Discover how alcohol’s long-celebrated role in social life clashes with its hidden impact on health. “Alcohol, Cancer, and Society” delves into the Surgeon General’s latest warning, explores each of the seven cancers linked to drinking, and uncovers the economics and ethics driving breweries and bars. From personal stories of survivorship to Minnesota-specific best practices for responsible service, this in-depth exploration equips you with everything you need to know—so you can make informed choices without sacrificing community spirit.

Entropy isn’t just a physics buzzword—it’s the hidden current behind melting snow, rusting bridges, busy servers, and even Hastings’ local economy. Journey from the birth of the Second Law in 19th-century steam labs to the potholes on Vermillion Street and discover how understanding entropy can help our community innovate, stay resilient, and thrive.

Ever wondered if your next big idea is a cosmic spark, a neural remix, or a meme you “caught” from your neighbor? Dive into a whirlwind tour of philosophy, neuroscience, and AI that unpacks how thoughts form, evolve, and reshape our lives—from the coffee shops of Hastings to the outer reaches of consciousness.

From cracking enemy codes in WWII to guiding Hastings students who build robots after class, information theory has traveled an extraordinary arc. This feature unpacks Claude Shannon’s revolutionary “bit,” demystifies the math behind Wi-Fi and AI, tours the quantum-and-neural frontiers, and shows why these ideas matter right here on the Mississippi. Spoiler: the next tech breakthrough could start in a Hastings classroom.

Trace the epic story of love and kindness—from ancient myths and world religions to modern psychology and the streets of Hastings, Minnesota. This sweeping narrative reveals how compassion has shaped human progress and why nurturing it today is the key to our community’s future prosperity.

Legendary designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are building “io,” a screen-free AI wearable that listens, learns, and helps in real time. Our comprehensive report unpacks its confirmed features, legal hurdles, sentiment-analysis ambitions, and why communities like Hastings, Minnesota could benefit as much as Silicon Valley. Get the facts, risks, and opportunities before this next computing wave arrives.

What sparked the first flicker of human self-awareness—and what happens when our own inventions cross that same threshold? This in-depth HastingsNow report traces the 300-millennia journey from early hominin minds to today’s rapidly evolving, potentially sentient AI, unpacking the science, ethics, and local stakes for Hastings as we confront a conscious-tech future.

From Plato’s ideals to Duchamp’s urinal and today’s AI image generators, every new medium has redrawn art’s borders. This sweeping feature unpacks 2,500 years of creative upheaval—revealing why intention, interpretation, and impact matter more than the tool itself, and why the canvas of human expression keeps expanding.

At midlife, learning new tech can feel daunting – but creativity has no age limit in Hastings. Discover how no-code AI tools and community support empower the 40+ crowd to unlock new creative possibilities with AI and join a growing movement of local innovators.

Discover how the emerging “Age of the Agent Orchestrator” will reshape local news, business promotion, and civic life in Hastings, MN. This deep dive explains Shyamal Hitesh Anadkat’s vision of AI-driven agent networks and shows what it means for HastingsNow.com—from automated reporting and smarter advertising to on-demand community chatbots. Learn the opportunities, the risks, and the new skills our hometown will need to thrive.

Explore how the powerful technology of webhooks revolutionized the internet and discover practical, real-time automation examples specifically tailored for Hastings, Minnesota's small businesses, developers, and local community. Learn how you can easily integrate webhooks today.

Voice AI isn't just hearing—it's understanding. Dive into the epic journey of AI's orchestration layer, from early speech recognition to today's sophisticated multimodal, emotionally-aware systems. Learn how innovations like token-based emotional reasoning are crafting the future of seamless, human-like interaction with AI.

From the first web browsers to today's AI-driven voice assistants, “Requests” have transformed how technology communicates. Dive into their fascinating history, discover how APIs and JSON shape modern digital interactions, and learn practical ways communities leverage requests for civic tech and local empowerment.

George Washington’s story began in revolution and echoes today in our era of artificial intelligence. As we stand at the forefront of technological transformation, Washington’s timeless values of knowledge, integrity, unity, and prudent governance offer profound insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities AI presents. This thoughtful exploration imagines Washington’s views on AI's latest advancements, the role it should play in government, and how communities, from Hastings, Minnesota, to cities worldwide, can responsibly integrate technology while preserving democratic ideals. Learn how history's greatest lessons illuminate our path forward into the AI revolution.

In this whimsical yet informative deep dive, we explore the remarkable journey of pigeons – from their origin as cliff-dwelling rock doves domesticated 5,000 years ago, to their heroics as wartime messengers and their adaptation to modern city life. Centered on Hastings, Minnesota’s own feathered residents, the story highlights our love-hate relationship with these birds, their unique communication (do pigeons chirp? we find out!), and what the future might hold for pigeons in an ever-urbanizing world. It’s a celebration of one of our most underrated wildlife neighbors and a guide for locals to appreciate and coexist with the humble pigeon.

Ever wondered what the Buddha would think about AI technology in Hastings? Dive into a spirit-led exploration, blending ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern-day insights to help our community embrace AI ethically and mindfully.

Horace Mann, 19th-century champion of public education, meets the AI age in our Hastings schools. This in-depth look explores how Mann’s ideals of equity, community, and quality learning align with – and challenge – the rise of AI in today’s classrooms, offering guidance for educators, parents, and students navigating the future of education.

As artificial intelligence reshapes our daily lives, we’re left asking profound questions—like, "What might Jesus think of AI?" This insightful exploration examines how timeless Christian teachings and modern technology intersect, offering thoughtful perspectives on ethics, humanity, and faith.

Hastings is buzzing with DIY tech energy! Discover how software-development kits (SDKs) let neighbors, shop owners, and marketers build clever AI-powered apps—without Silicon-Valley budgets. From pop-up push-notifications at your favorite boutique to AR history tours downtown, see how these ready-made “toolboxes” are turning big-city innovation into small-town wins.

From dusty punch-card labs to the latte-scented counters of downtown Hastings, discover how the humble API became the secret engine behind local coffee orders, social-media buzz, and Main-Street growth. This friendly deep-dive shows beginners, owners, and tech-pros alike why APIs matter—and how every Hastings business can tap them today.