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May 20 2026POLITICS

Trump’s New White House Ballroom: A Bunker‑Like Dome With Drone Tech

Donald Trump introduced fresh details about a massive new space at the White House that he says will look like a bunker and can host up to 1, 000 guests. The building is planned to be 90, 000 square feet, larger than the historic residence itself. Trump told reporters that the structure will have a

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May 20 2026SCIENCE

NASA Wants More Small, Cheap Space Trips

NASA’s budget for science is about the same as it was two decades ago, even after a government push to cut spending. The agency’s new administrator focuses on human missions to the Moon and plans to replace a planned lunar space station with a surface base. He also wants a nuclear‑powered probe for

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May 20 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Summer Reads That Will Change Your Thinking

The new season is a chance to dive into books that push us beyond the ordinary. One story follows an author who grew up by a lake, faced bullying, and found his voice in ecology and poetry. He believes the planet is a living text that everyone can read if they look closely. Another book tells

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May 20 2026SCIENCE

Building a Whole New Yeast: The Power of Synthetic Chromosomes

Scientists have turned the humble yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, into a laboratory playground for big‑scale genetic tinkering. For years, yeast has been a favorite model organism because its genes can be easily changed and studied. Now researchers are moving beyond simple edits to rewrite entire

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Governor Loses School Board Seats in New Law

The state legislature passed a new bill that removes the governor’s right to sit on any of North Carolina’s school boards. This change means the governor will no longer have a direct say in education decisions at the local level. The move was approved after a debate that highlighted concerns about t

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May 20 2026CRIME

U. S. Opens New Probe Into Former Venezuelan Leader

The United States is starting a second criminal investigation into former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, which could lead to more charges against him. A U. S. Justice Department employee and another insider said the probe is being handled by the Miami office of the U. S. Attorney’s Office and

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May 20 2026OPINION

Boulder County’s Battle Against Cheatgrass

Boulder County owns or protects more than 108, 000 acres of open space. The land is a mix of county property and private parcels that have been sealed with conservation easements thanks to taxpayer money. Once the land was secured, a duty followed: keep it healthy and safe. The county’s plan says t

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May 20 2026FINANCE

Averi Eyes Johannesburg Debut via Mining Deal

Dubai‑based Averi Finance plans to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange by merging with South African miner Mantengu Ltd. The move would give Averi a foothold in Africa and bring its diverse energy projects into the public market. The deal hinges on Mantengu issuing 650 million new shares, a m

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Portland’s Big Building Dilemma

The city is rethinking a plan that would have turned the school district’s office into a family shelter. The proposal, which would cost about $14 million to renovate, was dropped by the finance committee last week. The building on Cumberland Avenue is 56 000 square feet and currently houses the d

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May 20 2026WEATHER

Heat Is on: Reno and Tahoe Warm Up Before Memorial Day

Reno is turning up the heat as the week goes on, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid‑to‑upper 80s by the time Memorial Day rolls around. The National Weather Service says a ridge of high pressure will settle over the area by mid‑week, bringing sunny skies and drier air across Western

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