At the beginning of May, Spirit Airlines closed its gates, shut off its airplanes, and disabled their website from further use. The most budget friendly airlines to fly across the United States disappeared without warning. But, this may not be the end.

Many travelers were impacted by the sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines, leaving many feeling like it was completely out of the blue. Those who had flown Spirit before the shutdown were left stranded, forced to pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars to work around their sudden change.

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.

“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.

This photo story captures the sights and colors in Seattle, but mainly Pike Place. Many of these sights are places that are well known but people don’t really pay attention to the masterpieces in front of them – whether it be neon signs, small glass sculptures, or even the mere sight of the Ferris wheel.

This small place is what draws in many people to come see this tourist city. There is just so much to see and so much to offer in the city of Seattle.

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.

A collective of indigenous communities are organizing against ICE releasing resources to inform people who are vulnerable of prosecution in the event they are detained. 

A notice released by Ireta P’urehepech largely focusing on documenting excessive force used by ICE emphasizes the importance of testimony being documented and sent to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The intake complaint form demands the stop of illegal militarized tactics ICE is using against communities.

Managing time is one of the main struggles that college students go through. Not having the time or motivation to get the needed work done within the time they have. Many college students face the trials and tribulations of going to school all day, having to go home, cook, clean, or even take out the dog. Some of us go straight to work right after racking our brains with so much information it takes a toll on our brains and bodies. 

Based on the Student Engagement Insights survey, up to 87% of surveyed college students agree that having better time management skills would help them get higher grades, while 88% of them want to improve their ability to budget their time.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This photo essay is on a day in the small town of Des Moines.

I live very close to Des Moines and visit often, so I wanted to do an appreciation of it and its small-town charm.

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.

Gov. Bob Ferguson recently appointed Lorraine Chachere to the Highline College Board of Trustees.

Chachere, a Burien resident, will be formally introduced to the Highline College community at the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, April 16. The introduction will highlight her professional achievements, commitment to education, and her dedication to community service.

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.

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.

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.”

Highline’s quarterly ThunderWeek welcomes students back onto campus for another exciting quarter. This one held the traditional open houses and club fair, introduced a DIY hat decorating event, and culminated in Spring Fest. Dozens of students attended events throughout the week, gearing up for a fun and festive quarter ahead.

The DIY hat bar attracted around two dozen students. Different shades of ball caps were supplied by the Q-Center, along with sequins, fabric swatches, and iron-on patches to create individualized designs. Some represented school spirit while others used the opportunity to make their own team or city swag.

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.

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.

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.

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 North Dakota jury has reached the verdict that the environmental group Greenpeace has to pay $345 million to Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) over actions taken to prevent the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. The advocacy group intends to seek a new trial, and if denied, they will appeal the judgment with the North Dakota Supreme Court. 

According to CBS News, Trey Cox, an attorney for ETP, “… accused Greenpeace of paying professional protesters, organizing protester training, sharing intelligence of the pipeline route and even sending lockboxes so that demonstrators could attach themselves to equipment.”

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.

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.

Mayor of Federal Way Jim Ferrell held a State of the City public meeting to discuss the state and future of the city. He went over various topics such as the light rail, tourism, and focusing on making Federal Way the economic powerhouse of South King County.

The Feb. 19 meeting was held at the Federal Way’s Performing Arts Center. At 6 p.m., the mayor started speaking and introduced himself and his team. He then transitioned into talking about the first subject – the light rail. He said that he was proud of this achievement and that Federal Way finally has a system connected to the other cities in King County.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Linguistic imperialism continues to impact higher education which was founded on slavery (the colonial economic system), and was institutionalized to maintain a racial hierarchy. However, indigenous resistance has, and continues to endure as education is used as an extension of colonial power. 

In the last month, President Donald Trump has made demands to own Greenland and suggestions of U.S. military power overtaking several nations by force (i.e. Cuba, Venezuela, etc..). A host of other comments endorsing colonialism isn’t uncommon for our 47th president. But colonialism hasn’t just impacted American history. It continues to impact American students today.

Student mental health is declining. In 2026 the average student faces many different mental issues. Whether it be with their classes, lack of personal life outside of school, or sleep-related problems, student health is facing a massive reduction in positive emotions.

But how much has mental health been declining, and what could be done about this issue?

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.”

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.

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.

Having modern technology is important on a school campus, especially when students, staff, and faculty alike depend on that technology. These machines range from computers to printers, and fortunately, most accounts find Highline technology dependable and user-friendly.

Ian Porter, a librarian at Highline said, “The technology services in the library are working really well … starting in the fall quarter the computers have been running a lot faster because of the IT department’s upgrades.”

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.

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.

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. 

It’s the dead of morning, the sun is hidden by fog and clouds, school and work is slow, and your sleep is not the best. You try to finish up some homework, but you can’t get up to do the assignment, you would rather be in your bed because you feel so bad and sluggish.

That seasonal dread and procrastination could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Which is known to many as seasonal depression, it is a type of depression that is tied to changes in season, mainly in winter/fall. This disorder comes from many different causes and can make it difficult for people to function properly during a season.

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.

Bringing innovation to the forefront of housing construction, BOXABL is a company rethinking how homes are designed, built, and delivered. For millions of Americans, the cost of housing has moved beyond a financial challenge and into a crisis. 

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies, the State of the Nations Housing 2024 report shows that homeowners across the United States are experiencing significant strain due to high housing costs. As housing costs continue to rise and construction timelines grow longer, the need for ways to make the construction process faster, less expensive, and more efficient has become increasingly urgent. 

“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.

Dear Highline College Community, 

Executive Cabinet members read the open letter that was posted in the Thursday, November 27, 2025 edition of the ThunderWord.

We acknowledge the sentiments and experiences that were shared. We are committed to addressing the fundamental issues and systemic concerns raised in the letter.

The PBS NewsHour’s recent report on the “K-shaped economy” is more than a story about recovery statistics. It is a mirror, reflecting a truth Black Americans have long known: when wealth and opportunity diverge, a nation begins to fracture.

The K-shaped recovery describes how, after COVID-19, one half of America shot upward – stockholders, remote workers, homeowners, while the other half concentrated in service jobs and hourly labor, fell behind. The upward line of the “K” marks a nation of investment portfolios and real-estate gains; the downward line represents the invisible workforce who kept the economy running but never received its dividends.

For years, Highline College has prided itself on being one of the most diverse and inclusive colleges in the state of Washington. As a community college, fully one third of students (34%) are on campus to complete high school requirements, whether that is through Running Start or because they were underserved or struggling during their high school careers.

According to the Mission Statement, “Highline College creates anti-racist, equitable pathways in higher education to close opportunity gaps experienced by our students.” Further, the Mission Statement lists the following values: accessibility, accountability, cultural responsiveness and agency, environmental sustainability, equity-first focus, life-long learning, partnership with local and global communities, respect, social justice, student-centered approaches, transparency.

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.”

History is filled with ruins. Stones, broken statues, and scattered manuscripts bear witness to civilizations that once believed themselves eternal. Thebes, Carthage, Byzantium, and Tenochtitlán each stood as mighty centers of culture and power, yet today they live only in history books and archaeological fragments. Their destruction was not just military defeat; it was cultural annihilation. They were erased.

The West, in its current trajectory, stands on a similar precipice. Victor Davis Hanson’s “The Dying Citizen” and “The End of Everything” capture this reality in stark terms: a hollowing out of institutions, a fragmentation of civic culture, and a loss of will that once bound nations together. Hanson shows that civilizations collapse not only by the sword but also by decay from within; cultural amnesia, decadence, and the abandonment of shared identity.

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.

Two men, worlds apart in background and ideology, cut down mid-speech: Malcolm X in Harlem, 1965, and Charlie Kirk in Utah, 2025. One was a Black revolutionary seeking liberation from centuries of oppression. The other, a white conservative activist warning against cultural decay.

On the surface, nothing connects them. But look deeper and the parallels reveal something profound.

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!

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.

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?

There are plenty of items today that have been created by Black people that have changed our lives for the better. 

One of the items that have made a drastic impact on the world is the three-position traffic signal, such as stop, go, and yield. Garret Morgan, a Black man, created it at the age 47, after witnessing car accidents that were often fatal, as well as roads often being congested with horse carriages, street cars, automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians. He decided to make a change on the roads that created a positive outcome.

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.

The ThunderWord is entering the 2025-2026 academic school year with an unprecedented student editorial team. This group of senior reporters and editors will be your leadership behind the scenes. 

As a team, these editors have established their values and missions of The ThunderWord. Their goal is to focus on journalistic integrity, mutual respect, and personal growth. Following an award-winning year, these students look forward to the privilege of bringing Highline and the greater community the news.

On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. 

Kirk, 31, was one of the most visible figures on the American right, known for his sharp critiques of progressive politics, outspoken support of President Donald Trump, and his pro-Israel positions.

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 following letter was written by the President of the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA), Amanda Hacker. In it, Hacker outlines what has transpired between WPEA and Highline College.

I’m writing to give you a full and transparent account of what has happened regarding the lump sum payment that you were promised in July – and to explain why WPEA is both disappointed and deeply frustrated by how Highline College has handled this situation.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 Thunderword’s own Evelyn Rissell sits down with your favorite collegiate podcast duo and recounts her exclusive interview with the MaST Center’s Rus Higley.

We talk about book reviews, whale skeletons, National Poetry Month, and exciting upcoming projects in the works!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 students flocked to the Global Student Ambassadors’ (GSA) “Arts Around the World” event last month to celebrate traditional arts and crafts from various cultures. The GSA organized the activities with the hope of fostering relationships across cultural boundaries within the four hour event.

Jeffery Kunick, who is the supervising organizer of the event, elaborates further on this shared goal of the organization. “One of our missions here as a global student ambassador is to bring international and domestic students together.”

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.

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.

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.

Mavrie Durham and Liv Lyons are back again with everything happening on campus for your convenience! At just 15 minutes, they have the latest for your commute to class, break in between classes, or over the morning coffee. 

This episode is all about the oncoming end to winter quarter. With only three weeks left, spring break is coming on fast. The team is excited to share all the upcoming events students and staff are welcomed to.

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.

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.