Westport recently adjusted its property tax system for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The town’s tax rate dropped from 18. 86 to 13. 2, but that doesn’t mean everyone will pay less. The big shift comes from a property revaluation that increased home values far more than commercial ones. Over five years, r
Officials found a bat carrying rabies in Irvine Regional Park last weekend. This case led to warnings about how easily the virus can spread to people. Rabies is almost always deadly once symptoms show up. But quick action after exposure can prevent illness. The virus can enter the body through smal
Officials in Wyoming are debating a massive $4 billion project that promises to store energy using water. The plan involves building a giant reservoir near Seminoe Reservoir to pump water uphill when electricity is cheap and let it flow back down to generate power when demand rises. Sounds smart, ri
Western Europe is experiencing an extreme heat event that has pushed temperatures to new highs. London recently recorded a May temperature of about 95°F, while parts of France reached nearly 99°F and Spain exceeded 100°F. The cause is a high‑pressure “heat dome” that traps hot air over the region, s
Officials in Washington want to open a small quarantine station in Kenya for Americans returning from Ebola-hit parts of Central Africa. Instead of setting up the site at home, they’re looking abroad—just in case someone gets sick after possible contact with the virus. A group of U. S. public health
Chicago’s warmer months bring two things: sunshine and hard choices. Every April, flyers pop up online promising “Hyde Park takeovers, ” big teen meetups that sometimes turn into fights, theft or worse. Last year a 14-year-old died after one of those nights. This year, adults in Hyde Park chose a di
Western Massachusetts is losing one of its few detox centers this week, as the Carlson Recovery Center moves away from round-the-clock medical care for severe withdrawal cases. Instead, it will focus on stabilization services—less intense but still supportive treatment for most people seeking recove
Chicago is bracing for more weather surprises today. A storm watch keeps running until 5 p. m. Monday for the city and nearby parts of northwest Indiana. Earlier, a warning for fast winds and small hail ended just before noon, but the warm 78-degree afternoon could spark new storms. These storms mig
Parkinson’s disease is a gradual nervous system disorder that can change how people move and speak. It has no cure, but medicine helps many manage the symptoms such as shaking, stiffness, and balance problems. Several well‑known figures have lived with this condition and used their platforms to rais
Officials in Oklahoma and Norman have just launched building work for a huge entertainment area called the Rock Creek Entertainment District. This isn’t just another construction project—it’s a major step toward giving the area a fresh, lively boost. The plan isn’t just about building more stores or
