Anthropic has publicly launched a model welfare research program and changed parts of Claude’s behavior around abusive chats, saying it is uncertain whether advanced AI systems could have experiences that deserve moral consideration. The company’s stance matters because it is shaping how one of the most influential chatbot makers builds and governs its products.

New national polls show President Donald Trump’s approval rating falling into the low 30s, with especially weak marks on the economy and cost of living. The latest numbers matter as midterm campaigning intensifies and Republicans confront signs of softer support from independents and even some GOP voters.

True Food Kitchen said October 5 that it and certain affiliates filed for Chapter 11 after closing 12 restaurants the day before. Court records show the petitions were filed October 4, and the company said 34 restaurants in 14 states remain open.

Meijer Express is America's new top-rated convenience store brand in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index study, according to reporting published October 6. The result marks a shift from last year's leader and adds a new Midwest name to the top of the category.

Halloween remains a popular American tradition, but the holiday has also become a major retail event. Recent surveys show...

The FBI said scammers are posing as federal agents, spoofing real field office phone numbers and using the names of actual agents to steal money. The warning, issued by the FBI's Newark field office on September 29, 2026, describes a harder-to-verify version of a long-running fraud scheme.

Republicans are using mid-decade redistricting, heavy campaign spending and government-backed messaging to protect their narrow congressional majorities before the November 2026 midterms. The push matters because control of both the House and Senate is in play.

A small share of Americans say Social Security should be phased out, while a large majority say benefits should not be reduced at all. The divide matters as the program’s trustees project its combined reserves will run short in 2034 under current law.

Several states temporarily suspended fuel taxes in 2022 as gasoline prices surged, trimming per gallon costs for drivers in places including Georgia, Maryland, Connecticut, New York and Florida. Official records show the breaks lowered taxes at the pump, but energy data indicates broader oil market shifts were a larger driver of the nationwide price decline later that year.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Oct. 5 in a case over whether Boulder County and other local governments can pursue state court claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor over climate-related costs. The ruling could affect dozens of similar lawsuits around the country.

New insurance data shows home and auto coverage are taking a larger share of household income, while regulators and industry researchers say affordability and availability strains are likely to remain a live issue into 2027.

U.S. households are projected to spend an average of $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. The increase comes as federal heating aid faces pressure and some regions, especially the Northeast, brace for steeper fuel costs.