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Community

Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.

Diverse New Yorkers working together on a community project, demonstrating the positive impact of local volunteering and strong community bonds.

Local Volunteering: Types, Trends, and Community Impact

In New York City, volunteer participation is double the rate seen at state and national levels, according to NYCService .

Sophie Nguyen· Jul 21· 7 min
Diverse group of new residents arriving in a welcoming city in 2026, symbolizing opportunity and integration into the community.

8 Local Resources for New Residents in 2026

While the 2026 Multicultural Festival will host nearly 80 organizations offering resources for newcomers, some of the most impactful support for new residents comes through highly specialized, paid ca

Sophie Nguyen· Jul 8· 6 min
Killeen City Council members deliberate on animal services fee changes during a public meeting, with concerned citizens and their pets present.

Killeen City Council Reviews Animal Services Fee Changes

In Killeen, adopting a sterilized pet now costs $40, while an unsterilized one is just $25, according to Killeen Texas .

Derek Molina· Jul 6· 3 min
Thousands of people marching in the Chicago Trans Liberation March with pride flags and protest signs, demanding rights and protesting anti-trans legislation.

Chicago Trans Liberation March fights for rights amid new legislation

Thousands marched in Chicago's Trans Liberation March, explicitly protesting recent attacks and legislative threats against the trans community.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 30· 3 min
Aerial view of the Chicago Pride Parade with a massive, diverse crowd celebrating along a city street, filled with rainbow flags and vibrant energy.

Chicago Pride Parade 2026 Route and Street Closures

Hundreds of thousands of attendees are expected to descend upon Lakeview this Sunday, June 28, 2026, for the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade, transforming four miles of city streets.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 28· 3 min
Diverse Haitian and Syrian families in Chicago looking uncertain outside a courthouse, with the city skyline in the background.

Supreme Court Allows TPS Termination for Haitians, Syrians

Hundreds of Haitian and Syrian families in Chicago now face an uncertain future after the U.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 27· 3 min
Diverse individuals looking towards the Illinois skyline, representing out-of-state patients seeking abortion care.

Illinois clinics saw 32,000 out-of-state patients in 2025

In 2025, Illinois provided 32,000 abortions to out-of-state residents, a figure that highlights the state's growing role in the national abortion landscape.

Derek Molina· Jun 24· 4 min
Chicago activists and faith leaders rally at City Hall, demanding the creation of a new Department of Gun Violence Prevention with a significant budget.

Activists Push Chicago to Create Permanent Gun Violence Prevention Department

A coalition of Chicago faith leaders and activists is demanding the city establish a Department of Gun Violence Prevention with a $100 million budget, representing about 3% of the city's annual public

Sophie Nguyen· Jun 23· 3 min
City skyline at dusk with flickering lights, symbolizing the impact of expiring ARPA funds on municipal services and emergency response.

ARPA Funds Expire: Cities Brace for Service Cuts Amid Funding Crisis

A small town in Ohio, having used federal pandemic funds to hire five new paramedics, now faces a 30% cut to its emergency services budget as those funds expire this year, according to the Ohio Munici

Marco Alvarez· Jun 19· 5 min
Diverse families and children enjoying free summer activities like splash pads and park games in a sunny, vibrant community park.

7 Free Summer Activities for Kids and Families in 2026

As summer care costs soar, forcing families into tough choices, cities like Milwaukee are stepping up.

Sophie Nguyen· Jun 18· 5 min
Chicago street flooded during a severe rainstorm, with rising water levels threatening homes and a resident looking on with concern.

Chicago Urges Reduced Water Use During Storms to Prevent Flooding

Nearly three years after historic flooding damaged their homes, some West Side homeowners are still waiting for city help.

Sophie Nguyen· Jun 18· 3 min
Diverse group of immigrant mothers anxiously awaiting a Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship for their children.

Supreme Court to Rule on Birthright Citizenship for Immigrant Mothers

In January 2025, an executive order instructed the federal government to deny citizenship to any child born in the U.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 15· 3 min
Bronzeville alderwoman addresses the community, demanding accountability for recent shootings involving young people at unsanctioned gatherings.

Bronzeville Alder Demands Accountability for Youth Shootings

A 12-year-old boy was among seven young people shot over a single weekend at unsanctioned teen gatherings in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

Derek Molina· Jun 8· 3 min
California primary election results with early leads shown for key statewide races, highlighting the ongoing vote count and potential shifts.

California primary election results show early leads for key races

With only 46% of votes counted in key statewide races, California's primary election on June 2 leaves the fate of gubernatorial successors and crucial U.

Derek Molina· Jun 3· 3 min
Pancreatic cancer patients and families looking towards a hopeful horizon, representing the positive outcomes of the Daraxonrasib clinical trial.

Daraxonrasib extends life in pancreatic cancer trial

Pancreatic cancer patients receiving the new drug Daraxonrasib lived nearly twice as long as those on standard chemotherapy in a recent Phase III trial.

Derek Molina· May 31· 4 min
A street sign for Lori Cannon Way in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, with a celebratory crowd in the background during a renaming ceremony.

Edgewater Street Renamed Lori Cannon Way Honoring LGBTQ+ Activist

On what would have been her 75th birthday, over 200 people gathered in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood to rename a block of North Broadway after Lori Cannon, the late HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ activist.

Sophie Nguyen· May 28· 3 min
Elderly residents and community members gather at a local service center, highlighting the strain on resources due to an aging population.

Aging Demographics Strain Local Services, Funding Faces 2026 Challenge

In Palm Coast, Florida, a heated debate is underway over whether to prioritize affordable housing for seniors or the local workforce, illustrating a growing national dilemma for communities grappling

Derek Molina· May 14· 9 min
Local musicians performing at a benefit concert in the Grand Civic Auditorium, raising funds for immigration services, with an engaged audience.

Local Musicians Host Benefit Concert for Immigration Services

Last night, a single guitar riff echoing through the historic Grand Civic Auditorium helped raise over $75,000, enough to provide legal representation for 25 asylum seekers in Maplewood County.

Sophie Nguyen· May 5· 3 min
A close-up of a calendar highlighting the Illinois primary election date, symbolizing the importance of early election deadlines for voters and candidates.

Navigating varied primary election deadlines

While many voters focus on November general elections, the Illinois primary for 2026 is already set for March 17, a full 20 months away.

Derek Molina· Apr 24· 3 min
Diverse Philadelphians working together in a park on a community sustainability project, with a green skyline in the background.

Philly Launches 2026 Fund for Community-Led Urban Sustainability

Since 2023, 31 MIT Freedom Summer Fellows have contributed to over $100 million in grant applications, including a successful $3 million EPA Climate Pollution Reduction grant for Hawaii.

Sophie Nguyen· Apr 14· 5 min
Historic DeLand's Woodland Boulevard, bustling with activity, tree-lined, and charming, a finalist in the 'Best Main Street in the South' competition.

DeLand's Woodland Boulevard Reaches Final Round in Best Main Street Contest

DeLand's Woodland Boulevard has reached the final round of Garden & Gun magazine's 'Best Main Street in the South' competition. Public voting is open until April 7 to determine if this Florida gem takes the top spot.

Derek Molina· Apr 7· 3 min
A poignant image of Vietnam War veterans, some in uniform, being honored at a community ceremony with applause and American flags, symbolizing a long-awaited welcome home.

Local Communities Honor Vietnam War Veterans on National Day of Recognition

On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, local communities are finally giving a proper "welcome home" to service members with ceremonies and official proclamations of gratitude.

Derek Molina· Mar 30· 4 min
Editorial illustration for A Resident's Guide to Speaking at a School Board Meeting

A Resident's Guide to Speaking at a School Board Meeting

This guide provides residents with a step-by-step process for speaking effectively at school board meetings. It emphasizes understanding local policies, sign-up procedures, and presentation guidelines to ensure your voice is heard.

Derek Molina· Oct 8· 4 min
Split image contrasting a lively in-person community gathering with people connecting digitally via screens, representing hybrid event engagement.

Why Local Groups Lean on Digital Tools Amid Hybrid Event Challenges

Local community organizations report a 60% increase in event attendance since adopting hybrid formats.

Derek Molina· Sep 11· 3 min
A vibrant community gathering inside a modern library, showcasing diverse people engaging with books and various community resources, symbolizing connection and support.

Why Libraries Are Offering More Than Books For Community Engagement

In February 2017, the Denver Public Library began stocking Narcan after a patron suffered a fatal overdose.

Derek Molina· Sep 9· 4 min
A vibrant local coffee shop with customers enjoying themselves, showcasing community support and a positive online presence.

Local Businesses Face Rising Costs for Digital Reputation Management

Dark Hall Coffee, a local Arizona shop, turned a rude online comment about its gothic theme and Pride representation into a viral T-shirt campaign.

Sophie Nguyen· Sep 5· 3 min
Diverse volunteers of all ages collaborating on a sunny day to clean a riverbank, showcasing community spirit and local impact.

Digital platforms boost 2026 local volunteerism, but engagement depth is key.

In a small town of 10,000, a single Facebook group mobilized 300 volunteers for a river cleanup in under 48 hours.

Sophie Nguyen· Sep 1· 4 min
Mail-In vs. In-Person Voting: Grita Canta Vota Explains What's at Stake in 2026

Mail-In vs. In-Person Voting: Grita Canta Vota Explains What's at Stake in 2026

The debate over mail-in vs. in-person voting is a political trap, distracting from the smartest way to cast your ballot, especially for Latino voters. Organizations like Grita Canta Vota empower voters with facts to make confident, secure choices.

Sponsored by Grita Canta Vota· Aug 17· 7 min
Exploring Domestic and International Mission Opportunities With Thirst Missions

Exploring Domestic and International Mission Opportunities With Thirst Missions

This article explores domestic and international mission opportunities with Thirst Missions, highlighting how short-term trips allow individuals and groups to put faith into action and support local ministries. It discusses the unique benefits of both domestic and international missions, emphasizing service, discipleship, and building lasting relationships.

Sponsored by Thirst Missions· Aug 17· 6 min
Portland City Hall at dusk with a symbolic flickering candle in the foreground, representing the delicate balance of job savings and lost public trust.

Portland's $10 Million Budget Deal Saves 30 Jobs, But Trust Remains Elusive

After approving an $8.

Derek Molina· Aug 17· 5 min