BEN RICHARDSON

May 26 2026POLITICS

A Look Back at a Springfield Leader’s Impactful Life

Ben Swan’s death at 92 leaves behind a legacy tied to civil rights and public service in Springfield. He wasn’t just a politician or activist—he was someone who turned his principles into action, long before holding office. Swan’s early years in the segregated South shaped his drive for justice. By

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May 25 2026POLITICS

Benin's Finance Chief Switch: A Seasoned Hand Returns

Benin’s government has just made a big move in finance. The new president picked Aristide Medenou as the man in charge of money matters. Medenou isn’t new to this game. He’s worked in Benin’s finance ministry before, handling budgets and planning for nearly a decade. Then he took a break to join the

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May 19 2026POLITICS

Ben Cline Eyes Fifth Term After Redistricting Shake‑Up

Ben Cline announced his intent to seek another term in Congress after the Supreme Court refused to revisit a challenge to Virginia’s 2024 election map. The decision, which ended the legal fight over the April 21 vote that counted more than 1. 6 million “yes” ballots, gave Cline a clear signal that t

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May 16 2026EDUCATION

More Books, Less Screens: How Schools Are Shifting Back to Basics

Richardson schools will cut down on screen time starting next year, replacing tablets and apps with old-school writing and books. Students in first through fourth grade will get no more than twenty minutes of screen time daily, while fifth and sixth graders are limited to half an hour. Older student

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Apr 18 2026CRYPTO

Crypto Skeptic Turns Spotlight on Bitcoin

Ben McKenzie, once famous for a teen drama, now leads a new film that looks at the ups and downs of digital money. In his office, he wears a T‑shirt that carries the logo of FTX, the crypto exchange that collapsed after its founder was convicted of fraud. He admits his spouse won’t let him wear it a

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Apr 17 2026POLITICS

Benin’s Next Leader Steps Forward with Big Win

Benin’s top court recently made it official—the country’s new president will be Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni. His victory in last weekend’s election was confirmed with a massive 94. 27% of the vote, leaving his only rival, Paul Hounkpè, far behind at just 5. 73%. The turnout reached 63. 57%, sho

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Apr 15 2026SPORTS

England Fans Bring Their World Cup Passion to Dallas

Richardson, Texas now has a go-to spot for soccer lovers ahead of England’s World Cup match in Dallas. London Calling Texas, a small local shop, mixes vintage World Cup gear with fresh designs focused on the English team. The owner, who grew up in East London, started the business after years of col

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Apr 13 2026SCIENCE

BAC chemicals may block brain hormone production

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common cleaning agent that can also act as a preservative in many everyday items. Recent research shows that BAC can interfere with an enzyme called 5α‑reductase 1, which is essential for turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the brain. The study tes

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

Benin's Young Voters Face a Key Choice as New Leader Steps In

Benin’s presidential vote isn’t just another election—it’s a turning point after a decade under President Patrice Talon, whose time in office left behind a trail of economic gains but also sharp concerns. With nearly eight million voters set to cast ballots, the race pits Romuald Wadagni, the financ

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Benin’s Next Leader Faces Big Promises and Bigger Challenges

Benin’s presidential race is shaping up to be less of a contest and more of a handover. Romuald Wadagni, the current finance minister, is the clear favorite to win this weekend’s election. Why? He’s backed by the ruling party, and his main rival couldn’t even gather enough support to run. That’s a b

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