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Dec 31 2025OPINION

Schools in the Crosshairs: Immigration Raids and Their Impact on Education

In a community where 45% of public school students are Latino, the sudden increase in Border Patrol activity has sparked concern among parents and educators. The government's goal to arrest 5, 000 individuals has led to raids in places where people congregate, including schools. This shift in strate

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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

Iowa Families Face Health Care Cost Hike: Who's to Blame?

In Iowa, a single mother's struggle to afford health care is becoming more difficult. Jenny Turner, a speech language pathologist, is facing a significant increase in her health insurance premiums. Starting in January, her monthly premium will jump from $191 to $342, a 79% increase. This hike is not

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Dec 31 2025POLITICS

A Stand for Genuine Republican Values

In today's political landscape, the term "Republican" often conjures images of election denial and vaccine skepticism. Amidst this, one voice stands out: Rusty Hills. He's been a beacon of fiscal responsibility, character, and upholding core American values. This year, he joined the Freep's team of

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Dec 30 2025BUSINESS

Buying a Home: Easier Now, But Saving for a Down Payment Remains Tough

Home prices across the country are not rising as fast as they used to. In fact, they are almost the same as they were a year ago. Some cities, like Chicago and New York, have seen prices go up. But others, like Tampa and Phoenix, have seen prices drop. Mortgage rates have also gone down. The averag

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Dec 30 2025WEATHER

St. Cloud's Snowy December: A Winter Wonderland

St. Cloud has seen a lot of snow this December. The National Weather Service reports that the city has already received 15. 7 inches of snow. This is way more than usual for this time of year. Normally, St. Cloud gets about 8. 7 inches of snow in December. So, they are already 7 inches above average

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Dec 30 2025CELEBRITIES

Denim Reinvented: How Celebrities Made Jeans Exciting Again

Denim is not new. It has been around for a long time. But in 2025, celebrities showed that it can still be exciting. They wore jeans in many different ways. Some were tight. Some were loose. Some had patches. Others had drawstrings. This made denim look fresh and new. One popular trend was cuffed j

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Dec 30 2025POLITICS

The Power of Words: How Affordability Reshaped the 2025 Elections

In 2025, a single word changed the game in politics. That word was "affordability. " It wasn't just a buzzword. It became a powerful tool that shifted how people thought about their lives and their votes. For years, politicians talked about the economy. They threw around numbers like GDP and job gr

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Dec 30 2025HEALTH

Long-Term Effects of Terrorism: How Parents' Mental Health Affects Their Kids

A recent study looked at how terrorism can shape a family's future. It focused on parents who went through a terrorist attack and their kids, who were children at the time. The study wanted to see if the parents' mental health struggles after the attack had any long-term effects on their kids. The

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Dec 30 2025POLITICS

How Trump's Policies Slowed Crime in America

Crime rates in the U. S. have dropped significantly since January 2025. Murders fell by nearly 20%, and violent crimes decreased by over 10%. Property crimes also saw a decline of more than 12%, according to data from the FBI and other sources. Trump's administration has taken several steps to addr

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Dec 29 2025POLITICS

A New Chapter in Cambodia and Thailand's Border Dispute

In a move to calm tensions, Cambodia and Thailand's foreign ministers met with China's foreign minister in a province near the disputed border. This meeting happened just two days after both countries signed a new ceasefire agreement. The fighting had been going on for weeks, killing over 100 people

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