Author: Chris Gorrie

Administrators from Notre Dame College in Ohio have declared the impending closure of the century-old Roman Catholic institution at the end of the current semester. The school has been facing financial challenges, and their decision to close has raised concerns within the higher education community Administration Makes Teach-Out Agreements for Student Body Source: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash Notre Dame College has made collaborative efforts to ensure a smooth transition for affected students. Due to forward-thinking from the administration, the college has proactively established Teach-Out agreements with neighboring colleges and universities, which demonstrates their commitment to mitigating the impact on its student body.…

A recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Leeds in the U.K. warns that rapid transformations in river flow in the northern latitudes of America, Russia, and Europe, induced by climate change, are profoundly affecting aquatic life. Published in the journal Science, the research emphasizes the disruptive impact of climate change on the seasonal patterns of rivers globally. This disruption poses substantial threats to the water supply and ecosystems. 21% of Rivers Studied Show Noteworthy Seasonal Changes Alison Rawson/Wikimedia Commons The study analyzed historical data from river gauging stations worldwide, revealing that 21% of them exhibited notable changes…

Family Dollar Stores, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree, has recently agreed to pay a hefty fine of nearly $42 million after pleading guilty to charges related to storing consumer products in a rat-infested warehouse.  The contaminated products included food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. This marks the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case.  Family Dollar Ships Contaminated Products to 400 Stores Alexander Schimmeck/Unsplash The Department of Justice announced the settlement, highlighting the serious violations that took place at a distribution center in West Memphis, Arkansas. The company acknowledged allowing contaminated products to be shipped to over 400…

Netflix has implemented a significant change to its billing system, discontinuing the option for users to pay for their monthly subscriptions through Apple Pay or iTunes. While the streaming giant ceased allowing new subscriptions via Apple’s App Store in 2018, existing users continued to have the option to pay through Apple Pay or iTunes. The recent alteration, however, has eliminated this choice, affecting users in “select countries,” particularly those on the Basic subscription plan. Netflix Says to Add a New Payment Method or Lose Subscription Netflix/Wikimedia Commons The company, without specifying the impacted countries, has notified users through its website…

Recent survey results from the Independent California poll conducted by YouGov have stirred discussions about Californians’ sentiments toward state secession. Despite the surprising revelation that 58 percent of respondents believe California would be “better off” if it seceded from the United States, experts caution against assuming this reflects a genuine desire for secession. How the Survey was Conducted RossoSPC/Wikimedia Commons The survey involved 500 randomly chosen adults in the state and raised questions about the practicality and likelihood of such a move, especially considering the legal barriers set by the post-Civil War decision in Texas v. White (1869). A remarkable…

Arizona, despite taking measures to address water overuse in October, continues to grapple with the consequences of extensive groundwater drilling over several years.  The aftermath includes properties sinking in regions like McMullen Valley, with communities now situated three feet or more below their 1991 levels. A significant portion of this subsidence, nearly a foot, occurred since 2015, coinciding with the commencement of corporate drilling for groundwater. Al Dahra has Sunk Wenden, AZ by Four Feet Al Dahra Agriculutre/Wikimedia Commons The impact is not uniform across the state, and some areas, such as the town of Wenden, witnessed more severe consequences.…

Let’s take a look at some tips from former flight attendants who’ve acquired special insights into maximizing savings for air travel. These tips, mostly learned through flight attendant experience and shared among colleagues, can greatly increase your journey’s cost-effectiveness. Here are some essential pieces of advice for passengers looking to make the most of their travel budget. Wait Until You’re at the Airport to Upgrade Briana Tozour/Unsplash Purchasing an economy ticket and opting for an upgrade at the airport can be a savvy move.  Waiting until you reach the airport to request an upgrade, either at the counter or gate,…

Banks, integral to our financial lives, often find themselves in the crosshairs of public disdain.  From exorbitant fees to fraudulent practices, some banks in America have managed to stand out as particularly despised entities. Here’s an exploration of the most hated banks in America, examining the reasons behind their notoriety and the impact on customers. Bank of America’s Alleged Fraud Mike Mozart/Wikimedia Commons Bank of America has not only secured a spot on the list of most hated companies in America but has also faced legal troubles, including a $100 million settlement for alleged fraud against hospitals and schools.  The…

In today’s workforce landscape, Generation Z (Gen Z) workers are displaying heightened ambition, seeking career growth and development. However, a survey involving over 1,600 full-time U.S. workers conducted by outplacement and career coaching firm INTOO and Workplace Intelligence reveals a concerning trend.  Gen Z Want More Career Discussions KOBU Agency/Unsplash Approximately 54% of employees feel isolated in navigating their career progression, and 46% state that their managers lack the capacity to assist with career development.  Gen Z workers, constituting 62% of this group, express a desire for more career discussions with their managers but face hurdles due to their managers’…

PepsiCo, the multinational food and beverage giant, faced a notable setback in its North American sales, experiencing a decline of approximately 3.5% during the last quarter of 2023. The company attributed this downturn to a combination of factors, with the primary contributor being the reluctance of consumers to embrace higher product prices. Increased Prices Are Negatively Impacting Pepsi’s Performance Source: Qwertyfry38/Wikimedia Commons CEO Ramon Laguarta acknowledged this during the earnings call, indicating that the increase in prices negatively impacted the company’s performance. It appears that this price hike has created a ripple effect across both the food and beverage categories.…