Warren

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Bell 58, Bernstein 6

Cleveland 26, San Fernando 0

Eagle Rock 35, Sylmar 8

Fremont 20, Santee 13

Jefferson 24, Bell 12

Jefferson 32, Bernstein 7

LA Marshall 27, Verdugo Hills 13

LA Wilson 18, Hawkins 0

LA Wilson 42, Manual Arts 0

Narbonne 61, Fremont 6

Narbonne 50, Santee 0

North Hollywood 13, LA Hamilton 0

Panorama 64, Monroe 0

Roosevelt 25, Crenshaw 8

Roosevelt 21, Sotomayor 0

San Fernando 25, Arleta 0

San Pedro 25, Marshall 6

San Pedro 26, Verdugo Hills 7

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alemany 20, La Palma Kennedy 18

Aliso Niguel 33, Sunny Hills 7

Anaheim Canyon 57, La Mirada 0

Azusa 20, Pomona 0

Banning 31, Indian Springs 6

Beaumont 45, Redlands 6

Beckman 44, Sunny Hills 13

Bishop Amat 12, La Serna 6

Bonita 26, Northview 2

Bolsa Grande 40, Saddleback 18

Burbank Burroughs 19, Ramona Convent 0

California 56, Baldwin Park 7

Cajon 20, Burbank Burroughs 6

Camarillo 53, Thousand Oaks 6

Castaic 12, Saugus 6

Chaffey 33, Colony 6

Compton 18, Compton Early College 0

Corona Santiago 20, Great Oak 0

Costa Mesa 37, Los Amigos 0

Crean Lutheran 38, Paramount 12

Cypress 27, Lakewood 6

Desert Hot Springs 34, Rancho Mirage 6

Downey 34, La Serna 0

Duarte 10, Workman 6

Eastvale Roosevelt 24, Rancho Cucamonga 18

Edison 52, Anaheim 2

El Monte 24, Arroyo 0

Elsinore 33, West Valley 7

El Toro 33, Corona Centennial 6

Etiwanda 21, Corona Santiago 6

Fullerton 14, Placentia Valencia 8

Garden Grove 25, Westminster La Quinta 0

Glendora 7, Hacienda Heights Wilson 0

Hart 18, Saugus 0

Highland 34, Knight 6

Immaculate Heart 7, Village Christian 0

JSerra 26, Warren 12

Jurupa Hills 39, Fontana 6

Kaiser 32, Colton 0

Laguna Hills 25, Westminster 19

La Habra 26, El Dorado 6

Lancaster 20, Eastside 6

La Palma Kennedy 28, Tustin 6

Linfield Christian 52, Claremont 13

Long Beach Poly 28, Long Beach Jordan 0

Long Beach Wilson 25, Long Beach Cabrillo 8

Montclair 12, Rowland 6

Montebello 12, South El Monte 0

Newbury Park 32, Simi Valley 7

Newport Harbor 19, Huntington Beach 13

Norco 14, Murrieta Valley 7

Norwalk 18, Sacred Heart of Jesus 0

Ontario Christian 25, Anaheim 19

Orange 32, Garden Grove Santiago 6

Orange Lutheran 40, Fullerton 0

Palos Verdes 40, Bishop Montgomery 0

Placentia Valencia 25, Segerstrom 13

Portola 27, Rosary Academy 12

Quartz Hill 19, Palmdale 0

Rancho Alamitos 21, Ocean View 6

Redlands East Valley 52, Citrus Valley 6

Riverside Poly 28, Arlington 0

Rosemead 6, Gabrielino 0

San Gorgonio 61, Rim of the World 0

San Jacinto Valley Academy 18, Nuview Bridge 0

San Juan Hills 7, El Modena 0

San Marcos 47, Buena 0

San Marino 52, Alhambra 12

Santa Ana Foothill 32, Godinez 6

Santa Fe 13, Bell Gardens 6

Sonora 12, Garden Grove 6

South Hills 13, Los Osos 6

St. Bernard 12, Culver City 0

St. Lucy’s 55, Edgewood 0

St. Paul 26, Buena Park 20

Summit 25, Rialto 0

Tahquitz 19, San Jacinto 0

Temecula Prep 35, California Military Institute 6

Tesoro 46, Corona 14

Upland 19, Bishop Amat 14

Vasquez 18, Castaic 12

Villa Park 46, Katella 0

Vista del Lago 36, Lakeside 0

Warren 20, Schurr 7

Western Christian 25, Upland 20

West Ranch 21, Hart 6

Woodbridge 44, Laguna Beach 8

INTERSECTIONAL

Bishop Alemany 20, Granada Hills Kennedy 18

Eagle Rock 53, Keppel 0

Sylmar 32, Keppel 0

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Eagle Rock 28, Bell 0

Elizabeth 19, WISH Academy 14

Sherman Oaks CES 40, AMIT 0

Sun Valley Magnet 60, Valor Academy 0

SOUTHERN SECTION

Anaheim Canyon 28, Aliso Niguel 13

Antelope Valley 19, Quartz Hill 6

Brentwood 38, Shalhevet 0

Chino 12, Vista del Lago 0

Culver City 20, Beverly Hills 13

Dos Pueblos 15, San Marcos 14

Foothill 21, Rosary Academy 6

Godinez 19, Westminster La Quinta 0

Hacienda Heights Wilson 26, La Canada 12

Highland 20, Lancaster 18

Inglewood 9, Leuzinger 6

Knight 47, Littlerock 0

Lakewood St. Joseph 32, Corona del Mar 6

Lawndale 50, Hawthorne 12

Long Beach Wilson 14, Santa Ana 13

Newbury Park 40, Oaks Christian 0

Orange Lutheran 53, Northwood 0

Oxnard 32, Oxnard Pacifica 6

Palmdale 6, Eastside 0

Santa Paula 39, Del Sol 0

Saugus 31, Fillmore 6

Torrance 27, South Torrance 0

Ventura 41, Buena 0

West Ranch 27, Canyon Country Canyon 6

INTERSECTIONAL

Ayala 20, Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Northridge 6

Ayala 18, Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Northridge 0

Merced 24, Bellflower 12

Wilmington Banning 32, Gahr 19

This fourth “The Conjuring” movie claims to be “Last Rites” and let’s hope that’s a promise.

While it’s highly likely the wildly successful Conjuring Cinematic Universe will itself continue — whether via scary nun, creepy doll or some other cursed object — the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren has been thoroughly wrung dry at this point and there’s no juice left to squeeze, as demonstrated in the dirge that is this final movie.

Credit where it’s due: The horror franchise has turned in some spectacularly scary and entertaining entries, anchored by performances from Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the married paranormal investigators the Warrens, based on an infamous real-life couple. Thanks to their presence, these films have been the best of the Conjuring series, exploring themes of faith and seeing as believing when it comes to both God and the Devil. These films have also offered portrayals of the Warrens that skirt any of their personal controversies, presenting them as blissfully married, heroic figures. Onscreen text might indicate that they were polarizing figures, but the films itself never engage with the scandals.

The first two films, directed by James Wan, ingeniously engaged with many variations on the idea of vision: physical, psychic and through a camera’s lens. Bravura cinematography aligned the audience point of view with Lorraine’s terrifying otherworldly dreams of hauntings, possessions and demonic presence. Michael Chaves, who directed the spinoff “The Nun II” and “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” has mostly upheld these requirements, though his approach is more bombastic than Wan’s elegant style.

Chaves is once again behind the camera for “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” with a script by Ian B. Goldberg, Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick that promises to deliver a final Warren case that devastated the family and ended their careers on a dark note. Instead, “Last Rites,” is merely a sluggishly routine send-off for the Warren family.

If you’ve seen a “Conjuring” movie, you’ll know what to expect and “Last Rites” doesn’t break with formula. While the film starts in 1964 with the harrowing birth of the Warren’s beloved daughter Judy, the plot largely takes place in 1986, an annus horribilis for the misbegotten Smurl family from West Pittstown, Penn., haunted by an antique mirror adorned with three carved baby heads, picked up from a swap meet. After a series of unfortunate eventsand increasingly violent visitations, a media frenzy surrounds them and the Warrens turn up to rid the house of creepy crawlies.

This time there’s the added complication of wedding planning: Judy (Mia Tomlinson) is about to get married, but she just can’t shake those pesky psychic flashes she inherited from her mother. Judy is the one who ventures to the Smurl household first. Then her parents, who had been hoping to hang up their ghost-hunting spurs, reluctantly join her for one last ride. Ax-swinging ghouls, terrifying baby dolls and demonic possessions ensue.

In “Last Rites,” the thematic metaphor for seeing is the mirror itself, suggesting that we need to look at the darkest, most terrifying parts of ourselves and not shut them out. Lorraine has tried to protect her girl from the life she has led, facing down the most terrifying demons, ghosts and spooks, but she can’t stop Judy’s destiny and the only way out is to not look away.

“Last Rites” extends the concept of a new generation by incorporating Judy’s fiancé, Tony (Ben Hardy), as a fresh member of the family business. His function in the story is a bit awkward and random, but required for the Warren plotline to end on a high note (that opening bit about the family devastation never seems to come to pass).

The heart of these movies has always been Wilson and Farmiga, and without them, the “Conjuring” movies wouldn’t be worth it. With this fourth movie, the Warren lore has been so thoroughly picked over, the tropes and rhythms now so ingrained, the jump scares end up feeling routine at best. Enduring the dour drudgery of “Last Rites,” it’s never been clearer that it’s time to give up the ghost.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival series is fast approaching and it’s time to revisit some of the show’s most memorable villains.

*Warning – this article contains major spoilers for all 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.*

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is chock-full of unforgettable baddies, but while some subtly slay, others just… suck?

With the reboot series led by Buffy icon Sarah Michelle Gellar on the cards, it’s only right to take a nostalgic look back at the good, the bad and the chaos-demon-ugly from all seven seasons of the cult classic, which is currently available to stream on ITVX.

The TV sensation created by Joss Whedon, which originally aired between 1997 and 2003, still boasts a loyal fanbase eagerly awaiting the return of the legendary character, reports Surrey Live.

In the meantime, from the ‘big bads’ of each season to the wicked ones lurking in the shadows, we’ve picked out 12 characters who might give you the heebie-jeebies – and one of them may catch you off guard.

12. Adam

Adam commits plenty of gruesome acts during his short time in season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but his biggest sin is being entirely forgettable.

While we spend the season getting to know Riley, Professor Walsh and other members of the Initiative, we learn almost nothing interesting about this Frankenstein-like creation except that he wants to kill everything in sight.

11. The Master

The Master is the first major villain Buffy ever has to face but, while her season-long struggle to defeat him feels epic the first time you see it, he seems pretty bland on a re-watch.

In the end, the prosthetic effects and his somewhat corny dialogue makes him appear less threatening and, like Adam, we don’t learn much about him except that he wants evil to triumph.

10. The First

The First Evil is billed as the final, ultimate villain Buffy must defeat before the entire town of Sunnydale is swallowed into the hell mouth forever.

The First’s introduction to season 7 is chilling, as it uses imitation to trick Buffy and her friends to exploit their grief and insecurities.

However, as the season goes on its lack of physical presence becomes increasingly unexciting, and we spend far too much screen time with the minions doing its bidding.

9. Buffy’s Dad

While Buffy’s Dad isn’t strictly evil, he is a strong candidate for this list. At first, Hank Summers makes some effort with Buffy and we even see she has stayed with him over the summer between seasons 1 and 2.

However, by the time Joyce dies, it is apparent he barely speaks to his daughters, not even bothering to show up to the funeral despite Buffy ‘leaving messages all over the place’.

During that time, we learn he was in Spain with his secretary – and he doesn’t even notice when Buffy (temporarily) dies.

8. Caleb

Sadistic defrocked priest Caleb has a pathological hatred of women, which makes him one of the most sinister and unlikeable villains on this list.

We know he killed several girls while still in human form, before The First Evil granted him superhuman strength and other abilities in order to do its bidding.

He also nearly overpowers and kills Buffy before the show’s finale, making him one of her most formidable nemesies.

7. Dark Willow

One of the most tragic and painful storylines across Buffy’s run was Willow’s magic addiction battle in season 6, which mirrored many people’s real-life struggles with addiction.

When Warren kills Willow’s girlfriend Tara, this escalates and she goes on a murderous rampage, at first seeking revenge but ultimately attempting to destroy the world as dark magic consumes her.

This is one of the bleakest chapters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it cannot be denied that Willow makes a powerful and complex villain.

6. Warren

Remember the earlier reference to villains who ‘just suck’? That’s Warren. This misogynistic sociopath is so hateable precisely because he’s still very clearly, pathetically human.

We are first introduced to him when he builds himself the ‘perfect’ robot girlfriend only to then discard her for another woman without bothering to tell her.

He then forms ‘The Trio’ alongside Andrew and Jonathan and, while at first they are painted as fairly harmless, things quickly get disturbing.

When Warren convinces The Trio to help him imprison his former girlfriend as a mindless sex slave, he ends up killing her as she tries to escape.

Later, he tries to shoot Buffy, instead killing Tara in the process before being gruesomely murdered by Willow.

5. Faith

Sometimes a hero and sometimes a villain, Faith doesn’t have an easy ride on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – and she often has herself to blame.

Eventually, Faith finds her redemption and is able to aid Buffy in her final fight against The First.

However, some of the best scenes in the show are when Buffy and Faith throw punches, with their perfectly-matched slayer strength culminating in some pretty epic fight scenes.

4. Mayor Richard Wilkins

Formerly human but now an immortal demon, Mayor Richard Wilkins is one of Buffy’s most memorable villains thanks to his unsettlingly cheery demeanor and wise words of advice.

While ultimately, his primary ambition is to transform into a giant snake and wreak havoc on Sunnydale, he also cares about good manners, cleanliness and forms a meaningful father-daughter bond with Faith.

3. Spike and Drusilla

First introduced in season 2, vampires Spike and Drusilla totally transformed Buffy the Vampire Slayer when they appeared.

Both interesting characters in their own right, they felt decidedly more human than the villains that came before and also introduced plenty of humour and levity to proceedings.

Spike quickly became a fan favourite, being brought back again in season 3 before returning as a main cast member in season 4.

2. Glory

While Buffy is generally in the business of slaying demons, the stakes were raised in season 5 when she came face to face with a literal god.

Glory was a fantastic villain for the show because, while she was capable of witty one-liners, she also had some pretty terrifying powers.

Arguably, the show’s sense of jeopardy never felt stronger than it did in season 5, and Glory’s human weakness (Ben – Ben? I’m sure he was connected to her somehow? Were they roommates?) and backstory made the villain all the more compelling.

1. Angelus

Widely considered to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s ultimate villain, Angelus is one of the most evil characters in the Buffyverse.

However, it is really Buffy’s emotional connection to him that makes the drama all the more intense, as she has already fallen in love with Angel, the version of him with a soul.

After her former lover starts killing her friends and attempting to bring about the apocalypse, Buffy is tragically forced to kill him in order to save the world just moments after his soul is restored.

Rewatch all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on ITVX.

Warren Buffett turned Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.66%) (BRK.B 0.63%) into a trillion-dollar company primarily by investing in stocks. “That preference won’t change,” Buffett wrote in his most recent letter to shareholders.

But Buffett has been challenged by the current market to find great value in equities. He’s sold more stocks from Berkshire’s publicly traded portfolio than he bought every quarter for nearly three straight years. As valuations continue to climb higher, there’s more reason to sell Berkshire’s biggest holdings, and fewer reasons to buy new positions with the proceeds and the company’s operating cash flow. As a result, Buffett’s seen his company’s cash position balloon to $344 billion as of the end of June.

Despite the difficult market, Buffett did find a few opportunities last quarter. Berkshire bought $3.9 billion worth of equities, including 10 publicly traded stocks disclosed in its quarterly 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Here are all 10 of Buffett’s recent buys, including the one that looks like the best opportunity for investors right now.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Buffett’s buy list

Berkshire Hathaway filed form 13F with the SEC on Aug. 14, revealing all of the moves Buffett and his fellow portfolio managers made during the second quarter. The filing also included an amendment to the company’s first-quarter 13F, which detailed previously undisclosed purchases.

All told, Berkshire established or added to 10 of its positions last quarter:

• UnitedHealth (UNH 2.48%)
• Nucor (NUE -0.71%)
• Lennar (LEN 0.01%) (LEN.B)
• Constellation Brands (STZ 1.79%)
• Pool Corp
• Lamar Advertising
• Allegion
• Heico
• Chevron
• Dominos Pizza

The amended filing also disclosed that Berkshire established a new position in homebuilder D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI) in the first quarter, but trimmed back shares slightly in the second quarter.

There are a lot of great investment candidates among the new purchases in Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio.

The new position in UnitedHealth comes at a time when the stock has been beaten down by a series of poor financial results and declining consumer sentiment. It’s facing an investigation into potential Medicare Advantage fraud, which could result in billions in revenue clawbacks and penalties. At the same time, medical costs and utilization have increased, weighing on its profitability. The stock looks like a classic “be greedy when others are fearful” purchase from Buffett.

Nucor is another interesting investment, as many see it as a stealth artificial intelligence stock. As a leading U.S. steel supplier, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on new data center construction across the country. And with President Donald Trump imposing a 50% tariff on steel imports, it could benefit Nucor’s pricing. Costs have weighed on Nucor recently, but less competition from foreign suppliers could open the door for bigger profits going forward, especially as demand increases with data center buildouts.

Homebuilders Lennar and D.R. Horton have been pressured by the current market. High home prices combined with high interest rates have led to a drop in buying activity, forcing them to offer incentives to buyers like buying down their mortgage rates. That’s weighed on both revenue and profit margins, which in turn has weighed on their stock prices. But the housing shortage isn’t going away, and that could make right now an opportunity to buy one of the homebuilders.

But another stock on Buffett’s buy list looks like an even better value than the rest, and it’s no wonder he’s been buying shares for three straight quarters.

The best of the bunch

Warren Buffett loves a company with a wide moat. And one of the companies with extremely strong competitive advantages on Buffett’s buy list is Constellation Brands.

The company owns the exclusive distribution rights to many of the most popular Mexican beer brands, including Modelo and Corona. It’s worked to expand its portfolio and build strong distribution relations that have led it to gain market share over the last decade. It’s now the second biggest beer vendor in the United States, dominating the premium import category.

Despite headwinds for the beer industry, Constellation continued to gain market share last quarter. Management said the beer business captured 0.6 points of dollar sales share. That growth was supported by expanding distribution and continuing to spend on strategic marketing to expand its customer base to more non-Hispanic drinkers. That positions it well to capitalize when consumer spending turns around.

Constellation’s wine and spirits business has been a drag on its results, though. To that end, management divested its low-end brands in the segment in June, and it now operates a leaner portfolio of premium brands. Still, management expects the segment to weigh on profits for some time as it resizes the operations.

Importantly, Constellation generates significant free cash flow, with expectations for $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion this year. It should be able to consistently generate that level of cash flow every year with steady sales growth and minimal capital expenditure needs. That supports its share repurchase program and quarterly dividend. Management bought back $306 million worth of shares last quarter while returning an additional $182 million through its dividend.

The stock price has dropped since Buffett’s initial purchase at the end of last year. With the pressure on the beer industry, the stock price has remained low, and shares now trade for less than 13 times forward earnings estimates. Despite the slow growth of the business, it’s well-positioned to continue making steady gains and outperforming its peers. Combined with share repurchases, it should be able to generate respectable earnings-per-share growth. That makes its current valuation very attractive, especially for investors who like to follow Buffett’s value investing style.

It’s no secret that The Motley Fool admires, respects, esteems, and appreciates Warren Buffett and what he’s done for investors. Buffett started investing before he was a teenager and is now worth an estimated $150 billion. He’s generous with his investing advice — and his fortune — and it’s easy to see why Fools love him.

Buffett turns 95 today! That’s a birthday worth celebrating, and below we’ve done just that with Motley Fool contributing analysts and other employees chiming in. Happy Birthday, Mr. Buffett, and Fool on!

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Royston Yang: Buffett was an inspiration in changing how I thought about investing and its process. Previously I was running around the stock market like a headless chicken, not knowing why I was buying a certain stock. He taught me to view stocks as being part of a business and that its share price will increase in line with improvements in the business. It was like a light bulb turned on for me and I embraced value investing there and then, and I have not looked back. Happy Birthday to the Oracle of Omaha and thank you for being such an inspiration and for helping me to achieve success in my personal investments.

Adam Spatacco: One of my college professors quoted Buffett in class with the whole “be greedy when others are fearful, and fearful when others are greedy” mantra. That always stuck with me, totally changed how I viewed approaching stocks — especially when there’s a lot of hype behind certain names or themes. It’s definitely a tool I’ve used over the years when building high-conviction positions or trimming exposure to certain stocks, regardless of what everyone else is doing/whatever the consensus idea is.

Scott Levine: In a society that often celebrates excess, Warren Buffett’s lifestyle is a valuable lesson in the wisdom of living within our means. One of the most successful investors who has amassed a considerable fortune, Buffett lives in the same modest house that he’s occupied for decades and drives an unassuming car. Complement this with his dedication to philanthropy and it’s clear that Warren Buffett is someone people should admire for more than his investing prowess.

Stefon Walters: In the beginning of my investing journey, I looked for any “secrets” that could make me a good investor. Warren Buffett showed me that there’s no secret sauce to being a good investor, it takes patience and understanding the true power of compound interest. His timeless advice continues to guide my investing approach to the day.

Dan Caplinger: Berkshire Hathaway was one of the first stocks I bought in my portfolio, and it is now by far my largest position. It’s the only company whose annual shareholder meeting I have attended in person. It’s by far the company most aligned with my values as an investor. In an age when companies increasingly act against the best interests of ordinary shareholders, Warren Buffett has built a shining counterexample in Berkshire. That will be his biggest legacy long after he shuffles off this mortal coil.

Will Healy: Aside from Warren Buffett’s investing knowledge, his focus on integrity really stuck with me, particularly when I heard him speak about that at a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. His lesson that reputations take 20 years to build and five minutes to ruin should be something we all keep in mind in investing and in life. Happy Birthday, Warren, and thank you for all you have done!

Anders Bylund: From his timeless investment principles to his incredible philanthropic commitments, Warren Buffett keeps proving that true wealth isn’t just about money — it’s about the positive impact you leave on the world. Much like his friend, the late John Bogle, Buffett’s greatest legacy might just be the way he empowered several generations of everyday investors. It’s a story of wisdom shared with integrity and patience. Time in the market is the surest road to success, and I learned that from Buffett. You can reach the very top of the financial world while always keeping the interests of the average person front and center. What an amazing concept!

Keith Speights: I remember reading Warren Buffett’s op-ed in The New York Times titled “Buy American. I Am.” during the market meltdown in 2008. Buffett’s take was spot-on, and it didn’t take long for him to be proven right. Buffett has been right about a lot of things during his legendary career and has inspired millions of investors — including me. Happy 95th birthday, Mr. Buffett! I hope you celebrate many more.

Kris Eddy: While Buffett is a super-talented stock picker, he also backs owning a low-cost fund tracking the S&P 500 as the best path for many investors. If I ever start to feel bad about not wading into the deep end of picking stocks, I pull myself back to optimism by remembering I am still on a Buffett-approved path of wealth-building action.

Adria Cimino: Warren Buffett not only is a great investor, but he’s also a great writer. His wonderful stories and quotes stick in my mind and guide me as I invest –and as I write about investing! I especially like his comparison of investors paying excessively high valuations to “Cinderella at the ball.”

Joel O’Leary: Buffett helped shape the way I donate my time, money and resources to help others in need. He’s a true leader in generosity, and modeling his attitude has made me richer not just financially, but more importantly, in life. Happy Birthday Mr. Buffett!

Patrick Sanders: Warren Buffett is my investing inspiration. I started off chasing hot, flashy stocks, moving in and out of positions and trying to time the market like a crazy person. Obviously it didn’t work! But then I started learning about Buffett and Berkshire and it resonated. I started looking for value in well-run companies and I gained a lot of appreciation for index funds. Now I’m a much better investor, in large part due to his example. Happy birthday, Mr. Buffett, and thank you!

Image source: Getty Images.

Christine Ferrara Dellamonaca: I love the way Warren Buffett makes investing seem like something that’s for everyone. And his longevity with Berkshire Hathaway and in the investing world at large is just an inspiration. Happy birthday, Mr. Buffett!

Reuben Gregg Brewer: I hate putting any investor on a pedestal, including the Oracle of Omaha. His biggest addition to the world of Wall Street, in my opinion, is probably his assertion that you don’t need anything more than average intelligence to be a good investor. It’s your temperament that will be the bigger determinant of your success. In other words, thank you Mr. Buffett for letting me and the world know that investing isn’t some esoteric science.

Lou Whiteman: Warren Buffett is best known as an investor, and rightfully so. His leadership by example over the past half-century has made myself and countless others wealthier and wiser both by owning Berkshire stock and applying his teachings to our own portfolio. But I am as grateful for Warren Buffett the patriot, a leader who has not been afraid to step into the chaos when needed to support markets and key financial institutions as well as his long-running support of public health. Buffett’s legacy will endure long after the stocks he picked are gone from the Berkshire portfolio thanks to the generations he educated and the lasting reach of the Buffett Foundation. Happy birthday, Mr. Buffett! Here’s to many many more.

Adam Levy: What sets Warren Buffett apart isn’t just how often he’s been right, but how often he’s been wrong and happily told anyone willing to listen. He shares his mistakes in his own folksy manner, often injecting humor into the story. Then he sums up the lessons in a single sentence or two that’s practically impossible to forget. To be as successful as Buffett you need to be willing to make mistakes, but, more importantly, you need to recognize when you’ve made a mistake and why. It doesn’t hurt to start investing at 11 and live until 95 (and beyond) either.

Cory Renauer: In a world obsessed with quick gains, Warren Buffett displays an unwavering commitment to creating value for his shareholders by ignoring market noise and identifying terrific businesses. He could easily get away with claiming his success is due to a superior mind. Instead, he reminds us at every turn that patience and common sense are the only tools we need to generate unlimited wealth with stocks.

Brett Schafer: Warren Buffett will be a timeless member of the investing world not just because of his incredible track record, but due to his humble teaching methods. Simplifying investing and focusing on buying and holding good businesses for the long-term has brought immeasurable value to myself and millions of investors around the world. We can aim to live up to this Buffett mentality and pass on our knowledge to investors of the next generation. Happy birthday to Mr. Buffett!

Selena Maranjian: Warren Buffett has long been one of my heroes, and the more I’ve learned about him, the more I admire him. Having attended many of his annual meetings, I’ve always been impressed with the great respect with which he treats his shareholders — such as by answering dozens of questions for hours. It’s also evident in the care he takes each year to write a very lengthy letter to shareholders that explains all kinds of things — in very down-to-earth language. I recommend Roger Lowenstein’s Buffett, the Making of an American Capitalist to anyone who wants to learn more about Buffett. Long live Warren Buffett — here’s hoping he gets another 95 years!

John Bromels: What I love most about Buffett’s wisdom is its simplicity: Don’t buy an investment you don’t understand. Don’t let emotions rule your decision-making. Buy “wonderful companies at fair prices” rather than “fair companies at wonderful prices.” Very simple advice, but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean that it’s easy! Which is why, more and more each day, I appreciate his willingness to admit his mistakes and encourage others to learn from them. Happy 95th to a true living legend!

Bram Berkowitz: What makes Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway so interesting, in my opinion, is the stocks they buy. Often, they purchase stocks unloved by Wall Street that are truly beaten down. It helps investors like me truly understand what differentiates a value play from a value trap. Additionally, I am impressed by how Buffett is never afraid to buy a stock in a new burgeoning sector, regardless of how old he gets.

Neha Chamaria: Unknown to Warren Buffett, over 8,000 miles away from Omaha, a young girl learned some of her most valuable lessons in investing from the Oracle of Omaha. That girl is me. To pick businesses and not stocks, and invest in only what you understand, are two Buffett principles that have hugely resonated with me and influence every stock I put my money into. Beyond his investing wisdom, Buffett’s simplicity, humility, and modesty of thoughts and lifestyle have truly stayed with me as I believe a true legend’s legacy is shaped as much by modesty as by mastery. Thank you, and happy birthday, Mr. Buffett!

Beth McKenna: I remember hearing or reading about Warren Buffett saying he was a voracious reader. He attributed this attribute as one main element of his investing success. Such great advice — and anyone can increase their reading. Beyond contributing to investing success, being well-read can also enrich one’s life in general. Happy birthday, Mr. Buffett!

Lee Samaha: Warren Buffett doesn’t do position sizing; he doesn’t construct portfolios based on market weighting. He doesn’t employ complex hedging strategies, doesn’t place much value in the capital asset pricing model, and doesn’t invest in the market’s latest hot stock. In fact, he almost lives in a parallel universe to professional money managers, only that in his universe, he consistently outperforms all of them. He truly is the inspiration and a source of confidence for ordinary investors forging their own financial future, and for that, we should all be grateful. 

Warren Buffett has led Berkshire Hathaway for six decades. During that time, the one-time textile manufacturer that became a huge conglomerate never paid a dividend. Not even a penny.

However, Buffett loves dividend stocks. He bought 12 stocks in the second quarter of 2025. All of them pay dividends. Which is the best of the bunch for income investors?

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Buffett’s dozen dividend stocks

The following table lists Buffett’s dozen dividend stocks purchased in Q2 (listed alphabetically):

Data sources: Berkshire Hathaway 13F filings, Google Finance.

Half of these stocks were new additions to Berkshire’s portfolio. Buffett bought more than 5 million shares of UnitedHealth Group in Q2, the biggest purchase of the group. The legendary investor probably viewed the health insurance stock as a rare bargain in today’s market after UnitedHealth’s share price plunged roughly 50%.

You might have noticed two similarly named stocks on the list. Homebuilder Lennar has two share classes. Buffett initiated a new position in Lennar Class A and added to the existing stake in Lennar Class B. Other new stocks bought in Q2 were security-products maker Allegion, homebuilder D.R. Horton, outdoor advertising company Lamar Advertising, and steelmaker Nucor.

Buffett also added more shares of several existing holdings. He has owned a sizable position in Chevron since 2020. The “Oracle of Omaha” (or one of Berkshire’s two other investment managers) has built stakes in Constellation Brands, Domino’s Pizza, Heico, Pool, and Pool Corp. more recently.

How these stocks compare

Most income investors would probably rank dividend yield near the top of the list of factors they consider when selecting stocks to buy. We can eliminate a few of Buffett’s Q2 purchases from contention because of low dividend yields: Allegion, D.R. Horton, and Heico. Lamar Advertising offers the juiciest yield, followed by Chevron.

However, yield isn’t everything. Income investors also want sustainable dividends. One of the most popular ways to determine the sustainability of a dividend is the payout ratio. Lamar Advertising’s payout ratio of 137.5% raises questions about how long the company will be able to fund the dividend at current levels. Constellation Brands’ payout ratio of 104.5% is also somewhat concerning. All of the other dividend stocks bought by Buffett in Q2, though, have payout ratios below 100%.

Many income investors like stocks with long track records of dividend increases. Although there aren’t any Dividend Kings on Buffett’s Q2 list, there is one Dividend Champion (stocks with 25 or more years of dividend hikes). Chevron has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years.

Valuation is a factor for some income investors. They don’t want to buy a stock that’s so overpriced it could fall and offset any dividends received. Heico’s forward price-to-earnings ratio of 59.5 could cause some income investors to cross it off the list. So could Pool Corp. and Lamar’s forward earnings multiples of 29.9 and 29.5, respectively.

The best of the bunch for income investors

I think two stocks stand out as especially good picks for income investors right now among the 12 stocks bought by Buffett in Q2.

The runner-up is UnitedHealth Group. The health insurer’s dividend yield is attractive. Its payout ratio is a low 36.8%. UnitedHealth should be able to return to growth next year as it implements premium increases.

But Chevron is the best of the bunch, in my opinion. The oil and gas giant offers a juicy dividend yield. It has an impressive track record of dividend increases. The stock isn’t cheap, but neither is it absurdly expensive, with shares trading at 20 times forward earnings. Income investors should be able to count on steady and growing dividends from Chevron for a long time to come.

Warren Buffett’s incredible track record makes him one of the best investors ever. There’s no denying that. His successful ability at allocating capital has made Berkshire Hathaway a trillion-dollar business. It makes sense that the average investor might keep a close eye on what’s in its portfolio in order to find potential ideas.

As of Aug. 21, the conglomerate owned more than 605 million shares in a leading bank, a holding valued at $29 billion, making it Berkshire’s third largest position. While this financial stock has produced a total return of more than 118% in the past five years, Berkshire has been a notable seller in the past year or so.

So should you still buy shares right now?

Image source: Getty Images.

Operating from a position of strength

The business in Berkshire’s portfolio that investors might consider is Bank of America (BAC -0.10%). With $3.4 trillion in total assets, it’s the second-biggest bank in the U.S. based on this metric. Based on the company’s second-quarter financial performance, investors have reasons to be confident.

During the quarter, net revenue increased by 4% year over year. There was 7% loan growth. Net interest income was up for the fourth straight quarter. In a sign of credit quality, the net charge-off rate improved compared to Q2 2024. And the bank remains a leader in deposit gathering, with top retail market share.

Bank of America is a dominant financial services entity. Besides the factors already mentioned, one obvious reason why is because of how diversified its operations are. It has its hands in consumer and small business banking, corporate and investment banking, capital markets, and wealth management. If any segment comes under weakness, it can be offset by better results elsewhere.

Investors should follow in Buffett’s footsteps in the sense that they should try and identify businesses that have an economic moat, or durable competitive advantages that help them outperform rivals and new entrants. Bank of America fits the bill. Its massive scale gives it a cost advantage. And as is the case with banks, there are switching costs for customers.

Tremendous capital returns

During the second quarter, Bank of America generated $7.1 billion in net income. The business is consistently profitable. This setup allows management to return lots of capital to shareholders.

Bank of America bought back $5.3 billion worth of its own stock in Q2. And it paid out $2 billion in dividends. The current dividend yield of 2.29%, which is significantly higher than the S&P 500‘s 1.25%, provides a nice income stream.

Investors can expect the capital returns to continue. Bank of America just approved authorization for $40 billion in share repurchases. And in the past decade, the dividend has climbed 460%.

Taking a cautionary view

Valuation can have a notable impact on the returns investors achieve. Bank of America shares trade at a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.3 today. This is higher than the trailing five- and 10-year average.

Additionally, investors have to think about the broader economy. For what it’s worth, there’s always a certain level of uncertainty. And no one has any clue what interest rates are going to do, although there is a view that they will come down. Regardless, there’s always the threat of a looming recession, which would negatively impact Bank of America and the industry at large. This is something bank investors can’t ignore.

The fact that Buffett and Berkshire have been selling could be an ominous signal. And maybe it’s best if investors avoid Bank of America right now. That perspective could change if the valuation was much more compelling, like at a P/B multiple below one.

Who wouldn’t be interested in some Warren Buffett stocks to consider for their portfolio? After all, Buffett’s investing chops have not been exaggerated. He increased the value of his company Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A -0.13%) (BRK.B -0.06%) by 5,500,000% (nearly 20% annually) over 60 years. In contrast, the S&P 500 index of 500 of America’s biggest companies gained about 39,000% (10.4% annually, on average) over the same period.

Here, then, are some stocks in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio that you might want in your own. Do note, though, that the days of Buffett himself making all the investment decisions (often in consultation with his late business partner Charlie Munger) are over. He now has two investing lieutenants, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, so some stocks in the portfolio may be their picks.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

1. Amazon

You might know that Berkshire Hathaway owns multiple insurance and energy operations, along with companies such as Dairy Queen International, See’s Candies, Fruit of the Loom, and the entire BNSF railroad. Buffett has long avoided many high-tech companies, but yes, his company now owns shares of Amazon.com (AMZN 3.12%) — some 10 million shares, in fact, per the latest disclosure.

You might want to consider buying Amazon stock, too, because it still has enormous growth potential. It features a hugely dominant online marketplace, but it’s also home to a major cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS). Its shares are appealingly valued at recent levels, too, with a recent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 34, well below the five-year average of 46.

2. Lennar

You may not be very familiar with Lennar (LEN 5.19%), but it’s a major homebuilder in America, and its future is promising because America needs many more homes — especially affordable ones for young first-time home buyers. If interest rates drop in the near future, that could spur home buying, though a recession could thwart that trend.

Near term, it’s hard to know what will happen, but Lennar’s long-term outlook is promising. Patient investors can collect a dividend that recently yielded 1.5% — and that has grown by an annual average rate of 33% over the past five years.

Lennar shares are reasonably priced at recent levels, too, with a price-to-sales ratio of 1, on par with its five-year average, and a forward P/E of 13 above the average of 9. It’s a new holding for Berkshire, and Berkshire already owns 3% of the company.

3. Chevron

Chevron (CVX 1.50%) is Berkshire’s fifth-largest stock holding, and Berkshire now owns close to 7% of the energy giant. It’s another dividend-paying stock, with a recent fat 4.5% yield. It’s also been a big stock repurchaser, with its reduced share count leaving each remaining share more valuable.

Why might you buy Chevron stock? Well, thanks to various investments (such as its purchase of Hess), it stands to collect a lot of free cash flow in the years ahead — which can be used to pay dividends and increase dividends. Chevron is also well positioned to profit from both traditional energy sources as well as alternative energies.

Chevron’s forward P/E was recently 20, a bit above its five-year average of 14, suggesting it’s somewhat overvalued. You might wait for a lower price, or buy into it incrementally, or just buy anyway — as long as you plan to remain invested for many years.

4. UnitedHealth Group

Berkshire was in the news recently, for buying into the beleaguered health insurer UnitedHealth Group (UNH 1.24%). It’s a new holding for Berkshire, and was recently the 18th-largest position in the portfolio

Shares of the insurer were recently down 39% year-to-date, in part due to the fact that it’s being investigated by the Department of Justice for possible Medicare fraud. Also, its CEO has just stepped down. For those who see such issues as temporary and surmountable, this is a good buying opportunity.

You can be sure the company’s management is working to turn things around, and simple demographics paint a promising future, too, as our growing and aging population will continue to need healthcare — and medications. (UnitedHealth includes the pharmaceutical specialist Optum.)

5. Berkshire Hathaway

A last Berkshire Hathaway stock to consider is Berkshire Hathaway itself. It’s built to last, after all, and is likely to keep growing over time, though not at the breakneck speeds of yore, perhaps. Buffett is stepping down at the end of the year, but he’ll still be around, and his successor, Greg Abel, is a promising choice.

Berkshire Hathaway doesn’t pay a dividend, but when it’s under new management, that might change. It has all depended on whether there were more productive ways to deploy the company’s cash. So far there have been, but Abel might decide differently. Investing in Berkshire means you’ll always be a part-owner of any stock in Berkshire’s portfolio.

Give any or all of these companies some consideration for your own portfolio. And know that you can always take the easier (and also effective) path, recommended by Buffett himself, of opting for a simple, low-fee index fund.

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Huntington Park 20, Kennedy 7

Sotomayor 21, New Designs University Park 0

Sotomayor 8, New Designs University Park 7

Wilson 37, Huntington Park 6

Wilson 38, Kennedy 0

SOUTHERN SECTION

Aliso Niguel 13, Long Beach Poly 6

Classical Academy 53, Mission Viejo 0

Dos Pueblos 12, Aliso Niguel 0

Dos Pueblos 20, Fullerton 6

Esperanza 19, Woodbridge 6

Esperanza 19, Mira Costa 0

Fullerton 20, Long Beach Poly 6

Gahr 34, Cypress 13

Hacienda Heights Wilson 13, Villa Park 12

Lancaster 19, Saugus 12

Long Beach Cabrillo 33, Glenn 22

Long Beach Jordan 42, Mayfair 6

Mater Dei 25, Mission Viejo 0

Mission Hills 30, Santa Monica 0

Norwalk 13, Western 6

Orange Lutheran 32, Warren 6

Orange Lutheran 12, Western Christian 0

Sage Hill 15, Garden Grove Pacifica 0

Segerstrom 33, Garden Grove Santiago 0

St. Anthony 12, St. Paul 7

Vasquez 33, PACS 0

Villa Park 12, Hacienda Heights Wilson 13

Western Christian 20, Warren 6

INTERSECTIONAL

LA Marshall 35, Alemany 6

Mission Hills 30, Santa Monica 0

Vincent Memorial 28, Mira Costa 6

Vincent Memorial 21, Woodbridge 19

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agoura 20, Ayala 6

Agoura 48, Oxnard Pacifica 7

Anaheim Canyon 12, Upland 0

Anaheim Canyon 25, Upland 6

Ayala 39, Oxnard Pacifica 6

Beaumont 51, Shadow Hills 16

Bishop Amat 20, Hart 6

Bonita 25, West Covina 12

Bonita 45, San Gabriel 0

Bonita 48, Sierra Vista 0

Buena Park 14, Nogales 7

California 32, Montebello 0

Camarillo 26, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8

Camarillo 33, Westlake 22

Canyon Springs 19, Yucaipa 7

Chaparral 33, Ontario Christian 8

Chino 13, Colton 0

Citrus Valley 23, Los Osos 19

Corona Santiago 6, El Dorado 0

Esperanza 20, Aliso Niguel 14

Fillmore 24, Calabasas 7

Fullerton 7, Mission Viejo 6

Keppel 12, Baldwin Park 12

La Sierra 23, California Military Institute 6

Los Osos 50, Victor Valley 2

Mater Dei 20, Esperanza 19

Mission Viejo 14, Long Beach Poly 13

Newbury Park 44, Highland 16

Norco 18, Murrieta Valley 0

Orange Lutheran 26, Aliso Niguel 0

Oxnard 52, Thousand Oaks 6

Oxnard 54, St. Bonaventure 0

Rio Mesa 28, Fillmore 0

Rio Mesa 46, Calabasas 0

Riverside Poly 21, Canyon Springs 0

Riverside Poly 24, Yucaipa 7

San Marcos 52, Highland 6

San Marcos 33, Newbury Park 12

Santa Margarita 13, San Marcos 0

Santa Margarita 44, Newbury Park 12

Sierra Vista 25, San Gabriel 15

Temescal Canyon 2, Norco 0

Temecula Prep 20, Chaparral 12

Temecula Prep 32, Temecula Valley 0

Temple City 28, Arroyo 6

Thousand Oaks 19, St. Bonaventure 14

Upland 19, South Hills 13

Upland 26, Corona Santiago 19

Warren 13, Mira Costa 6

Warren 12, Fullerton 7

Westlake 28, Camarillo 6

Woodbridge 13, Mission Viejo 0

Woodbridge 20, Warren 0

INTERSECTIONAL

Castaic 7, San Fernando 0

Bonita Vista 18, Downey 2

North County San Marcos 27, Santa Monica 0

Valencia 26, Kennedy 12

Aug. 2 (UPI) — Berkshire Hathaway on Saturday reported a 3.79% decline in second-quarter earnings as CEO Warren Buffett‘s company warned about troubling times because of President Donald Trump‘s tariffs on imported goods.

Buffett, who has been involved with the company for 60 years, owns about 15.1% of its economic interest and 31.2% of its voting interest as its largest shareholder.

The public company reported an operating profit of $11.16 billion, with a lower number from a decline in its assets, which include insurance underwriting for Geico. The first-half decline was 8.8% at $20.8 billion.

Net income in the second quarter dropped to $12.37 billion, which is a 59% slump from the second quarter last year.

Trump in April imposed a baseline tariff of 10% on most trading partners with high duties in place or coming on Friday.

“Considerable uncertainty remains as to the ultimate outcome of these events,” the company said in its filing. “We are currently unable to reliably predict the ultimate impact on our businesses, whether through changes in the availability of products, supply chain costs and efficiency, and customer demand for our products and services. It is reasonably possible there could be adverse consequences on most, if not all, of our operating businesses, as well as on our investments in equity securities, which could significantly affect our future results.”

The company said its financials already were impacted.

“The pace of changes in these events, including tensions from developing international trade policies and tariffs, accelerated through the first six months of 2025,” Berkshire said.

Pre-tax underwriting losses before foreign currency effects were $276 million in the first six months this year, compared with $299 million in 2024, the company reported.

Berkshire encountered a $1.1 billion payout from the Southern California wildfires in January. There were no significant catastrophic events in the first six months of 2024.

But higher profits did roll in for the company’s railroad, manufacturing, service and retail holdings, CNBC reported. Also, its energy company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, had an 18% rise in net income.

The company reported revenue of $182.24 billion for the first six months compared with $183.52 the previous year. Second-quarter revenue was 92.15 billion, with 93.7 billion in 2024.

Berkshire Hathaway wrote down a loss of $3.8 billion from a stake in Kraft Heinz and is considering a spinoff for the food giant, of which it owns owns 27.4% in stock.

Berkshire Hathaway has $344.09 billion in cash, equivalents and short-term securities.

“Despite what some commentators currently view as an extraordinary cash position at Berkshire, the great majority of your money remains in equities. That preference won’t change,” Buffett wrote in his annual 15-page letter in February.

The company did not re-purchase any stock during the first half of this year.

“Berkshire’s common stock repurchase program permits Berkshire to repurchase its shares any time that Warren Buffett … believes that the repurchase price is below Berkshire’s intrinsic value, conservatively determined,” the company said in the filing.

Berkshire Hathaway filed its first earnings report since the 94-year-old Buffett announced he will depart as CEO at the end of the year, but will remain as chairman of the board. Greg Abel, who is the company’s vice president of non-insurance operations, will become the new CEO.

Buffett is the ninth richest person in the world with a net worth $141.7 billion through Saturday, according to Forbes, and is known as the Oracle of Omaha, which refers to the Nebraska city where Berkshire is headquartered and he has lived his entire life.

Berkshire Hathaway traces its roots to 1839 as Valley Falls Company, a textile manufacturer in New England, before mergers with Hathaway Manufacturing Company in 1888 and Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates in 1929.

The company was “mired in a terrible business,” according to Buffett, and he purchased his first shares of Berkshire in December 1962.

The company’s market capitalization is now $1.01 trillion.

Shares ended trading Friday at $472.84. This year, the all-time high has been $539.80 on May 4, while the 2025 low was $442.66 on Jan. 10. The company began trading in 1996 at $22.20. Class A shares have never undergone a stock split.

In a message, Buffett wrote: “You probably know that I don’t make stock recommendations. However, I have two thoughts regarding your personal expenditures that can save you real money. I’m suggesting that you call on the services of two subsidiaries of Berkshire: GEICO and Borsheim’s.”

He noted savings on Geico for auto insurance and Borsheim fine jewelry, watches and giftware “almost certainly will cost you less.”

Of all the pop hits vying to become the song of the summer, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” might be the most improbable: A stark and brooding ballad full of lurid Christian imagery — “Shatter me with your touch / Oh Lord, return me to dust,” goes one line — it’s about a guy seeking the kind of sexual-spiritual fulfillment not typically found on the beach or at a barbecue.

Yet the song, which has more than 720 million streams on Spotify, just logged its sixth week since early June atop Billboard’s Hot 100 — more than a month longer at No. 1 than Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” to name one of the sunnier tunes soundtracking the season. (Among Warren’s other competitors: Drake, who posted an image of the current chart on Instagram on Monday showing his song “What Did I Miss?” at No. 2 behind Warren’s hit. “I’m taking that soon don’t worry,” the rapper wrote.)

“Ordinary’s” somber tone is all the more striking given that Warren — whose father died when he was 9 and who grew up in Carlsbad with a single mother he’s described as an abusive alcoholic — first made a name for himself as a founding member of Hype House, the early-2020s conclave of TikTokers known for beaming out goofy bite-size content from a rented mansion in Los Angeles. Half a decade later, Warren is still a faithful user of his TikTok account (with its 18.8 million followers), though these days he’s mostly driving attention — often with the help of his wife, fellow influencer Kouvr Annon — to his music, which combines the moody theatrics of early Sam Smith with the highly buffed textures of Imagine Dragons.

On Friday, Warren will release his debut LP, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” featuring guest appearances by Blackpink’s Rosé and by Jelly Roll, who brought Warren to the stage at April’s Stagecoach festival to sing “Ordinary” and to premiere their duet “Bloodline.” Warren, 24, discussed his journey during a recent trip to L.A. from his new home in Nashville, where he lives not far from Jelly Roll and Teddy Swims. “I was just texting Teddy,” Warren says as we sit down. “I got off tour and immediately was like, ‘Oh, I want to buy a go-kart.’ Teddy FaceTimes me, he goes, ‘You a—hole. I’m trying to buy a go-kart right now too.’ Apparently, I bought the last go-kart in Tennessee.” These are excerpts from our conversation.

“Ordinary” is clearly drawing on your identity as a Christian. Yet there’s something almost sacrilegious about the song.
I get that criticism a lot.

To me it’s what makes the song interesting — the erotic energy in a line like “You got me kissing the ground of your sanctuary.”
I’m worshiping my wife in a way — she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You can’t just write a song like that and be like, “Oh, baby, you’re my everything.” Everyone’s already done “You’re my world,” you know? I wanted to do something different — almost Hozier-esque. I wrote into it being like, I really love my wife, and I have a relationship with God — that’s something I can compare it to.

As the song has gone out, I’ve heard a lot of Christians’ opinions on it, and some people are like, “F— this guy.” There’s also so many people who think it’s a super die-hard Christian song and don’t like it either. I have to be OK with both sides hating me.

You’ve led a peculiar life, which obviously lends context to your music for anyone who knows the details. Yet “Ordinary” is big enough now that many listeners — maybe most listeners — are hearing it without knowing anything about you.
This new song I’ve been teasing [“Eternity”] is about grief, and people are like, “I can’t wait to play it at my wedding.” It’s cool that people are making it their own. It reminds me of Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved,” where people were like, “Oh my God, this is a breakup record.” No, he wrote it about his grandma.

Are you a Capaldi fan?
I love Lewis. I don’t look like a Justin Bieber/Shawn Mendes traditional pop star, but it’s cool because Lewis kind of made it popular to not give a f—. Lewis and Ed [Sheeran], I would say — I mean, I’ve seen Ed’s closet, and it’s just nine white Prada T-shirts.

You have an unusual voice.
Thank you — I think?

It’s deeper than most pop voices right now. Does it seem unusual to you?
No. I asked my wife, “Do I have a basic voice?” She was like, “What are you talking about?” I was like, “I live with this voice, and I think it just sounds like every other bitch.” But I’m my No. 1 hater.

I went back and looked at the series Netflix made about Hype House.
I’m so sorry.

There’s some significant fluctuations in your weight, and I was wondering how working in a visual field from a pretty young age shaped your ideas about eating and exercise.
When I started making money, I didn’t know what to do with it and I just used DoorDash every second I could. As time went on, especially in Hype House, you have so many people’s opinions and everyone’s pointing out your flaws, and the weight was definitely one of them. After that I was like, “OK, how do I fix this?” I’m 24 now — I was 22, 21 at the time, and I was like, “I should be in the best shape of my life.”

But it definitely does take a toll on you. Even now, if you go look at my TikTok comments, thousands of people are loving me. You go on Twitter, the first 400 comments are like, “He’s so ugly,” “His nose is crooked,” all these things. It hits a point where you have a thousand people loving you, but those two people not — you’re like, “Wait, are they the ones telling me the truth? Is everyone else just gassing me up?”

Kind of bleak.
It’s such a strange career. I have the Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday, and I’m like, “Should I be eating this the next few days?”

Would you say you’re in a good place in terms of how you think about your physical appearance?
Looking in the mirror, probably not. But when it comes to having to approve a photo, I don’t give a s—. I’ll approve whatever, double chin and all.

Is that true?
Truly, I don’t mind, because I don’t think people are watching my videos for my attractiveness. That being said, if I was lighter, I think I’d be happier looking at myself. But at the same time, I don’t care because these songs to me are more about what they’re about and less about how I look. Also, it gives me some leeway if someone catches me lacking at In-N-Out.

Warren’s song “Ordinary” now has more than 720 million streams on Spotify and has just logged its sixth week since early June atop Billboard’s Hot 100.

(Ethan Benavidez / For The Times)

You’ve said you don’t really drink or do drugs but that you get drunk once a year. What would be the occasion?
I just got drunk with Ed Sheeran — I drank two Modelos and I got put on my ass. This was at Santa’s Pub [in Nashville] — me, Noah Kahan and Ed Sheeran. They had just played something, and Ed was like, “Do you want a drink?” I was like, “If I’m getting drunk this year, it’s getting drunk with Ed Sheeran.” So he gave me a Modelo, and I was like, “Whoa, I’m feeling this.” He’s like, “OK, dude, I’m on my 11th.” He hands me a second one, and my wife had to drive me home.

So I’ve been getting a little loose with it. But it’s always beer — I don’t really drink any hard stuff. Nothing against it, I’ve just always preferred Diet Coke. I wish I liked alcohol.

I mean, you can cultivate this. It’s easy to do.
I’ve been trying. I had a sip of my friend’s old fashioned. I thought it was interesting — sugary, but I liked it.

Your song “The Outside” on this new record talks about the illusory nature of happiness and success.
I went into it wanting to write about the things that people go through to turn to God or another power or something to get out of their own heads. I wanted to depict people finding a sense of purpose.

“Hollywood wasn’t all that she thought / City of Angels but her wings got caught / She got high enough to think she met God.”
You move to L.A. to pursue a dream and you see God after doing a hallucinogenic — that’s referencing a friend of mine who’s now a Christian buff who did ayahuasca. The other [verse] is about health care — watching my friends who don’t have it because it’s so expensive.

“‘It’s just stress,’ so the doctor says / His young heart’s beating out of his chest / Student loans and medical debt.”
The Luigi Mangione case happened around the time we wrote that record.

Luigi was in your head as you were writing?
That second verse is literally about Luigi Mangione. Not to get political, but the things that I feel are necessary in life — you have to pay for it, and it causes people to turn to something like God. The song ends with me being like, “I talk to my dad in the sky, hoping he talks to me back.” That song means a lot to me.

Your music is extremely tidy, which stands in contrast to the singer-songwriter mode of the Zach Bryans —
And the Noah Kahans, where they’re flat in some parts and it doesn’t matter because the emotion’s there.

Why is your instinct as a musician to go for something neater?
Because I don’t have the luxury of being able to make what some people view as mistakes. Coming from TikTok to music, I feel like it needs to be neat — it needs to be, “Oh my God, this guy can do this.” The next album I’m working on, it’s more rugged. I’m finding different parts of my voice. I’ve been listening to a lot of older music too, which has been really good.

Such as?
Hall & Oates — dude, “Rich Girl”? Billy Joel too.

Is there still a Hype House group chat?
I have a group chat with not all of them but the ones that — I’m not gonna name-drop them, but the ones getting popular with music. It was formative years in my life — my college experience, I guess. We’re able to look back on it and have a moment of, like, “That sucked, but it was also awesome.”

Would people in the house have called that you and Addison Rae would be the ones to break out as musicians?
No, I don’t think so — especially not me. Maybe Addison — Addison has always been cool. Everyone loved Addison, even in the house, and she’s always been so kind. Even to this day, she’s a good friend of mine. But no one would have guessed me. I don’t think anyone liked me.

In the house?
Just in general. The Netflix show — a lot of it was fake, but looking at that, I feel like I’m such a better person now.

“The next album I’m working on, it’s more rugged,” says Warren, whose debut LP “You’ll Be Alright, Kid” comes out Friday. “I’m finding different parts of my voice.”

(Ethan Benavidez / For The Times)

Are you glad that “Ordinary” happened after the influencer moment in your life — that there’s a bit of separation?
I started this in 2020, 2021 — I put out my first song then, and I was still an influencer, vlogging, doing all those things. Everyone’s like, “He came out of nowhere,” and I’m like, I’ve been doing this for five years.

But nobody cared until well after your time as an influencer — which might be a good thing, right? I’m not sure the overlap served Lil Huddy. In a weird way, you might’ve gotten lucky.
I think about that often. I made videos with my wife — I never really made videos with the content house — and those videos were successful in their own right. I think a lot of my fans today were watching me at that time, but not for the Hype House. Actually, no, that’s not true.

It’s hard to generalize about the audience for a song this big.
All I do is put my head down and promote the records. I’m not paying attention to the scope of things.

Of course you’re checking the numbers.
I’m not understanding the scope besides the numbers. My monthly listeners [on Spotify], someone told me it was 50-something million — that’s sick. But I can’t contextualize that. If I’m walking down the street, how many people have heard the song and how many people know who I am? I know the song is big, but I’m under the assumption that the record’s bigger than I am.

That seems true.
OK, so what does that mean? I can compare it to a Lola Young, or is it a Benson Boone? I think that’s two separate things right now. Also, I don’t know the age demographic. If I walk into a bingo night, are they gonna know who I am?

A bingo night?
You know what I’m saying. The song is No. 1 on Hot AC — that’s adult contemporary. Is it someone’s mom? I don’t know who’s listening to the record. But I write songs about people passing away, and most people — no matter rich, poor, whatever — it’s typically gonna be your 40-and-up who are gonna relate to that record. Kids don’t necessarily deal with loss the same way.

Is it weird to think that a significant portion of your audience is people twice your age?
No, that’s f—ing rad to me — the older audience is the hardest to grab. I think it’s safe to say that most people judge notoriety on whether their mom knows who they are, right? If that’s where I start, that’s cool.

President Trump’s future presidential library has a growing list of corporate sponsors, and Democratic lawmakers are sounding alarms.

To settle Trump’s lawsuit over edits to a CBS “60 Minutes” broadcast, Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to help finance the future library and cover the president’s legal fees.

Walt Disney Co. earlier pledged $15 million to Trump’s library to resolve a defamation lawsuit over inaccurate statements about Trump by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos. And this spring, the nation of Qatar donated a $400-million Boeing 747-8 luxury jetliner for Trump’s use — a gift that ultimately will be registered to his library, whatever form it takes.

On Wednesday, a group of progressive lawmakers, led by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), introduced the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act, a proposed measure that would require transparency and impose restrictions on donations to presidential libraries.

“This new bill will close the loopholes that allow presidential libraries to be used as a tool for corruption and bribery,” Warren told reporters on a Zoom call. “Slamming the door shut on apparent corruption at the highest levels of government is an important step forward and something everyone should get behind.”

For now, the lawmakers — including Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) — lack support from Republicans in Congress.

Still, the measure is needed, the lawmakers said, because there are no rules that specifically target solicitation of gifts or payments by individuals and companies to try to curry favor with the president.

The bill would create a cap on contributions, prohibit donations from lobbyists and foreign governments and delay fundraising until a president leaves office, with a carve-out for nonprofits.

Violators would risk criminal or civil penalties, which could equal as much as the value of the gift.

The measure also would prohibit the conversion of a donation to personal use, as some have feared will happen with the acceptance of the Qatar plane.

“What is Qatar getting in exchange? … Nobody knows,” Warren said. “All of this shady stuff is happening because there are essentially no rules for presidential library donations.”

Under the legislation, quarterly disclosures would be required.

“People have a right to know who is, in effect, gaining favor with a president in office through donations to a library,” Blumenthal said. “These kinds of requirements ought to apply to both Republican[s] and Democrat[s], because the donation can be problematic no matter which party the president may belong to.”

Critics blasted former President Clinton for pardoning late fugitive commodities trader Marc Rich after his wife donated $450,000 to Clinton’s library.

In addition to the CBS “60 Minutes” and ABC settlements, Facebook parent company Meta donated $22 million to Trump’s library. The payment was part of Meta’s $25-million settlement to a lawsuit brought after Facebook banned Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, donated $10 million.

Contributions to Trump’s inaugural celebrations this year that went beyond money spent are expected to be steered to the library as well as money raised from people who want to dine with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Warren’s office said.

Warren and others previously raised the notion that Paramount’s settlement with Trump, in particular, could constitute a bribe. It has been widely believed that resolving the legal dispute with Trump was a prerequisite for getting the company’s pending $8-billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media cleared by the Federal Communications Commission.