GRI

Feb 27 2026ENVIRONMENT

Desert Drivers Meet a Swarm Surprise

A quiet road in the Western Sahara turned into an unexpected battlefield when a gigantic group of locusts appeared out of nowhere. Drivers had to weave around the insects, which looked like a living cloud that blocked the highway and rattled cars. Locusts are notorious for destroying crops, and s

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Feb 26 2026BUSINESS

Future of a Pork Giant in Sioux Falls

A big change is coming to downtown Sioux Falls. The city’s leaders and the head of Smithfield Foods said that the company will leave its old plant near Falls Park for a new, larger site in an industrial area up north. The current facility has been there since 1909 and was bought by Smithfield in 199

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Feb 24 2026ENVIRONMENT

Solar Fields, Sheep and Wetlands: A New Twist on Clean Power

A fresh idea is shaping up in north Baldwin County: a 4, 500‑acre solar field that will also host sheep and protect nearby wetlands. The plan aims to power a future data center for Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, while keeping the local environment in good shape. The developers say

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Feb 18 2026BUSINESS

Farmers Gather for Big Meeting in Grand Island

The Aurora Cooperative hosted a large gathering last week, drawing more than 700 people who work in farming and ranching. The event took place at the town’s center and included students from local high schools who are part of the Future Farmers of America. During the meeting, the company’s chief

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Feb 17 2026POLITICS

Voting Rules: Who's Really Affected?

In Maryland, voters don't need to show ID when they vote. They only need it to register. This makes Maryland one of 14 states that don't require ID at the polls. Other states do, but some let people skip the photo ID if they have a good reason. Why is this a big deal? Some people think ID rules sto

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Feb 16 2026LIFESTYLE

Grilling More Than Meat: How a Student Club is Cooking Up Community

A group of students at a university have started a club that is about more than just grilling food. They want to build a community around it. The Gator Grill Club is a new student organization. It focuses on the art of grilling and sharing meals together. The club's first meeting drew a large crowd

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Feb 15 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Crime Drama Short but Sweet: The Story of Mare in Easttown

Easttown is a small town in Pennsylvania that has been hit hard by drugs. A new crime series shows how the community fights its own hidden problems while trying to solve a murder. The show is only seven episodes long, which makes it quick and easy to watch over a weekend. The story starts with the

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Feb 15 2026SCIENCE

Cotton's Secret Stash: The Day-Neutral Landraces You've Never Heard Of

Deep in Texas, there's a treasure trove of cotton types. Over 2, 500 of them sit in storage. Most need short days to grow. But some don't care about the daylight. These are the day-neutral landraces. Scientists found 186 of these unique types. They've been growing them for years to keep them diverse

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Feb 14 2026CRIME

Ames Creator Shines Light on Unsolved Crime's Impact

Willy Nast, a resident of Ames, has taken a unique approach to true-crime storytelling. His podcast, "City of Lights, " focuses on the aftermath of a tragic event rather than the crime itself. The story begins in Aurora, Illinois, where Nast, then a 22-year-old creative writing student, knocked on t

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Feb 13 2026EDUCATION

Discovering the Past: Freeport's Land and Its First Inhabitants

A big project is happening in Freeport, Maine. Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment is teaming up with the Penobscot Nation. They want to learn about the land's history. This land was once home to the Wabanaki and Abenaki peoples. They got a $10, 000 grant for this project. The m

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