US En Route Back To The Moon For First Time In Decades
Newser— A crew of four astronauts has officially begun a historic deep-space mission, launching toward the Moon on a test flight designed to pave the way for future landings. Rather than touching down, the mission’s primary objective is to evaluate NASA’s Orion spacecraft with humans onboard, including its life-support systems, navigation, and how astronauts adapt to being far from Earth. The journey is expected to last about 10 days, with roughly four days spent traveling to the Moon, followed by a flyby of its surface and then the return trip home. During this time, the crew will travel around 250,000 miles from Earth—farther than humans have ventured since the Apollo era—marking a major step forward in humanity’s return to lunar exploration and setting the stage for future missions that aim to land on the Moon once again.
Read full story →Tech Neck Is A Thing... Apparently
TechSpot— Frequent phone use is increasingly being linked to a condition known as “tech neck,” which goes beyond simple soreness. Spending hours looking down at smartphones and tablets can alter posture and speed up visible aging in the neck, leading to deep horizontal lines and ongoing strain. Experts explain that constantly tilting the head forward places added pressure on the neck and spine, and over time this repeated position can affect spinal alignment and change how the neck ages—particularly in younger generations raised on digital devices. Doctors caution that the issue isn’t just cosmetic, as it can also contribute to chronic pain, stiffness, and premature wear on the spine, with some research suggesting a connection to disc degeneration in the neck.
Read full story →Gov. DeSantis Signs Florida Election Integrity Law
WEAR TV3— In Tallahassee, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed House Bill 991 into law, requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship, a measure similar to Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act backed by Donald Trump. The law, which will take effect next year and won’t impact this year’s midterm elections, mandates documentation such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or Florida driver’s license to verify eligibility. Election officials say implementing the system will require extensive coordination of databases and greater access to personal information, especially when voters move without prior verification. DeSantis, who refers to the measure as “Florida’s SAVE Act,” and supporters like Erin Grall argue it strengthens election integrity and public trust, while local officials, including Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux, note that while voter fraud is not widespread in Florida, the law aims to close potential gaps. The legislation also introduces a requirement for paper-only ballots and builds on recent state actions such as banning ballot harvesting and creating an office dedicated to election crimes.
Read full story →Here's Some of Yesterday's April Fools Pranks...
UPI— April Fools’ Day featured a wave of playful prank announcements, mostly centered around fake product launches and absurd brand mashups designed to seem just believable at first glance. Highlights included Keebler “toothpaste” made from cookies, an Ugg-branded umbrella, a Coca-Cola collaboration flavored like Raising Cane’s sauce, DOLE’s canned “fruit-scented air,” Mash Gang’s idea of swapping office water coolers for beer kegs, and Poppi’s tongue-in-cheek proposal kit tied to its soda brand. Overall, the jokes leaned into ridiculous combinations and over-the-top concepts, catching people off guard momentarily before revealing the punchline.
Read full story →World's Oldest Living Animal Passes Away At Age 193
WTSP— The world’s oldest known land animal, Jonathan the Giant Tortoise, has died at an estimated age of around 193, bringing to a close a life that spanned nearly two centuries. Living on the island of Saint Helena, Jonathan was believed to have been born around 1832, meaning he lived through major periods of history from the Civil War era to modern times. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal, he far exceeded the typical tortoise lifespan and became a global symbol of longevity. Over the years, he gained local celebrity status, even meeting royalty, and continued to thrive despite age-related challenges such as blindness and loss of smell.
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