INNOVATION COUNCIL

Nov 24 2025LIFESTYLE

New York's Streets Tell Stories: Exploring Honored Names

New York City has a unique way of honoring its heroes and notable figures. Across the five boroughs, nearly 2, 500 streets carry the names of remarkable individuals. These co-named streets serve as a tribute to people who have made a significant impact on the city and its communities. A digital map, created by NYC Records, allows anyone to explore these stories. It'...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 24 2025CRIME

Atlantic City Takes Action: New Rules for Small Motels to Boost Safety

Atlantic City is stepping up its game to make sure smaller motels are safer places to stay. The city council just passed new rules that require these motels to have security cameras and other safety measures. This is a big deal because, for a long time, many of these places have been overlooked, leading to problems that the city has been trying to fix. The new rules...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 24 2025BUSINESS

Minnesota's Economy: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Minnesota's economy is facing some tough times. Business leaders and lawmakers recently gathered to discuss these issues and find solutions. The state's economy is not growing as fast as it used to. It's falling behind in areas like technology, innovation, and attracting talent. One big problem is the slowing GDP growth. Minnesota used to be a leader, but now it's l...

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Nov 23 2025BUSINESS

When Fintech Meets Betting: The Polymarket Story

In 2025, the world of fintech took a thrilling turn with the rise of Polymarket, a crypto-based platform that lets people bet on all sorts of events. But it's not all fun and games. This platform is walking a fine line between innovation and gambling, and regulators are watching closely. Polymarket started in 2020, allowing users to bet on political, cultural, and e...

reading time about 2 minutes
Nov 23 2025EDUCATION

ODU and Google Join Forces to Boost AI Education

Old Dominion University (ODU) has taken a big step forward by teaming up with Google to create MonarchSphere, an AI incubator. This isn't just about using AI; it's about building a whole new way for students and teachers to work together with businesses to tackle real-life problems. The university's president, Brian O. Hemphill, sees this as a game-changer. He belie...

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Nov 23 2025OPINION

Pennsylvania's Energy Potential Stifled by Old Rules

Pennsylvania is a big deal in the energy world. It's the second-largest natural gas producer in the U. S. , right behind Texas. The state also exports a lot of coal. Recently, U. S. Sen. Dave McCormick hosted an event focusing on AI and energy. This event showed how important Pennsylvania is for the country's energy future and the economic chances it brings for peopl...

reading time about 2 minutes
Nov 23 2025HEALTH

Maine Takes Bold Steps to Boost Youth Mental Health

Maine is stepping up to tackle the growing mental health crisis among young people. A big donation of $1. 6 million from David Evans Shaw is fueling a new project called the SHAW Challenge. This isn't just another quick fix. It's a four-year plan to make a real difference in schools and communities across the state. The SHAW Challenge is all about building a strong ...

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Nov 23 2025BUSINESS

Saying Goodbye: A Guide to Sharing a Life Well-Lived

In St. Paul, the city council has made a decision that might affect how people remember their loved ones. They've banned cryptocurrency kiosks, which might seem unrelated, but it's a sign of how technology is changing even our most traditional practices. When someone passes away, families often want to share their loved one's story. In St. Paul, this can be done thr...

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Nov 23 2025POLITICS

Keeping Local Leaders Safe: A Growing Concern in the Bay Area

The Bay Area is seeing a rise in threats against local leaders. In October, someone was charged with sending hate-filled emails to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. The emails included violent language and racial slurs. They even threatened to harm police officers and other officials. This isn't an isolated incident. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently passed a law t...

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Nov 23 2025BUSINESS

Climate Data: Who's Really Paying the Price?

Private companies are stepping up to fill the gap left by the U. S. government's reduced investment in climate science. This shift is creating a boom in the earth intelligence sector, with businesses like Climate X and GHGSat leading the charge. Climate X, a London-based data analytics firm, recently helped a real estate manager assess climate risks for hundreds of ...

reading time about 1 minute