Author: Grace Thompson

WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith and his team plan to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, a source familiar with the matter said. Smith’s office has been evaluating the best path for winding down its work on the two outstanding federal criminal cases against Trump , as the Justice Department’s longstanding position is that it cannot charge a sitting president with a crime. The New York Times first reported on Smith's plans to step down. The looming question in the weeks ahead is whether Smith's final report, detailing his charging decisions, will be made public before Inauguration Day. The special counsel's office is required under Justice Department regulations to provide a confidential report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, w...

The Summary New Jersey’s governor issued a drought warning Wednesday. State officials said the state is experiencing some of the driest conditions in nearly 120 years, prompting an increase in wildfires. The extreme dry spell is part of a broader drought plaguing the Northeast. New Jersey’s governor issued a drought warning Wednesday and said the state could implement mandatory water restrictions if conditions worsen. A record dry spell has led to the driest conditions New Jersey has had in nearly 120 years, prompting a staggering increase in the number of wildfires , state officials said at a news conference. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 blazes since early October, which have burned thousands of acres, Gov. Phil Murphy sai...

After years of financial growth, Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recorded a more than 30% drop in revenue last year, to $16 million, according to recent tax filings. The pandemic boosted the profiles and pocketbooks of anti-vaccine organizations and activists, but none more than Children’s Health Defense and Kennedy. The nonprofit doubled its revenue in 2020 to $6.8 million, then grew again to $16 million in 2021 and $23.5 million in 2022. Last year was the first substantial loss in the organization’s history, of about $3 million, driven by a reduction in contributions, according to the filings. Children’s Health Defense, which describes itself as a “child health protection and advocacy group,” provided its tax fili...

Although they may disagree, cats don’t need treats — as long as they eat a complete and balanced cat food every day, they get all their essential nutrients. However, cat treats come in handy during a variety of situations. “Giving your cat treats helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet,” says Dr. Nicole Savageau , a veterinarian at Highland’s Pet Medical Clinic in Austin, Texas. “Treats can also distract them during stressful events like car rides or vet visits, providing a positive association with the experience.” The benefits don’t end there — cat treats are ideal for training your pet and rewarding good behavior, too. Below, I spoke to veterinarians about the most important factors to consider while shopping for cat treats. They also answered F...

If there ever was a group of people that deserve to be shown some gratitude, it’s teachers. So, when the holidays roll around, it only makes sense that you’d want to honor all their hard work with a token of your appreciation. But what makes a great gift for teachers? There are a number of ways you can go about buying a gift for the teacher(s) in your life— you can get them a great self-care gift or something personalized , or if you’re on a budget and/or buying for many teachers at once you may want to opt for a present that’s under $25 . We chose every on this list with the intention of either delighting your teacher, making their job a bit easier or helping them unwind or relax. Everything is either highly rated, an NBC Select reader favorite or a staff pick or f...

The number of illnesses in the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has risen to 104, up from 90 at last count, health officials said in an update Wednesday . To date, 34 people have been hospitalized, four have developed serious kidney problems and one has died. The outbreak was announced last month, though some cases date to September , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC and McDonald's have both pointed to slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders as the likely source of the outbreak. McDonald’s said last month that Taylor Farms , a California-based food producer, supplied the onions to affected restaurants. Taylor Farms recalled its yellow onions on Oct. 22. Health officials said Wednesday that ...

Finding the best gifts for moms can be a tall order: You want something personal, surprising and ideally practical . What checks those boxes can really run the gamut: For my own mom, a percussive massage gun might do the trick, whereas I would really enjoy a hot cup of coffee from my toddler (maybe one day). Ultimately, anything that can make her feel special amid the sometimes thankless tasks of being a mom makes for a good gift. It also helps to keep in mind that moms do things besides parenting: Sure, I’m a mom, but I’m also a runner, and therefore would love any gift for outdoorsy people . Whether you’re trying to find the perfect cozy gift for your low-key mom or scrambling for a last-minute present (it happens), all it takes is a little bit of...

While Black Friday is still a couple weeks aways, many retailers, including Home Depot , are already discounting tons of bestselling products from major brands, giving you early access to its holiday deals. From now through until Dec. 4, you can shop Home Depot’s Black Friday sale, which is offering up to 50% off select home appliances, vacuums , power tools, smart home devices , furniture and holiday decor . I regularly cover deals at popular home and kitchen retailers so I know what brands are actually worth investing in and what makes a good sale. Below, I rounded up the best early Black Friday deals at Home Depot and will continue to update this list through the entirety of the sale. SKIP AHEAD The best early Black Friday sales at Home...

President-elect Donald Trump named tech billionaire Elon Musk and conservative activist Vivek Ramaswamy on Tuesday to head up a new Department of Government Efficiency, fulfilling a campaign pledge to give Musk sweeping oversight of government spending. Trump said in a s t atement on t o social media that the department will help "dismantle Government Bureaucracy" and slash excess regulations. The name of the agency, DOGE for short, is a reference to a meme and a cryptocurrency associated with Musk . "This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!" Musk said in the statement released by the transition team. On X, he added: "Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!" Mus...

No matter what kind of pet owner you are, it can be hard to resist letting your dog cuddle with you in bed. However, vets say it’s important to give your pup their own space to ensure both of you are resting well . That’s where a dog bed comes in: It also gives them a spot for naps or solitude throughout the day. And unlike other pet essentials , a dog bed can last for several years (so long as your pup doesn’t destroy it). To help you find the right bed for your pet, I spoke to experts about the benefits of a dog bed and what to consider when shopping for one. I also pulled together some staff favorites and expert-recommended options to consider. SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best dog beds | Best dog beds | How to shop fo...