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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Is Maine’s new budget plan really a smart move?

Maine is facing real struggles right now. High living costs—especially for housing and energy—are squeezing families and businesses alike. Many people have left for other states with lower taxes and better opportunities. Small businesses, which keep local economies alive, are feeling the pinch too.

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

April’s Mixed Headlines: Sports, Politics, and Legal Battles Dominate the Week

Another NCAA basketball season wrapped up Monday when Michigan beat UConn 6-3 in a tight final game. This was big news for the Big Ten, marking their first men’s basketball championship in nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, Illinois, a top contender just days before, got eliminated in the semifinals. This

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Apr 12 2026EDUCATION

Faster Path to Becoming a Physical Therapist in Utah

Utah’s colleges are finding creative ways to help students enter high-demand healthcare jobs faster. A new deal between Utah Valley University and Rocky Mountain University brings this idea to life. Top students at UVU can now finish both their bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in physical therapy i

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Apr 12 2026SPORTS

Measuring Player Exhaustion Without Wires in Tennis

Coaches have long struggled to track how tired tennis players get during matches. A new study shows a wireless approach might finally solve this problem. Researchers watched fifteen players go through a tough on-court routine that mixed sprints with tennis drills. Instead of bulky sensors, they used

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Apr 12 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Gurnee’s Big Summer Fun: A Half-Century of Thrills Ahead

Gurnee’s favorite amusement park is turning 50 this summer, and it’s pulling out all the stops to make sure visitors feel the excitement. The park opens for its regular season on April 25, giving guests two months to get used to the rides before the real celebration kicks off on June 20. That’s when

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Hungary’s big vote: what’s at stake for Europe and beyond

Hungary’s Sunday vote isn’t just about who runs the country—it’s a test for Europe’s direction. For 16 years, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has shaped Hungary as a place where democracy feels different: less free press, fewer checks on power, and closer ties to Moscow than most EU neighbors. But after

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Apr 12 2026OPINION

Why do people keep choosing leaders who care more about themselves than the job?

Many voters seem drawn to leaders who act like they’re above the rules. This trend isn’t new—history shows that when times get tough, people sometimes pick leaders who promise quick fixes rather than real solutions. Climate disasters, AI disrupting jobs, and the fallout from the pandemic have left m

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Taiwan Sees Chinese Fighters While Leaders Meet

Taiwan’s defence office reported that on Friday, 16 Chinese military jets flew close to the island between mid‑morning and mid‑afternoon, a day when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party in Beijing. The meeting, held at 11 a. m. , was framed by the Ta

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Apr 11 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Weekend of Music, Drama and History in Fayetteville

The Australian Chamber Orchestra arrives in town with a fresh piece called “Horizon, ” written by composer John Luther Adams. The group, led by violinist and conductor Richard Tognetti, will perform the work during its tour, including a show at 8 p. m. Saturday night in Walton Arts Center on W. Dick

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Apr 11 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Signal Secrets and Hollywood Struggles

Kelly Ripa has a special way to let her husband, Mark Consuelos, know when she’s not feeling it. Kate Jackson, who once starred in “Charlie’s Angels, ” says that the spotlight took away her privacy and pushed her out of the industry. A car accident in Southern California left Tori Spelling’s k

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