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monticello road

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

business

Business Growth Stalls When Leaders Focus Only on Today

April 15, 2026

Leaders often talk about change but struggle to make it real. They approve budgets, attend meetings, and listen to consultants, yet nothing actually changes in how work gets done. This isn’t because they lack motivation or resources. The real issue is that they don’t have a clear plan to turn big id

religion

Why Jesus’ radical claim still sparks global backlash

April 15, 2026

Around the world, followers of Christianity face more hostility than any other religious group. Estimates suggest between 360 to 380 million Christians endure some form of persecution each year. In places like Nigeria, Burkina Faso, North Korea, and China, believers risk torture, imprisonment, or ev

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

Can peace talks between the U. S. and Iran survive the trust gap?

April 15, 2026

The latest efforts to pause the conflict between the U. S. and Iran show signs of progress after talks collapsed over the weekend. Iran’s negotiators seem willing to reach an agreement, according to U. S. officials. Vice President Vance called the current state of negotiations "very good, " despite

technology

AI Steps Into Drug Research Labs to Speed Up Early Work

April 15, 2026

A new cloud tool from Amazon’s tech branch is letting scientists skip writing code while hunting for new medicines. The system, called Amazon Bio Discovery, comes with ready-made AI models that can sketch, test, and rank potential drug molecules faster than before. Researchers simply pick their targ

opinion

Why Maine's rich should pay a little more to keep the state strong

April 15, 2026

Maine has always had a habit of standing up for fairness in taxes. The state is filled with people who work hard and look out for each other, whether it’s helping a neighbor clean up after a storm or contributing more when they can afford it. Wealthy residents, like the speaker who grew up in August

politics

Presidential Powers Under the Spotlight

April 15, 2026

Presidents now have powers that look more like royal privileges than democratic tools. Two key abilities stand out: they can pardon anyone without limits, and recent court rulings say they can’t be prosecuted for official actions. These powers weren’t always this broad. The pardon tool was meant for

entertainment

Marvel Faces Big Job Cuts as Disney Reorganizes

April 15, 2026

Disney’s latest round of layoffs has reached Marvel, cutting about 8% of its staff across both Marvel Entertainment in New York and Marvel Studios in California. The cuts impact nearly every department, from film and TV production to legal and finance teams. The biggest hit appears to be in visual d

technology

Making sure your phone notifies you about dangerous weather

April 15, 2026

Last week in Southern Minnesota, storms caused real damage—trees were uprooted and roads became hazardous. While many people received urgent alerts on their phones, some missed them entirely. This happens not because cell towers fail, but because phones sometimes have important warning settings turn