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Authorities continue to search for a suspect in this week's Maine shooting. USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Sudiksha Kochi explains the major challenges that new House Speaker Mike Johnson faces. The United Auto Workers have reached a tentative labor agreement with Ford. The Israel-Hamas war has stirred free speech battles at college campuses across the country. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana looks into a lawsuit over sexual assault at a Christian college, and what it might mean for more federal oversight.

Israel is preparing for a ground war against Hamas in Gaza. Here's what to know.

Folklore expert Moira Marsh explains how pagan and Christian elements have been at the heart of Halloween from the very beginning. RELATED: Trick-or-treat! Americans rank most loved, hated Halloween candies » Subscribe to USA TODAY » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.

Rep. Mike Johnson has won the House speaker race. Israeli troops briefly enter Gaza. USA TODAY National Political Correspondent David Jackson breaks down Donald Trump's push to expand presidential power. At least 16 people were killed Wednesday night in a Maine mass shooting. USA TODAY Senior Investigative Reporter Emily Le Coz looks at why pharmacists have been walking off the job this year, and what their complaints might mean for patient safety.

Maine police identified Robert Card, 40, as the person of interest in a shootings at a bowling alley and a bar that killed at least 16 people. RELATED: Gunman at large after shooting at bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine At least 16 people were killed Wednesday and dozens injured after a gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, the latest mass killing in the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the use of 'humanitarian pauses' in the Israel-Hamas war. USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down Michael Cohen's testimony at Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, and looks at Jenna Ellis' guilty plea in the Georgia election case. House Republicans nominate Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. as their latest choice for speaker. USA TODAY Breaking News Reporter Minnah Arshad looks into an investigation of Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, and the broader plights at prisons nationwide.

David Beckham's alleged mistress Rebecca Loos is hitting back at the former soccer star's comments in "Beckham," a four-part docuseries. The Netflix docuseries chronicles David and Victoria Beckham's 26-year romance. The final episode "What Makes David Run" delves into reports in 2004 of David's reported affair after his move to Real Madrid, where he hired Loos as his personal assistant. In an interview with DailyMail published Saturday, Loos said

A handful of hard-right Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., earlier this month, and Republicans in the lower chamber have failed to coalesce around a replacement. House Democrats refused to vote to save McCarthy and have since refused to lend their support to Republican speaker candidates, including Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

A second aid convoy has arrived in Gaza. Multiple Republican lawmakers lash out as the House remains frozen without a speaker. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent John Fritze looks at court challenges to FDA authority. A new rule forces some Florida schools to segregate bathrooms by sex assigned at birth. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé explains how many couples are leaving money on the table when it comes to their 401 (k) plans.

The issue of reparations is complex and often controversial. There are differing opinions on whether reparations are an appropriate or even effective way to remedy the horrors of slavery. The California Reparations Task Force recently issued its final report to the California legislature. The legislature there could take up a vote on whether to act on those recommendations as early as this fall. Kamilah Moore is the Chair of that task force and joins the 5 Things podcast to discuss her team's findings and our country's history with reparations.

In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden made his case for providing financial aid and military assistance to Israel and Ukraine. RELATED: Joe Biden: Gaza hospital explosion 'done by the other team,' not Israel • Joe Biden: Gaza hospit… President Joe Biden urged Americans in an Oval Office address Thursday to stand with Ukraine and Israel, arguing that U.S. leadership abroad and congressional aid to both countries is essential.

Joran van der Sloot pleads guilty to charges of extortion and wire fraud and confessed to killing Natalee Holloway as part of a plea deal. RELATED: Natalee Holloway suspect Joran van der Sloot to be extradited to US Joran van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway in 2005, has confessed to killing her and disposing of her remains before trying to extort the girl's grieving family, court documents state.

Britney Spears' memoir "The Woman in Me" is making news ahead of its release with a shocking revelation involving Justin Timberlake. RELATED: Jada Pinkett Smith reveals if she still lives with husband Will Smith • Jada Pinkett Smith rev... Britney Spears fans are revisiting her 2003 song and music video for "Everytime" after she revealed in an excerpt from her upcoming memoir that she had an abortion while dating Justin Timberlake.

President Joe Biden meets with leaders, first responders and victims on a high-stakes trip to Israel trip seeking humanitarian assistance for Gazans. RELATED: Joe Biden: Gaza hospital explosion 'done by the other team,' not Israel

The mother of a 21-year-old hostage pleaded for the return of her daughter after Hamas' military arm released a video of her with bandages on her arm. RELATED: USA TODAY reporter shares dangerous conditions on the ground in Isreal » Subscribe to USA TODAY » Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.

Pregnant people in Alabama could have more difficulty finding a healthcare facility to give birth as three maternity wards are set to close. RELATED: Inflation could make health care costs skyrocket soon. For many expecting mothers in Alabama, finding a healthcare facility to give birth is a challenge. But the shutdown of three maternity units might just make it more difficult. NBC News reported that by the end of October, two maternity wards will close, and a third will close just a few weeks later. The closing of these facilities leave woman across Shelby and Monroe counties without any birthing units. "There's a sense of dread knowing that there's going to be families who are now not only driving to the county over, but driving through three counties," Honour McDaniel, director of maternal and infant health initiatives for the March of Dimes in Alabama told NBC News.

The new Pepper X, created by renowned hot pepper expert Ed Currie, now holds the Guinness World Record for the hottest in the world. RELATED: Nigerian chef cooks for 93 hours straight, breaks world record The Carolina Reaper has been officially dethroned as the world's hottest chilli pepper. PuckerButt Pepper Company founder and pepper expert Ed Currie has spent the last ten years working on Pepper X, a chilli pepper that emits an "immediate and brutal heat," according to reporting by the Associated Press. Five of those years were spent proving Pepper X was a different plant with a different fruit and documenting its average heat over different plants and generations.

#hatecrime #Muslim The uncle of a 6-year-old boy fatally stabbed in Illinois, called on politicians to condemn anti-muslim rhetoric connected to the Israel-Hamas war. RELATED: New report reveals hate crimes spike during president election cycles • New report reveals hat... Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department has opened a federal hate crimes investigation into what led to the stabbing death of Wadea Al Fayoume and the serious injuries to his mother, Hanaan Shahin, in Illinois.

Palestinians are trying to leave the Gaza Strip as the United States and Egypt work to open the Rafah border crossing. » Subscribe to USA TODAY » Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.

Jada Pinkett Smith chats with USA TODAY's Erin Jensen about the revelations surrounding her husband Will Smith in her new memoir, "Worthy." Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's separation seven years ago isn't the full story - or in this case, memoir. Although the couple had kept their 2016 split private - Smith kissed Pinkett Smith's face at movie premieres and appeared on her intimate Facebook Watch series "Red Table Talk," where they once vowed "bad marriage for life" - the actress writes openly of their estrangement in her memoir, "Worthy" (Dey Street Books, out Tuesday), and their decision not to divorce. The two are redefining marriage in a way reminiscent of when Gwyneth Paltrow thrust "conscious uncoupling" into the public consciousness.

Presidential hopefuls at the USA TODAY Network Republican Presidential Candidate Town Hall share their plans to improve the lives of young voters. RELATED: Republican Town Hall: How tiny Exeter, NH, plays huge political role A series of town hall forums presented by USA TODAY, the USA TODAY Network and Seacoastonline for Republican presidential hopefuls took place in Exeter, New Hampshire this past week. The forums were held at Exeter Town Hall, where many former presidents, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama, have campaigned.

The opioid crisis has resulted in over 600,000 needless deaths. Who is to blame? Many say the Sackler family, who took in billions in profits from drug sales through their company Perdue Pharma. The Supreme Court is now weighing in on that. In August, SCOTUS blocked a $6 billion opioid settlement that would have shielded the Sackler family from civil claims. The court will take up the case and hear arguments this December. USA TODAY Supreme Court Reporter John Fritze joins the 5 Things podcast to discuss the implications for both drug makers and victims.

This school custodian and chess coach is the real Mr. Shaibel from The Queen's Gambit RELATED VIDEO » School custodian thanks God for gift from teachers • School custodian thank... School custodian David Bishop doubles as a Queen's Gambit-style chess coach in Maine, but he was teaching students the game long before the series. » Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY: COPY MOST RELEVANT PLAYLIST BITLY HERE » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more

Former Vice President Mike Pence opens up about his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack during USA TODAY town hall. RELATED: Mike Pence, Nikki Haley spar over federal abortion ban a RNC debate During most of his four years in the Trump administration, Mike Pence was exceedingly loyal to President Donald Trump, being careful to never steal the spotlight from the president and keeping any disagreements they had out of sight.

Former Vice President Mike Pence suggests stronger leadership in Congress is the solution to a vocal minority of Republicans. RELATED: Mike Pence says Trump isn't 'running on the agenda we governed on During most of his four years in the Trump administration, Mike Pence was exceedingly loyal to President Donald Trump, being careful to never steal the spotlight from the president and keeping any disagreements they had out of sight. That changed on Jan. 6, 2021, when Pence refused to use his ceremonial role overseeing Congress' acceptance of the nation's electoral college vote to try to overturn the election.