Seattle to elect first female mayor since 1926

Zara Kulish, Staff Writer   Seattle is preparing for its upcoming mayoral election. The candidates for the election are former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan and urban planner and activist Cary Moon, both Democrats. While both candidates received advanced degrees from top universities, some have disputed Moon’s qualifications, saying she doesn’t have enough concrete achievements inContinue reading “Seattle to elect first female mayor since 1926”

Upcoming reforms to the Affordable Care Act

Hannah Gabel, Staff Writer   There are many upcoming changes to the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, all of which are taking place in the next two years. With the signing of a new executive order on Oct. 12 by President Donald Trump, there are five main alterations that will change the currentContinue reading “Upcoming reforms to the Affordable Care Act”

Trump backpedals on Iran nuclear deal

Mariah Partin, Staff Writer In the summer of 2015, President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more commonly known as the “Iran nuclear deal,” after two years of negotiations. The basics of this deal left Iran with a nuclear program, but impeded and limited production. Iran confirmedContinue reading “Trump backpedals on Iran nuclear deal”

Catalonia struggles for independence following referendum and ensuing political crisis

Julia Lucas, Staff Writer   “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” This question was posed in the form of a referendum by Catalonia’s president, Carlés Puigdemunt. The referendum was meant to determine whether the citizenry wanted to secede from Spain, but has also sparked the worstContinue reading “Catalonia struggles for independence following referendum and ensuing political crisis”

Amazon to open second headquarters, incites bidding war between cities

Mariah Partin, Staff Writer   Seattle is home to the headquarters of the world’s largest internet-based retailer, Amazon. What began as an online bookstore, started by Jeff Bezos in 1994, has grown to sell almost anything you can think of. Amazon is constantly exceeding expectations and surprising its customers with innovative ways to take overContinue reading “Amazon to open second headquarters, incites bidding war between cities”

Iraqi Kurds vote 93 percent in favor of independence for Kurdistan

Mariah Partin, Staff Writer   On Sept. 25, the decision for Iraqi Kurdistan to gain independence from Iraq was put to a vote.  With an overwhelming 93 percent vote in favor, the independence referendum passed, despite opposition from Baghdad, the U.S. and other countries in the region. Relations between the Kurds in northern Iraq andContinue reading “Iraqi Kurds vote 93 percent in favor of independence for Kurdistan”

Trump introduces new travel ban

Hannah Gabel, Staff Writer   On Sept. 24 President Donald Trump released a new and recent announcement regarding his travel ban. As the original travel ban comes close to ending, Trump decided to extend the travel ban for several countries. Instead of having a set ending date, the ban will end via country cooperation regardingContinue reading “Trump introduces new travel ban”

German Federal election causes upset in Bundestag

Brian Messing, Section Editor   Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, prevailed in Germany’s federal election on Sept. 24. Merkel was successfully elected to a fourth term as Germany’s head of government. It may seem that the story of Germany’s 2017 election is over, but it is far from over as Merkel must now negotiateContinue reading “German Federal election causes upset in Bundestag”

New faculty at Saint Martin’s bring intresting skills and perspectives

Jessica Varvil, Staff Writer   The new school year at Saint Martin’s University was accompanied by  the hiring of several new faculty members. These staff additions bring experiences including across the country in a variety of different disciplines from engineering,  education and business. Waiting outside the offices in Cebula Hall, students and visitors examine theContinue reading “New faculty at Saint Martin’s bring intresting skills and perspectives”

SEIU withdrawals petition for unionization from NLRB

Sabrina White, Editor-in-Chief Brian Messing, Section Editor   Recently the Saint Martin’s University Faculty Union Organizing Committee announced their withdrawal of their petition to unionize at SMU with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This decision comes after months of negotiations and demonstrations by the unionizing faculty, as well as student supporters and outside communityContinue reading “SEIU withdrawals petition for unionization from NLRB”