Kitten season has pushed Chicago Animal Care and Control and local rescues to capacity, prompting waived-fee adoptions and expanded spay/neuter and foster efforts.

UCF closed two branch libraries and took its LibTech desks offline Thursday, cutting access to loaner laptops, cameras and other gear while some staff roles were eliminated. Students and former employees say the move was sudden and confusing.

Will County opened cooling centers Monday as a heat surge pushed heat indices above 100°F; the Joliet Salvation Army is among sites offering air‑conditioned relief. Call ahead to confirm hours.

A parvo outbreak at the Guadalupe County shelter led to the euthanasia of 47 dogs, county officials say. Local vets and rescues are coordinating response and containment.

Seasonal fireworks stands are open near El Paso — here’s where to shop, the sale window and the rules that could get you fined. Know the dates, the local ban and holiday enforcement.

Clark Kellogg is backing a planned single‑gender boarding academy in Columbus that aims to reserve seats for foster youth and hopes to open by fall 2028.

Ben Franklin High will lease the University of New Orleans’ Human Performance building to add classrooms and a gym as the selective school handles rising demand. The long-term deal pairs Franklin’s enrollment growth with UNO’s campus realignment.

Sac Metro Fire opened the long‑awaited Zinfandel training academy in Rancho Cordova, giving recruits a permanent campus with classrooms, outdoor training buildings and a memorial statue. The inaugural class of 19 starts this summer.

A federal jury awarded $6.3M to three former Detroit Club employees after finding the downtown club retaliated against staff who complained about racially unequal enforcement of its dress code.

Wake Forest’s North Carolina Gateway will cover tuition for many in‑state students starting fall 2026 and offers living‑cost help for lower‑income families.

Hawaii Pacific Health is taking Kapiolani’s food services in-house, ending Sodexo’s role at two Honolulu hospitals and offering hiring support to roughly 150 workers.

About 65 Allina Health hospice nurses have filed a 10‑day strike notice and plan to picket July 6 over denied raises, staffing and time for end‑of‑life care.

Fruita canceled its July 3 fireworks because of wildfire risk and will cap its July 2 concert with a drone show and free giveaways. The city repurposed pyrotechnic funds for ice cream and swag.