COMMUNITY

Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Southport Connector Plan: What It Means for Cypress Parkway

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has finished a study on the Southport Connector. The plan would link I‑4 at SR 429 to the Turnpike and Canoe Creek Road. It cuts through Poinciana, raising a new span in Cypress Parkway’s median. The goal is to turn the road into six lanes and fix key traffic

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Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

Kuku Smith’s Battle to Keep Her Beauty Store Alive

Kuku Smith stands outside her shop on Georgia Avenue, holding up T‑shirts that cost $25 each. The owner of a small beauty supply store that opened in 2019 is fighting an eviction notice while trying to keep her business running. She says the pandemic hit hard because she had just started and was

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Apr 11 2026EDUCATION

Summer Days That Keep Kids Growing

The heat is coming, and many families look forward to trips, playtime, and a break from school. But for young children, the pause in classroom life can shake up routines that give them security and readiness to learn. Community Education steps in with a mix of programs that keep kids active, healthy

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Apr 11 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Flower‑filled Highway Tunnel Turns Community Hub

The tunnel beneath the highway near North Forest Glen Drive has become a local landmark thanks to a mural that feels like a living garden. A former elementary art teacher, who grew up in the nearby Sauganash area, stepped forward when the Forest Glen Community Club asked for ideas. He sent in four c

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Apr 11 2026OPINION

Money‑Saving Ideas for Menstrual Care in Maine

In many households across Maine, women and girls quietly calculate how much of their paycheck goes toward pads, tampons or a clean pair of underwear. The reality is that about one in four residents cannot buy these basic items without sacrificing rent, food or utilities. This hidden struggle is ofte

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Apr 11 2026EDUCATION

New Preschool in Adams aims to give kids a strong start

A local school is rolling out a new preschool program that could help young children get a better footing before kindergarten. The initiative is part of a larger trend showing how early education can shape a child’s school experience for years. Research suggests kids who attend preschool tend to per

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Apr 11 2026EDUCATION

Northern California cheers as NASA’s moon mission takes center stage

On a Friday evening in Oakland, the Chabot Space and Science Center buzzed with excitement as locals gathered to celebrate Artemis II, the first crewed moon mission in over fifty years. The Orion capsule splashed down off San Diego at 5:07 p. m. , signaling the mission’s success. While the astronaut

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Local nurse puts health on Wayland’s agenda

Katie Stiff has stepped into the race for two open seats on Wayland’s Board of Health, giving voters a fresh face with hands-on experience. Though she moved to town only in 2020, she already sits on the board and works daily as a nurse practitioner at a major Boston hospital. Stiff’s path to public

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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 11 2026SPORTS

Local sports stars to shine as faces of the 2026 World Cup in New York and New Jersey

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

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