OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Feb 18 2026HEALTH

Playing to Stay Healthy: How Games Change Health Habits

Public health is all about getting people to adopt healthier habits. But how do you make that happen in a world where everyone is glued to their screens? The answer might be in games. Yes, you heard it right. Games are not just for fun anymore. They are being used to encourage healthy behaviors. Ta

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Jan 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

The Hidden Costs of Grazing on Public Lands

Public lands in the U. S. are vast, covering an area more than twice the size of California. These lands are used for many things, including grazing livestock. The government allows ranchers to use these lands for a fee, but the fees are much lower than what ranchers would pay on private land. In fa

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Dec 15 2025LIFESTYLE

A Mall's New Life: From Shopping to Community

Oakland Mall in Troy, Michigan, is not just another shopping center struggling to keep up with the times. It's a place that's reinventing itself, turning empty spaces into hubs for art, music, and community support. The mall has seen many stores, like Macy's, close their doors after years of busines

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Nov 28 2025HEALTH

Public Health Office Closures: What's Happening and Why?

Public health offices in several towns are at risk of closing. The proposal is being reviewed before a final decision. The plan is to shut down seven leased offices in the region. The board wants more information before making a final call. They asked the Medical Officer of Health to take another lo

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Nov 17 2025EDUCATION

Oakland Schools Face Heat for Jewish Student Discrimination

Oakland Unified School District is in hot water after the California Department of Education found that it created a hostile environment for Jewish students and staff. The department issued three rulings in late October, criticizing the district for taking over a year to respond to complaints of ant

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Nov 13 2025FINANCE

Public Takes a Big Step Into Crypto with Alto Acquisition

Public, a popular investing app, has made a significant move into the world of cryptocurrency. They recently bought Alto's crypto business for a hefty $65 million in cash and stock. This deal gives Public access to about $600 million in assets under management, making it the first investing app to o

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Jul 22 2025HEALTH

Smart Money Moves for Healthier Communities

Public health is a big deal, and it's not just about doctors and hospitals. It's about how money is spent across different areas of public policy. To make sure everyone gets the care they need, governments must figure out how to use their budgets wisely. But this is tricky. It often involves experts

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Jul 16 2025POLITICS

Public Broadcasting at Risk: What's Next for PBS and NPR?

Public broadcasting in the U. S. is facing a serious threat. The Senate is considering a move to take back nearly $1. 1 billion that was already set aside for public media. This includes PBS and NPR, which have relied on federal funding for decades. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is

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Jul 01 2025HEALTH

How Media Can Save Lives: A New Way to Spread Health Messages

Public health messages often get lost in today's crowded media landscape. But what if we could use entertainment to spread important health information? This idea isn't just a fun thought experiment—it's a real strategy backed by science. Think about how TV shows and social media influencers shape

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May 26 2025HEALTH

Public Workers: Mindfulness or Stress Management?

Public sector employees often face high stress levels. So, it is vital to find effective ways to manage it. Two popular methods stand out: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) and Stress Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP). Both aim to boost mental well-being, but they go about it diffe

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