Category Archives: News

Grace Crocker, Guest writer   An entire Japanese island disappeared without a trace, and no one noticed it was missing until very recently. Esanbe Hanakita Kojima was an islet set off the coast of Japan, said to be about one-third of a mile away from the village Sarufutsu, located on the northern tip of Hokkaido.Continue reading “The mysterious disappearance of Esanbe Hanakita Kojima”

Fiona Whitver, Guest Writer   On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 27, the small river town of Guerneville, was unexpectedly transformed into its own island due to extreme flooding. Sonoma County officials released a statement expressing that the community had been completely inaccessible with an exception to traveling by watercraft. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department describesContinue reading “California town flooded, turns to island”

Olivia Alvord, Staff Writer   State lawmakers have proposed a bill to successfully ban one-time use plastic bags statewide. Per the Washington State Legislature website, “HB 1205’s goal is to reduce pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments.” It is currently in a House CommitteeContinue reading “Washington Legislature introduces bill to ban plastic bags”

Katherine Pecora, Staff Writer   Thousands of Los Angeles teachers returned to their classrooms on Wednesday, Jan. 23 following a six-day strike. The teachers did not get all that they were hoping for; however, the teachers’ union did gain smaller class sizes. This goal was a large part of their reason to strike. Teachers wereContinue reading “Los Angeles teachers strike ends”

Katherine Pecora, Staff Writer   U.S. Senator Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid on Monday, Jan. 21. Harris is the first African-American woman to enter the 2020 race. Her announcement comes 47 years after Rep. Shirley Chisholm announced her own presidential bid. Chisholm was the first woman and the first African-American to seek the DemocraticContinue reading “Kamala Harris announces 2020 bid for presidency”

Prya Oliveira, Staff Writer   A recent controversy has risen from one of the most trusted DNA companies, FamilyTree DNA. The sharing of information between FamilyTree DNA and the FBI has brought up many concerns regarding the violation of privacy and consent. FamilyTree DNA was one of the first DNA testing companies with the titleContinue reading “Is sharing DNA a breach of privacy or a tool for the greater good?”

Brian Messing, Managing Editor   Entertainment has come to the world in a variety of ways over the years. Originally, television came from three channels over public airwaves. Cable television changed this, with the expansion of many more channels brought into the home. Finally, now we are in the most recent era of television, theContinue reading “Netflix, and the proliferation and future of streaming”

Olivia Alvord, Staff Writer   Abortion has always been a controversial issue, but New York’s recent decision to legalize abortion up to birth has pushed people over the top. While some people are praising the right to choose to abort until full-term, others remain distraught over the decision to “kill an almost born baby.” PeopleContinue reading “New York legalizes abortion up to birth”

Guest Writer, Chelsea Mancilla   It’s officially the longest government shutdown ever — and the effects are becoming increasingly apparent. The previous longest shutdown record was 21 days during Bill Clinton’s presidency. With tens of thousands of federal workers furloughed or forced to work without pay, the effects of the shutdown are trickling down fromContinue reading “How does the shutdown affect Washington state?”

Brian Messing, Managing Editor   On Jan. 3, a new congress convened in Washington D.C. With a 17-seat majority, Democrats were guaranteed control of the chamber following their gains made in the House last November during the mid-term elections. Although Democrats gained the majority, Pelosi’s return as Speaker was not a given. Many left-wing membersContinue reading “Speaker Pelosi retakes gavel and a preview of the next two years”