Associated Press: The US has approved $42 billion in loan forgiveness for public service workers. Here's what to know

By Associated Press / 21 hours ago

The U.S. has approved more than $42 billion in federal student loan debt forgiveness for more than 615,000 borrowers in the past 18 months as part of a program aimed at getting more people to work in public service jobs, the U.S. Department of Education said this week. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is open to teachers, librarians, nurses, public interest lawyers, military members and other public workers. It cancels a borrower's remaining student debt after 10 years of public interest work, or 120 monthly payments.

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HURRICANES

Associated Press: The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is now underway. Here's what to know.

By Associated Press / 2 days ago

MIAMI (AP) — It's time for residents along the southeastern U.S. coastlines to make sure their storm plans are in place as the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season got underway Thursday. Forecasters are predicting a “near-normal” season, but Mike Brennan, the new director at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, stressed during a Wednesday news conference that there's really nothing normal when it comes to hurricanes. "A normal season might sound good in comparison to some of the hurricane seasons in the past few years,” he said. “But there's nothing good about a near-normal hurricane season in terms of activity.”

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LOCAL EVENTS

Local Community Events weekend roundup

By Staff Reports / 3 days ago

This weekend host a multitude of events around Delaware County. Yorktown Farm and Artisan Market will be today from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with weather permitting. The summer marketplace is located at Walnut Grove in Morro’s Meadow. Nature Play Days at Minnetrista start today and will run through June 10. This is free to the community where you can explore nature at Minnetrista. Activities include outdoor games, planting herbs and more. 

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2024 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Associated Press: Mike Pence will launch his presidential campaign in Iowa on June 7

By Associated Press / 4 days ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his long-expected campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss. Pence will hold a kickoff event in Des Moines on June 7, the date of his 64th birthday, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details ahead of the official announcement. He is also expected to release a video message that morning as part of the launch.

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LOCAL EVENTS

Muncie Artswalk, a Muncie First Thursday event

By Staff Reports / 5 days ago

The Brink of Summer Artswalk presented by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County will be on Thursday, June 1. There will be a wide variety of things to do and buy at the Artswalk. There will be YART or a yard sale for art, this will feature local vendors and makers who price art under $40 at Canan Commons. Art galleries and exhibits can be found featuring local artists and various media at Gordy, Cornerstone, Madjax and other galleries. 

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AI

Associated Press: Regulators take aim at AI to protect consumers and workers

By Associated Press / May 29, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — As concerns grow over increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, the nation’s financial watchdog says it’s working to ensure that companies follow the law when they’re using AI. Already, automated systems and algorithms help determine credit ratings, loan terms, bank account fees, and other aspects of our financial lives. AI also affects hiring, housing and working conditions.

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INDY 500

Junior Savannah Boneta Hand-Picked for Indy 500 Princess Program

By Payton Hammett / May 28, 2023

Savannah Boneta was born in Fishers; however, she did not grow up in the Hoosier light. She knew what the Indy 500 was, but she had never attended the race or the parade. After submitting her application and completing multiple interview rounds, Boneta was selected for the 500 Festival Princess Program. Each year, 33 college-aged women are selected and serve as ambassadors for the race, their hometown and their college/university. This rigorous program selects women based on their academic performance, community involvement, commitment service and leadership abilities. Since 1959, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has provided over 2,000 women with opportunities for leadership and professional development. 

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DEBT DEAL

Biden: Debt deal 'very close' even as two sides far apart on work requirements for food aid

By Associated Press / May 27, 2023

Biden's optimism, in comments to reporters as he left the White House on Friday evening, came as the deadline for a potentially catastrophic default was pushed back to June 5 and seemed likely to drag negotiations between the White House and Republicans over raising the debt ceiling into another frustrating week.

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STUDENT LOANS

Associated Press: House GOP passes resolution overturning student loan cancellation; Biden vows veto

By Associated Press / May 25, 2023

House Republicans passed a resolution on Wednesday that would overturn President Joe Biden’s student loan cancellation plan, but the White House has vowed to veto it and the plan remains on hold as the Supreme Court considers its fate.

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2024 ELECTION

Associated Press: DeSantis launches GOP presidential campaign in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches

By Associated Press / May 24, 2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign on May 24 over an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk

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AP

Associated Press: Tina Turner, unstoppable superstar whose hits included 'What's Love Got to Do With It,' dead at 83

By Associated Press / May 24, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Tina Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ‘70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at 83. Turner died Tuesday, after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager. She became a Swiss citizen a decade ago.

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DEBT CEILING

Associated Press: Debt ceiling explained: Why it's a struggle in Washington and how the impasse could end

By Associated Press / May 24, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House negotiators were back at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday for another day of discussions with House Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling. Time is short: there are just days left before the government could run out of cash to pay its bills. The two sides are working to reach a budget compromise before June 1, when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the country could default. The possible outcomes range from bad to apocalyptic, depending on how long the standoff drags on.

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ESPORTS

Ball State University Earns National Program of the Year Honors at EsportsU Collegiate Awards

By Staff Reports / May 23, 2023

Ball State University was awarded Program of the Year honors at the EsportsU Collegiate Awards. Ball State Esports was selected as the best out of more than 3,000 academic institutions. “We are thrilled to receive the Esports Program of the Year Award. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, and staff, and it's an honor to be recognized as one of the top programs in the industry,” Dan Marino, esports director at Ball State and head coach of the University’s esports varsity team said. “We're proud of the work we've done this year to earn this award and look forward to continuing to build a program that fosters excellence, sportsmanship, and teamwork.” 

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G7 SUMMIT

Associated Press: Sanctions against Russia and what the G7 may do to fortify them

By Associated Press / May 20, 2023

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — The Group of Seven advanced economies are expected to announce a new set of sanctions against Russia to try to further hinder its war effort in Ukraine during their summit in Hiroshima, Japan. In traveling to Japan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will help to drive home the need to better enforce measures meant to stifle Moscow’s war machine. Russia is now the most-sanctioned country in the world, but there are questions about their effectiveness. EU Council President Charles Michel said the plan was to close loopholes and ensure the sanctions are painful for Russia, not for the countries enforcing them.

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DOMA

The David Owsley Museum of Art host annual Art in Bloom

By Staff Reports / May 19, 2023

The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) will host its annual springtime fundraiser and exhibition Art in Bloom this weekend on May 20-21. Saturday the museum will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. and Sunday they will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. This will be the eighth year of the exhibit. 

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EVENTS

Ball State Staff Council’s Angles for Life Blood Drive on May 17

By Staff Reports / May 15, 2023

The Ball State Staff Council’s Angels for Life Campus-wide blood drive will take place in just a few days on Wednesday, May 17. The blood drive will take place in Pruis Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

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MINNETRISTA

Minnetrista Garden Fair

By Staff Reports / May 12, 2023

Minnetrista is holding a free Garden Fair today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. as well as having it on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the available activities include live music, food, a beer and wine garden, selfie stations, local vendors and more. “This is definitely one of the bigger events that we hold,” Lindsey Horan, vice president of community engagement said. 

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BALL BROTHERS FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS

The Ball Brothers Foundation names its Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

By Staff Reports / May 11, 2023

West View’s Kira Zick has received the Ball Brothers Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award, according to a report from the Ball Brothers Foundation. The award includes $5,000 for the district, $5,000 for the school, $5,000 for the classroom and also $2,500 for professional development. The award is given annually to one Delaware County teacher who inspires students and colleagues, according to the report. 

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NATIONAL POLITICS

Rep. George Santos charged with embezzling from his campaign, lying to Congress about his income

By Associated Press / May 10, 2023

U.S. Rep. George Santos, the New York Republican infamous for fabricating key parts of his life story, has been indicted on charges that he embezzled money from his campaign, lied to Congress about his income and cheated his way into undeserved unemployment benefits, prosecutors said Wednesday.

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TRUMP FOUND LIABLE

Associated Press: Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M

By Associated Press / May 9, 2023

A jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million in a judgment that could haunt the former president as he campaigns to regain the White House. The verdict was announced in a federal courtroom in New York City on the first day of jury deliberations. Jurors rejected Carroll's claims that she was raped, but found Trump liable for sexually abusing her. Hours earlier, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan read instructions on the law to the nine-person jury before the panel began discussing Carroll's allegations of battery and defamation shortly before noon.