Northeast
Mystery drones could be identified faster using new detection tool, but FAA lacks resources
As drone sightings over New Jersey continue to raise questions, a new tool could bring answers about the source of these flying vehicles — if the government could get it off the ground.
Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began requiring all unmanned aircraft systems to be equipped with Remote ID technology, which makes every equipped drone uniquely identifiable to authorities, like a license plate on a car.
The FAA announced that it would provide a database that could be accessed by local law enforcement, but nearly one year later, local authorities still can’t get into it themselves.
“The FAA is working on developing Remote ID data sharing capabilities for law enforcement so they can have access to FAA registration information,” the agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
DRONES SPOTTED ACROSS NORTHEAST LIKELY COMING FROM ‘INSIDE THE US,’ MILITARY EXPERT SAYS
A sign marks the entrance to the FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 7. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)
According to a report published in June by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the FAA has not yet provided a way for law enforcement agencies to use Remote ID technology to respond to a potential threat or investigate suspicious drone activity.
A representative from New Jersey’s Belleville Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that its officers do not have access to the FAA’s Remote ID database as the state is dealing with dozens of reported drone sightings and growing public concern about the government’s inability to provide answers.
The East Brunswick Police Department also confirmed to Fox News Digital that it was “unaware of any of the FAA databases available for Remote ID.”
The FAA did not respond to questions about whether the Remote ID database is being shared with local authorities for the ongoing investigations in New Jersey.
DRONE MYSTERY: NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS THREATEN TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS IF GOVERNMENT DOESN’T ACT
The GAO’s report reveals that both the FAA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) do not have a concrete timeline for the rollout of Remote ID access for law enforcement, resulting in potential delays when authorities are trying to access real-time data regarding drone activity.
Remote ID acts as a “digital license plate” by using a broadcast signal — similar to those used by manned aircraft — to relay a drone’s registration details, coordinates and altitude. Remote ID is typically built into the software of mainstream consumer drones or physically attached to the craft.
“As long as it has a GPS and Remote ID built into the software and into the system, it can be tracked just like any other aircraft,” James McDanolds, program chair at Sonoran Desert Institute’s School of Uncrewed Technology, told Fox News Digital.
Broadcasting the signal over radio waves, instead of the internet, would allow the signal to be accessed in areas with low internet connectivity.
MANY NEW JERSEY ‘DRONE’ SIGHTINGS ARE LAWFULLY OPERATED MANNED AIRCRAFT, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River, New Jersey, show what appear to be large drones hovering in the area on Dec. 8. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
Currently, local authorities must go through an FAA Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) agent to request information regarding an incident, which would then be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. But the FAA has acknowledged an inability to effectively handle local law enforcement’s requests to the program for Remote ID data and is requesting funding from the federal government to cover the cost of expanding.
The FAA requested $21.8 billion in funding from the federal government for the upcoming year, according to the administration’s 2025 President’s Budget Submission. Additionally, the FAA has allotted $15.6 million of the budget for drone-related research and growth.
The FAA wants more money to hire more LEAP special agents whose jobs will focus on investigating drone activity.
The GAO’s report expressed concerns regarding the timeliness of these requests, citing the need for real-time data in potential emergency situations.
FAA TEMPORARILY RESTRICT DRONE FLIGHTS IN NEW YORK AMID CONCERNS OVER RECENTLY REPORTED SIGHTINGS
The DHS, FBI, FAA and Department of Defense on Monday issued a joint statement addressing the origins of the drones, citing the use of technology to identify the owners.
“Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the statement explains. “We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast.”
The FAA began receiving reports of drone activity in mid-November as unidentified aircraft were spotted throughout the Garden State, including Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Course Bedminster, resulting in temporary flight restrictions, known as TFRs, being placed over sensitive areas.
FAA ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS ON DRONE FLIGHTS IN NEW JERSEY FOLLOWING INFLUX OF SIGHTINGS
A map depicts the various locations mystery drones have been spotted in the Northeast in December. (Fox News)
Civilians have reported drones of unusual size or build. Some with diameters of 6 feet have been spotted, according to New Jersey state Rep. Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed on the matter last week. However, the federal government has maintained that the drones are accounted for and continue to be used lawfully.
The FAA’s Part 107 rule states that drones are permitted to fly at night and must remain within 400 feet of ground level. Operating a drone without Remote ID can carry criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and a maximum of three years in jail, with civil penalties of up to $27,500.
Within the last few weeks, the FBI has received tips of more than 5,000 drone sightings, with fewer than 100 warranting additional investigation, according to an FBI official.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SAY JOINT INVESTIGATION INTO DRONE SIGHTINGS REVEALS NO THREAT: ‘WE RECOGNIZE THE CONCERN’
“To be clear, [authorities] have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage,” the DHS and FBI said in a joint statement on Thursday. “While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
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A starry season on Broadway means a starry list of Tony nominees: John Lithgow, Daniel Radcliffe, Lesley Manville and Rose Byrne all picked up nods on Tuesday morning as the first groups of nominees were announced on CBS.
Among the other nominees for performances in leading roles are two longtime Broadway favorites: Nathan Lane and Kelli O’Hara. This is O’Hara’s ninth Tony nomination (she has won once).
The race for best new musical — traditionally the category with the greatest financial impact — came down to four shows, all of which could use a box-office boost: “The Lost Boys,” “Titaníque,” “Schmigadoon!” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).”
For best new play, the nominees include Bess Wohl’s “Liberation,” which on Monday won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, as well as “The Balusters,” by David Lindsay-Abaire; “Giant,” by Mark Rosenblatt; and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” by Samuel D. Hunter.
Lane (“Death of a Salesman”), Lithgow (“Giant”) and Radcliffe (“Every Brilliant Thing”) were all nominated as best actor in a play, alongside Will Harrison (“Punch”) and Mark Strong (“Oedipus”). Byrne and O’Hara, co-starring in a revival of “Fallen Angels,” will face Carrie Coon (“Bug”), Susannah Flood (“Liberation”) and Manville (“Oedipus”), in the race for best leading actress in a play.
The nominees for best leading actress in a musical are all first-time nominees: Sara Chase (“Schmigadoon!”), Stephanie Hsu (“The Rocky Horror Show”), Caissie Levy (“Ragtime”), Marla Mindelle (“Titaníque”) and Christiani Pitts (“Two Strangers”). The race for best leading actor in a musical, dominated throughout the season by Joshua Henry of “Ragtime,” also features Nicholas Christopher (“Chess”), Luke Evans (“The Rocky Horror Show”), Sam Tutty (“Two Strangers”) and Brandon Uranowitz (“Ragtime”).
The nominations are being announced in New York by the actors Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss. A half-dozen top categories were first made public on “CBS Mornings,” and the full slate is set to be read at 9 a.m. on the Tony Awards YouTube channel.
The nominations announcement begins a monthlong award period as the 857 Tony voters — mostly people who work in theater or who help finance Broadway shows — finish seeing the latest productions, while the productions, constrained by newly restrictive rules limiting campaigning and promotion, look for ways to remind voters about the strengths of their nominees. The awards ceremony will take place on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by the musician Pink and broadcast on CBS.
The season has been a mixed bag for Broadway. Overall attendance and grosses are up over last season, but profitability rates are low because of skyrocketing production costs, and there is rising consumer concern about ticket prices. Only six new musicals opened this season, down from 14 last season.
The Tony Awards, which honor plays and musicals performed in the 41 Manhattan theaters that make up Broadway, are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theater Wing. This year, 19 plays and 11 musicals are eligible for awards because they opened on Broadway between April 28, 2025, and April 26, 2026.
The nominees were chosen by a committee of 55 people with theater expertise or experience, but who do not work on, or have a financial interest in, the season’s shows.
Some noncompetitive awards have already been announced.
Lifetime achievement awards will go to André Bishop, who last year stepped down after leading Lincoln Center Theater for 33 years; Jules Fisher, a lighting designer; and James Lapine, the playwright and director. Mary-Mitchell Campbell, a music director, will receive the Isabelle Stevenson Award, which honors volunteerism.
This year’s Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater will go to the 1/52 Project, which supports early career designers, as well as to Jake Bell, a production manager; Kenn Lubin, a signage designer; and Loren Plotkin, an entertainment lawyer.
Boston, MA
World Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Boston Stadium, which… isn’t really in Boston at all
This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series, in which we look at the 16 venues that will host matches at the 2026 tournament.
Rooted in a past that helped shape a nation, Boston is a region with plenty of history.
It is where key moments in the United States’ past took place, including the Boston Tea Party and the opening clashes of the American Revolutionary War.
In sports, championship-winning teams for the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins have helped define a legacy of success.
And, just outside the capital of Massachusetts, Boston Stadium (as it will be known for the World Cup) has been central to that sporting reputation.
That is in no small part thanks to the dominance of NFL side the New England Patriots, while Major League Soccer outfit the New England Revolution also call the stadium home. As interest in the beautiful game Stateside continues to grow, it will now take centre stage this summer.
Here’s what you need to know about Boston Stadium ahead of the World Cup.
What is it normally called? And what will it be called at the World Cup?
The stadium is usually known as Gillette Stadium, after the shaving brand that holds the naming rights.
Due to FIFA’s commercial regulations, it will be referred to as Boston Stadium during the 2026 World Cup — and all the usual stadium signage must be covered up.
Despite the name, the venue is not located directly in Boston — it sits almost 30 miles southwest in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It was at the centre of a dispute as Foxboro did not want to pay the $7.8million (£5.8m) security costs associated with the World Cup, before an “understanding” was reached with the stadium owner Kraft Sports & Entertainment (KSE) and the Boston host committee in March.
When did it open, how much did it cost, and who plays there?
The stadium opened in 2002, replacing the former Foxboro Stadium.
Built at a cost of approximately $325million, it was designed as a modern, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting both American football and soccer at the highest level.
As the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, it is one of the few stadiums in the U.S. regularly used for both sports.
The statue of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady outside the stadium (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The first NFL regular season game held there was against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in September 2002.
The stadium has since been through a $250million renovation that was completed in 2023, marking the largest upgrade process since its opening.
What are the most famous moments that have happened there?
Unsurprisingly, many of the most iconic moments belong to the Patriots, a team that has long dominated the NFL.
During the eras of legendary former quarterback Tom Brady and longtime head coach Bill Belichick, they built a dynasty that helped define a generation. Their Super Bowl victories were played elsewhere, but this is where the foundations of their success were built.
Among the significant moments are the 2003 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, and a 2007 win against the San Diego Chargers that helped the Patriots complete a perfect regular season.
The 2017 AFC Championship Game win against the Pittsburgh Steelers was another memorable moment, as was the comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 AFC Championship Game. The 2014 comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens was also notable.
In soccer, the Revolution produced a historic season in 2021, winning the Supporters’ Shield. The stadium has hosted international fixtures and was one of the venues for the 2003 Women’s World Cup. The 2016 NHL Winter Classic was hosted here, too.
Beyond sport, the stadium has hosted global superstars including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé.
How many fans can it hold? Will it be full for the World Cup?
The stadium has a standard capacity of around 65,000, but it can expand to more than 68,000 for some events. For the World Cup, it is expected to be close to full capacity for all matches.
A recent friendly match between France and Brazil drew a crowd of 66,215 — the second-largest gate for a soccer game here, behind a 2007 friendly between Brazil and Mexico that brought in 67,584 fans.
France’s friendly against Brazil drew in 66,215 fans (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The highest attendance for any event is held by singer Ed Sheeran. His concert in 2023 attracted a crowd of 71,723.
What kind of pitch does it use?
It typically uses a FieldTurf artificial surface, which is standard for NFL competition.
For the World Cup, however, FIFA regulations require natural grass and a temporary grass pitch has been installed specifically for the tournament.
It has already undergone matchday testing. The process of replacing the field began in February and a grass pitch was in place for the Brazil-France game.
Special irrigation and ventilation techniques are being used to maintain surface quality.
There is no roof on the stadium, unlike some others across America.
What will the weather be like?
In the Boston and Foxboro area, June and July generally bring warm and humid conditions.
Temperatures typically range from 68°F (20C) and 86°F (30C), with occasional rain or thunderstorms possible.
Are there other changes for the World Cup?
As with all World Cup venues, several temporary adjustments are required.
Beyond the installation of a natural grass pitch, Boston Stadium must remove sponsor branding in line with FIFA regulations. Upgrades to seating, media facilities, security and hospitality areas are also going ahead.
How do you get there?
Getting to the stadium requires some planning, as it is located outside central Boston.
Special train services will run between South Station and Boston Stadium at a cost of $80, sold on the mTicket site.
For those driving, the stadium is accessible via major highways, but traffic can be heavy during big events.
There will only be 5,000 parking spots available for fans at Boston Stadium this summer (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Twenty-thousand parking spots are usually available around the stadium during New England Patriots games, but there will only be 5,000 spots for fans parking at the World Cup, due to a new safety perimeter around the stadium.
Shuttle services are common, but fans are advised to allow extra time. Rideshare options are available and the stadium has a designated drop-off spot.
What can fans expect?
Inside the stadium, fans can expect a modern venue with strong sightlines and an atmosphere that is usually intense.
There is also a stunning video display board measuring 60ft high by 370ft wide, situated in the north end.
A view of the 60ft by 370ft video display board at Boston Stadium (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Beyond the stadium itself, the surrounding Patriot Place offers a full matchday experience — with restaurants, bars and fan areas creating a lively build-up to games right alongside the main venue.
Anything else I should know?
One of the stadium’s standout additions is impossible to miss: a 22-story lighthouse towering above the north end zone.
At the top sits a 360-degree observation deck offering views of the stadium and beyond.
The design is a nod to New England’s maritime identity — a region shaped by the sea and dotted with more than 100 historic lighthouses.
Which games will be played there?
There will be five group games and two knockout games played at Boston Stadium.
June 13, Group C: Haiti v Scotland, 9pm local time, 2am BST (+1)
June 16, Group I: Iraq v Norway, 6pm local time, 11pm BST
June 19, Group C: Scotland v Morocco, 6pm local time, 11pm BST
June 23, Group L: England v Ghana, 4pm local time, 9pm BST
June 26, Group I: Norway v France, 3pm local time, 8pm BST
June 29, Round of 32 game: 4.30pm local time, 9.30pm BST
July 9, Quarterfinal game: 4pm local time, 9pm BST
The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Ross Township leaders honored two civilians Monday night for their actions last month helping a police detective while they were making an arrest.
Last month, police said that a detective was involved in a fight at the intersection of Columbia Avenue and Center Avenue in West View and needed help from additional officers.
While the fight was taking place, two bystanders jumped into action.
Former police officer Johnathan Ponce offered his help to the detective while Justin Gavasto got on the detective’s radio to alert dispatch of the ongoing situation.
Ponce and Gastavo were both honored Monday evening at the Ross Township Board of Commissioners meeting.
“I’m very thankful,” said Ross Township Police Department Detective Michael Orsino. “Eventually, I think you know, my partners would all have gotten there, but just the fact that it took a little bit longer because I wasn’t sure I could get out on my radio. It was great that these guys came and gave me a hand.
“Honestly, I don’t feel like I did anything special,” Gavasto said. “I really don’t. I would hope that anyone driving by and saw an officer in distress or anyone in distress would pull over to help. Help out where you can. Help those that need it. That’s really the take away I got from all this.”
Gavasto said it took him a little bit of time to find the radio that was in Det. Orsino’s police cruiser, then using the radio to identify himself as a civilian and notifying dispatch that additional backup resources were needed.
“Due to the actions of both men, including Mr. Gavasto communicating to dispatch, myself and the West View police officer were able to place the suspect under arrest without anyone suffering any serious injuries,” Det. Orsino said.
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