GOV

Apr 11 2026POLITICS

DHS Orders Employees Back to Work Even While the Government Is Shut

The Department of Homeland Security told all staff who had been furloughed to return on the next normal workday, most likely Monday. The instruction came after a memo from the White House that granted DHS employees the same pay and benefits they would have received if the agency had been fully funde

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Flock steps up in Richmond amid trust concerns

The City of Richmond wants people to reconsider their view of Flock, a system that tracks cameras and collects data in public spaces. Officials aren\'t trying to hide how it works anymore—they’re talking about it more openly. After some residents raised questions about privacy and how much informati

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

A New Mayor in Town: Can Star Power Fix NYC’s Big Problems?

New Yorkers got a fresh face in City Hall this year, and the city’s youngest mayor in decades is doing things differently. Zohran Mamdani isn’t your typical politician—he’s got a knack for social media, a talent for grabbing headlines, and a background far from the usual political circles. His first

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Washington's Budget Battle: Where Money Goes and Where It Doesn't

The final budget plan from Washington’s mayor suggests big changes ahead. At $21. 2 billion, it’s a massive spending document that will face tough debates in local and federal government. With Republicans in Congress showing more interest in city matters, this budget could become a flashpoint. The m

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Local nurse puts health on Wayland’s agenda

Katie Stiff has stepped into the race for two open seats on Wayland’s Board of Health, giving voters a fresh face with hands-on experience. Though she moved to town only in 2020, she already sits on the board and works daily as a nurse practitioner at a major Boston hospital. Stiff’s path to public

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

The rookie mayor using social media to shake up NYC

In his first 100 days, New York City’s 34-year-old mayor didn’t just break the usual government mold—he turned city hall into a viral content studio. With snowstorms raging, he posted calls for shovelers on social media and suddenly had thousands of volunteers ready to clear sidewalks. When he annou

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Apr 10 2026BUSINESS

White House Cracks Down on Government Bets During Iran Tensions

In late March, officials sent a memo warning staff not to use insider knowledge to bet on market movements tied to Iran. The email came just hours after a high-ranking official announced plans to delay potential military action against Iranian energy sites. Some staffers may have thought the delay w

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Apr 10 2026POLITICS

Redrawing the Lines of Vaccine Advice

The U. S. government just revised the rulebook for the committee that shapes vaccine recommendations for the country. The group, usually made up of doctors and scientists, now welcomes voices from toxicology and data analysis to weigh in on vaccine safety. Critics say this mix of expertise could dil

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Apr 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why a Plastic Bottle Ban Lacks Bite on Martha’s Vineyard

In 2021, Oak Bluffs residents voted to ban small plastic water bottles under 34 ounces—a move pushed by students worried about plastic waste. Five other towns on Martha’s Vineyard did the same after a campaign called Plastic Free MV urged action against single-use plastics between 2019 and 2022. But

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Apr 09 2026TECHNOLOGY

Checking the facts: How the U. S. and China tackle fake influencers differently

Social media stars giving health tips without medical school degrees. Investors posting stock advice after watching a YouTube video. Tutors selling homework help with no teaching license. Both China and the U. S. now say this can’t go on. In China, the rule is simple: prove you’re qualified before

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