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The glittering ballroom is back and brighter than ever—Dancing with the Stars Season 34 premiered on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of the beloved celebrity dance competition. With a fresh lineup of stars, returning fan-favorite pros, and a revamped production, this season promises to be one of the most dazzling and competitive yet.

Whether you're tuning in for the footwork, the fashion, or the fierce fight for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, here's everything you need to know about DWTS 2025.

Season 34 Premiere: When and Where to Watch

The new season kicked off with a live two-hour premiere on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with next-day streaming available on Hulu. Fans in the Eastern and Central time zones were able to vote live during the show, while online and text voting options remain open for all U.S. viewers.

Episodes will air weekly on Tuesday nights, with themed performances, eliminations, and surprise guest appearances keeping the energy high throughout the fall.

Meet the Celebrity Cast of DWTS 2025

Season 34 features 14 celebrity contestants, ranging from Olympic athletes and reality TV stars to musicians and influencers. Each is paired with a professional dancer to compete in choreographed routines across ballroom and Latin styles.

Here’s the full cast lineup:

Hosts and Judges: Familiar Faces Return

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts, bringing charm, wit, and dance expertise to the ballroom. The judging panel remains unchanged, featuring:

• Carrie Ann Inaba – Known for her emotional critiques and technical precision

• Bruno Tonioli – The flamboyant showman with a flair for drama

• Derek Hough – Six-time Mirrorball champion turned judge, offering sharp insights and choreography expertise

Together, they score each performance and help determine which couples advance or face elimination.

Premiere Night Highlights

The Season 34 premiere featured an electrifying opening number choreographed by Ray Leeper, set to “Kill the Lights” by Whitney Myer. The new DWTS troupe—Carter Williams, Hailey Bills, Onye Stevenson, and Jaxon Willard—also performed a contemporary piece to Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching.”

Week 1 dances included the Cha-Cha, Salsa, Jive, and Tango, with standout performances from Jordan Chiles and Dylan Efron earning early praise from the judges.

What’s at Stake: The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy

Named in honor of the late Len Goodman, the Mirrorball Trophy remains the ultimate prize. Last year’s winners, Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, set a high bar with their emotional storytelling and technical mastery.

This season, the competition is fierce, with early fan favorites emerging and underdogs surprising the judges. Viewer votes combined with judges’ scores will determine weekly eliminations.

How to Stream DWTS 2025

• ABC: Live broadcast every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT

• Disney+: Live streaming and on-demand access

• Hulu: Episodes available the next day

Subscription options vary:

• Disney+ Basic (with ads): $9.99/month

• Disney+ Premium (ad-free): $15.99/month

• Hulu Basic: $9.99/month

• Hulu + Disney+ Bundle: Starting at $10.99/month

What’s New This Season?

• New Pro Dancers: Jan Ravnik, a former backup dancer for Taylor Swift, joins the pro roster

• Podcast Launch: Season 33 winner Joey Graziadei debuts the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast on September 18

• Expanded Voting: More interactive voting options, including live text and online ballots

With a diverse cast, seasoned judges, and a production team committed to innovation, Dancing with the Stars Season 34 is poised to be a fan-favorite. Whether you're rooting for a gymnast, a pop star, or a nostalgic TV icon, the ballroom is open—and the competition is on.

For full cast bios, weekly scores, and behind-the-scenes content, visit USA Today’s DWTS Season 34 guide or explore Forbes’ premiere night breakdown. Let me know if you’d like weekly recaps or predictions for who might take home the trophy.

 The Federal Reserve’s September 2025 meeting, held over September 16–17, is shaping up to be one of the most consequential policy gatherings of the year. With inflation still above target and the U.S. labor market showing signs of sustained weakness, the central bank is widely expected to announce a quarter-point interest rate cut, marking its first rate adjustment since December 2024.

This decision comes amid mounting political pressure from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell and demanded deeper rate cuts to stimulate the economy. The meeting also faces uncertainty over voting members, with potential changes to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lineup adding complexity to the outcome.

What to Expect from the September Fed Meeting

The September Fed meeting will conclude on Wednesday, September 17, with the release of:

• The interest rate decision

• The Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), also known as the “dot plot”

• A press conference led by Chair Jerome Powell

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are pricing in a 96% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut, bringing the federal funds rate down to a target range of 4.00%–4.25%. There’s a slim chance (under 4%) of a more aggressive 50 basis point cut, though most analysts expect the Fed to proceed cautiously.

Why Is the Fed Cutting Rates?

The decision to lower interest rates is driven by a combination of economic indicators and political dynamics:

1. Labor Market Deterioration

• August jobs report showed only 22,000 new jobs, far below expectations

• Unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest since October 2021

• June revisions revealed a loss of 13,000 jobs, the first negative reading since 2020

These figures suggest a stall in hiring and growing economic uncertainty, prompting the Fed to act in support of its dual mandate: maximum employment and stable prices.

2. Inflation Remains Elevated

• Core inflation rose to 3.1% in August, well above the Fed’s 2% target

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.9% year-over-year, the largest monthly jump since January

While inflation is still a concern, the Fed appears to be prioritizing the weakening labor market over price stability in the short term.

3. Political Pressure

President Trump has publicly insulted Powell and pushed for aggressive rate cuts, calling the Fed chair a “moron” and “numbskull”. He has also attempted to remove Governor Lisa Cook and fast-track the confirmation of Stephen Miran, a White House economic aide, to the Fed board.

These efforts have created uncertainty over who will vote at the meeting, potentially reducing the number of voting members from 12 to 11.

Who’s Voting at the September Meeting?

Typically, the FOMC includes:

• 7 governors from the Federal Reserve Board

• 5 regional bank presidents

However, with Lisa Cook’s status in limbo and Stephen Miran’s confirmation pending, the voting roster may be incomplete. This could lead to a more divided vote, with some members pushing for a larger cut and others resisting any change.

 Economic Projections and Future Rate Cuts

In addition to the rate decision, the Fed will release its quarterly economic projections, offering insight into:

• GDP growth

• Unemployment

• Inflation

• Future interest rate paths

Analysts expect the Fed to signal one or two more rate cuts in 2025, with additional easing likely in 2026 if economic conditions remain soft.

Impact on Consumers and Markets

A rate cut will have ripple effects across the economy:

• Lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards

• Reduced returns on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)

• Potential boost to stock markets and consumer spending

Financial institutions are already adjusting their offerings. High-yield savings accounts and CDs may see declining annual percentage yields (APYs), prompting consumers to lock in current rates before further cuts.

Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Moment for the Fed

The September 2025 Fed meeting is more than a routine policy update—it’s a reflection of the complex balancing act between economic data, political influence, and institutional independence. With the labor market faltering and inflation still elevated, the Fed’s decision will set the tone for monetary policy heading into 2026.

Whether the rate cut is a one-off adjustment or the beginning of a broader easing cycle remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher.

For live updates and expert analysis, follow Kiplinger’s Fed commentary or review the full meeting calendar on the Federal Reserve’s official site. Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of how this decision could affect global markets or your personal finances.

 The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, has so far defied early predictions of high activity. Despite record-warm sea surface temperatures and forecasts from NOAA and AccuWeather warning of an above-average season, the first half has been surprisingly subdued. But meteorologists caution: the quiet may not last.

As we move into the second half of the season, conditions are shifting, and new tropical disturbances—like the developing tropical wave 91L—are showing signs of intensifying. Experts say the real action may just be beginning.

Fewer Storms Than Expected—So Far

By mid-September, the Atlantic basin has produced only six named storms, including one major hurricane—Hurricane Erin, which reached Category 5 strength but remained offshore. This is below the historical average of 14.7 named storms and three major hurricanes per season.

According to NOAA’s updated forecast, the 2025 season is still expected to produce:

• 13–18 named storms

• 5–9 hurricanes

• 2–5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)

The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, which measures the intensity and duration of storms, is currently 30% below average, indicating a slower-than-normal start.

Why Has It Been So Quiet?

Several atmospheric factors have suppressed storm development in recent months:

• Saharan Air Layer (SAL): Massive plumes of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert have blanketed the Atlantic, stabilizing the atmosphere and preventing storm formation1.

• Wind Shear: Strong upper-level winds have disrupted the vertical structure of tropical systems, making it harder for them to organize.

• Dry Air Intrusions: Pockets of dry air across the Main Development Region (MDR) have choked off convection, the engine behind tropical cyclones.

These conditions have caused multiple tropical waves to fizzle out before reaching storm strength, including the previously promising Invest 91L earlier this month.

Signs of Change: Tropical Wave 91L and Late-Season Surge

Despite the slow start, meteorologists are closely watching tropical wave 91L, located about 1,500 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The system has become more organized and is expected to develop into a tropical depression or storm by late this week, possibly threatening Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) gives 91L a 90% chance of development within seven days, marking the first serious threat of the season to the Caribbean.

Historically, 60% of hurricane activity occurs after September 10, the climatological peak of the season. With ocean temperatures still high and wind shear expected to ease, conditions are becoming more favorable for storm formation through October and early November.

Long-Term Forecasts and Climate Trends

Meteorologists are also monitoring broader climate patterns that could influence the remainder of the season:

• Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO): This tropical weather pattern may shift into a phase that promotes storm development later this month.

• La Niña Transition: A possible shift from El Niño to La Niña could reduce wind shear in the Atlantic, creating a more supportive environment for hurricanes.

These factors suggest that while the first half of the season was quiet, the second half could still align with NOAA’s forecast for above-average activity.

Storm Names Remaining for 2025

So far, the 2025 season has produced storms named Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, and Fernand. The next names on the list include:

• Hurricane Gabrielle

• Humberto

• Imelda

• Jerry

• Karen

• Lorenzo

• Melissa

• Nestor

• Olga

• Pablo

• Rebekah

• Sebastien

• Tanya

• Van

• Wendy

If 91L develops, it will likely be named Gabrielle.

 What to Expect in the Weeks Ahead

With more than two months remaining in the season, experts urge coastal communities to stay vigilant. Late-season storms often form quickly and intensify rapidly, especially in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, where water temperatures remain high.

AccuWeather warns that rapid intensification could be a recurring theme this year, similar to past storms like Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Beryl.

 Preparedness Tips for Late Hurricane Season

As activity ramps up, here are key steps to stay safe:

• Monitor forecasts daily from the NHC and local meteorologists

• Update emergency kits with food, water, and medical supplies

• Review evacuation plans and shelter locations

• Secure property and clear debris that could become airborne

Don’t Let the Quiet Fool You

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season may have started slow, but experts agree: the second half could be significantly more active. With tropical wave 91L gaining strength and favorable conditions returning, the coming weeks may bring the kind of storm activity forecasters warned about months ago.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and keep an eye on the tropics—because hurricane season is far from over.

For real-time updates and storm tracking, visit the National Hurricane Center’s official forecast page or read the full seasonal outlook from AccuWeather’s hurricane forecast. Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of storm names, historical comparisons, or emergency planning guides.