As a new report shows inflation is making travel by both car and plane more expensive, nearly half of Americans say higher prices could ruin their winter travel plans.

According to a new WalletHub survey, 49% of Americans said higher travel costs could ruin their upcoming plans. Some travelers, however, appear willing to absorb the added expense. The survey found 30% of Americans believe travel is worth going into debt for.

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The survey also found 30% of respondents are still paying off travel debt from last winter, while 27% said they are very stressed financially by travel costs.

The survey was released the same day the consumer price index showed prices for goods and services increased 3.7% over the past year. Among travel-related expenses, lodging away from home was 4.4% more expensive, airline fares were up 22.4%, and car rentals were 9.1% more expensive.

Despite the higher prices, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview with CNBC that many travelers are accepting the increased cost of travel.

RELATED STORY | US inflation climbs as gas, clothing, and airfares get more expensive

Fuel has been the impetus for the industry to move quickly to adjust the pricing environment, he said. But given the fact that the market has accepted these price points I think where were at is very sustainable.

Millions of Social Security recipients will now know how much their checks will be in 2027 after new government data was released on Friday.

The Social Security Administration announced that Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% bump in checks in 2027, which represents a $75 increase for the average retiree.

The announcement following the release of the monthly Consumer Price Index report. The Social Security Administration bases its cost-of-living adjustment on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases monthly.

The consumer price index weighs the costs of goods based on their importance. Items like food, shelter and energy typically carry heavier weight.

RELATED STORY | US inflation climbs as gas, clothing, and airfares get more expensive

Social Security will implement this cost-of-living adjustment for 76 million Americans, giving them greater financial stability, said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. Under President Donald J. Trump, Social Security is delivering better, faster, higher-quality service for the American people."

Last years cost-of-living adjustment was 2.8%, which closely matched the 2.9% increase in consumer goods and services. About 72 million Social Security beneficiaries are scheduled to receive a cost-of-living adjustment starting in January. Nearly 7.3 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income will get the adjustment starting Dec. 31.

For the 12-month period ending in September, the consumer price index showed a 3.7% increase in prices.

Recipients should get a letter in December notifying them of their new benefit amount.

President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, a day after announcing an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase Russian diesel exports to global markets.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said Zelenskyy could have ended the war earlier and blamed him for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to. Very difficult. It's a war that should have never been started, Trump said.

RELATED STORY | Trump says US to get diesel from Russia to help ease prices before midterms

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, launching a war that has continued for more than four years.

Thats a war that should have never started. And I think its time for Ukraine to get a new president, Trump said.

The war helped drive energy prices higher in 2022. Prices later eased, but oil and fuel costs surged again in early 2026 following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.

Trump said Russia plans to export 300,000 tons of diesel in October, 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons in December. The United States and its allies have largely avoided Russian energy imports since the invasion because of concerns the revenue could help fund Moscows war effort.

Trump also warned Zelenskyy against targeting Russian refineries, saying Ukrainian strikes have disrupted global energy markets.

He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel, because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world, Trump said. And we told him, do whatever you want, but dont hit the diesel fuel, because theres a big problem, a big shortage. And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel.

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Zelenskyy criticized the agreement in a post on X on Saturday.

Every additional billion dollars they can earn from exports will be spent on nothing but sourcing and importing critical components and equipment to manufacture weapons, upgrading Shaheds, producing missiles, and recruiting even more mercenaries to fight at the front, Zelenskyy wrote. Russias choice is war. And they will be ready to end it only when they feel that their ability to drag the war out is diminishing.

Trumps comments come as Republicans seek to improve their standing with voters ahead of the midterm elections, where recent polling has suggested Democrats could make gains.

Officials said nine people, including two children, were killed in a shooting Friday evening in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Erie Police said it responded with a SWAT team after a gunshot detector alerted officers. They said that the deaths were not a result of police inaction and that investigators determined that all deaths occurred before officers arrived.

Police said they found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No gunshots were fired after police arrived, authorities said.

WSEE-TV reported that witnesses saw a man firing a handgun outside a home. The station reported that two women were found fatally shot outside the residence.

"I want to be candid with our community," Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said. "This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes our officers and investigators have ever encountered. The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing. At this time, we can confirm that the suspect is deceased. Based on the information currently available to us, there is no ongoing threat to the public."

The city of Erie said the shooting had brought "shock and sorrow" to the community.

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by tonight's tragedy," the city said in a statement.

For just the second time on record, parts of California are under a tropical storm watch.

Tropical Storm Rachel was spinning over the eastern Pacific early Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to make landfall Sunday on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula as a tropical storm.

While a direct hit on Mexico remains the most likely scenario, Rachel's outer bands could bring tropical storm-force conditions to the San Diego area later this weekend. The tropical storm watch covers San Diego County.

RELATED STORY | Hurricane forecast update: Is the government prepared for the rest of the season?

Portions of the Baja California coast are under a tropical storm warning.

Forecasters said tropical storm-force winds extend up to 125 miles from the storm's center. The National Hurricane Center said strong, gusty winds associated with the system are expected to spread across parts of the interior Southwest, particularly in higher-elevation areas.

The storm could also bring 1 to 3 inches of rain across parts of the Southwest, with isolated totals exceeding 5 inches.

Much of the Southwest is under wind advisories and flood watches.

RELATED STORY | First hurricane activity forecast of the year calls for a slightly below-average season

The only other time the National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm watches or warnings for the U.S. West Coast was during Hurricane Hilary in 2023. That storm also made landfall on Baja California and prompted tropical storm watches and warnings for the San Diego area.

Although Hilary brought heavy rain and strong winds to Southern California, it had weakened below tropical storm strength by the time it reached the region.

Hurricane Isaias became the first hurricane to make direct landfall in the United States in more than two years when it came ashore late Friday as a Category 2 storm.

By Saturday morning, Isaias had weakened into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved across Alabama. While no longer a hurricane, its remnants were expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds across parts of the South on Saturday before spreading into the Great Lakes and Northeast on Sunday.

As of 2 p.m. CT Saturday, more than 700,000 customers were without power. More than 400,000 outages were reported in Florida's Panhandle, while Alabama reported more than 180,000 outages and Georgia reported about 40,000.

At its peak, nearly 900,000 customers were without power.

2 dead as Hurricane Isaias weakens over the South

The storm also caused significant wind damage in the Pensacola area, where a hotel lost its roof as Isaias made landfall.

RELATED STORY | Study: Super-sized El Nio could cause more than 450,000 heat deaths by February

The hurricane pushed storm surge onto coastal roadways across the Florida Panhandle.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip W. Simmons confirmed one person died during the storm. He added that some roads were impassable due to downed trees and power lines.

Away from the coast, a death was reported in Birmingham, Alabama, due to a fallen tree limb.

Isaias marked a departure from what had been one of the quietest Atlantic hurricane seasons in recent years. It was also the first hurricane to form in the Atlantic basin in 2026.

Forecasters had predicted a below-normal season because of a strong El Nio, which typically creates upper-level winds that can disrupt tropical cyclone development.

Although Isaias was the ninth named storm of the season, all previous systems had peaked at tropical-storm strength.

The same upper-level winds that limited hurricane activity this year also contributed to Isaias weakening before landfall. The storm maintained Category 3 strength for much of Friday before being downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane just hours before reaching the coast.

RELATED STORY | El Nino keeps Atlantic hurricane season historically calm

Behind Isaias, the National Hurricane Center said it was not tracking any additional systems. The Atlantic hurricane season typically peaks around Sept. 10 and begins to wind down by mid-October before ending Nov. 30.

Since 2013, only two hurricanes have made U.S. landfall after Oct. 15. The most recent was Hurricane Nicole in 2022.

Mars Inc. has released seven limited-edition collectible M&M'S mashup packs featuring the brand's spokescandies ahead of the theatrical release of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Doomsday."

The mashup packs feature Yellow as Wolverine, Red as Deadpool, Blue as Daredevil, Purple as Elektra, Green as She-Hulk, Brown as Yelena and Orange as Red Guardian.

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Walmart will also carry an exclusive Doctor Doom-themed pack.

The products will be available in Sharing Size, Share Size and Single Size packages in Milk Chocolate, Minis, Peanut and Peanut Butter varieties.

"Avengers: Doomsday" is scheduled to open in theaters Dec. 18.

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"M&M'S and Marvel fans share an unmatched passion for connecting through fun, characters and storytelling, and we are thrilled to bring this global collaboration to the U.S. with exciting new and delicious experiences," said Maria Urista, vice president of chocolate marketing at Mars Snacking. "From limited-edition character mashup packs in the candy aisle to exclusive comic books and sweepstakes, we're giving fans across the country new ways to assemble, connect and celebrate the fandoms they love while enjoying their favorite candy."

The companies also will release a limited-edition M&M'S x Marvel crossover comic book. Mars and Marvel said 10,000 copies will be printed.

Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died at age 86, his family said in a statement to ESPN.

A cause of death was not announced.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," his family said in a statement to ESPN. "While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.

"Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."

Ditka coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, leading the franchise to a Super Bowl title following the 1985 season. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.

Before becoming Chicago's head coach, Ditka played tight end for the Bears from 1961 to 1966 and later for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. After retiring as a player, he began his coaching career in 1973 as an assistant with Dallas.

Ditka was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He remains one of the few people to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

He won his only Super Bowl as a player in his final NFL game, catching a touchdown pass in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.

Six years later, Ditka earned another Super Bowl ring as an assistant coach with Dallas.

Chicago's 46-10 victory over New England in Super Bowl XX remains one of the most lopsided wins in Super Bowl history.

Ditka was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988 and led the Bears to six division titles.

Prior to entering the NFL, Ditka was a standout tight end for Pittsburgh, playing there from 1958-60. He eventually gained entry into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his coaching career, Ditka served in various broadcast roles, including for CBS and ESPN.

A popular Chinese fitness influencer was among those caught cheating during last month's Berlin Marathon after the Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit determined she used a bicycle for part of the race.

According to the Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit, Yuanyuan Sun, 30, has more than 500,000 followers on social media.

The New York Times reported that Sun released a statement acknowledging the incident.

"Riding a bicycle during the Berlin Marathon did indeed violate race rules," the statement said in a translation from Mandarin. "Even if I felt unwell on the course, it should never be a reason for me to break the rules."

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The Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit said this year's Berlin Marathon had "more infringements than any other major marathon in recent history." It also alleged that Sun issued a "scripted" apology following the race.

The New York Times reported that Brooks China ended its endorsement deal with Sun.

The revelation comes days before the Chicago Marathon, one of three World Marathon Majors held in the United States.

The OMTIU uses data from fitness apps, videos, photographs and past race results to identify runners whose times are in question. The organization has previously uncovered cases involving competitors who used bicycles, public transportation or course shortcuts to achieve faster marathon times.

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The New York Times reported that Sun planned to run this weekend's Chicago Marathon, although it remains unclear whether she will be allowed to participate.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the five-borough race, the New York Marathon unveiled a special finisher medal that pays tribute to the city's five boroughs.

Marathon organizers said the medal "features an abstract sculptural interpretation of New York City's emblematic skyline, representing the city's growth over the decades. Designed in an energetic sunburst shape, the medal also highlights the five iconic bridges runners cross during the 26.2-mile race."

"To honor the 50th anniversary of the five-borough New York City Marathon course, our 2026 TCS New York City Marathon finisher medal pays homage to the growth, resilience and power of the five boroughs over the past 50 years," said Juliette Morris, chief marketing and digital officer for New York Road Runners. "The design captures what makes the TCS New York City Marathon so special, from the energy of New York City to the shared human experience that comes to life on its streets each year."

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The 1976 New York Marathon was the first to take runners through all five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. The inaugural New York Marathon was held in 1970 and consisted of multiple loops through Central Park. That race drew 127 participants, with 55 finishing the course.

The 1976 race was also the first New York Marathon to award finisher medals. Race organizers said the medal "has evolved from a simple round coin into a piece of sculptural jewelry, balancing simplicity, beauty and elegance."

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By 1976, the race had grown to 2,090 entrants and 1,549 finishers. Last year, the marathon set a record with more than 59,000 finishers. Earlier this year, the London Marathon surpassed that mark.

The 2026 NYC Marathon will be held Nov. 1.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Isaias continues to strengthen while moving toward the United States.

The Category 1 storm became a hurricane overnight, making it the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.

State of emergencies

The governors of Alabama and Florida declared states of emergency ahead of Isaias' expected landfall. Forecasters expect the hurricane to come ashore late Friday or early Saturday as a strong Category 2 storm.

Governors across the Gulf Coast joined forecasters in urging residents to prepare for potential storm damage and prolonged power outages. Landfall is expected near Mobile Bay.

RELATED STORY | Study: Super-sized El Nio could cause more than 450,000 heat deaths by February

"Right now, everything I've looked at, I'm going to say noon on Friday. I want them off the roads. I want them somewhere safe, wherever that is, by noon on Friday," Mike Evans, director of the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency, told reporters.

It has been nearly two years since a hurricane made a direct U.S. landfall. The last hurricane to strike the United States was Hurricane Milton in 2024, when it came ashore along the Florida coast as a Category 3 storm. Milton was the ninth-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Last year marked the first hurricane season in a decade without a U.S. hurricane landfall.

Isaias is the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season and the first to reach hurricane strength. The Atlantic is on pace for its quietest season since 2013, when only two hurricanes formed.

The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season passed nearly a month ago.

Challenging forecast

One factor that has limited hurricane development this season is a strong El Nio pattern, which has increased wind shear in areas where tropical systems typically form. Isaias is also encountering wind shear.

However, forecasters say warm water temperatures and favorable humidity levels have helped fuel the storm's development into a hurricane.

RELATED STORY | Forecast calls for below-normal Atlantic hurricane season amid El Nio conditions

The National Hurricane Center said forecasting Isaias' exact strength at landfall remains challenging. However, because wind shear is not expected to increase before landfall, forecasters believe the storm could continue to intensify.

"Isaias is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane through landfall, and gusty winds are expected well inland after landfall given the anticipated expansion of the wind field and accelerating forward speed of the storm," the National Hurricane Center said.

Inland impacts

After making landfall, Isaias is expected to weaken. However, its large wind field and heavy rainfall could bring impacts to parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Those areas could face a rainy and windy weekend as the system moves inland.

The hurricane also could affect several major college football games this weekend, including the matchup between Alabama and Georgia in Tuscaloosa. Officials at the University of Alabama said they are continuing to closely monitor the forecast, but the game remains scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. local kickoff.

President Donald Trump is expected to attend Saturday's game.

The Gulf Coast is bracing for a hurricane landfall after Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday morning off Mexico's coast.

As of early Wednesday, Isaias was a minimal tropical storm but was expected to strengthen as it moves north toward the U.S. coastline. The National Hurricane Center forecasts that Isaias will become a hurricane by Thursday and make landfall late Friday or early Saturday as a strong Category 2 storm.

Areas from eastern Louisiana to Florida's Panhandle should closely monitor Isaias, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center expects to issue hurricane watches for portions of the region later Wednesday.

RELATED STORY | Study: Super-sized El Nio could cause more than 450,000 heat deaths by February

Forecasters believe Isaias will develop a large wind field as it approaches the coast, extending potential impacts well beyond the point of landfall.

That could bring heavy rain and gusty winds into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys over the weekend.

It has been nearly two years since a hurricane made a direct U.S. landfall. The last hurricane to strike the United States was Hurricane Milton in 2024, when it came ashore along the Florida coast as a Category 3 storm. Milton was the ninth-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Last year marked the first hurricane season in a decade without a U.S. hurricane landfall.

RELATED STORY | Atlantic sees no hurricanes during September for the first time since 1994

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet, with a strong El Nio helping suppress tropical activity.

Although Isaias is the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season, none of the previous storms reached hurricane strength. The Atlantic is on pace for its quietest season since 2013, when only two hurricanes formed.

The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season passed nearly a month ago.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Monday as the state surpassed 100 measles cases this year.

According to state health officials, New York has recorded 108 cases in 2026, including 92 identified since July 15 in underimmunized rural communities across 18 counties.

Otsego County has reported the highest number of cases, with 20 this year.

The outbreak comes as the United States experiences its highest level of measles activity in three decades. Neighboring Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 cases, including 106 in the past week. The state also has reported five measles-related deaths this year.

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Health officials say declining vaccination rates have played a significant role in the rise in cases.

"After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York state, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease," Hochul said. "No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease."

The order expands the pool of health care professionals authorized to administer measles vaccines. Advanced emergency medical technicians, paramedics, pharmacists and midwives are now eligible to provide vaccinations.

Health officials continue to promote the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, as the most effective protection against the highly contagious virus. According to health authorities, two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that only 8% of people with confirmed measles cases had a known history of vaccination.

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Children are routinely vaccinated against measles between 12 and 15 months of age and again between ages 4 and 6 before entering kindergarten. Infants as young as 6 months can receive the vaccine if they are at increased risk of exposure.

After a federally funded television advertisement featuring President Donald Trump aired on stations across the United States, Trump said Monday that his political action committee would cover the cost.

The advertisement drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it was political in nature. Trump said the ads will instead be paid for by MAGA Inc., which reported nearly $416 million in cash on hand at the end of August.

The PAC also has been helping fund Republican Senate campaigns in battleground states.

The Radical Left is upset with the fact that I am taking Ads, which I consider to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A., and paying for them with U.S.A. money," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This is a rather standard thing to do but, rather than doing that, although nothing will make them happy, I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.

RELATED STORY | Taxpayers have funded nearly $1.5M in pro-Trump ads. Criticism is mounting, including from the GOP

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., sent a letter last week to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles seeking information about the advertisement's official government purpose and the amount spent on the campaign.

The advertisement raises deep concerns about the Trump administration's use of taxpayer dollars and its compliance with federal laws that prohibit the use of appropriated funds for the promotion of a political party or candidate, Hassan wrote. The ad, which includes the direct language that it was paid for by the U.S. Government, features images of President Trump at political rallies and White House events while the song Love Me by JMSN plays in the background.

Critics also pointed to language in the advertisement that they said was political. Trump, however, called the spots "public service announcements."

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We will cast out the communists, Marxists and fascists. We will throw off the sick political class that hates our country. We will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate America from these villains once and for all, Trump says in the ad.

McDonalds is adding third-party advertising to drive-thru menu boards at hundreds of company-owned locations across the United States.

The company has piloted the program at 450 locations in recent weeks. It has not yet expanded to McDonalds nearly 14,000 franchised U.S. locations.

McDonalds estimates it could generate $1 billion in revenue by selling advertising space on its menu boards.

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Its an opportunity to generate revenue for the system with little in the way of additional cost, no operational complexity and no disruption to our customer experience, Morgan Flatley, McDonalds global chief marketing officer, said during an investor presentation last week. You've seen the power and potency of our marketing model. When more customers choose us, we have to meet them with great food, speed, convenience and an experience that feels worth it, and we will.

McDonald's said that pilots are something it has routinely done, and the menu board pilot at some company-owned locations is "exploring ways to share post-purchase content that customers may find helpful, relevant, or interesting, while ensuring the McDonald's experience remains at the center of every visit."

McDonalds move comes as major companies such as Amazon and Walmart expand their advertising businesses. In 2024, Walmart announced plans to acquire TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion, a deal aimed at helping advertisers better reach Walmart customers.

Commerce media is one of the fastest-growing areas in advertising and is expected to reach more than $100 billion in the U.S. alone by 2028, Flatley said.

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McDonalds has not disclosed what types of third-party advertisements will appear on its menu boards. Gizmodo reported that ads from Geico are among those that have already appeared on some displays.