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A joint investigation by WPLN and ProPublica has uncovered illegal practices at a juvenile detention center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Richard L. Bean Center, managed by Richard L. Bean since 1972, has been found to use seclusion as a punishment more frequently than any other facility in the state. This practice, which involves isolating children in cells for extended periods, is against the law. The findings have led state lawmakers to call for an audit of all juvenile detention centers in Tennessee.

A house in Arlington, Virginia, was destroyed in a large explosion on Monday night, during a police investigation into a man suspected of firing a flare gun from his residence. The suspect, whose fate is currently unknown, was believed to be inside the house at the time of the explosion. The blast was captured on social media and caused damage to the surrounding neighborhood. The explosion was heard and felt miles away.

Los Angeles authorities have named Jerrid Joseph Powell, a 33-year-old local, as the suspect in the recent murders of three homeless men. Powell was already in custody for another shooting investigation when a firearm in his vehicle was linked to these murders. He was arrested earlier this week by Los Angeles sheriff's deputies for the investigation of a 42-year-old man's shooting death and robbery in San Dimas, a community about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

The Dillingham Lady Wolverines have received the 2023 2A State Academic Award. This award is given to the team with the highest cumulative grade point average. The team was presented with the award last weekend.

Tammy Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, has launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate. This has drawn attention to New Jersey's distinctive voting system, which might give her an edge in the Democratic primary. Despite her lack of previous electoral experience, Murphy has garnered substantial support from high-ranking Democratic Party officials in the state. Her fundraising skills are anticipated to aid her campaign and the county Democratic organizations.

For nearly two decades, thousands of Santas take over the streets of Milwaukee in what's known as the Santa Cycle Rampage — the "world's largest holiday-themed costume group bicycle ride for charity."Visit here for more details.

Dave Davies, a regular contributor and substitute host for the radio show 'Fresh Air', is planning to reduce his workload after 22 years. Davies has been a key part of the show, often conducting at least one interview weekly. His focus areas include sports, investigative journalism, and history. Davies has always focused on the listener's experience, aiming for clear and engaging conversations.

Four months after wildfires hit the town of Lahaina in western Maui, residents are still dealing with the aftermath. The town, once lively, now bears the scars of the disaster. The initial shock has now shifted to the challenge of recovery. Kukui Keahi, the operations manager for Kako'o Maui, a resource hub, has been assisting residents during this process.

Massachusetts is dealing with the effects of a significant increase in immigration, with a large number of migrants, mainly from Haiti, arriving without accommodation. The state's law, which requires the provision of shelter for most homeless families, is currently strained due to the migrant influx. Jean Francois Secius, a recent immigrant, was informed about the shelter system but was not told about its full capacity and the existing waitlist. Secius and his family are among the many households on this waitlist, searching for accommodation.

Florida State, despite being an undefeated power conference champion, did not make it to the four-team College Football Playoff (CFP). The selected teams were Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama. The absence of Florida State's star quarterback, Jordan Travis, due to a leg injury, is believed to have influenced this decision. CFP committee chair, Boo Corrigan, noted that Florida State's performance was different without Travis.

Maria Emilia Martin, a respected Latina public radio journalist, has died at 72 in Austin, Texas. Born in Mexico City and raised in California, Martin started her career at KBBF in Santa Rosa, the first Latino-owned community radio station in the U.S. She later worked as an editor on NPR's Latin File and became the network's first Latin American affairs editor.

High school students from Bristol Bay, Alaska, have been involved in a large-scale emergency drill. This exercise, aimed at preparing medical personnel for major emergencies, saw students in blue scrubs honing their life-saving skills. The drill is part of a week-long intensive class, a joint effort between the Bristol Bay Regional Career Technical Education Program and the Southwest Alaska Area Health Center at the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.

The federal student aid form, or FAFSA, will reopen later this month with notable changes. The form, which calculates families' college costs, has been simplified. Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, notes these changes are substantial.

Political campaigns are raising large sums of money through a method called 'dark defaults'. This method involves donors unknowingly agreeing to recurring donations due to pre-ticked boxes on donation pages. This has been a successful fundraising strategy for many political campaigns, even though some donors did not plan to make ongoing contributions.

A study conducted by the University of California Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center has revealed that performing small acts of kindness daily can significantly improve personal well-being. According to a report by NPR's Allison Aubrey, these actions can positively affect moods and promote happiness.

The article explores the growing interest in proportional representation in U.S. House districts. This method, where multiple representatives are elected based on vote proportion, is viewed as a possible approach to address the escalating polarization in Congress.

Fresh Air Weekend, a program known for its interviews and reviews, recently covered the topics of biases in artificial intelligence (AI) and the link between UFOs and conspiracy theories. Computer scientist Joy Buolamwini, who wrote Unmasking AI and founded the Algorithmic Justice League, discussed the biases in facial recognition technology. She suggested these biases could be a result of the creators' own prejudices.

Last week, a dispute over commercial deep sea mining intensified. Greenpeace activists boarded a marine research vessel in the Pacific Ocean. They raised concerns about the environmental impact of mining. The vessel was conducting research. However, the company operating it plans to start mining in the future.

Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and wife of ex-President Jimmy Carter, was buried in Plains, Georgia, their long-time residence. Her life and work were celebrated across Georgia for three days. Many remembered her for her dedication to service. Kathryn Cade, vice chair of the Carter Center's board of trustees, highlighted her roles as a wife, mother, strategist, diplomat, advocate, and author.

The holiday shopping season often sees a rise in shoplifting, as per retailers. A National Retail Federation survey showed that 70% of retailers view theft as a bigger issue than the previous year. This has prompted increased efforts to tackle retail theft, especially in places like Seattle, known for high rates of this crime.