BUDGET

Apr 14 2026FINANCE

Village Budget Shifts Toward Surplus Amid Rising Costs

Tinley Park has drafted a new budget that shows a small surplus for next year. The plan expects about $2. 18 million more in money than it spends by the end of fiscal 2027. The village will spend roughly $82 million next year, up from last year, while revenue is projected to reach about $84 milli

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Apr 13 2026FINANCE

Small Spends, Big Happiness in Retirement

Retirement isn’t just about saving every penny but enjoying the freedom that comes with it. Many retirees struggle not with money, but with guilt over small treats. A coffee and a book at a café might seem trivial, but it’s one of life’s simple joys. Research shows small, regular expenses rarely hur

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Apr 12 2026OPINION

New Jersey’s Homelessness Budget: A Small Step in a Huge Gap

The state has put $25 million on the budget for people without homes, and another $11 million for a veterans program. These amounts show that officials see the problem, but they fall far short of what data says is needed. In 2024, the state’s system could house about 38, 000 people and was runnin

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

A Busy Week of Politics: From Melania’s Surprise Talk to New Jersey Budget Battles

The week started with a shock: Melania Trump, usually silent about politics, stepped forward to deny ties with Jeffrey Epstein and called for a hearing on his victims. Her words came out of nowhere, sparking speculation that she might be trying to protect her husband’s image or to signal a new stanc

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Is Maine’s new budget plan really a smart move?

Maine is facing real struggles right now. High living costs—especially for housing and energy—are squeezing families and businesses alike. Many people have left for other states with lower taxes and better opportunities. Small businesses, which keep local economies alive, are feeling the pinch too.

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

A New Mayor in Town: Can Star Power Fix NYC’s Big Problems?

New Yorkers got a fresh face in City Hall this year, and the city’s youngest mayor in decades is doing things differently. Zohran Mamdani isn’t your typical politician—he’s got a knack for social media, a talent for grabbing headlines, and a background far from the usual political circles. His first

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Washington's Budget Battle: Where Money Goes and Where It Doesn't

The final budget plan from Washington’s mayor suggests big changes ahead. At $21. 2 billion, it’s a massive spending document that will face tough debates in local and federal government. With Republicans in Congress showing more interest in city matters, this budget could become a flashpoint. The m

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

The rookie mayor using social media to shake up NYC

In his first 100 days, New York City’s 34-year-old mayor didn’t just break the usual government mold—he turned city hall into a viral content studio. With snowstorms raging, he posted calls for shovelers on social media and suddenly had thousands of volunteers ready to clear sidewalks. When he annou

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Apr 11 2026EDUCATION

Where Fitness Meets Community: What Happens When a Special Program Disappears?

For over forty years, a small but powerful program at Napa Valley College gave people with disabilities a place to move, heal, and belong. Some came to rebuild strength after strokes or surgeries. Others found their first taste of independence in a gym built with ramps and adaptive machines. A 92-ye

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

NASA's future in question as budget cuts threaten key missions

The White House's 2027 budget plan proposes slashing NASA's science funding by nearly half, putting over 50 missions at risk. This includes active spacecraft like Juno, which has studied Jupiter for nearly ten years, and New Horizons, which explored Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. Even missions that just

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