JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1072

WATERBURY, Conn. — City officials and utility crews are responding to a major water main break on Thomaston Avenue that left 60 percent of residents without safe drinking water and forced citywide school closures this week. Crews worked through the weekend, installed a bypass line and restored service to 40 percent of customers by Monday, while bottled water distribution and emergency showers were provided. Health officials issued a boil water advisory and will conduct water-quality testing with samples sent Tuesday and results expected Wednesday or Thursday. Restaurants received closure advisories pending safe water. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. State attorneys general in twenty states joined the Federal Trade Commission in amending a lawsuit against Uber Technologies and Uber USA, alleging Uber used deceptive free-trial offers that automatically converted into paid Uber One subscriptions, overstated savings, charged some customers before billing dates, and erected burdensome cancellation processes requiring multiple screens and actions. Plaintiffs cite internal testing showing 85% of charged customers would cancel if charged $1, and say Uber One sold about 28.7 million subscriptions generating $935 million in two years; they seek refunds, civil penalties and injunctive relief. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — School districts across states moved this week to address enrollment and budget pressures by proposing closures, consolidations, redistricting and construction. Columbus City School District will vote Dec. 16 on demolishing four recently closed buildings; Kyrene Elementary District will vote Dec. 16 on plans to close up to eight schools; Orange County, Fla., officials advanced proposals to close seven schools and redraw zones; Riviera Beach and Cheshire districts scheduled local community meetings on consolidation and redistricting; Portage Public Schools plans three elementary openings from 2027–2029 funded by a $132.4 million bond. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump on Monday posted on Truth Social suggesting that filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were killed 'reportedly due to the anger he caused others' through what Trump called 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' Los Angeles police found the couple dead Sunday and later arrested their son, Nick Reiner, who was booked on $4 million bail; detectives have ruled the deaths a homicide and investigators reported stab wounds. Trump repeated his remarks to reporters and faced bipartisan criticism, including from some conservative commentators, while authorities continue probing the motive and evidence. Based on 11 articles reviewed and research.

Los Angeles — Federal authorities arrested four people and said they disrupted a planned series of improvised explosive device attacks scheduled for New Year's Eve in Los Angeles. AG Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspects belonged to a radical offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front and had discussed targeting five locations, two companies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. A fifth person was arrested in Louisiana. Court filings charge conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device and include photos of a desert campsite with alleged bomb-making materials. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Charleston, W.Va. The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is urging residents this week to obtain a REAL ID before the Transportation Security Administration begins extra identity checks and a $45 fee for noncompliant air travelers on Feb. 1, 2026. Officials said more than 63% of state residents already carry the REAL ID and that first-time applicants must present a birth certificate and any name-change documents in person and pay a $10 fee. DMV officials also highlighted online pre-upload options to expedite visits. Everett Frazier and Mike May spoke in the DMV release. Based on 6 articles and supporting research.

Providence, R.I. — Authorities renewed a manhunt Monday after a weekend classroom shooting at Brown University left two students dead and multiple others wounded. Police released three surveillance videos and canvassed neighborhoods for additional footage while releasing a previously held person of interest; investigators and leaders publicly identified victim Ella Cook and coordinated community tributes. Federal agents described the suspect and offered a reward as campus operations and memorials continued this week. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Providence, R.I. investigators continued searching for the suspect in a classroom shooting that killed two Brown University students and wounded nine people Saturday. Local and state agencies released and removed surveillance footage as they urged the public to share any security or phone video from the days before and after the attack. Authorities detained and later released a person of interest and issued a clearer image and timeline showing a masked, stocky individual walking near campus. Officials said campus buildings have varying camera coverage and canvassed neighborhoods as the manhunt continued. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.