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  • AP Top 25 poll preview: Alabama loss will change the top 5 and USF’s loss opens up race for G5 bid

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    The top five of The Associated Press poll is in for a change Sunday after staying the same for three weeks.

    No. 4 Alabama’s eight-game winning streak ended Saturday with its 23-21 loss to No. 11 Oklahoma, and voters undoubtedly will drop the Crimson Tide. More important, Alabama’s margin for error to make the Southeastern Conference championship game and College Football Playoff has narrowed.

    No. 3 Texas A&M nearly had the same fate as the Tide. The Aggies had to make their biggest comeback in program history to beat South Carolina 31-30 and stay on track to play in the SEC title game.

    No. 5 Georgia posted an impressive 35-10 win over No. 10 Texas and should get a one-rung promotion.

    The situation in the Group of Five is scrambled again after No. 25 South Florida lost 41-38 to Navy. The Bulls came into the weekend as the front-runner for the G5’s automatic CFP bid. The Bulls’ loss bolstered the hopes of fellow American Conference teams North Texas and Tulane and No. 24 James Madison of the Sun Belt Conference.

    No. 1 Ohio State was in control all the way in a 48-10 victory over UCLA. No. 2 Indiana, 11-0 for the first time, defeated Wisconsin 31-7 and should keep its spot behind the Buckeyes in the AP poll and the CFP rankings.

    The situation in the Atlantic Coast Conference remains messy. There are four teams with one loss in ACC play, and two-loss Miami owns the best CFP resume. Miami hammered North Carolina State 41-7 at home while Georgia Tech escaped one-win Boston College 36-34 on a field goal in the final seconds.

    Saturday’s results will give AP voters good reason to move No. 16 Miami ahead of No. 14 Georgia Tech, just as the CFP committee jumped the Hurricanes over the Yellow Jackets in its rankings earlier this week.

    Look for them to move up

    — No. 5 Georgia should be No. 4 after its dominant win over Texas.

    — No. 7 Oregon had no problem against Minnesota on Friday in a 42-13 win. The Ducks were three poll points behind No. 6 Mississippi last week, slipping a spot despite beating Iowa on the road. It would make just as much sense if voters put Oregon back at No. 6 after the Rebels tussled with three-win Florida deep into the fourth quarter before winning 34-24.

    — No. 8 Texas Tech’s 48-9 win over UCF was its third straight impressive victory after its loss to Arizona State.

    — No. 9 Notre Dame posted a solid 37-15 win at Pittsburgh in what, on paper, was the Fighting Irish’s last tough game.

    — No. 11 Oklahoma’s win over Alabama was a showcase for its defense and a big boost to its playoff resume.

    — No. 12 BYU punctuated its 44-13 win over TCU with Tanner Wall’s 68-yard pick-6.

    — No. 15 Utah’s 55-28 victory over Baylor keeps the Utes in the Big 12 race but needing help to get to the conference title game.

    — No. 20 Virginia got quarterback Chandler Morris back from a concussion and bounced back from a bad loss to Wake Forest to win 34-17 at Duke.

    — No. 24 James Madison, which entered the rankings last week for the first time in two years, routed Appalachian State 58-10.

    Look for them to drop

    — No. 4 Alabama will fall. The question is how far? The Tide and Oklahoma have two losses, but the Sooners won the head-to-head meeting and deserve to be ahead of ‘Bama.

    — No. 10 Texas’ 25-point loss to Georgia put the kibosh on its hopes of going to a third straight CFP.

    — No. 14 Georgia Tech must drop. The Yellow Jackets had to come from behind to get past an opponent that has not beaten an FBS team, and in their previous game they lost to an N.C. State team that got clobbered by Miami.

    — No. 19 Louisville should drop out after losing 20-19 to Clemson. It was the Cardinals’ second straight loss at home. They lost to California last week.

    — No. 23 Pittsburgh probably will fall out after losing by 22 to the Irish, but the Panthers still have a path to the ACC championship game.

    — No. 25 South Florida had been in the driver’s seat for the G5 bid in the CFP after bouncing back from its loss to Memphis with a convincing win over UTSA last week. That bid is wide open now after the Bulls’ loss to Navy.

    Wild cards

    — No. 6 Ole Miss dominated the stat sheet and Kewan Lacy was spectacular, but it was a three-point game until the final two minutes.

    — No. 17 Southern California got all it could handle from Iowa before winning 26-21.

    — No. 18 Michigan had a close call against Northwestern, winning 24-22 on a field goal as time expired. It will be interesting to see how voters view it.

    — No. 21 Tennessee’s workmanlike 42-9 win over New Mexico State probably won’t move the needle.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • Ohio State stays on top of playoff bracket, while Miami makes a big move

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    Not surprisingly, Ohio State stayed at the top of the rankings, and there was a healthy debate about whether last weekend’s action warranted keeping Indiana at No. 2, one spot ahead of Texas A&M.

    But while those top three remained the same in the Week 2 rankings released Tuesday, it was a game back in August that led the College Football Playoff selection committee to its biggest shakeup.

    The committee vaulted Miami to No. 15, one spot ahead of Georgia Tech, to hand the ‘Canes the Atlantic Coast Conference’s only spot in this week’s projected bracket.

    That decision came not so much on the strength of last weekend’s action, — when Miami easily handled Syracuse and Georgia Tech was idle — but rather, thanks to Miami’s season-opening win against Notre Dame.

    “Certainly, the win versus Notre Dame was a key factor for placing Miami ahead of Georgia Tech,” committee chair Mack Rhoades explained. “In general, with the ACC, I think their lack of nonconference signature wins other than Miami over Notre Dame” hurts the conference.

    Following the trio of undefeateds — Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M — were Alabama and Georgia, who rounded out the same top five as in last week’s season-opening rankings.

    Texas Tech jumped two spots to No. 6 on the strength of its win over BYU, moving one notch ahead of Mississippi, which dropped to 7 despite a romp over Citadel in a nonconference game.

    At No. 8 was Oregon, followed by Notre Dame and Texas.

    No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 12 BYU would be the first two teams out in this week’s bracket due to the automatic spots handed to the ACC (Miami) and the highest-ranked league leader out of the Group of 5 conferences, which is now an honor that belongs to South Florida, ranked at No. 24.

    “They’ve always been part of (the conversation),” Rhoades said of the Bulls. “South Florida is the most consistent of the Group of 5, to date.”

    The final bracket comes out Dec. 7, with the 12-team playoff beginning Dec. 19 and closing a month later with the title game.

    Indiana-A&M and Texas Tech-Ole Miss are two toughest calls

    Rhoades said the decision to keep Indiana at No. 2 over Texas A&M provoked the committee’s second-longest conversation.

    The Hoosiers needed last-second heroics to win at Penn State, while the Aggies got a romp on the road at Missouri.

    “Certainly, discussion about those two games, but also discussion about body of work,” Rhoades said. “There was conversation about Missouri. Missouri is a really good team but not the team they’ve been,” due to injuries at quarterback.

    The longest conversation involved moving Texas Tech a spot past Ole Miss.

    “Texas Tech’s win this last weekend — really convincing,” Rhoades said.

    Conference watch

    ACC: Of the five teams in the conference ranked 15-22, maybe No. 22 Pitt is the team to watch. The Panthers have a 7-2 record with games against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Miami the next three weeks. Winning any two of those might give them a chance at somehow getting into the bracket.

    Big Ten: Outside of the top three, there are no sure things. No. 18 Michigan would work its way into the conversation with a win over you-know-who at the end of the month, and No. 17 USC has a season-making game at Oregon on Nov. 22.

    Big 12: There’s Texas Tech. And then there’s BYU (8-1). And then there’s No. 13 Utah (7-2), the team the Cougars beat last month and seem destined to stay ahead of if they finish with one loss and the Utes finish with two. Only two — and perhaps only one — will make it.

    SEC: No wonder the conference wants to do away with automatic qualifiers. A&M, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi feel like locks. Texas, Oklahoma and No. 14 Vanderbilt all control their own destiny. (Especially OU, which is at Alabama this week.)

    Group of 5: With early wins over Boise State and Florida, South Florida looked like a good bet to earn that fifth conference-champion slot earlier in the season, and reclaimed the position after Memphis lost to Tulane last week.

    The projected first-round matchups

    No. 12 South Florida at No. 5 Georgia: How many teams have won at the Swamp and between the hedges in the same year … or ever?

    No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Texas Tech: ‘Canes won last meeting 45-10 in 1990, and closed that season with a 46-3 drubbing of Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

    No. 10 Texas at No. 7 Ole Miss: They haven’t played since UT joined the SEC last year.

    No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oregon: Unfinished business from their 13-13 tie in 1982, Gerry Faust’s second season with the Irish.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • Solar storms bring colorful northern lights to unexpected places in the U.S.

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Solar storms brought colorful auroras to unexpected places in the U.S. on Tuesday night, and there could be more to come.

    Space weather forecasters confirmed that storms reached severe levels on Tuesday, triggering vibrant northern lights as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

    What You Need To Know

    • A rare G4 geomagnetic storm occurred Tuesday night

    • The northern lights were seen as far south as Florida

    • Another powerful storm is likely tonight

    • Using your smartphone’s night mode is the best way to capture the lights



    There were some impacts to GPS communications and the power grid, Shawn Dahl with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a video posted on X.

    Over the past few days, the sun has “burped” out several bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections or CMEs. Two have reached Earth, but at least one more is still on the way and could arrive sometime on Wednesday.

    Forecasters think this solar outburst could be the most energetic of the three and have issued a severe storm alert. How bright the auroras are and how far south they are visible will depend on when the burst gets here and how it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.

    How northern lights happen

    The sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year activity cycle, making the light displays more common and widespread. Colorful northern lights have decorated night skies in unexpected places and space weather experts say there are more auroras still to come.

    Aurora displays known as the northern and southern lights are commonly visible near the poles, where charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere.

    Skygazers are spotting the lights deeper into the United States and Europe because the sun is going through a major face-lift. Every 11 years, its magnetic poles swap places, causing magnetic twists and tangles along the way.

    Last year, the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades slammed Earth, producing light displays across the Northern Hemisphere. And soon afterward, a powerful solar storm dazzled skygazers far from the Arctic Circle when dancing lights appeared in unexpected places including Germany, the United Kingdom, New England and New York City.

    The sun’s active spurt is expected to last at least through the end of this year, although when solar activity will peak won’t be known until months after the fact, according to NASA and NOAA.

    How solar storms affect Earth

    Solar storms can bring more than colorful lights to Earth.

    When fast-moving particles and plasma slam into Earth’s magnetic field, they can temporarily disrupt the power grid. Space weather can also interfere with air traffic control radio and satellites in orbit. Severe storms are capable of scrambling other radio and GPS communications.

    In 1859, a severe solar storm triggered auroras as far south as Hawaii and set telegraph lines on fire in a rare event. And a 1972 solar storm may have detonated magnetic U.S. sea mines off the coast of Vietnam.

    Space weather experts aren’t able to predict a solar storm months in advance. Instead, they alert relevant parties to prepare in the days before a solar outburst hits Earth.

    How to see and capture the auroras

    For the latest northern lights forecasts, check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.

    Make your best effort to get away from city lights and find somewhere dark. Experts recommend skygazing from a local or national park. And check the weather forecast because clouds can cover up the spectacle entirely.

    Visibility tonight could be reduced in places like the West, Plains, and Northeast due to clouds. The Southeast should have great visibility if the northern lights can make it that far south again.

    Many areas in northern latitudes should be able to see the northern lights with the naked eye. If you’re farther south, your smartphone cameras may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Long-exposure is your best bet to reveal all the colors in the night sky.

    When taking the photo, turn on “night mode” and place your phone on a steady surface. The longer the exposure, the better the photo will turn out!

    If you’ve taken any pictures of the northern lights, you can share your photos here.

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    Associated Press, Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Solar storms bring colorful northern lights to unexpected places in the U.S.

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Solar storms brought colorful auroras to unexpected places in the U.S. on Tuesday night, and there could be more to come.

    Space weather forecasters confirmed that storms reached severe levels on Tuesday, triggering vibrant northern lights as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

    What You Need To Know

    • A rare G4 geomagnetic storm occurred Tuesday night

    • The northern lights were seen as far south as Florida

    • Another powerful storm is likely tonight

    • Using your smartphone’s night mode is the best way to capture the lights



    There were some impacts to GPS communications and the power grid, Shawn Dahl with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a video posted on X.

    Over the past few days, the sun has “burped” out several bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections or CMEs. Two have reached Earth, but at least one more is still on the way and could arrive sometime on Wednesday.

    Forecasters think this solar outburst could be the most energetic of the three and have issued a severe storm alert. How bright the auroras are and how far south they are visible will depend on when the burst gets here and how it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.

    How northern lights happen

    The sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year activity cycle, making the light displays more common and widespread. Colorful northern lights have decorated night skies in unexpected places and space weather experts say there are more auroras still to come.

    Aurora displays known as the northern and southern lights are commonly visible near the poles, where charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere.

    Skygazers are spotting the lights deeper into the United States and Europe because the sun is going through a major face-lift. Every 11 years, its magnetic poles swap places, causing magnetic twists and tangles along the way.

    Last year, the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades slammed Earth, producing light displays across the Northern Hemisphere. And soon afterward, a powerful solar storm dazzled skygazers far from the Arctic Circle when dancing lights appeared in unexpected places including Germany, the United Kingdom, New England and New York City.

    The sun’s active spurt is expected to last at least through the end of this year, although when solar activity will peak won’t be known until months after the fact, according to NASA and NOAA.

    How solar storms affect Earth

    Solar storms can bring more than colorful lights to Earth.

    When fast-moving particles and plasma slam into Earth’s magnetic field, they can temporarily disrupt the power grid. Space weather can also interfere with air traffic control radio and satellites in orbit. Severe storms are capable of scrambling other radio and GPS communications.

    In 1859, a severe solar storm triggered auroras as far south as Hawaii and set telegraph lines on fire in a rare event. And a 1972 solar storm may have detonated magnetic U.S. sea mines off the coast of Vietnam.

    Space weather experts aren’t able to predict a solar storm months in advance. Instead, they alert relevant parties to prepare in the days before a solar outburst hits Earth.

    How to see and capture the auroras

    For the latest northern lights forecasts, check NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website or an aurora forecasting app.

    Make your best effort to get away from city lights and find somewhere dark. Experts recommend skygazing from a local or national park. And check the weather forecast because clouds can cover up the spectacle entirely.

    Visibility tonight could be reduced in places like the West, Plains, and Northeast due to clouds. The Southeast should have great visibility if the northern lights can make it that far south again.

    Many areas in northern latitudes should be able to see the northern lights with the naked eye. If you’re farther south, your smartphone cameras may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Long-exposure is your best bet to reveal all the colors in the night sky.

    When taking the photo, turn on “night mode” and place your phone on a steady surface. The longer the exposure, the better the photo will turn out!

    If you’ve taken any pictures of the northern lights, you can share your photos here.

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    Associated Press, Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • PHOTO GALLERY: Northern lights visible across the country

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    See pictures of the northern lights around the U.S.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • PHOTOS | Viewers share images of aurora borealis across Northern California

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    Portions of Northern California were treated to a rare spectacle, as the aurora borealis lit up the night sky.

    The dazzling display comes after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center on Tuesday issued a severe weather geomagnetic storm watch.

    The potential severe geomagnetic storms could disrupt radio and GPS communications, and potentially cause auroras to be visible across much of the northern U.S., and as far south as Alabama and Northern California, NOAA said. Read more here.

    Several KCRA 3 viewers shared their view of the northern lights. If you would like to share a photo, submit here.

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  • Texas returns to top 10, ACC has five teams ranked in the Top 25 and there is Group of Five intrigue

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    Texas returned to the top 10 of The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday, the Atlantic Coast Conference has five teams ranked for the first time this season and two Group of Five conferences are now represented in the Top 25 a month before the playoff bracekt is set. The top five was unchanged.

    The Longhorns, the preseason No. 1 team, are ranked No. 10 in advance of its visit to No. 5 Georgia this week. They had been in the top 10 for the first six polls before their loss at Florida knocked them out of the Top 25 for a week.

    Four straight wins elevated them to No. 13 last week, and they jumped three spots ahead of BYU and Virginia and an idle Oklahoma, which they beat 23-6 on Oct. 11. Texas did not play over the weekend.

    Ohio State was No. 1 for the 11th week in a row with 55 first-place votes. Indiana remained No. 2 after its narrow escape at Penn State, but the Hoosiers’ six first-place votes were five fewer than last week.

    No. 3 Texas A&M got four first-place votes, three more than a week ago, and was 31 points behind Indiana. Alabama and Georgia rounded out the top five. Mississippi, Oregon, Texas Tech, Notre Dame and Texas rounded out the top 10.

    In all, 19 spots in the Top 25 have new teams.

    The ACC has five teams with one loss in conference play and two others with two losses. That’s reflected in the closely bunched group of ACC teams in the poll — No. 14 Georgia Tech, No. 16 Miami, No. 19 Louisville, No. 20 Virginia and No. 23 Pittsburgh. The last time the ACC had as many ranked teams was Nov. 3, 2024.

    The race for the Group of Five’s automatic bid in the College Football Playoff got more interesting with Memphis’ loss to Tulane on Friday. The CFP committee did not have a G5 team in its top 25 but said Memphis was first in line. That will almost certainly change when the committee’s next rankings come out Tuesday.

    No. 24 James Madison of the Sun Belt Conference made its first AP poll appearance since 2023. The Dukes are 8-1, their only loss to Louisville, and are the highest-ranked G5 team. No. 25 South Florida of the American Conference is right behind, and Tulane of the American received the most votes among the unranked.

    In and out

    — No. 23 Pittsburgh, No. 24 in the initial CFP rankings, is in the AP poll for the first time since last November.

    — No. 24 James Madison’s previous Top 25 appearance was in 2023, when Curt Cignetti’s last Dukes team was in the final seven regular-season polls.

    — No. 25 South Florida’s 32-point win over USTA helped Bulls to return after a two-week absence.

    Missouri (19), Memphis (22) and Washington (24) dropped out.

    Poll points

    — The last time there teams from two G5 conferences ranked at the same time was last year, when Boise State and UNLV of the Mountain West and Army and Memphis of the American were in the final two polls of the season.

    — BYU, which was unbeaten before its 29-7 loss at Texas Tech, dropped four spots to No. 12 to end its two-week stay in the top 10.

    — Virginia and James Madison give the commonwealth two ranked teams for the first time since the final 2023 regular-season poll (Liberty, James Madison).

    Conference call

    SEC (8): Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 21.

    ACC (5): Nos. 14, 16, 19, 20, 23.

    Big Ten (5): Nos. 1, 2, 7, 17, 18.

    Big 12 (4): Nos. 8, 12, 15, 22.

    Independent (1): No. 9.

    Sun Belt (1): No. 24.

    American (1): No. 25.

    Ranked vs. ranked

    No. 10 Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC, No. 11 CFP) at No. 5 Georgia (8-1, 6-1, No. 5 CFP): Bulldogs won regular-season meeting and SEC championship game against Longhorns last year. Third straight time this is an top-10 matchup.

    No. 9 Notre Dame (6-2, No. 10 CFP) at No. 23 Pittsburgh (7-2, No. 24 CFP): Huge playoff implications for both. Irish and Panthers both ranked at time of their meeting for first time since 1991.

    No. 11 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2, No. 12 CFP) at No. 4 Alabama (8-1, 6-0, No. 4 CFP): Last year’s embarrassing loss in Norman killed Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • It’s time to spin your ceiling fan the other way

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    If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on and look up at it. Which direction are the blades spinning? If they’re going counterclockwise, it’s time to change direction.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clockwise-turning fans circulate warm air around

    • Counterclockwise-turning fans give a cooling breeze

    • Changing the fan’s spin direction can lower your energy bill

    • Get the most out of your fan with the right size and position

    You may have noticed that your ceiling fan blades have slight angles. There’s a reason for that! They’re designed to move the room’s air a certain way, depending on which direction the fan is spinning.

    Which way?

    In the summer, a counterclockwise-spinning ceiling fan will push air down and out, creating a small cooling breeze.

    In the winter, a clockwise-spinning ceiling fan on low-speed will draw up the air and circulate it so that it mixes. Warm air rises, so it’ll make use of the warmer air that’s hanging above your head.

    To change your fan’s spin direction, check the manual to make sure you do it correctly. Most likely, the switch is on the body of the fan fixture or inside the light globe. If your fan has a remote or wall panel, check for a fan direction button there.

    This little trick of running your ceiling fan the right way can also lower your energy bill. Since your fan is returning warm air down, you may find yourself turning your thermostat down.

    Is your fan doing its best work?

    One other note: make sure your ceiling fan is right for the room.

    Ceiling fan blades work best when they’re 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 7 to 9 feet above the floor and at least 18 inches away from walls.

    Fans with a diameter of 44 inches or less are good for circulating rooms up to 225 square feet. Larger rooms should use larger fans, often 52 inches or bigger.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • It’s time to spin your ceiling fan the other way

    [ad_1]

    If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on and look up at it. Which direction are the blades spinning? If they’re going counterclockwise, it’s time to change direction.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clockwise-turning fans circulate warm air around

    • Counterclockwise-turning fans give a cooling breeze

    • Changing the fan’s spin direction can lower your energy bill

    • Get the most out of your fan with the right size and position

    You may have noticed that your ceiling fan blades have slight angles. There’s a reason for that! They’re designed to move the room’s air a certain way, depending on which direction the fan is spinning.

    Which way?

    In the summer, a counterclockwise-spinning ceiling fan will push air down and out, creating a small cooling breeze.

    In the winter, a clockwise-spinning ceiling fan on low-speed will draw up the air and circulate it so that it mixes. Warm air rises, so it’ll make use of the warmer air that’s hanging above your head.

    To change your fan’s spin direction, check the manual to make sure you do it correctly. Most likely, the switch is on the body of the fan fixture or inside the light globe. If your fan has a remote or wall panel, check for a fan direction button there.

    This little trick of running your ceiling fan the right way can also lower your energy bill. Since your fan is returning warm air down, you may find yourself turning your thermostat down.

    Is your fan doing its best work?

    One other note: make sure your ceiling fan is right for the room.

    Ceiling fan blades work best when they’re 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 7 to 9 feet above the floor and at least 18 inches away from walls.

    Fans with a diameter of 44 inches or less are good for circulating rooms up to 225 square feet. Larger rooms should use larger fans, often 52 inches or bigger.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • Eric Trump calls his father live on stage during Turning Point event

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Eric Trump called his father live on stage during a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Auburn University in Alabama. President Donald Trump then told a packed arena, “We love Charlie” and, “He’s looking down on us right now.”

    The president’s son, who was co-hosting the event with his wife, Lara Trump, drew cheers on Wednesday night when he asked those in attendance, “By the way, should we see what he is doing right now? Should we try calling him?”

    “Hello? Hello?” Donald Trump was heard saying on the call as Eric Trump held his phone up to a microphone, drawing a raucous applause.

    “So we have the most beautiful crowd of people, thousands and thousands of people at Auburn University. They are incredibly enthusiastic, and they absolutely adore this country, they adore God, and they adore you,” Eric Trump said.

    ERIKA KIRK RECALLS LAST MOMENTS WITH CHARLIE BEFORE HIS ‘HORROR MOVIE’ MURDER, ADDRESSES ASSASSINATION VIDEO

    Eric Trump, right, called his father, President Donald Trump, left, during a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Auburn University in Alabama. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

    “Well, I want to just say hello to everybody, I hope Erika is doing a good job and Lara is doing a good job. And Auburn is a special place, I’ve been there many times,” Donald Trump responded.

    “I just want to pay my respects to Charlie and Erika — these are two incredible people. And Erika, I’ve spoken to her often, she is just a spectacular person, and she is going to start where Charlie left off, and we should never allow this to happen,” the president also said, referencing the Sept. 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

    TURNING POINT MONTANA STATE EVENT FEATURING RAMASWAMY, GIANFORTE DRAWS THOUSANDS

    erika kirk sits down with jesse watters

    Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, sits down with Fox News host Jesse Watters for her first interview since the assassination of her husband. (Fox News)

    “One of the greatest people we have ever known and was so responsible for our win. And we love Charlie, he’s looking down on us right now, all of us and Erika, you just, you are there some place, and you just take care of yourself. We are with you all the way, and we are with the great people that my son and Lara are speaking to, and I love you all,” the president continued.

    “As President of the United States, I love you all and our country is doing great,” Donald Trump added.

    Turning Point USA said on its website that each stop of the “This is the Turning Point” tour “is a chance to honor Charlie’s mission and keep the fight alive.

    Vice President JD Vance speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on podium.

    Vice President JD Vance addresses a Turning Point USA audience at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

    “We know he wouldn’t want us to surrender or be coerced into silence. Free speech is only free if we use our voices,” the organization said.

    Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

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  • Ohio State gets top billing in opening College Football Playoff rankings; Indiana, Texas A&M next

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    The closest thing resembling drama for the first big reveal of this season’s College Football Playoff rankings hinged on which undefeated team would receive top billing.

    Answer: The defending champions at Ohio State.

    The Buckeyes took the top spot in the first set of 2025 rankings Tuesday night, followed by Indiana and Texas A&M.

    In choosing the two Big Ten teams ahead of Texas A&M, the 12-person committee appeared to give less weight to A&M’s tougher schedule and its 41-40 win over tenth-ranked Notre Dame and more to the way the Buckeyes and Hoosiers have mowed down opponents this year, with only two games between the two of them decided by less than 10 points.

    “I think statistically when we looked at A&M defensively, they’re just lower than both Ohio State and Indiana,” committee chair Mack Rhoades said. “We had to make a hard decision, and you’re trying to find separators, and that was a separator for us.”

    Another team with no losses, BYU of the Big 12, was ranked seventh.

    Nos. 4, 5 and 6 went to Southeastern Conference teams with one loss each — Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. All of the top six came from either the Big Ten or SEC, a dose of business as usual despite a season that has been anything but predictable.

    This marked the first of six weekly rankings the committee will release this season, ending Dec. 7 when the final list will set the bracket for the second 12-team playoff in major college football history.

    That tournament begins Dec. 19-20 with four games on the campus of seeds No. 5-8. The top four seeds play winners of those games over the New Year holiday and the title game is set for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium outside Miami.

    Texas Tech was ranked eighth and Oregon came in at No. 9. Rounding out the top 12 were Notre Dame — the only team in the Top 25 not from a power conference — then Texas and Oklahoma.

    But if the bracket were set today, the Longhorns and Sooners would miss out,- bumped by No. 14 Virginia of the ACC and Memphis of the American. That’s thanks to a rule that places the five best-ranked conference champions into the bracket even if they’re not in the top 12.

    Memphis wasn’t among the committee’s top 25 but was still the highest ranked leader in a Group of Five conference.

    There is, of course, plenty of time for teams to make their cases, with four more weeks of the regular season, then a slate of conference title games set for the first weekend in December.

    “If we go back to last year, Arizona State wasn’t even in the rankings for our first two rankings,” Rhoades said of the Sun Devils, who won the Big 12 and made the field. “Again, to everybody out there, this is the first ranking and still a lot of ball left to be played.”

    The final tally in the top 12: The SEC has six teams, the Big Ten three, the Big 12 two, and the ACC none, with one independent.

    Among those still holding out hope are teams such as 16th-ranked Vanderbilt and 17th-ranked Georgia Tech, each of whom spent time in the AP top 10 this season thanks to upsets that turned college football upside down in September and October.

    The first-round matchups based on CFP rankings

    — No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Georgia, winner vs. No. 4 Alabama. You can almost hear SEC commissioner Greg Sankey breaking his TV wondering how an unranked team is in here over one of his.

    — No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss, winner vs. No. 3 Texas A&M. Virginia’s only Top 25 meeting this season was against Florida State, which does not resemble a Top 25 team now.

    — No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 BYU, winner vs. No. 2 Indiana. The Fighting Irish have to hope some of the teams immediately below them — like Texas and Oklahoma — do not put up impressive wins since they close with Navy, Pitt, Syracuse and Stanford.

    — No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Texas Tech, winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State. A Booster Bowl pitting teams backed by billionaires Phil Knight (Ducks) and Cody Campbell (Red Raiders).

    Tweaks in this year’s bracket

    The biggest change in the setup of this year’s bracket was eliminating the first-round bye for the four best conference champions. It would mean that Virginia, instead of jumping from a No. 14 ranking to a No. 3 seed, would be seeded 11th with a road game against Mississippi.

    Rhoades also spent time discussing Oregon, which is ranked sixth in the AP poll but ninth in the playoff rankings. The Ducks’ best win this year was a 20-point victory over Northwestern, while its double-overtime win at Penn State early in the season has become less impressive as last year’s semifinalist fell apart.

    “When we looked at and evaluated Oregon, we really looked at the quality of the team and how they looked on film,” Rhoades said.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • No. 4 Alabama suspends DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. indefinitely after his weekend arrest

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    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest over the weekend, coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday.

    Kirkpatrick was arrested Saturday on three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempting to elude and speeding. He was released from Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $1,500 bond.

    “Unfortunately, with the information that I have at this time, I talked to Dre, and we need to indefinitely suspend him,” DeBoer said. “He understands there are consequences that come with his actions.”

    Kirkpatrick, a sophomore and son of former Alabama defensive back and NFL veteran Dre Kirkpatrick, has eight tackles, including one for a loss, one pass defense and a forced fumble this season.

    No. 4 Alabama hosts LSU on Saturday.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • This November’s ‘Beaver Moon’ will be the biggest seen in several years

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    The second supermoon of the year will appear in the skies this week. The Beaver Moon, which is always the name of November’s full moon, will be the second of three supermoons in 2025.

    The Beaver Moon will reach peak illumination around 8:19 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Even though its peak is Wednesday morning, it will appear full on both Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

    What You Need To Know

    • November’s full moon is known as the Beaver Moon

    • This is the second and biggest of the three supermoons that will occur this year

    • The next supermoon will appear on Dec. 4, 2025

    The Beaver Moon is named for the time of the year when beavers are preparing to take shelter in their dams for the winter months. An earlier sunset will allow many on the east coast to see the full moon for a longer period of time.

    What’s a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. This year’s Beaver Moon will be the biggest supermoon since 2019. It’s the second of three supermoons that round out 2025.

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    The month is a transitional month as we move away from summer toward fall, and the alternative names reflect this. 

    • Digging (or Scratching) Moon (Tlingit)
    • Deer Rutting Moon (Dakota and Lakota)
    • Whitefish Moon (Algonquin)

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • This November’s ‘Beaver Moon’ will be the biggest seen in several years

    [ad_1]

    The second supermoon of the year will appear in the skies this week. The Beaver Moon, which is always the name of November’s full moon, will be the second of three supermoons in 2025.

    The Beaver Moon will reach peak illumination around 8:19 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Even though its peak is Wednesday morning, it will appear full on both Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

    What You Need To Know

    • November’s full moon is known as the Beaver Moon

    • This is the second and biggest of the three supermoons that will occur this year

    • The next supermoon will appear on Dec. 4, 2025

    The Beaver Moon is named for the time of the year when beavers are preparing to take shelter in their dams for the winter months. An earlier sunset will allow many on the east coast to see the full moon for a longer period of time.

    What’s a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. This year’s Beaver Moon will be the biggest supermoon since 2019. It’s the second of three supermoons that round out 2025.

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    The month is a transitional month as we move away from summer toward fall, and the alternative names reflect this. 

    • Digging (or Scratching) Moon (Tlingit)
    • Deer Rutting Moon (Dakota and Lakota)
    • Whitefish Moon (Algonquin)

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • How to reuse your pumpkins after Halloween

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    Halloween was a few days ago, but don’t throw out those pumpkins. There are lots ways to reuse your pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns now that the trick-or-treating is done. 

    What You Need To Know

    • There are several ways to recycle your pumpkins

    • Leftover pumpkins can make tasty dishes

    • Pumpkin scraps are also an excellent fertilizer for your garden.

    Turn pumpkins into food

    If you didn’t carve the pumpkins yet, consider using it for food. You can scoop out the guts of the pumpkin and turn it into a puree.

    To make a puree, you need to cut up the pumpkin and roast the halves. After they’ve roasted, scoop out the flesh and blend it to turn into a puree.

    The puree could then be used to make pies, soups and sauces.

    (Pexels)

    You can also the roast the pumpkin seeds too after taking out the guts and rinsing them. One cup of pumpkin seeds is equivalent to approximately 12 grams of protein. 

    Pumpkin for animals

    Leftover pumpkins can also become bird feeders.

    You just have to cut off the top third of the pumpkin, empty the cavity, fill it with bird seeds and hang it in the yard for the birds.

    Check with your local zoo. Some will take donated pumpkin scraps and use them as feed for animals. Polar bears enjoy them as a snack.

    Composting pumpkins

    Pumpkins are also good for composting. You can use the pumpkin scraps to help fertilize your garden.

    You can even make it a game for kids to smash leftover pumpkins and use it as compost.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • How to reuse your pumpkins after Halloween

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    Halloween was a few days ago, but don’t throw out those pumpkins. There are lots ways to reuse your pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns now that the trick-or-treating is done. 

    What You Need To Know

    • There are several ways to recycle your pumpkins

    • Leftover pumpkins can make tasty dishes

    • Pumpkin scraps are also an excellent fertilizer for your garden.

    Turn pumpkins into food

    If you didn’t carve the pumpkins yet, consider using it for food. You can scoop out the guts of the pumpkin and turn it into a puree.

    To make a puree, you need to cut up the pumpkin and roast the halves. After they’ve roasted, scoop out the flesh and blend it to turn into a puree.

    The puree could then be used to make pies, soups and sauces.

    (Pexels)

    You can also the roast the pumpkin seeds too after taking out the guts and rinsing them. One cup of pumpkin seeds is equivalent to approximately 12 grams of protein. 

    Pumpkin for animals

    Leftover pumpkins can also become bird feeders.

    You just have to cut off the top third of the pumpkin, empty the cavity, fill it with bird seeds and hang it in the yard for the birds.

    Check with your local zoo. Some will take donated pumpkin scraps and use them as feed for animals. Polar bears enjoy them as a snack.

    Composting pumpkins

    Pumpkins are also good for composting. You can use the pumpkin scraps to help fertilize your garden.

    You can even make it a game for kids to smash leftover pumpkins and use it as compost.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • High schoolers in Alabama town spark good-natured Halloween prank war with local police

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    Heflin, Alabama — Every Halloween season, when the sun sets in the small Alabama town of Heflin, the local students from Cleburne County High School toilet paper a few homes.

    But last month, they upped their game, toilet papering just about every business in town, too.

    “It’s just fun,” one teen told CBS News.

    “And then you don’t get caught and it’s like, this is fantastic,” said another.

    It was fantastic until they made the mistake of hitting the headquarters of the Heflin Police Department.

    “It was up on the roof, the spare cars we had in the parking lot … We had to do something,” Heflin Police Chief Ross McGlaughn said.

    So after the “attack” on his station last month, McGlaughn took to social media to send a message to the perpetrators.

    “We think that rolling the police department was a little uncalled for, but as we enter into Halloween season, we dont want to hear any crying when we load up like we are going to serve a search warrant and go full out tactical ninja style old school rolling at your place next month,” McGlaughn wrote. “We know who you are and while you just put the play station controller down for a week, we are children of the 80s and 90s who perfected this craft years ago.”

    The Heflin Police Department then got to work on an operation that was supported by officers from multiple jurisdictions, all armed to the teeth with toilet paper.

    It was an unusual approach to policing, to say the least. But McGlaughn did get permission from the parents in advance. And he said he has his reasons for encouraging the kids like this.

    “As long as they’re doing this, they’re not getting into trouble doing something else,” McGlaughn said. “I haven’t seen any types of drugs or alcohol involved. You know, I think they’re spending all their money on toilet paper.”

    The kids have definitely taken to the prank war. 

    “I just think it’s good clean fun for everyone, and it’s been great for our whole town, the police department and everybody,” one student said. 

    Heflin’s toilet paper war has so tickled the town that businesses are now offering support by putting out free toilet paper. And the kids are taking care of the ensuing mess in their own unique way, by selling insurance.

    “They call it the Toilet Paper Rapid Response Team,” McGlaughn said. “So if you buy their insurance and your yard gets rolled, the youth group will come clean it up for you … So you can buy protection.”

    But it’s worth it, McGlaughn said, because this has been fun for everyone, including him.

    “I’m just rallying everybody,” McGlaughn said as he prepared to toilet paper another home. “That way we can hit the next house. It looks beautiful from down there.” 

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  • Weapons, ammo found in Alabama home of man charged with making threats to rabbis, an imam and others

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    Federal prosecutors have charged an Alabama man with making threatening calls and texts to multiple rabbis, an imam and others in the South, including telling one rabbi that “I want you to die.”  

    Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker of Needham, Alabama, was charged with making an Interstate Communications Threat. He was arrested earlier on related state charges of resisting arrest and possession of a pistol by a person forbidden to legally have a handgun.

    An FBI agent wrote in court documents that Shoemaker made a series of menacing calls and texts to rabbis in Alabama and Louisiana, an imam in Georgia, a church in North Carolina, and others.

    Multiple firearms were later found in the man’s home, along with a suitcase full of ammunition and papers listing the names, addresses and phone numbers of religious leaders and other prominent figures, authorities said.

    The agent wrote that Shoemaker told authorities that the communications were not a threat of actual violence but “an effort to intimidate or engage in psychological warfare.”

    Court documents also suggest the man has a diagnosed mental illness. His grandmother told the FBI agent that he had refused to take his medication for the illness, the agent wrote. The name of the diagnosis was redacted in public court documents.

    This undated photo provided by Clarke County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 28, 2025, shows weapons and ammunition removed from the home of Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker in Needham, Alabama, following a search warrant.

    Clarke County Sheriff’s Department via AP


    An FBI agent’s affidavit filed with federal court documents said that Shoemaker came to the attention of federal authorities after leaving threatening voice messages, including one earlier this month for a rabbi in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

    “I want you to die because you want the death of us,” Shoemaker said in one of the calls. “You want the West to die off.”

    The agent wrote that Shoemaker sent text messages to an Islamic center in Louisiana in 2024, including one stating that the “jews and you musIimeens have declared war on us again, and we are going to defend ourselves.” Another to a Georgia imam this year said he knew where the imam lived and warned for him to watch his back.

    Shoemaker told the FBI agent that he did not intend any violence and the calls and texts were an attempt at intimidation.

    “Shoemaker claimed his statements were satire, not a legitimate threat, rebuttal, and mocking them,” the agent wrote.

    The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office had announced Tuesday that Shoemaker was taken into custody by a multi-agency force after the FBI and other law enforcement offices were “notified of credible threats of violence made against multiple synagogues throughout Alabama and surrounding states.”

    A photo posted by the sheriff’s department showed a semi-automatic rifle, shotgun, handgun and piles of ammunition taken from his home.

    Needham is a small town in southwest Alabama located about 10 miles from the Mississippi-Alabama border. Shoemaker is being held in the Choctaw County Jail.

    Sara Jones, FBI special agent in charge, said multiple law enforcement agencies acted “within hours of learning of a threat to a member of the Jewish community.”

    “This is a prime example of law enforcement working together to crush violent crime and protect the American people,” Jones said in a statement Friday.

    Ernest C. McCorquodale, III, a defense lawyer representing Shoemaker in the state charges, declined to comment when reached earlier this week.

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  • As we “fall back” this weekend, the time change debate continues

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    It’s that time of the year again, when we “fall back” one hour, ending daylight saving time and returning to standard time and thus igniting the semi-annual debate.

    Do we proceed with the current standards and switch the clocks biannually in 48 of the 50 states? Or do we establish one standard and end this shifting of time? 

    19 states say yes, end the shifting and establish permanent daylight saving time. Federal law says no, and thus the debate continues. 

    Why we change the clocks

    The United States began the concept of daylight saving time in 1918, during World War I, to save fuel. The thought was that by advancing one hour ahead, coal-fired energy would assist the war effort rather than that hour at home.

    Standard time returned following the war and continued until World War II. After World War II, some states and even cities kept daylight saving time, creating various time zones within regions. Frustrated with no uniform time, the public pushed Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act in 1966.

    This established the time frame for daylight saving time would begin the last Sunday in April and end the last Sunday in October.

    In 1987, it extended to include the first Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October.

    Part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the modern daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

    This current time shift began in 2007, but this practice, according to millions of Americans, is outdated. 

    Not every state changes the clocks

    The law passed by Congress in 1966 allows states to opt out of observing daylight saving and stay in standard time year-round but not the other way around. Two states, Arizona and Hawaii, along with multiple U.S. territories have done so and thus stay in standard time the full year. 

    Hawaii doesn’t take part because of its location. With not much variation throughout the year between sunrise and sunset, it made little sense to switch the clocks. 

    Only the Navajo Nation in Arizona observes daylight saving time. The rest of the state exempted itself in 1968. 

    They cited the heat as their reason for opting out, adding that if they switched the clocks ahead one hour, the sun would not set until 9 p.m. in the summer, limiting nighttime activities.

    President Trump’s feelings on time change

    Even President Trump sees it from both sides of the debate.

    “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our nation,” he wrote on his social media back on Dec. 13, 2024. 

    However, his Truth Social post in April boasted something completely different.

    A hearing convened in April by the Senate Commerce Committee was debating this issue. Trump’s endorsement might help settle the debate for lawmakers. 

    Sunshine Protection Act and its opponents

    On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year to account for the time change. 

    While the Senate passed the bill, three and a half years later it remains stalled in the House and has not been signed into law by President Trump.

    Not everyone agrees with eliminating standard time.

    Earlier this week, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton was on hand to thwart a bipartisan effort on the chamber floor to pass a bill establishing permanent daylight saving time. 

    “If permanent Daylight Savings Time becomes the law of the land, it will again make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans,” said Cotton in his objection to a request by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to advance the bill by unanimous consent.

    Adding, “For many Arkansans, permanent daylight savings time would mean the sun wouldn’t rise until after 8:00 or even 8:30 a.m. during the dead of winter,” Emphasizing, “The darkness of permanent savings time would be especially harmful for school children and working Americans.”

    Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called for the Senate to pass the bill this week, citing states’ rights as a major reason for his support for the so-called “Sunshine Protection Act.” 

    “It allows the people of each state to choose what best fits their needs and the needs of their families,” said Scott. “The American people are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year. It’s confusing, unnecessary and completely outdated.”

    Cotton strengthened his argument by bringing up the “abject failure” of the last time Congress enacted permanent daylight saving time in 1974, pledging to always oppose legislation that would do just that.

     

    Vote in Live Poll: Cancel daylight saving time or stay on it permanently?

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • As we “fall back” this weekend, the time change debate continues

    [ad_1]

    It’s that time of the year again, when we “fall back” one hour, ending daylight saving time and returning to standard time and thus igniting the semi-annual debate.

    Do we proceed with the current standards and switch the clocks biannually in 48 of the 50 states? Or do we establish one standard and end this shifting of time? 

    19 states say yes, end the shifting and establish permanent daylight saving time. Federal law says no, and thus the debate continues. 

    Why we change the clocks

    The United States began the concept of daylight saving time in 1918, during World War I, to save fuel. The thought was that by advancing one hour ahead, coal-fired energy would assist the war effort rather than that hour at home.

    Standard time returned following the war and continued until World War II. After World War II, some states and even cities kept daylight saving time, creating various time zones within regions. Frustrated with no uniform time, the public pushed Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act in 1966.

    This established the time frame for daylight saving time would begin the last Sunday in April and end the last Sunday in October.

    In 1987, it extended to include the first Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October.

    Part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the modern daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

    This current time shift began in 2007, but this practice, according to millions of Americans, is outdated. 

    Not every state changes the clocks

    The law passed by Congress in 1966 allows states to opt out of observing daylight saving and stay in standard time year-round but not the other way around. Two states, Arizona and Hawaii, along with multiple U.S. territories have done so and thus stay in standard time the full year. 

    Hawaii doesn’t take part because of its location. With not much variation throughout the year between sunrise and sunset, it made little sense to switch the clocks. 

    Only the Navajo Nation in Arizona observes daylight saving time. The rest of the state exempted itself in 1968. 

    They cited the heat as their reason for opting out, adding that if they switched the clocks ahead one hour, the sun would not set until 9 p.m. in the summer, limiting nighttime activities.

    President Trump’s feelings on time change

    Even President Trump sees it from both sides of the debate.

    “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our nation,” he wrote on his social media back on Dec. 13, 2024. 

    However, his Truth Social post in April boasted something completely different.

    A hearing convened in April by the Senate Commerce Committee was debating this issue. Trump’s endorsement might help settle the debate for lawmakers. 

    Sunshine Protection Act and its opponents

    On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year to account for the time change. 

    While the Senate passed the bill, three and a half years later it remains stalled in the House and has not been signed into law by President Trump.

    Not everyone agrees with eliminating standard time.

    Earlier this week, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton was on hand to thwart a bipartisan effort on the chamber floor to pass a bill establishing permanent daylight saving time. 

    “If permanent Daylight Savings Time becomes the law of the land, it will again make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans,” said Cotton in his objection to a request by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to advance the bill by unanimous consent.

    Adding, “For many Arkansans, permanent daylight savings time would mean the sun wouldn’t rise until after 8:00 or even 8:30 a.m. during the dead of winter,” Emphasizing, “The darkness of permanent savings time would be especially harmful for school children and working Americans.”

    Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called for the Senate to pass the bill this week, citing states’ rights as a major reason for his support for the so-called “Sunshine Protection Act.” 

    “It allows the people of each state to choose what best fits their needs and the needs of their families,” said Scott. “The American people are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year. It’s confusing, unnecessary and completely outdated.”

    Cotton strengthened his argument by bringing up the “abject failure” of the last time Congress enacted permanent daylight saving time in 1974, pledging to always oppose legislation that would do just that.

     

    Vote in Live Poll: Cancel daylight saving time or stay on it permanently?

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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