FUNDING

Apr 08 2026POLITICS

A Quick Look at Massachusetts' Health Funding Fix

Massachusetts just set aside another $300 million to keep public workers' health plans running until summer. Lawmakers pushed this through fast, signing the bill the same day it cleared both chambers. The money targets the Group Insurance Commission, which handles health plans for roughly 460, 000 p

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Apr 07 2026POLITICS

NASA’s science budget faces another big cut—what’s really at stake?

For the second year in a row, a new budget plan suggests slashing NASA’s science spending by nearly half. If passed, missions studying planets, stars, and Earth’s climate could be delayed or scrapped entirely. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch soon, and missions to Titan and near-

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Apr 07 2026POLITICS

More hands join to manage housing help in Richmond

Richmond is testing a new plan to hand out housing aid money without going through usual city channels. Instead of using government workers, private groups will decide who gets the funds. Officials hope this will speed things up and reach people faster. The move raises questions. Why switch to outs

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Apr 06 2026POLITICS

Science Talk: How Words Got Tricky in Trump’s Climate Work

In a federal research office, one word was banned from conversations. “Climate” and its cousins were off limits after a memo from top USDA officials told staff to steer clear of over 100 phrases that could hint at climate science. The order came in March, and it forced scientists to rewrite their pr

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Apr 06 2026EDUCATION

School Board Plans New Kid’s Building Without a Voter Vote

The Ravenna School Board will meet on April 7 to talk about a new elementary school that the district hopes to build without asking voters for extra money. The meeting starts at 4 p. m. in the board office on East Summit Street, where an architect will show a design that would rely largely on fundin

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Apr 05 2026EDUCATION

Budget Crunch Forces School District to Weigh Tax Hikes

Spring Cove School District faces a $2 million gap for the 2026‑27 school year. The district plans to spend about $34 million, while revenue is only $32 million, a difference that could threaten programs and maintenance. The projected costs are up 2. 5 percent from last year, whereas revenue grew

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Apr 05 2026POLITICS

Why U. S. scientists pick Europe over a country that cuts science funds

Wali Malik wasn’t planning to leave the U. S. He lived near Boston with his wife and three kids, close to his parents in Washington. Then came the money cuts. Federal grants dried up. Friends in labs started getting pink slips. Research teams shrank. One day the phone rang – a job offer from a brand

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Apr 04 2026EDUCATION

A Parent’s Take on Running for School Board

Ryan Towner isn’t just another name on the ballot for Jefferson City’s school board—he’s a dad with four kids in local elementary schools and a lifelong resident. His campaign isn’t about flashy promises but about rolling up his sleeves to tackle real challenges schools face. With three seats open,

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Apr 04 2026POLITICS

A Plan to Bring Alcatraz Back as a Prison

The U. S. government recently proposed spending $152 million to reopen Alcatraz Island as a working prison. This idea follows a suggestion from last year to turn the historic site back into a high-security facility. The money would cover the first year of rebuilding, but Congress usually ignores suc

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Apr 04 2026POLITICS

Better Schools Today, Stronger Community Tomorrow

Alaska’s schools serve over 45, 000 students daily, yet many buildings date back to the 1950s and 60s. These aging facilities face problems like leaky roofs, outdated electrical systems, and limited accessibility. Proposition 1 puts this reality on the ballot, asking voters to approve upgrades that

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