Home Blog Page 134

Get discount tickets for the USMNT Australia World Cup 2026 game

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Get discount tickets for the USMNT Australia World Cup 2026 game



One down, two to go.

After their commanding 4-1 victory against Paraguay, Christian Pulisic’s US Men’s National Team will take on Sam Kerr’s Australia at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Friday, June 19 in their second group stage game of the 2026 World Cup.

Whoever wins at the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks’ home field clinches a spot in the knockout stage.

If you’d like to be there, last-minute tickets are available to see Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and Chris Richards duke it out on the pitch live.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for the high-stakes showdown was $1,951 including fees on SeatGeek.

For those hoping to get closer to the action, 100-level seats start at $2,839 including fees.

Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).

Australia comes into the cutthroat contest also riding a one-game win streak after their triumphant 2-0 takedown over Türkiye on June 14. Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored for the yellow and green in what pundits considered a minor upset since Türkiye was expected to come out on top ahead of the match.

Linemakers list the USMNT as favorites on Friday. FanDuel Sportsbook gives Mauricio Pochettino’s club -170 (risk $170 to win $100) odds to win.

Still, you won’t want to forget Australia were underdogs against Türkiye and still secured the dub. Clearly, they’re a dangerous club to look out for.

The Post reported that the last time these two clubs met was an October 2025 friendly in Colorado, which the USMNT narrowly escaped with a tense, come-from-behind 2-1 win.

“It was a really combative game,” USMNT player Tyler Adams said. “So we know a little bit of what to expect; we need to be prepared for it.”

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the US Men’s National Team vs. Australia group stage 2026 World Cup game at Seattle’s Lumen Field below.

How much are tickets for the USMNT vs. Australia 2026 World Cup game?

A complete breakdown of all the best prices on seats by section at Lumen Field for the USMNT vs. Australia game on June 19.

Lumen Field sections Ticket prices
start at
300 level $1,951
(including fees)
200 level $3,136
(including fees)
100 level $2,839
(including fees)

What do tickets cost for the USMNT’s other group stage game?

Our team found the best prices on tickets by section for the USMNT’s game against Türkiye at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Thursday, June 25.

SoFI Stadium sections Ticket prices
start at
500 level $1,995
(including fees)
400 level $2,335
(including fees)
300 level $2,428
(including fees)
200 level $2,404
(including fees)
100 level $4,241
(including fees)

Who is on the USMNT 2026 World Cup roster?

A complete list of all US Men’s National Team players can be found here:

Goalkeepers:

  • Matt Turner
  • Matt Freese
  • Chris Brady

Defenders:

  • Sergiño Dest
  • Chris Richards
  • Antonee Robinson
  • Auston Trusty
  • Miles Robinson
  • Tim Ream (captain)
  • Alex Freeman
  • Mark McKenzie
  • Joe Scally

Midfielders:

  • Tyler Adams
  • Giovanni Reyna
  • Weston McKennie
  • Christian Pulisic
  • Brenden Aaronson
  • Sebastian Berhalter
  • Cristian Roldan
  • Malik Tillman
  • Max Arfsten

Forwards:

  • Alejandro Zendejas
  • Ricardo Pepi
  • Haji Wright
  • Folarin Balogun
  • Timothy Weah

Complete 2026 World Cup schedule

Matches this year between all 48 clubs will go down at venues all over the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

To make sure you’re in the loop, you can find ESPN’s complete schedule of all matches here (including friendlies, which started June 8).

Huge artists on tour in 2026

Hoping to catch a concert or two this summer, too?

You’re in luck.

Many of the biggest names in music are swooping into stadiums all over North America these next few months. Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Ed Sheeran

• Karol G

• BTS

• Usher with Chris Brown

• Bruno Mars with RAYE and DJ Pee Wee

Who are the other huge artists that are out and about this year? Check out this list to find the show that makes the most sense for you.

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.



Source link

Survey reveals Americans’ most common snacking confessions

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Survey reveals Americans’ most common snacking confessions



A new survey has revealed the nation’s deepest, darkest snacking confessions — with three in five admitting they have a secret stash hidden somewhere in their home.

A poll of 5,000 U.S. adults from all 50 states who are up-to-date on pop culture found that more than half (53%) have no shame in eating an entire bag of chips in a single sitting, with those in Maryland (64%) and Wyoming (63%) being most likely to do so.

Meanwhile, other “snacking confessions” include going entire days without any real “meals,” just snacks (39%), while nearly one in five (18%) admit to lying about what they’re snacking on so they don’t get judged.

Almost one in five Californians (18%) have even canceled plans just to stay home and snack, more than any other state.

A new survey has revealed the nation’s deepest, darkest snacking confessions — with three in five admitting they have a secret stash hidden somewhere in their home. Goffkein – stock.adobe.com

In total, those polled reach for a snack an average of four times per day, and the afternoon hours between noon and 5 p.m. are the ideal time to snack (39%).

This may be because nearly four in five of those polled (79%) consider themselves to be “snack people,” who prefer to graze throughout the day, rather than “meal people,” who only eat main meals during the day (21%).

Many even have designated “snack caches,” or untraditional places where they keep snacks. Three in five respondents (60%) keep their stashes inside their home, with most hiding them in their bedroom (67%). Others opt for the living room (35%), garage, attic, or basement (10%), and even the bathroom (8%).

A poll of 5,000 U.S. adults found that more than half (53%) have no shame in eating an entire bag of chips in a single sitting, with those in Maryland (64%) and Wyoming (63%) being most likely to do so. SWNS
“Meal people” are those who only eat main meals during the day (21%). SWNS

On the flip side, 6% hide snacks outside their home, and those in Arizona (11%), California (11%), and North Dakota (11%) lead the charge.

Popular outside snack stashes include their car (57%), office desk (41%), a friend or family member’s house (23%), or even their gym locker (18%).

Commissioned by Popchips and conducted by Talker Research, the survey suggests that Americans are far from alone in their snacking secrets.

In total, those polled reach for a snack an average of four times per day, and the afternoon hours between noon and 5 p.m. are the ideal time to snack. SWNS
Nearly four in five of those polled consider themselves to be “snack people,” who prefer to graze throughout the day. SWNS

According to the results, 53% agree that it’s more enjoyable to snack with friends than to snack alone.

Another two-thirds (69%) even take things a step further and admit they only feel like they can be their real selves, without pretending or holding back, when they’re snacking with friends.

While parties (60%) and game nights (59%) ranked as the best activities to snack with friends, those in Georgia and South Carolina (both 58%) most prefer watch parties.

“The findings reveal a nation that is increasingly embracing snacks as more than just a between-meal indulgence. It’s true: Snacking has officially become a lifestyle, said Nicole Stefanacci, brand manager at Popchips. “There’s just something wonderfully honest and unfiltered about the way people snack.”

Results also revealed that respondents most often bust out the snacks to watch sports (56%) or sitcoms and comedies (54%) with friends.

Three in five respondents (60%) keep their stashes inside their home, with most hiding them in their bedroom (67%). SWNS

Whether alone or with friends, the results also uncovered what types of snacks people are most likely to eat based on the content they’re watching.

Chips topped the list for the best snack when watching “The Pitt” (31%), “Abbott Elementary” (22%), and “Industry” (19%).

But when it comes to TV with a touch of drama, popcorn is the snack of choice for “Love Island” (23%), “Heated Rivalry” (18%), “Euphoria” (18%), and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (18%).

According to the results, 53% agree that it’s more enjoyable to snack with friends than to snack alone. SWNS

“From secret snack stashes to watch parties and game nights, Americans are making snacks a central part of how they relax, socially connect and enjoy moments that matter most,” said Stefanacci. “Maybe it’s eating the whole bag during a great show, keeping a secret stash nearby or turning a night in with friends into a full snack spread. These are the real moments that fuel our social connection.”

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults (100 in each state) who are up-to-date on pop culture and have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Popchips and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 7 and May 19.



Source link

Colton Underwood confesses he ‘hooked up’ with married men before being dubbed ‘Virgin Bachelor’

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Colton Underwood confesses he ‘hooked up’ with married men before being dubbed ‘Virgin Bachelor’



Colton Underwood “hooked up” with “married straight men” before his time on the “Bachelor” franchise.

“To protect myself, I would only hook up with married men. [Married] ‘straight’ men,” he explained during his Tuesday appearance on the “We Need To Talk” podcast.

“So that was sort of my rule that I would never break. When I was in the closet, that would be the only time I would ever hook up with men was if they were married … because they had more to lose than I did.

Colton Underwood admitted that he “hooked up” with “married straight men” before his time on the “Bachelor” franchise. We Need To Talk/ Youtube
The reality star (seen above in March) explained that he only “experimented” with men who were married as a way to “protect” himself from being outed as gay on the “We Need To Talk” podcast. We Need To Talk/ Youtube

“I was very careful, even when I was physically experimenting with guys and trying to, like, figure myself out,” Underwood explained, noting that he did so because he was terrified of being outed as gay.

“So if they tried to, you know, ruin my career and my life for football, they had a whole family that they’d be risking as well,” Underwood continued. “So it’s a messed up thing to think through, but like it was a form of self [preservation]… it was just like a way to protect myself.”

The former NFL player joined Bachelor Nation for Becca Kufrin’s season of “The Bachelorette” before becoming the “Bachelor” in 2019.

“When I was in the closet, that would be the only time I would ever hook up with men was if they were married… because they had more to lose than I did.” WireImage
“So it’s a messed up thing to think through, but like it was a form of self [preservation]… it was just like a way to protect myself.” Disney via Getty Images

While his season as the lead was being promoted on ABC, he was dubbed the first “Virgin Bachelor.”

“I remember I always got asked why I was a virgin. So that was the storyline that they wanted to run with, and I hated it ’cause I didn’t want that pressure, and then I also didn’t want people digging in because at that time I had hooked up with men,” he admitted.

The reality star insisted, however, that he never intended for his faux-virginity to become such a central focus of his story.

The former NFL player joined Bachelor Nation for Becca Kufrin’s season of “The Bachelorette,” as seen above.  Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
In 2019, he was chosen to be the lead and was dubbed the first “Virgin Bachelor” as he was secretly still struggling with his sexuality. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

“My whole heart was like I’m not going to disclose to them that I’m a virgin no matter what,” he recalled. “I literally told them I was a virgin on night one of ‘The Bachelorette.’”

“I opened it up immediately, and I just gave them everything which they loved,” he continued. “So that’s unfortunately how it sort of came to be, and then it became my entire storyline.”

The “Traitors” alum also shared that he accepted the role of the “Bachelor” because he was convinced it would “force” him down a traditional path that would be accepted by his faith and his family.

The “Traitors” alum said he accepted the role of the “Bachelor” because he was convinced it would “force” him to be “publicly straight.” Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Following his season of “The Bachelor,” Underwood dated contestant Cassie Randolph (pictured here) from March 2019 to May 2020, before their extremely messy split. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

“What I was telling myself is, ‘this is going to force me [to be straight],’ ” he said. “I’m going to be so publicly straight that I will never be able to be gay again.”

Underwood previously admitted to hooking up with married men before his time on the dating show in an interview with Variety, but clarified at the time that he did not have sex with them.

“When I say ‘hookups,’ not sex,” Underwood told the outlet. “I want to make that very clear that I did not have sex with a man, prior to that.”

In 2021, Underwood came out as gay. Two years later, he married Jordan C. Brown (seen above). Getty Images for Baby2Baby
The couple (pictured here in January) welcomed their first child via surrogate in 2024. Griffin Nagel/Peacock via Getty Images

Following his season of “The Bachelor,” Underwood dated contestant Cassie Randolph from March 2019 to May 2020. After their split, Randolph accused Underwood of stalking and harassing her.

Randolph was granted a temporary restraining order but later requested it be dismissed, with Underwood explaining at the time that they addressed her concerns and reached a “private agreement.”

Underwood ended up coming out as gay in April 2021 during an emotional, sit-down interview with Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America.”

He wed Jordan C. Brown in March 2023, and the couple welcomed their first child via surrogate the following year.



Source link

Uganda court charges lawyer for jailed Ugandan opposition leader with concealing treason

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Uganda court charges lawyer for jailed Ugandan opposition leader with concealing treason


KAMPALA, Uganda — A court in Uganda on Wednesday charged an attorney for a jailed opposition leader with concealing treason, escalating a dispute with the country’s army chief whom the lawyer sought to hold accountable for alleged abuses.

Erias Lukwago was charged before a magistrate’s court in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, days after he was seized and taken into custody on the orders of army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Lukwago was charged with “misprision of treason,” a crime that the presiding magistrate said stems from his alleged failure to report acts of treason by others. He has denied the charges.

Lukwago, the president of the People’s Front for Freedom opposition group, is an attorney for Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate who is jailed over treason charges in a separate case that his supporters see as politically motivated. Lukwago, a former mayor of Kampala, is an outspoken critic of President Yoweri Museveni and his son Kainerugaba.

The manner of Lukwago’s arrest, by soldiers who scaled the perimeter wall protecting his house, shocked many and raised concerns about the expanding powers of Kainerugaba, who wrote on social platform X that Lukwago would suffer “hurt and pain” and could spend 10 years in jail. Kainerugaba is active on X, where he frequently attacks his perceived opponents.

Although Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term last month, Kainerugaba has since emerged as Uganda’s de facto leader. He asserts that he will succeed his father in the presidency, an increasingly likely possibility as his 81-year-old father relies heavily on his son’s military authority.

Kainerugaba appears to have retaliated against Lukwago, who told reporters before his arrest that he intended to hold the army chief accountable for his alleged role in the violation of Besigye’s rights — including his abduction in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, in November 2024 and his subsequent jailing without bail in Uganda. Kainerugaba has threatened to hang Besigye, accusing him of plotting to kill Museveni.

“This fool will learn the lesson he has been begging for,” Kainerugaba said on Monday, expressing anger on X over Lukwago’s attempt to present him with court papers. He later posted photos of a blindfolded Lukwago appearing to beg for mercy.

The Uganda Law Society demanded Lukwago’s immediate release, saying his arrest was contemptuous of court processes.

Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has not said when he will retire. He has no rivals within the ruling party, the reason many believe the military will have a say in choosing his successor.

Kainerugaba’s associates describe him as a dedicated military officer who often eschews ostentatious displays of wealth. He attended military schools in the U.S. and Britain before taking charge of a presidential guard unit that has since been expanded into an elite group of special forces. His father named him the top military commander in 2024.

In addition to his military duties, he is the founder of a political activist group known as the Patriotic League of Uganda. Its members and well-wishers range from government ministers to businesspeople.

Kainerugaba said this week that even the parliamentary speaker and his deputy work for him as his group’s envoys to the legislature.

___

Follow AP’s Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa



Source link

Ben Stokes: England Test captain losing his role over nightclub incident would be ‘travesty’ – Michael Vaughan

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Ben Stokes: England Test captain losing his role over nightclub incident would be ‘travesty’ – Michael Vaughan


Former captain Joe Root is standing in for Stokes this week, having accepted the job on a “game-by-game” basis.

Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson breached the team’s midnight curfew the night after victory in the first Test and were present when a member of England’s security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player.

Key was first to speak in the aftermath.

Asked if Stokes would return as a player he said, “I don’t see why not” – but he turned down repeated opportunities to back him as a captain.

Speaking on Monday, McCullum said he was “worried” about his captain, but again would not be drawn on whether he would lead the team again.

Two investigations, one by the ECB and another by the Cricket Regulator, remain ongoing.

“I find it a worry for English cricket – the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum relationship, the Ben Stokes-Rob Key relationship,” said Vaughan.

“On the back of what we saw in the press conference, I would doubt whether those relationships can be moulded together again.”

Stokes, McCullum and Key, who have held a close relationship since taking charge of England’s Test cricket in 2022, were all kept in their jobs despite England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat this winter.

Stokes said reports of a rift between he and McCullum had been overstated in Australia. On Monday, McCullum denied their relationship was strained.

Other than a brief Instagram post wishing his team-mates well in the second Test, Stokes has not spoken publicly since the incident.

His county coach at Durham, Ryan Campbell, said he was in “good spirits” and the all-rounder could feature for them on Friday.



Source link

Colorado teacher fired after allegedly pressuring students to kiss classmates in skits

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Colorado teacher fired after allegedly pressuring students to kiss classmates in skits



A Colorado teacher has been fired after an investigation found students were allegedly asked to kiss classmates during classroom skits, with some reporting they felt pressured to participate because the performances counted toward their grades.

CBS News reported Monday that the Denver Public Schools board voted 7-0 on May 20 to terminate French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College for “incompetence and neglect of duty,” finding she had at times allegedly suggested that students kiss during in-class skits. 

The outlet reported that an April 30 independent review, a copy of which was obtained by CBS Colorado, found that the students who were allegedly encouraged to kiss were always the same sex. 

“One student told an NEC chemistry teacher about the skits in April 2024,” CBS News reported. “The student was very uncomfortable and did not know what to do,” the report said. “She went ahead and kissed another student at (Honka)’s direction. The student then shared a digital meme with (the chemistry teacher) that included a picture of (Honka) and the caption ‘she makes girls kiss.’ The meme had circulated among the students.”

Per the report, following this incident, “the student’s attendance decreased dramatically.”

Additionally, CBS News reported that “One student interviewed directly in the independent review also testified that Honka always selected girls to act in the skits. Despite a nearly 50/50 split among boys and girls in the class, the student ‘could not recall Honka choosing a boy actor.’ This student refused to participate and testified that she received a zero score for a grade on this assignment.”

The Denver Public Schools board voted unanimously on May 20 to fire French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College. Denver Post via Getty Images

Another student reportedly walked out of the class, and an English teacher at the school “testified that several students approached her as well. One of the students ‘appeared upset and defeated,’ as stated in the independent review. ‘The student told (the English teacher) that she had been asked to kiss three other girls in one of (Honka)’s skits.’”

According to the report, the skits where Honka asked students to kiss were titled “The Neighbors Saw Everything” and “The Boring Kiss,” which were about characters who were dating. 

One student reportedly said that Honka had a classroom rule that went, “the answer is always ‘yes’” which was used by Honka to encourage students to participate in the skits, which were biweekly and part of their performance grades. 

Student attendance reportedly significantly decreased following the events at Northeast Early College. Michael Ireland – stock.adobe.com

Honka had allegedly disclosed to the class that she was a lesbian and an LGBTQ supporter.

Jennifer Warren, the principal at Northeast Early College, filed a police report with the Denver Police Department following a third student who said there was kissing during class skits. 

CBS News reported that Honka testified that “she did not force students to kiss and would give them alternatives such as blowing a kiss or ‘fist bumps’ if they were uncomfortable. One of the complaining students, in fact, did testify in the independent review that Honka ‘would allow students to pretend to kiss.’” 

The report also alleged that Honka shared personal details, including fertility struggles, suicidal ideations, and being a victim of child abuse.

She defended her personal disclosures to students in class in the report, stating that she was trying to build trust with students, but one student who was struggling with suicide reportedly walked out of her class. 

Keith J. Kirchubel, a Colorado administrative law judge, wrote in the independent review that, “Regardless of whether (Honka) ‘forced’ the participants to kiss, her choice of script forced them to express their preferences and consent about a very personal and sexualized activity on the spot in front of their peers.”

“They were also forced to determine whether they were comfortable dissenting from the direction of the script to their teacher, who was in a position of control over the situation,” he continued.

“[W]hile the notion of using skits as a way to teach French Language may have been effective in general, the way it was implemented by (Honka) was irresponsible and inappropriate,” Kirchubel said.

Honka reportedly shared personal details, including fertility struggles, suicidal ideations, and being a victim of child abuse with the students. Denver Post via Getty Images

Honka now appears to be listed as an English language development teacher on the website of Malley Drive Elementary School in Northglenn, Colorado. 

Scott Pribble, director of external communications for Denver Public Schools, told Fox News Digital in a statement, “The safety, emotional well-being, and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities of Denver Public Schools. All schools must be spaces where students feel safe, respected, and supported.”

Pribble continued, “Following a thorough district investigation and an independent review by a state administrative law judge, the DPS Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Jennifer Honka. It was determined that her actions did not protect the best interests of the children in her classroom.”

He added, “We commend the bravery of the students who came forward to report these incidents, as well as the school staff who acted immediately as mandatory reporters. We remain fully committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and ensuring our classrooms remain safe spaces for all.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Honka, Warren and Kristin Powers, principal at Malley Drive Elementary School, for comment but did not immediately receive responses.



Source link

Mitchell Robinson to show out in custom truck during Knicks parade

The Madras Pulse
-
0
Mitchell Robinson to show out in custom truck during Knicks parade


Forget a float, Mitchell Robinson has his own ride for the Knicks’ championship parade.

The center will ride in one of his custom trucks during the parade down the Canyon of Heroes on Thursday in Manhattan, a source close to the Knicks told The Post.

Either Robinson or a friend will be behind the wheel as the Knicks celebrate their first championship in 53 years after beating the Spurs in five games.

Fans had speculated whether Robinson would bring one of his trucks from his White Plains home to the parade, and he indeed will be celebrating in style.

He opened up to The Post in 2023 about the three trucks he owned at the time, all fitted with humungous rims, and revealed that he been invited to car shows across the country.

Robinson’s Instagram profile photo features him sitting in the flatbed of his white truck, and he posted collages in May featuring a massive white vehicle.

An Instagram post Tuesday from the account @thecelebrity_cars showcased Robinson’s car collection and featured seven trucks.

“You could compete, show your trucks off, get sponsorships, all that stuff,” Robinson said at the time. “Show your work. Your idea. Your creativity.” 

The championship celebration Thursday could be one of Robinson’s final moments with the franchise and he could be exiting in epic fashion with the longest-tenured Knick entering free agency this offseason.


Mitchell Robinson smiling while wearing an NBA Finals Champions hat and a T-shirt that reads "NBA Champions 2026 New York Knicks."
Mitchell Robinson is a champion. NBAE via Getty Images

Robinson, 28, suffered through the lows with the franchise after being drafted in the second round in 2018 and now experienced the highest of highs, having secured the offensive rebound in the final 30 seconds Saturday night in Game 5 that allowed the Knicks to put the finishing touches on their 94-90 win.

Making it all the more impressive is that Robinson battled Victor Wembanyama for that critical rebound all while dealing with a broken right hand.

His defense down the stretch in Game 2, including on Wembanyama’s potential game-wining shot in the final seconds, helped the Knicks grab a 2-0 series lead.

Thursday’s parade is expected to be the biggest in city history, beginning at 10 a.m. in Battery Park and ending with a City Hall celebration hosted by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.



Source link

HHS to launch $96M grant program addressing homelessness, substance abuse

The Madras Pulse
-
0
HHS to launch $96M grant program addressing homelessness, substance abuse



WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new $96 million grant program to help cities and localities treat substance abuse issues, mental illness and homelessness, The Post has learned.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be making a formal announcement about the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) program in Michigan later Wednesday.

Applicants will be compete for eight eligible slots to receive up to $3 million each year over a four-year period in funding that would help pay for treatment and recovery programming, housing support, street outreach as well as associated spending at the level of local government, law enforcement and the courts.

Homelessness has been on the rise in the US, with individuals experiencing first-time homelessness increasing by 23% since 2019, according to Department of Housing and Urban Development statistics.

New York, for example, saw its homeless population explode by 78% over that same time period to about 140,000 people, the office of the city’s comptroller reported in March.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be making a formal announcement about the STREETS program in Michigan later Wednesday. REUTERS

Meanwhile, illicit drug use jumped from 22.2% to 25.5% from 2021 to 2024, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Drug overdose deaths have been on the decline since 2023, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HHS is also announcing Tuesday that more than $612 million in behavioral health funding can be applied for separately from the STREETS program.

The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new $96 million grant program to help cities and localities treat substance abuse issues, mental illness and homelessness, The Post has learned. CA Post

That will allow communities to set up Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, staff suicide and crisis support lifelines, more funding for substance abuse prevention as well as mental health services.

The tranches include $238.6 million for suicide and crisis lifelines, $223.1 million for CCBHCs, $80 million for treating substance issues and recovery, and more than $70 million for mental health support.

The STREETS program follows President Trump’s executive action on Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets, which authorized HHS to use its grants to fight vagrancy and address homelessness and increase public safety.

“Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor other citizens,” Trump said in a July 2025 executive order. Stephen Yang for NY Post

“The number of individuals living on the streets in the United States on a single night during the last year of the previous administration — 274,224 — was the highest ever recorded,” the order stated.

“The overwhelming majority of these individuals are addicted to drugs, have a mental health condition, or both. Nearly two-thirds of homeless individuals report having regularly used hard drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine, or opioids in their lifetimes,” it noted.

“An equally large share of homeless individuals reported suffering from mental health conditions. The Federal Government and the States have spent tens of billions of dollars on failed programs that address homelessness but not its root causes, leaving other citizens vulnerable to public safety threats,” the president said.

Meanwhile, illicit drug use jumped from 22.2% to 25.5% from 2021 to 2024, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health. CA Post

“Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order. Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor other citizens.”

So-called “harm reduction” services — which are known to provide sites for addicts to safely inject drugs — will be barred from receiving funding, pursuant to that July 2025 order.

Trump directed HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to “not fund programs that fail to achieve adequate outcomes, including so-called ‘harm reduction’ or ‘safe consumption’ efforts that only facilitate illegal drug use and its attendant harm.”

So-called “harm reduction” services — which are known to provide sites for addicts to safely inject drugs — will be barred from receiving funding, pursuant to that July 2025 order. Ringo Chiu

At the same time, the Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force has been moving to revoke funds from public programs that haven’t effectively dealt with behavioral health issues.

City, county and other local governments will be eligible for the STREETS program funding, in addition to federally recognized Indian tribes and other tribal organizations, but universities, hospitals, foundations and nonprofits won’t be in line to receive the money.

All applicants must be able to begin services within six months of taking the funds.



Source link

The hidden homebuying crisis keeping Americans out of the market

The Madras Pulse
-
0
The hidden homebuying crisis keeping Americans out of the market



Builders reveal that a critical labor shortage in their field is fueling the housing affordability crisis in America.

America needs more homes, but the industry doesn’t have nearly enough workers to build them.

With too few skilled laborers to meet the growing demand, construction is taking longer, costs are rising, and, as a result, the much-needed housing supply in the U.S. remains constrained.

Experts in the industry point to an aging workforce, a lack of younger Americans entering the skilled trades, and immigration policies that they say have failed to keep pace with labor needs.

“Labor is one of the largest and most expensive inputs when it comes to home production and land development,” Jim Tobin, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, told Fox News Digital.

He said that every month, the construction industry is short by approximately 250,000 workers.

Builders reveal that a critical labor shortage in their field is fueling the housing affordability crisis in America. Andy Dean – stock.adobe.com
Every month, the construction industry is short by approximately 250,000 workers. AP

“It’s been as high as 400,000 jobs short when we were really cooking along a few years ago,” Tobin said, adding that the labor gap “is a persistent shortage.”

And the industry’s labor needs are only expected to grow in the coming years.

A recent Home Builders Institute and National Association of Home Builders report estimates builders will need roughly 723,000 new workers annually to keep pace with demand and help close the nation’s 1.5 million-home housing gap.

The shortage is already affecting how quickly homes can be built, and labor constraints are extending construction timelines and now driving up costs. AP

The shortage is already affecting how quickly homes can be built. According to Home Builders Institute President and CEO Ed Brady, labor constraints are extending construction timelines and driving up costs.

“This shortage adds nearly two extra months to building timelines, inflating costs and delaying delivery,” Brady told Fox News Digital.

Builders say replenishing the skilled trades pipeline is only part of the solution.

While builders continue to invest in workforce development programs and encourage more young Americans to enter the skilled trades, Tobin argued for immigration reform measures that he says will benefit the industry.

Builders will need roughly 723,000 new workers annually to keep pace with demand and help close the nation’s 1.5 million-home housing gap. Alexandr Ivaschenko – stock.adobe.com

“It’s not only about training more people to come into the industry as our current generation ages out of the skilled trades, but it’s also the immigration problem that we have in this country,” he said.

Tobin said many construction jobs do not require a four-year college degree and can provide stable, middle-class careers, but the home construction industry has struggled for years to attract enough workers to replace retiring tradespeople.

At the same time, builders have become increasingly reliant on immigrant labor. According to the National Association of Home Builders, immigrants account for roughly one-third of the homebuilding contractor workforce.

Builders have become increasingly reliant on immigrant labor, accounting for roughly one-third of the homebuilding contractor workforce. Christopher Sadowski

Tobin called on lawmakers to modernize the nation’s immigration system, including creating legal pathways for workers already in the country and expanding visa opportunities for those seeking construction jobs.

“We’ve got to find a way to modernize our immigration laws,” Tobin said. “We’ve got to create a visa system for people who want to work legally in this country, in the construction industry.”

Without additional workers entering the labor force, Tobin said, builders will continue to face challenges meeting housing demand and bringing more homes to market.



Source link

How Jordyn Woods reacted to James Dolan’s celibacy joke

The Madras Pulse
-
0
How Jordyn Woods reacted to James Dolan’s celibacy joke


Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said his fiancée, Jordyn Woods, wasn’t keen on the idea of a 10-week celibacy rule that team owner James Dolan jokingly proposed before their 2026 NBA championship run.

During a Tuesday interview on SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Show,” Towns pulled back the curtain on the couple’s personal life when asked about Dolan’s speech pre-playoffs speech made on April 3.

“I’m a happily engaged man,” Towns said when Stern asked if he took Dolan seriously. “I will definitely say when I came home and told my fiancée what he said, she didn’t like to hear that one.”

Stern said, “Really? You ignored James Dolan and you said, ‘Listen honey, I am going to deliver the goods.”

Towns laughed and replied, “I would say she’s very happy.”


Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods celebrate the New York Knicks' NBA Championship at Flyfish Club, the exclusive private members' club co-founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, David Rodolitz, Chef Josh Capon, and Chef Conor Hanlon, located in Manhattan on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods celebrate the New York Knicks’ NBA Championship at Flyfish Club in Manhattan on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Justin Kauper

Dolan’s 15-minute speech made waves when the “Roommates” podcast, hosted by Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson and guard Josh Hart, released it Monday.

“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks,” Dolan said as some of the players laughed. “You don’t have to give up sex for the next 10 weeks, but like Spartans — do you know what Spartans are? They denied themselves so that they could have an edge. Get the edge.


Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns #32 celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy and owner James Dolan in an orange blazer after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns holding the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy and owner James Dolan in an orange blazer with the team after beating the Spurs to win the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images

“Go home, talk to your wives. Don’t tell them you’re not going to have sex, and don’t tell them it was my idea,” Dolan continued. “But let them know what this is going to be like, what your commitment is going to be like, and how they’re going to have to sacrifice too.”

Dolan also said he would pay for championship rings for each of the players’ wives and significant others.

Towns and Woods, who met through mutual friends, celebrated six years together in May.

The six-time NBA All-Star gushed over the couple’s engagement, which took place in New York City on Christmas Eve.

“I mean, listen, that woman is special, man,” Towns said. “There’s a reason why I’m marrying her. We’ve been engaged since Christmas Eve. We’ve been dating for, what, six years and before that, we were best friends for two and a half years and it kept growing as friends and when my mother was passing, her father had just passed tragically.

“For her to have already experienced that, I trusted her in one of the most impactful moments of my life with her advice and she was right on the money every single time.

“It is [a rare find] and that’s why I had to put a ring on it, Howard. I couldn’t let her go anywhere else.”

Woods likely will be in attendance at the Knicks’ championship parade Thursday in New York, beginning at 10 a.m. ET.



Source link

1...133134135...344Page 134 of 344