LND topic: ann-sylvester page 1

ann sylvester

New Coach Joins 49ers: Jerry Gray’s Big Move

February 17, 2026

Jerry Gray has signed on with the San Francisco 49ers, bringing a wealth of defensive knowledge to the team. The announcement comes after Gray spent three seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. His exact duties with the 49ers are still being fina

religion

St Peter’s Steps Up Security Without Turning Into a Fort

February 17, 2026

The Vatican plans to tighten safety inside St Peter’s Basilica after a few vandal incidents, but officials want to keep the site from feeling like a military base. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti said that more than 20 million people visited the basilica last year, and that the recent trouble was a tiny

finance

Uruguay’s New Debt Strategy: Going Local and Growing Global

February 17, 2026

In a bold move, Uruguay’s finance chief announced that the country will start issuing half of its government debt in its own currency, the peso. This change is part of a wider plan to reduce reliance on the U. S. dollar and shield the economy from foreign currency swings. Back in the early 2000s, a

business

Closing Days of a Footshop Legacy

February 17, 2026

Footworks, a local shoe repair and orthotics shop that had been part of the community for almost five decades, is closing its doors. The business began in 1978 when Gary Lavoie and his wife Dorothy turned a tax refund into a new venture after their tree‑cutting company failed during a severe blizzar

politics

Mayor Pushes for Change in LA Olympic Leadership

February 17, 2026

The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, has urged the chair of the 2028 Olympic planning committee to resign. She said this after documents from the U. S. Justice Department showed emails between the chair, Casey Wasserman, and Ghislaine Maxwell, a known sex trafficker. These messages date back

politics

California’s Clean‑Energy Deal Faces Hot Debate

February 17, 2026

The state signed a partnership with the United Kingdom that promises almost a billion dollars for green projects, but many see it as another costly misstep. The agreement was announced by California’s governor and the UK’s energy minister, aiming to speed up climate action. Critics argue that

environment

Kayak‑Kids Save a River: How One Teen’s Journey Changed a Whole Nation

February 17, 2026

A 17‑year‑old student from Ashland, Oregon, paddled the full length of a once‑dammed river that flows into the Pacific. Over 30 days she and her friends faced rapid waters, narrow channels, and a river that had been cut off by four hydroelectric dams for more than a hundred years. Their trip was the

politics

Iowa Republicans Step Back on Abortion Ban Bill

February 17, 2026

Iowa Republicans have decided not to push forward with a bill that would ban all abortions in the state. The bill, which would have made performing an abortion a serious crime, did not have enough support to move forward. The bill's main supporter, Rep. Jon Dunwell, said that the bill did not have t

entertainment

MobLand Season 2: Bigger, Bolder, and Better?

February 17, 2026

The second season of MobLand is shaping up to be a wild ride. Fans of the crime drama can expect a significant upgrade from the first season. Emmett J. Scanlan, who plays Paul O'Donnell, gave a sneak peek into what's in store. He described the upcoming episodes as "insane" and "bananas, " hinting at

crypto

Russia's Crypto Boom: Big Money, Big Rules

February 17, 2026

Russia is seeing a lot of crypto action. People there are spending about 50 billion rubles ($648 million) on crypto every day. That's a huge amount! The government is taking notice. They want to make rules for this fast-growing market. The finance ministry and central bank are pushing for quick act