Saturday, April 4, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1776, after driving British forces out of Boston, Gen. George Washington set his sights on New York, beginning a march to defend the city from an expected invasion.

NASA just shared breathtaking new photos of Earth from the Artemis II crew as America’s astronauts, now beyond Earth orbit for the first time in decades, expressed their awe at the experience. You can see the images and hear the astronauts interviewed from space in our story below.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing simple, practical tips to help you cut expenses and create extra breathing room—even small changes can make a meaningful difference.

US Jet Downed Over Iran, One Pilot Rescued

A U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was downed over Iran on Friday, marking the first manned American aircraft known to be lost over enemy territory during Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Special Forces located and rescued one of the two crew members on Iranian soil. A search and rescue operation involving helicopters and a C-130 aircraft was underway for the second aviator.

Iranian state television urged civilians to help capture the pilots and offered a bounty for capturing them alive. Israel canceled planned strikes in Iran to avoid interfering with the rescue effort.

The fighter jet downed over Iran would be the fourth F-15E lost in Epic Fury. On March 1, three F-15Es were shot down over Kuwait in an apparent friendly fire incident. All six crew members involved in that incident ejected and were safely recovered.

NASA Shows 1st Photos of Earth from Artemis II

NASA on Friday released the first photographs of Earth taken by the Artemis II crew, showing the full planet with auroras visible over both poles, captioned "Hello, World."

In a live interview Thursday night, the four astronauts described life aboard the Orion capsule, including sleeping in zero gravity and their awe at leaving Earth's orbit for the first time in over 50 years.

Commander Reid Wiseman said the view of Earth from pole to pole, with the Northern Lights visible, left all four crew members stunned. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen said the crew was "glued to the window."

The mission, which launched Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center, will carry the crew around the far side of the moon on Monday, testing systems for future long-duration lunar stays.

Men's Final Four Tips Off Tonight

The 2026 Final Four tips off tonight in Indianapolis, where No. 2 UConn faces No. 3 Illinois, followed by No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium. (How to watch.)

Three of the four teams are making their first Final Four appearance in at least seven years, while UConn won the national title in 2023 and 2024.

UConn arrives on the heels of one of the greatest finishes in tournament history: freshman Braylon Mullins buried a 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to cap a 19-point comeback against top overall seed Duke. The Huskies will face an Illinois team led by freshman Keaton Wagler, who scored 25 in the Elite Eight to send the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005.

The second game pits the remaining two No. 1 seeds against each other. Michigan and Arizona are widely considered the most complete teams in the field — Arizona ranks top 10 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency, while Michigan owns the nation's No. 1 adjusted defense and a top-five offense.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George. (Hear More)

➤ 3.1 million eye drop bottles were recalled from major retailers over sterility concerns nationwide. (Listen Now)

➤ U.S. payroll growth far exceeded economists’ forecasts in March. (Podcast Available)

➤ President Trump requested a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027, a 44% increase over last year, while proposing $73 billion in cuts to domestic programs. (More)

➤ The Justice Department declared the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional, saying President Trump doesn't need to comply with the post-Watergate law requiring presidents to preserve and turn over documents when they leave office. (More)

➤ Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., demanded TSA reverse its "shoes-on" screening policy after a classified watchdog report found scanners can't effectively screen footwear for threats. (More)

➤ EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is the overwhelming favorite on prediction markets to permanently replace Pam Bondi as attorney general, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche far behind as the second choice. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Why do some people lose weight and keep it off? Noom Med combines psychology-based coaching with clinical care to help you build lasting habits. With personalized plans and access to doctors who can guide treatment options, including GLP-1s if appropriate, Noom focuses on sustainable change—not quick fixes.

Flying together with our sponsor

19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11)

Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference.

Here is how to start: Browse our list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier.

LEARN MORE

➤ President Trump signed an executive order on Friday limiting student-athletes to five years in college and one transfer. Schools that don't enforce these rules risk losing federal funding. (More)

➤ The Pittsburgh Pirates called up 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, for their home opener yesterday. He's the first teenage position player to debut since Juan Soto in 2018. (More)

➤ Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson announced he will not play in next week's Masters due to a family health matter. It will be the first time since 1994 that neither Mickelson nor Tiger Woods will be at Augusta. (More)

➤ Newly released bodycam footage from Tiger Woods' March 27 DUI arrest shows him telling a deputy he was "just talking to the president" after his SUV rollover crash. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ AI Is About to Break the Grid. Here's the Fix. Data centers in the US will soon need more power than Germany and France combined. Lithium batteries won't be able to handle it all. One startup built a fix. Qnetic is building a mechanical battery that spins a rotor to store energy, works like new for 30+ years, costs ~50% less over its lifetime, and never catches fire. Eight major energy players have already committed $110M in LOIs. Get up to 18% in bonus stock when you invest in Qnetic by 4/11.

This is a paid advertisement for Qnetic Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.qnetic.energy/

Today's March Madness section is brought to you by:

➤ In the women’s Final Four, No. 1 seed South Carolina beat top-seeded UConn 62-48 to end the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak. In the other semifinal, No. 1 seed UCLA defeated No. 1 seed Texas 51-44 to reach its first national title game. South Carolina and UCLA will meet for the championship on Sunday. (See Bracket)

➤ Every game in the men's NCAA Tournament is worth about $2.1 million to the team's conference, meaning this weekend's Final Four participants have already earned their leagues roughly $10 million each. (More)

➤ UConn’s Sarah Strong was named AP Women's Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 steals for the Huskies this season. She's just the fifth sophomore to win the award. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Struggling with knee pain that slows you down? Nu-Knee Brace delivers targeted compression and stabilization to help reduce swelling, relieve pressure, and support weak or injured knees. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable enough for daily wear, it helps improve mobility so you can walk, exercise, and stay active with less discomfort.

U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday. The markets will reopen on Monday, April 6.

Flying together with our sponsor

Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming.

Here's what you can do: Read our list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier.

Today's Rotator section is brought to you by:

➤ Cuba announced it will pardon 2,010 prisoners on "humanitarian and sovereign grounds," including young people, women, older adults, foreign nationals, and Cubans living abroad, marking its second release in a month. (More)

➤ A Chinese national suspected of drug trafficking was repatriated by the U.S., marking the first such return in years and signaling renewed cooperation on fentanyl-related enforcement efforts. (More)

➤ South Korea and France agreed on Friday to expand defense cooperation and address energy and economic disruptions tied to the Iran conflict. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ May is National Walking Month, and more Americans are turning daily steps into real workouts. Skechers GO WALK® shoes are built for exactly that, with responsive cushioning, breathable materials, and easy Hands Free Slip-ins® comfort. Whether you are traveling, commuting, or chasing step goals, these are designed to keep you moving comfortably. Shop now and get ready for May.

➤ A 90-year-old Ohio woman, Ann Crile Esselstyn, set a Guinness World Record by holding a dead hang for 2 minutes, 52 seconds, surpassing a mark set two years ago by an 81-year-old. (See Ann)

➤ Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback and current ESPN personality, teared up on Thursday’s NFL Live as his 14-year-old autistic son, Madden, sang Fly Eagles Fly, showcased his drawings, and shared heartfelt messages to his family. (See Madden)

➤ President Trump proposed a $152 million plan to reopen Alcatraz as a maximum-security prison for violent offenders and illegal immigrants, calling it a “foreboding” symbol surrounded by sharks. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Dermatologists stunned by "Reverse Aging" skin protein discovery. Women over 50 report visibly firmer, tighter skin—without creams, injections, or surgery. A clinical study found one specific collagen protein improved skin elasticity by up to 30% and reduced eyelid wrinkle volume by 51%. These results have stunned researchers. Learn More

Are you following the Artemis II moon mission?

Yesterday's Results:

How long did it take you to save for your first home?

Less than 5 years: 37%
I had the money: 24%
5 to 10 years: 15%
More than 10 years: 10%
Still saving: 7%
I rent: 7%

Daily Quote

"You know, it was a ride where you're trying to be professional, but the kid inside of you wants to break out and just hoot and holler.”

— Astronaut Victor Glover on the feeling when Artemis II blasted off from the launchpad