BUDGET

May 23 2026FINANCE

Colorado drivers tighten belts as gas prices climb

Colorado motorists are feeling the squeeze at the pump, with regular gas now averaging $4. 76 per gallon. That’s just three cents shy of the point where many say they’ll have to start cutting back elsewhere. A recent survey of over 3, 000 people found that four out of five drivers already feel stres

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May 23 2026POLITICS

Louisiana’s Budget Cuts Spark Debate Over School Funding and Teacher Pay

Louisiana lawmakers had to tighten their belts after state revenue forecasts dropped sharply. The cuts followed a $112 million reduction in projected earnings for this year and another $104 million next year, forcing tough choices in the budget. One big loss? Nearly $75 million that was supposed to

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May 22 2026EDUCATION

Louisiana teachers brace for smaller paychecks next year

Next school year could mean fewer dollars in Louisiana teachers' wallets. State budget writers just approved a plan that skips the yearly cash boost teachers have gotten for the past two years. Without this extra money, many will see their pay drop by $2, 000. Support staff like school librarians wo

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Trump’s New White House Ballroom: A Bunker‑Like Dome With Drone Tech

Donald Trump introduced fresh details about a massive new space at the White House that he says will look like a bunker and can host up to 1, 000 guests. The building is planned to be 90, 000 square feet, larger than the historic residence itself. Trump told reporters that the structure will have a

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May 20 2026SCIENCE

NASA Wants More Small, Cheap Space Trips

NASA’s budget for science is about the same as it was two decades ago, even after a government push to cut spending. The agency’s new administrator focuses on human missions to the Moon and plans to replace a planned lunar space station with a surface base. He also wants a nuclear‑powered probe for

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Data Centers, Power and Politics: Virginia’s Growing Debate

Virginia is becoming the world’s hub for data centers, with a concentration so dense that it consumes enough electricity to light almost 900, 000 homes. These facilities promise hefty tax income for counties and a boost to the local workforce, yet they also raise serious questions about energy use a

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Los Angeles delays higher wages for hotel and airport workers—what does this mean for the city?

The plan to raise Los Angeles’ minimum wage to $30 for hotel and airport employees just hit a major speed bump. City leaders agreed to delay the increase after business groups threatened to scrap a key city tax if the wage hike went through too soon. The original timeline would have brought workers

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Big Plan Falls Short on Business Growth

Austin’s next big development plan, set to be approved soon, promises big changes for the city. But so far, it’s mostly just words. The city talks about improving life here, yet the main focus seems to be on parks, trails, and housing—not business. Sure, some projects like new trails and a medical r

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Why Maine’s Spending Habits Aren’t Fixing Its Cost Problems

Maine keeps raising taxes and throwing cash at problems, but the state still struggles with high costs. Over the last few years, spending jumped from $7. 2 billion to over $12 billion. That’s a massive jump, but most people aren’t feeling the benefits. Instead of cutting waste or helping regular fam

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May 20 2026EDUCATION

Schools need more money—here's how the budget hike affects local homeowners

The Baldwin-Whitehall school system plans to spend about 100. 7 million dollars next year, which is nearly 10 million more than this year’s spending. To cover the gap, leaders suggest raising property taxes by 4. 7 percent. The current tax rate sits at 25 mills, but if the plan passes, it will climb

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