U S THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

May 12 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Behind the Playboy Mansion’s shiny walls

The Playboy Mansion used to be seen as a dream home for young women starting in the modeling world. But for Holly Madison, who moved in around 2001, it turned out to be a strange and uncomfortable place. She recently spoke about her time there, describing how the mansion felt more like a cult than a

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May 12 2026WEATHER

How the Pacific\'s shifting waters could shape our year ahead

The Pacific Ocean is quietly undergoing a major shift that could reshape weather patterns across America. Deep beneath the surface, a growing mass of unusually warm water is making its way eastward, pushed by shifting winds. When it reaches the central Pacific later this year, it could trigger one o

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May 12 2026WEATHER

What to expect with Bay Area’s shifting weather this week

The Bay Area is bracing for a hot Monday, but relief is on the way sooner than expected. While earlier predictions warned of even higher temperatures, forecasters now say the peak won’t be as extreme. A marine layer has been pushing cooler air into the region faster than anticipated, softening the w

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May 12 2026POLITICS

New Local Pay Rule Passes Despite State Objections

The city recently approved a new rule about how much workers must earn in small businesses. Government leaders voted yes even though state officials warned them it could cause legal trouble. Normally, when higher-level leaders say no, cities listen. This time, they didn’t. Not everyone agrees with

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May 12 2026SPORTS

Golf is Changing: What’s Next for the Sport’s Big Names?

The head of the USGA recently spoke about how golf is shifting under new leadership and rising talent. One big change? The U. S. Open now lets top LIV Golf players compete directly, without needing to qualify through the usual PGA Tour routes. This move gives LIV stars a fair shot at major tournamen

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May 12 2026HEALTH

Staying Active Starts Early: Predicting Mobility Problems Before They Begin

The world’s population is aging quickly, and governments worry about what that means for public health. One big concern is mobility – the ability to move around freely. Once people start having trouble walking or standing, their quality of life drops fast. Researchers believe catching these problems

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May 12 2026HEALTH

Staten Island trains workers to spot suicide and overdose risks at the same time

Staten Island is tackling two big problems—overdose deaths and suicide—by teaching frontline workers how to handle both at once. Around 300 people have already gone through a six-part training that mixes mental health and drug-use screening. The idea is to catch warning signs early, whether someone

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May 12 2026FINANCE

Micron’s Tech Struggles: Why Investors Should Think Twice

The memory chip industry isn’t new to ups and downs, but Micron’s current phase stands out as a textbook example of industry cycles in action. Analysts often warn that past success doesn’t guarantee future wins, especially in fast-moving sectors like semiconductor manufacturing. The bigger question

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May 12 2026POLITICS

Public schools vs. private school funding: should taxpayers pay for faith-based learning?

Some people get upset when they see their tax money going toward private schools. Why? Because many private schools teach religion as part of their lessons. In places like Louisiana, a new program uses taxpayer funds for private education. That means money from regular schools, libraries, and even p

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May 12 2026SCIENCE

Brain cells that change roles: What this new study tells us about brain health

Scientists recently corrected a key research paper about brain cells called microglia. These tiny cells act like the brain’s cleanup crew and defense team mixed together. Instead of being identical, they switch between different roles depending on what the brain needs at the time. This flexibility h

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