AL CENTRAL

May 20 2026CELEBRITIES

Living With ALS: A Timeline of Famous Voices

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a relentless nerve condition that steals muscle control over time. The story of public figures who have faced it begins with the legendary baseball player Lou Gehrig in 1939 and stretches to recent actors, musicians, and athletes who have spoken out. \ Each name b

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Why Rare Earth Metals in Central Asia Are Sparking Tension

Central Asia’s underground holds some of the world’s most valuable metals. Five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—sit on vast deposits of rare earths, the minerals needed for phones, wind turbines, and fighter jets. For years, China has been the main supplier

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May 20 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why Alaska should skip the gas pipeline dream

Alaska is spending weeks debating a pipeline that keeps changing shape. The project, now pushed by a private firm that took a majority stake last year, promises to carry gas 800 miles from the North Slope to a plant near Kenai. Supporters call it a jobs engine and a step toward energy security, but

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May 20 2026CRYPTO

How Crypto Exchanges Keep Your Money (And What Could Go Wrong)

Centralized exchanges act like digital banks for cryptocurrency. Instead of you holding the keys to your coins, the exchange does. That makes buying, selling, and trading easier—especially if you're new to crypto or want to use regular money like dollars to get started. But convenience comes with ri

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May 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

A Smarter Way to Cut Energy Costs in Alaska

Alaskans pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country, largely because power companies rely on expensive natural gas. A new pipeline project promises to bring more gas to Southcentral Alaska, but it won’t solve the real problem—rising fuel costs. Instead of locking in higher prices for y

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May 17 2026CELEBRITIES

Baby News for the Couple from a Popular Podcast

Alex Cooper, who runs a well‑known podcast, posted pictures of her growing belly with her husband Matt Kaplan. The 31‑year‑old showed off the bump and simply wrote “Our family, ” letting fans know she is expecting their first child together. The pair tied the knot in Mexico last April after meeti

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May 17 2026CELEBRITIES

Alex Cooper Shares Baby News Amid Social Media Cheers

Alex Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan announced they are expecting their first child, posting a photo of the couple with a glowing belly and a caption that simply read “our family. ” The couple, married in 2024, received an outpouring of well‑wishes from friends and fans who celebrated the new add

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May 17 2026WEATHER

Rainfall Is Coming, But Alabama Still Faces a Drought

Alabama’s weather forecast says rain will arrive later in the week, but it won’t be enough to fix the state’s long‑standing dry spell. Most regions will see light showers, while the southern part of the state—where drought is most severe—will get only a trickle. The U. S. Drought Monitor shows larg

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May 17 2026HEALTH

Alabama’s youth face major gaps in mental health support

Alabama lands at the bottom of the country for young people’s mental health care, according to the latest national rankings. The state sits in 50th place—just one spot above last—when looking at how often mental health struggles appear in youth and how easy it is to get help. Alabama isn’t alone in

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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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