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bill stangler

Neighbors debate granite mining plan near Columbia

April 15, 2026

A mining company wants to blast a new granite quarry just six miles from Columbia’s downtown, but locals aren’t welcoming the idea. Heidelberg Materials has asked for permits to dig up 242 acres near Monticello Road, close to colleges and neighborhoods like Haskell Heights. The plan promises to rest

politics

Senate Pushes for Fast Funding of Border Agencies Amid Political Tensions

April 15, 2026

Next week, the U. S. Senate might start voting on a bill to give billions more to two key border security groups—Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U. S. Border Patrol. Senate leaders want this done quickly, before senators take a week-long break in early May. The money would keep the

entertainment

Cate Blanchett to Play Martha Stewart in New Biopic

April 15, 2026

Cate Blanchett has been cast as lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart in an upcoming biopic titled “Good Thing. ” The film will be directed by Janicza Bravo, known for her work on “Zola. ” Stewart herself hinted at the project during a red carpet interview, confirming rumors about Blanchett’s involvement.

education

Small-town teacher builds futures and cooks dreams

April 15, 2026

Newberry High’s special education room feels like a gym for life skills rather than just a classroom. Students here practice grocery lists, job interviews, and problem-solving instead of just reading from textbooks. One teenager sums it up this way: “She’s not just a teacher—she’s a coach for the ga

finance

World Bank steps up support for nations struggling after Middle East conflict

April 15, 2026

The World Bank is preparing to release up to $100 billion over the next fifteen months to help countries affected by the war in the Middle East. This amount could exceed the $70 billion it provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ajay Banga, the bank’s president, shared these plans during discussions

politics

Norway and Ukraine team up on drone production

April 15, 2026

Two countries on opposite sides of Europe are joining forces to build drones together. Norway will now host production of Ukrainian-designed unmanned aircraft, while swapping technical insights with Kyiv. This unusual partnership isn’t just about making flying robots—it’s a chance for both nations t

crypto

Kraken’s quiet move toward going public

April 15, 2026

A major crypto platform called Kraken may soon trade on Wall Street. Its leaders have quietly asked regulators for permission to sell shares to the public. This step comes after years of building a bridge between risky digital currencies and regular trading tools. Kraken made big promises when it r

politics

Keeping Great Teachers in Pennsylvania’s Classrooms

April 15, 2026

Pennsylvania is spending time and money to train new teachers, but too many leave after just a few years. That waste of resources hurts students the most. Two lawmakers—one who became a teacher and another who went into public service—teamed up to propose a solution. They believe the state should in

health

Virginia makes a quiet but meaningful change after a decade of grief

April 15, 2026

Ten years after a Fairfax County firefighter was found in Shenandoah National Park, her family sees a small but significant shift in how the state views suicide. A bill signed this week removes suicide as a crime under Virginia law, even though no one was ever actually punished for it. The change wo

business

A New Financial Leader Joins a Fast-Growing AI Startup

April 15, 2026

The company behind an AI tool that digs through business documents just hired a new chief financial officer. After using the platform for years as an investor, she now runs its finances. The tool indexes over half a billion documents—SEC reports, earnings calls, research papers—so finance teams can