Former President Donald Trump praised law enforcement officials for their response to an armed man outside of Trump International Golf Club.

Officials arrested Ryan Wesley Routh, who allegedly pointed a rifle toward the golf club while Trump was golfing on Sunday. Federal officials on Sunday called the incident an "apparent assassination attempt."

RELATED STORY | Trump safe after 'apparent assassination attempt' at his golf club, FBI says

Sunday evening, Trump responded to the incident on his social media platforms.

"I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day!" Trump wrote. "Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

The incident was the second known assassination attempt on Trump in recent months. In July, a gunman wounded Trump in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter was fatally shot by Secret Service snipers seconds later.

RELATED STORY | FBI unable to identify a motive in Trump assassination attempt

The Secret Service took a lot of criticism for its preparations for the June rally. The department director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned following intense questioning from lawmakers about the June incident.

In the time since, the Secret Service has instituted numerous changes to security protocols, including placing Trump behind protective glass during rallies.

The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to AbbVie, claiming that advertisements for a migraine medicine featuring tennis legend Serena Williams are misleading.

In the FDA's letter, the agency says the advertisements overstate the benefits of Ubrelvy. The FDA says that the treatment appears to show Williams' migraine instantly going away when in reality, it could take multiple doses and several hours.

"Health care providers, patients, and caregivers should not be misled regarding the benefits that can be expected from acute migraine headache treatments. Moreover, the use of a celebrity athlete in this TV ad amplifies the misleading representations and suggestions made and increases the potential for audiences to find the misleading promotional communication more believable due to the perceived credibility of the source," the FDA wrote.

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In the ad, Williams states, With Ubrelvy, theres another option. One dose works fast to eliminate migraine pain.

Studies, however, show that most users do not experience a reduction of moderate to severe headache pain to no pain within two hours of a single dose. The study says between 19% to 22% of users had pain freedom after two hours.

The partnership between AbbVie and Williams began in 2020. Williams said that she has long suffered from migraine attacks.

Serenas endless accomplishments on and off the court make her the right spokesperson and role model to raise awareness about this debilitating disease, Aimee Lenar, a vice president at AbbVie, said in 2020. As a respected athlete, entrepreneur and mother, Serena continues to push boundaries time and again. She is a shining example of how to successfully navigate lifes challenges while fighting migraine. We are pleased she has been able to find relief from her migraine pain with UBRELVY.

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The FDA approved Ubrelvy as a migraine medication in 2019.

The Pac-12 is poised to make a comeback as it announced on Thursday the additions of four schools from the Mountain West Conference.

After 10 of the conference's 12 members left over the summer, the Pac-12 was left with just Oregon State and Washington State. The mass exodus started with USC and UCLA announcing they would join the Big Ten. The departures continued with Oregon and Washington also heading to the Big Ten, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State joining the Big 12, and Stanford and California moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Despite doubts the conference could exist with Oregon State and Washington State as the league's anchors, the Pac-12 said on Thursday that Boise State University, Colorado State University, Fresno State University and San Diego State University would all join the conference on July 1, 2026.

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The NCAA had given the Pac-12 a two-year window to carry a minimum of six teams. That meant that Oregon State and Washington State would be allowed to compete as a two-team conference until the summer of 2026. At that point, they would have been forced to join another conference or compete as independents.

For over a century, the Pac-12 Conference has been recognized as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics, Commissioner Teresa Gould stated. We will continue to pursue bold cutting-edge opportunities for growth and progress, to best serve our member institutions and student-athletes. I am thankful to our board for their efforts to welcome Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to the conference. An exciting new era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today.

The announcement comes as Oregon State and Washington State have formed a one-year scheduling agreement in football with the Mountain West. Each Mountain West team was scheduled to play either Oregon State or Washington State once this year.

RELATED STORY | Pac-12 movements: Oregon in Big Ten, Washington OK'd to join too

While each conference gets an automatic bid for most NCAA championships, such as basketball and baseball, the College Football Playoff operates differently. The College Football Playoff selects the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically, along with the seven best non-conference champions. Theoretically, champions from the Big 12, ACC, Big Ten and SEC would claim four of the five slots, leaving one bid open to a non-power conference.

While NCAA rules stipulate a conference gets full privileges with six members, the College Football Playoff requires conferences to have eight teams to be eligible for an automatic bid. That means the Pac-12 will likely need to add two more members.

McDonald's had planned on making its $5 Meal Deal a limited-time offer early in the summer. After franchises noticed a bump in sales, the deal was extended through the summer.

Now, McDonald's intends to keep the deal around a little longer. The company said on Thursday that its $5 Meal Deal offer will continue into December at a majority of its locations.

RELATED STORY | Taco Bell joins fast food's value meal trend with $7 box. Here's what's in it

The $5 meal deal includes small fries, a four-piece Chicken McNuggets, a small soft drink, and the choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich. Top rivals Burger King and Wendy's have also offered similar promotions.

Taco Bell recently began offering its "Luxe Cravings Box," which includes multiple fan-favorite menu items for a total price of $7. Subway has temporarily made all footlong subs on its menu $6.99. Dunkin' has also gotten in on the value meal craze, with a $6 meal deal that includes a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, hash browns and a medium hot or iced coffee.

All of these brands are attempting to win back inflation-weary customers as fast food prices soared in recent years.

RELATED STORY | Dunkin' unveils $6 meal deal, joining fast food value meal craze

"This summer, tens of millions of fans went to their local McDonald's to enjoy our $5 Meal Deal, and it was so great to welcome them," said Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA. "Together with our franchisees, we're committed to keeping our prices as affordable as possible, which is why we're doubling down with even more ways to save. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late-night snack, we want everyone to find the food they love at a price that hits the spot. The extension of the $5 Meal Deal, and the other offerings we're announcing for our fall line-up, are just a few of the ways we're working hard to offer great meals at a fair price."

McDonald's also will offer several deals throughout the fall. On Sept. 18 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day, double cheeseburgers will be sold for 50 cents. During National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day on Nov. 9, McCrispy sandwiches will be sold for $2 each. McDonald's will also have $1 10-piece Chicken McNuggets between Nov. 4  Dec. 2. All of these deals will be available on McDonald's app.

Consumer Reports released data on Thursday showing that some types of ground cinnamon purchased at stores can contain unsafe levels of lead.

The report indicates that 12 out of 36 types of cinnamon powder tested by Consumer Reports had unsafe levels of lead. One variety of cinnamon powder contained lead levels 3.5 times higher than what's considered safe.

Consumer Reports said it wanted to test ground cinnamon after the Food and Drug Administration received reports in late 2023 and early 2024 of hundreds of children becoming ill with lead poisoning. The FDA then traced the source of their lead poisoning to tainted apple puree products, that were subsequently recalled.

RELATED STORY | Ground cinnamon recalled after testing positive for lead

Consumer Reports noted that New York regulates heavy metals in spices and that 1 part per million of lead is the minimum threshold to trigger a recall. Two types of cinnamon powder had nearly three times that amount.

Paras cinnamon powder had 3.52 parts per million of lead and EGN cinnamon powder had 2.91 parts per million of lead. In both cases, Consumer Reports said the companies are working to remove the products from the market following testing.

Consumer Reports said there are 10 additional types of ground cinnamon and spices that contain cinnamon that contains high levels of lead and should not be consumed. They are:

Mimi's Products ground cinnamon (2.03 parts per million) Bowl and Basket ground cinnamon (1.82 parts per million) Rani Brand ground cinnamon (1.39 parts per million) Zara Foods cinnamon powder (1.27 parts per million) Three Rivers cinnamon stick powder (1.26 parts per million) Yu Yee Brand five spice powder (1.25 parts per million) BaiLiFeng five spice powder (1.15 parts per million) Spicy King five spices powder (1.05 parts per million) Badi cinnamon powder (1.03 parts per million) Deep cinnamon powder (1.02 parts per million)

Consumer Reports also notes there are 18 different kinds of cinnamon products it tested that are okay to consume up to 1 teaspoon a day of. It also says there are six products that are "best to use," as they contain under 0.15 parts per million of lead.

RELATED STORY | US health officials issue another warning over high lead levels in ground cinnamon

Officials say that even low levels of lead in the bloodstream can cause cognitive impairment in children that is irreversible.

Most children won't have obvious immediate symptoms, but if parents suspect their children have been exposed to lead, the FDA says they should talk to their childs doctor about getting a blood test.

The FDA says short-term symptoms from lead toxicity include headache, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting and anemia. The FDA says lead toxicity can cause longer-term symptoms, including irritability, lethargy, and fatigue.

The FDA notes that as fruits, vegetables and grain crops readily absorb vital nutrients from the environment, these foods also take up contaminants, like lead. The agency says that it's impossible to remove all heavy metals from food, but manufacturers should process foods in a way to reduce lead levels in food.

Taylor Swift's call for people to register to vote has resonated with a lot of Americans.

A link provided by Swift Tuesday night that led to a government voter registration website after she endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris got 380,000 views in the hours after her announcement, officials said.

RELATED STORY | Harris-Walz campaign leans into Taylor Swift endorsement with friendship bracelets

Google searches for "voter registration" also peaked Tuesday during the 11 p.m. ET hour, the same time Swift offered her endorsement. Searches for voter registration remained higher than usual on Wednesday.

On Wednesday at MTV's Video Music Awards, Swift once again urged fans to register to vote. She made her pitch while accepting a VMA for best collaboration for the song "Fortnight" with Post Malone.

"Thank you to MTV for giving me this opportunity to thank the fans for what you've done and the fact that this is a fan-voted award and you voted for this, I appreciate it so much," she said. "And if you're over 18, please register to vote. That is something else that is very important."

RELATED STORY | Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president

In the hours after Swift's endorsement, the Harris campaign sought to use her endorsement to fundraise, writing in a campaign email, "Will you join Taylor Swift in supporting Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign? A donation of $25 -- or any amount thats right for you -- is the best way to have an impact right now."

The personal finance website MoneyGeek analyzed incomes in U.S. cities and found that the number of middle-class households is quickly falling in some of them.

According to its analysis, there are fewer people in the middle class in seven of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. That data backs up Pew data that shows the middle class across the U.S. has shrunk in recent years.

Both Pew and MoneyGeek define the middle class as households earning between two-thirds to double the national median household income.

RELATED STORY | USDA report shows 13.5% of US households are food insecure, up from 2022

Among U.S. cities with a population of over 250,000, Henderson, Nevada, had its proportion of middle-class households shrink between 2017 and 2022. During that time, the middle class went from comprising 45.2% of households to 41.1%. It was followed by Virginia Beach, Virginia, which went from having 46.8% of its households in the middle class to just 43%.

Among America's 10 largest cities, San Diego saw the largest decline of middle-class households. San Antonio, Philadelphia and Houston were the only cities among the 10 most populous with growing middle classes.

RELATED STORY | Where you live may dictate whether you're middle-class

Based on federal data, middle-class households with three people have incomes ranging from about $62,000 to $187,000 annually on average.

According to MoneyGeek, these are the 10 cities with populations of over 250,000 where the middle class is shrinking the most:

Henderson, Nevada Virginia Beach, Virginia Anchorage, Alaska Santa Ana, California Chesapeake, Virginia Bakersfield, California Raleigh, North Carolina North Las Vegas St. Petersburg, Florida Irving, Texas

Of the aforementioned cities, St. Petersburg had the lowest middle-class income with a range of $46,627 to $139,882. Anchorage had the highest threshold to be in the middle class, with an income range of $67,167 and $201,502.

Although the lower class has gotten slightly smaller in recent years, the upper class has seen higher gains. According to Pew, 19% of the U.S. population is in the upper class.

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But the data also showed there is now a larger gap between the incomes of upper-income households and other households, Pew said.

You can see how many households are in the middle class in your community on MoneyGeek's website.

In several polls taken since Tuesday night's presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris seemingly was the winner of her contest with former President Donald Trump.

In polling conducted by CNN, 63% of debate watchers said Harris won, compared to 37% who thought Trump won. Before the debate, respondents were evenly split on who they thought would perform better.

Despite many giving Harris the win, debate watchers are more confident in Trump's ability to handle the economy than Harris' following the debate. The state of the economy is widely seen as one of the most important issues in this year's election.

RELATED STORY | Scripps News fact-checks the Trump-Harris presidential debate

When asked who offered a better plan for solving the country's problems, 42% said Harris while 33% said Trump.

Meanwhile, a YouGov poll taken after the debate showed 43% thought Harris won the debate, versus 28% who said Trump, while 30% said unsure.

Whether or not Harris' apparent victory on Tuesday will impact the election remains to be seen. Similar polls in 2016 showed Hillary Clinton being the victor in all three presidential debates, but she ended up losing the election.

In 2012, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney had three debates. The first one indicated that Romney had a dominating win over Obama, according to polling. Surveys then showed Obama winning the final two debates over Romney before easily winning reelection that November.

RELATED STORY | Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president

Joe Biden also polled well after both presidential debates in 2020, and wound up winning the election. In June 2024, Trump was the overwhelming winner. President Biden's performance in that debate garnered angst among Democrats, and ultimately, the president decided to drop out of the race and endorse Harris.

The consumer price index, the top measure for inflation in the U.S., slowed in August to 2.5% in the 12-month period ending in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics who released the updated consumer price index on Wednesday.

The new data shows that inflation is now below recent norms. In the last decade, prices generally increase at a rate of 3.2% per year. In the last 20 years, consumer inflation has generally increased 3% annually.

The consumer price index weighs the costs of goods based on their importance. Items like food, shelter and energy tend to be weighted more heavily.

After annual inflation reached 9% in the middle of 2022, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of interest rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 to combat high inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has stated the Federal Reserve's goal is to reduce inflation to an annualized rate of 2%.

RELATED STORY | US job growth not nearly as high as originally estimated, new data reveals

The federal interest rate has climbed to a 23-year high and has remained there since last August.

The Federal Reserve surprised some at its late July meeting by not dropping rates. Interest rates have remained at their highest levels since early 2001 for the last 13 months between 5.25% and 5.5%.

With wages outpacing the inflation rate, Americans are regaining some of the buying power lost in 2022.

Average hourly wages increased 14 cents in August to $35.21. Workers are making an average of $1.30 an hour more than a year ago. Average weekly wages were $1,207 in August, up from $1,168 a year ago, marking a 3.5% increase in wages.

RELATED STORY | USDA report shows 13.5% of US households are food insecure, up from 2022

Slowing inflation has been helped by a drop in energy prices. U.S. consumers are spending 4% less this year than in August 2023 on energy, according to the August 2024 consumer price index.

Grocery prices also aren't increasing as much as they have in the past. Prices for food meant to be consumed at home increased by a mere 0.9% over the last year. From June 2021 through June 2022, grocery prices increased 12.2%, according to the consumer price index.

In the last decade, consumers generally have seen a 2.7% per year increase in grocery prices.

While high interest rates have arguably helped ease inflation, some have argued it has also led to a cooling job market. The U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in August, which is up from the 114,000 added jobs in July, which had marked one of the worst months for hiring in recent years.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2% in August after hitting 4.3% in July, the highest it had been since October 2021. In historical terms, a 4.2% unemployment rate is low, but it comes after a period of near-record-low unemployment. The unemployment rate bottomed at 3.4% in 2023.

As of now, Tuesday's presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will be the only time the two candidates debate ahead of the 2024 general election.

With 2024 marking the first year that debates are being organized outside the auspices of the Commission on Presidential Debates, it's unclear what happens next. Both campaigns have expressed a willingness to meet again, but whether they actually formalize an agreement remains in question.

Following Tuesday's debate, Harris campaign Chair Jen O'Malley Dillon suggested Harris would debate Trump again.

"Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump," she said.

RELATED STORY | Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president

Following his debate with Harris, Trump made an appearance in the media spin room and told reporters he wasnt sure about another debate.

She wants to do another one cause she got beaten tonight, but I dont know if were going to do another, Trump said.

Well think about that, he added.

He assured reporters this was his best debate and that polls indicated he won the night, though he would not respond to questions about which polls he was referring to.

Trump campaign spokesperson Quentin Fulks also spoke on the possibility of another debate.

Look, we're not in any type of negotiations for a second debate," Fulks said Tuesday. "The vice president said a while ago that she'd, you know, be willing to do a second debate. I think that that's where our posture still remains tonight. We're more than happy to do a second debate in October."

Trump's campaign said it has accepted an invitation to meet on NBC News on September 25, but the Harris campaign has yet to accept such an invitation.

Getting even one debate proved challenging. The Harris campaign called on leaving the microphones turned on when candidates were not speaking. Ultimately, the microphones were only turned on when candidates were speaking.

RELATED STORY | Scripps News fact-checks the Trump-Harris presidential debate

Trump also blasted ABC News, host of Tuesday's debate, in August for unfair coverage he believes he was receiving, adding, "Why would I do the debate against Kamala Harris on that network?"

Although Harris and Trump aren't scheduled to meet again, vice presidential nominees Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz are slated to debate on Oct. 1 on CBS News.

Amazon is launching a new private-label brand which is intended to compete against the likes of Walmart's Great Value and Target's Market Pantry and Good and Gather brands.

Amazon says its Amazon Saver will comprise essential grocery items. The items will be available online and at Amazon Fresh grocery stores.

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Amazon said the new line is "no-frills" and that most items will cost below $5.

"We're always looking to make grocery shopping easier, faster, and more affordable for our customers," said Claire Peters, worldwide vice president of Amazon Fresh. "With expanded Prime member savings, the introduction of the new Amazon Saver brand, and simplified online shopping, its now easier than ever to get your weekly grocery shopping done on a budget with Amazon Freshwhether you're browsing the aisles or filling your online cart.

The new brand will complement other Amazon-owned labels, such as Aplenty, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market and Happy Belly. Amazon said 3,000 items from its private brands will be eligible for 10% off for Amazon Prime customers.

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Additionally, Amazon Prime members will be eligible for up to 50% of a rotating selection of items each week.

Here is a sampling of the items and prices of Amazon Saver items:

Old fashioned oats

Weight: 42 ounces

Amazon Saver: $3.99 ($3.39 for Amazon Prime)

Good and Gather: $3.99

Great Value: $3.98

Traditional pizza sauce

Weight: 15 ounces

Amazon Saver: $1.09 (94 cents for Amazon Prime)

Good and Gather: $1.69 (14 ounces)

Great Value: $1.52 (14 ounces)

Honey

Weight: 24 ounces

Amazon Saver: $6.19 ($5.57 for Amazon Prime)

Good and Gather: $7.39

Great Value: $7.48

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet on Tuesday for what could be their only debate ahead of November's presidential election.

The 9 p.m. ET debate will be produced by ABC News and will be simulcast on Scripps News.

In recent days, both campaigns released memoranda giving insight into their respective debate strategies.

Trump campaign strategy

It is clear the Trump campaign believes the bounce that Harris got in the weeks after President Joe Biden departed the race is gone. The campaign noted Trump's narrow popular vote lead in a recent New York Times poll.

The poll showed likely voters expect Trump to do a better job with handling the economy and immigration, two of the top issues heading into this year's election.

RELATED STORY | What to expect in the first Trump-Harris presidential debate

The Trump campaign notes that with the exception of last month's interview with CNN, Tuesday will mark the first time Harris will field tough questions since becoming the Democratic nominee. The Trump campaign says that Harris needs to explain both the "damage she's done" to the U.S. economy and why she hasn't implemented her plans since becoming vice president in January 2021.

Senior adviser Jason Miller, Rep. Matt Gaetz along with former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard have been among those helping Trump with debate prep.

"In this debate, President Trump will tie Kamala Harris to her record, her record on the border, a record with global instability, and her record being the deciding vote for high prices," said Gaetz. "And if President Trump ties Kamala Harris to her record, which, we have every confidence he'll do, that'll be a success because the American people will see what a dangerous radical liberal she is."

The Trump campaign noted that the former president has taken a more laid-back approach to debate preparations than Harris. Trump has continued holding rallies throughout the U.S. while Harris has largely remained in Pittsburgh to prepare for Tuesday's events.

"President Trump is going to be himself. I think that the important thing to keep in mind here is right now you have Kamala Harris, who's in a big boot camp being thrilled by new advisors who were for President Obama that she doesn't know. She has binders full of details trying to figure out what's been happening at the Department of Labor for the past three and a half years, trying to explain where those 800,000 jobs went," Miller said, noting updated Department of Labor data that showed last month the U.S. added 800,000 fewer jobs in 2023 than previously thought.

Harris campaign strategy

The Harris campaign arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday and spent the weekend getting ready for Tuesday's debate.

The Harris campaign intends to appeal to moderate voters who haven't fully made up their minds. Although a small percentage of the electorate, swing voters in battleground states could ultimately play a deciding role in this year's election.

RELATED STORY | Here's how to watch the first, and potentially only, Trump/Harris presidential debate

Harris' campaign said the vice president intends to promote a popular agenda and tie Trump to Project 2025, a 922-page plan from the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, designed for the next conservative president. Trump has repeatedly denied ties to the plan and those behind it, though its authors include former Trump administration officials, and the document overlaps with several of his policy proposals.

Surrogates for Harris say the vice president believes Trump will be a "formidable opponent" on the debate stage.

With many voters believing Trump would do a better job handling the economy, which is cited as the No. 1 issue heading into the debate, Harris will have to do a strong job persuading voters.

We get an opportunity tomorrow for Vice President Harris to be on that debate stage to make the case for an economy thats for everyone, Harris' running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said.

Additionally, the Harris campaign sees reproductive rights as a winning issue. A majority of likely voters in this week's New York Times Poll believe Harris would do a better job handling abortion rights.

In an interview with CNN, 1st Lt. Jimmy McCain, son of late Sen. John McCain, said he was angered by former President Donald Trump's visit to Arlington Cemetery and plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

In the interview, McCain said he had been moving away from the Republican Party and recently changed his registration to Democrat.

Trump's campaign staff reportedly got into an altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery during the former president's visit last week. McCain said last week's incident "blew me away."

I just think that for anyone whos done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently that its not about you there. Its about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country," he told CNN.

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The McCain family's disapproval of Trump came to full light in 2018 after Sen. McCain passed away. At his funeral, former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush provided eulogies, but Trump was not invited. Joe Biden, who was nearly two years removed from the vice presidency, also spoke at McCain's funeral. Obama and Biden were on the 2008 Democratic ticket that defeated McCain in the general election.

Bush won the 2000 GOP presidential primary over McCain.

What the Trump campaign is accused of doing

There are strict federal laws about what can and can't be done at Arlington National Cemetery. One of those laws is that political activities are barred in Section 60 of the cemetery.

Army officials said the Trump campaign was reminded of this law, but proceeded to continue filming Trump's visit. The Trump campaign has noted that the former president was invited by several families of those killed in a 2021 attack on Kabul's airport amid a chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

"Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds," the Army said in a statement to Scripps News. "An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption."

Trump's campaign later posted a TikTok video of Trump's visit to the cemetery. The campaign has also said it would release a video of the incident that would prove its version of events, but so far it has not.

RELATED STORY | Army says Arlington cemetery employee was 'pushed aside' during Trump's visit

McCain was not pleased to see Trump posing for cameras in front of the gravestones.

It was a violation, McCain said. That mother, that sister, those families, see that and its a painful experience.

Trump's response to the altercation

Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday that he did not witness any altercation.

If you look at just the records, there was no conflict, there was no fight, there was no anything, Trump said.

Trump added that he posed for photos at the request of the families that invited him.

Sen. McCain's daughter not expressing support for either candidate

Meghan McCain, Sen. McCain's daughter and Jimmy McCain's sister, has repeatedly expressed her dismay for Trump. She also has not said she would vote for Harris, either.

In response to a post on X calling for her to endorse Harris, Meghan McCain responded, "Please stop trying to turn me into a progressive. Its a fever dream. Im a life long, generational conservative."

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign for president announced this week that it will transfer $24.5 million to bolster down-ballot Democrats.

Most of the funds will go toward supporting Democrats seeking House and Senate seats. Her campaign is sending $10 million to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, with an additional $10 million going to the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

RELATED STORY | Trump says he'll vote to uphold Florida abortion ban after seeming to signal he'd support repeal

The campaign is also earmarking $2.5 million for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, $1 million for the Democratic Attorneys General Association and $1 million for the Democratic Governors Association.

The balance of Congress once again is expected to be close. The Cook Political Report says there are 22 toss-up House seats heading into November. Republicans would need to win eight of them to retain control, while Democrats would need to win 15 to take the House.

The Cook Political Report also says Democrats have little margin for error to hold the Senate. With West Virginia expected to flip to Republicans this November, Democrats will need to retain seats in Ohio, Michigan and Montana in addition to winning the presidency to maintain the Senate.

RELATED STORY | Harris campaign says it has raised $540M, sees surge of donations during DNC

"The Vice President believes that this race is about mobilizing the entire country, in races at every level, to fight for our freedoms and our economic opportunity," said Harris campaign chair Hen O'Malley Dillon. "Thats why the vice president has made the decision to invest a historic sum into electing Democrats up and down the ballot: because Democrats win when we fight together."

The Harris campaign said it garnered an influx of donations in the weeks following President Joe Biden's announcement to drop out of the presidential race.

For the first time since 2006, the United States will be represented in the finals of the U.S. Open men's singles tournament.

On Tuesday, a pair of Americans earned entries into the semifinal round. Frances Tiafoe, who made the U.S. Open semifinals in 2022, defeated Grigor Dimitrov in a walkover after Tiafoe won two of the first three sets and was up 4-1 in the fourth.

In Tuesday's other quarterfinal, Taylor Fritz toppled Alexander Zverev 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, clinching his first semifinal appearance in a grand slam.

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Fritz will face Tiafoe on Friday with the winner advancing to the finals. Whoever wins Friday's match will become the first American in a U.S. Open men's final since Andy Roddick in 2006. No American man has won the U.S. Open since Roddick in 2003.

Roddick's appearance in 2006 marked the end of a run of 14 out of 17 U.S. Open men's singles finals that included at least one American. In those years, an American won eight times. Pete Sampras accounted for five of the titles, while Andre Agassi won twice. Roddick's only grand slam title came at the 2003 U.S. Open.

Tiafoe and Fritz's ascension to the semifinals comes as the tournament has been full of upsets. Two of the favorites in this year's tournament, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, were knocked out in the first week of competition.

Tiafoe and Fritz are only separated in age by three months, meaning they started competing against each other early in their careers. The two first met in an ATP Tour event in 2016 when Tiafoe defeated Fritz in three sets at the ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells. Fritz has won all six battles since.

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Tiafoe noted that since the retirement of Roger Federer and with Rafael Nadal no longer the player he used to be, there are more opportunities for young Americans like himself.

"We openly speak about it," Tiafoe said about Americans making the men's final. "Taylor, I mean has been in and out of the top 10, myself was top 10 this time last year, Tommy (Paul) is knocking on the door and playing great, Ben (Shelton), so like it's only a matter of time you put yourself in positions. The game is open. It's not like it once was where you make a quarterfinal, you play Rafa and it's like you're looking for flights. Now it is totally different."

If you're looking for a Spirit Halloween store this fall, chances are you won't have to go far. The company announced that it plans to open a record 1,525 locations across the U.S. and Canada this year.

As of last week, over 1,100 of its seasonal locations had opened with the rest opening by the end of September. In the meantime, the company said it plans to hire 50,000 seasonal workers during the fall.

The chain of stores has been known to move into abandoned storefronts once held by major retailers. Inside, stores are full of Halloween-themed decorations, costumes and candy.

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Last year, the company celebrated its 40th anniversary after temporarily opening 1,500 locations.

Spirit Halloween plans to have locations in all 50 states this fall.

"The Halloween fandom continues to grow, and our incredible team works year-round to create an unparalleled and unique in-store experience that will engage customers all season long," said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. "Visiting a Spirit Halloween store is more than just a shopping trip - it's entertainment, it's tradition, it's creating moments and memories with family and friends that bring the magic of Halloween to life, and we are thrilled to welcome fans back to the show."

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Halloween Spirit's expansion comes as Americans continue to spend more on the holiday. In 2023, the National Retail Federation estimates that the U.S. spent $12.2 billion on the holiday, which is up from $8.8 billion in 2019. Costumes alone constituted $4.1 billion of total spending in 2023.

President Joe Biden announced that federal civilian employees will get an average of a 2% pay raise in 2025.

According to the Biden administration, there will be an across-the-board pay increase of 1.7% for all federal employees. In addition to national pay increases, locality-based pay increases will average 0.3%.

Although it's unknown how much inflation will come down between now and the end of the year, it's possible the pay increase won't be enough to keep up with the cost of living. As of July 2024, year-over-year inflation in the U.S. was 2.9%, according to the updated consumer price index.

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Inflation has come down steadily in recent years. The July consumer price index was the first time in three years annual inflation dropped below 3%.

The pay raise is also a bit below what workers in the private sector have gotten.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly wage for workers has gone up 3.3% year-over-year, as of July.

President Biden says the updated pay rates balance making federal work attractive while being fiscally responsible.

"We must attract, recruit, and retain a skilled workforce with fair compensation in order to keep our Government running, deliver services, and meet our Nation's challenges today and tomorrow," Biden said. "This alternative pay plan decision will continue to allow the Federal Government to employ a wellqualified Federal workforce on behalf of the American people, acknowledging wage growth in the labor market and fiscal constraints."

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The pay hikes are scheduled to take effect January 1, 2025.

2025 pay hikes far smaller than prior years

With inflation easing, the pay hikes won't be nearly as much as in years past. Federal employees got a 4.6% pay raise at the end of 2022 and a 5.2% raise at the end of 2023.

The raise at the end of 2022 was not nearly enough to account for inflation, but the most recent pay increase helped workers catch up.

Year-over-year inflation increased 6.4% in 2022, but declined to 3.3% in 2023.

The Food and Drug Administration has announced new rules that will require retailers to verify the age of those under 30 who are trying to purchase tobacco products.

The current rule requires retailers to verify the ages of those under age 27 who purchase tobacco. The new rule essentially raises the threshold for verification by three years.

The FDA said that these new rules, which will go into effect September 30, followed the change in the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 in 2019.

"Its important for retailers to request and examine photo IDs to verify age from anyone under 30, regardless of appearance, as research has shown that it is difficult for retailers to accurately determine the age of a customer from appearance alone," the FDA said.

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The FDA added the rules are expected to help decrease underage tobacco sales.

Todays rule is another key step toward protecting our nations youth from the health risks of tobacco products, said Brian King, director of the FDAs Center for Tobacco Products. Decades of science have shown that keeping tobacco products away from youth is critical to reducing the number of people who ultimately become addicted to these products and suffer from tobacco-related disease and death.

The FDA said it has conducted 1.5 million compliance checks to ensure retailers are following federal age restrictions. The checks have resulted in 134,000 warning letters, 33,000 fines and 230 no-tobacco-sale orders.

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Tobacco usage in the U.S. has declined significantly over the years. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 11.5% of adults used cigarette products. In 2005, 20.9% were estimated to smoke cigarettes.

Despite reduced smoking rates, tobacco is still a significant cause of premature death in the U.S., the CDC says. The agency estimates that cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States, which equals one out of every five deaths.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have died, the team confirmed in a statement on Friday a day before they were reportedly due to be part of their sister's wedding.

"Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend," the Blue Jackets said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew."

The New Jersey State Police confirmed that the Gaudreau brothers were involved in a cycling accident in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, Thursday evening. Police said that the Gaudreaus were struck by a sedan being driven by Sean M. Higgins after he attempted to move around slower-moving vehicles. Police said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of death by auto.

"Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two uncles, two nephews, two cousins, two family members two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans," the Gaudreaus' father, Jim, said in a statement to Scripps News. "We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief. From all our families and the bottom of our hearts (the Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, Venello and Joyce Families)."

According to an online registry, Matthew Gaudreau's wife, Madeline, is pregnant with their first child and due to have their baby on Dec. 31. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Madeline and their baby, whose name will be Tripp, with the "financial burdens they now face." As of Friday afternoon, it had raised nearly $80,000, surpassing its $30,000 goal.

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Johnny Gaudreau was arguably one of the top Americans playing in the NHL, having appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games, most recently in 2023. In 2017, he was given the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."

Prior to joining the NHL, Gaudreau was college hockey's top player and was awarded a Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as a member of Boston College.

He started his pro career in Calgary before signing a free-agent contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022. He was ready to begin his third season in Columbus in about six weeks.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement after learning about the brothers' deaths:

The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew," said Bettman. "While Johnnys infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname Johnny Hockey, he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path."

According to a post on the wedding website The Knot, the two brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.

Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old. Matthew Gaudreau, who was Johnny's college teammate before playing several years in the minor leagues, was 29.

Gaudreau's death marks the second time an active Blue Jackets player has been killed in an accident in recent years. In 2021, goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was killed in a fireworks incident in Michigan.

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