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Southern Baptists consider new immigration resolution at meeting

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Southern Baptists consider new immigration resolution at meeting

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Twenty years ago, Southern Baptist leaders like Richard Land set the tone for the denomination to adopt a compassionate, Biblical immigration policy that they considered not only moral and just, but also a wise move given the nation’s changing character.

Times have changed. Ruth Melkonian Huber, a political science professor at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., said major evangelical voices that were once silent and uncritical on the issue are now spouting harsh words and rhetoric.

As the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual convention draws to a close in Orlando, Melkonian-Hoover, co-author of “Evangelicals and Immigrants: The Fault Between Believers,” said the changes “should give everyone pause.”

The issue is just one in a lineup of SBC statements that representatives of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations are expected to consider Wednesday, but it’s just one of the most important. The proposed resolution draws a line between evangelicals who say border security is important but seeks to achieve it with compassion.

The resolution, titled “On Immigration, Human Dignity, and the Rule of Law,” acknowledges the need for strict immigration enforcement, “including deportation and expulsion of those who the government has formally prioritized for accountability for criminal activity, human trafficking, and illegal employment practices.”

The bill rejects amnesty and specifically omits any mention of a clear path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, a priority of previous SBC leaders.

At the same time, the resolution calls for humane immigration policies that uphold justice and mercy and strongly reject xenophobia, discrimination, and racial and ethnic hostility.

“We urge governments to insist on respecting the God-given worth and dignity of every person, and to give special consideration to children and families,” it reads.

On Tuesday, delegates from the annual conference, known as the Messengers, elected Willie Rice, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Fla., as the Nashville-based congregation’s new president. Rice’s victory by a margin of 58% to 42% indicates that the SBC’s rightward shift is likely to continue.

Messengers also could face consideration of a constitutional amendment proposed by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler that would ban women from holding major church leadership roles within the denomination.

Changing views on immigration

A 2024 survey conducted by LifeWay Research found that evangelicals are increasingly concerned about immigration levels, but are committed to the Christian responsibility to care for those in the United States illegally and support policies that allow them to pursue legal residency.

“Many evangelicals believe there are economic challenges associated with immigration and also see the arrival of immigrants as a missionary opportunity,” Matthew Soerens, national director of the Evangelical Immigration Table, told Baptist Press at the time.

A report released last month by World Relief and the National Association of Evangelicals estimates that if the current administration’s immigration policies continue, more than 1.3 million spouses and children will be separated from their families.

“This is the equivalent of every spouse being separated from their partner and every child being separated from their parents in moderate-sized states like South Carolina and Kentucky,” the report said.

Trump supporters within the Southern Baptist Convention, particularly the Center for Baptist Leadership, a nonprofit headed by William Wolf, a self-described Christian nationalist, have advocated a tough stance on immigration.

The events of the past year, particularly the aggressive deportation campaign conducted by ICE, may have reshaped views within the SBC.

But anti-ICE efforts also faced backlash from evangelicals after protesters disrupted a service at the Southern Baptist Congregational Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18, claiming that the Rev. David Easterwood was acting director of the city’s ICE field office.

Nine people were initially arrested, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, and 30 more people have since been indicted on federal charges related to the incident. St. Paul City Attorney Eileen Cao announced on June 3 that she would not pursue state charges in the case.

Melkonian-Hoover said it was “frustrating” that the SBC’s immigration resolution did not include any mention of a path to legal residence, given that the denomination has historically supported such programs as part of comprehensive immigration reform efforts.

That’s why she was pleased to discover that this statement connects to the Christian belief that humans are created in the image of God. As such, they are expected to “exhibit justice, mercy, hospitality and love towards the weak and strangers” and affirm “the worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their ethnicity or national origin,” the statement said.

“That was great to see,” she said, along with the defense of human enforcement and the condemnation of nativism. “What happened with ICE gave people pause. People were saying, ‘This is not why I voted for Trump.’ So for a lot of people, this is the time to talk.”

Angelina Jolie’s child Zahara files petition to remove Brad Pitt’s name

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Angelina Jolie’s child Zahara files petition to remove Brad Pitt’s name

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Zahara Marley Jolie Pitt has filed a legal request to have Pitt removed from her last name.

The 21-year-old filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to change her name to simply Zahara Marley Jolie, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY.

Zahara Jolie has already stopped using the “Super Express” actor’s last name in recent years. The legal petition comes after his sister Shiloh Jolie, 20, legally changed her last name from Jolie-Pitt to Jolie.

A source close to Pitt said that Jolie is behind Pitt’s estranged relationship with Zahara, adding that it’s sad when one parent keeps their child away from the other parent.

USA TODAY has reached out to Pitt and Jolie’s representatives for comment.

Pitt, 62, and Jolie, 51, have six children. Pax, 22 years old. Zahara, 21 years old. Shiloh, 20 years old. and 17-year-old twins Vivian and Knox. The “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” stars divorced in 2016, and the tumultuous divorce process was finalized in 2024.

Zahara Jolie’s name ‘Pitt’ excluded from university graduation ceremony

Zahara Jolie’s name change came after she graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta with a bachelor’s degree in psychology on May 17, according to a video on social media.

The video shows her walking across the stage wearing a black graduation cap and gown and a blue and white stole. The announcer pronounces her name as Zahara Marley Jolie.

She attended the historically black private university in Atlanta in 2022 and was a member of the sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

They adopted “Maleficent” actress Zahara Jolie from Ethiopia in 2005, and have long discussed their desire to ensure their daughter remains connected to her roots. The two visited Ethiopia in 2019 and met with Salework Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female president, to discuss ways to help girls continue their schooling.

Contributors: Taijuan Moorman and Swasti Singhai, USA TODAY

Kroger’s digital price tag raises pricing concerns. The reason is as follows

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Kroger’s digital price tag raises pricing concerns. The reason is as follows

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  • Kroger has installed electronic shelf labels in many of its stores.
  • Critics and some politicians have raised concerns that digital tags could be used for “surge prices.”
  • Kroger says it does not engage in surge pricing and that the labels help reduce costs and improve price accuracy.

Kroger is installing cutting-edge price tag technology in several stores last month, the grocer told the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network.

Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) allow grocery stores to change the prices of items in the store via computer without requiring store staff to change pasted labels. Kroger says these stores are in nearly a quarter of its stores nationwide.

The Cincinnati-based supermarket giant said the move will save countless hours and allow employees to serve more customers.

Critics of the technology worry it could open the door to predatory pricing practices, such as increasing prices during busy periods, known as “surge pricing.”

Kroger defends technology, provides new details

Last fall, Kroger quietly began rolling out the label at about a dozen local stores, mostly in the local suburbs. Company officials have generally defended its use but have previously declined to answer questions about when and where the technology will be introduced.

In case you missed it: Instacart charges shoppers different prices for the same item, report says

Kroger officials said in a statement that all but one of the company’s 104 stores in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton areas have implemented the labeling technology. It has been deployed in “nearly all” of 21 retail departments across the country, and “rollout continues.”

The company did not say how far along the rollout in other divisions is or when it will be completed. Kroger divisions span the country from California to Georgia and Michigan to Texas. The retailer operates stores under the Kroger banner, as well as stores such as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Fry’s and QFC.

Kroger said North Carolina-based Harris Teeter, Indiana-based Ruler Foods and its Midwest Food for Less stores are the only ones not yet labeled. All other departments are at least starting to use them.

In case you missed it: Are Walmart customers being overcharged for mis-measured meat?

The smaller the device, the bigger the controversy.

Kroger shoppers may not even notice the change. Tags are not much different from the old stick-on labels. But if shoppers look closely, they’ll notice that the tags are all housed in a white plastic case as thick as a book of matches.

Pricing technology and concerns that it could be used to gouge customers has come under intense scrutiny over the past decade, which has seen historic inflation not seen since the early 1980s. Prices in the U.S. have risen nearly 29% since March 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and this year’s war with Iran, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But inflation has worsened in supermarkets, with prices rising 31% over the same period.

In 2024, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) demanded that Kroger provide more information about how it would use the technology.

Kroger said in its response letter that ESL is used to lower costs, not to raise prices.

“Kroger did not and still does not engage in ‘surge pricing.’ Kroger’s business model is built on lowering prices to attract more customers,” wrote Paula Kash, the retailer’s vice president of group operations. “Using this innovative technology frees up our associates’ time so they can prioritize serving customers in our stores.”

Kroger officials noted that the company’s new CEO, Greg Foran, has made it clear that he wants to cut prices, not raise them, to accelerate sales growth. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Foran outlined plans to cut prices on “thousands of products.”

“Our use of electronic shelf labels is focused on providing accurate pricing and meaningful savings to our customers,” Kroger said in a statement to the Enquirer, noting, for example, that the labels make it easier for stores to reduce prices on items nearing their sell-by dates.

Walmart also adopts digital price tags

Kroger isn’t the only company using this technology.

Earlier this year, Arkansas-based supercenter giant Wal-Mart announced that it had installed electronic shelf labels in 2,300 stores, or half of its retail operations in the United States, and that the remaining stores would have electronic shelf labels within a year.

Kroger operates approximately 2,700 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The company employs 403,000 people.

Social Security funds will run out in 2032, beneficiaries will face 22% pay cut

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Social Security funds will run out in 2032, beneficiaries will face 22% pay cut

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The trust fund, which supplements the payroll taxes that come in to pay monthly Social Security benefits, is projected to run out in the last three months of 2032, which would force an immediate across-the-board 22% benefit cut, the board’s latest report said.

For the past 16 years, the cost of Social Security’s retirement program has exceeded the amount it receives from payroll taxes, forcing it to draw down its trust fund reserves to make up the shortfall. Last year, the trust fund was projected to run out in 2033, but that deadline was moved up in August to the end of 2032 under tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed nearly a year ago.

If Congress does not act and allows the trust fund to be emptied, the program will only pay out what the government collects in taxes. The Nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Budget estimates that on average, beneficiaries will lose about $500 a month.

“This should be a wake-up call. Congress needs to act,” said Myekia Minter Jordan, chief executive of AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group representing seniors. “Americans have worked hard and paid into Social Security throughout their lives, so it makes sense that they would rely on it in retirement.”

Why is November important to Social Security?

Analysts said the senators elected in November will be in the group that would either deplete Social Security’s trust fund or enact reforms.

“While these bankruptcy dates may seem abstract and far away, the reality is that senators elected in 2026 will be in office when Social Security reaches bankruptcy status,” said Margaret Spellings, president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center. “The question is no longer whether these challenges need attention, but whether Washington will find the will to act.”

According to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Peterson Foundation poll, conducted jointly by the Democratic Party’s Global Strategy Group and the Republican Party’s North Star Opinion Research, in late May:

  • 96% of voters nationwide want candidates to clearly explain their plans to prevent automatic cuts to Social Security benefits.
  • This includes 96% of Democrats, 92% of independents, and 97% of Republicans.
  • It also includes at least 94% of voters in the 18-29 and 18-29 age groups. 30-44; 45-54; 55-64; and over 65 years old.

“This research shows that voters across party lines overwhelmingly want solutions from candidates this election season,” said Michael Peterson, the foundation’s chief executive officer.

How can Congress protect Social Security benefits?

It’s not that there’s a lack of ideas to “fix” Social Security so that benefits don’t get cut, there’s just a lack of will. In the past few years, these have included:

  • “Six-digit limit,” or capping annual Social Security benefits for married couples at $100,000.
  • Raise or eliminate the cap on income that can be taxed to fund Social Security benefits. In 2026, only income up to $184,500 will be taxed to pay benefits.
  • Raise payroll taxes by 12.4% on your income that goes towards paying Social Security. Payroll taxes are typically split 50-50 between you and your employer, so you each pay 6.2%.
  • Raise your Full Retirement Age (FRA) to maximize your Social Security benefits. Until the 1980s, age 65 was considered the FRA, but in 1983, when Social Security faced bankruptcy, Congress passed legislation to gradually raise the full retirement age to 67. In 2026, the FRA will be 67 years old, and some researchers believe it should be raised again.

“As in 1983, lawmakers can enact reforms that guarantee the fiscal health of the program for another 75 years or forever,” wrote Stephen Nunez, director of stratified economics at the progressive Roosevelt Institute. “In fact, we could have done so (at significantly lower cost) at any point in the last 20 years.”

“Congress has many options to close the deficit and secure the Social Security Trust Fund for future unforeseen developments. The question is not whether Social Security can be rebuilt, but who will pay for it when it is rebuilt.”

Medora Lee is USA TODAY’s money, markets and personal finance reporter. Please contact us at mjlee@usatoday.com. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday..

Becerra stops in Los Angeles to speak about voting in California amid intense scrutiny

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Becerra stops in Los Angeles to speak about voting in California amid intense scrutiny

“I oppose any effort to restrict Californians’ right to vote,” said Xavier Becerra. This comes after opponent Steve Hilton is demanding voter ID.

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Barely a week after California’s primary election, gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has fielded a number of questions about voting in the state under intense scrutiny from President Donald Trump.

Becerra, Democrat and the first candidate expected to advance He will face Republican and former Fox News host Steve Hilton in the November general election.

As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, results released by the California Secretary of State show that the former Secretary of Health and Human Services remains in the lead with 27.9 percent, followed by Hilton at 25 percent.

Hilton invited Becerra to join his campaign. Support Voter ID in a clip shared on your Facebook page The voter ID measure, which gathered enough signatures to qualify to vote in November earlier this year, would amend the California Constitution to require voters to present a government-issued ID at the polls or the last four digits of their government-issued ID number when voting by mail, according to an official summary.

“With voter ID, you don’t have to have endless checks of signatures and verifications. All of that stuff they say takes so long,” Hilton said in a clip shared by KNX News on June 9. “Voter ID allows us to do this quickly, confidently and securely.”

Organizations such as the League of Women Voters of California and the ACLU of Northern California oppose voter ID measures in California. The former would create “new ways to reject eligible ballots and falsely target voters through error-prone citizenship tests,” it said.

Reporters asked Becerra about his position on the matter and Hilton’s invitation. In response, he asked Hilton not to join people like the president but to participate “here,” referring to Hilton’s June 9 visit to businesses at the Mercado La Paloma food hall in Los Angeles, and in his response pointed to claims the president had recently made about the California election.

Trump has made a series of accusations about the election and voting, alleging without evidence that Democrats were “trying to steal” the gubernatorial primary and calling the state’s election results “a sham.”

He went on to say that “what we want” is for every vote to be counted accurately and “we encourage everyone to vote on Election Day.” He said it would be “great” if people could vote sooner, but what’s more important is that people vote.

“I’m against voter suppression,” Becerra said. “I oppose anything that would restrict Californians’ right to vote.”

Asked if he would change anything legally to speed up California’s vote-counting process, Becerra said he was “suspicious” of “infrastructure improvements to increase ballot processing capacity.”

“I think most county registrars would say, ‘Sure, give us more money so we can hire more people and have more equipment and process ballots faster,'” Becerra said. “But again, a lot of times people vote towards the end and there’s a huge amount of votes at the last minute, so the voting gets stuck.”

“If we could get everyone to vote sooner so that we don’t end up with a big backlog, maybe all the counties would be able to process their votes more quickly,” he said.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

New U.S. visa fast-track program lets you pay $750 to skip the line

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New U.S. visa fast-track program lets you pay $750 to skip the line

A new pilot program will allow tourists and business travelers to “move to the front of the queue” for visa interviews if they can afford it.

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For some travelers, the time it takes to obtain a visa to visit the United States may be quickly reduced, but the cost will be higher.

Starting July 1, travelers applying for B1 and B2 nonimmigrant visas for business and tourism purposes will be able to pay an additional fee to get ahead of others in line for a visa interview.

The State Department said it is part of a “proof-of-concept” pilot program aimed at assessing demand for the rapid service, which will be available through the end of the year.

Why some travelers Waiting for hours to enter Europe

According to the interim final rule, published in the Federal Register on June 9, “Applicants for designated positions will have the opportunity to move to the front of the line for appointment by paying a $750 fee without providing written justification or seeking personal intervention through the Priority Appointment Request or Referral process.”

Those who pay an additional fee can secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days without having to wait for the next availability, which can vary by week and location. For example, the next available appointment for a B1/B2 visa interview is in 16 months in Abu Dhabi and within half a month in Istanbul.

This $750 fee is on top of the standard nonimmigrant visa application processing fee of $185 for a total cost of approximately $935.

Michael Catgliotti, a New York-based immigration attorney, told USA TODAY that this is a large amount of money for many countries. “I think it’s expensive in this country, but it’s prohibitive in many countries where people apply for visas,” he says.

The State Department says the “premium” addition is optional, in limited quantities, and available only at designated posts on its website. It further adds, “This Service does not facilitate any processing steps, including the time required for administrative processing.”

“There is no indication that they will approve these applications,” Catgliotti said, adding that it is interesting that this option is only available for B1, B2 visas. “There are many other categories where it makes sense to do it faster and speed things up, such as work visas for people who come here as international academics, people who have extraordinary ‘extraordinary ability’ in the industry, people who go into professional jobs, etc. in different fields.”

After the pilot period ends on Dec. 31, the State Department will evaluate whether it is worth continuing or adjusting the service.

This article has been updated to update the headline.

Tom Brady’s new drink is serious about health, not name

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Tom Brady’s new drink is serious about health, not name

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NFL legend Tom Brady has turned the hydration market on its head with the launch of a new coconut water drink that even seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady stumbles over for words.

Brady, who is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, and instant delivery platform Gopuff announced the launch of a new organic coconut water brand in a June 8 news release, marking the latest expansion of the two companies’ business relationship following past collaborations such as GOAT Gummies.

The drink contains organic coconut water, no added sugar, and contains ingredients that Brady said are consistent with his long-standing interest in nutrition.

However, the name is quite a conversation starter.

Gopuff and Brady refer to the product as “Good Nuts,” but Brady avoids repeating them in the company’s launch video while touting the drink’s health benefits and ingredients.

“Hydration has always been a big part of my routine,” Brady said in a statement. “With Good Nut, we focused on keeping the ingredients simple and clean.”

Betting on changing consumer tastes

Coconut water is benefiting from increasing consumer demand for beverages with fewer artificial ingredients and sugar. Coconut water, a clear liquid naturally found in young coconuts, is often marketed as a source of hydration because it is relatively low in calories and sugar compared to many sports drinks, and contains electrolytes such as potassium.

Health experts warn that although coconut water contains nutrients such as vitamin C, manganese and phosphorus, it is not a one-size-fits-all health drink. People with kidney disease or certain blood pressure conditions may want to consult a doctor before consuming large amounts, as it contains potassium and sodium.

Gopav said sales of coconut water on its platform grew 115% year-over-year, and the global coconut water market is expected to reach $11 billion by 2030.

Brady’s latest business strategy

Good Nut is made from organic coconuts sourced from Vietnam and contains no sugar, sweeteners or artificial ingredients. The lineup includes three types: original coconut water, chocolate coconut water, and sparkling coconut water.

GoPuff executives said the idea came about after Mr. Brady mentioned his long-standing preference for chocolate coconut water, sparking a conversation about creating a new product rather than just promoting an existing one.

Since retiring from the NFL, Brady has remained active in business and public life, appearing at events ranging from college graduation ceremonies to discussions about the changing landscape of college athletics.

The beverage is priced at $3.29 per can, with discounts available to Gopuff’s FAM membership subscribers.

Becerra and Hilton enter California gubernatorial election

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Becerra and Hilton enter California gubernatorial election

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  • In the California gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton advanced to the general election.
  • Two candidates emerged victorious from a field of 61 candidates in the state’s nonpartisan primary.
  • The race was the most expensive gubernatorial race in history, with more than $316 million spent on advertising.
  • Becerra, a former HHS secretary, and Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, will compete in November to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Democratic front-runner Xavier Becerra and his Republican opponent Steve Hilton have advanced to the top two spots in California’s crowded and highly anticipated gubernatorial primary, according to projections from The Associated Press and NBC News.

Mr. Hilton and Mr. Becerra won a landslide victory in the state’s nonpartisan “jungle” primary on June 2, which was declared a week later on June 9. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election for a chance to succeed current Gov. Gavin Newsom, who ends his eight-year term in January.

Progressive billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer came in third, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, the paper said.

Mr. Becerra, a former Health and Human Services secretary, Mr. Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, and Mr. Steyer, a progressive billionaire entrepreneur and climate change activist, survived in a field packed with 61 gubernatorial candidates who took up every page of the nearly 2-foot-long ballot.

“The people of great California, the greatest nation on earth, have spoken loud and proud,” Becerra said in a June 5 statement after being announced as the first candidate to advance. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we will never back down. November is here.”

Hilton is Supported by President Donald Trumphe remained confident of finishing in the top two. He has already appealed to Becerra to work with him on his campaign to reform the state’s voter ID process.

“Change is coming,” Hilton told supporters in the Bay Area suburb of San Mateo on June 5. “This cannot continue. This election shows us that change is coming. The belief that we can be the best at everything we do. It’s a great place to raise a family. It’s a great place to start a business.”

More than 50 candidates are running for governor, ranging from veteran politicians like Mr. Porter to unknown newcomers, including Army reservist Barack D.

“In this race, the odds of falling between those two candidates were about 75% to 80%,” McEwan said. “It will be a massive, existential proxy war between the Democratic midterm elections and Trump 2.0, Hilton’s surrogates.”

Becerra and Hilton took the early lead.

Early voting after the June 2 primary vote left Becerra, Hilton and Steyer among the top candidates, with many of the crowded candidates dropping out, including Democrats Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Public Instruction Director Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who raised about $30 million as a latecomer, much of it from Silicon Valley tech insiders.

Ad spending in the California gubernatorial race was about $316 million, the most in history, and the fifth-highest non-presidential campaign ad spend in history, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. AdImpact noted that Steyer’s campaign alone spent more than $200 million, accounting for 64% of every dollar spent on the race.

But that wasn’t enough for him to break into the top two, McCune concluded.

“Mr. Steyer inherits the difficult situation that wealthy, affluent candidates have in the Golden State,” McEwan surmised. “They are much better at driving issues than candidates, especially their own political fortunes.”

California’s complicated gubernatorial race: Hilton and Becerra took early leads, Steyer held on.

Becerra bounced off the fringe.

Mr. Becerra, a moderate Democrat who was in the single digits in some polls six weeks ago, rose to prominence after former Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew from the race in April over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he denies.

He relied on his experience to steadily climb up the polls and focus his policies on lowering health care, housing, childcare and utility costs and fighting Trump. Mr. Steyer focused his ads on Mr. Becerra, calling him a “corporate Democrat.” But he rose from the ruins and heavy criticism.

California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks told USA TODAY last month that Becerra, who has served in Congress for more than two decades, has taken advantage of loyal Democratic voters, Latinos and even those with no party affiliation.

Becerra told supporters at a campaign party in Los Angeles that he defied the odds despite running out of money and being advised to withdraw from the race.

“Well, guess what? The underdogs stayed in the fight,” Becerra said. “The true spirit of democracy is this: After all the exhausting advertising, after all the toying with the pundits, after all the billionaires trying to buy their way, the people, and the people alone, get the last word…loudly and proudly.”

Hilton remains relevant despite late Democratic poll surge

Hilton, a political newcomer who has been leading in many polls for months and received significant support from President Trump, appears likely to win. He remained in the top two, even though some polls before the primary showed that Becerra and Steyer were making advances.

“I thought it was a little premature to write the words ‘change is coming,'” Hilton told supporters at a themed campaign party on June 2 in Huntington Beach, California. “I don’t think so, because change is coming. Change is coming to California, and it’s long overdue.”

On June 5, Hilton called on Newsom to immediately establish an “emergency election assistance force” to speed up vote counting.

Hilton called the state “the laughingstock of the nation when it comes to election coverage.” He called on Newsom to issue an emergency executive order and send available state employees and rapid response support teams to counties facing significant delays in processing ballots.

In response, Newsom’s office told USA TODAY that the governor also “hopes that vote counting will proceed more quickly.” Newsom’s office said the governor does not administer the election, tally votes or certify results. These responsibilities rest with local election officials, who operate under state law under the authority of a separately elected Secretary of State.

President Trump scrutinizes California’s slow vote-counting process

Final gubernatorial primary results have finally been announced after President Trump scrutinized the slow-moving tally. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform last week, the president wrote, without providing evidence, that Democrats were “stealing votes” in the gubernatorial race.

This followed Bill Ezeiri, the first assistant attorney general for the Central District of California, announcing on June 5 that his office would conduct multiple investigations into possible election fraud in Los Angeles.

Later that day, the Department of Justice sent one of its attorneys to monitor ballot processing in Los Angeles, the county elections office told USA TODAY.

Mike Sanchez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office, said the county’s ballot processing is subject to public scrutiny. Sanchez added that Justice Department prosecutors were briefed on the public monitoring program and participated in a demonstration of ballot processing operations.

But We Are California, a coalition of the state’s leading community and advocacy groups, wrote an open letter to California voters condemning President Trump’s continued attacks on the state’s primary election results and explaining that the state’s universal mail-in voting process has been approved by voters.

“California’s voter protections were fought for and won by generations of Californians who understood that voting is the most direct way we make decisions about our lives,” the nonprofit’s letter said. “Vote counting will take time as every vote is counted. We will face further attacks in the coming months. We must be prepared to defend our votes.”

“We will not allow anyone, including the President of the United States, to take that away from us,” their letter concludes.

What’s next?

Both candidates will begin campaigning in California over the next five months. Becerra could become the state’s first Latino governor in more than a century, and Hilton could become California’s first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger was in office from 2003 to 2011.

California is the nation’s most populous state, with approximately 12% of the nation’s population and one in eight Americans living there. Nearly half of the state’s 23 million registered voters are Democrats. A quarter of residents identify as Republican.

The remaining voters call themselves independents or have “no party preference,” according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Whoever becomes California’s governor will manage the state with a budget of about $4 trillion, making it the world’s fourth-largest economy. They will also be responsible for managing California’s multibillion-dollar debt, Medicaid access amid federal spending cuts, high housing costs, homelessness, and the persistent crisis of wildfire prevention and recovery.

Did Serena Williams win on her return to tennis? A comeback begins with a victory

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Did Serena Williams win on her return to tennis? A comeback begins with a victory

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Moments after Serena Williams kicked off her return to tennis with a straight-sets come-from-behind victory on June 9, she hugged her husband Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters, Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2.

What did her daughters say after their mother, one of the greatest athletes of all time, played her first professional game in 1,376 days?

“Adira wanted to go to the toy store and Olympia wanted to know what was for dinner,” Williams said.

The moment offered a glimpse into how Williams’ life has changed since the 23-time Grand Slam champion stepped away from tennis to focus on her family after the 2022 U.S. Open.

Four years later, when Williams decided to return, partnering Victoria Mboko as a doubles wildcard entry at the HSBC Championship in London, it was with flexible expectations and a new perspective inspired by her daughters.

“I’m not putting any pressure on myself. There was plenty of pressure,” Williams said earlier this week before the tournament. “That’s really important to me right now. It’s so many factors. It’s about having kids watch me play. Olympia is a little older and Adira is very young, but it’s still a moment like that. Being an athlete is the best thing you can be, the best place you can be, and to have the chance to do that one last time is kind of cool and exciting.”

There were moments on the court in her comeback match when Williams looked like a vintage Serena, with her scorching serves and powerful backhands. But there were also signs of how she had changed.

‘Don’t be too hard on yourself!’ Serena Williams gives herself a ‘C-minus’

Williams, known for his fierce competitiveness and occasional outbursts on the court, remained calm and elated in his comeback debut. She and Mboko exchanged smiles and laughs throughout the match, with Williams constantly encouraging her 19-year-old partner. Even when Williams made a mistake, he was able to shake it off in the moment and get back into the game, rather than letting his frustration derail the game.

In a match that lasted just over 90 minutes, Williams and Mboko defeated third-seeded Nicole Merichal Martinez and Erin Routliff 7-6, 6-2.

However, Williams wasn’t completely satisfied. Asked to rate his performance after the match, Williams self-deprecatingly replied, “I’m giving myself a C-minus.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself!” Mboko further encouraged her. “It’s funny because there were moments during the match where I was like, ‘Oh, this isn’t going to work,’ and I was very self-critical. But I understand that, I feel like I was a little bit off her level, but I think it’s great to know that I have a lot of room for improvement and that I have the motivation to get better.”

Williams played with his trademark aggression while cycling through the middle of the court. The 44-year-old showed quick reflexes at the net and promise with her groundstrokes, including an outrageous backhand winner on the run that earned her a crucial hold late in the first set.

Williams and Mboko won 78% of their first serve points, with Williams hitting two aces in the final. On match point, she delivered a 116 mph serve that Melcher Martinez hit with her racket but could not return.

Mboko, who was scouted by Williams to play doubles last month, said he was grateful for the opportunity to play together.

“I don’t play doubles that much, but I think you can learn a lot by sharing the court, even if you’re still competing,” Mboko said. “If anything, I really had fun today and felt like we complemented each other really well on the court. I really liked our attitude on the court. We had the same mentality and that’s what I always look for in a partner. I was just having fun.”

Serena Williams gets ‘nervous’ standing ovation before game

Grass courts have been a historic success for Williams, who won seven singles titles and six doubles titles at Wimbledon. Before her comeback match, three years, nine months and eight days had passed since her last doubles victory.

“I was nervous, but I didn’t think about it too much,” Williams said. “I was just thinking about having fun. That’s what I did today, and I was just thinking about it. That’s it. I was nervous right before the game, about 30 minutes before, but after that I forgot about it.”

Williams received a standing ovation when he took the court before the game, and even more applause after the game. The fanfare is likely to continue during the remaining races at the HSBC Championship and the Berlin Open later this month. Williams reiterated on June 9 that she has not yet decided whether she will play at Wimbledon.

Her return at the Queen’s Club may not have seemed like a normal opening match to those in attendance, but Williams said for her it was just tennis.

“I think that’s the beauty of being an athlete and understanding the importance of polish and focus,” she said. “Once you go there and figure it out, it feels like it doesn’t matter what’s going on in the outside world. As long as you know what you’re there for, it really helps and makes a big difference.”

Best Home Warranty in Arizona 2026

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Best Home Warranty in Arizona 2026

Air conditioners run for months on end, and hard water wears down pipes and wears out pool equipment. Few things test a home quite like summer in Arizona.

If something breaks, repair costs can put a strain on your budget. That’s where a home warranty comes in handy. A monthly fee covers repairs and replacements for systems and appliances that break down through everyday use.

To simplify your search for a reliable provider, the USA TODAY team compared more than 20 options in terms of coverage, cost, claims processing, and customer reviews. Below are the best home warranty companies in Arizona in 2026.

Why trust USA TODAY?

Every home warranty company on this list has undergone a hands-on review by the USA TODAY team. We collect up-to-date quotes, read the fine print on service contracts, and contact customer service to find out what your actual coverage will be.

We then score each provider using an in-house methodology that takes into account coverage, cost, claims experience, and more. Our team has been providing comprehensive reports on personal finance and home services for over 25 years, and the only provider we recommend is the one you can trust to protect your home.

No need to wait for home repairs. 93% of homeowners put off HVAC and plumbing repairs. Here’s why you shouldn’t.

Top 6 Home Warranty Companies in 2026

Super Home Warranty: Best Overall

Get a free quote

  • Fee: $52 to $116 per month
  • Service fee: $99
  • Upper limit of coverage: $10,000 for appliances; System is unlimited

Super Home Warranty is at the top of the list for 2026 with an unlimited system warranty and built-in maintenance services. Through the Maintenance Marketplace, members can book flat-rate HVAC tune-ups, dryer vent cleaning, and pest control services. This is useful because in Arizona, dust and constant use of the air conditioner can take a toll on your home’s systems.

This plan also covers unknown pre-existing conditions, adding an extra layer of protection when purchasing an older home in Phoenix or Tucson. Add-ons like pools and spa equipment make it easy to tailor your coverage to your home. The downside is that the basic plan costs more than most competitors. Some customers report slow bill approvals.

Strong Points:

  • Manage your insurance claims through a state-of-the-art app-based platform
  • Over 10 years of operational experience
  • Pay up to $500 for HVAC system changes

Cons:

  • If you cannot provide maintenance records, your claim may be denied.
  • Additional fees may apply for homes over 5,000 square feet
  • Cannot use own contractors

American Home Shield: Best for high coverage caps

  • Fee: $50-100 per month
  • Service fee: $100 or $125
  • Upper limit of coverage: Up to $4,000 for appliances. Up to $5,000 for your system

HVAC service calls are a common claim among Arizona homeowners, making American Home Shield’s $5,000 per system HVAC coverage one of its most useful features. The top-tier ShieldPlatinum plan also includes unlimited AC refrigerant and $1,000 in roof leak repair coverage. Both items are useful in Arizona, where air conditioners run hard during the summer and monsoon storms can require roof repairs.

Some plans include video chat functionality, allowing you to connect with a repair expert via the app for real-time troubleshooting before scheduling a service visit. Instead, American Home Shield uses its own network of contractors, which prevents you from hiring preferred local technicians.

Strong Points:

  • Covers systems and appliances for all ages
  • Has a high total coverage limit of $50,000 per year
  • Covers damage caused by undetectable pre-existing conditions, improper installation, and rust.

Cons:

  • ShieldSilver only covers systems and does not protect appliances
  • Expensive monthly insurance premiums and service fees apply
  • Back repair only for 1 month

Read the AHS review

2-10 Home Buyer Warranty: Ideal for home appliance coverage

Get a free quote

  • Fee: $39.99 – $59.99 per month
  • Service fee: $65 to $100
  • Upper limit of coverage: $2,000 for appliances; Up to $5,000 for your system

With over 40 years in the industry, 2-10 Home BuyersWarranty offers strong protection for your kitchen and laundry appliances through Pinnacle Home plans. The company supports 30 days of work, which is the industry standard, although shorter than some competitors.

The standard $2,000 cap for appliances may fall short of higher-end models, so it’s worth taking a closer look. Replacing a built-in or professional refrigerator can cost much more than that.

Strong Points:

  • We offer add-ons for pool and spa equipment, well pumps, and roof leaks.
  • Online homeowner portal makes it easy to file and track claims
  • Low-cost service fee options available

Cons:

  • Changes required to replace appliances or systems are not covered
  • Systems and equipment deemed to be poorly maintained may be excluded
  • Online reviews note slow service times

Read 2-10 reviews

Cinch Home Services: Ideal for long-term workmanship guarantees

Get a free quote

  • Fee: $30.99 – $44.99 per month
  • Service fee: $100, $125, or $150
  • Upper limit of coverage: $2,000 for appliances; System total $10,000

Cinch Home Services covers all approved repairs for 180 days. This is much longer than the industry standard of 30 days. So, if your Arizona air conditioner repair doesn’t last until summer, and you’re still within that time frame, our technicians will come back at no additional charge.

Coverage applies regardless of the age of the item, as long as it is in good working order when you sign up. That said, Cinch’s HVAC coverage is capped at $1,500 per period. If your system has been running hard year-round, major repairs won’t be that expensive.

Strong Points:

  • Brings over 45 years of industry experience
  • Leverage a national network of vetted independent service providers
  • We offer dedicated plans for appliances and systems

Cons:

  • Preferred technician not available
  • Total limit is as low as $10,000
  • No low-cost service fee options

Read the Cinch review

HomeSafe: Perfect for comprehensive protection

  • Fee: $69 – $79 per month
  • Service fee: $65
  • Upper limit of coverage: $2,000 for appliances; $5,000 for the system

HomeSafe’s Best Home Coverage plans cover all your major systems and appliances under one umbrella. The company also locks in monthly fees as long as the plan is active.

With HomeSafe, you can tailor your coverage to your home with add-ons for in-ground pools, guesthouses, and wine rooms. This is a practical addition to Arizona properties, which often include outdoor living spaces or mansions. However, it’s worth noting that the company imposes a 25-day waiting period before coverage begins.

Strong Points:

  • Allows priority licensed contractors to use
  • Offers flexible monthly payment options
  • Low service fees (ideal for homeowners who expect frequent billing)

Cons:

  • Excludes corrosion, rust, or dirt damage
  • No customer service on Sundays
  • There are only 7 add-on options

Read HomeSafe review

HomeServe: Best for a la carte home warranties

Get a free quote

  • Fee: $5 to $38 per month
  • Service fee: $0
  • Upper limit of coverage: $1,000 for appliances; $1,750 for the system

HomeServe lets you choose your cooling, heating, and plumbing coverage and pay only for what you need. For Arizona homeowners with new kitchen appliances under manufacturer warranty, that flexibility can result in lower monthly costs than a full home plan. The plan comes with a one-year workmanship warranty, which is longer than the 30-60 days offered by most competitors.

There is one thing to keep in mind. HomeServ routes repairs through a network of approved contractors. Therefore, if there are limited services available in your area, you may not be able to call a trusted local expert.

Strong Points:

  • We have a 24/7 emergency repair hotline
  • Provides a mobile app for managing your account and scheduling services
  • Sell ​​protection plans for technology equipment such as TVs and computers

Cons:

  • Coverage doesn’t start until 30 days after signing up
  • Plans and prices may vary by zip code
  • Coverage limit is low

Honorable mention

Although some providers have fallen off the top six list, they are still worth considering for Arizona homeowners.

appreciate liberty home security guard‘s long list of add-ons includes pool and spa coverage, well pumps, and pest control. This flexibility is ideal for Arizona, where pool equipment failure and termite damage are common concerns. The basic plan costs about $55 to $65 per month, and most add-ons range from $3 to $8.

If price is your main concern, Select home warrantyplans start at less than $50 per month. This is a reasonable starting point for first-time homeowners who don’t want to commit to high monthly costs.

Do you have unwanted visitors? Termites can destroy your home. Here’s how to get rid of them

How to choose a home warranty in Arizona

No two homes in Arizona are the same, and the right home warranty will depend on what you own and how much risk you’re willing to take.

Before signing a contract, please check the following:

  • HVAC coverage details: Find out what the company will do if the system fails. Carsten Erickson, a real estate agent with HomeSmart in Glendale, suggests asking whether the plan covers the cost of renovating or replacing systems that use older refrigerants.
  • Maintenance requirements: Some contracts require receipts or proof of periodic adjustments. Erickson recommends reading the fine print, as skipping a step could result in your claim being denied.
  • Coverage limits for high-value items: Erickson recommends asking whether the maximum payout will cover the cost of replacing the broken one. If the limit for a complete HVAC replacement is too low, you could end up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket.
  • High-end appliance coverage: “If you have a built-in refrigerator, bidet, whirlpool bathtub, or wine refrigerator, make sure you choose the correct coverage,” Erickson advises. “A basic home warranty plan does not cover these items.”

It also helps to know what your home warranty won’t cover. “A common misconception is that homeowners won’t lose money because a home warranty will replace everything regardless of the situation,” Erickson says. In reality, home warranty companies typically perform repairs rather than replacements. Additionally, if the repair cost exceeds the contract limit, you will be required to pay the difference.

How much does a home warranty cost in Arizona?

A home warranty costs about $100 a month in Arizona, Erickson said. “A service call costs about $100 to $110,” she added.

Whether an investment is worth it depends on your circumstances. If your primary system is new or still under manufacturer warranty, you may not need a plan. But if you don’t want to find a contractor or pay for unexpected repairs out of pocket, a monthly fee can buy you peace of mind.

How USA TODAY ranks home warranty companies

The USA TODAY team researched 21 home warranty providers to determine the best option for Arizona homeowners. We evaluated each company using an in-house methodology that evaluates performance across five key categories and 19 factors, including coverage limits, pricing, claims handling, and customer feedback.

FAQ

Who is the best home warranty company in Arizona?

The best home warranty company in Arizona is Super Home Warranty, our top overall pick for 2026. We offer an unlimited system warranty, which is helpful in states where hot, dry weather puts a lot of stress on HVAC units. App-based billing processes and add-ons for pool equipment also provide strong suitability.

Which is better: American Home Shield or Select Home Warranty?

If you want higher coverage limits, such as the $50,000 annual limit and protection for older systems common in Arizona homes, American Home Shield is a better choice. If affordability is your priority, Select Home Warranty is the way to go, with monthly premiums under $50.

Teenager convicted of stabbing death at track meet

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Teenager convicted of stabbing death at track meet

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A Texas teenager has been found guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of a student at a rival high school during a 2025 track meet, garnering national attention, multiple news outlets including NBC 5 DFW, Fox 4 and the Associated Press reported.

A Collin County jury on Tuesday, June 9, found 19-year-old Carmelo Anthony guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in Frisco, Texas, media outlets reported. Anthony, who was attending Centennial High School at the time, claims he stabbed Austin, a student at Memorial High School, in self-defense.

Jurors returned their verdict after about three hours of deliberation and began considering Anthony’s sentencing shortly after, NBC 5 DFW and Fox 4 reported.

NBC DFW reported that Anthony’s mother, Kara Hayes, tearfully told jurors that she believed Anthony regretted what he had done. “Please have mercy on my son,” Hayes said.

“He will always be my baby,” she said, the outlet reported. “I love him very much.”

Meanwhile, when Anthony returned to the courtroom after the verdict, he was shaking and his defense attorney was holding him, NBC DFW reported.

NBC DFW reported that Prosecutor Bill Wilsky told jurors that Anthony began a confrontation with Austin inside a tent at a track meet in April 2025, immediately admitted to the stabbing, and told bystanders that Austin had touched Anthony first “as if that justified the murder he had just committed.”

“You can’t put a shove on a shove, especially if you provoked a shove,” Wilsky later said in closing arguments, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Anthony’s attorney Mike Howard painted Austin and his twin brother as aggressors, according to NBC DFW. Howard said Anthony warned him not to touch Austin and said he had the right to protect himself once Austin initiated physical contact.

“There is no evidence that Carmelo did anything other than truly believe he was protecting himself in that moment of confusion,” Howard said on June 9.

The incident has been marked by controversy, racial tensions, and public demonstrations. As the murder trial began, supporters of both families gathered outside the courthouse, along with activists and internet celebrities, underscoring the level of public interest in the trial.

The murder charge carries a sentence of five years to life in prison, but a jury could find that Anthony killed Austin in an act of “sudden passion.” NBC DFW reported that Anthony could be sentenced to two to 20 years in prison if he accepts the defense’s argument that he was in a “high emotional state caused by immediate provocation from the victim.”

Emotional testimony details shocking stabbing incident

The trial began June 1 with jury selection and included emotional testimony from witnesses and graphic video footage of the chaotic incident, CBS News reported. WFAA reported that Roach banned cameras, live streaming, and recording from inside the courtroom and imposed a gag order on attorneys, witnesses, investigators, and others involved in the case.

According to CBS, several unnamed student-athletes testified that Anthony entered Austin’s tent to greet a friend, but immediately defended himself when asked to leave. Teenage witnesses, including one who testified for the defense, agreed that Anthony provoked Austin and pushed him and said they were surprised Anthony brought a weapon to the track meet.

Memorial High School track coach Rob Starr told jurors he heard the disturbance started around 10 a.m. on April 2, 2025, and found Austin with a “hole in his chest.”

School resource officer Eduardo Cortez testified that when he reported that he was being handcuffed by the “alleged suspect,” Anthony responded, “I’m not the suspect, I did it.” According to CBS, Cortez said Anthony also asked if Austin was OK.

Tensions rise before the trial

In announcing Anthony’s indictment by a grand jury, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the case “took a deep nerve” in communities across North Texas and beyond. “When something like this happens at a school event, it upsets people to their core,” Willis said.

Anthony was allowed to receive his high school diploma, but was prohibited from attending graduation ceremonies. Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, accepted the posthumous diploma on Austin’s behalf at May’s graduation ceremony.

Supporters of both families gathered at the courthouse and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars through an online fundraiser.

But Hayes said in an April 2025 press conference that her family also endured harassment, death threats, rumors and leaks of her home and work addresses after the stabbing.

“Regardless of what appears to have happened between Carmelo and the Metcalfe boys, my three younger children, my husband and I have done nothing to warrant being threatened, harassed and lied to,” she said.

Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalfe, tried to attend the news conference but was escorted out of the building by Dallas police, Fox 4 reported. Metcalf’s vacant home was “struck down” hours later after Frisco police responded to a report of gunshots during the speech, local media reported.

Metcalfe said at her son’s memorial service that she forgave Anthony, KDFW-TV reported. After the charges were filed, he told local media that he was “glad that things are moving forward” and that “justice will be served” for his son.

Meanwhile, the Next Generation Action Network expressed concern about the “double standards” in the case against Anthony and expressed anger at the jury selection process.

“Prosecutors launched a final attack to remove the remaining eligible Black jurors from the jury list, raising serious concerns about fairness and equal justice,” the group said on social media.

Contributors: Anthony Thompson, Melina Cahn, Saleen Martin, Jonathan Limehouse, Anthony Robredo, USA TODAY

Pizza Hut will be giving away free personal pots on June 10th. How to get it

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Pizza Hut will be giving away free personal pots on June 10th. How to get it

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Pizza Hut wants to celebrate readers of all generations.

On Wednesday, June 10, Pizza Hut will offer a free personal pan pizza to customers who bring a BOOK IT! The button was distributed to participants in the chain’s long-running reading program for decades.

Launched in 1984, BOOK IT! is Pizza Hut’s free reading incentive program for students in preschool through sixth grade. Students are encouraged to set monthly reading goals, and when they achieve them, they receive a free personalized pan pizza certificate. Please make a reservation! We offer programming during the school year and summer. Book it! The Summer of Stories program begins June 1st and runs through August 31st.

Interested in getting a slice?Here’s how to get a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut this week.

food: Do you have a bookworm in your house? Pizza Hut is giving away giveaways

How to get a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut on June 10th

To receive a free Personal Pan Pizza, Pizza Hut customers must bring their BOOK IT! You can press the button to participating locations from any year on Wednesday, June 10, according to a news release. Customers do not need to purchase anything to redeem a deal.

How to register for BOOK IT! summer of stories

Interested in enrolling your students in the BOOK IT!Summer of Stories program? Here’s how.

  • Please download “Please make a reservation”! Mobile apps from Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Parents complete a “quick” registration to establish a student profile.
  • Set monthly reading goals associated with each student’s profile.
  • Track completed books on each student’s profile.

According to Pizza Hut, there is a limit of five personal pan pizza certificates per family per month.

delivery! Pizza Hut launches new crispy palm bread

For the start of summer, Pizza Hut is also launching a new Crispy Palm Pan Pizza. Parmesan cheese is baked on the outside of the pizza dough, so the cheese flavor spreads with every bite. For a limited time, the new pizza will be available for $10 when ordered in a medium size, according to Pizza Hut’s website.

Contributed by Amaris Oaks, USA TODAY

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

House sends $70 billion bill for ICE and border security to President Trump’s desk

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House sends billion bill for ICE and border security to President Trump’s desk

The Senate passed the already laborious bill after a lengthy vote.

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WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a massive cash influx bill of about $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Security, sending the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

The chamber approved the partisan bill on Tuesday, June 9, by a vote of 214-212. The Senate passed the bill last week, with all Democrats voting against it and only one Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Passage of the security bill in the House marks the last real hurdle for the controversial bill, a major Republican priority heading into the midterm elections, after months of back and forth on Capitol Hill over immigration enforcement funding after federal agents killed two Minnesotans earlier this year.

The additional funding, which would provide funding for three years, comes as political rifts between Republicans and Democrats over support for ICE and Border Patrol intensify ahead of the November election. It could likely be one of the final pieces of major legislation that Congressional Republicans, who hold a slim House majority, can realistically get across the finish line by then.

The agencies were excluded from a sweeping Department of Homeland Security spending bill passed by Congress in late April following a record-long partial government shutdown. After federal agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti, Democrats took a deep stance and refused to fund immigration enforcement unless there were major reforms.

“Republicans gave ICE $170 billion last July, and they want to give it another $70 billion within a year,” Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.) said on the House floor. “$240 Billion for Honest to God Stormtroopers.”

Without help from Democrats, Republicans relied on a budget process called reconciliation to pass the bill. This maneuver allowed Republican leaders to circumvent Democrats and circumvent the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.

Before the bill was passed on June 9, Republicans blasted Democratic lawmakers for what they viewed as anti-law enforcement stances.

“It’s a travesty to hear such derogatory language and to see my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives denigrate those who wear the uniform and represent all of us and our families,” Rep. Jody Arrington (R-Texas) said on the House floor.

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..

Omar Altan shares his devastation after being denied entry to the US to play in the World Cup

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Omar Altan shares his devastation after being denied entry to the US to play in the World Cup

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Africa’s top soccer referee says he is shocked he will no longer be able to officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the United States last Saturday.

Omar Abdulkadir Altan was chosen as one of 52 referees for this summer’s tournament and would have been the first Somali-born referee to take part in a World Cup match.

“I’m very, very disappointed,” Artan told The New York Times in a telephone interview from Istanbul, Turkey, where he was transferred after arriving in the United States.

“I’m just a referee trying to realize my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to play in the World Cup.”

Artan told the Times he flew into Miami International Airport on Saturday, June 6, five days before the tournament opener. But he was stopped by U.S. border officials, taken into a small room and interrogated for 11 hours.

“We had all the paperwork and everything,” Artan said. “I had the correct visa.”

He said he also showed official FIFA documents and photos from his more than 10-year career as a professional referee, including being named referee of the year in 2025 by Africa’s governing body for soccer.

After the interview, Artan said he was moved to another detention center for another few hours before being put on a flight back to Istanbul.

He said he was given no reason to be turned down.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said Artan was denied entry at the Miami airport because “it was determined that he was inadmissible due to screening concerns.”

Somalia is on President Donald Trump’s list of countries subject to a travel ban. FIFA has confirmed that Artan will not be able to take part in this year’s World Cup matches.

A FIFA spokesperson said over the weekend: “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration procedures, including visa checks, and we have been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not change at this time.”

“As with previous FIFA events, the host country’s government ultimately decides who receives a visa and who is allowed entry into their country.”

New M&M’s flavors are now available in stores. Where to find candy with nuts

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New M&M’s flavors are now available in stores. Where to find candy with nuts

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M&M’s fans may fall in love with the iconic candy brand’s nutty new flavor.

This month, M&M’s launched a new limited edition Banana Nut Bread flavor. An M&M news release states that each candy “features the classic flavor of banana bread blended with our signature milk chocolate, all wrapped up in a satisfying crunch of peanuts.” This flavor is available in 9 oz sharing size pouches.

The new flavors come after M&M’s launched its Bakery Collection in January. This collection includes three new flavors voted on by candy fans. The new flavors available on the M&M’s website and at Kroger affiliated stores are Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll, Lemon Meringue Pie and Cherry Chocolate Cupcake.

Would you like to have a bite? Here’s what you need to know about M&M’s new Banana Nut Bread flavor.

When can I buy M&M’s Banana Nut Bread?

Banana Bread M&M’s will be available for a limited time in June at Kroger affiliated stores while supplies last. The candy is already available for purchase on Kroger’s website.

Where can I buy M&M’s Banana Nut Bread?

Banana Nut Bread M&M’s are sold exclusively at Kroger affiliated stores.

What does M&M’s Banana Nut Bread taste like?

Surprisingly, bananas aren’t the main ingredient in the new M&M’s. Rather, this candy is made with “natural” and “artificial” flavors, according to the ingredient list.

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

What does Krasner want from Philadelphia’s budget Parker? more time and money

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What does Krasner want from Philadelphia’s budget Parker? more time and money

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As Philadelphia approaches adoption of its fiscal year 2027 budget, District Attorney Larry Krasner has publicly asked Mayor Sherrell Parker to reconsider funding for public services.

But was this request a sincere request for a $5.6 million increase over the more than $60 million allocated to the DAO in the FY 2027 proposal, or a strategic public move ahead of the mayoral election?

Mr. Parker doesn’t seem convinced.

In an open letter to Parker that Krasner planned to publish and deliver on June 8, the police department thanked the mayor for his work, leadership and foresight, and appealed for additional funding for the DAO’s work, including victim and witness services and investigating and prosecuting crimes against the elderly.

He also requested time from the mayor, specifically specifying a meeting between the two elected officials.

According to his open letter, since January 2024, the two sides have had only three scheduled meetings and only “limited telephone interactions.”

“Our teams talk and collaborate every day, but I believe that as the two highest-ranking city elected officials, we have an obligation to our residents to meet monthly to discuss ways to continue to improve the quality of life in Philadelphia,” Krasner said.

Looks like he won’t buy a hoodie.

The mayor’s office did not respond to USA TODAY Network’s request for comment about the meeting with Krasner, but Parker told NBC10, “You’re going to meet with a lot of people who know me, and they’ll be able to tell you a lot about me, but the opportunity to meet with me means how many times a week does the district attorney’s office and my team meet? If the district attorney is interested in meeting with me, they’ll know how to do that.”

The news organization reported that the mayor said, “I will not respond to anyone’s obstruction. That’s not what I do.”

KYW News Radio reported that the mayor called Krasner’s letter a “theatrics” and said, “Maybe it’s a one-man show, but the mayor won’t be a part of it.”

Krasner also took the opportunity to shut down rumors of a mayoral run when pressed by NBC10 reporter Lauren Make.

There has been no official notice or indication that Krasner may be considering a run for the 2027 election season, but the idea is not new to political analysts.

In February, Axios reported that insiders were already buzzing with questions about Krasner’s possible campaign efforts, following his election to a third Democratic term and anti-Trump rhetoric.

A representative for the prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter who writes about trends, news and all things city-related for USA TODAY’s Philadelphia Metro Connect team.

“Kitten fishing” is a toxic dating trend. Is it a new “catfish fishing”?

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“Kitten fishing” is a toxic dating trend. Is it a new “catfish fishing”?

If you use a dating app, you probably May At least once, you have exaggerated the truth about yourself. Or twice. OK, maybe a few times.

Oh yeah, you might think so, but there’s a name for this behavior. This is called “kitten fishing”, but like the more extreme “catfishing”, kitten fishing tends to end in more or less disappointment.

Kitten fishing involves telling small lies about yourself on dating apps or in the early stages of a date in order to make yourself appear more attractive. Consider adding an inch or two to the height section of your dating profile. Or you may say that you probably just took a course and graduated from a prestigious university with a degree. Or maybe he’s lying about his age. Or you can use an old or heavily edited photo of yourself.

They may not be making up completely fabricated personas like catfish. But you’re not being completely honest either.

“Kitten fishing is the PG version of catfishing,” says Amy Chan, a dating coach and author of “Unsingle: How to Date Smarter and Create Love that Lasts.” “This actually happened to me personally. I matched with a guy who listed Harvard University on his profile, but after a few dates, it became clear that they didn’t actually graduate from Harvard. They took Harvard courses.”

Why do we go kitten fishing?

The truth is, dating apps are essentially online marketplaces. And it’s very competitive in that regard.

In order to stand out, to get a foot in the door, many feel they need to elevate their own truth.

And the sad truth is that most kitten fishermen aren’t actually bad or undesirable people. They just don’t know how to stand out.

“To be honest, it usually comes from an insecure place, not a malicious place,” Chan says. “I’ve had clients tell me they’re fudging their age and height just to avoid noise. Their logic is that once you meet them in person, superficial things don’t matter. The problem is that most people feel cheated when the person in front of them doesn’t match their profile. When you start things off with a small deception, no matter how harmless it feels, you end up undermining trust before it’s built.”

‘Wildflower’ is the new dating term That’s lovely. don’t be fooled

As a result, kitten fishing rarely ends happily, even with the best intentions.

“If you try too hard to kitty fish, you’re going to be disappointed, because when you actually meet that person, you’re not what they expected,” says Damona Hoffman, dating coach and author of F. the Fairy Tale: Rewriting the Dating Myth and Living Your Own Love Story. “We’re not chasing likes on dates; we’re actually nurturing connections.”

How to be your best self without kitty fishing

Hoffman says kitty fishing isn’t just for dating. To some degree, everyone is baby fishing on social media. Social media generally allows people to present the best version of themselves and cut out the icky parts.

For dating apps, it’s a fine line, Hoffman added. You want to look your best and be on your best behavior, especially in the early stages of dating. But you also want to be authentic, genuine, and honest. Otherwise, how would you know if you and the person you’re about to meet are truly compatible?

This new dating trend is keeping people apart I’m confused and heartbroken. It’s called “Banksy”.

Instead of kitty fishing, aim to create a profile that tells a story, something deeper than the superficial markers that many people hide behind.

“When creating profiles, I never add filters to my clients’ photos,” says Hoffman. “You want to look your best, but that doesn’t mean changing your image. It means choosing photos that tell a story about who you are and where your personality shows. There’s no need to try to be a picture-perfect version of yourself when your ultimate goal is to actually connect with someone and get them to like you.”

What the new dating term “shrecking” sounds like Innocent. it’s not what you think

Chan encourages daters to consider that each photo on a dating app shows a different side of their personality. She says the first photo should clearly show your face. The second is a clear body shot. But after that, each photo should be a starting point for someone to learn more about you.

“Think of it like giving someone a hook to start a conversation,” she says. “The big mistake I see is people posting glamor shot after glamor shot. I get it, you’re pretty. Is there anything else?”

And above all, don’t get discouraged. Dating is difficult, yes. But kitten fishing only makes the situation worse.

“This also shows the scarcity mentality that’s prevalent in this culture right now,” Chan says of the trend. “Dating partners are losing hope, believing that good partners are out of the question, and finding it harder than ever to meet potential partners, let alone feel connected.”

Is Rocket Money safe? Full review, features and comparisons 2026

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Is Rocket Money safe? Full review, features and comparisons 2026

Personal finance apps are becoming increasingly popular, but the ever-increasing number of options available can sometimes feel difficult to navigate. After Mint’s closure, a wave of competitors emerged, each offering a different approach to budgeting, savings, and money management.

One app you may have seen promoted on TV and social media is Rocket Money. Rocket Money, part of the Rocket Companies family that includes Rocket Mortgage, has carved out a niche as an automated auditor of your financial life. Unlike traditional budgeting apps that primarily focus on tracking expenses, Rocket Money is designed to help users identify recurring expenses, negotiate bills, and find opportunities to save money.

After testing Rocket Money for several months, we found that its subscription tracking and bill negotiation tools provide the most value, while its budgeting features are better suited for users who want a financial overview rather than detailed budgeting.

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at Rocket Money’s features, pricing, pros and cons to determine if the automated approach is worth the cost.

If you’re still considering your options, check out our guide to the best budgeting apps to compare today’s leading platforms.

Rocket Money Overview

What is Rocket Money?

Rocket Money is a comprehensive personal finance app designed to give you a 360-degree view of your finances. The app was originally released as Truebill, but was rebranded after being acquired by Rocket Companies.

At its core, the app focuses on three pillars:

  • Track your spending: It can be used as a budgeting app as it aggregates bank accounts and credit cards to show a unified feed of transactions.
  • Manage your subscription: Scan your transaction history to identify recurring charges, such as a forgotten Vampire subscription.
  • Identifying savings: Look for opportunities to reduce your bills or automate savings.

Connecting to your financial institution using a multi-factor login through a secure service like Plaid provides real-time tracking that theoretically takes manual work out of budgeting.

Do you have big financial goals? How to choose the right household account book app

Main features of Rocket Money

Rocket Money has some great features.

Track and cancel subscriptions

The feature that Rocket Money touts most in its TV and social media ads is the app’s ability to find recurring charges. It lists all the subscriptions you’ve identified, from Netflix to that obscure gym membership, even if you’re a free user.

In our testing, Rocket Money found several forgotten subscriptions, including one that was still shipping products to my old apartment. While the app can’t cancel all services on your behalf, simply identifying recurring charges that may go unnoticed can help users quickly cut down on unnecessary spending.

Premium users have access to a concierge service where Rocket Money’s team handles the cancellation process. This is especially helpful in combating “dark patterns” that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warns can trick people into signing up for unnecessary subscriptions without their knowledge.

bill negotiation

Another great perk is that Rocket Money can negotiate with your cell phone, internet, and cable provider on your behalf to lower your monthly bill. There are no upfront fees for this service. In return, they receive a portion of the annual savings they set aside for you.

The bill negotiation feature was one of the most valuable tools we tested. After submitting the Internet bill for review, Rocket Money successfully negotiated a lower monthly fee, reducing costs from $90 to $50 per month. Results will vary by provider and location, but this type of savings can easily offset the cost of a premium subscription.

Budgeting and expense tracking

Rocket Money’s detailed spending tracking lets you set spending limits for specific categories and sends you alerts when you’re nearing your limits. These features allow you to effectively use it as an automatic budgeting app, even if your main focus is finding areas where you can cut back.

In our testing, spending summaries made it easier to spot patterns that weren’t obvious when looking at bank statements alone. For example, the app highlighted how much was spent each month at specific retailers, making it easier to compare spending habits over time. Rather than manually categorizing transactions, Rocket Money provides a summary view that helps users identify areas where they may be overspending.

smart savings

Whether you’re planning a summer trip or trying to maximize your retirement savings, Rocket Money can help you automate your savings strategy. When you set a goal using the Financial Goals feature, Rocket Money’s Smart Savings Autopilot analyzes your checking account balance and spending and automatically transfers a small amount to your savings account if it determines you can afford it. We also know to skip automatic deposits if your balance is low.

If you want more manual control over your savings goals, you can toggle this off or use the custom savings feature.

Alerts and financial insights

Rocket Money provides additional financial insights to help strengthen your financial health, including monitoring your credit score and tracking your net worth. Credit score and reporting features provide insights to improve your credit score so you can get better loan and credit card terms.

Net Worth Tracker consolidates your assets and debts into one dashboard, making it easy to see how paying off debt, contributing to savings, and increasing investments is impacting your finances. During our testing, this feature made your student loan repayment progress feel more tangible by showing you how each payment affected your overall net worth, rather than just reducing your account balance.

Rocket Money also sends you alerts about upcoming bills, unusual transactions, and other account activity. In our experience, bill reminders have helped prevent missed payments and overdrafts by providing more visibility into recurring expenses and making future bills more predictable.

Freelancers and contractors: How to create a budget even with irregular income using a simple system

Rocket Money Pricing

Rocket Money’s pricing is unique in that it uses a “pay what you think is fair” model for its premium tier. The price ranges are:

  • free: Includes basic account linking, spending tracking, and a list of subscriptions. However, you must cancel your subscription yourself.
  • Premium: It costs between $7 and $14 per month, depending on “what you think is fair.” At this stage, Rocket Money will cancel your subscription on your behalf and negotiate discounts from your phone, internet, and cable providers.
  • Additional costs: If the app representative is successful in negotiating a lower bill, you will be charged a fee of 35% to 60% of the first year’s savings.

Pros and cons of Rocket Money

Strong Points

  • Subscription audit: This is probably the best app on the market for finding hidden recurring costs.
  • Automated insights: Net worth tracker and spending alerts give you an overview without manual data entry.
  • Bill negotiation: For people who hate talking to customer service, having a third party fight for your discount is a huge perk.

Cons

  • Budget depth: It lacks the “$1 is a job” philosophy found in competing zero-based budgeting apps like YNAB.
  • Additional charges: If the savings are large, the savings you receive from negotiating your bill can seem expensive.
  • Privacy concerns: Like all aggregators, you share sensitive financial data with third parties.

Comparison of Rocket Money and other household accounting apps

Recommendation: Who is Rocket Money best suited for?

Rocket Money is perfect for spenders who want more visibility into their finances without managing spreadsheets or manually tracking every dollar amount. If you frequently sign up for free trials and forget to cancel, haven’t reviewed your monthly bills in years, or simply want a clearer picture of where your money is going, the app could quickly pay for itself.

We found Rocket Money to be particularly useful for uncovering often overlooked spending habits, identifying forgotten subscriptions, and providing an easy way to monitor your net worth and upcoming bills. Users struggling with overdrafts or surprise bills can also benefit from the app’s alerts and regular bill reminders.

This app is perfect for those looking for actionable insights and automation rather than a very detailed budgeting system. If your goal is to reduce your spending, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and manage your recurring bills with minimal effort, Rocket Money is worth considering.

Who should skip?

Avid budgeters who prefer zero-based budgeting, detailed spending plans, or extensive customization may find Rocket Money too advanced. Apps like YNAB and Monarch Money offer more robust budgeting and planning tools for users who want more control over all aspects of their finances.

Conclusion: Is Rocket Money worth it?

Like other budgeting apps, Rocket Money has its value. That being said, this particular app allows you to quantify its value more accurately than others. If you use the premium version for a few months and then identify and cancel $50 worth of subscriptions per month, it’s a good investment. It also acts as a watchdog on your account for dark patterns and other manipulative subscription behavior.

While Rocket Money lacks the precision of more expensive wealth management software or the zero-based budgeting methodology of strict budgeting apps, it’s a valuable resource for those looking to take control of their spending.

FAQ

Is Rocket Money free?

A free version is available, but a premium subscription is required to take advantage of the app’s signature features, such as concierge cancellation and real-time sync.

How does Rocket Money make money?

Rocket Money makes money through subscription fees, success fees for bill negotiations, and recommendations for other financial products (such as credit cards and loans) within the app.

Can Rocket Money cancel my subscription?

Yes, Premium members can utilize our concierge service to handle the cancellation process for most major services.

Is Rocket Money safe?

Like other apps, Rocket Money uses bank-level security and 256-bit encryption. Connect your account using Plaid. This means that your actual bank login credentials are not saved. That said, there is always at least some risk when sharing data with third parties.

Is it difficult to cancel Rocket Money?

No, Rocket Money allows users to cancel their premium subscription through the app or website. However, canceling your Rocket Money membership will not automatically cancel any subscriptions that Rocket Money has identified in your account. If you wish to stop paying for third-party services, you must cancel those subscriptions individually or use Rocket Money’s Concierge Cancellation Service before terminating your membership.

Has Rocket Money faced any controversy?

Rocket Money has faced some criticism regarding its privacy practices and subscription model. Consumer advocates have questioned whether some of the company’s marketing claims about data privacy are consistent with its privacy policy disclosures, and some users have complained about bill negotiation fees and premium subscription fees. However, Rocket Money has not been the subject of any major security breaches or widely publicized fraud scandals, and remains a popular personal finance app used by millions of consumers.

Reiner Family Trust Dispute – Nick Reiner’s estate in jeopardy due to murder case

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Reiner Family Trust Dispute – Nick Reiner’s estate in jeopardy due to murder case

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Nick Reiner is asking a Los Angeles court to allow him access to a trust fund set up by his parents, Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner, as he faces a criminal trial in their deaths.

The deceased couple’s 32-year-old son, who was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in December, entered the plea on Monday, June 8, saying he never received any of the money he was entitled to when he turned 30, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

The filing states the fund is separate from the “larger Reiner Family Trust” and is intended solely for Reiner’s use “for his personal benefit.” Without funds, Reiner said, he would be unable to pay for legal fees and “basic necessities while incarcerated.”

Nick Reiner has been in prison since Dec. 14, when law enforcement and prosecutors say he fatally stabbed his parents, the wife of the beloved “Princess Bride” director and producer, in their Los Angeles home. He pleaded not guilty in February.

Latest court hearings: Nick Reiner appears in court, case postponed until September

Nick Reiner has over $1.5 million in trust funds

The terms of the fund, which holds an undisclosed amount of at least $1.5 million, require Reiner to distribute half of the money when he turns 30 and the other half when he turns 35, according to the filing.

Additionally, Rob and Michelle Reiner “separately authorized the trustee to make other discretionary distributions to Nick for his support, maintenance, health, and education until paid in full on Nick’s 35th birthday,” the statement said.

Nick Reiner allegedly requested the funds multiple times in recent months, but the filing alleges that the trustee has “made a series of excuses and rationalizations,” including “‘concerns’ about Nick’s so-called ‘trust management’ abilities.”Reiner’s lawyers argue that the distribution date is “required” and that the “trustee’s subjective opinion” is not a valid reason to withhold the funds.

In January, Reiner’s attorney Alan Jackson resigned, citing “circumstances beyond our control.” In his new petition declaration, Jackson wrote that “our firm is ready, willing and able to resume representing Mr. Reiner” if funds become available.

Reiner’s lawyer said: “Nick loved his parents and is devastated by their deaths.” “But the facts of what did or did not happen to them are not at issue in this trust case. Nick’s criminal defense attorney will present those facts in the criminal case. This petition does not request or invite this court to consider those facts. Like anyone accused of a crime, Nick is presumed innocent and is entitled to defend himself with the resources that are legally his.”

“The stakes for Nick couldn’t be higher,” the lawsuit adds, and alleges that Reiner is seeking money from “his own funds, not from his parents’ estate.”

Breaking his silence: Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner’s son Jake Reiner speaks out about his parents’ deaths

Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstances of multiple murders and a special charge of using a knife as a dangerous and deadly weapon. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said after the February plea hearing that Reiner’s case was “death penalty eligible,” but his office has not decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Nick Reiner’s next pretrial hearing is scheduled for September.

Who is in Rob Reiner’s family? What you need to know about parents, wives and children

Rob and Michelle Reiner met on the set of When Harry Met Sally in 1988 and married a year later. The couple welcomed their first son, Jake Reiner, in May 1991. Nick Reiner was born in 1993, and their daughter Romy Reiner was born in 1997. Rob Reiner is also the father of Tracy Reiner, a daughter from his first wife Penny Marshall, whom he adopted during their marriage.

Contributed by: Brendan Morrow, Edward Segarra, Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

I just discovered Apple’s new Siri. It actually looks like this

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I just discovered Apple’s new Siri. It actually looks like this

jennifer jolie
| USA TODAY Special Feature

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I’ve been talking to Siri like a slightly confused intern for more years than I’d like to admit. You ask your husband to send you an email. Provides web search. You say, “Call Geneva.” I’ll call Doug. Like many people, I decided somewhere along the way that Siri and I were always going to hate each other a little bit.

So when Apple invited me into a room at Apple Park on Monday, June 8, to try out the all-new Siri AI firsthand, I was cautiously optimistic. I left the store with high hopes, but there was one big caveat.

The first thing you notice is that it’s just there. There’s no need to download a new app or set up an account. As always, you can summon it with the side button “Hey Siri” or enter the conversation directly with a new swipe down from the top of the screen.

That sounds small. it’s not. Apple brought fully functional AI to hundreds of millions of people who have never opened ChatGPT. Siri doesn’t have to be the smartest assistant on the planet to win them over. It just needs to be an assistant that is already in their hands.

Siri is undergoing a major overhaul. Here’s what you need to know

What it can do when it works is the part I’m excited about. In a demo that Apple ran for me, someone asked, “What podcast did your sister recommend?” Siri pulled the answer from an old message thread. No scrolling or searching required. Another user asked to add the items listed in a friend’s camping email to a packing list and be reminded to pack when they get home. Two requests, one sentence completed. Get it from your email and set location-based reminders all at once.

Just to be clear, these were Apple demos, on Apple phones, with data pre-loaded by Apple. There were no sisters, no actual camping trips. Only carefully selected scenarios designed to show Siri at her best. It’s not nothing, but it’s not the same as you or I would use it in real life. The real test will come when it goes on sale this fall.

Update for iOS 27: Apple users will have more control over liquid glass

Still, the idea strikes a chord. Because that’s exactly what I struggle with every day. Somewhere you must have seen a recommended restaurant, a confirmation number, a link that your friend swore he wanted. text? Is it email? Instagram? Having Siri access everything and help you find what you need could save you hours a week. The new visual smarts are also a nice bonus. Point your camera at your dinner bill to split the check, or point it at your backpack and ask if it passes as carry-on baggage.

Alongside this, Apple’s pitch is privacy, and it’s a smart one. For Siri to be useful, it needs to search for the most personal things, like messages, emails, and photos. Apple says it will process what can be properly processed on the user’s device, and that anything sent to the cloud will only be used to respond to the request and then deleted. Apple can’t see it, and neither can Google. (Google’s Gemini model helps power all of this, which in itself is a remarkable admission from a company that typically insists on building everything in-house.) This promise is paying off in a lot of ways. The more your assistant knows about you, the more important it becomes that the company behind it keeps its promises.

This is my honest hesitation. Like many people, I live with Apple hardware, but I also spend my days using third-party apps like Gmail, WhatsApp, and Google Photos. Siri can read what’s on the screen on any screen, but that’s only superficial. Until these apps can actually take advantage of Siri, I have a huge blind spot in my actual digital life. And in the demo, I noticed that there was a beat between the question and the answer, sometimes an uncomfortable beat. Maybe it’s a beta version. They will need to fill in the gaps before this information reaches everyone this fall. Otherwise, people will be the first to complain.

So what I’m saying to you is, “Get excited, but proceed with caution.” Apple previously promised a smarter Siri and left us waiting (for two years, which in the tech world is the equivalent of a lifetime). The demo is the easy part. The real test is whether it works in my messy inbox, messy camera roll, and my real life. Only when I need it to work, on a very busy Tuesday.

I can’t wait to find out. You won’t believe it until you see it on your phone.

Jennifer Jolie is an Emmy Award-winning consumer technology columnist and on-air contributor to “The Today Show.” The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Contact her at Techish.com or @JennJolly on Instagram.

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