POLICY

Mar 30 2026POLITICS

New Jersey Hikes Bets and Taxes for World Cup Safety

New Jersey lawmakers are looking at raising money from sports betting to cover extra security for the World Cup. A Senate budget leader has drafted a bill that would add a 10 percent tax on the money casinos earn from online bets during the tournament. The extra charge would last until August 10. T

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Mar 30 2026POLITICS

Medical School Curriculum Shift: A New Focus on Self‑Learning

The main accrediting body for U. S. medical schools has changed its teaching requirements for the 2027‑28 academic year. The new rules no longer explicitly ask students to study health disparities or the social forces that shape patient outcomes. Instead, they emphasize skills in independent l

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Mar 30 2026HEALTH

Birmingham Water Switches Off Fluoride, Residents Upset

The city of Birmingham found out that its tap water had stopped containing fluoride, a fact that was actually decided years earlier without the public’s knowledge. Some treatment plants began removing fluoride as early as 2023, and a third stopped in March 2024. The utility company, Central Alabama

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Mar 30 2026POLITICS

Spain blocks US war planes from its skies

Spain has decided to shut its airspace to U. S. military aircraft that are part of strikes against Iran. This move follows earlier statements that Spain would not allow its bases to be used for the conflict. The restriction means U. S. jets must fly around Spain on their way to targets in the Middle

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Mar 29 2026POLITICS

Rebuilding Youth Care in Maine: A Call to Act

The state’s newest plan for the Long Creek Youth Development Center keeps delaying real help for young people who need it. Instead of opening the doors to new programs, lawmakers have swapped a clear timeline for five years of “studies. ” This change means the center will stay stuck, without fres

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Mar 28 2026POLITICS

US Troops Arrive as Trump Weighs Possible Ground Action

U. S. forces are moving toward the Middle East, bringing a mix of marines and airborne soldiers to a region where diplomatic talks with Iran are still fragile. The deployment includes about 2, 000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne who can drop into action within a day of notice, and several hundre

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Mar 28 2026HEALTH

Judge Strikes Back to Restore Science‑Based Vaccine Rules

A federal judge in Boston recently reversed a controversial change to the U. S. vaccination schedule that had been pushed by the Health and Human Services Secretary. The new rules, introduced in January, trimmed the recommended vaccines from 16 to 11 and altered other timing guidelines. Those change

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Mar 28 2026ENVIRONMENT

Renewable Power Isn’t the Cheap Fix It Sounds Like

The idea that wind and solar automatically lower electricity bills is a myth. A series of posts by an analyst named Steve Carson shows that while renewable plants produce power for almost no fuel cost, the grid still has to pay a lot for flexibility, backup and wiring. The article first looks at Chi

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Mar 28 2026ENVIRONMENT

How Colorado can lead the energy change

Colorado sits at a crossroads between growing energy needs and a fast-expanding clean power industry. Lawmakers have two major tools on the table in 2026 that could shape the state’s economic future. One plan sets long-term targets for clean electricity by 2050, giving utilities a clear roadmap for

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Mar 28 2026OPINION

Oakland schools face another challenge: a lawsuit over heritage months

Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) runs on tight funds, serving mostly low-income students who need stable classrooms more than legal battles. Yet the state education department just filed a lawsuit claiming the district didn't do enough to fight antisemitism—despite no clear evidence of widespr

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