USA Today
2.3M Followers | @USAToday | The nation's news.
No, Clemson didn't really ban Harambe memes
You may have seen various outlets reporting that Harambe memes were banned at Clemson University.<p>But according to the university’s spokesperson, the memes <i>aren’t</i> banned.<p>“The original message that went to RAs and students in one residence area that prompted the story that has been picked up and …
South CarolinaNo UT penalty for Tenn. prof who tweeted 'Run 'em down'
Images from social media captured the second night of violent protests in Charlotte, N.C. WIBBITZ<p>KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee will take no disciplinary action against one of its law professors who urged motorists to run over demonstrators blocking traffic in Charlotte, N.C., a …
ProtestWitness: Christie told of Bridgegate scheme at 9/11 memorial
At the conclusion of a Statehouse news conference on drug rehabilitation, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie shifts topics and denies any involvement in the Bridgegate scandal. STAFF VIDEO BY THOMAS P. COSTELLO<p>NEWARK — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was told that Fort Lee, N.J., was choking in …
Republican PartyTrump debate. Here's what they told us.
<i>We asked college newspaper editors to weigh in — and, if they can, to share what they’re hearing from other students on campus — on the first 2016 presidential debate. Here’s what they have to share. We will continue to update this post as more reactions come in from more college journalists.</i><p><b>Keeton</b> …
Donald TrumpAuthorities: NYC footage shows person moving devices before blast
RAW: Witness assists the injured at scene of a powerful explosion from a explosive device the injured at least 29 people in New York's popular Chelsea neighborhood on Saturday. Video courtesy of Ramón Lopez. Ramón Lopez / NorthJersey.com<p>NEW YORK — Authorities investigating an explosion that injured …
New York CityBridgegate: Plot to foul bridge traffic ID'd 2 years earlier
A former official who pleaded guilty in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing "Bridgegate" case and is expected to be the government's star witness is set to testify. (Sept. 23) AP<p>NEWARK — The government’s star witness in the political conspiracy trial of two former allies of New Jersey Gov. …
TrafficLook back: How Arnold Palmer invented the Arnold Palmer
<i>Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2012.</i><p>(Photo: Eileen Blass, USA TODAY)<p>How did a glass of iced tea with a healthy splash of lemonade come to be named after legendary golfer Arnold Palmer?<p>The drink has as many origin stories as a Marvel comic book hero.<p>The rumor at Palmer's alma …
Arnold PalmerBridgegate trial: Christie taking heat from defense, prosecution
Former staffers for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who are expected on the stand in the so-called Bridgegate scandal arrive at a Newark courthouse. (Sept. 23) AP<p>TRENTON — At nearly every turn last week, lawyers in the George Washington Bridge criminal trial turned jurors’ attention to someone …
Republican PartyArnold Palmer: 'The King' of golf dies at 87
Arnold Palmer was the telegenic golfer who took a staid sport to TV and to the masses<p>Before accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, Arnold Palmer shared a few laughs with President George W. Bush and gave the commander in chief a few golf tips in the East Room of the White House.<p>Five …
GolfRunners from blast-canceled N.J. race return to the streets
WOOLAND PARK, N.J. — Eight days after bombs exploded at a Seaside Park, N.J., charity race and later on a street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, runners from New Jersey and beyond descended on New York City Sunday to honor first responders and raise money to help wounded servicemen.<p>The …
Weapons Of Mass DestructionPolice chief to clown: Stop it!
JACKSON, Miss. — There have been multiple creepy clown sightings reported across the nation.<p>Roaming clowns have been spotted in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Wisconsin. One report in Starkville, Miss., recently was deemed a hoax.<p>However a clown call in Tchula, Miss., turned …
Policing‘We can’t get out’: 911 call from Memphis fire that killed 9 released
MEMPHIS — The city of Memphis released the 911 call made Monday from the fatal house fire in South Memphis where 9 people, including 6 children and three adults died.<p>The call was made by Carol Collier, a family friend, from the back bedroom of the home.<p>In the call made at 1:21 a.m., you can hear …
MemphisUniversity of Richmond frat suspended over 'grossly offensive' email
The University of Richmond in Virginia has suspended one of its fraternities after approximately 100 students received an email from two fraternity members that “contained grossly offensive language,” according to the university.<p>The email, titled “The wait is finally over,” according to The …
EmailArrr, free doughnuts for ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’
Krispy Kreme is offering up free doughnuts for Talk Like A Pirate Day on Monday, September 19th. Time<p>Calling all doughnut-loving scoundrels and scallywags: Krispy Kreme has an offer ye can't refuse.<p>On Monday, Sept. 19, it's "Talk Like a Pirate Day," and Krispy Kreme will celebrate the occasion by …
DoughnutsCensus: Memphis no longer nation’s poorest
MEMPHIS — Metropolitan Memphis shed its status as the nation's poorest large metro area as the local poverty rate fell last year to its lowest level since the recession, census figures released Thursday show.<p>An estimated 18.4% of the metro area's 1.3 million-plus residents were living on less than …
GeographyDelta Upsilon is suspended at Washington State after an alleged sexual assault
The Interfraternity Council at Washington State University suspended its Delta Upsilon fraternity chapter Wednesday afternoon after one 18-year-old woman reported she was sexually assaulted at the fraternity house and a 17-year-old girl sought treatment at a hospital after drinking alcohol at the …
Washington StateMother, son accused in $3 million federal food stamp fraud
MILWAUKEE — A Wisconsin woman and her son have been indicted for allegedly stealing $3 million from the federal government through a benefits program intended to help the poor, according to court records.<p>The indictment, released late Wednesday, says the fraud was committed at a Family Super Saver …
FraudPolice: Worker stormed out of meeting, returned with gun
Three people are dead, including the suspected gunman, after a shooting at a Tennessee factory. The gunman is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was an employee.<p>ATHENS, Tenn. — An angry long-time worker at a plant that a business magazine once named one of North America's …
PolicingBetter ways to put veterans first: Opposing view
Legislation preserves most of VA's broken system.<p>After years of nationwide scandal, waste and suffering at the Department of Veterans Affairs, strong measures are necessary to protect veterans from neglect. Unfortunately, legislation known as the Veterans First Act, supported by the VA’s …
VeteransRacist graffiti spurs disgust, protest at Eastern Michigan University
Students at Eastern Michigan University woke up Tuesday morning to a grim discovery: racist graffiti scrawled on a wall on campus.<p>Eastern Michigan President James Smith sent out a statement at 10:47 a.m. on Tuesday morning informing students about the graffiti found on King Hall.<p>The graffiti …
GraffitiBridgegate: Mayor tried to discourage Christie visit
NEWARK, N.J. — After the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal exploded in January 2014 with the release of a seemingly damning email written by an aide to Gov. Chris Christie — “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” — the governor wanted to fly to the town in a helicopter to issue a …
Bridgegate ScandalIndictment: Military boots made in China said 'Made in the USA'
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Since 1965, when its technology put "jungle boots" on the feet of U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, Wellco Enterprises shod the military to the tune of billions of dollars with its "Made in the USA" footwear.<p>But when investment firms took over the North Carolina manufacturer amid …
ChinaBridgegate: Bridge manager held parking-lot meeting with police chief
NEWARK — As testimony got under way at the Bridgegate trial in federal court on Tuesday, Fort Lee’s chief of police described a clandestine meeting he had in a municipal parking lot with the general manager of the George Washington Bridge on the first day of the lane closures that snarled traffic …
PolicingTimeline: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 12-year relationship
The evolution of Brangelina<p>Brangelina is over.<p>Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt. The couple has been one of the most famous Hollywood pairings from the time they got together in 2004. We revisit a few of their milestones over the years.<p><b>Summer 2004:</b> <i>Mr. & Mrs. Smith</i> starts filming. …
Brad PittFriends saw changes after terror suspect's trip to Afghanistan
Everything we know about the suspected bomber Ahmad Rahami. USA TODAY<p>ELIZABETH, N.J. — A complicated and conflicting portrait emerged of the New Jersey man suspected of planting bombs from Manhattan to Seaside Park, N.J., in a weekend terror spree.<p>Ahmad Khan Rahami, a naturalized American citizen …
Afghanistan'See something, say something' plays critical role in thwarting bombings
A visual timeline of the bombing attacks and attempted bombing attacks in New York and New Jersey over the weekend of Sept. 17th and 18th. USA TODAY<p>WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — They were not spies. They were not soldiers. But three times in the last three days, observant citizens disrupted a possible …
TerrorismLawyers on both sides of Bridgegate trial paint Christie as central figure
NEWARK — He has not been charged with a crime or found to have had direct knowledge or involvement in the scheme to close lanes to the George Washington Bridge.<p>But New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie quickly became the central figure in the criminal case against two former associates that began Monday …
Republican PartyWounded N.J. cop's dad feels 'blessed' and 'aggravated'
LINDEN, N.J. — Pete Hammer, U.S. Marine in retirement and the father of one of the Linden police officers wounded in the capture of the suspect in the weekend’s Manhattan and New Jersey terror bombings, was just about the happiest of unhappy men Monday.<p>“I’m aggravated!” he declared from his home in …
NYPDProsecutors: Christie told of Bridgegate lane closures
A former aide to Chris Christie texted to a colleague that the New Jersey governor "flat out lied" about the involvement of his senior staff and campaign manager during a news conference about the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal, according to a new court filing. (Aug. 10) AP<p>NEWARK — …
Republican PartyTexas university has first known firearm incident since campus carry started
A Texas university experienced a firearm incident involving a licensed to carry student on Wednesday, making it the first known on-campus incident with a firearm in the state since the campus carry law went into effect in Texas Aug. 1.<p>Tarleton State University released a statement, sharing that the …
American South