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May 17 2026POLITICS

Retirement doesn’t slow this finance expert down

Carlos Zamora packed up his decades in global banking last week, but retirement won’t last long. Instead of relaxing, he’s diving into a new challenge: running for Kootenai County Treasurer. The election is just days away, and Zamora will face Teresa Mallery in the Republican primary. Whoever wins t

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May 17 2026POLITICS

Why a local election in Sonoma County is getting big money attention

A billboard along Highway 101 keeps reminding drivers about Todd Lands, one of three candidates running to fill an open seat on Sonoma County’s Board of Supervisors. The ad pushes his slogan "Less Talk. More Action, " but the real story behind Lands might be who’s paying for it. Campaign records sho

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May 17 2026BUSINESS

New shops and food spots shaping up in Williamsburg and nearby areas

A long-running Williamsburg restaurant has shut its doors after four decades, but new businesses are stepping in to fill the space. The Whaling Co. , a fixture in the area since the 1980s, closed for good in August, leaving a vacant building on McLaws Circle. Now, two big-name chains are vying for t

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May 17 2026HEALTH

Casual Sex and Drinking: What’s Really at Risk?

Not everyone enjoys the same kind of fun when it comes to dating. Some people prefer serious relationships, while others like keeping things casual. New research digs into how these different styles relate to risky behavior like drinking too much or having sex without protection. The findings sugges

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May 17 2026POLITICS

A local parent steps up for Bloomfield schools

Bloomfield voters have a quick decision to make this May. On the 19th, they’ll pick one new person for the school board to fill a five-year spot that pays nothing. One name appears on the ballot—Steele—but that doesn’t mean the vote is pointless. The polling place, a large classroom at the middle-h

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May 17 2026OPINION

Why solar and wind farms are facing resistance in rural America

The idea of cleaner energy sounds great on paper, but many rural communities are pushing back hard against massive solar and wind projects popping up in their backyards. What started as a wave of excitement about renewable energy has turned into a heated debate between landowners, developers, and ne

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May 17 2026OPINION

Portland’s Creative Pulse is Fading Fast

Portland still brags about being a city where art and small businesses thrive. But the places that once made it special are disappearing—not all at once, but one by one, like ice melting in spring. Rents are skyrocketing, forcing artists, writers, and shop owners to work extra jobs just to scrape by

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May 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Comedy friends call out social media and mental health struggles

Comedian Theo Von has faced tough times lately with a mix of public comments and private battles. His friend and fellow podcaster Joe Rogan stepped up recently to share real worries about Von’s mental state. Rogan pointed to signs like Von’s open discussion of antidepressants and a past incident whe

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May 17 2026FINANCE

From Investor to Believer: What Made Mark Cuban Finally See Crypto’s Potential

Mark Cuban wasn’t always a fan of cryptocurrency. Long before his public support, he brushed off early chances to get involved. Coinbase’s co-founder tried reaching out years ago, but Cuban passed on the opportunity. He later admitted he simply didn’t understand the tech well enough at the time. Yea

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May 17 2026CRIME

Spy Tricks: How Digital Thieves Used Chat and Code to Steal Millions

North Korea’s cyber teams have quietly cleaned out more than $6 billion from crypto since 2017, and 2026 alone has already added nearly $600 million to that total. Instead of just guessing passwords or sending phishing links, these operatives now spend months face-to-face with targets, building trus

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