Keeping Up With America

Watchdogs support Musk’s goal of tackling fraud — but question the way DOGE is doing it: For decades, government watchdogs and budget oversight experts have been trying to get someone — anyone — to listen to them about the need to root out waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending, frustrated that their calls for systemic change were going unheard by Washington.

Men say they were conned by woman linked to reporter’s death and went to police but heard nothing back: The phone’s screen saver was the first sign that something was wrong. When Jason Egle plugged the device in and fell asleep at his parents’ New Orleans-area home in the predawn hours of Oct. 16, 2021, it was dead. He hadn’t realized it was someone else’s.

Blizzard in the North and floods in the South while severe storms batter eastern U.S.: Much of the eastern half of the United States is bracing for severe weather this weekend, with “life-threatening” flash flooding possible in parts of the Southeast and significant snow set to blanket the Upper Midwest through to New England.

Justice Department fires multiple immigration judges amid case backlog: The Department of Justice fired multiple immigration judges on Friday, according to two sources familiar with the decision and a statement from one of the judges on LinkedIn. The move threatens to throw sand in the gears of an already strained immigration system as the Trump administration moves to rapidly reshape the federal workforce.

Trump administration wants to un-fire nuclear safety workers but can’t figure out how to reach them: National Nuclear Security Administration officials on Friday attempted to notify some employees who had been let go the day before that they are now due to be reinstated — but they struggled to find them because they didn’t have their new contact information.

Around the World

Top Trump administration officials to head to Saudi Arabia for Russia-Ukraine peace talks: It is unclear whether national security adviser Mike Waltz and special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff have already departed.

Russian court orders US citizen suspected of drug smuggling to be held in custody: Kalob Wayne Byers, a 28-year-old American, has been placed in pre-trial detention in Russia after customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his luggage.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Coinbase, Airbnb, WeRide, GameStop and more

Amazon workers reject union in vote at North Carolina warehouse

As Target and other retailers drop DEI programs, Black founders could face tougher battle to get and stay on shelves

Richer, Wiser, Happier

These red flags that can trigger an IRS tax audit are ‘low hanging fruit,’ expert says: As millions of taxpayers file returns, many worry that certain claims could boost their chances of being picked for an IRS audit. After an infusion of funding, the agency said it aimed to more than double the audit rate for the wealthiest taxpayers. But the IRS’ future priorities are unclear amid changing leadership and a Republican-controlled Congress and White House.

Avoid These 3 Common Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Mistakes | Kailey Hagen, Fool. Most Americans 73 and older won’t have to worry too much about required minimum distributions (RMDs) again for a while. They have nearly 11 months left to take their 2025 distribution. But those who turned 73 last year may still be trying to sort out their 2024 RMD.

Worried About Your Tax Bill? Try This to Save Money and Boost Your Retirement Savings: Tax season is upon us once again, and while many Americans can look forward to a refund in the coming weeks, that’s not the case for everyone. After completing their tax returns, some will find they didn’t pay enough during 2024. They’ll have to either give the IRS a lump sum, or agree to a payment plan that could last months or even years.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Pirates ace Paul Skenes tinkering with new pitches | No. 1 Auburn rides into Tuscaloosa, takes down No. 2 Alabama

‘Love Is Blind’ Producers Pay Homage to ‘Dawson’s Creek’ With New High School Reality Series ‘Sweethearts’ | Leo Woodall on Being Bridget Jones’ New Man in ‘Mad About the Boy,’ Adjusting to Fame and Wanting More Action Roles: ‘I’d Do Bond’

‘SNL50’ concert blitzes New York with Cher, Lady Gaga, Nirvana in musical celebration | Sheryl Crow waves goodbye to towed Tesla car after slamming ‘President Musk’: See video

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

How to Bring Stale Bread Back to Life, According to a Baker

Ear pinch clears away brain fog in 8 seconds

6 Foods You Should Always Buy in Bulk, According to Nutritionists

Why the Tips of Your Plant’s Leaves Turned Brown, and How to Fix It