SAFETY

Apr 03 2026OPINION

Why aren't Washington lawmakers acting faster on fentanyl risks for kids?

The sharp rise in fentanyl poisonings among young children in Washington shows a growing danger that isn’t being addressed fast enough. Kids exploring their surroundings can easily come across the drug when adults have it in the home. While fentanyl is already a major cause of accidental deaths, chi

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Apr 03 2026BUSINESS

Cincinnati’s Riverfront: A Success Story at Risk

Downtown Cincinnati once struggled to attract people after work hours, with empty streets and old buildings. But over the past 25 years, the city transformed its riverfront into a lively area with parks, homes, shops, and entertainment. Families now picnic by the river, kids splash in fountains, and

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Apr 03 2026CRIME

Oakland’s crime drop: What’s working and what’s still a worry

The first three months of this year have seen Oakland’s crime rates fall sharply, with violent crime down by nearly a quarter and overall crime almost a third lower than last year. Homicides dropped by 39 percent, gun-related assaults fell by 17 percent, and robberies plunged by 30 percent. Even cat

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Apr 02 2026ENVIRONMENT

Forever chemicals in honey: How hidden pollution affects bees and our food

Scientists recently found traces of PFOS, a long-lasting chemical, inside honey and the bees that make it. These substances stick around in nature for years, building up in the environment and even inside living things. For bees, even small doses can mess with their growth. Young bees exposed to PFO

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Apr 02 2026ENVIRONMENT

Staying Safe When Rattlesnakes Pop Up Early in SCV

This year has brought warmer temperatures sooner than usual to Santa Clarita Valley, waking up rattlesnakes earlier and pushing them into areas where people walk, hike, or just hang out. Unlike some animals that hide from cold, these snakes actually prefer the heat and become active as soon as the s

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Apr 01 2026WEATHER

Storm Warning Hits Berkshire County – Stay Safe

The National Weather Service issued a new severe thunderstorm warning at 8:45 p. m. for Berkshire County, lasting until 9 p. m. The warning says wind gusts could reach 60 miles per hour and that roofs, siding, trees and other structures might be damaged. The storm is moving east at about 45 miles pe

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Apr 01 2026HEALTH

Health Inspectors Find 25 Violations at Six Phoenix Restaurants

In March, officials checked more than a thousand eateries in the Phoenix area. Six places earned big penalties because they broke food safety rules. At The Porch in Tempe, workers handled raw chicken while wearing gloves, then removed the gloves and touched other foods without washing hands.

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Apr 01 2026HEALTH

Mammoth Lakes Faces Ongoing Hantavirus Threat After Winter Tragedies

In Mammoth Lakes, a ski town in California’s Eastern Sierra, three people lost their lives last year to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a rare illness caused by a rodent virus. The deaths shocked residents because the infections happened in winter, a season when the disease usually stays low. The v

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Mar 31 2026TECHNOLOGY

Social Media’s Hidden Toll on Kids

A recent court decision in California found that big tech firms, including the company behind Facebook and Instagram, can be held responsible for harming a young woman’s mental health. The case focused on how these platforms are built to keep users, especially children, hooked. In a separate tria

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Mar 31 2026WEATHER

Cortland Faces Tiny Floods: What You Need to Know

In Cortland County, a flood warning was issued late last night for Wednesday and Thursday. The alert says the Tioughnioga River will reach 8 feet, which is just enough to cause minor flooding. Because of this, a few lanes on Kellogg Road south of town may be closed and traffic could get stuck. The w

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