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Dec 25 2025OPINION

Holiday Cheer vs. Political Fears: Finding Balance

In the rush of holiday preparations, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. The author found themselves caught up in the whirlwind of political debates, pushing aside the joy of the season. With presents still unwrapped and decorations untouched, they realized that the political noise had dr

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Dec 25 2025POLITICS

Redrawing the Lines: Politics and Power in 2025

In 2025, the political landscape saw a significant shift due to the efforts of former President Donald Trump. He urged Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps, aiming to secure more seats for his party in the House of Representatives. This move intensified the practice of partisan gerryma

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Dec 25 2025EDUCATION

A New Chapter for Jackson County Schools

A familiar face in Jackson County's education scene is getting ready to say goodbye. Kevin Oxley, the superintendent of the Jackson County Intermediate School District, has decided to retire after working in schools for a long time. He made the announcement in December, saying he plans to step down

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Dec 25 2025RELIGION

Christmas Gifts for Strangers: How Americans are Making a Difference

This holiday season, Americans are finding a new way to spread cheer. Instead of just buying gifts for family and friends, they're using special vending machines to help people they'll never meet. These machines, called Giving Machines, let people pick items like food, livestock, and school supplies

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Dec 25 2025RELIGION

Christmas Message: Pope Leo's Call to Welcome the Needy

Pope Leo, the first pope from the United States, delivered a powerful message during a Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. He emphasized that rejecting the poor and strangers is like turning away from God. This idea was central to his sermon, which drew parallels between the birth of Jesus i

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Dec 25 2025CRYPTO

Bitcoin's Holiday Slump: A Look at Past Dips and Potential Surges

Bitcoin's value has dropped by about 7% since last Christmas. This might seem like bad news, but looking back, similar drops have often been followed by big gains. Over the past 12 years, there have been three times when Bitcoin's value was lower on Christmas Eve than the year before: in 2014, 2018,

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Dec 25 2025CRYPTO

Bitcoin: From Pennies to Millions in a Decade

Bitcoin has had a rollercoaster journey since its creation in 2009. It all began when Satoshi Nakamoto, a mysterious figure, introduced the first 50 bitcoins. In the early days, acquiring bitcoins was a challenge. People had to mine them using computers or trade with others. In October 2009, a stud

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Dec 25 2025CELEBRITIES

A Luxury Advent Calendar Surprise for Becca Bloom

Becca Bloom, a well-known influencer, has been sharing her family's extravagant Christmas traditions with her 5 million TikTok followers. This time, her husband, David Pownall, surprised her with a lavish gift on day 22 of her advent calendar. In a video posted on December 23, Bloom is seen lying i

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Dec 25 2025OPINION

Finding Joy Amidst Chaos: A Thoughtful Christmas

The holiday season often brings a mix of emotions. It's a time to reflect, celebrate, and be grateful. But with the world facing so many challenges, it's hard to feel festive. Alison Tan, a food designer from Hong Kong, knows this struggle well. She remembers a Christmas filled with grief after the

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Dec 25 2025RELIGION

Christmas Traditions: Faith and Family Come Together

In Petaluma, the St. Vincent de Paul Church is buzzing with activity. Advent services are in full swing, offering solace and spiritual reinforcement to those who attend. It's a time of reflection and preparation for the faithful. A new face, Leticia Flores, recently joined the congregation. After a

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