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.

Empowered, Not Afraid: How to Prepare for and Respond to ICE Encounters

In the United States, interactions with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can be intimidating and, for many immigrant families, life-altering. Whether ICE is conducting raids, detaining individuals, or visiting homes and workplaces, it’s critical to understand that you have rights, no matter your immigration status. Knowing how to respond during an encounter can help protect you and your loved ones from unnecessary harm or legal consequences. Below are essential steps you can take to stay safe, informed, and empowered when dealing with ICE:

March Like You Mean It: A Protester's Safety Guide

In a world where voices are increasingly amplified through collective action, protesting remains one of the most impactful ways to demand justice, challenge inequality, and influence policy. From grassroots marches to global movements, peaceful protest is a vital expression of democratic freedom. But taking to the streets, whether for climate justice, civil rights, or labor reform, comes with responsibilities and risks. To make your participation as safe, effective, and informed as possible, it’s important to prepare beforehand, know your rights, and understand how to navigate both the energy and unpredictability of a public demonstration. Whether you’re marching through city streets or gathering in quiet solidarity, the steps below will help you stay safe while making your message impossible to ignore.

Articles, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57Angelina DeSalvoJuly 10, 2025protest, safety, rights, Amendment, mindfulness, brave, climate changeComment

Where in the World is it Safe to be Transgender?

As the first year of the Trump administration’s second term goes on, it is clear that the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those a part of the transgender community, will continue to be the target of several discriminatory laws, policies, and ideologies. Certain states in the U.S. are becoming increasingly unsafe for transgender individuals to reside in because of their more conservative government officials and the introduction of prejudicial state legislation that allows for discrimination.

In light of the growing hostility U.S. policies have towards the trans community, here is a list of the 5 safest cities in the U.S. and 5 safest cities outside of the U.S. for transgender individuals to live.

Is Leaving America Worth It?

With the recent election results putting Trump into office once again, the fear of his second term bringing even worse consequences this time around is widely shared. Many Americans have been heavily considering leaving the country to try and counteract the effect his presidency will have on them.

Though, with every big decision comes its positives and negatives. Here are a few pros and cons to leaving America that you should consider before making your decision.

The Brutal Reality For Those On The Front Line

The news of the current pandemic has been plastered all over the world for the past year, shocking figures of death tolls, new variants and lockdowns that have put all our lives to a halt. As the world begins to regain some sense of normalcy, the hidden consequences of the pandemic are just beginning to show. For healthcare workers on the front line the consequences of the pandemic are far from over, and emerging research shows that the psychological impacts on those fighting the pandemic may be just beginning.

What does the future look like for Afghan women?

Under the new Taliban rule, Afghan women now face a harsh new reality which may erase two decades of hard work seemingly overnight. To truly understand the extent of this issue, we need to be educated on their progress and the people who are threatening it.

COVER - Pride House LA Is Here To Stay!

Happy Pride Month! June is, without a doubt, the most colorful and unapologetic time of the year. Pride amplifies the LGBTQIA + community’s voice and uplifts the message of “loud and proud” queerness. Why cant it be pride every month?

Speaking of amplifying voices, TikTok has become an important vehicle for the LGBTQIA + community to express themselves. Many gay, non-binary, and gender varying influencers have built meaningful platforms on TikTok; proving it remains a safe place for LGBTQIA + youth and allies.

The US Army Is Becoming More Hair Inclusive - Will States Follow Suit?

Creating a Respectful Open World for Natural Hair. That’s the mission of the CROWN ACT.

The CROWN Act was created in 2019 by Dove and the CROWN Coalition to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools. Ending hair discrimination would, as Rep. Ilhan Omar puts it, step forward to combat racial discrimination. She states, “For far too long Black women have been penalized for simply existing as themselves.”

Moving From Canada to Tennessee During COVID-19

The pandemic ushered me into a season of change that was unexpected. I have been a graduate student working on my Ph.D. for the last five years as an international student in Canada. 2020 was meant to be my final year when I would see myself achieve a career goal of becoming a “doctor.” However, months into the pandemic, I found myself needing more financial security and emotional support than being a doctoral student would (and could) allow. So, in November, I packed up my belongings and moved back to my hometown for a job in higher-ed that would allow me to make a livable wage and live in a less expensive area.