INFLUENCE

Oct 30 2024POLITICS

Local News Going Extinct: Who's to Blame?

Newspapers are shutting down faster than you can say "breaking news. " In just one year, 127 newspapers vanished, leaving behind "news deserts" where people don't have access to local news. This trend isn't slowing down, either. Since 2005, the U. S. has lost over a third of its newspapers. Ouch! W

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Oct 30 2024POLITICS

Insider Spills Beans on Madigan’s Power

Will Cousineau, a big-name lobbyist who once worked for Michael Madigan, will be back on the stand this Wednesday. He’s giving a sneak peek into how Madigan ran things in Springfield and the Democratic Party. Cousineau has already been a part of other cases, including one against ComEd and another a

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Oct 30 2024POLITICS

Georgia's Big Decision: West or East?

In just a few days, Georgia will choose its next parliament. The stakes are high because it could decide the country's future: closer to the West or more aligned with Russia. Polls suggest that people might be ready for a shift. Groups wanting to join NATO and the EU seem to be leading. But the ruli

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Oct 30 2024POLITICS

Why Young Men Under 30 Are Turning to Trump in 2024

Young men under the age of 30 are increasingly drawn to Donald Trump's campaign in 2024. According to recent polls, these voters have shifted significantly towards the Republican party over the past four years. Inflation, immigration, and economic concerns are some of the key reasons why young men a

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Oct 30 2024POLITICS

Tell Me Your Story: The Money Behind Chicago's School Board Elections

Imagine you're walking down the streets of Chicago and you see a group of people holding up giant blown-up checks. These aren't just any checks, but ones showing huge investments from billionaires in the upcoming school board elections. That's right, billionaires from outside Illinois are pouring mo

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Oct 28 2024POLITICS

Georgia's Opposition Leads Protest Against Questionable Elections

In Tbilisi, Georgia, a storm is brewing over its recent elections. President Salome Zourabichvili, along with a united opposition, is standing up against what they call a rigged vote. They see it as a shadow of Russia's influence, much like the occupation of a significant part of their country since

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Oct 28 2024POLITICS

Unusual Election Results Spark Protests in Georgia

In a surprising turn of events, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has urged citizens to protest the results of the recent parliamentary election. The ruling Georgian Dream Party claimed victory with about 54% of the vote, but the opposition and international observers have raised concerns abou

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Oct 28 2024POLITICS

Elon Musk's Voter Lottery Sparks Legal Battle

Imagine this: you receive an email saying that simply by sharing your personal details and pledging support for the Constitution, you could win $1 million. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that's exactly what Elon Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, are offering to register

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Oct 28 2024POLITICS

Foreign Influence in U. S. Elections: What to Watch For

As the U. S. election draws near, foreign countries like Russia, China, and Iran are stepping up their efforts to sway voters. Microsoft's recent report highlights that these countries are using fake videos, social media campaigns, and disinformation to try and influence the outcome. For instance, R

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Oct 28 2024POLITICS

Moldova's EU Path: A Tussle Between West and East

Moldova recently voted to pursue EU membership, but the close result has sparked concerns about Russian influence. Pro-Western president Maia Sandu alleged that foreign forces, likely Moscow, used cash and propaganda to sway votes. The referendum, held alongside a presidential election, saw last-min

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