Kelli Ballard

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has found himself in hot water, and time is not on his side. The lawmaker has been ordered to bring the city's police force up to the minimum officer requirement by January 2027 or face going to trial.

American pride won't be stomped out. The story, in brief

Coffee shops are on nearly every corner, energy drinks fill entire grocery store aisles, and "I'm so tired" has become one of the most widespread phrases people say. Fatigue has become so common that many of us treat it like a personality trait instead of a warning sign. But while a busy week can certainly leave you exhausted, persistent fatigue may be your body's way of telling you that something isn't quite right.

For most of human history, the United States wasn't the world's most powerful nation – or even around at all. In fact, it's a relative newcomer. Ancient Rome lasted centuries. The British Empire ruled a quarter of the globe. But America has only been the dominant superpower for about 80 years. So how did it happen so quickly, and can it stay that way?

Losing a hometown newspaper is a little like removing the front porch from every house. People still live there, but they don't gather the same way. Before social media, newspapers were the glue of the community, keeping people in touch, informed, and bonded with their neighbors. A hundred years ago, many Americans knew the name of their mayor, sheriff, school superintendent, and city council members because their local paper covered them every week. Today, many people can name dozens of national politicians but can't identify who approved the new development down the street. The loss of local newspapers means more than just technological progress; it means the loss of a way of life and so much more.

We've all heard the cries to save our democracy, which begs the question: Is the United States a democracy or a republic? The simple answer is that America is both, but that takes some explanation.

How much privacy should Americans give up in exchange for helping law enforcement solve crimes?

Imagine trying to read a chapter of a book the way people did 30 years ago. Before you finish the first page, your phone buzzes with a text, an email arrives, or a news alert pops up, and you remember to check the weather. By the time you return to the book, you've forgotten what you just read. Are we actually losing the ability to concentrate, or are we simply living in a world that constantly steals our attention?

Hospitality is one of those quiet traditions that no law can require and no government program can create. It grows from personal responsibility, kindness, and a willingness to put others before ourselves, if only for a few moments. It's easy to blame technology and busy schedules, but every act of hospitality is still a personal choice. In a society that often feels hurried and disconnected, choosing kindness, generosity, and welcome may be one of the most meaningful traditions worth bringing back.

Anyone who bought or buys a vehicle after July 7 in Europe will have an excess of safety features to contend with, including a camera focused on their faces, tracking their eye movements. Experts praise the technology, claiming it will help save lives, but critics warn this is another invasion of privacy and the information could be sold to third parties.