Chief operating officer

Providence officials have asked retired federal judge William Smith to provide independent legal analysis of Question 7, a citizen ballot initiative that would require the city to divest from countries and companies linked to genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation. The measure, backed by Providence for Palestine, is widely understood to target investments tied to Israel over the war in Gaza, though the ordinance does not name any country. City Solicitor Jeff Dana sought outside review after the Law Department's initial guidance drew criticism. Mayor Brett Smiley calls the ordinance unlawful and unmanageable, while city officials warn it could jeopardize the underfunded pension system. Mayoral candidates David Morales and Dave Talan are split on the measure.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reportedly rang in 2025 at a Dubai gathering alongside Anosh Ahmed and Sameer Suhail, two former Loretto Hospital-linked figures who were living abroad as fugitives at the time, according to the Wall Street Journal and a video reporter's Instagram post. Photos show Suhail standing near Paxton and his girlfriend as they watched fireworks over the Burj Khalifa.

Ahmed, Loretto's former CFO/COO, and contractor Suhail were indicted in 2024 on federal charges accusing them of embezzling $15 million from the Chicago hospital and steering $19 million in contracts through bribery; Ahmed also faces separate charges tied to an alleged $700 million COVID-19 testing fraud scheme. Both men have since returned to the U.S. to face prosecution, with Ahmed in custody and Suhail's attorney citing resolved civil matters for the delay. Campaign records show Ahmed donated $190,000 to Paxton since 2022, including contributions made shortly after his indictment. The report adds scrutiny to Paxton's closely watched Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, who has made Paxton's conduct and wealth a campaign focus.

Adam Hamilton, the Democratic candidate challenging Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) for his U.S. Senate seat, told CNN he would not commit to supporting Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic Leader if elected. Hamilton's stance reflects a broader unease within parts of the Democratic Party over Schumer's leadership, as some candidates in competitive or red-leaning states seek to distance themselves from national party figures to appeal to independent and moderate voters.

The comments add Hamilton to a small but growing list of Democratic candidates and officials publicly declining to pledge loyalty to Schumer, amid ongoing debate about the party's direction and leadership following recent electoral setbacks. For prediction markets tracking control of the Senate and internal Democratic leadership dynamics, such statements signal potential friction that could affect coalition unity if Democrats gain seats in 2026, though they carry limited immediate practical effect given Hamilton's underdog status in a Republican-leaning state.