Wicked composer reveals what Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo asked for while writing new For Good...

Stephen Schwartz shares what the creative process was like writing Glinda's &34;Girl in the Bubble&34; and Elphaba's &34;No Place Like Home.&34; Wicked composer reveals what Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo asked for while writing new For Good songs Stephen Schwartz shares what the creative process was like writing Glinda's &34;Girl in the Bubble&34; and Elphaba's &34;No Place Like Home.&34; By Patrick Gomez :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/pgomezheadshot25b24b6c6d8948899ca9b24a6a9a6844.jpg) Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V.

Stephen Schwartz shares what the creative process was like writing Glinda's "Girl in the Bubble" and Elphaba's "No Place Like Home."

Wicked composer reveals what Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo asked for while writing new For Good songs

Stephen Schwartz shares what the creative process was like writing Glinda's "Girl in the Bubble" and Elphaba's "No Place Like Home."

By Patrick Gomez

Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related.

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January 4, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

Cynthia Ervio and Ariana Grande promoting 'Wicked: For Good'. Credit:

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Adding to his beloved *Wicked* score was never going to be easy, but Stephen Schwartz knew there was one thing he'd never have to worry about when crafting new songs for *Wicked: For Good* stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

"Both Cynthia and Ariana, of course, have extraordinary vocal instruments — and the ability to do just about anything with them that they want," the lyricist and composer tells **, "so it was just a matter of what would make each of them most comfortable in doing the songs."

So what made Erivo comfortable singing Elphaba's "No Place Like Home" and Grande performing Glinda's "Girl in the Bubble"?

"Cynthia asked for a couple of small word changes in 'No Place Like Home,' where she felt there was one too many syllables here or there," says Schwartz. "She asked if I could find a way to phrase some things a little bit differently, so she could take a breath."

"Then with Ariana, we just worked on vocal placement, because we felt that it was important," he shares. "Since this is the moment at which Glinda changes — that both Glindas, both the private self where she sings in chest voice, or whatever you want to call it, and her public persona where she sings in soprano.... She's going to give up both of those and become her authentic self. And therefore, we needed both of those voices in the song, so we found where would she do the soprano, and how would we do that in a way that was comfortable for her."

Glinda (Ariana Grande) singing 'Girl in the Bubble' in 'Wicked: For Good'.

"'The Girl in the Bubble' is such a beautiful and important narrative piece for Glinda, because that's when we see the final layer of her shielding bubble pop," Grande said in a recent video interview exclusive to EW. "It is a shift that happens for her where she realizes something's gotta change."

Jeff Goldblum honors 'Wicked' costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo for EW's 2025 Entertainers of the Year

Cynthia Erivo explains 'sex cardigan' origin in 'Wicked: For Good': 'She felt safe and comfortable'

The actress went on to say it was "a really surreal thing to be trusted with an original Stephen Schwartz song — but also to be responsible for showing the audience for the first time this very pivotal, sacred moment in Glinda's life."

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) singing 'No Place Like Home' in 'Wicked: For Good'.

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Erivo echoed those sentiments in another exclusive video: "'No place like home' is originally said by Dorothy [in *The Wizard of Oz*], and so to take those words and put them into the Wicked Witch of the West's mouth, it's a really big responsibility."

"I think it really becomes a beautiful song of resistance," Erivo concluded. "I loved singing it and when we did it on the Yellow Brick Road, which is really iconic and special, it felt really powerful. That home that she's known and loved this entire time might not want her but it doesn't mean that it makes it any less like home."**

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&34;Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure,&34; McKellen's Magneto says. XMen headline new Avengers: Doomsday teaser with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden &34;Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure,&34; McKellen's Magneto says. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more. EW's editorial guidelines January 6, 2026 9:00 a.m.

"Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure," McKellen's Magneto says.

X-Men headline new Avengers: Doomsday teaser with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden

"Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure," McKellen's Magneto says.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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January 6, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

Patrick Stewart's Xavier returns in X-Men 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser. Credit:

Marvel Entertainment/Youtube

The X-Men are now officially on the Marvel chessboard.

Patrick Stewart's Professor Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen's Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, and James Marsden's Scott Summers/Cyclops headline their own *Avengers: Doomsday* teaser, which debuts in an official capacity after a week of online leaks.

The footage offers our first look at these stars reprising their superhero roles from the previous 20th Century Fox era of X-Men movies, now in the Disney-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Following two teasers, one revealing Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers and another all about Chris Hemsworth's Thor, this new preview reveals Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, a safe haven for young mutants, now in shambles.

There's the joyous sight of seeing longtime frenemies Xavier and Magneto playing chess again, their favored pastime from the original *X-Men* movies, but it's paired with a more haunting scene of Marsden's Cyclops. The leader of these superheroes rips off his protective visor and unleashes a catastrophic optic blast.

"Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure," Magneto says. "The question isn't, 'Are you prepared to die?' The question is, 'Who will you be when you close your eyes?'"

Tom Hiddleston calls 'Avengers: Doomsday' 'monumental,' 'never been done before'

Hugh Jackman says his time playing Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't over

Fans should take note of the new X-suits for these characters. Cyclops dons a more comic-accurate blue-and-yellow uniform, while Xavier wears a black-and-red X symbol on his gray jacket. This particular design was the aesthetic for Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's 2001 *New X-Men* comics.

Other X-Men characters not seen in this first look but who are confirmed for roles in *Avengers: Doomsday* include Channing Tatum's Gambit, Alan Cumming's Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn's Mystique, and Kelsey Grammer's Hank McCoy/Beast.

Ian McKellen's Magneto returns in X-Men 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser.

Marvel Entertainment/Youtube

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

It's a move that's been in the works ever since Disney purchased Fox in a splashy studio-restructuring deal in 2019. Though, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told ** in 2024, "It took a long time between whenever [the acquisition] was announced to it all getting done, so [the characters] weren't really in our sandbox for a very long time after that first announcement happened."

In the lead-up, we've seen Grammer's Beast pop in for *The Marvels*' post-credits scene, Stewart's Xavier prominently featuring in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, and *Deadpool and Wolverine* bring a whole host of mutant characters to the MCU.

James Marsden's Cyclops releases an optic blast in X-Men 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser.

Marvel Entertainment/Youtube

*Avengers: Doomsday*, directed by Marvel golden children Joe and Anthony Russo, will feature characters from across the multiverse breaking realities in a story involving Robert Downey Jr.'s Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom. The plot continues with *Avengers: Secret Wars*, which Feige said "really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men."

At that point, Marvel made known plans to recast X-Men characters as part of a "reset."

*Doomsday* is currently scheduled for Dec. 18, 2026, with *Secret Wars* coming Dec. 17, 2027. Watch the latest teaser above.**

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&34;Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure,&34; McKellen's Magneto says. XMen headline new Avengers...

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The &34;Stranger Things&34; star exited the project, which began filming in October. Will Arnett replaces David Harbour in Pedro Pascal movie from Andor creator The &34;Stranger Things&34; star exited the project, which began filming in October. By Mekishana Pierre :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/MekishanaPierreauthorphotoed08906b8105488ca1e991de8ac00dec.jpg) Mekishana Pierre Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at . She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Entertainment Tonight and Popsugar. EW's editorial guidelines January 8, 2026 11:01 a.m.

The "Stranger Things" star exited the project, which began filming in October.

Will Arnett replaces David Harbour in Pedro Pascal movie from Andor creator

The "Stranger Things" star exited the project, which began filming in October.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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January 8, 2026 11:01 a.m. ET

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Will Arnett; David Harbour. Credit:

Cindy Ord/Getty; Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty

Will Arnett will fill David Harbour's shoes after the *Stranger Things* star backed out of director Tony Gilroy's upcoming drama, * *has confirmed.

Habour's reason for leaving the project has not been disclosed, but his decision to step away from it came after the actor wrapped an intensive press tour for the fifth and final season of Netflix's 10-year sci-fi saga, on which the actor played the role of Hawkins sheriff Jim Hopper.

Arnett will take over Harbour's role, starring alongside Pedro Pascal, with a cast that also includes Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Matthew Lillard, Margarita Levieva, and Alexa Swinton.

Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde in 2023.

Randy Shropshire/Getty

The film, titled *Behemoth, *began production in October and is Gilroy's first major project since he wrapped last year's *Andor *season 2. The series prequel to 2016's *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* dropped its second and final season on Disney+ last April and earned Gilroy an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as wins for its production design, writing, editing, costumes, and special visual effects.

While Searchlight Pictures has kept the synopsis for *Behemoth *under wraps, the project's IMDB profile says it will follow a musician, played by Pascal, who comes from a family of musicians and returns to Los Angeles. The film is reportedly "a love letter to the music of the movies and the people who make it."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Gilroy is directing from his own script and producing alongside Sanne Wohlenberg and John Gilroy (*Andor*). Production on the film began in late October, but Arnett's recasting should not delay its wrap date, multiple outlets report.

Tony Gilroy in 2025.

The project seems to be inspired by Gilroy's musical background. "I was a musician when I was young. I really was serious about it for a while... When we get to the scoring, it's my happiest place," he said in an interview with *Variety* last May. "So I came up with a movie about a symphonic cellist who returns to L.A. to do session work."

"The whole movie is told through the [music] cues," he added. "The cues trigger flashbacks over the last 20 years that tell you why he left and why he's come back. It's a movie that surfs on music."

How 'Stranger Things' ends: The fates of the Hawkins gang revealed

'Andor' creator Tony Gilroy explains that surprise ending and final shot

Arnett's casting in *Behemoth* marks another departure from his largely comedic filmography. The actor is best known for his parts on TV comedies like *Arrested Development, 30 Rock, *and *BoJack Horseman,* but his latest role is that of budding stand-up comedian who has recently split from his wife in the critically acclaimed, Bradley Cooper–directed dramedy *Is This Thing On.***

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The Best Growth Index ETF to Invest $100 in Right Now

The Best Growth Index ETF to Invest $100 in Right Now Todd Shriber, The Motley FoolJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM 0 Key Points For $100, investors can grab a few shares of this growth index ETF. It sports a long track record of beating its rivals. A light expense ratio makes the ETF inviting for buyandhold investors. 10 stocks we like better than Schwab Strategic Trust Schwab U.s.

- - The Best Growth Index ETF to Invest $100 in Right Now

Todd Shriber, The Motley FoolJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM

0

Key Points -

For $100, investors can grab a few shares of this growth index ETF.

It sports a long track record of beating its rivals.

A light expense ratio makes the ETF inviting for buy-and-hold investors.

10 stocks we like better than Schwab Strategic Trust - Schwab U.s. Large-Cap Growth ETF ›

With a substantial assist from the rapidly evolving, high-flying artificial intelligence (AI) investment thesis, growth stocks are in the midst of a multiyear stretch of outperforming their value counterparts.

That theme is palpable in large-cap and megacap territory, where some of the best-performing stocks of the past decade reside. That group includes story stocks such as Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), confirming that investors reaped significant rewards if they selected the right stocks.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »

Tantalizing as the long-term returns by those stocks and others are, some investors don't want the hassle of stock-picking and opt for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to tap growth stocks. The Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHG) is one of the largest funds in the category and an excellent idea for investors looking to put $100 to work today.

Exchange-traded fund spelled out on a chalkboard with a hand holding chalk.

Image source: Getty Images.

"S" is for simple and super

This $53.34 billion ETF embodies an easy-to-understand index fund. The Schwab fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market index, which has a track record spanning over two decades.

That gauge scans the universe of domestic large-cap companies, searching for those that meet specific growth criteria, including earnings and sales growth. The result is a basket of nearly 200 stocks weighted by market capitalization. It's a no-frills approach that has served investors well, as Schwab has outpaced several of its primary rivals over the past decade.

Stretching even farther back, this growth ETF outpaced the category average through its first 15-plus years on the market, lagging the group only twice.

This ETF's status as a passive, cap-weighted fund is pertinent to investors because in the fast-paced world, large- and megacap growth stocks change quickly. Oftentimes, it's difficult for active managers to keep up. For the 10 years ending in February 2025, only 10% of active growth managers outperformed the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and they didn't fare much better over the trailing one, three, and five-year periods.

That doesn't mean that there aren't some fine active managers in the growth realm. There are, but it's also clearly hard to consistently beat benchmarks. With this Schwab ETF, investors minimize the risk of disappointment because, minus its annual fee, the fund is expected to deliver performance in line with its underlying index.

The odds of this ETF sticking to its index are short because it has rules in place to keep portfolio turnover low, representing another advantage over active rivals that frequently move in and out of growth stocks.

A friendly fee, familiar faces

The Schwab ETF checks other boxes that investors covet. For example, it's one-stop shopping for "Magnificent Seven" exposure as all seven of those stocks rank among the fund's top 10 holdings, combining for nearly half the fund's portfolio.

This ETF is also appealing to cost-conscious investors because its annual expense ratio is just 0.04%, or $4 on a $10,000 investment. Combine that low fee with broad exposure to AI leaders, and buy-and-hold and newbie investors may find a lot to like with this growth ETF.

Should you buy stock in Schwab Strategic Trust - Schwab U.s. Large-Cap Growth ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in Schwab Strategic Trust - Schwab U.s. Large-Cap Growth ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Schwab Strategic Trust - Schwab U.s. Large-Cap Growth ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $488,222!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,134,333!*

Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 969% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of January 9, 2026.

Todd Shriber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The Best Growth Index ETF to Invest $100 in Right Now Todd Shriber, The Motley FoolJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM 0 Key Poin...

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Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot

Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM 0 The jackpot for the Mega Millions drawing continued to rise ahead of the Friday, Jan. 9 drawing, with a prize pot of $199 million, with a cash value prize of $90.5 million. If someone were to get lucky tonight and win the jackpot, they'll have two options: take home a onetime, lumpsum cash payment or receive an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year.

- - Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot

Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM

0

The jackpot for the Mega Millions drawing continued to rise ahead of the Friday, Jan. 9 drawing, with a prize pot of $199 million, with a cash value prize of $90.5 million.

If someone were to get lucky tonight and win the jackpot, they'll have two options: take home a one-time, lump-sum cash payment or receive an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year.

Last year saw six different winners of the Mega Millions; the latest one happened on Dec. 2 in New Jersey, where one player took home a $90 million jackpot.

With the Mega Millions jackpot only hours away, here is what you about Friday's drawing.

A Mega Millions lottery ticket in New York City on August 08, 2023.What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 1/9/2026?

USA TODAY will post the winning numbers after the lottery drawing at 11 p.m. ET.

More: Powerball winning numbers for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 11 p.m. ET.

What is Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is a lottery played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.

You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. In the event of multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared.

Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney of Wisconsin agreed years ago to split future lottery winnings. Cook followed through on that promise when he won a $22 million prize on June 10, 2020.

" data-src=https://ift.tt/I62d4Ny class=caas-img data-headline="See Powerball and Mega Millions winners who hit the jackpot" data-caption="

Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney of Wisconsin agreed years ago to split future lottery winnings. Cook followed through on that promise when he won a $22 million prize on June 10, 2020.

">Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney of Wisconsin agreed years ago to split future lottery winnings. Cook followed through on that promise when he won a $22 million prize on June 10, 2020.

" src=https://ift.tt/I62d4Ny class=caas-img>

1 / 17See Powerball and Mega Millions winners who hit the jackpotTennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul, left, walks with an excited Janis Goodwin, middle and Frances Davenport as they prepare to pick up their million-dollar Powerball check at the lottery headquarters in Nashville on Oct. 3, 2005.

More: The $1.8B Powerball jackpot winner can stay anonymous. For now.

Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots -

$1.602 billion on Aug. 8, 2023 in Florida

$1.537 billion on Oct. 23, 2018 in South Carolina

$1.348 billion on Jan. 1, 2023 in Maine

$1.337 billion on July. 29, 2022 in Illinois

$1.269 billion on Dec. 27, 2024 in California

$1.128 billion on Mar. 26, 2024 in New Jersey

$1.05 billion on Jan 22, 2021 in Michigan

$983 million on Nov. 14, 2025 in Georgia

$810 million on Sept. 10, 2024 in Texas

$656 million on Mar. 30, 2012 in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland

How to play the Mega Millions

To play the Mega Millions, you have to buy a ticket. You can do this at several locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or even grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be bought online.

Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24.

If you're feeling especially unlucky or don't want to go through the hassle of picking, you can ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick." These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you.

Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. Before, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the "Megaplier."

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Mega Millions tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot

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Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:00...

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California governor proposes $200 million in new state EV tax rebates

California governor proposes $200 million in new state EV tax rebates By David ShepardsonJanuary 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM 4 A parking space is marked specifically for an electric vehicle to charge charger in a shopping center parking lot in Oceanside, California, U.S.,October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing $200 million in new state electricvehicle tax rebates after Congress earlier this ​year ended a federal $7,500 state tax deduction on new EVs, the ‌state said on Friday.

- - California governor proposes $200 million in new state EV tax rebates

By David ShepardsonJanuary 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM

4

A parking space is marked specifically for an electric vehicle to charge charger in a shopping center parking lot in Oceanside, California, U.S.,October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing $200 million in new state electric-vehicle tax rebates after Congress earlier this ​year ended a federal $7,500 state tax deduction on new EVs, the ‌state said on Friday.

In late 2024, Newsom said if President Donald Trump eliminated a federal EV tax ‌credit, he would propose creating a new version of the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program that ended in 2023 and spent $1.49 billion to subsidize 586,000 vehicles over a decade. EV sales fell sharply in the final three months of 2024 after ⁠the federal tax credit ‌expired on September 30.

The legislation ending the $7,500 new federal EV tax credit also ended a $4,000 used EV credit.

On Friday, the California ‍Air Resources Board said it was not yet clear how much per vehicle the state may offer in tax rebates.

Automakers are grappling with the fallout of fewer EV sales.

Chrysler-parent ​Stellantis said on Friday it will stop selling its plug‑in hybrid electric Jeep ‌Wrangler and Grand Cherokee in North America, while General Motors , opens new tab said Thursday it would take a $6 billion charge to unwind some electric-vehicle investments.

The federal government, effective October 1, barred states from allowing electric vehicles and other clean cars to use carpool lanes without meeting vehicle occupancy requirements.

California and other states had ⁠used the perk to encourage sales of EVs. ​Trump has taken aim at EVs on a ​number of fronts including signing legislation in June to bar California's electric vehicle sales mandates. In July, the administration told automakers a ‍new law signed by ⁠Trump will not require them to pay any fines for failures to meet fuel-efficiency rules dating back to the 2022 model year.

The administration is ⁠making other changes that will save automakers billions of dollars in purchasing credits from Tesla and ‌others to meet prior regulatory requirements.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; ‌Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)

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California governor proposes $200 million in new state EV tax rebates

California governor proposes $200 million in new state EV tax rebates By David ShepardsonJanuary 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM 4 A ...

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Trump's oil strategy for Venezuela leaves Citgo auction in limbo

Trump's oil strategy for Venezuela leaves Citgo auction in limbo By Marianna Parraga January 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM 2 By Marianna Parraga HOUSTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) As U.S. President Donald Trump moves quickly to put together a $100 billion effort to revive Venezuela's oil industry, the administration has yet to finalize the fate of the crown jewel of the country's foreign assets, U.S. refining company Citgo Petroleum , sources close to the matter said.

- - Trump's oil strategy for Venezuela leaves Citgo auction in limbo

By Marianna Parraga January 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM

2

By Marianna Parraga

HOUSTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - As U.S. President Donald Trump moves quickly to put together a $100 billion effort to revive Venezuela's oil industry, the administration has yet to finalize the fate of the crown jewel of the country's foreign assets, U.S. refining company Citgo Petroleum , sources close to the matter said.

Houston-based ​Citgo has been tied up in the lengthy auction of its parent, PDV Holding, organized by a Delaware court to pay billions of dollars to creditors for ‌debt defaults and expropriations in Venezuela.

In November, the court approved a $5.9 billion bid and ordered the sale of Citgo parent's shares to Amber Energy, an affiliate of U.S. hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, but its execution still needs ‌regulatory approvals, particularly from the U.S. Treasury Department.

The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has six months until the end of May to either approve or reject the auction's winner, temporarily putting the process on hold.

A strategy for Citgo has become a "sticky" topic, the sources said, in the wake of the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. has since said it would take control of Venezuela's oil resources indefinitely.

After the rapid changes in Venezuela, the many conflicting parties involved in the complex auction are raising their voices and expanding their lobbying to influence Washington's course of action on Citgo, ⁠with some asking for the auction to be executed and others ‌wanting the process frozen.

Boards controlled by Venezuela's political opposition that oversee the refiner have unsuccessfully pushed for meetings with U.S. officials since early January, two of the sources said.

A sign marks a Citgo gas station in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., January 6, 2026. U.S.-based Citgo is the refining subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), Venezuela's state-owned oil and gas company. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (REUTERS / Reuters)

But the message those boards have received from Washington through indirect channels is that the company's fate is not a ‍priority for Trump's administration right now. Some U.S. officials have said that Washington would prefer the refiner to be run by an American company, one of the sources said.

The eight-year-old case, where creditors including expropriated foreign oil and mining companies and defaulted noteholders are collectively claiming some $19 billion, has been fraught, triggering many appeals and injunctions.

How much influence each party will have as Trump advances his agenda and supports Maduro's ​ally Delcy Rodriguez as interim president is yet to be seen. His relationship with the opposition, especially with leader Maria Corina Machado, seems fragile for now, the sources added.

Citgo ‌in 2019 severed ties with its ultimate parent, Venezuela-owned state energy company PDVSA, and has not had access to Venezuelan crude since.

Citgo's board on Thursday approved the company's participation in tenders the U.S. would be putting together to sell Venezuelan oil as part of an initial 50-million-barrel deal to sell Venezuelan oil, sources said. No buyers have yet been approved.

Citgo and Amber declined to comment. The refiner's supervising boards and the U.S. Treasury did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Citgo, a well-known brand in the U.S. with a logo overlooking Kenmore Square in Boston, is the seventh largest refiner in the country.

The company's 829,000 barrel-per-day network, which has refineries in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois, is among the few in the U.S. with large capacity to process ⁠heavy crude grades like Venezuela's.

No official word from OFAC

OFAC was expected to deliver on Thursday an opinion on ​the Citgo auction requested by a U.S. court of appeals that is listening to parties challenging the process, ​including Venezuela and rival bidders led by miner Gold Reserve. But the opinion has not yet arrived.

Venezuela's legal team also on Thursday asked the same court to cancel the sale, saying the process was "legally indefensible and deeply unjust."

The Venezuelan parties, some rival bidders and creditors have also alleged conflicts of ‍interest with court advisors, while Amber and a court ⁠officer overseeing the auction have denied any wrongdoing.

The opposition, board members close to Citgo and top executives are pressing for the judge's sale order to be frozen while U.S. and Venezuelan officials make decisions.

Other participants, especially the selected winner Amber, are pressing for the sale process to continue, the sources added. Many creditors have complained about ⁠the process' length and hefty legal fees.

Both the Venezuelan government and the opposition have pushed for the OPEC country to at least partially retain Citgo, a subject of Venezuelan pride.

Machado, who is expected to meet with Trump next ‌week, wants to use Citgo as a tool for Venezuela's oil industry reconstruction. Her team has proposed that creditors in the court-ordered auction join a wider ‌foreign debt restructuring effort.

(Reporting by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Nathan Crooks, Simon Webb and Anna Driver)

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Published: January 10, 2026 at 04:18AM on Source: RED MAG

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Trump's oil strategy for Venezuela leaves Citgo auction in limbo

Trump 's oil strategy for Venezuela leaves Citgo auction in limbo By Marianna Parraga January 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM ...

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