E SMITH

Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Russian Jet Skips Estonian Borders, Diplomats Take Action

Estonia quickly called in a Russian diplomat after an aircraft crossed its airspace near the northern coast on March 18. The fighter, a SU‑30 model, drifted over Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland for roughly one minute before returning to Russian airspace. The incident prompted Estonia’s Foreig

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Mar 17 2026BUSINESS

Money Talk: A New AI Coach Is Paying a Lot to Learn Finance

Elon Musk’s new venture, xAI, is looking for people who know money to help train its chatbot, Grok. The company wants real bankers and traders to act as tutors so the AI can understand how financial decisions are made. In its job ads, xAI asks for experts in investment banking, portfolio manageme

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Mar 17 2026BUSINESS

Companies Ranked by What Americans Call “Just”

Every year, a group of researchers gathers the voices of about 200, 000 people across the United States. They ask these citizens what they think makes a business fair and responsible, and then use those answers to rank large companies. For the 2026 list, the team looked at 17 key themes and collect

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Mar 16 2026SPORTS

High School Sports Star of the Week: Your Vote Counts!

Every week, high school boys across Southwest Florida get a chance to shine. A local newspaper team picks standout athletes from the previous week, sending their names and stats to readers for a quick online poll. The winner earns a t‑shirt from a sports brand and a tote bag, both sponsored by the n

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Mar 16 2026SPORTS

High‑School Sports Stars Shine in Weekly Fan Vote

Each Monday, the local paper posts a new list of high‑school athletes who could win the “Boys Athlete of the Week” award, thanks to a partnership with a community health group. Coaches from Sarasota and Manatee counties send in their players’ stats, and the readers decide who gets the top spot. The

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Mar 16 2026WEATHER

Wind, Snow and Sudden Chill Hit Northeast Ohio

Early Monday a cold front pushed through the region, turning a mild start into a windy and wet day. Rain fell while gusts of 20 to 30 mph hit the area, with spikes up to 55 mph that could toss loose objects and knock down branches. A wind advisory is in place until 8 p. m. , so drivers with trucks o

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Mar 16 2026WEATHER

Snow and Wind Surprise the Smokies

East Tennessee woke up to a sunny March day, but now a sharp cold front is set to arrive. A big winter storm could bring up to five inches of snow on the highest peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that lasts from 1 p. m. today until

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Mar 15 2026FINANCE

Oil and Markets: A Week of Big Warnings

Energy leaders say a new oil shortage could hit soon, sparking worry among investors. The big banks are tightening rules on how much money can leave investment funds, which could slow the flow of capital into markets. One top banker has raised his outlook for oil prices, hinting that the marke

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Mar 15 2026BUSINESS

Erie’s Rising Earnings and Airport Growth Beat the Nation

Erie's workers are earning more than anyone else in Pennsylvania and even outpacing the national average. In 2025, the city’s hourly wages jumped over three percent after adjusting for inflation, while the whole state and country saw only about a one‑percent rise. The jump surprised local economists

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Mar 15 2026HEALTH

Tech and Play: How a Lab Helps Kids Move and Groove

Ever thought tech could make therapy a blast? At Gillette Children's St. Paul Hospital, the Gait and Motion Lab is doing just that. This lab is all about helping kids with conditions like cerebral palsy move better. How? By using some seriously cool tech. First off, the lab uses video and computer

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