The McGraw Clocktower at Cornell University . In the dining hall, most Cornellians are not concerned about where their food comes from, let alone if it is safe to eat. However, over the past few years, studies have shown that microplastics, PFAS, heavy metals, and even radioactive compounds have the potential to threaten our food supply. As these contaminants continue to infiltrate American agriculture, it’s clear that federal research funding and policy have not kept pace wi

Newly built accessory dwelling unit (ADU) located behind a single family home, providing additional housing on existing residential property. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. However, the state is enduring a crisis of housing affordability and accessibility. From 2023 to 2024, the median home price rose by 10.8%, compared to just a 4.3% rise in the average salary. There is a shortage of over 205,000 affordable homes for extremely low-income renter

Traffic congestion continues to plague major cities, including Seattle, as shown above. For years, policymakers have sold electric vehicles (EVs) as a keystone solution in the battle to combat climate change. EV sales have surged globally—today, one in every four vehicles sold worldwide is electric. Yet, while EVs are helping cut tailpipe emissions substantially, they are quietly eroding a key pillar of transportation finance: the gas tax. Numerous states fund their roads

A sign reading “Welcome to Oklahoma. Discover the Excellence.” In September 2020, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma named Ryan Walters as Secretary of Public Education, placing him in charge of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). As a former Executive Director of Oklahoma Achieves, an education initiative within the State Chamber of Oklahoma, Walters describes himself as empowering parents, teachers, and community leaders to better the state’s educa

A photo of a server room inside a data center. Artificial intelligence (AI) companies promise that they are driving us into a new age, but their impact may not be what you think. AI data centers are pushing everyday Americans to the brink and contributing to the ongoing, extreme rise in the cost of living. According to recent polling, 63% of Americans report that utility bills are adding to their financial stress. For Americans earning under $50,000, that number jumps up to

An Ohio voting booth for the 2019 general election. “We need to increase voter turnout, especially among young people,” is an age-old refrain from nearly every campaign manager and candidate. While youth participation has risen in recent years, voters between the ages of 18 and 22 still consistently have some of the lowest turnout rates. This group’s turnout often ranges from 30% to 40%, compared to 50% to 70% among older populations. More specifically, there was only 47%

The US Capitol in Washington, DC — a symbol of federal power in determining the funding and efficiency of government services. In the wake of President Trump’s promises to increase governmental efficiency, systems ranging from the Department of Education to Social Security have been under fire. In his effort to reduce spending, President Trump has devastated morale and made the delivery of public services more challenging. Even before these recent cuts, the public has long p

The Arts Quad at Cornell University. At a time when classrooms should be leading the fight against hate, President Trump and his administration have cut millions of dollars in federal funding from top universities across the nation, including Cornell. Education fosters respect, empathy, and critical thinking, and universities must prioritize these fundamentals as tensions surrounding conflict in the Middle East have risen since October 7, 2023. Echoing recommendations from

Stablecoin issuer Circle’s United States Digital Coin (USDC) stacked high, reflecting the growing market for stablecoins following the passage of the GENIUS Act. In June 2025, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took to X, proclaiming that the GENIUS Act, the first federal framework for stablecoins, “could grow [stablecoins] into a $3.7 trillion market by the end of the decade.” That same month, a New York Times opinion piece appeared under the headline: “The Genius Act Wil

YouBike was established in 2009 in Xinyi District, Taipei. It has since expanded to 13 cities across Taiwan, providing convenient and...

An AI-driven robot at a computer, offering a preview of the future workplace. It’s September at Cornell, and that means a few things. Classes are in full swing. Freshmen are crowding the front rows after every club information session. Libe Cafe and Zeus are packed wall-to-wall with students “coffee chatting” in hopes of breaking into their dream clubs. And, most importantly, it’s the season when consulting and finance recruiters descend on Ithaca: hosting events, talking to

The Pentagon, headquarters of the Department of Defense, in Washington, DC. My former middle school was built to serve a dual purpose....

Swarms of students unite in a peaceful protest, calling for an end to long-standing government corruption and impunity in Chitwan...

Protesters demanding protection of Medicaid funding. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced sweeping changes to Medicaid,...

A wind turbine farm located in Klickitat County, Washington. Since retaking office in 2025, President Donald Trump has actively worked to...

Empty desks in classrooms across the country reflect a growing challenge: chronic absenteeism, which continues to impact millions of...

Plastic straws break down into smaller plastic particles. Since 1950, global plastic production has increased by 200 times, resulting...

U.S. Coast Guard personnel patrol and practice boarding in the Gulf of Mexico. The Trump administration has made its opinions clear on...

A tribute mural in remembrance of the 75,000 people killed during the El Salvador Civil War and archbishop Oscar Romero, who Salvadorian forces assassinated for criticizing the Salvadorian military’s human rights abuses. Before the rise of President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador’s failure to address political violence has remained an undeniable and embedded part of its reputation. Despite ending the Salvadoran Civil War (1972-1992) with the armed leftist guerrilla group Farabund

British colonial policies in India resulted in 36 major famines over the course of approximately 200 years. To survive, South Asians...