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Social Security Cliff Could Slash Benefits by $500 a Month

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Social Security Cliff Could Slash Benefits by $500 a Month

Millions of Americans could soon face a painful hit to their monthly income.

Social Security, the federal safety-net program that sends monthly checks to eligible retirees, disabled workers and surviving spouses, is facing mounting financial pressure. More than 71 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits, which often serve as a crucial replacement for income after retirement, disability or the death of a partner.

According to the Social Security Administration, if Congress does not act, the program’s trust fund reserves are projected to be depleted by 2033. After that point, the agency would be able to pay only about 78% of scheduled benefits — a shortfall that could cost the average recipient roughly $500 per month.

“This train wreck is going to happen,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) told Politico, warning that lawmakers cannot afford to wait. “So as early as six years from now, we’re going to have to have a plan. And of course, I’m a big believer that we need to deal with it now, or we need to start the process of dealing with it now.”

Worried senior Hispanic couple checking their mailbox.

If nothing no legislation is passed, Social Security funds will be wipes out by 2032 Monkey Business – stock.adobe.com

With anxiety rising among beneficiaries and policy experts, members of Congress have introduced a wave of proposals aimed at strengthening Social Security’s long-term finances. So far, however, none of those bills have made it across the finish line.

In July, the Promise Act — bipartisan legislation from eight senators — would create a process for Congress to develop a plan to keep Social Security solvent for at least 50 years. 

“I won’t pretend there’s consensus on how we solve this, but the math is unforgiving: the longer Congress waits to act, the fewer good options remain, which is why I am proud to support this legislation,” Senator Thom Tillis, who co-sponsored the bill, said.

Just before that, the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act was introduced in June by two representatives which would also establish a committee to develop solutions.

The Social Security 2100 Act was also introduced back in June and would increase benefits while shoring up Social Security’s finances by making higher-income Americans pay more into the system.

According to the bill — which was first introduced back in 2017 — all current and new beneficiaries would see a 2% benefit increase, it would change how COLA is calculated and make other switches to benefit structure.

An older man embraces an older woman as she reads a bill, with a laptop and calculator on the sofa beside them.

Social Security recipients are at risk of losing an average of about $500 a month zinkevych – stock.adobe.com

The new minimum benefit would change to 125% of the Federal poverty line, and switch the COLA calculation to the CPI for the Elderly (CPI-E). 

The CPI-W currently calculates Social Security COLAs. It tracks the spending of working-age people — specifically wage and clerical workers. But it also tracks the cost of food, housing, energy, transportation and healthcare. 

Meanwhile, the CPI-E is another measure for folks 62 and older, offering more information on expenses that directly impact seniors. Some advocates believe that this change would be more beneficial to Social Security recipients as it’s a “senior-focused” inflation measure instead of “working-person-focused.”

However, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) — a non-partisan advocacy group that makes very accurate COLA projections — fear the chance of the bill passing is slim to none.

“Although the Social Security 2100 Act is unlikely to pass in the current Congress, it should. The bill is the gold standard for Social Security reform and accomplishes the majority of changes older Americans want to see for the program,” TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton said.

Dawn Buckingham: How the Texas Engine Powers America’s Future

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Dawn Buckingham: How the Texas Engine Powers America’s Future

Op-ed by Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Op-ed by Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Every American relies on three essentials that are easy to take for granted until they are put at risk: reliable energy, a stable food supply, and national security.

No country can stay strong and prosperous if it cannot power its homes and businesses, feed its people, or protect its borders and critical infrastructure. When the lights fail, when grocery shelves thin out and prices climb because supply chains break down, or when vital systems are exposed to danger, the effects ripple through communities large and small. These issues are often treated as separate debates, but in reality, they are closely connected.

As Texas Land Commissioner, I oversee the Texas General Land Office, known as the GLO, the oldest state agency in Texas. While many Americans may not know the full scope of our mission, the work of this agency is tied directly to all three of these national priorities — and its reach extends well beyond Texas.

The GLO manages more than 13 million acres of state land and mineral interests, oversees over 3,400 miles of shoreline, administers major disaster recovery efforts, supports veterans through the Veterans Land Board, and manages assets that help generate billions of dollars for public education through the Permanent School Fund. Our work begins with responsible land stewardship, but its influence stretches into some of the most pressing energy, security, and economic challenges facing the United States today.

First, America must remain fueled by continuing to produce abundant, reliable, and affordable energy.

Texas plays an outsized role in that effort. Our state leads the nation in oil and natural gas production, refining capacity, and a growing portfolio of emerging energy technologies. Energy production on state lands generates revenue that supports Texas public education while helping provide the oil, natural gas, and other resources that power homes, businesses, farms, manufacturers, and modern innovations.

Energy security is national security. Every barrel produced domestically is one less barrel that must come from unstable regions or strategic competitors. Nations that cannot serve their own energy needs become dependent on competitors and adversaries. Every investment in American energy strengthens our economy, supports jobs, and reduces our vulnerability to foreign influence.

That is why Texas continues to pursue an all-of-the-above approach to energy. Traditional oil and natural gas production remain essential, but so do investments in innovation and emerging technologies. The GLO has helped advance projects involving carbon capture and storage, critical rare earth minerals, and uses for produced water that support continued energy production.

The GLO, in partnership with USA Rare Earth and the Trump administration, is working to end China’s monopoly on rare earth minerals. China currently controls more than 90% of rare earth magnet production. These elements are essential in powering everyday electronics like smartphones, all the way to complex technology like military fighter jets.

These efforts help ensure that future generations inherit an energy system that is competitive, resilient, and capable of meeting growing demand.

The same lands that help power our economy also support another national priority: food security.

America’s agricultural strength depends on reliable infrastructure, responsible resource management, and access to affordable energy. Farmers and ranchers rely on water to nourish their crops and livestock, fuel to operate equipment, electricity to process and store products, and transportation networks to move food across the country.

Food security is often discussed as an agricultural issue, but it is also a land and resource issue. Energy costs, water availability, infrastructure development, and responsible stewardship all play a role in ensuring Americans have access to affordable, dependable food supplies.

In Texas, those responsibilities frequently intersect. Texas leads the U.S. in cattle inventory and beef production. The GLO leases land for grazing and farming and uses the revenue gained from those leases to fund public education in Texas. Whether managing natural resources, conducting surveying work, or helping protect critical water supplies, the GLO’s work contributes to the broader systems that support agricultural productivity and economic growth. A nation that can feed itself is stronger, more stable, and better prepared to withstand disruptions at home and abroad.

The third pillar is one that has become increasingly impossible to ignore: America must remain fortified.

While our armed forces remain the greatest in the world, national security extends well beyond military readiness. It encompasses the state of our borders, infrastructure, supply chains, strategic assets, domestic energy production, and cybersecurity.

Texas occupies a unique position in each of these areas. Our state is home to critical energy infrastructure, major ports, strategic transportation corridors, and the majority of our nation’s southern border. The security of these assets affects not only Texans but Americans across the country.

The GLO has worked with state and federal partners to support public safety and law enforcement efforts on state-owned land along the border. We have assisted and led initiatives aimed at combating cartel activity, human trafficking, and other criminal operations that threaten communities on both sides of the border.

Beyond the border, Texas lands and coastal resources carry national importance. The Gulf Coast serves as one of America’s most significant energy and trade hubs. The industries operating there help power our nation’s economy, support domestic manufacturing, and connect American products to global markets. The fortification of our coast is vitally important, which is why the GLO is working with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build the largest infrastructure project ever conceived, the Coastal Texas Project. This plan will be a combination of storm risk management systems including surge barriers, as well as beach restoration and renourishment efforts along our entire coastline.

The common thread running through all of these responsibilities is stewardship.

For nearly two centuries, the Texas GLO has managed resources that support economic growth, public education, infrastructure, and public safety, the same national priorities that affect every American household.

The challenges facing our country may evolve, but the foundations of prosperity remain the same: dependable energy, secure food systems, and the infrastructure and resources to protect both.

The Texas GLO plays a critical role in each—leveraging state lands and resources to strengthen our economy, advance energy and food security, and protect Texas and our nation.

Everything else depends on it.

Dr. Dawn Buckingham serves as the elected commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. The General Land Office manages state lands, operates the Alamo, helps Texans who are recovering from natural disasters, helps fund Texas public education through the Permanent School Fund, provides benefits to Texas Veterans, and manages the vast Texas coast. Follow the GLO on Twitter @txglo and Dr. Buckingham at @DrBuckinghamTX.

9 ’90s-Style Serial Killer Thrillers Like The Whisper Man

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A shadowy serial killer leaving horror in his wake. Exhausted detectives racing to catch him. A jailed murderer treated as the one man who might understand the monster at large, complete with the obligatory spine-tingling prison consultation. The Whisper Man plays like a classic 1990s serial killer thriller refitted for the smartphone age.

Even so, the new Netflix film — led by Adam Scott, Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton in a role with unmistakable Hannibal Lecter echoes — gives its villain a taste for old-school menace. Instead of encrypted messages or dark-web theatrics, he records his threats over battered En Vogue cassette tapes and sends them through the mail to traditional media outlets, as if auditioning to become a modern Zodiac Killer. The throwback mood is not limited to the movie’s tone; it’s in the heavy kachunk of the tape deck and the unsettling intimacy of a tongue sealing a postage stamp.

That retro DNA is hard to miss. The Whisper Man draws heavily from the wave of serial killer thrillers that followed Anthony Hopkins turning fava beans and Chianti into pop-culture shorthand for refined evil. Viewers of a certain age may find themselves transported back to the era when Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie — sometimes alone, sometimes in various pairings — pursued sadistic predators or became their targets in stories that flirted with real-world terror while sanding the edges into slick Hollywood suspense.

Without those defining ’90s serial killer movies — and the many early-2000s thrillers that tried to recapture their grip — The Whisper Man likely would not have taken shape.

  1. Close-up of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs."

    Orion

    The multiple Oscar-winning landmark — still one of the rare horror-adjacent films to receive that level of Academy recognition — became the starting point for a fascination that would dominate pop culture for years. It is brutally tense, profoundly unsettling, flawlessly controlled and endlessly quotable: “IT PUTS THE LOTION IN THE BASKET!” Once Hopkins’ Lecter, the original cinematic serial killer from hell, begins burrowing into the mind of FBI trainee Clarice Starling — played by Jodie Foster at the height of her powers — the film never lets go. It remains an all-timer, and anyone arguing otherwise may need their own psychological evaluation.

    where to stream the silence of the lambs

  2. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in 'Seven'

    Photo: Everett Collection

    Playing hardened detectives who’ve seen it all but not quite like this, Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt trudge through the rain — endless, drenching buckets of it — chasing a maniac using the seven deadly sins as thematic thread for his gut-churning murders. Director David Fincher is so good at generating bone-chilling atmospherics, if he had directed The Silence of the Lambs, it would’ve been downright apocalyptic. Anyway, I can’t even look at a cardboard box without saying, “What’s in the box? What’s in the baaaaahhhhhhhhhhhxxxxxx,” and then just calling it and going to bed because the day is ruined after invoking one of the most horrifying final-moment twists of any movie ever made. 

    where to stream Seven

  3. Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Helen Hudson points a gun in "Copycat".

    Photo: Warner Bros.; Courtesy Everett Collection

    This gloomy nailbiter from ’95 stars Sigourney Weaver as a forensic psychologist, Holly Hunter as the detective, and Harry Connick Jr. as the wackjob who mimics the moves of the serial killers he admires. Perhaps that’s an unfortunate metaphor for the progression of the serial killer thriller. In a post-Seven world, the subgenre started getting samey, formulaic. But this one ain’t half bad, holding up fairly well thanks to its compelling performances.

    where to stream copycat

  4. Morgan Freeman in 'Kiss the Girls'

    Photo: Everett Collection

    Freeman. Judd. You could theorize that someone shuffled the Seven and Twisted screenplays together if this one hadn’t preceded the latter. But the Seven star more than ably carries this one, playing a hard-bitten detective — note: there are never, I say never, any soft-bitten detectives in these movies — who teams up with Judd after her character escapes the clutches of Casanova, a killer specializing in sexual violence (ironic, considering the movie’s producer, Harvey Weinstein, allegedly assaulted Judd during filming). Derivative? Sure. But cable TV propped this one up until it spawned a 2001 Judd-less sequel, Along Came a Spider, which was a signpost indicating that this genre was creatively bankrupt.

    where to stream kiss the girls

    READ MORE: Double Tropical Threat: Dolly Eyes Florida, Gulf Storm Brews

  5. The Bone Collector

    Photo: Everett Collection

    Denzel. Angelina. He’s a bedridden quadriplegic cop. She’s the cop on the beat. Together, they participate in what Roger Ebert called “one of those plots where a depraved serial killer leads everyone in a find-the-corpse version of “Where’s Waldo?’” Oh well. They can’t all be Hannibal and Clarice holding hands and gamboling through a meadow. But The Bone Collector lives and dies by the strength of its leads, who inevitably elevate this into a guilty-pleasure afternoon watch when you’re stuck on the couch with the sniffles.

    where to stream the bone collector

  6. Ashley Judd in Twisted

    Photo: Everett Collection

    By my count, Ashley Judd notched three serial killer movies in her career, but none of her roles grind against her sweetheart persona more than this one. She plays a not-soft-bitten homicide cop who has a habit of shtoinking guys she picks up at bars. No issues with any of this — she’s  a liberated woman, allowed to do whatever she wants — but the sitch gets hairy when some of those guys end up on the coroner’s slab, and therefore in her investigations. Did I mention she’s been experiencing blackouts that line up with the murders? This is what you call Bad Optics — or maybe Bad Coptics? And this is kind of a Bad Movie, but that premise is pretty juicy. Maybe it’ll hold up on a rewatch?

    where to stream twisted

  7. A man with gray hair in a blue shirt and patterned tie comforting a crying woman with long dark hair.

    FILM: Taking Lives (2004)
    DIRECTOR: Daisy von Scherler Mayer
    STARS: Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke
    PLOT: An FBI agent must catch a serial killer who takes on the identity of each new victim.
    [Stream Taking Lives on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

    I know. These “’90s-style” thrillers are spilling into the 2000s. Sue me. But show me filmmakers and studios who aren’t desperately drafting on decade-old successes in order to rake in some dough, and I’ll show you an entirely vacated Hollywood. Anyway: Jolie. She plays an FBI serial killer sniffer-outter summoned to Canada to ponder the clues carefully and meticulously and purposely left behind by the serial killer, because these guys get some jollies out of teasing the cops trying to bust ’em. Formulaic? Sure. But Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland, and Paul Dano turn up in supporting roles, and it all hangs together well enough to be passable.

    where to stream taking lives

  8. THE LITTLE THINGS HBO MAX REVIEW

    Photo: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Denzel. He, Rami Malek and Jared Leto rummage about in a 1990s-coded cop-drama that debuted in 2021, so it’s officially capital-R Retro, a throwback that I remember enjoying even if I don’t remember a bunch of the details. So it goes? It’s gloomy, I remember that much. Oppressively so. Not a bad thing, by any means. Malek and Denzel are the cops, and no one is at all surprised to learn that Leto is a sleaze-ball, and by that I mean, in the context of the narrative of the movie. Loathe him or hate him, Leto’s an entertaining villain. And while Denzel has all the accolades he’ll ever need, he has an entire sub-career elevating so-so movies like this into recommended-with-reservations territory.

    where to stream taking lives

  9. a parked car in 'Zodiac'

    Everett Collection

    Had to end with a banger — and the only film on the list based on a true story. Fincher does it again, casting Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo so he can psychologically torture them into a padded room. Gyllenhaal is a cartoonist with a knack for deciphering codes. Downey is a journalist so hard-bitten you wonder if it’s fatal. Ruffalo is a cop who looks like he sleeps 12 minutes a night, tops. Together, these three men bicker and squabble as they try to piece together clues and taunts left behind by the Zodiac Killer, all falling prey to the kind of obsession that nearly drives them mad. Leave it to Fincher to create a serial killer movie for the ages, about a serial killer who was never f—ing caught. Sleep well, my friends.

    Where to Stream zodiac

    John Serba is a freelance film critic from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Werner Herzog hugged him once.

    10.

    Ella Langley Fires Back at Doja Cat After ‘I Don’t Know Her’ Comment

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    Ella Langley Fires Back at Doja Cat After ‘I Don’t Know Her’ Comment

    Ella Langley appears to have issued a low-key response after Doja Cat said she was unfamiliar with the rising country music star.

    The moment came during Doja Cat’s appearance on the Sundae Conversation podcast, where host Caleb Pressley asked the 30-year-old rapper and singer whether she was an “Ella’s fella.” Doja replied, “I don’t know what that is.”

    Pressley then made the question more direct, asking, “Do you like Ella Langley?” Doja Cat gave a similar answer, saying, “I don’t know what that is.”

    Langley, 27, seemed to brush off the remark with humor. In a new Instagram post featuring several photos and videos of herself, the country singer nodded to the exchange in the caption, writing, “Ella Langley? What is that?”

    During the short podcast clip, Doja Cat repeated Langley’s name after Pressley brought her up, before the host suggested that she give the country artist’s music a listen.

    Her reaction divided fans, with some lauding her authenticity, and others speculating that she was feigning ignorance.

    Ella Langley, 27, has subtly responded to Doja Cat's, 30, recent claim that she doesn't know who the country star is

    Ella Langley, 27, has subtly responded to Doja Cat’s, 30, recent claim that she doesn’t know who the country star is

    During a recent appearance on the Sundae Conversation podcast,  Doja Cat was asked by host Caleb Pressley if she likes Ella Langley, to which she replied, 'I don’t know what that is'

    During a recent appearance on the Sundae Conversation podcast,  Doja Cat was asked by host Caleb Pressley if she likes Ella Langley, to which she replied, ‘I don’t know what that is’

    Langley took the jab in stride, referencing the dig in an Instagram post captioned, 'Ella Langley? What is that?'

    Langley took the jab in stride, referencing the dig in an Instagram post captioned, ‘Ella Langley? What is that?’

    Langley’s song Choosin’ Texas has seen unprecedented success, spending 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

    The feat has made the songstress the longest-running solo female artist atop the chart for a non-holiday song.

    Langley grew up one of four children in Hope Hull, Alabama with a barn amid rolling pastures south of Montgomery, where she used to sing to cows.

    Her family sometimes struggled financially.

    Langley’s aunt, Ruth Meek, recently told the Daily Mail they had little money for entertainment or formal music lessons.

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    ‘When you’re that poor and you don’t have access to much of anything and no one has a car, the family just made music together,’ Meek explained.

    After being homeschooled for years, Langley enrolled in Hooper Academy in Hope Hull and found a musical mentor in her high school guitar teacher Maury ‘Coach Pop’ Popwell.

    ‘She could not play very well when she started to come to me,’ he recalled to the Daily Mail. ‘She worked and worked at it. She was just one of these people that she wouldn’t take no for an answer.’

    Doja Cat is known to ruffle feathers with irreverent, playful comments

    Doja Cat is known to ruffle feathers with irreverent, playful comments 

    Langley, whose song Choosin' Texas has seen unprecedented success, pictured in February 2024

    Langley, whose song Choosin’ Texas has seen unprecedented success, pictured in February 2024

    Join the discussion

    Is it disrespectful for big stars to claim they don’t know rising artists, or just honest?

    Earlier this year, Doja Cat opened up about her borderline personality disorder diagnosis.

    She told Elle UK magazine in May that she has found it hard to trust her romantic partners.

    The singer first spoke about her BPD diagnosis in March, admitting she has been ‘struggling’ and has been in therapy for years.

    ‘If I have a boyfriend and he leaves just to run errands, my brain thinks he’s breaking up with me,’ she explained of her BPD, which is a mental health condition that causes symptoms such as ‘mood swings, anger and impulsiveness.’

    ‘I have to scrape against it and teach myself that that’s not happening to me. I’m safe.’

    BPD is ‘a mental health condition that affects the way people feel about themselves and others, making it hard to function in everyday life,’ according to the Mayo Clinic.

    California Couple Welcomes Rare Naturally Conceived Triplets

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    California Couple Welcomes Rare Naturally Conceived Triplets

    A Southern California family suddenly became a party of seven after welcoming a rare set of naturally conceived triplets, an arrival doctors described as highly uncommon.

    Nyla Craft said the surprise came during a doctor’s visit earlier this year, when she learned she was carrying not one baby, but three.

    “Earlier this year, I went to the doctor and I saw like two different sets,” Craft said. “I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m having twins.’ And she was like, ‘No, there’s three.’ And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, triplets.’”

    For Craft, the news was shocking, but not entirely without precedent: multiples run in her family.

    “My mom’s a twin, and there are triplets in the family,” she said. “They’re all boys as well. So it skipped a few, but it came to me.”

    Her husband, Marco Bernal, recalled his reaction to the news.

    “I was like, freaking out,” Bernal said. “I was like, we have two right now. Then five from 2 to 5 was insane, you know?”

    The newborns join older sister Naya and older brother Maceo. According to their parents, Naya has eagerly embraced her role as a big sister.

    “She’s been excited. She wants to come help,” Craft said.

    Maceo, however, has been less interested in the babies.

    The family said they received extensive support from medical staff throughout the pregnancy and delivery.

    “Amazing care. Everyone was just so caring and, you know, making sure I was OK,” Craft said.

    Quynh Vo-Hanser of Kaiser Permanente South Bay said the pregnancy was especially unusual.

    “This is a really rare event,” Vo-Hanser said. “This is what we would refer to as mixed triplet. This is a spontaneous pregnancy, which meant that it was achieved naturally. And within this triplet set, there’s an identical twin set, and then the fraternal sibling.”

    READ MORE: Howard Stern’s HBO Max Deal Confirmed: New Details Revealed

    Vo-Hanser emphasized the rarity of the birth.

    “Within the United States, there’s 3.5 million deliveries and about 2,400 are triplets. And even more rare than that are these special triplets,” she said.

    “The other thing is that they’re all the same sex. I have never seen this, all these conditions within the triplet, in my three decades.”

    Gina Renteria, chief nurse executive, said the delivery required a significantly larger medical team than a typical birth.

    “We had three NICU nurses, one for each of the babies. We had two doctors for the babies, doctors for the mom, an extra nurse for the mom,” Renteria said. “There were about 15 people in the delivery room when we normally have about five.”

    Dr. Rohit Passi, chief of neonatology at Kaiser Permanente South Bay, said Craft’s care reflected a broader effort to support mothers facing pregnancy-related challenges.

    “We know that Black moms have a higher mortality rate and other complications within pregnancy,” Passi said. “We adopt a holistic approach and equity lens to really meet patients where they are at in elevating their voices. And Nyla’s case is a perfect example of that.”

    Passi added that Craft’s experience was particularly meaningful because of challenges she had faced earlier in life.

    “You know, she shared her story of having struggles early on. She wasn’t even sure she would be able to become pregnant,” he said. “And it’s our job as healthcare providers and as a healthcare organization to elevate their voices, particularly of moms like Nyla, because they are truly inspirational.”

    For Bernal, the arrival of the triplets also carries a personal significance.

    “How can you forget your kids’ birthdays if they’re on your birthday, you know?” he said.

    Craft said she is grateful for the family she now has.

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    Mel Stride Axed as Shadow Chancellor in Tory Reshuffle Shake-Up

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    Mel Stride Axed as Shadow Chancellor in Tory Reshuffle Shake-Up

    Kemi Badenoch launched a significant Conservative reshuffle today, removing Mel Stride from his post as shadow chancellor in one of the most eye-catching changes.

    Andrew Griffith has been handed the key economic brief, as Mrs Badenoch prepares to sharpen her attack on Andy Burnham when Parliament returns tomorrow.

    In another major move, Tom Tugendhat will take on the foreign affairs portfolio previously held by Priti Patel, as the shake-up proved far broader than many had expected.

    The Opposition leader must also appoint a new shadow housing secretary after James Cleverly revealed he will concentrate on a potential run for the London Mayoralty.

    A replacement is also needed in the health brief, with Stuart Andrew confirming he is stepping away from the front bench and returning to the backbenches.

    The highly-rated shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho, who is due to go on maternity leave, has been moved to replace Mr Griffith on the business beat.

    The new shadow chancellor stressed his Thatcherite credentials, saying the Tories will deliver ‘an economic revolution’ with ‘lower, simpler taxes’ and less red tape. 

    A senior Tory source highlighted Mr Griffith’s experience as a Sky executive, saying he would have a ‘no-nonsense, pro-growth’ approach. 

    Katie Lam is among those in the frame for promotion to a bigger job. 

    Kemi Badenoch is making changes to her shadow cabinet, with Andrew Griffith handed the crucial economic brief

    Kemi Badenoch is making changes to her shadow cabinet, with Andrew Griffith handed the crucial economic brief

    Mel Stride has been axed as shadow chancellor after bring in the job for two years

    Mel Stride has been axed as shadow chancellor after bring in the job for two years

    Sir Mel said he had been 'honoured' to serve as shadow chancellor

    Sir Mel said he had been ‘honoured’ to serve as shadow chancellor

    Mr Griffith said his Treasury team would bring about an 'economic revolution'

    Mr Griffith said his Treasury team would bring about an ‘economic revolution’

    Badenoch’s shadow cabinet overhaul 

    Shadow chancellor: Andrew Griffith, replacing Mel Stride

    Shadow foreign secretary: Tom Tugendhat, replacing Priti Patel

    Shadow business secretary: Claire Coutinho, replacing Mr Griffith (Julia Lopez covering during maternity leave)

    Shadow work and pensions secretary: Helen Whately 

    Mrs Badenoch heaped praise on Sir Mel, saying he had done the job at an ‘exceptionally difficult point for the Conservative Party’. 

    ‘He brought experience, seriousness and stability when those things were badly needed,’ she said. 

    ‘He helped us steady the ship, rebuild economic credibility and become an effective opposition, and I am genuinely grateful for his contribution.’ 

    A Conservative source said of Mr Griffith: ‘While the Labour front bench has almost no private sector experience, Andrew’s experience means he not only knows but understands the many issues that businesses face and has a wealth of contacts in the business community.’ 

    Sir Mel said he had been ‘honoured’ to serve. ‘I am especially proud of the work we have done to rebuild the Conservatives’ economic credibility – an issue on which we now consistently lead in the polls – and to have developed the start of a radical and deliverable plan to turn our economy around,’ he said. 

    In a statement last night, Dame Priti said she was leaving her post as shadow foreign secretary to take on an ‘international role’ strengthening the party’s links worldwide.

    The former home secretary said returning to the backbenches would also give her ‘greater freedom to stand up’ for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons.

    She said: ‘I’m pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role, strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre-right parties around the world.

    ‘At a time of profound global uncertainty, when our values and freedoms are under threat, conservatives must work more closely together.’

    She said it had been ‘an honour’ to lead the party’s foreign affairs team, citing challenges to the Government’s Chagos Islands deal and calls for stronger action to protect the UK from threats posed by China, Iran and Russia.

    Mr Tugendhat is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China and has campaigned against plans for the new super embassy in London.

    A senior Tory source said: ‘Within Parliament, Tom has almost unrivalled credibility in foreign affairs as a former soldier, Security Minister and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

    ‘Kemi actually gave Tom the good news while he was in Taiwan, talking to the Taiwanese government about the threat of China – a mark of how he is respected across the world. Contrast that with Ed Miliband, who has spent his first months touring the world pushing his weird Net Zero agenda.

    ‘Kemi has made defence one of the central organising principles of her leadership. Alongside Alex Burghart and James Cartlidge, Tom will be part of a three-person team leading on our national security and international affairs.’

    Mrs Badenoch paid tribute to Dame Priti’s contribution.

    ‘Priti has been exceptionally loyal, hard-working and supportive during a very difficult period for the Party,’ the leader said. 

    ‘She came into the Shadow Cabinet when we needed experienced people who could operate without a large infrastructure behind them. Priti has done a very important job. Now I am asking her to do another important job, as International Secretary of the Conservative Party.’ 

    Mr Tugendhat is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China, and he was given the news that he is the new shadow foreign secretary while he was in Taiwan discussing the threat the superpower poses to its neighbour

    Mr Tugendhat is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China, and he was given the news that he is the new shadow foreign secretary while he was in Taiwan discussing the threat the superpower poses to its neighbour

    Dame Priti Patel said her return to the backbenches would give her 'greater freedom to stand up' for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons

    Dame Priti Patel said her return to the backbenches would give her ‘greater freedom to stand up’ for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons

    Priti Patel is leaving the front bench as Mrs Badenoch sharpens her attack on Andy Burnham

    Priti Patel is leaving the front bench as Mrs Badenoch sharpens her attack on Andy Burnham 

    Stuart Andrew has left the health brief and returned to the backbenches

    Stuart Andrew has left the health brief and returned to the backbenches

    Dame Priti added: ‘With Labour axing key transport schemes, cancelling plans for a new school, threatening to destroy our countryside, councils and communities, and cutting policing, I will be a vocal champion for my constituents in the House of Commons defending their interests and demanding action.’

    Sir James said Mrs Badenoch was ‘very supportive’ when he told her earlier this week of his plans to step down, though she would ‘stay neutral’ on the Tory selection process for a mayoral candidate.

    A Tory source said Ms Coutinho had done a ‘brilliant job’ on the energy brief, where she was shadowing Ed Miliband until he was made foreign secretary by Mr Burnham.

    Her new role will be covered by Julia Lopez until she returns from maternity leave in the New Year. Ms Lopez was shadowing the Government’s science secretary job, but that department was abolished by Mr Burnham.  

    Deadly Grand Canyon Flooding Disables Critical Water Pipeline as Search Intensifies for Missing Hikers

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    Deadly Grand Canyon Flooding Disables Critical Water Pipeline as Search Intensifies for Missing Hikers

    Powerful flash flooding swept through the Grand Canyon over the weekend, crippling a key water line and prompting the National Park Service to impose emergency water restrictions as crews continued searching for missing hikers.

    The NPS said stage four water restrictions will take effect at 12:00 p.m. Monday after Saturday’s flooding caused “extensive damage to infrastructure,” including the Transcanyon Waterline, the main system that supplies water to the park. Officials said one person was killed and as many as 15 others may be missing, though they emphasized that the number remains an estimate.

    Park officials said the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered from the Colorado River on Sunday night. His name has not been released publicly.

    Flooding in the Grand Canyon

    Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, after flash flooding triggered by storms on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Parth Desai via AP)

    The National Park Service has asked the public to share any information that could help locate the 15 people believed to be missing.

    “The National Park Service is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, as well as anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor, to provide information to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch,” NPS said in a statement.

    Flooding in the Grand Canyon

    This photo provided by the National Park Service shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (James Thompson/National Park Service via AP)

    ALSO READ: South Africa Circumcision Ceremony Death Toll Reaches 43

    Park officials say they have so far evacuated at least 62 people since the Saturday flooding.

    The stage 4 water restrictions affecting the rest of the park include forced dry camping with no access to water spigots, the temporary closure of overnight lodgings, and a strict no-fire rule for the South Rim and inner canyon areas.

    The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Aug. 29, according to NPS, which added that nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed.

    Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said state emergency officials are coordinating with federal and local authorities as the search continues.

    “My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon,” Hobbs wrote on X. “DEMA is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.”

    Katie Hobbs

    Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs released a statement following flash flooding in the Grand Canyon this weekend. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

    Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the flash flooding “devastating” and thanked first responders for searching for those still unaccounted for and evacuating others from the affected area.

    “The physical damage includes a historic lodge near the bottom of the site and untold environmental upheaval,” Fontes said in a statement. “I send my prayers to the community as the search for those unaccounted for continues.”

    Howard Stern’s HBO Max Deal Confirmed: New Details Revealed

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    Howard Stern’s HBO Max Deal Confirmed: New Details Revealed

    Howard Stern is bringing his SiriusXM show back for a new season on September 14 — and, in a first for the longtime radio titan, episodes will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

    SiriusXM announced Stern’s new HBO Max deal in a press release shared with Page Six on Monday.

    “For the first time, the ‘King of All Media’ will bring his signature, long-running SiriusXM show to HBO Max by adapting his live SiriusXM show into a streamable episode for HBO Max, along with periodic extras,” the release stated.

    The Howard Stern Show, which first launched on Sirius in 2006, will make its HBO Max debut on September 17. New episodes are set to arrive on the streaming platform every Thursday.

    “Howard’s new series on HBO Max takes him to the pinnacle of prestige television and gives his fans a long-desired ‘seat in the studio’ to see what they just heard,” the announcement added.

    “As fans hear his live show on SiriusXM, 40 cameras will capture the conversation for a version of the show then adapted into a streamable episode for HBO Max with periodic extras.”

    READ MORE: Air India Struggles to Win Back Flyers After 2025 Crash

    Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer, said in a statement, “There’s simply no one like Howard, and the start of his new season is another exciting chapter in an extraordinary run. For more than two decades at SiriusXM, he’s continued to evolve, surprise audiences and deliver the kind of conversations and moments that only Howard can.”

    Greenstein added, “We are proud that Howard chose to continue with SiriusXM through 2028 for his exclusive live show and deep library of classic Howard, and that Howard, HBO Max and SiriusXM have now teamed up to create a compelling new video version of his show.” 

    Sirius also confirmed that Stern’s Howard 100 channel will have “a new lineup” including “Wrap Up Wednesday,” an expanded version of his “Wrap Up Show” hosted by Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein.

    There will also be “new ways to hear [Stern’s] multi-decade library of past shows,” according to the press release.

    The new deal comes on the heels of the news that Stern’s Howard 101 SiriusXM channel has been dropped after a dozen staffers were laid off earlier this summer.

    This story is developing…

    Zara McDermott’s Strictly Come Dancing Earnings Revealed

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    Zara McDermott’s Strictly Come Dancing Earnings Revealed

    Strictly Come Dancing has long been more than a glitterball contest — for many celebrities, it is one of TV’s most profitable launchpads.

    The 2023 Strictly Come Dancing line-up is expected to attract serious commercial interest, with contestants poised to cash in through brand partnerships, sponsored content and social media campaigns — and Zara McDermott appears to be leading the pack.

    The former Love Island star has the biggest online following among this year’s cast and already has a strong track record as an influencer. Industry experts suggest her earning power could climb even higher during the BBC dance competition, with estimates putting her Instagram value at around £2,000 per post.

    While Zara looks set to make the biggest financial gains from her Strictly exposure, veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon — the show’s oldest-ever contestant — and Paralympic champion Jody Cundy are expected to sit at the other end of the earnings table.

    According to experts speaking to The Sun, Angela and Jody could command about £25 for an Instagram post. Here is a closer look at how much this year’s Strictly stars may be able to earn.

    All-star: Strictly Come Dancing is a wildly lucrative opportunity for contestants annually (Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Nigel Harman, Ellie Leach, Amanda Abbington, Les Dennis, Adam Thomas, Eddie Kadi, Angela Scanlon, Nikita Kanda, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Annabel Croft, Jody Cundy, Zara McDermot & Bobby Brazier)

    All-star: Strictly Come Dancing is a wildly lucrative opportunity for contestants annually (Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Nigel Harman, Ellie Leach, Amanda Abbington, Les Dennis, Adam Thomas, Eddie Kadi, Angela Scanlon, Nikita Kanda, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Annabel Croft, Jody Cundy, Zara McDermot & Bobby Brazier)

    Earning her keep: This year's contestants look to have high earning potential with brand collaborations, deals and social media posts - led by Zara McDermott

    Earning her keep: This year’s contestants look to have high earning potential with brand collaborations, deals and social media posts – led by Zara McDermott

    Dancing away: While Zara is in line to score the most money from the show, the oldest ever contestant Angela Rippon and Paralympian Jody Cundy are set to get the least

    Dancing away: While Zara is in line to score the most money from the show, the oldest ever contestant Angela Rippon and Paralympian Jody Cundy are set to get the least

    Nice! The stunner has a reported net worth of £230,500 and £270,000 and can fetch nearly £2k per Instagram post

    Nice! The stunner has a reported net worth of £230,500 and £270,000 and can fetch nearly £2k per Instagram post

    ZARA MCDERMOTT – 1.7M FOLLOWERS

    The stunner has a reported net worth of £230,500 and £270,000 and can fetch nearly £2k per Instagram post.

    She previously told Grazia magazine that Love Island stars can charge anywhere between £400 and £1.2K per Instagram post. 

    Following her stint on Love Island, Zara reinvented herself from a reality star to a documentarian with her various investigative shows. 

    She has hosted hard-hitting exposes on revenge porn, rape culture and eating disorders winning her a new army of fans – and a nomination for Authored Documentary at the National Television Awards. 

    Here he is: Experts revealed to The Sun that Adam could get £1,109 per sponsored post in the wake of his appearance on Strictly

    Here he is: Experts revealed to The Sun that Adam could get £1,109 per sponsored post in the wake of his appearance on Strictly

    ADAM THOMAS – 1M FOLLOWERS

    Experts revealed to The Sun that Adam could get £1,109 per sponsored post in the wake of his appearance on Strictly. 

    Adam played Adam Barton on Emmerdale for almost ten years between 2009 and 2018, during which he reportedly threatened to leave as he was being blocked from taking a role in pantomime for a whopping £100k. 

    Sources told The Sun at the time: ‘It’s a great payday for him and he’s a popular character on ‘Emmerdale’, so the bosses had to let him make his decision in the hope he may come back in the future.’

    He went on to star in Waterloo Road and came third on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here in 2016.

    Golden girl: TV host Angela works on both The One Show and Your Home Made Perfect

    Golden girl: TV host Angela works on both The One Show and Your Home Made Perfect

    ANGELA SCANLON – 297K FOLLOWERS

    TV host Angela works on both The One Show and Your Home Made Perfect.

    It has been predicted that she will get £350 per sponsored post off the back of her appearance on the show.  

    Bobby Dazzler: Having just won the NTA for Rising Star, Bobby - one of the youngest in this year's line-up - is set for a big pay day

    Bobby Dazzler: Having just won the NTA for Rising Star, Bobby – one of the youngest in this year’s line-up – is set for a big pay day

    BOBBY BRAZIER – 218K FOLLOWERS

    Having just won the NTA for Rising Star, Bobby – one of the youngest in this year’s line-up – is set for a big pay day. 

    The son of late Big Brother star Jade Goody could net around £330 for his Instagram posts as his success on the show will sit alongside his EastEnders fame. 

    Yay! Ellie, who is famous for playing troubled Faye Windass in Coronation Street, boasts a whopping 211k followers already

    Yay! Ellie, who is famous for playing troubled Faye Windass in Coronation Street, boasts a whopping 211k followers already

    Nice: Experts predict she could be in line to receive £290 per post

    Nice: Experts predict she could be in line to receive £290 per post

    ELLIE LEACH – 211K FOLLOWERS

    Ellie, who is famous for playing troubled Faye Windass in Coronation Street, boasts a whopping 211k followers already. 

    Experts predict she could be in line to receive £290 per post.  

    Nice! Despite his number of followers, experts still tipped the hunk to receive up to £215 per post after his turn around the dancefloor

    Nice! Despite his number of followers, experts still tipped the hunk to receive up to £215 per post after his turn around the dancefloor

    NIGEL HARMAN – 36.6K FOLLOWERS

    Nigel’s soap career began in 2003 when he scooped a role in EastEnders as heartthrob Dennis Rickman. 

    Dennis married his adopted sister Sharon – played by Letitia Dean – before he was stabbed on New Year’s Day in 2006.

    He went on to star in Downton Abbey and later Casualty. 

    Despite his number of followers, experts still tipped the hunk to receive up to £215 per post after his turn around the dancefloor.  

    Dancing away: Nikita is a host on BBC Asian Network's Breakfast Show and has won legions of fans through her interviews with a host of stars

    Dancing away: Nikita is a host on BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show and has won legions of fans through her interviews with a host of stars

    NIKITA KANDA – 27.7K FOLLOWERS

    Nikita is a host on BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show and has won legions of fans through her interviews with a host of stars. 

    It has been predicted that she will nab around £200 per post.  

    Yay! It's claimed that the star could gain £200 per post after his Strictly stint

    Yay! It’s claimed that the star could gain £200 per post after his Strictly stint

    LAYTON WILLIAMS – 140K FOLLOWERS

    Following a wildly successful stint opposite Jack Whitehall in Bad Education, Layton went on to enjoy huge fame in the West End. 

    ALSO READ: Below Deck’s Nathan Gallagher Faces Assault Charges After Arrest

    He starred as Michael Jackson in Thriller – Live before debuting in Billy Elliot the Musical in 2007 having trained at the Billy Elliot Academy in Leeds. 

    It’s claimed that the star could gain £200 per post after his Strictly stint. 

    Amanda has starred in Sherlock, Mr Selfridge and BBC kids show Dinopaws

    Amanda has starred in Sherlock, Mr Selfridge and BBC kids show Dinopaws

    AMANDA ABBINGTON – 96.4K FOLLOWERS

    Amanda has starred in Sherlock, Mr Selfridge and BBC kids show Dinopaws. 

    Prior to her Strictly stint, the actress, who split from her famous partner Martin Freeman in 2016, has run into money troubles in the past. 

    In 2013, Amanda was declared insolvent at London’s High Court over unpaid tax bill: ‘It was just me not managing my finances properly…

    ‘I was putting some money away (to pay tax), but not all of it. I was working one year and not working another year. So I used the money I saved.’

    She is looking to gain £190 per post on Instagram after the show.  

    Star: Krishnan is the lead presenter of Channel 4 News and also presents Unreported World, a foreign-affairs documentary series

    Star: Krishnan is the lead presenter of Channel 4 News and also presents Unreported World, a foreign-affairs documentary series

    KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY – 15.5K FOLLOWERS

    Krishnan is the lead presenter of Channel 4 News and also presents Unreported World, a foreign-affairs documentary series.

    Experts claim Krishnan could earn around £190 per post in the wake of Strictly. 

    Discussing the possibility of winning the glittered ball, the TV presenter said: ‘I think if you are doing Strictly, of course you dream of winning the trophy…

    ‘I will do absolutely everything I can to do as well as I possibly can, but I also live in the real world.’ 

    Golden girl: Annabel is a British former professional tennis player and current radio and television presenter

    Golden girl: Annabel is a British former professional tennis player and current radio and television presenter

    ANNABEL CROFT – 10.8K FOLLOWERS

    Annabel is a British former professional tennis player and current radio and television presenter.

    As a tennis player she won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup 

    She is pegged to earn around £190 per post. 

    Here he is: Eddie is pegged to earn £150 per post after the show

    Here he is: Eddie is pegged to earn £150 per post after the show

    EDDIE KADI – 111K FOLLOWERS

    Eddie, 40, is a multi-award winning stand-up comedian and radio presenter and he says he is ready to give the dance floor ‘everything he’s got’. 

    Eddie said in the announcement: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. 

    ‘I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.’ 

    Recognised as one of the most globally celebrated stand up personality, British-Congolese Eddie continues to dominate the world of comedy. 

    Eddie is pegged to earn £150 per post after the show. 

    Family Fortune: Despite his vast back catalogue of work in the showbiz world, Les is set to earn the least from his social media posts - with £40 in his estimation

    Family Fortune: Despite his vast back catalogue of work in the showbiz world, Les is set to earn the least from his social media posts – with £40 in his estimation

    LES DENNIS – 6,814 FOLLOWERS

    Les has been in showbiz for over 50 years, including famously hosting Family Fortunes for 16 years and starring as Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street from 2014 – 2016.

    Les started his career as a comedian on the Working Men’s Club circuit in and around his native Liverpool.

    He got his big break on TV Talent show New Faces, and went on to star in sketch and variety show The Laughter Show, forming a double-act with the late Dustin Gee.

    His TV career includes roles in Extras, Brookside, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders.

    On stage he’s starred with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English National Opera, and in hit plays and musicals such as Hairspray, Legally Blonde The Musical and 42nd Street.

    Despite his vast back catalogue of work in the showbiz world, Les is set to earn the least from his social media posts – with £40 in his estimation. 

    Nice! Experts predict she will earn around £24 per post once the show is on air

    Nice! Experts predict she will earn around £24 per post once the show is on air

    ANGELA RIPPON – 4,644 FOLLOWERS

    Angela not only hosted the original Strictly for three years until 1991 and again in 1998 but she stunned audiences with her own performance on the Morecambe and Wise 1976 Christmas special, where she danced a high-kicking routine.

    She is the oldest ever star of the show and judge Shirley Ballas insists she has promise for the role ahead. 

    Experts predict she will earn around £24 per post once the show is on air. 

    Woo! Jody Cundy, CBE is an English cyclist and former swimmer

    Woo! Jody Cundy, CBE is an English cyclist and former swimmer

    JODY CUNDY – 3,572 FOLLOWERS 

    Jody Cundy, CBE is an English cyclist and former swimmer. 

    He has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals across swimming and cycling events. 

    Social media insiders predict he will have a similar earning potential to Angela, with a predicted £25 per post. 

    Nice: Social media insiders predict he will have a similar earning potential to Angela, with a predicted £25 per post

    Nice: Social media insiders predict he will have a similar earning potential to Angela, with a predicted £25 per post

    Double Tropical Threat: Dolly Eyes Florida, Gulf Storm Brews

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    Double Tropical Threat: Dolly Eyes Florida, Gulf Storm Brews

    Hurricane forecasters are keeping a close watch on two developing weather disturbances in the Atlantic basin, with both systems tracking in the general direction of the US.

    The nearer concern is Invest AL97, which could briefly strengthen into a tropical depression or tropical storm before it moves ashore.

    As of Monday morning, the system was located more than 98 miles south of Louisiana and was drifting slowly toward the west-northwest.

    Satellite observations indicated that AL97’s circulation was still poorly defined, though the disturbance was generating winds of about 29 to 35mph and environmental conditions remained supportive of additional development.

    Forecasters said Invest AL97 is expected to approach the Upper Texas coast or southwestern Louisiana late tonight or by Tuesday morning.

    Tropical storm watches or warnings could be issued later Monday, while heavy rain is expected along parts of both coastlines regardless of whether the system develops.

    The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is also tracking the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly as they race westward across the Caribbean toward Florida.

    Dolly is unlikely to redevelop over the next day or two, but its moisture is expected to increase Florida’s rain chances later this week.

    Hurricane trackers are monitoring two disturbances in the Atlantic basin as both move toward the US

    Hurricane trackers are monitoring two disturbances in the Atlantic basin as both move toward the US

    An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system in the Gulf later this morning. 

    Forecasters said it has a high chance of becoming a tropical cyclone within the next seven days. 

    The NHC gives it a 70 percent chance of development over both the next two and seven days. The next named storm would be Edouard.

    Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers said on X: ’97L continues to look increasingly organized this morning, with deep convection exploding around the circulation and persistent lightning near the center. 

    ‘The current satellite presentation appears more organized than some hurricane-model guidance has been depicting.’

    Farther east, the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly are producing heavy showers and thunderstorms from Puerto Rico across the Virgin Islands and northern Leeward Islands.

    The system remains a strong tropical wave but does not have a fully formed center of circulation. 

    That makes redevelopment unlikely over the next day or two as it races west to west-northwest at about 25mph.

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    The more immediate threat, Invest AL97 (red), is likely to become a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm before reaching the coast

    The more immediate threat, Invest AL97 (red), is likely to become a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm before reaching the coast

    A model showing potential paths for Invest A97, which could become a named storm on Monday or Tuesday

    A model showing potential paths for Invest A97, which could become a named storm on Monday or Tuesday

    Conditions could become slightly more favorable by midweek as Dolly approaches the Gulf.

    However, its chances of reforming remain near zero over the next 48 hours and just 20 percent across the next seven days.

    Even if Dolly never redevelops, Florida could still feel its effects.

    The wave could drag more tropical moisture across the state and combine with favorable conditions higher in the atmosphere, bringing more widespread rain and stronger afternoon storms later this week. 

    It could also keep the rip-current risk elevated at area beaches, depending on changes in air pressure and whether long-period swells reach the coast.

    East Central Florida is facing a hot, muggy and stormy week, with forecasters warning of heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and possible localized flooding.

    Scattered to widespread thunderstorms are expected to develop from late Monday morning through the evening, according to Indian River County Weather. 

    Rain chances will range from 50 to 60 percent across the region, including a 50 percent chance around Vero Beach.

    The strongest storms could unleash wind gusts of 40 to 50mph, frequent lightning and torrential rain. Slow-moving storms could dump large amounts of water over isolated areas, triggering flash flooding.

    Temperatures will reach 89 to 92 degrees, but high humidity could make it feel like 100 to more than 105 degrees.

    Conditions could deteriorate further Wednesday and Thursday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly pass near Florida and pull more moisture into the state. 

    Parts of the region face a marginal, Level 1 out of 4, risk of excessive rainfall Thursday.

    Conditions offshore should remain relatively manageable, with east-to-southeast winds of five to ten knots, about six to 12mph, and waves of two to three feet. However, thunderstorms will remain a daily threat for boaters.

    Rain chances could ease slightly over the weekend but are expected to remain above normal as temperatures climb into the low- to mid-90s.
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