BUD

May 08 2026POLITICS

Taiwan’s Parliament Grants $25 Billion to Defence – A Step Short of the Plan

Taiwan’s lawmakers, led by the opposition party that holds most seats in the legislature, approved a new defence budget of about $25 billion on Friday. This amount is roughly two‑thirds of the larger sum that the government had requested to strengthen its military against a rapidly modernising Ch

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May 08 2026HEALTH

How Virtual Reality Helps People Face the End of Life

Therapy tools don't have to be heavy metal machines or complicated pills. Sometimes, they come in the form of a headset that drops you into a quiet forest or lets you revisit a childhood home. In places like Thailand, where families carefully prepare for peaceful goodbyes and spiritual traditions gu

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May 07 2026EDUCATION

Worcester Schools Shut Three Programs Due to Budget Cuts

Worcester Public Schools will shut down three special education programs next month as part of a cost-cutting move. The affected programs serve students with unique learning needs, including those with individualized education plans and newcomers still learning English after late or disrupted school

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May 06 2026POLITICS

City Council Sets Up Unarmed Crisis Team to Help Those in Need

The Ypsilanti City Council has moved forward with a new plan to create a team that will handle emergencies involving mental health, substance use, and homelessness without the use of firearms. The decision follows criticism over how the city managed a recent incident where police surrounded a man in

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Tax Rise Plan Aims to Patch School Budget Gap

The Tyrone Area School District is looking at a 4. 9% hike in the state Act 1 Index to close a projected $1. 2 million shortfall for the 2026‑27 school year. This move would bring in roughly $491, 000 more money and cut the deficit to about $740, 000. State lawmakers have added only modest amounts

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May 05 2026POLITICS

Fixing Maine's Government: Why Change Matters

Maine's government has a long-standing problem that few people discuss openly. Over the past few years, the state legislature has shifted from working together to pushing through decisions with minimal input from opposing views. This shift started when the budget process became controlled by a singl

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May 04 2026FINANCE

Tiny cost. Big money lessons for small business owners.

Running a side hustle or a full-time gig takes more than just a good idea. Money moves matter just as much. Yet, many founders end up guessing when it comes to their own paychecks. A fresh bundle tries to fix that gap. For under $30, learners get 11 video courses and 160 hours of lessons on cash flo

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May 03 2026EDUCATION

Tulsa School Board Keeps Special‑Ed Programs Alive

The Tulsa school board decided not to cut funding for special education after a recent budget proposal. The decision keeps the district’s programs running and supports students who need extra help. The board’s move came after a plan to reduce special‑Ed resources was put forward by district offic

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May 03 2026POLITICS

State Budget Passes: Money for Schools, Towns and Health Care

The state Senate approved a new budget that will bring more money to schools, towns and health care. After weeks of public talks the lawmakers voted 30‑6, with all opposition from Republicans. The plan adds $180 million for education and $100 million to help struggling towns, hoping to keep lo

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May 02 2026FINANCE

School spending gets a fresh look in Southwick

The Southwick-Tolland-Granville regional schools face a familiar problem: how to balance their $30 million budget when towns want deeper cuts. At a recent meeting, the school committee chair admitted the system’s finances could be clearer. He asked locals to understand that school budgets don’t work

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