LND topic: columnist-steve-straessle page 1

columnist steve straessle

Arkansas Newspaper Wins Back‑to‑Back Excellence Award

June 29, 2026

The Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette has been named the top large newspaper in the state for two consecutive years, earning the General Excellence title at the 2025 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Editorial Awards. Eight other first‑place honors were also claimed by the paper, covering sports,

sports

Manchester United’s New Soccer Hiring Plan Explained

June 29, 2026

A big switch has quietly happened at Manchester United, one that isn’t about new jerseys or stadium lights but about how the club picks its players today. Behind the scenes, the organization has torn down the old system and built a fresh, team-based approach to finding talent. Instead of one person

sports

Baseball teams trade smartly while others stumble

June 29, 2026

The Boston Red Sox recently stopped shopping for batters to save their season. No surprise really. Their season slipped away too early, and injuries keep piling up. Even if they bring back Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony in August, it may not be enough. Adding an expensive player now would only sl

politics

The Iran Deal: A Troubling Move for Trump’s Base

June 28, 2026

Trump has tried to end the fight with Iran. The plan lets the country trade again and gives it a big money fund for rebuilding. Many of his voters think this is a mistake. They worry the deal will let Iran grow stronger instead of weakening it. The agreement also opens a busy shipping lane in the S

crime

Pekin Man Gets 10 Years After Trying to Trick a Minor

June 26, 2026

A man from Pekin, Mark Steven Peterson, 42, was handed a decade in federal prison after he attempted to lure a child to Peoria for sexual activities. Peterson believed the girl was 10 and had talked online with someone he thought was her stepfather. The conversations, shown at a June 18 hearing,

business

Bays Investor Holds 10% of Xtreme One, a Rising Sports Media Firm

June 24, 2026

Bays Acquisition Consulting LLC, led by veteran investor Steven Bayern, revealed that it owns a tenth of the common shares of Xtreme One Entertainment, a company known for its Xtreme Fighting Championships series. The stake was disclosed as of May 31, 2026. Xtreme One is carving out a niche in live

entertainment

Apple’s New Film Plans and the People Behind Them

June 23, 2026

At a film festival in Cannes, Apple’s head of entertainment talked about future movies and how the company works. He said a new “F1” movie could be in the making with Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The two also discussed a UFO film that might reveal government secrets, showing Apple’s i

entertainment

Celebrities and Their Tipping Habits: What Service Workers Really Think

June 20, 2026

Service workers often see sides of celebrities that fans don’t. Behind the glamour, some stars leave big tips while others barely cover the bill. Elvis Presley, for example, famously tipped $5, 000 after a long meal with officers. That’s a far cry from today’s celebrities, like Victor Wembanyama, wh

entertainment

Celebrity Contest: Who Is the Least Smart?

June 18, 2026

Fox has launched a new game show that flips the idea of winning on its head. Instead of rewarding knowledge, it rewards the opposite: contestants try to avoid being the last one standing. The program starts on July 15 and features a mix of actors, musicians, athletes and former politicians. Among th

politics

Utah's Primary Battles: Who’s Really Calling the Shots?

June 18, 2026

Utah’s upcoming primary elections are shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown, with incumbents facing tough challenges and outside money flooding races. In one of the most watched contests, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams—a longtime political figure—now finds himself in an unexpectedly close race