STATE NAS

May 12 2026HEALTH

Staten Island trains workers to spot suicide and overdose risks at the same time

Staten Island is tackling two big problems—overdose deaths and suicide—by teaching frontline workers how to handle both at once. Around 300 people have already gone through a six-part training that mixes mental health and drug-use screening. The idea is to catch warning signs early, whether someone

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Curiosity’s rocky hiccup and other science highlights this week

NASA’s Curiosity rover hit an unexpected snag on Mars when a chunk of rock refused to let go after drilling. The stubborn slab, nicknamed Atacama, weighed about 30 pounds—roughly as heavy as a big dog—and stuck to the drill bit like glue. Engineers had to tilt, spin, and shake the drill for days bef

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Apr 30 2026SPORTS

Why NASCAR drivers aren’t buying Stephen A. Smith’s take on racing

NASCAR drivers don’t appreciate Stephen A. Smith calling them anything less than athletes. The debate flared up when Smith dismissed NASCAR drivers—and even golfers—as non-athletes during a radio show. He argued that anyone can sit behind the wheel or swing a club, no matter their age, so it doesn’t

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Apr 27 2026SPORTS

Lightning‑Smart Racing: How NASCAR Outsmarts the Storm

NASCAR’s biggest threat isn’t a bad pit stop or a broken engine. It’s the sky itself, and the sport has finally learned how to beat it. In earlier years, officials would stare at a cloud or read a forecast and hope the weather stayed clear. A sudden thunderstorm could halt an entire weekend, soak

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Apr 25 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s new flying lab: a 777 turned into the ultimate Earth detective

NASA just got a hand-me-down plane that used to fly thousands of passengers around the world. But this isn’t any ordinary jet—it’s now the biggest flying science lab in the agency’s fleet. After a year of heavy-duty upgrades in Texas, the former Japan Airlines Boeing 777 landed at NASA’s Langley Res

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Apr 23 2026SCIENCE

Space Mission: Roman Telescope Set for September Launch

NASA plans to send its newest eye into space by early September. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is scheduled for this year’s launch window. The mission aims to complete its journey by May 2027 at the latest. The Roman telescope was ann

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Apr 21 2026POLITICS

Prediction Markets: Who Gets to Tax Them?

States want to raise money from online prediction sites, but they’re not sure what those sites actually are. The debate centers on whether the sites should be treated like sports betting, financial derivatives, or something else entirely. If they’re seen as gambling, states could tax them the sam

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Apr 21 2026WEATHER

Cold Weather and Pollen Alert for Staten Island

Staten Island residents can expect a sharp temperature dip after Monday’s brief showers. The National Weather Service says it will be partly sunny in the morning, with a high around 54°F. At night, the temperature will plunge nearly 20 degrees, settling near 34°F by Tuesday morning. Sunlight

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Apr 20 2026WEATHER

Spring Weather Switch: Rain, Wind, and Allergies Hit Staten Island

Staten Island is about to face a spring mood swing this week. After a taste of warm 80-degree days last week, the upcoming forecast is bringing it back to typical spring unpredictability. Rain showers are expected to roll in starting Sunday, kicking off a stretch of days that feel more like April th

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Apr 12 2026SCIENCE

NASA’s Next Moon Mission: Why Artemis III Matters More Than You Think

NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission isn’t just another spaceflight—it’s a critical stepping stone for humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond. Unlike earlier missions, this one focuses on testing new tech in real lunar conditions before astronauts attempt longer stays. The mission will push the lim

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