Login | October 09, 2025
Portage County Legal News.
Business
Hard pass. Cold brew. Dad bod. Merriam-Webster adds over 5,000 words to 'Collegiate' dictionary
NEW YORK (AP) — Word nerd alert: Merriam-Webster announced it has taken the rare step of fully revising and reimagining one of its most popular dictionaries with a fresh edition that adds over 5,000 new words, including "petrichor," "teraflop," "dumbphone" and "ghost kitchen."
The 12 ... (full story)
Streaming is overtaking theaters for movie watchers, an AP-NORC poll finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are more likely to watch newly released movies from the comfort of their own homes instead of heading out to a theater, according to a new poll.
About three-quarters of U.S. adults said they watched a new movie on streaming instead of in the theater at least once in the past year, according to t ... (full story)
Age 60 to 63? New 401(K) rules for you and you alone
Someone who is 50 or older is able to set aside more money into a 401(k) than someone who is under 50. Called a "catch-up contribution," the idea is to get more money working for you in a tax-advantaged way before you retire.
On Sept. 15, the IRS and the Department of the Treasury issued final regulations that incorpo ... (full story)
Local
How sea star wasting disease transformed the West Coast's ecology and economy
(THE CONVERSATION) Before 2013, divers on North America's west coast rarely saw purple sea urchins. The spiky animals, which are voracious kelp eaters,- were a favorite food of the coast's iconic sunflower sea stars. The giant sea stars, recognizable for their many arms, kept the urchin population in check, with the help of sea otte ... (full story)
Why aren't companies speeding up investment? A new theory offers an answer
(THE CONVERSATION) For years, I've puzzled over a question that seems to defy common sense: If stock markets are hitting records and tech innovation seems endless, why aren't companies pouring money back into new projects?
Yes, they're still investing – but the pace of business spending is slower than you'd expect, especia ... (full story)
State
Black Cowboy joy is spread by 'Boots on the Ground' viral line dance
NEW YORK (AP) — When Tre Little two-stepped in his cowboy boots at the BET Awards preshow this summer, he was overcome with joy and gratitude.
"I used to watch this on TV every year, and I'm now performing," said the 22-year-old Atlanta-area resident. "I started crying … tears of joy."
He joi ... (full story)
Where states stand in the battle for partisan advantage in redrawing US House maps
Efforts to redraw U.S. House districts for partisan advantage are spreading to more states ahead of next year's elections.
Lawmakers in three states have approved new congressional districts since President Donald Trump began pushing for mid-decade redistricting.
The trend began in Texas, where the Republican-led Legislature ... (full story)