Posts in zIssue 57
Workspaces to Living Places: Giving Empty Offices a Second Life

New York City has an abundance of empty office buildings and a shortage of affordable housing options. The fix? Turn those ghost-town workplaces into apartments people can afford. It’s a creative idea that sounds simple—but making it work is a whole different story. Let’s dive into how NYC is trying to turn old office space into new beginnings.

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SCAD Heart Disease: The Hidden Heart Threat You Should Know About

When we think about heart disease, we often picture blocked arteries caused by years of plaque buildup, a condition primarily linked to lifestyle and age. But there’s a lesser-known, often misunderstood heart condition that doesn’t follow those rules: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). SCAD strikes suddenly, often in healthy individuals, and it doesn’t always come with warning signs. It predominantly affects women, particularly those under 50, and can occur even in people without any prior heart issues. For many, the first sign is a heart attack. That’s why understanding SCAD is not just important, it could be lifesaving.

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The Importance of Saving Public Broadcasting

Federal funding has helped keep public broadcasting stations like NPR, PBS, and several other stations on air for decades. Just recently, the Senate and the House passed a “Recission Act” that will greatly affect this funding. This act is a measure that has the ability to take away money that has already been budgeted by Congress and includes over a billion dollars in funding for public media. With these advances expected to be signed into law very soon by Trump, public broadcasting stations all over the country will take crucial funding hits and, for some, lose the ability to stay on air altogether.

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Darwin Del Fabro and Her One-Woman Play that Honors and Celebrates

Performer Darwin Del Fabro lets her journey navigating the world as a trans woman and immigrant shine in her upcoming one woman play “LILI/DARWIN”. From honoring Lili Elbe to celebrating her own artistic and personal growth, “LILI/DARWIN” is a deeply candor exploration of the strength found in connection, identity, and vulnerability. Join us as Darwin Del Fabro talks inspiration, identity, the entertainment industry, and trans rights.

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After the Pink Slips: Trump’s Federal Layoffs Reshape America’s Job Market

President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated another round of federal layoffs, intensifying a campaign that has already cut tens of thousands of government jobs across the country. What began as a promise to “drain the swamp” has now become one of the most aggressive downsizing efforts in U.S. federal employment history. But behind the headlines lies a growing concern: how will this mass purge of federal workers affect the broader job market, and what happens to workers who don’t want to end up in farm or gig work?

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The Quiet Crisis: Confronting the Male Loneliness Epidemic

Loneliness is not simply about being alone. It is the subjective feeling of being disconnected, unsupported, or emotionally distant from others. In recent years, a growing body of research and public discouragement has begun to shine a spotlight on a troubling and often overlooked phenomenon: the male loneliness epidemic. While loneliness affects people of all genders, data increasingly shows that men, particularly middle-aged and older men, are disproportionately impacted. What makes this crisis especially dangerous is its quiet nature. Unlike public health issues that come with visible symptoms or urgent warnings, loneliness is often invisible. It grows slowly, almost imperceptibly, as friendships fade, emotional walls go up, and life’s responsibilities pile on. For many men, loneliness doesn’t appear as sadness, but as irritability, workaholism, or emotional withdrawal. Over time, the emotional isolation can take a severe toll, contributing to rising rates of depression, addiction, and even suicide. This epidemic is not just a matter of individual well-being, it has wide reaching societal consequences. Relationships and strong social bonds are cornerstones of a healthy society, and when a significant portion of the population struggles to form or maintain them, it affects everything. Understanding why this epidemic is occurring, and more importantly how we can address it, is not just a matter of compassion, it’s a matter of urgency.

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Farm Raids & Tariffs: How Are They Affecting Our Produce

With immigration enforcement efforts increasing and tariffs rising, there is no doubt America will start to feel the effects of it soon. It will affect the prices you have to pay for produce, the accessibility you have to certain products, the stability of related supply chains, the economy, and so much more.

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Summer Glam, Simplified: Top Beauty Trends Right Now

This summer, beauty is all about striking the perfect balance between bold expression and natural radiance. From skin-first makeup hybrids to high-shine lips and watercolor eyes, the season’s trends invite you to play with color while embracing your skin’s natural glow. Skincare-infused foundations are blurring the lines between complexion products and self-care, while chromatic eyes in shimmering hues bring a futuristic edge to warm-weather looks. Sculpted, glossy lips make a high-impact comeback, and blush isn’t just a pop of pink anymore — it’s your glow-from-within secret weapon. Whether you're keeping it minimal or going full glam, these trends prove that summer beauty is anything but basic.

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Veronica Reyes on Raising Awareness Through a 90-Minute Comedic Journey

Veronica Reyes, creator of the series “Mother, May I Have A Kidney?”, aims to raise awareness about chronic kidney issues through the 90 minute comedic journey the show takes you on. With complex familial relationship dynamics, amusing character dialogue, and the battle of giving forgiveness, “Mother, May I Have A Kidney” is a wild ride that encourages reflection and sheds light on the difficult situation of experiencing kidney disease. With promising upcoming projects on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what else Reyes has in store for us! To learn more about Veronica Reyes and her latest creations, read on.

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The America Party: Elon Musk’s Misguided Political Fantasy

Elon Musk is diving into politics with his new “New America” party—and, surprise, it’s not the revolutionary fix he thinks it is. While it’s pitched as a fresh alternative to a broken system, it’s more likely to stir chaos than spark progress. From billionaire ego trips to deepening political divides, Musk’s latest venture risks turning American democracy into his next pet project—and not in a good way.

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Pet-Friendly, Planet-Friendly: Sustainable Choices for Pet Owners

Being a pet owner is all about love, but what if that love could extend to the planet, too? From squeaky toys to poop bags, our furry friends can unintentionally leave a big pawprint on the environment. The good news? A few simple swaps can make your pet care routine more sustainable without sacrificing fun, comfort, or belly rubs. Let’s dig into how you can be a greener, cleaner pet parent—one wag or purr at a time.

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Why the Preservation of Weather and Emergency Services is Vital to Upholding Public Safety

On Wednesday, July 2nd, of this year the Texas Division of Emergency Management released state emergency response resources due to flooding threats. During the late afternoon of the 3rd they activated a flood watch for areas in Hill County, Rio Grande, and Edwards Plateau. Just after midnight on July 4th they upgraded the flood watch to a warning. Moments later, between the hours of 4am and 6am, the San Angelo and Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service offices posted the rare flash flood emergency alerts, indicating an event of catastrophic nature as massive flooding began.

The preservation of vital services, such as weather and emergency services, is essential to upholding public safety. Without these services, weather related emergencies can become destructive on a level that hasn’t been seen in decades.

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Havana Club: Where Improv Meets Identity, Rhythm, and Revolution

In a city overflowing with comedy shows, Havana Club stands out—not just for its laughs, but for what it represents. Created by Julian Hernandez and Taylor Gonzalez, this Latine-led improv experience blends humor, culture, and community in a way that’s both electrifying and overdue. Curious what happens when improv meets identity, rhythm, and revolution, keep reading below.

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The High Cost of Enforcement: ICE’s Dramatic Funding Increase and Its Impact on Communities

With the passage of President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” one of the most immediately visible impacts has been a dramatic increase in funding for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While the bill covers a wide range of policy areas, from tax cuts to infrastructure, its expanded allocation for immigration enforcement stands out as both symbolic and substantive. For critics and supporters alike, the sharp rise in ICE funding signals a major turning point in how the U.S. approaches immigration. So what exactly does this surge in spending mean, and where could it lead?

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Will the Epstein Files be the Breaking Point of MAGA’s Love for Trump?

Just recently, house republicans in congress voted to withhold the release of more Epstein files. During his campaigning for presidency, when asked if he would be releasing the files, Trump’s response was “Yeah, I would”, though he has now gone back on his word. With the administration reversing course on the files release, people all over the country, including die-hard MAGA supporters and allies, are demanding for more transparency and justice for the victims. Will the Epstein files be MAGA’s breaking point?

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Rooted in Rhythm: How Asase Yaa is Preserving African Arts in Brooklyn

Based in the heart of Brooklyn, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation has been creating powerful connections through African dance, music, and storytelling for over two decades. Their work brings generations together, uplifts youth, and keeps cultural traditions thriving in fresh and meaningful ways. In the interview below, they share insights into their journey, recent milestones, and the passion that fuels their mission. Read on to learn more about their impact and what’s ahead.

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Profiting Off of Presidency

Trump has made millions of dollars profiting off of his supporters and will continue to do so throughout his time in office. Starting February of last year he has made several business ventures, from selling his own merchandise such as perfumes and bibles to selling cryptocurrency and creating his very own wireless service, effectively making his target consumers his supporters. 

Putting the targeting of his supporters aside, holding onto and pursuing even more business opportunities while acting as president of the United States is unprecedented. In the past, presidents have opted to put their business ventures aside and focus their efforts on their presidential duties. 

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Undress My Heart: Suvi on Music, Motherhood, and Meaning

Suvi is a Stockholm-based artist with roots in both Finland and Sweden. Her path into songwriting began through a mix of schoolwork, early writing, and encouragement from a fellow musician. After a five-year break, she returns with “Undress My Heart,” a track that marks a shift toward a more stripped-down sound. In this interview, Suvi talks about her creative process, activism, and how motherhood and community have shaped her recent work and future direction.

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