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A section of trail in Switzerland

May was a big month! The highlight was a cycling trip around Lake Konstanz, passing through Konstanz, Bregenz Austria, Stein am Rhein in Switzerland, and Meersburg.

A farm in Bodenseeufer, Germany

We passed a lot of operating agriculture, growing apples, strawberries, and other fruits.

The route is very continuous, mostly flat, and popular with retirees. It's…

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Providence to end most of its health insurance business

Providence, which provides health insurance to about one in 10 Oregonians, will shutter almost all of its health insurance business at the end of the year. Officials said a partner will take over its Medicare Advantage plans and that the will honor existing employer contracts but will not renew them when they expire.

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The City Of Providence, Rhode Island Is Ready To Decarbonize

Envision early 20th century Providence, Rhode Island. Over a century of textile manufacturing had dumped industrial toxins — thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” Two rivers combine to form the Providence River: the Woonosquatucket and the Moshassuck Rivers. The old timers insist ... [continued]

The post The City Of Providence,…

Elon Musk-linked mural at Rhode Island gay bar sparks backlash

A mural honoring a slain Ukrainian refugee at a Rhode Island gay bar has been halted after revelations that it is part of a controversial national campaign reportedly backed by Elon Musk, prompting objections from Providence’s out mayor and sparking backlash within the LGBTQ+ community.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ**+ news and politics.** Sign up for The Advocate's email…

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Othniel Young's Revolutionary War Pension Application

Genealogy

Othniel Young, 1758-1846 was my 5th great-grandfather. He was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, USA and died in Burrillville, Rhode Island, ten miles away. Six generations later, my father was born sixteen miles from Smithfield, in Providence. What I found in military records was his pension application from August 7, 1832, made when he was seventy-four years old, for his service…

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Pluralistic: Billionaires are a danger to themselves and (especially) us (09 Mar 2026)

Today's links Billionaires are a danger to themselves and (especially) us: A billionaire is a machine for producing policy failures at scale. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. Object permanence: Librarians Against DRM; Copyright maximalist MP is a pirate; "The Monster"; The perversity of self-destructing ebooks; Space opera cliches; Social software politics; Game in a browser's location…

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I Don’t Have the Spoons (episode #1597)

Whether it’s a Rubik’s cube or a round of Wordle, why do so many of us find puzzles irresistible? A new book celebrates the allure and psychological benefits of brain teasers. Plus, powerful language for talking about the chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities that sap a person’s energy and focus. And what would you wear […]

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