Author: Georgia McKoy

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is currently facing a lawsuit over a student program designed specifically for female students of color.  The Legal Insurrection Foundation has filed a complaint with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, claiming that the program discriminates against other student groups based on race and gender. Details of the Contested Program Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)/Facebook According to MIT’s official website, the program in question is “designed for undergraduate women of color which includes Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and other minoritized ethnicities.” The initiative aims to offer professional development and mentoring…

This summer, McDonald’s rolls out a tempting $5 meal deal to win back customers turned off by recent price surges.  You can get a McDouble or McChicken, small fries, a drink, and McNuggets for five dollars. But it’s not all smooth sailing; some franchisees are worried whether this low price is actually sustainable. Franchisee Concerns: Squeezed Margins Ahead Source: Visual Karsa/Unsplash Concern is brewing among McDonald’s franchisees as they brace for the $5 meal offer.  In a letter They’re sounding the alarm over the thin profit margins, reported between 10 to 15 percent, fearing these deals could bleed them dry…

California Governor Gavin Newsom, addressing the state’s $73 billion deficit earlier this month, firmly stated to reporters, “the answer is no,” when questioned about raising taxes to solve the fiscal crisis.  Despite these assurances, his recent budget proposal includes $18 billion in tax hikes specifically targeting businesses, revealing a significant shift in strategy. Previous Commitments Versus Current Actions Source: CAgovernor/X Governor Newsom had previously pledged not to increase taxes, particularly in the context of a budget crisis that has emerged just two years after the state enjoyed a nearly $100 billion surplus.  Despite this, his current budget proposal laid out…

This week marks the start of an ambitious campaign by Americans for Prosperity (AFP) to take gas prices back to what they were four years ago.  Across the country, participating gas stations will dial down their prices to as low as $2.38 per gallon, reminiscent of the rates on the day President Biden took office. AFP’s goal? Give drivers a taste of “pre-Bidenomics” prices once more. AFP’s Motive: Spotlight on Energy Policies Source: Ash8156/X AFP is taking this step to underline the consequences of the current administration’s energy policies.  Akash Chougule, AFP’s Vice President of Government Affairs, stated, “Biden’s war…

President Biden’s recent address at Morehouse College in Atlanta sparked controversy as he faced accusations of “race baiting”.  During the commencement, Biden questioned whether democracy truly serves African-American graduates, pointing to systemic inequalities and ongoing racial issues. A Shock to the System Source: POTUS/X Lou Valentino, a New York resident, expressed his disappointment on Fox & Friends, calling Biden a “race baiter” and criticizing the speech for setting back the graduates instead of uplifting them.  Valentino shared his frustrations, saying, “It’s tough to hear that… this guy is trying to set you back… I don’t know what’s going on with…

A DEI officer in California has described Jesus Christ as “a tool used to enslave minds and dismantle indigenous traditions for capital gain.”  This remark by the officer characterizes the religious figure in a context far beyond his spiritual influence, suggesting a manipulation of his image for economic benefits. Analyzing Whiteness and Christianity Source: Wikimedia Commons In a 2019 Medium post, Carina Lieu criticized what she perceives as a “superiority complex” and a “pathology” inherent in White America and linked these traits to Christian practices.  Her comments reflect a deep scrutiny of the intersections between race, religion, and societal structures.…

RFK Jr. has pledged a whopping $5 billion in reparations to Black farmers should he clinch the presidency in 2024.  This campaign promise is aimed at correcting past injustices in the agricultural sector, particularly against Black farmers who have faced discrimination. The Backdrop of the Promise Source: JWBoydNBFA/X On his podcast, alongside John Boyd Jr., founder of the National Black Farmers Association, Kennedy voiced strong support for rectifying USDA policies.  Boyd Jr. has been actively challenging the Biden administration’s handling of debt relief for minority farmers, pointing out the need for more robust support. Stalled Support and Judicial Roadblocks Source:…

The “Doomsday Glacier,” more formally known as Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, has become a focal point of global concern due to its accelerating melt, largely driven by warm ocean waters.  The complete dissolution of this glacier could elevate global sea levels by as much as two feet, presenting a formidable threat. Signs of Intensified Melting Source: Wikimedia Commons Recently released studies reveal unsettling “vigorous melting” at Thwaites Glacier, exacerbated by the warm seawater that flows beneath it.  This process is occurring more aggressively than previously thought, heralding complications for future sea level predictions and coastal management. Waters Reach Deeper than…

The Supreme Court has once again sidestepped a hot-button issue, deciding not to review Maryland’s controversial ban on certain semi-automatic firearms, often labeled as assault weapons.  The justices, in their usual style, left us without any explanation, keeping everyone guessing about their reasons. Watching and Waiting on Similar Cases Source: Wikimedia Commons Meanwhile, a similar legislative drama unfolds in Illinois, with another law restricting semi-automatic firearms under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny.  They haven’t moved on it yet, possibly hinting they’re waiting to see how things pan out in lower courts or perhaps planning to tackle both cases in one go.…

Nitro Fluids, known for its fracking prowess in the oil and gas sectors, sought refuge in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Filed in the Southern District of Texas’s court, the company pointed to a sharp revenue dip from industry consolidation as the culprit behind its dire financial state. A Peek into Nitro’s Finances Source: Wikimedia Commons The bankruptcy documents lay bare the tough numbers: assets and liabilities swirling between $50 million and $100 million.  With $234,000 in the bank and weighed down by over $52 million in debts, it’s clear the company’s financial tank is running dangerously low. Cash Flow Crisis Unveiled…