THE EM DASH CO

May 07 2026WEATHER

Why the Weather Service is playing catch-up before storm season

The National Weather Service is still rebuilding after major job cuts last year, just as tornado and hurricane season approaches. One forecasting hub in Oklahoma currently has five empty positions, and other offices are losing staff temporarily because experts are being reassigned to cover the World

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May 07 2026POLITICS

Citi Bike age checks: why facial recognition raises alarms

The city wants Lyft to skip facial recognition when checking Citi Bike riders’ ages. Instead of trusting a system that scans faces, officials worry about hackers stealing that data. Young riders, in particular, could be left exposed if a database gets breached. City Hall also points to studies showi

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May 07 2026POLITICS

Why cutting addiction research could backfire on America

The U. S. spends over $740 billion yearly dealing with alcohol and drug problems. Yet, in early 2025, two major federal programs got hit hard. One lost most of its staff while the other had hundreds of millions in research grants canceled. These programs used to track addiction trends and fund studi

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May 07 2026SPORTS

Vikings' Hunt for a New GM: From Interim to Permanent, and Who Might Land the Job

The Minnesota Vikings have spent months searching for a new general manager, but the search might soon wrap up. Since early 2026, Rob Brzezinski has been running things as the interim GM after the team decided to let go of the previous leader. Now that the draft is over, the Vikings are narrowing do

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May 07 2026SPORTS

UNC’s Big Bet on Football: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?

The University of North Carolina is doubling down on football, betting big on Bill Belichick to turn things around. Even after a rough first season, the school’s athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, insists the program is worth the $2. 5 million gamble. But where does that leave the rest of UNC’s sp

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May 07 2026SPORTS

Illinois and UConn to face off again in Chicago

The University of Illinois men's basketball team is set for a rematch against UConn in the Windy City. On December 4th, the two teams will square off at Chicago’s United Center, a game that holds a familiar echo from the past. Last year’s encounter at New York’s Madison Square Garden saw UConn edge

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May 07 2026HEALTH

New vape rules aim to balance adult access with youth protection

The U. S. government recently took a sharp turn from its long fight against flavored vapes. For years, officials worked hard to block fruit and candy flavors, arguing they hook young users. Now, suddenly, the same agency that once banned over a million flavors has greenlit four new ones—all aimed at

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May 07 2026POLITICS

Russia Returns to Venice Art Show: Why Some Say It’s About Art, Not Politics

The Venice Biennale, a famous art festival, has let Russia set up its exhibit again after skipping two years. This move has caused a big debate. Some say art should stay separate from politics. Others argue that allowing Russia back sends the wrong message. The festival’s leader says art should bri

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May 07 2026CELEBRITIES

When Stars Speak Through Actions: The Unspoken Rules of Red Carpet Behavior

The Met Gala isn’t just about fancy outfits and glow-in-the-dark makeup. It’s also a quick way to test how society judges powerful women. When Blake Lively walked down the steps in her oversized Versace gown, something small but telling happened. A short video clip showed her briefly stopping to org

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May 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Met Gala 2026: Who Wore the Fanciest Jewels and How Much Did They Spend?

The Met Gala’s 2026 theme, "Costume Art, " turned the red carpet into a dazzling runway of creativity—and eye-watering price tags. While billionaire heiress Isha Ambani stole the show with a $135 million necklace, other stars still brought jaw-dropping bling. The event wasn’t just about fashion; it

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