals engagement

Three years after their dating scandal, Holmes and Robach revealed they were engaged in October, breaking the news during an episode of their joint podcast, “Amy & TJ.”

During the interview, Bill Rancic joked that he and Julianna might officiate Holmes and Robach’s wedding because the couple is “ordained to online ministry.”

“You have to get over it”: TJ Holmes needs to be ‘checked out’ during altercation with Amy Robach

However, the soon-to-be newlyweds did not accept the Runcies’ offer, with Holmes teasing that they were preparing a sentimental occasion for their wedding.

“There’s a way we’re going to get married that we haven’t necessarily revealed, but it’s going to be very special to us,” Holmes said. “I can’t tell you what it is. It’s a big deal for us.”

Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, Anthony Robledo, Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY

The FDA warns about tobacco products that resemble candy. View side by side

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The FDA warns about tobacco products that resemble candy. View side by side

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The Food and Drug Administration is warning retailers and parents about nicotine and tobacco products packaged to look like candy, cough drops and other over-the-counter products that may appeal to children and teens.

The agency issued an advisory on Wednesday, May 20, saying it had identified eight retailers selling counterfeit products and sent warning letters to them. The products in question are not approved for sale by the FDA and could be subject to legal action, stock seizures, and penalties if retailers do not immediately remove them from store shelves.

“Products that appear to be everyday products are of dual concern: They may be accidentally ingested by young children, and they may appeal to children who may try to disguise the nature of the product from their parents, teachers, or other adults,” the FDA notice states.

This latest warning letter is just one of more than 1,000 letters issued to retailers as the FDA ramps up new pressure on unapproved tobacco products. The FDA announced its enforcement priorities earlier this year, launching an “aggressive strategy” to disrupt the illegal importation of illicit tobacco products, “focusing on the most deceptive and dangerous products.”

“No tobacco product should ever look like candy. This is a blatant ploy to target children and hide the true nature of these products,” Brett Koplau, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said in a statement. “FDA and our partners are committed to implementing aggressive enforcement strategies to keep these illegal products from hitting shelves and getting into the hands of children.”

Tobacco products look like candy, cough drops, and breath strips

The FDA said the tobacco products in question, including nicotine pouches and dissolvable tobacco products, were labeled and designed to mimic the appearance of certain candy, breath strip, and cough drop brands.

Specifically, at least two packages of Sweet Nico Pods, a candy brand similar to Ice Breakers, were found. Manufactured by Kluwa, the “candy-inspired” nicotine pouches are technically tobacco-free, but with a nicotine level of 46.9 mg/g, the online retailer’s product description says the pouches are “at the extreme level of nicotine strength.”

Similar products to Breath Strips include Hyde Brand Nic Strips, Jolt Nicotine Strips, and Lost Mary Nicotine Film, all wrapped in packaging that mimics the packaging of three different flavors of Listerine and similar Breath Strips. Nicotine products come in a mint flavor that is typically reserved for dental hygiene products. For example, the Hyde brand is advertised as “effective in just one minute” and comes in 2 mg and 4 mg doses in 20 tablets per box.

The last named product, Hyppe-branded lozenges, are packaged similarly to a bag of generic or name-brand cough drops. It comes in 3mg and 6mg doses and comes in a variety of flavors including Blue Razz, Mighty Mint, and Magic Love.

Republicans halt vote on ending Iran war before bill passes

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Republicans halt vote on ending Iran war before bill passes

The cancellation of the vote capped a week that simultaneously demonstrated both President Trump’s growing grip on the Republican Party and his declining grip on a functioning majority in Congress.

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WASHINGTON – House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a war powers vote scheduled for Thursday, fearing it would pass amid Republican defections and absentee members ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.

This marked the latest sign that Congressional support for the Iran war may be weakening. The postponement comes just days after the Senate succeeded for the first time in advancing another measure related to ending U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts.

After the vote was officially postponed, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) yelled at House Republicans for not having the “courage” to see the bill succeed.

“Are we not going to vote for it because the American people are tired of this illegal war?” he said.

In the face of a specific presidential veto and a deeply divided Congress, the War Powers Resolution, which would reaffirm the Legislature’s authority to formally declare war in the United States, which Democrats have been pushing for passage for months, is highly unlikely to pass.

Still, the vote cancellation capped a week that simultaneously signaled both President Trump’s growing grip on the Republican Party and his declining grip on Congress’ functioning majorities.

read more: In a blow to President Trump, Senate moves forward with measures to end Iran war

Mr. Trump’s successful campaign to oust party members he deemed insufficiently loyal has alienated key pillars of his base on Capitol Hill, where a slim majority has kept Congress in full Republican control. This influence is already having a clear impact on his policies ahead of the midterm elections.

Senate Republicans early Thursday halted a months-long vote on a $70 billion cash infusion for federal immigration enforcement. Concerns about the Justice Department’s new $1.8 billion fund that could benefit President Trump’s allies prompted a last-minute push to include legislative guardrails for the fund in the budget bill.

Negotiations ended without compromise, and Republican lawmakers, still at odds, left town for a week’s vacation.

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

Michael Keating dies – British “EastEnders” actor dies at age 79

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Michael Keating dies – British “EastEnders” actor dies at age 79

The actor played the Reverend George Stevens on the BBC soap for 10 years.

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Michael Keating, an actor known for his roles in the British TV series “Blake’s 7” and “EastEnders,” has died. He was 79 years old.

Keating’s agent, Dan Ireson, confirmed Keating’s death in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, May 21, saying that Keating “recently passed away.” Additional details about Mr. Keating’s death were not available.

Originally from Edmonton, England, Keating began his acting career in the late 1960s and 1970s with guest appearances on television shows such as “A Special Brunch,” “Carousel,” “Omnibus,” “Dragon’s Companion,” and the British science fiction drama “Doctor Who.”

Keating’s big break came in 1978 when he landed the lead role in Blake’s 7, a BBC space drama about a dystopian power struggle between a group of rebels and a totalitarian regime that had taken over Earth. His character, the cunning petty thief Villa Lestal, was the only person to appear in all 52 episodes of the series.

Ann Robinson passed away: The star of the original ‘War of the Worlds’ was 96 years old

The actor was also beloved for his decade-long appearance on the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders. Keating played Reverend George Stevens for 54 episodes from 2005 to 2017. Stevens, a vicar in the show’s main city of Walford, often oversaw various milestones for the other characters, including baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

Keating reprized his role as “Blake’s 7” in several podcast series in the 2010s and early 2020s, “Blake’s 7: The Liberator Chronicles” (2012-2016), “Blake’s 7: The Classic Adventures” (2013-2020), and “The World of Blake’s 7”, this time behind the microphone. (2021-2022).

More celebrity deaths: Tom Kane, voice actor for Star Wars and The Powerpuff Girls, dies at age 64

“I was sitting in the back of the control room at Audio Sorcery, laughing at his comic timing during the recording,” Peter Angelides, sound producer for “Breaks 7,” said in a statement released by Big Finish Productions. “When we recorded the first full-cast audio for ‘Warship,’ he jokingly said in the dressing room that there should be a planet named ‘Velle’ after his old colleague, TV director and producer Vere Lorimer, so obviously I smuggled that idea into a later script, and Michael was thrilled.

“Michael was an absolute pleasure to work with,” Angelides added. “His cheerful presence in the studio was always very welcome.”

Texas gas prices today are lower than the national average

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Texas gas prices today are lower than the national average

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Gasoline prices continue to rise amid the Iran war, but Texas has one of the lowest prices for a gallon of regular fuel, according to AAA.

According to AAA, the price of a gallon of gas in Texas was $4.092 as of Thursday, May 21, well below the national average of $4.564. By comparison, the highest prices in the nation are in neighboring states, including Arizona ($4.817), Nevada ($5.273), and California ($6.143). Gas prices are also higher in New Mexico, averaging $4.501 per gallon.

States paying the lowest prices include Mississippi ($4.017), Louisiana ($4.057), and Oklahoma ($4.098).

Where can I get gas in Texas?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas is the nation’s top producer of crude oil and natural gas. In 2024, Texas will account for 43% of the nation’s crude oil production.

Texas also has the most oil refineries and refining capacity in the nation.

The state’s 35 refineries can process about 6.3 million barrels of crude oil per calendar day, or about one-third of the nation’s total refining capacity, according to the EIA.

Why gas prices are higher in other states

According to the EIA, gas prices vary over time and even by state and region. In addition to differences in state and local taxes, other factors also contribute to regional differences in gasoline prices, including distance from supply, supply disruptions, retail competition, and operating costs.

The further gasoline has to be transported to the point of sale, the higher the transportation costs, so the retail price of gasoline tends to be higher.

california gas prices

According to the EIA, several factors contribute to California’s high gasoline prices, including state taxes and fees, environmental requirements, special fuel requirements, and an isolated oil market.

California also requires the use of special blends of gasoline designed to reduce pollution and improve air quality.

The EIA notes that most of the gasoline consumed in California is refined within the state due to a lack of connectivity to oil infrastructure.

California is geographically isolated from other U.S. refining centers because there are no pipelines to feed it across the Rocky Mountains. Only a few refineries outside California that have physical access to California’s gasoline market are able to meet California’s stringent fuel blending requirements.

cheapest gas near me

Gas Buddy’s website helps you find the cheapest gas near you in Texas.

Natassia Paloma can be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma at x. natassia_paloma on Instagram and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.

more: Trump’s approval rating drops today due to gas prices and Iran war

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