Author: Alexis Berridge

Hello, I'm Alexis Berridge, and I am a California State University, Long Beach Alumni. I majored in English Rhetoric and Composition and began my internship at Our National Conversation (ONC) as a Science, Environment and Technology Policy Writer in April 2024. My interests lie in science and environmental policy, and in today's world, technology frequently weaves itself into both policy areas. l spend most of my time researching current issues, watching films and reading romance novels.

The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a new rule that would expand access to contraceptive products. The rule will redefine coverage standards under the Affordable Care Act, and will require that patients be given reproductive healthcare, specifically contraceptives, without copays. Additionally,  private health insurance providers will be required to notify patients of the availability of these contraceptives. Reproductive rights, mainly abortion, can affect voter decisions and turnout in this election. Abortion as a Voter Issue The Supreme Court’s decision to overthrow the constitutional right to abortion under federal law in 2022 drastically changed the political landscape. Statistically, 76% of adults under…

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Vice President Kamala Harris has embraced non-traditional media sources to reach more voters – and undeniably played a role in shifting politics into a new media sphere. Platforms outside of the usual news mediums cater to younger viewership, and her TikTok alone has massive engagement with Gen Z. Millennial and Gen Z voters are projected to make up 48.5% of eligible voters in the upcoming 2024 election, making it increasingly important to reach these audiences. TikTok is not the only platform that Kamala Harris has leveraged in her campaign. Recently, Harris made a guest appearance on Call Her Daddy, a…

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Big Picture China’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing is performing exceptionally well. It surpasses the United States’ capability in production, export and cost metrics. Declining demand for EVs in the U.S. and cheaper Chinese prices have U.S. automobile manufacturers and the government struggling to respond. The former fears extinction, while the latter fears the loss of its competitive edge within the global manufacturing landscape. Both fear an economic disaster that comes from losing their domestic footing within the EV industry. Losing market share is a realistic concern, as polling demonstrates an increase in consumers’ willingness to purchase Chinese cars. Chinese built…

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On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz as her running mate. Since then, the Democratic Party quickly embraced him as the man to balance the ticket. Walz is a multifaceted candidate with a military, legislative and educational background, and as Minnesota’s governor, he has passed an impressive amount of progressive policies in the Midwest. But therein lies the problem. As much as the Democratic Party touts him as moderate, it’s time for them to face reality. Walz is an undoubtedly left candidate. His green policy decisions alone point to a progressive bias.  For example, Walz believes climate change initiatives should…

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On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz as her running mate. Since then, the Democratic Party quickly embraced him as the man to balance the ticket. Walz is a multifaceted candidate with a military, legislative and educational background, and as Minnesota’s governor, he has passed an impressive amount of progressive policies in the Midwest. But therein lies the problem. As much as the Democratic Party touts him as moderate, it’s time for them to face reality. Walz is an undoubtedly left candidate. His green policy decisions alone point to a progressive bias.  For example, Walz believes climate change initiatives should…

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It’s undeniable that the online world is as damaging as it is useful–especially for kids. Yet, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) can potentially protect them. The bipartisan bill passed in the Senate as of August 2024 with an easy majority and is on its way to the House of Representatives. However, this is nothing to celebrate. The bill in its current state is an underdeveloped disaster masqueraded by its attempts to protect our youth. The bill’s indeterminate definitions and scope of power leave the legislation with too many holes that can be used for evil. What is KOSA? KOSA is…

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Since the unfortunate presidential debate, Democratic voters have strongly voiced for Biden to drop out of the race, calling for the party to produce another candidate. That has since come to pass. At this point in the campaigning process, it is no longer a stretch to assume that Vice President Kamala Harris will become the Democratic presidential nominee. That likelihood results in interested parties inquiring about her policies, her ability to run and what it might mean to have a Black and Asian American woman run against former President Donald Trump. With the party’s previous hopelessness, Kamala Harris has been…

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Big Picture Technology is as dangerous as it is necessary. Data leaks from organizations such as Solar Winds and, more recently, AT&T have made the need for defined security measures evident. American citizens’ data can be weaponized by foreign enemies and domestic criminals alike, yet the United States has minimal cybersecurity regulations. The Department of Defense (DoD) has requirements for contractors and subcontractors who provide technology to the government, but outside of this agency, little has been done. Any type of regulation is slow going because of an ongoing debate between government agencies and private companies about who to hold…

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Genetic engineering has made serious progress since the 70s. Scientists have come a long way from cloning sheep, and what they’re working on today looks more like the exaggerated abilities of a blue Starfleet officer. Innovation has turned science fiction into science fact, and with that development, it’s time to consider regulating this powerful tool as we progress into the future. Genetic engineering is the process in which an organism’s genetic code is intentionally altered, through methods such as removing, inserting or cloning, to achieve a targeted outcome. C.R.I.S.P.R. technology is one of its most advanced forms and currently, the…

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It’s hot, and given this year’s trends it’s only going to grow hotter. The world is experiencing unprecedented and consecutive high temperatures. June was the world’s 13th month of consecutive record heat and the hottest June that scientists have on record.  All around the world people are dealing with the consequences. In Africa, the heat wave has been disastrous. The African nations of Burkina Faso and Mali are just two areas struggling due to the heat. From April 1st through 5th both nations experienced temperatures above 113 degrees Fahrenheit. An exact death toll has not been determined, but it has been…

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