NASAs planned mission to return humans to the moon will be delayed again after engineers discovered an interrupted flow of helium to the Artemis II Space Launch System rockets interim cryogenic propulsion stage.
This is the second time the astronauts two-week quarantine has been interrupted because of a mechanical issue. NASA announced last week that the launch could occur as soon as March 6.
NASA plans to roll Artemis II and its Orion spacecraft off the launch pad Wednesday. The four-mile move to the Vehicle Assembly Building is expected to take about 12 hours.
Teams are reviewing potential causes of the issue, including the interface between ground and rocket lines used to route helium, a valve in the upper stage, and a filter between the ground and rocket, NASA said in a statement. They also are reviewing data from Artemis I, in which teams had to troubleshoot helium-related pressurization of the upper stage before launch.
The mission was previously postponed about four weeks after the agency found a problem with Orions liquid hydrogen tank during a rehearsal. The tank leaked excessive liquid hydrogen into the rockets core stage. Liquid hydrogen is used as a propellant.
Artemis I, launched in 2022, was the first mission in NASAs Artemis program, which aims to pave the way for deep space exploration beyond the moon. While Artemis I was uncrewed, Artemis II will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby. Artemis III is expected to include a crewed mission to the moons surface.
One issue President Donald Trump is expected to address during his State of the Union speech Tuesday is voting integrity. Trump has been pushing for Congress to approve the Save America Act, which would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering.
The bill also calls for states to take steps to ensure only U.S. citizens are registered.
The measure passed the House but could face challenges in the Senate. The League of Women Voters has opposed the legislation, saying it would create another barrier to voting.
Trump has also suggested he would sign an executive order requiring election officials to review a persons identification before allowing them to vote. Although some officials have expressed concern over this provision, 83% of Americans said in 2025 that they support requiring photo identification at polls, according to the Pew Research Center.
Trump has said these provisions are needed to ensure elections are conducted fairly.
David Becker, executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, said some of the information the White House has provided on voter integrity has not been accurate.
Our election system is secure. It is transparent. It is verifiable. It is better than its ever been before, Becker said.
The Trump administration itself reviewed 50 million voter records and found that 99.98% of them had documented citizenship attached, he added.
Becker said the Save America Act could make it more difficult for states to prepare for the upcoming midterm elections if approved by Congress.
We need to continue to speak the truth about our elections and support our public servants who run those elections in the face of this continued disinformation and, frankly, grift, Becker said.
The State of the Union will air live Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. PT, on Scripps News and on the Scripps News website, app and YouTube pages.
This will be President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address of his second term. He also delivered an address to a joint session of Congress in 2025 shortly after becoming president. His previous address to Congress lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
What is the State of the Union?
The president is obligated to occasionally update Congress on the functions of the executive branch. The State of the Union can be delivered both in writing or orally. For most of the 19th century, the State of the Union was delivered by presidents in writing. In 1913, Woodrow Wilson controversially opted to deliver the State of the Union orally in person in House Chambers.
The last time a president submitted the State of the Union in writing was President Jimmy Carter in 1981, just days before leaving office.
Americans express concerns over inflation, jobs and health care
A plurality of Americans say that inflation, jobs and health care have gotten worse under President Trump instead of better, according to a poll released by Scripps News and Talker Research on Monday. A plurality of Americans, however, say immigration has improved under Trump.
But the latest poll should be concerning for congressional Republicans. The poll found that Democrats have a 6-point advantage in a generic ballot.
Democratic response
Newly elected Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will provide the official response for Democrats after Trump's speech. Although the party delivers a formal response to the presidential address, it has become customary in recent years for lawmakers to release their own reaction videos via social media.
Additionally, numerous Democrats will "counterprogram" Trump's speech.
Seven senators and 24 members of the House are expected to participate in an event on the National Mall, which will stream online at MoveOn.org/Live.
The invitation list
Each member of the House of Representatives is allowed to invite a guest to sit in House chambers during the State of the Union. The president can also make his own set of invitations to guests.
Robert Carradine, an actor whose five-decade career included numerous comedic and dramatic roles, died at 71.
In a statement to Deadline, Carradines family said he died following a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.
It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother Robert Carradine has passed away, the statement read. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time, we ask for privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.
Carradine was part of the famed Carradine acting family, which included his father, John; brother, Keith; and daughter, Ever Carradine.
His top acting credits included playing nerdy fraternity president Lewis Skolnick in "Revenge of the Nerds" and the absent-minded but loving father Sam McGuire in the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire."
Carradine began his career in the early 1970s, making his television debut on "Bonanza." His film debut came a year later in John Waynes "The Cowboys."
Hilary Duff, who played the title role in Lizzie McGuire, paid tribute to her former co-star in an Instagram post.
This one hurts, she wrote. Its really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family, and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. Ill be forever grateful for that. Im deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family and everyone who loved him.
Young adults with full-time jobs are having a tough time living on their own, according to a new report from LendingTree. A survey found that just 26.9% of adults ages 18 to 27 who work full time are able to live comfortably on their own.
By comparison, more than half of millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers with full-time jobs can live comfortably on their own.
LendingTree defined living comfortably as being able to afford a standard one-bedroom apartment while spending less than 30% of income on rent.
The ability to afford such housing varies widely by metro area.
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, more than seven in 10 members of Gen Z with full-time jobs can afford a one-bedroom apartment. In Toledo, Ohio, nearly two-thirds of young adults with full-time work can afford a basic apartment.
But in Oxnard, California, fewer than 10% of young working adults can afford an apartment. The situation is similar in cities such as Miami, San Diego and Honolulu.
The survey also found that there are now more members of Gen Z working full time than baby boomers.
About 60% of Gen Xers can afford a one-bedroom apartment while spending less than 30% of their salary. Around 57% of millennials and 56% of baby boomers can do the same.
While young adults generally earn less than their older peers, rent prices remain a key factor. In addition to negotiating salaries, LendingTree recommends renters try to negotiate their rent.
Finding a new tenant is a headache, LendingTree said in the report. It takes time and money that the landlord would prefer not to spend. Assuming youve been easy to work with, theyd likely rather have you stick around, and they might even be willing to knock a couple of bucks off your rent each month to make it happen.
After a delay, NASAs planned Artemis II mission to send four astronauts around the moon now has a targeted launch date of March 6 following a successful wet dress rehearsal.
Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator for NASAs Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, cautioned that the date comes with caveats, noting there is still significant work to be completed at the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center.
Every night I look up at the moon, I see it and I get real excited because I can feel she is calling us, and were ready, Glaze said.
The launch was postponed about four weeks after the agency discovered an issue with Orions liquid hydrogen tank during a previous rehearsal. NASA said the tank leaked excessive liquid hydrogen into the rockets core stage. Liquid hydrogen is used as a propellant.
The agency also said a valve in the crew module needed retorquing. Glaze said those fixes performed pretty well.
Because of the delay, the four astronauts were released from quarantine but will return to it for the next two weeks.
Artemis I, launched in 2022, marked the first mission in the Artemis program, which NASA hopes will pave the way for deep space exploration beyond the moon. While Artemis I was uncrewed, Artemis II will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby. Artemis III is expected to include a crewed mission to the moons surface.
The last time NASA sent astronauts to the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission.
There remain questions over what happens to billions of dollars collected by the U.S. government after widespread tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump were struck down by the Supreme Court.
In writing the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts did not spell out a mechanism for the government to refund businesses affected by the tariffs. Many of those costs were likely passed on to consumers. It is possible that the government can keep the billions raised through now-illegal tariffs, but that would likely come with additional legal scrutiny.
The federal government has had a process for handing out tariff refunds to companies under 19 U.S.C. 1514. But this has generally been used as a mechanism for companies that disagree with the government's assessment on how to classify imported items.
Some companies, such as Costco, have already filed suit against the federal government in hopes of getting refunds.
"I think we would expect an even greater march toward the court on the part of companies in order to try to secure those refunds," said Greta Peisch, a former general counsel with the U.S. Trade Representative. "We again don't know exactly what process or how those refunds will be processed. But I think at the very least, many companies feel that the best way to ensure that they're in line to get those refunds is to file suit at the Court of International Trade."
Speaking to reporters Friday, President Trump expressed frustration that the Supreme Court did not spell out whether the federal government would be required to hand out refunds. He suggested it could take years of court battles before determining whether companies are entitled to a refund.
"Wouldn't you think they would put one sentence in there saying that, keep the money, or don't keep the money, right? I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years," he said.
The Trump administration said in December that it collected $200 billion in tariffs in 2025. Penn Wharton estimated that about $170 billion was collected as a direct result of Trump-imposed tariffs.
The tariffs were also used as justification to extend tax breaks that were set to expire at the end of 2025, as Trump said tariffs would increase federal revenue. Without billions in tax revenue, it remains unclear how the government will make up the difference.
In writing a dissenting opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh addressed how messy refunding tariff payments could be.
"Refunds of billions of dollars would have significant consequences for the U. S. Treasury," he said. "The Court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers. But thatprocess is likely to be a 'mess,' as was acknowledged at oral argument."
Yale Universitys Budget Lab issued a November 2025 report, estimating tariffs add about $1,400 to annual expenses for the median U.S. household, with costs varying by income level. Clothing, electronics and metal goods tend to be among the most impacted categories, according to Yale.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said companies should get their money back right away.
Time to pay the piper, Donald. These tariffs were nothing more than an illegal cash grab that drove up prices and hurt working families, so you could wreck longstanding alliances and extort them," he said. Every dollar unlawfully taken must be refunded immediately with interest. Cough up!
The National Retail Federation is also urging the government to issue refunds.
"We urge the lower court to ensure a seamless process to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers. The refunds will serve as an economic boost and allow companies to reinvest in their operations, their employees and their customers," the organization said.
I mean for me, I said this when I came in, I dont care what happens, Im going to a meeting every day, Kennedy said. Im not scared of a germ, you know. I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats. I know this disease will kill me if I dont treat it, which means going to meetings every day. Its just bad for my life so for me, it was survival."
Kennedy opened the show by saying he knows Von through recovery. The two began their recovery from cocaine addiction more than 40 years ago.
Kennedy has long been open about his past drug use, including before overseeing the nations leading health agencies. The New York Times reported he was arrested in 1983 for heroin possession in South Dakota.
At the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville last year, Kennedy reflected on his addiction, saying he began using heroin as a teenager and continued for more than a decade.
Every addict feels that way in one way or another that they have to fix whats wrong with them, and the only thing that works are drugs, he said at the event. And so threats that you might die, that youre going to ruin your life, are completely meaningless.
Kennedys tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services has been met with both praise and criticism. The Trump administration has made significant changes to federal nutrition guidelines, placing more emphasis on protein and less on whole grains. It has also removed members from key health and vaccine panels, leading to changes to the childhood immunization schedule.
The fast-food chain Steak n Shake announced it will remove microwaves from all of its locations by April 15, prompting questions about why the company used them in the first place.
The company said it is embracing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedys Eat Real Food movement.
Quality restaurants dont need microwaves, Steak n Shake said in a statement. It is part of our journey to improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.
The announcement spurred more questions about the restaurants past use of microwaves.
Just curious, what exactly do you currently microwave in the process of making a steakburger, french fries and milkshakes? one person wrote on X.
Texas Restaurant Supply, which sells commercial microwave ovens, says microwaves can help prepare ingredients, sanitize kitchen utensils and warm plates. They also offer a time-effective way of melting butter, chocolate or cheese.
Although convenient, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that microwaves tend to cook food unevenly, leaving cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive. The agency recommends using a kitchen thermometer to ensure proper heating.
In 2025, Steak n Shake drew attention for frying its fries in beef tallow instead of seed oils. Kennedy has criticized seed oils, despite limited scientific evidence that beef tallow is healthier. Some experts say beef tallow may be worse for health because it contains more saturated fat, which is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.
Steak n Shake also announced it is offering Coca-Cola made with cane sugar. Most cans of Coca-Cola Classic contain high-fructose corn syrup as the primary sweetener.
Steak n Shake operates about 400 locations nationwide, down from 600 nearly a decade ago.
The consumer price index showed that prices for the 12 months ending in January increased by 2.4%, which marked the lowest 12-month inflation rate in the U.S. since last May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since 2000, the average annual inflation rate has been 2.1%. The Federal Reserves target inflation rate is 2%, but inflation well below that level has often signaled an economic recession.
The consumer price index weighs the costs of goods by their importance, with items such as food, shelter and energy carrying more weight. As of the end of last month, food prices rose 2.9%, energy costs remained stable and shelter costs climbed 3%.
Economists had warned that tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump could significantly drive up inflation, but recent data show no substantial increase in consumer prices tied to those tariffs. Yale Universitys Budget Lab reported in November 2025 that tariffs added about $1,400 to annual expenses for the median U.S. household, with costs varying by income. Clothing, electronics and metal goods were among the most impacted categories, the report said.
The consumer price index is a key factor in determining federal interest rates. The Federal Reserve weighs inflation data alongside employment figures when making rate decisions. Rising inflation or a slowing job market can lead to rate hikes.
In 2025, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates three times. At its first meeting of 2026, the Federal Reserve opted to keep interest rates the same.
The board had suggested that interest rates were likely not to change anytime soon. This report, coupled with a stronger-than-expected employment data from earlier this week, might have the Federal Reserve rethinking its strategy.
The next Federal Reserve meeting is not until March 17-18, meaning members will have one more month of economic data to examine before determining whether another interest rate drop is in store.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as senators questioned his connection to financier Jeffrey Epstein amid calls for his firing or resignation.
Recently released emails from Epstein suggest the two last met in 2012. Lutnick had previously claimed he had not seen Epstein since 2005, three years before Epsteins 2008 conviction on child prostitution charges.
A 2012 email from Epstein to Lutnick said, Nice seeing you, suggesting the two had met.
At a hearing of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Lutnick confirmed he had been on a boat with Epstein in 2012. He said he was not sure why we did it, but insisted there was nothing untoward about the meeting. Lutnick has not been accused of any crimes.
The hearing was scheduled to discuss funding for White House broadband initiatives.
I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation, Lutnick said. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple with their children. We had lunch on the island. That is true.
Lutnick said he first met Epstein after moving into a home next door. Over the next 14 years, he said, he could recall only two additional meetings.
I didnt have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person, okay? Lutnick said.
When asked whether he saw anything inappropriate during the visit to Epsteins private island, Lutnick said, The only thing I saw, with my wife and my children and the other couple and their children, was staff who worked for Mr. Epstein on that island.
While Democrats have called for Lutnick to step down, Rep. Thomas Massie has been among the few Republicans to openly call for his resignation. Massie was one of the first Republicans to push for the full release of the Epstein files, telling CNN, Hes got a lot to answer for.
Lawmakers are racing against a Friday deadline to secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security, but negotiations remain stalled despite ongoing talks between Democrats and the Trump administration.
To secure long-term funding for the department, Democrats have issued a list of demands related to immigration enforcement. In a letter released last week by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, they called for the following changes involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents:
Targeted enforcement No masks Require identification Protect sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, churches and polling places Stop racial profiling Uphold use-of-force standards Ensure state and local coordination and oversight Build safeguards into the system Require body cameras No paramilitary-style police units
The Trump administration responded with a counterproposal on Monday. However, Democrats rejected the administration's offer, calling it insufficient.
The clock continues to tick toward Friday's deadline, making it increasingly difficult to strike a comprehensive agreement before DHS faces a potential shutdown.
Democrats are pushing for immigration enforcement reform as part of any funding deal, particularly in response to recent fatal shootings in Minnesota and other locations. Ironically, immigration enforcement operations would likely continue even during a DHS shutdown, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement received significant funding through previous legislation.
ICE is one of several agencies within DHS, along with Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secret Service.
ICE agents were paid even during the longest government shutdown in American history, demonstrating the agency's financial resilience during funding gaps.
Key immigration officials are scheduled to testify before Congress at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Leaders from ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and Border Patrol will appear on Capitol Hill, and their testimony is expected to significantly influence discussions about potential immigration enforcement reform throughout the day.
The hearing comes as lawmakers face mounting pressure to resolve the funding impasse before Friday's deadline.
More than 6,000 bags of peanut and classic M&Ms are being recalled after packaging failed to disclose that the products contain milk, soy or peanuts.
The recalled candy was sold in roughly 20 states, some in promotional packages marked with the Make Your Mark logo, the company said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6% of adults and 8% of children live with a food allergy, with peanuts among the foods causing the most severe reactions.
Peanut allergies can cause diarrhea, difficulty breathing, hives, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and swelling, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Severe reactions can include anaphylaxis, which can make it hard or impossible to breathe.
The Food and Drug Administration requires food producers to properly label products containing major allergens such as peanuts, milk, fish and others.
The recall was issued for the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Pizza Hut plans to close nearly 250 underperforming locations as parent company Yum Brands undertakes a strategic review of the brand.
Yum Brands said the closures represent a very small portion of Pizza Huts global footprint of just under 20,000 restaurants. The chain operates about 6,700 locations in the United States.
On a call with investors, Yum Brands did not provide details on the review, but Matthew Morris, head of investor relations, said the company is pleased with Pizza Huts near-term performance.
Same-store sales at Pizza Hut fell 1% globally in 2025. U.S. sales were down 5%. The brand had a net loss of 500 locations worldwide last year. About 40% of Pizza Huts sales come from the U.S.
Founded in 1958, Pizza Hut is among the nations oldest pizza chains. It is the second-largest in the U.S., according to PMQ Pizza, trailing slightly behind Dominos and ahead of Little Caesars.
President Donald Trump said he would not apologize and that he did nothing wrong after a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes appeared on his Truth Social media account late Thursday.
The minute-long clip includes Trumps repeated, unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. It ends with the heads of the Obamas superimposed on the bodies of apes. The post was deleted about 12 hours later, but only after facing backlash from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
The White House initially defended the video, calling it an "internet meme."
"I looked at it. I saw it and I just looked at the first part. It was about voter fraud in some place. Georgia," Trump said. "I didn't see the whole thing. I guess during the end of it, there was some kind of a picture that people don't like. I wouldn't like it either."
"Then I gave it to the people," he added. "Generally, they look at the whole thing, but I guess somebody didn't and they posted it -- and we took it down. We took it down as soon as we found out."
When asked if any staff members were fired, Trump would not answer.
When asked if he should apologize, Trump said, "No, I didn't make a mistake. I look at a lot of, thousands of things. I looked at the beginning of it; it was fine. If you look at where it came from, I guess it was a take-off of The Lion King."
Using apes or monkeys to portray Black people is widely recognized as a racist trope, rooted in centuries-old stereotypes used to dehumanize Black Americans.
After White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially defended the post, it appears the video was deleted by midday Friday. The White House later blamed a "staffer."
A "White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down," the White House said.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, said early Friday he hoped Trump would delete the post.
Praying it was fake because its the most racist thing Ive seen out of this White House. The president should remove it, Scott said prior to its removal.
The NAACP also condemned the post, which remained on Trump's Truth Social account until Friday morning.
"Trump posting this video especially during Black History Month is a stark reminder of how Trump and his followers truly view people. And well remember that in November," the organization stated.
The video Trump shared appeared to be edited from a longer clip that placed the heads of several Democratic figures on African animals while the 1961 song The Lion Sleeps Tonight played. The portion Trump posted featured only the Obamas.
President Donald Trump is facing backlash after posting a racist video that depicts former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
The minute-long clip includes Trumps repeated, unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. It ends with the heads of the Obamas superimposed on the bodies of apes.
Using apes or monkeys to portray Black people is widely recognized as a racist trope, rooted in centuries-old stereotypes used to dehumanize Black Americans.
After White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially defended the post, it appears the video was deleted by midday Friday. The White House later blamed a "staffer."
A "White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down," the White House said.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, said he hoped Trump would delete the post.
Praying it was fake because its the most racist thing Ive seen out of this White House. The president should remove it, Scott said prior to its removal.
The NAACP also condemned the post, which remained on Trump's Truth Social account until Friday morning.
"Trump posting this video especially during Black History Month is a stark reminder of how Trump and his followers truly view people. And well remember that in November," the organization stated.
Leavitt defended Trumps post, calling it an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. She added: Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.
The video Trump shared appeared to be edited from a longer clip that placed the heads of several Democratic figures on African animals while the 1961 song The Lion Sleeps Tonight played. The portion Trump posted featured only the Obamas.
Is it better to rent or buy? New LendingTree data suggests renting may be the more affordable option.
The median monthly gross rent payment in the U.S. is $1,487, while homeowners pay about 36.9% more on average, according to LendingTree. The typical monthly mortgage payment is $2,035.
LendingTree said the gap between rent and mortgage payments widened by about $500 between 2023 and 2024. While costs vary by area, there isnt a single metro among the nations 100 largest where renting is more expensive than owning.
In Bridgeport, Connecticut, buyers pay about $1,565 more per month than renters. In Phoenix, the difference is just $184.
Although renting generally costs less and avoids the upkeep expenses of homeownership buying has long-term benefits. Putting money toward a mortgage can help build equity, but that depends largely on how long you stay in the home.
The equity you can build in a home you own can provide valuable financing options in the future for things like a home remodel, starting a business or knocking down high-interest debt, said Matt Schulz, LendingTrees chief consumer finance analyst. To reap all of these benefits, you likely need to stay in the home for more than a few years. But it can pay off if thats your plan.
Schulz noted that higher interest rates have discouraged both first-time buyers and current homeowners from purchasing. For those who already own and want to upgrade, many feel locked in to their lower-rate mortgages.
Theyre choosing not to buy a new home because theyre reluctant to trade their current low-rate mortgage for one at todays higher rates, Schulz said. Some people are even becoming resigned to the fact that theyll never be able to own a home. That sort of decision has massive ramifications, not just for individuals but for the economy as a whole. Unfortunately, however, that doesnt seem likely to change anytime soon.
Consumer Reports released its annual list of the top 10 cars for the 2026 model year, with multiple Ford, Toyota and Subaru models making the list.
The list heavily factors a car's safety profile, along with its reliability, when making its recommendations. This year's list is also notable for being the first where all 10 best new cars are either a hybrid, available as one, or are an electric vehicle. But Consumer Reports says that the gas versions of the vehicles on the list are fine, however, hybrid counterparts generally have a lower cost over the long term.
All 10 Top Picks have important things in common: they performed exceptionally well in our comprehensive road tests, they get high marks for safety, reliability, and owner satisfaction, and our team of experts would enthusiastically recommend them to their own friends and family, says Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development at Consumer Reports. Whether youre looking for the best small SUV, the best full-sized pickup, or something in between, theres a great choice for you on this list.
Here are this year's best cars, according to Consumer Reports:
Best Small Car: Honda Civic
Best Midsized Car: Toyota Camry
Best Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek
Best Compact SUV: Subaru Forester
Best Midsized SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander
Best Luxury Compact SUV: Lexus NX
Best Small Pickup Truck: Ford Maverick
Best Luxury Midsized SUV: BMW X5
Best Electric Vehicle: Tesla Model Y
Best Full-Sized Pickup Truck: Ford F-150
If you're looking for the safest vehicles, Mazda, Genesis, Acura models have the best safety ratings, Consumer Reports said.
People shouldnt have to pay extra for a safer car. Thats why for a vehicle to be eligible for the highest Safety Verdict score, all trims must be standard equipped with highway-speed AEB, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning, three technologies proven to prevent crashes and injuries, says Emily Thomas, associate director for car safety at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.
U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery issued a sharp rebuke of the Trump administrations immigration policies while ordering the release of 5yearold Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from immigration custody.
Liam was taken from a running car in his driveway on Jan. 20 by ICE agents as he returned home from preschool. The Department of Homeland Security said his father the person immigration officers were seeking had abandoned the boy.
School officials said agents used the child as bait to try to get the family to open the door of their home, and refused to leave the boy with another adult while pursuing his father.
Ramos and his father, who entered the U.S. legally to apply for asylum, were taken to an ICE holding facility in Dilley, Texas. A judge has prohibited ICE from deporting them.
Liams mother said her son appears to be sick from the food at the facility.
"The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children," said Biery, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton.
"Civics lesson to the government: Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster. That is called the fox guarding the henhouse. The Constitution requires an independent judicial officer," he added. "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency. And the rule of law be damned."
Federal authorities tried to claim that Conejo Arias endangered the child.
"I do a little bit more follow-up research, and what I find is that the 5-year-old was not arrested, that his dad was an illegal alien, and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran," Vice President JD Vance said. "Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?"
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