U.S. fertility rates have fallen to a new low, with federal data showing about 3.6 million births last year and a general fertility rate of 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44. The decline continues a 20-year slide, with birth rates falling for women under 35 while rising for women over 35. What the data shows The latest CDC reporting says the overall fertility rate has kept trending downward, reaching the lowest level on record. Teen birth rates also continued to fall,

A college student’s charity is helping children in foster care by providing duffel bags so they don’t have to move their belongings in trash bags. The segment features JackEdward Schmick, who started the effort after experiencing foster care himself and wanted kids in transition to have more dignity and stability. What the charity does The project collects new duffel bags and distributes them to children entering foster care or moving between homes. That small change matters

Lori Bergamotto’s GMA segment says soft socializing helps because people can show up, do something they already enjoy, and let conversation happen without the stress of a formal meet-and-greet. The format also creates repeated contact, which helps acquaintances turn into real friends over time. Who it helps most This trend is especially appealing for busy adults, introverts, and people who feel drained by loud social scenes or awkward first encounters. Low-key settings can m

The Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into whether the NFL’s TV and streaming deals are forcing fans to pay too much in subscription fees. The probe focuses on consumer affordability and whether the league’s media-rights structure gives an unfair advantage to certain providers. What’s being investigated Officials are looking at how the NFL distributes games across broadcast TV, cable, and multiple streaming services, which can require fans to subscribe

Inflation surged in March after the Iran war triggered a major oil shock, with consumer prices up 3.3% from a year earlier and 0.9% from February. The jump was driven largely by energy costs, especially gasoline, which rose about 21% to 25% in March depending on the report cited. What drove the spike The reports say the conflict caused disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, sending crude and fuel prices sharply higher. That fed

A smash-and-grab crew reportedly used sledgehammers to hit a New Jersey jewelry store and flee with merchandise, in a fast-moving robbery that’s drawing attention for its boldness. Similar recent cases in the region have involved suspects smashing display cases in broad daylight and escaping with high-value goods in minutes. What the reports say The incident fits a growing pattern of smash-and-grab jewelry heists, where thieves use heavy tools to break in quickly and take lux

Babs Costello is in the spotlight for a new children’s book, Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? , which focuses on love, support, encouragement, and helping kids feel seen. In the same conversation, she also shared a few of her signature cleaning and clutter hacks, the kind that made her “the internet’s favorite grandma” in the first place. Book details Babs says the book takes familiar sayings and gives them a fresh spin, with a message that kids’ feelings matter and that they’r

Rachel Dratch is getting attention for three very different projects: her Broadway turn in The Rocky Horror Show , her Celebrity Jeopardy! run, and her paranormal podcast Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch . In interviews, she’s talked about bringing her signature comedic energy to the narrator role in Rocky Horror , while also reflecting on how a hairdresser accidentally helped her prep for Celebrity Jeopardy! . Broadway and game show Dratch is set to play The Narrator in the new B

K. Michelle says RHOA was the right way to return to reality TV after more than 10 years because it felt like a fresh chapter, not a repeat of her Love & Hip Hop era. In the RHOA season 17 rollout, she’s described the move as a chance to show a different side of herself and step into a bigger, more established franchise. Why she returned She had already walked away from Love & Hip Hop years ago, saying the franchise was no longer healthy for her and that the cast drama ma

Justin Berfield says Bryan Cranston was a key force behind Malcolm in the Middle getting revived, crediting him for helping push the project across the finish line. Berfield is returning as Reese in the new revival, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair , which reunites the core family more than 20 years after the original run. Why he singled out Cranston Berfield’s comments line up with earlier reports that Cranston had been interested in bringing the show back for yea

Alix Earle said a first date got so awkward that she briefly thought she was being kidnapped, after her date kept driving without a clear plan and the conversation turned uncomfortable. She later joked that the experience was chaotic enough that she’s not eager to go on more dates anytime soon. What happened According to her TikTok recap, the date started late, involved a random Starbucks stop, and then turned into a long drive toward Malibu with no clear destination. Alix sa

Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion is going on display in a landmark Buckingham Palace exhibition called Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style . The show opens at The King’s Gallery on April 10, 2026, and will feature about 200 items from her wardrobe, including many pieces never seen publicly before. What’s included The exhibition spans the late Queen’s life, from her wedding and coronation looks to off-duty clothes like tweed blazers, riding outfits, and headscarves. It will also

Home Depot’s “Halfway to Halloween” rollout, and ABC News’ Elizabeth Schulze is reporting on the retailer’s early seasonal release. The company says it’s “never too early” because Halloween shoppers have been buying and planning earlier every year, so it’s leaning into April launches instead of waiting until summer. What’s new This year’s collection includes 14 larger-than-life items, including upgraded versions of the viral Skelly and other oversized animatronics like a gian

Abbey Romeo and David Isaacman from Love on the Spectrum have reportedly split after five years together, with multiple reports citing a disagreement over marriage as the reason. The breakup is especially notable because they were the show’s longest-running couple and had often talked about their future together. What happened According to reports, Abbey was ready for marriage years ago, while David still needed more time. The pair first met on season 1 of the Netflix series

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard are leaving Arkansas because Derick has joined the Marine Corps and will begin Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, before training as a Marine Corps JAG officer. Jill said she and the kids will move to Virginia after his 10-week training, then relocate again to Rhode Island. What’s changing Derick has reportedly wanted to become a military JAG officer for a long time, and Jill said the timing finally worked for their family. She adde

Sherri Shepherd got emotional while reflecting on her career and the hard lessons that helped shape her success, including guidance from Oprah Winfrey. The segment also highlights how much Oprah’s advice has meant to her, especially as she prepares for her “Make it Make Sense” tour and continues building her talk-show career. Career reflections Shepherd has said that her early years in Hollywood and on The View were filled with fear, pressure, and humiliation, but those expe

Michael J. Fox is alive and responded with humor after CNN accidentally published a premature obituary-style post about him. CNN later said the package was published “in error” and removed it, apologizing to Fox and his family. What happened The confusion started when CNN posted a tribute titled along the lines of “Remembering the Life of Actor Michael J. Fox,” which quickly sparked panic online. Fox then joked on Threads that he thought the world was ending, only to realize

The U.S. has proposed automatic military draft registration for eligible men ages 18 to 26, but that is not the same as reinstating a draft . The proposal would automatically enroll eligible men in Selective Service instead of requiring them to register on their own. What the plan does The change would end decades of self-registration and make the process automatic for eligible men. Reports say the move is aimed at improving compliance, since a significant share of eligible m

The Free Press reports that the White House and the Vatican are “on the outs,” with tensions tied to major policy disagreements over immigration, foreign policy, and the war in Iran. The report says a tense January Pentagon meeting with a top Vatican diplomat helped set off the current rupture, and Vatican officials described the encounter as a bitter warning that the U.S. military can do what it wants. What the report says According to the reporting, Pope Leo XIV has become

Michelle Pfeiffer is being floated as a possibility, but nothing is confirmed yet for Big Little Lies season 3. Nicole Kidman and David E. Kelley both sound enthusiastic about a third season, though Kelley has said the project still isn’t locked and no one is under contract. What’s being said The new chatter comes as Kidman and Kelley discuss the idea of expanding the Monterey story again, with Kidman previously saying the creative team has “a really good idea” for season 3.