New Jersey mayors are expressing deep concern following President Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration plans to terminate federal funding for sanctuary cities and states that resist his immigration policies. The move, which is expected to take effect on February 1, could have wide-ranging consequences for several municipalities across the state and has renewed debate over the balance of power between federal authority and local governance. New Jersey is home to multip

San Francisco state and city leaders announced a proposed legislative change Monday aimed at expanding the use of court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment as part of an effort to confront the city’s ongoing mental health crisis. The announcement was made during a morning press conference outside San Francisco City Hall, where officials described the proposal as a significant shift in how treatment for severe mental illness is handled in California. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined mem

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the 2026 tax filing season will officially begin on Monday, Jan. 26, giving taxpayers the green light to submit their 2025 individual income tax returns. The agency expects to process approximately 164 million returns during the upcoming season, with the vast majority filed electronically. Officials say new tax law provisions could lower tax liabilities for some filers and potentially increase refund amounts, while operational changes may alter

President Donald Trump’s recently announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies are expected to have a limited effect on what most Americans pay for prescription drugs, according to health policy experts who say the scope and structure of the deals leave many patients unaffected. Since Sept. 30, the Trump administration has reached agreements with 14 drugmakers in exchange for relie

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

The Union government has sought additional information from social media platform X regarding the steps taken to address obscene and sexually explicit content linked to its artificial intelligence tool, Grok, and the measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to sources familiar with the matter. The request follows a detailed response submitted by the platform, which officials have assessed as insufficient in addressing key regulatory concerns. Sources in

Property owners in central Ohio will see notable changes to property tax payment schedules beginning in 2026, as officials in Franklin County revise due dates and Delaware County advances the start of its billing cycle. County leaders emphasized that the adjustments are designed to improve administrative efficiency and provide taxpayers with more time to prepare payments, without altering the total amounts owed or disrupting existing payment plans.

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

U.S. crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since May on Tuesday, deepening a prolonged downturn that has put the market on track for its weakest annual performance in seven years. The decline reflects growing concerns over a looming supply surplus and shifting expectations around geopolitical risks, particularly the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dropped to $55.69 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude

As electric vehicles continue to rise in popularity, one question matters more than ever: Is solar charging or plug-in grid charging the smarter choice in 2025? This guide breaks down both charging methods in simple terms, helping EV owners understand which option delivers bigger savings, greater efficiency, and lower environmental impact. Solar EV charging uses power generated from rooftop solar panels, offering near-zero running costs and the cleanest possible energy source. It is

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s claims that India is “funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.” Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy stated that “India is mostly with us” while acknowledging ongoing energy challenges that complicate the picture. His comments came after Trump, during a speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), dir

In a hard-fought community effort, residents of West Jefferson, Ohio, have successfully stopped a proposed biodigester project that had stirred deep concerns over environmental risks and its proximity to residential neighborhoods. After months of advocacy, the company behind the project withdrew its plans, signaling a major win for local voices who refused to be sidelined. The proposed facility, intended for Madison County, would have processed cow manure and food waste into renewable natural ga

The quiet rural landscape of White Township in Warren County may soon become home to a fully functional solar power facility, pending one last step of approval. The Foul Rift Solar Farm, which spans 56 acres at 46 Foul Rift Road, has completed all major installations including its solar panels and power lines. Developed by CEP Renewables, the project is poised to begin generating electricity but first needs a final major site plan approval from the township's planning board. This crucial

Columbus residents enrolled in the Clean Energy Columbus Program can expect a bump in their electricity bills starting this June. The rate increase comes as part of the city’s continuing commitment to sustainability, with the program sourcing 100% clean energy for its participants. Supplied by AEP Ohio, the Clean Energy Columbus Program has helped many residents save on monthly power bills while contributing to broader environmental goals outlined in the Columbus Climate Action Plan.

A federal judge has ordered the return of a 20-year-old migrant who was deported to El Salvador despite having a pending asylum application, marking a significant legal development in the ongoing enforcement of a Biden-era immigration settlement. The ruling, issued by US District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore, is the second such case in which a deported migrant has been ordered back to the United States under the same legal agreement. Although the Trump administration

Global mining giant Rio Tinto has taken a significant step toward expanding its presence in the sustainable metals sector by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India-based AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M). The collaboration will focus on evaluating the feasibility of a large-scale, low-carbon aluminium and alumina production facility in India powered by renewable energy sources. The proposed development, still in the assessment phase, could result in a facility capable o

After months out of the spotlight, former President Joe Biden returned to the national stage with a blistering critique of the current administration’s handling of Social Security and the deepening divide in American politics. Addressing a crowd of policy advocates and community leaders, Biden warned of sweeping staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and accused the White House of undermining a foundational institution that millions of Americans rely on. Biden&rs

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a sweeping plan to power the future of artificial intelligence by identifying 16 federal sites for the rapid development of energy infrastructure. With nuclear and renewable sources in focus, these locations are poised to support the surging energy requirements of large-scale AI systems.Described by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright as “the next Manhattan Project,” the initiative signals a

This month, a severe winter storm swept across the United States, causing widespread chaos, fatalities, and significant damage. The storm, which struck from the mid-Atlantic to the South, left at least seven people dead and nearly half a million energy customers without power. The deadly storm began with strong winds, heavy rain, and even the formation of tornadoes. In Michigan, four people tragically lost their lives as a result of the storm, with one incident involving a tree falling onto a