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area council economic institute

Oil Prices Soar as Middle East Tensions Rise

March 12, 2026

Oil markets surged early Thursday, pushing the benchmark Brent crude above $100 a barrel after recent spikes near $120 triggered by attacks on shipping routes. The surge reflects growing worries that supply could be cut off from the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint where about one‑fifth of world oil p

politics

School Strike Sparks U. S. Accountability Calls

March 12, 2026

The United States is under scrutiny after a missile attack on an Iranian elementary school killed more than 165 people, most of them children. A U. S. official and another briefed on the preliminary military probe suggest that outdated intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency led U. S. Cent

weather

Snowstorm Hits Northern Midwest: What You Need to Know

March 12, 2026

A big winter storm is set to hit parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and possible travel delays. The weather alert runs from 1 p. m. Thursday until 1 p. m. Friday, so plan ahead if you’re in the affected areas. In Minnesota, counties like Koochichin

entertainment

Survivor 50’s Fourth Exit: A Quick Look at Q Burdette

March 12, 2026

The latest episode of Survivor 50 saw Q Burdette, a former contestant from Season 46, become the fourth person to leave the island. The season mixes familiar faces with surprise celebrity appearances, reshuffling the cast after two early eliminations from the Cila tribe. After a tribe swap, th

lifestyle

New Korean Food & Fun Spots Opening Across Illinois

March 12, 2026

A new wave of Korean‑style shops is rolling into the Midwest, with several fresh locations announced for Illinois. These stores blend food, music and photo‑opportunities into a single experience that invites visitors to pause, eat and play. The concept centers on a relaxed dining area where guest

business

'Trans Worker Faces Termination After Brief Employment'

March 12, 2026

A person assigned female at birth, now living as a man, began working at a Chicago‑area restaurant in mid‑April. The employee performed well and met the company’s standards during the first few weeks. Within a short time, however, the manager announced that the worker would be dismissed. The reason

environment

Smart Pyrolysis: Turning Plastic Trash into Useful Oil

March 12, 2026

A new team effort in Germany is turning the way we think about plastic waste. The project, called Smart Pyrolysis, brings together a chemical company and a research institute to make plastic recycling smarter. Instead of burning or dumping plastic, the plan is to heat it in a controlled way so

finance

Japan Insurers Keep Betting on Private Loans

March 12, 2026

Big life insurance firms in Japan are still planning to boost their private loan holdings next year, even though worries about the sector’s health are rising. A recent survey shows that Nippon Life, Meiji Yasuda and Dai‑ichi Life have decided to stick with their current investment strategies. Sumito

education

New Health School in Denton Gives Students a Real‑World Classroom

March 12, 2026

Texas Woman’s University has finished a $107 million health building that is already changing how future doctors, nurses and therapists learn. The three‑story center sits at 1600 Frame Street and covers 136, 000 square feet. It brings together students from nursing, physical therapy, occupational

politics

U. S. , Iran Clash Keeps Oil Markets Tense

March 12, 2026

A war that began with U. S. and Israeli air strikes two weeks ago is far from over, according to both sides. President Trump claims the United States has “won” the conflict but wants to finish it decisively, while Iran warns that oil could skyrocket to $200 a barrel if tensions continue. The fightin