Search
Menu
Home Blog Page 77

Victims identified in B-52 bomber crash near Edwards Air Force Base

US-NEA
-
0
Victims identified in B-52 bomber crash near Edwards Air Force Base

play

The military has released the identities of the eight crew members of the U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber that crashed near Edwards Air Force Base on June 15.

“These Airmen were more than just colleagues; they were friends, mentors, teammates, and valued members of the Edwards and Air Force families. They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members, and irreplaceable teammates,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, said in a statement June 17.

The plane, a long-range B-52 Stratofortress, crashed after takeoff on a test mission to support a radar modernization program, the military base said earlier.

Officials said the crew consisted of both uniformed personnel and civilians.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to their families, loved ones, and fellow Airmen, Air Force civilians, and mission partners affected by this tragedy,” Tauer said.

Edwards Air Force Base crash victims

The U.S. Air Force identified the victims of the June 15 plane crash as follows:

  • Air Force Col. Gregory Watson, a 53-year-old weapons systems officer from Shreveport, Louisiana, worked for Boeing.
  • Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, Weapons Systems Officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
  • Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, Boeing pilot, Tehachapi, Calif.
  • Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Weapons Systems Officer, Lancaster, Calif.
  • Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
  • Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California
  • Jeromy Smith, 32, 419th Flight Test Squadron, flight test engineer, Rosamond, Calif.
  • Christopher Richard, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor, Lancaster, California.

Loved ones mourn B-52 crash victims

Michael Kelly, a former Air Force officer and flight tester, said he worked “with” Middleton for two years and called on the public to pray for his family.

“He was the best of the best. He was always resourceful and had deep technical knowledge of BUFF and flight test procedures,” Kelly wrote in a social media post the day after the crash, using the acronym for the B-52 Stratofortress.

Kelly also shared a GoFundMe set up to support Middleton’s wife and two children.

“The funds raised will help cover immediate expenses and bills, and provide some peace of mind as we adjust to this new reality,” wrote Melissa Lynch, who started the fundraising page. “In addition to everyday living expenses, we as a community want to raise money for our children’s college so they can look forward to a brighter future despite their heartbreak. Your support will help ease the financial burden and give Pam and her children a sense of hope and security.”

Jeromy Smith’s wife Lauren Smith called her late husband a “leader” and “hero” in an interview with KBAK.

“He died doing what he loved,” she said.

The couple have two children and celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary a few days earlier, on June 11. “I hope one day they can look back and say their father was a hero,” she said. According to his family, the couple’s son is 2 years and 4 months old.

“Our hearts are completely broken. You hear of tragedy every day, but you never realize its magnitude until it touches your heart,” Lindsey Smith, Jeromy Smith’s sister-in-law, wrote in a fundraiser for her sister. “She is forced to grieve the love of her life and at the same time navigate life as a newly single mother. Our entire family is devastated by this great loss. My brother-in-law was a wonderful husband and a wonderful father to our sons.”

Rebecca Sasser also started a fundraiser on behalf of her sister, who lost her husband Robert Dee.

“Robert was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and proud Air Force test pilot. He dedicated his life to serving his country and those he loved most,” Sasser wrote. “He leaves behind his wife Ashley and three children, Beverley, Eleanor and Corbin, who are now facing the heartbreaking reality of moving on without him.”

Hovey is from Iowa, as confirmed in a statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds provided to the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.

“This is yet another reminder of the incredible sacrifices required of all Americans who choose to serve their country,” Reynolds said. “As we honor Major Hovey’s life and work, let us never forget the price of freedom.”

“Miles and Greg’s deaths are deeply felt by our entire team, and our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and those who worked with them,” Boeing said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.

What are officials saying about this accident?

“Survival has been determined to be impossible,” Col. James Hayes, the base’s deputy commander, told reporters at a press conference on the day of the crash, adding that the investigation was estimated to take six months.

“We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said of the victims.

The crash was the first at the base since May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquis crashed during landing, killing two crew members. Seven passengers were also seriously injured, according to military archives reviewed by USA TODAY.

Contributed by Brian Day and Michael Loria, USA TODAYand Kyler Werner, Des Moines Register

President Trump aims for hospital contracts to save on medical costs

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump aims for hospital contracts to save on medical costs

play

A White House report says Americans who get health insurance through their workplaces would pay less for their health care if anticompetitive deals between hospitals and health insurance companies were banned.

The federal government has sued two major hospital systems alleging such anticompetitive dealings. In separate antitrust lawsuits in 2026, the Justice Department accused hospital systems NewYork-Presbyterian and OhioHealth of using their market positions to force health insurers to eliminate lower-cost competitors.

In a new report, White House officials detailed the savings that could accrue if the federal government banned such anticompetitive contracts. A report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers found that monthly premiums for workplace insurance plans would fall by 6.5%, resulting in annual savings of about $1,755 per family and $606 per individual.

The report estimates that hospital prices would fall by 18% in cities affected by anti-competitive deals. Such a ban would save approximately $4,100 per patient admitted to hospitals where such contact requirements were eliminated.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers released the report as the Trump administration seeks to counter Democratic attacks on health care affordability.

Democrats blame Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump for allowing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire this year, making ACA health insurance more expensive for some people with marketplace plans. More than 5 million people are expected to lose Medicaid coverage by 2034 due to work requirements and other changes to federal and state programs for low-income families, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.

But White House officials say the report sheds light on how the administration is addressing affordability. Instead of spending taxpayer money on subsidies to reduce out-of-pocket costs for consumers, officials are targeting higher prices charged by hospitals, drug companies, and other health care companies.

President Trump also sought to pressure drug companies to lower prescription drug prices through most-favored-nation agreements. The Trump administration also launched TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer website that lists discounted prescription drugs.

The Trump administration has not adopted rules or supporting legislation prohibiting anticompetitive contracts. But officials expect the Justice Department’s lawsuits against two high-profile hospital systems will garner the attention of hospital industry leaders.

“If the public understands that the Justice Department is taking this issue very seriously, we can expect it to have a ripple effect,” a White House official said.

On June 16, the Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement with the Ohio Department of Health that would prohibit the Ohio Health System from entering into terms with health insurance companies that would thwart budget-friendly plans.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that the settlement is “another example of how the Department of Justice is lowering health care costs for consumers and fighting the anti-competitive practices that drove them up in the first place.”

Vivian Ho, an economist at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, said the Justice Department’s lawsuit against large hospital systems is “a huge step in the right direction toward lowering health care prices.”

He said employers have generally been slow to steer workers toward lower-cost health care options, but said removing anticompetitive language from hospital and insurance company contracts would help employers do so.

How do hospital contracts raise prices for consumers?

A White House report details how behind-the-scenes negotiations between hospitals and health insurance companies can raise prices for consumers.

The report highlights three practices that hospitals with dominant market positions use to prevent or limit competition from lower-cost providers.

∎ Anti-steering provisions prevent health insurance companies from steering patients to lower-cost providers.

∎ Anti-tiering language in contracts forces insurers to place major hospitals in the most advantageous cost-sharing tiers of insurance plans. Such a move could limit efforts by employers and insurers to encourage consumers to choose lower-cost hospitals.

∎ All-or-Nothing contracts require insurers to include all hospitals and physicians of a major health system as part of the insurance plan’s network, or none at all. Such provisions could prevent competing hospitals from attracting enough patients to compete properly, the report said.

The report estimates that about 24 percent of Americans with employer health insurance plans live in areas where major hospitals have such agreements. The report said the contract terms had a “measurable impact” on health insurance premiums.

The report estimates that if these contract clauses were banned, employers and consumers could save about $45 billion in insurance premiums each year. Insurance premiums increase depending on the total medical expenses.

Those savings would likely be passed on to workers through lower insurance premium deductions or higher wages.

Lawmakers are reacting to President Trump’s U.S.-Iran deal. Here’s what they’re saying

US-NEA
-
0
Lawmakers are reacting to President Trump’s U.S.-Iran deal. Here’s what they’re saying

play

On Wednesday, June 17, the text of an interim agreement between the two countries was shared with reporters by U.S. officials, taking a major step toward ending the U.S.-Iranian war.

The deal, scheduled to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, provides for sanctions relief for Iran and calls for the creation of a $300 billion economic development fund.

The deal also ends all related hostilities, including in Lebanon, and begins reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, with the US lifting the blockade and Iran working to ensure “free passage of commercial shipping.”

President Donald Trump and other world leaders have welcomed the deal between the United States and Iran. But the deal drew mixed reactions among lawmakers on both sides.

“Reagan is rolling over in his grave.”

Despite President Trump saying the deal would bring “peace and security” to the Middle East, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) was less impressed with the deal, calling it “the worst foreign policy failure in decades.”

“President Reagan is turning over in his grave,” Cassidy said in a June 17 post on X. “Iran’s nuclear ambitions are unchecked and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz is effective and will no doubt take advantage of it in the future.”

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) called the deal a “total surrender” hours before it was read to reporters on Wednesday.

“Iran will get sanctions relief, unfrozen funds, oil export capacity, and a $300 billion recovery fund. The United States will get another vague promise that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. It is hard to imagine a more complete capitulation,” Schiff said in X.

The recovery fund Schiff referred to revolves around a private fund that gives Iran $300 billion for development, a move that has drawn opposition from several conservative lawmakers.

President Trump said at the Group of Seven summit in France that the United States has taken millions of dollars from Iran over the years and that “at some point” the United States will have to return frozen assets.

“We took their money. It’s not our money,” Trump told reporters. “It’s their money, and we froze it. At some point, I think we’re going to have to give it back.” President Trump also argued that failing to return Iran’s frozen assets could cause countries to stop investing in the U.S. dollar.

Benefits for the United States

Not all reactions to the deal were negative. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said in a post on X that the deal would benefit the United States and lead to “economic stability.”

“After this discussion, my opinion is that as long as the Strait of Hormuz begins to open and hostilities with Iran cease, it is beneficial for the United States to sign an MOU,” Graham said.

What did Barack Obama say about the deal?

In an interview with ABC News over the weekend, former President Barack Obama said it was “doubtful” that a deal could be reached that would significantly improve the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, widely known as the Iran nuclear deal. The deal, agreed during the Obama administration, provided Iran with significant relief from international sanctions in exchange for long-term restrictions on its nuclear materials.

President Obama’s comments came before the Trump administration announced a framework aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s vital shipping route.

President Trump withdrew from the Obama deal in 2018, calling it a “horrible” unilateral deal that did not bring “peace” or peace.

USA TODAY’s Francesca Chambers, Christopher Cann, Natalie Neysa Alund and Bart Jansen contributed to this report.

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

Knicks become first NBA champions to visit President Trump at White House

US-NEA
-
0
Knicks become first NBA champions to visit President Trump at White House

play

The NBA champion will make his first visit to the White House under President Donald Trump’s administration.

New York Knicks owner James Dolan, who invited President Trump to Game 3 of the NBA Finals, said on Wednesday, June 17, that the team would accept the president’s invitation. He made the comments during an appearance on WFAN New York.

“Actually, thank you for asking that. I just received an invitation from the White House and I accepted it,” Dolan said during his appearance. “We still need to figure out the details and stuff, but of course we invited the president to the game. He’s a friend. We’ve known him for 30 years and we’re very proud to be able to bring the team to the White House.”

This acceptance could provoke a polarized reaction from some players in New York who may be on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

For example, forward Josh Hart posted a message on social media after Joe Biden’s victory in November 2020 in which he described Trump in derogatory terms.

The previous five NBA champions crowned under Trump have each declined to visit the White House since 2017, when the Warriors won the first of two consecutive titles during the Trump administration.

There was some drama in the first Golden State championship after Warriors star guard Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr each said they were not interested in visiting the White House.

President Trump then infamously rescinded the invitation, citing Curry by name in a social media post.

In September 2017, President Trump wrote, “It is considered a great honor for the winning team to go to the White House. Stephen Curry is hesitant, so the invitation is withdrawn!”

LeBron James also got involved, posting a post of his own calling President Trump a “bastard” and adding, “It was a great honor to go to the White House, until you showed up!”

The Warriors declined to visit after their 2018 championship, and the Toronto Raptors chose not to visit the White House or Ottawa’s Parliament House in 2019, citing scheduling conflicts.

The Lakers won a championship in 2020, but also declined to do so, but the coronavirus pandemic would have complicated a potential White House visit.

Three of the four NBA champion teams, the Bucks, Warriors and Celtics, each visited the White House during the Biden administration.

The Nuggets were scheduled to visit after the 2023 championship, but the visit was postponed due to scheduling conflicts with the White House. However, the rescheduled date was the day before a key game against the Timberwolves, so the Nuggets opted to skip the event.

Then, after Trump regained the presidency after the 2024 general election, the Thunder won the 2025 NBA Finals. Oklahoma City also declined to visit them, citing scheduling conflicts.

“While we have been in contact with the White House and appreciate and appreciate the communication thus far, the timing was not right,” the team said in a statement.

more: NBA champion Knicks bring title party to 2026 World Cup

Dolan, a longtime supporter and donor to President Trump, sat next to the president in his suite on June 8 during New York’s only loss of the series, a 115-111 Game 3 loss to the Spurs.

“Well, I’ve been a Nick fan for a long time and I’ve been a Jim Dolan fan for a long time,” Trump said on June 4. “He’s a good guy, okay? He’s wanted to win for a long time and he hates losing. He’s got a great team.”

Kwik Trip introduces new Mountain Dew Dunkers donuts. Reviews are mixed

US-NEA
-
0
Kwik Trip introduces new Mountain Dew Dunkers donuts. Reviews are mixed

play

Mountain Dew may be no stranger to outlandish and questionable cross-product promotions, including its latest offerings in the baked goods category.

Kwik Trip announced on June 15 that it has officially launched a new donut named Mountain Dew Dunker, created in collaboration with the iconic citrus soda brand.

According to the Midwest convenience store chain, Mountain Dew Dunker expands on the reputation of Quirky Bake Shop Dunker, with a “citrus treat” flavor that “gives you the energy to live life to the fullest.”

Here’s what you need to know about the crossover promotion and how to get your hands on a Mountain Dew Dunker.

Taste of freedom: Would you like American Dew, PepsiCo’s new soft drink for America 250?

Mountain Dew Dunker ‘fully encompasses both brands’

Micah Rupprecht, director of category management at Kwik Trip, said in a news release that the collaboration is in response to customers hungry for new dining experiences.

“Kwik Trip guests expect us to continue to innovate with our signature products, and partnering with Mountain Dew allows us to push the boundaries of donuts,” Ruprecht said. “The launch of Mountain Dew Dunkers does just that. It’s fresh, fun, and perfectly encompasses both brands.”

Mountain Dew Dunker is available now at all Kwik Trip locations while supplies last.

“Honestly, it’s fun.” See the internet’s verdict on Taco Bell’s Baja Blast Pie

Do you like it or dislike it?

In an email to USA TODAY on June 17, Kwik Trip said feedback has been mixed, with some people liking the film and others saying it’s not for them.

The reaction on social media is much the same.

In a post about X, one user wrote that he’d like to try one, but won’t commit to all the boxes. Another user suggested getting there early, claiming they sell out quickly every day.

“Bold and refreshing”: Dirty Mountain Dew is now available in stores. Here’s how to get the new drink:

Others were less forgiving. “What the hell is this?!” asked one user. Someone else called out her friends in the tag, writing: “Terrible!!! I know everyone likes diet dew but definitely NO!!!”

However, the post’s administrator did not hide his enthusiasm.

“I’m visiting Wisconsin this weekend and can’t wait to visit Kwik Trip again – Dew Dunkers is the best! :),” the user wrote.

Mountain Dew Quick Climb Sweepstakes

The new Dunkers aren’t the only thing Mountain Dew is working on with KwikTrip. Both companies are currently in the midst of the second annual Mountain Dew Kwik Climb Sweepstakes.

All summer long, Kwik Trip loyalty members can participate in games on the Kwik Rewards app for a chance to win prizes ranging from a new Mountain Dew Dunker to more than $250,000 in prizes.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Mountain Dew and PepsiCo for the second year in a row to enhance last year’s Kwik Climb program and give away even more prizes,” said David Jackson, Kwik Trip Director of Marketing. “This year, we’re taking our promotions and partnerships to the next level with the added excitement of Mountain Dew Dunkers.”

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

President Trump reschedules dinner at gilded Palace of Versailles

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump reschedules dinner at gilded Palace of Versailles

play

President Donald Trump never had a chance.

When French President Emmanuel Macron invited President Trump to dinner at the gilded Palace of Versailles, all bets were off.

“I love beautiful places. Versailles is not gilded. Versailles is real,” the president said at the G7 bilateral meeting in Evian, France, on June 16, regarding the change in plans and delay in returning home.

It is truly a place of all things golden.

The real estate tycoon-turned-president is well known for his love of money, filling the Oval Office with oceans of gold. Golden appliqués on the fireplace, gilded mirrors, and 18th- and 19th-century dessert stands and vases in the ornate Rococo style of London and France sit on the mantle. The walls are chockablock, with paintings of former presidents in ornate gold frames.

Most of Trump’s smart gifts take into account his love of shiny metals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented President Trump with a gold pager, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung received a replica of the historic golden Silla Crown, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented President Trump with a 24-carat gold and glass shield, and a delegation of Swiss business leaders, including the CEO of Rolex, presented President Trump with a gold Rolex desk watch and a custom gold bar.

As far as gilded palaces go, Versailles is the gold standard. This palace was France’s main royal residence from 1682 until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. The palace’s iconic gates, carvings, and interior decoration are adorned with more than 1,000 kilograms of 22-carat gold. Perhaps one of the most famous rooms in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors, which features a very ornate baroque mirror gallery. Gold symbolized the absolute power of Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King.”

So on June 16, the president changed his itinerary, delaying his planned return to the United States from France by several hours on June 17, after the G7 meeting.

“The president of France happens to be a very nice guy and he invited me to dinner at Versailles,” he said in response to a reporter’s question about what prompted the change in plans. “That means I get home late in the evening, early in the morning, and I don’t get much sleep anyway.”

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.

Where is Savannah Guthrie? Absent from ‘Today’ show revealed

US-NEA
-
0
Where is Savannah Guthrie? Absent from ‘Today’ show revealed

The TV host returned to Morning Talk in April amid the disappearance of his mother, Nancy Guthrie.

play

Savannah Guthrie is taking some time off from Studio 1A.

The television journalist and longtime “Today” show host returned to the morning show in April during his mother’s disappearance, but was absent from the show on Wednesday, June 17.

Guthrie’s co-host Craig Melvin explained Guthrie’s absence at the top of the show, revealing that Guthrie is “beginning production meetings for the Wordle game show, which will air on NBC later this year.” Last month, Guthrie was announced as the host of The New York Times Game’s upcoming series based on the popular word game.

Guthrie, 54, abruptly quit the “Today” show in February following the disappearance of his mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was apparently kidnapped from her home in Arizona.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 in the Catalina Foothills area just north of Tucson. In February, the FBI released an image showing an armed man fiddling with a camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door before her disappearance, but the suspect in the image has not been identified.

Savannah Guthrie returns to “Today” show: TV presenter cries, saying it was “really difficult” to return

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the disappearance of an elderly woman who they believe was taken from her home against her will. Guthrie’s family has announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to her recovery.

After a two-month hiatus, Guthrie returned to “Today” on April 6. During an appearance on the talk show’s 4-hour slot with Jenna Bush Hager on June 8, the TV host opened up about the emotional toll of returning to work during her mother’s disappearance.

Ms Guthrie said the job gave her “a little bit of respite” during the day and brought her “a lot of joy”, but returning was not “easy”, adding: “I cry on the way to work every morning and I cry every morning on the way home.”

Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother case: ‘Today’ host shares new message about mother Nancy Guthrie

“It’s really difficult to come back. I’ve been trying really hard to hold on,” Guthrie said, his voice breaking. “If I had another job, I don’t think I would have even considered going back. But I thought, ‘So what else am I supposed to do?’ And my mom would have said the same thing, ‘Honey, just keep going, keep going.'” And so do I. ”

Contributors: Brendan Morrow and Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY

President Trump and Democrats exchange fierce attacks over ‘affordability’ in fight against inflation

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump and Democrats exchange fierce attacks over ‘affordability’ in fight against inflation

Political battles over perceptions of high prices are expected to be a key factor in the 2026 midterm elections, according to polls.

play

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump claimed he inherited high inflation from former President Joe Biden and slammed Democrats frustrated by a lack of “space” during the war with Iran.

“The word ‘affordable’ is a false term coined by Democrats,” President Trump told reporters at the G7 meeting in France. “Here’s where it’s fake, because I inherited these prices and they made them up.”

Inflation has skyrocketed since the Iran war began on February 28th. According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index rose 4.2% in May from a year earlier. This was the highest inflation rate since 4.9% in the year to April 2023.

Rising prices are a sensitive issue ahead of the midterm elections, when Republicans’ slim control of both houses of Congress is at stake. According to an April Gallup poll, nearly 3 in 10 Americans cited the high cost of living as the most important financial issue facing their families, and more than half of respondents said their financial situation was worsening.

President Trump said he understands that a war with Iran could cause oil prices to rise to $200 per barrel and the stock market to fall by 25 to 30 percent.

But President Trump, while discussing a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending hostilities, insisted that neither economic package had as bad a result as feared. Oil prices are trading below $80 per barrel, and stock indexes are rising, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which topped $52,000 for the first time on June 16.

“Our economy is very resilient,” President Trump said.

But Democrats slammed Trump over inflation, accusing him of “broken promises” to raise prices for housing, food, energy, health care and child care. Gasoline prices remain high.

“As Republicans continue to fund tax cuts for billionaires, Democrats are focusing on the issues Americans actually care about: affordability,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

President Trump complained about Democrats using the term because inflation was high even before he returned to the White House in January 2025.

Inflation soared to 9.1% in 2022 during Biden’s term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia. But by the time Biden left office, that rate had returned to about 3%.

“They gave it to me,” Trump said of inflation. “They used that word in their farewell speech,” Trump added of “affordability.”

Howie Mandel had bugs living under his skin. it traumatized him

US-NEA
-
0
Howie Mandel had bugs living under his skin. it traumatized him

play

Howie Mandel has opened up about a rare skin disease he contracted as a child and how doctors’ treatments left him with lasting trauma.

During a recent appearance on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast, Mandel, 70, revealed that he had sand fly larvae under his skin as a boy.

“It was like a horror movie,” Mandel said, recalling seeing the bumps on her body move. To make matters worse, he added, doctors displayed his condition at a dermatology convention in his hometown of Toronto. The experience helped heighten his “sick factor,” Mandel said, and the television personality has long been open about his struggles with severe OCD and germanism as an adult.

Although the skin disease Mandel experienced is rare, the trauma he endured at the hands of doctors is one sadly shared by others. Mandel’s comments are an important reminder for doctors around the world to listen to their patients and pay close attention to their care, said Dr. Bayo Curry Winchell, a family physician and health advocate. Currie Winchell founded Clinicians Who Care, a database aimed at connecting patients with empathetic doctors.

After all, research shows that the trauma we experience early in life can affect our health as adults, Curriewinchell says. “Those memories can impact your overall physical and mental health and influence what diseases you develop later in life,” she explains.

Howie Mandel’s rare skin disease and the lasting trauma it caused him

For Mandel, the pandemic “didn’t stop horror movies,” he said. He added that at a dermatology conference, he was placed on a table in his underwear and his body was displayed for others to see. When nurses held him down and applied liquid nitrogen to the boil, the skin “scorched and bubbled” before bursting. He said this happened when he was 6 or 7 years old.

‘AGT’ judge Howie Mandel talks about his OCD It’s a “malicious dark circle.” This is how he deals with it.

“I was screaming,” Mandel said. “They did that. And my mother didn’t know what they were going to do, so she took me and took the straps off the table and said, ‘You guys are animals. Don’t do that.'” And she took me away. ”

‘AGT’ judge says he can’t remember his life No OCD. This is how he deals with it.

Every night after that, the mother would take a rough washcloth and some alcohol and rub one of the bumps until the skin broke, bled, and killed the larva that was there. He said she got them all.

“It’s traumatizing,” Mandel said. “There was something living under my skin. So I had some kind of element of the disease.”

How can patients stand up for themselves?

Mandel is not alone in feeling mistreated by doctors. That’s why it’s important for patients to advocate for themselves, Curry Winchell says. Physicians need to keep their patients’ emotions in mind and understand that a patient’s health also includes their mental health.

“It’s really important for doctors to think broadly first and not just have that first thought in their head of, ‘Oh, she’s not sleeping well, she’s a mother and she has children, so it must be just a mother problem,'” Curry-Winchell says. “No, it could be a lot of things. It could be a thyroid problem, it could be a heart problem, it could be cancer.”

“They don’t believe me”: The pain and dangers of medical gaslighting

If you feel like your doctor is ignoring you, there are ways to respectfully but firmly ask to be taken more seriously, she says.

“One of the ways to work through that is to be able to say, ‘I know you think this is it, but what else can you think of?’” she says. “And if you feel rejected and dismissed, respect that, because you know your body best.”

Papa John’s closes 44 stores across the U.S.

US-NEA
-
0
Papa John’s closes 44 stores across the U.S.

play

Pizza chain Papa John’s plans to close 300 stores by the end of 2027, and the company has already closed more than 40 stores.

Papa John’s said in its May 2026 financial report that the closures occurred during the company’s first quarter, which ran from Dec. 28, 2025 to March 29, 2026. The brand has closed 44 restaurants in North America, including five company-owned and 39 franchised locations.

The 44 closures were in 17 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia, the Daily Mail reported.

The closures come after the company announced on February 26, 2026, that it would close 300 underperforming restaurants across the United States by the end of 2027. About 200 of those stores will close in 2026, Papa John’s said on a call with investors.

USA TODAY reached out to Papa John’s for a complete list of first-quarter store closures, but did not immediately receive a response.

More news: Pizza Hut to sell for $2.7 billion with ‘future growth’ in mind

Why are Papa John’s stores closing?

Ravi Tanawala, chief financial officer and president of Papa John’s North America, said on a Feb. 26 conference call that the closures are part of the company’s efforts to “improve restaurant profitability” and maximize its restaurant portfolio.

“The majority of our global restaurants have a long history of strong performance, generating strong returns for both corporate and franchise owners,” he said on a conference call. But the 300 restaurants the company plans to close across North America are underperforming, he said.

Tanawala also said during the conference call that the stores being closed will primarily have been franchise-owned for more than 10 years and have average sales of less than $600,000 per store.

He said the closures will improve health by allowing franchisees to devote more resources to operating their remaining restaurants and priority markets.

“This is the same strategy we successfully deployed during my time managing international operations,” he said, adding that in the UK, Papa John’s improved average sales by 17%.

He said on the call that the company’s domestic revenue has been depressed in recent years due to food cost and labor inflation. The company plans to improve profitability through supply chain savings and operational efficiency.

President says the transaction has contributed to the company’s sales increase

In February, when the company announced its closure, President and CEO Todd Penegor said 2025 would be a “transformational year for Papa John’s.”

He said the company has improved the brand’s health technology platform, customer experience, restaurant selection and cost structure.

He said customers are buying more pizza overall, and the company’s total number of pizzas sold rose 1% during the quarter. The company also saw an increase in orders that included multiple pizzas.

In North America, the company’s carryout business is seeing low single-digit order growth, which he attributes to the company’s 50% off carryout offer in November 2025.

Regarding closures and franchised locations, Penegor said the company is doing its best to support its franchisees, “whether it’s relocation, closure, rebranding or new construction.”

“(We are) working to ensure long-term success in partnership with the franchise community,” he said.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.

Jelly Roll’s wife writes about arguments and affair months before divorce

US-NEA
-
0
Jelly Roll’s wife writes about arguments and affair months before divorce

play

Months before he filed for divorce from his wife, Bunny Zoe, Jelly Roll opened up about infidelity, arguments and a tumultuous honeymoon in his memoir.

The 41-year-old “Son of a Sinner” singer, whose real name is Jason Deford, filed for divorce from his podcaster wife, whose real name is Alisa Deford, on May 18, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY on Monday, June 15. Divorce papers obtained by USA TODAY Network state that the couple separated on May 9th. The couple had been married for 10 years.

In Strip Down (published February 17 by Day Street Books), Bunny takes readers back to their first meeting at a concert in Las Vegas and their spontaneous courthouse wedding shortly thereafter. What ensues is the couple’s whirlwind relationship, including a custody battle for Jelly Roll’s daughter from his previous marriage, an affair, a sudden move, a grueling stint at a marriage agency, and, ultimately, a reconciliation. Variety magazine reported in March that the producers of “Landman” and “Yellowstone” had acquired the rights to adapt the memoir into a movie.

“If it’s far from perfect now, it was even less perfect then,” she writes.

Bunny Zoe recalls ‘rifts’ early in Jelly Roll’s marriage

Early in their relationship, the couple gained full custody of Jelly Roll’s daughter and moved to Nashville. But as Bunny writes in her memoir, returning to Nashville meant that “the women from J’s past resurfaced.”

“A rift was forming in our marriage,” she wrote, later writing that the couple’s fights became more frequent “as I had to compete for my place among the women of Nashville.” Early attempts at couples therapy were “one of the lowest points in our relationship” and filled with screaming matches. She suspected he was cheating, she wrote, and eventually found out he had been having a 10-month affair with an ex-girlfriend.

At some point, Jelly Roll packed up his and his daughter’s belongings and left without saying goodbye. The couple agreed to separate for three months, during which time Jelly Roll announced their breakup on social media without telling Bunny first.

They reunited around the time his album Waylon & Willie 2 was released, which Bunny says he still can’t listen to because it sounds like “a guy in the middle of an affair pouring his guilt into the lyrics.”

Even after they later moved to a suburb of Nashville together, they still weren’t back to “normal,” she writes. When Jelly Roll said he didn’t regret the affair, the argument “got to the point where I put my hands on him,” Bunny writes.

“It would take years for me to actually feel that this man loved me, that I wasn’t disposable,” she writes.

However, her memoir ended on a better note for the couple, thanking him as her “best friend” and warning that she included the story to show “all the things we’ve been through.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m weak or that he’s a terrible person. It just means we were two people who fell in love but didn’t know how to maintain love in a healthy way,” she wrote. “We went from being two strangers rushing to the altar in 2016 to being the parents of a traumatized 7-year-old in 2017 to being completely sober in 2018. It’s enough to make anyone giddy.”

She also revealed that the couple had started IVF and planned to have twins through a surrogate mother, marking the beginning of what she called the “baby mama era.”

The two have not yet publicly commented on the divorce filing. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo for comment.

Contributors: Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, Audrey Gibbs, Nashville, Tennessee

What do we know about the UFC White House event attack plan?

US-NEA
-
0
What do we know about the UFC White House event attack plan?

play

As President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday ringside at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event and spent weeks preparing to build a massive arena on the South Lawn of the White House, a group of anti-government ideologists were planning an elaborate attack to kill government officials, authorities said.

The FBI announced on June 16 that it had foiled a possible plot targeting a UFC event at the White House two days earlier and arrested at least five people in connection with it. According to federal indictment documents, the suspects prepared to travel to the Washington, D.C., area from across the United States, making plans through social media and group chats. Their plans were thwarted when one of the group’s members, a 19-year-old who lived at home with his parents, was taken to local police by his parents on suspicion of behavioral problems and purchasing firearms.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and local authorities, reportedly intervened before the plan was put into action. President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance said they didn’t even know about it until after the event.

“President Trump and the entire administration are grateful to all the heroic members of the FBI, Secret Service, and law enforcement who worked tirelessly to keep us safe. Thanks to their efforts, UFC Freedom 250 will be remembered as one of the greatest sporting events in history,” spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said in a statement.

More suspects are believed to be involved, a federal law enforcement official briefed on the case told USA TODAY on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. The Department of Justice said the investigation was ongoing, but no additional arrests had been announced as of June 17.

Here’s what we know about the study.

Who are the suspects accused in the UFC conspiracy?

Five people have been arrested in connection with a plot to attack a UFC event at the White House, according to federal indictment documents unsealed on June 16. They were identified as Tysen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio. Brian Omar Lore, 24, of Calimesa, California. Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California. Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri. and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.

Proper became the main focus of the investigation after his mother contacted local police on June 10, investigators said. His mother’s information led local officials in Knox County to contact the FBI and Secret Service, which later launched a multi-state investigation.

Proper allegedly communicated in a group chat of about 19 people on the app Signal, as well as other smaller group chats, and discussed detailed plans to attack the event. According to the criminal complaint, the parents told officials that they were concerned about recent firearm purchases and were worried about the mother’s online communications with people she described as ultra-religious, Christians and military veterans.

more: The Secret Service kept the UFC conspiracy investigation secret. Then Kash Patel announced.

According to investigators, Proper confessed to planning the attack during interrogation at a medical facility and was taken to the hospital on suspicion of having homicidal intent. The suspect said he planned to travel to the Washington, D.C., area and meet up with other group members to carry out the attack, according to the complaint.

All of the other arrestees communicated with Proper online or via chat, authorities said. They were all charged with various federal crimes. Proper faces charges including conspiracy to commit a crime against the United States, attempted murder of a public official, and firearms offenses. Four others were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and Alvarez was also charged with conspiracy to commit crimes against the United States, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors said conspiracy to commit murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Attorneys for Propper and Eskridge did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY. Mr. Alvarez’s lawyer declined to comment. It was not immediately clear whether Lore and Thomas had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.

What was the plan to storm the UFC White House event?

According to charging documents, Propper told investigators that the group was planning to hold a protest outside the White House. They planned to fly a small drone loaded with explosives near the UFC event to force an evacuation. The plan was then to shoot the protesters as they fled toward a waiting sniper, the documents said.

In messages obtained by investigators, Proper suggested the group was targeting certain members of Congress based on their perceived support for Israel, according to the criminal complaint. Some of the men are also said to have believed conspiracy theories about congressmen, Jews, and other groups.

Investigators say Alvarez and Thomas are also suspected of leading conversations about planning the attack. Thomas told authorities in an interview that he considered himself the group’s planner and advisor, according to the affidavit. He said he hoped this attack and subsequent attacks would cause chaos and lead to the overthrow of the U.S. government.

According to the plan identified by the researcher, group members were to be divided into different levels of participation. Thomas described various “tiers.” In the message, he said Tier 1 participants must be prepared to break the law and go into hiding, according to the criminal complaint. Tier 2 includes getaway drivers and drone operators. At other tiers, support roles, such as social media influencers, will be less involved, he said.

Contributor: Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuerman found guilty of gruesome murders

US-NEA
-
0
Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuerman found guilty of gruesome murders

play

A serial killer who confessed to killing eight women whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach on Long Island was sentenced June 17 to multiple life sentences, closing a decades-long cold case.

On April 8, New York architect Rex Heuerman, 62, pleaded guilty to murdering seven women and admitted to killing an eighth, Karen Vergata, 34. The guilty plea is a stunning reversal for Heuerman, who tearfully denied responsibility for the murder after his arrest in 2023, his lawyer said.

Heuerman was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for the murder of 24-year-old Melissa Barthelemy. Megan Waterman, 22 years old. and Amber Costello, 27. He was sentenced to four consecutive terms of 25 years to life in prison for the murder of Maureen Brainerd Burns, 25. Jessica Taylor, 20 years old. Sandra Kostila, 28 years old. Video from the courtroom showed cheers and applause from spectators as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

Multiple families of the victims shared memories of their loved ones and spoke about the toll their deaths took during the hearing. NBC News reported that many people, including Barthelemy’s sister Amanda Funderburg, spoke directly to Heuerman during the emotional hearing, calling him a “disgusting monster” and “a demon inside and out.”

“I hope you rot in hell, because I’ll see you there,” Funderburg said, according to the newspaper.

Heuerman spoke briefly in court, telling Judge Timothy Mazzei, “The words I say mean nothing.”

“There are no words to say,” he said. “I am responsible for everything said in this room.”

Mazzei then handed down the sentence, calling Heuermann a “coward” and “a disgusting, despicable little man.”

Heuerman’s sentencing comes more than 20 years after prosecutors said the killings, known as the Gilgo Beach murders, began with Costilla’s death in November 1993. Investigators first suspected a serial killer was involved after female body parts were found in the area in 2010 and 2011, but it wasn’t until 2022 that Heuerman was linked to the crime.

The murder, the subject of a 2020 Netflix documentary, left a “painful scar” on the county, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said after Heuerman’s guilty plea. He said a large task force was quietly working to solve the murder and was trying to lull Heuerman into a false sense of security so it could collect important evidence.

Officials said a key breakthrough in the case was made by matching DNA from Heuerman’s pizza to DNA from the man’s hair found with the body.

Other bodies have been found and identified in the area, but Heuerman has not been charged in connection with their deaths. Attorney Michael J. Brown told reporters that Mr. Heuerman had no other victims.

What’s next for the Gilgo Beach serial killer?

After the sentencing, Tierney told reporters he expected Heuerman to be quickly transferred from the prison where he is currently being held to the prison where he will spend the rest of his life. “Suffolk want to get rid of him,” he said.

The state Department of Corrections told USA TODAY that Heuerman will likely first be transferred to a transitional facility until a decision is made as to where he will serve his sentence. Mr. Heuerman’s lawyer, Mr. Brown, agreed, telling reporters that his client would likely be sent to a high-security facility.

As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Heuerman also agreed to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s behavioral analysis division. Tierney said he hopes the FBI will “gain insights” that law enforcement can use, but his biggest hope is that the victims’ families continue to recover.

“I want them to take their revenge by continuing to live a great life, be happy, feel fulfilled, be there for the people they love, and be satisfied that they’ve done a great job,” Tierney said.

Tierney declined to say whether he believes or has evidence that Heuerman killed additional victims. Asked if he thought serial killers could no longer get away with their crimes, Tierney said it was becoming increasingly difficult given advances in technology, but “I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Victims’ families testify after the verdict

Liliana Waterman, whose mother was killed by Heuerman, said she had been thinking about the day Heuerman was sentenced all her life and was relieved to know he would never be able to hurt anyone again. She appealed to the public to focus on the victims, not Heuerman.

“Rex was never important,” she said. “And he is nothing to us, and he should be nothing to any of you.”

Gloria Allred, a prominent lawyer representing her and other victims’ families, reflected on revelations from Heuerman’s daughter, who acknowledged in a Peacock documentary about the case that her father did not see the victims as people. Ms Allred said more needs to be done to protect women and girls.

“We all need to do more to improve the status of women and teach them that women and girls need to be respected and valued as human beings and treated equally,” she said. “If we don’t, all of our daughters will be at risk from people who don’t see them as human beings.”

The housing crisis is getting worse

US-NEA
-
0
The housing crisis is getting worse

good morning! I’m Daniel de Visé from Daily Money.

Housing is basic. We all need a roof over our heads. We all need a place to raise our families, cook our meals, and escape from the world. So it’s a cruel situation that we seem to misunderstand so much.

That’s the opening salvo of Andrea Riquier’s talk on the current state of the country’s housing market. Simply put, it’s not good.

How to save on Social Security: Tax the wealthy

There are basically two ways to solve America’s looming Social Security deficit. Either direct more revenue to the program or pay less.

A former Social Security administrator appeared on the air to push one potential solution, Medora Lee reported: Make high-income Americans pay more in Social Security payroll taxes.

📰 Other stories you can’t miss 📰

🍔Today’s menu🍔

The king of fast food has been dethroned.

For the first time in more than a decade, Chick-fil-A is no longer the top-rated quick-service restaurant, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which rates restaurants based on thousands of customer surveys.

There is a story about Mary Walras-Holdridge.

Daniel de Visse covers personal finance for USA TODAY. Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

The Georgia General Assembly returned to Atlanta for a special session. why?

US-NEA
-
0
The Georgia General Assembly returned to Atlanta for a special session. why?

play

The redistricting battle has reached Georgia as the state Legislature begins a special session Wednesday.

The meeting, convened by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp, will discuss potential redistricting in the Peach State, as well as other state issues such as vote counting and gas taxes.

The special session has been met with widespread opposition, with Republicans criticizing Kemp for saying redistricting would not go into effect until the 2028 election cycle, and Democrats arguing that redistricting would inevitably deprive minority communities in the state of representation.

State lawmakers who still had voter reform on the agenda at the end of their regular session in April were bound to return to Atlanta’s Gold Dome this year. However, following a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling, redistricting was added to the agenda.

Here’s what you need to know about the special session starting June 17th.

What are lawmakers discussing in Georgia’s special legislative session?

Georgia’s special legislative session will convene at 2 p.m. on June 17, just one day after the primary runoffs set the stage for the rest of the 2026 election cycle.

Special sessions in Georgia are held when resolutions or bills are passed but not completed during the regular 40-day session that ended in April. The governor has the power to recall the Legislature to end an impasse or start a new debate.

Calling special sessions is not uncommon in Georgia, and Kemp has already called them twice, in 2021 and 2023.

In his updated and revised 2026 proclamation, Kemp said the special session would “review and confirm” gubernatorial appointments made since the end of the regular session, approve the previous gas tax suspension brought about by high fuel prices, and address the July 1 deadline and voting reforms set by SB189.

In the aftermath of the 2020 Georgia election, Congress will need to find an alternative to the current ballot scanning machines that use QR codes, and will likely opt for something like hand-written paper ballots instead, in the aftermath of the Georgia election where a sizable portion of the MAGA base claims votes were stolen in Fulton County.

Kemp also said that, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Calais, lawmakers will consider enacting, amending, repealing, or modifying general legislation to divide the state into appropriate districts to take effect in the 2028 election cycle.

What was the Supreme Court decision that started redistricting?

On April 29, the Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevented racial gerrymandering, in Louisiana v. Calais, ruling that partisan redistricting does not violate the law’s protections.

According to the ruling, the Supreme Court will largely turn a blind eye to partisan gerrymandering, making it more difficult for plaintiffs representing minority groups to argue that new district boundaries are discriminatory.

The decision comes as Texas, California and Virginia have already taken steps to redraw their congressional districts in a bit of an arms race of redistricting ahead of the midterm elections.

States in the South, in particular, are currently redrawing state lines to exclude either Republican or Democratic seats, depending on who controls the state legislature and governor’s seat.

Protests planned to coincide with start of special session in Georgia

The special session is not without its conflicts both inside and outside the statehouse.

A coalition of local groups, national organizations and faith leaders are planning protests to coincide with the start of the session.

According to a release from the SPLC, groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center, Black Voter Affairs, the Georgia NAACP, and the New Disabled South will “speak out against the South’s concerted strategy of erasing black and brown political power in Georgia.”

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. once served, has also spoken out against the redistricting effort.

“Georgians are angry about this president’s broken promises. Endless wars and reckless tariffs have made everything more expensive. On top of that, 1.2 million Georgians have had their health care premiums doubled, all to fund billionaire tax cuts. Now, the same people who took away doctors from Georgians are redrawing boundaries to take away Georgians’ voice,” Warnock said in a statement. “Republicans under Gold Dome are using their power not to make life more affordable, but to evade accountability from the people.”

Eileen Wright covers Georgia politics as an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

Aisha Wahab advances in California special election, reports say

US-NEA
-
0
Aisha Wahab advances in California special election, reports say

play

Democrat Aisha Wahab has entered the special election for California’s 14th Congressional District to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned earlier this year, according to multiple reports.

According to the California Secretary of State’s Office, early voting results show Wahab, the California state senator from District 10, received 45,380 votes (about 42.4%) and currently leads a field of 11 candidates. Wahab, a project of the Associated Press, NBC and the Washington Post, will advance to a runoff in August.

Bay Area High Speed ​​Rail Board member Melissa Hernandez, a Democrat, and lawyer and business owner Rakhi Israni Singh were following Wahab as of early Wednesday morning.

According to the California Secretary of State’s Office, Mr. Hernandez received 17,848 votes, or about 16.7% of the vote, while Mr. Singh received 14,160 votes, or about 13.2% of the vote.

The top two vote-getters will advance to a special general election on August 18th.

For many Bay Area voters, this will be the second time they’ve gone to the polls to make their voices heard in support of Swalwell’s former House seat.

In the June 2 primary, voters were deciding which two candidates they wanted to see face off for the seat in the new 14th Congressional District created under Proposition 50, for a term beginning in January 2027.

A special election on June 16 will determine who will serve out the remaining six months of Swalwell’s term as regional representative.

Mr. Swalwell was serving his second term as the U.S. representative for the 14th Congressional District. He denied the allegations before resigning from parliament in April following accusations of sexual assault by several women. The controversy ended his candidacy for California governor and more than a decade of service in Congress.

Mr. Wahab (38.3%) and Mr. Hernandez (17.2%) are the top two vote-getters in the June 2nd primary, according to unofficial results from the California Secretary of State as of Tuesday, June 16th.

Nearly half of the district’s registered voters are Democrats, according to numbers reported by the California Secretary of State ahead of the June 2 primary.

USA TODAY reporter Paris Barraza contributed to this article.

Noe Padilla is a Northern California reporter for USA Today. To contact him, npadilla@usatodayco.comX Follow him at @1NoePadilla or Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow TODAY Californian on Facebook.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make rare visit to UK amid royal rift

US-NEA
-
0
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make rare visit to UK amid royal rift

play

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will take their family on an unusual trip to the UK next month, according to reports in the British media.

Prince Harry, 41, is scheduled to visit the UK in July with his wife Meghan, 44, and their two children, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday, June 17.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a dramatic exit from the UK in 2020. This event was named “Megxit,” a play on Brexit, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. They currently live in California with their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5.

The trip will be the first time the Sussexes have visited Prince Harry’s home country since June 2022, when the four-member family attended celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. Meghan’s last visit to the UK was in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

USA TODAY has reached out to a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for comment.

Prince Harry cited serious concerns for his family’s safety and cited the lack of security on mainland Britain as part of a family rift as his reason for not returning. The Duke’s security was downgraded after he retired from royal life and official duties.

Last year, he lost his appeal in a British court over the level of security he and his family were entitled to while in the UK. It is unclear what safety measures will be in place for the Sussexes’ planned visit next month.

Family rifts exposed at Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s royal retreat

After retreating from the royal spotlight and moving to the United States, the Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family as a whole was thrown into further uncertainty by their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, in which they alleged racism within the family and claimed they felt rejected.

“I didn’t want to be alive anymore.” Duchess Meghan shares more big moments in Oprah interview

In response, Prince Harry’s brother Prince William defended the monarchy, saying, “We are in no way racist.” At the time, Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II was “saddened” by the comments.

Prince Harry criticized his family in his memoir Spare, saying he had urged Prince William and his father Charles III not to marry Camilla. He also claimed that there had been a rift between the brothers for a long time.

“Backup” bombs: Physical attack, drug use, Princess Diana’s death and more revealed from Prince Harry’s memoir

The King has not seen his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet for about four years. It is unclear whether the monarch will spend time with them next month. Archie was born in England in 2019, while his younger sister Lilibet was born in the United States.

In an interview with the BBC last year, the estranged prince expressed his desire to step away from family drama.

“I want to make peace with my family,” he said. “There’s no point in fighting any longer; life is precious.”

Prince Harry and his father Charles actually met in September. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two sides since 2024, and the meeting took place at Clarence House, the royal residence in London. The talks lasted just under an hour, but many interpreted the move as a positive step in easing a very public rift in the royal family.

Today’s gold price for June 17, 2026

US-NEA
-
0
Today’s gold price for June 17, 2026

How much is gold per ounce today?

As of 8:05 AM ET on June 17, 2026, the spot price of gold is $4,323.11 per oz., according to the latest market data. The stock rose 0.18%, or $7.98 from its previous closing price of $4,315.13.

One year ago, gold was trading at $3,400.08 per ounce. This means that the price has increased by 27.15% in the last 12 months.

Key levels to look out for this week:

52 week low: $3,267.56

52 week high: $5,477.79

Gold is trading 21.08% below its 52-week high. The stock is still 32.30% above its 52-week low.

What is the historical price of gold?

today 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago
$4,323.11 $4,218.76 $4,526.97 $3,400.08

A week ago, gold was trading at $4,218.76 per ounce. Since then, the price has increased by 2.47%.

A month ago, gold was trading at $4,526.97 per ounce. Since then, the price has fallen by 4.50%.

USA TODAY is an independent publisher and not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. We recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional regarding any specific financial decisions you may make. Trading commodities, futures, and options involves significant risk of loss. Individual investment results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prices change rapidly and unpredictably due to factors such as supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

What is driving the price of gold today?

The price of gold is driven by inflation expectations, central bank policies, global economic conditions, and investor demand. The strength of currencies, especially the US dollar, can influence daily prices, as well as physical and industrial demand. For more on the market, read the latest investment news on USA TODAY Money.

What is XAU/USD?

XAU/USD is the ticker symbol used to track the spot price of gold in US dollars.

XAU stands for 1 troy ounce of gold and USD stands for US dollar. The estimated price tells you how many dollars it costs to purchase one ounce.

Prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.

Spot prices reflect real-time market transactions and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs, and retail bullion prices.

how to invest in gold

Investing in gold can be done by buying physical coins and bars, buying ETFs that track the price of gold, or investing in mining stocks. Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs, and risk tolerance before making a decision. The retail price of a coin or bar typically includes a premium over the spot price.

Disclaimer: This USA TODAY Money article was automatically generated using live market data from Alpha Vantage. If you think we made a mistake or have feedback, please use this form.

Georgia’s Colton Nussmeyer sentenced to ineligibility in Texas

US-NEA
-
0
Georgia’s Colton Nussmeyer sentenced to ineligibility in Texas

play

After his junior season at Marcus High School (Flower Mound, Texas) was cut short due to injury, four-star quarterback Colton Nussmeyer and his family moved to the Denton area and will play his senior season at Ryan High School.

With this move, Nussmeier was ruled ineligible for his senior season by a 3-3 vote of the District Executive Committee on Tuesday morning, June 16th. Although the vote was a tie, the decision was made based on Nussmeier’s prior athletic participation form, which stated he was transferring to Denton for athletic purposes.

Nussmeier can appeal the ruling to the Collegiate Interhigh League.

Colton, the younger brother of former LSU standout quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, was having a memorable June before the decision was made. He recently competed in the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles and announced his transfer to the Georgia Bulldogs on June 5th.

According to 247Sports, Colton is ranked as the No. 200 overall prospect in the state of Texas, the No. 12 quarterback and the No. 34 player in the state of Texas.

Last season, he completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,390 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only one interception. He also rushed 45 times for 278 yards and three more touchdowns before a knee injury ended his season after just eight games.

Nussmeyer is the latest high-profile player in Texas high school football to be ruled ineligible for his senior season. Five-star cornerback John Meredith III was also disqualified over the weekend after an 11-6 district executive committee meeting determined his transfer from Euless Trinity to Fort Worth North Crowley in January was for athletic purposes.

Stress Relief Device AWEAR brings you a calm score. Would you like to try it?

US-NEA
-
0
Stress Relief Device AWEAR brings you a calm score. Would you like to try it?

Sweat slides off my forehead. A sticky feeling that covers your hands. Butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Yes, we all know what stress is like. But what if you could know exactly how stressed you are at any given time?

That’s the premise behind AWEAR, once dubbed the “Fitbit for the brain.” AWEAR uses EEG sensors to capture all the activity taking place there. The small, rectangular wearable device wraps around your ear and sends AI-powered insights to an app on your phone, detailing your stress, focus, and calmness frequency. The goal is to train your brain to recover faster from stress. Considering how chronic stress is linked to many harmful health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and premature death, users can access their “calm” score to take control.

“Our customers tell us they use AWEAR for encouragement when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. Our app uses soothing vibrations to remind them it’s time for a break,” said Antonio Forenza, founder and CEO of AWEAR, a technology industry veteran and entrepreneur. “They then use the Calm Score to measure the impact of their breathing techniques on their nervous system and receive positive reinforcement from the mobile app.”

Historically, I am one of the people who is easily stressed. While I am grateful for my general anxiety and OCD, I save other life and work stressors for my next therapy session.

I was curious about the impact AWEAR had on my life compared to regular therapies and treatment techniques, so I decided to give AWEAR a try. I’ll explain what happened.

These companies will help you with your “biohack.” What exactly does that mean?

Did this trendy new technology calm me down?

Forenza began research and development of this device in 2023 after noticing a gap in the wearable market. While Oura and WHOOP do track stress through heart rate, none tracked mental health. Forenza assembled a team of neurology experts from Stanford University, the University of California, San Francisco, and his native Italy.

They wanted to create a product to continuously track biomarkers in an unobtrusive way. That way, you can wear it in social situations or even on calls. Currently in beta test. In the long term, the company hopes to track brain health.

After receiving the technology in the mail, I followed the instructions, charged it until I saw a green flashing light, and connected it to my phone via Bluetooth. I used the included body wipe to wipe behind my ears. I applied the adhesive and placed the sensor behind my ear and waited for it to calibrate. After a few tries, the app started tracking my brain waves.

I was curious about the score. I just kept staring at the app, trying to transition from stress to calm.

I just. It was kept. stare.

I searched for “chronic stress” online, but it probably didn’t matter. When I got into a work meeting a little late, I thought my score would plummet even more. A quick look showed that the metrics had improved. Perhaps not obsessing over the score was the antidote. By distracting myself and not thinking about my stress, I felt less stressed.

At one point, I recorded a calm score of 100 (out of 100). I don’t think I’ve ever been so calm in my life. It registered and quickly went down to 92 after I suspected it.

Overall, the first day I tried it, I felt more stressed than calmed. On the second day, the atmosphere was more calm than stressful. I’m sure the more I follow the instructions and wear it, the more it will adjust to my baseline levels. “Typically, we ask our customers to wear it 24 hours a day to get enough data to train/refine the (machine learning) model to match their own brain waves,” Forenza said. “Early models provide trends, but they are general.”

Overall, the adhesive wasn’t suitable for my sweat rate in hot weather, and it was frustrating when the device couldn’t track me. Forenza warned that this product is in beta for a reason. I’m looking forward to trying it out when it’s ready for prime time (I have a goal of not looking at the score for a while).

If needed: How to reduce stress – what actually works

Can a device replace a therapist? Not exactly.

What’s next for AWEAR? Forenza says the device will get even smaller, going from a rectangle to a small circle. Perhaps one day, the device could even warn someone that they are about to have a seizure, or that they are depressed or burnt out. The company hopes to officially launch next year.

Forenza doesn’t think the technology should replace traditional therapists, but a device that sits behind the ear to encourage deep breathing could work as a complement.

“Imagine having the best therapist who understands all your emotions throughout your life, knows your biomarkers, and can interact with you whenever you want,” he says.

He added, “I think the shared experience, the shared consciousness, that a therapist provides is invaluable. And there are people who don’t agree with me. I work in technology, so I know I should agree with them, but I think there’s something special about human empathy that can never be replaced.”

The more you talk to your therapist, the more they will understand you. The same goes for AWEAR itself. My few hours may not have been enough to get to know me that Well, in any case, I don’t want to pay such close attention to apps about my brain. Still, I like the idea that perhaps such a device could serve as an addition to therapy sessions to keep my stress levels in check.

It’s something we can all “recognize” better.

The reporter of this article received access to this product courtesy of AWEAR. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.

1...767778...1,006Page 77 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.