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ken merchant

Behind the Scenes: The Battle Over a Key Climate Research Hub

March 17, 2026

A major dispute has erupted over a respected climate research center in Colorado, with its leaders accusing the federal government of targeting the lab as political revenge. The center, known for tracking weather patterns and atmospheric changes, was founded by a group of 129 universities across Nor

weather

Stormy Skies Over New England: Wind, Floods, and Quick Temperature Swings

March 17, 2026

Monday in Boston brings a messy mix of rain and wind, turning the usual evening trip home into something slower and trickier. Steady downpours drench the city, leaving standing water on roads and making it hard to see ahead. Thunder might join the rain show, adding sudden bursts of sound to the gloo

sports

March Madness Bracket Shake‑Ups: Who Made It, Who Missed Out

March 16, 2026

The NCAA tournament brackets are in and the surprises are already talking. Some schools that dominated their seasons barely made it, while a few underdogs got the nods they deserved. Miami (Ohio) finished 31‑0, but a weak schedule and a first‑round loss in the MAC tournament left its at‑large hop

science

Rocket Journeys: From Tiny Beginnings to Giant Dreams

March 16, 2026

The first liquid‑fuel rocket, named “Nell, ” lifted only 41 feet on its debut a century ago. Though modest, it sparked the era of spaceflight that would see humans walk on the Moon decades later. Celebrating this milestone, several staff members share their most memorable launch experiences. One

sports

Field Moves to Chiefs, Jets Look Ahead

March 16, 2026

The New York Jets have decided to part ways with quarterback Justin Fields after just one season. A trade has been arranged, sending Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth‑round draft pick slated for 2027. The deal lets the Jets keep a portion of Fields’ contract, but they will sti

weather

Snowstorm Leaves a Trail of White in Minnesota

March 16, 2026

The heavy snowfall that swept across Minnesota this weekend has finally stopped, leaving behind a mix of impressive and modest winter layers. In the southeastern part of the state, residents reported the heaviest drifts, with many areas receiving close to a foot of new snow. Wabasha was the ha

politics

A Quiet Loss in the Skies

March 16, 2026

In a tragic event last week, six U. S. military members died when a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. The incident happened over friendly airspace and is still under investigation. One of the victims was Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, a 34‑year‑old fr

weather

Storm Alert: Strong Winds and Possible Tornadoes Hit Central North Carolina

March 16, 2026

A powerful cold front is moving into central North Carolina, sparking a rare Level 4 severe weather warning. The forecast calls for widespread thunderstorms that could bring strong wind gusts and even a few long‑track tornadoes. Winds up to 40 mph are expected across the day, not just in storms, and

politics

A Sudden Loss in Texas: An Afghan Family’s Tragic Day

March 16, 2026

Paktyawal, a 41‑year‑old Afghan veteran who had fled the war and sought asylum in the United States, died less than a day after being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Dallas suburb of Richardson. The incident unfolded on a Friday morning when masked agents surro

health

Medical Meeting Raises Big Questions About Teen Trans Care

March 16, 2026

In a recent gathering, the head of Medicare and Medicaid met with leaders from the country’s top medical groups to talk about a hot topic: how doctors treat teens who feel their body does not match their gender. The discussion centered on whether the treatments that can change a teen’s body—such as