BUDGET CUTS

May 16 2025LIFESTYLE

Local News Roundup: Budget Cuts, Business Changes, and Space Adventures

San Luis Obispo County is in a tight spot. The county is looking at some serious budget cuts. This means some important programs, like homeless services, might take a hit. Why? Because state and federal funding has dropped. Local leaders are hoping that community partners can step in to help keep these services running. The county's budget will be talked about again ...

reading time about 2 minutes
May 16 2025POLITICS

Silencing Science: The Chilling Effect of Political Pressure

Political decisions can have a big impact on science. Sometimes this is good. But sometimes it can be bad. It can even make scientists scared to speak up. This is what happened when Trump made big cuts to science budgets. Many researchers felt the heat. They worried about getting backlash. But not everyone stayed quiet. Some saw the value in speaking out, even...

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May 15 2025SCIENCE

The Future of Space Exploration: A Crossroads

Space exploration has always been a big deal. It has expanded our knowledge and inspired countless people. However, recent budget proposals threaten to slow down this progress. The White House Office of Management and Budget suggested cutting NASA's science program by 47%. This could halt or even cancel many important missions. The Mars Sample Return mission is one ...

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May 15 2025POLITICS

Health Secretary Faces Off With Democrats Over Budget Cuts

The health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , had a rough time in front of Congress. He was there to talk about the next year's budget. But, the Democrats had other plans. They grilled him about the big changes he's making right now. These changes include firing lots of people and cutting funds for important medical research. The Democrats were not happy. They think...

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May 15 2025POLITICS

California's Tough Choices: Protecting People or Preserving Privilege?

California is at a crossroads. The state is grappling with a budget crisis. The federal government is cutting back on essential services. This is happening at the same time as Californians are struggling with rising costs and inflation. The state's leaders are under pressure to make tough decisions. They must choose between protecting vital services and preservin...

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May 14 2025EDUCATION

California's Future: Why Cutting CSU Funding Is a Bad Idea

The California State University system is the biggest public university network in the country. It is home to 23 campuses and seven off-campus centers. Together, they enroll more than 450, 000 students. Most of these students are from California. Many of them are the first in their families to go to college. One of these campuses is San José State University. It welc...

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May 08 2025POLITICS

Montgomery County's College Commute Crisis

The transport network in Montgomery County is under threat. This is a big deal because it is home to 300, 000 students. These students need to get to 30 universities and colleges. This is where SEPTA comes in. SEPTA is the public transport system that keeps the county moving. It's not just about getting to class on time. It's about access to education. Withou...

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May 03 2025SCIENCE

Science in Crisis: The National Science Foundation's Sudden Shifts

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is facing a storm. The government agency, which is a big supporter of basic science, math, and engineering, especially in colleges and universities, is under fire. The latest blow came from the White House, which proposed a budget cut of $4. 7 billion. This is more than half of the NSF's $9 billion budget. This news came on the s...

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May 03 2025POLITICS

Budget Shifts: Military and Borders Get More, Others Get Less

A recent budget proposal has sparked conversations about where money should go. The plan suggests cutting billions from areas like foreign aid, education, and healthcare. Instead, it wants to boost spending on the military and border security. This shift in priorities has people talking. The proposal comes from the White House and is for the fiscal year 2026....

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Apr 28 2025HEALTH

The Future of Health Research: A Worrying Shift

The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, is in a tough spot. A recent plan to slash its budget by over 40% has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. This move is part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government, led by the Department of Government Efficiency. The NIH is a big deal in the world of medical research. It funds a ton of important ...

reading time about 2 minutes