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These are some of 2026's most notable new laws

As 2026 begins, new laws are taking effect across the country. Many of the new regulations show how states are responding to some of the ongoing issues facing Americans.

Virginia will limit the amount of time children under age 16 can spend on social media to an hour per day (per platform, unless a parent or guardian allows for more screen time). Tennessee will begin trackingrepeat domestic violence offendersin a public database. Travelersvisiting Hawaii will nowpay an additional fee. California isupping its ban on plastic bags.

And Indiana is taking steps to ensure charities that run bingo and raffle games don't turn into full-blown casinos.

Here are some of the most notable new pieces of legislation going into effect.

Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A serviceman hugs a girl as they dance under the snowfall near New Year displays at a shopping mall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025.

A serviceman hugs a girl as they dance under the snowfall near New Year displays at a shopping mall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025.

A man selling diapers and foot warmers walks down sixth avenue, as people wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 31, 2025.

People watch New Year's Day celebration fireworks ahead of the new year from the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore December 31, 2025.

Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026.

People react during countdown for the New Year at Central in Hong Kong, China December 31, 2025.

People celebrate the new year early at noon, on New Year's Eve, by Lake Bajer, in Fuzine, Croatia, December 31, 2025.

A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026.

A reveler poses for a photograph on 6th Avenue while waiting in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025.

People on 6th Avenue wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025.

People gather at a New Year countdown ceremony at Juyongguan Great Wall section, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025.

Children light up sparklers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2026.

People sing as they gather for a New Year countdown ceremony at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025.

See NYE celebrations around the world as 2025 comes to an end

Ring in the new year byseeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

Bingo night restrictions

A new Indiana law prohibits facilities thathost bingo or casino game nightsfrom doing so more than three nights a week. It comes after the state's gaming commission accused a local Elks lodge of racketeering tied to its charity casino and seized more than $100,000.

Animal abuser registry

Floridawillcreate an online databasebeginning Jan. 1 that tracks the names of people who have been found guilty or pleaded guilty or no contest to animal cruelty charges. Pet sellers, rescue organizations and residents in the state will be able to use the searchable, public site to ensure they are not giving an animal to a known abuser. Several other states have similar databases, includingDelawareandTennessee.

Domestic violence offender registry

Tennessee will begin trackingrepeat domestic violence offendersin a public database. The registry will include the name, date of birth, conviction dates, counties of conviction and a photo of the offender. However, the law only applies to people who receive at least their second conviction on or after Jan. 1. The registry is the first of its kind in the country.

A 'Green Fee' for tourists

Travelersvisiting Hawaii will nowpay an additional feethat helps the state fund climate change resiliency projects and environmental stewardship. Passed earlier this year, the "Green Fee" raised the tax placed on the nightly lodging rate in Hawaii by 0.75%, to a total of 11%. It will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term vacation rentals and on cruise ships. It's expected to generate $100 million annually for the state and comes amid an uptick in natural disasters, like the 2023 Maui wildfires.

LAHAINA, HAWAII - AUGUST 05: People gather on Kaanapali Beach, a popular tourist destination, on August 5, 2024 near Lahaina, Hawaii.

Enhanced plastic bag ban

California isupping its ban on plastic bags. While the statebanned single-use plastic bags in 2014, it allowed stores to offer thicker plastic bags that customers could reuse. Now, it is prohibiting all plastic bags, after finding that consumers weren't reusing the thicker bags and they were still ending up in landfills.

The updated ban comes amidmixed findings about a variety of plastic bag bans.

Social media limits for minors

Virginia will limit the amount of time children under age 16 can spend on social media to an hour per day, per platform, unless a parent or guardian allows for more screen time. The law, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, places the onus directly on social media companies, such as TikTok, Meta and YouTube. The law is the first of its kind to cap children's daily usage of social media.

Texas is implementing a similar law, targeted at use of online platforms, requiring users to verify their age before downloading any mobile app. Children under age 18 will need parental permission to download an app.

AI restrictions

Beginning Jan. 1, Texas is also enacting regulations on how its residents can use artificial intelligence. The law, called the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, bans people from developing or deploying AI that "intentionally aims" to encourage self-harm or crimes against others. It also prohibits the government from using AI to track people's "biometric data" and sets up a government council to guide the state's regulation and use of the technology.

Non-citizen license law

Wyoming will require thatlegal United States residentswho are not citizens, including green card holders, have the phrase "Not U.S. citizen" inscribed on their driver's license or identification card. The law does not retroactively apply to people who already have their license. It appears to be the first law of its kind in the country.

A panic button for workers

"Isolated employees" in Washington, who often work alone, will be required to carry a panic button while they work. The buttons must be provided by their employer. Otherstates and localitieshave passed similar laws in recent years to protect workers against instances of violence.

Domestic violence training for cosmetologists

Licensed hairdressers, nail technicians, barbers and other cosmetologists in Maryland will now be required to complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training to renew their professional licenses. The idea behind the law is that stylists are in a unique position to spot bruises and other signs of abuse. Several states have enacted similar laws in recent years, including Arkansas, New York, Illinois and Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026's most notable new laws start January 1

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

These are some of 2026's most notable new laws

As 2026 begins, new laws are taking effect across the country. Many of the new regulations show how states are responding...

Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as tensions grow amid peace talks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian officials on Thursday said a Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and wounded at least 50 more as they celebrated the New Year in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region, as tensions between the two nations continue to spike despite diplomats hailing productive peace talks.

Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast, the region's Moscow-installed leader, Vladimir Saldo, said in a statement on Telegram. He said that one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, sparking a blaze.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on the claim of a strike. The attack could not be independently verified by The Associated Press.

The attack was condemned by a number of Russian officials. Valentina Matviyenko, the chair of Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, said that the strike "strengthened" Russia's resolve to quickly achieve its goals in its almost four-year invasion of Ukraine.

The strike "once again demonstrates the validity of our initial demands," Matviyenko said.

The statement follows claims from Moscow that Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack against one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's official residences in northwestern Russia on Tuesday. Kyiv has denounced the claims as a "lie."

Russia's Defense Ministry released a video on Wednesday of a downed drone it said was involved in the attack.

The nighttime clip showed a man in camouflage, a helmet and a Kevlar vest standing near a damaged drone lying in snow. The man, his face covered, talks about the drone. Neither the man nor the Defense Ministry provided any location or date.

The video and claims could not be independently verified.

Rising tensions

Kyiv has called the allegations of an attack on Putin's residence a ruse to derail ongoing peace negotiations, which have ramped up in recent weeks on both sides of the Atlantic.

In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a peace deal was "90% ready" but warned that the remaining 10%, believed to include key sticking points such as territory, would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live."

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday that he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law andadviser Jared Kushnerhad a "productive call" with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine "to discussadvancing the next stepsin the European peace process."

"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of (Trump's) peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart," Witkoff said in a post on X.

Lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov also reaffirmed that European and Ukrainian officials plan to meet Saturday, while Zelenskyy isdue to hold talksnext week with European leaders.

Waves of attacks

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia attacked the Odesa region overnight, targeting civilian infrastructure in several waves of drone attacks, according to regional head Oleh Kiper.

In a post on Telegram, Kiper said a two-story residential building was damaged and that a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating. There were no casualties reported.

In its daily report, Ukraine's air force said air defense forces had downed or suppressed 176 of 205 drones targeting the country overnight. It said hits by 24 strike drones were recorded at 15 locations and the attack was still ongoing. ___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine athttps://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as tensions grow amid peace talks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian officials on Thursday said a Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and wounded at least 50...

Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in countries bloodied by war, families wounded by violence

ROME (AP) —Pope Leo XIVopened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out in particular countries "bloodied by conflict" and families wounded by violence.

Leo celebrated aNew Year's DayMass in St. Peter's Basilica and then delivered a special noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, which was full of pilgrims and tourists on the bright, chilly day.

Leo noted that Jan. 1 marks the church'sWorld Day of Peaceand used the occasion to issue a prayer.

"Let us all pray together for peace: first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering, but also within our homes, in families wounded by violence or pain," he said.

After abusy Christmas season, Leo has a few days of rest before he celebrates the church's Epiphany holiday on Jan. 6. On that day too, he officially closes out the2025 Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome.

Immediately thereafter, he is to preside over atwo-day meetingof the entire College of Cardinals, the princes of the church who elected him pope, as well as those who are over age 80 and didn't participate in the conclave but still remain part of the college. Leo is resurrecting a tradition largely eschewed by Pope Francis to convene cardinals every so often to seek their counsel on how to govern the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in countries bloodied by war, families wounded by violence

ROME (AP) —Pope Leo XIVopened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out in particular countries "bloodied...

A church on the outskirts ofAmsterdam'sfamous Vondelpark went up in flames on Thursday morning, causing the church tower to collapse.

The major fire, which started shortly after midnight, has been declared a regional emergency and several dozen homes have been evacuated. All surrounding streets, close to the historic Vondelkerk church, have been closed off.

Videos circulating on social media show dramatic flames engulfing the spire.

The 154-year-old church "cannot be saved" and "the entire church may collapse", a spokesperson for the Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region said.

As of 2.30am the fire remained unabated and a national alert was issued warning locals of heavy smoke. Emergency services remain at the scene and are attempting to extinguish the fire using water from the adjacent Vondelpark. Firefighters are unable to enter the building due to the risk of collapse.

"It's a very large, historic building. There's a lot of wood, and the wind also allows the fire to spread easily and widely," the spokesperson told ANP. "The church's characteristic appearance has been lost. [It's a] terribly bad and dramatic start to the new year."

"This is a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church," said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema. "Our first concern and priority now is the well-being and homes of the immediate residents."

The church, located in the centre of the city, close to Leidseplein – Holland's most famous nightlife district – dates back to 1872. It is a short walk from the popular Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Major fire breaks out at historic church in Amsterdam

A church on the outskirts ofAmsterdam'sfamous Vondelpark went up in flames on Thursday morning, causing the church tower to collapse. ...

A police officer walks near ambulances at the site of a fire at a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. - Maxime Schmid/AFP/Getty Images

Several people have been killed and others injured in afire at a new year's partyat an Alpine ski resort in southern Switzerland, a police spokesperson said Thursday.

Gaetan Lathion, spokesperson for police in the canton of Valais, said the "fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. at Le Constellation lounge bar in Crans-Montana." He said about 100 people were inside the venue at the time.

"There are several injuries and several fatalities."

Large crews from the emergency services immediately responded and rushed to the scene. Rescue efforts are still ongoing and the area has been closed off with a no-fly zone in place over Crans-Montana, police said.

Officers confirmed the fire started inside the lounge bar but said the cause remains unknown. They did not give an exact figure for those killed and injured in the fire, which struck in an area known for high-end holiday resorts.

A press conference will be held with police and the regional public prosecutor at around 10 a.m. (4 a.m. ET).

One of Switzerland's most exclusive locales, Crans-Montana is famed for its year-round sunshine, which it owes to its position on a south-facing plateau in the Rhone Valley.

The area – 1,500 meters above sea level – offers sweeping Alpine vistas stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, one of Europe's highest peaks.

Police officers walk near the site of a fire that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana, on January 1, 2026. - Maxime Schmid/AFP/Getty Images

Tourists are drawn by its understated glamor, with high-end shopping and fine dining as well as extensive ski slopes and a lively apres-ski scene.

With a small population of around 15,000, the area is said to have a close-knit community as well as being a low-key place for celebrities to go skiing, golfing and dining.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Several killed in fire at new year’s party in Swiss ski resort, police say

Several people have been killed and others injured in afire at a new year's partyat an Alpine ski resort in southern Switzerland, a pol...

How to watch the 2026 Rose Parade, expected to be the first wet one in 20 years

Rain won't stop proceedings as the Tournament of Roses forges ahead with the New Year's Day tradition Thursday — its first wet parade in two decades.

The annual presentation of flora is celebrating its 137th year with a twist: the first rainy day since the 2006 parade. Forecasts for Pasadena, California, for Thursday morning show periods of rain, though it may to clear up by the time of the Rose Bowl game in the afternoon.

The wet weather could affect the attendance at the Rose Parade, which normally draws hundreds of thousands of people along the 5.5-mile route. It has rained on the parade only 10 times in its long history, Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderiantold NBC Los Angeles.

"It was coming down pretty good. I was sitting out there myself," Derderian said of the 2006 parade. "And you know, these die-hard fans are there. They want to see the parade. They're there. Often, it's a tradition."

People in dresses sit on a float made of roses with a crown at the top (Casey Durkin / NBC file)

The event draws important foot traffic for business owners, who told NBC Los Angeles that customers on the day of the parade help boost sales for the entire first week of the year.

This year'sparade theme is "The Magic in Teamwork.""The theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals," according to the parade website.

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson will serve as the parade's grand marshal.

What is theTournament of Roses?

The Tournament of Roses, commonly known as the Rose Parade, began in 1890 as an event put together by an elite social organization for wealthy Pasadena families called the Valley Hunt Club. It's meant to highlight the area's mild weather compared with the cold and gray East Coast winters.

Charles Holder, who hadmoved to Pasadena from Massachusetts, remarked at a club meeting, "In New York, people are buried in snow."

"Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear," he said,according to the parade's website. "Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."

People march in a parade alongside large floats (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file)

Today, the event draws millions of eyeballs between its in-person attendance and those who watch it on television. There are beautiful floats adorned with bright floral arrangements, as well as marching bands and celebrity performances.

Who will perform?

Singers Kiesza and Aloe Blacc will kick off the festivities with what organizers promise will be a "high-energy spectacle." There will be a synchronized light show featuring pyrotechnics and "extreme stunts," according to the show's website.

Spectators can expect performances throughout the parade from artists Timothy Wayne, Chapel Hart and Brandon Bennett.

Musician Betty Who will close out the show with Debbie Gibson in a duet designed to evoke 1980s nostalgia with Who's cover of Donna Lewis' "I Love You Always Forever" and Gibson's own "Electric Youth." They'll be joined by students from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Where and when to watch

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT on New Year's Day.

Viewers who want to watch at home can tune into the national ABC, NBC, CNN and Fox network channels. The parade will also host its own livestream, in addition to streaming on platforms such as Pluto TV, FanDuel Sports Network and Fubo Sports Network.

The Rose Bowl will take place at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT and will feature the Indiana University Hoosiers taking on the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. College football fans can watch that on ESPN.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

How to watch the 2026 Rose Parade, expected to be the first wet one in 20 years

Rain won't stop proceedings as the Tournament of Roses forges ahead with the New Year's Day tradition Thursday — ...

Sydney holds moment of silence on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026.

Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in the New Year, attendees held a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, in which two gunmen fatally shot 15 people and wounded 40 others at the Sydney Jewish festival at the popular beach on Dec. 14.

At 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, the Sydney crowd was watching a fireworks display over the Harbor Bridge when a menorah was projected onto the structure's pylons along with the words "peace" and "unity." In response, those in attendance held up their phone flashlights in solidarity.

An hour later, the city rang in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show, titled "Calling Country," was dedicated to the country's Indigenous history.

Thousands of armed police officers were present at the event to ensure its safety following the attack.

Watch the moment of silence at the top of this story.

In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.