LOS ANGELES — Kellie Pickler is making a poignant return to the “American Idol” stage on Monday, May 4, 2026, marking her first major televised appearance in more than three years since the tragic death of her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs. The fan-favorite from Season 5 will join fellow 2006 alumni for a special 20th anniversary reunion episode celebrating the show’s Class of 2006.

The announcement came during the official “American Idol” podcast when host Danielle Fishel revealed that Pickler, along with Taylor Hicks, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin and Bucky Covington, would duet with this season’s Top 5 contestants. Former judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are also expected to appear, adding layers of nostalgia to the milestone night.

For Pickler, 39, stepping back onto the iconic stage represents far more than a performance. It signals a careful re-entry into public life after a period of profound grief and relative seclusion following Jacobs’ death by suicide on Feb. 17, 2023, at age 49.

A Career Launched on Idol

Kellie Pickler first captured America’s heart in 2006 as the bubbly, charismatic 19-year-old from Nashville who finished sixth on Season 5. Her Southern charm, powerful vocals on hits like “Red High Heels” and “I Wonder,” and genuine personality turned her into a country music star and television personality. Post-Idol, she released multiple albums, hosted “Pickler & Ben” on CMT, competed on “Dancing With the Stars” and became a beloved figure in entertainment.

Her connection to “American Idol” runs deep. The show launched her career and introduced her to millions. Returning for the 20th anniversary of her season feels like a full-circle moment, yet one tinged with bittersweet emotion given her personal journey.

Life After Loss

Kyle Jacobs, a successful songwriter whose credits include Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care” and Garth Brooks tracks, was found dead at the couple’s Nashville-area home. His death was ruled a suicide. The couple had been married since 2011 and frequently collaborated creatively.

In the aftermath, Pickler largely stepped away from the spotlight. She has spoken sparingly about her grief but shared in rare interviews and social media posts about the profound impact of losing her partner and best friend. A legal battle with Jacobs’ family over his estate added further complexity to her healing process.

Her only notable public performance since the loss came in April 2024 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium during a Patsy Cline tribute. Pickler admitted to feeling intense nerves that night, dedicating a song she co-wrote with Jacobs and sensing his presence. That appearance offered fans a glimpse of her resilience.

Emotional Weight of the Return

Monday’s “Idol” episode carries significant emotional weight. Dueting with current Top 5 contestants — Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Braden Rumfelt, Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough — places Pickler in a mentoring role, passing the torch while reconnecting with her roots.

Producers have not detailed which songs she will perform, but expectations run high for heartfelt moments. Fans speculate she may choose material tied to her journey or a tribute reflecting themes of love and loss. The presence of Season 5 peers creates a supportive environment for what many view as a courageous step forward.

“American Idol” has long served as a platform for emotional stories, and Pickler’s return fits that tradition. Executive producer and judge Luke Bryan, along with Katy Perry (in her final season) and Lionel Richie, are expected to offer warm welcomes.

Fan Reactions and Anticipation

Social media has buzzed with excitement and support since the announcement. Hashtags like #KelliePicklerReturns and #IdolSeason5Reunion trended, with fans sharing memories of her original run and messages of encouragement. Many expressed pride in her strength and eagerness to see her shine again.

Country music insiders note the appearance could signal new music or projects on the horizon. Pickler has maintained a lower profile but never fully stepped away from creative pursuits. Her resilience has inspired many facing similar losses.

Broader Context for American Idol

This Season 24 episode blends celebration with current competition as the show heads toward its finale. The 20th anniversary nod to Season 5 — one of the most memorable in “Idol” history, featuring Hicks as winner — highlights the show’s enduring legacy.

“American Idol” continues thriving on ABC, blending fresh talent with alumni returns to bridge generations. Pickler’s story adds depth, reminding viewers of the human element behind the performances.

Looking Ahead

Whether Monday marks the start of more frequent appearances or remains a singular, meaningful homecoming remains to be seen. For now, fans and the industry celebrate Pickler’s courage in returning to the stage that changed her life.

As she prepares to perform, Pickler carries the love and memories of her husband alongside the support of millions who have followed her journey. In a night filled with music and nostalgia, her presence will likely resonate as a testament to healing, strength and the enduring power of song.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, promising an unforgettable blend of past and present “Idol” magic centered on one fan-favorite’s brave return.

NEW YORK — As Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) navigates a volatile 2026 market environment, Wall Street analysts overwhelmingly recommend buying the stock, with a consensus “Strong Buy” or “Moderate Buy” rating and average 12-month price targets suggesting substantial upside from current levels near $610. Despite a post-earnings dip following elevated AI capital expenditure guidance, the social media giant’s robust advertising growth, user engagement and artificial intelligence initiatives position it as a compelling long-term investment for many.

Meta shares traded around $608–$612 in early May 2026, down from recent highs but still reflecting strong performance over the longer term. The stock has faced pressure after the company’s first-quarter results, where it raised 2026 capex forecasts to $125–$145 billion, primarily for AI infrastructure. Yet analysts see the heavy investment as a strategic bet on future dominance rather than a red flag.

Q1 2026 Earnings: Beat Overshadowed by Spending

Meta reported strong first-quarter results on April 29, with revenue reaching $56.3 billion, up 33% year-over-year, and diluted EPS at $10.44 (boosted by a one-time tax benefit). Both figures beat expectations. Advertising revenue, the core driver, continued its momentum amid Reels monetization gains and improved ad targeting.

However, the market focused on the increased capital spending outlook, sending shares down as much as 7–10% in after-hours and subsequent trading. Higher costs for AI chips and data centers fueled margin concerns in the near term, though CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized long-term payoffs in efficiency, content creation and new revenue streams.

Analyst Consensus: Strong Buy with $830–$840 Targets

As of early May 2026, 38 to 60 analysts cover Meta, with the vast majority issuing Buy or Strong Buy ratings and zero Sell recommendations in recent tallies. The average 12-month price target sits between $823 and $840, implying roughly 35–38% upside from current prices. High targets reach $1,015, while lows hover around $700.

Firms like Bank of America, Barclays and others have maintained or raised targets post-earnings, citing Meta’s advertising resilience and AI leadership through open-source models like Llama. Valuation remains attractive at a forward P/E around 21x with high margins and return on equity near 30%.

Bull Case: AI Investments Fuel Future Growth

Proponents argue Meta’s spending spree positions it at the forefront of AI-driven social platforms. Advances in recommendation algorithms, ad efficiency and potential new products — including metaverse and hardware initiatives — could drive sustained revenue acceleration. User metrics remain robust across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.

Analysts highlight Meta’s ability to monetize AI tools for creators and advertisers while controlling costs over time. With no major competitive threats eroding its social dominance and global user base exceeding 3 billion monthly actives, the company’s scale provides a durable moat. Long-term forecasts see continued double-digit revenue growth into 2027 and beyond.

Bear Concerns: High Capex and Macro Risks

Skeptics point to near-term margin compression from elevated spending, potential regulatory hurdles in Europe and elsewhere, and broader economic uncertainty affecting ad budgets. The stock’s pullback reflects investor fatigue with heavy AI outlays before clear monetization proof emerges at scale.

Some trimmed targets post-Q1, citing macroeconomic weakness. However, even cautious voices maintain Buy or Hold ratings, viewing any weakness as a buying opportunity rather than a reason to sell.

Investment Considerations for 2026

For growth-oriented investors, Meta offers exposure to digital advertising recovery, AI innovation and potential efficiency gains. Dividend growth and share buybacks provide additional shareholder returns. Risks include execution on AI, geopolitical tensions and valuation multiple contraction if growth slows.

Diversified portfolios may benefit from Meta as a core tech holding, but position sizing should account for volatility. Short-term traders might wait for stabilization after the capex reaction, while long-term holders see current levels as attractive entry points given analyst targets.

Broader Market Context

Meta’s trajectory mirrors other Big Tech names balancing AI ambition with profitability. Strong Q1 ad performance underscores resilience in a competitive landscape, with competitors like TikTok and emerging platforms challenging but not displacing its ecosystem.

As 2026 progresses, upcoming quarterly reports, AI product launches and macroeconomic data will influence sentiment. Analysts will watch user engagement metrics, ad pricing power and progress on cost discipline amid heavy infrastructure builds.

Conclusion: Overwhelmingly a Buy for Most

Wall Street’s near-unanimous bullish stance, coupled with Meta’s proven business model and forward-looking investments, tilts the scales strongly toward Buy for 2026 and beyond. While elevated spending creates short-term noise, the consensus view holds that Meta’s strategic positioning will deliver significant shareholder value over the medium to long term.

Investors should conduct their own due diligence, consider risk tolerance and consult financial advisors, as stock performance involves inherent uncertainties. With no Sell ratings from major analysts and substantial implied upside, Meta remains one of the more favored large-cap tech names heading deeper into 2026.

Several U.S. restaurant chains are reporting weaker than expected sales growth in the latest quarter as high gasoline prices squeeze consumers’ budgets.

Gas prices have surged amid the war in Iran, with average gas prices reaching $4.45 a gallon around the country, an increase of about 41% in the last year, according to AAA data.

Prices have risen even more dramatically in certain states, with gas prices in California topping $6 a gallon, which can weigh heavily on restaurants with a presence in the nation’s most populous state.

An analysis by Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant consulting firm, finds that $4 a gallon is a tipping point as consumers will gradually decrease their restaurant visits until gas prices at the pump hit that threshold, at which point the impact doubles.

DOJ CONFIRMS ANTITRUST PROBE OF MAJOR MEATPACKERS OVER BEEF PRICE INFLATION

Wingstop is one of the restaurants that has reported slowing sales amid the gas price surge.  (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The firm estimated that $4.20 average gas prices mean about 1.5% fewer restaurant visits, and if they rise to $5.10 or more, fast-food restaurants could see a 3% drop in traffic. Further, it estimated that for a drive-through restaurant with 300 daily transactions, a $1 spike loses about six customers per day and amounts to about $22,000 in lost annual sales.

Wingstop, a chicken-wing chain that touts its affordability, said that higher fuel prices contributed to an 8.7% decline in quarterly same-store sales. 

The chain’s CEO, Michael Skipworth, said Wednesday on a call with investors that it was “extremely difficult for anyone to predict this macro environment,” adding that he expects shrinking sales over this year in part because of expectations that gas prices will remain high.

MCDONALD’S IS QUIETLY DITCHING A POPULAR IN-STORE FEATURE NATIONWIDE

Domino’s said that its rivals are aggressively discounting to compete as consumers are strained by energy prices. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner told investors on Tuesday that his chain’s competitors ran promotions “out of our playbook,” which contributed to the weaker than expected same-store sales growth of 0.9% in the latest quarter. Weiner added that while his chain is still better positioned than its rivals to sustain those discounts, the company lowered its sales forecasts for the year.

Some restaurant chains that performed well in the latest quarter are remaining cautious as they look ahead in their outlook. Chipotle had better than expected same-store sales growth of 0.5%, but kept an outlook of flat growth this year, which CFO Adam Rymer attributed in part to gas price uncertainty.

Starbucks reported 7.1% quarterly same-store sales growth in North America on Tuesday and may have benefited from the gloomy consumer outlook, as CEO Brian Niccol told investors the company gained among lower-income consumers who saw the chain as offering “a little bit of indulgence.”

COSTCO CHANGES BELOVED $1.50 HOT DOG DEAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES: REPORTS

Restaurants are also looking to meet consumer demand for affordable meals through value menu offerings. Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum Brands, launched a value menu starting at $3 in January and reported 8% quarterly same-store sales growth at U.S. restaurants.

Mark Wasilefsky, head of restaurant finance at TD Bank, said that the industry is “seeing a record level of value menus right now.”

Investors’ concerns about the restaurant sector’s resiliency during the gas price spike has contributed to a 5% drop in the LSEG U.S. restaurant index since the start of the Iran war, which erased over $40 billion in market value, according to LSEG data.

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The next key indicator of the impact of the Iran war and the gas price shock on the restaurant industry and its consumers will come on May 7 when McDonald’s reports, after the chain had stronger sales growth than expected in the prior quarter amid a value menu push.

Reuters contributed to this report.

So the Iranians send back a ridiculous set of agreement conditions that doesn’t even mention their nuclear threats. Nor does it mention their constant state-sponsored terrorism. And President Trump quickly responded that it was unacceptable.

Time and again the president has said Iran must not have any nuclear capabilities. No nuke building, no enriched uranium, no missiles, no more terrorist proxies, and no more control over the Strait of Hormuz. Those are his red lines. He will stick to them. And as far as Hormuz is concerned, the United States Navy has now begun the process of reopening the Strait. They’ve guided two ships through today and they are likely to ramp up many many more ships to safely pass through the Strait.

In effect, whether the Iranian thugs realize it or not, America has completely taken over the Persian Gulf, which I guess should be the Arabian Gulf, although I may personally be willing to hold out for the Trump Gulf. The Iranians took shots at the United Arab Emirates, which has become a staunch American ally. Leaving OPEC ramping up oil production and transacting through the dollar. 

Our naval blockade continues to work as Iran continues to drop into economic and financial ruin. No oil, no money, no meeting payroll or retirement packages. Even all that money the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stolen and looted from the Iranian people, including running their businesses into the ground, and all that offshore bank accounting has now been frozen or even seized by the United States Treasury.

Meanwhile, without oil exporting, Iran’s storage capabilities are filled up and overflowing, and a shutdown is imminent. Once that happens, the oil fields will be badly damaged for quite some time.

The blockade is going to stay in place. The Navy is going to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and American order will be imposed on the whole region, as more super tankers flow through, that should begin to ease oil prices and perhaps even gasoline prices at the pump. The ceasefire has lasted 3 weeks, though. The Iranians haven’t responded with any serious talks. And my hunch is Mr. Trump is losing patience with them.

At some point Iranian leaders are not going to make it home at night before a resumption of bombing occurs. Analysts say it will only take a couple more weeks to fully complete the mission. There can be no deal without the president’s red lines. And, indeed, I still believe we are headed for unconditional surrender.

I can just see Mr. Trump at a meeting with some Iranian leader if he can find one. Tell that person to take out a blank sheet of paper and write down this and that. That’s called dictation. Unconditional dictation.

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Foreclosures rose to the highest level in six years in the first quarter of this year as homeowners are squeezed by rising costs related to insurance and property tax bills.

The Wall Street Journal reported that data from Attom shows the number of U.S. properties with a foreclosure filing has trended up to nearly 119,000 in the first quarter, an increase of 26% from the same period last year.

That figure is the highest since the first quarter of 2020, when mortgage relief measures implemented to mitigate the economic impact of COVID shutdowns led to a steep decline in foreclosures.

Analysts have noted that the current foreclosure rate represents a return to what were normal levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as opposed to a sign of borrowers becoming increasingly distressed financially.

AVERAGE MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT HITS NEW HIGH, TOPPING $2K FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Homeowners are facing rising costs and foreclosure levels have returned to prepandemic levels. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

However, the Journal’s report said that although many homeowners have low mortgage rates, rising costs for things like home insurance, property taxes and dues for homeowners’ associations are ramping up spending on bills.

A report by Insurify found that the average annual bill for homeowners insurance rose $2,948 in 2025, up 12% from 2024, while Attom data showed that average property tax burdens were up 3% to $4,427.

CALIFORNIA BUILT MORE HOMES THAN PEOPLE OVER SIX YEARS – SO WHY IS HOUSING STILL SO TIGHT?

Homeowners are facing rising bills from property taxes, insurance and neighborhood association dues. (iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Those who purchased homes within the past few years may be in worse shape after purchasing at higher mortgage rates, as some areas have seen declines in home values that could leave some owners underwater.

Homeowners who are facing financial distress and the risk of slipping into delinquency or foreclosure have fewer options for relief than what was available a few years ago before pandemic-era programs were sunset. 

For example, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced in October that homeowners are limited in resorting to measures like loan modification to avoid foreclosure once every 24 months.

PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON AMERICANS CLIMB AS HOME VALUES DIP, NEW DATA SHOWS

Many federal pandemic-era foreclosure relief programs have ended. (Getty Images)

The data comes as data shows the average monthly payment for all outstanding mortgages reached a new high at the end of last year, as it rose to $2,005 in the fourth quarter, according to Realtor.com data.

The uptick covers the full portfolio of mortgages in the U.S., including a large group of borrowers who took out loans before 2022 and have mortgage rates of 4% or lower – whereas new buyers face significantly higher payments given the elevated mortgage rates.

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The average monthly payment for new homebuyers passed the $2,000 threshold for the first time in September 2022.