Friday, September 18, 2026

Don't be like Travis Kelce

Know how to spot a Ponzi scheme (and more news to know Friday) ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
Friday, September 18

The Daily Briefing

 

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Has it been a week or what? It's Friday, Sept. 18, and today you should know: Trump was ordered to give a 30-day notice before any demolition of the Kennedy Center, where there will also be a protest this evening. Fat Bear Week begins today. And it's National Cheeseburger Day !

I'm Mallorie Sullivan, and if the weather in your area has also felt like soup recently, good news: cooler temperatures are finally on the way. Let's get into it.

💉 Trump's surgeon general pick talks vaccines

During her Senate confirmation hearing this week, Dr. Nicole Saphier faced an intense line of questions from Sen. Bill Cassidy about the safety of the MMR vaccine and whether it causes autism. The back-and-forth quickly went viral, drawing attention to the major public debate on vaccines despite medical experts saying they're safe and effective.

More: Graphics capture the resurgence of measles, once eliminated in the United States.

📈 How to benefit from the interest rate hike

By now, you likely know about the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates , which will result in higher rates on your credit cards, car loans, and other forms of variable-rate debt. At a time when more are relying on borrowed money to make ends meet, we spoke to a consumer finance analyst who said there are two things you can do to put yourself in a better financial position.

Also: Ten little habits are inflating your grocery bill. Here's how to fix them.
And: Trump said rising gas prices are a "small price to pay" for the Iran war.

💸 You don't want to be Taylor Swift's husband

At least, not right now. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is more than one of 60 investors who were defrauded in a Ponzi scheme that brought in at least $20 million from victims, federal prosecutors said this week. While it's unclear how much Kelce invested in the Ponzi scheme, which is a common form of insurance fraud, one thing is certain: falling for one can happen to anyone. Here's how a Ponzi scheme works, and how to spot one.

⏩ What's happening this weekend

Storms will be sweeping across the United States this weekend. Here's where and when.
Ed Sheeran's tour continues Saturday in Philadelphia — without any openers.
Patrick Clancy appears on "60 Minutes" Sunday in his first major interview since ex-wife Lindsay's mistrial.

☝️ One long read

A View Of Damage To Miami Beach Following The Great Miami Hurricane Of 1926

A view of the damage to Miami Beach following the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926. HANDOUT, REUTERS

Today is the 100th anniversary of the Great Miami Hurricane, a practically unpredicted Category 4 storm that smashed into South Florida with winds estimated at up to 150 mph and storm surge of up to 15 feet. Reporter Doyle Rice looks back at the storm, which killed hundreds and essentially ended the Florida land boom of the 1920s.

Continue scrolling for more news. And do today's crossword here! I'll be back Monday with your weekly lookahead. Have a great weekend 👋

Have feedback for me? Shoot me a message at msullivan@usatoday.com, I'd love to hear from you! Was this email forwarded to you?  Sign up here to get it in your inbox daily.

 

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DON'T MISS

Income grew, but the poorest Americans were left behind, 2025 data shows

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Federal workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air-traffic controllers, line up to receive food parcels at Newark Liberty International Airport as the workers have been impacted by the government shutdown on October 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The morning event was organized by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state’s largest anti-hunger organization. The dozens of federal workers who attended the
 event received one box of nonperishable items, one premium 10-pound produce box, along with potatoes, spaghetti squash, and apples. Federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Wednesday, October 29th, as the government shutdown continues.  (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Federal workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air-traffic controllers, line up to receive food parcels at Newark Liberty International Airport as the workers have been impacted by the government shutdown on October 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The morning event was organized by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state’s largest anti-hunger organization. The dozens of federal workers who attended the event received one box of nonperishable items, one premium 10-pound produce box, along with potatoes, spaghetti squash, and apples. Federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Wednesday, October 29th, as the government shutdown continues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Spencer Platt, Getty Images

New data shows median household income rose 2.6% in 2025, income at the top rose 1.7%, while earnings at the bottom stayed flat.

 

KEEP READING

What you need to know today

Age limits in Congress are popular among Americans, but on his 93rd birthday, Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is still doing the job.

Chair of the committee Senator Chuck Grassley greets FBI Director Kash Patel before testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 15, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci

Gas prices have climbed since the beginning of the Iran war more than six months ago. See prices in each state and region.

Gas prices are on the rise.

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season is here and the schedule is filled with fascinating matchups. Here's a look at picks, predictions, odds for every game.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sept. 23, 2026.

Nearly a month after her death, Dolly Parton has posthumously accepted a major honor in a touching new video message.

Dolly Parton attends the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A new "Not Hot List" spotlights lesser-known destinations where tourism can support local communities without overcrowding.

Alonnisos is a Greek island that sees fewer visitors but promotes sustainability.

Age limits in Congress are popular among Americans, but on his 93rd birthday, Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is still doing the job.

Chair of the committee Senator Chuck Grassley greets FBI Director Kash Patel before testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 15, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci

Gas prices have climbed since the beginning of the Iran war more than six months ago. See prices in each state and region.

Gas prices are on the rise.

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season is here and the schedule is filled with fascinating matchups. Here's a look at picks, predictions, odds for every game.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sept. 23, 2026.

Nearly a month after her death, Dolly Parton has posthumously accepted a major honor in a touching new video message.

Dolly Parton attends the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A new "Not Hot List" spotlights lesser-known destinations where tourism can support local communities without overcrowding.

Alonnisos is a Greek island that sees fewer visitors but promotes sustainability.
 

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See Princess Kate and Prince William's Scotland visit

 

Watch McConnell push the 2026 farm bill forward

 

Crack today’s crossword and keep your streak going!

 

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