Capital city of New York, seat of Albany County
Slate’s electric pickup has impressed a tester with its balanced chassis, strong on-road feel, and surprising efficiency. Despite a modest power figure, the truck shows promise in daily driving and highlights a new, more affordable EV approach.
Ariana Grande has released her eighth album, Petal, and opened the Eternal Sunshine tour in London, delivering pared-back, darker songs and stripped live moments. Reviews have praised her vocal control and new material while noting production choices that bury her trademark power and that the tour feels like a possible farewell to a high-profile era.
New York City officials have issued cease-and-desist orders to 42 online retailers selling high-speed e-bikes and scooters, while lawmakers push for broader oversight. The mayor has stopped short of requiring vehicle registration, citing safety concerns, as inspections continue ahead of an Aug. 18 deadline. A council hearing will review enforcement and possible new legislation.
New York officials are weighing participation in a federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. Pro- and anti-school-choice coalitions are mounting campaigns as the state evaluates whether to opt in. The program would provide a 100% federal tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, potentially funding private and religious schooling while public schools defend their budgets.
Officials across major states are tightening rules on e-bikes, e-scooters and similar devices after a spate of injuries and high-profile incidents. The move comes amid a patchwork of local laws and new age, registration and helmet requirements, with critics warning about broad strokes that risk sidelining safe riders.
Jessica Bowie has been arrested in Albany after an FBI counterterrorism operation foiled her plan to bomb the New York State Capitol using an inert explosive in a DoorDash bag. She has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is under heavy investigation for radicalization online.
Federal prosecutors have charged Jessica Bowie, 35, with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organisation after she told an FBI informant she planned to bomb the New York State Capitol, kill senators and flee to Syria. Bowie has been accused of conducting reconnaissance, buying bomb materials and discussing disguises with undercover operatives before her arrest on Aug. 19.
Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a temporary order allowing construction on the White House ballroom to continue while the Supreme Court considers an emergency appeal. Lower courts had ordered a halt, finding the project requires congressional approval. The administration argues the work is vital to national security; preservationists say Trump acted without legal authority.
Democratic leader has met with Jared Kushner to discuss housing, immigration and affordability. The meeting has sparked questions about strategy and party unity as Democrats prepare for potential changes in control.
Mary Peltola’s Alaska Senate campaign is narrowing its lead as new reporting details amplify questions about campaign staff dynamics and personal events. The race remains tight under Alaska’s ranked-choice system, with voters weighing the candidate’s conduct against the broader political stakes.
Civil lawsuit alleges a 2024 rape at a Cornell fraternity; university contends it supported presenting the case to a grand jury and rejects claims it failed to act. A independent investigator will review the handling of the matter as students react to latest disclosures.
Cornell University has described the past week as one of its most difficult, following allegations of sexual assault by fraternity members in 2024. The university supports an independent review of its handling, backs Gov. Hochul’s push to change New York’s intoxication-law loophole, and seeks greater transparency while engaging students and alumni on Greek-life accountability.
Suspicious letters containing a white powder have been sent to more than three dozen congressional and election offices across the United States, triggering evacuations and security alerts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Federal agencies are investigating; initial tests show no hazardous material, and officials warn more letters may still be circulating.
Budget watchdogs warn that NYC’s transit system could run a multi-hundred-million-dollar deficit by 2030 if fare evasion continues and subsidies lag, prompting calls for reform in fares and enforcement.