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Jun 12 2026POLITICS

Alaska’s Future: Beyond the Pipeline Dream

Alaska has long been told that oil and gas are its lifeblood, but the truth is more complex. The state’s Permanent Fund, which gives residents dividends, comes from a mix of natural resources, not just oil. In fact, federal spending is the biggest employer here, and oil is no longer the dominant job

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Jun 12 2026POLITICS

Michigan Proposes New Rules for Retirement Funds to Dip into Crypto

Michigan is testing waters to let retirement funds invest in cryptocurrency—but under strict conditions. A pending bill, House Bill 4510, wants to change rules for public employee retirement systems, allowing them to add digital assets to investment portfolios. So far, the bill hasn’t become law, an

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Jun 11 2026HEALTH

How Idaho plans to spend $186 million on rural moms and babies

Idaho is getting serious about fixing gaps in care for mothers and young children in rural areas. The state health department just opened its first round of grants, offering $186 million from federal funds aimed at transforming rural healthcare. Alongside that, there’s an extra $1. 3 million set asi

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Jun 11 2026WEATHER

North Jersey braces for a couple of steamy days

North Jersey won’t get much of a break this week—temperatures are climbing, and so is the humidity. The National Weather Service says the area should expect a heat advisory starting Thursday at noon, stretching until 8 p. m. Friday. That covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex coun

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Jun 09 2026POLITICS

Alaska's Energy Choices: More Than Just One Big Project

Alaska’s energy future isn’t just about one massive gas line project. While the big question of liquified natural gas often steals the spotlight, the real challenge lies in balancing different energy needs across the state. From small homes to large industrial mines, everyone relies on energy that’s

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Jun 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Heat waves hurt maize crops more than dry air in Northeast China

Northeast China grows a lot of corn—about a third of the country’s total. But the weather there has been getting more extreme. Scientists looked at 40 years of corn harvests, plant growth records, and weather data from local stations. Instead of blaming just rainfall or drought, they tested how heat

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Jun 07 2026WEATHER

A warm start to summer in Washington with changing weather on the way

Washington and nearby areas are dealing with typical June heat this weekend, with daytime temperatures reaching the low 90s under partly cloudy skies. Humidity stays lower than expected for this time of year, making it feel less sticky than usual. Most places stay dry on Saturday, but a cold front m

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Jun 06 2026WEATHER

Federal Help Sought After Michigan’s Storm Chaos

Michigan’s governor has asked the federal government for disaster aid covering 43 counties that suffered heavy rain, rapid snowmelt and nine tornadoes from April 10 to 21. If the request is granted, money would go straight to people, businesses and local groups hit by the storms. The weather hit

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Jun 06 2026HEALTH

Milk scare in Idaho: what’s behind the raw milk illness outbreak?

Idaho is dealing with a growing problem: nearly 60 people have fallen ill after drinking raw milk in just two weeks. The infections started showing up around May 19, and most of the sick people drank milk from two different farms in North and southern Idaho. Health officials haven’t named the farms,

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Jun 06 2026OPINION

Michigan's Housing Puzzle: Can Fewer Rules Mean More Homes?

Michigan is facing a tough housing problem. Prices keep climbing and many young adults can't afford to buy a home. The issue isn't just about money. Rules and regulations make it harder to build new houses. These rules don't just slow down construction. They also limit choices for families looking f

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