Elon Musk is now the world’s first trillionaire, a milestone made possible by the success of his companies and the immense influence that comes with them. But the problem isn’t simply that one person has accumulated so much wealth. It’s that no democratic society is equipped to hold someone with that much power accountable. When a single individual can shape public discourse, amplify misinformation, influence governments, and affect the lives of millions across the globe, traditional checks and balances begin to break down. Whether it’s promoting conspiracy theories, inverting political debates, or using vast resources to advance personal priorities, Musk…

Americans can name cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and political influencers, but many are unable to name a single local elected official. We spend hours following the latest drama in Washington while paying little attention to the decisions being made in our own communities. The challenge facing local journalism isn’t merely declining trust or political polarization. Part of the challenge is that local journalism has to compete for our attention against national headlines, viral posts, and endless notifications. If local journalism disappears, it may not be because people hated it. It may be because they forgot to look.

The countdown is on: the FIFA World Cup is about to begin in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promising a spectacle watched by billions worldwide. Yet even with kickoff imminent and millions set to travel across North America, the excitement feels strangely distant for many Americans. This is surprising, considering that the United States will host the majority of matches, including the tournament’s biggest moments. Cities have spent years preparing. Ticket sales are underway. Organizers expect massive crowds. Yet outside of dedicated soccer circles, the buildup has been remarkably subdued. So why does it feel like the World Cup…

Hantavirus, Ebola, and new strains of COVID — you’ve definitely heard it. Every time a new disease outbreak makes headlines, social media quickly fills with predictions that another COVID-19-style pandemic is right around the corner. But another pandemic on that scale is less likely than people think. ​That doesn’t necessarily mean future outbreaks won’t happen. They absolutely will, no matter what, and for years to come. However, the world is far more prepared than it was in 2019. Scientists can identify new viruses faster, governments have pandemic response plans in place, and vaccine technology has advanced in just a few…

May is coming to a close which means the U.S. The Supreme Court is entering one of the busiest and most observed periods of its term. In the coming weeks, the Court is expected to release several major decisions that could shape national debates on immigration, privacy, civil rights, and presidential power for years to come. Here are five Supreme Court cases Americans should keep an eye on before the justices conclude their term this summer: 1. Birthright Citizenship One of the most closely watched cases involves President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship through executive action. At the…

Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson is developing a ‘Betty Boop’ movie and will star in the lead role. However, some critics call this a “race swap” since Betty Boop has historically been portrayed as a white woman. But the character’s origins and influences include significant contributions from Black artists, making Brunson a fitting choice for the role. Created in 1930 by Max Fleischer, the character quickly became a symbol of liberation during the depression era and one of the most iconic figures in 20th-century pop culture. Although Helen Kane is widely speculated to have inspired Betty Boop, her performances were directly…

As summer quickly approaches and the travel season begins to pick up, tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, leaving many Americans worrying about something much closer to home: gas prices. Analysts have warned that the ongoing global conflict could push oil prices higher and bring gas prices closer to $5 a gallon in some parts of the United States. In cities such as White Plains, New York, prices range from $4.69 to $4.99 per gallon; the state average is now around $4.37, where a year ago it was about three dollars, with an all-time high being a little…