A coffee chain famous for its high-energy crews and custom drinks is opening its first Illinois location outside the college towns it usually targets. Dutch Bros picked Melrose Park, a mostly residential suburb west of the city, to launch its Chicago-area push. More shops are planned for Oak Park an
Anchorage stands at a crossroads where tough choices can’t be avoided. Money is tight, families are feeling the pinch, and young adults are deciding if this city is where they’ll build their future. Behind the scenes, over 3, 000 municipal workers – bus drivers, road crews, park rangers – keep the c
Downtown Akron Partnership, founded over three decades ago, has kept its promise to build a lively city center. In 2018 it released a Vision + Redevelopment Plan that set clear goals for the next few years. The plan was built from community interviews, public meetings and online surveys, giving resi
The company that runs popular resorts in Macau, the Philippines and Europe has released a new sustainability report for 2025. The title “RISE to Go Above & Beyond” signals a shift from talking about goals to showing real action. In the report, the CEO explains that sustainability is no longer a s
Cancer studies rely on people joining big research groups called cohorts. These groups help scientists spot patterns between lifestyle choices, genes, and cancer risks. But it takes more than just collecting data. Real progress happens when researchers treat participants like partners, not just subj
Eighteen-year-olds today face a world that often feels overwhelming. Daily headlines highlight conflicts and problems that seem too big to solve. Many young people wonder if their actions can even make a difference. One volunteer discovered a different perspective while working on a local political
York’s George Street will buzz with life again next year as outdoor dining makes a comeback. Starting May 2 and running till Halloween on October 31, Restaurant Row will host sidewalk tables every Saturday. Hours stretch from 4:30 p. m. to 10 p. m. , giving visitors a long evening under the sky. Se
A vacant storefront in downtown Ann Arbor got a surprise glow-up last month, but not the kind that usually leads to new business. Instead of a "For Rent" sign, the windows of the old Downtown Home and Garden now feature playful art from University of Michigan students. Their project includes whimsic
The campus of Northern Illinois University buzzed with excitement on Saturday as DeKalb County Earth Fest returned for its third year. The celebration, built through a partnership between DeCarbon DeKalb and the university, aimed to connect people with nature without heavy guilt. The opening keynot
When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in just over three months, three well-known athletes from New York and New Jersey will step into the spotlight as official ambassadors. Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Giants, joins Gotham FC’s Midge Purce—a two-time NWSL champion and U. S. W
