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Jun 01 2026ENVIRONMENT

The hidden danger after Helene: Why North Carolina's forests are still a ticking time bomb

When Tropical Storm Helene swept through Western North Carolina in fall 2024, most people focused on the dramatic flood images. But the storm left behind a far less visible problem—one that’s getting worse with time. Over 822, 000 acres of forest were damaged, turning once-healthy trees into a massi

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May 28 2026WEATHER

Hail Is Getting Bigger as the Planet Heats Up

Climate change is turning hail into a bigger, costlier threat. A new study shows that as the world warms, storms will produce more large hailstones—those bigger than a marble—and fewer smaller ones. By the end of this century, the frequency of large hail could rise between 38 % and 47 %, depending

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May 27 2026BUSINESS

A Healdsburg restaurant faces tough months ahead after a morning crash

A quiet Saturday morning in Healdsburg took a sharp turn when an SUV plowed into Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, turning a 16-year-old restaurant into a scene of shattered glass and overturned furniture. The crash happened around 7:50 a. m. , leaving behind a mess that will take six to eight weeks just to cle

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May 27 2026HEALTH

Fruits and sun damage: Could grapes be a surprising ally for your skin?

Scientists looked into whether eating grapes regularly could help skin handle sun damage better. In a two-week test, 29 adults ate the equivalent of three cups of grapes daily—freeze-dried into powder. After the study, skin tests showed lower signs of stress in skin cells even when people were expos

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May 24 2026CRIME

Old school building catches fire in Vallejo

Around 1:30 in the morning, a fire broke out at a long-empty Vallejo school building. About 40 firefighters rushed to the scene near Fifth Street. By 7:30 a. m. , the fire had grown so much that officials called for extra help, making it a three-alarm response. Luckily, no one got hurt, and crews ha

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May 19 2026HEALTH

How Hidden Chemicals Could Be Hurting Your Kidneys Without You Knowing

Every day, tiny amounts of man-made chemicals slip into water and soil, slowly building up in our bodies. These substances, called PFAS, are found in everything from food wrappers to firefighting foam. Scientists recently focused on one specific PFAS called OBS and its surprising effect on the kidne

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May 19 2026WEATHER

Storm winds shut down Iowa highway as tornado touches down nearby

Sunday evening in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, drivers got a sudden reminder of nature’s power when 70 mph gusts forced Interstate 29 to a complete stop. Traffic cameras showed swirling rain so thick headlights disappeared into the storm. At the same time, radar confirmed a tornado touching down just 15 mi

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May 05 2026ENVIRONMENT

How War Destroys Nature—and Peace Could Help Fix It

Over a year ago, fighters in a long-running conflict put their weapons down in a dramatic gesture. The scene wasn’t newsworthy just because of the symbolic act—it was notable because the fighters were asking a bigger question: What happens to the land and nature after war ends? This isn’t just about

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Drone war widens in Ukraine as daytime strikes surge

Early last month, Ukrainian skies turned into a battleground not just at night but from morning through afternoon. Over 400 drones flooded the airspace in just seven and a half hours. Most never reached their targets. Nighttime strikes have long been Russia’s preferred playbook since the conflict be

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May 01 2026WEATHER

Trees fall and roofs fly as a strong tornado hits Mineral Wells

A powerful storm swept through Mineral Wells earlier this week, leaving a trail of broken trees and damaged buildings. Home security cameras caught the moment when winds reaching 145 miles per hour tore through the area. Rain and flying debris made it hard to see, but the footage clearly shows the s

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