January 14

Dr. Stillman has received a warm reception at SHS. In his first few days, he went from classroom to classroom to acquaint himself with the student body. Although these first two weeks have been busy for him, many students who have had the chance to meet him have said how nice he seems. 

Dr. Stillman beginning at SHS marks the third arrival of a new administrator at SHS this school year, following Mrs. Curry and Mr. Rodgers stepping into the two assistant principal positions. 

By Tadek N

On New Years Eve, the long awaited finale to the show Stranger Things was released, nearly ten years after the first episode aired in July 2016. The finale was met with mixed reviews, with many fans left disappointed by unresolved several plot threads and a lackluster final showdown against the show's villain, Vecna. This resentment towards the show’s end has even led some to question whether it really is the final episode of the show.

The "Conformity Gate" fan theory claimed that there would be another episode of the show released on January 7th, with the group realizing they are in Vecna’s crafted hallucination. The bulk of the evidence for this theory stems from several visual and narrative inconsistencies and coincidences throughout the fifth season. Evidence cited by theorists includes the center of the merry-go-round and voltage dial changing color halfway through the season, and several important side characters not showing up in the epilogue of the story. This theory was only stoked by Netflix’s social media accounts, which posted captions on Instagram and TikTok like “#WhatNext Jan 7, 2026” One of the biggest pieces of evidence for this theory was on Netflix’s website, where typing ‘secret ending’ into the search bar pulled up Stranger Things.

But unfortunately for Stranger Things fans, there turned out to be no secret episode on January 7th. Instead it seems Netflix had capitalized on the free marketing Conformity Gate theorists produced for the show. Yet the widespread nature of this theory points toward a general discontentment with the writing in this season compared to the last 4 seasons.

By Gabby F

The following article was written in December 2025, and thus some developments may have occurred in the case since.

On December 14th, 2025, two bodies were discovered at Rob Reiner's Brentwood home. Tragically, the bodies were identified as being Reiner and his wife, Michele. According to sources, they were found by their daughter, Romy. It was soon discovered that his son, Nick Reiner, age 32, is a prime suspect. Nick has a past filled with addiction and mental health issues, and has spent a significant amount of time in rehabilitation centers. Reports say that Reiner and his son were seen arguing at a holiday party hosted by Conan O'Brien on the Saturday before the attack. Authorities have not shared how Nick was found to be a suspect; however, he is now charged with the murders. 

As the world mourns Reiner, he is remembered for his legacy as a highly regarded filmmaker, actor, and businessman. Some of Reiner's most prolific work includes "When Harry Met Sally," "Stand By Me," and "The Princess Bride." Reiner's "This is Spinal Tap" mockumentary from 1984 redefined the comedy genre. Its improvised comedy proved revolutionary in Hollywood and popularized the mockumentary style. In 1987, Reiner, along with Martin Shafer, Andrew Schienmen, Glenn Padnik, and Alan Horn, founded Castle Rock Productions, which, although now inactive, worked on films including "Lord of the Flies," "Misery," and one of the highest regarded movies of all time, "The Shawshank Redemption." Reiner received numerous awards throughout his career, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and more. He left a lasting impact on the film industry, and he will continue to be influential long beyond his passing. 

Many people online have spoken out about Reiner's passing and the impact he had on their lives. This includes The Princess Bride star Mandy Patinkin, who spoke about the lessons he learned from Reiner. Other stars such as Maria Shriver, former first lady of California, who wrote a tribute to the couple, former president Joe Biden, the Obama family, and many others who worked with or were inspired by Reiner's work. 

As many online personalities are posting about Reiner's passing, there has been some controversy, revolving primarily around President Donald Trump's post on X. The statement includes claims Reiner had "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and an obsession with the president. Reiner was an active Democrat, frequently speaking on political topics and opposing President Trump's actions and opinions. Many Republicans have spoken out against Trump's words, including Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who criticized the president for his "inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered."

By Quinn C

Scroll through TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, and you’ll probably notice everyone turning themselves into funny avatars, cartoon characters, or different versions of themselves and their friends. 

AI filters have gone viral, and it's easy to see why. They’re fun, creative, and can be sent and viewed instantly, giving teens a chance to experiment with their online identity in ways that were impossible not too long ago. The AI filter trend spreads quickly because the apps are easy to use, and social media algorithms constantly create new eye-catching media for your for-you page. Teens share their AI selfies with friends, duet with others, and even create new filters to satisfy the growing demand. It’s a way to connect, express creativity, and participate in a trend without needing expensive tools or advanced editing skills. 

Is it worth the hype? Absolutely, if you enjoy experimenting and sharing online. But there are some drawbacks to consider. Privacy concerns, AI data usage, and the subtle pressure to look “perfect” online are often overlooked by teens online. 

To stay safe, only use trusted apps, avoid sharing sensitive photos, and remember that AI edits are fun, but being cautious with what you post is very important, especially for military-connected students. 

Like most viral trends, the excitement will fade once the novelty wears off. But for now, AI filters are giving teens a fun, creative way to play with identity while showing how fast technology can take over social media, and why trends spread faster than ever in the age of advanced technology. Now, the real question is: what's your favorite AI filter?

By Tadek N

On January 7th, Renee Good was shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis while attempting to drive away from the agents. Ambulances were unable to reach her due to federal vehicles blocking the road, and ICE prevented bystanders from providing medical help. According to Rebecca Good, Good’s wife, the couple had stopped on the street to support their neighbors during a raid in Southern Minneapolis. The shooting occurred only a mile from where George Floyd was murdered five years ago.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who is in charge of the department ICE is a part of, has claimed Good was “stalking and impeding their work," “blocking them in” with her car, and “shouting at them” throughout the day. Noem further stated Good had “weaponized her vehicle in an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to agents, an act of domestic terrorism.” However, viewers of video footage of the event claim these statements are contrary to the evidence.

Good was a 37 year old woman with a wife and three children, originally from Colorado Springs. They moved to Minneapolis last year. She was a poet who previously worked both as a dental assistant and at a credit union. In an interview with The Guardian, several family members have testified that Good was not an activist. They also urge people to focus on “humanity, empathy, and care for the family most affected.”

An influx of ICE agents have been deployed to cities like Minneapolis by the Trump administration in response to reports of crimes such as welfare fraud. The administration stated that ICE operations would continue in Minneapolis despite numerous protests and the Mayor of Minneapolis calling upon agents to leave the city.

By Julia H

Every year, hundreds of millions of fireworks are fired to celebrate the New Year. The bright and loud bursts come in every color, from red to blue, and are a pinnacle of the holiday. However, these colorful explosives can cause severe damage to the nature around us. New Year's is considered one of the most environmentally damaging holidays, mainly due to the fireworks. Effects include air pollution, water and soil contamination, and noise pollution. 

Although the smoke from fireworks is temporary, fireworks can significantly impact air quality. During New Year’s, Duisburg, a city in Germany, measured high fine particulate (PM) levels as high as 385 µg/m³. This is an extremely hazardous level of PM, possibly triggering serious health effects such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, and more. This not only makes this an issue of the environment, but also a health concern for humans. Although fireworks are a short-term pollution spike, they risk the health of nature and people by pushing the air quality to hazardous levels. 

Over time, the leftovers from fireworks, such as shells, cardboard, and microplastics, can leave microplastics and toxic residues, posing a danger to aquatic organisms. This not only affects water quality, but it also potentially interferes with thyroid function, which regulates body metabolism, energy use, heart rate, temperature, growth, and brain development, in both animals and humans.  

Moreover, the loud explosions from the fireworks distress wildlife, causing animals to flee habitats, abandon nests, or suffer stress-induced injuries. Furthermore, the noise can have long-lasting impacts, especially on birds and nocturnal species. One study has found that Arctic migratory geese have fled from their sleeping sites during the New Year’s fireworks, avoiding the area afterwards. All of these impacts of fireworks underscore the urgent need to address this issue.

However, this doesn’t mean we have to get rid of fireworks entirely. In recent years, there has been a rise in “green fireworks." Green fireworks are fireworks designed to have less of an environmental impact compared to traditional ones by reducing PM emissions, releasing less smoke and fewer toxic gases, lowering the noise level, and minimizing heavy metals. Although they are a more optimal option compared to traditional fireworks, green fireworks are still not entirely pollution-free, as they still produce some chemicals and pollution.

As we continue to celebrate fireworks-heavy holidays, we should consciously think about the possible effects of fireworks on both the environment and our health. Even if these impacts are temporary, fireworks can still have long-lasting and detrimental effects. Thus, by cleaning up thoroughly, soaking all debris in water for at least 15 minutes, and disposing of debris properly, we can reduce the damaging nature of fireworks.