SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Jun 14 2026EDUCATION

New digital library deal opens doors for all Illinois residents

Illinois just made a big move to level the playing field when it comes to information access. The state struck a deal that lets any resident tap into over fifty digital databases through their local library—all for free. These databases aren’t just random collections; they include e-books, research

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Jun 10 2026WEATHER

Big waves take over Southern California beaches

Southern California beaches saw some of the biggest waves in years last week, turning usually calm waters into dangerous surf zones. Orange County bore the brunt, with waves reaching up to fifteen feet in places like Newport Beach and Dana Point—so tall they crashed over protective rock barriers. Hu

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Jun 10 2026HEALTH

Smartphones and South Italy’s young adults: How much screen time is too much?

Southern Italy’s young adults are glued to their phones – just like most of the world. Since COVID-19, phone use has skyrocketed, especially among people in their late teens and twenties. Phones help with everything: staying in touch, organizing life, and endless entertainment. But too much time onl

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Jun 02 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Summer Fun in Southern California – Free Activities for June

Southern California is buzzing with free events this June. Start the month by stepping aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach for happy hour drinks and live music. Reserve a spot online; parking is cheaper if you pay early. In Riverside, the ArtsWalk lights up downtown on the first Thur

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May 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Air quality alert issued for parts of southern Colorado

Southern Colorado residents will need to watch their outdoor plans this weekend. An alert has been issued for four counties—Teller, El Paso, Pueblo, and eastern Fremont—covering cities like Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The state health department warns that air quality will dip to levels considered

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May 30 2026WEATHER

Maine braces for a wet and wild Saturday

Southern Maine isn’t the only place getting soaked this weekend. A strong storm system rolling through the region is bringing heavy rain and rough conditions to the coast and inland areas. The National Weather Service has scrambled to issue warnings before the worst of it hits, turning a typical wee

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Behind the headlines: What’s really happening in Lebanon?

Southern Lebanon is facing heavy strikes again. Overnight airstrikes in villages near Tyre and Nabatieh left 19 people dead, including children and women. Rescue teams dug through rubble to pull out victims as families mourned. The government said one strike flattened homes, trapping people undernea

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May 18 2026WEATHER

Storm Alert: Big Thunderheads Loom Over Southern Minnesota Tonight

Southern Minnesota may enjoy a calm weekend, but a surge of strong thunderstorms is set to hit the area late Sunday night and carry through Monday morning. Weather forecasters have flagged this as a notable event, urging residents to keep an eye on the sky. The forecast places western, central and

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May 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

Dust storms hit Illinois roads, raising safety concerns

Illinois is seeing more dust storms these days, and they’re not just an annoyance—they’re a serious danger. Strong winds can lift dry soil from farm fields, creating sudden walls of dust that reduce visibility to almost zero. These storms can appear quickly, turning highways into risky zones for dri

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May 02 2026POLITICS

A billionaire governor’s next big move

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is no stranger to writing big checks for political battles. But if he decides to run for president in 2028, he won’t be footing the entire bill himself. That’s according to people close to his inner circle, who say he’s already testing the waters with national fundraise

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