by Tony Schick and Monica Samayoa, Oregon Public Broadcasting This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Sign up for Dispatches to get our stories in your inbox every week. Electric companies in Oregon and Washington are hurtling toward deadlines to stop using power generated by coal, gas and other fuels that contribute to global warming. Yet the states are nowhere near achieving their goals, and the dramatic consequences are already being felt. During a winter storm in January 2024, for example, the Northwest barely had enough power to meet demand as homeowners…
Author: Usama Nisar
Disney recently introduced its new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, which will be named ESPN, after its successful sports network, and costs $29.99 per month for the unlimited package and $11.99 per month for a select option. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said the unlimited package will allow fans to enjoy the entire suite of ESPN networks and content. There will also be bundling opportunities for the ESPN unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu, including a special offer at launch for $29.99 per month for the first 12 months, Pitaro said in a news release Tuesday. NETFLIX RAISES US SUBSCRIBER PRICES, ATTRIBUTES…
I’ve packed for a month away in just a backpack, checked a bag for a quick trip, and somewhere in between all the trial and error, I’ve realized that the suitcase you bring on a trip really does make a difference. It sets the tone of your getaway, keeps things organized, and undoubtedly makes airport schlepping less chaotic. With summer travel on the horizon, a reliable piece of luggage is the ultimate travel essential. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend road trip with friends or hopping on a long-haul flight, having good-looking and dependable luggage is key. So I…
Steam announced this week that it will offer a compatibility rating that will designate when a game is supported on the company’s operating system. The SteamOS Compatibility assessment is slated to roll out “in the next few weeks.” This metric is an extension of the Steam Deck Verified program, and it will award a checkmark to games based on a data subset within that vetting process. In other words, game developers won’t have to take any additional steps if they’re already completing Steam Deck Verified. On the player end, compatible games will show a blue checkmark when viewed in the…
I’m all about pizza and grilling, so when I can combine the two, it’s a win. The grill gives pizza that smoky, crispy flavor you can’t get from the oven. Trust me, this grilled pizza will have you hooked! Why This Is the Best Thing You’ll Make All Summer Customize it your way. Your kids will love getting to make their own pizza the way they like! Load it up with meats, veggies, herbs, or whatever your crew’s into. Outdoor Vibes! Because grilling + pizza + sunshine is the ultimate trifecta. I love spending time with my family by the…
View the full episode transcript. As he was scrolling through social media, Steve Saltwick came across a video of protesting students ripping up the Constitution. “I’m a conservative,” said Saltwick, who works at Braver Angels, a national nonprofit focused on bridging political divides. “The Constitution is a pretty serious document for me. So with righteous indignation, I [reposted] it.” But the video was fake. “I fell for it immediately,” he admitted. The experience drove home just how easy it is to be misled and how crucial it is to think critically about the media we consume. At the 2025 SXSW…
By EMMANUEL ANIMASHAUN The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings system represents a cornerstone of quality assessment in Medicare Advantage (MA), designed to empower consumers with transparent information while rewarding plans that deliver superior care. Yet recent developments, particularly the seismic downgrading of Humana’s ratings reveal an unintended consequence: a system created to measure and incentivize quality may now be actively undermining it. The Humana Case: Symptom of a Broader Problem In 2025, Humana’s Medicare Advantage star ratings collapsed, with only 25% of members remaining in four-star or higher plans, down from 94%. This wasn’t due to…
by Tony Schick and Monica Samayoa, Oregon Public Broadcasting This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. On Feb. 17, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a video assuring Oregonians that Donald Trump would not derail the progressive state’s efforts to combat climate change. As promised during his presidential campaign, Trump had issued executive orders during his first week in office aimed at halting new sources of wind power and freezing Biden-era funding for renewable energy. Oregon, Kotek…
JetBlue decked out one of its planes with a Dunkin’ Donuts-themed livery. The orange and pink-painted plane was revealed by the two companies on Monday in Boston, a significant city for JetBlue’s operations and not far from the coffee and donut chain’s headquarters. The aircraft is an Airbus A320 called “Brewing Altitude,” the companies said. In addition to the orange and pink paint job, its tail sports a “playful donut and coffee motif,” according to a press release. JETBLUE ACCEPTING VENMO FOR FLIGHTS The special livery, the companies said, is meant to commemorate the partnership that JetBlue and Dunkin’ have…
Ever since we got these pro landscaping tips on how to design a gorgeous outdoor space, I’ve been thinking about planting a garden. The bad news is that I live on the third floor of a loft space so I’m stuck in daydream mode. For now, my plans are relegated to constantly looking up Pinterest garden ideas. Of course, inspiration abounds. Luckily for me, I have several friends with big backyard spaces—and I’m hoping they’ll let me live vicariously through their landscaping endeavors or maybe even help out with some planting. We’ll see. To get my creative juices flowing, I…
