Democratic Victories at the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections

A lot of big events took place the week of January 4, 2021. Among them were the Georgia Senate Runoff elections, which occurred because neither candidate in the Senate race received more than 50% of the votes cast. In the running for the one of the two senate seats available was democratic candidate Jon Ossoff, who faced off against Republican incumbent Senator David Perdue. The … Continue reading Democratic Victories at the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections

All About the Sunrise Movement and How You Can Get Involved

Gen-Z is, without a doubt, the activist generation. You see it on your Instagram, where your friends and peers repost in support of Black Lives Matter and educate their followers on everything from Roe Vs. Wade to The Paris Climate Accords. You see it in the streets, too, according to Business Insider, nearly 77% of our generation participated in a protest this summer after the … Continue reading All About the Sunrise Movement and How You Can Get Involved

The Case for Prison Abolition

As a teenager, Brandon Bernard fell in with the wrong crowd, and at 18, he was an accomplice in the murder of two youth ministers, Todd and Stacey Bagley, setting fire to their car and possibly killing Stacey. Brandon’s age made him eligible for the death penalty, and he remained in a 6-by-8 foot cell on death row for 23 years, praying, crocheting, and playing … Continue reading The Case for Prison Abolition

Lack of Motivation: Virtual Learning’s Biggest Hurdle

In the state of Pennsylvania alone, over 12,000 people have died due to COVID-19. The nation’s death toll has exceeded 300,000.  Since March 13, schools across the country have been forced to operate in completely virtual environments, bearing the brunt of responsibility while a majority of businesses and establishments are permitted to fully reopen. Many McCaskey students have not set foot in the building since … Continue reading Lack of Motivation: Virtual Learning’s Biggest Hurdle

The Pandemic is Back, Now Stronger Than Ever

At this point, there is not a doubt in anyone’s mind that the Covid 19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the year 2020. It has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. From grocery shopping, to travel, to work, school, and relationships, nothing feels normal. Schools closed and went online, businesses shut down, and some countries went into strict lockdowns. COVID-19 subsided somewhat … Continue reading The Pandemic is Back, Now Stronger Than Ever

Lancastrians Gather to Protest Voter Suppression, Celebrate Election Results

On Wednesday, November 4, as Americans waited anxiously for election results, hundreds of Lancastrians congregated at Penn Square, protesting the two Republican County Commissioners’ decision to delay counting mail-in ballots. Many attendees wore sweatshirts, beanies, and masks reading “Count Every Vote.” Nearly all of the eight speakers, who consisted of local clergy, politicians, and organizers, decried voter suppression and excoriated what they saw as local … Continue reading Lancastrians Gather to Protest Voter Suppression, Celebrate Election Results

School board: Elementary Schools return to virtual for remainder of 2nd marking period

“These are some of the most difficult decisions that I’ve ever had to make in my life,” said Board President Dr. Edie Gallagher at the November 17 School District of Lancaster board meeting. “We receive tons of letters from parents who want their kids to be in school, and from parents who don’t want their kids to be in school. And from teachers who think … Continue reading School board: Elementary Schools return to virtual for remainder of 2nd marking period

A Second Wave of Covid Canvassing in Lancaster City

“Lesson for next time: bring tape.”  It is 11 AM on Saturday, November 14th, and Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace is attempting to affix a COVID-19 awareness poster to the front door of Kiammy’s Grocery + Deli at 76 Howard Avenue.  As part of a continued effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote awareness amid an alarming fall increase in cases, the City of … Continue reading A Second Wave of Covid Canvassing in Lancaster City

McCaskey Students Present Before City Council

“We are a dedicated group of young adults working to improve our community and learning how to be successful citizens; teaching that all people, no matter how young, have roles to play in leading the community.” These words, spoken by McCaskey Junior Destiny Ponce at the November 10 Lancaster City Council meeting, perfectly sum up the mission and purpose of the McCaskey Neighborhood Leaders Academy. … Continue reading McCaskey Students Present Before City Council

Gentrified? The Ethics of Thrifting

Have you ever found the most amazing winter jacket at a thrift store? Have you ever taken the time to consider the impact of that action? You may have taken a jacket away from someone in need, but you also could have prevented it from going to the landfill. Thrifting has become a trend for many, but others rely on it to survive. The argument … Continue reading Gentrified? The Ethics of Thrifting

The Queen’s Gambit – Making Chess Cool

When an older friend recommended I watch “The Queen’s Gambit,” the recent seven-episode Netflix series about a troubled female chess prodigy, I was skeptical. Chess? It sounded esoteric, boring. But I ended up bingeing the entire series in one weekend. I never expected a show about chess to be so utterly compelling.  Set in the 1960s, the show revolves around Beth Harmon – played by … Continue reading The Queen’s Gambit – Making Chess Cool

Uighur Muslims in China are in Serious Danger

Currently in China, Uighur muslims are being held in concentration camps and even more are being built. For years China has denied accusations of the camps existence however, recent images were released that proved otherwise. The images depict construction of new camps that include watchtowers and barbed wire. The Chinese government is referring to them as “re-education centers”. While the government says they are for … Continue reading Uighur Muslims in China are in Serious Danger

Elegant, Raw, Striking: Alanis Morissette’s 9th Studio Album Delivers

In the 1990’s, Alanis Morisette was the voice of a generation. Her ‘95 album Jagged Little Pill sold over 33 million copies and at 21 years old, Morisette was the youngest person ever to receive the album of the year award. Her work was fueled by a unique sort of adolescent anger infused with love, pain, and defiance.  It has been 25 years since the … Continue reading Elegant, Raw, Striking: Alanis Morissette’s 9th Studio Album Delivers