Today’s Big Story

America’s Top Beer

Michelob Ultra dethrones Modelo Especial

Maybe it’s thanks to Leo Messi. Perhaps with the soccer star as the face of Michelob Ultra, it was only a matter of time before the light lager achieved GOAT status.

The Anheuser-Busch beer has overtaken Bud Light and maintained its lead over rival Modelo Especial in U.S. retail sales by volume for the year-to-date ending on September 14, according to data from Circana. The legendary brewery attributed the momentum partly to the successful launch of Michelob Ultra Zero, a non-alcoholic version of the beer.

It’s definitely an achievement for the big name brewer, which faced backlash from conservatives and liberals alike over a partnership with a transgender social media influencer that tanked sales of Bud Light and dethroned it as the top-selling beer in the United States, leading Modelo Especial to take its place in 2023.

The success of Modelo, as well as Corona, seems to have cooled in 2025, partly because of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, some industry sources say. Constellation Brands, the beers’ parent company, warned in April that the president’s deportation push was spooking Latino customers and hurting beer sales.

By topping the sales by volume charts for 2025, Michelob Ultra has become king of the hill among beer brands. While its lower caloric content certainly appealed to many people, The Takeout says some of Michelob Ultra’s success can also be credited to aggressive marketing campaigns, which helped the brand gain notoriety at major sporting events like the FIFA Club World Cup, NBA games, and the PGA tour. That falls in line with Michelob Ultra's focus on folks with active lifestyles. And going forward, it plans to continue partnering with athletic competitions such as the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2026 World Cup.

More people are seeing Michelob Ultra on tap (which remains the best way to enjoy a beer) as well. The new top dog surpassed its sister brand, Bud Light, in bar and restaurant presence in December 2024.

Dallas ICE Facility Targeted

A gunman killed one detainee and wounded two others before killing himself

One detainee is dead, and two more are in critical condition after a sniper opened fire on a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Wednesday morning, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed. Law enforcement found the suspected shooter dead, according to the Dallas Police Department. The FBI is investigating the incident as an “act of targeted violence.”

Sources familiar with the investigation identified Wednesday’s alleged attacker as Joshua Jahn, 29. The three detainees were in an unmarked transport van when they were shot, before Jahn took his own life on a nearby rooftop. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the situation was his “worst nightmare.”

No law enforcement officers were injured in the attack, and investigators had not yet identified a clear motive. But President Donald Trump and others in his administration quickly seized on the incident as politically motivated violence. Unspent ammunition recovered at the scene had been marked with the phrase “ANTI-ICE”. FBI Director Kash Patel, who shared an image of the shell casing on social media, described it as evidence the shooter had acted with an “ideological motive.” Trump blamed Democratic rhetoric and vowed to crack down on “deranged radical leftists.”

Mass Government Firings?

White House lays groundwork for reduction-in-force plans if there’s a shutdown

The White House is threatening to use a potential short-term spending lapse to make long-term changes to the federal workforce. According to NBC News, the Trump administration is raising the stakes of a potential government shutdown by drafting a request for federal agencies to prepare “reduction in force” plans in case Congress doesn’t pass a spending bill before Oct. 1.

That means that thousands of government employees could permanently lose their jobs if Congress doesn't reach an agreement to fund the government by next week. Axios reports that jobs would be spared in programs focused on border security, immigration enforcement and national defense. And entire programs could be hollowed out if Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, determines they are not consistent with the president’s agenda.

The move from OMB significantly increases the consequences of a potential government shutdown and certainly escalates pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Especially considering that the memo mentioned that once any potential government shutdown ends, agencies are asked to revise their reduction in force plans “as needed to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions.”

Ford Mustang Hybrid Could Be on the Way

Reports are out that the automaker is working on its most divisive pony car yet

If you ask me, Ford still needs to make amends for ever introducing that hatchback/crossover version of the Mustang that was not, in fact, a muscle sports car at all. But, I digress … About a month ago, Ford confirmed that its gas-powered Mustang wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Considering the electrification of the Charger and the discontinuation of the Camaro, it was cause for a huge sigh of relief among muscle car fans.

That said, the company didn’t rule out the possibility of a hybrid. Quite the contrary, as Ford has made announcements before that such a Mustang was in development. While the lack of progress made it seem like the company had abandoned the project, it turns out that the Blue Oval may have more than a few hidden away in its stable, reports Gear Patrol.

And according to a recent Ford Authority report, “sources familiar with the matter” have stated that there is currently an S650 Mustang hybrid model in operation that is known internally as the S650E. While the exact type of hybrid powertrain wasn’t disclosed (i.e., a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or some sort of range-extending variant) and the future of the vehicle wasn’t made clear, supposedly, several prototypes have entered the ‘Technology Prove-Out stage.’ Until then, though, Road & Track says Mustang buyers looking for battery-powered performance have to look toward towards that Mach-E abomination.

Wear More Vintage

Consider it a cheat code to looking more stylish

Here’s to new beginnings.