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How the Smithsonian is using AI to connect artifacts from the American Revolution

National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The distance in the march from the American Revolution to the age of artificial intelligence is almost beyond comprehension. But leaders of the Smithsonian Institution are using AI to bridge the divide. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence, Smithsonian leaders are turning to AI to better understand items in its collection tied to the fight that led to the country's founding. The goal is to allow the public and scholars to both search the institution's collection and draw connections across the Smithsonian and other organizations, ...

FCC considers allowing more political robocalls before midterms, including those created with AI

National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission is considering a request by a conservative group to loosen rules on political robocalls, including those with artificial intelligence-generated voices, before November's midterm elections. Federal law currently bans most robocalls to cellphones unless the caller gets consent beforehand. The petition calls for a waiver that would allow political groups to use artificial or prerecorded voices in unsolicited wireless calls. The Republican-led FCC advanced the request for public comment and could rule on it as soon as late ...

MTU board approves capital plan for new Convergence, Innovation center

Community

HOUGHTON — Michigan Technological University's Board of Trustees met in a formal session last week, appointed a new treasure, adopted a five-year capital outlay plan and viewed a presentation an upcoming award from the Department of Energy. Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek called it a special day because of the groundbreaking for the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness. The $55 million project is the result of a record-breaking donation by Tech alumni Chang Park, Class of 1973. "Our greatest achievements are often remembered on specific days like these," Koubek said. "But we ...

Dolly Parton's multifaceted legacy showcased at Nashville museum and hotel

Life

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton's longtime creative director, Steve Summers, designed hundreds of dresses and outfits for the late singer and entertainer every year, so he saw her in many stages of her career. "Every person in here has a different Dolly Parton that they are in love with," Summers told a crowd of fans gathered Tuesday for the opening of a new museum in Nashville dedicated to the beloved singer who died in August at age 80. The 20,000-square-foot Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum includes exhibits focused on many different aspects of her life and legacy, from ...

Escanaba home damaged by fire

Local News

ESCANABA — A residence near the Catherine Bonifas Civic Center in Escanaba was damaged by fire Wednesday morning. At approximately 10:15 a.m., the Escanaba Department of Public Safety was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire at 220 N. 21st St. in the city, stated a press ...

Urania reborn

Features

MANISTIQUE — Memories of a plaster statue that once stood in the hall of a local school were nearly lost, but historians of Manistique tracked down the artwork about eight years ago. During the last week and a half, the sculpture has been under the hands of an art conservator. According ...