There’s a scientific reason leaf peeping feels so good

POLITICSTuesday, October 20, 2026 8:42AMStream New York's #1 news - AccuWeather - original content 24/7With less than two weeks until Election Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman are making their closing arguments to voters as the race for governor enters its final stretch. The candidates are focusing on issues including affordability, the cost of living and their competing visions for New York as voters prepare to head to the polls. Early voting begins this weekend, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Both candidates were scheduled to campaign in New York City on Monday. Hochul was expected to announce arrests tied to an auto insurance fraud crackdown shortly before noon. The enforcement effort was part of an initiative included in the state budget. Meanwhile, Blakeman was set to continue campaigning in Washington Heights alongside former Gov. George Pataki, highlighting energy costs that they say have risen sharply since Pataki's time in office. Over the weekend, the candidates appeared at separate events across the city. Blakeman focused on subway safety, while Hochul announced 10,000 child care slots for New York City's 2-K program.

SPORTSStream New York's #1 news - AccuWeather - original content 24/7Tuesday, October 20, 2026 8:30AMThe New York Knicks will begin their championship defense Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, opening the NBA season as defending champions for the first time in 53 years. Before tipoff against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks will raise their NBA championship banner to the rafters at the Garden alongside the franchise's two previous titles. The ceremony comes after a historic postseason run that ended with the Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals, securing the team's first NBA championship since 1973. Now the focus shifts to a new season as the Knicks look to build on last year's success. The opener will feature Jalen Brunson and the Knicks against LeBron James and the 76ers. Speaking about sharing the moment with fans, Knicks captain Jalen Brunson said, "It's definitely special. They deserve it. This is something that's been brewing for a long time. So to share this moment with them is definitely special. "The banner-raising ceremony is expected to begin around 6:30 p.m., with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 20, the 293rd day of 2026. There are 72 days left in the year. Birthdays: Japan’s Empress Michiko is 92. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Wanda Jackson is 89. Baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal is 89. Former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky is 86. Retired MLB All-Star Keith Hernandez is 73. Composer Thomas Newman is 71. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island is 71. Film director Danny Boyle is 70. Actor Viggo Mortensen is 68. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is 62. Journalist Sunny Hostin (TV: “The View”) is 58. Actor Kenneth Choi is 55. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 55. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii is 54. Actor John Krasinski is 47. Rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again is 27. In 1774, the First Continental Congress adopted the “Articles of Association,” which called for a boycott of British goods and trade with Britain. It also halted the slave trade, a prohibition that ended when the Revolutionary War ended. In 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.

University of North Dakota defensive back Grant Noland has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week following the Fighting Hawks’ 21-10 win over then No. 1 ranked South Dakota State. He racked up a career-high six pass break ups, the most among any FBS or FCS player this season. The Kearney, Mo.native, also added three tackles. He now has 13 pass break ups on the season.

MontrealIn a letter sent Monday to Lt.-Gov. Manon Jeannotte, the Parti Québécois leader stated his incoming government will not allow a representative of the British Crown to preside over the event. Court to hear emergency bid to force newly elected Quebec politicians to swear oath to monarchCBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2026 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has already stated he will once again refuse to swear allegiance to King Charles. (Sylvain Roy Roussel/Radio-Canada)Quebec premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has formally asked the province's lieutenant-governor to stay away from his new cabinet’s swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday. In a letter sent Monday to Lt.-Gov. Manon Jeannotte, the Parti Québécois leader stated his incoming government will not allow a representative of the British Crown to preside over the event.

What began as a simple knock on the front door last spring has resulted in an elderly Scarborough man living out of a suitcase, his home roofless and in ruins. Police are now investigating a possible fraud, while the man's home insurance company has denied most of his claim. Lawrence Huang was approached in late May by representatives of a company called Super Dry Roofing and Masonry, who told him his roof was infested with rodents, seriously damaged, and in need of replacement. The 76-year-old, whom his niece Katie Semple describes as “on the spectrum,” signed a roof replacement contract and gave a salesman for the company a $25,000 advance on the $50,000 job. The contractor went to work, completely removing the roof of Huang’s two-storey Guildwood Parkway home, leaving the contents open to the elements. The kitchen of Lawrence Huang's home, four months after contractors left the job site, with the home's roof removed. TD Insurance has said it will cover the cost of the home's ruined contents, but not the structural damage. (Mike Smee/CBC)And the price began to rise. Semple says her uncle then handed over $1,800.