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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

New Orleans Moves Fast: A Fresh Start for the City

The mayor and her team are already making changes that people want. They fixed street lights in the East, made sure the police budget is fully paid, and began a new streets program in Tremé. These moves show that the city cares about improving neighborhoods. Yet outside the city, national politics

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Feb 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

New Play Hub Opens and High‑Speed Internet Arrives

A fresh entertainment spot is set to welcome visitors on March 7. The Clubhouse Family Fun Centre, built by Nittany Valley Sports Centre, will offer a mix of arcade titles and virtual reality adventures. Among its attractions is a first‑in‑North America six‑person VR starship that guides players thr

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Feb 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Fresh Hangout Below The Forge

In late January, a new spot opened in downtown Salem’s historic building known as The Forge. The venue sits on the basement floor at 285 Liberty St. NE and offers a relaxed space for gatherings of all kinds. The owner, Nat Borchers, runs Back Line Real Estate and co‑owns The Forge. He used to play

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Feb 13 2026LIFESTYLE

When Respect Becomes a Service

A Chinese gig‑app that let people pay for someone to bow at Lunar New Year celebrations was shut down after users complained. The service showed a worker in orange, kneeling before an elderly couple, and many people found the idea offensive. Critics said turning filial piety into a paid act hurt

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

A Quiet Town Stands Together After Tragedy

In the small community of Tumbler Ridge, located deep in British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains, leaders from across Canada gathered to honor those lost in a recent shooting that shocked the nation. Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with opposition figures Pierre Poilievre and Yves‑François Blanchet, pu

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

California’s Jail Death Review: A Promise Gone Cold

A new law was meant to shine a light on deaths that happen in county jails. The idea was simple: an independent office would look into every case, tell families what happened, and make sure mistakes were fixed. But a year after the law went live, no single review has been finished. The problem star

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Feb 13 2026EDUCATION

Clairton's Creative Shift: From Football Fame to Future Makers

Clairton, a small town in Pennsylvania, is known for its strong football team, the Bears. But now, the town is trying something new to help its students. The Clairton City School District has started a program called Beartopia. It's a fun way to teach kids about leadership, responsibility, and creat

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Feb 13 2026SPORTS

New Money, New Game: How Private Investors Are Changing College Sports

College sports are getting a financial boost from an unexpected source: private equity. The University of Utah has just made history by teaming up with a private equity firm to support its athletics programs. This deal is a big shift from the usual way things are done. The university has set up a fo

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Feb 13 2026FINANCE

Chicago's Bold Move: Selling Unpaid Debt to Investors

Chicago is taking a big step. It wants to sell about $1 billion in debt. This debt comes from things like unpaid parking tickets. The city is hoping investors will buy this debt. But there's a catch. A top finance official says this is risky. The official warns it might be costly. Investors might no

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Feb 13 2026BUSINESS

Africa's Creative Boom: Big Money Moves In

A new fund is making waves in Africa's creative scene. The Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) is putting $50 million into African stories. This money will go into films, TV shows, and new media projects. The fund wants to show that Africa's creative industry is not just a small market. It's a big opp

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