A New England state, Granite State, first primary influence
Various spring bulbs carry natural defenses that deter deer, rabbits, and rodents. Crown imperials, alliums, and daffodils are highlighted for their scents, bitter compounds, and toxicity. Gardeners can use unpalatable borders to shield vulnerable plants, while caution is advised for kids and pets. Separately, UK lawn-care guidance outlines autumn steps to revive damaged grass after a hot summer.
The set of U.S. Supreme Court rulings since 2012 has made juvenile life-without-parole sentences vulnerable to retroactive review. In New Hampshire, the last of five inmates to be resentenced is undergoing a hearing as prosecutors decide what term to seek, with defenses urging 30–40 years and highlighting growth and remorse.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more, directing regulators to complete an environmental impact review and consider rules to make developers pay for power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks. The move has drawn praise from community and environmental groups and rebuke from industry and national conservatives.
Legislation updating Russia sanctions has gained White House backing and is advancing in the Senate, with debate centring on tariffs for the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and potential waivers. The measure has broad support and could reshape U.S. pressure on Moscow, as Graham’s legacy guides the approach.
Troy Jackson has won the Maine Democratic nomination to replace Graham Platner and will challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Jackson has consolidated delegate support at a special convention in Bangor and is positioning a working‑class, progressive agenda while critics and Jewish voters express concern over his recent stances on Israel.
Anthropic and a web of AI safety groups are boosting political advertising through large donations to allied super PACs and nonprofits. FEC filings show rising spending as midterms approach. Major donors include Anthropic executives and OpenAI-aligned figures.
The FDA has upgraded Amy’s Kitchen Organic Lentil Soup – Light Sodium recall to Class II after a lid defect raised spoilage concerns. Separately, General Mills has recalled Pillsbury roll doughs for potential glass contamination, and Midwest Poultry Services has halted shipments as nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs are recalled over Salmonella fears. No illnesses are confirmed yet.
Over the past weeks, U.S. and Canadian grocers have pulled iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico after a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms products. FDA and CDC warn consumers to discard recalled items and seek refunds. The recall now covers 27 states and multiple brands, with thousands of illnesses reported.
At the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin, Karolina Urbanová of the Czech Republic and Meredith Ingbretson of Hayward have set world records in their events across three-day competition featuring 66 men and 40 women from 16 states and nine countries.
Courts have blocked Minnesota’s prediction market ban, while federal agencies push for broader regulation and states push back. The cases test federal preemption versus state gambling authority, with ongoing litigation and potential appeals shaping the future of event-contract markets.
The multistate cyclospora outbreak is now linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms’ central Mexico operations and has affected at least nine states, with thousands of cases and hundreds of hospitalizations reported. Taylor Farms has issued a voluntary recall, and FDA and CDC investigations continue as officials warn consumers to avoid recalled lettuce.
The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee has moved to overhaul the 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina and Nevada contending to start the nomination process. The full DNC will review in August; Republicans are expected to keep Iowa and New Hampshire as the opening contests. The decision aims to better reflect the party’s diverse coalition.
Federal filings show the Department of Energy terminated hundreds of Biden-era energy grants in October based on political alignment of states, prompting Democratic leaders to condemn the move as an abuse of power. The White House says decisions were apolitical.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has raised more than $1.7 million for state parties and legislative committees this two-year cycle, showcasing a robust grassroots email-driven fundraising machine. The effort has drawn praise from party leaders in several states and fuels talk of a potential White House run. Other Democrats also contribute to party coffers and key races.
A roundup of popular kids’ bottles and travel cups shows a range of options from premium to budget, with features like leak-proof lids, large capacities and durable materials. Reviews highlight brands such as Yeti, Owala, Hydro Flask and Sainsbury’s budget alternative, while noting discounts and special editions this back-to-school season.
Massachusetts anglers released a five‑foot juvenile tiger shark caught off Falmouth, highlighting a warming Atlantic that is drawing southern species north. Scientists say the finding signals changing seas and prompts investigation into potential nursery areas.
A wave of 2026 surveys shows Gen Z in the United States delaying major life milestones due to high costs in housing and education. Many rely on family support or deplete retirement savings, while rising student debt and mortgage costs reshape plans for homeownership, marriage, and parenthood.
Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary, reshaping the path to the Senate for 2026. The result complicates incumbent dynamics and tests Democratic unity ahead of November as Republicans eye a potential pickup in a 50/50 battleground.
Federal judges have blocked key parts of President Trump’s attempts to centralise voter-roll control and to curtail birthright citizenship, and lawyers have asked courts to treat his new August orders as violations of earlier injunctions. Separately, the Fifth Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling and restored Texas’s 2021 election restrictions.
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
Flock Safety has announced mandatory changes to its national license-plate camera network after reporting dozens of US officers misused the system. The company has shortened default data retention from 30 days to seven, will require case codes for searches and will force all customers to enable an audit tool that can lock out flagged users.
Kyle Kirkwood has won the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in downtown Washington, D.C., finishing 3.09 seconds ahead of Christian Lundgaard after leading 128 of 147 laps. President Donald Trump has waved the green flag and taken a ceremonial lap; the race routed 25 drivers past the National Mall as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
A Piper PA-24 has crashed into Seldovia Slough after departing Anchorage, killing the pilot and three passengers. State troopers recovered four bodies after waiting for the tide to recede; the wreckage rested in about 15 feet of water. The NTSB and FAA have opened an investigation; officials have identified the pilot and passengers and sent remains to the state medical examiner.
A multi-state outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has infected at least 55 people nationwide, including four hospitalizations. Cases are linked to Minnesota grower Everything Sprouts and its Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. FDA and CDC are coordinating testing and monitoring, with recalls and safety reviews ongoing.
Leavitt has stepped down as White House press secretary, joining MAGA Inc. and shaping her next moves. Trump is weighing candidates, with speculation centering on Margo Martin and Scott Jennings as potential successors. The departure marks a significant shift in the administration’s communications approach.
The State Department has said it will revoke B‑1 and B‑2 business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for people who have sought or are seeking asylum. The action, coordinated with DHS and described as rolling, would reclassify many pending asylum holders and would not necessarily cause immediate deportations; officials expect legal challenges.
A federal judge has issued an injunction blocking Ohio's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration ahead of the Oct. 5 deadline. The ruling cites the National Voter Registration Act, which the judge says takes precedence and requires offering registration at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles without extra citizenship documentation.
Arab American voters have shifted toward progressive candidates in several Michigan primaries, tying Gaza policy to local races. Organizers report growing Arab American political power, with candidates like Abdul El-Sayed winning nominations and a broader trend across 2026 primaries.
New England faces a costly invasive-crab crisis. Scientists, fishermen and startups are turning soft-shell European green crabs into marketable products—from premium meats to pet treats and whiskey. Despite climate-driven spread and decades of grassroots work, supply and infrastructure hurdles limit harvests and market reach.
Police in Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pa., have fatally shot Glen Pysher IV after he entered the rear of a homeowner’s residence during a late-night incident. Pysher, 22, was unarmed and on a FaceTime call with friends when he was shot. The shooting is being investigated by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and DA's office.
Justus Kelley has won Miss USA 2026, becoming the first married woman, first mother, and the first contestant in her 30s to win the pageant as the 75th edition crowns her in Miami. The Virginia native uses the platform to champion foster care and reflects on her family’s dedication.
The FDA, CDC and state health officials have identified more cases of cyclosporiasis in Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, bringing the national tally to 11,458. Investigators continue examining iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico, with officials insisting recalled product is off the market. The illness, cyclosporiasis, has prompted ongoing surveillance as outbreaks peak in warm months.
Flash flooding has swept Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch since Saturday afternoon, forcing air and ground evacuations, destroying footbridges and damaging the Transcanyon water pipeline. Park officials have evacuated more than 60 people, recovered at least two bodies and are searching for one remaining missing person while enforcing emergency water restrictions and closing overnight lodging.
Polls show Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico edging incumbent Ken Paxton by about 0.6 points among likely voters, with the race expected to go down to the wire. Other Texas contests, including the gubernatorial race, show shifting dynamics as data centers and AI concerns surface in public debate.
Grey Beard has completed the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, reclaiming the oldest-hiker record at age 91 after a challenging campaign. He faced multiple falls, a hospital visit, and a pinch nerve, but his perseverance ended at Maine's highest peak with a moment of prayer.
The Army is expanding its uncrewed systems program, with the Ground Uncrewed Vehicle demonstration slated for mid-October in North Dakota. Lawmakers are pressing for clarity on leadership decisions around drone units as the Army shifts to integrate drones across formations. Multiple sources indicate a broader push to accelerate drone capabilities amid evolving warfare.
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.
Voters face persistent inflation and a volatile Iran situation as midterms approach. Across multiple outlets, forecasts show Democrats defending House and Senate seats while Republicans seek to defy historical trends. Fundraising and map-drawing strategies intensify as campaigns emphasize costs and stability.
In New Hampshire, Democrats have channeled support behind Rep. Chris Pappas, while Republicans rally behind former Sen. John Sununu. The contest for the state’s Senate seat is part of a broader national battle for control of Congress, with both parties aiming to influence the Senate in November. Primary results and endorsements have shaped the field, as Sununu and Pappas gain or lose ground amid ongoing scrutiny of national politics.