OCA

Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Local nurse puts health on Wayland’s agenda

Katie Stiff has stepped into the race for two open seats on Wayland’s Board of Health, giving voters a fresh face with hands-on experience. Though she moved to town only in 2020, she already sits on the board and works daily as a nurse practitioner at a major Boston hospital. Stiff’s path to public

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Apr 10 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Book That Questions Our Idea of Civilization

What if the world ended quietly, not with fire but with a virus? A young scientist survives while millions die. Alone but alive, he wanders streets emptied of people, only to find others—but most are broken by loss. Together they form a small group, trying to rebuild. But rebuilding what, exactly?

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Apr 10 2026SPORTS

Mavericks Push for a Fresh Dallas Arena Spot

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t just planning a new home—they’re aiming for a complete game-changer. Their CEO recently met with local business leaders to outline plans for a sprawling 50-acre complex that would include an arena, team headquarters, a practice facility, and even hotels and restaurants. T

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Apr 10 2026HEALTH

Ottawa joins growing list of places banning kratom sales

Ottawa just became the latest city to stop shops from selling kratom, a plant that comes from Southeast Asia. The city council made the call official in early April after seeing how people sometimes misuse it. Officials worry that unchecked sales could put residents at risk since the substance isn’t

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Apr 10 2026POLITICS

Ellsworth invests big in a new fire truck for safety updates

The city of Ellsworth decided to spend $866, 000 on a brand-new fire engine. The old one being replaced is 19 years old, making it harder to rely on. Rather than fixing the aging fleet piece by piece, the fire department is upgrading entire vehicles to avoid old equipment breaking down when it matte

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Apr 09 2026POLITICS

Local Voices Block China’s Battery Plant, Raising U. S. Tech Questions

Green Charter Township in Michigan saw a big plan from China’s Gotion fall apart after residents rallied against the $2. 4 billion battery factory. The town’s people argued that the plant would bring pollution and safety risks, so they pushed state officials to pull out. The move sparked debate abou

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Apr 09 2026HEALTH

How a Medieval Saint Shaped Epilepsy Awareness Today

Epilepsy has been misunderstood for thousands of years. In the past, people often blamed supernatural forces for seizures. Instead of medical explanations, many turned to saints for help. Saint Valentine became a key figure in medieval Europe, especially in areas that now include Germany. Paintings

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Apr 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why a Plastic Bottle Ban Lacks Bite on Martha’s Vineyard

In 2021, Oak Bluffs residents voted to ban small plastic water bottles under 34 ounces—a move pushed by students worried about plastic waste. Five other towns on Martha’s Vineyard did the same after a campaign called Plastic Free MV urged action against single-use plastics between 2019 and 2022. But

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Apr 09 2026ENTERTAINMENT

When Music and Health Care Join Forces

A band known for bold performances just teamed up with a major health organization to offer something unexpected at their concerts. Florence + the Machine, famous for their dramatic stage shows, is working with Planned Parenthood to set up booths at some tour stops. These booths won’t sell merch—the

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Apr 08 2026FINANCE

Banks still paying for old crimes decades later

A recent court decision shows just how long shadows from the past can stretch. A US judge rejected a big bank’s attempt to avoid responsibility for dealing with Nazi-linked accounts that only came to light years after lawsuits were settled. In 1999, UBS and Credit Suisse paid out $1. 25 billion to o

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