OCA

Mar 29 2026OPINION

Tech Students Today: Why Smartphones Are Both a Gift and a Challenge in Classrooms

A growing trend shows students pulling out smartphones more than textbooks during lectures. While some argue these devices boost learning by providing instant information, others worry they’re turning classrooms into distraction zones. Research suggests that the average student checks their phone up

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Mar 29 2026BUSINESS

Economic Growth Pushes Central Pennsylvania Forward

Central Pennsylvania counties saw a boost in business and jobs during 2025. In Blair County, a local development group finished 34 projects that added $82. 9 million in new money and kept many jobs safe. Most of the companies they helped are small, with fewer than 20 workers, and they bring life to

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Mar 28 2026OPINION

Minnesota Farms: The Backbone of Our Food

The state’s farmers are the unseen heroes that keep our plates full. Minnesota is sixth in overall farm output across the U. S. and leads in more than 20 products, such as sugar beets, turkeys, green peas, hogs, sweet corn, soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola, dry beans and oats. Corn is the fou

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Mar 28 2026POLITICS

Candidate Sorts Out Committee Mess Before Election

Keary Husain, who is running for a seat on the Columbia Board of Education, has cleared up problems that kept his campaign committee from filing correctly with the Missouri Ethics Commission. The commission had rejected his initial paperwork because it omitted his last name and the election date. Hu

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Mar 27 2026LIFESTYLE

A famous food lover checks out a local bakery

A well-known lifestyle expert recently visited a small bakery in Pennsylvania and gave it a shoutout online. She posted pictures of pastries and coffee from The Buttery’s Malvern shop, calling them "good things" — her usual way of recommending food. With nearly 3 million followers, her approval coul

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Mar 26 2026BUSINESS

Verily Secures $300 Million, Shifts Ownership from Alphabet

Verily, a startup that builds AI tools for health care, just raised $300 million in new funding. The money came from a mix of investors, with Series X Capital leading the round and Google’s parent company Alphabet stepping back from its majority stake. Alphabet will stay involved, but as a min

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Mar 26 2026HEALTH

“Brain Health Starts at Home: A Personal Call to Action”

Shon Lowe’s story shows how one woman turned a family crisis into a lesson for everyone. Her mother, Terrie Montgomery, began buying the same items repeatedly and losing track of details—small signs that were easily ignored in many households. In Black communities, these hints are often swept

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Mar 25 2026POLITICS

San Diego Pushes for Film‑Industry Boost

A group of union members, producers and filmmakers gathered on the lawn outside the San Diego County Administration Building to ask for more money and support for local film work. They held a press event before speaking at the county budget meeting. Their main requests are: a film commission,

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Mar 25 2026OPINION

Money for War or Money for Life: A Fresh Look at the Iran Conflict

The U. S. is pouring huge sums into fighting Iran, with the Pentagon asking for $200 billion—more than $1, 400 per household. But that figure only scratches the surface of what the war will cost taxpayers over time. Experts say long‑term medical care for soldiers could add at least $600 billion, pus

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Mar 25 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Local stars who caught the heart of Bergen County

Folks around Bergen County seem to have a soft spot for people who made it big but still feel like neighbors. Many grew up here or spent time in the area before fame knocked. Their careers cover music, comedy, acting, and more—but what ties them together is how they stayed relatable even after reach

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