💡 Lights out on incandescent bulbs
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The incandescent lightbulb ban is now in effect – but don't throw your old bulbs away! And how much money do you need to retire?
👋 Hey y’all! Laura Davis here. Ready for Wednesday’s news? It’s time.
But first: Sorry, blue whale. You've been demoted. 🐳 Scientists have discovered what they say could be the heaviest animal that ever lived on Earth: a gigantic ancient whale about as heavy as 35 school buses.
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Incandescents: Off. LEDs: On.
After 16 years of bipartisan discussion, the incandescent lightbulb ban is now in effect. The effort to phase out incandescents began under President George W. Bush in 2007 and has since been altered by multiple presidential administrations. The policy establishes a new minimum energy-efficiency standard of 45 lumens per watt. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs provide just 15 lumens per watt, while LED lights can measure at 70 to 100 lumens per watt. But if you still have a bunch of the old bulbs, you don't have to toss them out! The ban is on the manufacture and sale of new bulbs, not the use of them, so you can keep using existing bulbs in your lamps as long as they still work. Shine on, y'all! Here's everything you need to know about the bulb ban.
Trump to be arraigned in Washington
Donald Trump never thought he would return to Washington like this: under indictment. The former president and current Republican presidential front-runner lands back in the nation's capital on Thursday − at the federal courthouse to plead not guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal the 2020 election.
What we know: The not guilty plea is expected. What people don't know is how this latest arraignment − Trump's third in four months − will affect his 2024 presidential campaign and his attempts to stay out of prison. We've held presidential elections during wars, pandemics and mass protests. But the spider's web ensnaring Trump is creating a campaign that is entirely new and enormously complicated. And it’s not just one more indictment – it’s a stress test for Trump and the nation.
'Disgrace': How GOP lawmakers, 2024 rivals reacted to Trump's indictment.
Donald Trump says the candidates he supports win. What do the results say?
What everyone's talking about
'Love is Blind' star says he could become 'homeless,' blames Netflix.
'Barbie Botox' trend has people breaking the bank. What is it?
Why the Parkland school shooting will happen again in a planned reenactment.
Meet 3 Californians who left for Texas. Why did they do it?
Her face was peeling off. TikTokers say it's topical steroid withdrawal, but doctors aren't so sure.
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Is $1.8 million enough to retire?
Everything is more expensive nowadays – including retirement. How much are you planning on saving? According to an online Schwab survey of 1,000 participants in 401(k) plans, Americans, on average, believe they will need to save $1.8 million for retirement compared with an estimate of $1.7 million last year. And only 37% of workers think it’s very likely they’ll achieve this target, down by 10% from last year. Inflation has been the biggest obstacle for savers, even though inflation eased in June to 3% from a 40-year peak of 9.1% a year ago. Is there any hope of retiring comfortably? Here's a look at the big picture.
Gunman to be sentenced to death in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre
The man who gunned down 11 worshippers at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, will be sentenced to death. Robert Bowers, 50, was found guilty on 63 criminal counts in June, including 11 counts each of obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death and hate crimes resulting in death. A judge will formally impose the sentence later after a jury made the recommendation Wednesday. Bowers was found eligible for the death penalty July 13, when jurors decided that he intended to kill, substantial planning went into the attack, and he targeted the vulnerable. What we know.
A break from the news
🤔 Ginger has been used for thousands of years. What are its health benefits?
🐾 Check out 10 smart tech products to make your pets' lives easier.
✨ Overcoming fears! ✨ Listen to this little girl hype herself up before a big jump.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. She loves new Twitter pals and emails from readers: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Incandescent bulb ban, Trump indictment, retirement: Wednesday's news
