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May 04 2026RELIGION

A Historic Church Hopes for a New Future Near the United Center

A 140-year-old church near Chicago’s United Center is fighting to stay alive as the area around it transforms. Greater Union Baptist Church, with its striking red brick walls and intricate wooden ceiling, has been closed since 2022 because of a broken heating system and an unpaid $14, 000 gas bill.

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May 03 2026RELIGION

Evangelicals Split Over Immigration: A New Take on a Divided Faith

A recent discussion explores how American evangelical Christians are divided when it comes to enforcing immigration laws. The conversation began with two experts who regularly think about how religion and government should interact. One is a long‑time religion reporter, the other leads a group that

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May 03 2026HEALTH

Why most people miss the easy ways to protect their brain

Most Americans see brain health as a top priority, yet very few actually know how to safeguard it. A recent study found that 88% of adults worry about losing their memory as they age, but only 9% feel well-informed about keeping their brain sharp. The gap between concern and action is striking. Whil

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Science Board Shot Down: A New Threat to Research

The president’s decision to fire every member of the National Science Board last week is a sharp blow to the United States’ scientific future. The board had guided the National Science Foundation, which funds a wide range of research from chemistry to climate science. Its removal leaves the fo

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May 02 2026SCIENCE

Alaska’s Climate Shift: A Personal Farewell

For three decades, deadlines have been a constant companion, shaping the rhythm of my work. The pressure once felt like an ache, but repeated exposure turned it into a familiar habit. I have spent many years navigating the complex world of scientific communication, sharing findings with local newspa

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May 02 2026SCIENCE

Lightning Secrets: How Trees Glow Before a Storm

When the air feels itchy and your hair jumps, it might mean a storm is coming. Scientists noticed a faint blue light that sometimes appears on tree tops during heavy weather. This glow, called corona discharge, is a tiny electric spark that can be seen when the sky splits into two layers of charge.

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May 02 2026CRIME

A Big Payout for Survivors in New York

New York’s Catholic leadership has agreed to pay 800 million dollars to people who were abused by priests as kids. Over 1, 300 survivors will share this money, making it one of the biggest payouts ever in the U. S. for clergy abuse cases. Only Los Angeles gave more—880 million—when it settled simila

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Cuba shows strength in May Day march as U. S. pressure grows

On a warm May afternoon, nearly a million Cubans marched through Havana’s waterfront streets with one clear message: they won’t back down under U. S. pressure. Among them was 94-year-old Raul Castro, a former president and the last of the revolution’s original leaders still in public life. The march

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May 02 2026HEALTH

How Cancer Research Stays Relevant and Trustworthy

Cancer studies rely on people joining big research groups called cohorts. These groups help scientists spot patterns between lifestyle choices, genes, and cancer risks. But it takes more than just collecting data. Real progress happens when researchers treat participants like partners, not just subj

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May 02 2026POLITICS

A Local Government's Big Move Before a Tax Talk

Just before a heated discussion on property taxes kicks off, a county made a surprising financial decision. Officials agreed to buy the local water system from a nearby river basin. This purchase isn't just about pipes and pumps. It’s a move that could shake up how the county handles its resources a

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