Broadcast TV Is Dying

Broadcast television is slowly fading out. Over the past two decades, fewer people are flipping channels, opting for on-demand streaming instead. Streaming services are bagging the top shows and sports events, often leaving traditional TV struggling for audience and ad revenue. What’s more, controversies linger, with figures like Trump and FCC nominee Brendan Carr threatening

Read & Share   sourced from: WIRED

Why ‘Brain Rot’ Can Hurt Learning — and How One District Is Kicking It Out of School

Kids today are growing up in a world where short, bizarre internet videos dominate their screens—and their attention spans. Dubbed “brain rot,” this trend of mindless, dopamine-spiking content is causing ripple effects far beyond social media, from classrooms to homes. As schools grapple with shorter attention spans and social challenges, researchers link these behaviors to

Read & Share   sourced from: EdSurge

On This Day | Gossip Scams

This section has come in for its share of schemes and fakers, and its citizens have contributed their share of coin to the schemers. It has never been plain why local citizens will bite

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School phone policies needed, but not a state ban (news and an editor’s commentary on the topic)

In Bismarck, a new debate centers on the ringing and pinging interruptions that cellphones bring into classrooms. Representative Jim Jonas has pitched a bill to limit student cellphone use, aiming for better focus and mental health. While some educators see the merit, arguing for local control, the proposal faces mixed reviews. Exemptions are being discussed,

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Nebraska takes aim at social media and school time cell phone use by youths

In an age where smartphones feel like extensions of our hands, Nebraska lawmakers are stepping into the fray with proposals aimed squarely at safeguarding young minds. Leading the charge, State Sen. Tanya Storer and colleagues are set to introduce legislation requiring parental consent for minors to sign up on social media platforms. That’s alongside measures

Read & Share   sourced from: Nebraska Examiner

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Estevan Mercury newspaper shuts down after 122 years

In Estevan, the pages of history have turned a poignant corner. After over a century of documenting life in southeast Saskatchewan, the Estevan Mercury has published its final issue. Editor David Willberg shared the bittersweet news online, expressing gratitude to those who’ve supported the paper through its storied run. Founded in 1903, the Mercury outlasted

Read & Share   sourced from: Regina Leader Post

Digital Curriculums Not Resulting in Real Education Results in Norway

Norway’s classrooms, once pristine havens of books and blackboards, have been swept into the digital age with hefty investments in technology. And yet, the results are not as bright as many hoped. Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun argues that digitization hasn’t delivered the expected improvements in digital skills among students. With recent reports showing low

Read & Share   sourced from: The Norwegian American

New Scam Alert: The Unordered Package

Unexpected packages on your doorstep can feel like a mini mystery waiting to be solved, right? But lately, there’s a new twist making the rounds: a scam called “brushing.” It begins innocently enough with a package you never ordered. Your name and address are there, but any trace of a return address? Missing. Inside, a

Read & Share   sourced from: KFYR

As Australia bans social media for kids, Sweden Says the Same Course Is On the Table

Australia has taken a bold step, banning social media for kids under 16, and now Sweden is watching closely. The Swedish government is considering a similar move but warns it might not be so straightforward. Jannike Tillå from the Swedish Internet Foundation raises an important point: defining social media proves tricky, and a ban might

Read & Share   sourced from: Radio Sweden

West Fargo approves use of AI to gather economic data

West Fargo is turning to artificial intelligence to sharpen its economic strategy, tapping into a resource that’s becoming a staple in cities nationwide. By adopting Placer.ai’s software, the city aims to demystify foot traffic patterns and assess whether economic incentives make sense for fostering growth. With this technology, the city can measure the impact of

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

A nation exhausted: The neuroscience of why Americans are tuning out politics

“I am definitely not following the news anymore,” one patient told me when I asked about her political news consumption in the weeks before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This conversation happened around the time I talked with a local TV channel about why we saw I am a psychiatrist who studies and treats fear

Read & Share   sourced from: The Conversation

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“Brain Rot” Will Make You “Plain Spoken”

Ever heard someone say you’ve got that “plain spoken” charm? It’s a nod to your knack for honesty and clarity. This year, though, it’s not just Nebraskans (or North Dakotans) getting straightforward. Oxford University Press’s 2024 Word of the Year, “brain rot,” calls out a modern menace: information overload leading to mental mush, especially from

Read & Share   sourced from: Nebraska Examiner

Trailer: There’s Something in the Barn

Ready for a twist on traditional yuletide tales? “There’s Something in the Barn” tangles the familiar with the farcical—a holiday horror comedy where Norwegian nisse elves take center stage. It’s all about outrageous laughs and unexpected chills, peppered with comedic gems like a lutefisk dinner gone hilariously wrong. This film flips quaint customs on their

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Iowa City school board approves new cellphone policy

When it comes to classroom distractions, cellphones often top the list. In response, the Iowa City school board made a decisive move: phones, earbuds, and headphones must be out of sight during class time starting in 2025. This policy aims to create a focused learning environment, with phones tucked away in bags or lockers. While

Read & Share   sourced from: Cedar Rapids Gazette

Stay informed, not overwhelmed

In today’s fast-paced world, the news seems to echo our deepest fears, and it’s no surprise that many have chosen to step back. Yet, how do you keep informed without losing your sanity? If worrying headlines and political antics leave you feeling edgy, it’s crucial to find balance. Here are some strategies to manage news

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Dakota Gardener: The origins of mistletoe kisses

Mistletoe, often romanticized in Christmas lore, is actually a parasitic plant that relies on trees for sustenance. Its name derives from Anglo-Saxon words meaning “dung-on-a-twig,” highlighting its propagation via bird droppings. Mythology and tradition, not biology, link mistletoe to love. Norse myths and ancient cultures like the Greeks and Druids associated it with fertility and

Read & Share   sourced from: The Daily Farmer