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usda agencies

Education Department Faces Big Fight Over Its Future

March 22, 2026

A year ago, a former president signed an order that told the Education Secretary to start shutting down the department and hand its powers back to states. The goal was to make education more local, a plan that many conservatives have pushed for long time. The secretary said her main job was to “p

politics

A Hospital Hit in Sudan: A Tragic Toll

March 22, 2026

In the western part of Sudan’s Darfur region, a recent attack on a teaching hospital resulted in at least 64 deaths, including more than a dozen children, according to the World Health Organization. The strike also wounded around 89 people and left the facility unable to operate, officials noted on

opinion

Future Threats From a Misguided Decision

March 21, 2026

The first month after the air attacks on Iran has exposed several harsh truths. Although many senior Iranian officials were hit, the new supreme leader stands firm and refuses to back down. Reports from various agencies say that Israel’s campaign against the Islamic Republic included targeted killin

environment

Assessing the Legacy of an Old Aluminum Smelter

March 21, 2026

The last step in figuring out how much damage the former Columbia Falls smelter has caused to nature is now ready. A plan written by state and federal agencies, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and other partners will examine the site again and decide how to repair or pay for long‑term h

politics

Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Tensions Grow

March 21, 2026

Oil prices have climbed sharply, reaching around $120 a barrel amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East. The situation is complicated by threats to shipping lanes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces have warned against passing oil tankers. This has pushed U. S. gasolin

science

Mystery Lights in New York Sky: What Is Really Happening?

March 20, 2026

A video filmed over Queens shows three bright lights moving in a triangle. The clip lasts 18 seconds and ends with the lights disappearing suddenly. Witnesses say the motion is too precise for any known aircraft. The camera operator, who also flies drones, thinks ordinary planes or hobbyist robots

politics

A new plan for handling student loans shifts focus to the Treasury

March 20, 2026

The government just announced a three-step plan to move control of student loans to the Treasury Department. First, it will focus on loans that are already in default. Next, it will handle loans that are not yet in default, as long as it’s legally possible. Finally, the Treasury will help make sure

crime

The Arrest of a Notorious Drug Gang Boss

March 19, 2026

A key member of one of Ecuador’s largest drug trafficking groups has been taken into custody in Mexico City, marking a major step for law‑enforcement agencies across the region. The suspect, known by the nickname “Little Wolf, ” was previously wanted for his role in the 2023 murder of a president

crime

Hospice Clustering Sparks Medicare Fraud Scrutiny

March 19, 2026

A three‑story office plaza in Los Angeles is home to 89 licensed hospice agencies, a number that raises eyebrows among regulators. The building, known as Merabi Professional Medical Plaza, hosts a mix of businesses—from a salon to a realty firm—yet the bulk of its tenants are hospice providers. S

politics

New Rules for Homeschooling in Connecticut: What Parents Need to Know

March 19, 2026

The debate over how much state oversight should be given to families who teach their kids at home has finally ended with a narrow win for the bill. The measure, which some call House Bill 5468, aims to make sure children who leave public schools for home instruction still receive learning that match