COMMUNITY

Apr 13 2026POLITICS

Schools Under Fire: A Closer Look at the Funding Debate

Eagle River and Chugiak have long prided themselves on strong schools where kids learn, play, and grow. Recent political moves threaten that stability. A representative from the state legislature proposed cutting all education money in a bill meant to help districts with rising costs. She even sugge

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Apr 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Banana Ball Brings Fun, Firefighters and Flashy Beats to Albuquerque

Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park turned into a lively carnival this weekend, hosting two nights of Banana Ball—a quirky twist on baseball that mixes music, dancing and fan‑centric antics. The Party Animals and Firefighters faced off twice, drawing a crowd of about 27, 000 over Saturday night and Sunday a

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

Fair Housing Month: A Year‑Long Call for Equality

In April, the United States remembers the signing of a pivotal law in 1968 that outlawed discrimination when buying or renting homes. This rule, now almost six decades old, stops bias based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, family status and ethnicity. Each year the Department of Housing

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Apr 13 2026EDUCATION

Local groups team up to spark third-graders' interest in science and film

Basalt Elementary third-graders got a break from regular lessons last Thursday. Instead of worksheets and textbooks, they explored science through short movies. Two local groups—one focused on film, the other on science—set up stations where kids could watch clips and try small experiments. The Asp

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Apr 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

Nature’s Classroom: How Outdoor Education Builds Youth and Community

Kids today spend far more time staring at screens than exploring outdoors—sometimes up to seven hours daily. That’s a trend that worries educators, especially when combined with the growing political divide over how much we should even care about environmental issues. A new documentary, however, doe

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Apr 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Community Green Day Sparks Hope in DeKalb

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

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Apr 12 2026EDUCATION

Hands-on Fun and Learning at Free Kids Festival This Weekend

This weekend brings a special event where creativity meets learning for free. The festival known for blending science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) opens its doors again. Kids don’t just watch—they jump right into building, experimenting, and discovering. Local groups team up to s

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Apr 12 2026HEALTH

Support and Trust: The Role of Doulas in Black Maternal Care

The idea that someone would need a professional to help them through childbirth might seem odd to some, but for many Black mothers, it’s a necessity. A doula isn’t just an extra pair of hands—it’s someone who understands the cultural and systemic challenges these women face. One doula, who stepped i

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Apr 12 2026LIFESTYLE

Knitting fans gather in Chicago for a weekend of yarn, creativity, and connection

Every year, a quiet Chicago neighborhood transforms into a lively hub for yarn lovers. Over 2, 000 people gather at YarnCon, a free weekend event that started in 2007 as a small market for local crafters. Today, it draws sellers from Illinois and beyond, offering everything from hand-dyed threads to

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Apr 12 2026OPINION

Why Naples residents aren't buying airport noise as city appeal

A Naples local isn't impressed by the idea that airport noise adds to the city's charm. Over 125, 000 flights take off and land at Naples Airport each year, making constant noise a daily reality. One resident pointed out that calling this noise "charming" feels out of touch when it disrupts peace an

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