Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

NEW YORK (AP) —Enhanced tax creditsthat have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired overnight, cementing higher health costs formillions of Americansat the start of the new year.

Democrats forced a43-day government shutdownover the issue. Moderate Republicanscalled for a solutionto save their 2026 political aspirations. President Donald Trumpfloated a way out, only to back off after conservative backlash.

In the end, no one's efforts were enough to save the subsidies before their expiration date. A House vote expected in January could offer another chance, but success is far from guaranteed.

The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don't get their health insurance from an employer and don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare — a group that includes many self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers.

It comes at the start of a high-stakes midterm election year, withaffordability— including the cost of health care — topping the list of voters' concerns.

"It really bothers me that the middle class has moved from a squeeze to a full suffocation, and they continue to just pile on and leave it up to us," said 37-year-old single mom Katelin Provost, whose health care costs are set to jump. "I'm incredibly disappointed that there hasn't been more action."

Some families grapple with insurance costs that are doubling, tripling or more

The expired subsidies were first given to Affordable Care Act enrollees in 2021 as a temporary measure to help Americans get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats in power at the time extended them, moving the expiration date to the start of 2026.

With the expanded subsidies, some lower-income enrollees received health care with no premiums, and high earners paid no more than 8.5% of their income. Eligibility for middle-class earners was also expanded.

On average, the more than 20 million subsidized enrollees in the Affordable Care Act program are seeing their premium costs rise by 114% in 2026, according to an analysis by the health care research nonprofit KFF.

Those surging prices come alongside an overall increase in health costs in the U.S., which are further driving up out-of-pocket costs in many plans.

Some enrollees, like Salt Lake City freelance filmmaker and adjunct professor Stan Clawson, have absorbed the extra expense. Clawson said he was paying just under $350 a month for his premiums last year, a number that will jump to nearly $500 a month this year. It's a strain for the 49-year-old but one he's willing to take on because he needs health insurance as someone who lives with paralysis from a spinal cord injury.

Others, like Provost, are dealing with steeper hikes. The social worker's monthly premium payment is increasing from $85 a month to nearly $750.

Effects on enrollment remain to be seen

Health analysts have predicted the expiration of the subsidies will drive many of the 24 million total Affordable Care Act enrollees — especially younger and healthier Americans — to forgo health insurance coverage altogether.

Over time, that could make the program more expensive for the older, sicker population that remains.

Ananalysisconducted last September by the Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund projected the higher premiums from expiring subsidies would prompt some 4.8 million Americans to drop coverage in 2026.

But with the window to select and change plans still ongoing until Jan. 15 in most states, the final effect on enrollment is yet to be determined.

Provost, the single mother, said she is holding out hope that Congress finds a way to revive the subsidies early in the year — but if not, she'll drop herself off the insurance and keep it only for her four-year-old daughter. She can't afford to pay for both of their coverage at the current price.

Months of discussion, but no relief yet

Last year, after Republicans cut more than $1 trillion in federal health care and food assistance with Trump's big tax and spending cuts bill, Democrats repeatedly called for the subsidies to be extended. But while some Republicans in power acknowledged the issue needed to be addressed, they refused to put it to a vote until late in the year.

In December, the Senate rejected two partisan health care bills — a Democratic pitch to extend the subsidies for three more years and a Republican alternative that would instead provide Americans with health savings accounts.

In the House, four centrist Republicans broke with GOP leadership and joined forces with Democrats toforce a votethat could come as soon as January on a three-year extension of the tax credits. But with the Senate already having rejected such a plan, it's unclear whether it could get enough momentum to pass.

Meanwhile, Americans whose premiums are skyrocketing say lawmakers don't understand what it's really like to struggle to get by as health costs ratchet up with no relief.

Many say they want the subsidies restored alongside broader reforms to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

"Both Republicans and Democrats have been saying for years, oh, we need to fix it. Then do it," said Chad Bruns, a 58-year-old Affordable Care Act enrollee in Wisconsin. "They need to get to the root cause, and no political party ever does that."

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

NEW YORK (AP) —Enhanced tax creditsthat have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordab...

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Zohran Mamdani officially sworn in on a Quran full of symbolism

NEW YORK (AP) — Incoming MayorZohran Mamdanitook his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam's holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series ofhistoric firstsfor the city.

The 34-year-old Democrat became mayor in along-closed subway stationbeneath City Hall, the first Muslim, first South Asian and first African-born person to hold that position.

These milestones — as well as the historical Quran — reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim residents of the nation's most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdani's wife,Rama Duwaji, select one of the books.

Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.

And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. He frequently appeared at mosques across the five boroughs as hebuilt a base of supportthat included many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.

A look at the three Qurans that Mamdani used

Two Qurans were to be used during the subway ceremony: his grandfather's Quran and a pocket-sized version that dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century. It is part of the collection at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

That copy of the Quran symbolizes the diversity and reach of the city's Muslims, said Hiba Abid, the library's curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.

"It's a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history," Abid said.

For a subsequent swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on the first day of the year, Mamdani will use both his grandfather's and grandmother's Qurans. The campaign hasn't offered more details on those heirlooms.

One Quran's long journey to Mamdani's hand

The manuscript was acquired by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian whose collection documented the global contributions of people of African descent. While it is unclear how Schomburg came into possession of the Quran, scholars believe it reflected his interest in the historical relationship between Islam and Black cultures in the United States and across Africa.

Unlike ornate religious manuscripts associated with royalty or elites, the copy of the Quran that Mamdani will use is modest in design. It has a deep red binding with a simple floral medallion and is written in black and red ink. The script is plain and readable, suggesting it was created for everyday use rather than ceremonial display.

Those features indicate the manuscript was intended for ordinary readers, Abid said, a quality she described as central to its meaning.

"The importance of this Quran lies not in luxury, but in accessibility," she said.

Because the manuscript is undated and unsigned, scholars relied on its binding and script to estimate when it was produced, placing it sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century during the Ottoman period in a region that includes what is now Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan.

Abid said the manuscript's journey to New York mirrors Mamdani's own layered background. Mamdani is a South Asian New Yorker who was born in Uganda, while Duwaji is American-Syrian.

Identity and controversy

The meteoric rise of a Muslim democratic socialist also brought a surge of Islamophobic rhetoric, amplified bynational attentionon the race.

In anemotional speechdays before the election, Mamdani said the hostility had only strengthened his resolve to be visible about his faith.

"I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that I'm proud to call my own," he said. "I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light."

The decision to use a Quran has drawn fresh criticism from some conservatives. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama wrote on social media, "The enemy is inside the gates," in response to a news article about Mamdani's inauguration. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil-rights group, has designated Tuberville as an anti-Muslim extremist based on past statements.

Such backlash is not new. In 2006,Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, faced condemnation from conservatives after he chose to use a Quran for his ceremonial oath.

Following the inauguration, the Quran will go on public display at the New York Public Library. Abid said she hopes attention surrounding the ceremony — whether supportive or critical — will prompt more people to explore the library's collections documenting Islamic life in New York, ranging from early 20th century Armenian and Arabic music recorded in the city to firsthand accounts of Islamophobia after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"This manuscript was meant to be used by ordinary readers when it was produced," Abid said. "Today it lives in a public library where anyone can encounter it."

Associated Press writers Jake Offenhartz in New York and Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Zohran Mamdani officially sworn in on a Quran full of symbolism

NEW YORK (AP) — Incoming MayorZohran Mamdanitook his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first ...

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Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused his year-end address to rally support for his troops and to assure his nation of victory.

In Ukraine itself,President Volodymyr Zelenskyy'sDec. 31 address was defiant but also optimistic aboutthe frenetic shuttle diplomacy being brokered by the United States.

Zelenskyy said that Russia,whose officials are also in talks with the Americans, remains the central barrier to peace, with Putin unyielding in his maximalist demands.

"I would give anything in the world if, in this address, I could say that peace will also come in just a few minutes," Zelenskyy said just before the clock struck midnight. "Unfortunately, I cannot say that yet. But with a clear conscience, I — all of us — can say that Ukraine is truly doing everything for peace."

The Ukrainian leader recently returned froma meeting with President Donald Trumpin Florida on Sunday. Afterward, Zelenskyy said Trump had offered 15 years ofthe crucial "security guarantees"that he says are essential to stop Putin from attacking again. Ukraine had asked for 50 years, he said.

Hours before the new year's bells chimed, Trump's special envoySteve Witkoff posted on Xthat he had held a call with Zelenskyy, Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov and the national security advisers of Britain, France and Germany.

In his own post on X,Umerov saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were also on the call.

Though Zelenskyy said that the "peace agreement is 90% ready," he suggested that the remaining 10% contained the thorniest issues preventing peace.

"Those are the 10% that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live," he said. "Ten percent to save millions of lives. Ten percent of the determination needed for peace to work 100%. Ten percent of the unity and wisdom so desperately needed — Ukrainian, American, European, from the entire world. Ten percent to peace."

The Ukrainian leader charted what has been a roller-coaster year trying to retain the goodwill of Trump, a pivotal and changeable figure in the peace process. Zelenskyy said "it was not easy at all to achieve such a change in the tone of relations between Ukraine and the United States" after he clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in anextraordinary White House meetingin February.

Trump has often shifted between appearing to favor Russia and then Ukraineduring these negotiations, and has at various points been criticized for freezing Ukraine and Europe out of the process.

"Without Ukraine, nothing will work. Ukraine has defended its right to have a voice," Zelenskyy said, adding later: "Ukraine is, in fact, the only shield that now separates Europe's comfortable way of life from the Russian world."

Hours after Zelenskyy spoke, Russia launched 205 drones — mostly Iran-designed Shaheds along with some Russian Gerbera drones — into Ukraine, according to the country's military. Air defense systems downed 176 of these, but 24 strikes were recorded at 15 locations, it said. There was also shelling right along the line of contact between Russia and Ukraine.

At least two people were killed and more than a dozen injured across the country, according to regional officials.

For its part, Ukraine launched a strike against Russia's Rosrezerv oil depot in the Yaroslavl region, the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, said in a statement. The SBU said this was the latest strike designed to "cut off the supply chains of Russian petroleum products with surgical precision, both abroad and for the troops attacking Ukraine."

Russia claimed this week thatUkraine had attempted to assassinate Putinwith a drone strike on his country residence, something that Ukraine denied and the CIA concluded was not true, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

In his own New Year's address, Putin said his country was striving "to bring joy and warmth" to those in need, as well as the "heroes" fighting in Ukraine. "I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and in our victory," he said.

Daryna Mayer reported from Kyiv and Alexander Smith from London.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused ...

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Miami makes CFP title case after Cotton Bowl upset of Ohio State: 'This is our moment'

ARLINGTON, TX — Everyone in AT&T Stadium knew what Miami was going to do.

Leading No. 2 seed Ohio State 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl and taking over at their 30-yard line with 5:56 to play, the No. 10 seed Hurricanes had one mission: to run the ball down theBuckeyes' throat to milk the clock, deliver the knockout blow and send the defending national champions packing from theCollege Football Playoff.

"We all looked each other in the eyes," said senior center James Brockermeyer. "We said, 'This is our moment. Let's take over this game.'"

What unfolded over the ensuing five minutes of game clock tells the story of a team blossoming at the right time and a program that has reclaimed its place on the national stage after spending more than two decades lost in the wilderness.

Ten plays. Eight runs for 52 yards. A 19-yard gain to get things started by junior running back Mark Fletcher, who had a game-high 90 yards. Twenty-six yards from backup CharMar Brown, including the 5-yard score that provided the final exclamation pointon a 24-14 upset.

The whole thing can be boiled down like this: Ohio State knew what Miami wanted to do and couldn't do a single thing about it.

"It just shows that we're a team that will do what it takes to win a game and grind things out against a really, really good defense like that," Brockermeyer said. "They're a great team. But we've got a great team, too."

That's how Miami was built, in the trenches, by a coach in Mario Cristobal who knows no other way. From the depths of his five-win debut in 2022 and miserable moments such as a shocking debacle loss toGeorgia Techa year later, Cristobal has pieced together a team constructed to win hard-fought, physical games against the nation's best in postseason play.

"We keep getting better and better up front," Cristobal said. "When you play a team like that that's been the number one defense in the country the entire year, you have to. And you have to not only hit, but you've got to be willing to take the hits and keep coming, because that's what it's going to be."

Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths

This improvement was evident in an oftenugly 10-3 win against No. 7 seed Texas A&Min the opening round, when the Hurricanes overcame three missed field goals and made a late defensive stand to advance to Wednesday night's quarterfinals. But the Cotton Bowl casts Miami in a new light — as a team capable of winning the whole thing — and shows how adeptly Cristobal installed his formula.

"We live in a geographic area with a lot of high school talent, a lot of skill players. But he built it inside-out and supplanted that with great outside players, skill players," said Miami athletics director Dan Radakovich.

"That's the recipe that he thought about and actually put into action. He was able to pull that together. It wasn't like a zoom kind of thing. It was very progressive, with a great foundation."

Miami ran for 153 yards, the most Ohio State had allowed since the season opener against Texas, and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. The line gave up just two sacks and four tackles for loss. The Hurricanes set the tone by maintaining possession for more than 11 minutes in the first quarter and closed the Buckeyes out by holding the ball for almost nine minutes in the fourth.

Despite being roughly a touchdown underdog by kickoff, Miami looked better prepared for a line-of-scrimmage battle, especially when pushing piles forward after contact on the game-clinching drive and bullying an Ohio State team most expected to repeat.

"He definitely relayed that message that he wanted us to be the most physical team, the most violent team," Fletcher said of Cristobal. "And that's with anybody who we play, who we line up against, especially on the offensive side. But he was screaming that to the defense, too.  And, shoot, defense played violent. We got to play violent, too. That's how we match it."

Not to be outdone, Miami's defense sacked Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin five times; that matched Indiana's sack total from theBig Tenchampionship game after the Buckeyes had allowed just six sacks during their 12-0 start.

On both sides of the ball, the Hurricanes were able to carry the normally unflappable Buckeyes out of their comfort zone and into choppy waters on the line of scrimmage. Counting sacks, Ohio State managed just 45 rushing yards on 1.9 yards per carry. Going back to 2016, the Buckeyes' previous low for rushing yards in a game was 58 yards against Indiana earlier this month.

"Our players kept responding. Our players kept coming with their counterpunch," said Cristobal. "And those last couple of counterpunches, that big stop after they converted a third-and-18, and then the touchdown drive at the end, and then to finish it off with an interception, those are great counterpunches. Those are just really left hooks to the body and to the head."

Most importantly, the Hurricanes' defense was able to pressure Sayin with five and often four pass rushers. Clearly fazed, Sayin completed 62.8% of his attempts, his worst performance since the opener, and tossed multiple interceptions for just the second time.

In the game's biggest single moment, Sayin delivered a misguided pass to the flat in the direction of receiver Brandon Inniss in the second quarter that Miami defensive back Keionte Scott jumped the route and returned 72 yards for a touchdown.

"We got him early, we hit him early, and I think it forced him to throw that interception," said Mesidor.

"Not only that, but throughout the game he was a little uncomfortable. He really wasn't dropping back to throw deep bombs. He was throwing drag routes, finding little holes in the zone."

The turnaround is remarkable, and shouldn't be ignored. Four years ago, Miami finished short of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007. Two months ago, the Hurricanes lost 26-20 to SMU and was essentially tossed out of the playoff mix, only to controversially leap ahead of Notre Dame in the playoff rankings on the heels of a four-game winning streak.

Everything is coming together, at long last, and Miami is reestablished as a true national player. If they can do this against Ohio State, the Hurricanes can do the same to every team still alive in this tournament — and maybe deliver the program's first national championship since 2001 and sixth overall.

"It's a great time to shine, at the end of the game," said Brockermeyer. "We're just a team that never folds and we never will."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Miami dominates Ohio State in Cotton Bowl to validate CFP title hopes

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Miami makes CFP title case after Cotton Bowl upset of Ohio State: 'This is our moment'

ARLINGTON, TX — Everyone in AT&T Stadium knew what Miami was going to do. Leading No. 2 seed Ohio State 17-1...

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Make the NBA better: 7 New Year's resolutions for the league in 2026

Big picture, the NBA is in a really good place. We're seeing record-setting attendance. Viewership is up significantly year-over-year. The league just struck a $76 billion media deal. Franchise values are higher than ever.

But it's not perfect. To steal the HoopIdea motto from my pals Royce Webb and Henry Abbott:Basketball is the best game ever. Now let's make it better.

The biggest slack in the system is thatstar players aren't playing enough games. The biggest names used to miss only one out of every 10 games. Nowadays, we're seeing one out of every three games. Nikola Jokić, arguably the best player in the game, isthe latest superstar to be sidelinedfor a big chunk of the season. At the moment, the Jokić injury has brought a lot of hot-button topics to the forefront.

So, let's get to it. Here are seven New Year's resolutions for commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA to consider.

1. Make it a 58-game regular season

It's time. Play each team twice. Once at home, once on the road. Raise the stakes for every game. Kill the dreaded back-to-back. Football-ify the weekly schedule (say, Tuesdays and Sundays). Lower the risk of injury. Let everyone breathe. Let everyone prosper.

In 2019, Kevin Arnovitzreportedthat the league and its teams formally explored the 58-game idea as part of a comprehensive plan to add a not-yet-established in-season tournament and play-in tournament. Those two tournaments have been a success. Now it's time for the other part of that to come to fruition: the 58-game season.

Any momentum of a 58-game season came to a screeching halt during the pandemic-shortened seasons, which did not see a dramatic improvement on the injury front. Silver has arguedthe league studied the COVID-affected seasonsand found no evidence that reducing games would lead to a corresponding improvement in player health. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see why using thepandemicseasons as a control group would be a foolish idea.

The NBA knows the best product is when games are spaced out without back-to-backs and plenty of days allowing for the body to recover. Proof of that understanding has been staring at us all along: look at the playoffs! The NBA doesn't allow back-to-backs in the playoffs. I wonder why! Games lost due to injury go way down in the playoffs, partly because players are willing to play through bumps and bruises when the stakes are highest. But star participation skyrockets in the playoffs, I would posit, because the NBA has built in proper recovery time and bodies aren't still raw from the night before.

Beyond the upside of injury prevention, I'm a firm believer that a 58-game season would do wonders for the NBA product. It would solve much of the tanking problem. Fewer games means more teams in the hunt for playoff and play-in spots for a larger chunk of the season. Furthermore, and this is a huge one, it would standardize the schedule so every fan and every team would know what day of the week they're playing. College football has Saturdays. NFL has Sundays. Fans build their entire week around football. It's appointment viewing. NBA has … well … it depends. A 58-game schedule would make appointment viewing a reality.

I also don't think a 30% reduction in games would lead to a 30% reduction in revenues. At least not in the long run. If players aren't run into the ground trying to play 100 games a year (with playoffs), they're more likely to have longer (and more reliable from a fan/TV partner perspective) careers.

2. Abolish the draft. Establish rookie free agency

Charlie Munger once said, "Show me the incentive and I'll show you the outcome." By giving the bottom-three teams the best odds at the No. 1 pick, the NBA is indirectly asking teams to lose on purpose to maximize the chance that the next superstar falls into their laps.

Instead of a draft, the league should televise a Rookie Signing Week and — gasp! — allow the most-qualified individuals to choose their workplace. Rather than guaranteeing ping-pong balls, the league should replace draft odds with a cap exception proportional to their previous record. The worst teams would have marginally more money to offer the Cooper Flaggs of the world, but the advantage would only go so far. Organizational competence would matter much more when teams have to pitch the best prospects about whytheyshould be the team they sign with. Right now, organizationalincompetenceis what matters most.

Anyone clutching their pearls about the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks loading up on talent should take a deep breath. Elite players want to be the star. That means playing time, the ball in their hands and, yes, money. If you don't believe me, look at how top recruits choose their college program.

Massachusetts native AJ Dybantsa chose BYU. Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey went to Rutgers. Cade Cunningham handpicked Oklahoma State. Anthony Edwards opted for Georgia. Allen Iverson attended Georgetown. Shaq landed at LSU. Notice none of these programs reside in Miami, Los Angeles or New York.

Yes, blue-chip programs like Duke, Kansas and Kentucky have cleaned up top-shelf talent in the one-and-done era, but that can only happen in a system that clears rosters every year, and colleges can promise a prospect that he'd be The Guy. That doesn't fly in the NBA. Also, small-market teams should rejoice because last time I checked Durham, North Carolina; Lawrence, Kansas; and Lexington, Kentucky, are not coastal metropolises.

Let's be real: the NBA Draft and Draft Lottery are an awkward charade. Remember how Cooper Flagg looked ill when Dallas won the lottery? If we're being honest, the optics and general idea of the draft aren't super awesome to begin with. It's littered with wrong hats, delayed trade calls and sad 19-year-olds with nerve-wracked families lingering in the green room. Let the players pick their proverbial hat and watch bedlam ensue as each team has to reassess once top players go off the board. It'd be amazing television.

3. Eliminate the 65-game rule — or any game requirement — for awards

It was a bad idea to begin with, and I have zero idea why the NBPA signed off on it in the first place. The policy indirectly paints star players in a horrible light by suggesting that they were taking games off for load management/rest, and not actually, you know, injured. It clearly hasn't been a motivator. Since it was established in 2023, star players are missing the cut more, not less.

In reality, the media was already holding players accountable and rewarding players that played more games. In fact, there has been only one player in an 82-game season that won MVP while playing fewer than 65 games: Bill Walton in 1977-78. It's a classic case of a cure being worse than the disease.

By implementing the rule, every MVP and All-NBA conversation (hello, Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo!) is now stained by constant injury talk rather than using that oxygen for praising a player's greatness. Instead, many people will accuse SGA of skating to another MVP award that will artificially and potentially eliminate Jokić, Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama. If the goal is to promote player health and champion those who play the most games, it is doing the opposite. Get rid of it.

4. Let top seeds choose playoff opponents

Think of the drama! Think of the spice! Think of the … fairness? Yes, fairness!

The integrity of the playoff system is being threatened by, yes, injuries. In the past, when the league was healthier and stars suited up almost every game, the playoff seeds were a fair representation of the best teams. But because player health has become such a scourge and disrupts the standings, we could have a situation in which a top seed faces a loaded team that fell in the league hierarchy due to a star player (or players) getting sidelined for long stretches.

[Jones: New Year's resolutions for all 30 NBA teams]

Congrats to the OKC Thunder for earning the top seed, now you have to face … Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets!Hey, Detroit, kudos to you for winning the East, good luck against the No. 8 seed featuring … checks notes … Giannis Antetokounmpo!

To avoid this scenario and inject more excitement in the playoff structure, the NBA should allow the top seeds (Nos. 1-3 in the first round; top seeds again in the semifinals) to choose their opponents. It's a more efficient system that rewards regular-season performances, builds storylines and makes the playoffs a lot juicier. It'll also clear up the weird loophole that the No. 1 seed has the least amount of time to prepare for its first-round opponent thanks to the play-in tournament.

5. Bring back traditional home/away jerseys for national TV games

The NBA added prestige to the NBA Cup by changing the floors to highlighter colors and signaling to the audience that This Is Different. But what if we added prestige by … going back to normal.

Let's restore some recipes and go back to the good old days when — and stay with me now — home teams wore white. I know! Crazy! Let's dial it back and make sure that, for big games, teams wear the standard jerseys rather than seemingly flip through different jerseys every game. Please, we need Celtics green and New York white at Madison Square Garden. This is elemental to the NBA experience.

If the game isn't on national television, then teams can choose whichever jersey they want. But for the big games, bring back some normalcy in an increasingly confusing world.

6. Tighten up the gather-step rules

It's too easy to score in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta freakin' Hawks just scored 302 points in regulation and no one batted an eye. The worst offense in the league, the Indiana Pacers, score 108.1 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com/stats. You know where that would rank in the 2000-01 season? Not 15th. Not 10th. Not fifth. It would be first! Better than the Kobe-Shaq Lakers that won 56 games with an offensive efficiency of 107.0 points per 100 possessions that led the league. In fact, the injury-marred Pacers are scoring more on a per-possession basis thananyof the Kobe-Shaq Laker teams.

Scoring inflation has happenedfast. You know the 12-20 Utah Jazz led by Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George? They're currently scoring at a higher rate than the KD/Steph Warriors'bestoffensive season. I know. It's disorienting.

We need to bring defense back. We can start with bringing back the travel to the spirit of the rule. Players have studied travel rules and stretched legal basketball innovations to the extreme and, I would argue, way past the limit. Gather step plus one step.

Call it The Grayson Allen Rule. Look at this play. I don't know what this is, but this is not basketball.

pic.twitter.com/32OBq4wmrx

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob)December 9, 2025

Whatever rule that makes that an illegal play, I'm all for.

Yeah, that can't be legal. Except it is. When @mdwbasketball (go follow that account btw) says it's legal, it's legal. I just don't think itshouldbe legal.

It's too easy to score in the NBA. Let's pull it back a bit and call travels like we used to.

7. Allow referee press conferences

Frankly, it's overdue. With gambling allegations and investigations ensnaring Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones, Malik Beasley and Jontay Porter (who has pled guilty, unlike the other names on this list), trust in the integrity of the game may be at its lowest since the Tim Donaghy scandals. And I'm not just talking about angry fans on social media. Recently, the NBA had to step in and announce four five-figure fines in just one week, penalizing teams and players for publicly criticizing officials.

It's time to further ensure transparency and integrity of the game by having referees available to speak freely with credentialed reporters after the game and have that media session broadcast on public channels.

On most nights, ref press conferences may not be needed. But allowing at least one beat reporter from each team to be present for a postgame news conference would be a big win for the trust in the system. Such a forum would cultivate an educational and informative context for rules to be explained, decisions clarified and calls defended. Currently for every game, the NBA assigns a pool reporter who has to submit questions ahead of time and the resulting Q&A is posted in text form on its website. For instance,is this at all helpful or productive?

In my opinion, current measures don't go far enough. The NBA has already opened the door by allowing the crew chief to announce a coach's challenge ruling to the fans over the PA system. Having the crew chief sit and answer questions in a professional setting among reporters would be a step in the right direction. By and large, referees are good at their jobs. Let them show us.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Make the NBA better: 7 New Year's resolutions for the league in 2026

Big picture, the NBA is in a really good place. We're seeing record-setting attendance. Viewership is up significantl...

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Bowl game schedule today: Breaking down the College Football Playoff matchups on Jan. 1

TheCollege Football Playoffresumes Thursday with a New Year's Day tripleheader, a lineup that features some of the sport's most iconic bowl venues.

The lineup features three teams that have been fairly regular playoff participants since the four-team format was introduced a little over a decade ago. Each member of that trio on this day faces a relative newcomer to the CFP, in part a product of increased access to the field afforded by the expansion to 12.

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Here's what you need to know as you watch to see who will join Wednesday night's Cotton Bowl winner in next week's semifinals.

Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon

Time/TV:noon ET, ESPN in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Why watch:As the 4-5 pairing, this is arguably the most intriguing contest of the round. TheDucks, as expected, handled their assignment against James Madison with little difficulty. TheRed Raiderscould prove to be a different matter, though they, too, are something of a mystery with little on their resume outside the Big 12. Texas Tech's calling card all season has been its ferocious defense, exemplified by LBs David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez making numerous plays in opponents' backfields. Ducks' QB Dante Moore usually gets superb protection with help from RB Noah Whittington, but he might have to pick and choose when to take deep shots. Red Raiders' QB Behren Morton is a capable passer in his own right, and RBs Cameron Dickey and J'Koby Williams lend plenty of ground support. The Oregon defense features LB Bryce Boettcher at its center and Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei bringing heat from the edges.

WHO WINS?:Our experts make picks for the Orange Bowl

Why it could disappoint:The only close contest the Red Raiders played all season resulted in their lone loss toArizona State. They aren't likely to make this one the kind of rout to which they've become accustomed, so we'll probably learn if they can deliver when under true game pressure. Oregon hasn't had many tight finishes either, though the Ducks did need a last-minute drive to escape Iowa.

Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama

Time/TV:4 p.m. ET, ESPN in Pasadena, Calif.

Why watch:The Hoosiers passed their biggest test to date, conquering Ohio State in the Big Ten final to earn the top seed. Their reward, however, is now a date with the most successful program of the playoff era, though the Crimson Tide are seeking their first title post-Nick Saban. Though Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has said he's not a fan of his team's long layoff, the extra time has allowed WRs Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt to get back to full speed. That is excellent news for Heisman winning QB Fernando Mendoza as he looks to solve the active Crimson Tide secondary, featuring DBs Bray Hubbard and Zabien Brown.AlabamaQB Ty Simpson was able to overcome a slow start last time out in his rematch with Oklahoma, but he'll have to be sharper early against the Hoosiers' equally formidable pass defense, led by DBs Louis Moore and D'Angelo Ponds.

WHO WINS?:Our experts make picks for the Rose Bowl

Why it could disappoint:The common thread in the Crimson Tide's three losses was that they were soundly beaten at the line of scrimmage, which might bode ill for them here as that is an important area of strength for the Hoosiers. While there are big-play threats on both teams, it will likely be the less glamorous ground game that will determine the outcome.

Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Mississippi

Time/TV:8 p.m. ET, ESPN in New Orleans.

Why watch:For the second time in the playoffs, the Rebels face a team they saw before in the regular season. This time, though, Ole Miss is looking to avenge a loss. The Bulldogs, perhaps playing the best football of any of the eight remaining teams when they dispatched Alabama in the SEC finale, must hope the lengthy down time hasn't sapped their momentum. The Bulldogs' offense is not a quick-strike unit, but QB Gunner Stockton is completing 70.7% of his throws, and his group converts on 45.2% of its third-down chances. Ole Miss LB Princewill Umanmielen and DL Will Echoles must keepGeorgiaoff schedule. Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy are just as good at keeping the chains moving, but LB C.J. Allen and the Bulldogs were all but immovable over the last month of the season.

WHO WINS?:Our experts make picks for the Sugar Bowl

Why it could disappoint:It shouldn't, although Georgia's dominant performance in its most recent outing in the SEC finale might have opposing fans nervous. Having been in action more recently could work to the Rebels' advantage given their unusual coaching circumstances.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College football bowl games today schedule has three CFP matchups

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Bowl game schedule today: Breaking down the College Football Playoff matchups on Jan. 1

TheCollege Football Playoffresumes Thursday with a New Year's Day tripleheader, a lineup that features some of the sp...

Read More

Jamie Lynn Spears Unveils the Truth Behind Her Selfies, Jokes About Wearing 'Tons of Makeup' and 'Pounds of Fake Hair'

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram (2)

NEED TO KNOW

• Jamie Lynn Spears is getting real about the reality of selfies

• On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the actress and singer lifted the lid and shared that "good lighting, tons of makeup and pounds of fake hair" were the secrets to a perfect shot

• The star's revelations follow her family-focused Christmas at her Louisiana home

Jamie Lynn Spearsis getting real about what makes a great selfie.

The actress and singer lifted the lid on the reality behind creating a perfect shot via anInstagram carousel, which she shared with her 2.2 million followers on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Jamie Lynn, 34, shared that "good lighting + tons of make-up + pounds of fake hair really make a difference" when trying to get that perfect picture. Alongside her advice, theZoey 101alum shared a carousel of images of herself in various poses, wearing a bright red sweater and gray jeans.

While one image showed her pouting, another had her flashing the peace sign, and a third showed off the long, wavy blonde extensions.

Jamie Lynn's revelation follow her offering an insight into her Christmas celebrations with asocial media poston Dec. 25. The Instagram carousel showed her daughters,Maddie, 17, and Ivey, 7, celebrating at her Louisiana home with her mom,Lynne, 70 and her nephew,Preston, 20, the son of Jamie Lynn's sister,Britney, 44.

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram

The festive images include the family posing by a huge Christmas tree, opening piles of gifts, and leaving out food for Santa's reindeer. The carousel also revealed that Jamie Lynn gifted her daughter Maddie an ATV, nearly 9 years after the teen fell into a coma following atraumatic ATV accident.

"Merry CHRISTMAS ✝️🤶🏻🎀🎄🎁," Jamie Lynn wrote in the carousel's caption.

However,one family member notably missing from the celebrations was Britney,who shared a pointedInstagrampost three days later that appeared to be a sarcastic acknowledgement of her family's holiday plans.

The "Gimme More" singer wrote, "Merry late Christmas to my beautiful family who have never disrespected me, harmed me, ever done anything completely unacceptable or caused unbelievable trauma, the kind you can't fix…," Britney wrote. "To my dear sweet innocent family … so so sorry I was busy this Christmas but I will definitely show up and surprise you soon … I can't wait."

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A source previously told PEOPLE that Britneyspent Christmas with her son Jayden, 19, whom she shares with ex-husbandKevin Federline.

View this post on Instagram

"Britney had a fun time celebrating Christmas with Jayden — it's been such a special holiday," the source said.

Britney wrote about her complicated relationship with Jamie Lynn in her 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me.

In the book, the singer said her"heart goes out" to Jamie Lynnfor growing up in her shadow and for being a child of divorce.

"She will always be my sister, and I love her and her beautiful family. I'm working to feel more compassion than anger toward her, and toward everyone who I feel has wronged me. It's not easy," Britney wrote in the book.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Jamie Lynn Spears Unveils the Truth Behind Her Selfies, Jokes About Wearing 'Tons of Makeup' and 'Pounds of Fake Hair'

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram (2) NEED TO KNOW Jamie Lynn Spears is getting real about the reality of selfies On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the ac...

Read More