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May 04 2026POLITICS

A Fresh Face Takes Over Illinois’ Watchdog Role

The new watchdog for Illinois state spending started his job this month, but not before a report highlighted problems in the agency he once led. The Illinois Finance Authority, which helps fund public projects, had failed for years to set up a proper internal audit system. A recent review found that

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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 04 2026OPINION

Why being called a clown shouldn't bother you

The idea that the word "clown" is used as an insult is more about how people misuse language than anything else. Clowns have a long history tied to entertainment, laughter, and even cleverness in some cultures. They weren't always the red-nosed performers we picture today. Ancient jesters, for examp

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May 04 2026RELIGION

What the founders really thought about religion

The debate over whether America was meant to be a Christian nation keeps coming up as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday. Some people strongly believe the founders wanted the U. S. to be a Christian country. Others argue that idea is a misunderstanding of history. The truth is more

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May 04 2026POLITICS

New Mexico governor race: Two Democrats, two visions

Voters in New Mexico got a close-up look at two different paths to the governor’s office during a Saturday debate in Albuquerque. Instead of a traditional setup, the event used a game-like format where candidates answered questions from local groups and earned flags from undecided voters for clear r

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May 04 2026POLITICS

Germany and the US: A tricky dance of diplomacy and military moves

German leaders keep saying they want strong ties with the US, but recent events show how messy things can get when two big allies don’t see eye to eye. The latest bump in the road came when the Americans decided to pull 5, 000 troops out of Germany, their biggest base in Europe. Berlin wasn’t expect

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May 04 2026HEALTH

Health Check: How Hepatitis B Changes Kidney Disease in Iraq

Doctors often treat kidney disease and hepatitis B separately in Iraq, but these two conditions frequently overlap. New research looks at how the virus might reshape blood markers, fats, and kidney function in patients who have both problems. Instead of studying the conditions alone, this study comp

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May 04 2026ENTERTAINMENT

When Tech Fails: How a Simple Camera Mix-Up Became a Big Deal

At a recent film event, a short clip accidentally showed how small camera issues can change how we see people. Olivia Wilde was recorded with a wide-angle lens too close to her face, making her look unusually tired. The odd angle made her features look stretched, sparking instant jokes online. The

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May 04 2026POLITICS

Behind the scenes of modern reparations policies

Recent years have seen quiet but steady shifts in how some US governments help racial minorities. Instead of big, public debates about reparations, these changes often happen through smaller programs hidden in everyday policies. For example, some states now offer special loans and training programs

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May 04 2026POLITICS

New York Democrats push for more control over election boundaries

New York’s Democratic leaders, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, are pushing to change state rules on drawing congressional districts—again. This move comes after a recent Supreme Court decision sided with Republicans in a Louisiana case, but the Democrats aren’t accepting the outcome. Instead of waitin

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