COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Jun 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Jacob Roloff Takes First Steps into Local Leadership

Jacob Roloff, famous for growing up on a reality TV show, is now trying to grow in a very different direction. His wife recently posted online about his unexpected move from TV life to local politics. She pointed out how he started as someone who avoided speaking in public to now leading discussions

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Jun 06 2026EDUCATION

A Fresh Face Takes Over Bay County’s History Hub

The Bay County Historical Museum has a new leader stepping into the role this summer. Kyle Proctor starts as executive director on June 1, bringing over two decades of experience in running organizations and shaping their direction. His background includes high-level jobs in corporate communications

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Jun 04 2026EDUCATION

Planning for tomorrow’s schools today

School districts don’t work in isolation; they mirror the towns they serve. In the Freeport area, leaders have spent the past year not just running classrooms but also mapping out what those classrooms might look like years from now. Instead of focusing only on immediate needs like bus schedules or

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Jun 03 2026HEALTH

Bringing Fairness into Healthy Living

The health world talks a lot about fairness, but it still slips through many plans for healthy living. People who try to stop or heal long‑term illnesses with diet, exercise and habits can miss the bigger picture. If a person’s life is shaped by poverty, discrimination or unsafe neighborhoods,

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May 14 2026BUSINESS

Dutch Bros makes its first Chicago stop in Melrose Park

A coffee chain famous for its high-energy crews and custom drinks is opening its first Illinois location outside the college towns it usually targets. Dutch Bros picked Melrose Park, a mostly residential suburb west of the city, to launch its Chicago-area push. More shops are planned for Oak Park an

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Reinventing Anchorage: How Local Leaders Are Tackling Big Challenges

Anchorage stands at a crossroads where tough choices can’t be avoided. Money is tight, families are feeling the pinch, and young adults are deciding if this city is where they’ll build their future. Behind the scenes, over 3, 000 municipal workers – bus drivers, road crews, park rangers – keep the c

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May 06 2026OPINION

Reviving Akron’s Downtown: A Fresh Look at New Plans

Downtown Akron Partnership, founded over three decades ago, has kept its promise to build a lively city center. In 2018 it released a Vision + Redevelopment Plan that set clear goals for the next few years. The plan was built from community interviews, public meetings and online surveys, giving resi

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May 05 2026ENVIRONMENT

Melco’s 2025 Green Goals: A Fresh Look at Progress

The company that runs popular resorts in Macau, the Philippines and Europe has released a new sustainability report for 2025. The title “RISE to Go Above & Beyond” signals a shift from talking about goals to showing real action. In the report, the CEO explains that sustainability is no longer a s

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May 02 2026HEALTH

How Cancer Research Stays Relevant and Trustworthy

Cancer studies rely on people joining big research groups called cohorts. These groups help scientists spot patterns between lifestyle choices, genes, and cancer risks. But it takes more than just collecting data. Real progress happens when researchers treat participants like partners, not just subj

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Apr 29 2026POLITICS

How a Teen Found Purpose in Political Campaigns

Eighteen-year-olds today face a world that often feels overwhelming. Daily headlines highlight conflicts and problems that seem too big to solve. Many young people wonder if their actions can even make a difference. One volunteer discovered a different perspective while working on a local political

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