Author: Julia Mehalko

Housing shortages have led to an increase in home prices in the last few years. This rise in housing prices has led to many people being completely shut out of the housing market. However, some states — such as Texas and Florida — have successfully built many new homes. This increase in building homes has led to housing prices falling in these states. However, some blue states — such as California and New York — haven’t been able to copy their red counterparts. The Housing Market Since 2008 Source: Anastasiya Badun/Unsplash Since the financial crisis of 2008, the United States…

CNN reporter David Culver recently uncovered an unsettling child labor problem outside Los Angeles, California as he was covering various stories about immigrants who have come to the United States. Through his reporting, Culver explained that one of the young teenagers he was interviewing worked at a chicken processing facility illegally alongside other children. Immigration In The U.S. Source: Greg Bulla/Unsplash CNN’s David Culver went to California to cover an ongoing problem with child labor. Culver interviewed various people who had immigrated to the United States recently. Culver interviewed a mother and daughter about why they came to the U.S.…

New reporting confirms that at least four undersea fiber optic cables have been damaged in the Red Sea during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, as well as continuing escalations from the Houthis in Yemen throughout the region. Undersea fiber optic cables account for about 97% of all internet traffic. While damages can happen, they remain rare. Undersea Fiber Optic Cables Cut Source: Eduardo Casajús Gorostiaga/Unsplash According to telecom operators, at least four cables were apparently “cut.” These cables were SEACOM, TGN, Africa Asia Europe-One, and the Europe India Gateway. Though telecommunications providers are aware that these cables were in some way…

TikTok is encouraging users to complain to their U.S. lawmakers after Congress made moves to ban the app throughout the country. Upon getting on the app, many TikTok users claimed to see a message urging them to get in touch with officials about this issue. This latest TikTok notification comes amid the app facing growing congressional pressure. As the threat to ban the social media platform is again ignited, TikTok faces an uncertain future. New TikTok Pop-Ups Source: Solen Feyissa/Unsplash According to a user on X (formerly known as Twitter), new TikTok pop-ups appear for users when they first log…

The debate over where and when to properly tip has reached a new… tipping point. Now, many industry workers agree with customers — tipping culture has gone out of control. The controversy over tipping escalated in recent years when customers began to complain they were being asked to tip everywhere, including at self-checkout kiosks. According to a new study, many employees agree that something needs to change. Tipping Has Gone Too Far Source: Igal Ness/Unsplash & Kai Pilger/Unsplash A new survey conducted by CouponBirds found that 76.1% of consumers believe tipping has “gone too far.” While many consumers have begun…

A Tesla Cybertruck got stuck on a California beach this month after the car’s driver illegally drove onto the sand. This report is the latest instance of Tesla’s “apocalypse-proof” Cybertruck being less than durable. For years now, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has claimed that the Cybertruck could survive a lot. However, it appears it cannot survive driving on a sandy beach. Apocalypse-Proof Cybertrucks Source: u/Kruzat/Wikimedia Commons On Tesla’s website, the company claims that their new Cybertrucks are apocalypse-proof. These cars can survive quite a lot — according to the company. Tesla has long touted the stability of their space-age-looking cars.…

A bakery owner in Long Island has been accused of selling Dunkin’ donuts as her own. This realization occurred when a vegan grocery store ordered donuts from this baker. Immediately, the store noticed that something was off about the delivered donuts. An investigation eventually led to the store believing the owner had bought Dunkin’ donuts, but claimed she had made them. On top of this, the owner said the donuts were gluten-free — and they were not. A Vegan Store’s Discovery Source: Rod Long/Unsplash CindySnacks, a vegan grocery store in Huntington, New York, took to social media to share how…

Scientists studying genetic mutations in animals living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone have discovered that a specific type of worm appears to have developed a new superpower: they’re immune to radiation. Plants and animals living in the radioactive areas of Chernobyl have been studied by scientists for years now. While many animals in this area have developed gene mutations because of the radioactivity, this is the first time researchers have gained insight into a worm’s potentially repaired DNA. The Chernobyl Disaster Source: Mads Eneqvist/Unsplash In 1986, an accident at the Chernobyl 4 reactor in what was then the Soviet Union…

“Bar Rescue” host Jon Taffer has criticized California for passing new laws that target the restaurant business. According to Taffer, they shouldn’t have even gotten involved in how restaurants work. Now, Taffer believes that many restaurants in California will have very high menu prices. This could lead to residents throughout the Golden State having to deal with paying as much as $30 for a hamburger. California’s New Laws Source: Paul Hanaoka/Unsplash California has already passed legislation that has impacted some eateries around the state. For the past few years, California’s lawmakers have worked on the FAST Act. The FAST Act…

Jeff Smith, a Massachusetts man, is suing the government and asking for $9.5 million in damages after he crashed his snowmobile into a Black Hawk helicopter. Smith was riding his snowmobile one evening in 2019 when he suddenly came upon the parked helicopter, which was on the trail in front of him. He could not avoid the crash and subsequently has been in and out of the hospital because of his severe injuries. A 2019 Snowmobile Crash Source: Dan Cutler/Unsplash In March of 2019, Jeff Smith was riding a snowmobile in Worthington, Massachusetts, and heading to visit his brother. Suddenly,…