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Apr 15 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Big names in Hollywood raise concerns over major studio merger

More than two thousand actors, writers, and directors have joined forces to voice their worries about a proposed deal between two media giants. The agreement, which would combine assets from two major companies, has sparked a growing debate in the entertainment industry. Critics argue that such a co

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Piping plovers in Michigan: How to enjoy them without disturbing their comeback

Experts say the Great Lakes piping plover—those tiny, sand-colored shorebirds—are making a slow but steady recovery after nearly disappearing decades ago. But their comeback story depends on people following simple but strict rules. When walking Michigan beaches this season, hikers need to watch fo

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Apr 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

Making sure your phone notifies you about dangerous weather

Last week in Southern Minnesota, storms caused real damage—trees were uprooted and roads became hazardous. While many people received urgent alerts on their phones, some missed them entirely. This happens not because cell towers fail, but because phones sometimes have important warning settings turn

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why Climate Disasters Hit Children’s Mental Health the Hardest

Extreme weather isn’t just breaking records—it’s reshaping childhoods. When storms, floods, or fires force families to leave homes, kids face more than lost belongings. Their minds absorb the chaos differently. Growing up takes stability, and disasters snatch that away long before adulthood. Even b

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Apr 14 2026OPINION

Local news in New Jersey is fading—and that could hurt democracy

New Jersey is losing its local journalists faster than almost any other state. Right now, the Garden State has the fewest reporters per person in the whole country. That means fewer people showing up to city council meetings, fewer reporters digging into school budget cuts, and fewer voices keeping

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Apr 14 2026POLITICS

NASA's funding fight: Why one leader wants more cash for space dreams

A top U. S. senator is pushing back against plans to trim NASA’s budget next year. This isn’t the first time officials have clashed over space spending. Last time cuts were proposed, lawmakers fought back and gave NASA nearly $24. 4 billion instead. Now, the same politician is promising to keep fund

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Apr 14 2026HEALTH

Watch out: Spicy food bowls from social media could be risky business

Never judge a dish by its bright TikTok colors. West-central Illinois food safety teams recently noticed a sharp rise in “spicy bowls” popping up online. These meals mix pickled veggies, eggs, protein, bold spices, and plenty of hot sauce into a single colorful bowl. What started as a kitchen experi

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Apr 14 2026HEALTH

How Ethiopia’s first birth age connects to health, wealth, and where people live

When a woman has her first child in Ethiopia often shapes not just her own health but also the future of her family and the nation. Babies born to very young mothers face higher chances of health problems right after delivery. Mothers under 18 also tend to have less schooling and fewer job opportuni

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Apr 14 2026EDUCATION

AI tools boost beginner Spanish learning, but mixed results raise questions about their limits

Many students freeze when speaking a foreign language for the first time. Instead of avoiding that fear, instructors at one university decided to meet it head-on with artificial intelligence. They wanted learners to practice speaking early and often, especially in online classes where spontaneous co

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Apr 14 2026POLITICS

Why the fuss over a controversial image on Truth Social?

A photo shared on Truth Social recently sparked debates after it showed a figure in robes, often linked to religious imagery. Many viewers quickly assumed it was meant to represent a familiar biblical scene, leading to sharp reactions online. The timing of the post didn’t help—it went live on Orthod

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