I like to think of the Pittsburgh Steelers as the song, “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World. In a world where we throw the phrase “mid” around a lot, the Steelers have embodied the word for approximately five years. Their entire M.O. has been to be good enough to steal a wild card spot, but never good enough to seriously threaten the legitimate teams in the AFC. While it’s admirable to continue down this road, eventually the rope runs out, and it looks like 2025 has been the breaking point. The Steelers are beginning to remodel their own roster, with…
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A new study published in Nature Climate Change demonstrates that the richest individuals disproportionately contribute to climate extremes. The analysis shows that only 10% of the global population accounts for the majority of emissions, leading to heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme events that impact millions of lives worldwide. What Happened: Researchers examined emissions from consumption and investments between 1990 and 2020 within an emulator-based framework. They discovered that the wealthiest 10% of the world’s population are responsible for two-thirds of global warming, while the top 1% alone contributed one-fifth, which is 6.5 and 20 times the average per capita emissions,…
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Image Source: 123rf.com For over three decades, the Energy Star program has helped consumers save money on their utility bills by identifying energy-efficient appliances. But now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to shut down the program as part of a broader agency reorganization. What Was Energy Star? Launched in 1992, Energy Star became a trusted symbol for consumers looking to reduce energy consumption. The program certified appliances, electronics, and buildings that met strict energy efficiency standards, helping Americans save more than 500 billion dollars in energy costs over the years. Energy Star-labeled appliances use up to 30%…
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The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law designed to protect the online privacy of children under 13. For schools and libraries, complying with COPPA is essential—not only to meet legal obligations but also to safeguard the privacy and security of young users in today’s digital world. Understanding COPPA’s Basics COPPA requires websites and online services to secure verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or sharing personal information from children under 13. This includes names, addresses, email addresses, and persistent identifiers (e.g., cookies). The law applies to any service targeting children or knowingly collecting their data. Key…
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Weight loss has always been a complex topic, physically, emotionally, and socially. But in recent years, it has entered an entirely new chapter. With the rise of GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, the narrative has shifted from diets and willpower to hormones and biology. Developed initially for managing type 2 diabetes, these drugs are now gaining widespread attention for their role in aiding weight loss. With several celebrities and influencers attributing their transformations to GLP-1s, the popularity is surging, and so is curiosity. This surge in interest has led many to wonder: Is this right for me? And…
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MANILA — Award-winning, single origin, bright and fruity… are words that aren’t exclusive to Arabica beans, especially when we’re talking about Fine Robusta. Usually grown in flat, expansive lowlands, Robusta is known for its rich, earthy, intense flavors. Nurtured and harvested in higher elevations, Arabica yields fruity flavors and lower quantities, fetching higher prices and prestige. But what about robusta that grows on higher ground, say, 960 MASL (meters above sea level) in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat? Winey, citrusy, with notes of dark chocolate and the essence of berries, it scales to a cupping score of 86.45. This is…
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Spencer Hospital CEO Brenda Tiefenthaler (second from left) vows to maintain the facility’s mental health services, with help from behavioral health services director Kerri Dandy (left), nursing director Jen Dau (third from left) and outreach navigator Jill Barr. Tony Leys/KFF Health News hide caption toggle caption Tony Leys/KFF Health News SPENCER, Iowa — This town’s hospital is a holdout on behalf of people going through mental health crises. The facility’s leaders have pledged not to shutter their inpatient psychiatric unit, as dozens of other U.S. hospitals have. Keeping that promise could soon get tougher if Congress slashes Medicaid funding. The…
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The North Carolina Community College System announced it is partnering with Goldman Sachs to launch the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative across the state. The effort is part of Goldman Sachs’ $100 million national Investment in Rural Communities, aimed at bolstering small business growth and economic development. For more than 15 years, 10,000 Small Businesses has offered free business education, access to capital, and tailored support services to help entrepreneurs grow. In 2023, Goldman Sachs expanded the program into rural areas across 20 states, and North Carolina now joins the initiative’s latest expansion. “This partnership with Goldman Sachs reflects our system’s…
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by Kandiss Edwards May 8, 2025 Dekalb County’s first Black-woman CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson set to give her first State of the County address. Dekalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is set to present her inaugural State of the County address. May 8, the event, themed “Mission Possible: Dekalb Reimagined,” will highlight her vision, priorities, and accomplishments from her first 100 days in office. The address will feature key policy updates and a blueprint for reimagining public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life across Dekalb County. Local, regional, and state officials are expected to attend the sold-out event in Doraville,…
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The Las Vegas Aces have cut two players after their latest preseason game — rookie guard Harmoni Turner and veteran forward Queen Egbo. Turner was the Aces’ third-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft; she was the 34th overall pick after a standout career at Harvard in which she averaged 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. In her senior season, she shot 43% from the field and 35.6% from three. Harvard star Harmoni Turner was drafted by the Aces, but won’t make the team’s final roster. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Egbo, meanwhile, was the 10th overall pick in…