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Xbox wants you to pay 24 to 40 cents per hour to stream games you already bought

In September, when Microsoft severely limited the game-streaming buffet available to Game Pass subscribers, the company said non-subscribers would soon be able to “purchase cloud playtime hours through the Xbox Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices.” Today, Microsoft rolled out those a la carte Cloud Playtime purchases to Xbox Insiders, with prices that might be a bit galling for players who have already purchased these streamable games.
The “introductory launch pricing” for Xbox’s Cloud Playtime purchases is as follows:
10 hours for $4 (~$0.40/hour)
25 hours for $8 (~$0.32/hour)
50 hours for $12 (~$0.24/hour)
Purchased playtime “remains available until it’s used,” Microsoft writes, so you don’t have to worry about your 50-hour purchase expiring before you can use it fully.
Paying for playtime directly like this evokes images of old arcades, where players would invest a quarter or two (in 20th century dollars) often for just a few minutes of gameplay. That kind of metered play has fallen heavily out of fashion, though, in favor of one-time purchases for an all-you-can-play experience at home.
On the surface, paying as low as 24 cents for an hour of streaming game time doesn’t sound completely unreasonable. Remember, though, that these streaming costs come on top of whatever you paid to buy the game in the first place. Unlike an Xbox Game Pass subscription—which includes a few hours of monthly streaming access to hundreds of games as part of the subscription price—these Cloud Playtime packs “require cloud playable game purchase or, for select games, free-to-play access,” Microsoft writes.
Say what you will about the old arcade model, but you didn’t have to buy the cabinet and then pay a quarter per play.
Keep the meter running
Microsoft’s metered Cloud Playtime packs differ from Google’s failed Stadia streaming experiment, which offered unlimited streaming playtime across devices for games you purchased on the platform. Of course, Stadia game purchases also didn’t let you download games for local play on a PC or console, making the overall value proposition quite different. That was especially true after Stadia’s 2022 shutdown made those purchases unplayable (though Google offered full refunds for any and all Stadia purchases at that point).
In 2014, Sony offered a la carte streaming game access for set rental periods as part of its new PlayStation Now service. While that system didn’t require up-front game purchases, the initial pricing was exorbitant, rising to $30 for 90 days of real-time streaming access, even for games that could be purchased outright on disc for less.
Those early streaming price experiments quickly gave way to an all-you-can-stream PlayStation Now subscription plan, which has now morphed into unlimited streaming of select PlayStation games through the top-tier, $20/month (or $160/year) PlayStation Plus Premium plan.
Microsoft is also reminding cloud-curious gamers that Xbox Insiders can test free, ad-supported streams of games they own without buying any playtime packs. That might be the best option for gamers who want to test out a quick Halo session on their phone, rather than maintaining regular streaming access to their Xbox libraries. But Microsoft also says that paid users will get “shorter wait times [and] high-quality streaming,” meaning a deteriorated experience for those who use the ad-supported tier.
In the end, it’s a question of how much of a mass market there is for Xbox Cloud Streaming on its own, rather than as an outgrowth of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Last month, Microsoft said that only 4 percent of Game Pass subscribers would be affected by the subscription’s new limits of five to 15 hours of streaming playtime per month.
That suggests only a small minority of Xbox users want to use cloud streaming for a significant portion of their gaming time, even when it was included as a free perk with their existing subscription. How much less interest will there be among non-subscribers who have to pay by the hour for streaming access to games they already own?

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Dedication Night live updates, voting tonight

9:30 pm ET
Connor Wood dedicated ‘Piano Man’ to dad, earned ‘most improved’
Bryan Alexander
Rehearsal drama:Connor Wood broke the news to his dad, Pete, that he was dedicating his dance to him. A touching honor for the proud father, who didn’t seem eager to hit the dance floor. He didn’t.
Dance:Wood and partner Rylee Arnold performed a Viennese waltz to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, dedicated to Pete. Wearing a burgundy suit, Wood glided across the ballroom floor before joining his father near the piano onstage for an emotional embrace. Pete joined his son at the judges’ table for the critiques.
“You’ve come a long way,” Derek Hough said.
Kym Johnson praised Wood’s infectious smile, telling his father, “I can see where you get it from.”
“Tonight, my darling, that was a proper, real Viennese waltz,” Bruno Tonioli proclaimed.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised Wood for “coming back with an open heart” each week and called him the night’s most improved dancer.
Score: 32/40. Straight 8’s. Their best score. “I feel so good,” the sweating Connor exclaimed. “I’m so stoked.”
9:19 pm ET
Harry Shum Jr. wife gets sweet shoutout, dance moment
Bryan Alexander
Rehearsal drama: Harry Shum Jr. dedicated his dance to his wife, Shelby, his partner of more than 20 years. The couple embraced during rehearsal as Shum reflected on their life together. “You are my life partner, and we’ve been through a lot over 20 years,” he said. “He’s stability to me,” Shelby said. There’s no mention of the drama this week involving Jenna Johnson’s husbandVal getting suspended,or judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s lift comments last week.
Dance:Shum and partner Jenna Johnson performed a foxtrot to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, literally starting at a train station. Shum gallantly twirled Johnson around the floor before his wife joined the dance. And damn, she was good! Shelby kicked up her leg, twirled and stayed in perfect time through some complicated choreography. The emotional family reunion left Shum’s entire family crying in the audience. Shum’s daughter also joined mom and dad on the floor. Everyone cried, everywhere.
“What a beautiful way to tell your story,” a choked up Carrie Ann Inaba said, making a point to praise Johnson’s choreography.
“It took my breath away,” Derek Hough said. “A very difficult dance, and you made it look easy.”
“I saw a ballroom dancer doing a beautiful foxtrot,” Kym Johnson said to Shum.
“I knew you had it, and you proved it tonight,” Bruno Tonioli proclaimed.
Score: 36/40, Carrie Ann Inaba gave a 9.
9:15 pm ET
Jenna Dewan, Alan Bersten don’t mention Val’s absence
Joelle Goldstein
Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten did not acknowledge Val Chmerkovskiy’s absence this week or the scandal that unfolded, only noting that it was an “unusual situation” and that Bersten felt “honored to step in and help” this week. He emphasized that they would stay focused on the dance ahead, dedicated to Dewan’s mom, Nancy.
Dewan explained that her parents split up when she was young and that her mom took on so much to care and provide for her. “If my mom can go through what she did and be loving and soft … then I can do anything,” Dewan said.
They danced Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, which began with a slow dance between Dewan and her mom. Bersten filled in seamlessly, almost as if the two had been dancing together all competition. It was elegant and emotional as confetti fell as Dewan spun in breathtaking fashion. The routine even left Dewan’s partner, Steve Kazee, in tears from the crowd.
The judges were equally as moved, with Bruno Tonioli saying it was “exquisite.” Derek Hough called it “gentle, graceful and gorgeous.” He also called “The Rookie” actress a “class act.” Kym Johnson pointed out that Dewan had “the biggest expectation” on her ahead of the competition but she had exceeded those expectations.
But it was Carrie Ann Inaba’s feedback that had the most eyeballs on it, with the judge acknowledging that the journey “has been a lot” for her. She called Dewan’s dance “the ultimate breakthrough.”
8:56 pm ET
Amber Glenn shows vulnerable side with Pasha Pashkov, sister Brooke
Bryan Alexander
Rehearsal drama:Amber Glenn dedicated her dance to her sister, Brooke, who helped her through some of her darkest moments. Glenn opened up about having “depressive episodes,” saying that’s “when she stepped up” and her sister was there “when I was at my lowest.” Brooke even showed up for dance rehearsal. “It is OK to struggle, as long as you keep going,” Glenn said.
Dance:Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov performed a contemporary routine to “Breathe Me” by Sia, dedicated to Brooke. The dance began with Glenn lying on the ground in pain. But the barefoot Glenn leapt to life as fog rose across the ballroom floor. Brooke, also in a white dress, stepped in to catch Amber as she fell, a moving reflection of their real-life bond. The sisters embraced at the end, leaving Brooke in tears.
“What a beautiful way to say thank you to your sister,” Kym Johnson said.
“I could hardly breathe,” Bruno Tonioli said, praising the drama and choreography.
Carrie Ann Inaba thanked Glenn for addressing mental health. “Thank you for tackling this topic,” she said.
Derek Hough was equally moved. “You made us feel something really powerful,” he said.
Score: 38/40. Carrie Ann gave a 10 with Kym. Their best scores of the season.
As a special bonus, and massive transition, Pasha was named Sexiest ‘DWTS’ Pro Alive and got a sash.
8:48 pm ET
Jackson Olson stays joyful with dance for his mom
Joelle Goldstein
Jackson Olson dedicated his dance this week to his mom, Laura, “the strongest, most patient person I know.” He recalled how she “kept pushing me” to be great at whatever he does and that he’d be nowhere without her. For her part, Laura said it was “beyond flattering” to be asked to be in her son’s dance, though she grew emotional even before rehearsals started.
But in true Savannah Bananas fashion, Olson kept things upbeat and fun, dancing an adorable Quickstep with partner Emma Slater to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. Everyone had smiles on their face, including the judges.
Derek Hough declared it a “great performance” but urged Olson to keep the frame up. Kym Johnson called Olson “the ultimate showman” and agreed with Hough on the need to focus on his frame.
Bruno Tonioli said he was “twinkling” and praised the “theatrical” dance. “You were expressing yourself better than ever tonight,” he said.
And Carrie Ann Inaba had similar feedback, noting that it’s clear Olson gets his confidence from his mom and that he was “top-notch performing.”
Olson and Slater earned all 8’s, their best scores of the competition.
Score: 32/40
8:34 pm ET
Maura Higgins brings Irish fight with dance dedicated to Ireland
Bryan Alexander
Rehearsal drama: “The Traitors” star Maura Higgins dedicated her dance to the entire country of Ireland. That’s a first! An entire country. “I miss my family and friends. I can’t let Ireland down,” she said in the rehearsal video. Irish dance legend Michael Flatley sent one of his best dancers to train her, a champion conveniently named Lucky. “Hopefully you can bring some luck to my dance,” Higgins said.
Dance: Higgins and partner Mark Ballas performed a paso doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys. Higgins whipped her Irish flag skirt around with mad passion as a shirtless, body-painted Ballas waved the Irish flag to start. Lucky joined the dance and showed some fire with his Irish dancing. That might be cheating. But Maura jumped right in and did Ireland proud, ending with a massive kick to the camera while being held aloft by both dancers.
Carrie Ann Inaba called it the first Irish dance paso doble, but pointed out a lift. And then let it go. Derek Hough asked, “Could you be any more Irish?” Kym Johnson said, “It made me want to go to an Irish pub with you.” Bruno Tonioli proclaimed, “The pride of Ireland unleashed!”
Score:35/40. The couple’s greatest score.
8:26 pm ET
Tatyana Ali dedicates dance to ‘Fresh Prince’ dad James Avery
Joelle Goldstein
“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali said she always knew if she made it to Dedication Night that she would dedicate her dance to her late costar and TV dad, James Avery. In rehearsals, Ali opened up to partner Jan Ravnik about how Avery taught her “what you do can be more than just a job.”
“I loved him a lot,” she said.
Of course, Ali also asked her “Fresh Prince” costar Alfonso Ribeiro to join her in the dance, saying, “It wouldn’t be the performance that it needs to be without Alfonso … I think [Avery] would be really proud.” Ribeiro also called Avery a “very important part of our lives,” and said it was a “blessing” to dance with his costar on “DWTS.”
After the emotional performance − a Viennese waltz to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, which featured a couch, a nod to the show, and ended with Ali and Ribeiro looking up at a photo of Avery displayed on the screen − the judges praised the routine’s elegance.
Bruno Tonioli said Ali was “glowing” and praised the “easy flow” of her dance, comparing it to being “guided by a guardian angel.” Carrie Ann Inaba got choked up about the “beautiful reunion” that unfolded on the dance floor between Ali and Ribeiro. “You danced like it was watching an old Hollywood film come to life,” she said.
Derek Hough called Ali “one of the most improved” competitors this season, saying it “really was beautiful.” And Kym Johnson commended her “effortless” ability to dance.
8:13 pm ET
Ezra Frech gets waterworks started with dance for mom Bahar Frech
Bryan Alexander
Rehearsal drama: Two-time Paralympian Ezra Frech dedicated his dance to his mother, Bahar, who broke down in tears during the rehearsals and in the video. “I’m really proud of the man he is,” she said.
Dance: Frech and partner Daniella Karagach were floating visions in blue, performing a contemporary routine to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovîa, dedicated to his mom, Bahar. Bahar even came onto the dance floor to embrace her son for the final moment on center stage. Total tears in the ballroom as Bahar joined the couple for the judges’ praise.
“The first dance of the night and you’ve got us crying up here,” Kym Johnson said.
“So inspiring, life-affirming,” Bruno Tonioli said, proclaiming, “You’re a real talent.”
Carrie Ann Inaba held back tears, calling the performance “absolutely stunning” in a trembling voice. Derek Hough was tearing up, too, telling Ezra’s mom, “Thank you.”
Score: 37/40, with Kym giving a 10 − the first of the season.
8:09 pm ET
Alfonso Ribeiro addresses Val’s absence, introduces guest judge Kym Johnson
Joelle Goldstein
Cohosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro kicked the night off by welcoming viewers to Dedication Night after a short montage showed the stars discussing who they were dedicating tonight’s dance to and why.
Ribeiro then briefly addressed Val Chmerkovskiy’s absence, simply saying, “Val is not with us this week.” He explained that Alan Bersten would be stepping in to dance with Jenna Dewan instead.
Ribeiro and Hough also introduced the night’s guest judge: former pro Kym Johnson. She urged the dancers to lean into the “feeling” and “emotion” of the night. “Embrace the moment because nights like this are really special,” she added.
7:40 pm ET
Is there an elimination this week on ‘DWTS’? Kalshi has wild prediction
Bryan Alexander
Prepare for emotional tears during “Dedication Night” on “Dancing with the Stars”tonight. And steel yourself for the pain of another dancer leaving the reality competition, just one week after the heartbreaking elimination of Guillermo Rodriguez and his pregnant pro partner Witney Carson.
But lo! Prediction market Kalshi is offering hope for an elimination-free Tuesday night. Under the category “Elimination,” the candidate “None” has screamed to the top of the trading charts, hovering around an 81% chance of no one going home.
It’s a solid bet. Nobody went home during “Dedication Night” last year, on Oct. 14, 2025, when Season 34 delivered a surprise non-elimination twist.
And it’s not a bad tradition to establish. These dancers are pouring their hearts out about the people who mean EVERYTHING to them. It’s a night to emote, to ugly-cry and to make the ballroom a safe space. Nobody needs to get sent home for a waltz dedicated to Mom.
But if somebody does have to go, Kalshi suggests it could be Jackson Olson, the overworked Savannah Bananas baseball player who has more “DWTS” bottom three appearances than home runs (1) this season. The market puts Olson’s elimination chances at around 14 percent.
7:30 pm ET
‘DWTS’ voting: How to vote online for Season 35 cast
Liza Esquibias
Voting opens when the show begins at 8 p.m. ET and closes after the last competitive dance of the evening. Fans can vote up to ten times per couple either online on ABC’s website, or by texting the celebrity’s first name to “21523” (standard text rates apply).
At the end of the night, the celebrity with combined lowest number of votes and judges’ scores will be eliminated from the competition.
7:00 pm ET
Before ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Dedication Night: Your refresher on Season 35 so far
Liza Esquibias
“Dancing with the Stars” Season 35 kicked off with a two-night premiere, featuring the male celebrities on Tuesday, Sept. 15, followed by the female celebrities on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Each performed to a No. 1 song from the year they were born. Week 1 ended with the double elimination of Connor Leavitt and Adele Zaikman, who is a first-time pro after winning “Dancing with the Stars: Next Pro,” as well as Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, also a first-time pro.
Viral Hits Night on Week 2 saw contestants come together for the first time this season, as each couple danced to catchy tunes that have gone viral on social media. Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten were sent home at the end of the evening.
Week 3 had a Yacht Rock theme, featuring a lineup of “smooth grooves, soft-rock classics and iconic hits that defined” the iconic era. The episode resulted in the elimination of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.
For Week 4 of the competition, the dances paid tribute to Mariah Carey and her iconic discography. Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong were ultimately voted off.
And last week’s Super Bowl Night paid tribute to the performers who have headlined a Super Bowl halftime show. Week 5 ended with fan favorites Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson being sent home.
6:52 pm ET
Carrie Ann Inaba speaks out
Joelle Goldstein
Ahead of Dedication Night, Carrie Ann Inaba posted a message to Instagram, in which she expressed her excitement for what’s to come this evening.
“Looking forward to a heartfelt night of dedications,” she wrote.
Along with a black and white photo of the ballroom, Inaba added in the caption, “Always and forever team Dancing with the Stars #TEAMDWTS.”
6:30 pm ET
Who got eliminated on ‘DWTS’ last week?
Liza Esquibias
Week 5 of the competition was Super Bowl Night, with each dance honoring popular halftime performances from over the years. The scores and the results of the night are below.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy: 36 out of 40
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: 36 out of 40
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: 34 out of 40
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: 33 out of 40
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: 33 out of 40
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson: 33 out of 40
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: 31 out of 40
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess: 30 out of 40
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik: 29 out of 40
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: 25 out of 40
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson: 22 out of 40
Eliminated: Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson
6:00 pm ET
‘DWTS’ tonight: Dedication Night songs and dances
Liza Esquibias
Dedication Night honors the people and places that hold a special place in the hearts of the celebrity contestants. Here are the dances and songs that each couple will be dancing to.
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: Quickstep to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, for Olson’s mom Laura
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: Contemporary to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, for Stiles’ “10 Things I Hate About You” co-star Heath Ledger
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson: Foxtrot to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, for Shum’s wife Shelby
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess: Contemporary to “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran, for mothers everywhere
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: Paso doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys, for Ireland
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: Contemporary to “Breathe Me” by Sia, for Glenn’s sister Brooke
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik: Viennese waltz to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, for Ali’s late “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star James Avery
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: Contemporary to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia, for Frech’s mom Bahar
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: Viennese waltz to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, for Wood’s dad Pete
Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten: Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, for Dewan’s mom Nancy
5:45 pm ET
‘DWTS’ time tonight: What time does ‘Dancing with the Stars’ start?
Liza Esquibias
“Dancing with the Stars” airs live on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. The episode can be streamed the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
5:40 pm ET
Who is replacing Val on ‘DWTS’ tonight?
Liza Esquibias
Pro Alan Bersten will be stepping in to dance with Val Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner Jenna Dewan for Dedication Night during his one-week suspension.
Bersten competed with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis earlier this season until their elimination at the end of Week 3. He and Dewan will be performing a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. The dance is dedicated to “The Rookie” star’s mom, Nancy Lee Bursch, who will also be featured in the routine.
5:31 pm ET
Why did Val get suspended from ‘DWTS’?
Liza Esquibias
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for a week for seemingly implying he wanted to slap judge Carrie Ann Inaba the way Will Smith did Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. He made the remark in a since-deleted social media post in response to a lift critique Inaba gave his wife Jenna Johnson, also a pro, and her partner Harry Shum Jr. after their performance last week.
“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” Chmerkovskiy wrote, referring to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” character played by Smith, who infamously went onstage and slapped Rock during the award show after he made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Inaba acknowledged Chmerkovskiy’s post on her Instagram, writing, “So this is what we are doing now?” He later issued a public apology, but on Saturday, Oct. 17, BBC Studios revealed he would not be participating in Week 6 of the competition.
“The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is non-negotiable,” read their statement. “Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show.”
The pro dancer also addressed the situation in his own statement: “In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention.”
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Californians accused of voter fraud react with shock, confusion, anger

At the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles late Monday, several green card holders arrested in a crackdown on alleged California voter fraud expressed confusion over the charges — with some saying they had no recollection of registering to vote, as Trump administration officials accuse them of doing.
Among them was Ana Domínguez, 60, a native of El Salvador living in Long Beach as a lawful permanent resident. Federal authorities accused her Monday of fraudulently registering to vote in July 2006 and then lying about it in her naturalization paperwork in March 2026.
Domínguez said she did not have any memory of registering to vote.
Another man accused of the same crimes as Domínguez said the same: He wasn’t aware of ever registering to vote, as federal prosecutors claimed he had.
Both were among the 28 people charged with federal election-related crimes Monday, including fraudulent voter registration and making false statements in a naturalization application. Federal prosecutors and high-ranking Justice Department officials had touted the arrests during a news conference hours before as proof that California elections are corrupted by noncitizen voters — as President Trump has long alleged.
State officials said the isolated instances of noncitizens voting, if accurate, are not evidence of widespread voter fraud. They also raised questions as to whether the charges could be trusted to be accurate — citing similar accusations being disproved elsewhere in the country.
Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
“We know from past experience that sometimes people register to vote accidentally, as when there is a mistake at the DMV,” Rick Hasen, director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law, wrote Monday in a blog post. “There is only a crime if the government can prove willful violations of federal law.”
Four of the defendants charged Monday had initial court appearances later that afternoon. Beforehand, more than a dozen of their loved ones milled around the federal courthouse in downtown L.A., antsy and clearly worried.
One woman, her baby and young daughter in tow, struggled to find the right courtroom. Another woman — Domínguez’s daughter — cried in the hallway as she waited for her mother’s case to get called up. When Domínguez moved to stand before the judge, she blew a kiss to her husband and daughter in the second row. She wore a black back brace and her legs were cuffed.
A third defendant — Omar Muñoz, 72, a lawful permanent resident from Belize whose arrest at his home in Commerce was captured by photographers in images transmitted around the world — shuffled into a court room shackled at the waist, his feet cuffed, still wearing the red and black pajama pants he’d been arrested in.
Muñoz was charged with fraudulently registering to vote in September 2019, and then voting in 2020, twice in 2022 and again in 2024. He is also accused of lying on his application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, when he claimed to have never falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen in the past.
In the courtroom, Muñoz held a hand over his heart as he waved to his family in the first row of the gallery.
Hasen, the UCLA expert, wrote that the government’s blasting out images of Muñoz being arrested was clearly “meant to convey that the problem of noncitizen voting in California is both pervasive and serious, crimes that are undetected by willfully ignorant California election officials.”
But the reality, he wrote, “is likely far different,” with voter fraud limited to isolated cases, some with less nefarious intent.
First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, said Monday that the cases represent strong federal work to ensure that noncitizens aren’t negating the votes of eligible U.S. voters — a problem he said California officials have refused to recognize despite federal authorities providing the proof.
Essayli dismissed the idea that those charged may have been unaware of what they were doing. “You have to go out of your way to register to vote, it’s not something that just happens to you,” Essayli said.
José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, appeared in court wearing a reflective vest with the name of a landscaping company, blue jeans and boots with the American flag on them. He’d been on his way to work when he was arrested.
During the hearings, the defendants spoke only to acknowledge that they reviewed and understood the charges against them. In every case, the federal prosecutor said the government was not seeking detention.
The magistrate judge ordered the four released on personal recognizance and said they were not required to be under supervision. They are all set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Nov. 9. Their deputy federal public defenders did not respond to a request for comment.
Lliani Orantes, Muñoz’s daughter and a nurse who was born in the U.S., said her father had been hauled out of the family home by federal authorities after they swarmed and cordoned off the block. She said the family was rushing to figure out what happened, including whether Muñoz could have been confused with younger relatives of the same name, including a U.S.-born son who is a registered voter.
Orantes also expressed frustration with the handling of her father’s arrest — to which federal authorities had clearly alerted some media, who were brought along for the raid.
She said her father is recovering from cervical surgery, rotator cuff repair on a shoulder and a double knee replacement, and that he was pulled out of the family’s home “like he was a dog” as part of what she described as a “political ploy, an example used for the operation” — which federal authorities dubbed “Operation Protect the Vote.”
“They’re trying to instill fear in society,” she said.
“We have so much more in the world to be dealing with, do we really need to focus on these little things that could be taken care of in a different fashion? In a different way? Like, hey, somebody from immigration visit the home,” she said.
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta — who is defending the state and top election officials for the state and Los Angeles County against a lawsuit from the Justice Department alleging they are not treating alleged voter fraud by noncitizens seriously enough — said Monday that voting illegally is wrong and “one off, isolated incidents” of it should be prosecuted.
But Bonta denied that there is widespread voter fraud in the state, called 28 cases brought out of the 23 million registered voters in California a “drop in the bucket,” and said he’d be watching how those cases play out in court.
“We’ll see what the facts show, and whether they’ll have to drop charges or whether they’ll be able to prosecute,” he said.
About 3 p.m. Monday, the four defendants at the downtown courthouse were released and exited the courtroom, some to family members waiting in the hallway to hug them.
Domínguez wiped away tears as she recounted her arrest, showing bruises on her wrists from the handcuffs.
“They were accusing me of voter fraud since 2006,” she said. Domínguez said the accusations don’t even make sense considering she has never voted.
“If I would have committed all those frauds about voting registration and whatever they’re saying, since 2006, wouldn’t you imagine that I would have been voting all these other years?” she asked.
In a visual presentation at their news conference, federal authorities alleged that 21 of the 28 people charged had actually voted. Domínguez was not one of them.
Domínguez said she’s been a lawful permanent resident since the late 1980s, and that she applied for U.S. citizenship earlier this year. As part of the application process, she said she told an immigration agent that the only people registered to vote in her household were her husband, who previously became a U.S. citizen, and her daughter, who was born in the country.
Since then, Domínguez said she has just been waiting on the citizenship ceremony, “but it never came through.”
Instead, she was arrested Monday when she was about to leave for work as an administrative assistant.
“I never, ever in my entire life … thought this would ever happen to me,” she said.
Muñoz and his family gathered outside the courthouse. Muñoz, who declined to comment on the charges against him, said he’d been up to have coffee early that morning when he heard the commotion outside. Agents said if he didn’t open the door, they’d break it down.
He described seeing helicopters, at least eight cars and several agents from different agencies descending on his home, and recalled thinking, “What movie am I in?”
“That’s a lot of money. Taxpayers paying for that,” he said. “They could have sent me a letter saying report to the court.”
Muñoz — who said he came to the U.S. legally in 1975 and has “paid all my taxes” since — said he explained to the arresting agents that he’d had six surgeries recently and they “didn’t care.” He said he didn’t learn about the charges against him until four hours later.
Muñoz’s son, Omar Muñoz Jr., questioned why federal agents didn’t take his father’s age and ailments into consideration.
“We understand that there’s a procedure that has to be addressed at court. But 5 in the morning, handcuffed? It’s just the way everything was done, and what my mom had to go through. It’s not just an impact on my father’s health, but also on my mom,” he said. “There is a law, we understand that. But innocent until proven guilty.”
Muñoz’s wife, Esmeralda, echoed her son’s questions about why so many agents were deployed to their home.
“Seriously? All these people just to come for an elderly person,” she said she told a federal agent. “It’s unbelievable.”

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Fashion

The exact products behind Kylie Jenner’s Fantasy Bra beauty look

Kylie Jenner made her debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wearing a $50 million diamond bra.
Her mother, Kris Jenner, and boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, were in the audience to support her.
Jenner’s runway beauty look featured a soft, glowy glam with a flawless complexion and glossy lip.
Kylie Jenner made her debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show over the weekend with mom Kris Jenner and boyfriend Timothée Chalamet cheering her on from the audience. But the 29-year-old beauty mogul’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut wasn’t just about the headline-making Fantasy Bra valued at $50 million.
Jenner stepped onto the runway with a soft, glowing makeup look that beauty enthusiasts immediately wanted to recreate.
From her blurred complexion and rosy cheeks to her glossy nude lip, Jenner’s Angel-inspired glam was created using products from her own beauty brand, Kylie Cosmetics.
The best part? You don’t need a Victoria’s Secret runway budget to get the look. Several of the exact Kylie Cosmetics products used for Jenner’s runway look are available to shop now, with prices starting at just $21.
Kylie Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret makeup routine: Shop the exact Kylie Cosmetics products she used
Ahead, we’re breaking down Kylie Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show makeup step by step and sharing each product behind her glow.
The exact skin products behind Kylie Jenner’s runway glow
Start with a lightweight skin tint that helps even out your complexion and create a smooth, natural-looking base with a soft-focus finish. For Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret look, she used the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir in 5N.
Kylie Jenner Power Plush Longwear Concealer in 4.5 C – Get now for $28 at Kylie Cosmetics
How Kylie Jenner got her soft-focus runway complexion
Set your base with a brightening powder that helps blur the look of imperfections while giving your complexion a smooth, soft-focus finish. To complete her base, Jenner used the Kylie Cosmetics Natural Blur Brightening Powder in Soft Pink.
The blush Kylie Jenner wore for her Victoria’s Secret runway debut
Give your cheeks a healthy-looking flush with a blush that adds a pop of color and warmth to your complexion. Jenner’s Angel-inspired glam featured the Kylie Cosmetics Hybrid Blush in Cheeky Mood.
Kylie Jenner Lip & Cheek Glow Balm – Available in Winter Kiss on Wednesday, Oct. 21
Define and brighten the eyes like Kylie Jenner
Add subtle depth and definition to your eyes with a matte eyeshadow palette featuring versatile shades for creating a soft, romantic finish. For her Victoria’s Secret debut, Jenner’s eye look can be complemented with the Kylie Cosmetics Classic Matte Eyeshadow Palette.
Kylie Jenner Eyeshadow Palette – Available in Winter Kissed on Wednesday, Oct. 21
Kylie Jenner Kylash Volume Mascara – Get now for $25 at Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Jenner’s glossy nude lip starts with these products
Finish your makeup with a tinted lip balm that adds a hint of color while leaving lips looking soft and nourished. For a similar finishing touch, try the Kylie Cosmetics Tinted Butter Balm in Love That 4 U.
Kylie Jenner Precision Pout Lip Liner in Cool Nude – Get now for $19 at Kylie Cosmetics
Quick shop: Kylie Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show makeup
Tinted Butter Balm ($21)
Skin Tint Blurring Elixir ($35)
Power Plush Longwear Concealer ($28)
Natural Blur Brightening Powder ($24)
Hybrid Blush ($22)
Classic Matte Eyeshadow Palette ($32)
Shop more makeup essentials at Kylie Cosmetics
Related coverage from USA TODAY you might like
Victoria’s Secret icon Chanel Iman’s trick to chic holiday family photos
Huda Beauty’s new $49 bronzer quad could replace multiple products
16 beauty Advent calendars to shop before they sell out
See Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show stars, from Katseye to Kylie Jenner
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s biggest moments, including that surprise

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Fashion

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

LOS ANGELES – The Angels may have commanded the runway, but they weren’t the only ones putting on a show.
From celebrity antics and front-row fanfare to unexpected scenes outside the venue, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show delivered plenty of moments viewers missed during the livestream.
During the show, Bella Hadid brought a burst of beaded color down the runway, while veteran Angel Adriana Lima closed the show in a sparkling white look with sculptural wings. In between came surprise cameos, electrifying musical performances and a few unexpected runway appearances.
But before the Angels took flight Sunday, Oct. 18, at Sony Pictures Studios, Victoria’s Secret rolled out the pink carpet, where the festivities began long before the first model stepped onto the catwalk.
A Hollywood welcome – with a Victoria’s Secret twist
A nod to the Hollywood Walk of Fame greeted attendees: a pink carpet decorated with silver stars bearing the Victoria’s Secret logo and names of models including Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls, Barbara Palvin, Candice Swanepoel and Abby Champion.
Some of the arrivals at the studio were transported by shuttle drivers dressed in pink before entering a space transformed for the occasion.
Guests were immediately welcomed with frozen strawberry tequila cocktails before making their way to a preshow reception, where strawberry margaritas, watermelon mocktails and sparkling wine were also served.
After cocktail hour, guests got an early look inside the venue, including a transparent, pink-lit runway and a sparkling curtain that would later serve as a backdrop for the models.
Law Roach, Kris Jenner and other familiar faces mingle
The reception also offered a chance to spot familiar faces before the runway presentation.
“Queer Eye” star Tan France mingled with guests before heading to his seat, where he crossed paths with celebrity stylist and image architect Law Roach, who greeted him with a hug.
Roach also exchanged greetings with Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble, who arrived moments before the show and took their seats next to Timothée Chalamet, the boyfriend of Jenner’s youngest daughter, Kylie Jenner. It was a hint at the surprise to come.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, best known for his longtime work with Kim Kardashian, was spotted near the front of the runway. Appleton has also styled the youngest of the KarJenner clan, Kylie Jenner, who became one of the show’s biggest attractions when she made a surprise runway appearance wearing the brand’s $50 million Fantasy Bra, featuring 4,410 natural diamonds.
At one point, television personality Justin Sylvester asked Appleton, “Which one of your girls is here?”
Chalamet. Momager Jenner. Appleton. Was it that obvious?
Justin Sylvester becomes the runway’s unofficial cheerleader
Sylvester wasn’t content to simply watch the show. The television personality became something of an unofficial cheerleader from his seat, enthusiastically calling out to models as they passed.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley reacted when Sylvester shouted her name, while Jasmine Tookes and Precious Lee also winked and waved in his direction.
Dylan Sprouse gets on his feet for Barbara Palvin
Speaking of hype men, Dylan Sprouse wasn’t about to miss his model wife’s big moment.
Seated front row at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the actor pulled out his phone to film Barbara Palvin’s runway walk, blew kisses her way and even jumped out of his seat to cheer her on.
The show marked Palvin’s return to the catwalk roughly six weeks after welcoming the couple’s first child, a daughter. Sprouse and Palvin announced their growing family in a Sept. 28 Instagram post featuring the newborn at a Los Angeles Dodgers game, with all three dressed in team jerseys.
A different message outside the studio
Not everyone gathered at the studios was there to celebrate.
Outside the entrance, protesters displayed pink signs reading “Report workplace harassment & violence” and “No more secrets.”
The demonstrators approached arriving guests, handed out their messages and asked whether attendees wanted to pose for photos with their signs.

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Fashion

‘Growing buzz’ Mike McDaniel could be out as Chargers coordinator

Mike McDaniel’s résumé may soon read unemployed.
The 0-6 Chargers boast the league’s worst offense (No. 32 in DVOA) and are averaging just 15 points per game, with speculation running rampant that Los Angeles will fire its offensive coordinator.
Pro Football Talk reports there’s “growing buzz” that Jim Harbaugh will fire McDaniel as the team’s offense continues to flounder in bizarre fashion.
The Chargers put up a lackluster effort on Sunday, again failing to score a touchdown as they were beaten 22-6 by the Chiefs.
If McDaniel is fired, former Jets head coach Adam Gase is expected to take over play-calling duties for the Chargers. He’s currently their passing game specialist.
“We’re going to look at everything,” Harbaugh said when asked whether McDaniel would still be the play caller.
“The job I’m doing, it starts with me. We’ll watch this and get with our offensive coaches,” Harbaugh added. “I see the effort, I see the work being put in in the meetings, on the practice field, and to get that to translate to the field is what’s necessary. Feel bad for our players, our team, our coaches, our fans. And [offense] needs to be addressed.”
McDaniel had previously signed to be the Dolphins head coach through 2028 and was fired last offseason.
He chose to continue coaching this season as the Chargers offensive coordinator gig became available. McDaniel is likely still being paid by Miami with his Chargers salary being offset by the big contract he got from Miami.
In Miami, McDaniel was a bit of an offensive mastermind, but that hasn’t translated to Hollywood.
The Dolphins averaged at least 6 yards per play in 2022 and ’23 and ranked top three in that category across the league, with now-backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as his starter.
The Chargers are currently averaging 4.6 yards per play, 26th in the league.
Among the Chargers’ many issues is their running game, which was supposed to be led by former first-round pick Omarion Hampton, though he appears to have fallen down the depth chart.
Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal have taken significant snaps at running back, though none of the three have been very effective.
Justin Herbert has also been a disaster this season, leading the NFL in interceptions and posting just a 59.4 percent completion rate, the third-worst among starters.

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