Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has entered the 2026 gubernatorial race, aiming to follow Gov. Ron DeSantis amidst a competitive Republican primary. Despite his military credentials and significant ad spending, early polls favor Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

Massachusetts is implementing sweeping reforms for assisted living facilities, spurred by the Gabriel House tragedy, to enhance resident protection and accountability. Key measures include a public compliance database by 2026, mandatory resident assessments, annual safety inspections, and enhanced transparency for families.

Calvin Russell III has joined Syracuse University's basketball team in addition to its football program, highlighting his status as a rare dual-sport athlete. The Miami native, an early enrollee, may impact ACC games depending on NCAA eligibility rules and strategic usage by the coaching staff.

The Hughes brothers face off in Minnesota as Jack and Luke Hughes of the Devils meet Quinn Hughes of the Wild in a much-anticipated sibling NHL showdown. The Devils aim to overcome recent defensive struggles, while the Wild capitalizes on Quinn's league-leading assists since his trade to Minnesota.

Georgia's 2026 legislative session kicks off with a focus on affordability, tackling tax policy, education, and healthcare across 40 days. The session addresses election-year dynamics, impacting legislative priorities and pace.

Mattel introduces the first autistic Barbie, aiming to enhance inclusive representation with sensory-friendly accessories. Experts and advocates stress the importance of authentic portrayal amid ongoing autism discussions.

West Virginia Delegate Michael DeVault resigned, effective January 12, creating two vacancies in the House ahead of the 2026 session. His departure triggers a legal process for selecting his replacement.

Fernando Thompson, alleged leader of the Sex Money Murder gang, faces serious charges including conspiracy to commit RICO, with possible life sentences. Details will be shared at a press conference by Polk County Sheriff and Florida Attorney General, streamed via the 10 Tampa Bay News app.

New York City courts are expanding language access services citywide to aid non-English speakers in navigating the justice system. This initiative reflects the city's linguistic diversity and aims to improve equity by offering translations and interpretations in over 200 languages, prioritizing top languages in key neighborhoods.

Jim Hunt, former North Carolina governor, navigated the political landscape by emphasizing his faith amid rising Christian conservatism led by figures like Jesse Helms. During his tenure, Hunt balanced religious appeals with pragmatic policies such as Smart Start, addressing challenges like education and social issues as the Religious Right reshaped state politics.

The president may veto a bill to extend ACA subsidies, threatening premium increases and coverage loss as expiration looms at 2025's end. This potential veto highlights a partisan impasse, with recent House and Senate actions stalling progress and leaving consumers anxious about healthcare costs.

A North Carolina analysis reveals that numerous 2025 local elections were decided by a single vote, emphasizing the critical impact of voter turnout. With several races ending in ties or near-ties, even minimal voter engagement could have shifted outcomes, highlighting the importance of participation as mail-in and early voting commence for 2026.

A massive overnight fire in Spencerville, Maryland, caused over $1 million in damage, gutting a home and requiring the efforts of over 50 firefighters. The blaze, ignited by a heat lamp in a chicken coop, was reported early Sunday, and no injuries were reported as the sole occupant escaped safely.

PennDOT plans a $10 million preservation project for the US 11/15 bridge over the Juniata River, with construction scheduled from March to November 2027. Public comments on the project will be accepted until February 12, 2025, with staged, single-lane closures ensuring traffic flow.

Helena Moreno is set to become New Orleans' first Hispanic mayor today, facing a budget crisis and advocating for faster, coordinated city agency actions. With a focus on transparency and community trust, Moreno aims to address immigration, crime, and infrastructure challenges while emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and fiscal responsibility.

Senators push Congress to extend ACA premium tax credits to prevent health insurance price hikes for Rhode Islanders, potentially affecting over 41,000 residents. With a bipartisan House approval, Senate negotiations are crucial to secure the extension and counter Republican Medicaid cuts.

California's recent juvenile sentencing reforms could lead to the resentencing of Charles "Andy" Williams, possibly releasing him at age 39. Williams, convicted for a 2001 school shooting, was initially sentenced to 50 years to life, but his case is now under appeal after new legal standards were applied.

Twelve Massachusetts towns failed to meet the MBTA Communities Act deadline, risking state grant loss and legal action. Efforts to comply vary, with some towns forming committees while others contest the law.

Trump's motorcade was rerouted to Palm Beach International Airport after a 'suspicious object' was found, prompting a security-driven detour. The investigation is led by the FBI, with Trump claiming no knowledge of the object.