USA Update

NATIONAL Cheese Day 2025 is here, and lots of restaurants and food brans are rolling out freebies and amazing deals to celebrate.

You can save on some of your favorite fast food brands right but you have to know how it work for each place.

Getty Images - Getty

June 4 is National Cheese Day, and right now there are 12 places you can go to grab savings on your food.

To start with, Actual Veggies, the veggie burger brand, is offering $4 off Black Bean Cheddar or Mushroom Mozzarella Veggie Burgers.

Actual Veggies is also known for making its fries without fillers or preservatives.

To make the most of the cheese discounts, you can enter your phone number here.

You then need to text Actual Veggies a photo of your receipt after buying one of the two eligible burgers.

Actual Veggies will then send you $ via Venmo or PayPal.

Switching to a popular fast food chain, Burger King is also doing something fun for National Cheese Day.

Rewards members can grab a free four-piece order of Mozzarella Fries with a $1+ purchase.

The code is valid at participating locations in the app or website.

It is important to note it is not valid during breakfast hours, and is also not valid in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories.

CHEESE THE DAY

Next up, Fazoli’s customers can save $2 on Premium Loaded Ravioli dishes.

You can use the code CHEESEDAY25 at participating locations, per Today.

If you go to Goodless, you can enjoy 25% off all mac and cheese varieties with the code CHHESETHEDAY.

Long John Silver’s is giving its members a $1 saving pf Cheese Bites through its app.

As a bigger saving, you can get $10 on a purchase of $40 or more at Mountain Mike’s Pizza.

SO MUCH CHEESE

To another major chain, Pizza Hut is runing a deal at participating locations if you spend $7.99 or more on an online app order.

You can score a free large one-topping pizza on your next app order, and the deal is valid until June 22.

Round Table is offering possibly the most generous National Cheese Day offer.

Members can get a free personal cheese pizza when they buy any large or extra large pizza, available for dine-in, carry-out and delivery.

Taco Bell is another one of the big names doing something on June 4, as new rewards members can get a free order of chips and nacho cheese sauce.

This is only redeemable through the app, and existing rewards members can get that freebie with a purchase of $15 or more in the app.

Wetzel’s Pretzels is giving its members a 30% off Mozzarella Stickz between June 4 and June 8.

You need to use the code CHHESE and is valid in-store or online.

And lastly, White Castle is offering customers 10 Cheese Sliders and a sack of fries for $12.

This is available through June 30 while placing a mobile order.

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A POPULAR metropolitan area is racing the clock to vote on whether or not to implement another grocery tax as the old one nears expiration.

Should the new grocery tax be skipped over, shoppers could still see millions of dollars in tax hikes take effect.

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Officials in a key city are eyeing a new grocery tax[/caption]

GETTY

Consumers in Illinois are currently faced with a statewide 1% tax on groceries, but Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation last fall to eliminate the tax, effective January 1, 2026. 

However, the switch-up does not mean that grocery taxes are a thing of the past in Illinois – local governments, including cities and towns, can now decide to implement their own 1% grocery tax. 

Chicago, the most populous city in the state, is currently debating whether or not to impose a city-wide levy.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and his top finance leaders encouraged city council members to implement a Chicago grocery tax soon during a meeting of the City Council’s Revenue Subcommittee on Tuesday.

Electing to bypass the 1% grocery tax would reduce Chicago’s 2026 budget by around $80 million, worsening the city’s already nearly $1 billion budget gap, according to budget director Annette Guzman.

“We must reaffirm the grocery tax before the state’s deadline,” she told the nine city council members at the hearing.

Chicagoans were not pleased about the prospect of the 1% city grocery tax, expressing their frustrations online.

“I’m glad I live in the burbs, screw that thief,” fumed one Facebook user, as another cried that a grocery tax was “regressive” and a “burden on the poor.”

A third resident complained that grocery taxes punished Americans for saving money and trying to eat healthy, calling the potential 1% city tax a “typical terrible policy from the joke that is this mayor.”

“Politicians that do nothing but tax, tax, tax. It’s theft,” blasted another user.

Mayor Johnson, however, argued that Chicago would not be creating a new grocery tax, but rather re-implementing one that already exists but is set to expire.

“There is a process in which the collection of the grocery tax is now being placed in the responsibility of municipalities, right?” the mayor said at a city hall news conference.

“So it was a function that the state of Illinois decided to relinquish, and leave it to the cities to collect the tax. So we’re not creating a grocery tax, we’re just creating a process by which we can collect it.”

TAXING TIMES

Governor JB Pritzker announced in August 2024 that he would eliminate the 1% grocery sales tax in Illinois, arguing that it was regressive and especially harmful to lower income families.

There is a process in which the collection of the grocery tax is now being placed in the responsibility of municipalities. It was a function that the state of Illinois decided to relinquish, and leave it to the cities to collect the tax. So we’re not creating a grocery tax, we’re just creating a process by which we can collect it.”

Brandon JohnsonChicago Mayor

Although the move will eliminate the statewide grocery levy, Illinois lawmakers approved a budget that included nearly $750 million in tax increases to balance the budget.

Chicago receives a substantial amount of revenue from the state’s grocery tax, so should the city choose not to implement its own 1% grocery tax, it would likely need to roll out major tax hikes.

Over 150 communities across Illinois have already elected to impose local grocery taxes, leaving many state residents to soon pay the same fees, but to a different governing body. 

In Chicago, Mayor Johnson and the city council have yet to make their final decision, but face an October 1 deadline in order for the city tax to take effect when the statewide levy ends at the start of 2026.

“If we fail to do the same, we will leave critical services on the chopping block,” said Chicago’s budget director.

Although October 1 appears a ways away, the deadline is closer than it seems.

The proposed law still needs to be formally introduced and is likely to encounter delaying tactics from opponents.

Additionally, it needs to secure a majority vote in the City Council by the end of September, complicated by the fact that city council members usually take their annual vacation in August.

As Chicagoans potentially face spikes to their grocery bills, Americans across the country are seeing higher prices at the grocery store due to tariffs.

For example, Walmart and Target are using a sneaky way to “hide cost hikes” as employees admit they’ve been “tearing off tags.”

The Macy’s CEO has also revealed a huge shakeup to fan favorites and confirmed an “aggressive” stance on price hikes.

A PASTOR’S devastating final moments were caught on camera as he collapsed and died in the middle of a service.

Pastor Sérgio Carvinho was about 16 minutes into his sermon when he dropped to his knees to recite a passionate passage.

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Pastor Sérgio Carvinho was giving a sermon when he suddenly collapsed[/caption]

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The 47-year-old pastor from Brazil was talking about his late father when he died[/caption]

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People rushed over to help after he fell silent but he was later pronounced dead[/caption]

However, the 47-year-old quickly fell silent and failed to get to his feet again.

Pastor Carvinho collapsed and died at the God Is Love Pentecostal Church in Caxias do Sul, southern Brazil, on May 31.

He was invited to the church as a guest speaker.

A nurse and a nursing student in the congregation provided first aid until an ambulance arrived, as reported by NeedToKnow.

The student, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media, “We did our part to save his life.

“Everything seemed normal while he was preaching. He was telling a story about his father, and I think he got very emotional.

“We don’t know if he had an underlying heart issue or not.

“Tests will confirm whether he had a heart attack or something similar.”

She added, “We were very excited because we were waiting for him to come to our hometown.

“He was a very humble person who preached the truth.”

His late father was also a pastor.

A church spokesperson said, “Pastor Sérgio Carvinho was an instrument of God on this earth, bringing comfort, hope and love through the Word.”

“His voice, which so often filled this place with songs of worship, now joins the heavenly choir.”

“We will miss the sound of his voice, his prayers, his teachings, and the praise that flowed from his soul.”

Pastor Sérgio Carvinho was an instrument of God on this earth, bringing consolation, hope and love through the Word and praise. His voice, which so often filled this place with songs of worship, now joins the heavenly choir. We will miss the sound of his voice, his prayers, his teachings and the praise that sprouted from his soul

Congregations of the Pentecostal Church God is Love in Santa Catarina

Witnesses said that in his final moments, Pastor Carvinho knelt in prayer in front of the church, just as he had done many times before, Diário Independente reported.

It was a quiet, familiar gesture that marked the end of a life spent preaching the Gospel.

Several congregations of the Pentecostal Church God is Love in Santa Catarina, including those in Criciúma, Bombinhas, and Ratones in Florianópolis, shared tributes in honor of the pastor, Metropoles reported.

“Pastor Sérgio Carvinho was an instrument of God on this earth, bringing consolation, hope and love through the Word and praise,” one note said.

“His voice, which so often filled this place with songs of worship, now joins the heavenly choir.

“We will miss the sound of his voice, his prayers, his teachings and the praise that sprouted from his soul,”

Pastor Carvinho was one half of the Christian sertanejo duo Rogério Marques and Serginho, known for their faith-based music.

The duo released their album Rapture in September 2021.

Pastor Carvinho was married and the owner of a decorative store in Turvo.

He was laid to rest at the Rodeio da Areia Cemetery in his hometown of Turvo on Monday morning.

The authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of his death.

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Pastor Carvinho was married and the owner of a decorative store in Turvo[/caption]

TOM BRADY has revealed the huge dilemma he faces after switching from player to analyst.

The seven-time Super Bowl winner is NFL‘S most famed quarterback ever.

And that means the spotlight glares brighter when the 47-year-old gives his verdict on fellow QBs.

The New England Patriots legend has now admitted he struggles with one major part of his job.

But he has also told Patrick Mahomes and Co of his brutal “responsibility” to fans.

Mahomes, 29, is threatening to overhaul Brady‘s silverware record.

The Kansas City Chiefs QB has won five of the past six Super Bowls with the only team he has played for.

And some pundits have suggested Brady has pulled his punches on football stars in his position.

He’s even been labelled as “very supportive” of Mahomes.

Brady is one season into a 10-year deal with Fox Sports reportedly worth $375million.

And he’s opened up on why he finds it tough commenting on quarter-backs, especially those as successful as Mahomes.

Brady told Complex Sports: “How can I throw shade at someone who is as amazing as he is? I know what he’s been through.

However, he added: “The one position I’m in now as a broadcaster is I do feel responsibility to tell the fans what I see and be honest and up front about everything. 

“But also realize that what these guys are doing on the field is extremely difficult. 

“It’s a high level of skill. You’re looking at any of the 32 teams who have a starting quarterback out there. 

‘That guy’s one of the best in the world at what he does. So do they make the right plays all the time? Certainly not. By the way, neither did I. 

“And I think you have to have this context and perspective and you realize that it’s not about this harsh critique and that’s not really what it’s all about anyway.”

So how does Brady sum up his attitude on delivering words of wisdom?

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers ace said: “To me, it’s more about: let’s point out the greatness of these individual players. 

“Have fun, enjoy it, entertain a little bit and really try to educate people a little bit.”

JEOPARDY! fans spotted a subtle and unannounced set change.

This was after the long-running NBC show revealed some huge streaming news.

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Ken Jennings hosts America’s favorite gameshow[/caption]

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Many fans noticed a change was made to the studio[/caption]

Just a day after a landmark deal was announced, it seems some changes have already been made to Jeopardy!

One viewer took to Reddit as they noticed that the sign behind the studio audience was subtly altered.

The thread on the fan forum platform was titled: “Did anybody notice the Jeopardy sign change from Friday’s game?”

One viewer replied: “Looks like the hanging light fixtures are gone as well. Too bad – they subtly echoed the set and I thought they looked really cool, especially in person.”

As another noted: “I noticed that for Masters the Jeopardy sign was the same as the 2nd photo, and was wondering if/when we’ll see it appear in Syndication. Guess I’ve got the answer now!”

This comes after it was announced that both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune will be available to stream the day after they air on TV.

As part of a huge new deal, Sony Pictures Television will allow Hulu and Peacock to show the hit game shows on their services from the fall.

The streaming deal is separate to the syndication row Sony is currently involved in with CBS, which allows local stations to screen episodes.

Sony Pictures Television chairman Keith Le Goy said: “We are thrilled to bring America’s favorite game shows to an even wider audience on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and Peacock.

“Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are two of the most successful game shows in television history, and we look forward to giving fans the best possible streaming access to our shows this fall.”

Sony sued CBS for allegedly breaching their deal and attempting to syndicate the show abroad as the two entertainment giants are currently embroiled in a legal wrangle.

The U.S. Sun previously revealed Jeopardy! continues to be one of America’s favorite gameshows among viewers.

Ken Jennings took over the hosting duties from the show in 2022.

According to Nielsen, Jeopardy! pulled a solid 8,902,000 viewers to the show in early March.

Wheel of Fortune – hosted by Ryan Seacrest – trailed slightly behind in the number two spot with 8,477,000 viewers.

In third came Family Feud with 7,218,000 fans.

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The sign on top of the audience was altered[/caption]

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This comes after Sony agreed a deal with Peacock and Hulu over streaming rights[/caption]

WALT Disney’s granddaughter has slammed the entertainment giant for turning its legendary late founder into a “robotic grampa”.

Disney is unveiling an animatronic Walt Disney to celebrate Disneyland California’s 70th anniversary this July – despite repeated pleas from his granddaughter Joanna Miller.

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Walt Disney’s granddaughter, Joanna Miller, says the company’s re-creation of its founder is ‘dehumanizing’[/caption]

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Miller says her grandpa – pictured in an illustration presenting a Disneyland model – would have hated being turned into a mechanical figure[/caption]

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Pictured is an illustration of the animatronic Abraham Lincoln, brought to life by Walt Disney in 1964[/caption]

Joanna Miller told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that her beloved grandfather, who died in 1966, would have hated being turned into a talking mechanical replica.

“I think I started crying,” she said, recalling the moment she first saw the figure. “It didn’t look like him to me.”

Miller said she voiced her concerns early on, sending a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger when the idea was first proposed.

She said she later met with Iger and the team responsible for creating the attraction, telling him: “I strongly feel the last two minutes with the robot will do much more harm than good to Grampa’s legacy.

“They will remember the robot – and not the man.”

Despite Iger being “very kind” and despite his promises to protect her grandfather’s legacy, she said her request that they scrap the animatronic was ultimately ignored.

Miller added it “pains” her to call out the very company he created.

The icon’s granddaughter was speaking solely on behalf of her grandfather and mother, according to The LA Times.

In a Facebook post in November, Miller blasted the company’s “robotic grampa” idea, calling it “empty of a soul or essence of the man” and saying it made her feel “so so sad and disappointed”.

She explained: “The idea of a Robotic Grampa to give the public a feeling of who the living man was just makes no sense.

“It would be an imposter. They are dehumanizing him. People are not replaceable.”

She also argued that her late grandfather had “told Sam McKim that he never wanted to be an animatronic”, claiming that she has been provided with first-hand proof to back this up.

The figure will appear in a new attraction, Walt Disney – A Magical Life, inside the park’s Main Street Opera House.

The proposal to show “what it would be like to stop by Walt’s office” was announced by Disney last year.

The company said it would be “a fitting tribute” to the man who made “significant advances with Audio-Animatronics”.

Originally called Disney Brothers Studio, The Walt Disney Company was founded by Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney in 1923.

Walt Disney, who was an animator, film producer and entrepreneur, is regarded as a pioneer of Audio-Animatronics, famously bringing Abraham Lincoln to life at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Speaking at D23, the company’s annual fan event, Josh D’Amaro, chair of Disney Experiences, said: “Creating our first Walt figure is an idea that’s been whispered in the hallowed halls of imagineering for years, decades, even.”

He added: “We just had to wait for innovation to catch up with our dreams. And we’re finally ready.”

Disneyland in California, which opened on July 17, 1955, will celebrate its 70th anniversary this July.

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Disneyland California will celebrate its 70th anniversary this July[/caption]

VLADIMIR Putin has warned Donald Trump he “will have to respond” to Ukraine’s daring drone strike on Russian airfields, the US president revealed.

In a dramatic post on Truth Social, Trump said the Russian tyrant issued the warning during a 75-minute phone call where the pair discussed rising tensions in Ukraine, as well as Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

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President Donald Trump spoke with Kremlin despot Vladimir Putin on the phone[/caption]

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Putin told the US president he ‘will have to respond’ to Ukraine’s drone strike[/caption]

“It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” Trump wrote.

“President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”

The call, confirmed by the Kremlin, follows Operation Spiderweb — a daring Ukrainian drone blitz that wrecked 41 Russian planes across four strategic airfields, in a coordinated assault likened to WWII’s most audacious missions.

Newly released footage from Ukraine shows drone after drone spiralling down onto Putin’s nuclear bomber fleet, turning the aircraft into flaming wrecks.

In one dramatic clip, a drone hones in on a bomber while another lies burning nearby. In another, a row of bombers blazes along the runway.

Ukraine’s intelligence service, the SBU, deployed 117 kamikaze drones, each with its own pilot, targeting the Olenya, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo-Severny air bases — deep inside Russian territory.

The swarm of drones was launched from shipping containers hidden in plain sight, with Russian lorry drivers unknowingly parking them next to military bases.

As civilians watched in disbelief, the containers cracked open and unleashed the aerial assault.

Ukraine said the cost to the Kremlin could reach $7 billion (£5.4bn), wiping out a major chunk of its long-range aviation fleet, including Tu-95MS and Tu-22M bombers and A-50 spy planes.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he personally authorised the operation 18 months ago, declaring: “It’s genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work.”

Despite the humiliation, Putin didn’t mention the strikes in his first public appearance after the attack — instead accusing Ukraine of being “terrorists” and citing civilian deaths in rail network strikes.

His negotiators even issued fresh ceasefire terms demanding Ukraine surrender territory, limit its army, and recognise Crimea as Russian.

But Putin’s threats don’t stop with Ukraine.

In the same call with Trump, he discussed Iran’s nuclear programme and growing tensions in the region.

“I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” Trump wrote.

“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion.”

Meanwhile, fears of a broader war are exploding across Eastern Europe, as Russia reportedly plans to deploy 10,000 troops into Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria — potentially opening a new front on Ukraine’s southwestern border.

Moldova’s pro-EU Prime Minister Dorin Recean warned: “They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region.”

“Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless. But with a higher military presence in Transnistria that a Russia-leaning government can allow for, they can consolidate.”

Recean claimed Russia is meddling in Moldova’s September elections, spending the equivalent of 1% of the country’s GDP on influence campaigns to help install a more Kremlin-friendly government.

Transnistria’s leader Vadim Krasnoselsky has issued a stark warning of his own: “A war in Transnistria would mean a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. I don’t have the slightest doubt about it.”

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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