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The Epstein files have been on the back burner for the past few weeks, not completely forgotten about, but sat aside to simmer in the background as we shifted our focus to deal with the latest political issue, the recent government shutdown. On November 12, the House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 pages of Epstein emails, effectively bringing Trump's involvement with Epstein right back to the forefront of everyone's mind. 

I have a slight obsession with salt flats. So, when I recently traveled to Argentina for a competition, visiting Salinas Grandes was on my to do list. What I didn’t know is that there is an opportunity to spend the night on the salt flats through Pristine Camps. I’ll be honest, it isn’t cheap, but how often do you get to basically sleep on another planet almost all by yourself?!

After the recent government shutdown left millions of Americans with little to no access to SNAP food benefits, many have been scrambling to find food for themselves and families. Now that the shutdown is officially over, states are working quickly to get the missing food assistance back to its people.

Black Friday has become the unofficial holiday of bargain hunting—an adrenaline-powered rush of deals, doorbusters, and overflowing shopping carts. But as the day grows bigger each year, so does its environmental footprint. From fast-fashion hauls to mountains of packaging waste, the frenzy often overshadows the real cost of our consumption. Yet Black Friday doesn’t have to conflict with conscious living. With a bit of intention, savvy planning, and a shift in mindset, it can actually be an opportunity to shop smarter, support greener businesses, and reduce waste. Here’s how to approach Black Friday sustainably—without sacrificing the thrill of a good deal.

On Oct. 1 Democrat and Republican Senators were unable to agree on health policy leading to the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States. Read our article “What Does This Government Shutdown Mean?” to learn more about the shutdown. After over 40 long days of limited government functionality and seemingly no end in sight, a key vote on Nov. 9 sparked the much anticipated movement towards finalizing the legislation and reopening the government. 

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, togetherness, and—of course—great food. But as more people become conscious of their health, the environment, and animal welfare, the traditional turkey-centered feast is getting a compassionate makeover. Hosting a vegan Thanksgiving isn’t about giving up beloved flavors or traditions—it’s about reimagining them. From vibrant plant-based dishes that wow even the most skeptical guests to the satisfaction of knowing your celebration aligns with your values, a vegan Thanksgiving offers a delicious, meaningful, and sustainable way to give thanks.

Winter may bring cozy evenings and hot cocoa, but it also means higher energy bills and heavier strain on your home systems. The good news is that small, sustainable upgrades can keep you warm, reduce costs and help the planet. Here are some effective ways to prepare your property for the cold season.

You might think that the land of tango and steaks might not be the easiest place to be vegan, and in many ways you would be right, but with a will there is a way, and I even managed to find some of the best empanadas I have ever had!

AI is an umbrella term for a group of technologies that processes information and can generate responses by mimicking human thinking. AI has been around since the 1950s, but the technology's capabilities were limited. Recent technological advancements relating to AI’s computing power and data have quickly made AI explode in popularity and use.

Just days after the Trump administration approved a multibillion-dollar financial lifeline for Argentina as it faces a major economic crisis, Trump hosted Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, on October 14.

Saturday, October 18, cities across the U.S. saw massive crowds hit the streets to lead anti-Trump administration protests. This acted as the second round of nation-wide action organized by “No Kings” and quickly became one of the biggest demonstrations against the Trump administration to date. The previous turnout of around 5 million for their June demonstration was topped this month with attendance of over 7 million spreading across more than 2,700 events planned in every single state in the U.S.

For years the war between Israel and Palestine has meant violence, exceedingly high tensions, and loss of innocent life on a devastating scale, though it seems we may have arrived at a turning point in this conflict. The recent release of almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners and the last 20 living Israeli hostages have marked a critical moment in the war. Despite the fact that U.S. President Trump traveled to Israel and Egypt to definitively declare “the war is over”, it is still unclear whether or not the conflict is finally coming to an end.

After Democrat and Republican Senators were unable to agree on health policy, the federal government was driven to a shutdown on Oct. 1. The issue at hand relates to the cost of premiums for healthcare plans individuals purchase through the Affordable Care Act. The enhanced tax credits for these premiums are set to expire at the end of the year and have been a major factor at play in keeping ACA plans affordable for the millions of people who rely on them.  

Democrats voted against Republican’s proposed short-term funding bill for a few different reasons, one of the main ones being because it did not include an extension for these enhanced tax credits. This issue will impact the more than 24 million Americans who don’t get health insurance through jobs and public programs like Medicare or Medicaid, but instead buy it through the ACA.

The “ber months” have arrived, bringing with them the coziness of autumn and the excitement of the upcoming holidays. If you’ve been scrolling on social media lately, you’ve probably seen countless ads and sponsored videos promoting the latest fall fashion trends and seasonal home decor items that influencers say you just have to have. Despite the pressure to shop, you don’t have to buy into the new microtrends to enjoy this time of year. Here’s how you can ditch the trends and make the most of the upcoming seasons sustainably. 

After deploying over 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. under the guise of cracking down on supposed out of control crime, Trump recently widened his focus to include other democratic-led cities. Portland, Oregon and Memphis, Tennessee have been named next on his list following a rising number in protests against his administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

During his inaugural address, Trump kicked off his second term as President with the promise to “immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.” He also vowed that “never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents.” Less than nine months into his second term, these promises have already been broken.

As of late, the topic of free speech has been a popular one across the U.S. With disagreements over what we should consider sharing opinions versus hate and manipulative speech, the heavy polarization between Americans is more apparent than ever.

In an age defined by unprecedented access to information, it’s paradoxical that intellectualism (the pursuit and respect for knowledge, critical thinking, and evidence based reasoning) is under increasing attack. From online conspiracy theories to populist rhetoric that mocks experts, a growing wave of anti-intellectual sentiment is reshaping how people engage with truth, authority, and education. This trend is not only troubling, it carries profound implications for the future of democratic societies, scientific progress, and social cohesion.

Known anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed lead of the Department of Health and Human Services by President Donald Trump. With a long history of publicly making false medical claims, including linking the cause of autism to vaccines, Kennedy now holds the power to impose his medical beliefs on the whole of America through the United States’ top health agency with his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

Food waste is a big problem for both the planet and your wallet. What can you do to spend less on groceries while saving the planet? Simple changes like mindful meal planning, careful shopping and rethinking leftovers can make a vital difference.

After rising health concerns for Trump took over many news headlines, almost every social media platform began debating the cause of Trump’s recent weekend disappearance. Hundreds of theories arose, though one in particular gained the most traction. What if Trump was dead? After a press conference in the Oval Office where Trump was seen very much alive, we now know for certain that he has, in fact, not passed away, but many are still wondering, what would happen if Trump passed away while in office? 

On Wednesday, August 27th, the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis marked the United States’ most recent school shooting. With over 57 school shootings having taken place just this year, America’s ongoing challenge with mass amounts of yearly school shootings cannot be ignored. 

The biggest debate happens amongst the ways in which we can work towards solving this devastating issue. One popular side says we should be arming teachers and staff while the other calls for tighter firearm regulations. Both solutions would mean changing government policies.

As summer winds down and students prepare to return to classrooms, the excitement of a new school year often comes with a flurry of shopping, organizing, and planning. But amidst the hustle, there's a growing opportunity—and responsibility—to make choices that are kinder to the planet. From eco-friendly school supplies to low-waste lunch packing and mindful transportation, going back to school sustainably isn't just a trend—it's a meaningful way to reduce your environmental footprint while setting a positive example for others. Here's how students, parents, and educators can make smarter, greener decisions this school year.

Known for their cutthroat budget planning and aversion to scientific research, the Trump administration’s efforts towards cutting down biomedical research show no signs of slowing. Released back in May of this year, the administration’s 2026 budget plan revealed detrimental cuts to the National Institutes of Health funding. 

Just ten short years ago, on January 16th, 2015, gay marriage was legalized in the United States. Just a few weeks ago, on July 24th, 2025, the Supreme Court was formally asked to overturn the landmark ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges, the law that makes same-sex marriage legal and nationally recognized.

Trump’s famously dramatic way of posting on social media is not lost on any left leaning person in or outside of politics. Most dissenting responses garnered by his posts are either simpler statements of disagreement or more outspoken cries of disgust and outrage. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, seems to have a different approach altogether when it comes to the manner of Trump’s social media presence.

Sunday August 3rd, 19 year old Edward Coristine, a former DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) employee, was assaulted in DC during an attempted carjacking. 

This assault led to a post made by Trump on his social media on August 5th where he attached a photo taken of the bloodied young man and threatened to take federal control over the city, arguing that, “crime in Washington, D.C. is totally out of control,” and “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City.”

In an era where global challenges increasingly demand collective action, internationalism, which was once a guiding principle of diplomacy, cooperation, and mutual respect, is facing significant backlash. The post World War II ideal that nations could and should work together toward common goals is being undermined by a surge of nationalism, protectionism, and geopolitical fragmentation. From trade wars and border walls to weakened multilateral institutions and ideological polarization, the current attack on internationalism threatens to reshape the world order in profound and lasting ways.

Living in a city doesn’t mean giving up on sustainability — in fact, it’s one of the places it matters most. With cities generating enormous greenhouse gas emissions globally, every eco-friendly choice you make counts. The good news is that urban life offers plenty of opportunities to shrink your footprint without shrinking your joy.