Author: Julia Mehalko

Two NASA astronauts who flew up into space in Boeing’s Starliner capsule will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) indefinitely amid ongoing problems with the Boeing craft. This latest revelation comes after repeated NASA delays. The two astronauts were supposed to return to Earth on June 22. Now, NASA hasn’t given a date as to when they will actually return. Starliner’s Early Issues Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons Even before Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft went into orbit, there were many issues with the overall craft. The rocket launch that sent astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore was delayed various…

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a religious freedom challenge stemming from a 2021 Connecticut law that revolves around religious exemption from vaccines and immunization. This latest rejection comes as many Supreme Court justices, most notably Justice Samuel Alito, have faced controversy thanks to religious viewpoints, which critics worry may influence their decisions in the court. Connecticut’s 2021 Law Source: Ed Us/Unsplash In 2021, Connecticut passed a law that fully eliminated the state’s previous vaccine exemption for schoolchildren. Now, people can no longer be exempt from receiving necessary childhood immunization requirements for public schools, daycares, and colleges. Before this law…

The Sunset Beach Police Department responded to an unusual “sea life attack” at a North Carolina beach last week after a man was supposedly bitten by a shark. However, when the police arrived, they realized the man wasn’t attacked by a shark at all — he was the victim of an unknown attack by a sea animal. An Attack in the Atlantic Ocean Source: hackamac/Wikimedia Commons This event occurred while the victim — a 20-year-old male — was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off of a North Carolina beach on January 18. While in the waters, the man suffered a…

A woman’s discovery of a Vera Wang wedding dress while shopping at Goodwill has left her stunned — and resulted in her finding going viral. Social media users were quick to comment on her story, especially as the woman revealed why she didn’t immediately decide to buy her dream wedding dress. An Unexpected Find Source: Rick Obst/Wikimedia Commons Agnes, also known as TikToker @godtier.agnes, uploaded a video on June 11 to share her most recent find while shopping at Goodwill. Agnes normally posts about her thrift shopping, sharing with her many followers what she discovers in various different thrift stores.…

Officials have publicly warned California drivers to avoid gas stations for the next few days in various cities in the Golden State, thanks to the state’s overall air quality. According to these new alerts, drivers in specific counties of the state should steer clear of filling up their cars with gasoline, if at all possible. Air Quality Alerts Source: Paulius Dragunas/Unsplash The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) revealed these new alerts on Sunday. These warnings will be in place in California until Wednesday morning. Officials of the AQMD have revealed pollution has caused poor air quality in these…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned pet owners to throw away potentially dangerous dog treats that have been recalled because they may have “metal objects” in them. This recall notice comes as Americans have noticed an increasing amount of pet treats and food being recalled in the last few years, which has concerned many pet owners. Recalled Dog Treats Source: James Lacy/Unsplash The FDA’s website was recently updated to reveal that Green Tripe dog treats, made by TDBBS LLC, have been voluntarily recalled. About 3,551 bags sold online from February 2024 to May 2024 have been recalled.…

The Social Security Administration is making a huge update to an outdated database that hasn’t been changed in nearly 50 years. For years, many Americans have struggled to get disability benefits when their job became obsolete, as the agency incorrectly claimed that they could still do this job — even though it was no longer a position found in the U.S. workforce. Now, the agency has finally made some changes that could impact many Americans. Obsolete Jobs Source: Museums Victoria/Unsplash For decades, workers in the United States have applied to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration when their…

Archaeologists refuse to open up the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty, which is guarded by the legendary army of terracotta soldiers and horses. Why won’t these experts actually open up this very old tomb? They’re too scared to do so, as historical documents have forecasted terrible tragedies could occur once those tomb doors are open. About Qin Shi Huang Source: xiquinhosilva/Wikimedia Commons Qin Shi Huang is considered the first emperor of China. His rule began the mighty empire of the Qin dynasty. Though this dynasty only lasted from 221 to 206 BCE, it…

A new map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) remarkably shows how parts of New York will soon be underwater, thanks to rising sea levels as a result of climate change. Scientists have long warned that many parts of the U.S. could soon deal with massive flooding as ocean levels rise. This latest map indicates just how badly hit some areas of New York will be. Climate Change and Sea Levels Source: Mike C. Valdivia/Unsplash As the world deals with climate change, sea levels will likely continue to rise. There are various projections that have been made about…

The Supreme Court’s pending cases revolving around firearms and one’s right under the Second Amendment have many gun control advocates worried, even after the court ruled to uphold a law barring domestic abusers from legally possessing a firearm. These activist concerns come as the court has tipped to a conservative majority in only the last few years. A Recent Supreme Court Firearms Ruling Source: Claire Anderson/Unsplash Just this week, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold a law that completely bars domestic abusers from being able to own a gun. This move was applauded by gun control advocates around the country.…