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Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows Eight States Under Flood Warnings Amid Thunderstorms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood warnings and advisories across eight southern U.S. states on Thursday as severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain and raised the risk of rapid flooding. Official alerts listed Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina as areas currently under a range of flood-related warnings. Why It Matters This wave of flood warnings followed earlier destructive thunderstorms that impacted the South, resulting in widespread property damage, power outages, and at least one death. Those storms are predicted to continue into Friday, with heavy rain and thunderstorms likely from Texas into the southeast. What To Know The NWS has issued flood advisories and warnings for rivers across multiple states as days of heavy rainfall mean they are more likely to break their banks and flood. Vehicles sit in floodwater during Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Vehicles sit in floodwater during Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Motorists are advised not to attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas, while pedestrians are warned not to walk alongside rivers in flood warning zones. Lowland areas and farms may also be affected, according to the NWS alert. Officials warned that persistent rainfall and the threat of more thunderstorms could lead to additional flooding in urban centers and rural zones alike. In addition to floods, the thunderstorms are bringing other hazards to the region as well, including "large to very large hail," damaging wind gusts, and tornados, according to a forecast from the NWS. Flooding could remain a concern for several states currently dealing with the excessive rainfall. According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center's six- to 10-day precipitation outlook, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have a slight chance of above-normal precipitation. Meanwhile, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana are expecting normal precipitation for this time of year during the same period, whereas South Carolina has a chance of below-normal precipitation. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Matt Bishop, who works at the Fort Worth office, told Newsweek: "May is definitely one of our more active times of year. In fact, March, April, and May are typically fairly active as far as thunderstorms go, not just here but all throughout the Plains and southern part of the U.S. We've gotten enough rain here recently to where it has caused some river flooding." Bishop added:"Flooding is another one of those hazards that comes along with the active thunderstorm season we have." Most NWS flood warnings said: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles." What Happens Next The storms are expected to continue through until the weekend. Rivers can take time to recede, so most flood warnings are in place "until further notice."
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
More Than 50,000 Without Power in Texas Amid Severe Memorial Day Storms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nearly 60,000 people are without power in northeastern Texas on Memorial Day as severe storms bring damaging wind gusts, heavy downpours and hail to the region. Newsweek reached out to Oncor, Texas' largest energy provider, by email for comment. Why It Matters Severe thunderstorms are hitting the Southern Plains on Monday, with National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warning of damaging winds and floods across at least six states. The severe weather is expected to impact Memorial Day celebrations, and it also has disrupted power service to thousands. A vehicle drives through heavy rain on a highway during Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. A vehicle drives through heavy rain on a highway during Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty What To Know As of Monday at 11:15 a.m. ET, more than 56,000 people were without power in Texas, including more than 34,000 Oncor customers, according to a map. Most outages were concentrated in eastern Texas, including Houston, Jasper, San Augustine, Rusk and Henderson counties. NWS meteorologists have issued flood watches and flash flood warnings across the area. Earlier Monday morning, severe thunderstorm warnings also were in place. "Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are forecast to impact portions of the Southern Plains, Mid-South, and Tennessee Valley through Memorial Day," an NWS forecast on Monday morning said. "Severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, severe wind gusts, and a few tornadoes. Excessive rainfall is also likely and may result in scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding." Two rounds of thunderstorms were expected to hit the Houston forecast area on Monday, NWS Houston posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday morning. The first round hit in the Piney Woods region. The second round of storms is expected later Monday night. This morning, Oncor posted on X, saying its crews worked through the night to restore power after severe storms hit the region earlier this weekend. What People Are Saying Oncor in a Memorial Day weather alert on its website: "Oncor is continuing to monitor and respond to the severe storm system moving through our service area. As soon as weather conditions allowed, Oncor teams began working to assess damages, repair equipment and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Flooding may cause delays and access challenges for field resources. We appreciate our customers' patience as these efforts continue around the clock." AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill in a report: "Repetitive rounds of rain will continue across the southern Plains and Ozarks through Memorial Day, resulting in additional or worsening flooding. Although northwestern Arkansas and northern Texas has not experienced the heaviest rain thus far, we expect pockets of heavy rain to expand across these areas through Monday." What Happens Next A second round of storms will hit Texas on Monday night. Most flood watches will expire by Tuesday morning as the heavy downpours move out of the region.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's menu adds hot new additions featuring a beloved snack
Some may remember when school cafeterias actually had good food. Pizza was served almost daily, and nothing was more delicious than the mouthwatering Bosco Sticks with cold marinara sauce or the chicken rings with smiley fries. Gone are the days when double servings were permitted and education departments were cool enough to allow kids to purchase chips, ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies during lunch. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Every school had two types of spicy chip lovers: those who preferred Hot Cheetos and those who favored Takis Fuego. There were also the kids who would rather indulge in cold treats. The hardest decision of the day was choosing between an Orange Dreamsicle and a Crybaby Extra Sour Italian Ice. Related: Another fast-food burger chain is quietly closing locations It's almost tragic that kids will most likely never experience the nostalgic cafeteria food some of us grew up with. However, fast-food chains are here to help make those dreams come true. Image source: Brandon Bell/Getty Many fast-food chains have launched new menu items and formed strategic collaborations that resonate with the Gen Z market or evoke a nostalgic feeling among consumers. Developing innovative products allows these chains to stay relevant and better adapt to the evolving consumer, which prevents them from being left behind by the competition. Related: McDonald's menu adds experimental new items fans will love Recently, McDonald's (MCD) announced it will begin testing an entirely new beverage menu inspired by its spin-off CosMc's chain later this year in select markets. Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell revealed 30 new menu items launching in 2025 and unveiled multiple partnerships, with more products in the works. Whataburger tapped into its customers' nostalgia by reintroducing its fan-favorite Mushroom and Swiss Burger after a three-year hiatus, and the Banana Pudding Milkshake returned from a two-year absence. To answer Gen Z's demands and evoke nostalgia, Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner said during the company's latest earnings call that a collaboration with Takis, the generation's favorite snack, was underway. He also teased that this exciting collaboration would include a spicy chicken sandwich and Fuego fries. Tanner didn't disclose when the new menu items would be dropping nationwide, but he revealed they would debut "as the temperatures rise." Wendy's (WEN) and Grupo Bimpo's (BMBOY) Takis Fuego have joined forces to launch the new Wendy's x Takis Fuego Meal, as reported by @markie_devo on Instagram. The new Fuego Chicken Sandwich features a spicy chicken filet with chili lime and cheddar cheese sauce, topped with crushed Takis Fuego chips and creamy corn spread, all sandwiched between a sliced toasted bun. More Retail News: Popular convenience store makes major expansion in new statesStarbucks faces new threat from China rival set to enter US marketMcDonald's menu adds a brand new McFlurry No fast-food meal is complete without fries, so to pair with the new chicken sandwich, the duo is also releasing the new Fuego Fries, which are regular Wendy's fries with chili lime seasoning that comes in a tear-away bag. The new Wendy's x Takis Fuego collaboration Meal is speculated to debut at participating Wendy's locations nationwide in late June. However, neither party has yet to reveal an official release date. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas Lottery Gets Major Overhaul
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Texas Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to overhaul the state's lottery system, passing legislation that dismantles the Texas Lottery Commission and shifts oversight to a different state agency, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. Why It Matters The legislation comes amid mounting scrutiny over the Texas Lottery's management, particularly after incidents raised questions about oversight and public trust. The overhaul follows revelations that third-party brokers sold tickets via smartphone apps, and a recent $83.5 million jackpot win from a non-traditional retailer sparked additional concerns. Lawmakers said these practices could undermine confidence in a system that generated $8 billion in annual ticket sales and supports key public funds. For an American audience, the reforms reflect broader national debates about public oversight, the integrity of state-run gambling, and the use of gaming revenue to support education and veterans' programs. A lottery ticket on July 28, 2022, in Houston and (inset) the Texas state flag. A lottery ticket on July 28, 2022, in Houston and (inset) the Texas state flag. Brandon Bell/Mike Mulholland/GETTY What To Know Senate Bill 3070, authored by state Senator Bob Hall, replaced his original proposal to abolish the lottery with a plan to dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission instead. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation would assume oversight, implementing new rules on retailers and players while expanding regulatory review. The bill, advanced near the end of the legislative session, prevents the immediate abolition of the lottery and subjects its operations to close review for the next two years. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who previously criticized the lottery's management, said that operators "have a two-year lease on life" following the 31-0 vote. The measure, refashioned from earlier proposals to abolish the lottery outright, now moves to the Texas House as the Legislature's session approaches its June 2 close. The legislation bans third-party courier companies from selling tickets, responding to criticism that such sales violated the state's 1991 prohibition on telephone-based lottery sales. In 2024, third-party brokers reportedly accounted for about $229.4 million of the $8 billion in total lottery sales—about 2.7 percent of the market. The new bill also restricts players to buying no more than 100 tickets per transaction, a move prompted by an incident in which a single entity purchased nearly every ticket combination for a large jackpot. The Legislative Budget Board estimated that the bill could cost Texas roughly $26 million annually, stemming largely from lost sales as a result of the ban on third-party couriers and tighter restrictions on ticket purchases. Analysts said some sales may shift to in-person transactions but are unlikely to recoup the revenue gap. The new law requires a fresh procurement process for operating the lottery. International Game Technology, historically the Texas lottery's primary vendor, earns about $160 million in annual revenues from the contract. Transition to a new arrangement is expected to involve major logistical challenges for the state and retail partners. Reform discussions intensified after a highly publicized jackpot win by an app user, which officials said underscored risks of diminished oversight. Patrick cited the event as evidence that ticket distribution needed greater transparency and control to avoid undermining public faith in the lottery system. In April, Ryan Mindell resigned as executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission following a series of scandals around the use of couriers. These third-party companies purchased lottery tickets on behalf of customers, which critics said facilitated the involvement of professional gamblers. What People Are Saying Lieutenant Governor Patrick, referring to Texans on Wednesday: "They like their Lotto and they like their scratch-off games. So, we're going to fix it." Dawn Nettles, who has been monitoring the Texas lottery for 20 years, told the Austin American-Statesman: "It won't change anything unless they write laws forcing the lottery to follow, like limiting the number of draws each week, no anonymous claims, limiting the cost of tickets and a host of other things." What Happens Next The Senate-approved bill advances to the Texas House for further deliberation, with the session scheduled to end on June 2. If enacted, the law will initiate a two-year oversight period and a comprehensive review process, potentially leading to additional reforms or the lottery's discontinuation beyond September 2027.
Business Mayor
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is projected to be lowest in recent years. Why that may change
Customers shop for produce at an H-E-B grocery store on Feb. 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is on pace to be the lowest annual benefit increase in five years, according to new estimates. But that may change depending on the pace of inflation in the coming months. The COLA may be 2.4% in 2026, according to new projections from both Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, and The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group. If that increase goes into effect next year, it would be lower than the 2.5% boost to benefits Social Security beneficiaries saw in 2025. It would also be the lowest cost-of-living adjustment since 2021, when a 1.3% increase went into effect. More from Personal Finance: Here's the inflation breakdown for April 2025 — in one chart Ways to save on groceries amid food price inflation How to land a new job in a 'low firing, low hiring' market The Social Security COLA provides an annual inflation adjustment to all of the program's beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled individuals and family members. The annual adjustment for the next year is calculated by comparing third-quarter inflation data for the current year to the previous year. The year-over-year difference determines the annual increase. However, if there is no rise in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W, from year to year, the COLA may be zero. The CPI-W, used to calculate Social Security's COLA, increased by 2.1% over the past 12 months, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the months ahead, two factors may affect retirees' cost of living, experts say. Tariffs may push inflation higher Inflation, as measured by the broader consumer price index, sank to its lowest 12-month rate at 2.3% in April since 2021. Yet tariffs may push the inflation rate higher in the months ahead, if those taxes imposed on imported goods go into effect. Tariffs would prompt higher consumer prices and inflation. If that happens in the months ahead, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment estimate for 2026 may move higher. 'This year will be a closer year to watch because of the tariffs,' Johnson said of the 2026 COLA estimate, which is recalculated every month with new inflation data. The official COLA for the following year is typically announced by the Social Security Administration in October. Prescription drug costs President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order taking aim at high prescription drug costs in the U.S. The White House hopes to bring those prices in line with other countries. The policy would apply to Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to the commercial market, according to the White House. Changing drug prices would be unlikely to impact the COLA estimate, according to Johnson. But retirees would see an impact to their personal budgets if drug prices came down, she said. Many details of the executive order still need to be fleshed out, noted Leigh Purvis, prescription drug policy principal at the AARP Public Policy Institute. Yet the nonprofit organization, which represents Americans ages 50 and up, praised the Trump administration's efforts to curb big drug companies' ability to charge retirees high prices for necessary prescriptions. 'A lot of people are aware that prescription drug prices are too high, and I think a lot of people are aware that we're paying a lot more than other countries,' Purvis said. 'So any efforts moving us in the direction of paying less and paying something that's more comparable to the rest of the world, I think is something that people could probably get behind,' she said. READ SOURCE
