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International tourist numbers grew by 2% in Q1 2026, while Europe saw a 4% increase. Booking Holdings reported strong second-quarter results, beating Wall Street expectations with $7.4bn in revenues. CEO Glenn Fogel stated that the future of the travel industry will focus on using technology and AI to make planning and experiencing the world easier for everyone.

Four children were involved in a car rollover that occurred in Troy on Thursday night. Additionally, a longtime Saratoga Springs business has announced its closure. These local stories are featured in 'five things to know,' a segment sponsored by the Lia Auto Group.

Denver Water backs a ballot initiative related to wildfire and water protection. Aurora may also support Proposition 308, which aims to increase funding for grants designed to protect mountain watersheds against blazes.

Local officials in Robertson and Montgomery Counties learned about a multi-million-dollar federal contract ($63 million) designating Adams, Tennessee as the location for an ICE national immigration enforcement call center run by Koniag. Officials stated they had received no information regarding the plans to establish this federal facility. Although initial documents referenced Adams, job postings from Koniag indicated that required performance locations were in Nashville or the Nashville area.

Deepmind's Head of Robotics believes that humanoid robots will become useful over time. However, Carolina Parada stated that the technology has not yet reached a stage capable of delivering its full potential. She addressed these ideas during an episode of Bloomberg Tech: Europe, where she spoke with Tom Mackenzie.

County boards of elections in North Carolina have been targeting student voters by attempting to remove on-campus early voting locations for upcoming elections. Specific examples include counties like Jackson, Guilford, and Pasquotank that proposed cutting established sites at institutions such as Western Carolina University and UNC Greensboro. The article details instances where the State Board of Elections intervened against these plans, noting evidence of coordinated attempts to restrict student access to polling sites.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers have approved some of the country’s most restrictive vaping regulations. However, there are doubts that these new limits will prompt youth to quit vaping.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources is scheduled to vote on a lease for Mahi Pono. Water advocates expressed concern regarding this vote, noting that it represents a lost opportunity for county management.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is targeting additional states in an effort to eliminate in-state tuition benefits for immigrants. Hawaiʻi was mentioned as one of at least 20 states that currently offer this type of in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants residing within the state.

A new police chief in Honolulu promised to be transparent and accessible. According to observers, the chief is currently living up to this promise.

Last month, the National Park Service began offering guided tours to Honouliuli. This location, situated in Hawaiʻi Gulch, was previously a World War II internment camp, and the tours are now available to the public.

The article features 'Quotable: A Writer’s Creed,' suggesting it contains a good thought highly relevant for consideration following the primary election period.

The article discusses Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez freezing her eggs, alongside pending legislation in Albany. This potential law would require insurers to pay for the costly procedure.

A board-certified OBGYN warned that Massachusetts' new late-term abortion law could expose mothers to danger, arguing that third-trimester procedures are medically unnecessary and risky. The law, signed by Gov. Maura Healey, allows for broader physician discretion in authorizing later abortions. Critics also dispute the claim that such procedures only occur in rare medical emergencies.

The weekly news quiz features coverage of the Wisconsin Democratic governor’s primary and President Donald Trump's reported departure from Turkey. Previous week topics included James Carville's red line for the Democratic Party and a stripped Miss North Carolina USA title, while current quizzes also focus on American Culture.

New data show that homebuying in the Philadelphia area has become less affordable, requiring an income of just over $94,000 a year to afford a typical home in June. The median sale price for a home in the Philadelphia metro was $337,988, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. Economists suggest this price growth is strongly linked to pressure created by the city’s robust health care sector, which increases jobs and housing demand.

Luigi Mangione's federal hearing concerning the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has raised speculation that he may plead guilty in these proceedings. Separately, Mangione also faces a New York state trial involving charges of murder and weapons, alongside two stalking counts in the federal case. Both criminal cases could potentially result in a life prison sentence.

Oliver Larkin, a democratic socialist candidate, is running for Congress in a newly drawn district in Florida. He will be competing against a 'DeSantis Democrat' in Tuesday's election. Despite it being five weeks before the primary, Larkin canvassed single-family homes on palm tree-lined streets, finding that many residents wanted to talk with him.

Alex Murdaugh is scheduled for a pretrial hearing regarding his retrial for the deaths of Maggie and Paul in 2021. His defense plans include efforts to dismiss the murder indictments or limit the evidence presented during the second trial. Experts note that this new legal landscape involves determining how much financial crime evidence and prior testimony can be presented to a new jury.

Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes dismissed Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, a Venezuelan national accused of stabbing another man to death. The ruling highlights judicial discretion and has renewed scrutiny over releasing repeat criminal offenders. The controversy also draws attention to 'sanctuary' policies.

Judge Nichelle Holmes dismissed Venezuelan national Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, who was accused of stabbing Todd Stewart and attempting burglary. This decision has fueled renewed scrutiny regarding judicial discretion in releasing repeat offenders and continues the debate over 'sanctuary' policies related to immigration enforcement. The judge previously stated that justice does not always necessitate a prison sentence.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued New York, Connecticut, and Vermont regarding laws that allow immigrants without permanent legal status to pay in-state college tuition. This action is part of a larger effort by the administration to challenge state policies that provide benefits to noncitizens. The lawsuits argue that these policies allow students without permanent legal status access to drastically lower public education tuition than U.S. citizens from other states.

Kentucky enacted a new anti-grooming law that resulted in the arrest of an employee at Graves County Middle School, Sadie M. Flores. Experts warn that grooming is not defined by single incidents but is a pattern of behavior intended to build trust and erode boundaries before exploitation can occur. The advocate noted this legal measure provides an earlier opportunity for authorities to potentially intervene.

Homeland Security investigators are examining union financial records to uncover evidence of labor unions funding domestic terrorism. In other local news, efforts in Brainerd address student stress following middle school suicide deaths by promoting open communication. Culturally, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum was highlighted for its diverse gardens, and bookstores like The Acorn Bookshop were praised as uniquely underrated.

The MinnPost Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Key speakers include Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who will address voting system changes, Nicholas Enrich discussing his experience with USAID’s dismantling, and Jim Walsh performing a live Mad Ripple Hootenanny built around protest songs. Tickets are available for purchase now.

Detroit voters approved $112 million annually for DPSCD over ten years through a millage vote, reflecting community desire for improved education. Despite this funding win, leaders are pushing for greater parental input on how funds are spent and addressing persistent underfunding issues in facilities and programming. The article notes that statistics show the majority of students graduate unprepared for college and trade schools.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission plans to vote next month on a revised rule that requires intervening parties, including corporations and environmental groups, to disclose all out-of-state funding. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta originally proposed the rule, citing concerns about potential foreign interference in energy regulation. However, opponents worry the measure could curb participation in critical regulatory debates after pushing for the proposal to be significantly reworked.

Tennessee lawmakers are considering a special session to change property appraisal laws concerning Nashville's Lower Broadway bars, with proposals including basing taxes on purchase price rather than current value. While officials acknowledged the issue, sources suggest the chances of holding such a special session this year are slim to none due to logistical challenges and approaching elections. The state Constitution requires that all properties be treated for tax purposes in an equal and uniform manner.

The 50 largest US private foundations hold over $535 billion collectively, facing a mandated minimum annual distribution of 5%, a requirement that remains untouched despite changes in tax law. New legislation, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has weakened several historical incentives for charity by introducing new floors and caps on deductions. Consequently, this structural payout requirement, rather than personal inclination, is becoming the central mechanism governing how capital moves in American philanthropy.

The article posits that Artificial intelligence is creating a 'technology barbell,' allowing the largest platforms to spread data and expertise across volume while enabling small specialists to rent capabilities. This trend leaves middle-tier firms struggling with overhead costs without sufficient scale for differentiation. The structural shift suggests acquisitions are concentrating into private equity-backed platforms.

The article argues that concerns about the U.S. dollar have made gold relevant to a value investor who previously considered it outside their framework because it lacks cash flows. The core concern is that the stability of the US's economy, democracy, and military are all declining, evidenced by high budget deficits and rising debt service costs.

California voters are sharply divided regarding a proposed ballot measure that would impose a one-time tax on billionaires to help fund healthcare programs. This proposal, which relates to voter ID requirements, has triggered a fierce political fight as the November election approaches.

The Destination Crenshaw project, designed to be a beautification effort for the Crenshaw Corridor, had been stalled for years. Following local outcry and a town hall demanding answers, the city began cleaning up construction this week.

A young man previously connected to the 2020 shooting of Pop Smoke in the Hollywood Hills has faced new charges. He pleaded no contest to accusations that he was smuggling fentanyl into juvenile hall.

The long-awaited LAX Skylink train, or people mover, is 99% complete but faces rising uncertainty. This concern is driven by bond ratings falling into junk territory and looming 2026 deadlines. These factors raise the possibility of default and termination.

COVID-19 is noted as becoming a summer staple in California as winter outbreaks decline. Health officials are now refocusing prevention efforts due to this shift, and the CDC reports that COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 43 states, including California.

COVID-19 is becoming a summer staple in California even as winter outbreaks fade. This shift was noted over recent years and is projected to be clearer in 2026, prompting health officials to adjust prevention efforts. The CDC reports that COVID-19 is growing or likely growing across 43 states, including California.

California voters are sharply divided over a ballot measure to impose a one-time tax on billionaires intended to fund healthcare programs. Furthermore, voter ID requirements are also dividing opinion among California voters.

The Destination Crenshaw project, a beautification effort for the Crenshaw Corridor that had been stalled for years, is finally seeing movement. Following local outcry and demands made at a town hall, the city started to clean up construction this week.

A young man, who is serving time for the 2020 shooting of rapper Pop Smoke in the Hollywood Hills, pleaded no contest to charges. The new charges accused him of smuggling fentanyl into juvenile hall.