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Feb 23 2026BUSINESS

Equipment Loans Surge Over 30% in January

U. S. companies borrowed more than a third more money for equipment in January compared with last year, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. The new financing reached $11. 6 billion after adjusting for seasonal changes, up 7. 8% from December. This amount is the highest

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Feb 23 2026BUSINESS

Local Hardware Shop Shuts Doors After 53 Years

A longtime fixture in Mountain View will close its doors this summer, ending 53 years of service to the community. The shop had survived the pandemic as an essential business, but its fortunes slipped sharply once restrictions eased. The owner noted that each year brought fewer sales. Customers who

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Feb 23 2026BUSINESS

Domino’s Plans to Double, and Why It Might Work

Domino’s stock went up after the company posted a better‑than‑expected quarter and announced bold growth goals. The pizza chain said its same‑store sales rose 3. 7%, beating analysts’ 3. 1% estimate, and revenue hit $1. 54 billion versus the expected $1. 52 billion, even as the broader pizza market

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Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Texas Schools Face Record‑High Choice Rush

Parents across Texas are lining up to send their children into a new state‑run program that lets them pick schools beyond their local district. The system, called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, launched with a $1 billion seed fund and has already received more than 118, 000 applications. The dead

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Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Education Dept. Outsources Jobs to State and Health Agencies

The U. S. Department of Education has begun handing over parts of its work to other federal bodies, a move that aims to reduce the size and reach of the education agency. Two new agreements were announced, each giving a different department specific duties that used to belong to Education. One part

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Feb 23 2026EDUCATION

Jill Korsok’s Big Exit: A New Chapter for Orange Community Recreation

Jill Korsok is stepping down from her role as director of Orange Community Education and Recreation, or OCER, effective March 1. She says she wants to leave while the department is thriving, much like a popular show ending at its peak. Her decision comes after 33 years of work in recreation ac

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Feb 23 2026EDUCATION

Small School, Big Impact

A new learning hub is opening its doors for kids in Ogle and Lee counties who need a different classroom vibe. The place is called the Chana Education Center, and it’s built to help students who face anxiety, trauma, or learning differences thrive. Instead of a huge lecture hall, Chana offers a t

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Feb 23 2026TECHNOLOGY

Building Stronger Materials for the Future

A San Diego company is stepping up its game in producing tough materials that can survive extreme heat, radiation and stress. The firm, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This partnership aims to speed up the creation

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Feb 23 2026CELEBRITIES

Inside the Chaos of a Classic Sitcom

A decade ago, a young actress stepped into the shoes of Becky Conner on a beloved comedy show. She found herself in an environment that felt more like a high‑pressure laboratory than a friendly set. The atmosphere was charged, and tensions ran deep among writers and the show’s co‑creator. The actre

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Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Controversy Rises as Sheriff Voices Alarm Over Political Tension

Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County and a candidate for California’s Republican nomination, recently appeared on a national news program to discuss what he sees as growing hostility toward law enforcement and political leaders. He described the current climate in the United States as “polit

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