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Apr 11 2026LIFESTYLE

Pennsylvania’s barns get a modern makeover on license plates

Pennsylvania’s famous bank barns, those sturdy structures perched on hillsides with one side built into the slope, are now rolling around on license plates. The state has launched a new special fund plate featuring this iconic barn design, letting drivers carry a piece of rural history with them eve

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Apr 11 2026HEALTH

Small daily choices can lower cancer risk

Science now shows that cancer isn’t just bad luck—it’s often the result of how we live. Our bodies handle threats every day, but modern habits can accidentally feed disease instead of fighting it. Five key systems keep cancer in check, but they break down when stress piles up, food choices go wrong,

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Apr 11 2026HEALTH

Do neck scans always catch hidden spine injuries?

When someone gets hurt in a bad fall or crash, doctors first check for neck injuries using a CT scan. This scan is fast and shows broken bones clearly. But sometimes, patients still feel pain even after a clean CT result. So hospitals often order an MRI next, hoping to find soft tissue damage that t

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Washington's Budget Battle: Where Money Goes and Where It Doesn't

The final budget plan from Washington’s mayor suggests big changes ahead. At $21. 2 billion, it’s a massive spending document that will face tough debates in local and federal government. With Republicans in Congress showing more interest in city matters, this budget could become a flashpoint. The m

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Apr 11 2026HEALTH

Better Pregnancy Care Starts with Better Awareness

Every year in April, healthcare teams come together to highlight gaps in care that affect Black mothers and babies across the U. S. This year, one big push arrives in Chicago on Tuesday evening, when a local hospital opens its doors for free tours, talks, and conversations about safe pregnancy journ

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Apr 11 2026CRIME

Congress Plans Hearing for Epstein Victims

The U. S. House Oversight Committee wants to give Epstein’s victims a platform. Chairman James Comer announced plans for hearings after First Lady Melania Trump publicly backed the idea. She argued victims deserve to share their stories under oath. Comer agreed, saying they will move forward with th

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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 2026SPORTS

Old Face, New Worries at the Races

Sir Alex Ferguson still turns up at big sporting events long after retirement, this time at Aintree. Most fans expect to see the 84-year-old because he once raced top horses like Rock of Gibraltar and now watches from the sidelines. Yet the clip that spread online wasn’t about winners or losers—it w

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Apr 11 2026HEALTH

How Everyday Poisons Might Be Linked to Memory Loss

Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s and similar brain diseases don’t just come from bad genes—they might also rise from invisible threats we breathe in or swallow every day. Tiny particles like lead, cadmium, and arsenic sneak into our bodies through polluted water, dusty air, or cheap food, then sl

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Apr 11 2026WEATHER

Chilly Saturday, windy Sunday ahead for Chicago

The weekend in Chicago is shaping up to be a mixed bag. Saturday stays cool with highs around 47°F downtown, while suburbs may climb to the upper 50s or low 60s. Light rain could pop up Saturday evening and linger into the night, making an umbrella a smart move. Sunday throws a curveball. Temperatu

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