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Apr 16 2026ENVIRONMENT

Dusty air near California's shrinking lake may be slowing kids' lung growth

California's Salton Sea used to be a vacation hotspot in the mid-1900s with its sandy beaches and celebrity visitors. But decades of water mismanagement have turned this 340-square-mile lake into a drying disaster zone. As water disappears, it leaves behind a toxic mix of old pesticides, heavy metal

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Apr 16 2026HEALTH

Can your pillow harm your eyes?

New research suggests how you sleep might quietly affect your vision. A study found that stacking pillows or bending your neck sharply while sleeping can slightly increase eye pressure. This happens because folded necks squeeze veins, slowing blood flow to the eyes. Over time, this might worsen glau

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Apr 16 2026EDUCATION

Do NYC families want AI schools or more support for existing ones?

New York families are arguing over a plan to open the city’s first AI-focused high school this fall in Lower Manhattan. The school, called Next Generation Technology High, would share a building with another school if approved by officials on April 29. But the proposal has sparked debate—some love t

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Apr 15 2026EDUCATION

Small-town teacher builds futures and cooks dreams

Newberry High’s special education room feels like a gym for life skills rather than just a classroom. Students here practice grocery lists, job interviews, and problem-solving instead of just reading from textbooks. One teenager sums it up this way: “She’s not just a teacher—she’s a coach for the ga

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Apr 14 2026OPINION

Alaska’s charity gaming needs a tech update to help veterans

Alaska’s veteran groups rely heavily on pull-tab games to fund their work, from fixing up buildings to hosting community events. These paper-based games have been the backbone of their income for years. But times have changed. Most people now handle their money, shopping, and social lives through ap

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Apr 14 2026OPINION

Local news in New Jersey is fading—and that could hurt democracy

New Jersey is losing its local journalists faster than almost any other state. Right now, the Garden State has the fewest reporters per person in the whole country. That means fewer people showing up to city council meetings, fewer reporters digging into school budget cuts, and fewer voices keeping

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

Balancing tech and tradition in Idaho hunting rules

Idaho recently adjusted rules about using gadgets for hunting after a quick political detour. The state wrote new tech restrictions last year, banning drones, heat sensors, night vision, and live-streaming trail cameras during fall and early winter. These rules were meant to protect fair chase princ

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

GOP’s New Mexico struggles: What went wrong and why it matters

New Mexico used to have a strong Republican presence. Back in the late 2000s, the party had a senator, two U. S. House members, a mayor of Albuquerque, and a governor. But over time, things changed. Democrats became more organized, while Republicans lost their edge. Even though more New Mexicans reg

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

How Connecticut’s Healthcare System Makes Money While Patients Pay More

Connecticut’s lawmakers are quietly pushing big changes to a federal drug discount program that feels more like a business deal than public policy. A last-minute addition to a routine bill quietly expanded the 340B program, letting hospitals buy drugs at extreme discounts—sometimes for a fraction of

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Apr 13 2026EDUCATION

Big promises, messy reality: Why NYC's class-size plan is hitting limits

New York City keeps trying to shrink class sizes—because who wouldn’t want that? But here’s the catch: the plan assumes there’s room to make it happen. And there isn’t. Schools are packed, buildings are old, and new ones take years to build. Not to mention finding land in a crowded city is like winn

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