OCA

Mar 03 2026SCIENCE

Clean Water with Tiny Carbon Balls

Carbon quantum dots, or CQDs, are like tiny solar panels that can clean polluted water. They work because their surfaces can be tweaked, and they separate electric charges very well. Scientists have shown that these dots can break down nasty chemicals such as antibiotics, dyes, and phenols with high

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Mar 03 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Dixon’s Old‑School Theater Keeps the Town Entertained

A building that opened in 1922 still draws crowds today. The Dixon Historic Theater is more than a movie house; it hosts rock shows, comedy nights, and traveling acts. Its Art Deco style and great sound make it a favorite for performers who say it sounds better than newer venues. The theate

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Feb 28 2026ENVIRONMENT

Wildfire Devastates Hundreds of BMWs in Thornton

A wildfire that burned across 10 acres in Thornton on Wednesday claimed about 150 BMW vehicles, according to local authorities. The blaze started after a passerby noticed smoldering mulch near Pinnacle Charter High School at 8412 Huron St. The fire department received the call around 11:30 a. m. and

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Feb 28 2026POLITICS

Kamala Harris Makes a Call for Jasmine Crockett

A recent phone message was sent by Vice‑President Kamala Harris to Representative Jasmine Crockett. The call was automated, so it sounded like a standard robocall rather than a personal conversation. Harris used the script to share updates on her current agenda and encourage support for Crockett’s i

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Feb 27 2026OPINION

Black History Month: A Call to Keep Moving Forward

In Baltimore, February feels heavy because the city has to remember its past while looking at its future. Students gather for speeches, museums display pictures, and city leaders speak about history. Yet, the real work lies beyond these events. A young boy in Baltimore once worked in a shipyard and

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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 26 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Siouxland’s Biggest Night of Fun and Fame

The upcoming Siouxland Choice 2026 event promises to be the highlight of the region’s entertainment calendar. Scheduled for early March, the show will celebrate local talent in music, film, and television, giving a platform to artists who might otherwise remain under the radar. The organizers have a

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Feb 25 2026POLITICS

Retail Stores Must Report Theft, but No Fines Imposed

In Douglas County, a new rule was approved that tells most retail shops in the unincorporated areas to tell law‑enforcement when someone steals from them. The county changed the original plan, which had set fines up to $1, 000 for businesses that didn’t report a theft. Instead of penalties, the deci

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Feb 25 2026HEALTH

Smart Ways to Beat Malaria with Limited Money

In places where malaria still thrives, every dollar counts. Recent studies from 2018 to 2025 show how best to spend that money on prevention and cure. Researchers gathered data from many countries that still fight the disease. They looked at which tools—like bed nets, medicines, or mosquito‑killi

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Feb 25 2026EDUCATION

Community Schools, Not Competition: Building a Shared Future

South Bend’s recent debate over Clay High School shows how a city can get caught up in institutional pride instead of student needs. The real story is about preparing young people for a workforce that increasingly demands more than just a diploma. Nearly seventy percent of Indiana’s upcoming jobs

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