Almanac for Aug. 26, 2026
Today is Wednesday, Aug. 26, the 238th day of 2026. There are 127 days left in the year. Today in history: On Aug. 26, 1944, French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation. Also on this date: In 1939, the first televised Major League Baseball games were broadcast on experimental station W2XBS: a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. The Reds won the first game, 5-2, and the Dodgers the second, 6-1. In 1958, Alaskans went ...
Students warned against relying on energy drinks
While it's still too early to pull all-nighters for studying, students heading back to classes at all levels may be tempted to seek an "energy drink" to manage the shift to early mornings, homework, athletics and busy afterschool schedules. But experts with Aspirus Health caution that energy drinks are not a safe or healthy way for children and teens to stay alert. Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine, added sugars and other stimulants that can affect sleep, mood, hydration and heart health. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends adolescents avoid energy drinks, ...
Never trust a politician
The woman in the grocery store checkout line had an accent. While we waited for our items to be rung up, I asked her where she was from. “Argentina,” she said. “Is the inflation rate in Argentina under 100 percent yet?” I asked. She smiled, “That’s what the politicians say, but ...
States stress need for vaccines as children return to schools
As several area school districts start classes this week, there's been some recent disquieting developments concerning childhood vaccinations. The Associated Press reported a week ago that U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data. The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements reached 4.2%, up from 3.6% the year before. That's an estimated 155,000 children nationally during the 2025-2026 school year, according to AP. It's the fourth consecutive year the ...