NEBRASKA

Mar 20 2026TECHNOLOGY

Better Wind Power Predictions: A Fresh Look at Ocean Clues

Getting wind energy right is tricky because wind doesn’t blow steadily. Power grids need to balance supply and demand, but wind farms can’t always match that. A new study shows how ocean patterns might help predict wind power better. Instead of just looking at current wind speed, researchers tested

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Mar 20 2026WEATHER

Chicago welcomes warmer days with a spring surprise

Chicago is trading its winter coat for sunshine this week as temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. The city’s last full day of winter started crisp, with lakefront areas stuck in the 40s while inland spots like Kankakee flirted with 60. But the real change arrives Friday, when spring officially b

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Mar 20 2026ENTERTAINMENT

The best water blaster for summer battles isn't what you'd expect

Sunny days make most people think of ice cream or beach trips, but for some, it means only one thing: water fights. If you're serious about summer battles, a basic squirt gun won't cut it anymore. The market now has smarter options that turn casual play into something closer to precision gaming. Th

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A Major Shift in Student Loan Management Raises Questions

The federal government is making a big change in how it handles student loans. Starting now, the Treasury Department will take charge of loans where borrowers haven’t made payments in months. This covers about $180 billion of the government’s $1. 7 trillion student debt. Eventually, the Treasury wi

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

EU pushes for peace, not strikes, in Middle East energy fight

EU leaders want no more attacks on energy and water plants in the Middle East. They worry these strikes could hurt global oil prices and make the Iran war worse. In a meeting in Brussels, the 27 countries agreed to ask everyone to stop fighting near these important buildings. They also want civil ri

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Mar 20 2026SCIENCE

How tiny water bacteria help shape modern glue and anti-fouling tech

Every time you see a slippery rock in a stream or a slimy hull on a boat, you’re looking at biofilms—thin layers of microbes stuck to surfaces. These microscopic communities don’t just stick around by accident. They produce special proteins called adhesins, especially at one end of the cell, to glue

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Mar 20 2026HEALTH

CDC Leadership Search Shows Hope Amid Health Department Turmoil

The hunt for a new CDC director is sparking cautious optimism, even as the agency grapples with years of shakeups and policy disputes. Recent candidates for the top role suggest better days ahead, but the CDC’s past struggles under political pressure raise questions about stability. The agency has s

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A new plan for handling student loans shifts focus to the Treasury

The government just announced a three-step plan to move control of student loans to the Treasury Department. First, it will focus on loans that are already in default. Next, it will handle loans that are not yet in default, as long as it’s legally possible. Finally, the Treasury will help make sure

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Kharg Island: A Hot Spot in the Middle East War

The U. S. has been hitting Kharg Island, a key oil hub in Iran’s Gulf coast, during its fight with Tehran. President Trump says the island’s oil facilities were left alone, but he warned that could change if Iran blocks ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a major oil route; about 20 million

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Temporary Rule Break Helps U. S. Shipments Flow

The United States has lifted a long‑standing shipping law for 60 days. The rule, known as the Jones Act, usually keeps all U. S. domestic cargo on American‑built and -crew vessels. President Trump said the change will let foreign ships move oil, gas, fertilizer and coal between U. S. ports. The Jon

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