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May 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

What we breathe: Tiny plastics in the air and why they matter

In cities, the air isn’t just made of oxygen and dust. It carries invisible bits of plastic—some so small they can travel deep into our lungs. These tiny plastic pieces, called inhalable microplastics, don’t just float around randomly. New research shows their numbers change throughout the day and d

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Hantavirus on Cruise Ship Sparks Political Storm Over Health Staffing Cuts

A recent outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has stirred a heated debate in Washington. The virus, carried by rodents, caused three deaths and eight illnesses among passengers. Some travelers have already returned home while authorities watch for further spread. Senator Chuck Schum

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Helping Alaska Dogs, Helping People: A New Plan to Cut Bites and Boost Vet Care

Alaska’s remote towns face a huge problem: many stray dogs roam free, and kids often get bitten. A new state bill wants to solve this by creating a special fund that will pay for spay and neuter services. The money would come from custom license plates and donations, plus the fund’s own investment

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May 10 2026POLITICS

How Ohio’s Job Losses Show the Cost of Relying on China

Back in the 1970s, China was struggling to feed its people. Factories were rare, and most citizens survived on government-assigned housing with little income. Life expectancy was low—just 59 years—and the average person earned barely $130 a year. Meanwhile, the U. S. was booming. The average America

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

A Trail of Science Stories

Ned Rozell, who spent three decades writing about Alaska’s science for the university’s forum, rode a 515‑mile bike trip from Fairbanks to Unalakleet before he retired. During the ride, he was honored with three awards: the Edith Bullock Prize from the University of Alaska Foundation, the Roger Smit

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May 09 2026BUSINESS

Unequal Paths: Google’s $50 Million Settlement

A lawsuit filed in 2022 by Black former employees accused Google of a pattern that pushed them into lower‑level, lower‑pay roles while creating a hostile environment when they raised concerns. The case highlighted systemic gaps in hiring, pay and promotion practices that disproportionately affected

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May 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

When Alaska starts warning about summer heat

Alaska is getting ready for a new kind of weather warning. Normally, people think of wild winds or heavy snow when they hear weather alerts. But now, forecasters will also issue heat advisories for Anchorage and parts of southern Alaska as temperatures climb higher than usual. The change is partly

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May 09 2026SPORTS

Why top fighters are switching up weight classes

For years, UFC fighters have debated whether moving up a weight class makes sense. The middleweight division is packed with elite talent, while light-heavyweight offers more space to grow. One ex-champ recently argued that the jump from 185 to 205 pounds isn’t just smart—it’s almost necessary to sta

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

Mexico’s Schools Close Early for World Cup — But Is It Worth It?

The Mexican government just moved up the end of the school year by over a month because of the 2026 World Cup. Schools now finish classes on June 5 instead of June 15, giving students an extra 40 days of summer break. The government says a recent heat wave helped justify the change, but the World Cu

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May 08 2026SCIENCE

Testing a New Brain Cancer Drug: What Research Shows So Far

Doctors often face tough choices when treating aggressive brain tumors. A recent trial looked at how well a drug called regorafenib works in newly diagnosed and recurring glioblastoma cases. Instead of traditional methods, researchers used a flexible approach where patient data influenced treatment

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