HISTORY

Apr 20 2026OPINION

From Sea Captain’s Son to Record Breaker: The Long Life of Geert Boomgaard

Geert Boomgaard’s life spanned more than a century, starting in 1788 when France was still a monarchy and ending in 1899 when the world was on the brink of the 20th century. He grew up in Groningen, a Dutch town where survival was tough, and his father worked as a struggling sea captain. Large famil

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Apr 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Movies for Kids That Really Matter

Kids’ films can be more than just fun. A new look shows that many of the stories we grew up with have clever ideas and deep feelings, even if they were made for families. The first film on the list is a classic that changed color movies forever and still feels fresh today. Next comes a recent

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Apr 19 2026HISTORY

Local heroes: How St. Louis shaped the nation

St. Louis may be known for its iconic arch and deep-fried foods, but its real claim to fame might be the people who grew up there and went on to leave a mark on the whole country. From scientists to artists, this city has produced individuals who didn’t just blend into the background. Take Chuck Ber

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Apr 18 2026SCIENCE

Rocket Dreams from the 1600s

Cyrano de Bergerac, a French writer of the 1600s, imagined rockets long before scientists or filmmakers did. In his 1657 story about a journey to the Moon, he described a machine that could lift a person into space by attaching fireworks to it. Although the idea was fanciful, he also tried to explai

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Apr 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

How a Bold FX Show Redefined TV Heroes

"The Shield was a shocker when it first aired in 2002. It made viewers see police as possible villains, not just heroes. This was a big risk because most people still admired real cops after 9/11. The show’s lead, Vic Mackey, was a cop who did terrible things. His crew, the Strike Team,

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Apr 18 2026EDUCATION

Kansas Parks That Tell America’s Story

Kansas quietly guards some of the nation’s most meaningful places, where grasslands roar, forts stand frozen in time, and a single courtroom changed the course of schooling forever. Five spots across the state fall under the National Park Service, each with a different heartbeat. Four lean into huma

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Apr 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Why photo colors favored light skin (and how art fights back)

Back in the days of film cameras, photo labs used color-correcting guides called Shirley Cards. These cards featured a white woman named Shirley, which meant photos of Black people often came out looking too dark or unnatural. The mismatch wasn’t intentional at first—Shirley was just a Kodak employe

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Apr 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Michigan City in April: Fun, Culture, and Community

April in Michigan City is more than just spring arriving. It’s a month where laughter, history, and music blend in unexpected ways. One standout is a comedy show about a traveler who misses his flight and ends up in a strange, tiny airport. His witty inner voice keeps the crowd in stitches while tak

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Apr 16 2026SPORTS

How Jackie Robinson’s Number 42 Became a Symbol of Change

April 15 isn’t just another date on the sports calendar. It’s the day Jackie Robinson stepped onto the field in 1947 and changed baseball forever. More than seven decades later, his impact still echoes across the sport. This year, Major League Baseball teams are honoring that legacy in a big way—eve

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Apr 16 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Artists Fighting for Truth in Changing Times

Brazil’s past under military rule wasn’t just about soldiers in the streets—it was also about scientists, teachers, and artists whose work threatened those in power. The government didn’t just disagree with their ideas; it tried to erase them. Fast forward to today, and similar battles play out glob

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