Earlier this month, Texas Roadhouse announced it had quietly raised menu prices by 1.9%, a change that did little to slow business. Chief Financial Officer Mike Lenihan said comparable sales at restaurants climbed 6.5%.

The company said that customers have responded well despite the increases, with spending per check up 2.6%. Vice President of Investor Relations Michael Bailen said higher spending has offset inflationary pressures from increased labor and food costs.

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Obviously the value proposition that we have in our menu, the taste profile of our food, and the hospitality we provide continues to tell us the things we are doing are absolutely working and people are responding to that, CEO Jerry Morgan said. We know theres a lot going on in the industry and with all kinds of things. What we really focus on is opening, operating and closing quality shifts, and providing great places for our employees to work and for our guests to join us and spend their time and money.

For some, price increases may not have been too noticeable.

At one Ohio location, a pulled pork dinner went from $14.99 in late 2025 to $15.49. A country fried steak dinner now costs $17.49, a 50-cent increase from a year ago. And a 16-ounce sirloin now sells for $26.99 up $2 from last year.

Although customers may be spending more to dine at Texas Roadhouse, Bailen said higher gas prices have not dampened spending.

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I dont think weve ever been able to find a correlation between gas prices and our traffic trends, he said. People still want that simple luxury of a casual dining meal with friends and family. Theyll be picky about where they go, and if someone is trying to watch what they spend because theyre paying more at the gas pump, Texas Roadhouse becomes a great option for them.

Changes by the Trump administration involving student loans could contribute to a shortage of doctors and nurses in the coming years, Todd Pickard, president and chair of the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Physician Associates, warned.

The Department of Education is updating its definition of professional degrees. Under the new rule, students studying to become physician associates (PAs) would no longer be eligible for higher levels of federal student loans. PA programs require a masters degree, thousands of hours of clinical training and a license in every state.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, advanced nursing and several other medical fields have also been reclassified from professional degrees to general graduate degrees.

Under the change, students in these programs would be limited to $20,500 annually and $100,000 total in federal loans, compared with up to $50,000 a year and higher lifetime limits previously.

Pickard said the move could make these degrees inaccessible for many prospective students.

Im most concerned about decreasing the pipeline of health care providers in the United States, he said. At a time when we should be investing in health care, divesting is not the right answer. Patients should expect that if there are fewer providers, it will take them longer to be seen, and their health conditions may worsen.

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Pickard said rural health care networks would be especially hard hit, noting they already face shortages.

We have workforce shortages of physicians. There are not enough nurses or PAs. Theres just more demand, he said. There are more patients than there are health care providers. In the next five to six years, half of all medical providers will be physicians and the other half will be PAs and nurse practitioners. We need to make sure all of our pipelines are not being impacted negatively.

In response, 25 state attorneys general or governors have filed lawsuits against the federal government over the new rule, which is set to take effect July 1.

The American Academy of Physician Associates is also seeking an injunction to stop the rule.

Pickard said the Department of Educations goal appears to be lowering tuition costs for medical education by reducing loan limits.

PA school and most medical education is not just about tuition. It is about housing, transportation, food, books and supplies, he said. At this time, I have not heard of a single PA program or other medical education program lowering tuition costs. This is a fair conversation to have, but I think this is the wrong tool for the job.

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The Department of Education said 95% of nursing graduates borrow below the new caps and would not be affected. The administration also argues that allowing students to borrow for the full cost of attendance has contributed to rising costs.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced a tough time during her tenure in the Trump administration, said Jamil N. Jaffer, founder and executive director of the National Security Institute.

Gabbard will leave the Trump administration June 30, saying she will be supporting her husband, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Jaffer said that over time, it became clear Gabbard was not part of President Donald Trumps inner circle. He noted several actions showing she was not aligned with Trump on foreign adversaries.

She came into it with limited experience, Jaffer said. She had some military experience, of course, but limited experience in the intelligence field. Her reputation preceded her in terms of her relationship with staff and her views on information from Russia and the like. But even when she got to the Trump administration, she faced challenges.

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Among her actions, Gabbard posted a video last year critical of nuclear weapons, glossing over the fact that the United States is among a handful of nations with a large nuclear arsenal.

"This isn't some made-up science fiction story. This is the reality of what's at stake, what we are facing now, because as we stand here today, closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elites and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers," Gabbard said in the video.

Jaffer also noted that Gabbards appearances at White House events were infrequent. She was not a visible presence during U.S. military actions in Venezuela and Iran this year.

She didn't defend it, but she didn't come out against it either, Jaffer said of Gabbards stance on the war in Iran. Thats obviously a real problem for the White House, which was very forward leaning on that conflict. She didnt support the Venezuela operation. She didnt support the Iran operation. The president has been much more interventionist than his base thought he would be, and that reflects on her as well. President Trump does not like having people around him who do not support where hes going.

Trump posted his support of Gabbard on Truth Social.

"Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her," he said.

Gabbard drew scrutiny from Democrats after stating in 2025 that she did not believe Iran was working on building nuclear weapons. Trump has cited his desire to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons as his justification for launching an attack on the nation.

Gabbard was confirmed weeks after Trump began his second term in 2025. She previously served as a Democratic member of Congress and was a presidential candidate before joining the Republican Party and endorsing Trump. Her confirmation did not receive bipartisan support, and former Republican leader Mitch McConnell voted against it.

Gabbard said she is committed to a smooth transition. Trump announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director.

Jaffer said there will be concerns about having a director leading national intelligence who is not Senate-confirmed.

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We are in a heightened state of threat today in this country, not just because of the Iran war, not just because of the Venezuela conflict, not just because of whats happening with Russia and Ukraine, but because China is constantly looking at us and is in a constant adversarial posture toward us, he said. There remain terrorist groups focused on the United States, attacking us here at home and our allies abroad.

This is a time of great moment for our nation. We are at probably the highest threat weve been since even before 9/11, given all the nation-state threats and terrorist threats against our country. So not having a director of national intelligence is a challenge.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard will step down from the Trump administration next month, she informed President Donald Trump on Friday.

In a resignation letter, Gabbard said she is leaving the post to support her husband, Abraham, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026, she wrote. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.

Gabbard added that she is committed to a "smooth transition." Trump said that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as acting director.

"She, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together," Trump said. "I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her."

Gabbard has come under scrutiny from Democrats after stating in 2025 that she did not believe Iran was working on building nuclear weapons. Trump has largely cited his desire to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons as justification for launching an attack on the nation.

Gabbard was confirmed to the role weeks after Trump began his second term in 2025. She previously served as a Democratic member of Congress and was a presidential candidate before joining the Republican Party and endorsing Trump. Her confirmation did not receive bipartisan support, and former Republican Leader Mitch McConnell voted against it.

Her resignation comes days after reports surfaced that Gabbard's policy deputy Amaryllis Fox Kennedy would resign. The Washington Post reported that Fox Kennedy disagreed with the Trump administration's decision to launch an attack on Iran.

Fox Kennedy said after the Washington Post's report that she was supportive of the president's agenda.

Walmart said it would use potential refunds on tariffs imposed during the Trump administration to help lower prices as inflation continues to strain household budgets.

On a call with investors Thursday, Walmart said it is working to obtain refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the president did not have authority to enact tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The ruling frustrated both the Trump administration and businesses, as the court did not outline a process for issuing refunds.

The refunds apply only to those who directly paid the tariffs, not to consumers who may have faced higher prices from companies that passed on the costs. Some companies, including UPS and FedEx, have said they will pass along refunds to customers.

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We would definitely bias and try to prioritize price investment for that, given what we've seen both in terms of the pressure on consumers from fuel prices, but importantly as well as the retention and the share gains that we've had, said John David Rainey, Walmarts chief financial officer. We think the single best return that we can have on a dollar capital right now is to invest in the customer and invest in price.

According to the consumer price index released earlier this month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices rose 0.6% in April and are now 3.8% higher than a year ago.

The latest data marked the first time in more than three years that wages failed to keep pace with inflation on a year-over-year basis.

Rainey noted that beyond rising fuel costs, wholesale prices have been affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Obviously, we saw fuel prices go up. And as you think about a category like food, it's heavily dependent upon fertilizer, and nitrogen and phosphates are heavily dependent upon the Strait of Hormuz and the closure there. So, I think it's possible that if fuel prices persist at this level, you may see some upward pressure on average unit retail prices, he said.

Walmart also reported some positive news: larger-than-expected tax refunds boosted consumer spending. Higher refunds for some Americans this tax season were driven by increases to the standard deduction and changes to taxation on tips and overtime.

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Whole Foods Market announced it will bring its small-format locations to three new markets Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia as it expands in densely populated urban areas.

The stores, part of the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop concept, are scheduled to open within the next two years. The company says the layout emphasizes easier access to meals, pantry staples and grab-and-go options.

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Daily Shop is an important part of how were growing our physical store presence, said Christina Minardi, vice president of real estate and store development at Whole Foods Market and Amazon. As we expand this smaller format into new cities, were continuing to deliver the same high standards and carefully curated assortment Whole Foods Market is known for, in a way that meets our customers everyday needs.

Whole Foods launched its small-format concept in 2024 in New York City and has since expanded to Arlington, Virginia, and London. Additional Daily Shop locations are also planned for New York City.

The company says it plans to open 100 new locations in the coming years, bringing its total to more than 600 stores nationwide.

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A former Kansas mayor who pleaded guilty to charges that he illegally voted in U.S. elections has reportedly been detained, drawing an outcry from supporters.

Jose Joe Ceballos pleaded guilty in April to three counts of disorderly election conduct. The Department of Homeland Security said Ceballos voted multiple times in U.S. elections and affirmed he was a U.S. citizen.

Ceballos obtained a green card in 1990 and applied for U.S. citizenship in 2025. While holding a green card, he served as mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, a town of about 700 residents near the Oklahoma border.

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His attorney, Jess Hoeme, said Ceballos plea deal was favorable. Ceballos had been facing felony charges that, if he had been convicted, could have increased his chances of being deported to Mexico.

Hoeme noted that Ceballos never denied voting but claimed he did not intentionally break the law.

KSNW-TV reported that Ceballos was detained this week in Wichita, and his future status in the U.S. is uncertain.

I dont know whats going to happen, Ceballos told KSNW. I dont know where theyre going to take me and what I can and cant do inside there.

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When he turned himself in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, numerous supporters gathered to urge his release.

The Trump administration has cited Ceballos case in support of an election bill that would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Opponents say such a proposal would place an undue burden on some voters and have a chilling effect on participation.

The Department of Homeland Security says it has identified 24,000 cases of noncitizens on U.S. voting rolls, though it is unclear how many of them actually voted. There were more than 155 million total votes cast in the last presidential election.

Ceballos was reelected as mayor in 2025 but resigned one month after the November election, following the charges of illegal voting.

According to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas had the five fastest-growing cities with populations over 20,000 in 2025.

Celina, Texas, was Americas fastest-growing city, with its population increasing 24.6% from July 2024 to June 2025. The city had 64,427 residents as of mid-2025. In the 2020 Census, Celina had a population of just 16,739.

Fulshear, Princeton, Melissa and Annaalso in Texasrounded out the top five.

Haines City, Florida, was the fastest-growing city outside Texas, ranking No. 6 nationally.

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Austin became the 12th U.S. city to surpass 1 million residents. It is also the fifth Texas city with more than 1 million residents, joining Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio.

No city in the United States added more residents last year than Charlotte, North Carolina, which gained more than 20,000 people.

The Census Bureau reported that population growth in major cities slowed considerably last year, with New York City losing more than 12,000 residents.

The agency cited two factors working against cities like New York: a decline in international migration and a preference for warmer climates.

Big-city growth slowed significantly between 2024 and 2025, with some major hubs even seeing small declines, said Matt Erickson, a statistician in the Census Bureaus Population Division. In contrast, midsized cities found a Goldilocks zone where domestic and international migration, paired with new housing, helped prevent the sluggish growth seen in small towns and larger metropolitan centers.

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In 2024, cities with populations over 250,000 grew 0.9%. Last year, that number fell to 0.3%.

Small cities also saw slower growth. In 2024, cities with populations between 5,000 and 49,999 grew by 1%. Last year, that figure fell to 0.7%.

The latest data reflects yearly estimates while a full census is taken once a decade.

E15 fuel, which can shave 20 to 40 cents off a gallons price, could soon be available year-round under a bill passed by the U.S. House this week.

Lawmakers this week passed a proposal allowing blended gas, known as E15, to be sold year-round nationwide. E15 contains up to 15% ethanol and is generally restricted during summer months due to federal smog regulations.

E15 is still mostly gasoline, but the ethanol content generally lowers prices by 20 to 40 cents per gallon, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act passed the House 218-203, with 122 Republicans, 95 Democrats and one independent voting in favor. The split was more geographical than partisan, as members from oil-producing states were less likely to support the bill than those from the Corn Belt.

The bill still requires Senate approval and the president's signature.

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The measure would make permanent a proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule. In March, the EPA granted emergency waivers allowing stations nationwide to sell E15 from May 1 to May 20. However, the agency can grant waivers for only 20 days at a time.

At a time of extreme market volatility and higher costs, this bill provides badly needed certainty for fuel retailers, oil refiners, ethanol producers and consumers alike, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said. The legislation gives Americans the freedom to choose E15 and removes three decades of red tape that had stifled competition and choice in the marketplace.

Critics say the bill could threaten small refineries under changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. Currently, small refineries can seek exemptions from the renewable volume obligation, which requires fuel to include renewable sources such as animal fats, vegetable oil, crop and forest residues, and corn or other starches. Those exemptions go away under this bill.

Motorcycles; vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as school buses and delivery trucks; off-road vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles; engines in off-road equipment, such as chain saws and gasoline lawn mowers; and conventional vehicles manufactured before 2001 cannot use E15.

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Fuel economy is generally lower with E15 compared to gasoline, the EPA says. Ethanol contains less energy than gas, meaning it takes more ethanol to match the same energy output. Most gasoline sold in the U.S. contains about 10% ethanol, so switching to E15 generally results in a 1% to 2% drop in fuel efficiency compared to standard gas blends.

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.