News

REMEMBERING THE EDMUND FITZGERALD: What Would A TV Forecast Look Like on November 9, 1975?

NORTHLAND – Just after 2 p.m. on November 9, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald left port in Superior, Wisconsin for what would be its final voyage.  Over the next 27 hour, the ship was damaged from the weather conditions it encounter while trying to cross Lake Superior.  It was around 7:15 p.m. the next day, November 10, 1975, that the ship…

Salman Rushdie is being honored with a Dayton peace prize lifetime achievement award

Salman Rushdie is among those being honored at the Dayton Literary Peace Prize event in Ohio. The famed writer was receiving a lifetime achievement award Sunday after publishing his first work of fiction since being stabbed on a New York lecture stage three years ago. The prizes honor both literary merit and the writers’ promotion of peace through their work, with separate awards annually for fiction, nonfiction and lifetime achievement. Rushdie is best known for his novel, “The Satanic Verses,” and the call for his death in 1989 from Iran’s spiritual leader. He was blinded in one eye from the 2022 attack. His latest work is “The Eleventh Hour.”

Historical marker unveiled at Barkers Island in honor of Fitzgerald’s sinking

SUPERIOR, Wis. — People from around the Twin Ports gathered at Barker’s Island for the unveiling of the new Wisconsin state historical marker commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. Through the efforts of the local group, Friends of the Fitz, and the Wisconsin Historical Society’s State Historical Markers Program, Superior has officially installed a historical marker to…

Senate reaches deal to open U.S. Government

Courtesy: Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a bi-partisan agreement was reached Sunday evening to reopen the federal government after 40 days closed. The agreement would fund the government until the end of January. Sources told CNN the deal also will set a vote on government health care subsidies in December. Democrats have demanded the…

Armed gunman on the run After Taco John’s robbery in West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –- An armed gunman remained on the loose Sunday evening after targeting Taco John’s in West Duluth. The crime happened around 7:50 p.m. Friday on the 4600 block of Grand Avenue. The suspect is described as a white male, around 6 feet tall and wearing dark clothing. Police said the suspect entered the business, displayed a handgun and…

Norris wins Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix to extend his lead with 3 races left

McLaren driver Lando Norris has significantly extended his lead in the F1 championship after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix. His main rival and teammate Oscar Piastri received a 10-second penalty and again failed to make the podium. Norris also won Saturday’s sprint race and started from pole position. He earned his first win at Interlagos with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen second and third. Norris now has 390 points in the standings, with Piastri’s fifth place leaving him 24 points behind on 366 with three more races to go. Four-time world champion Verstappen has 341 points.

Donald Trump booed as the 1st sitting US president at a regular-season NFL game since Carter in 1978

President Donald Trump has become the first sitting president in nearly a half-century at a regular-season NFL game. He attended the Washington Commanders’ contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. House Speaker Mike Johnson was among those who joined Trump in a suite at Northwest Stadium. Before the president’s arrival, he flew over the stadium in Air Force One. Only two other times did a president go to an NFL game during the regular season while in office: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump became the first president at a Super Bowl while residing in the White House last February.

Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Full SNAP Payouts as States Warn of ‘Catastrophic Impact’

President Donald Trump’s administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans. The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen…

Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula

California health officials say tests showed that ByHeart baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin that has sickened at least 13 infants in 10 states. No deaths have been reported. The most recent cases were confirmed in November. Consumers should stop using ByHeart powdered infant formula immediately. ByHeart officials this weekend recalled two lots of the company’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Botulism is a rare but serious disease that can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms can take weeks to develop.

Retired AP reporter helped cement the legend of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, retired reporter Harry Atkins recounts his experience covering the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the most infamous in all Great Lakes history, as family members and maritime history followers honor the 50th anniversary of the disaster. Atkins’ initial news story on the shipwreck, the last major shipwreck on the Great Lakes, is credited with helping to inspire Gordan Lightfoot’s famous song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The large 730-foot long freighter sank on Nov. 10, 1975, in the midst of a major storm on Lake Superior. While the exact cause of the wreck remains a mystery, the story lives on in popular memory thanks to Lightfoot’s ballad.

Texas returns to top 10, ACC has five teams ranked in the Top 25 and there is Group of Five intrigue

Texas has returned to the top 10 in The Associated Press college football poll. The Longhorns, ranked No. 10, are set to visit No. 5 Georgia this week. They had dropped out of the top 25 after losing to Florida several weeks ago. Ohio State remains No. 1, followed by Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia. The ACC has five teams ranked, including Georgia Tech and Miami. The Group of Five conferences are represented by James Madison and South Florida.

‘Predator: Badlands’ tops box office with $80 million worldwide

“Predator: Badlands” has topped the North American box office with a $40 million debut, according to studio estimates. This marks a new high for the franchise, surpassing the $38.3 million opening of 2004’s “Alien vs. Predator.” The film, written and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, also earned $40 million overseas. Despite a challenging box office climate, “Predator: Badlands” has performed well, receiving positive reviews and an “A-” CinemaScore. Other new releases, like “Die My Love” and “Christy,” struggled to make a significant impact, while “Sarah’s Oil” emerged as the best performer among newcomers.

In new era of college hoops rosters, $20.5M salary cap feels more like a suggestion than a rule

College basketball is navigating a new financial landscape with schools allowed to pay players up to $20.5 million. Most of this money goes to football players, leaving less for basketball. Schools without football, like St. John’s and Gonzaga, might benefit from this setup. The 2025-26 season will reveal how these financial dynamics affect basketball. Third-party deals add complexity, with schools operating under uncertain rules. Some players, like BYU recruit AJ Dybantsa, have secured lucrative NIL deals. St. John’s coach Rick Pitino has leveraged these opportunities, but the impact of third-party scrutiny remains to be seen.

What to know about the 4 hostages whose remains are still in Gaza

Palestinian militants in Gaza so far have released the remains of 24 hostages held in the territory for the past two years under the current ceasefire with Israel. That leaves four hostages to be returned as called for under the truce deal that took effect on Oct. 10. Militants have released one or two bodies every few days. Israel wants faster returns. Hamas has said it has not been able to reach all the remains because they are buried under rubble left behind by Israel’s two-year offensive. The four remaining include Israelis and one agricultural worker from Thailand.

Packers couldn’t stop Eagles’ tush push during offseason. Now they’ll try to contain it on the field

The Green Bay Packers couldn’t thwart the tush push during the offseason. Now they must try to find a way to stop it in a game. Green Bay proposed a ban on the play during the offseason. The measure was approved by more than two-thirds of the teams but fell two votes short of passage. That has enabled the Philadelphia Eagles to continue using the short-yardage play in their Super Bowl title defense. The Eagles beat the Packers twice last season and face them again Monday night at Lambeau Field.

Thanksgiving air traffic could ‘slow to a trickle’ if shutdown persists, transport secretary says

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns that U.S. air traffic could slow significantly if the federal government shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving travel season. The Federal Aviation Administration has already ordered flight cuts at major airports. Some air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid for nearly a month, have stopped working. Reductions began Friday at 4% and could reach 10% by November 14. On Sunday, 1,375 flights were canceled. Duffy suggests further cuts might be needed, possibly up to 20%. He emphasizes the need for action to keep people safe amid an overtaxed system.

A car fleeing police slams into a bar in Florida, killing 4 and injuring 11

A speeding car fleeing police has crashed into a crowded bar in Tampa, Florida. Four people are dead, and 11 were injured. The crash happened early Saturday in the city’s historic Ybor City district. Police say an air patrol unit spotted the car driving recklessly after it was seen street racing. The Florida Highway Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle but failed. The driver fled and eventually lost control and slammed into people outside the bar. Three people died at the scene, and a fourth died at a hospital. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested and faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide.

7 Myanmar migrants dead and 13 rescued after boat capsizes near Malaysia

Rescuers in Malaysia have recovered the bodies of seven migrants from Myanmar and found 13 survivors from a capsized boat. The vessel, carrying about 300 people, departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Officials said the passengers were split into three smaller boats near Malaysia. One boat sank near Tarutao island in Thailand on Thursday. The fate of the other two boats is unclear. Some of those rescued are believed to be Rohingya Muslims. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has urged regional governments to enhance search and rescue efforts. Nearly 600 Rohingya refugees have been reported missing or dead this year.

Landmark Paris Agreement set a path to slow warming. The world hasn’t stayed on it

The world has seen faster climate change than expected since the Paris Agreement a decade ago. Scientists say Earth’s warming has outpaced efforts to reduce fossil fuel pollution that came out of the 2015 accord. This issue will be a focus of this week’s UN climate talks in Brazil. There has been some progress like cheaper renewable energy and increased electric vehicle sales. But warming’s harms have overwhelmed those gains. Extreme weather events such as major Atlantic hurricanes have increased since 2015. More than 7 trillion tons of ice have melted. The seas have risen by enough water to fill 30 lakes the size of Lake Erie.

Aaron Rai denies Tommy Fleetwood another title by winning playoff in Abu Dhabi

Aaron Rai has won the Abu Dhabi Championship in a playoff over Tommy Fleetwood. The victory was Rai’s first of the year and allows him to advance to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship next week in Dubai as the leading 50 players. Rai also beat Fleetwood in a playoff in the Scottish Open five years ago. He shot 67 at Yas Links and overcame missing a 3-foot par putt on the 14th hole. Fleetwood shot 66. Rory McIlroy matched his low score on the European tour with a 62. He tied for third, missing the playoff by one shot.

Ukrainian strikes disrupt power and heating to 2 major cities in Russia

Ukrainian strikes have disrupted power and heating in two major Russian cities near the Ukrainian border, according to local Russian officials. A drone strike temporarily caused blackouts in Voronezh, while a missile strike seriously damaged power systems in Belgorod. This report comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to target each other’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accuses Moscow of endangering nuclear safety after strikes hit power substations for two Ukrainian nuclear plants. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he is ready to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the war.

Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo

Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist. The image shows him in a fedora and a three-piece, sparking online speculation that he was a detective or even AI-generated. Pedro, a fan of classic detectives like Sherlock Holmes, decided to keep the mystery alive. He lives near Paris and often dresses in vintage style, inspired by historical figures. Despite the viral fame, he remains a regular teenager, amused by the attention and open to future opportunities.

Hamas says it will hand over an Israeli soldier whose body has been held in Gaza since 2014

Hamas says it will hand over the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed in 2014 and who has been held in Gaza since then. The group says the body will be handed over on Sunday afternoon. The soldier, Hadar Goldin, was killed on August 1, 2014, just two hours after a ceasefire took effect during a war at the time. Israeli media reports have speculated that Israel demanded Goldin’s body in exchange for safe passage for approximately 200 Hamas militants surrounded by Israeli forces. Goldin is one of five deceased hostages whose bodies are still held in Gaza.

Al-Sharaa to become the first Syrian president to visit the White House after an unlikely rise

Ahmad al-Sharaa, once detained by the U.S. for joining al-Qaida in Iraq, will be the first Syrian president to visit Washington since 1946. After leading a successful rebellion against Bashar Assad last December, al-Sharaa has worked to establish new international ties. On Monday, he is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Syria is expected to join the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group. Al-Sharaa aims to push for the full removal of remaining sanctions on Syria. The visit marks a significant shift in U.S.-Syria relations and could impact regional dynamics.

Flight cuts from government shutdown strain a supply chain that’s already stretched thin

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 major U.S. airports. This could strain air cargo as the holiday season approaches. FedEx and UPS have major hubs at affected airports, including Indianapolis, Memphis, and Louisville. The reduction impacts domestic flights, not global ones. Shipping companies like FedEx are adjusting plans to ensure shipments continue smoothly. Smaller, high-value goods are more likely to be transported by air. Experts say the supply chain could slow, but airlines have become adept at managing such disruptions. The impact should be manageable unless reductions deepen.

Cyndi Lauper calls for courage and Salt-N-Pepa romp through ‘Push It’ as they join Rock Hall of Fame

Cyndi Lauper has turned “True Colors” into a powerful anthem at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On Saturday, she led an all-star jam with artists like Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams to honor fellow Rock Hall inductee Joe Cocker. Lauper acknowledges the women who paved the way for her and those who follow. Salt-N-Pepa also celebrated women’s power in music, performing hits like “Push It” and “What a Man.” Outkast doesn’t perform together, but Big Boi and Andre 3000 share heartfelt speeches. Soundgarden’s segment includes emotional tributes to Chris Cornell. The White Stripes and other rock legends received rousing tributes, making the night unforgettable.

More than a million people evacuate as Super Typhoon Fung-wong threatens the Philippines

Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the biggest storm to threaten the Philippines this year, has started battering the country’s northeastern coast ahead of landfall. The storm has knocked down power, forced the evacuation of more than a million people and prompted the defense chief to warn many others to evacuate to safety from high-risk villages before it’s too late. Fung-wong has a 994-mile-wide rain and wind band, which could cover two-thirds of the archipelago. It is approaching from the Pacific Sunday while the Philippines is still dealing with the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi. That storm left at least 224 people dead in the central Philippines and later killed at least 5 in Vietnam.

A look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees and how they were honored

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has inducted its 2025 class, celebrating influential musicians and figures. The ceremony took place Saturday at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, featuring tributes, speeches, and performances by artists like Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa, and Big Boi of Outkast. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after their first release. This year’s inductees include Outkast, Bad Company, Salt-N-Pepa, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Warren Zevon, Thom Bell, The White Stripes, Carole Kaye, Nicky Hopkins, and Lenny Waronker.

Residents turn to community patrols as illegal gold mining grows in Ghana

Illegal gold mining is growing in Ghana, one of the world’s top gold producers. A weakening economy and high unemployment have pushed thousands of youth into illegal mining to chase elusive wealth. The government and environmental groups say the mining is contaminating rivers and other bodies. The country’s president has even been under pressure to declare a state of emergency. In one community, a new task force of residents now patrols their forested region in search of illegal mining. They even carry out arrests. But their lack of supervision by security forces has raised concerns about potential abuse of power.

Infant botulism in 10 US states linked to formula being recalled

Federal and state health officials are investigating 13 cases in 10 U.S. states of infant botulism linked to baby formula that is being recalled. The Food and Drug Administration says ByHeart Inc. agreed to begin recalling two lots of the company’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. All 13 infants were hospitalized after consuming formula from the two lots. No deaths were reported. The formula is sold online and through major retailers. Infant botulism is caused by a bacterium that produces toxins in the large intestine. The cases occurred in Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.

No. 22 Michigan State tops No. 14 Arkansas 69-66 in matchup of Tom Izzo, John Calipari

Freshman Cam Ward had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Coen Carr scored 15 points and soared for seven rebounds and No. 22 Michigan State beat No. 14 Arkansas 69-66 in a matchup of Hall of Fame coaches. The Spartans grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and converted them into 18 points, a staple of Tom Izzo’s program for 31 seasons. John Calipari has highly touted freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas in his second season with the Razorbacks. Acuff had 16 points on 5 of 16 shooting points. Thomas scored 16 on 5 of 15 shooting.

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives in Manhattan, kicking off New York’s holiday season

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in Manhattan, marking the start of New York City’s holiday season. This year’s tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, a suburb of Albany. It traveled about 150 miles on a flatbed truck to reach its new home. On Saturday workers used cranes to position the 11-ton tree at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The spruce will soon be decorated with over 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star. It will be lit Dec. 3 during a live TV broadcast. The tree was donated by Judy Russ and her family.

AP Top 25 poll preview: Indiana narrowly gets past Penn State, Texas Tech defeats BYU

Week 11 of College Football is underway, with teams aware of their standings for the College Football Playoff. Texas Tech defeated BYU 29-7, taking the lead in the Big 12. Indiana narrowly avoided a loss against Penn State, winning 27-24 with a last-minute touchdown. Memphis lost to Tulane 38-32, potentially affecting their rankings. James Madison’s win over Marshall could help them break into the AP Top 25. Key games include Texas A&M at Missouri, Oregon at Iowa, and Wake Forest at Virginia. The outcomes could significantly impact playoff hopes and rankings.

Democrats seize on Trump administration’s efforts to fight food stamp payments

The Trump administration’s legal efforts to fight having to fully fund food stamps for millions of vulnerable Americans is creating an opening for Democrats eager to use the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to paint the president as callous and out of touch. The Supreme Court late Friday granted the administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order requiring them to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the shutdown. The legal maneuvering comes as both parties have tried to gain the political upper hand and blame the other for the shutdown as its impact is increasingly felt across the nation.

Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their pets

With SNAP benefits going out late, nonprofits are begging for pet food donations to prevent desperate owners from surrendering their dogs and cats to animal shelters. Nonprofits say it is common for owners to supplement their pet’s diet with human food purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. For other owners, SNAP frees up money to buy pet food. The situation is so dire that one Louisiana shelter is considering diverting money normally used on veterinary care to buy more pet food. Another Illinois nonprofit is pairing SNAP recipients with volunteers so they can shop together for human and pet food.

People in some states get SNAP food aid while others still wait for their November benefits

People in some U.S. states have started receiving their November SNAP benefits after delays caused by a legal battle over the government shutdown. But people in other states are still waiting. Some states acted quickly to issue full monthly SNAP benefits Friday, a day after a court ordered the Trump administration to make the funds available. On Friday night, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused that judicial order to allow time for the appeals court to decide on a more lasting halt. Some states had not moved quickly, because they were waiting for more guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Thousands flee to overcrowded camps after Sudan’s paramilitary captures el-Fasher

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled to overcrowded camps to escape atrocities by a paramilitary force since it captured el-Fasher in the western Darfur region. An aid group reported this on Saturday, and the U.N. human rights chief warned that many others are still trapped. Since the Rapid Support Forces seized el-Fasher on Oct. 26, more than 16,200 people have fled to camps in Tawila. The RSF and the Sudanese army have been at war since April 2023. At least 40,000 people have been killed, and some 12 million people have been displaced.

Pfizer clinches deal for obesity drug developer Metsea after a bidding war with Novo Nordisk

Pfizer has signed a deal to purchase Metsera Inc., an obesity drugmaker in the development stage, after winning a bidding war against Novo Nordisk. Metsera, based in New York, is developing oral and injectable treatments for obesity and diabetes. On Friday, Metsera announced that Pfizer will acquire the company for up to $86.25 per share, including cash and contingent value rights. Metsera’s board said it believes this deal offers the best value and certainty for shareholders. Novo Nordisk, which had increased its offer to $10 billion, announced on Saturday that it would not continue pursuing the acquisition.

Rodrigo Paz sworn in as Bolivia’s new president, ending 20 years of one-party rule

Rodrigo Paz has been sworn in as Bolivia’s new president, marking a shift after nearly 20 years of one-party rule. On Saturday, Paz took the oath before lawmakers and foreign leaders. His inauguration has sparked hope among Bolivians facing severe fuel shortages and high food prices. Paz unexpectedly defeated former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga in the presidential runoff last month. He inherits an economy in crisis after two decades of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party. Paz plans gradual reforms and has distanced Bolivia from the ALBA bloc, moving closer to the United States.

UPS and FedEx grounding MD-11 planes following deadly Kentucky crash

UPS and FedEx has decided to ground their fleets of MD-11 planes “out of an abundance of caution” after a deadly crash at a UPS global aviation hub in Kentucky. The companies announced their decisions separately late Friday. The MD-11 aircraft make up about 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet. The companies stated that their decisions were made proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. The crash occurred Tuesday at UPS Worldport in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people, including the three pilots on the MD-11 that was headed for Honolulu.

Washington’s struggling economy takes another hit from the government shutdown

Washington’s local economy has taken blows from a series of actions by the Trump administration, from the layoffs of federal workers to the ongoing law enforcement intervention with the National Guard. Now there’s the added fallout from the government shutdown, which has furloughed workers and paused money for food assistance. Experts say the shutdown’s long-term impact on the regional economy will be felt long after the government reopens. The Capital Area Food Bank is providing 8 million more meals than it had prepared to this budget year. That’s a nearly 20% increase.

Gaza death toll tops 69,000 as Israel and militants again exchange remains

Gaza health officials say over 69,000 Palestinians have died in the Israel-Hamas war. The death toll has risen as bodies are recovered from the rubble since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10 and as other dead are identified. Israel and Hamas have again exchanged bodies under the ceasefire agreement, with Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies on Saturday. The ceasefire aims to wind down the deadliest conflict ever between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian farmers and others in the West Bank, with violence reaching new highs during the olive harvest.

Russian strikes hit an apartment block and energy sites in Ukraine, killing 4

A Russian drone has hit a tower block in eastern Ukraine, killing three people and injuring 12, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack in Dnipro was part of a larger missile and drone barrage targeting energy infrastructure across the country, and a worker at an energy company in Kharkiv was also killed. Ukrainian forces shot down many drones and missiles, but several locations were struck. Authorities have switched off power in several regions due to the attacks. Fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage, with both Kyiv and Moscow trying to influence international support.

US government shutdown forces some overseas bases to stop paying workers

Local workers at some American military bases in Europe are feeling the impact of the U.S. government shutdown. Unions representing foreign nationals working at the bases say many have not received their salaries since the shutdown in Washington began last month. Labor unions in Italy and Portugal say hundreds of workers have gone unpaid as the shutdown stretches approaches its sixth week. In Italy, over 1,300 local workers at U.S. bases weren’t paid in October. In Portugal, a similar situation is occurring at the Lajes Field base, where roughly 360 Portuguese workers had not been paid. Meanwhile, Germany is covering the salaries of nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases there.

Yes, you do need to clean your water bottle. Here’s why and how

Reusable bottles get grubby no matter what liquid they’re filled with, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Water bottles pick up germs from our mouths when we take a sip, and from our hands when we touch the straw or lid. Experts disagree on when and how you should wash them, but they’re all in agreement on one thing: something is better than nothing at all. The simplest cleaning routine is a daily soapy water scrub, using a thin brush to get into straws and tight crannies. For a deeper clean, try the dishwasher if your bottle can handle it, or dissolve a denture or retainer-cleaning tablet in it overnight.

Voters’ anger at high electricity bills and data centers looms over 2026 midterms

Voter anger over rising electricity costs is shaping next year’s midterm elections. Communities with fast-rising electric bills or debates over who pays for Big Tech’s energy needs are pivotal. This week, electricity costs played a key role in elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia. Voters in several states cited economic concerns as a top issue. Rising electric costs aren’t expected to ease soon, and many Americans could see higher bills during next year’s campaigns. Analysts attribute the increases to grid modernization, demand from data centers, and rising natural gas prices.

JD Vance hopes his Hindu wife converts to Christianity, sparking debate on interfaith marriage

Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments about hoping his Hindu wife converts to Christianity have sparked discussions about interfaith marriages. Speaking at a Turning Point USA event, Vance shared how he and his wife, Usha, navigate their religious differences while raising their children Catholic. A Pew Research survey shows that interfaith marriages have increased significantly since 2010. Experts who routinely counsel interfaith couples emphasize the importance of respecting each other’s beliefs without coercion. The Hindu American Foundation criticized Vance’s remarks, highlighting recent anti-Hindu hate coming from “explicitly Christian sources.”

Some states are requiring gun safety lessons in schools that teach kids ‘stop, don’t touch’

Along with stop, drop and roll, some states are teaching students to ‘Stop and don’t touch that gun.’ Arkansas, Tennessee and Utah passed laws requiring schools to teach children as young as 5 the basics of gun safety and how to properly store guns at home. In Tennessee, lesson plans could include stickers, games, videos with catchy jingles and colorful firearm illustrations, including a gun made of Lego-style bricks. The reality is that many children in the U.S. grow up around firearms from an early age. The main takeaway from the lessons is a series of steps. Children are told to stop, don’t touch, leave quickly and tell an adult.