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AXIOS (Josephine Walker) - Trump's taxpayer-funded ad blitz lands in court

The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration on Wednesday over its campaign-style ads . Why it matters: The DNC alleges the ads, which have drawn considerable backlash as they were originally paid for with taxpayer money, violate a propaganda law. What they're saying: "These ads are a clear violation of the Congressional ban on the use of appropriated funds for "publicity or propaganda purposes," the DNC's legal counsel wrote in the lawsuit . Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

What specific type of funds was the Democratic National Committee alleging were used to pay for the Trump administration's campaign-style ads?
The DNC alleges that the ads were originally paid for with taxpayer money, which they claim violates the Congressional ban on using appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda.
Q&A ID b2ce77d6-f143-4ad0-9e0f-fe50298e6e2c
Why is the Democratic National Committee claiming that the Trump administration's ads are illegal?
The DNC alleges that the ads violate a specific Congressional law that prohibits the use of appropriated taxpayer funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. The DNC argues that the campaign-style ads were paid for with taxpayer money, which they claim is a violation of this law.
Q&A ID 02bf1a2b-8d93-4fb7-9bb3-3193ebfd5656
What legal action did the Democratic National Committee take against the Trump administration on Wednesday?
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the use of campaign-style ads. The DNC's legal counsel alleges that these ads violate a Congressional ban on using appropriated funds for "publicity or propaganda purposes."
Q&A ID becc1624-a68a-482c-9d95-218b96085004
Keywordstrumpdnclawsuittaxpayer-fundedpropagandagovernment-spendingcampaign-financepoliticscongressadministrationdemocratslegaljudicialusawhite-houseadvertisingeditorializedideological-framingmediagovernmentelection-2026

AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - NASCAR driver faces $850,000 jury bill as North Carolina wife speaks out

A North Carolina jury ordered NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb to pay Tracey Hughes $850,000, and Hughes says the homewrecker verdict finally gave her power back. Tracey Hughes took her broken marriage to a North Carolina jury and won a hard-dollar judgment. Last Thursday, jurors ordered veteran NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb to pay $850,000 […] The post NASCAR driver faces $850,000 jury bill as North Carolina wife speaks out appeared first on American Almanac .

A North Carolina jury ordered NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb to pay Tracey Hughes $850,000, and Hughes says the homewrecker verdict finally gave her power back. Tracey Hughes took her broken marriage to a North Carolina jury and won a hard-dollar judgment. Last Thursday, jurors ordered veteran NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb to pay $850,000 on claims that Cobb pursued a romance with Hughes’s then-husband and cut into a 17-year marriage. The next day, Hughes spoke publicly about the case. She did not frame the award as a lottery ticket. She framed it as leverage she lacked when her home life collapsed. North Carolina remains one of the few states that still lets a wronged spouse sue a third party for wrecking a marriage. The claims are…Open

What was Jennifer Jo Cobb's defense strategy during the litigation?
Jennifer Jo Cobb denied the allegations made by Tracey Hughes. In addition to denying the claims, she attempted to have the case dismissed on constitutional grounds before the trial began, but those efforts failed to stop the jury from reaching a verdict.
Q&A ID d6d9a95b-b2c1-4ae8-af8a-9fa7425d7378
What was the timeline of the legal action filed by Tracey Hughes against Jennifer Jo Cobb?
Tracey Hughes filed her complaint in 2024, several years after her divorce from Clayton Odie Hughes in January 2021. The jury reached its verdict on the claims last Thursday, though the final judgment has not yet been entered as post-trial motions remain ongoing.
Q&A ID 1ad11aca-f654-42d0-b38c-b4cfb1c56eec
What were the professional backgrounds of Jennifer Jo Cobb and Clayton Odie Hughes in the NASCAR industry?
Jennifer Jo Cobb is a veteran NASCAR driver whose career began in 2004; she competed in 256 races and is credited with the most starts by a female driver in the Camping World Truck Series. Clayton Odie Hughes has worked as a NASCAR spotter since 2003, a role involving sitting high above the track to radio traffic, wrecks, and racing lines to the driver.
Q&A ID ca6cd466-5c99-4c47-845c-7576cad22fec
How does North Carolina's legal system handle "criminal conversation" and "alienation of affection" compared to other states?
North Carolina is one of the few states that still allows a wronged spouse to sue a third party for wrecking a marriage. While many other states have repealed these statutes, North Carolina treats them as civil torts. "Criminal conversation" allows a spouse to sue a third party for having sexual relations while a marriage is legally intact, while "alienation of affection" covers the broader charge of intentionally poisoning the marital bond.
Q&A ID a52550ee-3d51-46ee-bd73-ab243054670f
Keywordsnascarnorth-carolinacourt-caselawsuitjury-verdicthomewreckermarriage-tortcivil-litigationjennifer-jo-cobbtracey-hugheslegal-newsculture-warlegal-systemlawyerjudgmentsettlementaccountabilitydefamationcourtjustice-systemlegal-actionsportsnews

AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - NYC moms turn empty-nest silence into a $240 sisterhood club

A former Vogue exec launched a $240-a-year club for New York City empty-nester moms seeking sisterhood after their kids leave for college. Donna Korren watched her youngest daughter head off to campus and refused to treat the quiet house as an ending. The 61-year-old Manhattan resident, a former Vogue executive now in luxury brand strategy, […] The post NYC moms turn empty-nest silence into a $240 sisterhood club appeared first on American Almanac .

A former Vogue exec launched a $240-a-year club for New York City empty-nester moms seeking sisterhood after their kids leave for college. Donna Korren watched her youngest daughter head off to campus and refused to treat the quiet house as an ending. The 61-year-old Manhattan resident, a former Vogue executive now in luxury brand strategy, founded Empty Quester, a paid social network for midlife mothers rebuilding life after the kids leave. The Post detailed how the club mixes online chats, expert Zooms, and in-person nights for women across New York City and nearby towns who want connection without waiting for someone else to organize it. Korren rejects the old label on purpose. She built a business around the gap many mothers feel when…Open

What data does the article provide regarding the number of adults living with their parents in the United States?
The article cites a 2025 survey which found that nearly 33% of American adults under the age of 35 still live with their parents. This implies that roughly two-thirds of grown children have already left the family home, highlighting the scale of the demographic shift that Empty Quester aims to serve.
Q&A ID f0d5ce27-b6f6-46c3-9514-f9ac540c94b9
What specific benefits did Gwen Mitrano find in joining Empty Quester after moving back to Manhattan?
Gwen Mitrano, a 53-year-old member, joined the club after moving back to Manhattan in 2022 and finding her social circle thin. She found the club provided a "comfortable shorthand" that comes with hanging out with people of her own age and a similar life intersection. She noted that while she tried other activities like oil painting and meditation, the club delivered a unique level of sisterhood and connection that those classes did not provide.
Q&A ID 9fd6b508-277e-447c-9009-16679bc98fbb
How does the club address the identity shift experienced by parents whose children have left home, according to NYC psychotherapist Jordan Conrad?
Psychotherapist Jordan Conrad notes that becoming an empty nester is a significant identity shift because a parent's social life may have been a byproduct of their child's life. To combat this "social whiplash," Conrad recommends that parents pick something they care about—ideally something they do not already know well—and do it with others who share that interest. This aligns with the club's model of providing a scheduled place for women to interact and share notes on midlife and college parenting.
Q&A ID 413aa54d-b7dc-4a59-bdff-606850068af9
Why does Donna Korren specifically reject the common term "empty nester"?
Korren rejects the term "empty nester" because she believes it "rings of lack" and describes the end of a parenting period with "nothing more than vacancy." She created Empty Quester to provide a proactive alternative to this narrative, focusing on rebuilding life and finding connection rather than focusing on what is missing from the home.
Q&A ID 2dc8245d-57ed-42ce-ab3a-115cb5eeba0f
Keywordsnew-york-citynycmanhattanupper-east-sideluxury-lifestyleentrepreneurshipcapitalismsisterhoodempty-nesterparentingwomen-empowermentsocial-networktiktokfashionbeautyvogueamerican-almanaclifestyle-clubcommunity-buildingmidlife-crisisnetworkingmembership-economy

AMERICANALMANAC (Sadie Smith) - Bachelor producers court viral doctor as show chases old-school romance

Producers of “The Bachelor” have contacted internet-famous Dr. Mike Varshavski for season 30 as the franchise tries to reverse sliding ratings with a push toward genuine romance. A source told Page Six that producers have reached out to the 36-year-old family medicine doctor while casting the next leading man. Season 30 is set to premiere […] The post Bachelor producers court viral doctor as show chases old-school romance appeared first on American Almanac .

Producers of “The Bachelor” have contacted internet-famous Dr. Mike Varshavski for season 30 as the franchise tries to reverse sliding ratings with a push toward genuine romance. A source told Page Six that producers have reached out to the 36-year-old family medicine doctor while casting the next leading man. Season 30 is set to premiere sometime in 2027. The outreach comes as the long-running ABC franchise looks past recent misfires and tries to put love, not clout, back at the center of the pitch. Dr. Mike, as he is widely known, built a massive following by posting health advice online. He has 15.1 million YouTube subscribers and 6 million Instagram followers. People named him “The Sexiest Doctor Alive” in 2015, the same year…Open

What are the social media statistics and public recognition of Dr. Mike Varshavski mentioned in the report?
Dr. Mike Varshavski is an internet-famous family medicine doctor who has built a massive following by posting health advice online. He has 15.1 million YouTube subscribers and 6 million Instagram followers. He gained significant public recognition in 2015 when he was named “The Sexiest Doctor Alive” and was featured in a Buzzfeed piece titled, “Um, You Really Need To See This Hot Doctor And His Dog.”
Q&A ID 1155448a-0b2b-4356-aaed-7ca293fb42d5
What recent issues with "The Bachelor" and its spinoffs have led producers to seek a more traditional type of leading man?
The franchise has faced criticism for leaning too heavily on drama and "clout chasing." Recent issues include accusations of clout chasing against the last Bachelor, Grant Ellis, and the cancellation of a Bachelorette season featuring Taylor Frankie Paul just days before airing due to a domestic violence incident. These misfires, along with declining ratings, have prompted producers to hire a new casting team to shift the focus away from fame and back toward a serious search for love.
Q&A ID 54fabac4-90e1-4165-ba4e-3c5528ff8faf
What specific changes are producers making to the casting process for season 30 of “The Bachelor” to improve the show's brand image?
Producers are attempting a "clean break" from the usual pipeline by skipping the tradition of elevating someone who is already part of the "Bachelor Nation" franchise. Instead, they are looking for a "fresh start" with a leading man who is not a recycled cast member. The show is seeking a man in his 30s with a solid career and good morals to return the show to its roots, where the lead was meant to be a "catch" first and a content creator second.
Q&A ID 939bcd3e-45b1-4b61-b388-716808d1b1d3
Why have the producers of the ABC franchise “The Bachelor” reached out to 36-year-old family medicine doctor Dr. Mike Varshavski for season 30?
Producers have contacted Dr. Mike Varshavski as part of a strategic move to reverse sliding ratings by pivoting back toward "old-school romance" and "genuine romance." The goal is to find a leading man who is "genuinely successful," "charming," and "actually looking for love," rather than an influencer seeking clout. Dr. Varshavski, who has a massive online following including 15.1 million YouTube subscribers, fits the desired profile of a man with a real career, good morals, and a clean public brand.
Q&A ID 139ee9a0-76f5-4606-b195-80ce51c1fd4a
Keywordsthe-bachelorabchollywoodentertainmentcelebritydr-mike-varshavskireality-tvcastingratingssocial-mediainfluencerromancedomestic-violencethe-bachelorettetv-showspop-cultureamericastreamingmediaentertainment-newsnewsdating-show

AMERICANALMANAC (Charles McAdams) - Researchers pin Mars’ vast daily ice cloud on rare freeze physics

Scientists say they have finally explained a vast daily ice cloud on Mars that seemed impossible, by turning to exotic physics rarely thought to occur in nature. A frozen water-vapor trail more than a thousand miles long forms downwind of Mars’ Arsia Mons volcano every day in spring and autumn, then fades nearly as fast. […] The post Researchers pin Mars’ vast daily ice cloud on rare freeze physics appeared first on American Almanac .

Scientists say they have finally explained a vast daily ice cloud on Mars that seemed impossible, by turning to exotic physics rarely thought to occur in nature. A frozen water-vapor trail more than a thousand miles long forms downwind of Mars’ Arsia Mons volcano every day in spring and autumn, then fades nearly as fast. Lead researcher Dr Jorge Hernández-Bernal of Sorbonne University reports the cloud only appeared in simulations after his team added homogeneous nucleation, water vapor turning straight into ice particles with no dust or other grains to form around. That process matches what the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter has watched from space. A paper in Nature Geoscience lays out the modeling. Daily Mail reporting…Open

How did the researchers validate their findings regarding the AMEC cloud?
The researchers used modeling to simulate the cloud's formation. The cloud only appeared in their simulations after they included the physics of homogeneous nucleation. This updated model then matched the imagery captured by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter, which first spotted the cloud in 2018.
Q&A ID 4dc1ad9e-015c-4310-a448-909ef6ba6a98
What environmental conditions on Mars allow for the rare occurrence of homogeneous nucleation near Arsia Mons?
The process requires extreme conditions, specifically relative humidity levels approximately 100,000 times higher than what is typically seen in daily life on Earth. Mars’ thin atmosphere combined with the extreme height of the Arsia Mons volcano creates these extremes. Wind hitting the volcano creates a wave that yanks moist air several miles higher within minutes, causing temperatures to drop by 30°C (54°F) in just 10 minutes, which triggers the humidity spike.
Q&A ID f653f01c-2e75-4e67-88a5-d7f16fcb749d
What specific "exotic" physics did researchers identify as the cause of the daily ice cloud near Arsia Mons?
Lead researcher Dr. Jorge Hernández-Bernal and his team identified homogeneous nucleation as the key mechanism. This is a process where water vapor turns directly into ice particles without any middle step or condensation nuclei (like dust). This process is rarely thought to occur in nature and had never been observed in a planetary atmosphere until these findings.
Q&A ID fbe7de30-39d9-4ffc-a905-ee457f177267
Why did standard cloud physics models fail to explain the formation of the AMEC cloud on Mars?
Standard models relied on heterogeneous nucleation, where water vapor condenses onto existing particles like dust, salt, or pollution. Researchers found that this process could not recreate the AMEC because the cloud's high altitude ruled out the transport of water from the surface. Additionally, standard expectations suggested the cloud should disappear as air warmed past the starting point, but the AMEC did not behave that way.
Q&A ID 5a8e9483-0b3e-4364-b34b-b405be549c9c
Keywordsmarsscienceastronomyspace-explorationnasaeuropeanspaceagencymars-expressphysicsvolcanoarsia-monsnature-geosciencegeologyplanetary-scienceresearchdiscoveryweatheratmosphereice-cloudhomogeneous-nucleation

AMERICANALMANAC (Jonah Adams) - Alan Alda says acting out dreams was early Parkinson’s warning before any tremor

M*A*S*H star Alan Alda says thrashing through his dreams was the first Parkinson’s warning, years before any tremor and long before he told the public. The 90-year-old actor told interviewers that the odd sleep behavior showed up well ahead of the classic movement symptoms most people associate with the disease. He was diagnosed in 2015 […] The post Alan Alda says acting out dreams was early Parkinson’s warning before any tremor appeared first on American Almanac .

M*A*S*H star Alan Alda says thrashing through his dreams was the first Parkinson’s warning, years before any tremor and long before he told the public. The 90-year-old actor told interviewers that the odd sleep behavior showed up well ahead of the classic movement symptoms most people associate with the disease. He was diagnosed in 2015 at age 79 and went public in 2018. The Sun reported Alda’s account of the early red flag: he began physically acting out his dreams. Doctors link that pattern to REM sleep behavior disorder, when the normal paralysis of deep sleep fails and the body moves with the dream. Alda described one vivid night to CBS News. "I had a dream that somebody was attacking me, And I picked up a sack of potatoes and…Open

What is the medical significance of Alan Alda's experience with dream thrashing in relation to Parkinson's disease?
Alda's experience highlights that quieter neurological changes, such as sleep disruptions and acting out dreams, can arrive well ahead of the classic movement symptoms (like shaking hands or unsteady walking) that most people associate with the disease. His case suggests that families should take these early signs seriously and consult a doctor rather than dismissing them as "just a bad dream."
Q&A ID 85d1058f-d154-41b1-ba48-e89eace62eb1
What specific example of "acting out dreams" did Alan Alda share regarding his experience with REM sleep behavior disorder?
Alda described a vivid night where he had a dream that someone was attacking him. In the dream, he picked up a sack of potatoes and threw it at the attacker; however, in reality, he was actually throwing a pillow at his wife, Arlene.
Q&A ID 80127cfa-7516-4d84-9c4b-7394cfb9e910
How does Alan Alda describe his personal approach and coping mechanisms for living with Parkinson's disease?
Alda uses a combination of hard acceptance and humor to cope with the disease. He stated that he does not want to "wish it away" and believes in accepting reality as it is. He refuses to let the disease define his identity, even jokingly referring to it as "just a hobby." He views humor as a practical tool for cognitive reframing, choosing to find what is funny about his situation to maintain a sense of agency and shift the emotional weight of the condition.
Q&A ID 636aa678-4ca8-4ac6-b3b2-ae591adaccf8
When was Alan Alda officially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and when did he choose to go public with the information?
Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015 at the age of 79. He waited several years after his diagnosis before going public with the information in 2018.
Q&A ID a492e9ea-ee6b-477e-8122-688ff9eb1eaf
Keywordsalan-aldaparkinson-diseasehealthactorcelebrity-newscbsmashneurologyalzheimersdementiaagingwellnessmedical-newshollywoodentertainmentbiographycaliforniainformative

AMERICANALMANAC (Ken Jacobs) - Woman pulls away from boyfriend on big screen at Messi’s Argentina farewell

A female fan pulled away from her boyfriend on the big screen at Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell, and social media immediately compared it to the Coldplay kiss-cam. Cameras at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires locked onto the couple during the pre-match build-up for Messi’s final Argentina appearance, and the moment did not stay quiet for […] The post Woman pulls away from boyfriend on big screen at Messi’s Argentina farewell appeared first on American Almanac .

A female fan pulled away from her boyfriend on the big screen at Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell, and social media immediately compared it to the Coldplay kiss-cam. Cameras at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires locked onto the couple during the pre-match build-up for Messi’s final Argentina appearance, and the moment did not stay quiet for long. Footage shared online showed the woman noticing their faces on the stadium screens, then awkwardly lifting her boyfriend’s hand off her shoulder, fixing her hair, glancing his way, and exchanging words while tens of thousands watched the night unfold. Daily Mail reporting described the clip racing across social media, with viewers casting it as another public “kiss-cam” style…Open

How did the crowd and teammates react to Messi's retirement from the national team?
The atmosphere was emotional, with teammates and supporters struggling to keep their composure, including Enzo Fernandez. The night concluded with an emotional musical performance, tributes, and fireworks lighting the sky above the Monumental as Argentina waved goodbye to Messi.
Q&A ID ffe6b515-87d2-4ed8-999f-73a872b70865
Who joined Lionel Messi on the field for the national anthem during his final Argentina appearance?
Messi’s sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, joined him on the field for the national anthem during the final match.
Q&A ID 181a0495-33b3-436a-9a85-479fe093399e
What did Lionel Messi say during his speech at his farewell match?
After the match, Messi took the microphone and spoke about his late father, Jorge, who passed away in August. He thanked the country for watching him for two decades, stating it was a "huge pride" to defend the shirt and that playing for Argentina was "the most beautiful thing." He expressed sadness about leaving the national team, stating, "This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. I don't want to leave this place. I don't want to leave the field."
Q&A ID b668cf27-eae7-4f8a-aaa1-c542e7e84492
What was Lionel Messi's individual performance during his final game for Argentina against Benin?
Lionel Messi delivered a goal and two assists in Argentina's 3-0 win over Benin. His final goal of the night was scored from the penalty spot.
Q&A ID 721b3229-aeb8-40a1-990f-953be98d6f94
Keywordslionel-messiargentinasportsfootballsoccerworld-cupentertainmentinter-miamistadiumviralcaught-on-camerasocial-mediamemesbeninenzo-fernandezculture-warhot-takecelebrity-newsinternational-sportscopa-americamilestoneathleteiconmessi

AMERICANALMANAC (Ken Jacobs) - Michael Douglas memoir spills drug runs, co-star affairs and the night he blew up at Julia Roberts

Michael Douglas admits suitcase marijuana runs, co-star flings and sexiling Danny DeVito in a blunt new memoir about Hollywood excess and hard family lessons. At 82, the Oscar winner is putting decades of private mess on the record. In Page Six reporting on his book “One Helluva Ride,” Douglas walks through drug smuggling, set-side hookups, […] The post Michael Douglas memoir spills drug runs, co-star affairs and the night he blew up at Julia Roberts appeared first on American Almanac .

Michael Douglas admits suitcase marijuana runs, co-star flings and sexiling Danny DeVito in a blunt new memoir about Hollywood excess and hard family lessons. At 82, the Oscar winner is putting decades of private mess on the record. In Page Six reporting on his book “One Helluva Ride,” Douglas walks through drug smuggling, set-side hookups, a drunken clash with Julia Roberts, stage IV cancer, and the short 2013 break from wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. The through-line is not glamour. It is cost. A son in prison. A throat-cancer diagnosis. A marriage that nearly ended. And a long stretch of Hollywood living that treated monogamy and sobriety as optional. Roommates, a sock on the door and early chaos Long before the awards and the tabloids,…Open

What health challenges and personal milestones does Michael Douglas detail in "One Helluva Ride" regarding his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones?
Douglas details his 2010 diagnosis of stage IV throat cancer, which involved radiation and chemotherapy, and describes it as a "rebirth" that changed his priorities toward family. Regarding his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones, he admits they had a short separation in 2013, but he expresses deep love for her, noting that she drew a hard line on monogamy early on and that they eventually reconciled.
Q&A ID 342790a5-5f68-48af-af44-c0b5f5f88035
What specific incidents regarding co-stars Kathleen Turner and Debra Winger does Michael Douglas disclose in his memoir?
Douglas reveals that he and Kathleen Turner became lovers while filming "Romancing the Stone" in 1984, sneaking into her hotel room while others slept. Regarding Debra Winger, he recounts a dinner with her, Jack Nicholson, and Danny DeVito where she refused to commit to a role and bit his arm hard enough to leave teeth marks, which led him to decline the opportunity.
Q&A ID cd9c7635-6ee5-4d32-98dd-ea21c3ced6b5
How did Michael Douglas describe his relationship with his father, Kirk Douglas, and how did that dynamic change over time?
Douglas describes his father as coming from "the hitting generation" and notes that as a boy, he learned to stay quiet when rage occurred. However, he states that their bond was transformed in the last third of Kirk's life, and they finally became father and son "stronger than I ever could have dreamed" before Kirk passed away in 2020 at the age of 103.
Q&A ID e0b82588-ee00-4889-9f33-f36795bf0628
According to Michael Douglas's memoir, what was his relationship with Jeanne Tripplehorn during the production of "Basic Instinct"?
Douglas admits that he fell "very hard" for Jeanne Tripplehorn, despite a nearly twenty-year age difference. He states that he was prepared to officially leave his wife, Diandra Luker, for her, and the relationship lasted through the duration of the film's production before they eventually went their separate ways.
Q&A ID 5c464bc0-e255-4aaa-8f59-4b825b87453d
Keywordsmichael-douglashollywoodcelebritymemoircatherine-zeta-jonesjulia-robertskathleen-turnerdanny-devitodrug-smugglingaddictioncancerculture-warentertainmentcalifornianew-yorklifestylebiographyscandalfamily-valuessobrietyromancing-the-stonebasic-instinctnepo-babymedia-criticism