Wildfires rage across the Northeast as 27 million people remain under fire alerts

Rhode Island's Democratic-controlled state House has passed legislation to ban the sale and manufacturing of many semiautomatic rifles, pending approval from Governor Dan McKee, who supports the ban. While gun control advocates argue this is a necessary step, critics claim it burdens law-abiding citizens and may face constitutional challenges in the Supreme Court. Need More Context? 🔎

A federal judge in Massachusetts has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, issuing a preliminary injunction that restores protections for affected students. This ruling comes amid allegations from the administration regarding Harvard's campus environment and follows a series of actions against the university, including funding cuts and demands for policy reforms, which have sparked significant backlash and support from other educational institutions. Need More Context? 🔎

CHICAGO — Legendary Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field for the first time in over 20 years before a game against the Seattle Mariners, where he was greeted by owner Tom Ricketts. Now 56 and set for induction into the Cubs' Hall of Fame, Sosa, a seven-time All-Star with 545 home runs, acknowledged past mistakes regarding performance-enhancing drugs during his career. Need More Context? 🔎

A juror from the recent trial of Karen Read, acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges, cited a "sloppy police investigation" and insufficient evidence to support the prosecution's case, stating she believed a collision did not occur. The juror and others noted doubts about the prosecution's narrative, particularly regarding the victim, John O'Keefe, and emphasized the importance of thorough investigative work in such cases. Need More Context? 🔎

House and Senate Republicans are advancing differing tax cut proposals, particularly on state and local tax deductions and child tax credits, as they work to finalize a significant tax and spending bill. Key differences include the House’s temporary increase of the child tax credit to $2,500 and a higher SALT deduction cap of $40,000, while the Senate opts for a permanent $2,200 credit and retains the $10,000 SALT cap, with negotiations expected in the coming...

Rapper Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, is facing a $20 million federal lawsuit from his former hype man, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, who alleges sexual coercion, underpayment, and denial of songwriting credits from 2005 to 2022. Dixon claims he was forced into thousands of sexual acts under threat, while Fat Joe's attorney has dismissed the allegations as fabrications and part of a retaliatory extortion scheme. Need More Context? 🔎