REFORM

Apr 27 2026OPINION

Why Massachusetts needs smarter license plates now

Back in 1903, Massachusetts became the first state to use license plates, starting with simple numbers when cars were uncommon. Over time, plates grew longer and more complex as car ownership exploded. Today, most plates have six to eight random letters and numbers—like "7KQX29"—which might seem fin

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Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Colorado’s Schools Need More Money – Here’s How It Could Happen

Every summer in Colorado, schools face the same problem: classrooms get too hot to teach in. Fans and open windows can’t fix it when there’s no air conditioning. This isn’t just about comfort—it’s a sign of a bigger issue. For over 30 years, Colorado has kept schools underfunded by limiting how much

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Apr 26 2026POLITICS

Why Alaska's Pension Plan Rewrite Gets Controversial Fast

Alaska’s government is updating how thousands of public workers save for retirement—but not everyone likes the changes. A new bill pushes the state to bring back guaranteed pensions after an old system collapsed in 2006. That earlier plan failed because lawmakers didn’t pay enough into it, leaving w

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Apr 25 2026CRIME

Home Theft: A Call for Quick Fixes

A house is more than bricks; it gives families security and a legacy. When thieves take it through trickery, the damage goes beyond the law – families lose hope for future generations. In New York, many older homeowners live in constant worry. The safeguards that should protect them are weak and

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Apr 25 2026CRIME

Topeka’s crime drops but traffic stays risky—what’s really happening on the streets

Last year, Topeka saw fewer violent and property crimes, which the police department calls a win. But one problem didn’t budge: traffic incidents stayed stubbornly high. The numbers tell a clear story—thousands of crashes, hundreds of DUIs, and tens of thousands of traffic stops. Speeding, distracte

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Apr 25 2026ENVIRONMENT

How Utah can turn Earth Month goals into real action

Utah faces a quiet crisis every winter when thick, dirty air gets trapped over the valleys. The Great Salt Lake’s shrinking size worsens that pollution while hurting local jobs and natural habitats. Meanwhile, homeowners watch their power bills climb month after month. These aren’t just environmenta

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Apr 24 2026POLITICS

Pump prices and court battles: Why climate lawsuits are costing everyone

Gas prices have jumped to over four dollars a gallon, and Americans feel it every time they fill up. While war and supply issues get blamed, a growing wave of state lawsuits against energy companies is adding hidden costs. Cities like Baltimore and green groups such as the Sierra Club argue these bu

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Apr 24 2026POLITICS

A young woman’s health crisis in detention raises serious questions

A 23-year-old woman, detained by immigration authorities, is facing severe health risks after being denied surgery she urgently needs. Officials arrested her just days before the planned procedure to remove an ovarian cyst. Since then, her condition has worsened, with visitors noting she’s in consta

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Apr 24 2026HEALTH

Rethinking HIV Laws: Are Strict Rules Really the Best Defense?

Public health debates often clash over how to handle diseases like HIV. Russia once took a hard stance, making it a crime to spread HIV through actions like unprotected sex or needle sharing. The idea was simple: punish those who put others at risk to slow the epidemic. But over time, experts began

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Apr 22 2026EDUCATION

What colleges really need to focus on

Colleges today spend a lot of time talking about fairness and social change. For years, many schools pushed programs to hire more diverse teachers and admit more students from different backgrounds. Some even created entire departments focused on social issues. A recent study at one well-known unive

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