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Feb 14 2026POLITICS

Hot Springs Gets Its First Full-Time Town Boss

Hot Springs has taken a big step by hiring its first-ever full-time town administrator, Hassena Kassim. This is a huge deal because the town has never had someone in this role before. Kassim, who is 47 and lives right in Hot Springs, started her job in August. Before this, Kassim helped the town bo

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Feb 14 2026HEALTH

A New Hope for Fertility Treatments: Tech Finds Hidden Eggs

A groundbreaking device called OvaReady is changing the game in fertility treatments. It uses AutoIVF technology to spot eggs that often go unnoticed with traditional methods. In over half of the cases, it successfully finds these hidden eggs. This could mean better chances for couples struggling wi

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Feb 14 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Vacaville's Plan to Liven Up Downtown with Alcohol-Friendly Zones

Vacaville is thinking about setting up special areas downtown where people can drink alcohol in public. This idea comes from a new state law that lets cities do this. The goal is to make downtown more lively and help local businesses. Other places, like Sacramento and Loomis, have already started d

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Feb 14 2026HEALTH

Salem's Youth Mental Health Lifeline Faces Shutdown

Salem is about to lose its only safe space for young people struggling with mental health. The Salem Drop, a youth mental health drop-in center, is closing its doors because of big funding cuts. This is a huge blow to the community, especially since Oregon is already struggling with mental health is

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Feb 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why Climate Change Chats Are Falling on Deaf Ears

People are getting tired of hearing about climate change. Every year, it's the same story: temperatures are rising, and fossil fuels are the culprits. In 2025, the global temperature was about 1. 47 degrees Celsius higher than it was from 1850 to 1900. This information comes from Copernicus, the Eur

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Scott County Rejects New Power Plant Rules

The county board made a surprising decision to reject the proposed ordinance that would have regulated new power plant developments. The vote was close, with a few members favoring the restriction and others opposing it. Those in favor argued that the ordinance would protect local air quality, limit

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

New Orleans Moves Fast: A Fresh Start for the City

The mayor and her team are already making changes that people want. They fixed street lights in the East, made sure the police budget is fully paid, and began a new streets program in Tremé. These moves show that the city cares about improving neighborhoods. Yet outside the city, national politics

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Feb 13 2026CRIME

Older Minds: How Age Changes the Test for Hidden Truths

The world is getting older, and with that shift comes a new challenge for tools used to spot deception. One such tool is the Concealed Information Test, or CIT, which relies on tiny changes in skin sweat, heartbeats and breathing to show whether someone remembers a crime detail. In Japan, where many

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Feb 13 2026HEALTH

Gait Fix: A Six‑Week Trial to Ease Knee Pain

Knee osteoarthritis is a common problem that hurts and makes walking hard. Researchers tested whether changing the way people walk, with real‑time feedback, can lessen pain and improve movement. They ran a randomized study where participants followed different walking‑adjustment plans over six weeks

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Feb 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Fresh Hangout Below The Forge

In late January, a new spot opened in downtown Salem’s historic building known as The Forge. The venue sits on the basement floor at 285 Liberty St. NE and offers a relaxed space for gatherings of all kinds. The owner, Nat Borchers, runs Back Line Real Estate and co‑owns The Forge. He used to play

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