NES

Mar 05 2026BUSINESS

Local Print Shop Wins City Award for Community Spirit

A small print shop that started in a garage has earned recognition from city officials for its positive impact on the town. The business, known as The Hairy Ant, was given a “Spirit of St. Charles Award” at the February 2 city council meeting. The award highlights how local companies can help a comm

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Mar 05 2026HEALTH

Bringing Cancer Drugs into Everyday Care

Countries are now finding ways to put life‑saving cancer medicines onto their health lists. The move follows a global guide that tells governments which drugs are most essential for treating common illnesses. By adding these medicines to national plans, health workers can give patients the right tre

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Mar 05 2026HEALTH

Fitness Bands Could Spot MS Progression Early

Researchers have found that everyday fitness trackers might signal when multiple sclerosis (MS) is getting worse. The study followed 238 people with MS for about three years, giving them wrist‑worn devices that recorded how much they moved, how long they sat still, and their sleep patterns. Pa

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Mar 05 2026SCIENCE

Brain Changes in New Moms: A Closer Look

Scientists in Spain studied how pregnancy hormones can change the brain’s gray matter. They used MRI scans and urine tests on 179 women, tracking changes before, during, and after pregnancy. The research showed that gray matter – the part of the brain involved in thinking and feeling – can shrink by

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Mar 04 2026CRIME

Hate‑Crime Sentence for Planned Attack on Online Date

A 26‑year‑old from Eugene was given a 12‑year, seven‑month prison term after he used a tire thumper to assault a gay man he met on a dating app. The judge noted that the defendant had planned the attack for weeks and appeared to be experiencing psychosis at the time. Because of those mental he

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Mar 04 2026SCIENCE

Bright Copper Nano‑Lights Boost Tiny Lab Tests

Copper nanoparticles that glow in the dark are being tweaked so they shine brighter and last longer inside tiny point‑of‑care test kits. Scientists are using two tricks: covering the particles with a protective polymer (polyacrylic acid) and letting them clump together when special metal ions are ad

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Mar 04 2026BUSINESS

South Africa’s Business Mood Gets a Lift, But the Middle East Still Worries

A new survey shows that business confidence in South Africa jumped 3 points during the first quarter of this year, reaching its highest level since 2015 (excluding the COVID recovery). The rise is linked to a steady government, friendly interest rates and a stronger rand against the dollar. Yet m

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Mar 03 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Game of Thrones Heads to the Big Screen

Warner Bros. is now developing a new film set in George R. R. Martin’s famous fantasy world, with writer Beau Willimon—known for Andor and House of Cards—at the helm. The idea first surfaced in a recent profile that revealed both HBO and Warner Bros. are working on different takes of King Aegon I

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Mar 03 2026EDUCATION

Community Fun Day: Schools, Businesses and Kids Come Together

RSU 22 Education Foundation plans a free family gathering on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. , held at Hampden Academy on Western Ave. The event will showcase local businesses, student projects and community resources in a relaxed setting. The highlight is the Kids Carnival, created by

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Mar 03 2026POLITICS

How Connecticut’s Taxes Stack Up: Who Pays the Most?

Connecticut’s tax scene is a puzzle. The state relies heavily on income taxes for its $27 billion budget, yet many say the richest people pay too little. A recent study from 2011 to 2020 looks at how different income groups actually share the burden. First, income taxes bring in about a third of al

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