Food Security Depends On Endangered Bumblebees
The Rusty Patched Bumblebee The rusty patched bumblebee has been on the endangered species list since 2017. However, this species is still at risk of extinction despite being protected by the Endangered Species Act. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) ignored the species’ declining status by refusing to designate critical habitat. Although the […]
U.S. Foster Care System Overwhelmed By Pandemic
Projected Surge In Demand For Foster Care The U.S. foster care system is already stressed by the coronavirus recession. Yet, the economic hardships caused by the pandemic may lead to even more children entering foster care as unemployment, poverty, and homelessness increase. Since the lack of financial security during a recession disincentivizes potential foster parents, […]
Back To School 2020: What Should High Schools Do With Fall Sports?
2020 Fall Season In Jeopardy Amid a global pandemic, school districts across the U.S. face the difficult decision of whether or not to go ahead with fall sports seasons, should schools reopen. In just this past week, a Pennsylvania school district suspended all sports workouts after a football player and a cross country runner tested […]
Pandemic Policymaking: An Opportunity For UBI Supporters
Universal Basic Income Universal basic income (UBI) is an economic policy that guarantees each governed citizen a periodic sum of money, no strings attached. Unlike other types of social security, every person can receive UBI benefits regardless of factors like employment status or income. Most recently, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang used his platform […]
Shift Local: Tackling America’s Food Deserts
What Is A Food Desert? A food desert is an area, typically urban or rural, that lacks access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious food. The USDA defines a food desert as “low-income and low-access” when a large number of people live more than a mile from the closest supermarket in urban areas, or more than […]
States Need Hard Legislation To Uphold Electoral Integrity
Recent SCOTUS Cases On July 6, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Chiafalo v. Washington and Colorado Department of State v. Baca that it is constitutional for states to “bind” presidential electors to support whichever candidate wins the popular vote in their state. While some argue that the First Amendment protects electors’ independent casting of […]
Congress Must Work To Prevent The Imminent Eviction Crisis
The Homeless Are More Vulnerable To COVID-19 In the midst of this pandemic, one group is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19: America’s homeless population. Those without a shelter or roof over their head are at increased risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus; stay-at-home orders are, quite clearly, unhelpful to those who are homeless. Right now, […]
Keep The Masks On: The Pandemic Is Far From Over
Where We Are Now It’s officially summertime. Beach posts are back on Instagram. Friends are hanging out in person again, sometimes even hugging. Yet, you’ve seen the numbers. As of June 28, the U.S. has surpassed 2.5 million COVID-19 cases. Despite making up less than five percent of the world’s population, the U.S. currently accounts […]