OCA

May 29 2026SCIENCE

New materials could power clean energy without rare metals

The push for cleaner energy often hits a roadblock: the metals that make it possible are rare and expensive. Platinum, iridium, and ruthenium do their jobs well in hydrogen reactions, oxygen work, and battery chemistry, but they cost too much and don't last long enough for mass use. A different path

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May 29 2026CRIME

Bar loses alcohol and live music rights after safety failures

A Hampton restaurant just lost its ability to host live shows or serve drinks after a string of safety problems. City leaders decided to pull its special permit following a shooting in the parking lot and two fights inside the building in recent weeks. The first problem happened early one Saturday

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May 28 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Family‑Run Petting Zoo Brings Smiles to the County

A small idea at a pumpkin patch turned into a traveling petting zoo that now visits schools, parties and community events across East Contra Costa County and beyond. Robert and Katy Kerling started the venture after a neighbor asked them to run a petting zoo at a local pumpkin patch in 2023. Their o

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May 28 2026LIFESTYLE

A Classic Steakhouse Says Goodbye After 56 Years

Gulliver’s Restaurant, a staple on MacArthur Boulevard in Irvine, will shut its doors for good on June 30. The eatery has been a familiar spot since 1970, offering hearty steak dishes and an English‑inn vibe that many locals have come to love. The closure comes not from the owners but from the la

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May 28 2026OPINION

Why Cities Keep Paying for Stadiums That May Not Be Worth It

Sports teams often act like they hold all the cards when cities talk about building new stadiums. If a town hesitates, owners threaten to leave—like the Oakland A’s did when they moved to Las Vegas instead of waiting for Oakland’s deal. Other teams have made the same move, from San Diego to Tampa, a

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May 27 2026BUSINESS

Women CFOs Lead the AI Infrastructure Race

In the current surge of artificial intelligence, companies are pouring billions into building the hardware that powers it. The people steering these budgets are often women, a fact that raises questions about gender roles in tech leadership. These finance chiefs do more than approve numbers; they

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May 27 2026ENVIRONMENT

Small businesses in New York push back against AI data centers

Across New York, nearly 500 small business owners are raising alarms about a new tech trend that could drain their resources. They’ve joined forces to call for a three-year pause on building giant AI data centers, worried these facilities will hike up electricity costs, strain water supplies, and ta

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May 27 2026LIFESTYLE

Silver Pride 2026: A Celebration That Honors Older LGBTQ+ Voices

Every June, Sarasota turns pink and purple for Pride Month. This year, a special event called Silver Pride 2026 on June 6 will focus on LGBTQ+ seniors. The event runs from noon to 4 p. m. at Senior Friendship Centers on Brother Geenen Way. Instead of loud parades or flashing lights, this celebration

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May 26 2026CRIME

Neighbors take drastic safety steps as gun violence spreads in Seattle

A quiet Seattle neighborhood near Aurora Avenue is changing in unsettling ways. For weeks, local residents have watched crime creep closer to their homes. After another weekend shooting left shell casings scattered across the street, neighbors decided to act without waiting for officials. Now, shak

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May 26 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Trivia Nights in Eugene: Fun, Not Fuss

Geo Carcamo turned his love for people into a weekly habit in Eugene and Springfield. Since 2017, he’s been hosting trivia nights that feel more like game night with friends than a test of smarts. His events run Mondays at PublicHouse in Springfield and Tuesdays at beergarden in Eugene, drawing team

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