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May 17 2026EDUCATION

Public colleges face tough questions about their future

Public universities were built to lift people up, not shut them out. But today, many wonder if these schools still serve the public good. Rising costs make families hesitate before signing up. Some question whether degrees still lead to good jobs. Others doubt if universities are spending money wise

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May 17 2026SPORTS

When Coaches and Their Families Cross the Line

Fran McCaffery spent 15 years coaching Iowa basketball, turning the team into a regular NCAA Tournament contender and earning a solid 297-207 record. But his time in Iowa City ended badly, partly because of friction with local media personalities. The most well-known was Gary Dolphin, the long-time

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May 17 2026HEALTH

Hospital techs get better pay after tense talks

A deal was struck just in time to avoid a walkout by hospital technicians who handle everything from X-rays to breathing machines. The agreement gives around 230 techs a raise of at least 3% over three years, plus extra pay for experience and limits on last-minute schedule changes. Most workers—96%—

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May 17 2026LIFESTYLE

Why a 60-year-old’s warm online presence is winning millions of hearts

In a time when social media feeds overflow with noise and disagreement, a grandmother from Albion is quietly building one of the fastest-growing online communities. Diane Shiffer’s secret isn’t viral challenges or eye-catching edits—it’s steady kindness. Her posts, often simple selfies or short vide

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May 16 2026SPORTS

Nate Diaz: Roots, Identity, and the Road Ahead

Diaz is a 41‑year‑old fighter who grew up in Stockton, California, but spent much of his youth in nearby Lodi. He went to Tokay High School and still feels a strong connection to the 209 area code that ties both cities together. His family background is mixed: his father Robert has Mexican roots,

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May 16 2026SPORTS

Ronda Rousey: A New Look at Her Roots and Return

Ronda Rousey, once a dominant force in mixed‑martial arts, is stepping back into the spotlight after an eight‑year pause. She will face Gina Carano on May 16 at Most Valuable Promotions’ first event, and fans are curious not just about her fight skills but also about where she comes from. Born on

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May 16 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Binge‑Ready Star Wars Shorts: A Quick Dive into Disney+’s New Anime Series

Disney’s streaming platform has long been a haven for science‑fiction lovers, boasting fan favorites from the Star Wars universe and Marvel. Yet when it comes to a show that can be finished in one go, the latest addition stands out. This anthology drops three seasons of bite‑sized adventures, eac

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May 16 2026SCIENCE

Brains Arrive Packed, Not Blank

Scientists have discovered that newborn mice already possess a dense web of brain connections, especially in the hippocampus where memory is formed. Instead of building these links slowly after birth, the brain seems to start out with more connections than needed and then prunes away the extras as i

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May 16 2026LIFESTYLE

Summer Fun Starts Soon at Bay County Community Center

Registration has begun for the 2026 Summer Recreation Program at the Bay County Community Center, kicking off on June 8 and wrapping up July 30. The program welcomes kids between 5 and 14 years old, offering a mix of sports, field trips, and arts projects. Sessions run from 8 a. m. to 12:30 p.

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May 16 2026OPINION

California’s New Platform Misses the Mark

The state rolled out a new online tool aimed at boosting civic participation and restoring faith in politics. The idea sounds promising, but many voters see it as a façade after the recent vote that ended independent redistricting. A majority chose to keep partisan control over how districts are dra

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