‘We’re all still here’ Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Highline College
In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Highline College decided to ring in their 10th annual observation of the holiday by holding a multifaceted celebration.
Elder Roger Fernandes of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe began by telling traditional tales such as “The Fly”, a long passed down story about how even the smallest community members can make a difference.
Life before and after the genocide in Gaza
Before the genocide, people in Gaza lived ordinary lives filled with family, school, work, celebrations, and everyday routines. Since the war began, those routines have been dramatically disrupted, with many people facing displacement, loss, and uncertainty.
Although many residents faced economic hardships and restrictions due to the longstanding blockade, they continued to build careers, attend universities, run businesses, and spend time with loved ones.
The history of horror: The pleasure of being scared
Fiction lives to show us possibilities of what could be, while horror presents us with numerous atrocities beyond us, monsters that we fear are a reflection of ourselves and our society.
Throughout history, much has changed in the genre, whether it be the books we read, the movies we watch, or the tales we seek. From the oral stories our ancestors told, to the first visualizations of these words, we have always sought the pleasure of being scared.
Seahawks start season in slump
With the season approximately a third of the way over, the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks’ season isn’t shaping up the way fans were hoping, tallying a mediocre 3-3 record over the first six games.
The quest to become repeat champions (an achievement that has only be accomplished by two teams since the turn of the century) has been hampered by costly turnovers and a stagnate offense.
Campus
In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Highline College decided to ring in their 10th annual observation of the holiday by holding a multifaceted celebration.
Elder Roger Fernandes of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe began by telling traditional tales such as “The Fly”, a long passed down story about how even the smallest community members can make a difference.
The Q Center, Highline’s multifaceted resource center and social space for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond, recently orchestrated an event that was part scavenger hunt, part open house.
While the purpose behind a scavenger hunt is usually to find items on a list, the Q Center scavenger hunt directed students to various buildings and departments on campus with specific questions for answering, such as “Is the Women’s Programs only a program for women?” and “Where is one gender neutral bathroom on campus?”
Highline College’s President Dr. John R. Mosby served Highline for roughly seven years before passing away in May of 2026. On Oct. 14, 2026 a moving dedication ceremony was held in his honor on the Highline campus.
Decorated by the Executive Assistant Office of the President Juli Hammond, the Mt. Townsend Dining Hall in Building 8 was decked out in floral displays and a touching tribute written by Dr. Mosby’s family.
For many students arriving at Highline College, the challenge isn’t just balancing classes, it’s finding a community that truly feels like home. CLCs offer support to students that lack a sense of belonging and community and are a great way for students to get involved on campus.
In case you don’t know, CLC stands for Cultural Learning Communities. They are small, supportive communities for students sharing similar goals, histories, cultures, or ideas. The purpose is to offer support, opportunities, and connections to help students adjust to college life.
Community
Before the genocide, people in Gaza lived ordinary lives filled with family, school, work, celebrations, and everyday routines. Since the war began, those routines have been dramatically disrupted, with many people facing displacement, loss, and uncertainty.
Although many residents faced economic hardships and restrictions due to the longstanding blockade, they continued to build careers, attend universities, run businesses, and spend time with loved ones.
Fall is an important season for many going back to school, but even more important for those paying to go to school. As people apply to colleges and universities in America, or start another year, they find themselves scrambling to also apply for scholarships and financial aid.
Students in college don’t only have to worry about the cost of tuition. Other expenses include food, housing, books, and more. Even with support, the struggle remains. Students find themselves having no choice but to take out loans in some cases to cover the cost of pursuing the future they want.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to taking King County Metro. Riders must know how to pay their fare, how to request a stop, how to read schedules, and more. It can be overwhelming for first time passengers and, in their confusion, they might break the rules of the Code of Conduct. This article is a friendly reminder for the ridership.
It’s important to familiarize oneself with the Code of Conduct before beginning to take public transportation. This saves time for everyone involved, as an informed public is an efficient public. A key thing to remember is that buses are shared spaces and one person’s behavior doesn’t just affect them, it affects everyone.
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest earthquakes in recorded history, struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula Tuesday evening (local time), prompting a tsunami advisory for the entire North American west coast.
Washington’s outer coast was under tsunami advisory until Wednesday morning, with the tallest tsunami waves measuring about a foot and a half at La Push around 1 a.m.
Three G7 countries have agreed to recognize Palestine as a sovereign nation, under certain conditions. The war in Gaza has officially been dubbed a genocide. The conflict has continuously restricted food and other humanitarian aid, leading to daily starvation deaths.
According to the IPC report, there have been over 1,000 deaths during attempts to access food. IPC calls it the “worst–case scenario of famine,” predicting “widespread death” without immediate actions.
Congress has approved a Trump administration demand to rescind $1.1 billion dollars of public media spending, targeting NPR and PBS. Trump cites the “bias” reporting of these organizations, but station leaders say the move will disproportionately affect rural communities.
The money was set aside to fund public media across the nation for the next two years, but with fiscal budgets already in place, stations will take the hit in the coming months.
With new policy changes to Medicaid, and raising costs of medication, many Washingtonians might be asking if there is a better solution to the private healthcare model. Whole Washington, a healthcare advocacy group, has the answer: State run healthcare for all using existing tax structures.
Through legislation, they would create the Washington Health Care Trust (WHCT), bridging the insurance gap for the estimated 480,000 residents without health insurance.
Highline’s Marine Science Technology Center (MaST) in partnership with the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP), a group dedicated to bringing educational experiences to incarcerated individuals, brought a growing red octopus to the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) in Gig Harbor.
Their goal: give the students imprisoned there an opportunity to study, ponder and come to an individual conclusion on the connection between this oceanic species and our own.
For those who conquered the parking at Redondo Beach on Sunday, sharks were circling Wooton Park ready to celebrate the City of Des Moines proclaiming Redondo Beach as the “Sixgill Shark Capital of the World”.
The first annual Shark in the Park went off without a hitch. With nearly 30 volunteers and around 25 vendors, the event was well supported in greeting local shark enthusiasts and the estimated 750-1,000 attendees. All organizations gathered had a simple mission: Celebrate the docile Sixgill, and teach others how to protect their home.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA) is Donald Trump’s multi-trillion dollar budget reconciliation, after being battled out by the legislative branch, it has been signed into law with presidential approval. The OBBA has garnered harsh headlines due to its drastic cuts to American institutions such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP).
These changes disproportionately target part-time, working students, as well as differently-abled students. Around 46% of Highline students are part-time, meaning they are enrolled in fewer than 12-credit hours per quarter.
With the summer comes campaigns, and with Seattle’s Mayoral election around the corner, this year promises the potential for new and actionable leadership. Katie Wilson is the cofounder and Executive Director of the Transit Rider’s Union, and her plan, if elected, would be to make public transportation safer by addressing the unhoused and housing crisis in the area.
Wilson goes up against the incumbent Bruce Harrell, who has occupied various seats in city hall since 2008.
Calling all shark enthusiasts!
Do you have a soft spot for sharp teeth and fish gills? Maybe you want to support Highline’s Marine Science and Technology center (MaST)? Either way, join the MaST Center on Sunday, July 6, at Redondo Beach to celebrate the Sixgill Shark.
As Sixgill Shark season swims in and to kick off Shark Week, join the MaST center in celebrating the Sixgill’s life & legacy with a day of “discovery, food, and family adventures”. The event will be held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at both the Redondo Pier and the adjacent Wooton Park.
In a move that has reignited fierce debate around the country, President Donald Trump’s administration has reinstated a sweeping travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, primarily targeting Africa and the Middle East.
The executive order took effect on Monday, June 9 at 12:01am EST, and now they are exploring additional restrictions on up to 36 nations.
I have been a part of the Thunderword publication since late 2023, nearly as long as I have been attending Highline College. As I prepare to graduate, I am experiencing increasingly bittersweet pangs in my chest whenever I consider that saying ‘good morning’ to my friends here will no longer be a daily routine.
Thankfully, the sweet outweighs the bitter – overwhelmingly so.
Former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis has understandably taken much of the nation’s attention since its announcement almost two weeks ago. Since then, the conversation around the tragic news now includes CNN anchor Jake Tapper who, in his new book, accused the former president of minimizing his declining health in order to keep his political office.
Now, the timing and intent of the book has raised questions about journalistic ethics in today’s landscape.
President Donald Trump has ordered all new appointments for student/visitor visa applicants to stop immediately, likely in an attempt to allow the administration to more thoroughly investigate foreign students via social media. The news comes from a cable first reported by Politico, and did not provide specific direction as to how social media would be vetted.
Per the cable, which has been confirmed by a senior State Official, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said already-scheduled appointments may continue, but every new appointment to obtain a visa will be blocked.
Investigators have confirmed that earlier this week, an unknown male parked his car outside of a Southern California fertility clinic and set off an explosion immediately killing himself and injuring four others.
The tragedy sent fear into the community of Palm Springs, where a witness told NBC that the blast that damaged multiple businesses “felt like an earthquake.”
The juvenile incarceration system, meant to be a place of rehabilitation for troubled kids, not a punishment, has been brought into the light for its treatment of children, causing detriment to physical and mental health. Youth that experience the juvenile justice system are usually left to face many different difficulties, like PTSD and dental issues, after their stay in jail.
“A normal day when I [was] first incarcerated was: I wake up and go to breakfast, and then I go to school till 3 p.m., and then I used to go back and eat dinner and then sit in my room till 7 p.m. and then I’ll come out for two hours,” said Shamar Slaughter, now an adult, that spent most of his childhood in the system.
The partition of British India over 78 years ago continues to cast a long shadow over the relationship between India and Pakistan, two nations that share a common history and people. Despite this shared heritage the bitter relationship is carried on by politics, and was further trenched in hardship by the recent deadly militant attack in Pahalgam.
On April 25, 2025, an attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, resulted in the tragic deaths of Hindu pilgrims, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim. India swiftly accused Pakistan of staging the attack, pointing their fingers towards Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist group with ties to Pakistan, and alleging that the attack specifically targeted the Hindu population in what India considers to be territory under its control.
El Papa Francisco fue el primer papa latino americano en ascender al más alto cargo de arzobispo en la Iglesia Católica Romana, él viene de Buenos Aires, Argentina y era hijo de inmigrantes italianos, su nombre era Jorge Mario Bergoglio vivió una vida sencilla para un arzobispo, el hombre de 76 años arzobispo mantuvo una vida sencilla y humilde.
El difunto arzobispo era conocido por no creer que estaba por encima de nadie y que todos debían ser tratados con respeto, una frase por la que era conocido era “Mi pueblo es pobre y yo soy uno de ellos”.
The standoff between Harvard University and the Trump administration began this past April when Harvard refused to accept the government’s demands, leading the administration to freeze over $2.2 billion in federal research funding.
This fight is more than just about money; it raises the question of whether the federal government can force universities to change their internal policies and academic priorities in exchange for public funding.
Have you ever held a $2 bill in your hand? If you have, you probably remember it. It’s one of those things that makes people pause and go, “Wait, are these even real?” Despite being totally legit money, the $2 bill is one of the rarest sights in anyone’s wallet.
Some people think they stopped making them. Others think they’re worth more than face value. The truth? The $2 bill is still out there, still spendable, and still way cooler than most of our cash.
HopeLink hosted a panel of community members with ties to the food industry to highlight food assistance programs, answer questions about the nuances of the industry, and to network with like-minded entrepreneurs.
To start off the event Jodi Panya, a program manager at HopeLink, shared some information about the food assistance program at HopeLink. She talked about the purpose of the food markets and how they even have a mobile version of their market. Panya explained how the markets worked.
This past Monday, the day after Easter, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis at age 88. The cause itself was a stroke, followed by heart failure, and came after his initial recovery from a prior one-month stay in the hospital. The worldwide response has seen far-reaching public celebration, noting some of Francis’s humanitarian efforts and pacifist philosophies.
Pope Francis was the first Latin American pope to ascend the highest archbishop role in the Roman Catholic church, he originated from Buenos Aires Argentina, and his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was a son of Italian immigrants and he lived a simple and humble life for an archbishop.
Jasmine Crockett, Texas State Representative, is a rising force in politics. She has become a strong voice for justice, fairness, and the people she serves.
Born in 1981 in St. Louis, Mo., she earned her degree in business administration from Rhodes College in 2003. Crockett didn’t come to Congress quietly, and has made her own indelible mark in the past two years on the national stage.
Following presidential executive orders leading to illegal deportations of immigrants in the United States, Alki Beach, Seattle was flooded with protesters criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcements as well as President Trump. The Thunderword reporter, Taj Wilson, attended the protest, recounting their experience.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, is the newest G.O.P. lead bill that would redefine eligible voters to those with specific citizenship documents. This bill would not have passed in the House without the support of four democrats, including Washington State House member Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
In an official statement to the press, Perez stated her vote was based on the following, “I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections.”
The Washington State Fair has been a gargantuan PNW staple of community pride and tempting cuisine for the past century. Last Sunday’s event was no exception; here are some highlights from the Puyallup centered celebration. Maybe you’ll be enticed to attend in 2026!
Employees of the popular American grocery chain Trader Joe’s were in for a surprise earlier this month when the high demand for a limited edition rerelease of a fan favorite – canvas tote bags – led to lines for miles outside the front doors.
But these aren’t just any bags, they’re plastered with light pastel colors. These are perfect for the Easter season, or any occasion where you need a bit of color or a bit of extra cash, as resellers camped to market these totes for thousands of dollars more than their original $2.99 price on secondhand sites.
The Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival (SCBJCF) took place this past weekend showcasing beautiful art, vendor booths, and even sumo wrestling.
The festival was able to bring hundreds of people to come celebrate the long friendship between the people of Japan and Washington state. The SCBJCF committee presented culturally educational programs, arts, technologies, the rich heritage of Japan, and celebrated the beautiful sakura cherry tree.
Ser Hispano/Latino no significa que olvides tus raíces, ni abandonaste tu cultura si no te adaptaste a una nueva cultura, aunque en algún momento puedes ser discriminado.
Muchos de los inmigrantes son niños que aún están aprendiendo cómo sobrevivir un día en la escuela, con currículos diferentes como los curriculum de México, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, etc.
Thousands of Washington state residents joined the fight against President Trump and Elon Musk, saying “Hands Off” medicare, social security, deportations, and veteran benefits. That message has been spread throughout America, with at least 40 protests scheduled in Washington state alone.
The biggest “Hands Off” protest in Washington happened in Seattle on April 5 starting at noon. It’s estimated that the protests gathered a crowd of around 25,000 people all chanting the phrase, “Who saves us? We save us!”
Over the course of 25 hours and five minutes, Senator Cory Booker completed the longest speech in Senate history. The record, previously held by Strom Thurmond, was once used to block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
During Sen. Booker’s impassioned speech, he championed the opposite, and left anyone watching with the firm belief of hope and optimism in America.
President Trump’s long-threatened tariffs are finally here, thrusting the United States into an unwarranted and ongoing global trade war.
The policy aimed at reducing trade imbalances has sparked an immediate backlash from international partners. Tensions are continuously rising as American consumers, global trade partners, and economists alike are preparing for the possible economic consequences.
Elon Musk has spent much of the 2000s being seen as the brains behind Tesla and SpaceX, but lately, the story around him has changed. What once felt like admiration has turned into frustration. Between his political moves, chaos posts online, and the way he runs his businesses, a lot of people are honing in on Musk’s most violent ideologies.
So why has Musk become such a divisive figure, and is the hate justified?
National parks have been hemorrhaging park rangers since the Trump administration’s recent focus on cutting funds from programs it has deemed unnecessary. As the 750+ former federal employees have made their exit, the dialogue on the decision has been met with protesting, confusion, and further insistence by the administration that federal programs are a drawback to the nation’s economy.
This decision was one of the many inaugural choices by the Trump administration, and in similar fashion sparked protests, maybe most famously including an upside down flag display at Yosemite National Park.
Seattle celebrates Women’s History Month (WHM) across the city with exhibitions, group events, and festivals across the region. These events highlight the history of women’s fight for equality and equity, while addressing ongoing issues such as the wage gap, gender-based violence, and reproductive rights.
WHM takes place every March, recognizing the achievements of women throughout history and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), planned a brunch for the Latina women in the community.
Upon arrival at the brunch, guests were greeted with multiple members of ALPFA and were even gifted a little box with goodies. They also had a photo booth where a member would take a picture using a polaroid camera.
The Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) kicked off this weekend in the ever-busy streets of Seattle, with about 90,000 people attending the con over the four days. Every year, the city turns into a playground for comic book fans at the ECCC.
One way to think of the Comic Con is to think of it like a multi-day party where you can meet the people who make your favorite comics, learn from experts, and hang out with others who are just as excited as you are. These comic cons, like ECCC, are usually big events spanning a long weekend.
The SAT is a standardized test used to assess academic readiness, but for students who perform well in school yet struggle with timed exams, it can serve as an unfair barrier in college admissions, especially with those who aren’t as successful during exams, such as myself.
For high school students, the SAT is a defining moment in the college application process. It serves as a standardized measure that colleges use to compare applicants from different educational backgrounds. While some institutions have adopted test-optional policies, many still consider SAT scores an important factor in admissions and financial aid decisions.
Groundhog Day, observed annually on Feb. 2, has origins that intertwine ancient European traditions with American customs. The day is marked by the belief that if a groundhog sees its shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks, while an overcast sky signals an early spring.
Though today it is largely seen as a lighthearted tradition, its roots date back centuries to weather lore and religious observances.
Plane crashes have been happening in the U.S. on a near-daily basis, and while the Trump Administration argues that diversity is the culprit, experts are posing a different explanation for the string of tragedies that have made the front page for the past several months – and it is the likely combination of public perception of social media and years of aggressive budget cuts.
The Trump Administration’s firing of roughly 400 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees came on the very day of President Trump’s 2025 inauguration, in the midst of an already troublesome shortage of air traffic controllers.
There’s been a statistic rapidly growing among the King County area – juvenile crime has skyrocketed in recent years, concerning citizens, businesses, and law enforcement. While Seattle ranks #21 for most dangerous cities, according to US News, a disturbing percentage of crime is committed by juveniles.
“Renton data shows police were called to reports of juveniles committing crimes with guns almost three times more often in 2023 than the year before,” K5 reported in their “Underage and Under Arrest series. They found that the most common instances were armed robberies of gas stations and convenience stores.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were institutions established to provide higher education for Black students before desegregation, playing a crucial role in Black history by expanding access to education and professional opportunities.
HBCUs were founded in response to the systemic exclusion of African Americans from mainstream higher education. These institutions created opportunities for African Americans to pursue careers that were otherwise inaccessible.
As the weeks advance in President Trump’s second term, he has been true to his word on past promises with deportation and immigration. With the current administration considering pulling from the Department of Defense funds to hire contractors and expand detention facilities to process the hundreds of undocumented persons that have been targeted for their immigration status.
Democrats have opposed these executive decisions, arguing that deporting immigrants is not a smart move, citing that it could affect labor shortages. These deportations may affect, and reduce crop yields because with fewer agricultural workers to plant, tend, and harvest crops, farmers may struggle to maintain productivity.
Congress has had their sights on starting off with the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) along with the tax foundation to provide the insight and analysis on the policies at stake since the enactment in 2017.
They have overlooked some of the weaknesses and strengths of the TCJAs. “We have also analyzed fundamental reforms that would dramatically improve the U.S. tax system to support economic growth as well as greater efficiency and simplicity,” said the writers of tax foundation.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to expand the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 migrants. Multiplying the current capacity of less than 200 by a factor of over 150. With ICE setting up tents to prepare for the incoming wave of migrants, Trump and his administration are moving fast to enact this unprecedented move.
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, also known as GITMO, is one of the most infamous places in modern American history. A military prison located in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, the place was opened in 2002 to hold prisoners of war during the War on Terror. Since then it has been home to countless human rights violations.
White Day, celebrated on March 14, is a holiday in several Asian countries where men give gifts to women in return for the chocolates or presents they received on Valentine’s Day. This tradition is common in Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
The origins of White Day trace back to Japan in 1978 when the National Confectionery Industry Association launched it as a marketing campaign to promote sweets.
President Trump started off his second term by signing a slew of executive orders, including one attempting to revoke birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents with unlawful or even temporary status.
The public response has ranged from nationwide protests to preliminary injunctions against the order.
On a day marked by shifting skies in Seattle, voices rose in unison against the policies of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), echoing the rallying cry, “Families belong together.” The morning had greeted the city with snowfall, but by the time the protest began, the sun had broken through, casting a sharp light on the determined crowd gathered in solidarity.
Despite the earlier snow, the streets of Alki remained clear, with no snow on the ground—a striking contrast to the wintry backdrop seen elsewhere in the city. As a journalist, I rode King County Metro’s #50 bus, arriving at the protest around 2:38 p.m., ready to capture the spirit of the day through photos and videos.
After 15 months of horrendous fighting in the Gaza strip, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement just days before the second Trump administration.
The cease fire began on Sunday, Jan. 20 and phase one is projected to last six weeks. The pause in fighting is meant to allow Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be flooded into the region.
Since returning to office, Donald Trump has taken several controversial actions that have attracted public attention.
These actions include mass deportation efforts, attempting to end birthright citizenship, imposing tariffs that strained relations with Colombia, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement again, and rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
As 2025 begins, Washington State and King County announced increases to their minimum wage rates, marking a commitment to the people to provide fairer wages for workers across the region. These increases, which are connected to inflation, and the ever-rising cost of living, aim to ensure workers are compensated adequately for their labor.
The statewide and local wage increases in Washington for 2025 has been set to $16.66 per hour, a 2.35% increase from the previous year. This raise reflects the ongoing efforts to adjust salaries in line with inflation and rising costs.
Social media, despite its widespread use and connectivity benefits, has been increasingly linked to negative impacts on mental health. One of the most significant concerns is the way social media fosters unrealistic comparisons.
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook often highlight curated, idealized images of people’s lives, leading individuals to compare themselves to these filtered versions of reality.
Los Angeles investigators are still on the search for the origins of the Palisades fire, which has destroyed over 5,000 homes and businesses, along with the lives of 25 people, as of the release of this article.
Members of the public actively mourn the loss of life and home, while news outlets report a combination of safety updates, as well as speculation on the qualifications of LA officials charged with carrying out public safety.
Within a week of this article, President-Elect Donald Trump will have been formally sentenced for his 34 felony count conviction, in which a guilty verdict fell down on him like a hammer for paying off a porn-star, and he will also be inaugurated as America’s 47th president, serving two non-consecutive terms; a feat that only President Grover Cleveland accomplished.
Did you know that there are at least 24 known New Year’s traditions from around the world, and all of them have some different meaning or superstition attached to them?
The most popular tradition in the United States that millions gather to watch, is the annual ball drop in Times Square. According to Times Square, this tradition started in 1907 when the first New Year’s Eve ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds.
Washington State, known for its dreary, gray weather and depressing atmosphere, ranks highest in adults, 18 years of age and older, who feel symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, or just feeling down.
Although, Washington is at the tops in these statistics, it may surprise readers that the states inhabitants don’t score that much higher than the rest of the country when it comes to depression amongst adults and suicide rates.
As fall comes to an end and we enter the winter season, we can see the shift in temperature dropping.
With this in mind it’s essential to know how to properly take care of your body to help protect your immune system so it can be healthy during these chilly months.
Most of the Puget Sound region was under a dense fog advisory from the National Weather Service. Bellevue, Bremerton, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, and the Hood Canal region are all included in the advisory.
The moist air cools until its humidity reaches 100% and fog occurs when the cool air combines with the warm, humid air over the water.
Before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and turkey trots dominated Thanksgiving traditions, the holiday holds a dark and gruesome past not very well taught in schools.
Originating from a harvest once ‘held’ by the Pilgrims in 1621, the original European settlers in the New World celebrated growing relations with Indigenous tribes, but the economic tool covers a sordid tale.
UGGs became popular in the 90s then, after a decades-long hibernation, they found success again in the 2000s. The brand is no stranger to ebbing and flowing through the market; and only recently, UGGs have skyrocketed yet again – proving that the furry boots will always have a place in consumer’s hearts.
The UGG brand was founded in 1978 in Southern California by two young Australian surfers, Brian Smith and Doug Jensen. Only 28 pairs were sold in the company’s first season. But in 1994, when the U.S. winter Olympic team sported them, they garnered a lot of international attention.
Animal testing, used extensively in the cosmetic industry, is a harsh reality of millions of small animals, and protest efforts have led to legislation banning the sale of such companies that engage in the practice.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights activist group, held a worldwide campaign after anger over animal testing statistics were released. Across the globe public protests were held, phone calls were made, and thousands of emails sent to legislatures.
A ‘bomb cyclone’ swept into Western Washington Tuesday night, leaving half a million people without power and killing two individuals.
Puget Sound Energy reports over 400,000 of their customers suffered outages, many of which could potentially last for multiple days.
Satirical newspaper and media company, The Onion, has officially purchased Infowars at bankruptcy auction, following Alex Jones’ recent court loss to victims of Sandy Hook.
Infowars was founded by Alex Jones in 1999, carrying the McCarthyism torch from the ‘Satanic Panic’ through the ‘Obama Birther Movement’, and has had its fingers in nearly every conspiracy theory you’ve heard of in the Western Hemisphere.
As Thanksgiving fast approaches, the Thunderword is proud to serve up a steamy selection of the top dishes that you’ll want on your family table to ensure happiness and joy this holiday season.
Follow our findings and these approved recipes will have your family and friends coming back for seconds and thirds.
Companies and private workers suffer from the existence and sale of counterfeit products, and not just because of loss of sales hurting revenue and company reputations. The more alarming fact is that the counterfeit industry has actually been linked to terrorist activity.
In the 21st century, advanced machinery enables factories overseas to create a 1:1 replica of products from luxury brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci. This huge counterfeit industry is worth over “$3 trillion dollars annually” as reported by AlpVision.
There are less than 100 math museums in the entire world, and only a handful in America. We, however, have one of them right here in Seattle, called the Seattle Universal Math Museum (SUMM).
What is SUMM? SUMM is located all around Seattle and although it is not currently in a physical location, they host all sorts of events in the area, such as family events, hands-on exhibits, and conversations, all about math.
The creators are extremely passionate about math and want to share that with the community.
The LGBTQIA+ Task Force and Q Center invite you to participate in Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20).
During this time, we honor and uplift the trans community and reaffirm Highline’s commitment to a learning environment rooted in social justice, mutual respect, understanding, civility, and non-violence.
With the election closed, analysis begins on voter turnout, demographics, and how we got to where we are. As the results of the election settle, and the reality of Donald Trump being elected to return to the presidency, some recent campaign events can be looked on with a clearer light.
Perhaps most recently, Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke about Puerto Rico being an “island of garbage,” became the centerpiece of a national argument about what damage a joke can do, or not do in this case, on the political stage.
Bob Ferguson is Washington state’s newly elected governor, leading his competitor, Dave Reichert by almost 400,000 votes.
The Seattle-born former Washington Attorney General has been in the public eye for some time, but may not be as ubiquitous as his contemporaries–at least for now. So who is Ferguson?
Almost everyone has kept a goldfish in an aquarium once in their life, right? But have you ever thought about how disastrous they are to our environment if they were to be released into the wild?
Goldfish seem to be inexpensive and low maintenance which make them among a favorite in home aquarium pets. In pet stores they can be seen as tiny little swimmers but in the wild they can grow as big as 10 lbs and 18 in.
Strike action at 14 ports on the US east and Gulf coast has ended, after a temporary new wage agreement was reached. The union representing the U.S. dockworkers agreed to suspend the strike while further negotiations continue.
After the initial short-lived strike concluded, a temporary agreement on wages was put in place. This agreement will last until Jan. 15, when the parties will need to return to the bargaining table on other issues under the threat of another strike.
The finish line for this election season is less than a week away.
Along with the hotly contested Presidential campaigns pushing all they can in the final days, Washington has its own hot-button ticket issues that will racket through its own economy, depending on how the votes go.
Over the weekend there was a 45-car pileup accident that happened on southbound I-5 in Kent, Wash. This forced the closure of all five lanes on southbound I-5 to allow for first responders and tow trucks to get to the scene.
The accident occurred on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 around 1:20 p.m. and expanded a little over five miles in total.
Diaspora refers to a large group of people who share a cultural and regional origin but are living away from their traditional homeland. This dispersion can be due to various reasons such as economic opportunities, political instability, or conflicts.
Diasporas play a significant role in fostering cultural exchange, economic development, and maintaining connections between their homeland and host countries.
Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is popular for being the biggest place in America to host adult entertainment and gambling, but this year, it was also the host of the biggest trading card game and its convention Magic: The Gathering!
Created by game designer and mathematician Richard Garfield, Magic: The Gathering (or MTG for short) has become one of the most popular card games ever since its initial release in 1993 and has enjoyed immense popularity since then.
Early voting is open! Mail-in ballots have been sent out, and registration is still open for anyone needing to request a new ballot.
As the Presidential race has everyone’s attention, the Thunderword wished to remind everyone that local decisions are also on the ballot this November.
Many people are questioning whether the Netflix series “Monsters: A Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is accurate or not. Recent claims made by Erik Menendez about the Netflix series involving the murder of their parents he and his brother were convicted of committing says that the show is full of “Blatant lies” about him and his brother.
Liam Payne, 31, a former member of the hit British boy band One Direction, which gained a massive international fanbase, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Police reported that they found Payne’s body after emergency services were alerted by hotel staff from the pop star’s accommodation in the Palermo area of the city.
Due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine in Gaza, many people have chosen to boycott corporations that invest money in Israel.
The current Gaza conflict surged on Oct. 7 when Hamas-led forces from Palestine gained access to Israel and caused a tragic loss of 1,200 lives, taking around 250 people hostage. Since then Israel has taken the lives of more than 40,000 innocent civilians. This conflict has raised a multitude of boycotts against companies due to their stance on the situation.
As October finally begins the greater Seattle area has many options for those looking to get thrilled as the spooky season is upon us and everyone is wanting to get into the spirit.
To enjoy the turning of the seasons, some like to sit inside, watch movies and be all around cozy, some enjoy walks and outings in the crisp autumn air, while others enjoy horror (albeit, a lot of us enjoy a mix of them). But for those who are willing to step out of their comfort zone here is a short list of Seattle locals’ favorite “happy haunts”.
Between the dark hours of 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. EST, Florida residents braced themselves for another catastrophe. Entire towns were abandoned, debris left behind, and homes vacated. Those watching from the screens urge friends and family to get out, get safe, and stay alive.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on central Florida’s west-coast as a Category 3 hurricane in the evening hours of Wednesday. The once tropical storm took less than 36 hours to strengthen into a Cat 5, but slowed and downgraded to a Cat 3 upon approaching the state.
The Vice Presidential debate between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance, was one of the most polite political stages seen the past few election cycles.
The 90-minute face off between the two men duking it out to be second-in-command was a spectacle in that it was a night of civil oratory discussion – edging on even exchanging polite pleasantries.
As the fall starts to settle in, the wind blows colder, and the leaves start to fall and brown, people gather around Puyallup, Wash. in a yearly tradition that is beloved by locals, the Washington State Fair.
This year, the fair ran for four weeks, from Aug. 30 through Sept. 22. Throughout its long history, the fair continues to celebrate a community of people gathering for fun games, rides, entertainment, and amazing food from all different types of places brought from local vendors.
The recent unsealing of bribery and campaign finance charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams has narrowed the public eye into the past few years of his behavior and business dealings.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York unsealed the indictment on Thursday, Sept. 26, sparking public outcry for his resignation.
Have you ever wanted to buy a Rolex, thinking all you have to do is walk into a Rolex Authorized Dealer and tell them which watch you want and automatically think that you’ll be walking out the store with a shiny new watch? The simple answer is that’s definitely not going to be the case.
Rolex does a process where if you want a specific watch they’ll tell you they only have the exhibition models and they currently don’t have any watches available at the moment. Then they would take your name and information and put you on a waiting list, after which they will run a background check on you.
As the fall quarter kicks off at Highline, there is a realization that the political world we live in now, in September, is vastly different than the political scene we left in June.
The last issue of The Thunderword reported on the historic conviction of former President Donald Trump. This was shortly before the disastrous debate with current President Joe Biden, who at the time, was the presumed democratic nominee for this year’s election.
Welcome back Highline scholars! You have likely come across the myriad of world-changing news that has been unfolding over the past few months, and things can slip by if we don’t give them their due diligence, so let us recount some of the biggest pop culture events that have happened since our last issue of the Thunderword.
After a near 12-hour deliberation over the course of two days, jurors made U.S. history last week by finding former President Donald J. Trump guilty on all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. The verdict has been the center of stark debate across the nation, highlighting the divide between voters of the Republican and Democratic parties.
Immediately after leaving the Manhattan courtroom, Trump decried a “rigged trial”, and made multiple comments on the dangers inflicting the United States, should he be convicted. These comments echoed his intentions to exercise revenge-laden control of the country if he wins a second term as president.
The Live Nation-Ticketmaster conglomerate is now under the scrutiny of the Department of Justice for maintaining an illegal monopoly. Whether it’s a concert at Lumen Field, a Mariners game at T-Mobile Stadium, or an event on Capitol Hill, the big live event giant handing out your tickets has now been thrust into its own spotlight after years of skirting the dark side of the stage.
The entertainment industry is a curtained machine of artist management, venue operations, concert promotion, and ticket sales. After a 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the one company now owns and controls every single one of these aspects. The lawsuit, set forth by the DOJ against Live Nation, says they “control around 60% of concert promotion at major concert venues across the country.”
Over 100 firefighters and EMS staff working at Boeing facilities in Washington are locked out in an attempt by Boeing to force a contract agreement for low wages and longer progression periods.
At midnight on May 4, Boeing deactivated all security and parking passes of its on-site EMS and firefighters at its six Washington facilities around Seattle.
The lockout began at 12:01 a.m., as the current contract between Boeing and the International Association of Firefighters union expired at midnight, and a new contract had not been agreed upon. The lockout comes after months of failed contract negotiations on wages between the company and the union representing the workers.
Each year, the Karen Community Church of Greater Seattle hosts “Run for Hope for Burma”, a fundraising race to raise money for humanitarian aid in South Eastern Asian country Burma, which is currently known as Myanmar.
This year, the 5K race was held at Chambers Creek Regional Park in Pierce County on Saturday, May 25. Although it was cold and windy, the racers weren’t deterred as they empathized with refugees and internally displaced people who’ve faced worse conditions while in civil war, as a lot of the racers were previously refugees themselves.
On the morning of April 29, students from University of Washington Seattle campus pitched tents on the Quad, establishing the Popular University for Gaza Liberated Zone. Situated in between the Raitt and Miller buildings, the encampment tripled in size within the first 24 hours. The most contentious demand is for the school to cut ties with Boeing, a long-time partner.
The encampment includes organizations from the UW Progressive Student Union as well as the UW United Front For Palestine Liberation and the UW Student Muslim Association.
While the Arctic regions are renowned for their unparalleled views of the Northern Lights, this celestial phenomenon made a rare, breathtaking appearance in the skies above the Pacific Northwest this past weekend. From the shores of Puget Sound to the peaks of the Cascade Range, the dancing lights graced our region with their ethereal presence during a period of particularly intense solar activity.
This past weekend, stargazers across the United States were treated to an extraordinary display of the aurora borealis, thanks to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm classified as a G5 – the highest level. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, this was the first G5 storm to hit our planet since 2003, resulting in power grid irregularities and communication disruptions.
Over the past several months, 2,600 students have been arrested at protests across the country as encampments crop up on quads and in squares. The main call for these protests have been to end US involvement in the war, bringing it to their school administrators demanding divestment from Israel-supporting companies.
For context, on October 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant force who has had control over the Palestinian population for the past 18 years, launched an attack into southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,400 and the capture of about 250 people, including women and children.
On a beautiful, sunny weekend the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, the Pacific Bonsai Museum hosted its fourth BonsaiFEST! to celebrate World Bonsai Day. During the May 11-12 event there were many exhibitions, hundreds of bonsai’s displayed, art activities, food trucks, and more.
This photo story, highlights some of the bonsais to learn more about the culture, history, and art of these miniature trees.
The touring circus Paranormal Cirque II began its western Washington leg at the Puyallup fairgrounds on Friday, May 10. Featuring an eclectic cast of tightrope walkers, sword swallowers, jugglers and burlesque dancers, this circus appeals to an older audience with a taste for the macabre.
Taking place under an ominous black tent and headed by the neon red sign displaying the name, Paranormal Cirque II feels as though the carnival from Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” has come to life.
With Panera Bread dropping its Charged Lemonade in response to multiple wrongful death lawsuits, it may be time for a stroll down memory lane back to 2013, when an enraptured gym culture felt the side-effects of another nearly unregulated stimulant, Jack3d.
Jack3d (pronounced ‘jacked’) is a caffeinated pre-workout supplement that was banned in the U.S. in 2013 because of the illegal substance, dimethylamylamine (DMAA), though its updated formula sits on store shelves to this day.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better gift is there than one you hand crafted yourself? For sons, daughters, offspring, children, step-children, or chosen-children on a tight budget or anyone who simply wants to create something personal, take a look at three of the easiest, personalized crafts you can make for your beloved mother.
“There are so many fancy and sophisticated things that we can buy and gift for Mother’s Day. One might even equate that the more expensive the gift, the more it shows our love for our moms,” says Panther Lake Community Church’s youth leader, Ehler Win.
“However, for students who are on a tight budget, handmade gifts are just as valuable, if not more than the expensive store-bought gifts,” continued Win. “Handmade gifts allow us to spend time and creativity crafting the gift.”
Sports
With the season approximately a third of the way over, the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks’ season isn’t shaping up the way fans were hoping, tallying a mediocre 3-3 record over the first six games.
The quest to become repeat champions (an achievement that has only be accomplished by two teams since the turn of the century) has been hampered by costly turnovers and a stagnate offense.
Many athletes who have played any sort of sport have dreamed of getting a college scholarship or just playing their sport on the collegiate level. They train and practice ritually to insure their success in that sport. But the jump from high school athletics to college athletics can be a vast one for many athletes.
Taking that step to the next level can be an exciting one, but also one that doesn’t come without hardship, hard work, and some growing pains. The two levels of competition (and the expectations that come with each) differ and understanding and navigating those changes can often be the difference in making that transition a smooth one.
The Seattle Kraken have finished up their sixth preseason and with that prospective players for the season have finished up what could be considered their final audition to make the final roster.
As a relatively newer team, they’re still gaining their footing in the league. The Kraken have only made the playoffs one time and overall have been considered a very middling team. It doesn’t help their reputation that the team that joined at the same time as them — the Vegas Golden Knights — not only made the playoffs for the 2025-26 season but they also reached the Stanley Cup Final, but were bested by the reigning champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Gout Gout, the 19-year-old sprinter, had his 200m record officially recognized.
In Sydney, Australia in April of this year, Gout Gout ran a 19.67 second 200m sprint. This score got ratified on Tuesday, June 2, of this year, marking him as the Junior World Record holder. His runner up, Aidan Murphy, also became a record holder as he ran a 19.88 second 200m. This is Australia’s second fastest time. Three other people also set a record at that event.
The NBA Finals will see the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs face off in a repeat matchup of the 1999 Finals. The teams faced off in the 2025 NBA cup that occurred in this year’s regular season; a game in which the Knicks won out. Game 1 of this prestigious event kicked off last night in the Spurs’ home arena with the Knicks off to a winning start.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals concluded Wednesday, June 3, and the Knicks pulled off a come-from-behind win over the Spurs. The Knicks are currently on a 12-game win streak and currently have all the momentum. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs still feel confident in the series and have experience in being behind in a series.
Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson has the Seattle Storm’s fanbase abuzz with excitement, even in her short time with the franchise. Seattle’s fanbase is one of the most loyal in the league, a community that held onto the Storm when the Sonics were taken away and built a culture of resilience and pride around women’s basketball.
The crowd that cheers on the Storm is a mix of longtime WNBA loyalists, former NBA fans searching for a home, and people who come for the sense of community the Storm creates. The energy inside Climate Pledge Arena feels like a heartbeat: steady, loud, and deeply rooted in the city’s identity. And that energy has been sparked anew thanks to the arrival of the young, promising athlete, bringing a new beat to the pulse of the Storm; which is fitting, because she is not just an athlete but also a musician, with a successful rap career.
The Thunderbird athletes were hard at work throughout the spring quarter. With the softball team and the men’s golf team both taking swings throughout their respective seasons, let’s take a look at how both teams ended their 2026 season.
The NBA Playoffs are well underway, and the First Round of the playoffs have concluded. As the top teams of the two conferences duke it out to continue their seasons until the conclusion of the tournament, where the best team of the Eastern and Western Conference will face off in the NBA Finals.
Currently, we are in the tail-end of the Conference Semifinals of the playoffs for the 2025-2026 NBA year. The hunt for the Larry O’Brien Championships trophy continues for six remaining teams.
The SheBelieves Summit is U.S. Soccer’s premier leadership platform, bringing together influential voices across sports, business, media and culture to inspire and drive the next generation of women leaders.
The speaker line up was absolutely incredible including: U.S. women’s soccer coach Emma Hayes; philanthropist and founder of Pivotal Melinda French Gates; forward for the U.S. Women’s national team Ally Sentnor; Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) alum Julie Foudy and two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 10-time World Champion Hilary Knight, and more!
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are underway as 16 teams advanced to the post-season and will fight it out for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The playoffs ofically kicked off on April 14, and after the play-in tournament, we got our matchups for the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
This year’s playoff looks quite exciting and perhaps a changing of guards of stars of the 2010s no longer in the limelight. A new guard of players who have recently made some noise like the dominant Thunder team, the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs, and the hungry, young Eastern Conference contenders.
There is a contender for a new world record holder for the fastest man alive. Gout Gout, an 18 year old Australian runner, broke Usain Bolt’s record from when he was 17 in the Senior Australian Championships.
Gout ran a 19.67 second 200 meter dash. This is faster than Usain Bolt’s time at 17 years old, who is the current world record holder for the 200 meter sprint. His time at age 17 was 19.93 seconds. Bolt never improved on his time while he was a teenager, but he set the world record when he was 22 years old.
As the NHL’s main season comes to a close, and a number of teams prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Seattle Kraken are preparing for the next season. On April 11, 2026, the Kraken were officially eliminated from the playoffs after a long string of losses.
After four players competed in the 2026 Olympics (none for the U.S. team) the Kraken went from a team with a decent standing this season – with a solid chance at representing the Pacific Division in the playoffs. Instead, they fell apart, ending their season with a 34-36 record, putting them sixth in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and out of the playoffs.
The Mariners have been a hot topic in Seattle following the start of the MLB season just a few weeks ago. All eyes are on the field for the first time since their widely celebrated success in the 2025 playoffs, hoping to build off of the momentum of last season, notable changes are already taking place in Seattle baseball.
At the end of last season, ecstatic fans filled T-mobile park to witness the first players in history to bring Seattle so deep in the playoffs. The Mariners advanced to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for the first time in over 20 years during their historic 2025 run.
Barcelona returned to the top of LaLiga with a convincing 3-0 win over Levante at the Spotify Camp Nou, taking advantage of Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Osasuna. The victory moved Barcelona to 61 points after 25 games, one point above Real Madrid, reclaiming their position at the summit.
After suffering back to back defeats to Atlético Madrid and Girona, Hansi Flick’s side responded strongly. Marc Bernal opened the scoring just minutes after kickoff, marking his second goal of the season. The goal came after a carefully worked move that saw Eric García deliver the ball into the danger area, where Bernal reacted quickly to tuck the ball past Mathew Ryan.
Alysa Liu’s gold-medal winning return to figure skating has served as a global reminder of determination, moderation, and self-care. Liu has spoken openly about her struggles to return following a record-setting run in her early teenage years, but now, at 19, she is redefining an athlete’s relationship with their sport, and inspiring others as she goes.
Liu began her figure skating career at five years old, going on to become the youngest female skater to earn gold at the 2016 U.S. championships, winning by less than a point. She continued to collect medals and reverence, and eventually announced her retirement in 2022 following the World Championships and the Beijing Olympics.
The Highline men’s and women’s 2025-2026 basketball season has unfortunately come to an end. Both teams worked incredibly hard everyday and it showed throughout the season. Every game, they wanted it even more than the last. Highline continues to show that they are top competitors in the North West Athletic Conference (NWAC).
Highline exhibited amazing community and culture, and you see it on the court and in the stands. Both teams showed how Highline competes at this level – with great sportsmanship and tenacity. The men ended their season with a 7-7 in conference record, going 14-17 overall. The women’s season tallied a 7-5 in conference record and went 9-15 overall – with the addition of the woman making it to the NWAC tournament.
Highline men and women’s basketball both had inspired seasons. However, with regular season play concluding, the teams take divergent paths – the men’s season ends falling just short of the postseason, while the women are set to embark on the playoffs this weekend, with eyes set on a championship.
The Thunderbird women head to Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., to play in the postseason tournament. Their first match, in the Sweet 16 round, is slated for this Friday, March 6, tipping off at noon.
Girona defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 at Montilivi in a dramatic Catalan derby, a result that cost Barcelona the top spot in La Liga and left them two points behind Real Madrid. The match was intense from the beginning and full of important moments, missed chances, and controversial decisions that ultimately decided the outcome.
The game started at a high tempo, with Girona showing early energy and forcing goalkeeper Joan García into action within the first minute. Barcelona struggled to control possession at times but still created several dangerous chances. Lamine Yamal was heavily involved in the attack and had two close-range opportunities that he failed to convert. In one key moment, he broke through on goal and attempted a chip over goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but the keeper reacted quickly and made the save.
Highline women and men won a well-fought game Wednesday night, taking Tacoma Community College down once again.
In the Feb. 25 matches, the men and women played their hearts out on sophomore night. The men won 98-86, a game with high energy and grit – a stimulating one to be at. And the women clutching up 60-57, a definite nail biter and a game getting people out of their seats.
Atletico Madrid crushed Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, taking a commanding advantage ahead of the return match. A disastrous first half and early mistakes left Barcelona with a huge task to overcome in the second leg.
The game started in the worst possible way for Barcelona. Eric Garcia made a simple back pass to goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but the ball went under his foot and crossed the goal line. It was an early mistake that gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead in just seven minutes.
With a dominant second half comeback, Barcelona defeated Copenhagen 4-1, securing a top-eight finish in the league phase of the Champions League and punching their ticket to the round of 16.
The game started the worst possible way for Barça: In the beginning of the first half after a defensive error by Barcelona, Copenhagen played a through ball in between the Blaugrana center-backs to beat the offside trap, and Dadason was all alone with Joan Garcia and scored the opener and gave Copenhagen a 1-0 lead. It was the type of goal Barça always concedes in Europe, and it was extremely frustrating to watch.
Super Bowl LX captured the attention of fans across the country as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots to re-claim the NFL championship for the second time in franchise history.
On Feb. 8, the Seahawks clinched their second Super Bowl title with a 29–13 victory over the Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., at Levi’s Stadium, showcasing a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Although, it was not their first time winning the Super Bowl, it was the first time they won in twelve years.
The T-birds had some exciting games this past week with the men and women heading down to Pierce College. Both teams came away from the match up victorious over their Raider counterparts.
In the Feb. 7 match, the women showed grit and determination, defeating Pierce 46-40 in a come-from-behind win. The Thunderbirds outscored Pierce 20-7 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
FC Barcelona were crowned champions of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup after defeating Real Madrid 3–2 in a thrilling El Clásico final played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Brazilian winger Raphinha stole the spotlight with two goals, sealing back-to-back Super Cup titles for the Catalan side and extending their record to 16 overall triumphs.
After a tense opening period, Barcelona struck first through Raphinha, who finished confidently after moments earlier missing a similar chance. Real Madrid responded in spectacular fashion during first-half stoppage time, with Vinícius Júnior producing a brilliant solo run to level the score.
In front of a loud, energetic, and sold-out crowd, the Seattle Seahawks earned their right to play in Super Bowl LX by defeating their rival, the Los Angeles Rams, in a thrilling 31-27 victory at Lumen Field. With the win, the Seahawks become the NFC Champions and are set to appear in the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015 and for the fourth time in franchise history.
The Super Bowl will take place in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, where the Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots. The Seahawks vs. the Patriots sets up a rematch from the infamous 2015 Super Bowl XLIX.
It has been a hair raising, nail biting week for the Highline Thunderbird basketball teams. The Highline men and women both had competitive games against Lower Columbia Community College and Tacoma Community College.
Both the men and women had upsetting games against Lower Columbia on Jan. 24, but they were quite the war.
The Seattle Seahawks didn’t leave room for debate in their latest matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. From the opening kick to the final whistle, Seattle controlled the game, using explosive special teams play and a suffocating defensive performance to secure a decisive 41-6 win that felt as symbolic as it was significant.
Seattle set the tone immediately. A jolt from special teams ignited the stadium as electric returner Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Shaheed handed the Seahawks instant momentum and energy before the 49ers could establish any rhythm.
The Spanish Super Cup final’s two opponents have been set through a couple of hard-fought matches, with Barcelona and Real Madrid coming out on top and ready to take on each other in the final matchup. Barcelona was the first to stamp their ticket to the final by taking care of Athletic Club in a decisive 5-0 victory. Then Real Madrid pushed past Atletico Madrid 2-1 to earn their chance to fight for the cup.
Both victories have earned each respective team a chance to win it all and sets up a dynamic final, sure to thrill fans as each team fights for the cup. Although the upcoming final match may be the most important one, each team has already battled to earn their spot in the final.
Last Saturday was absolutely wild for Highline Thunderbirds basketball. Both the men’s and women’s teams came out swinging with fire – each of the games against Pierce College. And by the end of it all, Highline walked away with two unforgettable wins that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Right from the tip-off, the energy was electric. On the men’s side, the Thunderbirds and the Pierce Raiders were neck and neck the whole game, trading buckets, hustling on defense, and refusing to give in.
After a long, unpredictable regular season, only 14 NFL teams remain at the beginning of postseaon play, each just a few games away from reaching Super Bowl LX, where only one team will leave as the Super Bowl LX champion with the Lombardi Trophy.
The NFL’s playoffs brings together seven teams from each conference, one being the American Football Conference (AFC) and the other National Football Conference (NFC) – creating a mix of division winners and wild-card teams.
Although the regular season has ended for both Highline men’s and women’s basketball, league play is starting for both teams. The men’s team faced Green River on Wednesday, Jan. 7, which was an unfortunate loss for the team; but the boys looked like they had a lot more connection and chemistry huddling at each dead ball.
Sophomore forward Jackson Owens, while commenting about the regular season, said, “We had our ups and downs during the regular season but we have been working hard at practice as a team and coming together to get ready for league. I want to make it to the tournament again.”
Looks like former veteran safety Quandre Diggs is heading back to the Seattle Seahawks.
In a move that brings both familiarity and proven talent back to Seattle’s defensive backfield, veteran safety Diggs confirmed on social media on Nov. 25, 2025, that he will re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks. He initially will be joining the practice squad, according to ESPN.
The Highline men’s basketball started the regular season with an exciting win. Playing against Whatcom the Thunderbirds took home the victory with a score of 80-72 on Nov. 13.
Next, the team split a set of away games. On the road playing Portland Community College was a great game to watch, but an unfortunate loss. During the Nov. 18 game, the final scoreboard read 80-72, just like their last game, but this time with Highline coming up on the trailing end of the score.
The Highline Men’s Soccer team took home the long awaited championship title at this year’s Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championship. With a final record of 18-0-3, the team had an exceptional 2025 season.
Winning a championship was no small feat after ending the 2024 season just shy of glory – placing second in the 2024 NWAC Championship.
The Highline men’s basketball team wrapped up an impressive 2024-2025 season, making it all the way to the final four with an outstanding performance against Spokane College at Columbia Basin College. Although they fell to Lower Columbia in the first game of the final four. The team finished strong with an impressive 21-11 record and plenty to be proud of.
The squad looks promising with five returners and 12 new players joining the roster. Now, as the 2025-2026 season gets underway, guard Dane Lewis (#3) said, “The team chemistry is good. Even though we got a whole new team from last year, we trust each other and all have similar goals.”
Veronica Garcia is a grade twelve trans athlete who competes for Tumwater High School in Spokane Wash. She runs both cross country and track and field. During last year’s academic year, she competed at the state level for the 400 meter dash, where she placed first. Garcia also joined the girls 4×4 team, as they took home the third place trophy – against her teammates wishes.
Highline volleyball didn’t just show up Friday night – they took over the court. In a five-set battle loaded with momentum swings, defensive grit, and clutch plays at the wire, the T-Birds proved they could dig deep when it mattered most.
From huge blocks to relentless hustle, Highline outlasted Centralia 3-2 in a match that kept the gym buzzing until the final swing.
The Seattle Mariners stunning season ended on Monday night, coming up one run shy of advancing to the World Series. Entering game seven of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the Mariners needed one more victory to advance to their first-ever World Series.
However, that dream was halted with a 4-3 defeat to the American League’s number one ranked team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Highline women’s volleyball team captured a great victory on Wednesday Oct. 8, ending with a score of 3-0, bringing energy and momentum into their next match, taking place on Friday. After a hard-fought battle, the Thunderbirds came out on top and set the tone for their next game.
This win is particularly meaningful given how the team has been navigating adversity. Highline’s roster is one of the youngest in the NWAC, featuring 10 freshmen and just two sophomores.
Seattle is buzzing. On the weekend of Oct. 4-5, nearly 200,000 fans filled stadiums across the city – chanting at T-Mobile Park, screaming at Lumen Field, and waving scarves for the Sounders. Everywhere you looked, the city was alive with jerseys, noise, and pride.
It’s been a while since Seattle’s sports scene felt this electric. The Mariners are back in the playoffs and chasing their first World Series run in over two decades. The Seahawks are proving they are far from done, showing flashes of the energy that made the 12s famous. And the Sounders? They’re still dominating, keeping Seattle on top of the soccer world.
The Seattle Mariners will play in the postseason this year. Not only did they win their division, the Mariners locked in the No. 2 seed of the American League (AL). The last time the Mariners experienced a division title was 24 years ago, when the in 2001 squad won a record-setting 116 games.
This high seeding ensures that the Mariners will have home field advantage throughout the AL playoffs (unless they have to meet the No. 1 seeded Blue Jays in the AL Championship).
The Highline’s men’s soccer team is gearing up for its new season following the defeat at the end of last year that saw the Thunderbirds skill clash with bad luck. Now, they are fueled up for the 2025-2026 season, with a solid foundation, a new roster, and returning Coach Skyler Roehr. So far, they have won all but a single tie in the early season.
The Seattle Kraken have officially ushered in a new chapter by appointing Lane Lambert as their third head coach in franchise history. With experience and vision for the future, Lambert’s arrival marks an exciting time for Kraken fans eager to see their team take the next step.
Announced on May 29, 2025, this strategic move follows the dismissal of Dan Bylsma after a single season, during which the team posted a 35-41-6 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years.
The Highline College men’s golf team completed a long and challenging season this spring, putting an end to what, in many ways, was a rebuilding year. While the scoreboard may not reflect it, the season was filled with determination, growth, and significant strides for a group of players who are learning what it takes to compete at the NWAC level.
Highline finished ninth in the league standings, with four points in four regular-season matches. The numbers may not be surprising at first glance, but behind them is a team that never gave up: one that showed up, hustled, and represented the college with grit.
Following the ending of this year’s NWAC tennis championship and Highline’s women’s tennis taking home the women’s tennis title, the morning of May 5, 2025, NWAC announced their discontinuation of the sponsorship of men’s and women’s tennis within the conference.
This discontinuation will impact Highline College, Bellevue College, Treasure Valley Community College, and Spokane Falls Community College.
The men’s golf team closed out league play this weekend at the Spokane Invitational, held May 10–11, finishing ninth in a competitive invitational. Despite the final standings, the tournament served as a meaningful benchmark for a young team gaining experience one round at a time.
The event featured nine teams from across the region, with Columbia Basin College capturing first place with a team score of +5. Bellevue and host school, Spokane, followed closely – both tying for second at +7. With individual rounds in the low 70s and some standout second-day performances, the tournament made one thing clear: the level of play across the NWAC is as strong as it’s ever been.
The Highline College women’s tennis team ended their season on a high note, winning the 2025 NWAC Championship on Saturday with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Treasure Valley at the Yakima Tennis Club.
It’s the program’s second title, and, with the NWAC tennis program ending, they go out as the final champions.
As Highline’s softball team continues through their first season back in NWAC play, they find themselves struggling all around, in conference and non-conference matchups.
The team currently stands in last place in the west conference, with a 2-25 conference record, and a 2-33 overall record. Although, the team’s record does not reflect on the hard work these players put in every day, on and off the field.
It’s been a season of learning and perseverance for the Highline College men’s golf team, which recently wrapped up two challenging weekends on the course at the Columbia Basin and Skagit Valley Invitationals.
Finishing ninth out of nine teams at both events, the Thunderbirds may not have cracked the leaderboard, but they’re far from out of the fight.
The Highline College women’s tennis team just concluded a tough three-match stretch on the road, and although the final results weren’t in their favor, their fight and enthusiasm never wavered. From rough starts to tough moments, the Thunderbirds showed great courage, and some players made it clear they are players to watch this season.
It all began on April 6 at The College of Idaho, where Highline faced a strong opponent and fell 6-1. It was a tough start to the trip, but it set the stage for what was to come: a team that refined its game and learned from every match.
Priscila Heldes, a Brazilian volleyball player and former national team setter, brought global attention to herself after appearing in one of Fluminense’s Brazilian championship matches – while five months pregnant.
“A magical experience” is how Heldes, Fluminense’s setter, described the experience of playing in the Women’s Superliga while pregnant with her son Emanuel.
The 2024-25 softball season has been challenging for Highline, marked by a string of losses, tough opponents, and constant weather delays. From the first pitch in February to their final game in early April, the team struggled to find their rhythm, finishing with a 2-19 record overall and 2-11 in the conference.
Things started rough with an opening-day loss to Grays Harbor, followed by a rained-out game. As the season progressed, the team faced stiff competition in both non-conference and league play. Despite some promising flashes, such as their back-to-back wins against Shoreline on March 12, the T-Birds couldn’t maintain the momentum.
The Highline College women’s tennis team returned to NWAC play with a well-deserved 6-3 victory over Treasure Valley Community College. The March 15 match, was played on Highline’s home court, the Boeing Employee Tennis Center in Kent at 8:30 a.m.
The day began with singles matches, where the Thunderbirds gained momentum by winning four of six matches. Highline’s top singles player, Sophia Crosby, put on a powerful performance, defeating Treasure Valley’s Elena Henry in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
With the amount of injuries (ACL injuries, in particular) increasing day by day, fans are seeing the real time consequences of increasing playtime without considering the overall health of the athletes involved.
Fixtures (also referred to as games) have increased exponentially, and the players are suffering. Here is how football, or ‘soccer’ according to the U.S., is failing its fans and its players at the same time.
The Lower Columbia Red Devils secured their spot in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Men’s Basketball Championship game with a dramatic 61-58 victory over the Highline Thunderbirds in the Final Four matchup at Columbia Basin College.
The win marks Lower Columbia’s first trip to the championship game since 2010, a milestone achievement for head coach Mickey Polis and his squad. The Red Devils’ last championship victory came in 2005 as part of a back-to-back title run.
Baseball is back in Seattle, but at what cost? After ending yet another season without a playoff appearance from the Mariners, fans are still hopeful the team has what it takes to make an October run. To hear a more in depth analysis of the Mariners 2024 season, read here.
After a long six month off-season, the Mariners front office has been quiet. In January, the club agreed to a one year, 3.5 million dollar contract with infielder Donovan Solano. Along with Rowdy Tellez and Miles Mastobouni, who all made the opening day roster for the 2025 season.
The Thunderbirds continue their Cinderella run in the 2025 NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship, punching their ticket to the Final Four after back-to-back upset victories over top-seeded Skagit Valley and east conference No. 2 Spokane at Columbia Basin College.
With the victories, Highline advances to its first NWAC Final Four since 2014. The Thunderbirds will face a familiar opponent in west conference No. 1 seed Lower Columbia on March 15 at 5 p.m., looking to continue their magical postseason run.
Highline College’s women’s tennis team started their conference run, and found ease within the matchups. The team took on Bellevue College, winning 6-3 as a team. They also took on Spokane College, which ended in a 9-0 sweep for the Thunderbirds.
During the team’s home opener matchup against Bellevue, they found themselves focused on the court, no matter what was thrown at them. Standout players for the night included Sophia Crosby and Caley Buchan, who both took wins in their singles and doubles matches.
The recent trading of QB Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, the fulfillment of WR DK Metcalf’s trade request (he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers), and the release of Seahawks veteran WR Tyler Lockett, has sent many fans up in arms, as the Seahawks pursue a path of change in the 2025 offseason.
Lockett, a fan favorite, was released from the Seahawks on Wednesday, March 5, as a salary cap casualty – thus bringing an end to a decade of one of the best receiver careers in team history. Although this may be a shock to some fans, this move was not one that was unknown to Lockett.
The road to the quarterfinals was anything but easy, as the Thunderbirds struggled in the competitive West Region. The Highline College men’s basketball team will face Skagit Valley in the NWAC Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 7 at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash.
Highline comes into the game with a 19-10 overall record, finishing 7-7 in conference play. The team showed off its progress with notable wins, including a resounding 118-103 victory over Olympic and a hard-fought 86-84 win against Mt. Hood during the Clackamas Holiday Showcase.
As Highline’s women’s basketball team closes out their 2024-25 season, they hold their heads high. The team found themselves in a new position this season, having the addition of new head coach, Emil Swain. The team was also assisted with the help of assistant coaches Vivienne McClean and Tiana Pye.
Swain was able to give a solid foundation to his team, and created energy within each matchup. The players kept 100% energy every time they entered the court, and maintained it even if they were losing.
The Highline College men’s basketball team has officially punched its ticket to the NWAC playoffs after a solid series of performances down the stretch. The Thunderbirds showed their talent, earning a well-deserved spot in the postseason.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Highline pulled off a resounding 81-66 win over Grays Harbor. Isaiah Vargas led the charge with a stellar 27-point performance, adding eight rebounds and seven assists to his impressive stat line.
Ahead of the team’s 2025 season, Highline’s women’s softball team is excited for a fresh start. Ending last season with only playing four games, they will come back with almost an entirely new team for the season.
Led by head coach Kevin Whitehouse, along with assistance from Genevieve “LU” Mederios, Bailey Hausenbuiller, and Julia Toone, the team has a steady core that will lead them to success this season.
The Highline men’s basketball team is facing the last of their regular games but the playoff qualification is slipping away, as the Thunderbirds find themselves ranked fourth overall. And with South Puget Sound already qualified, there is only one spot left.
The last few games have been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs. An overtime loss to Green River (82-79) set the tone for a challenging week, but they bounced back with a solid 74-67 win over Pierce. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going and fell 78-68 to South Puget Sound. Despite the setback, they outlasted Centralia in a closely contested game (75-74) and cruised to a resounding win against Grays Harbor, 81-66, showcasing their ability to dominate when everything clicks.
The Philadelphia Eagles got their revenge on Sunday for their Super Bowl loss two years back, dismantling the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 for their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
The game was not as close the final score may suggest. By the time the first half concluded, the Eagles had 24 points scored while the Chiefs had 23 total offensive yards, for 0 points. By the third quarter the Eagles commanded a 34-0 lead, the largest lead in the Super Bowl since the Seahawks led the Broncos 36-0 in 2014.
As the 2024-25 NWAC women’s tennis season approaches, Highline College is focused on building upon last year’s success and making a strong bid for the championship. The Thunderbirds finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-8 overall record and a perfect 6-0 conference mark, but fell just short in the NWAC Championship final against Spokane.
With having the largest team in program history, and a mix of returning standouts and promising newcomers, the team is determined to reclaim the NWAC title.
As Highline’s men’s basketball team gets into the groove of winter quarter, they continue to add to the excitement of their 2025 season. They have found themselves in nail-biter matchups that keep fans coming back for more.
On Wednesday Jan. 29, the Thunderbirds hosted an electric NWAC conference matchup versus Tacoma Community College.
The Highline College women’s basketball team has seen highs and lows in their latest outings. The team delivered a commanding performance to defeat Tacoma 67-43 on Jan. 29 before falling 63-56 to Green River on Feb. 5.
Against Tacoma, Highline took control from the start, leading 13-9 in the first quarter and extending their lead with a 14-4 second quarter. They outscored Tacoma 24-21 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Though Highline’s women’s basketball team has struggled in the beginning of the season, they have found a way to win in conference matchups.
Currently sitting with a 3-11 overall record, two of the team’s wins have come from NWAC conference matches.
Universal Dance Association (UDA) dance nationals is the largest college dance showcase in the dance world and on Jan. 17-19 colleges and universities from all around the country competed in the 2025 UDA dance nationals in Orlando, Fla.
Qualifying universities and colleges compete in three categories: pom, jazz, and hip hop. They are then categorized by the size of school and NCAA status (D1A, D1, and open).
As we are halfway through the winter sports season, Highline’s spring sports are starting to get into action. Highline’s spring sports include men’s golf, women’s softball, and women’s tennis.
Women’s tennis is by far the most anticipated sport during the spring, with them ending last year’s season as the runners up for first place in the NWAC final championship. Last season, the team went undefeated in conference play, and went 8-8 overall.
Cheerleading, in all its many different forms, is a point of contention amongst sports fans. Some believe that all cheer includes is encouraging the actual sports teams from the sidelines, waving pom-poms about, and leading the crowd in chants. Others see the work and effort put into routines, as well as competition leagues throughout the country.
Cheer requires mastery at many different athletic skills like acrobatics, tumbling, jumps, and stunts. These skills are seen in gymnastics and dance, other competitive sports also contested as sports by the general public.
Sports are evolving, but sports fans have been resistant to growing alongside it. As fans of the game and the culture, sports fans must actively work to cultivate an inclusive environment and fight against bigotry for future sports fans and sports as a whole.
The Philadelphia 76ers were looking rough to start the 2024-25 season. Despite having lots of talent on the team such as league MVP winner Joel Embiid and All Star Tyrese Maxey, success has been hard to come by for this team.
While Highline’s campus was closed for winter break, Highline’s men’s basketball team has been busy in the gym. The Thunderbirds have played 10 matchups over their break, winning eight of those and achieving a five game win streak.
Highline currently holds a 12-4 overall record.
Despite the Seahawks season coming to an end with no playoff appearance, this season has been nothing short of exciting for the young team. The Seahawks ended their season with a 10-7 record, and ended up second in the NFC West division.
With a new head coach, Mike Macdonald, a young team, and a challenging schedule, the Seahawks have pushed through this season with grit. With the highs and lows this season brought, the playoff hunt has been exhilarating.
A cold winter break didn’t stop Highline’s women’s basketball team from continuing their grind on the courts. Over the break, the Thunderbirds participated in four matchups – a highlight was playing in the SWOCC Crossover in Coos Bay, Ore.
These ladies had some hard matchups over the break, and sadly did not win any of their matchups. However, they continue to show grit in their playing style.
Highline women’s basketball kicked off their 2024-25 season in the middle of November. The Thunderbirds got off to a strong start with a victory, but have struggled since.
Their first official game this season had them take on Shoreline Community College, where they picked up a 58-54 win.
In the Thunderbirds men’s basketball season home debut, they faced a thrilling matchup against Shoreline Community College and walked away with a comeback win at the Thunderdome.
Highline had a slow start to the offense, closely trailing behind Shoreline to send the Thunderbirds to the locker room at halftime with a score of 31-33.
After a successful season by Highline’s men’s soccer team, their season has come to an end in the NWAC playoffs. Facing off in a tight matchup against East Region second seed Walla Walla, this matchup was decided in overtime.
The Thunderbirds finish the season with an overall record of 14-2-1. They ended the conference with a 13-0-1 record, and remained undefeated at home.
The Decatur Gators’ undefeated winning streak finally met an end against the Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds – losing with a score of 23-21 in the first round of the State Tournament.
The Gators maintained a 10-0 record until now for the 2024-25 season, making it to the State Tournament for the first time in Gator history.
Highline women’s volleyball will continue their stellar season as they advance to the Elite 8 in the NWAC Championship.
This past weekend at the Thunderdome, the team battled through the regionals bracket, punching their ticket onto the next part of the tournament, earning the second seed for the NWAC West Region.
As Highline’s fall sports come to an end, athletes start preparing for the winter sports season. Here at Highline, the winter sports feature men’s and women’s basketball.
Men’s basketball is getting prepared for an exciting season, with high expectations for this year. While the women’s team is small but mighty team has a roster full of potential.
As fall sports come to an end at Highline, winter sports are just around the corner. A fan favorite, men’s basketball, returns to the court in less than two weeks for what will hopefully prove to be a thrilling season.
The 2023-24 season ended with an overall 15-14 record (6-8 in conference play) and landed fifth overall in the NWAC West Region standings. Building on their momentum from last year, the team is seeking to add even more success to the season this year.
Thomas Jefferson football recorded their first win of the season, when they prevailed over Kentlake 35-21 in a thrilling Friday night match.
The Thomas Jefferson Raiders and the Kentlake Falcons went head to head with both teams looking to get their first win of the season during this game and they were not gonna hold back.
For the third year in a row, Highline volleyball reigns as they clinched the Northwest Athletic Conference West Region Championship.
The Thunderbirds are currently 26-1 overall, 10-0 in the west region conference, and currently are on a 25-game win streak.
The Highline women’s soccer team is back and ready to win after not playing during the fall 2023 season.
The Thunderbirds have recorded an impressive 7-3-2 record (5-3-2 in conference) and currently sit in third in conference standings. This new team has shown tremendous pride in the program under new head coach, Marco Monzonhad.
As we come to the middle of the season, the Highline men’s soccer team has truly shown how powerful of a team they can be. With a new head coach, and a demanding set of sophomores, this team truly has what it takes to be a winning team.
The team is currently has an impressive 9-2-1 record this season, and have gone 8-1 within the NWAC west conference.
Decatur High School’s football team keeps turning heads in the local community by continuing their undefeated streak, beating Skyview, a consensus top ten 4A team, 15-14.
The game took place under the lights of Federal Way Memorial Stadium, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., where we saw the Decatur Gators (now 5-0) face off with the Skyview Storm (3-2). The Gators managed to hold Skyview to two touchdowns while also coming out on top for a hard fought win.
In true Seattle baseball fashion, the 2024 Mariners season ended without a trip to the postseason. Finishing the season with a 85-77 record, the Mariners missed the postseason by one game – mirroring last season’s tragic ending of falling just short.
While their playoff aspirations were dashed before the contest, Sunday, Sept. 29, Marked the Mariners’ last game of the regular season. The Mariners went out swinging, ending a disappointing season with a win – beating the Oakland Athletics 6-4 at home.
Through the first half of the season, the Highline Volleyball team has shown how strong the core of their team is and that they are a powerhouse in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). Thunderbirds have put up an impressive 19-1 record thus far, placing them squarely on top of the NWAC West Region
Highline Volleyball is currently in the middle of an 18-game win streak, while boasting an impeccable 13-0 record when playing at home and going a perfect 3-0 against conference opponents.
As the Highline Thunderbirds gear up for the upcoming soccer season, the team is buzzing with anticipation under the leadership of newly appointed Head Coach Skyler Roehr. Roehr, who served as the assistant coach last year, steps into his new role with high expectations and a deep-rooted passion for Highline soccer, having played his final season with the Thunderbirds in 2018.
Last season, Highline came heartbreakingly close to capturing the NWAC Men’s Soccer Championship. The Thunderbirds finished as runners-up after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Peninsula College. The match ended 2-2 after regulation and overtime, and the ensuing shootout extended to 11 rounds before Peninsula secured the title with an 11-10 victory.
Club América won consecutive championships and extended its record of Liga MX titles to 15 after defeating rival Cruz Azul 2-1 on aggregate in the Clausura 2024 final.
Thursday’s first leg ended with a 1-1 draw at Cruz Azul’s Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium. Sunday’s second leg at Club América’s Estadio Azteca ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the team.
The Highline College men’s golf team concluded a commendable season with a notable performance at the NWAC Golf Championship, held at the scenic Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash. Despite the tough competition, Highline standout player David Sibbett achieved a remarkable fourth place individually, underlining his skill and knowledge of the game.
This season, the Highline College golf team competed fiercely in several tournaments, building momentum and showcasing their talents. The culmination of Sibbett’s efforts was evident in the championship, where his performance was a testament to his consistency and ability to excel under pressure.
The 2024 season ends in a second-place finish for the Highline women’s tennis team, as they fell to a Spokane Community College with a 6-3 loss in the championship final. The season proved a rollercoaster of victories and setbacks, culminating in an exciting journey to the NWAC Championship.
Led by coach Laura Rosa, the season saw the team face tough opponents and made the six players truly prove their mettle on the court.
The season began with a dominant performance against Bellevue College, securing a solid 7-0 victory. Highline continued its winning streak with a convincing 7-2 victory over Spokane Community College. However, they faced tough losses against American River College and Menlo College, highlighting the challenges that awaited them.
Baseball was born as the perfect sport, which is at its essence, America’s pastime. A relaxing game where you can spend your whole day at the park with a beer in your left hand and a good friend sitting to your right as you complain to each other about the umpires.
Somewhere along the line someone got confused. Someone thought ‘big number good’ and decided that ‘no baseball is not a relaxing pastime, it needs constant scoring to satisfy the ever shortening American attention span – it needs more hits’.
This infectious idea, this poisoning of the mind started in 1973 as an experiment that went on for too long. Initially this contagion was confined to the American League. It was one of the beautiful oddities of baseball – where one league had the designated hitter (DH) and one did not.
After the recent string of North West Athletic Conference (NWAC) tournaments, the Highline College men’s golf team sits at sixth in the conference. These tournaments were an opportunity to showcase the team’s collective talent and individual prowess, boosting them to their current standing.
At the Olympic Invitational hosted in Port Orchard, Wash., David Sibbett led the charge with a standout performance, clinching first place after a thrilling playoff.
In a thrilling conclusion to their regular season, the Highline College women’s tennis team triumphed over Bellevue with an impressive 7-0 victory, clinching the top spot in their conference and securing a coveted place in the championship title match.
With their eyes set on the prize, the team displayed exemplary skill and determination on the court, leaving no doubt about their readiness for the challenges ahead.
Last Saturday, the Highline women’s tennis team embarked on a journey to Eastern Washington to clash with Spokane Community College, culminating in a thrilling 5-4 victory in favor of the Thunderbirds.
Spokane solidified its status as the toughest contender in the conference, showing its competitive prowess in recent matchups against Bellevue and Treasure Valley Colleges. With only one blemish on their record, a loss to Highline College on the road, this pivotal game determined the conference leader and secured the top playoff spot.
The Women’s 2024 March Madness Tournament will go down in sports history. It was the most attended March Madness tournament in history attracting a record 357,000 fans. If you wanted to get a ticket, good luck, it was harder to make it to this tournament than any Taylor Swift Concert – and it cost a lot more too.
This was the most viewed Women’s March Madness tournament period, and most viewed basketball game period since 2019. The Championship between Iowa and North Carolina drew a peak viewership of 24 million combined on ESPN and ABC marking the first time ever a woman’s final drew more attendance than the men’s final.
After beating Treasure Valley College with a final score of 6 to 1 in their last match, the women’s tennis team continues to be in a good position for a shot at the title this season.
In last Saturday’s regular season game, where Highline College played as visitors to Treasure Valley College, and emerged victorious, Henleigh Elder was the outstanding player of the match, with a 6-0 victory in singles and in doubles sharing the field with Sophia Crosby; they destroyed the local team with a crushing 8-1.
Arts
Fiction lives to show us possibilities of what could be, while horror presents us with numerous atrocities beyond us, monsters that we fear are a reflection of ourselves and our society.
Throughout history, much has changed in the genre, whether it be the books we read, the movies we watch, or the tales we seek. From the oral stories our ancestors told, to the first visualizations of these words, we have always sought the pleasure of being scared.
Tommy Wallach debuted with his 2015 novel “We All Looked Up”, and despite the soap opera written on the page, between the lines is a story about philosophy, the meaning of life, and that you never have to let the world define who you are. It’s a book that can simultaneously make you roll your eyes and make you bawl on the same page.
The book centers around high school kids in Seattle who are very archetypal in their characters.
Doctor Strange Love meets Wes Anderson in this cautionary tale on climate change and unregulated greed. Tom Cruise is transformed from his iconic action hero character into a satirical amalgamation of out of touch and corrupt billionaires in“Digger”, Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) recent $125 million dollar box office bust.
After an advertising run that left audiences asking, “What is that movie even about?” Upon release it has been met with mixed love and hate from critics and audiences alike.
You should watch it.
“Resident Evil” came out in theaters on Sept. 18 and fans have been loving it. Leading up to the release of the movie, there was some skepticism about the quality of the film, mainly due to video game adaptations usually being bad – especially when it comes to “Resident Evil.”
The movie follows a brand new main character Bryan (played by Austin Abrams) instead of our usual protagonists like Jill or Leon. Bryan appears in almost every scene, the camera follows him in a similar fashion to the third person perspective in the “Resident Evil” video games.
The stage production of the 1984 film, “Footloose”, made famous for its soundtrack and emerging star-quality cast, opened up this weekend at the Renton Civic Theater (RCT) to a nearly packed house and joyful crowd.
The rock-and-roll classic about healing with community brought our own community together as local artists, from King County high schoolers to longtime musicians, performed for a charmed audience.
“Euphoria” has gained notoriety over the years for its popularity and influence among Gen-Z viewers. However, much of this popularity isn’t due to the writing at all – it’s due to the distinct aesthetics.
“Euphoria” has always been known for its unique visuals, style, and sound. With a first season so heavily acclaimed for its excellent cinematography, audiences are left wondering what has happened since then. How did a show so culturally iconic lose its momentum, and how did the well-known aesthetics the show was once known for just…disappear?
In the current days of the streaming era, many people don’t keep physical media like music and movies, since those are seconds away on their phone instead. Slightly older people have developed a superiority complex because some younger folk don’t know what a cassette tape is.
Yet beneath the jokes and generational teasing lies a more serious conversation about what is lost when entertainment exists only as a digital file or a temporary subscription. Physical media is more than nostalgia. It represents ownership, preservation, and a more personal connection to art that streaming services often fail to replicate.
As anticipation builds for Ariana Grande’s upcoming studio album, “Petal”, Grande is set to release her new single, “Hate That I Made You Love Me”, on May 29, giving fans an early glimpse into what could become one of the singer’s most personal musical eras yet.
Although the song has not officially been released, excitement surrounding the new single has quickly spread across social media platforms following Grande’s announcement of the track and her upcoming album, “Petal,” which is set to release July 31.
The hit show “Euphoria” recently premiered its third and final season after years of anticipation, instantly sparking multitudes of online discussion among fans. Arguably one of the most divisive pieces of television in recent years, the series has gained some of the highest praise as well as some of the harshest criticisms…but why?
The generation-defining HBO series made its debut in 2019, instantly becoming a hit among teenagers. Starring Zendaya and a majority-female cast, the struggles of drug addiction, trauma, and relationships are portrayed through a colorful and glittery lens. Numerous themes of adolescence are explored through carefully curated cinematography, instantly capturing the attention of millions.
Gracie Abrams began her “Daughter from Hell” era with the lead single “Hit the Wall,” which hit streaming platforms on May 14. In collaboration with long-time producer Aaron Dessner, Abrams explores her self-sabotaging patterns and how they impact her romantic relationships throughout the lyrics.
Whenever an artist takes a self-reflective approach in their lyricism, it is extremely refreshing.
In the year 2001, the game studio Konami released “Silent Hill 2” which is not a sequel to “Silent Hill” but its own story. It was loved by the fans for its story, psychological horror, and atmosphere.
Over 20 years later, Konami announced that the beloved game “Silent Hill 2” was going to get a remake set to release for October 2024.
Watching the new Michael Jackson movie feels like stepping into a kaleidoscope. Every turn shows a different color of his life – some bright, some dark – all spinning around the same center: a boy who just wanted to create freely.
The film doesn’t pretend Michael’s world was simple. It shows the politics between the Jackson siblings, the pressure from Joseph, and the way fame wrapped around Michael like a spotlight he couldn’t escape, even when he wanted to.
“Hungerstone” is a sapphic, gothic horror retelling of “Carmilla”. This book is meant to bring out the queer and sapphic elements of the original book that might have been repressed or misinterpreted during the time it was written.
“Hungerstone” (2025) by Kat Dunn is set during the late nineteenth century in England’s moorland. Dunn leaned into the theme of female desire to portray this new take on “Carmilla”.
The title “Hungerstone” is based on the old European practice of marking stones at the waterline during a drought. These marks typically came with the date and cryptic inscriptions like “if you see me, weep” to signify its dark history. These stones were only marked during extreme droughts that lead to famine and death throughout the land.
In a society that worships visual effort, contemporary art has a tendency of provoking distinctly negative reactions among viewers. With time, effort, and results frequently overlapping in the artistic process, simplicity in a final product seems to be an easy target for criticism. Stylistic choices are perceived as an inability to reach standards of what “good art” should be, and age-old debates continue to be rehashed.
Even the colorful world of artistic expression can’t help being viewed in black and white. Good art requires skill: detailed and time-consuming in the way that impresses people who linger over your shoulder. Good art draws people in. Good art makes sense.
So what happens when it stops making sense?
Each year, Disney cashes in on the galactic success of the Star Wars franchise, and this year, they counted down to Star Wars Day (May the fourth) with the weekly release of “Maul: Shadow Lord,” which concluded on the fateful day.
“Maul: Shadow Lord” rose to nearly every expectation set for it. Upon its initial release, the show shot up on the charts, dethroning “Star Wars: Rebels” (2014) as the highest-rated Star Wars show. The hand-painted environments gave the entire show a personal, human touch, which is especially important in a time of AI-riddled animation.
Around April 26, my Facebook feed filled with the same face, the same voice. Old concert clips resurfaced. Grainy recordings from decades ago played again. People were not just celebrating – they were holding on.
It was the birthday of a renowned Hazara singer, Dawood Sarkhosh. But that wasn’t the whole story.
For years, Sarkhosh’s birthday has not been like this. This time felt different. The flood of messages carried something heavier: gratitude, memory, and a quiet, unspoken fear.
Do you feel sad, depressed, unmotivated and feel like you can’t accomplish anything? Then you should watch the 2007 mecha anime “Gurren Lagann”.
“Gurren Lagann” was made by the animation studio Gainax, the same animation studio that gave us “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, wanting to shift away from Evangelion’s depressing vibe and focus more on breaking limits, perseverance, and fighting against oppression.
Disney+ has reanimated three iconic songs to be signed by the characters, and just in time for the end of National Deaf History Month. The three songs Disney has chosen to reanimate are “The Next Right Thing” from “Frozen 2”, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto”, and “Beyond” from “Moana 2”.
The songs are specifically being animated in American Sign Language (ASL), so that people in the Deaf community or who are hard-of-hearing can also understand and enjoy the music, without having to read closed captions.
Noah Kahan is back with his highly anticipated fourth album, “The Great Divide,” which was released on April 24. Spanning 17 tracks, Kahan grapples with the aftermath of fame and how that has changed his relationship with those close to him and his home state of Vermont.
The next day, Kahan released the deluxe version of the album called “The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs,” with four additional songs.
I didn’t come to “SHIRIN: A Novel” for literature. I came because someone once said its author should be silenced.
In late 2012, Taqi Bakhtyari’s second novel, “Gomnami” (Anonymity), sparked outrage in Afghanistan. A radical cleric called it blasphemy—for questioning religious authority, for suggesting that women, not God, are the true creators of life. That was enough to exile him. It was also enough to make me read him.
When stepping into the high-tech, bright-light world of galactic sci-fi media, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Ryan Gosling’s one-man show “Project Hail Mary”, might be the way to go.
Space sci-fi is infamous for its convoluted, intricate scientific systems, its beautiful visuals, and its big, philosophical questions it tries to answer. However, that can be a lot to a new viewer of sci-fi. One of film’s most engaging components is how easy the concepts – ‘sciencey’ or simple – can be understood by the non-seasoned space film vet.
Olivia Rodrigo began phasing into a new era of music for her upcoming album “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” with the lead single “drop dead”, which was released on April 16. Along with the song, Rodrigo released a music video, shot in the Palace of Versailles.
The instrumentation of the song immediately transports the listener to summer, with its breezy, yet upbeat intro, followed by Rodrigo’s soft, yet confident vocals. It’s hard not to picture oneself going for a long drive with the windows rolled down right at sunset on a carefree summer evening while this song is turned way up. The production style is almost reminiscent of songs written for the hit Netflix show, “Heartstopper”, with its synth forward, reverb heavy atmosphere.
Netflix is under fire again in both the public eye and in the courts as Italy rules the most recent price increase unlawful and the companies dismissal of promised releases, leaving many people upset and their wallets drained.
A Roman court recently ruled that price increases over the last seven years were unlawful after lawyers discovered that their contract did not align with the Italian Code of Law and ordered the company to reimburse their customers by refunding the money.
Rising star RAYE (born Rachel Keen) has released her much anticipated sophomore studio album “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.” It comes three years after her debut “My 21st Century Blues” which was also a long time coming.
She actually entered the music industry in 2014 after dropping out of the prestigious BRIT School in Croydon, London. It’s the same school artists like Olivia Dean and Adele went to, but for her, she felt “confined”.
Florence + The Machine has released her sixth studio album “Everybody Scream” – a deeply profound work about her ectopic pregnancy miscarriage resulting in a near-death experience. She delivers themes of grief, horror, womanhood, and power through raw writing about the human experience. She asserts her power through the one defining truth of her career in music – that Florence Welch is one of the greats.
Welch told Zane Lowe in an Apple Music interview, “I was thinking about greatness and the cost of greatness and how with every album I’m like ‘I’m gonna be satisfied with this one, I’m gonna be completely satisfied and have no issues with it’, and how it almost like never happens.”
Jenette McCurdy’s debut novel “Half His Age” is an excellent character-study of angry, insecure, instinctual, 17-year old Waldo, who develops an infatuation with her 40-year-old creative writing teacher, Mr. Korgy. McCurdy’s direct and humorous writing examines the patterns we learn in youth that one must outgrow to truly live.
“Half His Age” hits every beat of an entertaining story, with a strong, direct, and hilarious voice behind it all. McCurdy does not pull any punches when laying out the reality of being a 17-year-old girl.
Every decade is known for its horror movie trends and tropes. The 1980s had the rise of slasher movies, the 1990s had a more self-aware and meta response to the prior movies, and the 2000s had hyper-gory “torture porn” movies. The current biggest trend is called “elevated horror”.
The term can not be attributed to a single person, but instead to the general audience and critical thoughts on the genre at the time. It arose in the mid-2010s to describe art-house style horror movies that prioritize thematic depth and psychological dread.
After much anticipation for his fourth studio album, Harry Styles released “Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally,” on Mar. 6. His lead single “Aperture” set the tone for this new era of embracing dance sounds while still holding on to his signature pop flare.
Although this album received mixed reviews, with the overarching theme of these reviews being that this album was spectacularly “okay,” I found this album to be inspired and fun. While his vocals are more muted throughout this album in comparison to previous projects, there are still occasional moments of lyrical impact.
“Resident Evil Requiem”, the ninth title in the Resident Evil series, brings back a couple of familiar faces and introduces a couple of new ones. We play as both the famous Leon S. Kennedy and our new protagonist FBI tech and intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of a previous protagonist, Alyssa Ashcroft from “Resident Evil Outbreak”.
The first half of Resident Evil 9 (RE9) takes you from Wrenwood Hotel to Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center where the game is more grounded, and feels similar to the Racoon Police Department from RE2/3 or the Bakers house from RE7. The map is more open world but still linear.
“Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle” just had its 11th anniversary with a whole host of new gimmicks, characters, events, and free rewards in celebration. Each year, Dokkan Battle celebrates its anniversary. Originally released in Japan on Jan. 30, 2015, it was released globally later that year on July 16. These anniversary releases attract players old and new each year.
Part one started off with the new characters: ‘Maximum-Power Battle Super Saiyan 4 Goku’ and ‘Earth-Shattering Climax Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta.’ Both legendary rare, Goku falls in the Super STR type while Vegeta is a Super TEQ type.
Pokémon’s 30th anniversary is happening in 2026, and its birthday is on Feb. 27.
Pokémon is the world’s largest grossing media franchise of all time, having made a lifetime revenue estimated between $115 billion to $150 billion. This far surpasses second place which even on the high end of estimates puts Hello Kitty at $80 billion.
Pokémon was able to achieve this in only 30 years.
Mary Kubica’s newest suspense novel, “It’s Not Her”, is drawing attention from thriller fans for its chilling atmosphere and unpredictable twists.
Released Feb. 3, 2026, the novel marks Kubica’s latest entry into the psychological thriller genre, where she has built a reputation for crafting character-driven mysteries. Kubica, a New York Times bestselling author known for titles such as “The Good Girl” and “Local Woman Missing”, often centers her stories on women facing astonishing circumstances. In “It’s Not Her” she continues that tradition, blending tension with steadily escalating suspense.
The release of “Wuthering Heights” (2026), starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, prompted outrage among the general public, being described as a disgusting and inaccurate portrayal of the 1847 novel by Emily Bronte. Despite director Emerald Fennell clarifying she intended to create a “loose interpretation”, it still sparks curiosity regarding the ethics of altering such a staple of English literature.
While much of this adaptation has faced criticism, many debates stem from the undeniable misrepresentation of multiple characters – both in appearance and personality.
“Here There Are Blueberries” is a documentary-style play from the Tectonic Theater Project about a U.S. Holocaust Museum archivist’s experience receiving a Nazi-era photo album depicting life in Auschwitz from the perspective of the officials who ran it.
This play forces audience members to confront their own humanity, making viewers wonder if they would commit the same actions as Nazi officers if given the right circumstances.
Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LX was a celebration of love, America, and unity despite political pushback from the MAGA party. Bad Bunny’s performance topped the charts, telling the all-American story, surprising viewers with appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and even holding a full-blown wedding.
The NFL having Bad Bunny as the headliner, however, created a divide between communities, with some right-leaning figures claiming he was not American, despite being from Puerto Rico, a long-time U.S. territory.
After ten years, “Dragon Ball Super” anime is coming back with a remaster. Toei Animation revealed that the “Dragon Ball Super” anime is getting a remaster with brand new animation and a more manga-accurate story starting with “Dragon Ball Super: Beerus”. This part of the remaster will cover the ‘Battle of Gods’ arc, releasing in fall 2026.
It has been eight years since “Dragon Ball Super” episode 131 aired, finishing the ‘Tournament of Power’ arc. Since then, the manga continued and two “Dragon Ball Super” movies have been released: “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” (2018) and “Dragon Ball Super: Super hero” (2022). The only problem was that the movies didn’t cover the chapters of the arc following the ‘Tournament of Power’.
In Brené Brown’s “Atlas of the Heart”, Brown emphasizes the importance of accurately identifying the nuances of one’s emotions, and knowing how to meet others where they’re at. “Atlas of the Heart” walks readers through 78 “emotions and experiences” that are key components of the human experience as a whole.
This book feels like one of the most important pieces that I have read in a while. From start to finish, I found that my preconceived notions regarding many emotions were challenged in many ways, forcing me to reflect on how I have viewed my emotional experiences, and the experiences of others.
Every year, the Grammys are built up for months (the nominations for this year’s ceremony were revealed on Nov. 7) as artists run campaigns to hopefully be awarded with the golden gramophone. In the lead up to the night, people love to try and predict the winners and some even get so confident that they bet real money on it.
For anyone who’s curious about the state of the predictions this year, here are the front runners for the big four categories.
Yet another Star Wars show was announced this past week, but this one stands out in its appeal to older Gen Z and Millennials. “Maul: Shadow Lord” will feature the original voice actor from the “Clone Wars” animated show and return to the hand-painted animation style that made the original trilogy so visually stunning.
The animation team revisited old school animation techniques used in the original Star Wars trilogy. The creative team has handpainted glass panels for their backgrounds and environments. Instead of live-action acting in front of these panels, Maul and his story will be animated on top of these glass panels.
Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” is not just another pop album – it is a carefully crafted emotional diary that captures heartbreak, healing, and self-reflection with striking honesty. On her seventh studio release, Grande steps away from glossy chart-chasing and leans into vulnerability, delivering a project that feels intimate, mature, and deeply personal.
Grande’s seventh studio album, “Eternal Sunshine”, arrived in March 2024 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She later released a deluxe version of the album, and will be going on a tour later this year in support of the project.
The Grammy Awards – the self proclaimed “biggest night in music” – has happened every year around early February since 1959. A prestigious and mysterious group of voters made up of industry insiders (singers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and more) decide who will take home the gramophone-shaped trophies. This year, the ceremony will take place on Feb. 1 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. Should we still care enough to tune in?
The Grammys are far from the only major award show. The other three that are considered major U.S. award shows are the Emmys (television), the Oscars (film), and the Tonys (theater). The four of them together make up the EGOTs. The Grammys are actually the newest of the four with the Oscars coming up on their 100-year anniversary in 2029.
“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” has had an influence on little black and brown girls in all stages of life. Really any woman or man who has felt empowered or seen by a lyric, maybe even just a tune, can understand how a specific key takes you back to a place. To me, “Tell Him” was that song.
My first introduction to Lauryn Hill was “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, and initially Hill sounded familiar. I still don’t know if I’ve heard a remix of the song or just heard the song before and was too young to remember.
Every year at the end of Thanksgiving, I say my goodbyes to my family members, and the moment the door closes behind the last guest, I connect my phone to a speaker and play Christmas music. Classic tunes surround my family as we begin cleaning up and getting ready for the next phase of the holiday season: Chrismukkah.
While it might not seem obvious, listening to Christmas music is actually a very Jewish pastime because most of the creative minds behind popular holiday hits are Jews.
If there’s one place where you are able to see the full impact of “Wicked: For Good,” it’s online. The movie didn’t just trend – it took over people’s feeds. Fan art, cast photos, aesthetic edits, and behind-the-scenes clips are flooding Reels, making the movie feel like a full cultural moment.
Ever since “Wicked: For Good” hit theaters on Nov. 21, 2025, it feels like the entire internet has been taken over by reactions, edits, and emotional breakdowns from fans. TikTok and Instagram have basically turned green with “Wicked” content. But beyond the hype, does the movie live up to its massive online energy?
I’ve always been a fan of giant robot action. From “Transformers” and “Mobile Suit Gundam”, to “Pacific Rim” and “Titanfall”, mecha combat has had its grip on my heart. Earlier this year, “Mecha Break” joined the ranks, and now “Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon” has as well.
The game starts off with a sullen and tense mission to acquire a pilot’s license for you, 621, an augmented human piloting a mecha known as an AC, or Armored Core. Coming from offworld, you and your boss, Handler Walter, sneak onto the planet of Rubicon and loot the license from an AC wreck.
I was pursuing a bookstore one day, when a novel in the corner caught my eye. While I know not to judge a book by its cover, I couldn’t help myself. The striking cover with the famous painting “The Great Wave” by Katsushika Hokusai splashed across, with rainbow letters reading, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” stopped me in my tracks. The title was mysterious, yet familiar, and I felt that I had no choice but to bring the book home.
“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin is a novel from 2022 that follows two childhood best friends Sadie Green and Sam Masur over the course of decades, in their exploits as video game designers and later business partners in their business called “Unfair Games” that they founded with their friend, Marx.
The movie “Weapons” has taken the internet by storm with many saying that it’s a wonderful movie, and the reviews and ratings reflect that – the movie earning 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.5 out of 10 star rating on IMDb. However, was it really that good?
Critic Bill Goodykoontz on Rotten Tomatoes says, “This is definitely a horror movie, increasingly by the minute. It’s also really funny – in places – and the finale combines horror and comedy in a way that doesn’t cheapen either one,” and left it a 4.5 out of 5 score.
The last few years have been incredible for mecha and video game fans. First “Titanfall 2” made a huge comeback after years of near emptiness, then “Armored Core VI” released and revitalized the mecha combat genre once again. Then on July 2 of 2025, “Mecha Break” released and made its name known.
What is “Mecha Break” though? “Mecha Break” is an online multiplayer mecha combat game with a hero shooter twist. While “Armored Core VI” allows you to make your own unique mecha, “Mecha Break” takes more after its 2016 cousin, “Titanfall 2”, and has you choose from an assortment of machines with specific roles and abilities.
The Federal Way High School Drama Department has been busy preparing for their run of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” The show opens on Nov. 14, and it will feature some Highline College Running Start students in its cast and crew.
These Highline students include Alinea Kirshenbaum, who will play Anne Frank, Avi Taylor, who will play Otto Frank, and Gale Miller, who is the Stage Manager Senior Trainer.
Listening to “My Little Love” always felt like speaking to that missing piece of yourself, apologizing for not being able to have a clear mind. For not being able to see. Being present but not genuine. In the song, Adele is speaking to her son about her most beautiful reflection of herself, which is him at an important point in both their journeys.
She expresses the guilt she feels for being able to have come so far knowing he’s hurt, knowing her choices might have broken him or have an effect on him in the future. The song is a confession, as well an apology.
Imagine heavy drums, legs bouncing, head nodding – this is what takes over when listening to Afrobeats. The category of music has been around since earlier than 2009 and is only growing in listeners in recent years.
Back then, Afrobeats music was spread throughout YouTube, Facebook, or you’d have to attend weddings and a dance hall to hear the new hits. But now it’s played on the radio!
“Chicago” tells the story of rivaling Vaudeville performers in Chicago, Velma Kelly (played by Claire Marshall) and Roxie Hart (played by Ellie Roddy), and their endeavors with men who have wronged them and the criminal justice system.
After seven years, Chicago finally hit a stage in Seattle (the 2020 tour stops were cancelled due to the global pandemic) at the 5th Avenue Theatre from Oct. 22 – Nov. 2. Simply put, this show was worth the wait.
It’s been eight years since “Andromeda” was released and it’s time to give it a look back. “Mass Effect: Andromeda” is a sci-fi RPG developed by Bioware that was released in 2017. It is a spin off series that takes place 600 years after “Mass Effect 3” (though the characters started their journey after “Mass Effect 2”) in a different galaxy altogether.
Honestly, I rarely give media five stars or a 10/10 rating as I always see how it could improve in one way or another. “Good Boy”, however, has earned all five stars and all ten points.
Not only does it soar with its concept, it sticks an impeccable landing and even does an impressive pose at the end. I absolutely recommend “Good Boy” to anyone who loves horror movies.
The black character always dies first. We all know it. It’s practically printed in the horror rule book right after ‘don’t split up.’ But “The Blackening” tears that page out, sets it on fire, and laughs while doing it. This movie takes that tired trope and says, ‘What if the Black characters didn’t die first? What if they lived, had fun, made jokes and had actual personalities?’
Radical. I know.
Released in 2023, “The Blackening” brought something horror desperately needed: a cast full of Black characters with range – messy, funny, chaotic, brilliant – and absolutely nobody here is the ‘token friend.’
Based on an odd yet relatively famous fanfiction, SenLinYu’s “Alchemised” takes the reader on a terrifying, heartwrenching, tearjerking journey through a dystopian war-torn society.
A colleague of mine explained the book “Alchemised”, saying “I can describe this book as a twisted blending of schoolyard magic and fucked up shit” and you know what? I can’t think of a better description for it.
With its soaring music and heartfelt storytelling, “Wicked” casts more than a spell – it sparks a conversation about identity, acceptance, friendship, and most of all, self-love. The Broadway-musical adaptation film invited audiences to look beyond its breathtaking visuals and magical setting to uncover a message about what it truly means to be human.
“Wicked” was one of the most anticipated film adaptations of 2024 and had very high expectations from fans of the beloved Broadway musical. Its release sparked plenty of conversation. While some viewers praised its stunning visuals and powerful performances, others felt it didn’t fully capture the magic of the stage version.
Once in a blue moon, an anime that changes up the formula and excels at it appears. This time around, it’s “The Witch and The Beast.” The anime focuses on the two main characters, Ashaf and Guideau, as they hunt down a legendary witch. To those who don’t want to be spoiled, don’t worry, this is a spoiler free review.
The show starts off strong with an action packed introduction that not only showcases the type of fight choreography the show employs, but also the inherent outlandishness of magic.
I love pop music. Every time an artist like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, or Billie Eilish announce an album, I immediately pre-save, pre-add, and pre-order. I am also an avid vinyl appreciator. I love the feeling of physically holding music and slowly lowering the needle of my record player and immersing myself in the catchiness of pop that has defined my girlhood.
At least, that’s how it used to feel when artists would simply come out with one standard vinyl, and then maybe announce a deluxe version a few months later. Now, it seems every artist is releasing numerous versions of each album, sometimes with the only difference being that each vinyl is a different color and the album cover is a different image.
Music has been around almost as long as humanity has. Like fire, stone tools, art, and clothing, humanity created music early into its life cycle. From the beginning, percussive slams and melodic hums have entertained and evolved to what they are now. Back then, music was made to celebrate. How has it changed since?
Well for one, cavemen didn’t have stereos and surround sound. More importantly, now music has lyricism and writing attached. Whether it’s upbeat pop or grungy rock, most every song has lyrics that convey a message and speak to the listener.
If you accidentally killed your most admired professor, would you descend to the deepest level of Hell to bring them back? Katabasis (proper pronunciation is contested and often contextual), in its literary definition, is the story of a hero’s descent to the Underworld.
R. F. Kuang’s sixth novel of the same name uses those familiar sources, Orpheus and Dante, and analytical philosophy, as the skeleton for this gory, academic fantasy.
Transformers is a series that resides in the childhood memories of many of us. The memories may be hazy, but from the first introduction to the giant shapeshifting robots in the original 1984 cartoon, every other day I would watch episodes of the classic cartoon. Love for this series has persevered to this day.
Then one day at seven years old, I stumbled upon a VHS tape (yes I grew up with VHS) of the 1986 movie. Yeah that was a mistake, though it’s one I don’t regret. After seeing fan favorite Transformers die brutally or already dead with no fanfare, realization set in that even the seemingly invincible giant robots could die.
“The Conjuring” is one of the movies where you mention it and at least one person in the room knows what you’re talking about. The story of Ed and Lorraine Warren is a famous one, made that way by the movies, and as of Sept. 5, 2025, their story comes to an end in “The Conjuring: Last Rites.”
Before going into the movie, a lot of people seem to have left a five star review, or higher. “The Conjuring and the Conjuring 2 remain some of the best horror films within the last 15 years for my taste. Some would even say the conjuring is one of the top horror films of all time,” said reviewer tresm87 on IMDb.
The last thing you would expect from a franchise based around giant robots is thought-provoking and graciously portrayed queer relationships, yet here we are. Officially starting in 1984 as an animated cartoon, the Transformers is an incredible franchise with something for everyone.
From the scores of toys for the collectors, kids, and stop motion enthusiasts, to the array of shows, movies, and comics for fans of the lore and characters, Transformers has it all. This is further exemplified by the amount of care and attention put into the many facets of Transformers sexuality.
Everyone’s heard of “Helldivers” right? If you haven’t, here’s an explanation: “Helldivers” is a game series following super soldiers (the namesake of the game) that defend Super Earth from evil aliens and murderous machines.
At least, that’s what the game jokes about it being. In reality, the truth is more complicated than that.
Pat Barker’s “The Silence of the Girls” (2018) landed on the radar as a direct response to a new literary trend hitting the market – Greek mythological retellings. Classical stories are being rewritten with contemporary themes, though at the end of the day, it would be nice to have an original story.
James Gunn’s “Superman” movie landed in the box office, with mixed reviews across the political spectrum. At the end of the day, many are glad to have a new soundtrack for the summer and a return to the traditional values of what Superman is all about.
In the first two weeks of its release, “Superman” soared past its $225 million production budget, earning $416 million worldwide. The film is overall rated 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDb.
In today’s world, more movies and shows are starting to tell real stories from different voices. Recently, some amazing projects created by Black directors and writers have stood out in a big way.
These works highlight Black creativity, strength, and storytelling, and prove that Black stories deserve just as much attention as any others.
Fifteen years after the first LP under the name Car Seat Headrest, lead singer/songwriter Will Toledo comes through with “The Scholars”, a 70-minute rock opera that works fine as a narrative piece, and truly shines as a benchmark for how far the band has come over the years.
If you’re a listener untainted by the Seattle indie-rock bands’ particular brand of angst, this newest album may take a little time to find its footing. The lyrics are complex and difficult to figure, and the narrative contained within the words is told with little attention to traditional story structure.
Tyler Perry’s “The Six Triple Eight” is a powerful and timely film that boldly redefines how Black history – especially Black women’s history – is portrayed on screen.
Now streaming on Netflix, the film tells the remarkable true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – the first and only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.
Two unrelated projects from separate comedians have highlighted a societal appreciation for ‘cringe’ humor. Nathan Fielder’s HBO Max show “The Rehearsal”, and Tim Robinson’s A24 dark comedy “Friendship” take place in this tragic space of social imbalance, giving us main characters who can do anything but fit in.
While Fielder and Robinson are vastly different comedic minds, both have imbued the world with true gems of awkward humor this summer. Each comedian has individually taken great care in giving us the cringe that we might actually need.
In today’s media landscape, where audiences are craving fresh stories and authentic voices, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” stands tall as a bold and unforgettable celebration of Black storytelling.
This film doesn’t just entertain – it uplifts, challenges, and redefines how we view Black history, creativity, and cultural legacy on screen.
While refraining from saying that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is back with their new movie “Thunderbolts*”, one can say that this Marvel film has a more improved action-to-storyline balance than others have in the past few years since “Avengers: Endgame” was released.
The film focuses on mental health; the characters work through their own trauma while trying to figure out their place and status in the new world. They help each other out of seemingly bottomless pits both literally and figuratively. Their challenges persist as Valentina, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, continues to stick her hands in the mud and manipulate the characters’ lives.
“Transformers” has always been a special series. Unlike other ’80s action series centered on selling toys, “Transformers” has managed to successfully stay relevant in mainstream media in a consistent manner. While “He-Man”, “Thundercats”, and “GI JOE” have jumped in and then disappeared, “Transformers” simply never left.
Of course, Hasbro’s darling and mainstay money maker hasn’t been without struggle. After the original series finished, it looked like “Transformers” would be forgotten. Then “Beast Wars” came. Since then, “Transformers” has grown to a mainstay of pop culture. After all, there’s nothing cooler than giant robots.
At a time when authentic portrayals of young Black love are still few and far between, Netflix’s “Forever” offers a refreshing and heartfelt portrayal of first love.
Through its setting and reimagined context, “Forever” tells a story that’s not only about love, but about what it means to be young, Black, and striving – for freedom, for connection, and for a future that feels like it belongs to you.
Nothing matches the feeling of being in a crowded theatre, the lights going low, and everyone putting away their cellphones for a few hours. While theatre is a magical place, the price of tickets can oftentimes be not so magical, especially for students.
The great news is that many resources are available for students to access theatre at reduced prices and sometimes for free! As a self-proclaimed theatre kid who loves a deal, here are my top suggestions for accessing affordable live theatre.
“Caddo Lake” stars Eliza Scanlen as Ellie, taking up a particular role of a perhaps mentally struggling character, and Dylan O’Brien as Paris, taking him out of his usual acting role as the sarcastic comic-relief, and putting him in the spotlight in this serious and mind twisting film.
The writers of “Caddo Lake” somehow pack in time travel, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller, into a sub two hour movie, all while giving the watchers insight into the separate, yet entirely intertwined lives of Ellie and Paris.
“Bad Batch” finished its final season last year on this very day. After the previous season’s strong and impactful finale, a lot of hype and intrigue was riding on the conclusion to the series. Did it pay off? Let’s find out.
***Be warned, this is not a spoiler free review.***
In the first episode, the “Bad Batch” starts on a somber note due to the tragic finale of season two. After the heartbreaking loss of Tech, one of the original members of the Bad Batch, and Omega’s capture, the surviving team members go home and lick their wounds.
On March 31, Seattle’s very own coffee shop, Starbucks, launched a brand-new mug collaboration with Disney. The limited mugs can only be purchased at the Disney parks or online.
The Disney food blog says, “this mug is a great way to bring the joy and magic of Disneyland back home.”
With two different options of the special mugs being sold, collectors can pick from options of either a Disneyland design or the Disneyworld design. The mugs feature different designs and themes than previous launches, including Car Land or Grizzly Peak.
“Parade” tells the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who moved to Atlanta to pursue a career at a pencil factory in 1913. There, he met Lucille Selig, whom he later married. As a Jewish man from Brooklyn, Leo is portrayed as a man who often felt out of place even with his Southern Jewish wife.
Leo, who held a management position at the pencil factory, was later charged with the rape and murder of thirteen-year-old factory worker Mary Phagan.
It’s not everyday that a generational social commentary also doubles as a sober and gutting rendition of your worst nightmares, but that is exactly what fell into my lap when I finally succumbed to the umpteenth recommendation of “Tender is the Flesh” by Augustina Bazterrica. This book is what happens when an author peeks behind the human veil and refuses to pull away when things get ugly.
We are immediately thrust into a world where a virus renders all animals inedible, and cannibalism is not just legalized, but mandated. Marcos, an employee at a human flesh processing plant, is our periscope into the hellish society that preserves the privileged class by slaughtering the poor.
“Blink Twice” is intense, highly abrasive, and extraordinarily unsettling. The movie starts unassuming, but has a far from comfortable, underlying feeling of: “Something is going to go wrong, but when?”
That feeling does not give away until the last 20 minutes, keeping the watcher on the edge of their seat, and genuinely enthralled. Starring Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie, “Blink Twice” is a psychological thriller, truly living up to the label.
Who here is playing “Marvel Rivals”? I imagine quite a few people have tried out the newest Marvel game. For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, “Marvel Rivals” is a hero shooter created by Chinese game studio, NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel.
The game was released on Dec. 6, 2024 and immediately became a smash hit. The premise of the game is simple. Team up with five other players to capture and either push or defend the objective, and make sure the enemy team can’t do the same. If you want success, creating the perfect team is integral, but how?
The perfect mix of predictable and surprising, philosophic and visual; “The Atlas 6” by Olivie Blake put her onto my radar at its initial release, and her name remained a staple until I finally sat down and tore through the book within a week.
The first book in a trilogy always has the responsibility to introduce the characters, their goals and limitations, and setting the stage for the larger story the series aims to tell. Blake sets up a perfect ring for our six protagonists to show the readers who they are, and what they can do, even if it is (straight-up) evil at times.
It’s been a year and some change since “Baldur’s Gate 3” released, and despite it being a single player RPG from a smaller game studio, it continues to get consistently major updates that add a breath of fresh air to the game.
This isn’t a rare occurrence of course, there are quite a few games that do this as well. However they aren’t as common as the games that add battlepasses and seasons. Take “Call of Duty” and “Halo: Infinite”, both of which have microtransactions and seasons throughout their games.
In the Quarter Quell of the 21st century, Suzanne Collins’ fifth installment of “The Hunger Games” saga, “Sunrise on the Reaping” arrived in bookstores early on March 18. Collins used her power to commentate on implicit submission and propaganda, while breaking hearts with a story we’ve held close since 2010.
Reader’s should absolutely read “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” before picking this one up. And if you haven’t read the original trilogy, what are you doing here? The shadow of Lucy Gray Baird is still on District 12 and the Covey, and to understand the full timeline of events readers need to go back to the 10th games.
Conan O’Brien has made headlines in the past year with a legendary guest appearance on “Hot Ones”, a successful Oscars hosting, and his acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize for his career in comedy that has spanned over decades. Though O’Brien has carved his legacy in the irreverent and goofy, his speech at the Kennedy Center was as prescient as they come, marking his signature marriage of silliness and poignant resolve.
O’Brien’s acceptance speech at the Kennedy Center spoke of his larger comedic ethos, and still thoughtfully acknowledged the recent disruption by President Trump, who named himself chairman of the center and then ousted the very trustees that nominated O’Brien to begin with.
“Dragon Age” is one of the premier fantasy RPGs of all time. Its cultural influence isn’t as large as “Final Fantasy” or the “Elder Scrolls”, but it’s one of the greats. Starting with the humble “Dragon Age: Origins” that was released in 2009, “Dragon Age” has cemented itself as a cornerstone of fantasy media.
“Veilguard” is a new stab at the “Dragon Age” universe that attempts to change the player’s perspective. Instead of being this well established character with a lengthy backstory that you either take part in or barely remember due to its lack of relevance, you have one defining event that sets up your connection to the main story.
El musical de Emilia Pérez fue uno de los más criticados por la comunidad Mexicana por la mala representación del director y los actores.
Muchas críticas rodearon la película por falta de diversidad e inclusión de actores hispanos, y muchos argumentaban sobre la forma en que los actores no interpretaron bien el vocabulario de las palabras en español especialmente los “mexicanos”.
The 97th Academy Awards aired last Sunday, featuring a cavalcade of one of cinema’s strongest selections in years, as well as the remarkably-seasoned Conan O’Brien hosting.
As with any Oscars event, this year came with scandalous rumors, a catty monologue, and no shortage of fan reactions over who did, or didn’t, deserve to take home the golden statue.
The tokenization of the deaf main character in “A Silent Voice” turns what could’ve been a beautiful movie about bullying, healing, and forgiveness into a film that feels emotionally exploitative to watch.
To promote prolific director Naoko Yamada’s newest English release “The Colors Within”, her film “A Silent Voice” returned to American theaters this past December.
Winning the Japanese Movie Critics Award for Best Animated Feature Film, “A Silent Voice” has become a beloved film among anime fans and critics alike since its release in 2016.
The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards ceremony was a two-hour event that gave 15 awards to actors and ensembles for their incredible performances, highlighting some of the biggest names in the industry as well as up-and-coming stars.
The ceremony was broadcast live on Netflix Sunday, Feb. 23., with charming host Kirsten Bell lighting up the stage. Shogun won four awards for best ensemble performances, plus actress and actor in a drama. Six-decade Hollywood star Jane Fonda was given SAG’s Life Achievement Award, and so much more, all complemented with nostalgic montages and skits in between.
The world tuned in last week to Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) landmark 50th anniversary special and the entire entertainment industry seemed to be in attendance, performing, or both.
Much like any SNL episode in the past half-century, viewers from all over the world looked on as the most famous people alive stood shoulder to shoulder to celebrate arguably the most consequential syndicated program in history.
“Onyx Storm” is a strange mix of hope and despair, making it a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the whole book. As I began the current end of the Empyrean series by Rebbeca Yarros, I was hopeful. That changed promptly about an eighth into the book.
I say “current end” because Yarros has taken a break from writing, which is extraordinarily sad, but the reason is understandable. According to every source out there, she has taken a break because she promised to spend the summer with her kids, as well as the fact that she pushed herself past her limit, physically and mentally.
Winning five Grammys over a diss track about Drake and performing a star studding halftime performance at the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans in the same week? No other artist than Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar could pull it off.
The show starts with viewers seeing the stage set up as a Playstation controller. “Salutations!” exclaimed Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam. Fans of Lamar may recognize Uncle Sam as one of the main characters of his 2015 hit album, “To Pimp a Butterfly”.
The Grammys kicked off last week with multiple performances from renowned artists, many of which went home making history in the process.
After so many years Beyoncé was finally able to win the most prestigious Album of the Year along with Best Country Album with her “Cowboy Carter”. Beyoncé came into the Grammys with the most nominations for her albums. She is the most nominated artist in Grammy history with 99 throughout her career.
As one of the most expensive holidays next to Christmas and New Years, Valentine’s Day grosses about $27.5 billion nationally per year. From $20 bouquets at the grocery store, to $30 chocolates, and of course all of the pressure to make the day romantic, or to find a partner, Valentine’s Day can be overwhelming.
If you aren’t feeling the love this year, or you and your partner simply aren’t into the classic “mushy” Valentine’s Day movies and want some different options, or if you’re single and want to be festive without having to watch the classics, compiled below is a list of movies from horror and thriller, to revenge and comedy, for you to binge.
“Spiritfarer” is one game that pops up every few years seemingly unnoticed due to its arguably niche concept.
However, the game’s core message and tragically beautiful story is so well done, that it’s disappointing how few people know of it. That is where this article comes in.
The next installment in our sequence of reviews shines light on the second (of three books) in the ever popular “Empyrean Series” by Rebecca Yarros. “Iron Flame” dives deeper into the story created in the first book of the series “Fourth Wing” as we see the rebellion take form as the war continues to get more dangerous and brings in some new fighters.
There are no lack of jaw dropping moments in this book. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, you might cry, you might laugh, possibly even both at the same time, but the plot twist at the end – which shall NOT be spoiled – that includes Barlowe and Riorson, will stun you.
At its core, Gundam is a grounded anti-war drama meant to showcase the horrid truths behind warfare. Civilians die tragically, characters lose people they care about left and right, all because the leaders of Zeon are obsessed with destroying Earth so they can be the premier superpower.
Gundam is a famous series that began in 1979 that follows a young boy named Amuro Ray. Thrust into a war beyond his comprehension, 15 year old Amuro is forced to fight to survive after his home is attacked by a nation of space colonists known as Zeon. Yes, you saw that right. The main character is only 15, and he’s not even the youngest protagonist in Gundam history.
Science & Technology
Machine learning, or AI, used in the field of medical research has helped advance several frontiers. Predictive analytics for disease prevention, diagnostics and medical imaging, along with drug discovery are among the many promising areas of application for these new AI tools.
Some people may take it as a comfort that this technology is being used for good, while others may find it disconcerting. A 57% majority of Americans say AI is bad for society. Without federal regulation on AI it continues to develop, and is being integrated into most other technologies, regardless of the public’s opinion toward it.
Petco, the first chain that comes to mind when someone says “pet store”, serves 24 million people in the U.S. Walking through a pet store means passing by the aquatics section and seeing the shelves of betta fish (scientific name betta splendens) in their separated cups.
It’s uncomfortable, and it desensitizes consumers to seeing bettas in less-than-ideal conditions. However, keeping bettas in cups is a lot more dangerous for the fish — and sparks a lot more passionate controversy than the regular Petco customer may realize.
A new study discovered that dogs can tell the difference between several human emotions. While dogs have been known to recognize emotions, this is the first time scientists have discovered how they actually do this.
“Humans are really good at picking up small details on the face, and so are dogs,” says Raúl Hernández-Pérez from the University of Vienna. They monitored eight different dogs’ brains and showed them pictures of unfamiliar humans. The unfamiliarity of the photos shown allowed for less bias, as dogs become happy or excited when they see someone they consider their family.
A sample study done on over 500 rattlesnakes showed a major health concern. These hidden illnesses are a real factor in the possible extinction of wild rattlesnakes in the United States.
This study was conducted on rattlesnakes in two wildlife refuges in South Carolina and Florida. Most of their specimens were living rattlesnakes that they took skin swabs and blood samples of before releasing them. They also took tissue samples from dead snakes that were found on roads and in the wild.
New discoveries reveal that what scientists previously viewed as the Himalayan pit viper was actually five separate species. Not only has this discovery come over 100 years after the snake’s first discovery, but three of the identified species had been previously unknown to scientists.
The Himalayan pit viper has been known to scientists for over 160 years. It was first reported in 1864 and categorized as a single species, which we now know to be untrue.
Scientists have discovered similarities in feline and human cancer, which can help develop new treatments for cancer in humans.
A study, posted in February 2026 by the University of Guelph, genetically analyzed tumors in cats. This is the largest contribution to genetic profiling of cancer in cats. Cancer in cats has been one of the leading causes of death, but it was rather unstudied before this.
Star fish are disappearing all over the north west, dying in large numbers due to a disease called Sea Star Wasting Disease.
As you walk along the Pacific West Coast beaches, you may notice something concerning: sea stars with twisted arms, lesions, or bodies that seem to be melting away. This distressing sight is a trademark of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD). The disease has affected over 20 species of sea stars.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) officially has a new name that will hopefully help people improve diagnosis and treatment: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
This name change was brought about due to concerns that the old name placed too much emphasis on the presence of cysts and ovaries, while the syndrome is more accurately depicted as a hormonal or endocrine disorder.
In the fight against cancer, we have discovered that a protein called MYC that helps tumors grow also helps repair the tumor’s DNA when undergoing chemotherapy.
MYC plays a large role in cell proliferation, which is the division of cells into two daughter cells, and it controls the expression of about 15% of all genes. The large percentage of genes it oversees allows for it to easily turn cancerous, as cancer cells are just abnormal cells in the body, and this has been seen in its over activeness in a lot of human cancers.
A new breakthrough discovery uses nanoparticles to reverse Alzheimer’s in mice. This is a breakthrough discovery in Alzheimer research and the search for a cure.
Previously, Alzheimer research was focused on managing the symptoms by destroying the buildup of plaque in the brain. This new technology instead repairs the infrastructure and workings of the brain, so it can do these natural processes on its own. Scientists shifted their focus onto the blood-brain barrier (BBB), creating nanoparticles that help restore this barrier.
“Project Epic Furious: Strait To Hell” is an 8-bit, retro Zelda-styled computer (and cabinet!) game made by The Secret Handshake, who are also infamously known for their other protest art installations, e.g the Best Friends Forever statue at the National Mall, or the golden toilet at the Lincoln Memorial.
They installed the Project Epic Furious cabinets at the D.C. War Memorial for public interactions, and also put the game up on a web browser for online play-ability.
When stopping at a gas station, customers may notice brightly colored bottles near the register. These bottles contain a variety of substances, marketed in various ways, either as a supplement, an aid for sexual performance, or as a boost for energy. While easy to ignore, these drugs are highly addictive and often lack oversight or consistency.
The harmful effects of these substances are not being communicated to consumers. In fact, these drugs are often marketed as “dietary and brain supplements.” There is little oversight or regulation regarding these substances.
In the Federal Way School District, AI is a tool that is being embraced and encouraged by educators and administrators alike – and Colleague AI is a tool that is springing into action for both.
Colleague AI is an online LLM that, unlike public user models that function as an ask-and-answer tool (e.g Gemini or ChatGPT), Colleague AI is built like a domain. Colleague AI can be used to create graphics, worksheets, quizzes or surveys, and create chatbots for assistance in brainstorming. Colleague AI was introduced years prior, but there’s been an emphasis on the district reminding the teachers it’s a tool that is available for them, should they want to use it.
When thinking about the concept of pets, coyotes and raccoons aren’t the first animals that come to mind. However, two intriguing cases of self-domestication may change that.
Self-domestication is an evolutionary survival tactic used by species who are losing their habitats to human urbanization. It is a process that scientists have characterized as reduced reactive aggression. This is the single trait that starts domestication. Reduced reactive aggression eventually leads to tameness or docility, seen in domesticated animals today like the house cat or dogs.
A new chapter of space exploration officially began as NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon brought humans further into space than we’ve ever gone before.
On April 6, 2026, NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman made history by surpassing the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth, a record previously held by the Apollo 13 crew, set in 1970.
Whether it be on online forums, social media, or even video games, children’s data is being collected, misused, and exploited across online platforms, often without their knowledge or consent.
For example, on the popular online video game “Roblox”, it is very easy to lie about your age and use fake IDs to pass the AI verification that “Roblox” implements. This is important as in “Roblox”, the developers implemented an age group system where users have to be in the same age range to speak to each other.
Sharks in the Bahamas have tested positive for cocaine and other drugs. The increased tourism and urbanization has led to the contamination of saltwater climates, which in turn affects our animals.
Scientists caught 86 different sharks, spanning multiple species. They took blood samples from these sharks and tested them for 20 different kinds of substances. Around one third of the sharks tested positive for illicit substances.
Caffeine is classified as a central nervous system stimulant, or in other words, a drug. Chances are you as the reader consume caffeine in some form as approximately 85% of Americans drink caffeine. The interesting thing is it’s not stigmatized the way any other form of non-medical drug usage would be.
People go on coffee dates all the time or joke about their chronic energy drink addiction. It’s not every day you meet somebody and they’ll ask you to go to a dispensary on the first date. What is it about caffeine that makes it socially acceptable to be addicted to it?
New research has discovered an oral bacterium called Fusobacterium nucleatum can cause and exacerbate breast cancer. This bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to the breast tissue, where it mutates the cell’s DNA that causes the growth and spread of tumors.
Fusobacterium nucleatum, or Fn, is a type of oral bacteria associated with periodontal disease, or gum disease. Fn has previously been linked to other types of cancers, but this new research suggests that it can cause breast cancer as well.
A new study has revealed that marmosets call each other by name. They are the first non-human primate to exhibit this behavior.
Marmosets are a small western monkey that lives in South America. They are very social animals, living in social groups of three to 15 individuals. They are frequently called “finger monkeys” on social media, due to their small size.
Scientists have discovered a new way to help animal conservation. New research has discovered that Giant Panda connective tissue cells can be used to eventually create a lab grown embryo, which will help increase their vulnerable population.
Panda skin cells are being used to create specialized stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), that are able to be turned into gametes. These specialized cells, iPSCs, are able to transform into any of the three layers needed for embryonic development, endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm.
The first piloted flight in the Artemis program launched on Wednesday, April 1 at 3:24 PST. This mission will be the closest that humans have gotten to the moon in more than 50 years, and will mark the furthest humans will have traveled into space. The last manned mission to the moon was aboard NASA’s Apollo 17, in 1972.
However, unlike the Apollo 17 mission, this voyage will have the four astronauts travel around the moon, but not land there. This is a test launch of the Orion spacecraft meant to verify the ship’s life support systems. This is the stepping stone to future advancements leading us back to the moon and eventually to Mars.
Life on Earth is something we take for granted every day. However, billions of years ago, Earth wasn’t the bright and welcoming planet we are familiar with. With oxygen levels dramatically shifting over the course of an eon, scientists decided to investigate how early life may have survived.
Today, the Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen (1% consisting of other trace gasses like carbon dioxide). However, from the Archean Eon to the very beginning of Proterozoic Eon, Earth had little to no oxygen (in gaseous form) within its atmosphere.
A recent blood Moon in the Pacific Northwest attracted 3 million people to bear witness to the total lunar eclipse. Worldwide, nearly 3 billion people were able to see it.
The blood Moon began at around midnight on March 3, for us here on the Pacific Coast. Three hours later, at around 3 a.m. P.S.T., the blood Moon reached its totality – its entire surface covered by a deep red. This effect lasted for about an hour.
You read that right. The Moon, as we know it, is shrinking. And this isn’t from a “Despicable Me” movie where Gru is shrinking the moon. The Moon is shrinking, in real life. It isn’t really anything to be worried about, though.
The Moon has only shrunk about 50 meters (164 feet) over the course of several hundred million years. Given that the Moon’s diameter is 11,400,048 feet long, (2,159.1 miles), its width has been reduced by approximately 0.00144%.
The Moon shrinking does actually cause a few things, though.
Cavendish banana plants are being assaulted by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense worldwide, causing them to wilt and die. Fortunately, in this time of crisis, scientists may have just found something that could save bananas for generations to come.
“Fusarium wilt – also known as Panama disease – is a destructive soil-borne disease which impacts farmed Cavendish bananas worldwide through its virulent Race 4 strains,” said Dr. Andrew Chen, a researcher at The University of Queensland.
Methane bubbles, pink water, and saltwater seas – these are a few of the words that describe some of the most unique bodies of water in the world. There is Lake Hillier in Australia, the Red Sea, Abraham Lake in Canada, Chillika Lake in India, and Lake Urmia in Iran.
What can we learn about the phenomena and science from these lakes?
Spider silk has always been known to be one of the strongest organic materials. Fortunately, scientists have found out why. Tiny, yet complicated chemical attractions allow spider silk to remain flexible while still being extremely strong.
The strongest spider silk is spider dragline silk. It forms the frame of the spiderweb, and needs to be able to hold the weight of the spider. It is stronger than steel (by weight), and tougher than Kevlar (a material used in the making of bulletproof vests).
Most people unlock their phones within minutes of waking up. They scroll through social media, check email, use navigation apps, track workouts, and stream music throughout the day. These small, everyday actions may seem harmless, but each one creates data that is collected and stored.
Every search, click, and swipe adds to a growing digital footprint. Many users grant access by quickly tapping “agree” on privacy policies without reading the details, often unaware of how much information they are sharing.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a topic that’s hot on the tongue of everybody and it often feels unavoidable. There are a million differing opinions on it and how it can be used as a tool. Many people fear that it will go further than being a tool and will begin to take over people’s jobs. One field that AI is particularly prominent in seems to be education.
With the rise of AI in fields and careers like education, one might be curious what educators across the schooling system feel about AI. How do they feel about students using it? How about their co-workers or potentially themselves? Do they have fears of losing their jobs to these robots? Here were my findings over the course of a series of interviews with high school teachers and college professors.
Recently, two confirmed reports of the Nipah virus have been made in India. The two confirmed cases are healthcare workers exposed to the virus in a laboratory setting in West Bengal. Both cases have been contained, with one still in critical condition. This virus is a special concern for many as it draws similarities to another, fairly recent highly infection virus.
The main issue with the Nipah virus is that it can potentially cause encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain. Most of the deaths come from seizures and comas, where the brain is too inflamed and stops functioning properly, making specific aid for the virus quite difficult. The World Health Organization (WHO) states, “While there are no specific treatments for Nipah, early diagnosis will promote early supportive care.”
TikTok’s U.S. operations were acquired by a majority-American company this week, in compliance with a September 2025 executive order issuing new terms and conditions and undating the privacy policy for the engaging social media platform.
The change led to another mass exodus of users, particularly over data-collection and concern over media-control in the U.S.
A few months ago, scientists investigated a cave in northern Germany. Inside, a hidden infrared camera captured something strange: A rat hiding in a corner jumped at an unsuspecting bat, jumping out of the shadows before swiftly dispatching it. With bat populations already low, scientists jumped in to research the threat. Rats had never been known to hunt bats, so this encounter bewildered scientists.
The rats were identified as brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), one of the world’s most common and invasive predators. The research team turned to other bat caves around the area to see if they could get similar findings like the one shown on the infrared camera.
Recently scientists have pondered if lakes on ancient Mars could have stayed liquid for years. As new research suggests, there is a chance only the top layer of the lakes could have frozen over, acting as insulation to prevent the rest of the water from freezing.
‘Ancient Mars’ refers to the early, geological history of the red planet, in which it was once teeming with water, and covered with ocean billions of years ago. Now, the planet is pockmarked with lake basins and structures resembling ancient river systems.
One of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK) most recent controversial public statements regarding public health is the new emphasis on meat and dairy on the food pyramid. While many experts agree with the decision to encourage people to consume fewer processed foods and added sugars, the emphasis on sources of saturated fats is raising alarm.
While RFK intended for this new pyramid to showcase the importance of avoiding “highly processed foods,” many nutrition experts are concerned that foods that are known to be significant sources of saturated fat are featured on the very top.
In connection with the city of Des Moines, Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) has successfully begun preservation work to save marine wildlife living on the Des Moines Marina. By utilizing 30 individual divers, as well as a swarm of community volunteers, thousands of aquatic lives have been saved.
Spanning from August to December 2025, the MaST mission for these events was to do as much preservation and conservation work as possible. During their efforts, crews focused on piers L, M, & N at the marina.
“Rage bait,” “67,” and “vibe coding” all have something in common: They were named Word of the Year by various dictionaries. Another thing they have in common: They are terms that have been pushed by social media algorithms that have made their way to common usage.
Social media has a big influence on our language. The way many people talk online is often different from the language used during in-person interactions – at least that used to be true most of the time. Recently, the language and slang used on social media has seeped into real life conversations more than ever before.
Billions of dollars in funding – from cancer research to investigations into immune cells – have been withheld or terminated entirely by the Trump administration in a political attack on vaccines, targeted outreach programs, and specific language. The cuts affect national institutions and universities alike, and will have consequences for years to come.
The Supreme Court ruled in August that President Trump’s $2 billion in cuts to the National Institute of Health (NIH) will go forward. The largest project affected was a $77 million grant to the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University. The University’s president resigned in September, followed by the Interim President agreeing to pay the US government $75 million to restore research funding.
Social media contributes to growing political division by escalating, increasing strong beliefs, and fueling ongoing conflict. Platforms influence audiences, shape political reactions, and keep people continuously interacting with political information. So how do social media platforms use tactics to keep people engaged with political content?
In the video “Social media and political polarization in America” created by 60 Minutes, one of the interviewees, Tristan Harris, the co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology stated that, “They’re making us see more angry posts about politics so that we can be distracted from our anger, which makes them more money in the end.”
Think about how you use AI in your day to day life and how you’re using it. AI has changed our society in many ways. One specific change is in education.
Let’s start with the good news. AI use has a lot of useful assets when it comes to education. For example, it helps students who learn differently by teaching them in a way they need.
Egypt has unveiled its new “Grand Egyptian Museum” (GEM), just miles away from Cairo and the pyramids of Giza.
This archeological powerhouse boasts the largest collection focused on a single civilization. With its opening, the people of Egypt have a proper resting place for their rich history.
A discovery by the astronomers at the Pan-STARRS observatory in Maui, Hawaii, shows that the Earth has a “second moon,” or a quasi-moon. A quasi-moon isn’t really a moon at all however, it’s just a small asteroid that has decided to tag along with Earth for a while.
The Pan-STARRS observatory is a facility located on the summit of Haleakalā, it is a 1.8-meter telescope that operates as part of the Haleakalā High Altitude Observatories site. The astronomers at Pan-STARRS announced the discovery of the asteroid – named 2025 PN7 – in August of this year.
Did you know that 11% of adults have nyctophobia? For the unfamiliar, Nyctophobia is the fear of the dark, and it often begins at a young age for a variety of reasons.
For example, nyctophobia can stem from traumas associated with dark places, or it simply could come from environmental factors like family members that also fear the dark.
Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” provides an important perspective on consent with cell culture by examining the family of Henrietta Lacks. Should researchers be allowed to use cell samples for scientific research without patient consent? The knee-jerk reaction might be a resounding “No!” This topic is actually much more nuanced than that.
Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman from Baltimore who died of cervical cancer in 1951. During the treatment for her cancer, a sample of her cells was taken without her knowledge. These cells would later be cultured by Dr. George Otto Gey to form the famous HeLa (short for Henrietta Lacks) cell line. This cell line was the first and most prominent cell line to be immortal.
Renowned scientist, conservationist, and activist Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91. Her work and legacy impacted vital parts of how humans understand themselves and the world. Before her death, she filmed her “Famous Last Words” documentary via Netflix interview, leaving a parting message for all: preserve and persist.
“When someone important dies, all you long for is just a little more time with them,” these words flash across the screen as the documentary starts.
The endangered JPOD orcas have returned! These orcas visited the south of Puget Sound waters and Tacoma’s Narrows bridge which was a huge shock to all those around to see. Orcas have not surfaced in these waters for nearly 50 years, and it seems they’ve brought with them a new member.
The portion of the JPOD spotted in nearby waters has an exciting family history. Chief among this is the baby they brought with them.
At a recent White House press conference, Donald Trump, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in tow, publicly stated that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can cause autism in children, despite this claim being widely unsupported by science.
In the Sept. 22 press conference, Trump stated that “taking Tylenol is not good — I’ll say it: It’s not good,” and further asserted that communities without access to Tylenol have “no autism.”
When you think of tuberculosis (TB), historical images might come to mind. Perhaps you remember it in instances of pop culture, such as in the musical “Moulin Rouge”. Why is the topic of TB even still relevant?
Well, it has a bigger impact than one might think.
John Green’s “Everything is Tuberculosis” is one of the most important books you will ever read.
Photos from the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) view of the Butterfly Nebula, known as NGC 6302, have provided scientists with new understanding of the universe. According to the ALMA observatory, the August 2025 Webb images “offer new insights into the final stages of stellar evolution.” These insights, include inklings to how planets form, and where the building blocks of life begin.
While many folks were begrudgingly returning to work after last week’s Memorial Day holiday, Thunderword reporters & photographers had the chance to join the Marine Science & Technology Center (MaST) during a specimen collection trip.
Typically, these trips are reserved for MaST employees. They are crucial to the center, as they allow them to diversify and reinforce their existing aquarium population.
Through every season, tide cycle, and rainy day the circle of life endures. If a whale dies, and washes up on your local shore, how do the powers that be preserve it?
According to four-time whale conservator and marine biologist Rus Higley, step one is simple. Higley runs Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST), as an educator he knew the power of having a local whale on display.
Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is more than just an aquarium with hundreds of species of native marine life, it is a view into the greater oceanic world around us.
Rus Higley, MaST’s director and knowledgeable caretaker, is a professor of marine biology. His work at the center allows all who enter a chance to have a deeper connection with these creatures living in the Puget Sound.
The decision to “demote” Pluto from planetary status back in 2006 caused a wave of disappointment and anger towards the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The backlash from this shows us the dangers of nostalgic thinking.
But why was Pluto no longer considered a planet, seemingly out of nowhere? It was not any sudden discoveries made, but rather a re-evaluation of an old term. At the time of Pluto being established as a planet, there wasn’t a clear definition of what a “planet” even was.
An outbreak of one of the most contagious diseases has occurred in Texas. With over 200 cases of measles and two deaths reported in multiple states at the time of writing, mostly among the unvaccinated, questions must be asked whether the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its newly appointed secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. will handle the outbreak appropriately.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can infect anyone but is especially dangerous for young children and pregnant people. It can be spread through coughing, sneezing, or breathing. The virus can stay on surfaces an infected person has come in contact with for up to two hours, causing a person with measles to infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated people they come into close contact with.
Bill Nye, known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year by then-President Joe Biden. Nye was honored for his line of work for decades in popularizing science and inspiring our future generations, encouraging their interest in the scientific world.
“Bill Nye has dedicated his life to inspiring young people to take an active interest in science,” President Biden stated during the ceremony on Jan. 4, 2025.
As winter wanes and flowers blossom, the familiar buzzing of the pollinators return to campus. The most important of them all: Bees. Often overlooked for their small size, bees play an integral role in maintaining food security within a global ecosystem.
Pollinators work by moving pollen from a stamen to a stigma; for instance, bees are responsible for pollinating the majority of the world’s leading crops, fruits, vegetables, and even nuts and seeds. Without bees the variety of our food supply would go down drastically.
Consumers across the United States are experiencing an egg shortage, raising prices beyond what many households can manage. This problem has been chiefly based on the severe outbreak of avian influenza which has reduced egg production, causing supply chain disruptions and rising feed costs.
Reports indicate that “the current outbreak has affected more than 30 million birds across 25 states,” leading to the culling of millions of hens to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, egg supplies have declined, and prices have increased.
Snow, rain, wind, and sun, all within an hour is enough to give the squirrels whiplash. However, there are clear scientific reasons behind these rapid changes.
Snowfall is one of the most unpredictable aspects of winter weather. One night, heavy snow blankets the ground, only for it to melt the next day, followed by another round of fresh snowfall. This constant fluctuation can be frustrating for those hoping for a stable winter landscape, especially in the Seattle area.
La Niña, a complex climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, interrupts normal weather patterns across the globe, and the Pacific Northwest is no exception.
La Niña came through the PNW late winter of last year and Washingtonians felt the impact of devastating winds and dangerous debris. In the months since, multiple news outlets have reported on the widespread damage to people and their homes, recounting the stress those affected have been put under.
Meta is making sweeping changes to moderation of their content with the goal of reducing political bias, however critics are pointing out their changes are going to accomplish the opposite.
After the controversial 2016 election of Donald Trump, there were concerns regarding whether Meta, at the time known as Facebook, was doing their part to prevent the spread of fake news after it was revealed Russia was using social media sites such as Facebook to spread misinformation around the election.
In the wake of the TikTok ban, a new app has emerged as one of the top downloaded apps across Google and Apple app stores, despite political fears of Chinese access to U.S. data. Rednote, known in China as Xiaohongshu, which translates to English as “Little Red Book,” calls into question the attitudes of American citizens in comparison with the Anti-Chinese actions of the new administration.
The U.S. government, under the backdrop of bipartisan apprehension about data security and foreign influence, has followed through on legislation calling for TikTok to either divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban.
Though the ban has come and gone, the whiplash may have rendered users and non-users alike confused as to what actually happened.
The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet, but we’ve only explored about 5%. Beneath the surface lies a mysterious, unexplored world scientists are just beginning to uncover.
The deep ocean, stretching beyond 200 meters, is a place of crushing pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete darkness—a perfect hiding spot for nature’s strangest creatures secrets.
In a fantastic moment for technology and art, Ai-Da, the world’s first lifelike robot artist, sold a painting for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
The artwork, “A.I. God,” is a portrait of British mathematician Alan Turing, known for his important work in computer science and breaking codes during World War II.
The healthcare system in many countries, particularly in the United States, is often criticized for being inefficient, expensive, and inaccessible. One of the primary reasons for the shortcomings of healthcare is the rising cost of medical services and treatments.
Healthcare in the U.S. is notoriously expensive, with prices for basic services like doctor visits, hospital stays, and medications far exceeding those in other developed nations.
Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, gained control of his body for the first time in January 2024 after undergoing a surgical implantation of “The Link”, a microchip, created by Elon Musk’s Neuralink Corp.
Now, as the technology degrades inside Arbaugh’s head, experts worry about decreased performance as the technology becomes rapidly outdated.
Laurinda Bellinger, an engineer working at Blue Origin, a leading aerospace company located in Bellevue, led the students of Highline in a seminar about the predictions of aerospace in the future, including what various industries would appear and continue to grow.
Bellinger came with informative visuals, comprehensive explanations, and allowed for an extensive Q&A at the end of the lecture.
The discussion of UFOs has recently focused on Guadalupe Island, a volcanic island that lies approximately 241 kilometers off the coast of Baja California.
Danny Sheehan, a Harvard lawyer and UFO disclosure advocate, suggests that this remote island might harbor an underwater alien base.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fashion industry, bringing significant changes to design, production, and consumer experiences.
By analyzing a large amount of data, AI enables designers to predict trends, create personalized recommendations, and streamline supply chains, leading to more efficient and responsive fashion businesses.
NASA has achieved a significant milestone in its quest to return humans to the Moon with the recent green light for the Artemis II mission.
Scheduled for launch in 2025, this ambitious mission aims to send astronauts on a historic journey around the Moon, marking a pivotal moment in NASA’s broader Artemis initiative.
Following the success of the Artemis I uncrewed flight test conducted last year, the Artemis II mission is poised to carry a crew of four on a 10-day voyage. The astronauts will orbit the Moon while testing critical systems that are essential for future lunar exploration.
Bringing scientific light onto a quiet class of organisms, HBO’s “The Last of Us” warned us of an impending epidemic by the apocalyptic fungus: Cordyceps. Zombies have been explained to us by the media as lingering electrical impulses in the brainstem (The Walking Dead), a virus that takes over and consumes the human body (World War Z), and most recently: mushrooms.
In the original 2013 action-adventure game, “The Last of Us” creatively avoided using the term zombie, opting for the term infected. It refers to a species of fungus, cordyceps, that infect a hosts’ brain and control them. When idle, infected lie still and allow the cordyceps to grow from them in an attempt to connect to other cordyceps.
For almost 16 years, Twitter stood as one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, but in October of 2022, a certain tech billionaire bought the platform and changed it forever.
Elon Musk needs little introduction in today’s day and age. CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and cofounder of PayPal and Neurolink, Musk is seen by many as a pioneer in the tech industry.
In a world where technology is changing the way we learn, Duolingo stands out as a shining example of innovation.
The app has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a language-learning experience that is not only effective but also incredibly engaging. With over 500 million users worldwide, Duolingo is transforming the way we approach learning new languages.
In recent years, the impact that technology has had in the field of education has been a major deal. Ranging from different online learning platforms, to apps and online classrooms that has made it more accessible for students and educators to learn anywhere they want – without being physically present in the classroom.
Technology has had its impact on students, teachers, and administrators from learning platforms, assessment strategy, and grading. It also produced fear of plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and downright cheating through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr. Eric Baer, a geologist serving as the Chair of Pure and Applied Science here at Highline College, led Highline students into the world of volcanoes, what makes them super, and what a disruption an eruption would cause at his Science Seminar hosted by the college earlier this month.
Baer has studied volcanology, the study of volcanoes, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before coming to Highline. He’s researched volcanoes, specifically supervolcanoes, across Japan and the United States.
On Oct. 8, in Stockholm, John Hopfield, of Princeton University, and Geoffrey Hinton, of the University of Toronto, were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Hopefield and Hinton “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.”
Two American astronauts, sent into space for an eight-day mission by a Boeing Starliner, have been stuck for months on the International Space Station (ISS), as their craft was deemed too risky to safely make the return trip home.
On June 7, 2024, Boeing, in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), launched the two American astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunni Williams, into space aboard Boeing’s ‘Starliner’ capsule. The mission: an eight day test of systems aboard Starliner, but this not-exactly-successful mission has turned into an eight-month detour around the planet for the pair.
With Artificial Intelligence (AI) evolving and becoming smarter, faster, and more integrated everyday, have you ever wondered if one day your job positioning might be at the risk of being replaced with AI resulting in you getting laid off?
In the article “AI Job Loss: Shocking Statistics Revealed” by Daniel L., he revealed that in 2023, 37% of companies that are using AI saw workers lose jobs. It is expected that in 2024 there will be another 44% expected more AI-related job cuts.
Stanford Medicine has published a groundbreaking study that highlights the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in skin cancer diagnosis.
Professor Eleni Linos, MD, leads the research, which illustrates how deep learning-powered AI can greatly improve the accuracy of skin cancer diagnoses, even for non-specialists, such as primary care physicians and medical students.
The search engine Google recently implemented an ‘AI Overview’ feature that is designed to summarize the search results of a user’s question. The AI Overview now pops up at the very top of the page with often unhelpful or factually incorrect information, replacing the typical links and data that used to make up this area.
Not only is the new feature distracting for many, the artificial intelligence has made a number of alarming mistakes during its debut month.
Pulling information from various sources on the internet means the AI is exposed to professional medical and news outlets, as well as user generated content on personal blogs, satirical websites, and social media.
From plants and animals to fungi and bacteria, biodiversity is the remarkable variety of life on earth. Through its many forms and interactions, biodiversity performs valuable functions that support life itself, including humans. But as human activity is increasing the planet’s damage, we also face the risk of imbalanced ecosystems.
Biodiversity is the most complex system on our planet, as it provides plants, animals and humans with our most vital resources. It’s the sole responsibility of why we are here, and without it, there may be no future for humanity.
The company Boston Dynamics is the leader in the creation of dexterous robotics on a global scale. Their robots are revolutionary. Their robots can navigate. They can lift heavy objects. They can jump. But most importantly, they can dance.
Their first viral robot would be Atlas. Atlas is a hydraulic robot that stands on its own two feet. Atlas is a robot that walks, jogs, and jumps. With these abilities, Atlas is about to maneuver around. The power of Atlas’s hydraulics allows them to lift and throw objects, even to places above it. Atlas has dexterity, agility, and strength.
Virtual YouTubers (VTubers) are internet personalities who usually represent themselves through digital avatars. These avatars are typically in the style of anime. There are many different anime art styles and so there are consequently just as many styles for avatars.
These avatars have a few different methods with how they move. Most common would be Live2D. The most accessible are PNG-tubers. The most complicated of them are the 3D models. The avatars are controlled through either camera or trackers. Each of these methods has their pros and cons, it mainly comes down to preference.
The internet is as vast as our oceans. The possibilities with the internet are endless. That means it’s susceptible to websites slipping through the gaps, primarily ones that aren’t so honest and legitimate. These websites lead to digital piracy. They host shows, movies, and premium content.
Digital piracy can be found in every corner of the internet quite easily if you know where to look. Of course, these websites aren’t supposed to be available, but in order to take them down, the original owners would need to go through a lengthy legal process. Even when they do get shut down, even more will pop up in their place.
Have you ever felt that your desk is a tad bland? Is your workspace feeling a little empty? Worry no more! Even your peripherals can be exciting, it doesn’t have to be black or white, instead it could be a rainbow. The possibilities are endless.
A desktop should be personalized to reflect you. Most people think about the inside of the computer, for its performance. It’s understandable you would want your computer to be fast and efficient. However, most people overlook the aspect of comfort. The furthest extent the average person would possess would be a wrist rest and a mouse pad.
It’s springtime! Most know it to be the season of bloom, however to a quarter of the population it is known as the season of gloom. A season surrounded by sneezes, runny noses, and itchy eyes.
The spring brings about flowers, trees, and fruit. On the other hand, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, known primarily by a quarter of the population, its seasonal allergies. It is also known as “hay fever” and “allergic rhinitis”. The main cause of the fever is pollen, specifically tree pollen which kicks into high gear every early spring.
We are living in a digital age. With applications like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and more, trends are constantly coming and going. Although the digital detox trend might be here to stay, as it has become an increasingly popular millennial movement.
A digital detox is no new treasured insight, at least not to Facebook users who in 2012 made a collective attempt to break free from the taunting notifications of the app for several weeks. Although this moment was named as “media refusal” or “social media rejectors,” it was nothing short of this modern day act of improving well-being.
Video games have existed for decades and have quickly become a source of entertainment for people of all ages across the globe. Unfortunately with popularity, comes an increased rise in commercialization. In the case of video games, this commercialization comes in the form of many things, but microtransactions are the most prevalent.
Microtransactions are small in-game purchases that give the player either cosmetics and/or other content like level up packages or, on rare occasions, loot. They cost actual money, and oftentimes use an in-game currency as a go between. (Note that I said small in-game purchases.)
A rare total solar eclipse captivated millions across North America on Monday, April 8. The celestial spectacle, which lasted just over two minutes in the path of totality, offered a breathtaking display of nature’s grandeur.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting its shadow onto our planet. There are three main types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular. Monday’s event was a total solar eclipse, the most dramatic of the three, occurring when the moon completely blocks the sun’s light.
In the modern era, our dependence on technology has transformed the very notion of privacy into a quaint relic of the past. With smartphones as constant companions, our lives are an open book, ready to be dissected and monetized by algorithms and corporations.
Take for instance, a daily bus commute where you’re surrounded by a sea of screens, each one a window into someone’s digital soul. It’s truly a sight, watching as people surrender their privacy with every tap and swipe, all in the name of connectivity and convenience. Who needs personal space when you have Wi-Fi, right?
Artificial intelligence has been taking over seemingly every corner of the internet and free market. Airlines, search engines, and marketing firms are adopting it, and it seems like every service has a new AI feature to advertise. For the average consumer, is any of this even useful?
AI itself has been mainly behind the scenes for decades, whether it be a computer player in a video game or an algorithm of any kind. Its recent boom in popularity, however, was due to OpenAI’s Chat-GPT releasing in November 2022. Recent advances like these began the AI boom as we know it.
Decades ago, the topic of global warming lacked attention regarding basic research, funding, and societal interest. Today, the issue is increasingly gaining more awareness, as its impacts on our environment are becoming more prominent through sea-level rise, disastrous storms, increased drought, and even loss of species worldwide.
This world renowned debate first took place in the late 1980’s, where the issue was perceived as something that wouldn’t impact us for generations. Well, that day has come, and its effects on us as humans are evident in these strangely warmer temperatures, rapid weather changes, and especially poverty and displacement.
Do you ever look up in wonder, interested to know about all that fills the sky? Well, if you were to be paying attention at the right time and place you may be dazzled by a show put on by a mysterious space traveler – a comet.
Comets travel through the depths of space while continuing to intrigue and inspire scientists and skywatchers alike. Have you ever looked up at night and seen what you thought was a shooting star, but that star and its tail didn’t fade? You were probably witnessing a comet, which at times can be seen slowly moving across the sky.
With new tech capabilities constantly on the rise, there’s little we can’t do without electricity, a wifi connection, and a few simple swipes of a finger. Technology has improved the way we live our lives in a myriad of way, yet we would be remiss to ignore the wealth of problems it has brought along with it.
Technology makes our lives easier as it allows us to stay uninterruptedly connected to the world around us. Yet, with its advancement continuously evolving, our engagement with our smartphones, laptops, fitness trackers, and other home devices is evolving as well.
Hey there Highline scholars, do you know how your body absorbs calcium, one of the important minerals for our bones? Calcium is a large mineral present in our body – it helps in strengthening bones and teeth. And although it is difficult to break it down through the digestive system, it plays a vital role in blood clotting.
Calcium bioavailability refers to the amount of calcium in a food or supplement that is absorbable and available for use by the body. It can vary depending on several factors, including the source of calcium and the other components present in the diet or supplement.
Metaverse 2, a virtual reality realm, offers a diverse experience allowing exploration of open worlds, participation in gaming challenges, and attendance at music concerts. Engage with a community building new worlds, make friends, and delve into endless possibilities and fun.
Let’s explore some features it provides without a gaming PC, followed by what unfolds. Within the metaverse, you can virtually travel to different states and countries, like an adventure in London, England, or the Bahamas provides a unique and immersive VR vacation.
News Briefs
Bob Ferguson, the governor of Washington, has recently confirmed his plan to ban cellphones across schools in Washington state. His plan would go into effect in September 2027, if approved.
On Monday, Sept. 28 2026, the Trump administration announced they had rolled back a Biden era policy that included LGBTQ people under the sex based discrimination policy Title IX.
The decision comes after years of the administration cracking down on LGBTQ related issues and creating policies to limit specific freedoms. For example, pretty quickly after taking office, 34-time felon Donald Trump signed an executive order barring openly transgender individuals from enlisting in the U.S. military.
The highly anticipated “Girls Like Girls” film is coming to theaters on June 19, in time for Pride month. It is an adaptation of the book “Girls Like Girls” by Hayley Kiyoko, originally based on her song of the same name.
Kiyoko was a cornerstone of queer media in the 2010s. She was one of the first lesbians in mainstream media during that era, and she was looked up to by many young queer girls.
The Academic Success Center would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to all ASC student employees who are graduating this year. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to supporting fellow students have made a lasting impact on our campus community.
As you celebrate this important milestone and begin the next chapter of your journey, we are incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished.
Highline will be hosting their third annual Lavender Graduation for the school’s queer graduates. This event is meant to uplift our LGBTQIA+ graduates at Highline by celebrating their unique accomplishments and identities.
The event is happening on June 11, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be located in Building 8 in Mt. Constance/Olympus.
The 58th annual “Arcturus” launches next week, celebrating creativity across the diverse Highline community. The literary journal puts together a variety of artistic submissions from students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Founded in 1968 by a group of Highline students, the mission of the publication is to uplift the Highline community by showcasing works of art that represent this diversity.
The “Arcturus” is having their release party next Wednesday, June 3, in Building 2.
After an outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship, a strain of the Hantavirus that can be passed from human to human has stirred up global concern. The sudden uprise in cases outside of Asia alongside a 40% fatality rate has many people scared.
Three King Country residents are currently being monitored by Public Health after having come in direct contact with confirmed carriers.
Former Highline President Dr. John R. Mosby passed away Monday surrounded by friends and family.
He served as Highline’s first Black president, navigating the community through a period of growth and significant challenges including a global pandemic health, racial equity initiatives, successful accreditations, and the implementation of CTClink.
Dr. Mosby served as Highline’s sixth president from July 2018 until Dec. 2025.
On International Workers’ Day, commonly commemorated as May Day, protests across Seattle and nationwide have laborers and activists rallied with a new purpose — fighting for workers rights, immigrant rights, and the end of the Trump administration that continues to strain the American working class.
Local demonstrations took place across Seattle neighborhoods. Most notably Capitol Hill, where labor rights coalitions and various Seattle-based political advocacy groups mobilized around Cal Anderson Park to South Lake Union. The Seattle demonstration saw speakers tie the inseparable connection between labor rights and immigrant advocacy.
Shots fired at the correspondent’s dinner sparks speculation that it was a premeditated hoax. On Saturday night, a man rushed past the security checkpoint where the dinner was being held, and it said that he was targeting President Donald Trump. This would be the third assassination attempt on Trump.
Several videos have been released from that night with the public thinking it was all a hoax possibly to win over the midterm elections coming up.
Construction continues around the new Kent-Des Moines Light Rail station, but this time, instead of on the Light Rail itself, the construction is focusing on new affordable housing units.
For anyone following this publication quarter to quarter, it’s no surprise that constant local construction is a reoccurring theme. The Kent-Des Moines Light Rail station just finished construction and opened to the public last December, while the new construction started on March 18.
The Q Center, in collaboration with the Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence, the Center for Leadership and Service, and the Public Speaking Center, presents The Laughter Lab — a queer-forward afternoon of snacks, comedy, and conversation featuring professional touring comedians from the Seattle area.
Join us for a live comedy show featuring comics Juno Men, Ricci Armani, and Jenna Nobs who you may have seen on NPR, The Moth, Just for Laughs, The Comedy Store, and the Seattle International Comedy Competition.
After a grueling debate at the Washington State Legislature, lasting more than 24-hours in the House and a landslide vote in the Senate, a proposed income tax bill, colloquially known as the “Millionaire’s Tax” has passed a major legislative milestone.
The bill aims at instituting the state’s first income tax to fund government services and, potentially, childcare. Most residents in Washington State are in support of the tax, but it is expected to drive out some of the wealthiest business owners.
Hollywood’s biggest night returns March 15 as the 98th Academy Awards take center stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The Oscars, formally known as the Academy Awards, honor the year’s best achievements in film. Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the awards recognize excellence in categories such as best picture, best director, best actor, and best actress, along with honors for screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and more.
People living in the United States and Europe immigrate for a multitude of reasons and always have. They could be fleeing conflict zones, they could be moving for financial reasons, or they could simply be exploring. Immigration is not only something humans have always done but it’s a normal thing for most living creatures to do. Birds migrate constantly for survival purposes and it is no different for us.
Here in the United States, immigration is one of the most hotly debated topics in modern politics. People immigrate worldwide all the time because it’s often a human necessity and simply a normal thing to do and yet, especially to the American right wing, it’s up there with the most important issues there is.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposal that prevents families with mixed immigration status from receiving federal housing assistance. Current HUD regulations dictate that mixed status households (meaning both eligible and ineligible to receive federal housing assistance) can receive assistance based on how many members of the household are eligible.
HUD’s proposal would limit the assistance to a temporary 30-day period, effectively barring mixed-status families completely from receiving said assistance.
President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second term earlier this week, facing his lowest approval rating and at a time when most Americans view the union as weak. SOTU addresses are typically a time for sitting presidents to tout accomplishments, discuss actions taken to fulfil campaign promises, and outline their agendas for the next two years in office.
Trump did not do any of those things. His campaign promises centered around making life affordable for everyday Americans who have eaten the cost of his unpredictable tariffs, yet Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s decision that the tariffs were unconstitutional. In his effort to consolidate power, Trump did not make any demands of Congress either.
The Mexican army killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed “El Mencho”, a cartel leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel during a military raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense said Oseguera Cervantes was severely injured during the shootout and died while being transferred to Mexico City. Six other cartel members were also killed, and two arrested. Additionally, three military officers were injured during the operation.
Highline College will be hosting an open town hall with state lawmakers this weekend. Legislative District 33 state Sen. Tina Orwall, Rep. Mia Gregerson, and Rep. Edwin Obras will be in attendance taking questions and engaging in conversations about important issues in our local region.
Taking place on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., it’s highly encouraged that all able members of the community attend town halls and other local events held by elected officials. Questions can be submitted ahead of time.
Valentine’s Day spending reached a record $29.1 billion in 2026, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), surpassing their projected spending estimate of $27.7 billion.
Although spending significantly increased, only 55% of American consumers participated in the holiday – budgeting around $199.78 on average for gifts. The top spending categories during the holiday were candy, flowers, and jewelry. Nearly every one of these Valentine’s Day products have gotten significantly more expensive in recent years.
The National Poetry Month Committee calls out for submissions to this year’s Highline College Poetry Contest! There’s been a reduced amount of submissions compared to last year, so odds are good for the various cash prizes given to the winner.
Send your poem(s) through the submission form by 4 p.m. on Feb. 20.
The 12 flag went up on Highline campus in anticipation of the Seahawks Super Bowl this Sunday. A few dozen students, staff, and faculty, all decked out in team spirit, showed up Thursday afternoon to watch Interim President Dr. Jamilyn Penn, raise the flag at the Veteran’s Plaza outside Building 6.
Following the recent unlawful murder of another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse for the department of veteran affairs, many associations from the University of Minnesota, Union De Vecinos, IFCO/Pastors Peace, and more have endorsed a nationwide shutdown. They are urging people to take a stand against ICE, this Friday Jan. 30.
This would mean no work, no school, no shopping for everyone causing an economic shutdown showing the government how much Americans and the American dollar is worth.
Oglala Sioux President Frank Star Comes Out condemned racial profiling done by ICE via a statement on Facebook, denouncing the treaty violation of four detained tribe members. One has since been released.
He’s urging citizens to carry tribal IDs as ICE operations continue. Star notes the detained men were living in a homeless encampment near the Little Earth Housing Complex in South Minneapolis.
Alarming new info has people thinking about the future of the United States and wondering if history is slowly repeating itself under this new administration. Vice President JD Vance states that ICE agents should have absolute immunity, and should be going door-to-door in search of victims.
As the quarter comes to a close and some students finish their Highline careers, the college is reduced to a limited operational capacity for the break, with some services available over the break. Many departments, like the Academic Success Center (ASC) say goodbye to valued students who supported their peers.
The ASC would like to recognize our graduating tutors, Emily Ortiz, for her contributions to this fall quarter. ASC Director Sheena Hendrix said, “Emily has been amazing to work with. She has consistently shown up for ASC leadership and our HC students. From tutoring, to tabling campus events. She’s done amazing work. While I’ll miss seeing her in the ASC, I’m excited to see her do great things.”
Two weeks from now, the second season of Amazon’s “Fallout” show drops its first episode. Releasing for streaming on Dec. 17, season 2 promises to be a fascinating and exciting romp through the ever popular New Vegas wasteland.
Unlike the previous season, the second season will be releasing one new episode every week until Feb. 8. With the returning main cast of Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten, and Moisés Arias alongside antagonist Kyle MacLachlan and guest star, Macaulay Culkin, season 2 looks even bigger and better than the last.
Over the weekend many of the Washington residents and neighboring states witnessed major rainfall, powerful winds, and power loss. As Halloween celebrations gear up, another atmospheric river is set to arrive.
A powerful atmospheric river brought rain, wind, and snow across western Washington, leaving thousands without power, claiming one life, and dumping snow in the Cascades. The precipitation was immediately followed by deadly winds on Saturday, with the strongest recorded at 77 MPH.
There is less than 24 hours until the world’s favorite showgirl releases her 12th studio album, “Life of a Showgirl.” Taylor Swift, along with producers Max Martin (“…Baby One More Time” and “Blank Space”) and Shellback (“So What” and “I Knew You Were Trouble”), created this album in between the European Eras Tour shows last year.
Former Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, released her book this past Tuesday titled “107 Days”, which recounts and reflects upon her presidential campaign, the shortest run in modern history. The book contains her notes, journal entries, and thoughts she had during those days, and more recent thoughts on current President Donald Trump’s actions since inauguration.
Are you graduating this year and part of the LGBTQIA+ community? Or maybe you’re an ally who wants to show support? Either way, you are invited to Highline College’s 2nd Annual Lavender Graduation!
It’s a special ceremony that honors LGBTQIA+ graduates and celebrates their achievements, resilience, and the unique paths they’ve taken through college.
Another successful spring quarter means another round of Highline’s foremost celebration of artists of nearly every discipline. The collected works of your community’s painters, poets, and writers are taking center stage this coming Monday, June 2 for Arcturus’s 2025 launch party, showcasing this year’s theme: impermanence.
Show support for the live readings of these spectacular submissions by stopping by the lunch (noon – 1:30 p.m.) or dinner (5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.) launch, both of which are open to the public.
Highline College will be hosting its very own “Highline’s Got Talent” next week – a fun, high-energy event celebrating student creativity and performance. Hosted by the Public Speaking Center, International Student Programs (ISP), and the Global Student Ambassadors, the show will highlight the diverse talents and cultural backgrounds that make up the Highline community.
Is your home cluttered with old paperwork or outdated electronics? BECU Tukwila Financial Center is holding their bi-annual Shred-it event next Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and this could be the week that you clear out all of your clutter!
The event (held at 12770 Gateway Drive in Tukwila) has been a hit the past few years with those who want to get rid of old tax paperwork, and their partnership with the Tukwila Food Bank and Northwest Center makes this effort a win-win.
Hundreds of Hands Off protests are going on this Saturday, April 5, at noon. There are at least forty protests going on in Washington state alone. The event has achieved a global reach, to cities outside the US including London, Madrid, and Zurich.
These protests were created to put a pause in the growing influence of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
Highline College’s core services have been going above and beyond to recruit students for their leadership team positions that specialize in a variety of skills.
Programs looking for new hires include the Associated Students of Highline College (ASHC), Inter-Cultural Center (ICC), Q-Center, and more.
Next week, the Thunderword editors Mavrie Durham and Liv Lyons will appear on the Students Perspective on AI panel. The event takes place March 12 at 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Building 8, Mt. Skokomish conference room.
“Are you curious about how Highline students are engaging with AI in their academic and personal lives? Join us for an insightful panel discussion where students share their firsthand experiences, perspectives, and aspirations related to AI,” the event description reads.
Fireside Bistro, the hit spot in Building 8 for all things warm and cozy to fresh and sweet, recently announced on their social media that they are hiring a barista for the spring quarter.
This student position involves collaborating with other workers to prepare drinks and food, as well as maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for all Thunderbirds. The Bistro can easily become one of the busiest spots to eat on campus, so applicants should be comfortable in a quick-paced environment and should take on any task.
Starting the year, winter storm Blair blasted into the Midwest before heading east to the coast. In only a few days, the storm brought in 8-12 inches of snow and in most areas, ice, along with multiple power outages. Blair is the first coast-to-coast snowstorm of 2025, hitting Kansas City, Mo., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.
Highline’s TRiO program is hosting their “De-stress and Reconnection” event today (Dec. 5) from noon to 2 p.m. in the TRiO center on the first floor of Building 6.
Game tables, art stations, and lunch will be provided.
Highline is hosting the Associated Students of Highline College 2024 Legislative Breakfast in Building 8, inside the Mt. Constance/Olympus room, on Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
This event provides an opportunity for members of Highline’s community to voice their questions, concerns, or their encountered challenges directly to local members of Washington State’s legislative branch over breakfast.
Thanksgiving is coming up, which means the season of stuffing has arrived! Highline College has TWO Friendsgiving events happening this week: MESA Potluck and Highline Clubs Friendsgiving.
This year on Oct. 31, a Halloween party called Witches’ Night Out will be held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., in Building 8 (first floor), for all members of the Highline community.
Various activities will be available for participation during the party, such as dances, games, cookie decorating, and tarot card readings.
Drag Bingo is being held tonight in the Student Union (Building 8) in the Mt. Townsend conference room, starting at 6 p.m. and hosted by Brandi Marxx from Tacoma. She promised an “unforgettable evening of Bingo, drag performances, and tunes.”
Is your home cluttered with old paperwork or outdated electronics?
BECU Tukwila Financial Center is holding their bi-annual shred-it event this Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and this could be the week that you clear out all of your clutter!
The Oddities & Curiosity Expo featuring all things creepy is coming to the state of Washington and will be held at the Seattle Convention Center. The expo is open to visitors of all ages from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.
This past week Israel has “defended” itself outside its borders by remotely detonating hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies used by militant group Hezbollah. The attack killed dozens and injured thousands more.
The conflict has escalated since, with Israel carrying out air-strikes and raids within Lebanon. Hezbollah has continued their own assault into northern Israel. The fighting continues as Israel wages another conflict in the south.
Registration for summer and fall quarter is now open to all Highline Students. Summer quarter is shorter, more faced paced as it stretches over eight weeks as compared to fall classes, which last 11 weeks.
Summer begins June 24 and ends with exams being Aug. 14 and 15.
For students wanting to receive financial aid for the summer quarter, a separate form is required to be completed as it is processed differently than the typical academic year (fall-spring). Students must ensure they register for classes first and then fill out the Summer Aid Request Form.
Have any need for a living fossil, Japanese folk art, or home brew equipment? Check out the West Seattle Community garage sale. Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 there will be a total of 520 different vendors offering their wares from a transformer dining table (at 7031 13th SW), to a human hair wig (being sold at 1722 SW Cloverdale).
Be sure to start right at 9 a.m. before all the good items are gone!
Is your home cluttered with old paperwork or outdated electronics? BECU Tukwila Financial Center is holding their bi-annual shred-it event this Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and this could be the week that you clear out all of your clutter!
The event (held at 12770 Gateway Drive in Tukwila) has been a hit the past few years with those who want to get rid of old tax paperwork, and their partnership with the Tukwila Food Bank and Northwest Center makes this effort a win-win.
Ah, Rome. The Eternal City, where every cobblestone tells a tale and every ruin whispers of ancient glory. Join me as we embark on a journey through the storied streets and timeless treasures of this legendary metropolis.
Our adventure begins in the mists of antiquity, where myth and history intertwine to tell the tale of Rome’s fabled origins. According to legend, the city was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin brothers who went on to establish a settlement on the banks of the Tiber River in 753 B.C.
Ah, dentistry, the art of making sure your pearly whites stay white… or at least not terrifyingly yellow. Believe it or not, folks, we’ve been obsessed with our chompers since the dawn of time. Picture it: 7000 B.C. You’ve got cavemen roaming around, grunting at each other, and what’s on their mind? Fixing that nagging toothache, of course!
So, our journey through the annals of dentistry begins in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, where even back then, they were saying, “Hey, my tooth hurts! Let’s jam a rock in there and see if that helps.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t. But hey, you gotta give them props for trying, right?
In 1970, the Iranian government wasn’t planning just any old party. No, they were gearing up for an epic bash to celebrate the remarkable 2,500-year history of the Persian Empire. They weren’t settling for mediocrity; they wanted a celebration that would make history itself raise an eyebrow.
It took them a whole year to plan a three-day extravaganza, spanning from Oct. 12 to 14, 1971. For this epic event, they did something that even Hercules would have second thoughts about – crafting a 70-meter-long (that’s a whopping 230 feet) table and a matching tablecloth big enough that it could double as a landing strip for small planes. But here’s the kicker: it took 150 women over half a year to sew that gigantic tablecloth. That’s dedication!
We are living in this crazy world where unfortunately everything’s digital, right? Well it turns out, like, 90% of all the data floating around out there was just born in the past couple of years. Yeah, you heard that right – two years! It’s like we’re all suddenly drowning in a tsunami of data, and nobody handed out life jackets.
So, you know how you’re scrolling through Instagram, liking pics of puppies and drooling over food porn? Well, congrats, my friend, you’re adding to that ginormous pile of data. And it’s not just us regular folks.
In a tale that could make even the most dedicated entomologist (people who study insects as a career) question their eyesight, researchers have embarked on a microscopic journey into the world of the Megaphragma mymaripenne wasp (also known as fairyfly) – the insect kingdom’s ultimate miniaturized marvel.
Clocking in at a barely-there 139 micron (smaller than some single-celled organisms), this diminutive parasite has scientists both marveling and squinting in disbelief. Armed with an electron microscope, they’ve zoomed in to the mysteries of its fairy-like physique.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature has produced the first global map of forest tree density and estimated that there are over three trillion trees worldwide. You read that right – trillion with a “T”. Researchers were clearly trying to one-up previous estimates of around 400 billion trees, which now seems paltry in comparison.
By collecting data from over 400,000 measurement plots in forests globally, the Yale researchers pulled off this feat of statistical one-upmanship. Their models estimate approximately 1.39 trillion trees exist in tropical and subtropical forests alone.
If you love high-end coffee, I’ve got the most expensive and the highest quality brew you can get – it’s called Kopi Luwak. It has a complex flavor profile that is smooth, earthy, and sweet, with a hint of chocolate. Its unique fermentation process gives it a distinct flavor that cannot be replicated.
Indonesia is the largest producer of Kopi Luwak coffee. Only around 1100 –1540 lb (500–700 kg) of Kopi Luwak is produced annually. Kopi Luwak can cost up to a whopping $100 per cup or $600 per pound, which is $500 more per pound than uranium (uranium is cheaper than I thought).
There can’t be too much of a good thing! The National Poetry Month Committee and Arcturus are operating at full steam in order to get students recognized.
National Poetry Month (deadline Feb. 9) and Arcturus (deadline Feb. 14) will be announcing their respective winners as National Poetry Month approaches, and there is still time to get involved!
Ah, the realm of currency, where greenbacks (money$$$$) reign supreme. But what about those forgotten denominations, tucked away in the annals of financial history? Unless you’re an avid collector or have a rich uncle, chances are you won’t stumble upon these pieces of history.
Let’s begin with the elusive $2 bill. It’s treated like a mythical creature when discovered. Newsflash: It’s not a unicorn, just a less common bill. But don’t expect to buy your morning coffee with it unless you enjoy perplexed looks from the barista. (The $2 bill is legal tender.)
New research has revealed that rats produce high-frequency giggles when tickled, adding to evidence that these rodents share some similarities with humans when it comes to expressing positive emotions. What an earth-shattering discovery – someone call the Nobel committee!
Scientists conducted experiments where they tickled juvenile rats while recording the ultrasonic vocalizations the animals made in response. They discovered that the rats consistently produced a unique set of high-pitched chirping sounds during the tickling that were distinct from other rat vocalizations. Apparently rats think being tickled is hilarious. Who knew?!
Constructed in 1936, Boeing Plant 2 in Seattle became the birthplace of iconic aircrafts, including the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-52 Stratofortress. In the bustling days of World War II, the plant decided to add an unconventional defense strategy.
Faced with the possibility of aerial attacks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opted for a less conventional approach. They turned the plant’s roof into a fake neighborhood, complete with plywood houses and streets. This imaginative defense tactic earned the nickname “Boeing Wonderland.”
The new year has started off with a change to the state’s minimum wage. The 2024 minimum wage went up 54 cents (a 3.4% increase from 2023). This change was needed because of the rise in the cost of living. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the new minimum wage has changed from $15.74 in 2023 to $16.28 in 2024.
In mid-September of each year, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries makes a cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage. This is based on the Federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage and Clerical Workers.
In a move that defies all logic and architectural norms, Lake Havasu City proudly stands as the guardian of the “genuine” London Bridge, which, by the way, came with a hefty price tag of $2.46 million back in 1971, equivalent to a jaw-dropping $16.6 million in today’s money. When you think of British landmarks, your mind naturally wanders to the sprawling deserts of Arizona.
But wait, there’s more! The total cost, including transportation and reconstruction, soared to an impressive $7 million in 1971 – a sum that translates to an eye-watering $47 million in today’s dollars. Nothing says fiscal responsibility like investing in a bridge that’s more than just a bridge; it’s a statement.
In a groundbreaking discovery that has left conspiracy theorists scratching their heads, scientists have confirmed that the Earth is indeed round. Yes, you read that right – round! Despite centuries of evidence, some individuals still clung to the idea that our planet was as flat as a pancake. But fear not, dear readers, for the truth has prevailed.
Ah, Scotland, the land of misty mountains, rolling hills, and, of course, the majestic and totally real national animal – the unicorn. Because when it comes to choosing a symbol of national pride, nothing says “we’re a serious and no-nonsense country” like a mythical, horned horse that prances around in fairy tales.
Picture this: deep in the heart of the Scottish highlands, where kilts are worn with pride and bagpipes serenade the haggis, a group of wise decision-makers gathers to select a creature worthy of representing the nation. Do they go for the fierce and iconic Scottish wildcat, a creature that actually exists and roams the rugged landscapes? Nah, too predictable. Let’s aim for the stars – or, in this case, the enchanted forests of fantasy.
The Kent Library System will be hosting an arts & craft afternoon at the Kent Library for teens, tweens, and adults. The event will take place on Dec. 13 from 3:00-4:30 p.m.
During the session there will be opportunities to try embroidery, drawing, collage, watercolor, fabric art, and more with all supplies provided.
In the riveting saga of Cold War cloak-and-dagger antics, there exists a gem of absurdity: Operation Acoustic Kitty. Hold on to your spy hats, folks, as we delve into the meowsterpiece that had intelligence agencies thinking, “What if our top agents had whiskers?”
Ah, the magnificent miscalculation of Swanson, a company owned by Conagra Brands, in 1953, where they boldly assumed the world was on the brink of a Thanksgiving turkey apocalypse, resulting in a poultry surplus of 260 tons. Because, clearly, nothing says holiday cheer like a freezer full of feathered friends.
Oh, the Brits and their undying love for tea! Forget about tanks being instruments of war; in the world of His Majesty’s military, they’re essentially oversized kettles on tracks, ready to brew a cuppa in the heat of battle. Because when life gives you explosions and chaos, what you really need is a good Earl Grey to calm the nerves.
Eternal Reefs, the company that decided that “sleeping with the fishes” should be taken literally, is making waves in the memorialization world with their offbeat approach to honoring the dearly departed. Instead of sticking to the same old burial or cremation routine, they’ve come up with the wild idea of transforming human remains into ocean reefs. Because who wouldn’t want to give fish a chance to socialize with your great-aunt Gertrude?
The annual Transfer Fair, held by International Student Programs, is coming to the Highline campus this Thursday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.
If you plan to transfer to a university, please attend the Transfer Fair in Building 8. This event welcomes all students, international and local.
Attending the International Transfer Fair is a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives of various universities and gain a better understanding of different application requirements, campus culture, and university programs.
Hold your horses, folks, because we’re about to dive into the wacky world of Horse Diving! We’re about to unveil a historical oddity that’ll have you saying, “You’ve gotta be hoofing kidding me!” Ever wondered what in the neigh-tion it is and how it works?
Saddle up as we gallop through the history of this gravity-defying spectacle that had riders jumping through hoops, quite literally, from heights of up to 40 feet.
In an unexpected twist, the elusive and enigmatic Carmen Sandiego has been sighted in Highline, sending the city into a frenzy of excitement and curiosity. But beware, citizens, for wherever Carmen goes, a whirlwind of intrigue and mystery follows.
Reports indicate that Carmen Sandiego was seen discreetly making her way through the bustling streets of Highline, leaving locals and authorities scratching their heads. What could possibly be her latest target, and what valuable treasure has she set her sights on this time?
Highline students can work out on campus in the Wellness Center, which has a full gym. The cardio and strength training equipment in the 3,000-square-foot gym includes: treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, variable resistance machines, free weights, and dumbbells.
Highline is inviting all students, families, and friends to learn about different ways to pay for college. The first “Paying for College Night” of the year will take place Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 4 – 6 p.m.
The night will begin with a presentation in Building 7, then transition to Building 30 to work on applications with guided help.
Oh, you’re a philosophy enthusiast, are you? Well, let’s be honest, at parties, philosophy can be the ultimate buzzkill. But while most folks are debating whether the latest TikTok trend is a cultural masterpiece or pure cringe, there’s one bloke who managed to make pondering life’s deepest questions seem more exciting than an episode of a reality TV show.
Delve into the ocean’s depths where the mysteries of the deep blue unfold! Prepare to meet the Turritopsis dohrnii, a jellyfish that laughs in the face of aging and mortality while we mere humans grapple with the relentless march of time.
Intriguingly known as the “Immortal Jellyfish,” this aquatic wonder possesses (why does POSSESSES have so MANY S’s?!?) a superpower that defies the laws of nature. But what sets it apart?
Is your home cluttered with old paperwork or outdated electronics? BECU Tukwila Financial Center is holding their bi-annual shred-it event this Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and this could be the week that you clear out all of your clutter!
The event (held at 12770 Gateway Drive in Tukwila) has been a hit the past few years with those who want to get rid of old tax paperwork, and their partnership with the Tukwila Food Bank and Northwest Center makes this effort a win-win.
Meet Juan Pujol García, aka “Garbo,” born Feb. 14, 1912, in Barcelona, Spain. He wasn’t some ordinary guy. What he was is the ultimate spy extraordinaire of World War II! Forget about your suave James Bond types, Garbo had a knack for turning ordinary information into mind-boggling tales that left the Axis powers scratching their heads.
Historically, Highline has always celebrated diversity on campus and this year is no different with the 13th annual LGBTQIA+ week. ‘’More Than Just Rainbows: Still here, Still Queer’’ will be a weeklong extravaganza full of free event sponsored by CCIE, CLS, LGBTIA+ Task Force and the Q Center.
There is something for everyone including film, arts, sports, and games. The highlight of the week will be the ‘’Bring Out Your Light,’’ blacklight dance party, featuring DJ Femmeboitoy. This week of events is something you won’t want to miss!
According to the Scotsman newspaper. In Scotland, they’ve apparently got 421 different ways to describe snow. Yeah, because who needs a simple, straightforward word like “snow” when you can turn it into a linguistic masterpiece?
Summer and fall quarter class registrations opened on May 18 for students that are currently enrolled, and as of May 22, summer and fall quarter registration has been opened for new and incoming students.
Tuition due dates for the summer and the fall quarter are June 12 and September 11, respectively. Make sure to check emails sent from the school to keep up with the registration and tuition dates and deadlines.
For more information on signing up for classes visit the Highline Dates and Deadlines webpage.
Highline is hosting Earth Week 2023 from April 17-22 with a weeklong series of events for students, faculty, and staff to take part in.
Faculty member Woody Moses said in an email that everyone is welcome, and by doing so, some students may find opportunities to improve their grade for a course at Highline.
“Bring your class! Bring yourself! Offer extra credit! We’ve got lots of great events! Come check them out!,” Moses said.
The events will consist of different hosts and various activities each day contributing to the message for that day.
Highline’s Computer Science Club will be hosting Highline Hacks, the club’s first hackathon of 2023.
The event will take place in Building 8 at Mt. Olympus on February 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Students can form groups of up to three people to solve coding prompts in any desired coding language. The prompts will vary in difficulty with the more difficult problems being worth more points.
Highline is hosting its 11th Annual Student Poetry Contest.
The deadline to submit your three poems and to register will be March 10 at 4 p.m.
Ten poems will be selected to earn a prize: the poem that makes first place will receive an award of $200; second place will receive $150; third place will receive $100; and seven poems will be chosen for an honorable mention prize and will receive $75.
Highline students that have expenses related to COVID-19 qualify for the COVID-19 financial relief fund for those that struggle to have enough money to pay off rent, food, tuition, books, or child care.
Each student who qualifies to receive money from this fund will receive a maximum of 1,000 dollars to cover their expenses and educational needs. Eligible students have received an email with the link to the application.
Libraries are well known for their quiet spaces and for study times, however on Tuesday, January 24, the Federal Way
Public library will be hosting a live Jazz and Jam session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
People of all ages are welcome to join, they encourage you to bring your own instrument, voice, or to be part of the audience to experience a live Jazz session.
Students at Highline may purchase Winter Quarter parking permits on campus or online.
Public safety said in a campus wide email that, for part-time students, permits will cost $29 while permits for full-time students will cost $46.
Clubs are up and running here at Highline, and you can learn more at the Winter Clubs Fair.
Anyone interested in joining clubs may attend, and it will be taking place on Jan. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Building 8 on the first floor conference rooms, Mt. Olympus and Mt. Constance.
Highline students may join the class ENGL 290 – Editing: The Arcturus, as the requirements will change winter quarter.
Arcturus is Highline’s literary and art magazine run by students.
“[The Arcturus] showcases the written and visual talents of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni. We are a student editorial team that brings a fresh concept to print each year in June,” the Arcturus website said.
Many families in the Highline community struggle with having food on their tables each and everyday. This can be especially true on holidays like Thanksgiving. However there are some local food banks to provide resources for these families this holiday season.
The Global Student Ambassadors are hosting a potluck on November 16, outside of building 8 in the Mt. Conference room beginning at 12 p.m. and ending at 1 p.m.
The event will showcase a variety of traditional foods and drinks that are well suited for this time of the season. It is a way of highlighting different cultures’ traditional foods and drinks.
The Black and Brown Male Summit is happening November 19, but registration for the event must be completed by November 11. Register for the event here.
The Black and Brown Male Summit is an event hosted by Black and brown men in building 8, on the Highline campus. There, the presenters will do their best to empower young men of color by showing them that they are valued, giving them self-worth so that they may succeed both in and out of school.
The Community of Des Moines is holding a “Trick or Treat Path” for the kids in the area.
Taking place in Marina View Drive South and 7th Ave S., all businesses that have pumpkins painted on the windows will be participating.
Students can get help on how to use Highline’s technology resources in a series of free classes this week on campus.
The sessions will be held the first two weeks of the fall quarter from Monday through Thursday from 9 to 9:45 a.m., 11 to 11:45 a.m., and 2 to 2:45 p.m. in Building 30 next to the help desk.
Highline wants students to fill out a survey about equity and the college’s mission.
The Equity First Strategic Planning Team is improving Highline’s mission, vision, and values statement.
The team currently has ideas but wants students to add what they think is missing.
Highline Benefits Hub is offering a scholarship.
The partnership of United Way of King County and contributions from the Nordstrom Family have a scholarship that provides basic needs for students.
Twenty students across 10 colleges will receive up to $5,000 per year for their basic needs (not academic costs).
Highline’s Running Start students can receive funding for Summer Quarter classes.
Highline is offering up to 15 college credits to new and current Running Start students, along with those who are interested in enrolling in professional-technical classes.
The funding will cover all tuition as well as textbooks, fees, and supplies if the student is enrolling in professional-technical classes.
Tuition is due June 13 for Summer Quarter.
You may pay all your tuition by the due date, but Highline also offers other options for payment.
Students may use third-party payment called Nelnet, and you can also pay with a third-party voucher, such as SEIU, Boeing, DSHS/DVR.
Academic Success Centers at Highline will continue to be open for students in the Summer
Quarter.
For the current quarter, the Academic Success Centers will be open until Wednesday, June 15. Tutoring at the center is provided either in person or online.
For the Summer Quarter, the tutoring center will reopen on Wednesday, June 29.
Opinion
“A Poet” is a film about men who confuse sensitivity with identity, about artists who transform pain into a personality, the desperate need for recognition, and a brutally contemporary question: What happens when the world only rewards what can be sold?
There are films about successful artists, geniuses, talent, and inspiration, and then there’s “A Poet”, a film that dares to show something far more uncomfortable. The failed artist is not the typical misunderstood genius romanticized by cinema, no, here we see something worse. We see a man who perhaps does possess the genuine sensitivity to be a true poet, but who avoids facing the world.
As far as book to film adaptations go, there isn’t necessarily a good rep with them. However the latest T.V. show based on the “Percy Jackson” books by Rick Riordan has absolutely raised the bar.
Now, if you are a fan of the series, you know very well that the original movies sucked. Not because they weren’t good or anything, but because they were nothing like the book, which was very sad for all of the people out there who love the books.
State lawmakers passed a concerning budget cutting $14 million from the state’s Running Start program. This would first cut the ability for students to take classes over the summer quarter and it would also limit the number of credits that students can take each quarter.
These cuts will make it significantly harder for students to graduate with their associate degree at the same time as receiving their high school diploma.
Pride collections are something that corporations come out with every June, ranging from queer apparel to rainbow cat toys (yes, Target, I’m looking at you). The real question is, is it really necessary?
Some people find the Pride collections to be ways to show who they are, unapologetic and loud. Others find it as a way for corporations to earn more money. While both are valid points, I personally am one of the ones who loves to show off my identity through clothing, loud and proud.
Communism in America has lost its meaning and turned into a useless buzzword used to insult people and politicians.
My gripe specifically is the way people are misusing the word communism. It has become a buzzword, which is an overused word or phrase that is often misused or has lost its meaning entirely. This is a phenomenon that primarily happens on social media.
We live in a culture that celebrates pride. Pride in where we come from, in what we’ve achieved, in who we are. It is woven into the language of social movements, graduation speeches, and everyday conversation.
But it’s worth pausing to ask: How much of this pride is genuine? What does it actually do, and does it serve us as well as we assume?
“The Amazing Digital Circus” (TADC) is coming to an end in June, with the last episode airing in theaters on the fourth. The story is based off of Harlen Ellison’s “I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream”, which, if you’ve read the short story, makes TADC make a lot more sense, but also makes it more disturbing.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to put on a VR headset and get sucked into a bright and fun digital world, where you can’t die, but you also can’t take the headset off? You’d be trapped in this world with other humans who have put on their own headsets. No? Yeah, me neither. But if you want to experience this, I suggest “TADC”.
Be the first to watch a brand new movie before it officially comes out in theaters. Yes, you read that right, AMC shows “a never-before-seen movie at a discounted price.” With no hints of what movie you will be seeing leading up to the showing, it remains a complete mystery.
The only clue? The rating and length of the movie. Sometimes they even show Unseen Scream movies, if you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping with a mystery scary movie.
Chappell Roan, a pop star from Willard, Mo., has dedicated her career to creating a queer space built on love and safety. She grew up in an environment where she felt loved but didn’t get to experiment with being herself until she moved out. Her platform now allows other people to see themselves in a form of media that often doesn’t often represent them.
She has now become the name on anyone who’s interested in pop culture’s lips, and found herself in the center of another controversy, this time in Brazil. This current controversy involves a security officer and a fan. In her short two years in the spotlight, Roan is still going strong despite people claiming her 15 minutes of fame are over. This Brazil incident is just another controversy marking Roan’s time in the public eye.
A U.S. district judge ruled on March 31 that the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) must provide the Trump administration with a list of Jewish students and faculty. This subpoena, which was submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), was framed as a way to combat antisemitism.
Penn has appealed the subpoena, and a spokesperson representing the university raised concerns about the decision.
Everyone has a favorite show, or at least a ranking of their top five. But lately, there have been a slew of “fans” mischaracterizing and misrepresenting characters they claim to love. These “fake fans” are referred to as larpers or larps. Larpers are annoying fanbases across media by claiming to have watched a show they deem their favorite, but under scrutiny, their opinions are baseless and wrong.
Emerging “No Kings” protests have exposed the lack of education on the oppressive structures that have impacted working class Americans, and the ineffectiveness of a protest when it doesn’t function in accordance with working class interests.
Likewise, a mass mobilization of people provides an opportunity for effective organization; even if the protests themselves don’t. We need to show up, and build unity by doing so. But when we do show up, we need to organize.
Hungary has election day approaching on April 12, but the results are practically predetermined. The far-right incumbent, Viktor Orbán, is facing Péter Magyar in the race for which political party will hold the majority and, therefore, determine the Prime Minister. Orbán has been in power since 2010 and has since drastically changed Hungary’s electoral system in ways that make his victory much more likely.
Although Orbán’s Fidesz party is currently trailing in the polls pretty dramatically in comparison to Magyar’s Tisza party, there is still a decent possibility that the way he has skewed the electoral system could still lead to a victory for his party. For this reason, Hungary is often deemed as having “free, but not fair elections.”
Animated movies nowadays are criminally underrated, whether they were released during COVID and have not gotten enough love, or people brand them as “childish” and do not give them a chance. But animation is a wide genre, and although some movies are seen as “corny and immature,” there is adult animation, well-done animated movies, and just enjoyable movies overall to see with friends.
Have you ever tried to ask your friends to watch an animated movie and then ended up feeling childish? Or have you thought that an animated movie could not possibly be very scary or realistic, seeing as it is only a cartoon? Or are you even one of those darned people who think animation is just for kids? Well if so, I hope I can comfort your love for animation, or open your mind to its joys.
In a long list of classics, when you get to horror, the movie that most everyone knows by name is “Scream”. Along with that, everyone has their own opinion on how good the movies are, if it is even considered a classic, or if it’s worth your while. So while I can’t tell you if you should go watch the latest film, I can tell you what I thought of it.
As many long-time “Scream” fans know, the latest movie in the franchise came out on Feb. 27. Supposedly it will be the last movie in the series, but who knows? There was a lot of preemptive guessing of who the directors and writers were going to bring back – the main one being Stu Macher, one of the original Ghostface killers from the first film.
On Feb. 10, the Federal Way City Council held a meeting where members voted on removing the then City Council President, Martin Moore, from his position as president due to concerns regarding misuse of platform and partisanship.
This vote occurred in the wake of a FaceBook post Moore made with comments regarding student walkouts in Federal Way. While this vote is painted as being presented with partisanship in mind, the subliminal messaging here is alarming.
Queerbaiting is the notion that media, more specifically the creators of said media, can capitalize off their audience by including or hinting at queer storylines, but never fully or explicitly depicting them. In turn, disservicing the story that the fans have invested in. Often done as a marketing technique, it’s conclusively false advertising.
Throughout the course of the “Stranger Things” season five press junket, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have proven their capacity for it.
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents are detaining more people than ever before in the United States – and I can’t stop wondering how many families must be broken before we decide it has gone too far.
I am used to seeing immigration enforcement reduced to headlines and statistics: Thousands detained, facilities overcrowded, rules tightened. Those figures dominate headlines and briefings. But they flatten a reality that is deeply human.
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse for the Minneapolis Veterans, was forced to his knees, beaten, disarmed, and executed early on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis by masked federal border patrol agents.
Unfortunately, it’s not even surprising. Not even a month before Pretti was killed, on Jan. 7, ICE agent Johnathan Ross shot Renee Good in the head after she attempted to flee from officers in her car. Federal officials immediately defended Ross’ actions claiming that he had acted in self defense and helped him flee the state with his wife. A gofundme page was created for the officer raising more than $750,000 so far.
What the Welfare Fraud Reveals About Laissez-Faire: A Mandevillian Response to the Wall Street Journal
A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece, “Minnesota’s Fraud Problem Isn’t Immigrants”, examines Minnesota’s welfare fraud scandal and warns against reducing it to a narrative about bad actors or suspect communities. Instead, it emphasizes failures of oversight and political accountability. That caution is important, but incomplete.
President Donald Trump has a history of lashing out at the press, particularly when approached about his long-time friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, and a camera to catch it all doesn’t stop his temper. While he may be the laughing stock of America, will his temper make him crack, or will he lash out in more violent ways?
It’s not common that I have met someone who has heard of Sophie Scholl and her part in the White Rose resistance group. Until recently, I knew close to nothing about how the White Rose group resisted, but upon learning about Scholl and her peers, it seems there is a lot to be learned that can be applied to our modern-day heightened political environment.
Scholl and her peers should be included in every history curriculum.
Federal Way High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a school-wide assembly back in October, which sparked controversy when an outraged parent informed a local conservative media outlet about their “concerns”.
The content that sparked controversy was an AI-generated video that challenged the idea of what it means to be “illegal”. The video showed the perspectives of indigenous peoples from Latin American countries sharing that if they are indigenous, how can people call them illegal? Can you really consider anyone to be illegal when we live on stolen land?
EA announced that it would be going private in a buyout deal with Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners investment firm back in late September. To all my fellow Bioware fans, this news has been a devastating blow. For the unfamiliar, Bioware is owned by EA, a video game publishing company from the US.
In brass tacks, Saudi Arabia now owns EA and by proxy, Bioware through a buyout deal that converted EA from a public company that works to keep its investor happy with an ever expanding income, to one that focuses on project sales alone. This sounds like a positive on its own, but these projects will be largely supervised by Saudi Arabia.
“Destiny” is a franchise I’ve been playing since the beginning. Enthralled by the amazing visuals, action packed gameplay, and outstanding abilities, I fell in love with “Destiny” and it quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. Then, “Destiny 2” came out and blew the first game away.
In the “Destiny” community, longtime players are called “veterans,” which isn’t surprising since it’s a shooter. I fit the bill, but the community gets so obsessed with the term that I stopped caring about it all together. Who cares how long you’ve played? I’ve met longtime players who were terrible teammates and had no clue what they were doing.
When I first heard that Amazon was cutting 14,000 corporate jobs because of artificial intelligence, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock and concern. To then find out that about 2,300 cuts were in Seattle alone, according to the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) website, was just further disappointment.
I couldn’t help but wonder: Where does that leave the rest of us?
It’s only the first year of Trump’s second presidency, and it’s already proven to be an exhausting and brutal one. First the Trump administration impulsively renamed the Gulf of Mexico (only in the States at least), then they began sending the National Guard to attack “terrorist Antifa holdouts” in states considered highly left-leaning.
Now, the official White House twitter account is calling immigrants alien monsters. Yes, you read that right.
Young teens were exploited. They were trafficked, used, and discarded. This isn’t a rumor or a conspiracy, these are facts. So I ask: does Congress really care? Do the courts? Do the politicians, the CEOs, the celebrities, the royals, the financiers – do any of them believe the rules apply to them?
Whether you’re far on one side or far on the other, it feels like we’re living in the multiverse. Let’s talk about Epstein’s friends, shall we?
Growing up, I looked forward to Saturday nights. Even at an age where half of the jokes went over my head, “Saturday Night Live” was an important part of my weekly routine. When the pandemic hit, it became a weekly lifeline, providing a bit of relief in times of political polarization and widespread misinformation.
Last Saturday, “Saturday Night Live” returned after a summer-long break. While the cold open addressed Trump and mocked his criticism of late-night television, the rest of the episode hardly mentioned him at all, a stark contrast to past seasons. After recent pressure from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, which led to a temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, I can’t help but think that this is no coincidence.
Jeffery Epstein. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that name is known worldwide for infamous reasons. Epstein’s crimes run deep and they are horrific, to put it mildly. I will spare the details as they’re honestly depressing, but I won’t be holding back on my criticism either. Jeffery Epstein was a prolific criminal and committed outright disgusting and heinous acts.
After his indictment, Epstein went to prison and supposedly died by suicide. Regardless of whether that’s true or not, Epstein’s death caused a major commotion. With the man dead, no amount of interrogation could get the truth out of him. A dead man tells no tales after all. However, word of the “Epstein files” spread like a wildfire, and Trump was caught in the middle.
Fyre Festival was the 2017 event that promised to end all the others – a promise made by Billy McFarland. Promoted by the extremely successful advertising campaign with some of the most famous supermodels at the time, everyone was hooked, money was flowing into the project and word was spreading like wildfire.
For the past nine months, I along with the other stewards have stood before the Highline College Board of Trustees, representing the voices of classified staff—workers who are essential to the daily operations of our campus but too often invisible when it comes to meaningful recognition or compensation.
I approached the Board in good faith, believing that if they heard our stories, our needs, our hope for equitable treatment, they would act. That faith has been deeply shaken.
Everyone’s felt nostalgia before. It’s a natural human feeling that we can’t control, and why would you? What’s wrong with feeling nostalgic over a beloved event from the past? Nothing really, but what if we’re not actually nostalgic? What if it’s just being forced on through subtle messaging and branding?
There’s no reason to act like this is a strange possibility, it’s an objective truth that nostalgia is being used to advertise products. The problem is it’s being used so often that it loops around to just being exhausting. There are so many beloved series and franchises that have been remade over and over so many times that fans fear when their favorite will be done next.
The Ukrainian president approached the White House with a wide smile and reached out his hand. “You’re all dressed up today.” The U.S. president said as he shook the Ukrainians hand. “Oh yes… How are you Mr. President?” “He’s all dressed up today. ” The U.S. president continued, turning to the press with a smile as he rests his hand on the Ukrainian president’s back.
The two were here to sign the minerals deal. As mentioned in Chapter I, the minerals deal was a declaration of cooperation between the United States and Ukraine, by creating a fund in which both countries could invest and profit from the rare earth minerals found in Ukraine. More importantly, this meeting was to continue the positive relationship between Ukraine and America. Which, under President Biden, funded nearly half the effort towards Ukraine’s existential war.
The Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, has always been an invisible string throughout my life.
When I was five years old, my grandmother passed away. Some of my last memories of her were in the hospital watching “Downton Abbey.” “Downton Abbey” became a source of comfort for my grandmother, for my mom, and me as we sat with her in the room. To this day, my mom and I will rewatch it, and every time, memories of my grandma come flooding in, even though I knew her for a short time.
Lately, I have been waking up with an uncertainty about my own safety – one that I haven’t felt since the first time I heard the phrase “Run, la migra”.
I was only seven years old, and I thought “la migra” was some predatory animal I should have been afraid of. Eventually, I learned it was my own government.
I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid. I am afraid.
According to President Donald Trump, “a lot of people” want him to run for a third term, but I’m not so sure.
Now, we are just past the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, and he’s already musing about the possibility of running for a third term, a statement that directly conflicts with the 22nd Amendment, which states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Once again, AI has intruded on the great works of the artists it shamelessly steals from. Regardless of AI’s usefulness in important fields like medicine, cybersecurity, etc., taking someone’s art and mass producing it is insulting.
It would be one thing if AI was merely a prompt generator to inspire artists and it sourced images ethically, but it doesn’t. It scours the internet and hijacks art from unsuspecting artists. It’s integral to mention AI is not to blame for this situation, the users and creators are at fault.
President Donald Trump has been testing the idea of running for a third presidential term, which is both the natural next step in the nation’s path to fascism and antithetical to the U.S. Constitution. The government’s behavior is decaying, and the sarcasm and irreverence we’ve allowed from them is actively disconnecting us from the country we could be. It will take the embrace of conviction and earnestness to quell American fascism.
Trump’s irreverence to those around him is now a mainstay on the political stage, and arguably the reason his opponents cannot simply scold him into submission. But while irony is a staple in American media, we must reckon with how we have suffered from allowing people to puppet irreverence from such lucrative positions
Another day, another fascist administration in office. It’s only April, and it feels like we’re halfway through the year already.
The outlandish claims and power plays have begun in force, and people are already losing track of what’s going on. Pay attention though, that’s a tactic from the “How to Be a Fascist For Dummies” playbook.
While on the campaign trail, United States President Donald Trump made it his mission to end the ongoing war in Ukraine and establish peace in the region. It was unclear exactly how he would be able to do this, but potentially, with his experience of cooling down relations with North Korea to the point of being the first U.S. president to ever enter the country, or maybe his famous ability to ‘make a deal’, maybe he is the president that could end this war.
It’s not a controversial statement, but most college students aren’t particularly wealthy. After all, college, like most things, isn’t cheap. Now it can be argued up and down that college should be federally or state funded, but that’s its own beast. This would be a smaller issue if things weren’t so overpriced.
Has anyone noticed that everything around us is competing for the world record of most overpriced goods or services ever? Someone contact Guinness World Records, we need a new plaque, stat. In all seriousness, there are some ridiculous price tags out there right now.
Once again, Trump is in office and he’s already begun with his insane decisions that leave many of us sane people confused. One such change is the attempt to buy and claim Greenland as an American territory. Yes, you read that right.
Another claim he’s made, and this is one his cabinet of sycophants has been defending fiercely despite its ridiculousness, is that the Gulf of Mexico should be named the “Gulf of America”. An interesting claim, despite the fact that the US doesn’t even solely own the body of water.
In the late morning hours of Jan. 18, 2025, a few thousand protesters gathered in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park for the purpose of marching through Seattle to show (in their own words) “a powerful call to action for those ready to make a difference.”
It was quite foggy out as I was riding the light rail up to make it to the march. I had no idea what to expect. The dates of when the ‘official’ event was going to be held was shaky at best. Some dates said ‘day of inauguration’ while this one was scheduled on the 18th. Turnout was hard to predict as well. I didn’t get the memo of Jan. 18, and the only way I found out was by personally looking into it and even then, I was given mixed signals.
Needless to say, Kanye West has had an eventful February – but for all the wrong reasons. His blatant racism, misogyny, and antisemitism hasn’t been uncommon but has only grown more concerning by the year and has sparked an even bigger debate after he walked the Grammys red carpet with his wife visibly nude.
With all he’s done, it’s shocking he still has a platform. Can we expect him to face any real repercussions? To me, it’s clear that the notorious loyalty of his fans make these controversies nothing but publicity for his summer 2025 album. But what exactly causes this attachment especially in the music industry?
Animation is a long and storied medium of art with a fanbase that grows ever larger. From the legendary “Chowder” and the “Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack”, to the newer yet already beloved “Owl House” and “Amphibia”, animation has touched the hearts of many. So why do they get so little respect?
Unfortunately, executives see animation as one thing only, cartoons made for kids.
Us humans love animals. We cherish them for their importance to our world and the joy they bring to their lives. We understand their lives to be as fragile as ours and seek to protect them when possible. However, it seems when a vegan shows a deep care for animal life, our view on animal rights seems to shift in some weird and ugly ways.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a non profit animal rights organization that has become one of the most controversial activist groups today. Having been around since 1980, PETA has done a lot of advocacy for animal rights and have racked up quite a repertoire of controversies that people use as reasons for their dislike of PETA.
When I was 11 years old, myself, my closest cousin, our grandmother, and her mother all lined up outside Martha Berry Square Mall at 3:30 a.m. to catch the Justice 75% off sale the company was holding. The entire store, whole outfits, and all the sequins we could dream of for a few dollars apiece.
This year, I stayed in. I didn’t go shopping, avoided any plazas, and kept my wallet closed. Cyber Monday came and went, and yet not a dollar was spent. That’s because the Black Friday I remember does not exist anymore.
TV has been around so long that it’s old enough to be a millennial’s grandparent, yet it still remains the subject of such divisive topics like racism, misogyny, and classism.
Of course movies and shows of all kinds willingly delve into those topics, so it’s no surprise that they attract all sorts of opinions.
With “Dragon Age Veilguard’s” release a few days ago, the gaming community has been quite hostile. After nearly a decade, the game is finally out, but it hasn’t completely lived up to the hype. This is fine, as expectations were ridiculously high. What’s most important is that it has been well received. Despite the doom and gloom mindsets prerelease, “Dragon Age” made it.
You would think that this would be cause for celebration, but the gaming community is anything but positive about anything anymore. All the life in the community is being sucked out by “grifters” who continue to find new ways to complain about positive representations of people of color, and LGBTQ+ people.
Cartoons are a wonderful genre of art that can teach valuable lessons while keeping viewers entertained, but what happens when they lack depth or morals to learn from? Kids cartoons have always walked a fine line of being educational and fun, and sometimes they fail. This isn’t the end of the world as there’s nothing wrong with mindless fun, but there should be moderation.
This has led to discourse for years over whether or not kids should watch cartoons that are often mindless and prone to visual overload. Still, these are sometimes dismissed as nostalgia-blind arguments complaining about the new generations’ toys. While this is true sometimes, there is still legitimate concern over newer cartoons.
In this day and age, electronics are everywhere, and most of them are portable. We’re at a time when even our video game consoles can surf the internet with ease. It’s incredible, but it’s also overwhelming and sometimes dangerous, especially in the hands of kids.
One such danger is content farms. For the uninitiated, a content farm is a channel dedicated to mass-producing low-effort content to force engagement numbers. While content farms are terrible, they’re not the main focus of this article.
If you’ve been on YouTube for longer than ten seconds, you probably know what content farming is. For those unfamiliar, however, content farming is the practice of generating as much content as possible to force engagement and increase viewership. For example, a YouTuber uploading shorts every few hours for days on end.
Content farming is the latest fad for greedy “content creators” to garner more views to get money.
Renowned pop artist Chappell Roan has received drastic responses to her criticism of the U.S. government recently, with countless people either supporting or decrying her hesitancy to endorse a candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The conversation has now evolved slightly beyond her own position, but it does tell us plenty about our relationship with celebrities and what we believe their social responsibilities need to be.
Per the headline: taking the bus kind of sucks. Well, to be more accurate, using public transportation in Washington is awful. It’s inconsistent, it’s way less organized than in places like New York or Washington D.C. for example, and it can even be confusing. Missing a bus always sucks, but here it’s quite unforgiving.
“This first time I used public transit when visiting Seattle, I got lost and had to call my sister-in-law while she was at work so she could walk me through how to get to her apartment,” said an anonymous Highline student about their experience.
In 1890, while living the life of a luxurious and infamous playwright, Oscar Wilde compiled all his imaginatives on hedonism, temptation, and human nature into a blood-driven, sex-filled young man he most definitely saw himself in, Dorian Gray.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” remains Wilde’s only novel, first published in a monthly magazine. Wilde wrote a few versions of the story, censored and edited by his publishers, but an artists’ work is always a reflection of the artist.
It’s that time of year again! So begins another fall quarter, and with it, an array of new experiences. While excitement is in the air, it’s accompanied by all sorts of fears. There are so many new people joining Highline at this time of year and that means change. Change is great, but it can be scary. If you have doubts, what should you do?
Coming soon to a heater near you: Trailers that either tell you the entire plot of the movie or absolutely nothing at all. No doubt this is a familiar sentiment that has only grown in the last few years. At some point, trailers took a nosedive in quality, and now all we have left are trailers that spoil everything about a movie or series, or ones that are beyond vague.
Think back to the last trailer that gave you an idea of what the movie was about without showcasing all the twists and turns and ruining what makes them so impactful before you even see the thing it’s advertising.
Many anime fans can find it awkward talking about the genre due to some of its more toxic fans. Places like the main anime subreddit, r/Anime, often shows droves of users ranting about censorship of sexual content at every turn, even if it’s merely reducing the visibility of a female character’s undergarments.
Often it’s difficult for a more relaxed or “casual” fan to speak about it with others because of the large amount of overtly inappropriate content that somehow permeates almost every anime out there.
Disclaimer: Please consider where you are mentally and emotionally right now. The following article addresses and elaborates on the subject of abortion, sexual assault, and death.
Our campus received a visit from a group of men this past week. They brought with them enlarged photos of fetuses in an attempt to spread their belief that abortion is wrong, and nobody should have access to safe reproductive healthcare.
It is clear to me that they did not come to fight for a woman’s right to choose to see her pregnancy to term. Women already have that right, and nobody has tried to take it away. Instead, they came here to prevent women from ever having that choice.
Dakota Johnson stars as the subtly-named Cassandra Webb in Sony’s newest attempt at money laundering: “Madame Web”. Boasting a 3.8 out of 10 stars on IMDb, a 13% critic rating, and 55% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Madame Web” is, in my opinion, actually not a bad movie – but perhaps the greatest Pepsi commercial ever made.
While product placement is a common aspect in film, especially modern film, “Madame Web” seems to hint at Spiderman characters as side plots to a larger, expanded “Pepsi Cinematic Universe” (PCU), which I personally find inspiring.
Even the climax of “Madame Web” is atop a giant Pepsi sign, wherein one of the letters falls off and crushes the villain, almost suggesting that the hero all along was Pepsi Cola, with some assistance from strong independent women.
Taylor Swift is the talk of the town these days. Which town? Well, all of them really. The music icon continues to dazzle and delight while on the top of the world. Although she’s seen almost two decades of success and a plethora of awards, she may have just concluded one of the best weeks imaginable.
Between the previous Sunday (the Grammys) and last Sunday (the Superbowl), the “Fearless” singer won a record-breaking fourth Album of the Year Grammy, announced the release of her 11th album, completed an international leg of her iconic Eras Tour to a sold-out crowd in Japan, oh, and she made it back to Las Vegas in time to watch her famous, arguably the best-there’s-ever-been tight-end boyfriend win the Super Bowl. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Is cash really the best thing to donate? How used can my used clothes be? Exactly how do I get a tax write-off for this? If you’ve ever considered donating to a charity, you have most likely gone through a thought process similar to this.
Before we can get into the specifics, let’s start with the first question you will encounter: Which charity do I pick? Are there bad ones?
If you’re curious about getting your first tattoo and you feel unsure about getting it done, know that it is okay to feel that way. Tattoos should take a lot of consideration, being that they are a permanent thing, and they are quite the lengthy process to get done. From fellow Highline students themselves, this article will share some advice from fellow Highline students on how their experiences went and what their opinions are on tattoos.
Former Highline student, Niko Manjares, has a whole forearm tattoo of a foo lion and a tiger for his first tattoo done by the artist James Dixon (@jamesdixon42 on Instagram). Tattoos take a lot of time to get done to ensure the quality of the art piece and the care taken to do it. Niko had to have two sessions – both two and a half hours each to get his forearm done.
The long-fought war between dog and cat lovers is still ongoing. Dog people claim dogs as “man’s best friend”, while cat lovers claim loving cats requires a certain appreciation for individual autonomy. While these paradigms are a couple ways to look at the issue, there is also the extroverted dog versus introverted cat debate. Regardless, all animal lovers can agree that animals improve our lives.
According to Forbes, 66% of households own pets, and of those 66%, 46.5 million households have cats. While dogs beat them out for the majority, 46.5 million is no small number.
With the change of the seasons in motion, people are split on how to feel about the cooler and darker months. While many people struggle with this time of the year, particularly with Seasonal Affective Disorder, there are plenty of others who revel in the chilly nights and overcast days.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects an estimated 5% of (roughly 10 million) Americans a year according to Psychiatry.org. Women are four times as likely as men to receive this diagnosis. SAD is the result of the severe change in our environmental landscape during the fall and winter months, it lasts for about 40% of the year. Due to the time change our nights are longer and our days shorter, and in Washington we are headed into our rainy season which may seem almost endless.
When I ask my students when the next election is, frequently they will say “November 2024” or whichever presidential year is coming up next.
In fact there is an election every year. Odd-numbered years feature local races such as school boards, city councils and utility districts. Who fills these seats likely will have a larger impact on your immediate life than who the president is, but these elections have the lowest turnout of the four-year election cycle.
It’s worth noting that recently Democrats in King County got voters to approve moving county elections to even-numbered years, in line with the rest of the state. They hope it will increase voter turnout.
The journey of attending college will be different for each individual. Who you are is a big part of the path you will take.
Some people like to be straightforward–follow the classes set forth by an advisor to complete, or transfer to complete, your degree. Others will browse the catalog, pulled in by their personal interests, and try to find ways to angle those interests into their studies without derailing their timeline.
Reading books may improve both your physical and mental health with benefits that can last for a lifetime. It also may strengthen our mind and body for the better.
According to a growing body of studies reading literally changes individuals’ minds, researchers have confirmed that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans.
As people’s reading skills improve, those networks become more effective and sophisticated.
Education is a powerful tool that helps ensure children’s survival, growth, development and well-being.
It can also be described as the art of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits.
Getting an education not only helps students learn to think critically, but it also enhances their imagination, exposes them to new ideas, and helps them find the path to a career that they want to pursue as they get older.
While social media can help us connect with others it can also lead to a decrease in face-to-face interactions and other activities, which overall, is making us less social.
Social media is online platforms and/or applications that allow users to connect and share content with others. For instance, some popular social media platforms include: TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
In the 21st century social media platforms have expanded how people connect with friends and family, exchanging your thoughts or experiences, and staying up to date on the latest news, such as what’s happening with the Kardashian sisters.
Henry Cavill has been kicked around in Hollywood recently. From quitting Netflix’s “The Witcher”, to being fired as Superman after just returning to the role after a long hiatus, he just can’t seem to catch a break.
But it appears things are not all bad for Cavill, as he’s been set to both executively produce and star in (at the time of this writing) an untitled Warhammer 40,000 TV show for Amazon Prime.
Star Wars isn’t as great as everyone makes it out to be, and the original trilogy has aged like three 45 year old gallons of blue milk.
All three films were directed by George Lucas. The first of the movies, “A New Hope”, came out in 1977. The second movie, “The Empire Strikes Back”, came out in 1980. The last of the original trilogy, “Return of the Jedi”, was released in 1983.
Students will sometimes ask if it was worth it getting a doctorate. And I’m like, “What do you think? I get to do this! I get to read about things I find interesting and then I get to talk to people about that!”
From my first day in college, 46 years ago, I loved college. I loved learning and finding new things and then getting to talk about it with classmates and professors.
It took me a while to realize that it’s college that I really love, by which time I stumbled back to Highline and into a teaching career.
Column neglected Highline’s 3D printing lab
Welcome students to Fall Quarter! I hope you had a nice and relaxing summer. I don’t know about you but this summer flew by! If you are a returning student, I hope you are moving toward the completion of your educational goals. If you are new to our college, welcome and I wish you success and encourage you to take advantage of the services available on campus to help you succeed.
The COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more accessible, restrictions are starting to be slowly lifted. But that does not mean the virus is gone and we can let our guard down.
When I first was informed I tested positive for COVID-19, I was in genuine shock and did not know what to feel.
The pandemic took the entire country by storm, and while schools and colleges were quick to reopen online, many of us don’t really feel like we’re back in class.
Don’t get me wrong, the massive workload does bring back a sense of normalcy, but I miss awkward eye contact in the library, having to walk too far too early in the morning, and hanging out in the Student Union.
I must open with the fact that I do not think there is a better opportunity to understand the students and culture at Highline, than being an Arcturus Editor. And, for the record, I say this as a proud writing center tutor, who loves working with the diverse student body on campus- where we see people every day.
My name is Fe H. and I am currently a student at Highline. I want to share a few tips on how to grow and succeed as you attend college here at Highline.
Welcome to the new academic year, Thunderbirds. I am delighted that you have chosen to begin or continue your education here at Highline during these most interesting of times.
The Associated Students of Highline College (ASHC) team is excited to welcome you all to Fall Quarter.
This was supposed to be my year. I was graduating high school, going to prom, getting my AA ,turning 18 and going to university all in this year.