GEM

Apr 20 2026SPORTS

The Portland Trail Blazers' new owner and his tight-fisted ways

Tom Dundon just paid over $4 billion for an NBA team, yet he’s acting like the franchise runs on loose change. Since taking over the Portland Trail Blazers, he’s been spotted pocketing pennies—a habit that’s now shaping how he runs the organization. Instead of focusing on the playoffs—where the team

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Apr 20 2026SPORTS

How Boston Marathon keeps growing without breaking its own records

The Boston Marathon started in 1897 with just 15 runners, inspired by an ancient Greek legend. A messenger named Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to announce victory, then died. Organizers today want no such dramatic endings—just smooth races for 30, 000 runners. But the event has outgrown i

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Holly Dam Dilemma: Flood Risks and Community Conflicts

In the northwest corner of Oakland County, a historic dam built in 1840 is at the center of growing worries. The Stiff’s Mill Pond, located near a 1901 home owned by Gary Helton and Tina Hembree, has risen after heavy rain this month. The couple’s property sits on a hill close to the dam, which is o

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Apr 18 2026SPORTS

NBA Leader Adam Silver Wins Innovation Award

Adam Silver, a former lawyer who grew up in Rye, New York, entered the NBA as a junior staffer in 1992. He moved quickly through roles—from special assistant to chief of staff, then president of NBA Entertainment—before becoming commissioner in 2014. Over the last decade, he has guided basketball in

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Apr 18 2026LIFESTYLE

A colorful art project brightens an empty downtown spot

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

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Apr 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Why story beats dice in tabletop game shows

A new study looked at why people get hooked on shows where actors play tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons in real time. Researchers wanted to know what makes these programs so engaging for first-time viewers. They split participants into two groups: one group focused on the story being told, whi

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Apr 17 2026SPORTS

Leafs' coach struggles with aging team and poor strategy

The Toronto Maple Leafs had high hopes heading into the season, but their performance took a major hit compared to last year. The team’s big drop in points (30 fewer than the previous season) has put the spotlight on head coach Craig Berube. Many believe he failed to make the most of the talented pl

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Apr 17 2026TECHNOLOGY

Are your forgotten passwords becoming hacker treasure maps?

A huge chunk of recent cloud breaches—around two-thirds—happened not because thieves guessed passwords or tricked people, but because businesses left digital keys lying around. These aren’t keys for humans logging in—they’re for scripts, apps, and AIs doing their jobs automatically. Some systems spr

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Apr 16 2026BUSINESS

Why a Music Venue Door Got Locked

A downtown music spot called Empire Control Room faced an unusual problem this month. The building owner locked one half of it because rent hadn’t been paid. The landlord’s team left a note saying the gate would stay bolted until every dollar of back rent showed up. Two different letters appeared on

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Apr 16 2026HEALTH

Diabetes in kids: More than just medicine

Kids with diabetes often face struggles most adults wouldn’t imagine. Daily life isn’t just about school and friends—it’s about managing a serious condition. Some families skip meals so their child can take their insulin. Others stretch doses to save money. This isn’t rare. In tight neighborhoods, c

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