GOV

Feb 15 2026OPINION

Portland's Police Power Struggle: Who's Really in Control?

Portland's city council finally passed a law to create an independent police review board. This happened four years after people voted for it. The board is supposed to keep an eye on the police. But the council made some big changes to the plan. They did this after talking to the police for a long t

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Feb 15 2026EDUCATION

Detroit Takes a Bold Step for Its Youngsters

Detroit is making a big move to support its young people. The city has just set up a new Youth and Education Department. This is a big deal because it shows that Detroit is serious about investing in its future. The mayor, Mary Sheffield, made this announcement. She said that to make Detroit better

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Feb 14 2026CRIME

The Hidden Role of Violence in Italy's Drug Trade

Violence is a big part of the drug business. It's not just random; it serves different purposes. In Italy, mafias use violence in many ways. They control the drug market and also sell drugs. This violence happens at different levels. It can be at the street level, within the country, or even across

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Feb 14 2026CRIME

Billings 2025: Crime Trends and Community Impact

In the latest crime report for Billings in 2025, several key points stand out. First, there was a noticeable drop in violent crimes. This is good news for the community. It shows that efforts to improve safety are working. However, property crimes saw a slight increase. This suggests that more needs

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Feb 14 2026OPINION

Anchorage Assembly: Standing Up for the Community

The Anchorage Assembly has been under fire for taking a stand on federal issues, but critics are missing the point. Local governments have always weighed in on federal policies that impact their communities. It's not about overreach; it's about leadership. For years, cities across the country have

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Feb 14 2026POLITICS

Hot Springs Gets Its First Full-Time Town Boss

Hot Springs has taken a big step by hiring its first-ever full-time town administrator, Hassena Kassim. This is a huge deal because the town has never had someone in this role before. Kassim, who is 47 and lives right in Hot Springs, started her job in August. Before this, Kassim helped the town bo

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

FBI's Secret Checks Raise Questions

A recent government report, not meant for public eyes, shows the FBI did over 1, 000 secret checks. These checks were on religious groups, journalists, officials, and politicians. The FBI did these checks without any proof of crime. The report was made in January 2026 and was supposed to be destroye

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Feb 12 2026POLITICS

Russia’s Move to Replace WhatsApp with a State‑Made Messenger

The Russian government has stopped the popular messaging app WhatsApp in an effort to push people toward a new, state‑backed platform called Max. The change follows years of pressure on foreign messaging services that the authorities say do not keep user data inside Russia or stop illegal use. Ma

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Feb 12 2026POLITICS

GOVERNORS AND THE WHITE HOUSE: A TANGLE OF INVITATIONS

A meeting at the White House that usually brings governors together has turned into a political mess. The event is scheduled for February 20 and usually includes governors from every state, both Democrats and Republicans. President Trump said he sent invitations to all governors except two Dem

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Feb 12 2026OPINION

Immigrants Face the Brunt When a Country Looks for an Enemy Inside

The United States has poured billions into programs that target people who are not born in the country. Many of those efforts aim at individuals who, like the writer, have lived here for decades and hold American citizenship. The funds go into sending federal officers to cities, searching neighborho

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