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May 15 2026BUSINESS

How AI is reshaping jobs in unexpected ways

A well-known tax software company in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, just let go of 170 workers. That’s about 9% of its total staff. The company, called Vertex, explained they’re shifting focus to AI tools. They want to become more automated and efficient. But this move isn’t sitting well with local

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May 14 2026HEALTH

Weather‑Driven Lung Infection Threatens 1, 000 Lives Annually

Valley fever is a lung disease caused by spores from the fungus Coccidioides, which thrives in dry soil across parts of the southwestern United States and south‑central Washington. The illness can be fatal, with up to 1, 000 deaths reported each year. A study in Phoenix showed that the risk of infe

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May 14 2026SCIENCE

How Fast Should You Really Drive to Save Gas?

Driving faster than 55 mph can drain your wallet faster than you think. Most cars guzzle gas the most when pushed beyond this speed. The difference is noticeable—going from 45 mph to 75 mph can make a car burn 25% more fuel. That’s like buying four gallons of gas and only getting three. Why? The mai

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May 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

Dust storms hit Illinois roads, raising safety concerns

Illinois is seeing more dust storms these days, and they’re not just an annoyance—they’re a serious danger. Strong winds can lift dry soil from farm fields, creating sudden walls of dust that reduce visibility to almost zero. These storms can appear quickly, turning highways into risky zones for dri

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May 13 2026EDUCATION

Canvas struggles after hack: What students and schools are still facing

Last week, a hacking group called Shinyhunters reportedly breached the Canvas online learning platform. The company behind Canvas, Instructure, managed to get the service back online after making a deal with the hackers. But even though Canvas is running again, many users are still dealing with prob

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Why Roller Rabbit Got Away with Staying in Nantucket

Nantucket has a rule to protect its small-town charm: no big chain stores. But Roller Rabbit, a trendy sleepwear brand, found a loophole. Instead of closing up, it rebranded as a "general store, " selling other brands alongside its own. Now, locals are frustrated because this seems like a sneaky way

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May 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

Big Tech’s Hot New Problem: Utah’s Looming AI Factory

In Utah’s quiet Hansel Valley, a single project is forcing the country to face the messy reality of AI. Spread across 40, 000 acres—an area bigger than many cities—the proposed Stratos AI campus isn’t just a collection of servers. It’s a power-guzzling monster that could drain more electricity than

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May 13 2026POLITICS

Why Iran’s Nuclear Stance Matters More Than Gas Prices Right Now

President Trump recently made clear that Iran getting a nuclear weapon tops his list of concerns—even if it means Americans spend more at the pump. When asked if tougher rules on Iran could hurt wallets amid rising costs, he flat-out said, “Not even a little bit. ” His focus stays locked on preventi

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May 12 2026FINANCE

Gas Prices Jump on Hot Weather and Global Supply Worries

A sharp rise in U. S. natural gas prices last week surprised many who thought supplies were plentiful. Forecasters now predict a hot week ahead, which could push power plants to burn more gas for air conditioning. Demand might climb higher, but the real spark came from worries over Middle Eastern su

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May 12 2026BUSINESS

When water vanishes: How a break left a town high and dry

Downtown Lake Orion turned eerily quiet after a big pipe cracked early Sunday morning. On Monday, most shops stayed shut while crews worked to fix the damage. The loss of water hit restaurants hardest, especially since Sunday was Mother’s Day—a day usually packed with families dining out. One local

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