Northeast
AI raises the stakes for national security. Here’s how to get it right
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Regulating advanced AI isn’t a game of checkers. It’s a game of chess.
Every move matters. You have to think several steps ahead. And if you focus only on the next play — or worse, react after the fact — you risk losing the long game.
Today, the United States finds itself at a turning point on AI, where real policy choices are being made. You can see it in the actions underway in both the states and Washington.
In recent months, leaders in both New York and California have passed landmark AI safety legislation. California’s SB 53 took effect on January 1, while New York’s RAISE Act was signed into law by Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul in December and will take effect in 2027.
MIKE DAVIS: CONGRESS MUST STOP BIG TECH’S AI AMNESTY SCAM BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers her State of the State address at Hart Theatre at The Egg in Albany, New York, Jan. 13, 2026. (Heather Ainsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Both states are moving toward approaches that align state and federal law — recognizing that a fragmented, state-by-state patchwork isn’t sustainable. Given their size and economic impact, these moves create a clear path forward for federal action while positioning New York and California to lead the nation into the AI era.
There’s a word for this kind of alignment between state and federal action: harmonization. The federal government sets one clear national standard for the most powerful AI systems — the issues that affect national security and the country as a whole. States continue to focus on the issues closest to people’s daily lives: consumer protection, civil rights and how AI is used in schools, workplaces and public services. Each level of government plays to its strengths.
Think of it as one rulebook with two clear roles and one urgent mission: ensuring the United States maintains its competitive advantage in a technology central to national security and global economic leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said bluntly that whoever leads in AI will lead the world. The United States can’t afford to drift — or to divide itself — at this critical moment.
STATE-LEVEL AI RULES SURVIVE — FOR NOW — AS SENATE SINKS MORATORIUM DESPITE WHITE HOUSE PRESSURE
That’s because AI leadership is increasingly an issue of national security — and national security requires prevention, not punishment after the fact.
When states act alone, they are often forced into a liability-only approach — holding companies accountable after harm has already occurred. Preventing the most serious risks requires access to the technical expertise and classified systems that only the federal government possesses.
That is why our North Star must remain clear: deploying frontier models safely and in a way that best positions the United States to maintain its innovation lead.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EYES SWEEPING FEDERAL POWER OVER AI, DRAFT ORDER SHOWS
That prevention-first approach already exists in practice. The Center for AI Standards and Innovation — created by the Biden administration and updated by the Trump administration — gives the federal government the ability to test and evaluate advanced AI systems before they are widely deployed. That kind of centralized testing is essential for managing risks that no single state or company can address on its own.
Without harmonization, AI companies would face a confusing patchwork of conflicting state requirements that slows innovation without improving public safety. With it, companies get clarity and consistency, the public gets stronger protections and states are given clear room to act where they add the most value.
Today, the United States finds itself at a turning point on AI, where real policy choices are being made. You can see it in the actions underway in both the states and Washington.
At the same time, states play a vital role, and the recent moves in New York and California show what that balance looks like in practice. By moving away from fragmented approaches and toward alignment, the two largest innovation economies in the country are helping create a de facto national standard that exists alongside, and not instead of, state action.
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL PRESSES ALLIES TO FREE AI FROM INNOVATION-KILLING REGULATIONS
This is what harmonization looks like in practice: Washington focuses on the highest-stakes safety issues, while states address kitchen-table ones. It is a third way forward — avoiding both unregulated acceleration and fragmented overreach.
Think about how we handle car safety. We don’t wait for accidents to happen and then rely solely on lawsuits to make cars safer. The federal government sets clear national safety standards. It requires rigorous testing. And it makes seatbelts, airbags, and braking systems mandatory — with strict rules for how well they must perform — before cars ever hit the road. Liability still matters, but prevention comes first, because the stakes are too high to get it wrong.
That balance isn’t new. It’s how the United States has governed aviation, food and drug safety, financial markets and telecommunications. In each case, the federal government set clear national standards for systems that power the entire country, while states continued to play a critical role closer to home. The result wasn’t less innovation or less growth. It was regulatory clarity, economic growth, and American leadership.
CHINA RACES AHEAD ON AI —TRUMP WARNS AMERICA CAN’T REGULATE ITSELF INTO DEFEAT
I saw this dynamic firsthand in 1996, when I was working in the White House just as the internet was beginning to reshape the economy.
Washington faced a choice that feels familiar today: apply old rules to a new technology, or agree on a new national framework built for what was coming next. Democrats and Republicans chose the latter.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
The result was the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It wasn’t perfect, but it got the big things right. It created clear national standards, gave innovators room to build and helped position the United States to lead the internet era that followed.
Think of it as one rulebook with two clear roles and one urgent mission: ensuring the United States maintains its competitive advantage in a technology central to national security and global economic leadership.
The lesson is straightforward. When America sets smart, national standards for emerging technologies, we don’t fall behind — we lead.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The chessboard is set. If the United States focuses on prevention, harmonizes state and federal efforts, and keeps its eyes on that North Star, we can once again lead a defining technological era.
That’s how you win the long game: by playing chess, not checkers.
Read the full article from Here
New Hampshire
Concord celebrates 237 years of Constitution ratification with festivities – Concord Monitor
On June 20, 1788, New Hampshire’s delegates met to debate ratifying the U.S. Constitution. After officially breaking for the day, the delegates met at the Walker House on North Main Street in Concord, where they continued their discussions over drinks.
They met again the next day, this time at the Old North Meeting House, to ratify one of America’s founding documents. With their signatures, New Hampshire became the ninth state to formally approve the Constitution, completing the two-thirds majority needed for it to go into effect.
This Saturday, 237 years later, the Concord Historical Society will host “Liberty and Legacy: Civic Saturday Social” from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The old-fashioned block party will celebrate New Hampshire’s democratic history in the lead up to America 250 and Concord 300.
The event will kick off at 1 p.m. in front of the Walker House at 276 North Main St. with a toast of sparking cider by Mayor Byron Champlin accompanied by a musket salute courtesy of the Bell’s Company NH 2nd Regiment reenactors. The toast and salute will be repeated at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Outside of the toasts, the Bell’s Company reenactors will be at the Pierce Manse open house for interviews. There will be a historical reenactment of the Declaration of Independence on Sparkey Stage at 2:10 p.m., and a 19th-century magic show at 2:45 p.m. at the Kimball Jenkins Carriage House.
Learn about Concord’s history at the Carriage House with Ward 3 City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic at 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m., including stories from 1726 to 1776. You can also join Binnie Media at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a tour of the historic building where the Constitution was ratified. At 5 p.m., Bob Pollock will talk on the Kimball Jenkins Mansion lawn about some of the historic trees planted along North Main Street.
There will also be multiple exhibitions during the event. A replica of the original Concord Coach will be on show, accompanied by other historic vehicles. The Kimball Jenkins Mansion will have an open house to display the “History Woven Through Time” art exhibition, with 30-minute organ recitals at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
For craftspeople and artists, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy. The Nulhegan Band of Abenaki will present their national needlework project “America’s Tapestry,” and attendees can learn beading and embroidery techniques from those who worked on the tapestry. The Guild of NH Woodworkers will also be hosting a woodworking demo throughout the day.
The Concordia Church Lawn will hold many activities throughout the day, including leather stamping, pottery, face painting, sidewalk chalk and historic games. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Miles Smith Farm will host their Extreme Cow Experience, where you can interact with their Scottish Highland cows. A Parlor Quoits (Cornhole) Tournament will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with team and individual sign ups from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Individuals will be paired as needed, and teams of two will be matched before the tournament begins.
On the Sparkey Stage, the Avaloch Farm Music Institute will hold a performance at 1:15 p.m., and musician Mike Morris will take the stage at 2:30 p.m. for his FreeStyle Folk Music Concert.
Food will be offered throughout the day. Domino’s will be partnering with Made By Us in offering pizza and civic information, and Stacy’s Grill food truck will be right next to Sparkey Stage. New Hampshah’s Mini Donuts and Nice Ice Baby Sno Cones will be available, as well as popcorn, cookies and cotton candy.
Parking will be available at Bennie Media, the Boys and Girls Club, Milestone Construction and the Merrimack County Savings Bank. Handicap parking will be available at the end of Horseshoe Pond Lane.
North Main Street will be closed from Kimball Jenkins Estate to where Horseshoe Pond Lane begins.
See the Roxbury warehouse scouted by ICE as possible deportation site
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were in Roxbury recently apparently scouting a Rt. 46 warehouse as a possible migrant deportation facility.
Federal officials are considering abandoning plans for a controversial immigration detention facility in Roxbury, New Jersey, according to a June 18 report by The New York Times, prompting local leaders and state officials to declare a victory after months of legal and political opposition.
The proposed facility, a warehouse property purchased to serve as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, faced intense criticism from local residents, environmental advocates and elected officials who argued the site was unsuitable for housing detainees.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the Department of Homeland Security appeared to be backing away from the project following legal challenges that halted development.
“Today the New York Times is reporting that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is backing down on its mass detention center in Roxbury,” the statement said. “That is a big win for public safety, for the township of Roxbury, and for New Jersey.”
According to the Times report, the Roxbury facility is one of seven ICE is planning to dispense with by transferring ownership to other federal agencies or selling them.
Opponents argued the warehouse was designed as a logistics facility and lacked the infrastructure necessary to support a large detention center. They also raised concerns about the potential strain on local water and sewage systems and the impact on environmentally sensitive land surrounding the site.
State officials said they joined Roxbury Township in court to challenge the project, contending that federal plans violated local regulations and posed risks to the community.
“DHS’s plans were always illegal,” the statement said. “The Roxbury warehouse is a logistics center fit for packages, not thousands of people.”
Rep. Rob Menendez said in a statement on Thursday: “We are working to confirm reporting that ICE is abandoning its Roxbury warehouse plans, but if true, this would be big news. From day one, we have fought to stop this facility, bringing together thousands of New Jerseyans in opposition. Now we are on the cusp of an important win for our state.”
The detention center was expected to become part of the federal government’s broader immigration enforcement and detention network. However, the project became a flashpoint in New Jersey, drawing opposition from both local officials and residents concerned about public safety, environmental impacts and the facility’s compatibility with surrounding land uses.
Federal officials have not publicly confirmed whether the property will be sold or formally removed from consideration. The Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the reported change in plans.
Opponents vowed to continue monitoring the situation until the project is officially terminated.
“This isn’t a partisan issue,” the statement said. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the Roxbury community as we keep DHS’s feet to the fire to ensure this facility is never opened.”
-
Nebraska5 minutes agoNebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC
-
Nevada8 minutes agoWOW Carwash touts year-round water conservation with recycling tech in Southern Nevada
-
New Hampshire13 minutes agoConcord celebrates 237 years of Constitution ratification with festivities – Concord Monitor
-
New Jersey20 minutes agoIs ICE giving up on Roxbury detention center? NJ leaders laud report
-
New Mexico23 minutes agoNew Mexico leaders push funding to fight screwworm after 1 local case
-
North Carolina28 minutes ago
Rare whale shark sighting off North Carolina coast
-
North Dakota35 minutes agoNDSU, Dickinson State partner to expand nursing education
-
Ohio38 minutes ago
Court orders Ohio restrictions on kids’ use of social media restored
