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May 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

Elk Grove backs new security camera plan to tackle rising theft

The city council in Elk Grove recently agreed to a plan that puts more eyes on the streets. Starting soon, police will get live feeds from cameras set up by local businesses. The goal? To catch crimes as they happen and respond faster. Small shops can even get up to $5, 000 to help pay for the camer

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May 15 2026CRIME

Can a retrial happen after a conviction is thrown out?

Alex Murdaugh walked out of prison a convicted murderer last year. Then the South Carolina Supreme Court erased his guilty verdict completely. That sudden freedom surprised many people. How could someone already convicted walk away? The answer lies in a legal rule most people misunderstand. Double j

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May 15 2026CRIME

Flag mix-up at NYU sparks investigation into hate crime

A confusing scene played out at NYU last week during graduation events when a flag with disturbing symbols appeared on a building near Washington Square Park. Instead of the usual NYU flag, someone replaced it with a modified version featuring two swastikas and a Star of David, mimicking Israel's na

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May 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

A sponge that cleans oil spills by itself

Scientists studied how Mimosa leaves fold up when touched. They copied this trick to build a special sponge. This sponge can soak up oil from water all by itself, then clean up and be ready to use again without extra help. The sponge is made from chitosan, a natural material from shellfish. This ba

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May 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

How tiny plastic bits in cow poop could harm beetle families

Scientists tested how plastic pollution in cow dung affects a common beetle species known for cleaning up animal waste. They found that when cow manure contains tiny plastic pieces—even in small amounts—it can seriously harm beetle babies. The beetles’ larvae struggled to survive when exposed to hig

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May 15 2026CRIME

Cargo chaos: Why unsecured loads turn highways into danger zones

Flying metal at highway speed isn’t just a movie stunt—it’s a real hazard that turns ordinary roads into deadly obstacle courses. When a truck’s cargo breaks free, physics takes over, turning heavy equipment into deadly projectiles that crumple cars in an instant. Drivers caught in these sudden cras

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May 15 2026EDUCATION

Easy ways kids learn about local nature

Fourth-graders in one town now have special books and activities to explore the nature around them. A local group bought these new science books using money from a foundation. The books highlight plants and animals found right in the students’ neighborhoods. The project started when a child on a fi

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May 15 2026OPINION

How Safe Is Your Weed? The Real Deal on Mold and Cannabis Testing

Many people worry about moldy cannabis, but most don’t realize how complicated testing and safety rules really are. Reports often focus on one method—like radiation—to make things sound scary. But radiation isn’t some new trick. It’s used every day in food and medicine to kill germs safely. The real

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May 15 2026HEALTH

Pregnant Women with Rare Heart Condition Need Extra Care

Brugada Syndrome is a rare heart issue passed down in families. It can cause dangerous heart rhythms, especially when certain triggers are present. Common triggers include high body temperature, certain medications used in hospitals, and even natural body reactions like strong relaxation responses.

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May 15 2026EDUCATION

Fun Science Lab Just Opened in Flint for Kids

A new hands-on science exhibit just opened at the Flint Children’s Museum, turning playtime into learning time. Called Forces at Play, it cost $30, 000 to build, paid for by three local groups. The goal isn’t just to entertain kids but to get them curious about how forces like magnetism and air pres

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