| • | Iran's new supreme leader vowed revenge for U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and oil prices rose again in the wake of attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. | | • | Middle-class Americans are struggling with the high costs of caregiving and parenting. 💸 | | • | A California first grader's drawing has spawned a First Amendment court battle. ⚖️ | |
But first: A month after losing his mother, brother and grandfather at a hockey rink shooting, Colin Dorgan scored the winning goal in double overtime to spur his team to a spot in the championship. Sports, man. 🏒 🥹 |
Iran's leader defiant but unseen |
Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei promised "vengeance" for Iranians killed in the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against his country, and the strategically and economically critical Strait of Hormuz remained closed, driving up gas prices. But Khamenei's message was broadcast on state TV and read by an announcer, as the supreme leader was injured in a Feb. 28 airstrike that killed his father, whom he succeeded. The younger Khamenei has not been seen or photographed since then. The latest developments, including attacks on two oil tankers. | Several ships were hit in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating U.S. Iran and Israel strikes across the Middle East. Royal Thai Navy via Reuters |
Middle class squeezed 😖 💸 |
Care for an elderly or disabled loved one. Child care. Housing. College tuition.The middle class is being squeezed, in more ways than one. AARP said in a survey released Thursday that found that costs for home care and assisted living have surged over the last five years — nearly 50% from 2019-2024. Meanwhile, median income grew by 22% for senior households. | Kailah Brewer, 32, with her husband Brandon Brewer, 35, and their son, 5-year-old Kailo Brewer. Provided/Kailah Brewer |
From first grade to a First Amendment fight 📝 |
A federal appeals court panel tossed a lower court ruling over a drawing by a White elementary school student in California, setting up another legal fight over First Amendment rights. In 2021, a White child identified in court documents as B.B. gave a drawing to a Black classmate, identified as M.C., after a classroom reading about Martin Luther King Jr., saying B.B. "felt bad" that Black people "were put in a worse position." The drawing had all of the child's friends holding hands along with the words "Black Lives Mater (sic) any life." |
M.C.'s parent complained to the school's principal, saying that "while we can appreciate the sentiment of Black Lives Matter, my husband and I do not trust the place where the 'any life' is coming from." In response, the principal "allegedly told (B.B.) that the picture was inappropriate and racist" and prompted her to apologize to the other student. What the court said, and what comes next. |
Madness about to march on 🏀 ⛹🏽♂️ 🏀 ⛹🏻♀️ |
Get those brackets ready! Selection Sunday is almost upon us, bubbles are bursting (or not) and we've got all the NCAA basketball insight you need to make your picks. (How you do with those picks is up between you and the basketball gods, so don't blame us when it all blows up on Day One, mmkay?) | General view of a NCAA March Madness logo during a practice sessions in preparation for an East Regional semifinal games at Prudential Center. Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images |
| • | These Virginia students fixed up used cars — then gave them away. 🔧 💙 🚗 | | • | Free Ben & Jerry's ice cream? Sign me up! 🍨 😋 | | • | Want to catch up on the Best Picture nominees before Sunday's Oscars? Here's how. 🍿 | |
Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your Oscar picks. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com. | | The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway used to carry shipments of oil to countries around the world, is a point of contention amid the U.S.-Iran War. | | The Senate passed a marquee bipartisan housing reform bill, sending it to the House of Representatives. | | | | The Trump administration announced it is investigating unfair trade practices in China, Mexico and Europe, as a step toward imposing new tariffs. | | | | Police said the girl, now 11, was believed to have been taken by her mother back in 2020. | | | | Five teenagers face charges after teacher Jason Hughes' death, but his family says they should be dropped. Here's what we know. | | | | Lawmakers argued exasperatedly on the Senate floor amid an impasse in talks to fund the Department of Homeland Security. | | | | Bills that would treat abortion as homicide have been proposed in other states. While they have consistently failed, some are still being considered. | | | | Kelly Clarkson revealed she never received the $1 million check or the car that was promised after her inaugural win on "American Idol." | | | | After months of speculation, Netflix confirmed the directors of "KPop Demon Hunters" of working on a follow-up to the award-winning film. | | | | Tommy Tuberville says give him a magic wand and the ability to enact his ideas, and he'd "wipe out 80%" of NCAA problems. | | | | | Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break | Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you. | | | Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes | | | | | | |
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