Cambridge, Massachusetts

Republican Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic challenger Sarah Trone Garriott, a state senator, are facing off in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, one of the nation's most closely watched 2026 midterm races. In Des Moines Register candidate questionnaires, both named affordability as a top priority but offered sharply different diagnoses and fixes.

Trone Garriott blamed Nunn's votes for tariffs and Medicaid cuts for raising costs and threatening the Affordable Care Act, pledging to restore ACA subsidies and reverse Medicaid reductions. Nunn pointed to tax cuts, a rural health care investment, and efforts to lower drug prices and gas prices as evidence of progress, while defending his support for tariffs targeting China and Canada. On immigration, both credited reduced border crossings but diverged on enforcement tactics and legal pathways. The two also split on the Iran war, with Trone Garriott criticizing the lack of a congressional war vote and rising fuel and fertilizer costs, while Nunn defended new war powers oversight and sanctions legislation. The general election is Nov. 3.

A new economic impact study commissioned by the St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke found that the city's St. Patrick's Parade, road race and related events generate about $39.3 million in annual economic output for Hampden and Hampshire counties in Massachusetts. Conducted by Cambridge Econometrics, the study estimated the celebrations support 275 jobs, produce $10.6 million in wages, and create $23.4 million in new local sales after accounting for spending that would have occurred anyway.

The parade drew roughly 350,000 spectators and the road race about 56,000 participants and spectators, including 6,000 runners, with visitor spending topping $23 million. Local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, reported major revenue spikes during the weekend. The study also found the events generate about $2.3 million in state tax revenue and $86,000 for Holyoke, and credited roughly 200 volunteers who contribute about 32,000 hours annually, work valued near $970,000. It was the first study to include the road race alongside the parade.