Doctors from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare told reporters on Friday that all six people who were hospitalized after Thursday's mass shooting at Florida State University are expected to recover.

The hospital received all six surviving people who had gunshot wounds from Thursday's shooting. Two people were killed in the shooting.

Dr. Brett Howard said two of the patients could be released from the hospital on Friday. Howard could not say if all six of the patients were victims, or if one of the patients included the alleged gunman.

RELATED STORY | Lawmakers react after deadly shooting at Florida State University

Howard added that hospital officials were notified of the incident on Florida State's campus shortly before noon on Thursday and started preparing to accept patients. He said victims came in with wounds to the face, chest, extremities and abdomen. Three of the six victims went to the operating room.

"We do feel that all will make a full recovery," Howard said.

While Howard said hospital staff train for mass shooting incidents, he said the most challenging issue is "you don't know how many patients you are going to receive."

"We do at least one simulation a year," he said. "We were prepared, we always like to say we learn something from every interaction and event, but if anything, I am just proud of everybody."

Howard called all of the victims "very, very brave."

RELATED STORY | Suspect in deadly FSU shooting is son of sheriff's deputy and used her weapon, officials say

"There's a moment of shock but all were able to talk to us, give us where they are feeling pain," he said. "All of them were very clear-minded and able to converse with us."

While possible changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are being considered, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reiterated to state agencies that individuals receiving government benefits to offset food costs need to work if they are able.

Most individuals and families are already subject to some form of work requirements to be eligible for SNAP. Rollins said the memorandum requires states to make clear that people who can work, do.

Adults ages 18-54 are required to be employed or participate in a work program unless they are disabled, pregnant, have some one under age 18 in their household, experiencing homelessness or a veteran.

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Since my confirmation, I have reiterated the states are our partners, and this includes ensuring our nutrition programs are tied to putting Americans back to work, said Rollins. It is important to remind states that Congress conditioned the receipt of benefits by able-bodied adults without dependents on satisfying work requirements. Many states have abused the system by requesting work requirement waivers. Today marks the start of a new era for SNAPprioritizing work, career and technical education, and volunteering rather than idleness, excess spending, and misapplication of the law.

As of 2023, 42.1 million people, or 12.6% of U.S. residents, were receiving monthly SNAP benefits.

According to Pew, 61.6% of adult SNAP recipients in 2021 said they had not been employed at all that year.

Governors in several states are pushing for changes to SNAP benefits that would disqualify soda and other junk foods from coverage. The proposed changes align with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.

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President Donald Trump's tariffs could affect rent prices in several growing markets, according to a new report from Realtor.com.

According to the report, average rent prices have fallen $65 per month in the last three years as inflation has subsided. But the report suggests that several growing markets could prices go up again.

President Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could drive up the cost of newly built residences. Those costs, Realtor.com, could be passed along to consumers. The report also suggests some builders might opt not to go through with finishing construction due to increased costs.

RELATED STORY | Half of US renters are 'cost-burdened' by their housing

The report suggests that Milwaukee, Oklahoma City and Memphis, Tenn., are having the fastest growth in permitted multifamily homes.

Six other markets Cleveland, Columbus, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Birmingham and San Diego - could also face increasing rents.

"While the median asking rent is down $65 monthly or over $700 annually, in nearly every major U.S. metro rents are still considerably higher than 2019," said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com. "We have seen declines in rents largely due to robust multi-family building and permitting adding more rental options in many metros. This tailwind is currently under threat as developers grapple with the short-term and long-term impacts of new and evolving tariffs on building materials. For renters in cities with declining rents, it might be a good time to lock in a good rate for the next year or beyond."

The report notes that even markets that aren't growing could be impacted the tariffs, "As rising construction costs could further dampen new development plans, restricting supply and continuing to exert upward pressure on rental prices," said Berner.

Realtor.com says the average cost of monthly rent in March 2025 was $1,694.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the Department of Justice to investigate an arson at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion as an antisemitic hate crime.

Schumer sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, citing search warrants that indicated the alleged arsonist was motivated by Shapiro's views on the Israel/Gaza conflict.

Both Shapiro and Schumer are Jewish, and the fire came hours after the start of Passover.

RELATED STORY | Man planned to attack Pa. governor after setting fire to mansion, police say

"Given the deeply troubling allegations that the suspect targeted Governor Shapiro based in part on his religious identity, the April 13 incident warrants immediate and serious federal scrutiny," Schumer said. "While the Shapiro family slept inside, the suspect allegedly set the home ablaze, causing extensive damage and leaving lasting anguish not only for the victims but for Americans across the country. The suspect has since been charged with attempted homicide, terrorism, and aggravated arson."

Cody Balmer has been charged in connection with Sunday's arson at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion. Police said that he admitted to setting the residence on fire.

An affidavit of probable cause stated that Balmer said, "Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to know that he '... will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.' The report also said that Balmer told dispatchers "our people have been put through too much by that monster."

Shapiro would not speculate on the alleged arsonist's motives.

"Prosecutors will ultimately determine what motivated this. The district attorney and the Department of Justice can comment on that further. But right now I think what we're trying to do is find the good in society, not be deterred from our work, not be deterred from practicing our faith proudly, and to continue to move forward. You know, as parents and continue to move forward as governor and first lady," he said.

Bondi called the incident "horrific."

RELATED STORY | Man to face attempted murder charge for fire at Pennsylvania governor's home

"I firmly believe that they wanted to kill him. The defendant allegedly said he was going to use a hammer if he could have gotten to the governor. I've known the governor for many, many years. It is horrible, and yes, we are working with state authorities to do it's now a pending investigation anything we can to help convict the person that did this and keep them behind bars as long as possible," she said.

As the federal government continues its standoff over funding for Harvard University, the Department of Homeland Security announced it is canceling $2.7 million in grants and is "declaring it unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars."

The funds were for two programs: the $800,303 Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention grant and the $1,934,902 Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement grant.

The Trump administration alleged that the Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention grant "branded conservatives as far-right dissidents in a shockingly skewed study," while claiming the Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement grant "funded Harvards public health propaganda."

RELATED STORY | Harvard University fights Trump administration's demand, faces $2.2 billion funding freeze

Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism driven by its spineless leadership fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security, said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvards position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory. America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars.

Earlier this week, Harvard said it would not comply with a list of demands from the Trump administration, which included calls to change its admissions and hiring policies, end all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and audit programs and departments that the administration alleges "fuel antisemitic harassment or reflect ideological capture."

RELATED STORY | Trump administration freezes $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard over campus activism

"The administrations prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government," Harvard President Alan M. Garber said. "It violates Harvards First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI. And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge. No governmentregardless of which party is in powershould dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue."

Additionally, reports surfaced on Wednesday that the Internal Revenue Service is considering whether to revoke the university's tax-exempt status. The New York Times cited three anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The report comes after President Donald Trump called on Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status.

Drugmaker Eli Lilly announced on Thursday that it has successfully completed a Phase 3 study of a daily pill that could lower blood sugar and aid weight loss. The pills could serve as an alternative to popular but costly GLP-1 injections such as Ozempic.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, less than 30% of Phase 3 studies are successful.

According to Eli Lilly, both the safety and efficacy of its candidate medication, Orforglipron, provided results similar to those of standard GLP-1 medications. Known side effects of GLP-1 medications include numerous adverse gastrointestinal reactions. Headaches, sore throats, and tiredness can also occur as side effects of these drugs.

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According to Eli Lilly's study, the average 199-pound participant lost 9.7 pounds when taking a 3-milligram dose for 40 weeks. The weight loss increased to 12.2 pounds for those taking 6-milligram doses and 16 pounds for those on a 36-milligram dose.

Participants given a placebo lost 2.9 pounds.

The study also found that participants lowered their A1C levels by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8.0%.

"We are pleased to see that our latest incretin medicine meets our expectations for safety and tolerability, glucose control, and weight loss, and we look forward to additional data readouts later this year," said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO. "As a convenient once-daily pill, Orforglipron may provide a new option and, if approved, could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use by people around the world."

Many of these drugs were initially prescribed to help manage Type 2 diabetes but have since gained popularity for helping patients manage weight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these medications manage blood sugar levels by triggering insulin release from the pancreas. The drugs also help slow digestion, which causes less glucose to enter the bloodstream. Additionally, the medicine affects satiety, allowing patients to feel full after eating, the Cleveland Clinic said.

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The company did not set a timeline for when it would seek approval from government regulators.

A new study shows that CT scans are likely an "important cause of cancer" in the United States, resulting in over 100,000 cases annually.

The new research was published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday by University of California, San Francisco scientists.

The study indicated that CT scans could account for 5% of cancer cases throughout the U.S., more than tripling previous estimates. UCSF estimates that 93 million CT scans were performed in the U.S. in 2023.

The researchers noted that the number of CT scans performed in the U.S. has increased by 30% since 2007. UCSF scientists say that this should give pause to medical professionals about whether the benefits of CT scans outweigh the risks. UCSF noted in a press release that its research might indicate that CT scans are being overused for instances of upper respiratory infections and common headaches.

Few patients and their families are counseled about the risks associated with CT examinations, study co-author Malini Mahendra, UCSF assistant professor of Pediatric Critical Care, said in a press release. We hope our studys findings will help clinicians better quantify and communicate these cancer risks, allowing for more informed conversations when weighing the benefits and risks of CT exams.'

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The researchers stated in a press release that the largest number of cancers in adults was due to CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, while children faced a higher risk of cancer following CT scans of the head.

The Cleveland Clinic states that CT scans use ionizing radiation to help capture images but generally carry little risk. CT scans can help show heart disease, blood clots, bone fractures, certain types of cancer, among other conditions.

"A CT scan is an imaging test that helps healthcare providers detect diseases and injuries," the Cleveland Clinic says. "It uses a series of X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. A CT scan is painless and noninvasive. You might go to a hospital or imaging center for your CT scan."

The UCSF researchers believe that there are some instances where CT scans should either be performed at a lower intensity or avoided altogether.

Given the large volume of CT use in the United States, many cancers could occur in the future if current practices dont change, said the study's first author, Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a UCSF radiologist. Our estimates put CT on par with other significant risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and excess body weight. Reducing the number of scans and reducing doses per scan would save lives.

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The Trump administration announced a $25 billion increase for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, marking a significant rise over previous projections.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stated that projected payments should increase by an average of 5.06% from 2025 to 2026, a rise of 2.83 percentage points from earlier estimates.

"This change is primarily due to the inclusion of additional data on fee-for-service expenditures, including payment data through the fourth quarter of 2024, which was not included due to the early Advance Notice publication," CMS said.

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Fee-for-service expenditures refer to what the government pays providers for individual services rather than per patient.

Following the government's announcement, several major insurance companies saw their stock prices surge. UnitedHealthcare's stock increased by 8% by Tuesday afternoon, while Humana's stock rose by 9% late Monday and into Tuesday.

According to KFF, over 54% of the Medicare-eligible population is enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Previous federal data indicates that an estimated $540 billion will be spent on Medicare Advantage this year.

KFF reports that UnitedHealthcare and Humana are the two largest providers of Medicare Advantage in the U.S.

Medicare Advantage differs from original Medicare by allowing recipients to utilize private insurance rather than the government program. This results in different out-of-pocket costs for recipients.

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After spending seven years as America's top casual restaurant, Olive Garden is no longer No. 1.

Texas Roadhouse has displaced Olive Garden as America's leading casual restaurant, Restaurant Business Magazine reported, citing Technomic 500 data.

According to Texas Roadhouse's latest investor report, the company generated nearly $5.4 billion in revenue in 2024, which is up 16% from the year earlier. In comparison, Olive Garden generated about $5.1 billion, which is up just 1% from the year prior.

RELATED STORY | Why do longtime restaurant chains keep shuttering locations?

The combination of a growing number of locations and increased sales at existing locations contributed to Texas Roadhouse's explosive growth in 2024. Texas Roadhouse finished the year with 26 additional locations compared to the start of the year.

At Texas Roadhouse locations in the U.S., comparable restaurant sales were up 6.3% in 2024.

Despite falling in the rankings, Olive Garden continues to grow, adding 10 new locations in 2024.

Another restaurant vying for the top spot, Chili's, ranked No. 3 after growing nearly 15% in 2024.

Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings rounded out the Top 5.

Here is the top 10:

Texas Roadhouse Olive Garden Chili's Applebee's Buffalo Wild Wings LongHorn Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse Cheesecake Factory Red Lobster Red Robin

An email shared with Scripps News indicates that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to cut 80% of its 200 employees from its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance. About 75% of the employees will be laid off, while about 5% of the workforce are taking buyouts.

A handful of employees are leaving the office through buyouts offered to federal workers. The majority will be cut as part of the Trump administrations efforts to reduce the size of government.

The office was formerly known as the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and was tasked with upholding and protecting the civil rights of taxpayers.

It was responsible for investigating discrimination against the IRS and several programs funded by the agency. The Office of Civil Rights and Compliance stated that it investigated complaints related to age, sex, color, disability, race, religion, and national origin discrimination against taxpayers.

About 20% of the employees in the office will be moved to the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

RELATED STORY | Many Americans hesitant to file taxes amid IRS workforce cuts, survey finds

Staffing reductions that are currently being considered at the IRS will be part of and driven by process improvements and technological innovations that will allow the IRS to collect revenue and serve taxpayers more effectively. The rollback of wasteful Biden-era hiring surges, and consolidation of critical support functions, are vital to improving both efficiency and quality of service. The Secretary (of the Treasury Scott Bessent) is committed to ensuring that this efficiency is realized while providing the collections, privacy, and customer service the American people deserve, a spokesperson for the Department of the Treasury told Scripps News.

IRS staffing declined for years before congressional Democrats approved the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. The Inflation Reduction Act, which provided $80 billion for the IRS to strengthen its staffing, was universally opposed by congressional Republicans.

The bolstering of IRS staff came as audit rates declined and many taxpayers claimed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to contact the IRS.

RELATED STORY | New tariffs take effect: US starts collecting 10% duty on imported goods

The Trump administration, however, has pledged to reduce the size of the IRS. The Associated Press reported on Friday that the administration plans to cut up to 25% of the agencys staff this year.

Some of the tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday went into effect on Saturday morning, prompting angst among investors worldwide.

Saturday morning marked the start of the U.S. collecting a 10% tariff on virtually all goods being shipped to the country. On April 9, the U.S. will begin collecting additional tariffs from dozens of countries that President Trump has labeled as "reciprocal."

In reality, the "reciprocal" tariffs that will go into effect on April 9 target countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit. In other words, these countries sell more goods to the U.S. than they purchase from it.

RELATED STORY | US stocks tumble 5% as markets react to Trumps global tariff plan

Some of the impact of the newly implemented tariffs may not be immediately felt. Customs and Border Protection issued a bulletin stating that vessels en route to the U.S. prior to President Trump's announcement are exempt from paying tariffs upon arrival.

Despite the U.S. labor force adding 45 million workers since 1990, the manufacturing industry has shrunk from nearly 18 million workers in 1990 to under 13 million workers at the start of 2025. The U.S. manufacturing sector plummeted in the 2000s and has never fully recovered after the recession of 2008-09.

President Trump has indicated that he intends for the tariffs to reignite manufacturing in the U.S.

Investors, however, have not shared this optimism. On Thursday and Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 4,000 points, marking the largest two-day drop in stocks.

Companies such as Nike and Apple, which operate large factories overseas that ship products to the U.S., were particularly hard hit. Retailers like Dollar Tree and Five Below, which sell many goods produced internationally, also suffered significant losses. Economists expect the costs of the tariffs to be passed along to consumers, leading to higher prices.

RELATED STORY | White House defends Trump's tariffs as stocks crater for second straight day

Colorado State University issued its annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast, and based on their forecasters' predictions, 2025 could end up being a lot like 2024.

Colorado State University forecasters are predicting that the Atlantic basin will have 17 named storms, with nine becoming hurricanes and four becoming major hurricanes. In 2024, the Atlantic had 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.

The CSU forecast for 2024 was not far off, as it predicted 22 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.

As the 2024 season was slightly above average, it was a particularly devastating hurricane season for the United States. The season featured back-to-back catastrophic impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Both hurricanes ranked among the 10 costliest in U.S. history.

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If Colorado State University's forecast holds true, the year would be above historical averages, but recent years have seen a stark uptick in tropical storm activity. From 1990-2019, the Atlantic averaged 14.4 named storms per year, with 7.2 becoming hurricanes and 3.2 becoming major hurricanes.

Forecasters believe warmer ocean waters coupled with favorable upper-level winds will contribute to an above-average season. The report indicates there is a better than 50% chance of a major hurricane striking the U.S. coastline this year.

However, forecasters noted that there is some uncertainty heading into hurricane season, which begins June 1.

Our analog seasons ranged from having slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane activity to being hyperactive, said Phil Klotzbach, a senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at CSU. "While the average of our analog seasons was above normal, the large spread in observed activity in our analog years highlights the high levels of uncertainty that typically accompany our early April outlook.

In the last decade, the Atlantic has averaged 17.9 named storms, with 8.2 becoming hurricanes and 3.8 becoming major hurricanes.

A federal judge ruled late on Tuesday that the Trump administration must temporarily restore funds to a nonprofit group that provides legal and other services for tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children.

Judge Araceli Martnez-Olguns order runs through April 16 and requires the Trump administration to resume funding for the Acacia Center for Justice and other nonprofit groups.

Martnez-Olgun determined that nonprofit groups have legal standing to sue the government to preserve funding. Plaintiffs are arguing that theyre entitled to funds through the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.

Martnez-Olguns order prevents the termination of funding for legal representation for these children, allowing the Acacia Center for Justice to continue its services while legal proceedings continue.

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On March 21, the Trump administration announced it would stop funding the Unaccompanied Children Program. The program provides services and legal representation for thousands of children who are in the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian.

Acacias Unaccompanied Children Program provides legal representation to more than 26,000 children in and released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody, Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice, said. These independent childrens rights attorneys protect children from trafficking, abuse, and exploitation, helping vulnerable kids engage in a confusing and often tumultuous legal process and pursue their legal interests and options in a rapidly evolving immigration system.

Groups like the Acacia Center argued that the loss of federal funds would force them to lay off attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied migrant children. A judge agreed that the termination of funding would be detrimental to these organizations, stating that terminating funding for direct legal representation for unaccompanied children, without any plan to ensure continuity in representation, potentially violates Congresss express directive.

The Court additionally finds that the continued funding of legal representation for unaccompanied children promotes efficiency and fairness within the immigration system, wrote Martnez-Olgun, who was appointed to the district court in 2023 by President Joe Biden.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center is warning residents of eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky of severe weather that could produce long-track tornadoes and damaging winds on Wednesday.

The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a high risk of severe weather in the region. Memphis is among the cities facing the highest risk. Louisville, Indianapolis, and Nashville also face a significant threat of tornadoes.

A high risk of severe weather is a level 5 on the Storm Prediction Center's 0-5 scale. The Storm Prediction Center generally reserves the

declaration of a high risk for severe weather for what it forecasts to be among the most violent tornado outbreaks of a given year.

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"A tornado outbreak is expected today and tonight from parts of the lower Mississippi Valley into the Mid-South and lower Ohio Valley," said Storm Prediction Center forecaster Rich Thompson. "Numerous tornadoes, along with multiple EF3+ tornadoes, appear likely. In addition, tornadoes, significant severe wind gusts, and large hail to very large hail will be possible across a broad area from north Texas northeastward to the southern Great Lakes."

Several tornado watches were issued for areas west of the Mississippi River Wednesday morning. The storms were expected to move east, crossing the river by the afternoon. At that time, warmth from daytime heating is expected to cause the storms to grow even stronger.

The Storm Prediction Center also issued a high risk of severe weather on March 15. There ended up being a reported 73 tornadoes in the Southern U.S. that day. Those tornadoes were among 285 reported tornadoes in the month of March, potentially marking the most active March in decades for tornado activity in the U.S.

Wednesday's storms could strike areas that have recently been impacted by tornadoes. Dozens of tornadoes touched down in northeastern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri on March 14. Among them were several EF-4 and EF-3 twisters.

The front causing Wednesday's potential tornado outbreak is expected to stall out, causing a risk of severe weather in a swath from central Texas to Maryland on Thursday.

Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who ran for president in 2020, delivered a record-breaking 25-hour speech that garnered the support of his fellow Democrats.

The speech was meant as a rebuke of President Donald Trump's policies and a rallying cry for Democrats feeling disillusioned by the current administration.

In order for Booker to hold the microphone for so long, he had to remain on the Senate floor for the entire duration. That meant no bathroom breaks or sitting down. Booker didn't talk the entire time; other Democrats could give Booker's voice a rest by asking him questions.

He was also briefly interrupted for the Senate's daily prayer, which took place about 17 hours into his speech.

After 25 hours on the Senate floor without leaving, Booker explained how he was able to remain at the lectern for so long.

I really spent time dehydrating myself beforehand so I did not have to go to the bathroom," Booker said, adding he was not aided by a catheter. "My strategy? I think I stopped eating on Friday and then stopped drinking the night before I started on Monday. That had its benefits and its downsides.

Booker said that dehydrating himself led to cramps, which he described as the "biggest thing" he was fighting during the 25-hour speech.

He also mentioned that he emptied his pockets so he wouldn't be weighed down.

The New Jersey senator noted that he was well aware of the previous record for the longest Senate speech, which was held by Sen. Strom Thurmond, who spoke against the Civil Rights Act in 1957.

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Booker acknowledged Thurmond's record during his speech: "I always thought it was a strange shadow that hung over this institutionthat the longest speech, all the noble causes, I found it strange he had the record."

Booker had experience, as he and fellow Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy held the floor for 15 hours nine years ago. He said that during that session, he experienced back pain but learned from that experience.

Rhode Island man Tom Carroll is crediting Chick-fil-A for saving his life after he ate the restaurant's salads nearly every day for a year, helping him lose 132 pounds.

Carroll said he went from weighing 360 pounds to 228 pounds, having a Spicy Southwest Salad nearly every day since November 2023. He also cut his beer consumption and signed up for the gym, but Carroll gives most of the credit to his new-found love for the Chick-fil-A salad.

"Chick-fil-A saved my life, and I cant wait to be a loyal customer for many years to come. I know this diet works for me, and I cant wait to keep it rolling as the years unfold," he said on a post online.

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He told WBZ-TV in Boston that he "liked being the big guy that had a good time, that could go out aned eat pizza whenever, and go have a beer and not think about it."

Carroll explained that he did not go to the doctor for several years and when he finally did, he found out he weighed 360 pounds. He started to lose weight and by that December, his weight had dropped to below 300 pounds.

But even losing over 60 pounds wasn't enough to reverse years of poor habits. Doctors said in December 2023 that he had suffered a "cardiac event" and he would need to get his high blood pressure addressed.

"It was in that moment where my anguish shifted to empowerment," he said. "A few weeks prior, I had made a decision to change my life by eating a Chick-fil-A salad every day, and I could tangibly see the results."

Carroll said by July 2024, he had lost over 130 pounds, but was apprehensive about sharing his story. It wasn't until the one-year anniversary of his emergency room visit that he felt comfortable enough to explain what took place.

"Given everything that had led me to that moment, I felt like I could help the next version of me avoid the type of mess I went through to get to where I was at 228 pounds," he said. "I knew there were plenty of other guys just like me - big dudes who loved having a good time, where eating and drinking was central to making sure everyone in the crew was enjoying themselves no matter the situation. I knew I wasnt unique in that regard."

This month, the Cheesecake Factory is rolling out one of its largest menu overhauls in years, as it has eliminated 13 items and replaced them with 22 new items.

Gone from the previous menu are several long-time staples, such as the white chicken chili, mushroom burger, and spicy cashew chicken. The menu also no longer includes several SkinnyLicious items, such as the spicy shrimp pasta and the lemon herb parmesan chicken.

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Of the 22 new menu items, four are drinks and one is a childrens dessert. Cheesecake Factory President David Gordon noted that the new menu has items at wide price points. The menu includes a new double smash cheeseburger, steak frites, grilled steak and eggs, and Thai stir-fried noodles.

There are also several new appetizers, including honey roasted carrots, grilled asparagus, and charred sugar snap peas.

I think it crosses different price points, different cuisines, some very unique items and then some sort of right up the middle of the road Cheesecake Factory items like a smash burger that we put on the menu, Gordon said. There's also some great vegetarian options, some new baby roasted carrots, some Asian cucumbers, some Chicken and Jalapeno Fritters. So you name the type of cuisine. We've always said there's nothing that we can't put on our menu that America might want.

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Gordon said it was important that new menu items are a value for customers.

I think Cheesecake has always played well on the price point because of so many different options for guests, he said. And of course, the value proposition of the experience, the experience of the size of the portions that allows people to share and have leftovers for the next day. And the overall experience of dining at Cheesecake is a large part of the value proposition that people are looking for today.

The company boasted that its sales per unit reached $12.2 million in 2024, which it claims was nearly four times higher than Chilis and more than double that of BJs Brewhouse and Olive Garden.

In a ranking of 147 nations, Finland ranked as the happiest country in the world, according to a new analysis from the World Happiness Report.

The report uses data from the Gallup World Poll to help determine how happy the citizens of various countries are. The report looks at numerous factors, including a nations economy, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, charitable giving, perceptions of corruption, and dystopia.

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What the report found was that many European nations tend to perform better than other regions of the world. Behind Finland in the rankings were Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

While the U.S. wasnt at the top of the list, the nation ranked No. 24, just above the United Kingdom and just below Belize. It was, however, the lowest the U.S. has ever appeared in the rankings.

The report notes that the United States is among just a handful of nations where deaths of despair are on the rise. Deaths of despair include suicide, alcohol abuse, and drug overdose.

Another indicator of declining happiness in the U.S. is the fact that there are few people dining with others. COVID-19 has seemingly hastened the trend of Americans dining alone, and it has been a trend analysts have observed for two decades.

We find clear evidence that Americans are spending more and more time dining alone, the report reads. In 2023, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported eating all of their meals alone the previous day an increase of 53% since 2003. Dining alone has become more prevalent for every age group, but especially for young people.

Of the 147 nations sampled, Afghanistan ranked at the bottom in terms of happiness.

It's possible that you could still be owed a $1,400 economic impact payment by the Internal Revenue Service, but you have just weeks to claim the money.

According to an IRS statement, an estimated one million people were still owed a $1,400 stimulus check as of the end of 2024. The IRS said it had identified some of the Americans still owed a check and planned on sending them a payment by the end of January.

But if someone didn't file a 2021 tax return, it's possible they were eligible for a check and did not receive one. The IRS said that Americans who did not file a return in 2021 have until April 15 to file an amended return to claim the $1,400 credit.

The IRS said that taxpayers who did not file must submit a tax return, even if their income was minimal or nonexistent, in order to get a stimulus check.

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Americans who believe they are owed a stimulus check can obtain a tax return form online.

There are also numerous Americans owed a tax refund beyond the economic impact payments.

As of last week, the IRS said it estimates there is nearly $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds stemming from the 2021 tax season. The IRS estimates the median tax refund owed to Americans is $781 for 2021. The IRS estimates that 1.1 million Americans are still owed a tax refund for 2021.

Those taxpayers also have until April 15 to claim a refund.