A New England state at the heart of the Northeast Corridor
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is facing Helena Foulkes in a rematch for the Democratic nomination. The Washington Bridge reconstruction has become a central issue, with voters weighing safety, cost, and timely completion as campaign ads highlight differing records.
Senior researchers and executives have warned that frontier artificial intelligence could escape human control and pose existential risks. Anthropic staffers and former employees have raised the possibility of human extinction; Anthropic and OpenAI have proposed independent evaluators and coordination to pause development while regulators and politicians debate responses.
Alex Saab has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in Miami and will forfeit $195 million as part of a deal to cooperate with US investigations. The plea follows a long-running case tied to alleged bribes, shell companies, and the CLAP program in Venezuela.
President Donald Trump has threatened to block Canadian manufacturer Bombardier from selling aircraft in the United States as Ottawa and Washington have exchanged tariffs on roughly $20–28 billion of goods. Canada has imposed retaliatory levies of 15–50%, and Bombardier has said it employs thousands in the US and sources components from 47 states.
A wave of reporting shows ALPR technology in private retail networks and school buses drawing privacy concerns, with retailers facing pressure from campaigns to withdraw from Flock Safety and authorities tightening use rules.
Jewish communities face heightened threats ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with rising antisemitic incidents in Britain and the United States. Leaders urge preparation over hope as security concerns intensify amid political strains over Israel and Gaza.
A slow-moving nor'easter has struck the Mid‑Atlantic and New England since late September, causing heavy rain, strong onshore winds and coastal flooding from New Jersey to southern New England. Utilities, flights and events have been disrupted, at least one person has died in New York City, and forecasters warn additional high‑tide flooding will persist into Monday and Tuesday.
Congress has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and President Trump has signed it into law. The law expands sanctions on Russian officials, banks and a "shadow fleet" of tankers, and grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
Americares has announced a $50 million gift from an unidentified Connecticut family to strengthen its network of more than 4,000 health centers and push toward the goal of 100 million people gaining access to quality healthcare by 2030 amid ongoing U.S. aid cuts.
Carmine Agnello, grandson of Gambino boss John Gotti, has surrendered to federal authorities for a 15-month prison term tied to a $1 million COVID-relief fraud. A 40-year-old groom, he had recently wed Ariana Puran before reporting to prison; prosecutors say an alleged assault case is pending in state court. His relatives and associates face federal penalties tied to fraud and a separate pending case.
Transit systems face growing budget strains as agencies seek to curb labor costs, manage maintenance backlogs, and plan for service changes during peak travel periods. Recent reporting shows labor negotiations and scheduled engineering work affecting operations in major hubs.
McDonald’s has unveiled a $8.5 billion, 10-year plan to upgrade stores with more technology, AI-driven operations, new training, and a greater focus on chicken and beverages. Executives say the program will strengthen restaurant economics and improve the customer experience, while managing franchisee costs.
Paramount has settled a multi-state antitrust suit over its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, agreeing to distribute a set number of films annually and to safeguard CBS News and CNN’s editorial independence. The deal clears a major hurdle but integration and staffing questions remain as regulators, executives, and staff brace for the next phase.
California and New York attorneys general have filed lawsuits over the Trump administration's plan to buy back offshore wind leases, arguing the deals divert taxpayer money to fossil-fuel projects and raise electricity costs while hindering clean-energy progress. The actions involve Invenergy and Bluepoint Wind, with multiple states joining New York in blocking the moves.
Save the Sound’s 2026 Long Island Sound Report Card shows water quality improving across open-water regions: Western, Central and Eastern basins earn A grades, Eastern Narrows B, Western Narrows rises to D. Report cites billions invested in wastewater/stormwater upgrades and warns climate change risks remain.
Twelve state attorneys general have reached a settlement with Paramount Skydance that has cleared the way for its merger with Warner Bros. The deal has required independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, a commitment to release at least 30 theatrical films a year and a $30m penalty if that output target is missed. Critics and media advocates have condemned the concessions.
Poland reports a Russian helicopter briefly violated its airspace, prompting fighter jets to scramble. European leaders warn of heightened hybrid threats as Moscow denies plans for a direct attack, while Moscow weighs a possible restart of peace talks amid Ukrainian strikes.
A newly exposed beam section on Nantucket’s Miacomet Beach is believed to be part of the Warren Sawyer, an 1884 wooden schooner. Archaeologists are surveying the site as a nor’easter batters the Northeast, causing flooding and power outages. Officials caution that identification remains uncertain as storms reshape the coastline.
The government has spent millions on TV ads featuring President Trump and other officials, labeled as public service announcements. Democratic senators have demanded answers, arguing the funding may be illegal and constituted a misuse of taxpayer dollars as midterms approach. The ads have drawn broad criticism and questions about independence of agencies.
McDonald’s has introduced an AI-driven pricing platform to help franchisees estimate customer willingness to pay. Reuters reports it has widened price gaps for the same items across nearby stores, though McDonald’s says the tool offers suggestions, not real-time price setting. Some franchisees say they feel pressured to adopt the system as inflation hits costs.
The Supreme Court is evaluating whether federal law preempts state and local lawsuits accusing oil companies of climate-related damages. Boulder, Colorado, leads a wave of cases seeking damages for disaster costs, with ExxonMobil and Suncor among the defendants. The decision could affect dozens of similar lawsuits nationwide.
As Prime Big Deal Days unfolds, discounting on whiskies and wines is expanding beyond tech, drawing shoppers to a curated set of global brands. Independent highlights Nomad Outland, Paul John Brilliance, McConnell’s, Glen Garioch 12-year-old, Aber Falls, and Auchentoshan American Oak as standout bargains while Whispering Angel helps unlock renewed interest in rosé.
Lawsuits allege McDonald’s uses an AI-augmented pricing system that shares nonpublic sales data across franchises to set menu prices, a claim McDonald’s denies, saying pricing decisions remain with franchisees. The suit seeks class-action status and damages.
The president’s move to allow Russian diesel into global markets has drawn swift criticism from lawmakers who say Congress was not consulted. Officials warn the policy could fund Moscow’s war while doing little to relieve U.S. fuel prices amid ongoing energy volatility.
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.
President Trump has issued an executive order waiving implementation of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act and approved a deal to import Russian diesel. Lawmakers from both parties have condemned the move, saying it undermines sanctions meant to punish Russia for its war on Ukraine and could strengthen Moscow financially as Ukraine faces winter attacks.
Federal judge has halted DHS voter-fraud investigations in multiple states ahead of the midterm elections, citing errors in data and risk of voter intimidation. California Nurses Association and partners filed the suit. The order covers California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin, with the ruling effective through Election Day.