A new study ranking the healthiest places to live in the United States shows cities with good health outcomes, access to medical care, and opportunities for fitness and outdoor activities. Cambridge, Massachusetts, came in first, followed by Berkeley, California, and Bellevue, Washington, with many top cities facing high housing and living costs.
Key Facts
Cambridge, Massachusetts, ranked #1 with top scores for family-friendliness, outdoor activities, health, nightlife, and commute.
Berkeley, California, ranked #2, noted for excellent public schools, weather, outdoor activities, and health, but high living costs.
Bellevue, Washington, ranked #3 with high marks for schools, outdoor activities, health, and family friendliness.
Seattle, Washington, came in fourth, excelling in outdoor activities, health, and nightlife.
Irvine, California, ranked fifth, scoring well on weather, outdoor activities, health, and family factors.
The ranking combined data on smoking, alcohol use, obesity, access to doctors, gyms, and mental health services.
Many of the top cities have expensive housing and high rent prices but strong health and lifestyle benefits.
The study used health statistics from the U.S. Census and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A senior dog named Cleopatra was given up by her owner of 10 years because he must travel frequently for work. She is now at a Texas animal shelter, feeling stressed and confused, while people on TikTok are trying to help find her a new home.
Key Facts
Cleopatra is a senior Labrador retriever mix surrendered to Greenville Animal Control Shelter in Texas.
Her owner surrendered her due to job travel that prevents providing enough care.
Cleopatra shows signs of stress and sadness at the shelter, including barking and crying.
Studies show dogs can experience high stress levels when kept in shelters for a long time.
Cleopatra is described as mellow, friendly with dogs and kids, housebroken, spayed, and enjoys cuddling.
Senior dogs like Cleopatra have lower adoption rates, around 25%, compared to younger dogs' 60%.
Olivia, who runs a TikTok account promoting shelter dogs, shared Cleopatra’s story to help find her a home.
Online responses include many people wanting to adopt or foster Cleopatra to give her a comfortable life.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
American rapper David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas. Her dismembered body was found in a car registered to Burke, and he is currently held without bail as authorities review the case for formal charges.
Key Facts
David Anthony Burke, stage name d4vd, is a 21-year-old American rapper.
Burke was arrested for the murder of Celeste Rivas, a 14-year-old girl.
Rivas’s dismembered body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke.
The body was found seven months after Rivas’s death, one day before her 15th birthday.
Police found two black bags in the car containing parts of Rivas’s body.
Burke is being held without bail pending formal charges.
Burke’s lawyers deny his involvement and say he will be strongly defended.
Burke became popular in 2022 after his song "Romantic Homicide" became a hit on TikTok.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump discussed plans for an expensive new White House ballroom and other luxury projects while flying back to Washington. His focus on these projects has raised concerns among some politicians who worry he is not paying enough attention to urgent national issues.
Key Facts
President Trump showed large artist drawings of a $400 million White House ballroom with detailed Corinthian columns.
He mentioned being very busy but still spent time describing the ballroom plans.
The administration is also planning to build a 250-foot Triumphal Arch near the Lincoln Memorial with a statue and golden eagles.
Some Democrats and Republicans are worried Trump is focused on luxury projects instead of pressing issues like the Iran war or government funding.
Trump’s image as a wealthy businessman helped him get elected with populist policies in 2024.
Critics compare Trump’s focus on luxury to Marie Antoinette, the French queen known for extravagance during times of hardship.
Trump spoke about tax cuts for Americans earning tips during a trip to Las Vegas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hired 12,000 new officers rapidly after receiving $75 billion from Congress for a mass deportation plan by President Donald Trump. An Associated Press investigation found that some new hires had questionable backgrounds, including legal and professional issues, raising concerns about the agency's vetting process.
Key Facts
ICE doubled its workforce by hiring 12,000 new officers and agents in a short time.
Congress allocated $75 billion to ICE to support President Trump's deportation campaign.
Some new hires had histories of bankruptcies, job instability, and legal allegations.
ICE’s rapid hiring led to concerns about insufficient background checks.
The agency keeps employee identities confidential to protect them from harassment.
Most new hires shared publicly were male and came from police, military, or security backgrounds.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons praised the hiring campaign despite scrutiny.
Experts warn that poor vetting increases risks of misconduct and ineffective enforcement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will resign at the end of May 2026. Under his leadership since March 2025, ICE expanded its operations and budget in line with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Key Facts
Todd Lyons has served as acting director of ICE since March 2025.
He led ICE during a time of increased funding and expanded enforcement under President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Lyons is resigning effective May 31, 2026.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised Lyons as a leader who made communities safer.
Lyons faced congressional scrutiny over ICE’s actions and budget requests.
ICE was involved in controversial immigration enforcement operations in U.S. cities like Chicago and Minneapolis.
Public opinion of ICE has been mostly unfavorable during Lyons’ time as acting director.
The Department of Homeland Security recently changed leadership, with Mullin taking over as secretary after the firing of Kristi Noem.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of Republican women in the U.S. House of Representatives is leading a push to hold Congress accountable for sexual misconduct. Recently, two members resigned amid allegations, and these lawmakers want more transparency about ethics investigations and stronger actions against misconduct.
Key Facts
Representatives Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, and Lauren Boebert are pushing for more accountability on sexual misconduct in Congress.
Representatives Eric Swalwell (Democrat) and Tony Gonzales (Republican) recently resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations.
These resignations are seen as part of a wider moment of accountability following the #MeToo movement.
The group is calling for congressional ethics records to be made public through subpoenas.
They argue that no member, Democrat or Republican, should be exempt from scrutiny or consequences.
The campaign includes calls for the resignation or expulsion of other members with allegations of misconduct or ethics violations.
Critics say the current congressional ethics committee process is slow and lacks transparency.
House rules ban sexual relationships between members and their staff, and reforms have improved reporting but enforcement is uneven.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Abby Wilson, who was 39 weeks pregnant, found a lump in her breast that led to a diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. After giving birth to a healthy daughter, she began chemotherapy and continues treatment, while sharing her experience online to raise awareness.
Key Facts
Abby Wilson was 39 weeks pregnant when she discovered a lump in her breast.
The lump was diagnosed as HER2-positive breast cancer with low hormone receptor positivity.
She gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces.
Four weeks after giving birth, Wilson started a tough chemotherapy treatment called TCHP.
She finished chemotherapy in March 2026 and plans to have a double mastectomy to prevent cancer return.
Wilson shares her cancer and motherhood journey on TikTok, raising awareness and hope.
Her videos have received tens of thousands of views, helping others to listen to their bodies and seek help.
Wilson balances her physical recovery, cancer treatment, and new motherhood with support from her faith.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego has denied allegations of misconduct, including claims of sexual nature and campaign finance violations, mentioned by Republican Anna Paulina Luna. These claims have not been verified, and Gallego’s spokesperson called them conspiracy theories. Other members of Congress have recently faced sexual misconduct allegations leading to resignations.
Key Facts
Republican Anna Paulina Luna said allegations against Ruben Gallego involve sexual misconduct and campaign finance issues.
Luna mentioned a woman is reportedly coming forward with attorneys to make claims about a sexual incident involving Gallego.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office is reportedly investigating the matter.
Gallego’s spokesperson denied the allegations and said he has not been contacted by the ethics committee.
Newsweek has not independently confirmed the accusations.
Sexual misconduct allegations recently caused Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell to suspend his governor campaign and resign from Congress.
Republican Representative Tony Gonzales plans to resign amid allegations related to affairs and inappropriate messaging.
The story is ongoing and subject to updates as more information becomes available.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A late-season winter storm is causing heavy snow and strong winds in parts of the western and northern United States. Several states, including Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Alaska, are experiencing difficult travel conditions due to snow and low visibility.
Key Facts
Winter storm warnings and advisories are in effect from the Rocky Mountains to the northern Plains and Alaska.
Wyoming’s mountain regions, including Yellowstone and Teton Pass, may see up to 6 inches of snow with strong winds making travel difficult.
Colorado’s mountain areas expect 2 to 9 inches of snow and winds up to 45 mph, affecting morning and evening commutes.
Montana and northern Wyoming will have light snow and freezing roads, especially on higher elevation routes.
North Dakota and northwest Minnesota could see a mix of snow, sleet, and ice with accumulations of 1 to 4 inches.
Alaska’s Eastern Alaska Range may get 6 to 12 inches of snow, with some areas up to 18 inches, causing poor visibility on highways.
Warnings highlight dangerous driving conditions, including slick roads and near-whiteout situations.
The storm is expected to continue through Friday in most affected areas, with some impacts lasting into Saturday in Alaska.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of killing a 14-year-old girl whose body was found in his Tesla. His lawyers said he is innocent, and prosecutors will decide whether to file charges after reviewing evidence.
Key Facts
D4vd, a 21-year-old singer from Houston, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Celeste’s decomposed body was found in a Tesla registered to Burke in the Hollywood Hills in September 2024.
The body was severely decomposed and dismembered inside two bags in the car.
Celeste went missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California, when she was 13, and was 14 when she died.
D4vd’s lawyers said no indictment or criminal complaint has been filed yet and that they will defend his innocence.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will review the case to decide if charges should be filed.
The investigation was kept secret until Burke’s arrest, although his family had objected in court to subpoenas for testimony.
D4vd became popular for his music blending indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop, with viral success in 2022.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for an investigation into Prime Minister Keir Starmer for possibly misleading parliament about Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington. Security officials reportedly recommended denying Mandelson security clearance, but this was overruled, raising questions about what Starmer knew and when.
Key Facts
Ed Davey wants a Commons committee to investigate if Starmer misled parliament about Mandelson’s vetting.
Security officials advised against granting Mandelson security clearance, but the decision was overruled.
Starmer fired Olly Robbins, a senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, amid the controversy.
The prime minister’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, called this a “failing of the state.”
Downing Street said Starmer only learned of the vetting failure recently and launched an investigation.
Opposition politicians accused Starmer of lying and called for his resignation.
A parliamentary committee is looking into whether officials misled MPs about Mandelson’s vetting.
Starmer is scheduled to explain the situation to parliament soon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK government plans to change school lunch rules to reduce childhood obesity by cutting fatty, salty, and sugary foods. Schools will have fewer "grab and go" options like sausage rolls and pizza, and deep-fried foods will be banned, though dessert is still available. Some school staff worry these rules could hurt school catering businesses and limit students’ choices.
Key Facts
The UK government wants to improve school lunch standards to lower childhood obesity rates.
"Grab and go" foods such as sausage rolls and pizza can no longer be served daily.
Deep-fried foods will be banned completely in school meals.
Desserts that are high in sugar are also targeted but still offered occasionally.
Schools are encouraged to serve more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Some school leaders and kitchen staff worry that removing popular foods will reduce income and student satisfaction.
The school featured uses a catering company due to rising costs, making profit important.
Pupils currently enjoy choices like pizza and flapjack, which they find tasty even if not very healthy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A UK government official criticized the Foreign Office for ignoring security advice when approving Peter Mandelson for a sensitive role and called the decision "utterly unacceptable." The official suspended the power of some departments to overrule security vetting and launched an urgent review of past decisions. Opposition leaders in the UK are demanding accountability from Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the vetting scandal.
Key Facts
Peter Mandelson failed a security vetting process but was still appointed to a senior diplomatic role.
The UK Foreign Office overruled security advice to approve Mandelson’s appointment.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the UK Prime Minister, said this overruling was unacceptable.
Jones suspended the rights of the Foreign Office and some others to ignore security vetting recommendations.
An urgent review and audit into vetting processes and previous decisions have been ordered.
Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Starmer of misleading Parliament about the vetting process.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the Prime Minister should resign over the issue or face action in Parliament.
The scandal came to light thanks to reporting by The Guardian newspaper.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump criticized Fox News host Jessica Tarlov on social media, calling her unattractive and bad for the country. He demanded that she be removed from television, disputing her claims about his approval ratings and policies.
Key Facts
President Trump said Jessica Tarlov has a "grating and terrible" voice and called her one of the least attractive and talented TV personalities.
He posted his comments on Truth Social, his social media platform.
Tarlov is a former Democratic Party strategist and co-host of Fox News' show The Five.
Tarlov remarked that Trump’s approval rating was around 35 percent in most polls.
She also said many Americans opposed tariffs, the Iran war, and other issues linked to Trump’s policies.
Trump accused Tarlov of making up poll numbers and said he has some of the best poll numbers ever.
He claimed CNN noted his high poll ratings and demanded that Tarlov be taken off the air.
The article was produced with the assistance of an AI tool to gather and organize information.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a short extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) spy powers until the end of April. This brief extension gives lawmakers more time to resolve disagreements among Republicans about renewing the surveillance program that allows warrantless spying on foreigners and some Americans.
Key Facts
The House passed a short-term extension of the FISA program until April 30 at 2:09 a.m. by unanimous consent.
The surveillance law (Section 702 of FISA) allows the government to monitor communications of foreigners abroad without a warrant, even if they communicate with Americans.
Some Republicans want changes to the program, such as requiring warrants, while GOP leaders want an 18-month clean extension without changes.
Speaker Mike Johnson and House GOP leaders are working to find agreement among Republicans amid disagreements.
President Donald Trump urged Republicans to support the clean extension, stressing its importance for national security and military success.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe also supported the clean extension during a House GOP meeting.
Votes on the longer extension have been postponed and may take place later this week.
The Senate will need to approve any extension after the House passes it.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a short-term extension of a surveillance program until April 30 after disagreements among Republicans prevented a longer renewal. The program, part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect certain overseas communications, which sometimes include American citizens' interactions without a warrant.
Key Facts
The House approved only a short extension of the surveillance program until April 30, rather than a longer renewal.
President Trump wanted an 18-month clean renewal, but some Republicans opposed this.
The surveillance program is based on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
The program lets agencies like the CIA and FBI collect overseas communications without a warrant, which can include communications of Americans who interact with foreigners.
Supporters say the program helps stop terrorism, cyber attacks, and spying by foreign countries.
Critics worry it may violate Americans’ privacy rights and constitutional protections.
The disagreement caused a late-night vote and a split among House Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other leaders tried to balance national security needs and civil liberties concerns.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department posted on social media that Nancy Radakovich, who was reported missing, has been found. This caused confusion because some people thought the post was about Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since February after being abducted from the same neighborhood.
Key Facts
Nancy Radakovich, 82 years old, was reported missing from Catalina Foothills near Tucson and has now been located.
Nancy Guthrie, 84 years old and mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted on February 1.
There has been no sign of Nancy Guthrie since her disappearance.
The sheriff’s department’s social media post did not clearly specify which Nancy they meant, leading to confusion.
Nancy Guthrie’s case has gained nationwide attention and led to a large search effort.
Social media users expressed shock and concern upon reading the sheriff’s post before understanding which Nancy it referred to.
The story is still developing, and updates are expected.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The House of Representatives approved a short-term renewal of a surveillance program used by U.S. intelligence agencies until April 30, 2026. The vote followed a failure to pass a longer, five-year extension due to disagreements among Republican lawmakers and protests from Democrats about the process and privacy concerns.
Key Facts
The House voted early Friday to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act until April 30, 2026.
Section 702 allows agencies like the CIA, NSA, and FBI to collect foreign communications without a warrant, sometimes capturing American communications by accident.
President Trump wanted an 18-month clean renewal, but Republicans introduced a different bill to extend the program for five years with changes.
The attempt to pass a longer extension failed because some Republicans did not support it.
Democrats criticized the rushed vote process and questioned the bill’s contents on the House floor.
Intelligence officials say the program is vital for preventing terrorism, cyber attacks, and spying by foreign enemies.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed the need to balance national security with protecting constitutional rights.
President Trump urged Republicans to unite and vote for a clean renewal of the surveillance program.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Democrat Analilia Mejía won a special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, keeping the seat for the Democrats. She campaigned on progressive ideas and opposition to President Donald Trump, and will serve until January.
Key Facts
Analilia Mejía won a New Jersey special election for the U.S. House on April 16, 2026.
She defeated Republican Joe Hathaway in the election.
Mejía supports progressive policies like better healthcare, education, and higher wages.
She criticized President Trump’s actions, including pardons related to January 6 crimes and freezing of congressional funds.
Mejía has backing from Senator Bernie Sanders and led the Working Families Alliance.
The 11th District seat was previously held by Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill.
Republicans called Mejía “too far to the left,” but she pushed back against that label.
Mejía plans to serve until January and may face Hathaway again in the November general election.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
