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blake scott ball

A look at the changing face of Southwest Florida's growing areas

April 17, 2026

Southwest Florida is seeing a wave of new construction that’s reshaping the landscape from Estero to Bonita Springs. One of the biggest hotspots is the Coconut Point corridor, where billions are being poured into high-rises, sports complexes, and entertainment hubs. The Estero Sports Park Complex is

business

Nusenda Upgrades Uptown Site with a Modern Hub

April 17, 2026

New Mexico’s biggest credit union is trading its older Uptown branch for a sleek, six-lane drive-thru and a bigger parking lot. The new two-story building, sitting on what used to be a movie theater parking area, will open in early 2027. Instead of walking into a teller line, customers will roll up

sports

Boston Marathon 2026: Where Runners, Stars, and Causes Collide

April 17, 2026

Every April, Boston turns into a running party with its famous 26. 2-mile race. Some people run for personal bests, but the event also attracts a mix of athletes, stars, and public figures. The 2026 lineup includes names you might recognize from sports, politics, TV, and even space. But this race is

crime

Ex-NBA player Damon Jones caught in two gambling scandals

April 17, 2026

Damon Jones, a former NBA player turned coach, is about to take his first legal step in a big gambling case. He’s expected to plead guilty in a wide investigation that’s already led to over 30 arrests. These include gamblers, mob-linked figures, and other basketball insiders. His court date was move

politics

Plans to upgrade St. Paul's biggest event space without raising taxes

April 17, 2026

Every year over 2 million people visit St. Paul's main entertainment venue, a cluster of aging buildings from different eras that somehow still host everything from small concerts to college basketball tournaments. The city has tried before to get major upgrades funded, but each attempt has been rej

sports

Scholarships given to three students at big sports games

April 17, 2026

A Brooklyn student named Levi Butler got a big surprise when he received a $60, 000 scholarship at a Knicks game. The money came from a foundation that helps kids in tough situations. Butler met Jalen Brunson, a Knicks player, who gave him the check before the game started. After the game, Brunson h

sports

Oklahoma’s Rough Patch and Room for Growth

April 17, 2026

Oklahoma’s softball team took a surprising hit this week, losing two games in a row for the first time this season. Their top-ranked status didn’t stop Oklahoma State from pulling off a strong win, leaving the Sooners with a tough lesson to learn. Coach Gasso wasn’t happy, calling their effort "unac

business

Downtown Baltimore sees growth in visitors while crime rates drop

April 17, 2026

Baltimore’s downtown area is getting more popular with visitors, while crime is going down. A recent report shows the city had 28. 5 million visitors last year, spending over $4. 3 billion—that’s a 7. 5% increase from the year before. Big events like the CIAA tournaments have brought nearly $110 mil

politics

Benin’s Next Leader Steps Forward with Big Win

April 17, 2026

Benin’s top court recently made it official—the country’s new president will be Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni. His victory in last weekend’s election was confirmed with a massive 94. 27% of the vote, leaving his only rival, Paul Hounkpè, far behind at just 5. 73%. The turnout reached 63. 57%, sho

crime

Former Joliet worker admits to stealing from his own workplace

April 17, 2026

A finance chief in Joliet who handled public money for years got caught using it for personal trips, shows, and even sports games instead of running the park district’s budget. The man worked as the top financial officer from 2013 to 2019, earning over $100, 000 each year before his own office notic