News across Cass County

Pro-democracy activists increasingly vulnerable to authoritarian governments in Southeast Asia
Activists across Asia are being hunted down by authoritarian governments even across international borders. Human rights groups have been warning of a "swap market" of repression in Southeast Asia.

10 books we are looking forward to this fall
Move over, beach reads. With the fall equinox behind us, we can now curl up with cozy autumn books. There are new titles coming from Barbara Kingsolver, Chad Harbach, Jasmine Guillory and more.

He was banned by betting sites, and filed for bankruptcy. Then he relapsed on Kalshi
The dark side of the prediction market boom is becoming more clear: Experts say the sites have become go-to outlets for gambling addicts to relapse as the companies avoid state consumer protections.

After bankruptcy, he was banned from sports betting sites. Then he discovered Kalshi
The dark side of the prediction market boom is becoming more clear: Experts say the sites have become go-to outlets for gambling addicts to relapse as the companies avoid state consumer protections.

A new California law bans child marriage. What's the global outlook on the practice?
The governor of California has signed into law a ban on child marriage. What is the status of other efforts to ban the practice? And do bans prove effective?

Google launches Project Suncatcher, a step towards AI data centers in space
The fridge-size satellite with AI chips on board is part of Project Suncatcher, the company's moonshot effort to put AI data centers in space and harness solar energy.

AI data centers: How much are ratepayers on the hook for?
Data centers consume large amounts of power and require upgrading infrastructure. But it's difficult to determine how much residential customers benefit and how much they actually pay for the benefit.

Cornell Jane Doe's attorney says she told police in 2024: 'I was raped'
Counter to what a local prosecutor has claimed, the alleged victim of a 2024 gang rape at Cornell University clearly said in her police statement that she was sexually assaulted, her attorney told NPR.

New York Attorney General Letitia James made special prosecutor in Cornell rape investigation
Counter to what a local prosecutor has claimed, the alleged victim of a 2024 gang rape at Cornell University clearly said in her police statement that she was sexually assaulted, her attorney told NPR.

New space station crew launches from Florida on SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule
The crew of four — two NASA astronauts, one from Canada, and a Russian cosmonaut — heads to the International Space Station after liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

She can communicate with ghosts. Here's what she learns from the 'Sad Dead'
My Sad Dead is about an Argentinian doctor who can speak with ghosts. The Spanish-language miniseries blends creepiness, melancholy, sarcastic humor and political anger unlike anything else on TV.

Sheryl Crow says she's found 'great liberation' in not chasing the next hit
After selling tens of millions of records worldwide, the singer-songwriter says she's finally aged out of pop music — and she's OK with that. Crow's latest album is Pick You Up.