IAN

Dec 22 2025POLITICS

Indiana's Map Mess: Who Won and Who Lost?

In Indiana, a big fight happened over changing the state's political maps. The Senate said no, even though former President Donald Trump wanted it done. This decision caused some big names to either gain or lose points. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, along with Senators Jean Leising and Greg

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Dec 22 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Sebastopol's New Year's Day Music Fix: A Hangover Helper

In Sebastopol, a unique musical event has been helping locals recover from New Year's Eve celebrations since 2019. The "Hair of the Dog" show, organized by Doug Blumer and Nancy Irish of the band Bohemian Highway, offers a mid-afternoon musical pick-me-up on January 1st. This free event has become a

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Dec 22 2025RELIGION

Young Faith Leaders Go Digital to Reach a New Generation

In today's digital age, young Christian influencers are stepping up to guide their peers through life's toughest questions. These modern-day faith leaders, often from diverse backgrounds, are using podcasts and social media to make the Bible's teachings more relatable and accessible. Take Megan Ash

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Dec 22 2025OPINION

Raising Free Thinkers: A New Approach to Parenting and Society

Parenting styles have long been debated, but one philosophy stands out for its focus on freedom and respect. This approach rejects old-school methods like spanking and yelling, opting instead for empathy and cooperation. Traditional parenting often mirrors oppressive systems, teaching kids to obey w

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Dec 22 2025POLITICS

Najib's Legal Battles: A Test for Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Drive

Malaysia's former leader, Najib Razak, is in the middle of a big legal fight. He's already in jail for his role in the huge 1MDB scandal. This week, two important court decisions will happen. First, the court will decide if Najib can finish his sentence at home instead of in prison. Then, they will

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Dec 22 2025POLITICS

Peace Talks: A Stumbling Block in Ukraine

In Moscow, a key advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his thoughts on the recent developments in the Ukraine peace process. Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide, expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the changes made by Europe and Ukraine to the U. S. peace proposals. He made i

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Dec 22 2025POLITICS

Israel's Recent Moves in the West Bank: A Closer Look

In a significant move, Israel's government has given the green light for 19 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. This decision comes from the far-right finance minister, who has been a strong advocate for expanding settlements in the region. Over the past few years, the total number of new settl

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Dec 21 2025SCIENCE

How Plants Handle Stress: A Tiny Chemical's Big Role

Plants, like all living things, face stress. One way they cope is by using a tiny molecule called glutathione. This molecule helps protect plants from damage caused by oxidation, a process that can harm proteins. But how does this work exactly? Researchers found that when plants are under stress, l

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Dec 21 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Ariana Grande's Funny and Heartfelt SNL Return

The last Saturday Night Live of 2025 started with a bang. Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, gave a warning about "arctic immigrants" sneaking in through chimneys. He also talked about some made-up achievements, like renaming the Kennedy Center and invading "Venezuelar" alone. Johnson's p

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Dec 21 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Bowen Yang's Musical Exit from SNL

Bowen Yang's last appearance on "Saturday Night Live" was a big deal. He chose to say goodbye with a song. This is not new. Other cast members have done the same before. Kristen Wiig, for example, had a rockstar send-off. Mick Jagger and Arcade Fire played for her. Cecily Strong also had a musical

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