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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

A Big Win for Iowa Democrats

In a recent Iowa state Senate special election, Democrat Renee Hardman claimed victory, stopping Republicans from gaining two-thirds control of the Senate. This win is a big deal because it keeps the GOP from having too much power in the state government. Hardman, who runs a nonprofit and serves on

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Dec 31 2025ENTERTAINMENT

New Year's Eve 2026: Who's Rocking Times Square and Nashville?

New Year's Eve 2026 is shaping up to be a musical extravaganza, with Times Square and Nashville both hosting star-studded events. Times Square, a famous spot for New Year's celebrations, will feature a diverse lineup of performers. The event kicks off at 6 p. m. ET with the national anthem, followed

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Dec 31 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Times Square's Shiny New Year's Eve Ball: A Sparkling Tradition

Times Square is getting a shiny new toy for New Year's Eve! This year, the famous ball drop will feature the biggest and brightest ball yet. It's called the Constellation Ball, and it's a whopping 12. 5 feet wide and weighs over 12, 000 pounds. That's a lot of bling! The new ball is covered in 5, 2

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Dec 31 2025FINANCE

Market Wrap-Up: Dow Dips, Biotech Takes a Hit

The stock market is ending the year on a down note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is lower today. Investors are reacting to some big news from the FDA. This news has caused biotech stocks to drop. It's a reminder that the market can be unpredictable. The FDA's announcement has sent shockwaves th

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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

Russia's Troops: A Dark Reality

Russia's military is facing serious issues. Soldiers are being treated harshly. This is not new, but it's getting worse. Many soldiers are sent to fight without proper training or equipment. They are often sent to areas where the fighting is intense. This has led to many deaths and injuries. The Ru

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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

A New Mayor Takes Charge: What's Next for New York?

Zohran Mamdani's journey from an unknown candidate to New York's next mayor is quite a story. Just a year ago, he was trying to get noticed by taking a dip in freezing Coney Island waters. Now, he's set to make history as the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, as well as the youngest in over

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Dec 31 2025SPORTS

Young Illini Players Shine Bright in Music City Bowl

The Music City Bowl was a big stage for some young Illini players to show what they can do. In the past, this game has been a place where new talent gets noticed. For example, in 2022, Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott made their first starts in a bowl game. They filled in for some bigger names and di

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Dec 31 2025SPORTS

Miami's Unusual Ice Adventure: NHL's Winter Classic Prep

The NHL is getting ready for something big in Miami. They want to host an outdoor hockey game, but Miami is known for its warm weather and beaches, not ice and snow. So, they had to do a test run to see if it would work. They opened the roof of the stadium where the game will happen. It's usually h

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Dec 31 2025ENTERTAINMENT

January 2026: A Fresh Start for Gamers

January 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for gamers, despite the usual slow start to the year. With a mix of sequels, unique indie titles, and enhanced editions of beloved games, there's something for everyone to look forward to. First up, fans of the Animal Crossing series can expect an

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Dec 31 2025SPORTS

USC's Alamo Bowl Heartbreak: A Season of Missed Chances

USC's season ended on a sour note with a heartbreaking 30-27 overtime loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. The Trojans had a chance to secure their 10th win, something they've only done once in the past eight years, but it slipped through their fingers. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. There wer

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