The LanternIlluminate what matters

Morning briefing · 10/18/26

The Lantern

What deserves your attention, across the worlds you care about.

International, national, and local news

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The most important things to know today.

Story KUNM Reporting News

Bernco commissioners declare a state of emergency because of fentanyl

Bernalillo County commissioners unanimously declared a fentanyl-related state of emergency, expanding the county manager’s powers, unlocking previously unavailable funds, and requesting state assistance in response to overdose deaths.

What changed
Open for a concise New Mexico public-health governance update with budget and emergency-power implications.
Source split
KUNM leads; related coverage includes City Desk ABQ, KRQE News 13, KUNM.
  • local
  • new-mexico
  • public-radio
Article The Guardian World Reporting News

Future of western security is at stake in Yemen civil war, says country’s former PM

Yemen’s former prime minister argues that Taiz’s fate affects Western security, warning that a Houthi breakthrough could jeopardize the Bab al-Mandab strait, the route to Aden, and expose a drone-enabled form of radical terrorism.

  • Drones (military)
  • Houthis
  • Middle East and north Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • World news
Deep Read IEEE Spectrum Analysis Analysis

IEEE Offers More Services to Cities That Want to Be Smarter

IEEE describes new Smart Cities Technical Community services aimed at helping municipalities coordinate standards, share lessons, and engage engineers and residents as smart-city projects expand amid privacy, safety, trust, governance, and uneven-success challenges.

Argument
Open for a governance-and-standards angle on smart-city AI deployments and resident trust risks.
  • Ieee-news
  • Ieee-smart-cities
  • Power-and-energy
  • Smart-cities
  • Type-ti
Article Los Alamos Reporter Reporting News

County’s Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Fresquez Addresses Kiwanis Club On Community Preparedness Team

Kiwanic Club At the Kiwanis October 6 meeting, Los Alamos County Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Fresquez of the Los Alamos Community Preparedness Team (LACPT) gave a presentation on the program’s purpose, structure, training, and goals. The purpose of the program is to prepare local interested volunteer residents to help with outreach on preparedness […]

  • Community
  • Kiwanis
  • Los Alamos County
  • local
  • los-alamos
Editor’s ChoiceArticle PBS NewsHour Reporting News

LA fire survivors set to lose case managers as California and FEMA's standoff drags on

Los Angeles fire survivors are set to lose case managers early as a California-FEMA dispute continues, adding another obstacle for communities still recovering and awaiting billions in additional federal aid.

Open for a disaster-recovery management case where intergovernmental conflict affects survivor services.

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Los Angeles
  • Los Angeles Fires
  • altadena
  • california
Story The New York Times Reporting News

The Arab Kingmaker in Israel’s Election Who Wants a Partnership With Jews

Mansour Abbas, a dentist-turned-lawmaker, helped oust Benjamin Netanyahu once before. Now, he and a Jewish ex-police commander have teamed up to try to do it again.

Source split
The New York Times leads; related coverage includes Foreign Policy.
  • Abbas, Mansour
  • Arabs
  • Israel
  • Israel-Gaza War (2023- )
  • Jews and Judaism

Section

New Mexico

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Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Northern New Mexico, and state issues.

Editor’s ChoiceStory Los Alamos Reporter Reporting News

Rotor Travels From Santa Fe To Los Alamos National Laboratory: Traffic Delays Possible Oct. 17-18

Courtesy LANL LANL NEWS RELEASE Over the weekend, a large piece of equipment will be transported to Los Alamos National Laboratory, potentially causing brief traffic delays. A 360-foot-long road train carrying a 63- foot-long, nearly 227-ton rotor will travel through Santa Fe from Old Las […]

Source split
Los Alamos Reporter leads; related coverage includes www.lanl.gov.

Included for professional relevance: LANL, national laboratory from Los Alamos Reporter on Rotor Travels From Santa Fe To.

  • Community
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Uncategorized
  • local
  • los-alamos
Article Source New Mexico Reporting News

New Mexico, western conservation groups lodge formal protest over federal drilling plan in Carlsbad

A coalition of New Mexico and western conservation groups this week filed a formal protest against the federal land agency over proposed drilling plans in the Carlsbad area. The plan, the groups contend, violates federal law and disregards the environmental impact it will have on the land, climate and surrounding population.

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Carlsbad
  • Environment & Climate Change
  • Health
  • U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Deep Read Source New Mexico Reporting News

Santa Fe, Las Cruces No Kings events focus on early voting

No Kings events on Saturday still had folk songs, funny signs and pervasive anti-Trump sentiment, but focused on early voting ahead of the Nov.

  • 2026 election
  • Election 2026
  • No Kings
  • early voting
  • local
Article KRQE News 13 Reporting News

Albuquerque nonprofit had people hiking to help end hunger with fundraising campaign

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A local nonprofit had people out hiking Saturday morning to help end hunger. The event is part of the organization's two-month-long fundraising campaign to help people have better food security in the Albuquerque metro area. [...]

  • Albuquerque
  • Albuquerque News
  • Community
  • Latest News
  • News
Article Los Alamos Reporter Reporting News

Coro de Cámara Shares ‘Songs Of Enduring Love’ Featuring The ‘Duruflé Requiem’ Oct. 24 In Los Alamos, Oct. 25 In Santa Fe

Courtesy photo CORO DE CAMARA NEWS RELEASE Coro de Cámara returns this fall for its 38th season of delighting Northern New Mexico audiences with enchanting choral music. On October 24 and 25 at 4:00 p.m., the chamber chorus […]

  • Arts
  • Community
  • Entertainment
  • local
  • los-alamos

Section

Nuclear, Science & Security

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DOE, NNSA, LANL, peer laboratories, nonproliferation, nuclear energy, and international security.

Editor’s ChoiceDeep Read War on the Rocks Analysis Analysis

Golden Dome Is Technologically and Financially Infeasible

For as long as nuclear-armed, intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles have existed, strategists and engineers have pursued a seductive idea: a shield effective enough to diminish — or even block — a ballistic missile attack.

  • Cogs of War
  • Defense Policy
  • Missiles
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Space
Deep Read War on the Rocks Analysis Analysis

How Sudan Became a Laboratory for Drone Warfare, Thanks to Abu Dhabi

In June 2026, I visited Khartoum, my hometown, for the first time since the war broke out in Sudan in April 2023. But the growing drone warfare that is spreading over Sudan threatens the return of hopeful Sudanese

  • Commentary
  • Drones
  • Sudan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • defense
Article The New York Times Reporting News

When a Social Media Mob Came for Cornell’s Jane Doe

After a former student named seven men in a lawsuit saying they had sexually assaulted her, a movement gained steam online to reveal her identity.

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Cornell University
  • Cyberharassment
  • Right-Wing Extremism and Alt-Right
  • Sex Crimes

Section

AI & Technology

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AI for scientific organizations, research, governance, and responsible use.

Article PBS NewsHour Reporting News

China says it will curb tech exports, including AI, citing national security risks

China says it will restrict technology exports, including AI, on national-security grounds, even as U.S.-China talks show progress on AI safety, governance, and a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could threaten national security.

  • China
  • artificial intelligence
  • national
  • public-media
  • world
Article The New York Times Reporting News

3 Charts That Explain the Economy as Voters Head to the Polls

Inflation is high, consumer spending is strong and seemingly everything depends on what happens with artificial intelligence.

  • American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Consumer Behavior
  • CoreWeave
  • Inflation (Economics)
Article WIRED Reporting News

Data Centers Have a New PR Plan: Your Kid’s Field Trip

Amid a wave of backlash, some industry-friendly groups are employing creative and time-tested strategies to woo the youth.

  • Business
  • Power Play
  • Science
  • ai
  • artificial intelligence
Editor’s ChoiceThought Piece The Dispatch Opinion Opinion

Will Anyone Stop America’s Creeping Socialism?

No laws let the executive branch do equity deals; that could make it harder to undo them.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Congress
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense
  • Donald Trump
Thought Piece The Guardian World Opinion Opinion

Poland’s ascent from communist state to top 20 economy reverses the brain drain

In the final part of our series on the country, Poles tell how wages have soared – along with the cost of living Will military spending help or hinder Poland’s growth story? For some, the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science is a drunk confectioner’s nightmare; standing as a relic of oppression that should have been demolished.

  • AI (artificial intelligence)
  • Business
  • Cities
  • Computing
  • Cost of living crisis

Section

Leadership & Organizations

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Management, organizational effectiveness, and public-sector leadership.

Article The Guardian World Reporting News

Greens leader denies knowledge of ‘secret dossier’ on how to handle Jordon Steele-John misconduct allegations

David Shoebridge says 47-page document not ‘made by, used by, or seen by’ his office as matter referred to parliamentary standards commission Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Greens leader David Shoebridge has denied knowledge of the existence of an alleged crisis management document on how to deal with allegations against Jordon Steele-John being made public.

  • Australia news
  • Australian Greens
  • Australian politics
  • David Shoebridge
  • Western Australia

Section

Faith, Church & Vocation

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Episcopal and Anglican life, theology, vocation, and faith-shaped leadership.

Editor’s ChoiceDeep Read Episcopal News Service Reporting News

Iona Collaborative helps small congregations bridge the leadership gap

According to the most recent Parochial Report published this week by The Episcopal Church, a full half of congregations had an average Sunday attendance of 50 or fewer in 2025. One such program, which focuses specifically on serving the needs of dioceses with rural congregations, is the Iona Collaborative at the Seminary of the Southwest.

Included for professional relevance: education, leadership from Episcopal News Service on Iona Collaborative helps small congregations bridge.

  • Feature
  • Uncategorized
  • anglican
  • episcopal
  • faith
Article Episcopal News Service Reporting News

National Council of Churches adopts 4 statements on range of pressing issues

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) Governing Board convened for the 2026 Christian Unity Gathering, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oct. 12-16 to discuss pressing concerns facing churches, communities and public life in the United States and around the world.

  • Also in the News
  • anglican
  • episcopal
  • faith
Article The Living Church Reporting News

Mind the (Age) Gap

The church is a family, one transcending demographics. Perhaps sharing life together, across generations, is the natural mode for the church.

  • Covenant
  • Theology
  • anglican
  • church
  • episcopal
Article The Guardian World Reporting News

Donald Trump claims ‘Iran war will end very soon’ as midterm rallies heat up – US politics live

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Trump said “The Iran war will end very soon. It’s going to end very soon, as soon as I want it to end, it’ll end.” He added that Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon” and that oil prices would “drop like a rock”.

  • Donald Trump
  • US economy
  • US midterm elections 2026
  • US news
  • World news
Article The Living Church Reporting News

What Is Preaching For?

What a strange thing preaching is when one thinks about it. But preaching is vital to the church's mission.

  • Covenant
  • Theology
  • anglican
  • church
  • episcopal

Section

Health & Performance

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Running, Olympic lifting, strength, recovery, sleep, and sports medicine.

Article PBS NewsHour Reporting News

Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels' growing strength

At various times over the last decade, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Britain and Israel have carried out punishing air raids on the rebels — only to see them grow even stronger.

  • Houthis
  • national
  • public-media
  • saudi arabia
  • world
Article The Guardian World Reporting News

College football player Tyler Ulrich dies five days after ‘traumatic injury’ during game

21-year-old was treated on field after injury during game Coach pays tribute to player’s ‘quiet strength’ Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma announced on Thursday that sophomore safety Tyler Ulrich has died five days after sustaining what the school called a “traumatic injury” during a game against Ouachita Baptist.

  • College football
  • College sports
  • Oklahoma
  • Sport
  • US news

Section

Books, Culture & Ideas

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Books, essays, science fiction, fantasy, comics, games, film, and interesting ideas.

Editor’s ChoiceThought Piece The New Yorker Culture Analysis Essay

Restaurant Review: Faux

With the opening of Faux, in Tribeca, Keith McNally’s son steps into the family business.

  • Balthazar
  • Brasseries
  • Culture / The Food Scene
  • Tribeca
  • books
Thought Piece PBS NewsHour Analysis Essay

Kerry Kennedy remembers her mother's life and advocacy in new book

Two years ago, Ethel Kennedy passed away. The matriarch of the prominent political dynasty, she was a steadfast supporter of her husband, Robert F.

Source split
PBS NewsHour leads; related coverage includes substack.com.
  • CANVAS
  • Kerry Kennedy
  • arts
  • books
  • ethel kennedy
Thought Piece PBS NewsHour Analysis Essay

David Byrne explores the art of rediscovery in 'Sleeping Beauties'

Why do great ideas and works of art sometimes get forgotten? These are among the questions explored by musician, writer and visual artist David Byrne in his new book, "Sleeping Beauties." Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown recently joined him in Brooklyn for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

  • CANVAS
  • David Byrne
  • Music
  • arts
  • books
Thought Piece The Guardian World Analysis Essay

‘Many family stories’: Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet takes out ABC radio poll of top 100 Australian books

Markus Zusak’s novel The Book Thief secures second place, while Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe rounds out podium dominated by men Cloudstreet, Tim Winton’s sprawling Australian family epic, has been voted Australia’s favourite book in a poll run by ABC Radio National. The broadcaster announced over the weekend the results of a nationwide poll to determine a list of readers’ top 100 Australian books.

  • Australia news
  • Books
  • Culture
  • international
  • world
Thought Piece The Guardian World Opinion Opinion

‘Austerity is inevitably painful’: How Michael Gove justifies his politics | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty – podcast

For more than three decades, Michael Gove has been a leading figure in British Conservatism. In the latest episode of Radical Thinking, Gove joins Aditya Chakrabortty to discuss the future of the right, his record on Brexit and austerity, and the Spectator’s position on Islam Watch the full episode with Michael Gove here .

Source split
The Guardian World leads; related coverage includes The Guardian World.
  • Austerity
  • Brexit
  • Business
  • Conservatives
  • Economics

Section

Recurring Features

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Regular columns and curiosities that should not compete with major news.

Editor’s ChoiceRecurring Feature Ask a Manager Reporting Recurring Feature

previously on Ask a Manager…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my office is obsessed with Taylor Swift my religious family disapproves of my socializing with male colleagues worker stunk up client’s bathroom, then billed her for it Two years ago… my coworker insisted on inviting her sister […]

  • management
  • outside
  • workplace
Recurring Feature Ask a Manager Reporting Recurring Feature

let’s talk about family involving themselves in someone’s job when they shouldn’t

We’ve heard many stories here over the years of family members involving themselves in a loved one’s job when they shouldn’t — the dad who called to ensure his son’s company had “properly briefed” him on his work travel, the husband who kept calling to complain about his wife’s evaluation, the mom who showed up […]

  • ask the readers
  • management
  • workplace

Section

Worth Thinking About

Browse section

One essay or analysis selected as today's best sustained thought.

Editor’s ChoiceThought Piece Searchlight New Mexico Analysis Analysis

Ethics complaint alleges GOP Rep. Nicole Chavez has improper ties to Project Jupiter

Chavez is facing an investigation into her ties to Project Jupiter — through both her role in the Legislature and her husband’s lobbying work.

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Featured
  • Politics
  • Project Jupiter

Section

Worth Your Time

Browse section

Long reads, essays, and deep briefings.

Thought Piece MIT Technology Review Analysis Essay

How much more can nuclear power plants give?

MIT Technology Review explains that uprating existing U.S. nuclear plants can add zero-emissions power for AI-driven demand faster than new reactors, but likely only three to eight gigawatts nationally—far short of projected data-center growth—and at high capital cost.

Argument
Open for a grounded nuclear-and-AI power-demand analysis with numbers, cost caveats, and capacity limits.
  • App
  • Climate change and energy
  • Summary
  • The Spark
  • ai
Editor’s ChoiceDeep Read IEEE Spectrum Analysis Analysis

This Hidden Device Could Free Up Gigawatts of Grid Power

But gigawatts of power are already available for the taking across the U.S. economy in the form of wasted energy from an unexpected source: motors. For one, slashing motors’ power use would free up grid capacity for large electricity users like data centers and electric vehicles, they argue.

  • Electric-motors
  • Electrification
  • Motors
  • Variable-frequency-drive
  • ai
Thought Piece The New York Times Analysis Essay

O.J. Simpson, a Secret Informant and a Decades-Old Mystery

An “extremely reliable” informant told authorities about the missing murder weapon, according to newly unsealed records. The informant’s brother told The Times his sibling was at the crime scene.

  • Books and Literature
  • Brentwood (Calif)
  • Brooklyn (NYC)
  • California
  • Clark, Marcia
Deep Read Searchlight New Mexico Analysis Analysis

CYFD fails to implement long-awaited case management system by deadline

CYFD has not yet set a new timeline for the project’s rollout, prompting concerns from lawmakers over the seemingly endless delays.

  • Child & Family Welfare
  • Featured
  • Health
  • Politics
  • accountability
Thought Piece The Guardian World Analysis Essay

An extraordinary life: descendant welcomes biography of woman ‘gifted’ to Queen Victoria

A girl called Àìná was captured by an African king and later taken to England to become Sarah Forbes Bonetta, protege of the imperial monarch When she was seven years old, Bayo Randle’s great-great-grandmother Sarah Forbes Bonetta was presented to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle as a “diplomatic gift” from an African king.

  • Africa
  • Benin
  • Biography books
  • Books
  • Colonialism