Author: Julia Mehalko

Powerful, rare X-class solar flares were emitted from the sun this weekend, causing radio blackouts over several countries. These latest uncommon X-class solar flares come a few months after many parts of the world were able to see the northern lights after earlier flares also produced coronal mass ejections (CME). A New Solar Flare Source: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia Commons This recent solar flare occurred from Sunspot AR 3738 on Saturday, July 13. This was seen around 10:34 EDT. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory was able to capture the scene. X-class flares are the most powerful class of solar flares,…

To this day, one of the tallest tsunami waves known to science occurred in Lituya Bay, a fjord in Alaska, in 1958. After an earthquake rocked the region, a tsunami wave devastated the area, with ocean waves reaching heights of three miles high. An Empty Tomb Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons Even before 1958, Lituya Bay has been known as a dangerous and deadly fjord. When French explorer Jean-François de Galaup La Pérouse first discovered the bay, even he realized something was amiss with the narrow Alaskan fjord. When he lost twenty-six men who were sent by him to measure the…

A large fire has broken out on the Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. This fire subsequently caused a brief power failure among the entire ship, though this was soon rectified. According to officials, fires aren’t necessarily common on cruise ships — however, they aren’t uncommon, either. The Icon of the Seas Source: Larry D. Moore/Wikimedia Commons The Icon of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship, at nearly 1,200 feet long and 250,500 gross tons. The record-breaking vessel, which is operated by the Royal Caribbean, is a $2 billion cruise ship that was just…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially approved $2 billion to be spent on California schools throughout the state after settling the Cayla J. v. California case earlier this year. This $2 billion will be used to help students recover from learning loss they may have experienced when the state ordered schools to be closed during the COVID pandemic. For many of Newsom’s critics, this allocation of funds is an “admission of failure.” California School Closures During the Pandemic Source: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, California ordered nearly all schools throughout the Golden State to be…

Infighting in the Democratic Party is seemingly continuing — even after the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally. Recently, Democrat House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shot back at a report that featured a quote from an anonymous senior Democrat. This senior lawmaker had a response about what we all can expect after Trump’s shooting — and AOC didn’t agree with it. A Shooting at Trump’s Rally Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons On Saturday, a man attempted to shoot at the former president at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. Though the shooter was unsuccessful, Trump revealed he had been shot through…

Scientists have revealed that climate change has officially claimed its first extinction in the United States in a historic first. For years, researchers have warned that the Key Largo tree, an incredibly rare species in Florida, was in danger of dying off because of the rise in sea levels. Now, it appears this worst-case scenario has finally happened. The Key Largo Tree Source: James St. John/Wikimedia Commons Scientists first started to take a closer look at the Key Largo tree in the 1990s. This tree — which can only be found in Key Largo — can grow up to 20…

New financial disclosures have revealed the large amount of money former President Donald Trump’s campaign has spent on fast food services and catering, such as McDonald’s. This revelation comes as the former president is working to defeat current President Joe Biden in November’s general election. Biden’s campaign finances were also revealed, showing what his campaign spent the most on. Trump’s Campaign and Fast Food Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons Donald J. Trump For President 2024 — the president’s official campaign — has released data explaining they spent more than $35,000 on catering and fast food in May. While much of this…

More than 100 Christian church leaders in Louisiana have publicly rebuked the state’s new religious law which mandates that a poster of the Ten Commandments must be put up in every single classroom in the state. According to these many church leaders, this new law is deeply troubling — and they completely disagree with it. The New Ten Commandments Law Source: Aaron Burden/Unsplash Last month, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed this legislation into law. Now, every classroom in the state must have a poster of a specific version of the Ten Commandments. This mandate will be enforced in all public…

To mark the second anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) operations, NASA has released a stunning new image that depicts two intertwined galaxies. Remarkably, one of these galaxies even looks like a penguin. The JWST has made the study of stars and galaxies much easier for astronomers — and has helped scientists uncover some of the many mysteries of the universe. The Launch of the JWST Source: NASA/MSFC/David Higginbotham/Wikimedia Commons On December 25, 2021, the JWST was launched. This incredible telescope — coined a “time machine” by many — has allowed astronomers and the public to look far…

YouTuber and mechanic Scotty Kilmer has recently posted a video where he claims that the media is lying to the American public about electric cars. According to the popular mechanic, there are many problems — and various misconceptions — about electric vehicles (EVs). Often, there are many hidden costs attached to these cars that consumers aren’t aware of when they buy them. Investing in a Better Future? Source: Jp Valery/Unsplash For years now, many government officials, as well as media organizations, have touted EVs, as they’ve said buying these environmentally friendly cars is a great way for average Americans to…