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john j mcconnell

Parents Eye Private Schools as City Cuts Gifted Programs

March 7, 2026

New York parents feel uneasy about Mayor Mamdani’s plan to end gifted programs for kindergartners in public schools. The move has sparked a surge of interest in private schools, where parents already invest heavily in tutoring and networking to secure spots. Some families have formed online groups t

politics

A Pakistani Man Convicted for a Plot Against U. S. Leaders

March 7, 2026

A man from Pakistan was found guilty last Friday of planning to kill former U. S. President Donald Trump and other political figures in 2022, according to a U. S. justice department statement. The alleged scheme was supposedly ordered by Iran after Washington shot down an Iranian military commander

education

State Schools Get a Boost as Lawmakers Shift Funds

March 7, 2026

The Utah Legislature has wrapped up its 2026-2027 budget for public schools, choosing to reallocate money in a way that mirrors moves made in higher education the previous year. In 2025, state universities were required to divert a portion of their budgets toward high‑value fields like health care a

health

Women’s Health Expo Opens Doors in Plainfield

March 7, 2026

The Plainfield YMCA will host a women’s health expo on Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 to 11 a. m. The venue is the C. W. Avery YMCA at 15120 Wallin Drive. State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is the main organizer and will speak at the event. She has invited local leaders such as Will County Executiv

politics

A Friendly Check on Sweet Drinks

March 7, 2026

The U. S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, recently softened his strong warning about sugary drinks from the popular coffee chain Dunkin’ after a week of heated discussion. Earlier in the month, he had called for possible limits on some of Dunkin’s sweeter offerings, describing them as “the wors

politics

Settler Shooting Triggers New Shock in West Bank Village

March 7, 2026

In a grim turn of events, a 27‑year‑old Palestinian man lost his life after an Israeli settler fired a shot in the rural outskirts of Masafer Yatta, a community near Hebron. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the fatality, noting that the incident occurred in a part of the village known for e

technology

Ukraine’s Drone Factory Eyes Gulf Markets as Middle East Tensions Rise

March 7, 2026

Ukrainian companies that build cheap drones to shoot down enemy aircraft say they can ship many units overseas. The idea grew after the U. S. and Gulf states asked for help when Iran started firing drones at allies. Russia’s own production of Iranian‑style Shahed drones keeps Ukraine busy defe

politics

Jesse Jackson’s Legacy Sparks Call to Action at Memorial

March 7, 2026

A large gathering in Chicago honored a civil‑rights icon whose influence stretched from boardrooms to picket lines. The ceremony, held in a 10, 000‑seat Black church, mixed music, speeches and moments that felt both spiritual and political. Guests heard gospel singers and a popular singer perform

politics

Brazil’s Vote Showed a Tied Finish Between Lula and Bolsonaro

March 7, 2026

A new poll from Datafolha says that if the final election were held right now, Brazil’s president candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro would finish almost level. The survey reports 46% of people would back Lula, while 43% would choose Flavio. A similar split appears if th

politics

Social Media Scrutiny Hits Texas Senate Candidate

March 7, 2026

A 36‑year‑old state representative has just secured the Democratic nomination for Texas Senate, but his online history is now under fire. The candidate, who has amassed more than two million followers on Instagram and 1. 6 million on TikTok, used his digital presence to win over voters during the