POLITICS

Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Eagan Holds Off on Big Tech Buildings for a Year

The Eagan City Council decided to pause any new data center or crypto‑mining projects for a full year. The rule stops construction near homes within 500 feet or if the site would use more than 20 megawatts of power. The pause ends on February 17, 2027 unless the council votes earlier. During this w

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Crypto Developers Urged to Keep Legal Safety Net

The Senate Banking Committee is asked to keep a bill that shields crypto builders from prosecution. A group that supports the blockchain industry sent a note to the committee, pushing for a law called the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act. The act was first drafted in 2018 and updated recent

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Harrisburg’s Music Hub Faces Shutdown After Tax Row

The Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, a local landmark that has hosted music, comedy and community events for 15 years, is set to close permanently after a dispute over unpaid amusement taxes. The venue’s owner announced the shutdown on Facebook, blaming the city for refusing to renew essential health

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Canada Helps Ukraine Fix and Modernise Energy

Canada has decided to give a big boost to Ukraine’s energy field, especially after Russia’s attacks on power plants and gas lines. In a Paris meeting, the two governments announced a new partnership that will bring Canadian oil and gas gear to Ukraine on cheaper terms. The plan also encourages Canad

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Gabon Cuts Off Social Media Amid Security Fears

The Gabonese government has halted access to several online platforms, saying that certain posts could harm the nation’s unity and safety. The decision was announced by the country’s communication regulator, which did not list specific sites that were affected. In practice, users in Gabon found Meta

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Nevada Takes Legal Action to Stop Kalshi’s Sports Betting Platform

Nevada gaming officials have filed a lawsuit to prevent Kalshi, an online prediction market, from offering contracts that let residents bet on sports like football and basketball. The case is part of a larger fight over whether state regulators can oversee companies that allow financial bets through

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Park Signage Lawsuit: History and Science in the Crosshairs

A group of conservationists, historians, and scientists has taken legal action against the current federal administration over new rules that have led to the removal or alteration of educational displays in national parks across the United States. The lawsuit claims that orders issued by the preside

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Health Reporting Wins Big Award

A leading health news site has earned a top journalism prize for its coverage of the changes in federal health policy under the last U. S. president. The award highlighted stories that traced how the Food and Drug Administration was reshaped, how scientific research funding shifted, and what these m

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

New FDA Warning Page Vanishes, Raising Concerns Over Autism “Cures”

The Food and Drug Administration quietly removed a government webpage that had warned about harmful autism treatments such as chelation, hyperbaric oxygen, chlorine dioxide and raw camel milk. The site was taken down at the end of 2025 because it had not been updated since 2019, according to a state

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Science Conference Turns into Political Show

The American Association for the Advancement of Science gathered in Phoenix from Feb. 12-14 to share research and ideas. When attendees entered, registration badges listed gender pronouns like they/them and xe/xem, sparking debate over their relevance to science. The opening ceremony mixed a N

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