AP

May 14 2026EDUCATION

Highlands Schools Keep Taxes Steady Despite Budget Gap

The Highlands School District plans to keep its property tax rate unchanged for a fourth straight year, even though the upcoming budget shows a $4 million shortfall. Finance Director Paul Paradise notes that only eight districts in the county have avoided tax hikes over the past three years, and

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May 14 2026FINANCE

A new kind of bank is coming to Dallas—one that runs on code instead of paper

A bank that exists mostly as computer software is getting ready to open in Dallas. This isn’t a regular bank with tellers and vaults. Instead, it plans to handle money transfers, hold digital coins, and process payments using blockchain technology. The bank got the green light from U. S. regulators

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May 14 2026POLITICS

Latvia's Political Turmoil Over Drone Flights

Latvia’s government just lost its tight grip on power after a key party ditched its support, shaking up the country’s leadership. The ruling coalition crumbled when the left-wing Progressives party pulled back, blaming Prime Minister Evika Silina’s handling of strange drone sightings over Latvian ai

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May 14 2026TECHNOLOGY

Older adults and AI: missed chances or hidden potential?

Many seniors today still see AI as something only younger people use or something too complex to bother with. Studies show that over half of Americans born between 1928 and 1945 have never tried AI tools. Even among those born between 1946 and 1964, nearly four in ten say they’ve never used AI. Most

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May 13 2026SPORTS

Strickland’s Apology Faces Backlash Over Religion‑Related Trash Talk

Belal Muhammad, a former UFC champion, publicly denounced Sean Strickland after the latter’s remarks about Khamzat Chimaev’s family and faith during UFC 328. The comments sparked anger when Strickland, known for his heated promos, later apologized to Muslim fans, but Muhammad argued the apology was

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May 13 2026EDUCATION

Promising Pathways: How One School Leader Boosts Latino Success

Tom Moore, the chief administrator of Niles Township High Schools, recently earned a top teaching honor for his work with Latino students. He shares the award with a committee that values real progress in opening doors for all learners, not just talk. Moore’s district covers four high schools and a

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May 13 2026LIFESTYLE

Keeping Cool Without the Noise: Smart Fan Picks for Peaceful Sleep

When summer heat turns your bedroom into an oven, a quiet fan can save your sleep. Many strong fans sound like a jet engine, which makes nighttime rest nearly impossible. The trick is finding a model that moves air without drowning out silence. Size matters too – a huge fan in a tiny room wastes ene

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May 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Disney’s App Now Shows Full Park Entertainment Lineup Easily

Visitors heading to Disneyland soon won’t need to hunt through confusing maps or separate menus to plan their day. A recent update to the official app moves the entire entertainment schedule straight to the main park info page. Gone are the days of switching between tabs or digging through hard-to-r

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May 13 2026TECHNOLOGY

Lenovo's Lightweight 13-Inch Laptop Packs AI Power

Lenovo’s latest business laptop, the ThinkPad X13 Gen 7, weighs just under a kilogram while packing serious AI and processing power. It’s designed for professionals who need a lightweight yet capable machine. The laptop comes in two versions: one with Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 processors (star

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May 13 2026SPORTS

Who stood out in Grand Rapids sports this spring?

Spring sports in Grand Rapids are heating up with playoffs and individual performances that caught attention. A Jenison sprinter broke two school records, a Wyoming softball freshman smashed four home runs in a week, and a Hudsonville baseball pitcher delivered a no-hitter. These highlights show how

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