U S TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Jun 17 2026EDUCATION

Teachers on Temporary Permits: A Growing Challenge in South Bend

South Bend schools are turning to teachers with emergency permits to fill gaps caused by a nationwide shortage, a move that raises concerns about student learning and equity. Emergency permits allow educators who hold at least a bachelor’s degree to teach for one school year without full certificati

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Jun 17 2026SCIENCE

Risk of Tiny Plastic Particles in the Lungs

Scientists tested how small pieces of polyethylene, a common plastic, affect rat lungs when put directly into the airway. They used both medium‑sized and ultra‑small particles to see if they cause harm. The results show that these tiny plastics can damage lung tissue, raising concerns about similar

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Jun 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

New Sword Art Online Game Lets Players Create Their Own Hero

Sword Art Online fans have a new adventure to look forward to. Bandai Namco will launch a fresh title called Echoes of Aincrad on July 9, 2026. Instead of following the story of Kirito or Asuna, players will step into a brand‑new character. This choice lets gamers experience the classic dea

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Jun 17 2026SCIENCE

Stonefish: The Stealthy Killer of the Reef

Stonefish hide like rocks on the sea floor, blending in so well that divers may swim right past them unnoticed. Their skin looks like mottled stone, covered with bumps and algae that make them almost invisible among coral rubble. Yet these calm-looking fish are the most poisonous in the ocean, armed

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Jun 17 2026TECHNOLOGY

Linux on Windows Made Easy with WSL

Using a Linux virtual machine on a Windows computer can feel like juggling two separate worlds. You might choose to run a full Linux system inside a VM, or you could set up a dual‑boot that gives direct hardware access. Both methods teach the Linux way, but they come with extra steps and overhead.

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Jun 17 2026FINANCE

SoFi Shares Rise While Tech Stocks Drop

SoFi Technologies, the San Francisco‑based fintech firm, is seeing its stock climb even as many other technology names fall. Investors are curious about what’s driving the upside. One factor is SoFiUSD, a new digital currency feature that could keep users inside the company’s app longer and add mor

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Jun 17 2026TECHNOLOGY

Japan's tech leaders team up to battle rising cyber threats

SoftBank is rolling out a new cybersecurity service using artificial intelligence from OpenAI to protect Japan's biggest businesses. The focus is on the top 3, 000 companies running critical systems like airports, power plants, and transport networks, which face growing dangers from hackers. SoftBan

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Jun 17 2026BUSINESS

How smart companies use creativity to win big

Smart brands now treat creativity like a muscle—not a luxury. Research shows firms that win top creative awards see profits jump by 2. 7% and share prices climb 4. 7% in the year after the win. That’s real money, not just a pat on the back. In a world where technology and customer tastes change over

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Jun 17 2026WEATHER

Finding free sandbags near you in Louisiana before the storm

Storms are coming to Louisiana, and local leaders are handing out sandbags to help people protect their homes. Sandbags act like tiny walls that block water from flooding buildings. Instead of waiting until the last minute, officials want residents to grab sandbags now and get ready early. In Lafay

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Jun 17 2026POLITICS

South Korea pushes for US-North Korea talks after Trump photos surface

South Korea's president recently had a quick chat with Donald Trump at a big world leaders' meeting. He asked Trump to step up as the main player in solving tensions with North Korea. The short conversation happened during a group photo session. Trump then asked about the current state of play with

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