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In New York City, congestion pricing will begin this Sunday, Jan. 5. The initiative, long debated, has drawn mixed reactions. Proponents argue it will ease traffic congestion, while critics claim it is a profit-driven move by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

How NYC Congestion Pricing Will Work

Starting Sunday, drivers entering south of 60th Street in Manhattan will pay $9. Small trucks will be charged $14.40, and large trucks will pay $21.60, according to The New York Times. Rates will be discounted during nighttime hours. Ride-share and taxi drivers will face lesser impacts, with fees of $1.50 for Uber and Lyft rides and 75 cents for taxis.

“Congestion pricing will finally tackle the gridlock that is slowing down emergency vehicles, polluting air and wasting people’s time in traffic,” said John J. McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, according to the news outlet.

Why Is NYC Implementing Congestion Pricing?

New York City was named the most congested city in the world in 2023 by transportation analytics firm INRIX, beating Mexico City, London, and Paris. Supporters believe this policy is a necessary step to address gridlock and improve air quality.

Critics Challenge NYC Congestion Pricing

Opponents argue the policy won’t reduce traffic and unfairly penalizes drivers from outside Manhattan. “This is just simply a misguided policy,” said Ed Day, the Rockland County executive.

Legal challenges abound, with at least 10 lawsuits filed to halt the program. Plaintiffs include Staten Island Borough President Vito J. Fossella, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, and the Trucking Association of New York.

On Friday, New Jersey filed an injunction citing potential environmental impacts on the state, but a judge denied the motion.

Political History of NYC Congestion Pricing

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo first introduced congestion pricing in the 2019 state budget. Initially slated to begin in June 2023, the plan was delayed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who cited concerns about its impact on New York City’s economy. The program was revived in November with a 40% toll reduction.

“This raises serious questions about fairness, priorities, and accountability,” Day said in his lawsuit.

Matthew Livelsberger, the 37-year-old man now deceased and suspected of plotting the Cybertruck explosion that occurred on New Year’s Day outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, allegedly owned a “manifesto” detailing his theories about mysterious drones recently spotted on the East Coast.

The alleged manifesto, now central to the investigation, was shared by retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Sam Shoemate. According to Newsweek, Shoemate revealed on the popular YouTube podcast, The Shawn Ryan Show, that Livelsberger had emailed the document to him.

Theories on Drones and Gravitic Propulsion Systems

It also claims the mysterious drones are operated using gravitic propulsion systems, an advanced technology allegedly in use by both China and the United States. Livelsberger theorized these drones represent “the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed.”

He argued that the drones have “an unlimited payload capacity” and could potentially hover over critical locations like the White House. The “manifesto” compared the drones to the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast in 2023 and suggested they were being launched from submarines stationed in the Atlantic.

Government’s Stance on Drone Threats

Despite Livelsberger’s claims, U.S. authorities downplayed the threat posed by the drones. A December statement from the FBI and DHS stated there was “no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.”

However, the alleged manifesto urged the U.S. government to release public information on China’s use of drones and gravitic propulsion systems. “China is poised to attack anywhere on the East Coast,” his email alleged, according to Newsweek.

Livelsberger’s Military Background and Final Days

Livelsberger served in the U.S. Army as a remote and autonomous systems manager at Camp Panzer Kaserne in Germany. His responsibilities included ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of military drones. According to his manifesto, Livelsberger believed he was being followed by the government and claimed they were preventing him from entering Mexico.

The email also contained alarming details, including Livelsberger’s claim that he possessed a “massive VBIED” (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device).

Aftermath of the Cybertruck Explosion

Following the New Year’s Day explosion, authorities found Livelsberger’s body inside the Cybertruck. Investigators recovered several items from the vehicle, including:

A handgun near Livelsberger’s feet

Another firearm

Fireworks

Passport and military ID

Credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch

The alleged manifesto gained further attention when it was shared on social media by Shawn Ryan.

Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, warned his followers that the revelations might provoke significant questions. “My account will be active, but it will not be me behind the wheel,” Ryan stated, per Newsweek. “What we are about to release is mind-boggling.”

Brenton Wood, the soul singer known most for the iconic hit “The Oogum Boogum Song,” has died. He was 83.

His manager and assistant, Manny Gallegos, confirmed the news to Variety. Per Gallegos, Wood “died from natural causes and was surrounded by his family at his home in Moreno Valley, CA.”

Gallegos told Entertainment Weekly, “I was there last night at his house. I was playing the piano for him. He was in the hospital bed, and I told him, ‘Friend, is there anything you want to say to your fans?’ And he says, you tell my fans I said, ‘Catch you on the rebound.’”

Wood, born Alfred Jesse Smith, was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana before his family moved to Los Angeles. As Variety reported, “he adopted his stage name as a reference to his home county, and looked to artists including Sam Cooke and Jesse Belvin for inspiration as he wrote songs and played the piano.”

His signature song, “The Oogum Boogum Song” was released in 1967 and peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another popular song of his is “Gimme Little Sign,” which reached No. 9 on the Hot 100. It was also released in 1967. Both songs have stood the test of time, and “The Oogum Boogum Song” is often used in television series and movies, as well as commercials.

In 2024, he began his farewell tour, Catch You on the Rebound: The Last Tour. It paused after his hospitalization.

A significant winter storm is set to sweep through much of the U.S. this weekend, marking the first major snowstorm of the season. Over six inches of snow is estimated to fall in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, and southern New Jersey, The Washington Post reported.

Winter Storm Warning Issued For Midwest And Mid-Atlantic States

Southeastern Nebraska, southern Iowa, northern Missouri, south-central Illinois, south-central Indiana, southern Ohio, northern Kentucky, southwestern Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are expected to feel the storm’s impact. The storm could bring extremely icy roads, downed trees, and widespread power outages.

North Carolina residents are being advised to take extra precautions as they continue to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Southern States Face Tornadoes Amid Winter Storm Warning

On Sunday night, damaging winds and possible tornadoes could impact Arkansas, western Tennessee, eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Snowfall in several states is predicted to range from six to 12 inches before Monday, with some areas, such as northeastern Kansas, northern Missouri, south-central Illinois, south-central Indiana, southern Ohio, northern Kentucky, northern West Virginia, and western Maryland, potentially seeing accumulations of over a foot.

Tracking the Winter Storm Warning: Weekend Path And Impact

The winter storm is forecast to move through South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas on Saturday before spreading into Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois later that night. By Sunday night, the storm will reach Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and western Virginia, continuing into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic.

Arctic Blast Follows Winter Storm Warning, With More Snow Expected

Next week, temperatures in some parts of the country could dip into single digits as arctic air sweeps in. Meanwhile, another storm is expected to hit certain regions later in the week, potentially compounding the challenges posed by this weekend’s weather.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a flu-like illness first discovered in 2001, is rapidly spreading, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although officials have not declared a state of emergency, the data shows that the virus is rising at a faster pace than COVID-19, rhinovirus and adenovirus, Newsweek reported.

How HMPV Spreads and Its Impact on Hospitalizations

HMPV is already responsible for a little over 6% of positive respiratory illness tests in China, the CDC reported. It has also caused 5.4% of respiratory illness hospitalizations across the country, the data adds. The virus spreads through droplets from coughing and sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated objects and surfaces. Unsurprisingly, it is especially active during winter and spring.

HMPV Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Prevention Tips

Similar to COVID-19, symptoms of HMPV include coughing, fever and runny nose, The Express Tribune reported. Some people may also experience shortness of breath, which can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Right now, there’s no specific treatment or vaccine for HMPV, but people with the virus are encouraged to stay home until they are no longer infected. Officials are also urging people to wash their hands often and to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

Recent HMPV Infection Rates in China

According to Reuters, data shows that the rate of overall infections in China has been rising in recent weeks.

Mobile users accused Apple of eavesdropping on private conversations A preliminary settlement filed Tuesday night in Oakland, California, is awaiting approval from a U.S. district judge, Reuters and Forbes reported. The lawsuit stems from mobile users who accused Apple of […]

August Alsina had a lot to say about his career trajectory in September, telling fans on X, formerly Twitter, that his break from the music industry is due to a “diabolical level of doxxing, railroading, stonewalling, road blocking, gas lighting & betrayal,” among others.

A fan tweeted Alsina about his musical hiatus, who responded a few minutes later, suggesting it wasn’t voluntary.

“One day it’ll be revealed the diabolical level of doxxing, railroading, stonewalling, road blocking, gas lighting & betrayal that goes on behind the scenes within this industry,” he wrote in part in a retweet.

One day it’ll be revealed the diabolical level of doxxing, railroading, stonewalling, road blocking, gas lighting & betrayal that goes on behind the scenes within this industry. Abuse of power, all in the name of up-keeping facades, promotion of lies and illusions; While… https://t.co/3ibUl4Ycpg— August Alsina (@AugustAlsina) September 23, 2024

Fans commented on their support of Alsina.

💐💐💐💐💐💐let me go ahead & give you these🥹🥹 so deserved— FAVORITE BARBIE🦄 (@Afroditea_) September 23, 2024

Sending you love ❤️— 𝓚𝓲𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓵𝔂 𝓝𝓪𝓽𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓪 𐚁 🤍👑 (@SweethottieK) September 23, 2024

And this why Ion pressure you at all to drop sum new I rather you be happy than seeing you miserable your happiness and peace comes first— 🦋💜Felici McGill💛🦋 (@felicimcgill18) September 23, 2024

Others speculated that Alsina’s struggle against the machine might be linked to his highly publicized association with Jada Pinkett Smith, who infamously disclosed their relationship, describing it as an “entanglement,” in a July 2020 episode of Red Table Talk.

We all know why this is happening to you. And who has the connections to make this happen to you. Sorry.— Red Negasi (@Tshego_Bane) September 23, 2024

I know Will Smith used his power to get you blocked in the industry— Tyler SYD🇫🇷 (@TylerSydSA) September 23, 2024

I already knew why you wasn’t doing music no more… I just want a farewell tour…. but in your own time. We love youuuu!! ❤💕💕 Idc about the music fr…. you are doing great at what you are doing now. Continue doing what you are doing and fuck the rest honestly!!— _kikiboo 🦋 (@_kikiboo_21) September 23, 2024

In 2022, Alsina launched Encina Wellness, a skincare and wellness brand inspired by the singer’s experience living with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the liver, Women’s Wear Daily reported. The following year, he dropped his fourth album, Myself.

The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a health advisory for the link between alcohol and the risk of cancer. Published on Jan. 3, it notes that alcohol consumption is “the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the country, after tobacco and obesity.” He is calling for an update of the existing health warning label found on alcoholic drinks to now include a risk of cancer.