IJR News

Oprah Selects Mary Lawson's Solace in Winter as 126th Book Club Pick — 1dOprah Winfrey selected Mary Lawson’s novel Solace in Winter as her latest Book Club pick, praising its moving story. Set in a snowbound Canadian town in 1969, it follows a widower who shelters an injured dog and a young American fleeing the Vietnam War draft.

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Tom Gallagher Oprah's picks often highlight quiet human stories and this one with the injured dog seems especially touching.

Hawaii Supreme Court Hears Elephant Rights CaseEnvironment — 2dThe Hawaii Supreme Court heard arguments over whether Honolulu Zoo elephants Mari and Vaigai can use habeas corpus to challenge their confinement and seek transfer to a sanctuary. The Nonhuman Rights Project says the elephants’ intelligence and autonomy warrant a right to liberty, while the city argues the issue belongs to policymakers and that the law does not extend habeas rights to elephants.

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Canisius and William & Mary Host Final Home Volleyball MatchesSports — 6dSeveral college volleyball programs are closing their home schedules this weekend with conference matchups and senior-day celebrations. Canisius faces Siena and Marist, William & Mary hosts Hampton, and Evansville welcomes Murray State, Valparaiso and Indiana State; DePaul’s women’s team travels to Georgetown and Villanova seeking wins that could secure a BIG EAST Tournament berth.

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Southwest Floods Lift Powell 20 Feet, Aid ReservoirsEnvironment — 3dFlooding across the drought-stricken U.S. Southwest is replenishing reservoirs and aquifers, with Lake Powell rising more than 20 feet and Upper Lake Mary receiving billions of gallons. The boost offers limited relief: Lake Powell remains only about a quarter full, while floods also forced evacuations and disrupted communities.

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Elena Vasquez Those evacuations are a tough price for the water gains in the reservoirs and aquifers.

Mary Peltola's Recent Tweet Draws Online Attention1 source — Oct 30, 2026

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Nicole Hardy Mary Peltola's tweet showed real insight on Alaska issues and that's why it caught on so fast.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Mary Peltola Reschedules Campaign Stops After Alaska Crash — Oct 25, 2026Mary Peltola and family sustained minor injuries in a Saturday night crash en route to an Alaska Natives banquet; Fairbanks and Bethel stops were rescheduled.

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Marcus Bell She should focus on recovery first before hitting the trail again.

Five Women Remembered in Recent ObituariesLifestyle — 6dObituaries remember Martha Brackney, Frances Brown, Lillian Marie Harris, Sherry Lynn Reese and Lois Baughman, whose lives were defined by devotion to family, lasting friendships and personal passions. Brackney and Harris were especially noted for caring for others, while the notices also celebrate Brown’s selfless gift of adoption, Reese’s faith and love of travel, and Baughman’s warmth, hard work and church community.

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Flippin mayor loses by two votes in three-city local electionsPolitics — Nov 4, 2026Mary Jane Erwin narrowly won Flippin’s mayoral race in the final count, defeating incumbent Heath Hogan 156–154. In other local races, Amy Woitalewicz won Worthington’s Ward 1 special election, and Sherri Myers defeated incumbent Charles Bare to regain her Pensacola City Council seat.

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BYD Rolls-Royce Rival Expected in Abu DhabiAuto — 6dRolls-Royce is marking the Silver Ghost’s legacy as a model that helped establish the marque’s reputation, while a San Diego museum exhibition features a 1931 Rolls-Royce once owned by Hollywood stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Meanwhile, BYD has shown its upcoming Yangwang Altior, an ultra-luxury electric sedan designed to rival Rolls-Royce and set for an Abu Dhabi debut.

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Hospitality Openings Reported Across Five DestinationsTravel — 6dNew hotel openings and upgrades are adding lodging and dining options in Austin, Mooloolaba, West Palm Beach, Bora Bora and Houston. Highlights include Austin’s 258-room Hotel Trinity, Pastis’s new West Palm Beach location, a forthcoming wine bar at Avani Mooloolaba, Bora Bora’s locally rooted Bloody Mary’s Hotel, and expanded restaurants at Houston’s JW Marriott.

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Alaska Governor Orders Investigation of Peltola Allies' Candidate Recruitment — Oct 29, 2026Republican Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy directed state officials Thursday to open an investigation into Democratic Alaska Senate nominee Mary Peltola's alleged ballot scheme.

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Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

Alaska Governor Orders Probe Into Peltola Over Second Dan Sullivan4 sources — Oct 29, 2026On Oct. 29 Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered Alaska public safety to investigate Mary Peltola over a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot; Trump called it ELECTION FRAUD.

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Chris Dalton The governor should ensure this probe stays focused on facts about Peltola and Sullivan rather than politics.

Vance Won't Commit on Prosecuting Peltola Despite Trump Push — Oct 29, 2026Vice President JD Vance would not commit to whether Democrat Mary Peltola should be prosecuted even though his boss is adamant she should be. Peltola’s Senate campaign effort alle… — by Sandra Rhodes

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Trump: Peltola should be removed from ballot in Alaska — Oct 28, 2026President Donald Trump called for former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) to be removed from the ballot for senator. Trump made his case Wednesday following a report that her campaign… — by Sandra Rhodes

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Obituaries remember four across Tennessee, MaineLifestyle — Oct 30, 2026Clarksville residents James William Bryant, 34, and Charles Black, 82, died Oct. 27; Bryant’s celebration of life is scheduled for Nov. 1. Marie Albright, 100, also died, with a graveside service set for Oct. 31.

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How charismatic are you, really?Quizie — QuizNot a score out of ten — the AI identifies your specific brand of charm and where it's most dangerous.

Montana Sets Sack Record, Beats Eastern WashingtonSports — Nov 1, 2026Montana snapped a two-game skid with a 42-33 win over Eastern Washington, as Brooks Davis scored three long touchdowns and the Grizzlies set a school record with 11 sacks. The victory featured a last-second first-half Hail Mary completion and three Montana interceptions.

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Alaska Senator Sullivan’s X Account Suspended, Reinstated — Oct 31, 2026X temporarily suspended Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan’s campaign account over an alleged inauthentic-account violation, then reinstated it. Republicans accused Democratic challenger Mary Peltola’s camp of reporting the account amid a dispute over a same-name independent candidate; Peltola’s campaign denied involvement.

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Mary Peltola, Running for Senate Against 'Self-Dealing,' Joined High-Priced Lobbying Firm After Cosponsoring Bill It Lobbied Congress To Pass1 source — Oct 22, 2026

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Dana Whitfield Peltola ran against self-dealing but cosponsored that bill then took the lobbying job anyway. Looks like business as usual in Congress.

Secret Scheme To Sabotage GOP Senator Revealed After Democrat Denied Involvement: REPORT — Oct 28, 2026Former Democratic Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola's campaign reportedly plotted to sabotage Republican Alaska Sen. Dan S. Sullivan's reelection bid by recruiting a candidate with the same name, The New York Times reported Wednesday

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Kenny Chesney Mourns Goldendoodle Poncho After 15 Years Together — Oct 28, 2026Kenny Chesney announced that his beloved goldendoodle Poncho, his companion for 15 years, has died. In a tribute, he recalled their life together and said Poncho brought joy to him and Mary Nolan, including joining him onstage at a Chicago stadium show in 2024.

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Oshkosh wins title as Tech upsets No. 19Sports — Oct 22, 2026UW-Oshkosh claimed at least a share of its fourth straight WIAC women’s volleyball regular-season title, while Michigan Tech rallied from two sets down to upset No. 19 Grand Valley State. Minnesota State, No. 2 Wayne State and Mary Washington also earned wins, defeating the University of Mary, Minnesota State Moorhead and Johnson & Wales–Charlotte, respectively.

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DOJ sues Maryland school district over gender policy — Oct 27, 2026DOJ sued Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Oct. 27, 2026, in an eight-count FERPA/PPRA case over Mary Doe’s preferred male name, a roster disclosure, and pronoun talks without parental consent.

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Nicole Hardy Parents should always be involved in major decisions about their kids, including gender matters at school.

Five Rescued After Drifting Three Months Near KiribatiWorld — Oct 31, 2026Eight crew members were rescued after the cargo boat M/B Rose Marie 1 partially sank near Dalupiri Island in Cagayan; one had a knee wound and several were assessed for possible hypertension. Reports cited engine trouble and water entering the vessel, while a separate initial Coast Guard account pointed to rough seas and shifting livestock; an attempt to tow the boat failed.

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Recent Obituaries Listed Across Four CountiesLifestyle — Oct 28, 2026Recent obituary roundups covered people remembered in Davidson, Wilson and Williamson counties, while a Hawaii listing included Melissa Laurice Frazier, a teacher; Ruth Harue Kuramoto, a homemaker; Mary Balanon Llantero; and Richard C. Marzo, a retired county police officer and Army veteran. The notices provide details about their lives, survivors and services.

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