RAIN

Apr 07 2026WEATHER

Rain check on the way for Sonoma County this week

Spring in Northern California doesn’t usually bring much rain, but this week could buck that trend. Forecasts suggest a short spell of wet weather is heading to Sonoma County and the wider Bay Area starting Wednesday night. Rainfall is expected to stick around until Friday morning, bringing small bu

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Apr 07 2026BUSINESS

Russian grain ship rescued after fire at sea

Early last week, a cargo ship loaded with wheat came under attack in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the vessel, setting it ablaze and causing it to sink partially. The event was caught on video, showing thick smoke rising from the stricken ship. Rescue crews later found it and t

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Apr 07 2026SPORTS

Better swings ahead? How VR trains racket players

Racket players often spend hours perfecting their strokes on the court or against a wall. Most training focusses on physical repetition under real-world conditions. But a growing number of coaches now add headsets and virtual environments to the drill sheet. New research gathers all controlled tr

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Apr 06 2026POLITICS

Ukraine Wins Back 480 Square Kilometres in the East

Ukrainian forces have reclaimed about 480 square kilometres of land in the southeast and east, a head‑count given by army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi after a visit to the front. The gains include eight villages in Dnipropetrovsk and four more in Zaporizhzhia. The army says the recovery happened since la

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Apr 06 2026ENVIRONMENT

Bay Area Weather Shifts: Rain Returns After Long Heatwave

The Bay Area’s unusual warm spell is about to flip. After weeks of unusually high temperatures, the weather is finally turning. Cool, moist air from the Pacific is pushing in, replacing the dry heat that kept skiers away from Tahoe’s slopes just a month ago. Most areas will see light rain by Thursd

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Apr 06 2026EDUCATION

Quick way into construction work in Billings

Billings is running a free-to-low-cost training program that jumps people straight into construction jobs. No prior experience is needed—just show up ready to learn. The course covers safety basics, how to handle tools, construction math, reading blueprint drawings, and how to behave on an actual jo

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Apr 05 2026POLITICS

Possible U. S. Envoy Visits to Kyiv Raise Questions About War Talks

Diplomatic activity around Ukraine may soon include a trip to Kyiv by two U. S. envoys, according to a top Ukrainian aide. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could arrive later this month, possibly just after Orthodox Easter on April 12. Kyiv’s official didn’t confirm who else might join, but mentioned

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Apr 05 2026EDUCATION

How Maryland Schools Are Changing the Game in Reading

Maryland has taken big steps to improve student literacy, but success isn’t guaranteed just by throwing money at the problem. The state set aside $10. 9 million to fund literacy coaches and expand the Science of Reading, a method backed by research. But will this be enough to move the needle? In 202

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Apr 05 2026POLITICS

What really matters in America today?

Politics and public health don’t mix well these days. A recent example? A neighbor in Ohio decided his morning meditation mattered more than an elderly woman’s life. He pulled the plug on her medical oxygen machine, claiming the hum disrupted his chakra alignment. The result? A felony charge for rec

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Apr 05 2026HEALTH

Rethinking Cravings: How Your Brain Learns to Prefer Healthier Foods

Many people feel stuck between wanting healthy meals and being pulled toward salty snacks or sweet treats without thinking. These preferences didn’t start randomly—they’re shaped by years of eating foods designed to hijack your brain’s reward system. Ultra-processed foods flood your body with artifi

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