NEW YORK (AP) — “Saturday Night Live” begins its 50th season with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll.

Smart, the 73-year-old “Hacks” and “Designing Women” star who just won her sixth Emmy, has never hosted the NBC sketch comedy institution before in her more than 40-year career. She said on Instagram that the performance was a “bucket list” achievement for her.

Former cast member Maya Rudolph is reportedly returning to the series this season to play Vice President Kamala Harris, and if recent trends for current-themed opening episodes are any indication, she could be at the top of the show’s slate when it premieres.

Rudolph has appeared for the role of Harris before – and won an Emmy for it – but has yet to play the role of the presidential candidate.

Lorne Michaels is still at the helm, just as he was in the first episode on October 11, 1975, when George Carlin hosted and the nation got its first dose of the Not Ready for Prime Time players: Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner , Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris.

There were two musical guests – Billy Preston and Janis Ian – who played two songs each, which was common in the early days.

Country singer and rapper Jelly Roll has the music role all to himself on Saturday, and like Smart, he’s a newbie.

This debut show is documented and recreated in the newly released Jason Reitman film “Saturday Night.” It’s part of a wave of reflection and celebration that the show is experiencing on the cusp of its 50th anniversary.

Upcoming episodes will feature host Nate Bargatze with musical guest Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish and John Mulaney with Chappell Roan.

These shows will lead to a three-hour primetime special on February 16th that will serve as the official celebration of the 50th season. It’s sure to feature a wide variety of the many stars the series has produced, including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Robert Downey Jr., Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell.

social security plays an essential role in providing income for millions of retirees and continues to be an important source of financial support. But despite its long-standing presence social security is subject to annual adjustments, some of which may have a positive impact on the financial situation of the beneficiaries. Looking ahead to 2025, two key changes are expected that could provide additional financial relief for retirees.

1. An increase in monthly Social Security benefits

Every year, Social Security Benefits are adjusted for inflation with the aim of maintaining the purchasing power of pensioners. This adaptation, known as Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), ensures that beneficiaries’ incomes keep pace with rising costs over time. In 2024, retirees saw a COLA Increase of 3.2%, giving them a slight increase in performance. However, the high inflation rates of previous years have now eased in 2024, leading experts to believe that the COLA for 2025 will be lower than in 2024.

During the final COLA The value for 2025 has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to be around 2.5%, although this value could still fluctuate. The official COLA The figure is determined by inflation data from the third quarter of the year, and since September data is not yet final, the final figure will be released on October 10th. For now, retirees can reasonably expect this monthly social security payments to increase, even if only to a modest extent.

It’s important to remember this Social Security Benefits Only get one COLA when inflation rises. In some years when inflation is stagnant, benefits may not increase. However, with inflation still present in 2025, albeit lower than in previous years, retirees should expect some increase in their monthly checks, which will provide a small but helpful financial boost.

For those who feel underwhelmed by the expected 2.5% COLA, It is worth considering that it is lower COLA also reflects lower inflation, meaning the cost of goods and services does not rise as much. This in turn means that although the increase in benefits may be smaller, pensioners may also be less burdened by rising prices.

2. A higher earning limit

In addition to the expected increase in monthly benefits, another positive development is emerging: an increase in Earnings limit. Social Security recipients Those who choose to continue working while receiving benefits can receive wages without penalty, but this depends on whether they have achieved this full retirement age (FRA). For those who have achieved it FRA, There are no earnings limits and retirees can earn as much money as they want without this affecting their income Social Security Benefits.

However, individuals who start collecting social security before reaching FRA subject to one Earnings limit. If your earnings exceed this limit, part of your benefits may be withheld. In 2024 the Earnings limit was set at $22,320 for those who had not yet achieved it FRA, and $59,520 for those who achieved it FRA within the year.

Looking ahead to 2025, it is expected that this Earnings limits will rise in line with inflation. As the COLA Figure, the official Earnings limits will also be announced on October 10th. This increase applies to pensioners who want to work while receiving benefits Earnings limit could allow them to earn more without fear of a reduction in their income Social Security Payments. This change could be particularly beneficial for those who rely on additional income to cover their living expenses.

To keep up to date with these developments, it’s worth taking a look at the Social security authorities website on October 10, when the official numbers for both were announced COLA And Earnings limits is released. Although these changes will be gradual, they could make a significant difference in the day-to-day finances of those who rely on them social security as the main source of income.

The Supreme Court’s split decision this week, allowing Missouri to execute a man for a 1998 murder even though his conviction was challenged by prosecutors, has put the court’s approach to the death penalty under renewed scrutiny.

Marcellus Williams, who was convicted in the 2001 killing of former newspaper reporter Felicia Gayle, was executed Tuesday evening, just over an hour after Supreme Court conservatives declined to intervene over objections from the three liberal justices. The execution was sharply criticized by the NAACP and other groups, which claimed Williams was innocent.

Part of that backlash was directed at the Supreme Court, which for decades rarely granted last-minute pardons to death row inmates. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the court has intervened twice in the past two years to stop executions in more than two dozen summary cases.

“It’s very concerning how the Supreme Court handles capital cases these days,” said Cliff Sloan, a professor at Georgetown Law School who won a major Supreme Court case in 2017 involving a mentally disabled death row inmate. “In any fair and just society, a free-standing claim to innocence should be recognized as an important constitutional right.”

When dissenting opinions are found in capital case petitions, they invariably come from the court’s liberal wing. And as the appeals enter the court’s docket for further consideration, the outcome tends to divide liberals and conservatives into separate camps.

“The Supreme Court has a limited role in death penalty cases,” said Paul Cassell, a law professor at the University of Utah who is representing the family of a victim in another death penalty case before the Supreme Court this year. These cases, Cassell said, “are handled primarily by state agencies with limited oversight from the federal courts.”

The death penalty will continue to be a major issue at the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, with several defendants up for consideration when the justices meet on Monday to consider appeals that have piled up over the summer. One involves an Oklahoma woman who was convicted of murdering her husband. She says prosecutors sexually shamed her during her trial, calling her a “bitch” in court and holding up her underwear to the jury.

Another case involves an Alabama man who claims he is mentally disabled and therefore ineligible for execution under Supreme Court precedent.

The Glossip appeal is due to be heard next month

The court is already set to hear arguments about Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma death row inmate. The case concerns the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, the owner of an Oklahoma City motel. Justin Sneed, who worked at the motel, was convicted of that murder, but in exchange for avoiding a death sentence, he accused Glossip of setting up Sneed and to have commissioned the execution of the crime.

Glossip is asking the court to overturn his conviction after the state admitted its case was riddled with errors. For example, prosecutors failed to disclose records showing that Sneed, the key witness against Glossip, was being treated for a psychiatric illness. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican who defends the death penalty, sides with Glossip, citing “disturbing evidence of serious prosecutorial misconduct.”

Williams, whose execution sparked outrage on social media, sought to compare his situation to that of Glossip and noted that prosecutors had also raised serious concerns about his trial. Among other things, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said his predecessor contaminated the murder weapon by handling it without gloves. Bell, a Democrat, is running for Congress.

In Williams’ case, unlike Glossip’s case, the state was still firmly in favor of execution. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican running for re-election, dismissed Williams’ theory that DNA testing of the knife might have exonerated him if prosecutors had handled it more carefully. Instead, Bailey said, “The evidence was consistent with a crime scene investigator’s statement that the killer was wearing gloves, based on glove marks left at the crime scene.”

The two cases overlap so much that some believe the outcome for Williams could portend trouble for Glossip.

“When state courts fail disastrously to address these issues, you expect the U.S. Supreme Court to step in, especially when you have an (appeal) filed jointly by the prosecution and defense,” Robert said Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Policy Project, who has also represented death row inmates on the Supreme Court. “It will be very difficult to find justification for what happened.”

Cassell, who is representing the Van Treese family in the gossip appeal, said those supporting the defendant’s claims have been “willfully blind to the facts of the case at hand” and based their concerns on “a few excerpts from the notes of the case.” “The public prosecutor’s office would have supported.”

The Supreme Court did not explain why it rejected Williams’ request. The court’s three liberals — Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson — noted her dissent but also did not write to explain their position.

Sotomayor, in particular, has expressed opposition to the death penalty in some previous appeals.

When the Supreme Court allowed Alabama to execute Kenneth Smith with nitrogen gas in January, Sotomayor wrote a strongly worded dissent.

“Because Smith failed to kill him on the first attempt, Alabama chose him as a ‘guinea pig’ to test an execution method that had never been tried before,” she wrote. “Once the nitrogen flows into the mask, his executioners will not intervene and remove the mask, even if Smith vomits inside it and chokes on his own vomit.”

Smith was executed at the end of January.

In a landmark 1972 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the way states administered the death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. While the decision overturned hundreds of death sentences, it did not ban the practice entirely. Instead, the majority of states enacted new laws that restored executions in a manner consistent with the court’s decision.

The court’s general reluctance to consider last-minute appeals to the death penalty stems in large part from its role within the federal judiciary. The judges look for clear errors by the lower courts and not for new evidence from the defendants.

The Supreme Court’s approach to death penalty appeals is to “correct serious misapplications of constitutional law by America’s state court systems,” said Seth Kretzer, a Texas lawyer who has represented death row inmates in the Supreme Court.

The court, Kretzer said, “will not stop an execution in an individual case just because the inmate presents new evidence at the last minute.”

New cases in the pipeline

The Supreme Court will clarify in the coming weeks whether or not the cases currently pending meet this high bar.

In a pending appeal, attorneys for Alabama death row inmate Joseph Smith are fighting his conviction on the grounds that he should be considered mentally disabled. A series of tests showed Smith’s IQ was just over 70, a threshold cited in a previous Supreme Court decision.

But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the number was not a strict cut-off and that variations in testing could cause his actual IQ to be slightly below 70. Alabama is appealing that decision to the Supreme Court and has been waiting for a response for more than a year.

In Oklahoma, Brenda Andrew faces the death penalty for the 2001 shooting death of her estranged husband. In her appeal to the Supreme Court, Andrew said prosecutors’ use of a “clearly irrelevant sexual history” should throw out her conviction.

“By stripping Ms. Andrew of her humanity as a whole person, the state instead presented to the jury the archetype of a ‘slut’ and a depraved adulterer,” her attorneys told the Supreme Court.

Oklahoma officials responded that the evidence “indicated that Andrew hated her husband and she made no secret of her desire to see him dead.”

CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.

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“The old containers were much better.”

Food safety is an important part of any retail store that offers ready-to-eat and hot foods.

But what happens when the storage method could have unintended consequences for customers?

A Costco shopper says he got sick multiple times after eating the wholesaler’s fried chicken.

In a video posted to TikTok that garnered over 583,000 views, nutritionist @thejacked.gentleman says he got sick twice after eating Costco’s packaged fried chicken.

He believes the chicken sitting in the plastic bag allows the bird to develop bacteria that will be transferred to it when consumed.

@thejacked.gentleman Costco “Chicken-in-a-Bag” made me sick twice the next day! I believe that if you let it cool on the counter before putting it in the fridge, bacteria will develop. The first day is fine, but after that I wouldn’t eat it again. #costco #costcobuys #costcochicken #foodpoisioning ♬ Original sound – TheJackedGentleman

“After I switched to chicken in a bag, I got sick twice,” he says in the video. “I don’t think it’s a problem on the first day. When you get it home, let it cool on the counter before putting it in the fridge. I think bacteria are developing.”

He continues: “In the old containers, the chicken used to stay above the juice and not just in the hot plastic juices laden with chemicals and bacteria. I don’t understand it anymore.”

The Daily Dot reached out to @thejacked.gentleman via TikTok direct message and Costco via a contact form about the video.

Has Costco changed its chicken packaging?

Yes. Earlier this year, Costco switched from using plastic clamshell packaging to thinner plastic bags for its fried chicken in an effort to reduce plastic usage and waste. Initially, customers complained that the bag was leaking and were concerned about not storing the bird in their refrigerators.

About the concerns

The poster’s summary that braising the chicken in its own juices might not be too far off. After customers reported leaks, Consumer Reports investigated whether the bags were safe. According to Consumer Reports, experts say that the leaking chicken liquid could itself become a breeding ground for bacteria if it gets onto a surface like a kitchen countertop.

There are also concerns that chemicals from the plastic bag packaging could leach into the chicken itself. Any type of heating over a long period of time can cause some plastic additives to leach into the packaged food and cause the plastic to decompose.

Viewers agree

Some who saw the video were quick to point out that there is plenty of opportunity for bacteria to grow in warm-prepared foods if stored improperly.

“Cooling on the counter allows bacteria to thrive,” one commenter wrote. “Straight into the fridge or an ice bath to cool down quickly.”

“In Australia… we’ve been eating chicken in a bag since I was a kid and I’m middle-aged,” another added. “It should also cool quickly…right in the fridge. They let it grow bacteria.”

“You don’t refrigerate on the counter, you take it out of the bag and put it in the fridge straight away,” said another.

Others shared that they also felt unwell after eating Costco rotisserie.

“No it’s the chicken, I felt sick the first time I tried it,” one commenter wrote. “Never had it again.”

“Wait, I got sick after eating the last Costco chicken I got so I haven’t bought any since,” one user reiterated. “I didn’t think it might just be the case.”

“To be honest, the last two times I also wondered if I had become ill. I thought it was just a coincidence and after watching this I’m even more convinced,” one commenter wrote.

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No. 14 LSU looks to keep the momentum going against Sun Belt foe South Alabama while the Jaguars take on the Tigers on a Saturday night in Death Valley.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has established himself as one of the best players in the country in four weeks of play. According to Pro Football Focus, Nussmeier completed 70% of his passes, completing 112 of 160 passes for 1,243 yards, with 13 touchdowns and seven big throws.

Now it’s all about carrying the momentum into Week 5 against South Alabama.

Here’s how to watch, the latest injury report and game keys for Saturday’s showdown at Death Valley:

Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 6:45 p.m. CT
TV channels: SEC Network
City: Baton Rouge, La.
Venue: Tiger Stadium

CB Zy Alexander: Concussion

LSU cornerback Zy Alexander suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the UCLA Bruins after leaving in the first half.

Now it’s questionable whether he will play in Week 5 against South Alabama as he continues to work on concussion protocols, Kelly said Thursday.

The experienced defensive back has struggled with the risk of injury this season and has one more hurdle to overcome before kick-off on Saturday evening.

If Alexander is unable to participate this weekend, LSU will continue the rotation of Ashton Stamps, JK Johnson and PJ Woodland against the Jaguars.

WR Chris Hilton: Ankle

LSU wide receiver CHris Hilton was scheduled to make his season debut last weekend against the UCLA Bruins, but did not see the field in Week 4.

Hilton was sidelined after suffering an ankle injury in August, but he continues to trend in the right direction. He warmed up and did the pregame for the first time all season before the UCLA game last weekend.

Now he’s once again rated “likely” to play Saturday against the South Alabama Jaguars.

“We’re getting him back from a long layoff, so we’ll see what he looks like when he’s out there on Saturday,” Kelly said.

LSU has rolled with a receiver rotation of Kyren Lacy, Kyle Parker, CJ Daniels, Aaron Anderson and Zavion Thomas so far this season.

Once Hilton is back in the game, it will provide LSU signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier with another receiver who can unlock the vertical passing game on offense.

No. 1: Limit explosive plays from South Alabama

LSU has given up several explosive plays against inferior opponents this season. On Saturday, they face a South Alabama team that lives and dies on them in the run game.

South Alabama standout Fluff Bothwell has become a notable name in the Sun Belt Conference in his first few weeks as he continues to impress with the Jaguars. The true freshman has already rushed for up to 359 yards on 37 carries and six touchdowns in four games.

The most important number to know for Bothwell: 9.7. He’s averaging a whopping 9.7 yards per carry for South Alabama this season and has become the program’s focal point offensively.

But it will be a one-two punch at running backs for the Jaguars on Saturday, with Bothwell joining Kentrel Bullock in the backfield. On just 30 carries, Bullock managed up to 203 yards and three scores of his own.

There is a significant boost on South Alabama’s offensive line, with Bullock also averaging 6.3 yards per reception.

On Saturday, the LSU defensive line will face the challenge against an offense that likes to run the ball more than 50% of the time and has two running backs ready to make noise.

No. 2: A hot start in Death Valley

Brian Kelly and Co. have been notoriously slow in big games in recent years, and while they are heavy favorites on Saturday, it is imperative that the program gets out early.

We’ve seen the Tigers finish flat in all four games this season. From the early deficit against USC to the 17-0 loss early in the second quarter against South Carolina, LSU has not impressed in the first half against this season’s opponents.

The Bayou Bengals are 21.5-point favorites, Las Vegas has high expectations for the program, but they face a South Alabama team that has a chance to make a statement in a big game.

Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU offense will need to score early to get the team in the spirit of what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere at a night game at Tiger Stadium.

#3: Diversify the playbook and take advantage of red zone opportunities

The glaring downside in Week 3 against South Carolina was the missed opportunities in the red zone for the Bayou Bengals. In the second half, it was the defense that took care of business after providing the offense with scoring opportunities, but the unit suffered from inefficiency.

It was a thorn in the side of the program in the first few weeks of the season. LSU simply hasn’t been able to convert inside the red zone, but now that they’re facing an inferior opponent, they have the opportunity to test the waters inside the 20-yard line.

Look for different running schemes to open up chunk yards for the Tigers this weekend. At LSU, the rushing attack must play a complementary role to the Tigers’ offense. It is clear that the passing game led by Nussmeier is efficient, but on Saturday complete football must be played in a “tune-up” game.

Instant Takeaways: No. 16 LSU defeats UCLA 34-17 in big win

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Nick Saban calls LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a “sleeper” ahead of the 2024 season.

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers on SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.