MICHAEL R WILLIAMS

May 11 2026EDUCATION

Rutgers‑Newark Turns 80: A Story of City, College and Change

Rutgers‑Newark marks its eight‑decade milestone by looking back at a bold 1946 choice that turned an “urban” label into a promise of learning for all. The state’s legislature merged local schools into Rutgers, giving the campus a land‑grant heritage that insists higher education belongs to ordinary

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May 11 2026OPINION

Stability Over Speculation: Why Worcester Needs Rent Limits

Rent control in Worcester has become a shouting match, with one side saying housing is a right and the other warning that any rule will kill growth. The real issue is how landlords treat apartments: as long‑term homes or quick profits. The upcoming ballot question only touches buildings with five o

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May 11 2026TECHNOLOGY

Remi’s Rhythm: A Young Girl’s Journey With Eye‑Gaze Tech

Remi Schreiber, a 7‑year‑old from Spokane Valley, shows how technology can turn challenges into music. She was born with a brain injury that left her with cerebral palsy and limited speech, but she now plays a digital piano solo on screen using eye‑gaze control. The device, made by Tobii Dynavox,

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Armenia under fire for hosting Zelenskiy amid Russia’s growing tensions

Russia has sharply criticized Armenia for allowing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to speak in Yerevan last week. During his visit, Zelenskiy warned that Russian leaders might face drone threats over Red Square during Moscow’s Victory Day parade on May 9—a claim Moscow dismissed as reckless.

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May 11 2026POLITICS

How money gaps and crime rates shape police shootings in America

Researchers tracked fatal police shootings from 2015 to 2022 across more than 3, 000 U. S. counties. They found that out of every 10, 000 people, Black residents were 15 times more likely to be shot and killed by police than White residents. Hispanic residents faced about 2. 5 times higher risk than

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May 10 2026CRIME

Crypto Crime Surge: Europe Leads the Attack Wave

Recent data shows that violent thefts targeting cryptocurrency owners have climbed sharply, with losses topping $101 million in the first four months of 2026. A security firm that tracks these incidents reports that only 34 attacks have been recorded worldwide, yet the damage has nearly doubled comp

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Micromobility is fun but risky for kids

Riding electric scooters and bikes seems like a quick way to zip around town. But doctors who treat kids in emergencies see the dark side of these rides. A recent study counted nearly half a million injuries from these vehicles between 2017 and 2023. The numbers keep climbing, especially among young

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May 09 2026POLITICS

City Cuts Permitting Rules to Boost New Music Spots

Reno’s planning board decided on Thursday to try a new rule that makes it easier for fresh music venues to open in downtown and Midtown. The plan removes the need for a conditional‑use permit when a new business wants to host indoor live shows after 11 p. m. The city still requires permits for outdo

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May 09 2026TECHNOLOGY

AI learns Battleship to sharpen its research skills

Researchers turned to a classic game to teach AI how to make smarter choices in scientific work. The game was Battleship, where players guess ship positions on a hidden grid. Instead of just playing for fun, AI used the game to practice managing limited resources—just like scientists do when running

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May 08 2026SCIENCE

Readers Leave Their Mark on an Early Science Book

Researchers have taken a new look at a 17th‑century book about magnetism that first appeared in 1600. They didn’t just count how many copies survived; they also read the notes people wrote inside those books. By combining these two kinds of data, the team could see where readers stopped, highlighted

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