The last weekend of the year is when families in Southern California can join a long‑running bubble event at Discovery Cube Orange County. The festival has been happening for three decades and still draws crowds from nearby cities, even those who live in San Diego. Visitors enter a bright “Bub
The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Augusta have teamed up to create a fully online bachelor’s program in medical laboratory science. The move is aimed at widening career paths for lab technicians and filling a growing need for skilled workers in Maine’s health sec
Forest Wagner and a companion pushed their bikes up a snowy slope onto Front Street after nine days of riding 265 miles across Alaska’s biggest frozen river. They finally left the icy water behind, feeling a mix of relief and affection for the long stretch they had conquered. The last day on the
The nation is at a crossroads. Recent actions by the current administration have undone gains in health care, roads, freedom of speech, schools, global standing and the rule of law. A leader who ignores the Constitution and attacks those who disagree is setting a poor example for civic engagem
A new study shows that the way local governments borrow money could help keep bats alive and improve county finances. When a fungal disease called white‑nose syndrome killed many North American bats, farmers lost an inexpensive natural pest controller. Without the insects that bats eat, farms
A new Mexican grill will soon open its second branch on 495 Riverside Ave. in Medford’s Wellington area, taking over a former Smashburger site that shut down last January after more than ten years. The owners, led by Marycela Rodenzo, have secured a Common Victualler License from the city council, w
Kuku Smith stands outside her shop on Georgia Avenue, holding up T‑shirts that cost $25 each. The owner of a small beauty supply store that opened in 2019 is fighting an eviction notice while trying to keep her business running. She says the pandemic hit hard because she had just started and was
Estonia stands alone in the EU, refusing to ban kids from social media. The country’s education minister argued that blocking platforms won’t solve the real issues, and warned children will always find a way to access them. Research shows that too much time online can lead to depression, anxie
Latino kids in the U. S. face higher obesity rates than other groups, and a new program seeks to change that by meeting families where they are. The plan builds on the idea that people learn best when they see role models and get hands‑on practice, a concept known as Social Cognitive Theory. The cre
The research looked at how feeling good about one’s mouth changes when someone is overweight or not. Researchers compared two groups: people who are obese and those with a normal weight. They measured how each group talked about their dental comfort, pain, and overall enjoyment of eating or talking.
