ONS

Apr 09 2026BUSINESS

AI models in ads: saving cash or losing trust?

A small clothing brand recently advertised a summer shirt using AI to generate everything from the model to the boat in the background. The shirt itself is real, but the people and scenes aren’t. This trick is becoming common because it cuts costs and lets brands create many different images quickly

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Apr 09 2026OPINION

Emergency Vehicles and Green Rules: A Balancing Act for California

California is pushing hard to cut emissions, but the push from the state may have dangerous side effects. New rules want most vehicles to go electric soon, including ones used in emergencies. The problem? Right now, zero-emission alternatives for some key support vehicles simply aren’t dependable en

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Apr 09 2026OPINION

Why US sanctions on Cuba could be a violation of international law

In recent years, the US has tightened its grip on Cuba through economic measures that go beyond just trade restrictions. These policies cut off essential oil supplies, which power most of Cuba’s electricity—including hospitals. Without fuel, blackouts worsen, surgeries get delayed, and life-saving t

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Apr 09 2026POLITICS

Why charging ships to cross the Hormuz Strait could backfire badly

Global trade relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway where about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes through every day. Right now, ships move freely without paying fees. But Iran has floated the idea of imposing tolls on vessels passing through, a move that could shake up ho

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Apr 09 2026HEALTH

Free Health Checks Coming to Flint

Flint is rolling out a free health fair downtown next month. On April 9, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Genesee County Health Department and the University of Michigan-Flint team up to run their yearly Public Health Expo at the county administration building on Saginaw Street. Anyone can walk in for quick

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Apr 09 2026LIFESTYLE

Akiko Freeman: A Winemaker Making Waves Locally and Globally

Akiko Freeman isn’t just a name on a bottle of wine—she’s a bridge between cultures. The co-owner of Freeman Winery in Sebastopol has spent years blending her Japanese heritage with California’s winemaking traditions. A major recognition is coming her way on April 23 in San Francisco, where she’ll a

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Apr 09 2026BUSINESS

Print in the Digital Age: How One Company Merges Old and New

Back in the 1990s, a small print shop started in a family garage, turning out carbon copies and business forms on clunky machines. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was dependable—something companies relied on when digital spreadsheets weren’t an option. Today, that shop still exists, though now it balanc

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Apr 08 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Sports Puzzle Challenge: What’s Your Guess?

A fresh sports-themed brain teaser dropped today, mixing workout moves and game-day roles. The puzzle groups words into categories like exercises, masked sports jobs, legendary defenders, and leaping terms. Think you can crack it? Some hints are straightforward, while others feel like a wild guess.

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Apr 08 2026POLITICS

What Even Counts as a Two-Week Deadline These Days?

Has it come to this? A nuclear threat hinges on a Tuesday food tradition. Let’s be real—Taco Tuesday sounds harmless, but in this case, the backronym was anything but: “Trump Always Chickens Out. ” Suddenly, everyone’s favorite food night became a geopolitical punchline. The clock almost ran out. A

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Apr 08 2026TECHNOLOGY

China’s stealth weapons: how silent guns and microwave blasters change the rules

Tiny, silent, and invisible: that is what China’s newest weapons look like. Instead of loud bangs and flying bullets, they use magnets and microwaves. One device, called a Gauss gun, fits in a single hand. It fires metal slugs without gunpowder, smoke, or shell casings. A small screen shows battery

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