GOVERNMENT

May 12 2026POLITICS

New Local Pay Rule Passes Despite State Objections

The city recently approved a new rule about how much workers must earn in small businesses. Government leaders voted yes even though state officials warned them it could cause legal trouble. Normally, when higher-level leaders say no, cities listen. This time, they didn’t. Not everyone agrees with

reading time less than a minute
May 12 2026POLITICS

Science Advice in Danger: Why Losing the National Science Board Matters

Over two thousand researchers signed a letter last week warning that getting rid of the National Science Board weakens America’s position against countries like China. The board, created in 1950, used to guide how taxpayer money supports science and engineering research. Its twenty-plus members, app

reading time less than a minute
May 11 2026POLITICS

Downtown DeKalb’s New Sip‑and‑Shop Plan: A Mix of Support and Skepticism

"City officials are pushing a new entertainment district that would let people carry one drink in a special cup while walking between shops and restaurants. The idea is to boost foot traffic after dark, making downtown a lively spot for diners, shoppers and moviegoers. A council vote is set for Mond

reading time less than a minute
May 11 2026POLITICS

Grants frozen again: How federal cuts hit Indigenous research at UC Berkeley

Last month, federal officials hit pause on at least 18 research grants at UC Berkeley, despite a judge just months ago telling them to stop canceling grants. One of those frozen was a $1. 4-million project at the Lawrence Hall of Science that trains Ohlone youth to build mixed-reality exhibits about

reading time less than a minute
May 11 2026FINANCE

Chile’s economy set for modest growth as new policies take shape

Chile’s government expects the economy to expand by just over 2% this year, despite pushing forward with spending cuts and reforms aimed at attracting more investment. The administration, led by a conservative team, insists on sticking to a 4% growth goal, but admits the path won’t be smooth. With g

reading time less than a minute
May 10 2026POLITICS

Reinventing Anchorage: How Local Leaders Are Tackling Big Challenges

Anchorage stands at a crossroads where tough choices can’t be avoided. Money is tight, families are feeling the pinch, and young adults are deciding if this city is where they’ll build their future. Behind the scenes, over 3, 000 municipal workers – bus drivers, road crews, park rangers – keep the c

reading time less than a minute
May 09 2026POLITICS

War Files Unveiled: A New Look at Sky Mysteries

The U. S. War Department has opened its archives, sharing a first batch of documents and footage that claim to show unexplained aerial events spanning almost eight decades. These releases come after a former president’s order for full disclosure of government records on unidentified phenomena. Th

reading time less than a minute
May 09 2026POLITICS

How Onondaga County is working to better connect with residents

The leaders of Onondaga County have spent months talking with people about taxes, housing, and how the government spends money. They’ve made changes like letting more public input shape decisions and forming new groups to advise on housing and transport. They’ve also capped gas tax charges and tight

reading time less than a minute
May 09 2026POLITICS

Denmark’s government puzzle after failed coalition talks

Last week in Copenhagen, Denmark’s efforts to form a new government took a sharp turn when talks collapsed just as they seemed stuck. The prime minister, who leads the Social Democrats, had been trying to build a fresh coalition after losing ground in the March election. Her party dropped from 50 se

reading time less than a minute
May 09 2026EDUCATION

Mexico’s Schools Close Early for World Cup — But Is It Worth It?

The Mexican government just moved up the end of the school year by over a month because of the 2026 World Cup. Schools now finish classes on June 5 instead of June 15, giving students an extra 40 days of summer break. The government says a recent heat wave helped justify the change, but the World Cu

reading time less than a minute