CITY

Apr 26 2026BUSINESS

McKinney bets on waves and crowds to reshape its identity

McKinney just gave a big thumbs-up to plans for a surf park called Cannon Beach. The city council changed some rules so building can start on a patch of land where Stacy Road and State Highway 121 meet. The whole area will be a planned development, meaning it won’t just pop up overnight. Right next

reading time less than a minute
Apr 26 2026FINANCE

Yorkville’s budget plan for 2027: What’s inside and why it matters

Yorkville is getting ready for its financial future with a 2027 budget that promises a steady five-year outlook. The city has set aside $27. 9 million for its general fund, enough to cover its yearly expenses without running short. This budget passed smoothly during an April meeting, kicking off a n

reading time less than a minute
Apr 25 2026SPORTS

Deni Avdija: A Mixed‑Heritage Journey to the NBA

Born in 2001, Deni Avdija grew up on a kibbutz before moving to Herzliya, where he learned discipline and independence. Though his passport says Israeli, his father also holds Serbian citizenship, giving him a dual national identity that shows up in how he talks about his roots. As a child, Deni

reading time less than a minute
Apr 25 2026SPORTS

Island Roots to the Court: VJ Edgecombe’s Journey

VJ Edgecombe grew up on Bimini, a small Bahamian island where basketball dreams start on simple courts. He moved to the United States to chase tougher competition and better training, a step that shaped his rise in the sport. After sharpening his skills at Victory International Institute back hom

reading time less than a minute
Apr 25 2026BUSINESS

Big Plans Coming to Sterling Heights’ Old Mall Spot

Sterling Heights is pushing forward with a huge plan to turn the old Lakeside Mall into a new community hub. The city wants to spend $270 million over 30 years to fix up the area, calling it a "brownfield" project. Brownfields are places that might have pollution issues, making them tricky to redeve

reading time less than a minute
Apr 24 2026FINANCE

Santa Rosa's Budget Struggle: Why Cutting Services May Not Be the Only Answer

Santa Rosa's financial problems didn't appear overnight. Over the past three years, the city has watched its sales tax income shrink steadily, a trend that mirrors broader changes in how people shop. More purchases happen online now, and spending has shifted from goods to services, leaving local sto

reading time less than a minute
Apr 21 2026POLITICS

Parking Prices Rise in Dallas’ Deep Ellum Area

The city of Dallas is changing how much people pay to leave their cars in the Deep Ellum district. Starting on May 8, a meter that once charged just ten cents will now cost at least one dollar each hour. The move comes after the Dallas City Council approved new parking rates for the entire city this

reading time less than a minute
Apr 20 2026CRIME

What a mistaken identity can cost in times of panic

The Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, remains one of the darkest days in modern American history. Among the chaos was Ibrahim Ahmad, a Palestinian refugee turned U. S. citizen, who was on his way to visit family when everything went wrong. His story shows how fear can twist justice. Ahmad ha

reading time less than a minute
Apr 18 2026POLITICS

Quincy’s Money Mess: Who’s Right About the Budget?

The city council and Mayor Tom Koch disagree about how Quincy is handling its money. Council members point to a $1. 6 billion debt, a credit downgrade and shrinking savings as red flags. The mayor says the city is still investing in downtown, schools and roads without cutting services or raisi

reading time less than a minute
Apr 17 2026POLITICS

Planning for DeKalb's train connection: what you need to know

The city of DeKalb is taking another step toward bringing train service to its residents. Instead of just talking about it for years, leaders finally agreed to hire a company that will study whether a commuter rail system makes sense. The plan involves checking safety, environmental effects, and how

reading time less than a minute