Former MLB manager Bobby Cox, who guided the Atlanta Braves to a World Series title in 1995, has died at age 84, the team announced Saturday.

A cause of death was not released.

Coxs Braves won the franchises first title after the team relocated to Atlanta. His first stint with the Braves began in 1978, when he managed the club for four seasons.

His managerial career also included several seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he won the American League Manager of the Year award in 1985.

Cox left the Blue Jays after the 1985 season to become the Braves general manager. In 1990, he moved back into the dugout as Atlantas manager. Under Cox, the Braves won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 through 2005, claiming four National League pennants during that stretch.

In his first season back as Braves manager in 1991, Cox earned Manager of the Year honors. He won the award again in 2004 and 2005.

Cox was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

His MLB playing career was brief he appeared at third base for the New York Yankees in 1968 and 1969.

The Braves released a statement mourning his passing:

We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper. Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched.Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sports ultimate prize in 2014 enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.And while Bobbys passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.

Theres little debate that college graduates tend to earn more than those without a degree. Data has long shown that workers with at least a bachelors degree earn considerably more than even those with some college experience.

But some graduates have unrealistic expectations about what theyll make when they leave school.

A new report from Clever Real Estate found that new college graduates expect to earn about $24,000 more than is typical. Graduates surveyed said they expect to make roughly $80,000 at the start of their careers, when the average starting salary is $56,153.

Nearly 10 years after graduation, respondents said they expect to earn more than $144,000 annually. In reality, the typical graduate earns just over $95,000 at that point, according to the report.

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Students in almost every field surveyed overestimated their incomes. Communications and journalism majors came the closest, expecting to start at $64,000 only about $4,000 above the actual average of $60,000.

Future teachers had the largest gap between expectation and reality. They anticipated earning more than $75,000 right out of school, but starting salaries tend to be under $47,000.

While many survey participants understood that most new grads dont earn $80,000, 59% said they have a stronger work ethic and 51% said they are smarter than their peers.

Another factor: Many graduates say they are willing to work less if it means a better work-life balance.

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The good news is that for most, the $80,000 figure isnt unrealistic long-term. As of 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for bachelors degree holders is more than $80,000. For workers with some college but no degree, the median falls to $53,000. College graduates also have a much lower unemployment rate than non-graduates.

However, experts note that the economy has shifted in recent months. Job openings have dropped considerably in the past four years from more than 12 million in 2022 to 6.9 million in 2024, according to the BLS.

During its investor call Friday, Wendys unveiled a new restaurant design as part of its Future Fresh initiative.

Interim CEO Ken Cook said new international locations will feature a blue color scheme instead of the brands traditional red. The company has already implemented the design at 100 locations in the Philippines and plans to expand to other international markets.

Cook said the concept would help expand growth for the brand overseas.

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This bold, modern format enhances our visual identity through a blue color scheme and a digital-first layout that makes us stand out from the competition, Cook said. These actions support our globally great, locally loved strategy, driving continued expansion around the world.

Wendy's has already started introducing hints of blue inside restaurants, but has kept red as its primary brand color.

Cook did not indicate when the design might be introduced in U.S. markets.

In Fridays call, Cook also said the company is focusing on providing value to U.S. customers. Wendys plans to continue its Biggie Deals promotion, which offers meals at $4, $6, and $8 price points.

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This platform provides a foundation for us to compete on value by emphasizing the quality of our products, and we plan to introduce exciting innovation here later this year, he said.

Wendys reported a sharp drop in first-quarter profit compared with a year ago $22.7 million, down from $39.2 million in 2025. The company attributed the decrease to higher beef costs and lower customer traffic.

More than 140 passengers on a cruise ship where multiple people became infected with hantavirus are expected to arrive this weekend in Spains Canary Islands.

Spanish officials said the passengers will be evacuated from the ship and placed in isolation. Officials told The Associated Press that the United States will send a plane for 17 American passengers to bring them home. Other countries are planning similar missions.

Three passengers have died and several others have become ill since the ship left Argentina on April 1.

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Officials revealed Thursday that at least 30 passengers disembarked after one passenger died from the virus. At the time, officials believed the death was related to a more common respiratory illness.

The announcement has sparked a worldwide contact-tracing effort to locate those passengers and others they may have exposed.

The World Health Organization said Thursday the risk to the general public is very low. While the Andes strain of hantavirus can spread between humans, the WHO said it typically requires prolonged exposure rather than casual contact.

This is not COVID. This is not influenza. It spreads very, very differently, said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention for the WHO. We are supporting the ships operators and the mitigation measures they are putting on board.

As of Thursday, no one currently on the ship was showing hantavirus symptoms. WHO officials said two people are hospitalized with the virus in the Netherlands, one in intensive care in South Africa. Doctors have been sent to the ship to examine passengers.

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What is known about hantavirus

Scripps News medical contributor Dr. Omer Awan said about 20 to 40 cases occur annually in the United States and that, except for a rare strain, human-to-human spread is unusual.

Usually, people get this virus when they have direct contact with the saliva, urine or feces of rodents, Awan said.

Illness can range from mild to severe. Symptoms often begin with fever, chills, muscle aches, cramps, and sometimes abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. After a week, some patients develop lung symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In rare cases, fluid can build up in the lungs, which can be fatal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 38% of U.S. cases are fatal. The incubation period is longer than for many respiratory viruses, with symptoms developing one to eight weeks after exposure.

NASAs Curiosity rover continues exploring Mars more than 13 years after landing on the red planet but recently had an unusual incident that left a rock lodged on its drill for nearly a week.

According to NASA, the problem began April 25 when the rovers drill bored into a rock nicknamed Atacama. The rock, which weighs about 28.6 pounds, became stuck to the fixed sleeve that surrounds the drill bit when the arm retracted.

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It was the first time a rock has become attached to Curiositys drill.

After an initial attempt to shake the rock loose failed, NASA tried again April 29, reorienting the drill and vibrating it. That effort was also unsuccessful.

On May 1, mission engineers tilted, rotated and spun the drill. The rock detached on the first try and fractured when it hit the Martian surface.

Launched in 2011, Curiosity was designed to study Mars surface geology and determine whether the planet ever had conditions suitable for microbial life. The SUV-sized rover has a rotary-percussive drill to collect powdered rock samples and is equipped with 17 cameras.

During its mission, Curiosity has made notable discoveries, including evidence of ancient streams and clay minerals signs Mars was once warmer and wetter. It has also detected complex organic molecules, key building blocks in the search for past life.

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Originally planned as a two-year mission, Curiosity has continued operating with extended funding and support.

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright is encouraging customers to ask for extra food when ordering at any of the chains thousands of restaurants.

While some extras such as queso, guacamole and meat cost more, customers can request additional rice, beans, cheese, lettuce and salsa at no charge.

If you want more, you should ask for a little more, Boatwright told Yahoo Finance earlier this week. I promise you, theres never a team member on that line that is going to say no to you.

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We will continue to put heaping spoonfuls of food in bowls and burritos, he added.

Chipotle has faced criticism over portion sizes in recent years. In 2024, the company said it implemented employee training to ensure generous servings.

We know that portioning is a core equity of ours in the organization, and we are committed to ensuring that we give the right portion to every guest that walks into the building, Boatwright told investors in October 2024. Weve seen strong improvement, even through our social channels people posting big burritos, big bowls and really excited about portioning.

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Earlier this week, Boatwright said the goal of filling burritos and bowls to the maximum remains in place.

I tell my team all the time, Put as much food in that bowl and burrito as you possibly can, he said. I want the consumer to tell you, Its too big.

Since Boatwrights directive to increase portion sizes last year, Chipotles stock has declined more than 36% over the past 12 months.

The Justice Department has dropped its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after the Trump administration criticized his June testimony to Congress about the cost of a major renovation of Fed buildings.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the criminal investigation was ended in favor of an inspector general review.

"The IG has the authority to hold the Federal Reserve accountable to American taxpayers. I expect a comprehensive report in short order and am confident the outcome will assist in resolving, once and for all, the questions that led this office to issue subpoenas," Pirro said.

She added that she would "not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so."

The decision comes as the Trump administration works to confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, with Powells term expiring next month. Powell is expected to remain on the Federal Reserve Board as a governor.

After the Justice Department opened an investigation into Powell for potential perjury charges, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., accused Trump of undermining the Feds independence. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also said she would not support moving forward with a nomination amid the investigation.

"The stakes are too high to look the other way: if the Federal Reserve loses its independence, the stability of our markets and the broader economy will suffer. My colleague, Senator Tillis, is right in blocking any Federal Reserve nominees until this is resolved," she said.

The Federal Reserves most important function is setting the federal funds rate, which influences the interest rates banks charge each other for overnight loans. This indirectly affects consumer lending rates for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, as well as borrowing costs for businesses.

Trump has expressed frustration with Powell for the Federal Reserve not lowering interest rates as much as he wanted.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday the United States is not counting on European support as the Pentagon dispatched a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid the ongoing war against Iran.

The George H.W. Bush entered the region Friday, marking the first time in 23 years that the U.S. has had three carriers under U.S. Central Command in the Middle East. Together, the carriers have about 200 aircraft and 15,000 personnel on board.

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The buildup comes as the U.S. military enforces a blockade of ships departing from or arriving at Iranian ports.

Hegseth said 34 ships had been turned back since the blockade began. He also warned that U.S. forces would fire on vessels attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

To the regime in Tehran: The blockade is tightening by the hour. We are in control. Nothing in, nothing out, Hegseth said.

Pentagon officials have expressed growing frustration over the lack of international support during the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for global oil supplies. In peacetime, nearly 20% of the worlds oil passed through the strait.

Since the war began, oil prices have surged, pushing gas prices higher worldwide.

We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do, Hegseth said. They might want to start doing less talking, having fewer fancy conferences in Europe, and get in a boat. This is much more their fight than ours.

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President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order directing increased federal research into psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, which has been studied as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

The White House announced $50 million will be made available for terminally ill patients to use ibogaine under the federal Right to Try law. The drugs will remain classified as Schedule I substances, meaning they are generally illegal outside clinical settings.

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Administration officials promoted the drugs as possible alternatives to antidepressants, saying existing treatments are not doing enough to improve mental health outcomes in the United States.

Asked by Scripps News if he would consider using them himself, Trump said he probably wouldnt.

In many cases, these experimental treatments have shown life-changing potential for those suffering from severe mental illness and depression, including our cherished veterans, Trump said. Our veterans are having a tremendous hard time. You know, the suicide rate we have it down a little bit but they are having a hard time.

A 2024 Stanford University study found ibogaine can be effective when taken with magnesium. The small study of 30 participants reported no serious side effects.

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No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury, study author Nolan Williams said. The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further.

British runner Clarke Reynolds completed the Brighton Marathon on Sunday using special glasses that helped the blind marathoner stay on course

Using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and with assistance from volunteers who guided him via the Be My Eyes app Reynolds finished the race in 6 hours, 19 minutes, 41 seconds. Typically, blind runners rely on another runner to serve as a guide, which requires the guide to maintain the same pace.

The new technology allowed Reynolds to run at his own pace.

Reynolds told RNIB Connect Radio that volunteers rotated every 30 minutes to provide guidance through the app while he ran. In Sundays race, he also had a guide nearby in case the technology failed.

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But he didnt need the guide.

It was just a way of, how can I do this and push the boundaries of what the technology is out there, Reynolds said. And, you know, its not too far off that we could do daily-life, crazy stuff with technology.

Reynolds trained for 10 months to prepare for the race.

I want to blow away peoples expectations of what sight loss means and be a role model for people of all ages with a visual impairment, he said before Sundays event.

Reynolds also used the marathon to raise funds for the Richard Whitehead Foundation, which supports visually impaired runners.

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His experience with the Be My Eyes app is one of many ways the technology can be used. In March, the app reached 1 million users, along with a network of more than 10 million volunteers. The app advertises that it can assist visually impaired people by reading labels, troubleshooting devices and offering other types of help.

Reaching 1 million blind and low-vision users and 10 million volunteers is far beyond what I imagined when I first had the idea for Be My Eyes, said Hans Jrgen Wiberg, the apps founder. This community shows the incredible willingness of people around the world to help one another. Every day, millions of small acts of kindness happen through the app, and together they make the world more accessible.

If you need more time to file your 2025 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service says there are options, but utilizing those options could be costly. The IRS said filers can seek an extension that gives them until Oct. 15 to file. Extensions must be requested by tax deadline day, which is April 15.

The IRS said penalties and interest will increase until the tax balance is paid in full. The IRS also says it can set up payment plans for those struggling to pay back taxes, but again, penalties and interest will apply in those cases.

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Last year, nearly 165 million Americans filed a tax return, but over 25 million of those applications were not received by the IRS by the April deadline.

Millions of Americans to get automatic extension

Although most taxpayers face a deadline today to file their 2025 tax returns, residents in parts of three states have a little longer to submit their returns.

The extensions were granted to residents recently included in regions declared federal disaster areas. The Internal Revenue Service is allowing residents of Montana until May 1 to file. Residents of Mississippi have until June 8 to file, while Hawaiians have until July 8.

Additionally, some Americans serving in combat zones or living outside of the U.S. could be eligible for an extension without penalty.

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What if I can't pay the full amount?

Even if you're unable to pay your entire tax bill for 2025, the IRS recommends you pay what you can. This will cut the amount of interest and penalties levied down the road. The IRS added that most applicants receive immediate notification of approval or denial, without having to call or write to the IRS.

McDonalds is launching what it calls a new era of beverages as it tries to lure Gen Z and compete with chains such as Starbucks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Starting in May, customers will be able to order drinks like dirty Dr Pepper, a mango pineapple refresher and even a Red Bull-based concoction called the dragon berry energizer.

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The Golden Arches has been tweaking its beverage menu for years as consumer tastes change and new trends take hold, particularly among younger generations.

Our fans love for McDonalds beverages runs deep, from rallying for the return of Hi-C Orange Lavaburst to coining the iconic Spicy Sprite. Next month, were building on that passion with a new era of beverages, featuring a variety of Refreshers and crafted sodas rolling out nationwide. Well have more to share soon, and were excited for fans across the country to taste whats next, McDonalds said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.

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According to McDonald's USA, it is phasing out soda fountains in its U.S. dining rooms between now and 2032.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman addressed online concerns that the Artemis II Orion spacecrafts heat shield failed during reentry after photos surfaced showing a mysterious white section on the spacecraft following its landing.

The heat shield was among NASAs biggest concerns as Orion reentered the atmosphere at nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Orions previous flight, Artemis I, had more charring and cracking on its heat shield than expected.

In response, NASA changed the way it applied the heat shields coating and altered Orions reentry trajectory. The coating, called Avcoat, is designed to gradually wear away amid the intense heat caused by reentry.

RELATED STORY | Artemis II mission completes successful transit around the far side of the moon

The white color observed corresponds to the compression pad area and is consistent with the local geometry, Avcoat byproducts and transitional heating environments. We observed this behavior in arc jet testing and expected it in this compression pad area, Isaacman said.

NASA said it collected real-time data on how the spacecraft and its heat shield performed, but scientists will need time to analyze it. Isaacman said it was too early to draw conclusions from Fridays landing but noted NASA believes the heat shield performed better than it did on Artemis I.

As you would expect, engineers were eager to inspect the heat shield, starting with diver imagery shortly after splashdown and continuing with the review aboard the ship. No unexpected conditions were observed. I suspect when the images are released, it will be pretty obvious theres a stark difference between Artemis I and Artemis II heat shield performance, Isaacman said.

The Orion spacecraft did show some darker colors after landing, but by all indications Fridays landing was a success. The heat shields performance will be a pivotal factor in determining whether NASA is ready for another crewed Artemis mission in 2027.

The mission was the first to send humans toward the moon in more than 50 years and was designed as a stepping stone for future lunar missions. Artemis III, scheduled for launch in mid-2027, will not travel to the moon as originally planned. Instead, the crew will use the flight to test equipment and docking capabilities.

Howard Hu, Orion program manager, said the spacecraft will undergo a 30-day inspection culminating in a report. NASA expects to reuse 286 components from Artemis II.

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There is a new food pyramid, and analysis shows that following the updated guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture could cost Americans significantly more.

Data compiled by market analysis firm Numerator indicates a typical household would spend $1,012 more annually to follow the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans compared with the previous version. The guidelines, published every five years, place greater emphasis on meat and fat sources, such as butter, and less on whole grains and plant-based proteins, such as beans.

According to Numerator, grocery bills would rise by nearly one-third under the new guidance. Changes involving protein have the biggest effect: The new guidelines recommend Americans eat nearly twice as much protein especially from meat as prior guidelines.

The report advises adults to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. For example, a 200-pound person should eat between 109 and 146 grams of protein each day. Previous recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration for a person that weight were about 73 grams.

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Numerators data show that in November 2025, a typical American spent about $37.33 per month on meat-based proteins to meet previous serving sizes. Under the new guidance, that figure would climb to $71.27 monthly to meet recommended protein intake.

Grains, which are relatively inexpensive, saw smaller changes. Reducing grain consumption would save the typical American about $2.24 monthly.

The new guidelines also put more emphasis on whole foods unprepared fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy and less on ultraprocessed and prepackaged items. According to Numerator, nearly 49% of total grocery sales come from the center of stores, where foods are typically already processed. About 42% of sales come from the perimeter, where fresh produce, meat and dairy are sold, with the remaining 9% from frozen aisles.

The guidelines help shape policy and influence menus for school lunches, Meals on Wheels and other federally funded food programs. While Numerators research does not address the impact on schools and government-funded programs, it suggests those following the updated guidance could face higher costs.

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Reducing ultraprocessed foods has widespread support, but some parts of the new guidelines have faced criticism notably the potential increase in saturated fat consumption, which scientists say can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Trump administration has sent mixed messages on saturated fat intake. Earlier this year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the government was ending its war on saturated fat by promoting meat-based proteins and fat sources such as butter and beef tallow in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Kennedys department largely ignored a panel of experts who favored plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils. However, the new guidelines retain the recommendation to limit saturated fat to no more than 10% of daily calories.

By all indications, Artemis IIs landing was a success, as it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday after a nine-day journey that included a flyby of the moon.

After traveling more than 250,000 miles from Earth, the Artemis II Orion spacecraft landed within a mile of its intended target, reaching speeds of up to 24,664 mph.

RELATED STORY | Artemis II crew splashes down in Pacific, ending historic moon mission

This crew has said time and again that they were going for all of humanity. And today we fulfilled that objective by completing their journey and returning them safely to Earth, said Rick Henfling, Artemis II entry flight director.

The mission was the first to send humans toward the moon in more than 50 years and was designed as a stepping stone for future lunar missions. Artemis III, scheduled for launch in mid-2027, will not travel to the moon as originally planned. Instead, the crew will use the flight to test equipment and docking capabilities.

NASA plans to send astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028 with the Artemis IV mission.

One key set of data could determine whether NASA can stay on schedule.

Problems emerged after Artemis Is landing in 2022, when engineers found issues with the Orion spacecrafts heat shield. NASA said the shield exhibited more cracking and charring than expected.

In response, NASA changed how the heat shield was applied to Orion and adopted a different landing angle to minimize stress on the shield. Officials said late Friday it was too soon to know how successful those changes were, but they expect to have answers soon.

RELATED STORY | New reentry strategy guides Artemis IIs historic return to Earth

Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator for NASAs Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said data from the spacecraft was sent instantly to Mission Control and is now being analyzed.

She added that divers photographed the heat shield while Orion was still in the ocean, before recovery.

Howard Hu, Orion program manager, said the spacecraft will undergo a 30-day inspection period culminating with a report. He said NASA expects to reuse 286 components from Artemis II.

Amid a spike in gas and energy prices in March following U.S. attacks against Iran, the consumer price index posted its largest month-over-month increase in nearly four years.

Prices for goods and services rose 0.9% in March. For the 12 months ending in March, inflation climbed 3.3%, up from 2.4% in February.

Since 2000, the average annual inflation rate has been 2.1%. The Federal Reserves target is 2%, but inflation well below that level has often signaled a recession.

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The consumer price index weighs the costs of goods based on their importance, with food, shelter and energy carrying more weight.

Energy costs surged 10.9% in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Food and shelter costs have remained above 2% over the past year, indicating inflation more broadly is still a concern.

Workers continue to see pay increases. Average weekly wages rose 3.5% over the past year, with private-sector employees seeing particularly strong gains, according to ADP.

The latest data could signal the Federal Reserve may hold off on lowering interest rates in 2026. The Fed had projected a quarter-point cut this year, but it typically raises rates during periods of high inflation.

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With streaming services now offering live sports, finding games on television has become a more expensive and burdensome process.

In addition to cable subscriptions, fans often need several streaming services to locate the games they want to watch. Amazon Prime Video holds rights to NFL and NBA games. Netflix has acquired rights to MLB and NFL contests. Peacock airs college football, college basketball, NFL, NBA and MLB games. Apple TV+ carries MLB and MLS matchups. ESPN+ and Hulu stream some NHL games.

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In response to rising costs, two Democratic lawmakers asked the Federal Communications Commission to use its broad authority to protect the public interest and noted that Congress has previously directed the commission to actively promote economic competition.

We encourage the Commission to closely examine the trends that have directly contributed to the current state of sports streaming, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Patrick Ryan wrote to the FCC.

In March, the FCC requested public comment, seeking proposals to address concerns about television access to live sports.

For decades, Americans have enjoyed turning on their television sets and quickly finding the games they wanted to watch for free on over-the-air broadcasts, the FCC said. Many games are still available for free over broadcast TV, but there has been a surge in recent years of games going behind the paywalls of various streaming services. While this can increase the number of games and sports available to fans, many consumers today find it more difficult to locate the events they want to watch, and are now paying to sign up for one or more video distribution platforms that can be difficult to navigate.

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The lawmakers cited examples of alleged anti-competitive practices that have increased costs for sports fans. Those include Fubos merger with Disney, parent company of ESPN, and forced bundling of cable and streaming services with channels or platforms sports fans dont use.

For sports fans, the cost of watching live sports on television or via streaming becomes more expensive every year, and the options for tuning in become even more complicated, Warren and Ryan wrote. Mergers involving already-dominant distributors, streamers, and sports leagues themselves threaten to make matters worse, leaving viewers spending more and more money to watch the sports they care about.

The lawmakers suggested the FCC take a more active role in reviewing transactions.

Costco is facing a class-action lawsuit from a California man who alleges the company violated the states law on auto-renewals for memberships.

Russel George claims Costco failed to comply with a law requiring companies to give customers a renewal notice at least 15 days and no more than 45 days before an annual membership expires. Costco offers two membership tiers: a $65 annual membership and an executive membership costing $130 a year.

The lawsuit says George does not use his membership enough to justify keeping it.

Had the plaintiff been provided this notice in a timely manner, he would have canceled his membership and not gone forward with the auto-renewal, the complaint states.

Scripps News has contacted Costco for comment.

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Costcos policy allows members to cancel memberships by calling a toll-free number or visiting a store location.

California law requires that consumers must be able to cancel using the same method of communication as used to enroll in the plan or the method that the consumer generally interacts with the business. Businesses must also offer a toll-free phone number, email address, or other easy-to-use cancellation method, according to the California Attorney Generals Office.

The Federal Trade Commission tried to implement similar nationwide auto-renewal rules in 2024 under the Biden administration. A federal appeals court struck down the rule in July 2025, with opponents arguing the FTC failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures.

Under the proposed rule, businesses would have been required to make cancellation at least as easy as enrollment for example, if signing up took one click, canceling would have been just as simple. It also would have required annual reminders and confirmations for renewals of non-physical goods.

Georges case against Costco is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in June.

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With the moon at their backs, the Artemis II crew is preparing for its return to Earth on Friday after becoming the first humans in more than 50 years to venture around the moon.

The four astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans have ever gone. They captured striking images of the moon, Earth and the galaxy while studying for potential future missions to the moon and beyond.

NASA is targeting an 8:07 p.m. Eastern time splashdown of the crews Orion spacecraft. Before reentry, the crew will pressurize their spacesuits and lower their visors to protect themselves from the intense heat generated during descent.

RELATED STORY | Artemis II mission completes successful transit around the far side of the moon

Rick Henfling, NASAs flight director for Artemis II, said ground crews are monitoring wave conditions, winds and precipitation. As of late Wednesday, he said, We have some really favorable conditions.

NASA said Orion is capable of landing even if it experiences multiple contingencies, but flight controllers will still monitor its mechanics before splashdown.

Were really looking at things that affect guidance, navigation and control, and the propulsion systems, Henfling said. We want to ensure that the spacecraft can still fly safely home. We have some ways to alter the landing profile, which shortens our entry path.

On the uncrewed Artemis I mission, NASA discovered significant issues with Orions heat shield. Rather than burning away in a controlled manner, the shield had more layers and pieces that were charred and cracked than expected.

NASA adjusted how it applies the heat shield material to Orion as a result of the excessive charring. The spacecraft will also reenter Earths atmosphere in a different way.

RELATED STORY | What Artemis II astronauts eat: NASA space menu for moon mission

Artemis I used a skip reentry, bouncing in and out of the atmosphere before landing. Artemis II will take a more direct path to its splashdown site.

Mission controllers say they lose some flexibility in potential landing zones with the lofted entry approach, but Orion program manager Debbie Korth stressed that changing the reentry method was part of the plan well before launch.

NASA also tests the tiles surrounding Orion for damage, specifically from tiny bits of debris in space.

We really didnt see anything (concerning), Korth said.