Illinois' gas tax goes up Monday, and here's what you'll pay at the pump

Illinois motorists will notice slightly higher prices when they fill up starting on Monday, as the state’s gas tax will go up as part of its yearly increase.

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the tax rate on gasoline at pumps in Illinois will increase by just over 3.5%, rising from $0.454 per gallon to an even $0.47.

Those filling up with diesel fuel will also see an increase, with those prices increasing from $0.529 per gallon to $0.545, an increase of just over 3%.

In 2019, the state of Illinois passed a law that would establish yearly increases in fuel taxes after not raising those rates since the early 1990’s. That year, the tax doubled from $0.19 per gallon to $0.38, and has increased multiple times in the years since.

The tax rate increases each year based on inflation and changes in the Consumer Price Index.

After pausing the tax increase in 2022 because of concerns over inflation, the state has now raised the tax rate three times, according to officials.

The state’s fuel tax is used to fund construction projects at the state and local levels. Those taxes are siloed from the rest of the state’s revenues, and can only be used on construction projects under a Constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016.

Since July 2023, the state has collected more than $2.9 billion in gas tax revenue, according to the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office.

Illinois motorists also have to pay excise taxes on fuel, which is assessed by the federal government, and state sales taxes, which is applied after the state’s fuel tax is included in the price, according to officials.

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Here are several new Illinois laws hitting the books on Monday

While most of Illinois’ new laws take effect at the beginning of the calendar year, others are implemented around the year’s halfway point. And that will be the case come Monday, July 1.

At least nine laws will at least partially go into effect, including many that will likely impact thousands of residents.

Here are several laws hitting the books on July 1 you might want to be aware of.

HB 3882 – Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Beginning July 1, undocumented immigrants living in the state of Illinois will be permitted to obtain driver’s licenses in a move that officials argue will help decrease stigmas and increase safety on area roadways.

“This legislation is a significant step in eliminating the barriers to opportunity that many undocumented immigrants face,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in his signing statement. “We’re ensuring every eligible individual can obtain a driver’s license, making our roads safer, decreasing stigma, and creating more equitable systems for all.”

According to the text of the bill, individuals seeking a license must pass a driving test, have valid car insurance, be able to present identification documents for purposes of obtaining the license, and must be able to prove at least one year of residency within the state of Illinois.

Licenses will be compliant with the requirements set forth in the federal REAL ID Act, according to Illinois lawmakers.

HB 1122 – The Freelance Worker Protection Act

Enhanced protections in Illinois for freelance workers will also go into effect on July 1. Primarily, the bill obligates companies to pay freelance workers on or before the date their contractually agreed payments are due.

If contracts do not specify a date for payment, then compensation is due no later than 30 days after the completion of work, according to the text of the bill.

The bill also enhances protections for freelance workers against threats, intimidation, discipline, harassment and discrimination, and codifies ways of reporting violations of the act to the Illinois Department of Labor.

SB 1782 – Child Labor Law Now Protects Social Media Stars

A bill offering enhanced protections for “child influencers” will go into effect, specifically aimed at children who have appeared in viral content on social media, as opposed to child actors and musicians.

The bill will entitle children under the age of 16 to receive a portion of their gross earnings, with parents required to maintain records of their children’s appearances in social media content. Those earnings must be set aside in trust accounts until children reach the age of 18, according to the legislation.

In addition, the bill allows individuals now over the age of 18 to take legal action if they appeared in monetized social media videos as children, and were not properly compensated at the time.

SB 1993 – School Code Changed for Administering Assessment Tests

This bill requires school boards to hold public votes prior to approving new contracts for district-administered assessment tests given to students. These meetings must be publicized and take place in the open, according to the text of the legislation.

For a full list of bills with provisions taking effect on July 1, including the establishment of a “Creative Economy Task Force” and updates to student loan repayment programs for those in the mental health fields, you can visit the Illinois General Assembly’s website.

Other Changes

Beginning July 1, Chicago’s hourly minimum wage will go from $15.80 to $16.20 per hour for companies with 21 or more employees. For those with 20 or fewer employees, minimum wage will rise to $16.20.

Chicago workers will also be eligible for two types of paid leave beginning on July 1, with all employees who work at least 80 hours within a 120-day period eligible for up to five days of paid leave and five days of paid sick leave.

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‘Inside Out 2' tops $1 billion at the global box office, first film to do so since ‘Barbie'

• Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is the newest member of the billion-dollar club.
• The animated feature is the highest-grossing film of 2024 and the first film since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” to top $1 billion at the global box office.
• Before “Inside Out 2,” no Disney animated feature from Pixar or its Walt Disney Animation studio had generated more than $480 million at the global box office since 2019.

Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is the newest member of the billion-dollar club.

The animated feature has tallied $1.014 billion worldwide as of Sunday, making it the highest-grossing film of 2024 and the first film since Warner Bros.′ “Barbie” to top $1 billion at the global box office.

“On behalf of movie theatre owners across the country and around the world, we want to congratulate Disney’s ‘Inside Out 2’ for grossing $1 billion faster than any animated movie in history,” said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “The film’s stunning global success once again illustrates that audiences the world over will respond to compelling, entertaining movies, and that they want to enjoy them on the big screen.”

The billion-dollar benchmark is a much-needed win for Disney’s Pixar animation hub. A once prolifically successful studio, Pixar has suffered at the box office in the wake of the pandemic. Much of its difficulties have come, in part, because Disney opted to debut a handful of animated features directly on streaming service Disney+ during theatrical closures and even once cinemas had reopened.

As a result, before “Inside Out 2,” no Disney animated feature from Pixar or its Walt Disney Animation studio had generated more than $480 million at the global box office since 2019.

“Inside Out 2” has also showcased how vital the family audience is to the box office. This underserved crowd accounted for more than 70% of those in attendance during the film’s domestic debut, according to data from EntTelligence.

While this audience came out in droves for Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which generated more than $1.36 billion at the global box office, there was little for them to feast on until the recent releases of Sony’s “The Garfield Movie” and Paramount’s “IF.”

“Inside Out 2” also drove the coveted teen demographic to cinemas, with 14% of foot traffic coming from those aged 13 to 17. This younger generation has been largely absent from the market in recent years.

As the future of moviegoing, this group is particularly important to the industry. Getting them back to the big screen has become a top priority for studios and movie theater operators.

Next up for family and teens is Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4,” due out in theaters during the July Fourth holiday weekend.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.

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Funeral held for retired Chicago police officer murdered in West Garfield Park

Funeral services were held Saturday for a retired Chicago police officer who was fatally shot during a robbery attempt on the city’s West Side.

Mourners paid tribute and said their final goodbyes to Larry Neuman at Michael Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park.

Many described Neuman as a pillar in his community, owing to his service as a minister.

“We’re here to celebrate the life of one who served his country, one who served his community, one who served his family, one who served his church,” one pastor said.

The beloved father and husband served in the Vietnam War before becoming one of the first Black bomb technicians and the longest serving explosives specialist in the history of the Chicago Police Department.

Neuman was working for TSA at Midway International Airport before his life was taken.

“His ultimate passing is a great loss to us all,” one police commander said. “His work, his vision, it will be hard to replicate.”

Elected leaders attending Saturday’s services also reflected on Neuman’s life.

“Larry was homegrown, did everything that he did in the community,” U.S. Congressman Danny Davis said. “We owe reverend Neuman, officer Neuman, bomb technician Neuman a debt of gratitude for staying here, being here, and working here.”

Close friends told NBC Chicago he did everything with passion, helping to mentor and inspire teens and spreading the word of the Gospel.

“He would get up and speak and he could get you excited because he was so enthusiastic for his love of the Lord,” Neuman’s friend Jewel Martin Smith said.

“It’s hard to fill his shoes, but we’re hoping that somebody will see his loss and step in and just pick up where he left off,” Elbert Henderson, a deacon at Neuman’s church said.  

Neuman would have turned 74 on July 25, and is survived by 27 grandchildren and 40 great-grand children. He will be laid to rest in Hillside.

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Missouri Olympian fundraising for her family to watch her in Paris

One Missouri Olympian has launched a fundraiser in an effort to allow her parents to travel to Paris to watcher compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

DeAnna Price has officially qualified to compete in Track and Field in Paris next month. Specifically, she specializes in the hammer throw, where she currently holds the national record.

Price is originally from Troy, Missouri, but also attended Southern Illinois University.

The 2024 games mark Price’s third Olympics, finishing eighth in the hammer throw competition at both the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, held in 2021.

Now, the 31-year-old world champion has a goal that has nothing to do with medaling at all, as she hopes to give her family the opportunity to watch her compete in Paris.

Price started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, where she is aiming to raise the necessary funds to get her family to Paris. In the description, Price said that although she is going to Paris, she couldn’t have done it without her family by her side.

The fundraiser currently has a $30,000 goal, with over $8,000 raised thus far.

There has been over 130 donations, some of which are shown with words of encouragement from donors, urging her to remember to have fun and praising her performance at the Olympic Trials.

Price specifically says that she wants to be able to bring her parents, Ann and Dan Price, and her in-laws, Cheryl and Steve Lambert. Her husband, J.C. Lambert, is also a thrower who now coaches Track and Field at the University of Illinois.

“When your family has been by your side it means a little bit more when you can look up in the stands and see them being apart of this amazing journey,” the fundraiser said.

See more details about Price’s fundraiser here.

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David Foster faces backlash after he says wife Katharine McPhee was ‘fat' on ‘American Idol'

David Foster has come under fire for saying his wife, Katharine McPhee, was “fat” during her time on “American Idol.”

After a video of the couple performing in 2023 resurfaced on TikTok, fans are calling out Foster for remarks he made about his wife’s body while onstage.

“You may not know we met 17, almost 18 years ago when I was a little chubby and cheerful contestant on ‘American Idol,’” McPhee, 40, tells the crowd in the video.

McPhee then gestures to a screen behind them showing a photo of her and the legendary music producer during Season Five of “Idol” in 2006.

“Oh yeah, you were fat,” blurts out Foster, 74, who appeared as a mentor on the show that season.

McPhee then makes light of her husband’s remark. “I was a little chubby, OK? I was just young,” she tells him.

TODAY.com has reached out to Foster and McPhee for comment.

Foster’s remark sparked a backlash among social media users who blasted him in the video’s comments.

“Yikes what is wrong with him?” one asked.

“WOW this is not endearing, cute or sweet … it’s sad,” wrote someone else.

Many said Foster’s remark about McPhee’s body was especially troubling in light of her past struggle with bulimia.

“She has a ED and that is what the F he says,” wrote one.

“Not okay at all. Wowowoowow,” added another.

In June 2006, shortly after being crowned the runner-up on “Idol,” McPhee opened up to People magazine about her five-year struggle with bulimia.

The singer said she was caught in a cycle of bingeing and purging and only sought treatment after she auditioned for “Idol.”

McPhee and Foster first sparked dating rumors in 2017. The pair got engaged in 2018 and tied the knot in 2019.

In 2021, McPhee revealed on on Dr. Berlin’s “Informed Pregnancy” podcast that she worried she would relapse with her eating disorder while she was pregnant with the couple’s now 3-year-old son, Rennie.

The singer’s first trimester was the hardest, she explained, because she became “obsessed” with food while also dealing with difficult feelings about her changing body. “I had such a distortion of the way that I looked,” she recalled.

McPhee ended up talking to a psychiatrist who let her know her feelings were common among pregnant women who have previously struggled with eating disorders.

“It made me feel so much better that I wasn’t alone in that headspace,” she said on the podcast.

“I think if you have issues with food it’s always something that there are phases when it comes back into your life and it haunts you and then you get a hold of it again,” she added.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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These new Illinois laws going into effect July 1 could impact your wallet

To some, Monday, July 1 may just be another day on the calendar. But in Illinois, a number of things on that date are set to change for residents, thanks to new laws going into effect.

Some of those laws come in the form of big changes to your paycheck or wallet.

From paying more at the pump to minimum wage going up, here are a few new laws going into effect July 1.

Illinois gas tax, prices to increase

Illinois motorists will notice a small increase in their gas prices beginning next month, as the state’s fuel tax will increase by more than 3%.

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the tax on gasoline will rise from $0.454 cents per gallon to $0.47, an increase of just over 3.5%.

The taxes on diesel fuel will also rise from $0.529 to $0.545 per gallon, an increase of just over 3%, according to the state’s website.

Since a brief moratorium was placed on the increases amid increases in inflation in recent years, rising twice in in 2023 and now for a third time in July 2024.

Paid Leave for Chicago workers

Chicago workers will also have increased access to guaranteed paid leave, with employees who work at least 80 hours within a 120-day period eligible for up to five days of paid leave and five days of paid sick leave.

According to the city, employees accrue at a rate of one hour of sick leave for every 35 hours worked. They must be allowed to use accrued sick leave no later than on the 30^th day of employment. Employees can carry over 80 hours of leave between 12-month periods.

Chicago Minimum Wage Increasing

While Illinois’ minimum wage will not go up, residents in Cook County and Chicago will see higher minimum wages starting on July 1.

According to city officials, the minimum wage in Chicago will rise to $16.20 an hour, up from $15.80. That number increases annually according to the Consumer Price Index or a rate of 2.5%, whichever is lower, according to officials.

What’s more, the minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $11.02 an hour, and over the next five years will continue rising until it is equal to the regular minimum wage, according to the city.

In suburban Cook County, the minimum wage will rise to $14.05 for non-tipped workers, according to officials. The rate will remain $8.40 per hour for tipped employees.

In the rest of Illinois, the minimum wage rose to $14 an hour on Jan. 1.

Other new laws coming to Illinois July 1

Several changes are coming to Illinois on July 1, including a program that will offer driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

According to the text of HB 3882, individuals seeking a license must pass a driving test, have valid car insurance, be able to present identification documents, and must be able to prove residency of at least one year within the state of Illinois.

Another change will come via the Freelance Worker Protection Act, which obligates companies to pay freelance workers in a timely fashion, among other requirements.

The bill also enhances protections for freelance workers against threats and intimidation, and codifies ways to report violations to the Illinois Department of Labor.

Finally, a new bill will protect “child influencers” who become popular on social media. The legislation, SB 1782, entitles children under the age of 16 to receive a portion of their gross earnings, with parents required to maintain records of children’s appearances on social media. Those earnings must be set aside in a trust fund until the child turns 18, according to officials.

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Chicago pizzeria named among top 10 pizza spots in the U.S. in new guide

A Chicago pizza restaurant has made a list of the 50 top pizzas in the U.S., marking the second city establishment to get high pizza praise this week.

The influential 50 Top Pizza guide was announced this week, naming Robert’s Pizza in Chicago among the top 10 in the country.

The 50 Top Pizza Guide is created by inspectors from the 50 Top brand, who “have examined an enormous number of pizzerias throughout the country.”

According to the ranking, Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. earned the No. 10 spot on the list, marking an increase from last year’s 27th place ranking.

And they weren’t the only Chicago establishment to make the cut. Also named in the guide were Spacca Napoli Pizzeria at No. 23 and Coda di Volpe at No. 47. Last year, Spacca Napoli was named among the best in the world and ranked 14th on the U.S. list.

Robert’s Pizza, located in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, first ranked on the 50 Top Pizza list in 2021. The restaurant was founded by the husband and wife duo Robert & Dana Garvey and is known for its brick oven-baked, thin-crust artisan pizza.

Una Pizza Napoletana in New York was dubbed the best pizzeria in the U.S., followed by Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, Pizzeria Beddia in Philadelphia, Ribalta in New York and Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland.

But where some Chicagoans might take issue, the ranking also dubbed New York City as “the pizza capital of America,” highlighting 17 NYC restaurants when they expanded their top 50 list to a top 100. Chicago was second, but with only seven restaurants making the cut.

In a separate listing of the best pizza slices in the U.S., another Chicago establishment was highlighted. Jimmy’s Pizza ranked No. 9 on the list.

Here’s a look at the top 10 from the full pizza guide:

1          Una Pizza Napoletana – New York, USA
2          Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, USA
3          Pizzeria Beddia – Philadelphia, USA
4          Ribalta – New York, USA
5          Ken’s Artisan Pizza – Portland, USA
6          Jay’s – Kenmore, USA
7          Don Antonio – New York, USA
8          Pizzeria Sei – Los Angeles, USA
9          La Leggenda – Miami, USA
10        Robert’s – Chicago, USA

It marks the second high-profile pizza nod for Chicago this week.

Earlier this week, a Chicago pizza spot ranked among the 22 best pizzas in the U.S. by the New York Times.

Chicago’s Bungalow by Middle Brow made the cut — and it wasn’t the only Illinois representation on the list.

On top of Chicago, a southern Illinois location also made the cut.

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Live updates: Biden, Trump debate tonight in first face-to-face since 2020

What to Know

• President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will debate Thursday night in their first in-person face-off since the 2020 presidential election.
• The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CNN in Atlanta, with unusual rules agreed to by both campaigns, including muted mics when it is not their turn to speak.
• A livestream of the presidential debate, hosted by CNN, will begin here at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with pre-debate coverage. The debate itself begins at 9 p.m. ET.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first in-person match-up of the 2024 general presidential election Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT in Atlanta.

The debate is the first time the repeat opponents have squared off in person since the 2020 presidential election, and is happening earlier in the campaign cycle than is typical, before either have even accepted their party’s formal nomination.

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Uber offers $1,000 to ditch your car for five weeks

Uber will pay 175 people in seven U.S. and Canadian cities $1,000 to ditch their cars for five weeks and use alternate transportation in its One Less Car trial, the company announced Thursday.

The One Less Car trial comes at a time when the average monthly cost of vehicle ownership in the U.S. is more than $1,000. This is driven by “record new vehicle prices and a 90% increase in finance rates”, according to AAA.

Uber cited these costs — along with traffic and pollution — as the reason for the trial and said it hopes to promote a “car-light lifestyle.” If participants only have one car, they will be asked to give up that vehicle. If they own two, they will only have to give up one.

Car owners in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver are eligible to sign up for the trial, which will run from July 22 to August 25. Participants must be 18 or older, have a valid driver’s license, have a vehicle they use more than three times per week, a bank card and “be comfortable documenting their experience.”

Alternate transportation options include walking, public transit, Lime e-bikes and e-scooters, car rentals and rideshare.

The $1,000 payment will come in the form of $500 in Uber Cash that can be used for Uber Rides and Lime e-bikes and e-scooters, a $200 voucher for car rentals or carshare and $300 for other transportation modes, such as public transit. Participants will also get a free one-month Uber One membership.

The current trial is an expansion of Uber Australia’s One Less Car pilot program in 2023, which saw 58 Australians giving up one of their cars for a month.

Participants reported being able to replace the majority of their car journeys with alternative modes of transportation. Walking increased by 75%, while cycling and rideshare increased by four to five times. However, only three said they planned to sell one of their cars “in the near future.”

Ride-hailing competitor Lyft ran a similar Ditch Your Car program in 2018, which offered “transportation credit” that could be used on alternate transportation.

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USWNT announces roster for 2024 Olympics with Alex Morgan missing the cut

The U.S. women’s national team roster for the Paris Olympics is here.

Sophia Smith and Rose Lavelle headline the USWNT’s 18-player squad for the 2024 Games which was revealed on Wednesday.

The Olympics will mark new manager Emma Hayes’ first major tournament with the U.S. Hayes just recently became the official manager after coming over from Chelsea in England, and she led the U.S. to two solid wins over South Korea in consecutive June friendlies.

But the Paris Games will be a unique challenge. Only 18 players will be allowed to travel, with group games occurring every two days. The U.S. will face Zambia, Germany and Australia in group play.

So, who is Hayes calling up to represent the U.S. as the team seeks its first gold medal since 2012 and a record-extending fifth total? Here’s what to know:

Goalkeepers

• Casey Murphy, North Carolina Courage
• Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars

Defenders

• Tierna Davidson, Chicago Red Stars
• Emily Fox, Arsenal
• Naomi Girma, San Diego Wave
• Casey Krueger, Washington Spirit
• Jenna Nighswonger, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Emily Sonnett, NJ/NY Gotham FC

2024 Paris Olympics Jun 17

Soccer at the 2024 Olympics: Schedule, stadiums, age limits, more

USWNT Jun 1

Emma Hayes victorious in debut as US women's national team head coach

Midfielders

• Korbin Albert, Paris Saint-Germain
• Sam Coffey, Portland Thorns
• Lindsey Horan, Lyon
• Rose Lavelle, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Catarina Macario, Chelsea

Forwards

• Crystal Dunn, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit
• Jaedyn Shaw, San Diego Wave
• Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns
• Mallory Swanson, Chicago Red Stars

Alternates

• Jane Campbell (goalkeeper
• Hal Hershfelt (midfielder)
• Croix Bethune (midfielder)
• Lynn Williams (forward)

Will Alex Morgan play in the 2024 Olympics?

Alex Morgan was not named to the USWNT for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Games will represent the first major tournament for the USWNT without Morgan since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage,” Morgan wrote on social media. “This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest.

“In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country. LFG.”

2024 Olympics soccer schedule

Before Olympic play, the U.S. will play Mexico in New Jersey on Saturday, July 13 before its Paris send-off match against Costa Rica in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, July 16.

Group play begins on Thursday, July 25, with the final set for Saturday, Aug. 10.

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Illinois gas station sells jackpot-winning $900,000 lotto ticket

One lucky Illinois lottery player is waking up $900,000 richer.

A jackpot-winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket worth $900,000 was sold at a gas station in Rockford, according to a press release from the Illinois Lottery. The ticket, sold as part of the June 22 evening drawing, was sold at a Stop N Shop located at 2501 N. Huffman Blvd.

“The winner came in Sunday morning, scanned the ticket, and gasped and his face turned bright red when he realized he was holding a jackpot-winning ticket,” Raj Patel, store manager at Stop N Shop said in a release issued by the agency. “He was ecstatic, of course.”

Patel went on to say that the winner was a town local and a regular customer the shop sees “a few times a week.”

According to the release, the lucky player matched all five numbers in Saturday evening drawing — 8, 11, 14, 33, 34 — to score the jackpot-winning prize.

“The winner was absolutely thrilled,” Patel added in the release. ‘It’s a nice life-changing amount,’ he told me.”

The Stop N Shop also won big from the ticket, the Illinois Lottery said, earning a selling bonus of one percent of the prize amount, which totaled $9,000.

According to the Illinois Lottery, players who win a prize of $250,000 or greater may request to keep their name and municipality anonymous.

Illinois Lottery Jun 10

Illinois lottery winner of $552M Mega Millions prize comes forward

Lottery Jun 5

Where was the winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Illinois? What we know so far

Illinois Lottery Jun 4

Lottery ticket scores $450K prize in Skokie, but time is running out to redeem it

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World's tallest male dog, Kevin, dies after setting new record

A record-breaking great dane named Kevin, who could stretch to 7ft on his hind legs but was terrified of vacuum cleaners, has died, his owners have said.

Owners Tracy and Roger Wolfe, from Iowa, said in a statement published Monday by the Guinness Book of World Records website that their family was “devastated.”

In March, Kevin was certified by Guinness to be the tallest male dog in the world, measuring 3ft 2in from his feet to his shoulders — the average height of a 3-year-old child.

Owner Roger Wolfe with Kevin. (Photo via Guinness World Records)

Guinness said it was “saddened” by the news. He was, his owners said, “just the best giant boy.”

Kevin — named after Macaulay Culkin’s character in “Home Alone” — died after falling ill and undergoing unplanned surgery. He was 3 years old.

“We are so glad that he was able to break the record and have that light on him. He absolutely adored the attention,” the Wolfes’ statement said.

Kevin grabbed the record from Zeus, another great dane from the U.S., who measured 3ft 5.1 inches and also died at the age of 3 last year.

“I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do. It’s never enough time,” the family’s statement added.

Tracy Wolfe, who works at a veterinary clinic, told the Guinness website earlier this month that despite his size Kevin was scared of many things and wouldn’t go within 6ft of a vacuum cleaner.

According to Guinness World Records, recording Kevin’s size was difficult as he got scared by measuring tape. (Photo via Guinness World Records)

“I don’t think he’s aware he is as big as he is. He’s continuously trying to squeeze into small beds and sit on top of us, and do everything that the smaller dogs do,” she told the site.

A spokesperson for Guinness World Records said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Kevin suddenly passed away after unexpected health complications.”

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

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McDonald's launches 4 item ‘Meal Deal' for $5 on menus this week

McDonald’s is about to launch a $5 “Meal Deal” for a limited time as the Chicago-based burger chain aims to combat rising inflation.

“We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA said in a release.

According to officials, the $5 “Meal Deal” will available starting on June 25 and includes four items:

• A McChicken or McDouble
• Four-piece chicken nuggets
• Small fries
• Small drink

It is expected to be available for about a month nationwide, according to multiple reports.

In addition to the $5 meal deal, the company noted franchisees across the U.S. are offering their own specials, including some like “buy one get one for $1 breakfast sandwiches” or mix and match deals and more. Customers will need to check deals at their local McDonald’s to find out if any are being offered.

Erlinger previously said he hopes customers will find the company’s upcoming deals “meaningful.”

“It’s clear that we — together with our franchisees — must remain laser-focused on value and affordability,” Erlinger said.

Recently, McDonald’s fought back on criticism of its price increases after viral tweets and media reports claimed some locations were selling Big Mac combo meals for as much as $18.

In a post on the company’s website last month, Erlinger said reports suggesting the price of the average Big Mac has doubled since 2019 were false. McDonald’s said the average U.S. Big Mac was $4.39 in 2019 and now costs $5.29, a 20.5% increase.

“For a brand that proudly serves nearly 90% of the U.S. population every year, we feel a responsibility to make sure the real facts are available,” Erlinger said.

Erlinger acknowledged that he and many franchisees were frustrated by a post on X last summer about a Big Mac meal in Connecticut that cost $18, calling the price “an exception.” He noted that franchisees own and operate 95% of U.S. McDonald’s locations and set their own pricing but “work hard to minimize the impact of price increases.”

Still, the Chicago burger giant said the cost of some items have seen bigger price jumps than the Big Mac. The average price of medium fries was $2.29 in 2019 and is $3.29 now, a 44% increase.

McDonald’s said the average price of all menu items has risen 40% over the last five years, to account for a 40% average increase in the cost of labor, paper and food. That is higher than overall consumer prices, which have increased 21% since December 2019, according to government figures.

McDonald’s saw a marked slowdown in store traffic in the first three months of this year as inflation-weary customers in the U.S. and other big markets ate out less often. As a result, the company promised more deals.

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Body recovered near Chicago Riverwalk, police say

Authorities are investigating after a man’s body was pulled from the Chicago River near the city’s Riverwalk on Monday.

According to Chicago police, the Marine Unit was dispatched to an area between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive for reports of a body in the water.

Officers were able to pull the man’s body from the water a short time later, officials said.

Area Three detectives are investigating, but it is unclear how long the man had been in the river at this time.

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‘Significant' NASCAR Chicago Street Race closures to start this week

With NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race just weeks away, “significant” road closures will get underway on Thursday night, according to city officials.

This year’s event, which is scheduled for July 6-7, featured a shortened timeline of closures, reduced to 19 days from 25, but numerous closures will be required in coming days to continue construction on various parts of the racetrack and on spectator areas, according to OEMC officials.

Officials are quick to note that while many streets near Grant Park will be closed, “all businesses and residences will remain accessible during course set up, race weekend and the break-down.” There will also be adjustments to public transit routes due to the closures.

Access to popular places like Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field, and Lower Hutchinson Field is expected to remain open “with minimal restrictions.” Maggie Daley Park, Cancer Survivor’s Garden, and the Museum Campus will also remain open throughout the event, officials said.

Before the main closures, Ida B. Wells was closed earlier this month from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive to construct the main spectator viewing area. Parking restrictions were also put into effect on southbound Columbus between Jackson and Balbo.

As preparations continue, a northbound traffic lane will close on Congress Circle at 8 p.m. Wednesday. At 7 p.m. Thursday, curb lane closures will start on Columbus Drive between Jackson and Roosevelt.

Significant closures begin on Thursday night as Jackson Drive will close. On Friday, Balbo Drive will also close as preparations continue.

On Saturday at 7 p.m., southbound Columbus Drive will see additional closures between Balbo and Roosevelt Road.

Here’s a complete list of the street closures that will get rolling this week.

Significant Street Closures

• Thursday, June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr.
• Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 8 a.m. Closure of Balbo Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. (intersection will remain open).
• Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Full closure of Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
• Saturday, June 29 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Southbound lane closure on Columbus Dr. from Balbo Dr. to Roosevelt Rd.
• Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 1 a.m. Closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. Closure of Jackson Dr. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd. Reopening at 6 a.m. on July 2.
• Tuesday, July 2 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure ofCongress Circle and entrances at Michigan Ave., Van Buren St. and Harrison St.
• Thursday, July 4 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Rd. between Michigan Ave. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr.
• Friday, July 5 – Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Closure of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd. Closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr. Closure of the northbound lane of Indiana Ave. at 13^th St. Closure on Monroe St. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

Race Weekend Street Closures – Saturday, July 6 and Sunday July 7

• Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to McFetridge Dr.
• Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from McFetridge Dr. to Randolph St.
• Northbound Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Jackson Dr.
• Southbound Michigan Ave. from Jackson Dr. to 8^th St.
• Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Rd. to Monroe St.
• Roosevelt Rd. from DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to Michigan Ave.
• Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Ida B. Wells Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
• Congress Circle from Harrison St. to Van Buren St.
• Northbound Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to 13th St.
• Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.
• Garvey Ct.: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.

Monday, July 8: Select streets will begin reopening following the conclusion of the event. All street closures are expected to remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.

NOTE: The priority streets to reopen are DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Michigan Ave., and Columbus Dr. Other street closures will remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.

Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will begin reopening Monday, July 8 at 6 a.m., with all NASCAR-related demobilization activity expected to conclude by end of day July 18.

Streets with Local Access Only for Residents, Businesses and their Employees.

Sidewalks will remain open throughout the set-up and tear-down (June 10 – July 18).

• Southbound Michigan Ave. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr.
• Southbound Michigan Ave. from 8^th St. to Roosevelt Rd.
• 8th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• 9th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• 11th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Balbo Dr. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Harrison St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Ida B. Wells from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Jackson Blvd. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Van Buren St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
• Monroe St. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
• Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to Monroe St.
• Northbound Michigan Ave. from 13^th St. to 16^th St.
• Northbound Indiana Ave. from 14^th St. to 16^th St.
• Columbus Underpass and the Chicago Lakefront Bicycle Path will remain open throughout the event (this includes Monroe St. and Roosevelt Rd.).
• Pedestrians traveling west must utilize and access sidewalk on the north side of Monroe St., Roosevelt Rd. or Columbus Dr. underpass only.

Alternative Routes Available – NOTE: Streets may be closed by the City of Chicago, if deemed necessary.

• DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Northbound will remain open from South Shore Dr. to I-55 merger.
• To visit the Museum Campus from the South: Exit DuSable Lake Shore Dr. at 31st St. and utilize Fort Dearborn Dr. to proceed north and access 18th Dr.
• To visit the Museum Campus from the North: Access Stevenson Expressway (I-55N)/ and merge onto N/DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Exit at 18^th Dr.
• DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Southbound will remain open from Hollywood Blvd. to Randolph St.
• Inner DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will remain open in both directions.
• Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions.
• Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions. Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will remain open in both directions.
• Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will remain open in both directions.
• In the Loop – the following Streets will remain open: State St., Dearborn St., Clark St., LaSalle St., Wells St., Franklin St., Upper Wacker Dr., Lower Wacker Dr., Randolph St., Washington St., Madison St., Roosevelt Rd. – West of Michigan Ave., 18th St.

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Vitamix recalls nearly 570,000 blender parts after dozens of reported injuries

Vitamix is recalling hundreds of thousands of its blending containers and blade bases after receiving dozens of reports of injuries, federal regulators said Thursday.

On June 20, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shared a notice that Vitamix is voluntarily recalling its Ascent Series and Venturist Series eight-ounce and 20-ounce blending containers and blade bases, noting the containers can separate from the bases, exposing the blades and posing a laceration hazard to consumers. 

The recall affects 569,000 parts — this includes 105,000 that were previously recalled in August 2018 (at the time, the company advised customers to pause use and offered repair kits as a remedy).

Vitamix blade bases, 20-ounce blending containers and 8-ounce blending bowls.
TODAY Illustration

According to the CPSC, Vitamix has received 27 reports of lacerations that happened when user’s hands have come in contact with exposed blades, including the 11 reported injuries from the 2018 recall.

“Despite the rigorous testing each product undergoes before going to market, Vitamix often learns a great deal about its products after they’ve been used by thousands of people in real-life situations,” a representative from Vitamix tells TODAY.com via email, adding that the brand aims to continue improving customers’ experiences.

The clear containers and black blade bases being recalled are sold as individual parts, but also come with certain Vitamix Venturist and Ascent Series blenders. The recall lists Venturist V1200, Ascent A2300, Ascent A2500, Ascent A3300 and Ascent A3500 as some of the affected products. 

The parts are also sold as sets or bundles in various configurations with a Vitamix logo printed on the blending container.

Vitamix blenders sit at the higher end of the market when it comes to pricing. On the brand’s website, Ascent blenders sell for between $549.95 — $749.95. Venturist series blenders can cost up to $549.95 for the V1200 model.

Vitamix is not offering a replacement or a refund as part of the recall. The company instructs anyone with these parts to immediately stop using the products and contact the company via a dedicated recall website for a repair kit.

Customers are told to look for the date code located on the recalled blade in “MM-YY format.” 
TODAY Illustration

The company told CNN that it worked with Health Canada and the U.S. CPSC to evaluate potential remedies, agreeing on the repair kit as a solution.

“Vitamix’s top priority is the safety of its customers,” a representative for the brand told CNN. “To ensure Vitamix has a well-built product, Vitamix products undergo extensive testing, leveraging the 130+ test procedures in Vitamix’s catalog to assess every component for quality and durability.”

The parts were sold at Costco, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, Target, Williams Sonoma, Walmart and other specialty and independent stores nationwide for between $30 and $990. They were also sold online at Vitamix.com, Amazon.com and QVC.com from April 2017 through May 2024.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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• ‘Hot Ones’ host Sean Evans stunned after Heidi Klum takes shirt off to cool down from spicy wings
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After Tyler, the Creator cancellation, here's a look at who's headlining Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza is just over one month away, though the iconic festival’s lineup sustained a shakeup this week when headliner Tyler, the Creator announced he was dropping out of the festival.

The announcement from organizers came minutes after Tyler, the Creator posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he would no longer be playing at the iconic Chicago festival, or Outside Lands, set to take place in San Francisco one week after Lollapalooza.

Scheduled for Aug. 1-4 in Chicago’s Grant Park, the 2024 lineup was originally announced in March.

Days after the lineup announcement, tickets went on sale, and daily lineups and stages released that same month.

Replacing Tyler, the Creator as a headliner for this year’s festival will be Megan Thee Stallion, who headline on Thursday.

Also headlining this year’s festival will be SZA, Blink-182, The Killers, Future X, Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, Melanie Martinez and Skrillex.

Many responded to the announcement with disappointment.

“This is not an equal trade,” one Facebook comment read, followed by others asking about refunds.

Others, however, welcomed the change.

“Lineup just got better,” one Instagram commenter wrote.

The festival did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.

This year marks Lollapalooza’s 20th anniversary in Chicago. The festival, which began its Chicago run in 2005, takes place this year Aug. 1-4.

The company behind the festival most recently agreed to another 10-year contract with Chicago, meaning the four-day music event will be in the city for at least another decade. Under the terms of the contract, the maximum number of attendees for the festival at any time can’t exceed 115,000. 

In 2023, Lollapalooza hosted around 40 performers each day – including a number of big names. Headliners included Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

A full list of the 2024 performers can be found here.

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Authorities release video of suspects wanted in killing of retired Chicago police officer

Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Chicago police released video Saturday of two suspects who are wanted in the West Garfield Park killing of 73-year-old Larry Neuman, a retired Chicago police officer.

The video released by police, appearing to be from a home surveillance camera, shows the two suspects walking in an alleyway close to where the killing occurred.

Neuman was fatally shot just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street.

“He spent his entire career safeguarding our city and spent his retirement as a reverend, speaking out against the violent crime that’s plaguing our neighborhoods,” Supt. Larry Snelling said Thursday during the Chicago Police Board’s meeting at police headquarters. “Please keep his family in your thoughts.”

Neuman was a bomb technician who retired in 2010. He worked at the police department for 28 years.

A transportation security explosives specialist, Neuman joined the TSA in 2010 and worked at O’Hare and Midway airports, said a spokesperson for the agency. In his current position, Neuman trained the screening workforce at both airports to detect explosives and other potential threats.

“We are deeply saddened by his passing and extend our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” the spokesperson said.

Neuman was a “pillar” of his beloved West Garfield Park community, according to Pastor Paul Sims of St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church. Neuman had been a member of the church for 30 years.

“He was the kindest man you knew. There wasn’t anything that Larry Neuman wouldn’t do for somebody. If you needed it and if he didn’t have it, he would go get it for you.”

Neuman was an ordained preacher and part of the ministerial staff at the church, 4106 W. Monroe St., which is near his home, Sims said. Neuman enjoyed sharing his wisdom with young people, never hesitating to offer advice.

“He would stop and talk to any and everybody,” Sims said. “He would encourage you no matter what you were doing in life, no matter what it was he would stop and talk to somebody.”

Neuman was a veteran of the Marines who served in the Vietnam War, Sims said.

“He was a family man, he was a grandfather, he loved his grandchildren, he loved helping me at the church with the young people,” Sims said. “He was a great man, he was a great person.”

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8252 or leave an anonymous tip here.

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2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: Here's what this year's course layout looks like

Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Summer is officially in full swing and the second NASCAR Chicago Street Race is quickly approaching, as officials hope for better weather as stock cars zoom past some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

With street closures ahead of the event already underway, this year’s layout features 12 turns with viewing areas embedded in throughout the course, giving attendees a unique view of the action at every turn.

The course’s layout begins on Columbus Drive, offering attendees a view of Grant Park and Lake Michigan in the backdrop as the race gets underway.

Drivers begin heading south before turning left onto Balbo Drive, heading towards Lake Michigan.

From there, the course will turn south onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive until reaching Roosevelt Road, where drivers will have to execute two quick turns from Roosevelt back to Columbus Drive to head north.

The sixth turn of the course will take drivers west onto Balbo Drive, continuing until Michigan Avenue where the course will once again head north.

It’s here where drivers will have to execute quick turns in succession once again, with the course briefly curving onto Congress Plaza Drive before continuing back onto Michigan Avenue and turning east once reaching Jackson Drive.

The course then makes its final turn back onto Columbus Drive, crossing the finish line in front of Grant Park.

More information on this year’s event can be found here.

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Chicago Skyway users overcharged? Lawsuit seeks $3 million in refunds on tolls

Wilmette contractor Rocky Rowe has used the Chicago Skyway for 20 years — at least 150 times over the past two years — on the way to visit family in Michigan and watch his son play hockey for Western Michigan University.

He couldn’t help but notice the tolls “going up and up,” but he was willing to pay the price — now $7.20 per passenger vehicle — to avoid sitting in traffic for an extra hour each way.

Now, Rowe’s complaints to an attorney friend about those sky-high Skyway tolls have culminated in Rowe being the only named plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking class-action status. It was filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

That lawsuit accuses the company operating the Chicago Skyway of overcharging users by anywhere from 10 cents to $1.20 per trip, depending on the size of the vehicle. Overcharges allegedly totaled an estimated $3 million over the five-year period ending in March.

“It’s nickels and dimes to some people. But if I was overcharged a couple hundred bucks over the course of the last two years, multiply that out by how many millions of people are using that Skyway. It’s significant,” Rowe said Thursday.

“The average person like myself — we had no idea. You just go through and you pay it. You’re just angry about how much you’re paying. To find out that you’re being charged more than you legally should have been or per the agreement, it just seems like you’re hitting the average guy even harder.”

Referring to the 99-year, $1.8 billion deal that privatized the Skyway, Rowe said, “It was incredibly shortsighted. I don’t think anybody would argue that it was a ridiculous deal to do in the first place. And then, to find out at the back end that they’re already taking so much and, on top of that, overcharging people — that’s over and above.”

The Skyway was sold in 2022 for the second time in seven years. The $2 billion sale of of a two-thirds stake owned by Canadian pension plans to Atlas Arteria Ltd., an Australian toll road company, generated $25 million in transaction fees for the city. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan retained ownership of the remaining one-third stake.

A spokesperson for Skyway Concession LLC, which operates the Skyway, said it had not yet been served with the lawsuit. Also named as defendants are Atlas Arteria, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Calumet Concession Partners Inc., which owns Skyway Concession.

Attorney Ken Goldstein of Krislov & Associates began investigating Skyway tolls after Rowe started complaining about it.

The late founder of Goldstein’s firm, Clint Krislov, had spent years crusading against the privatization frenzy that started with the Skyway and continued with the sale of Chicago’s parking meters and downtown parking garages. Krislov died earlier this year after a 23-year battle against four types of cancer.

“When they announced the [latest] increase last November, Clint was very sick,” Goldstein said. “He asked us to check the contract. We did and it looked wrong. We couldn’t figure out why. We kept looking. We kept checking our math and checking” the gross domestic product on which the annual increase is supposed to be based.

“They can use the highest GDP over the course of a year and they used a number that’s not listed in the government’s GDP schedule. They used a higher number.”

Former Mayor Richard M. Daley directed the original sale of the Skyway in what came to be known around City Hall as the Great Chicago Sell-Off.

The Skyway deal allowed operators to regularly increase tolls. The rate for cars on the shortcut from Chicago to Indiana is now $7.20, while rates are much higher for vehicles with more than two axles. Drivers of cars paid $2 in 2004.

Thanks to higher traffic and an increase in tolls, the privatized Chicago Skyway generated $120 million in revenue in 2022, the year of the most recent sale, up from $114.3 million the year before, the Skyway’s 2022 audit showed. That’s well over the $92 million in annual Skyway revenues in 2019.

Rowe isn’t holding his breath for a refund. He just hopes the lawsuit’s request for monitoring of future increases that do not require city approval is successful.

“I have a son who’s in college in Michigan. He’s a college athlete, so we do a lot of back-and-forth to go to his games. We have family in Michigan. We’re on that corridor pretty regularly. I’ll be on it Saturday morning,” Rowe said.

“You put a price tag on the value of your time, the cost you’re putting out and the way traffic is. Going around the other route can add an hour to your trip, and so you’re kind of stuck. You’ve got a stuck group using it and the rates kept going up and up.”

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Biden and Trump are set to face off in 2024's first presidential debate. Here's what you need to know

The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle is set for next week, when President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will take the stage.

This month’s presidential debate will be historic in that it was not organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a bipartisan organization that has managed the presidential debates since the 1988 presidential election.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming 2024 presidential debate:

When is the first presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will take place on June 27 at 9 p.m. EST.

How to watch the first presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will air on CNN and be streamed on Max.

Will there be an audience at the first presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will take place in CNN’s Atlanta studios and will not feature an audience.

“To ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, no audience will be present,” CNN said in a press release.

Who will moderate the first presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

Why is the first presidential debate in June?

Traditionally, presidential debates have taken place in the fall, with three debates scheduled between September and October.

But this year, the Trump and Biden campaigns decided to hold a debate earlier in the election cycle to get it in before early and mail-in voting begins.

The debate is being organized by CNN, which sent out invitations to Trump and Biden. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has failed to qualify for the debate after not meeting CNN’s requirements for who could attend. The move excluded the Commission for Presidential Debates, which had scheduled three debates in the fall.

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Is the presidential debate mandatory?

No. There is nothing in the Constitution that mentions presidential debates and Congress has not passed a law requiring them. However, debates have become a traditional part of modern American politics.

Will there be a second presidential debate?

Trump and Biden have both agreed to do a second presidential debate on Sept. 10, which will be hosted by ABC News.

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