Embedded Files
Boost or Bust: Energy Drinks
By: Trinity Elliott
25 August 2025
Energy drinks are beverages that usually contain large amounts of caffeine, claiming to increase productivity and alertness. The question is, do the pros outweigh the cons? The ongoing conversation regarding energy drinks encompasses discussions of health benefits, health consequences, mental effects, and more, aiming to increase the public's knowledge of these beverages.
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The Fall of Empathy: Apathy Epidemic
By: Camilla Wang
13 January 2024
In recent years, a slow decline in empathy has grown, and so has awareness of concerning matters worldwide. But what is empathy, and why is it important? Empathy means you understand someone’s emotions and, to a certain extent, feel them as well. This is important because empathy keeps you engaged and encourages individuals to try and ease a person’s pain even if it is something as simple as an apology for their suffering. Without empathy, there is no differentiation between robots and man.
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The Rise of Femininity
By: Camilla Wang
18 December 2024
Recently, there has been an increase in lacing femininity with everything a woman does. Many young women are taking to platforms to share their experiences in being a woman in today’s society and many also happily accept their feminine style or way of living. Despite this harmless way of expression being an outlet for women to express themselves and to heal, it has met a mix of backlash and support.
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The Problem with True Crime
By: Delilah Padilla
18 November 2024
True crime is the media that tells the story of the victims, oftentimes murder and gruesome stories. True crime is a huge genre of media many people enjoy, there are podcasts and books dedicated to true crime. While knowing the horrors of humanity is okay, it is questionable to consume it for the sole purpose of entertainment, as if it is just another TV show or podcast. Consuming food and speaking of the horrors of a murder without consent from the victim's family is just inhumane, which is what popular social media figure, Stephanie Soo used to do.
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The Meaning of Thanksgiving
By: Camilla Wang
18 November 2024
Thanksgiving is usually perceived as a relatively positive holiday by many Americans due to willful ignorance or a lack of education on the history of what Thanksgiving truly symbolizes. Thanksgiving is seen as a peaceful day celebrating the bond between the Natives that already occupied—what is now known as Plymouth Massachusetts—and the Christian Pilgrims who settled on this land in 1620 as they broke bread amongst one another. You will have likely heard this story in school in the younger days of life. However, this peaceful narrative is far from the true events leading up to and on the day of Thanksgiving.
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The Famous Moo Deng
By: Camilla Wang
14 October 2024
Recently, a baby Pygmy Hippo has taken the internet by storm, and her name is Moo Deng. Moo Deng was born on July 10th, 2024 by her mother Jona, and at just two months old, she is an internet sensation. The Khao Khoew Zoo in Chonburi Thailand has seen a skyrocket of visitors ever since Moo Deng’s debut on NBC News, and since then, she has also been covered
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Make Your Plants Happy and Drain Them!
By: Delilah Padilla
9 October 2024
Stepping into a house with potted plants as decor is not unusual—people enjoy a plant or many in their homes. Some may opt for fake plants, while others enjoy the beauty of a real plant. A variety of plants do well indoors, some you do not have to water as often, such as cacti or snake plants, while other plants do not need much sunlight. No matter the home’s condition, there is always a plant that can and will thrive inside that home. Some believe plants improve the quality of their atmosphere and air, providing a stronger need for them. No matter the intended purpose of plants in a home, all potted plants should have a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.
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Spider-Man is an Excellent Superhero Representation of Diversity
By: Camilla Wang
29 September 2024
Spider-Man is a famous comic book figure in the hearts of many children. He is best known as a teen superhero who, after a radioactive spider bites him, gains superhuman strength, speed, and senses, and he can even stick to many surfaces. The creator of Spider-Man is the late Stan Lee who, at first, had trouble pitching Spider-Man to his boss. His boss rejected Stan Lee’s proposal in 1960, believing teens could only be sidekicks and not superheroes. Despite this rejection, Stan Lee persisted and in 1962, Spider-Man was featured in the comic, “Amazing Fantasy #15” and became a hit with the audiences, thus, spreading Spiderman’s reputation as a beloved hero!
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Sonny Angels Are Taking the Internet by Storm
By: Delilah Padilla
25 September 2024
Sonny Angels are small figurines with tiny wings on their backs and hats on their heads, the hat being something such as a fruit or an animal, though they are not limited to this. They are separated into series such as animal or fruit and come in blind boxes, the angel in the box is in theme with the series. From the official website, Sonny Angel is an angel boy named Sonny, he is meant to be your companion! The purpose of these figures is comfort, they can be placed anywhere like on your work desk or in a bag. Sonny Angels are taking over the internet, and many people are lining up at stores that have them in stock just to get one. There is no doubt that they are cute, though their meaning and demand expand beyond their cuteness!
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The Best Military Aircraft Ever Created
By: Bradyn Thiessen
25 September 2024
With tensions of the Cold War between the US and USSR rising, the USSR created the fastest interceptor jet to ever be created which had the US intimidated. Though the US knew they had to create something better. Hence the creation of the F-15 Eagle. The F-15 is the best fighter jet ever created for multiple reasons. One main reason is the jet’s ability to do any mission if needed: Intercept other aircraft, air-to-air combat, or even air-to-ground strikes.
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The Lost Meaning of Gyaru
By: Delilah Padilla
11 September 2024
Gyaru is a Japanese style, known for its eye-catching outfits and makeup. This style is meant to stand out and most gals (gyaru girls) do that. Gyaru has been around for many years, originating in the 1990s, the style gained its peak popularity during this time, and in the early 2000s. School girls created the style to rebel against repressing school and societal rules, as well as to rebel against Japanese beauty standards. These standards believe that girls should be quiet and naturally beautiful.
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One Touch Away from Disconnection
By: Ethan Gan
11 September 2024
With the world becoming more connected through digital communication, social events are becoming less interactive and meaningful. From how people used to speak to one another because of new slang, to unrealism in some situations because of fictional movies, influencers, and misleading promotions online.
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The Importance of Matcha Quality
By: Delilah Padilla
28 August 2024
Matcha is Japanese green tea which is finely ground into a powder. It is known for its beautiful green color and earthy taste. Recently, matcha has taken over the internet and many people have replaced their daily coffee with a daily matcha latte. Matcha contains caffeine but is seen as much healthier for the body than coffee, which is why people are replacing their coffee with matcha. Consumers should know the quality of matcha consumed as well as the type best used for lattes. With influencers hopping onto the trend and producing their own matcha, like Emma Chamberlain, it is important to know the quality of the matcha you are consuming.
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Why Harbor Seals are Taking Over the Internet
By: Camilla Wang
26 August 2024
Harbor seals are a marine mammal commonly related to bears and dogs. These seals have large eyes which allow them to see in deep dark water, a fairly rounded body to keep warm, and they typically have a grey body with dark and light speckles. They roam kelp forests found in temperate coastal habitats. These sweet animals are now beginning to gain traction on multiple platforms. Videos of Harbor seals in their habitats or aquariums are going viral on many platforms, primarily X [formally Twitter], and TikTok.
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AI and Art: Is it Good or Bad?
By: Catherine Weigel
22 May 2024
The answer to the question posed in the title cannot be answered. Artists and people around the globe are deeply divided on the state of AI (Artificial Intelligence) art, and whether we should encourage it or try our best to reverse these developments. But why is there a divide?
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Should Referees be Fined for Bad Calls?
By: Merrick Vargas
22 May 2024
Referees are a big part of sports. In the NBA, MLB, NFL, and other professional sports leagues, referees play a vital role in how the game is played and the results of it. The performance and quality of decisions referees make alter the game. Nick Igbokwe of Sportskeeda stated that 98.9% of the time referees make accurate decisions, but 1.1% of the time referees get judged for the calls they make.
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How AI Affects Our World
By: Alexander Hernandez
20 May 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of technological innovation. As AI continues to enter various aspects of people’s lives, its effects are profound and far-reaching, presenting unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges.
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Kendrick vs. Drake: Where Is the Maturity?
By: Isabella Seechan
20 May 2024
On October 6th, 2023, Drake released his 8th studio album For All the Dogs, the 6th track titled “First Person Shooter,” featuring J.Cole sparked up a feud between Drake, J.Cole, and Kendrick Lamar (K-Dot). In one of the verses on “First Person Shooter,” J. Cole said, “Love when they argue the hardest MC [Main Character]/ Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?” Kendrick responded to this seemingly uplifting verse in the song, “Like That,” featured on Metro Boomin’s 2024 collaboration album with Future, We Don’t Trust You. He essentially said Drake and J.Cole are not in the big three of the best rappers in the industry, he is the big three.
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How Healthcare Affects Lower-Income Households
By: Alexander Hernandez
8 May 2024
In Visalia’s local hospital, Kaweah Health, it is not uncommon to see long wait times in the emergency room or nurses running around trying to help patients. This has to do with the surplus of people within the valley who direly need healthcare and also come from low-income backgrounds. The emergency room is the one department where patients can be treated regardless of insurance. So this makes it a vital component for those who cannot afford traditional treatment. But is this a healthy option for everyone who can not afford healthcare?
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Family Vloggers and Ruthless Exploitation
By: Catherine Weigel
6 May 2024
Family vloggers have been around for years now. Since the birth of social media, parents have posted their children online, documenting their escapades in raising their often very large families. While this may seem like a sweet, innocent way to help other parents out and shine a light on some of the hardships parents face, family vloggers have morphed that once-pleasant idea into something dark and exploitative.
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Gluttony
By: Sophia Weber
6 May 2024
For years, mukbang culture has thrived on different social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Mukbangs are eating shows, originally started in South Korea, posted by content creators where excessively large portions of food are inhaled by the host to make a profit. Back when YouTube was at its prime, many infamous mukbangers such as Nikocado Avocado and Hungry Fatchick went under fire for indulging in such gluttonous acts. Social media users claimed that these eating shows were a waste of money and products and promoted unhealthy eating habits.
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One Day
By: Isabella Seechan
24 April 2024
On February 8, 2024, Netflix released the limited series, One Day. The series, originally adapted from the novel, released on the 11th of June in 2009, follows Emma and Dexter the night they meet at their university’s graduation party and every July 15th after that for the next 20 years of their interwoven lives.
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Climate Change: An Ever Growing Problem
By: Alexander Hernandez
24 April 2024
As Earth Day passes by, it is important to recognize the different and unique ways people are striving to create a sustainable future. Most often promoting things such as recycling, conserving water, and trying to save energy. Now from a consumer's point of view, all of these things are important to consider when looking at a sustainable future. But sustainability and climate change go further than just simply taking shorter showers or turning off the lights. It is time to start addressing those who are taking large sums of natural resources and producing the most greenhouse gases.
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The Modern Trend Cycle
By: Catherine Weigel
20 April 2024
Trends have been vital in social media, and life, for decades now. From the hottest new technology products to the newest fashion line from your favorite designer, trends tailor the way people move through life, interact with others, and above all, where people spend their money. But these trends are doing much more harm than good for our world.
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Why You Should Hate Colleen Hoover
By: Catherine Weigel
8 April 2024
Colleen Hoover is a 44-year-old Young Adult (YA) novelist, who has more following and praise than ever before, with her Goodreads profile amassing 708,374 followers, the second highest following on the massive platform, only rivaled by iconic horror novelist Stephen King. With the rise of her fame, came the sudden and extensive rise in criticism for her. Many took to social media to express their distaste for the author, discussing with others how her books prioritize shock value over substance, romanticize outright abusive behavior from male love interests, and deal with very controversial topics in a way many deem unsavory.
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Is Tipping Getting Out of Control?
By: Merrick Vargas
8 April 2024
When buying something, most of the time people are offered the option to tip. It is a daily part of our lives to see the tip screen in places such as fast food restaurants and coffee shops. Forbes explains the worst part of it. The tips are even being offered at self-checkout registers. Many are taking to social media and complaining about how out-of-control tipping has gotten. Tipping is usually a service for doing good at your job but when it is being asked constantly even for the simplest things, it can get annoying and frustrate many.
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College Athletes Should Be Paid
By: Merrick Vargas
26 February 2024
College athletes are the future of sports. These athletes play and practice sports while balancing tasks such as attending college classes. The college does not pay these athletes besides the potential scholarships they may receive. Athletes can be worth so much but gain little to no money from it. Most of the money they gain is from outside companies only if they have a big image or name. These athletes often dream of making it to the big leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or MLB. However, the risk they put on their bodies playing the sport can lead to many injuries which can jeopardize that dream
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The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
By: Alexander Hernandez
2 February 2024
Digital connectivity, interactions, and social media platforms have become a part of people’s daily lives. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube offer unprecedented opportunities for communication and self-expression. It is also noted they have a large impact on mental health and must be recognized. This article dives into the complicated relationship between social media and mental health, exploring the major issues it has on us.
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49ers Should be Superbowl Favorites
By: Merrick Vargas and Alexander Hernandez
30 January 2024
Why Does Netflix Continue to Cancel Good Shows?
By: Isabella Seechan
30 November 2023
Netflix continues to disappoint its viewers. The streaming app has canceled various shows after only a few seasons. Canceling a show after three seasons may not seem cruel, but nowadays, one season of an original Netflix series will have an average of eight or ten episodes. Actors and other crew members spend an average of nine to ten months, and the post-production crew spends an additional six to twelve months to turn raw footage into the final cut. Viewers can finish these eight to ten-episode shows in about a week if that.
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Pay Your Way Into College
By: Isabella Seechan
23 October 2023
In honor of college application season coming to an end, it is appropriate to discuss a college admission scandal that occurred a couple of years back. In 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 50 people and indicted 33 of them for essentially paying their children’s way into college. This brings up an important idea: one can do anything with a boatload of cash in their bank account.
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The Summer I Turned Pretty: Why Belly is the Problem
By: Sophia Weber
23 October 2023
The show, The Summer I Turned Pretty, recently sprung to popularity after Prime Video aired its second season. The show follows the main character, Isabella Conklin (Belly), as she tries to get over her lifelong crush on Conrad Fisher, the son of her mom’s best friend, Susannah. One summer, things change as Belly has a glow up and she suddenly has off-and-on relationships with not only Conrad but his brother Jeremiah Fisher as well.
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The Ethics of Journalism Regarding True Crime
The Ethics of Journalism Regarding True Crime
By: Isabella Seechan
23 October 2023
Journalism is an activity where one produces and distributes news to the public. The news consists of current events around the world, commentary, etc. Some journalists tackle the subject of true crime, a genre where the author examines crime and the people affected by said crime. Some true crime journalists pry their way into the lives of those who have tried very hard to move on from these traumatic events. This brings up the question: How much does the public deserve to know? In other words, does the cost of unburying one’s past outweigh the benefit of bringing these events to the public’s attention?
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Taylor Swift Did Not Put Travis Kelce On the Map
By: Merrick Vargas
23 October 2023
Travis Kelce, superstar tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and American singer Taylor Swift broke the internet through rumors of them allegedly dating. The way they met is unclear but many speculate it was because of his brother, Jason Kelce’s, "New Heights Show" podcast. On the podcast, Travis said, "I received a bunch of them being there [friendship bracelets], but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it" (Camenker). After this, people started thinking they were quietly hanging out.
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TikTok Labels
By: Isabella Seechan
4 October 2023
It all started in August when a socialite, Hailey Bieber, posted her new hair for the fall season. The hair was cut in a bob and colored a light brown. However, the color of her hair broke the internet. Hailey Bieber and her hair stylist, Matt Rez, named the new hair color “cinnamon cookie butter.” Things have derailed since then.
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