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May 19 2026SCIENCE

Rituals: Why We Keep Doing Them

People in every culture have a habit of doing rituals, from simple prayers to long pilgrimages. But why do they keep going on? Scientists split the answer into two big ideas. One side says rituals are ways people try to change uncertain things. Think of a family praying before a big test or a team

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May 19 2026SCIENCE

How Faith Shapes Views on Gene Editing

A recent survey asked nearly 5, 000 adults across the United States about their thoughts on gene editing. The study focused on how people’s religious beliefs and personal experiences influence their support or worries about this technology. The sample included nine different faith traditions as w

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May 19 2026POLITICS

Billionaire Money Tries to Shake a Local Democrat’s Campaign

The race for California’s 12th Assembly seat is heating up. A new ad shows a woman named Jackie Elward, who has served twice on the Rohnert Park City Council. She is running as a Democrat for state office, and she has strong backing from workers’ unions. The spot is only 30 seconds long. I

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May 19 2026POLITICS

Ben Cline Eyes Fifth Term After Redistricting Shake‑Up

Ben Cline announced his intent to seek another term in Congress after the Supreme Court refused to revisit a challenge to Virginia’s 2024 election map. The decision, which ended the legal fight over the April 21 vote that counted more than 1. 6 million “yes” ballots, gave Cline a clear signal that t

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May 19 2026EDUCATION

Quiet Hero of Westfield School

The school’s night crew works when the halls are empty, and their hard work has just been celebrated. Francesco Dori, who helps keep Westfield High tidy after the last class, was chosen for a special fellowship at the district’s 2026 awards. The award, backed by the local Rotary Club, is given

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May 19 2026EDUCATION

Farm Adventure Turns City Trips Into Nature Lessons

A drive that used to be a quick commute now leads to a whole new world. The Muddy Little Cowboy Ranch is about thirty miles east of Hanover, Colorado. Cell phones barely work there and you can’t order food online. Linda Childers lives off the land. She grows her own vegetables and buys mea

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May 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

When songs bring people together beyond their differences

Music has always had a special power to unite people, and two legendary musicians recently highlighted how even political divides can fade away when the right tune plays. During a chat on a popular podcast, one iconic artist shared how his band’s classic song turns a crowd of strangers into one big

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May 19 2026TECHNOLOGY

Disney parks face legal heat over hidden face scans

A California mom just sued Disney parks for five million dollars, claiming the company quietly scans faces of visitors without telling them clearly. The lawsuit says Disney’s parks in Anaheim use cameras that turn people’s faces into digital data—including kids—but don’t make it obvious how to avoid

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May 19 2026SPORTS

Earlier baseball game planned due to storm warnings

A Major League Baseball matchup between the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox had to adjust its schedule before the first pitch had even been thrown. Instead of starting at the originally planned 7:40 p. m. ET time, the opening game in what would become a three-game series began half an hour ear

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May 19 2026WEATHER

Storm Alert: What Chicago Can Expect Next

Chicago is bracing for more weather surprises today. A storm watch keeps running until 5 p. m. Monday for the city and nearby parts of northwest Indiana. Earlier, a warning for fast winds and small hail ended just before noon, but the warm 78-degree afternoon could spark new storms. These storms mig

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