http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:14:33 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/29/case-goes-to-jury-in-trial-of-former-american-idol-singer-charged-in-wife-s-killing/stories/20260929092 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/29/case-goes-to-jury-in-trial-of-former-american-idol-singer-charged-in-wife-s-killing/stories/20260929092#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2026 17:07:01 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/29/case-goes-to-jury-in-trial-of-former-american-idol-singer-charged-in-wife-s-killing/stories/20260929092 The case against a former Ohio music pastor who once appeared on “American Idol” went to the jury Tuesday to decide whether he killed his wife while having an affair. Caleb Flynn, left, sits next to Emily Smith, right, one of his attorneys on Sept. 28 in Troy, Ohio. Caleb Flynn listens to court proceedings inside the Miami County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 28 in Troy, Ohio. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/prosecutor-reopens-cornell-gang-rape-allegations-accuser-lawsuit/stories/20260928111 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/prosecutor-reopens-cornell-gang-rape-allegations-accuser-lawsuit/stories/20260928111#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:07:40 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/prosecutor-reopens-cornell-gang-rape-allegations-accuser-lawsuit/stories/20260928111 A New York prosecutor has reopened an investigation into gang rape allegations at a Cornell University fraternity in response to a lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was sexually assaulted in 2024 by seven students after being plied with alcohol and drugs. The former Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on Sept. 28. The former Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on Sept. 28. The former Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on Sept. 28. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/spacex-s-supersized-starship-launches-orbit/stories/20260928089 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/spacex-s-supersized-starship-launches-orbit/stories/20260928089#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:36:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/spacex-s-supersized-starship-launches-orbit/stories/20260928089 SpaceX launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time Monday and successfully delivered the most advanced Starlinks yet, but cut the flight short to ensure safety. Seagulls fly near the site of SpaceX's mega rocket Starship as it is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 27. David Orr rides his bike past SpaceX's mega rocket Starship as it is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 27. David Orr camps out near the site where SpaceX's mega rocket Starship, behind right, is preparing for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 27. A man watches at sunset as SpaceX's mega rocket Starship is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 27. SpaceX's mega rocket Starship lifts off for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 28. SpaceX's mega rocket Starship makes a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 28. SpaceX's mega rocket Starship makes a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 28. SpaceX's mega rocket Starship makes a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Sept. 28. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/trump-administration-lowers-fuel-economy-standards-critics-environmental-cost/stories/20260928095 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/trump-administration-lowers-fuel-economy-standards-critics-environmental-cost/stories/20260928095#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:29:18 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/28/trump-administration-lowers-fuel-economy-standards-critics-environmental-cost/stories/20260928095 DETROIT — The Trump administration on Monday released new fuel economy standards that relax regulatory requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and light trucks. The new rules were released shortly after President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring. President Donald Trump speaks during an event on fuel economy standards in the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 3 in Washington. Unsold 2026 F-150 pickups sit in a long line outside a Ford dealership on April 12 in Centennial, Colo. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/powerful-nor-easter-floods-northeast-leaves-100-000-power/stories/20260927142 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/powerful-nor-easter-floods-northeast-leaves-100-000-power/stories/20260927142#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:34:03 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/powerful-nor-easter-floods-northeast-leaves-100-000-power/stories/20260927142 BOSTON — A powerful nor’easter continued to batter the Northeast on Sunday, flooding coastal communities and leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power as forecasters warned that another round of high tides could inundate vulnerable shorelines. Denise Taylor of Manchester, N.H., is buffeted by the wind as she films the raging sea during a nor'easter storm in Hampton, N.H., on Sept. 26. Ted Friedli kayaks his way through a flooded section of Florence Ave. during a nor'easter in Long Branch, N.J., on Sept. 26. Brenda Malloy enjoys a nor'easter storm on Sept. 25 in Gloucester, Mass. Jose Rosario pulls an extension cord out of his flooded garage to connect to a generator on Catherine Street on Sept. 26 in Long Branch, N.J. In this photo made with a smartphone, people watch the waves at Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine, during a nor'easter on Sept. 26. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/acalifornia-sheriff-seized-ballots-court-ruling-shutting-probe-resonates/stories/20260927138 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/acalifornia-sheriff-seized-ballots-court-ruling-shutting-probe-resonates/stories/20260927138#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2026 11:25:25 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/27/acalifornia-sheriff-seized-ballots-court-ruling-shutting-probe-resonates/stories/20260927138 The California Supreme Court shut down a right-wing sheriff’s efforts to seize and investigate ballots over debunked allegations of vote “discrepancies,” in a legal fight that has helped election officials prepare for any similar attempts during November election. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco arrives at the Supreme Court of California for a hearing about his seizure and recount of more than half a million 2025 election ballots on Aug. 24 in San Francisco. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/26/china-us-set-up-new-ai-safety-channel/stories/20260926090 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/26/china-us-set-up-new-ai-safety-channel/stories/20260926090#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:20:03 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/26/china-us-set-up-new-ai-safety-channel/stories/20260926090 BANGKOK — China and the U.S. agreed to set up a channel for handling AI-related incidents and accelerate work on military crisis communications following a three-day summit between their leaders in Washington, both sides said in statements Saturday. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, with Bradford Wilson, Archivist of the United States, view the Constitution, Bill of Rights and other documents at the National Archives on Sept. 25 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/xi-says-he-expects-to-see-trump-again-as-he-wraps-washington-visit-with-a-peek-at-the-constitution/stories/20260925092 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/xi-says-he-expects-to-see-trump-again-as-he-wraps-washington-visit-with-a-peek-at-the-constitution/stories/20260925092#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:57:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/xi-says-he-expects-to-see-trump-again-as-he-wraps-washington-visit-with-a-peek-at-the-constitution/stories/20260925092 WASHINGTON — Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visit to Washington on Friday by announcing that he will meet President Trump two more times before the end of the year, doubling the number of face-to-face discussions between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies in 2026. President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, pose as they greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan, as they arrive at the South Portico of the White House for tea on Sept. 25 in Washington. President Donald Trump, from right, and first lady Melania Trump attend a tea with China's President Xi Jinping, from left, and his wife Peng Liyuan in the Red Room of the White House Sept. 25 in Washington. President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, pose as they greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan, as they arrive at the South Portico of the White House for tea on Sept. 25 in Washington. President Donald Trump, right, greets China's President Xi Jinping upon arrival at the South Portico of the White House on Sept. 25 in Washington. President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan as they arrive at the South Portico of the White House for tea on Sept. 25 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/supreme-court-lets-trump-administration-use-revamped-federal-voter-eligibility-database-for-now/stories/20260925091 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/supreme-court-lets-trump-administration-use-revamped-federal-voter-eligibility-database-for-now/stories/20260925091#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:47:19 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/25/supreme-court-lets-trump-administration-use-revamped-federal-voter-eligibility-database-for-now/stories/20260925091 NEW YORK — The Supreme Court on Friday lifted restrictions on a controversial federal voter database before November’s elections, granting President Donald Trump a temporary win in his aggressive campaign against noncitizen voting. The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 25. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-state-dinner-xi-feature-sea-bass-tech-titans/stories/20260924120 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-state-dinner-xi-feature-sea-bass-tech-titans/stories/20260924120#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:25:28 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-state-dinner-xi-feature-sea-bass-tech-titans/stories/20260924120 WASHINGTON — A tech-heavy guest list, the fashion choices of those on it, who sits where, their body language throughout the night and what’s on the menu: these are the softer — often and glitzier — details of diplomacy. President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. CEO of Paramount Skydance David Ellison, right, and wife Sandra Lynn Modic walk to the White House to attend a state dinner hosted for China's President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24 in Washington. Jaime Dimon, center, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, arriving to the White House Complex for State Dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for China's President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24 in Washington. Google CEO Sundar Pichai walks to the White House to attend a state dinner hosted for China's President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24 in Washington. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella walks to the White House to attend a state dinner hosted for China's President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-relishes-showing-xi-marine-one-chopper-white-house-helipad/stories/20260924105 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-relishes-showing-xi-marine-one-chopper-white-house-helipad/stories/20260924105#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:29:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-relishes-showing-xi-marine-one-chopper-white-house-helipad/stories/20260924105 WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump showed off some of his favorite things at the White House for the visiting leader of communist China on Thursday — bringing him inside his Marine One helicopter and exhibiting a new granite landing pad he built for it, along with the hulking, nearby construction site that will one day be a ballroom. President Donald Trump, left, speaks to reporters during a tour of the South Lawn of the White House with China's President Xi Jinping, right, on Sept. 24 in Washington. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping meet in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. President Donald Trump, left, speaks with China's President Xi Jinping during a tour of the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. President Donald Trump, center right, first lady Melania Trump, right, China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan watch a military review in the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. Marine One lifts off from the South Lawn of the White House after President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping toured the helicopter on Sept. 24 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/cnn-ms-now-politico-white-house-judge-ordered-trump-lift-ban/stories/20260925029 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/cnn-ms-now-politico-white-house-judge-ordered-trump-lift-ban/stories/20260925029#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:14:04 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/cnn-ms-now-politico-white-house-judge-ordered-trump-lift-ban/stories/20260925029 NEW YORK — Three news organizations banned from the White House for days were back on Thursday after a judge handed them a victory in an extraordinary showdown between President Trump and media outlets whose coverage he dislikes. CNN senior photojournalist and contributing producer Peter Morris arrives on the White House grounds on Sept. 24 in Washington. CNN senior reporter Betsy Klein reports from the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. Vaughn Hillyard, White House correspondent for MS NOW, does a report from near the White House on Sept. 21 in Washington. The White House is seen on Sept. 21 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-truly-great-friendship-xi-jinping-chinese-leader-state-visit/stories/20260924095 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-truly-great-friendship-xi-jinping-chinese-leader-state-visit/stories/20260924095#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:00:47 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/24/trump-truly-great-friendship-xi-jinping-chinese-leader-state-visit/stories/20260924095 WASHINGTON — President Trump on Thursday hailed the “truly great friendship” he has forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly anticipated state visit. While Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival, President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping meet in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 24 in Washington. President Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during an arrival ceremony in the Grand Foyer of the White House. President Trump, center right, first lady Melania Trump, right, China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan watch a silent drill platoon review on the new helipad from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House. President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping, and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a photo before a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House. A military flyover is pictured as President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping, and his wife Peng Liyuan watch a military review in the Rose Garden of the White House. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/china-xi-state-visit-rare-planeside-welcome-trump/stories/20260923114 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/china-xi-state-visit-rare-planeside-welcome-trump/stories/20260923114#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2026 23:14:57 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/china-xi-state-visit-rare-planeside-welcome-trump/stories/20260923114 WASHINGTON — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday, where he was met with a rare planeside greeting from President Donald Trump, who was there to welcome his counterpart instead of waiting for him to drive up to the White House. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk with China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan as they arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan as they arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23. The red carpet is rolled out before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping participate in an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/polo-off-mexican-coast-is-among-the-strongest-storms-ever-as-odalys-becomes-a-hurricane/stories/20260923079 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/polo-off-mexican-coast-is-among-the-strongest-storms-ever-as-odalys-becomes-a-hurricane/stories/20260923079#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:02:08 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/23/polo-off-mexican-coast-is-among-the-strongest-storms-ever-as-odalys-becomes-a-hurricane/stories/20260923079 MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Polo has grown into one of the most powerful Pacific cyclones in decades and was expected to skirt Mexico’s southwestern coast as a Category 5 storm, while Pacific system, Odalys, has strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane without threatening land. This photo provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Polo strengthening in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico on Sept. 22. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/21/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-they-ve-notified-trump-they-re-suing-over-denied-white-house-access/stories/20260921081 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/21/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-they-ve-notified-trump-they-re-suing-over-denied-white-house-access/stories/20260921081#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:55:29 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/21/cnn-ms-now-politico-say-they-ve-notified-trump-they-re-suing-over-denied-white-house-access/stories/20260921081 NEW YORK — CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Monday sued President Donald Trump’s administration days after they were barred from White House grounds, calling the selective ban — based on the content of their coverage — a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment. Trump said on social media that he ”cherished" a free press but not “FAKE NEWS.” This combination of photos shows MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardne, from left, CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein and Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett near the White House complex after all were denied entry to the White House and had credentials confiscated following President Donald Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Sept. 19 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/early-voting-begins-us-midterm-elections-could-flip-control-congress/stories/20260918116 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/early-voting-begins-us-midterm-elections-could-flip-control-congress/stories/20260918116#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:21:11 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/early-voting-begins-us-midterm-elections-could-flip-control-congress/stories/20260918116 HENRICO, Va. — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Voters cast ballots in Henrico County, Virginia, on the first day of in-person voting for this year’s midterm elections, on Sept. 18. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/trump-says-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/stories/20260918105 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/trump-says-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/stories/20260918105#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:27:31 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/18/trump-says-banning-cnn-msnow-politico-white-house/stories/20260918105 WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that he was banning CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House due to what he called unfavorable coverage, and threatened that more such media prohibitions could be coming — offering his administration’s latest test of constitutional First Amendment protections guaranteeing the freedom of the press. President Donald Trump speaks during a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 17 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/postal-service-work-stopped-computer-system-key-trump-effort-mail-voting/stories/20260917111 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/postal-service-work-stopped-computer-system-key-trump-effort-mail-voting/stories/20260917111#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:26:58 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/postal-service-work-stopped-computer-system-key-trump-effort-mail-voting/stories/20260917111 WASHINGTON  — The top official at the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that the agency has stopped work on developing a controversial computer system that was central to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting after the Supreme Court rejected his executive order this week. Postmaster General David Steiner speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the United States Postal Service headquarters on Sept. 17 in Washington. Postmaster General David Steiner poses for a photograph at the United States Postal Service headquarters on Sept. 17 in Washington. Postmaster General David Steiner speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the United States Postal Service headquarters on Sept. 17 in Washington. Postmaster General David Steiner speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the United States Postal Service headquarters on Sept. 17 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/judge-kennedy-center-30-days-notice-major-physical-changes/stories/20260917103 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/judge-kennedy-center-30-days-notice-major-physical-changes/stories/20260917103#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:08:39 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/nation/2026/09/17/judge-kennedy-center-30-days-notice-major-physical-changes/stories/20260917103 WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it as President Trump has threatened. Fencing is installed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 16 in Washington. A sign directs people away from behind the Kennedy Center, which has been fenced off and closed to the public Sept. 17 in Washington. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D., Ohio), an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, attends an event with fellow Democrats to denounce the economic policies of President Trump at the Capitol in Washington on Sept. 16. Laura Bligh of Vienna, Va., holds a protest sign outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Sept. 16 in Washington. Barricades are installed in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) The Kennedy Center, which has been fenced off and closed to the public, is seen through a hole in a covered fence Sept. 17 in Washington.