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Mar 20 2026WEATHER

Chicago welcomes warmer days with a spring surprise

Chicago is trading its winter coat for sunshine this week as temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. The city’s last full day of winter started crisp, with lakefront areas stuck in the 40s while inland spots like Kankakee flirted with 60. But the real change arrives Friday, when spring officially b

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Mar 20 2026ENTERTAINMENT

The best water blaster for summer battles isn't what you'd expect

Sunny days make most people think of ice cream or beach trips, but for some, it means only one thing: water fights. If you're serious about summer battles, a basic squirt gun won't cut it anymore. The market now has smarter options that turn casual play into something closer to precision gaming. Th

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A Major Shift in Student Loan Management Raises Questions

The federal government is making a big change in how it handles student loans. Starting now, the Treasury Department will take charge of loans where borrowers haven’t made payments in months. This covers about $180 billion of the government’s $1. 7 trillion student debt. Eventually, the Treasury wi

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

EU pushes for peace, not strikes, in Middle East energy fight

EU leaders want no more attacks on energy and water plants in the Middle East. They worry these strikes could hurt global oil prices and make the Iran war worse. In a meeting in Brussels, the 27 countries agreed to ask everyone to stop fighting near these important buildings. They also want civil ri

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Mar 20 2026SCIENCE

How tiny water bacteria help shape modern glue and anti-fouling tech

Every time you see a slippery rock in a stream or a slimy hull on a boat, you’re looking at biofilms—thin layers of microbes stuck to surfaces. These microscopic communities don’t just stick around by accident. They produce special proteins called adhesins, especially at one end of the cell, to glue

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Mar 20 2026HEALTH

CDC Leadership Search Shows Hope Amid Health Department Turmoil

The hunt for a new CDC director is sparking cautious optimism, even as the agency grapples with years of shakeups and policy disputes. Recent candidates for the top role suggest better days ahead, but the CDC’s past struggles under political pressure raise questions about stability. The agency has s

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A new plan for handling student loans shifts focus to the Treasury

The government just announced a three-step plan to move control of student loans to the Treasury Department. First, it will focus on loans that are already in default. Next, it will handle loans that are not yet in default, as long as it’s legally possible. Finally, the Treasury will help make sure

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

TSA Workers Face Pay Cuts While Politicians Argue

The TSA has seen its employees work without pay for more than a month, a result of repeated funding gaps that have turned these workers into bargaining chips in Washington. In the last six months, three separate budget stalls have left TSA staff unpaid, with many of them struggling to cover re

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Mar 19 2026HEALTH

Older‑Age Shoulder Tears: What to Do

The problem of torn shoulder tendons that can’t be fixed is getting more common as people grow older. When someone has pain or weakness, doctors usually start with a solid six‑month plan of targeted exercise. Many patients feel better with this approach, so it is the first choice in treatment.

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Mar 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

From Service to Spotlight: What BTS and Elvis Teach Us About Music Careers

BTS, the Korean pop sensation, paused their global tour in 2022 so that each of its seven members could finish South Korea’s mandatory military duty. By mid‑2023, all had returned—some as drill instructors, cooks or community workers. Now, with a new album set to drop and a livestream concert on Net

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