Author: Lauren

Walmart has made several changes to its checkout counters over the past few years. First, the company said it was going to use only self-checkout, and then there were rumors they were going to remove them altogether. Finally, it seems the mega-store has decided to keep self-checkout registers, but they will only be available to customers willing to pay for them. The Self-Checkout Debate Source: Reddit Self-checkout registers have existed for decades, though they became far more popular in the last ten years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were doing everything they could to avoid contact with others.…

Human beings have a pretty terrible reputation for overdoing it. From fishing and hunting to fossil fuels and construction, we often go so big that we ruin the natural ecosystems that have existed for millions of years. However, one group of fishermen in Maine, USA, who fish and sell baby eels, or elvers, have set their minds on ensuring they don’t overfish their rivers. And it seems they’re going to be rewarded for doing so. What Are Elvers? Source: Media Storehouse Before discussing the big news in Maine, it’s first important to understand exactly what elvers are and why they…

As of 2024, the average life expectancy for those living in the United States of America is 79.25 years, which is significantly higher than the planet’s average of only 73.33 years. However, a new study shows that exactly where an American lives could considerably change their personal life expectancy, and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with financial stability, race, or even crime.  Life Expectancy by Region Source: Britannica The continental United States is most often organized into four sections: The West, the Midwest, the South, and the Northeast. Within these segments, of course, lay more specific divisions such as…

The United States of America has long been considered the land where dreams come true. People from all over the planet truly believe that hope lies within these 50 states, and American citizens have always been considered some of the luckiest people on Earth.  However, in recent years, it seems that the American dream is all but dead. A new study shows it’s not current politics or the economy that are causing this to happen, but the lack of hope among the next generation.  There’s No Doubt America Is Struggling Source: Freepik Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown,…

Over the past year, many Americans have noticed that restaurants and delivery services are adding strange service fees to almost every bill, and they’re not thrilled about it. Restaurants argue these fees are necessary in order to stay financially viable while paying their employees more than ever before, thanks to constantly increasing minimum wages. However, as of July 2024, the state of California is completely outlawing all service fees. Inflation Has Increased the Price of Absolutely Everything Source: Freepik In addition to the added service fees, American diners have also noted that the cost of almost everything from take-out pizza…

Since rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft opened their car doors for business more than 10 years ago, they have experienced incredible business success and a whole lot of problems, too. The most recent challenge for the two companies has arrived in the form of the Minneapolis City Council, which is about to force Uber and Lyft to pay their drivers far more than they have been. In response, both Uber and Lyft have threatened to abandon the city if the legislation passes. Minneapolis City Council Plans to Make Big Changes for Rideshare Companies Source: Minneapolismn.gov The Minneapolis City Council…

After traveling solo for two weeks, the NASA rover Perseverance has found its exploration partner, the helicopter Ingenuity, sitting in a desolate Martian desert. The Ingenuity went down on January 18, 2024 when its rotors were damaged during a rough landing. The Perseverance spotted and photographed the lost aircraft on February 4. Geovisual designer Simeon Schmauß posted a photo on his Flickr page and uploaded a zoomed-in version on X. What Happened to Ingenuity Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons The Ingenuity navigated using a software that tracked movement on the planet’s surface. During its fateful trip, the helicopter encountered very smooth sandy…

It has become all too clear that greenhouse gases are directly affecting the Earth’s climate, leading to extreme weather, heat waves, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. Therefore, the US federal government and the vast majority of state governments have been hard at work, trying to cut back on the use of greenhouse gases. However, some Americans are actually smuggling them into the country. The Lesser-Known Types of Greenhouse Gases Source: Freepik When one thinks of greenhouse gas emissions, the first thought is often of giant factories or corporations that burn fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal for electricity,…

Since Biden and his administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, the government has been organizing and finalizing the Climate Reduction Grants Program. As of March 2024, all but five states have joined the program, which means they will receive federal funding to reduce fossil fuel production and initiate sustainable energy initiatives. However, not everyone in those five states is thrilled by their government’s decision to opt out. What Is the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program? Source: @EPA/X The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program, as explained by the Environmental Protection Agency, “provides $5 billion in grants to states, local…

Every generation has their favorite childhood movies, games, and rock stars. Some have truly stood the test of time, while others are just a distant memory. For Gen Xers, this quiz should be super easy! But for you Millenials and Gen Zers, be prepared to be completely stumped. 1. Molly Ringwald was a part of which group of young actors? Source: Reddit A) The Comeback Kids B) New Kids on the Block C) The Brat Pack D) The Hollywood Five Answer: Source: Reddit The Brat Pack 2. Madonna married which actor in 1985? Source: Wikipedia A) Antonio Banderas B) Sean…