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Mar 17 2026BUSINESS

Future Firefighters Get a Boost in Ponchatoula

Air Products has given $18, 000 to the Ponchatoula Volunteer Fire Department’s High School Program. The money will help ten students start a career in emergency services during the 2025‑2026 school year. The grant comes from Air Products Lake Maurepas Community Fund, a local charity arm of the co

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Mar 17 2026POLITICS

Spy Firm Visit Sparks Slovenian Election Fears

Slovenia’s political scene stirs after reports that a private Israeli intelligence company may have met with the opposition leader just before the country’s election. A group of journalists and activists say that representatives from the firm, known for its work in high‑profile investigations, flew

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Mar 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Fun Night at the Opera House Helps a Local Food Bank

Gardiner’s Johnson Hall Opera House is hosting an entertaining evening on March 21 to raise money for the Chrysalis Place Food Bank. The show, starting at 7:30 p. m. , mixes music, comedy, circus tricks and dance. Attendees can enjoy acts such as the Cowboy Angels, juggler Shane Miclon, the band B

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Mar 17 2026POLITICS

How U. S. Health Policy Changes Sparked Legal Battles

In early 2025, the Trump administration pushed major changes to U. S. healthcare rules, touching everything from vaccine guidelines to research funding. These moves led to multiple lawsuits from states, medical groups, and advocacy organizations. One key change involved removing COVID-19 shots from

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Mar 17 2026POLITICS

Federal prosecutors push back after judge blocks Powell subpoenas

A federal judge recently stopped prosecutors from asking for documents tied to renovations at the U. S. Federal Reserve’s headquarters. The judge also blocked requests for testimony from Fed Chair Jerome Powell about those expenses. The judge argued there was little proof of wrongdoing but plenty of

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Mar 17 2026POLITICS

Court Stops President From Holding Back Billions in Funds

A federal court recently ruled against a plan that would have frozen trillions in federal aid. The case involved the Trump administration’s attempt to pause spending on government programs back in early 2025. The pause affected up to $3 trillion, covering grants, loans, and other financial support.

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Mar 17 2026POLITICS

Spain's King Faces the Shadows of History

For the first time, Spain’s royal family has openly talked about the country’s colonial past. During a recent visit to Madrid’s archaeology museum, King Felipe VI admitted that colonial laws often failed to protect Indigenous people. He pointed out that forced labor, stolen land, and violence were r

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Mar 17 2026EDUCATION

How Michigan is trying to fix its childcare worker shortage

Michigan is facing a big problem—there aren’t enough people working in childcare. Research shows that in most ZIP codes, there are way more young kids than spots in daycares or preschools. That makes it hard for parents to find care and for kids to get a strong start before kindergarten. A new prog

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Mar 17 2026ENVIRONMENT

Cold nights ahead: Baton Rouge steps up to help

Baton Rouge is getting ready for another stretch of chilly nights, with temperatures predicted to dip into the upper 30s. To keep people safe from the cold, a local shelter will open its doors this Monday and Tuesday evenings. The St. Vincent de Paul shelter, found at 1623 Convention St, will provid

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Mar 17 2026WEATHER

Stormy Skies Over New England: Wind, Floods, and Quick Temperature Swings

Monday in Boston brings a messy mix of rain and wind, turning the usual evening trip home into something slower and trickier. Steady downpours drench the city, leaving standing water on roads and making it hard to see ahead. Thunder might join the rain show, adding sudden bursts of sound to the gloo

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