New York’s aging office has placed tabletop AI companions called ElliQ in hundreds of homes. Early state data show heavy daily use and big drops in self‑reported loneliness.

A Los Angeles judge left a 60+ union laborer’s punitive‑damages claim against Hathaway Dinwiddie standing, after allegations of long‑running ageist taunts and a disputed firing.

The New Orleans Career Center says enrollment has jumped to roughly 800 as it expands building‑trades and health programs at the renovated Tremé campus. Employers from hospitals to hotels are hiring graduates.

A new statewide hotline links low-income Texas families to child-welfare attorneys when CPS opens an investigation, funded by a $14M TAJF grant.

Federal and state data show the private‑sector workweek in Oregon fell below 33 hours in December — the lowest reading since 2010 — as layoffs and weak hiring push unemployment higher.

Thousands turned Petco Park into a hands‑on science fair as Expo Day drew roughly 20,000 people while proposed federal budgets threaten deep cuts to NIH, NSF and NASA.

Crews will install about 1,000 free smoke alarms across St. Louis this weekend with Red Cross support, timed to the daylight-saving time change.

Belle Isle will mark 313 Day on March 13 with free family programming across the island and the Belle Isle Casino reopening at 3 p.m. Reservations run through Sept. 30.

El Paso County posted a short survey and recorded presentation asking residents to weigh in on the county’s first animal shelter; responses are due March 12.

Dozens gathered at Tower Grove Park Saturday as supporters of U.S. strikes and anti‑war demonstrators faced off, drawing a police presence and local organizers. The standoff mirrored nationwide protests after strikes on Iran.

After a week in ICE custody, City Heights community leader Iris Esmeralda Contreras was released on bond and will face a federal court hearing Monday.

Michigan launched a $16M pilot that delivers $200–$300 monthly stipends to about 2,500 child‑care workers to test whether steady pay boosts help retain educators.

About 20 NYC Jewish teachers lost a grievance after the DOE denied a day to prepare for Passover, prompting union and community calls for clearer rules.