Metro points to new fare gates, TAP‑to‑Exit checks and a public‑safety overhaul as incident reports fall and rider satisfaction rises.

Thick smoke over Lockhart was a planned brush burn, Caldwell County says. The county says an excavating company was conducting the burn to prepare the site for construction.

A $39M, 49‑site parks upgrade with NORESCO won a 2026 Environment+Energy Leader Award after cutting electricity and water use and funding pool and beach improvements.

A 40-year-old man was shot and killed early Tuesday on Chicago’s Near North Side; area detectives are investigating the fatal shooting.

A pedestrian was seriously injured in a hit-and-run on South Parkway East in Southeast Memphis. Police are seeking a gray sedan and asking witnesses to call Crime Stoppers.

A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 27 months after prosecutors say he used pre-public EDGAR filings to net more than $2.2M in illegal trades.

DFCS Director Candice Broce accused Sen. Jon Ossoff of being “nowhere to be found” after his campaign’s new foster‑care ad, reigniting debate over missing‑children data and judges’ testimony.

A 4-year-old boy, identified as Rhett Luttrell, died after a cake-style fireworks tube tipped over and struck him during a Fourth of July gathering in Pulaski County. Officials are investigating.

A St. Joseph tax preparer faces 13 felony counts alleging years of false returns and unpaid taxes. State investigators say the Stearns County Attorney filed the complaint after a Minnesota Department of Revenue probe.

A reported sighting of a person with a gun on East Louise Street triggered a multi‑hour SWAT response in North Long Beach. Police say the weapon turned out to be a replica and a 27‑year‑old was arrested.

After a four-month closure, Kahala Zippy's reopened with a refreshed dining room, Napoleon's Bakery, a sushi bar and behind-the-scenes upgrades.

A 19-story, 287-unit tower at 1221 W. Washington topped out in Fulton Market; developers now expect first deliveries in January 2027.

Universal Distribution filed to finish out a 31,259‑sqft warehouse and office in Round Rock 45, with construction slated from July 20 to Sept. 21.