Record-high temperatures possible in 17 states as heat wave expands

Temperatures could reach record highs in 17 different states on Wednesday, asa heat wavethat has been scorching the West since last week expands into the middle of the country.

The unusually warm weather has the potential to break more than 60 records across the western half of the U.S. over the course of the day, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming may all be affected, with forecasts showing temperatures rising up to, or above, 90 degrees in at least eight major cities throughout the region.

Phoenix was expected to see the most extreme conditions, after weathering triple-digit temperatures on multiple days already since the heat wave began, according to NOAA'sNational Digital Forecast Database. The Arizona capital could have a 100-degree day on Wednesday, which would exceed its daily record by four degrees. The city's current record-high temperature for this date was set in 2022.

Other cities that may break their daily records include Albuquerque, Austin, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Tucson and Tulsa, each of which is forecast to see temperatures reach at least 90.

Tucson could experience its hottest March 25th since 1896 if temperatures exceed 94 degrees on Wednesday, as forecasts suggest they might. Meanwhile, Tulsa could see its hottest daily temperature since 1970.

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Denver and Salt Lake City could potentially break daily records set in 2012 and 2022, respectively.

More than 200 additional daily temperature records could be broken through Sunday, said Nolan. The heat wave is forecast to slowly move eastward this week and eventually reach the East Coast on Friday.

Central states are expected to see temperatures of 30 or 40 degrees above average for the time being, and Nolan warned that warmth settling into the Northern Plains will increase fire risks in that region through Thursday.

Numerousfire weather alertswere in effect Wednesday for a large strip of the central U.S., from Montana to Texas, and forecasters warned that there is a "critical threat" of fire weather through Thursday for sections of the Rocky Mountains down to the Southern Plains. In addition to the heat, wind gusts in those areas could reach up to 40 or 50 mph this week, while relative humidity is expected to drop to as low as 4% in certain places, said Nolan. Those types of dry, blustery conditions can be conducive to wildfires.

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Record-high temperatures possible in 17 states as heat wave expands

Temperatures could reach record highs in 17 different states on Wednesday, asa heat wavethat has been scorching the We...

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The Army is letting older recruits enlist with this new change

The U.S. Army will soon allow Americans up to age 42 to enlist, raising the maximum age and loosening some other restrictions to joinamid the ongoing war with Iran.

The rule change announced this week raises the age of eligibility from the previous 35, and will go into effect on April 20. It comes as the United States is preparing to send additional troops to the Middle East nearly one month after launching attacks on Iran alongside ally Israel on Feb. 28.

The minimum age to join remains 18, or 17 with parental permission.

According to Army Regulation 601–210, which was published with the changes on March 20, the branch has also lifted the requirement for new recruits to receive a waiver if they have up to a single prior conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

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Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran

Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Army to inquire about the change.

The raise in maximum age brings the Army enlistment requirements closer to other branches of the military. Branches that already set theirmaximum age to joinat 42 include the Air Force and Space Force, while the Coast Guard and Navy set the maximum at 41. The Marine Corps' maximum age to join is 28. In some cases, older applicants can receive a waiver to join the military.

Latest war updates:Trump sends Iran a peace plan as paratroops dispatched to Middle East

It's not the first time the Army has raised its age cap. In 2006, Congress authorized all branches of the military to raise their maximum ages for original enlistment to 42 and the Army temporarilyraised its limit in accordance. That change came after the Army was experiencing a slump in recruiting and while U.S. troops were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to reporting at the time by thePueblo Chieftain, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"Raising the maximum age for Army enlistment expands the recruiting pool, provides motivated individuals an opportunity to serve and strengthens the readiness of Army units," said an Army publication in2007.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Army raises age limit to enlist to 42

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

The Army is letting older recruits enlist with this new change

The U.S. Army will soon allow Americans up to age 42 to enlist, raising the maximum age and loosening some other restrict...

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Stephen Colbert’s Surprising Career Change Revealed After ‘Late Show’ Cancellation

Stephen Colbert'sThe Late Showis set to wrap up in May, but the late-night host already has his next job lined up—and it's taking him all the way to Middle Earth.

As announced on social media on Tuesday night (March 24), Colbert will be writing a newLord of the Ringsmovie alongside his son, Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the original franchise. The comedian revealed the news alongside directorPeter Jacksonin a video shared across various social media channels.

"In honor of Tolkien Reading Day and the destruction of the One Ring, we bring you a special announcement," the caption of the post read. Jackson first shared an update onLord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum, which is currently in development from directorAndy Serkis. He then introduced Colbert to deliver the blockbuster news.

"The thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on inThe Fellowship[of the Ring] that y'all never developed into the first movie back in the day," Colbert explained. "It's basically chapters 'Three Is Company' through 'Fog on the Barrow-downs,' and I thought, 'Oh wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story.'"

Colbert said he wanted to make something that was "completely faithful to the books" while also staying true to Jackson's movie adaptations. He discussed the idea with his son, who's also a screenwriter, and the pair figured out how the idea would work.

"It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call, but about two years ago I did," he told Jackson. "You liked it enough to talk to me about it, and ever since then, the two of us have been working with the brilliant Philippa Boyens on how to develop this story."

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Colbert, who is a big-time Tolkien fan, said the team at Warner Bros. were also behind the idea. "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that's what we're going to be working on," he stated.

The film, which currently has the working titleThe Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, will see Colbert working alongside his son, Boyens, Jackson, and Fran Walsh.

"Fourteen years after the passing of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure. Meanwhile, Sam's daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began," reads the official synopsis.

In July 2025, CBS announced thatThe Late Showwould end in May 2026. While the network cited financial reasons for the decision, some critics called the cancelation politically motivated after Colbert called out Paramount for settling a lawsuit with President Trump amid its merger with Skydance, which required government approval.

"I believe that there is a name for that. And it would be: big fat bribe," Colbert said onThe Late Showdays after the $16 million settlement. Two days later, CBS canceled his show.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, CBS

Read the latest entertainment news onTV Insider.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Stephen Colbert’s Surprising Career Change Revealed After ‘Late Show’ Cancellation

Stephen Colbert'sThe Late Showis set to wrap up in May, but the late-night host already has his next job lined up—and...

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Gulf warnings and fears of miscalculation preceded Trump’s pause in Iran showdown

By Samia Nakhoul

DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's abrupt pause in his showdown with Iran followed warnings from Gulf states that the war was veering into a far more perilous phase and rising fears among officials in the region that Washington had misjudged Tehran's readiness to escalate, regional sources and analysts said.

Gulf Arab states warned him directly that U.S. strikes on Iran's power plants would trigger Iranian retaliation on their own vital energy ‌and desalination facilities, according to three regional sources who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Trump had threatened to hit Iran's electricity grid unless Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth ‌of global energy supplies. But Iran refused to yield, the strait stayed shut, oil markets spiked and global equities fell — exposing the limits of Trump's leverage.

Iran sent a warning to Gulf capitals, via an Arab intermediary, that any U.S. strike on its power plants would unleash unlimited retaliation, two other regional sources said.

"Trump totally ​miscalculated when he said 'you've got 48 hours to open the strait'," said Alan Eyre, a former U.S. diplomat and Iran expert.

"Once it became clear Iran was serious about hitting Gulf energy infrastructure in response, he had to back down."

TRUMP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH MIDDLE EAST PARTNERS, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute said Tehran had surprised Trump with its ability to stay in the fight and its willingness to escalate without restraint. "They showed no inhibitions, no restrictions, no holdbacks."

There was no immediate response to requests for comment for this article from the Iranian government, Gulf Arab states and the U.S. State Department.

Asked for comment, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said President Trump had assessed that the U.S. is close to completing its defined objectives for Operation Epic Fury.

She added: "The President is in close contact with our partners in ‌the Middle East, and the terrorist Iranian regime's attacks on its neighbors prove how imperative ⁠it was that President Trump eliminate this threat to our country and our allies."

Trump's pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, the regional sources and analysts say, appeared to be a recognition the war he had threatened to escalate was already slipping beyond his control and its costs now outweighed any political advantage from projecting American strength.

Behind the scenes, efforts to curb wider spillover continued through intermediaries including ⁠Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, as well as Gulf partners unnerved at being drawn into a war they neither chose nor controlled.

Ebtesam Al‑Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center, said Trump's pause pointed to two possible trajectories.

One is tactical -- buying time to complete deployments, test Iran's response and issue a final warning before a larger strike. The other is strategic -- using de‑escalation to prepare the ground for a broader deal, including a reset of the regional security rules of engagement in the Gulf.

In either case, she said, the war has not ended; it has simply been repurposed as leverage.

GULF STATES ​WERE 'PUT ​AT ENORMOUS RISK WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT'

From the outset, Iran escalated by attacking Gulf infrastructure and shipping, raising the spectre of a prolonged shock to oil, ​gas, LNG and trade through Hormuz.

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Gulf states, Vatanka said, were left paying the highest price. "If I ‌were a Gulf leader, I'd be furious," he said.

"They were put at enormous risk without their consent, and the damage inflicted in four weeks could take years to undo."

Analysts said Trump misjudged both Iran's resilience and the scale of the regional and global fallout.

Expecting Tehran to be too weak, divided or deterred to respond forcefully, he instead faced asymmetric escalation that imposed heavy costs on U.S. partners and the global economy, analysts and officials said.

The result was a familiar Trump pivot: tough rhetoric, paired with delay. Preserving his options meant stepping back from an escalation that risked turning a show of strength into a presidency‑defining quagmire, the analysts said.

The deeper problem, analysts say, is that the war has shattered the status quo that Trump seemed to believe he could reshape. Iran, battered but not broken, has drawn a stark lesson: deterrence works. A mix of confidence and fear now shapes Tehran's calculus: Extract something durable from this war, or risk being dragged back into it, the analysts said.

For Trump, any deal would be narrower, costlier and harder to ‌sell than he might prefer.

"Iran feels partly emboldened and partly afraid," Eyre said.

"They've taken heavy damage, destruction and death, and don't want to go through ​this again. But they can't go back to the old status quo," he said, because Israel would simply "mow the grass" -- attack -- again.

IRAN SEEKS BROADER SETTLEMENT, NEW ​REGIONAL ORDER

Senior sources in Tehran said Iran's negotiating stance has hardened sharply since the war began, signaling that any serious ​talks could come at a steep price for Trump.

Iran would seek binding guarantees against future military action, compensation for wartime losses and formal control over Hormuz, the sources said.

Any Iranian attempt at controlling the strait ‌would alarm the Gulf states who share the waterway and worry that Iran will seek a ​new regional hegemony harmful to their interests.

Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the ​Saudi‑based Gulf Research Center, told Reuters the strait "remains a vital strategic and economic route, and its stability is non-negotiable."

Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and foreign policy expert, said Iran is no longer seeking a return to the pre‑war status quo but a broader settlement -- one that would include security guarantees, economic relief and a different balance of power in the Gulf.

U.S. officials, the regional sources say, appear willing to engage indirectly with Iran through intermediaries, suggesting a potential back-channel for ​negotiations even as both sides publicly maintain a hard line.

Central to any potential deal, analysts say, ‌is Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guards commander with the stature to negotiate while retaining credibility with hardliners.

Even as Tehran signals openness to talks, its stance remains cautious, projecting deterrence while scarred by ​the damage it has sustained. This reflects a strategy of showing strength without inviting further destruction, said Iranian‑American historian Arash Azizi.

Any resolution, he adds, would likely require regional buy-in and potentially backing from global powers such as ​Russia or China.

(Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Editing by William Maclean)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Gulf warnings and fears of miscalculation preceded Trump’s pause in Iran showdown

By Samia Nakhoul DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's abrupt pause in his showdown with Iran followe...

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Taylor Frankie Paul under investigation over allegation of third domestic violence incident

Officials are investigating allegations of a third domestic violence incident involving "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" starsTaylor Frankie Pauland Dakota Mortensen, a police spokesman told NBC News on Tuesday.

Mortensen contacted the West Jordan, Utah, Police Department last month with allegations of domestic violence against Paul stemming from an incident in 2024, the spokesman said, adding that he could not provide further details, citing the open investigation.

He said the department is reviewing multiple videos connected to the alleged event to figure out details and timelines. The spokesman said he could not share the exact dates of the 2024 incident.

Police have only Mortensen's account of the alleged 2024 incident, the spokesman said.

The police department has not yet spoken to Paul, but investigators have spoken with her attorney, the spokesman said. Investigators would like Paul to either submit a written statement or come in for an interview to help corroborate some of the details in Mortensen's report, the spokesman said.

Representatives for both Paul and Mortensen declined to comment.

When Mortensen first called, the West Jordan spokesman said, he told officials that he was referred to the West Jordan Police Department by the Draper Police Department because of the jurisdiction of the 2024 incident.

Draper police told NBC News that a separate open domestic violence investigation into Paul and Mortensen, with allegations on both sides, was called in on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.

Draper police declined to share further details.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill said in a statement Tuesday that his office "requested all the investigative material to screen the most recent allegations for charges" and confirmed that his office was looking into a case submitted by Draper police.

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Gill added in the statement: "We made the request because of the potential that if charges are filed, they could be enhanced due to a prior plea in abeyance to a domestic violence offense."

Court records indicate that Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August that stemmed from a 2023 domestic violence incident.

Four other charges in that case — including assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child — were dismissed with prejudice, the records show.

The bodycam video of the 2023 arrest was shown on the first episode of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" — the Hulu reality series that elevated Paul from her "MomTok" online community to a household name.

TMZ published video Thursdaythat appeared to show Paul attacking Mortensenand reportedly portrayed the incident in which Paul was arrested in 2023, according to TMZ. That video led to ABC's decision to pullPaul's season of "The Bachelorette,"which was supposed to premiere Sunday.

Last week, a spokesperson for Paul said she "is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security."

"After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm," the spokesperson continued.

Reached for comment Thursday, Paul said: "I will have my truth."

Filming for Season Five of "Mormon Wives"has been on pauseamid new reports of a domestic violence investigation. One source said the cast unanimously decided to pause filming until legal action played out. That was after Hulu executives witnessed cast members on "Mormon Wives" discussing allegations of domestic violence during filming, the source said.

Cast members on "Mormon Wives" alsoraised concerns to ABC executivesabout Paul's behavior before the reports of a new domestic violence incident emerged, according to audio of a call between the cast and the executives on March 7, which was shared with NBC News.

Season Four of "Mormon Wives" premiered on March 12.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Taylor Frankie Paul under investigation over allegation of third domestic violence incident

Officials are investigating allegations of a third domestic violence incident involving "Secret Lives of Mormon Wive...

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Taylor Hawkins' Death: What to Know About the Foo Fighters Drummer's Final Days

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died on March 25, 2022, at age 50

NEED TO KNOW

• His cause of death has never been released

• In September 2022, a six-hour-long tribute concert was held in Hawkins' honor in Los Angeles

It's been four years since the world was rocked by the sudden death ofFoo FightersdrummerOliver Taylor Hawkins.

The legendary musician died on March 25, 2022, at age 50. The bandconfirmed the news in a statementon X, revealing that he had unexpectedly passed away ahead of a scheduled performance at a music festival in Colombia.

After getting his big break touring withGrammy-winning singerAlanis Morissette, Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997 to replace former drummerWilliam Goldsmith. He recorded eight studio albums with the band and was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famewith the group in 2021.

Offstage, Hawkins married Alison Hawkins in 2005, and the couple welcomed three children: Oliver, Annabelle and Everleigh.

During an interview withMOJO Magazinein March 2026, Foo Fighters frontmanDave Grohlsaid Hawkins' death made him "question everything about life."

"Losing Taylor was never meant to be," he told the outlet. "That threw our world upside down. It was so unfair.I still have a hard time making sense of it."

Here's everything to know about Taylor Hawkins' death.

How did Taylor Hawkins die?

An official cause of death for Hawkins has never been released.

On the day of his death, Hawkins had reportedlycomplained of chest painsand paramedics were dispatched to his hotel to assist him, perRolling Stone. But when they arrived, they found the drummer unresponsive and were unable to revive him.

Atoxicology reportreleased in March 2022 by the Attorney General's Office of Colombia found 10 types of substances in the drummer's system at the time of his death, including THC, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Forensic doctors also claimed that his heart was double the normal size and could have collapsed without the use of drugs. Hawkins toldRolling Stonethe previous year that his heart was "big" because he exercised a lot and that he dealt with stage fright and sleep apnea.

Friends toldRolling Stonein May 2022 that they believed the drummer — who survived a heroin overdose in 2001 — wasn't using hard drugs recreationally at the time of his death. Hawkins told the outlet the prior year that he preferred to perform sober "for good results," even though he got pre-show nerves.

The Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform on the night of his death.

Why is there no official cause of death for Taylor Hawkins?

It's unclear why the Attorney General's Office of Colombia has never released an official cause of death for Hawkins. However,Rolling Stonealleged in their May 2022 article that the musician was struggling with the physical strain of performing a jam-packed tour in the months leading up to his death.

"He had a heart-to-heart with Dave and, yeah, he told me that he 'couldn't f---ing do it anymore' — those were his words,"Pearl Jamdrummer and Hawkins' close friendMatt Camerontold the outlet. "He tried to keep up. He just did whatever it took to keep up, and in the end he couldn't keep up."

A rep for the Foo Fighters denied that Hawkins ever raised concerns about the touring schedule or had a conversation with lead singerDave Grohlabout it. After the article was published, Cameron issued a statement claiming that his quotes "were taken out of context and shaped into a narrative" that he didn't intend, perTheIndependent.

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Red Hot Chili PeppersdrummerChad Smithalso criticized theRolling Stonepiece for allegedly misusing his quotes regarding a December 2021 incident during which Hawkins allegedly lost consciousness while on a flight to Chicago. A Foo Fighters rep denied that the incident ever happened, and Smith called the story "sensationalized and misleading."

Where did Taylor Hawkins die?

Hawkins died on March 25, 2022, at the Four Seasons in Bogotá, Colombia. The Foo Fighters had been on tour in South America and were scheduled to perform at the Festival Estéreo Picnic that evening.

Before news of Hawkins' death broke, event organizers announced that the band had canceled the show and the rest of their tour due to a "very serious medical situation." The Foo Fighters confirmed the drummer's death on their social media later that night.

Rolling Stonereported that paramedics arrived at the hotel at 7:40 p.m. to respond to a guest (later identified as Hawkins) who reported having chest pains. They were unable to revive him and pronounced him dead at the hotel.

How old was Taylor Hawkins when he died?

Hawkins was 50 years old at the time of his death. The drummer was born in Texas on Feb. 17, 1972, and started playing drums at the age of 10. In one of his final in-person interviews, Hawkins toldRolling Stonethat the toll of performing live was starting to wear on him.

"I'm still a spaz; but I'm trying really hard to figure out how to continue to keep the intensity of a young man in a 50-year-old's body, which is very difficult," Hawkins said in June 2021. "I'm not whining, I'm really not ... I'm just saying it's f---ing hard work."

What were Taylor Hawkins' last words?

Hawkins' last words are not known, but a few of his friends have shared their final messages with the famous drummer. FormerJane's AddictionfrontmanPerry Farrellshared the last voice message the late musician sent Farrell's wife,Etty Lau, a day before he died.

"Take care of each other, and I'll take care of me," Hawkins can be heard saying ina video tribute Perry postedon Instagram in March 2022. "And I will see you guys in Sao Paolo [at Lollapalooza Brazil]. I love, love, love, love you guys. Sleep tight."

John Stamosalsoshared his final messagefrom the Foo Fighters drummer on X.

"This was Taylor Hawkins' last text to me: 'Ya We've yet to fully have a hang -Got a put that s--- together before we die' Wise words from my friend- put that s--- together! I'm so f---ing sad. Another one gone too soon," theFull Houseactor wrote.

A few months later,Miley Cyrusshared a voicemail from Hawkins— her neighbor — encouraging her to perform a cover ofDef Leppard's "Photograph," which she ultimately did at his September 2022 tribute concert alongside the band.

"What up, Miley? It's Taylor. Heard you're moving," he said in the message shared onXbefore making a baby-like crying sound. "I'm listening to 'Photograph' by Def Leppard. You could kill that one."

What was the public reaction to Taylor Hawkins' death?

News of Hawkins' death was met with an outpouring of grief and admiration for the drummer, both from his rock 'n roll contemporaries and his fans. Two months after his death,over a thousand musicianstook over a national stadium in Paris to perform "My Hero" in his honor.

In September 2022, a six-hour-long tribute concert for the drummer was held in Los Angeles. Over 50 musicians performed, including Morissette, Cyrus,Joan Jett,KeshaandPink, as well as guest drummers like Smith andTravis Barker, according toVulture.

Hawkins was also memorialized at the2022 Grammys. Though the other Foo Fighters members weren't in attendance, the band took homethree awardsfor Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Taylor Hawkins' Death: What to Know About the Foo Fighters Drummer's Final Days

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died on March 25, 2022, at age 50 NEED TO KNOW His cause of death has neve...

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Report: New York lost staggering $350M in unpaid tolls

(The Center Square) — New York is losing hundreds of millions of dollars from unpaid tolls, according to a report, which faults the state for failing to do enough to collect the money from scofflaws evading the cashless toll system.

The analysis by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority found the state's cashless tolling system is owed more than $350 million in unpaid tolls and other related fees – such as fines – which make up more than 90% of the Thruway Authority's operating revenue. In 2025, the MTA's bridges and tunnels carried 340 million vehicles, and tolls generated $2.5 billion the year before, the agency said.

"While most drivers pay, some deliberately evade tolls, creating revenue losses that impact the entire transit system," the report's authors wrote. "Because this funding supports subway, bus, rail, and bridge and tunnel improvements, collecting unpaid tolls is a real priority."

The report's authors said a majority of the scofflaws are drivers who "intentionally" ignore notices about overdue and unpaid toll charges, even after threats of suspending drivers' licenses.

"When these drivers receive their toll bills, they intentionally and repeatedly ignore invoices and violation notices," they wrote. "Becoming a Persistent Toll Violator isn't easy — it takes repeated action, disregard for the law, and three separate violation notices in a five-year period."

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The MTA noted that the state Legislature took steps to address the problem by increasing financial penalties for "ghost" plates that are covered or obscured and cracking down on e-commerce retailers who sell products that block license plates. The agency said it launched a multi-agency task force to remove drivers with ghost plates from New York City roadways and has stepped up other enforcement actions.

Those reforms were proposed by a state commission that studied the scope of fare evasion and came up with recommendations to crack down on it. The MTA said the task force has produced results, citing more than $60 million in unpaid tolls and fees being collected as of February, with 6,744 vehicles towed and 1,644 arrests for outstanding fines and violations.

But the report's authors said because only two of the five recommendations have been adopted, the state's efforts to crack down on violators "have slowed the growth of toll evasion, but not reversed it."

The value of unpaid tolls tied to ghost plates increased from 2022 to 2024, according to the report. Preliminary estimates for 2025 indicate a slight dip from the $56 million in un-collected tolls "but not a significant decline" since new enforcement actions were adopted, the report's authors said.

The MTA is urging lawmakers to approve a package oflegislationthat would enable the MTA to more forcefully address ghost plate use, empower the MTA to pursue PTVs more aggressively, and more effectively collect unpaid tolls from repeat offenders. The agency said the changes, if approved, "would provide an overdue benefit to honest drivers whose tolls have been covering for others who cheat the system."

"None of these proposals target the everyday driver who accidentally misses a toll," the report's authors wrote. "This is about closing the gap on intentional, repeated bad behavior."

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Report: New York lost staggering $350M in unpaid tolls

(The Center Square) — New York is losing hundreds of millions of dollars from unpaid tolls, according to a report, which ...

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