PACT

Sep 08 2024ENVIRONMENT

Are Americans Out of Touch with Their Environmental Impact?

A recent global survey reveals that people worldwide are deeply concerned about the environment, with a staggering 70% believing human activities are pushing Earth past critical tipping points. This concern is echoed across diverse nations, from Kenya to India, where people feel more directly impact

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Sep 08 2024POLITICS

Democrats' 'Law and Order' Tightrope: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Democrats are facing a tough balancing act. They're trying to convince voters they're tough on crime and immigration, but their actual policies haven't changed much. Is this just political maneuvering, or are they truly concerned about public safety? Polls show people are worried about crime,

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Sep 08 2024BUSINESS

Downtown Joliet's Parking Predicament: Free Valet or a Band-Aid Solution?

Downtown Joliet is facing a parking headache thanks to ongoing construction. Businesses like CUT 158 Chophouse are feeling the pinch, reporting a 60% drop in customers. In a bid to entice diners back, the owner, Bill Dimitroulas, is offering free valet parking not just for his restaurants but for

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Sep 06 2024RELIGION

The Empty Pew: A Pastor's Struggle with Declining Religion

Imagine a church built for hundreds, now hosting just a handful of elderly members. This is the reality for First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, a church closing its doors after 150 years. What's more, the pastor, Ryan Burge, is known for his research on the very decline in religious affil

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Sep 06 2024OPINION

Is America's Foreign Policy Leaving American Workers Behind?

You've probably heard that free trade is good for everyone. But what if it's only good for some? This article argues that America's recent foreign policy, focused on free trade and open borders, has actually hurt American workers. It claims that while CEOs and investors have seen their profits skyr

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Sep 06 2024ENVIRONMENT

Pennsylvania's Carbon Gamble: A Step Towards a Cleaner Future or a Risky Bet?

Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a controversial law allowing carbon pollution from dirty energy sources to be stored underground. While proponents argue this could pave the way for a hydrogen hub and help combat climate change, critics warn of potential health dangers and environmen

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Sep 06 2024ENVIRONMENT

Lost Pond, Gained Ecosystem: A Dam Removal Dilemma

Imagine growing up with a pond as a constant backdrop, a place for childhood memories, laughter, and quiet reflection. Now imagine that pond, a source of joy for generations, suddenly becoming a liability, a ticking time bomb threatening safety and the environment. This is the reality Lois Brown, a

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Sep 06 2024FINANCE

Billionaire Tax Blues: Is the IRS Finally Catching Up?

The IRS is celebrating a major win: collecting $1.3 billion from high-wealth tax dodgers since last fall. But is this just a drop in the bucket? Consider this: in 2019, the top one percent owed more than one-fifth of all unpaid taxes. That means ordinary Americans were picking up the slack. The

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Sep 06 2024BUSINESS

Accounting Scandal: Round-Tripping & Other Fraudulent Schemes Exposed

Round-tripping! Channel stuffing! Back-dated contracts - what do these fancy accounting terms really mean? Let's dive into the shady world of fraudulent practices used by Sushovan Hussain, the former CFO of Autonomy who recently got 5 years in prison and a ban on accounting until 2038. According to

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Sep 05 2024POLITICS

The Powell Memo: A Blueprint for Corporate Domination

In the summer of 1971, a little-known lawyer named Lewis F. Powell Jr. penned an explosive memo to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In this document, later known as the 'Powell Memo', Powell argued that American business had become too complacent and needed to take aggressive action to regain political

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