MICHAEL J KUMP

May 24 2026SPORTS

Jordan McLaughlin's quiet rise from California courts to NBA success

Jordan McLaughlin’s career shows how consistency beats flash in professional sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard doesn’t make headlines with viral plays, but he’s exactly the kind of player coaches trust when the game gets tight. His ability to step in calmly and run the offense without d

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May 23 2026BUSINESS

A Local Plumbing Company Shuts Down After Decades in Business

Just a few miles from Des Moines, a family-run plumbing business that operated for over three decades has closed its doors for good. The company, which once employed 47 people, shut down on May 1, according to official notices filed with the state. Its last known location was in Clive, a suburb that

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May 21 2026ART

Painting Mixes Faith and Diary Lines in a Fresh Look

Michaela Yearwood‑Dan’s latest canvas, called “The Sparrow Is Never Lost, ” shows bright layers of orange, red and pink on two tall panels. Tiny glass beads in brown and green add texture, while handwritten words appear across the surface. One phrase, “Aint no shame in me, ” echoes the spirit of her

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May 21 2026SPORTS

Mauer’s Take on MLB’s New Challenge Tech

Joe Mauer, the former Twins star who now lives in St. Paul, says he likes Major League Baseball’s new automated challenge system (ABS). He thinks the goal is to get every call right, and he says ABS helps reach that aim. “I actually really like it, ” Mauer told a Fox News interview. “The technology

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May 21 2026ENTERTAINMENT

New Deal Lets JB Smoove Create Unscripted Hits

JB Smoove has struck a fresh multi‑year agreement with Fox Entertainment Studios that gives him the first chance to greenlight unscripted projects. In this arrangement, Smoove will act as an executive producer and creative partner for a variety of shows across different formats. His own production c

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May 19 2026EDUCATION

A New Chapter Begins for a Political Science PhD

Jake Shaw, who earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis last spring, is set to start a tenure‑track assistant professor role at DePauw University in Indiana this August. The transition from graduate student to faculty member marks a significant milestone in

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May 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Hollywood Stars Push for U. S. Film Tax Help

Jon Voight, a well‑known actor, met with President Trump in February to ask for a federal tax credit that would make making movies and TV shows in America cheaper. The meeting happened at the White House, a place where politicians discuss big ideas for the country’s future. Voight is not alone

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May 18 2026SPORTS

Sinner Wins Italy, Woad Shines in Cincinnati, U. S. Ice Hockey Rebounds

Jannik Sinner has ended a 50‑year wait for an Italian male champion at the Rome Masters, beating Casper Ruud two sets to love on clay. The win also makes him only the second man after Novak Djokovic to claim every Masters 1000 title. With his rival Carlos Alcaraz injured, Sinner is nearly unbeatable

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May 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Old Show Finds New Fans as Movies and Reboots Light the Way

Michael Mann has built a career that spans writing, producing and directing for more than sixty years. He began on the TV series Starsky & Hutch in the mid‑1970s and moved into films with his first feature, Thief, in 1981. His reputation grew with successes like Manhunter (1986), The Last of the

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May 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

New TV, Movies, Music and Games to Watch This Week

John Krasinski will be back as Jack Ryan in the new action series “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” on Prime Video, while the creators of “Stranger Things” are producing a Netflix show about a retirement community that fights monsters. The lineup also includes Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike in the sati

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