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Kamala Harris Warns Democrats Against Impeaching Trump If They Capture Congress

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Kamala Harris Warns Democrats Against Impeaching Trump If They Capture Congress

Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,Former Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday cautioned congressional Democrats from moving to impeach President Donald Trump if they prevail in the midterm elections.”I think that going in the direction of impeachment is not a good idea, just to be honest with you, just because we have limited resources,” Harris told MeidasTouch in an interview published on Tuesday.”I think the energy and the resources need to be put into accountability, need to be put into investigations,” the Democratic 2024 presidential nominee, who lost to Trump, also said. “And that’s where the time should be spent.”Harris noted that she was in the Senate during the last attempt to convict Trump following a House impeachment.The House requires a simple majority to impeach a president, while the Senate requires two-thirds of the upper chamber to vote.”The votes aren’t there,” she added. “Think after the election, we all have to just also agree that our attitude has to be to get stuff done.”Trump was impeached twice: once in late 2019 following a whistleblower complaint over a call he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and a second time in early 2021, just days after the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.Both impeachment attempts failed to meet the two-thirds threshold needed to convict.In the 2019 attempt, House Democrats alleged Trump engaged in crimes worthy of impeachment over what they claimed was an attempt to pressure Ukraine’s government by using military aid in exchange for investigations into then-Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.The second impeachment was launched after the Jan. 6 incident, when Democrats and a handful of Republicans accused Trump of trying to incite an insurrection with his remarks before the Capitol breach and after the 2020 election.The remarks from Harris come amid chatter that Democrats, if they capture the House of Representatives during next week’s election, could move to impeach Trump or a top White House official.Democrats Target HegsethHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) was asked over the past weekend whether he would support an impeachment resolution that was introduced last month targeting Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth.”We’re going to hold him accountable in the same way that we held Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem accountable,” Jeffries, who would be poised to become the next House speaker if Democrats win, told MS NOW on Oct. 24.He was referring to the Trump administration’s previous attorney general and Homeland Security secretary, respectively.”And Pete Hegseth needs to be pushed aside by the president, or we’re going to have to deal with that situation if he is not,” Jeffries said, adding that Democrats would attempt to “run him out of town.”When asked whether he would support the resolution, Jeffries did not commit to impeaching Hegseth.Instead, the House minority leader said he would be inclined to “act consistently with what [he has] said relative to Pete Hegseth from the very beginning,” which is calling for his firing.Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who lost his primary bid earlier this year and is leaving the House, introduced a resolution in September to impeach Hegseth and said the conflict with Iran was unlawful, as Congress did not approve it.Massie also said that the U.S. military engaged in unlawful strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific; an alleged attempt to retaliate against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a former armed service member; and in other policy initiatives launched by the Pentagon.In response to the impeachment proposal, a Pentagon spokesperson told media outlets that Hegseth has acted in the interest of the Department of War – the preferred name used by the Trump administration for the Department of Defense.”Secretary Hegseth has been a transformative leader for the Department of War. Standards and merit are back, our arsenal is stronger than ever before, and morale and recruitment across every service are at all-time highs,” the spokesperson said.”Secretary Hegseth has slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation, and delivered for our warfighters every step of the way.”
Tyler Durden
Thu, 10/29/2026 – 12:40

Valkyries player’s dad puts WNBA on blast over unusual Finals start: ‘It’s the league’s fault’

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

The father of Golden State Valkyries star Tiffany Hayes wasn’t shy about blaming the WNBA for playing a potential championship-clinching game at 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday.”I think it’s the league’s fault,” Renard Hayes told OutKick outside State Farm Arena before Game 6 between his daughter’s Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream.”It’s the league’s fault. And pretty much the Atlanta organization.”VALKYRIES STARS TELLS FANS TO ‘CALL IN SICK’ FOR GAME 6 AS EARLY WNBA FINALS TIPOFF SPARKS FAN REACTIONHe wasn’t alone in questioning the arrangement. Fans outside the arena described taking time off work, pulling children out of school and traveling hours to attend a game originally scheduled for 8 p.m.The WNBA moved Game 6 to the afternoon to accommodate a doubleheader at State Farm Arena, where the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks were scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers that night. Golden State entered Thursday with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to win its first championship.Hayes, who said he lives in Florida, could make the early start work, but he expressed concern for the people who couldn’t.”It’s kind of a shame about how they couldn’t handle the situation better or couldn’t be more prepared,” he said.DREAM OWNERSHIP GROUP VOICES FRUSTRATION IN OPEN LETTER OVER WNBA FINALS VENUE CONCERNSFor Golden State fans watching in California, the game’s start time was 9:30 a.m.”Probably have to take a break off work, take the day off or whatever like that,” Hayes said. “But for me, I’m good with it. I’m okay with it.”He pointed to Golden State’s experience relocating a playoff game to San Jose last season as an example of having an alternative ready. He also questioned whether the Dream’s roughly 3,500-seat regular home, Gateway Center Arena, could have accommodated the demand for a Finals game.Moving to State Farm Arena created room for more fans, but moving the start time created another obstacle to getting them there.”We came from four hours away, so we’re not too thrilled. But we’re here,” one Dream fan told OutKick, adding that the child accompanying her was out of school for the game.Another Atlanta fan said she had been able to get off work, but recognized that others wouldn’t have that flexibility.”For all of the other Dream fans, it’s not ideal,” she said. “We would have rather played at nighttime.”CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEAnother fan declined to appear on camera, telling OutKick she had called out sick and didn’t want her boss to see her at the game.A father attending with his wife and two children offered a clarification after his interview: “We’re responsible parents, we swear!”He said the children had attended school for two hours before leaving and completed all their work.Several fans questioned why the NBA’s regular-season game received the evening slot while the WNBA’s potential championship clincher was played during the workday.”We should have been prime time,” one Dream fan said.The father who brought his family called the arrangement “kind of disrespectful to the Dream,” pointing out that the Hawks were only beginning their season.The Hawks agreed to move their game to 8 p.m. to accommodate the doubleheader. But fans who spoke with OutKick argued that the Finals should have received priority.One Valkyries supporter said the women deserved more respect and should have gotten the prime-time slot. Still, he welcomed the opportunity to play in a much larger arena.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!”It’s awesome that it’s being played at State Farm Arena rather than a 3,500-seat arena,” he said. “So with that being in mind, I think that’s a win regardless.”Not everyone objected to the early start.One Dream fan said she was fine with it and encouraged people who couldn’t attend to support the team wherever they were. A Valkyries fan who had arrived from San Francisco at 6 a.m. dismissed the suggestion that she might be tired.”No. We’re ready,” she said.The league announced the scheduling change Monday, three days before Game 6, with tickets going on sale that afternoon.Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the sellout crowds at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 and emphasized the opportunity to accommodate thousands more fans. The league also announced plans for a coordinated promotional push with its broadcast partners to build awareness of the new start time.OutKick asked the WNBA why it chose the afternoon start, what alternatives it considered and whether it was concerned about the potential impact on viewership. The league has not responded.USA Sports, which is airing the game on USA Network, acknowledged that the afternoon start wasn’t ideal for attracting a television audience.”The daytime window isn’t perfect from a TV audience perspective, but the league had to make a really difficult decision taking a lot into account across multiple stakeholders,” a USA Sports spokesperson told OutKick in a statement.”What was important to us was to ultimately be a good partner and to be part of the solution here.”The fans outside State Farm Arena found ways to make Thursday work. Some took time off, and others brought children who otherwise would have been in school.Hayes was happy to be there for his daughter, but that didn’t mean he thought the league had handled the situation well.

Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Trump’s point man in the fight against Jew hate

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:- Leo Terrell takes Trump administration’s antisemitism on nationwide tour- Sicko with syringe busted for alleged attacks on Jews- The real price of New York’s antisemitism campaignTOP STORY: Justice Department antisemitism task force chief Leo Terrell is taking the fight directly to American streets on an aggressive 15-city tour. Blasting local officials for failing to protect synagogues and classrooms, Terrell is marching federal prosecutors and the FBI into cities like New York and Detroit to confront rising hate crimes and enforce civil rights protections.VIDEO: Parishad Kavyani grew up under the Islamic Republic of Iran before moving to Canada. Now she unpacks why her childhood shattered illusions about modern activism before she walked away from the pro-Palestine movement she once supported. WATCH HERE:SICKO WITH SYRINGE: A Midtown Manhattan terror spree ended in cuffs after 32-year-old Anna Mochalova was busted for targeting Jewish victims. Police say she stabbed a Hasidic rabbi in the back outside the Diamond District, then slashed another man wearing a yarmulke minutes later. The deranged stalker reportedly asked a third man if he was Jewish, apologizing and bolting when he said he was Muslim. BOMB PLOT: Federal feds crushed a chilling bloodbath in Utah after 22-year-old Skyler Rose allegedly declared online he wanted to blow up a synagogue. Agents raided his Ogden home, seizing six live pipe bombs, bomb-making gear, and two rifles. The suspected extremist now faces severe hate crime, explosives, and child sex abuse charges that could lock him away for decades.CLASSROOM CLASH: Holocaust educator Dov Forman is putting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on blast, urging him to take notes on Britain’s aggressive school antisemitism crackdown. While the UK adopted 27 hard-hitting measures—including tough reporting rules and official definitions of Jew-hatred—critics slam Mamdani’s vague 33-page plan for ducking key definitions and lacking real benchmarks to protect Jewish students.GUEST EDITORIAL: Swedish political scientist and author Daniel Schatz warns that climate activist Greta Thunberg has devolved into a narcissistic “conflict influencer.” He argues her shift toward anti-Israel extremism—such as endorsing “Zionism is racism” motions, joining radical protests, and accepting awards tied to terror sympathizers—deserves intense scrutiny rather than progressive praise, while also questioning who funds her globe-trotting activism.QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s a million dollars in security in a city with a million Jews. It’s a dollar a Jew.” – Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi of New York’s Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on Mayor Mamdani’s anti-Semitism plan.- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.- Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here.

Josh Duhamel urges voters to save ‘God’s country’ ahead of midterms

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Josh Duhamel is encouraging Minnesotans to get out and vote in a new video he shared on Instagram.The actor took to social media to send out a “PSA to the great people of Minnesota,” rallying residents to pack the polls in what he dubbed “God’s country.””I just wanted to take a second to remind you that the midterms are coming up. This is such an important, such an important time. We have to get out there. We have to vote. Every single person,” he said. “Minnesota is my second favorite state in the whole country, right behind North Dakota, but I absolutely love it there. It is God’s country. It is worth saving. It is absolutely worth saving.”While he said he “would never tell you who to vote for,” he believes voting is one’s “job as an American citizen” and a “sacred duty.”JOSH DUHAMEL SAYS HIS HEART RATE DROPS 25% AT OFF-GRID MINNESOTA CABIN”And it is a blessing that we get to get out there and pick who makes decisions for us,” he added. “So please, everybody, let’s get 100 percent turnout. Everybody, please, vote in this year’s midterms. Go Viks! Woo!”In the caption, Duhamel encouraged his followers to “Bring a group to the voting booths on Nov 3” and to share the post “with everyone you know!!”Although the actor didn’t endorse any candidates, people in the comments section made their own assumptions as to what he meant when he said the state is “worth saving.””Worth saving means vote red. Good man @joshduhamel,” one fan wrote in the comments section. “Red red red all down the ballot,” another added, while a third wrote, “Vote RED! Save America.”Others went the other way, with one writing, “Vote blue save us all!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙.”Another said, “Let’s go blue! Please save our children! 💙”The “Ransom Canyon” star listed his home in Los Angeles in July, a little over a year after he and his family moved from California to Fargo, North Dakota.GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HEREIn addition to his home in North Dakota, Duhamel also has a residence about an hour and a half away in Minnesota, where he likes to go in order to spend “time off the grid.””I learned that I’d spent too much time sort of luxuriating in the amenities of the modern world and getting out there and having to learn how to do some of the basics that I hadn’t done for so long was really, really good,” he told People in September 2025.LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS”It’s one of those places that I go to and I just, my blood pressure drops. I feel at peace. I’m constantly doing something, fixing something, working on something, taking care of the family, pulling the kids on a tube, cooking, all these things that are just basics that we take for granted.”The actor lives in the cabin with his wife, Audra Mari, and their 2-year-old son, Shepherd. Duhamel’s 13-year-old son Axl, whom he shares with his ex-wife Fergie, also spends time at the home.PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCOREHe told Parade in April 2025 that he spent 15 years building the cabin, noting the time spent there with his family is an opportunity for them to “get back to the basics” and away from all distractions. He said his older son is “not on his iPad” all day but rather playing sports, exploring the woods and overall enjoying the outdoors.”And then I have a little baby who’s going to experience the same thing. Someday, I hope to pass this on to them [so] they’re able to share it with their kids. It’s really important to me that they have this. It’s not just about having all the amenities and all the luxuries that we become so used to. It’s really about family. It’s about legacy,” he said.

‘Trust in our democracy’: Judge decides whether 20,000 ‘likely noncitizen’ ballots get counted

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Summary

A district court judge in California has rejected DOJ’s request for a temporary restraining order to segregate 20,000 ballots from alleged “noncitizen” voters.
The state, Los Angeles County, and city of Los Angeles argued the request was impossible to accomplish and potentially disenfranchising.
DOJ later announced it is appealing the decision.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter denied the Justice Department’s request for a temporary restraining order against California on Wednesday evening, one day after a hearing in Los Angeles on a case involving tens of thousands of questionable ballots.
The legal fight began last week when the DOJ asked California to segregate an estimated 20,000 ballots belonging to people the government says are “likely” noncitizens. Carter, a Clinton appointee, delayed a ruling until Wednesday despite requests from attorneys on Tuesday, saying that the federal government’s request to “segregate and exclude over 20,000 ballots” violates “longstanding constitutional principles mandating that states have control over their elections.”
“If Plaintiff’s last-minute request for relief were granted, either party could create chaos for their own political purposes to disrupt the election process. Over 20,000 registered Californians would potentially lose the right that generations of Americans have fought to preserve,” Carter wrote. “The Government’s Application for Temporary Restraining Order is DENIED.”
“Eroded trust in our democracy is irreparable. Once a vote is segregated, lasting harm has occurred. If the Executive can discount votes and threaten an ongoing election due to unproven allegations, then our democracy is in danger,” Carter added. “This Court declines to be a party to such process.”
In Tuesday’s hearing, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli argued the government’s case while state, county and intervening lawyers pushed back, with midterm voting already underway ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Essayli said the request was narrow: separate the ballots of roughly 20,000 people on the DOJ’s list so they can be reviewed before they are opened. Once a ballot is opened and detached from its identifying envelope, he argued, the vote becomes effectively untraceable.

JUST IN: DOJ attorney Bill Essayli argued in his opening remarks that the government is seeking a narrow preliminary injunction to separate ballots belonging to suspected noncitizens in California, NOT cancel or invalidate them.
Essayli argued the government has credible…
— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) October 27, 2026

Just last week, the DOJ announced that it had charged 28 foreign nationals in California from its compiled list of names for alleged election crimes. Essayli told Carter that the list of roughly 20,000 names came from the federal government cross-referencing a redacted version of California’s voter roll with federal databases, with assistance from USCIS.
The DOJ told the court on Tuesday it sought an expedited order because election officials were already processing returned ballots.
However, attorneys for the state and Los Angeles County called the federal government’s data collection unreliable, arguing that the DOJ’s proposed remedy was unworkable this late in the cycle.
Los Angeles County argued that more than 12,000 election workers are already aiding the election and that its software cannot be modified in time to flag the ballots. Any separation would therefore have to be done manually—an approach the county called impossible before Election Day or certification on Dec. 3.
State lawyers echoed the county, describing the request as “incredibly disruptive” and a “recipe for disenfranchisement.”
Additionally, a concern raised by intervenors, including NAACP lawyers, warned that the data-matching process could flag naturalized citizens and pointed to the 9th Circuit’s recent rejection of a similar emergency request.

Recess is over, and we’re back in court for the DOJ’s California Voter Citizenship Case.
Live updates from the rebuttal below
— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) October 27, 2026

During the hearing, Carter pressed attorneys on both sides whether there was precedent for segregating the ballots during an ongoing election, and described the proposed remedy as a “monumental” change. Carter, however, open to giving the DOJ time for further evidence and potential prosecutions past Election Day.
Along with Carter’s Wednesday decision, the Clinton-appointee notably decided on Tuesday’s hearing that he intends to appoint a special master to probe the DOJ’s process that led to the compiled list of 20,000 likely noncitizens.
Following the Wednesday evening decision, the DOJ has since appealed to the 9th circuit.
“The district court denied our emergency request to sequester ballots from 20,000 suspected noncitizens. Every day, more ballots are processed by election officials. This ongoing emergency disenfranchises American citizens through dilution,” Essayli wrote in a statement.
“The Solicitor General authorized an immediate appeal. We filed our Notice of Appeal and will immediately seek an emergency order from the Ninth Circuit,” Essayli added.
[Editor’s note: This story originally was published by The Daily Signal.]

Fewer Americans are opening Uber Eats as DoorDash pulls ahead

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

Most people don’t think much about which delivery app they open. You pick the one with the lower fee, the faster driver, or the promo code that landed in your inbox.

That habit is exactly what makes delivery such a tough business. Loyalty lasts only as long as the next discount.

I’m clearly not alone in relying on Uber for both rides and meals. Uber Technologies (UBER) handled 3.9 billion trips in the second quarter, with gross bookings up 24% to $58 billion, according to its earnings release.

“Uber’s platform advantage continues to compound: record consumers and engagement, and profitable growth across our business,” said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in the release.

However, a subtle shift has emerged in how Americans use the delivery side of that platform.

According to a Bank of America research report seen by TheStreet, Uber Eats is losing daily users in the U.S. while DoorDash (DASH) keeps adding them.

The note lands one week before Uber reports third-quarter results on Nov. 4, according to the bank.

Bank of America data shows US Uber Eats daily users fell 4% while DoorDash grew 8%.Bloomberg / Getty Images

The app data shows Uber Eats slipping in the U.S.

The numbers come from Sensor Tower data cited in the report. U.S. daily active users of the Uber Eats app averaged 2.8 million in the third quarter, down 4% from a year earlier.

DoorDash averaged 9.1 million U.S. daily users over the same stretch, up 8%. Globally, Uber Eats was flat at 11 million, while DoorDash grew 11% to 10 million.

More Food Delivery:

DoorDash, Uber Eats have a new rival, offering lower menu prices

Food Lion, Stop & Shop online ordering stays down for a 3rd day

DoorDash wants customers to stop using its app to order food

There is a caveat. Customers “can also order Delivery through the main Uber app,” the analysts noted, so the Eats app alone may understate demand.

The ride-hailing side looks steadier. Uber’s U.S. rider app averaged 4.8 million daily users, up 1%, while Lyft (LYFT) fell 5% to 2.7 million.

Here is how the third-quarter app data stacks up, according to Sensor Tower figures in the note:

Uber Eats, U.S.: 2.8 million daily users, down 4%

DoorDash, U.S.: 9.1 million daily users, up 8%

Uber rider app, U.S.: 4.8 million daily users, up 1%

Waymo One, U.S.: 148,000 daily users, up 65%

Uber driver app, U.S.: 1.9 million daily users, down 2%

Investors have noticed the pressure. Uber shares hit a 52-week low of $65.41 on Oct. 28 and are down about 31% over the past year, Investing.com reported.

Analyst Justin Post laid out the case in a note titled “3Q Preview: Expect in-line qtr and outlook, AV supply & competition in focus.”

“YTD multiple compression suggests negative sentiment into the print,” wrote Post. He added that Uber trades at about 10 times its 2027 enterprise value to EBITDA, “near its all-time low.”

DoorDash is getting bigger as its rival walks away

The competitive backdrop is shifting fast. DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy Instacart (CART) in a deal valued at about $17 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Instacart’s market value was about $13 billion before the report. Press reports suggest Uber walked away from its own talks, the Bank of America analysts wrote.

Uber is placing different bets. It agreed this month to buy catering platform ezCater for $2.3 billion in cash, and it has also agreed to acquire Delivery Hero, the note said.

The two rivals are also fighting over the same partners. Costco signed delivery deals with both Uber Eats and DoorDash in September, with Uber Eats covering nearly 600 Costco locations in 47 states, the note said.

Drivers face their own squeeze. The national average for regular gas was $4.27 a gallon on Oct. 22, down from $4.41 on Oct. 1, according to AAA.

“The drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gasoline,” AAA said. Post still flagged elevated gas prices as a possible risk to driver supply and margins.

Given that backdrop, it’s easy to understand why the bank thinks the earnings call matters more than the quarter itself.

Bank of America says robotaxis will decide the next move

Post expects a quarter in line with Wall Street. He estimates gross bookings of $59.8 billion, up about 20% from $49.7 billion a year earlier, with adjusted EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] of $2.94 billion.

For the fourth quarter, he expects guidance of $62.75 billion to $64.75 billion in bookings and adjusted earnings of 96 cents to $1 a share.

He trimmed his 2026 adjusted earnings estimate to $3.43 a share from $3.45, mostly because a stronger dollar shrinks Uber’s overseas sales.

Delivery may surprise to the upside, though.

Bank of America card data showed online restaurant spending up 10% in the third quarter. That’s an acceleration from the second quarter, the analysts wrote.

The bigger question is robotaxis. Waymo plans to grow its fleet from about 4,000 vehicles to 8,000 by year-end and 20,000 by the end of 2027, Semafor reported, according to the note.

“We believe an update on more visible US AV [autonomous vehicle] supply pipeline (NVIDIA deal a potential driver) is key for sentiment,” wrote Post.

Much will likely depend, however, on whether Uber’s partners can actually deliver the cars. Lucid alone has committed at least 35,000 vehicles, and Post wants updates on whether partners, “especially Lucid,” can meet those commitments.

In my analysis, there’s an irony in the math. Bank of America cut its estimates and kept its $101 price objective, yet the implied upside jumped to 53.5% from about 43% last month simply because the stock fell.

For Post, that gap is the opportunity. “We see room for multiple expansion with AV progress,” he wrote, reiterating a Buy rating.

Related: Bank of America sees 43% upside in beaten-down ride-hailing giant

Why You Should Always Ask for an Itemized Hospital Bill

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: Clark Howard, SUCCESS

On a recent podcast, we received a message from an independent medical provider explaining how their insurance reimbursements are drastically lower than what hospital-owned facilities receive.

What is happening across the country is a clash between two titans of the marketplace: massive hospital systems — many of which have built local monopolies or semi-monopolies — and giant health insurance companies fighting over reimbursement rates.

As they battle it out, you and I are the ones left holding the bag.

How the Hospital Squeeze Hits Your Wallet

First, large hospital networks hold immense negotiating leverage over insurers, which has been a primary driver of the relentless, year-after-year increases in our health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Second, there is growing concern that patients are absorbing more charges because hospitals are constantly looking for new ways to bill insurers. There are even claims that hospital billing departments are deploying AI to run up charges — identifying one procedure and automatically tacking on fees for related services.

When the insurance company pushes back and refuses to cover these inflated fees, the hospital often turns around and attempts to balance-bill you for the difference.

Why You Must Demand an Itemized Bill

If you have been in the hospital for any length of time, you are likely facing a serious bill.

Hospitals usually send a summary statement that looks something like:

Total Charges: $X

Insurance Paid: $Y

Amount You Owe: $Z

Do not just pay that summary bill. You must request a complete, itemized bill with every individual charge, service, and medical billing code listed. Hospitals often resist handing this over, but you have the right to see it.

Once you receive that itemized bill:

Decode the line items: If you see a mysterious charge — say, $1,422 for a medical term or procedure you don’t recognize — look it up. Today, you can even paste confusing medical codes or descriptions into an AI tool to translate them into plain English.

Check for phantom charges: Over and over again, patients find charges for medications they never received, tests that were never performed, or duplicate line items.

Compare with your EOB: Line up your itemized bill against the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company. Often, an insurer denies a legitimate claim simply due to a coding error, leaving you with an improper bill.

(Note: If you are recovering from a major illness or procedure and do not have the energy to tackle this, enlist a trusted family member or friend to make the calls and review the statements on your behalf.)

Medical Debt and Your Credit

This isn’t just about a few extra dollars — big money is at stake.

Even after recent credit bureau rule changes removed many smaller medical debts, medical debt still makes up roughly half of all collection items appearing on credit reports. You do not want your credit score trashed, your phone ringing with collection calls, or a hospital taking legal action over charges you legitimately do not owe.

When To Bring in a Professional Advocate

If you are facing a massive, complex hospital bill and feel overwhelmed, consider hiring an independent medical billing advocate (patient advocate).

These are frequently former medical billing specialists and hospital back-office professionals who review charges for a living. They know how the system operates, how to spot billing errors, and how to negotiate directly with hospital financial departments.

Most advocates work for an hourly fee or a percentage of the money they save you — and on a significant bill, they can save you a fortune.

Final Thoughts

The healthcare billing system is deeply broken, but it is the system we have to navigate right now. Everyone wants a piece of your wallet; your job is to ensure that whatever comes out of your pocket is strictly what you legitimately owe.

When it comes to medical expenses, do not be passive. Ask for that itemized bill, scrutinize every charge, and protect your hard-earned money.

The post Why You Should Always Ask for an Itemized Hospital Bill appeared first on Clark Howard.

Russell Brand’s wife says monogamy was ‘difficult’ in rape trial

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Russell Brand’s wife took the stand on Thursday in his rape trial, describing their relationship and his difficulty remaining monogamous.

Major Fast-Food Chain Faces Wave Of Restaurant Closures As Franchise Giant Files For Bankruptcy

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

Major Fast-Food Chain Faces Wave Of Restaurant Closures As Franchise Giant Files For Bankruptcy

Wendy’s could see up to 60 more restaurants closed across the United States through mid-November as one of its largest franchise operators battles bankruptcy, according to USA Today.Meritage Hospitality Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 17, has already shuttered 33 restaurants since entering bankruptcy proceedings and could reportedly shut down dozens more by November 13.Meritage previously closed 60 underperforming locations before filing for bankruptcy. Reports differ on whether the 33 closures since the filing count toward the up-to-60 figure, so the total could reach roughly 120 or more.The restaurant company operated 314 Wendy’s restaurants across 15 states when it filed for bankruptcy.Meritage reported a $31.5 million net loss in 2025, followed by another $23.1 million loss during the first half of 2026, according to QSR Magazine.The franchisee blamed weak sales, aggressive discounting and what it described as less effective Wendy’s marketing under the chain’s previous leadership. The financial pressures have been compounded by stubbornly high beef prices, which the Trump administration has struggled to bring down despite aggressive efforts to boost imports.In February, President Donald Trump authorized an additional 80,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef imports from Argentina. Moreover, the White House in August allowed another 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef trimmings into the country at reduced tariff rates in hopes of lowering hamburger prices. However, the measures have delivered little relief so far. Ground beef prices have climbed over 22% since Trump returned to office.Meritage’s bankruptcy has also triggered a bitter financial dispute between the restaurant company and Wendy’s, with the fast-food chain claiming the operator owes approximately $147 million in royalties, fees and other contractual charges.The latest development has only made Wendy’s already difficult few years go from bad to worse. The burger chain has suffered over 300 net restaurant closures since 2024, including 245 during the first half of 2026, according to NRN.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 10/29/2026 – 12:25

Our team’s favorite pillows — plus early holiday deals and gifts

October 29, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: THE NEWS

The right pillow can make or break a night’s sleep. Our team has strong opinions, from the adaptive option Julia Fields loves to the “fancy” model Jaclyn Kaufman raves about and the budget-friendly pick Liz Kiernan recommends.I’ve struggled to find a pillow for side sleepers that supported my neck without forcing it into an uncomfortable position or losing its shape overnight. My ideal pillow would be supportive, adjustable and easy to clean — and this Layla side-sleeper pillow checks all three boxes. FOX readers can take an extra 20% off the sale price with code FOXDEAL.— Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce EditorLiz Kiernan’s favorite cotton sheet set, which she compares to luxury hotel beddingThe Bear mattress that Nusrat Sultana says helped ease her back discomfortJenny Op’t Holt says this Wink mattress has stayed supportive over time–Why it’s worth a look: Apple’s newest iPhone, the Duo, is now available through T-Mobile, with $0 due upfront when you bring your existing number and enroll in the Experience Beyond plan. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable phone and features the largest display on an iPhone to date.Score up to 82% off bedroom furniture, bedding, seasonal decor and more during the Fall Clearance sale through Oct. 31.Score up to 70% off purses, clothing and accessories, including cardholders, shoulder bags and wristlets.Shop discounts on popular appliances and personal care devices, including the Shark FlexStyle, Ninja Crispi and Shark CryoGlow LED Mask.–Holiday shopping season is here, and some of the most popular Advent calendars and gifts are already on sale or available to preorder. Here are a few FOX reader favorites to shop now.Now more than 50% off: Beekman 1802 Advent Calendar ($199) A cute buy for kids (and adults): Hugz Toffee the Highland Cow ($59.99) A popular pick that may sell out: L’Occitane Advent Calendar ($215) Screen-free play: Magna-Tiles Construction Set ($48.99) Lock in the presale price: Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar ($270)–Celebrities love Angara jewelry — and the brand’s holiday collection is on saleAmazon fall fashion deals: Shop sweaters, loungewear and boots for 40% off or moreThis gift-worthy smart meat thermometer is at its lowest price ever — save $100

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