LND topic: central-community page 1

central community

Life in the South Was a Misfit, Back to New England

July 11, 2026

A woman from Connecticut moved north‑to‑south in 2021, hoping the South’s sunny weather and cheaper homes would make her life easier. She first settled in Charleston, staying in a friend’s apartment while testing the waters. Four months later she found traffic jams, higher living costs, and a nightl

education

Louisiana’s Learning Leap: Gains and Gaps

July 11, 2026

The state has moved far from the bottom of education rankings. In 2026, 36% of students met or beat state expectations on the LEAP tests – the best rate ever recorded. Students from grades 3‑8 grew in math, science and social studies, while English scores stayed flat. High schoolers improved or he

crypto

Crypto Tax Rules Around the World: What You Need to Know

July 11, 2026

Cryptocurrency is no longer a gray area for tax offices. Most governments now see digital coins as either property, commodities, or capital assets, and they tax people when those assets are sold, swapped, spent, or even received for free. The rules vary a lot from one country to another, so it can b

entertainment

A Fresh Take on the 2023 Storm Impact

July 11, 2026

The storm that hit the Midwest in early November brought unprecedented flooding and power outages to several towns. In the heart of the region, farmers found their fields soaked to the bottom and some even had to evacuate. Local authorities scrambled to clear debris from roads that were suddenly imp

politics

Climate Forecasts: A Call for Open Debate

July 11, 2026

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, recently spoke at a state fair where he highlighted that climate forecasts are not fixed predictions but rather ranges of possible outcomes. He warned against branding anyone who questions these projections as “science deniers. ” Zeldin

health

Vaccines: Why We Must Keep Them in the Spotlight

July 11, 2026

The world has seen vaccines save countless lives, yet new myths on social media are pushing people away from them. Recent data shows that children born in 2020‑21 received fewer routine shots than those born a year earlier, and flu vaccination rates fell by more than seven percent. When the rate of

politics

A Fresh Look at the Book and Essay of a Church Leader

July 11, 2026

President Dallin H. Oaks began writing the opening for his new book, “Learning the Great Fundamentals, ” on September 21 while he was still the first counselor in the First Presidency. Six days later, President Russell M. Nelson passed away and Oaks became the 18th president of The Church of Jesus C

health

Faith Leaders Share How Churches Can Fight Childhood Obesity in Hispanic Communities

July 11, 2026

A new study looks at how church leaders think about stopping obesity among Hispanic kids. The researchers talked to pastors and other faith figures in Arkansas, asking them how they could help families eat better. They used surveys first and then held longer chats with 30 leaders. The leaders said t

health

Older Adults with HIV: Redesigning Care Together

July 11, 2026

The fight against HIV has changed a lot. Antiretroviral medicine now lets people live long, healthy lives, so more seniors—those 50 and older—are living with the virus. These older patients often face several health problems at once, feel weaker, notice changes in memory, and take many medicines. Th

environment

Colombia Faces a Climate Crossroads

July 11, 2026

Colombia is about to change leaders, and with that shift comes a real chance that the country’s recent climate wins could slip away. The current environment chief, Irene Vélez Torres, says the new president might undo steps taken to protect the Amazon and curb pollution. She worries that a governmen