Price hikes due to President Donald Trump’s newly-imposed tariffs are likely to impact the grocery store and beyond for Americans. Tonight, the president will address a joint session of Congress (but it’s not the State of the Union). A misidentified dog sparked controversy in the case of a famous actor’s death.
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Things could get even more pricier
Tariffs imposed on goods from Mexico and Canada are expected to increase the prices of goods used by Americans every day.
What happened: Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada were imposed Tuesday, along with a doubling of duties on Chinese goods to 20%.
- Then the stock market took a tumble. The broad S&P 500 slumped after earlier optimism for a last-minute deal to avert the full tariffs on the two U.S. allies was dashed.
- Canada and China have already retaliated: The countermoves signal new trade conflicts with the U.S.’s top three trading partners and threatened to upend nearly $2.2 trillion in two-way annual trade.
- A costly endeavor for everyday Americans: From gas to alcohol to meat and more, economists expect the tariffs could cost the average American household $1,200 annually.
So, it’s not a State of the Union tonight?
While strongly resembling a State of the Union — this moment is not technically one. State of the Union addresses are delivered during a president’s second, third and fourth year in office. Senators and representatives will gather in the House chamber, where President Donald Trump is expected to touch on various parts of his legislative agenda, from national security to economic policy. Here’s what Trump may say and what Democrat is delivering a rebuttal.
- You can watch Trump’s address live on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel.
More news to know now
- Trump pausedaid to Ukraine.
- Dozens of Democratsurged Trump to fire Elon Musk.
- Kroger’s CEO resigned after an investigation into “personal conduct.”
- Several dozen employees fired from the National Science Foundation were given their jobs back.
- Egg prices are up. Is it time to get some chickens?
What’s the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
A couple’s race to escape South Carolina wildfire
Raging wildfires across the Carolinas prompted evacuation orders for many, including a South Carolina couple who captured their harrowing experience on video. The Myrtle Beach residents scrambled to drive out of the fiery scene in the small community of Carolina Forest, where the massive Covington Lane Fire scorched 1,600 acres. Video shows the pair driving out through a blaze in panic.
Exclusive: Docs reveal damaging discrimination in National Guard
Dozens of incidents documented by the National Guard paint a picture of discrimination from Topeka, Kansas, to Puerto Rico — and they come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made it his mission to eradicate “woke” sensitivities in the military. National Guard documents obtained by USA TODAY through the Freedom of Information Act and freshly filed lawsuits show employment discrimination throughout its ranks. They represent the most egregious cases that reach national leadership for corrective action. Here’s what USA TODAY’s analysis of the records shows.
Today’s talkers
- Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, is dead at 82.
- Tennessee is the new No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament projection.
- These vacations are gay – unapologetically.
- Katherine Legge will be the first woman to race NASCAR in 7 years.
- Sally’s got the answers! Check out today’s crossword.
The wrong dog sparks concerns in Gene Hackman investigation
Police continue to look into the details and causes behind the deaths of Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64. They were discovered in separate rooms in their Santa Fe estate, with signs they were likely dead for over a week. As investigators try to establish a cause of death for the movie actor and his wife, their misidentification of a dog that died along with them could potentially raise doubts about other parts of their investigation. USA TODAY investigated how the dog was misidentified in the report.
Photo of the day: Grieving on the ice
Skaters took to the ice at Capital One Arena for “Legacy on Ice,” a two-hour tribute show to honor the 67 victims in the January plane crash in the D.C. area, many of whom were part of the skating community. See photos of the emotional performances.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.