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Apr 07 2026ENVIRONMENT

Cherry Blossoms Light Up Chicago’s Spring Short‑Term

The first signs of spring appeared in Jackson Park, where a burst of pink and white petals now frames the pond below the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The city’s cherry trees, a collection of five species, have finally opened their blooms after a season of weather swings and generous rain.

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Apr 07 2026SCIENCE

Layered Double Hydroxides: Turning Sunlight into Fuel

The world faces an energy crisis and worsening climate, pushing scientists to find cleaner ways to power daily life. One promising route is photocatalysis, a process that uses sunlight to create chemical fuels. A group of materials called layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and their transformed forms—

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Apr 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Festival Owner Stands Firm Over Controversial Headliner

Melvin Benn, the chief manager of Festival Republic, has publicly backed his choice to book Ye for London’s Wireless Festival after several sponsors decided to walk away. Benn explained that he believes in second chances and urged people to pause their immediate backlash. He said that in a world tha

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Apr 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Mental Health in America: A Call for Change

The film “No One Cares About Crazy People” is a short documentary that will play at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema on Saturday. After the screening, a panel with director Gail Freedman will discuss the movie’s message and its ties to Chicago. The soundtrack is written by Jeff Tweedy, a singer

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Apr 07 2026HEALTH

Hookah and Social Circles: Why Tobacco Sticks in Arab American Communities

Research shows tobacco use is more common among Arab Americans than some other groups, especially hookah smoking. Scientists wanted to find out why cultural habits and social groups play a big role in this trend. Instead of just looking at personal choices, they studied how family, friends, and comm

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Apr 07 2026TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft fixes confusing AI rules after users call it out

Microsoft just changed how it talks about its Copilot AI after people noticed a strange phrase in the rules. The company used to say Copilot is "for entertainment purposes only, " which sounded like it was just a fun toy. But Microsoft actually sells Copilot as a serious tool for work. Now, after us

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Apr 07 2026EDUCATION

Why academic debates need more people like Gordon

Gordon has spent years pushing academic discussions forward. Not by avoiding tough topics but by diving right into them. He doesn’t just present ideas—he tests them, challenges them, and makes sure they hold up under scrutiny. That approach has shaped how experts view mood disorders, especially bipo

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Apr 07 2026WEATHER

Rain check on the way for Sonoma County this week

Spring in Northern California doesn’t usually bring much rain, but this week could buck that trend. Forecasts suggest a short spell of wet weather is heading to Sonoma County and the wider Bay Area starting Wednesday night. Rainfall is expected to stick around until Friday morning, bringing small bu

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Apr 07 2026OPINION

Small Acts That Feed a Whole Community

In coastal Maine towns like Bath and Brunswick, scenic ocean views often steal the spotlight. Yet behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a quieter challenge—people going without enough food. One local food program called the Veggie Van is quietly changing that by bringing fresh groceries directly

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Apr 07 2026TECHNOLOGY

Can AI and Blockchain really work together?

A new project called OpenServ is mixing AI with blockchain in an interesting way. It claims its AI model, SERV Nano, can match or beat OpenAI in some tests while being faster and cheaper. But is this just hype or real progress? OpenServ isn’t trying to build a new blockchain. Instead, it’s focusing

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