Find out what happens when you give a bunch of Vikings access to a few scrolls of paper, some ink, and an ungodly amount of alcohol.  January through early February tends to be a rough time for us all, with seasonal depression in full swing and an overall lack of things to occupy one’s time. When it’s far too cold to be outdoors, and we’re instead confined to our rooms, mindlessly rotting away in bed, what much is there to do? As I was doing so myself, by some odd chance, I h

Youth & Government delegates step into the role of lawmakers during Sacramento conference. This past weekend, Sacramento looked a little different. Instead of elected officials filling meeting rooms and debating bills, the California State Capitol was crowded with teenagers in fancy suits and name badges, hustling across the crowded hallways carrying folders and practicing speeches. At the Youth & Government Model Legislature & Court Conference, students from all across Calif

Every year, people joke that they are only watching the Super Bowl for the halftime show. But how did it come to be, and does it really live up to the hype ? By the time halftime rolled around at Super Bowl LX, most viewers were looking for anything with life to compensate for the rather boring offensive performances by both teams in the first half. So, by the time Bad Bunny took the stage, it was a welcome relief to some to see the energy pick up. Though not all Super Bowls

"Looksmaxxing" creators claim attraction is objective and biologically determined that echoes historical eugenics and racial hierarchy. In the process, they have revived a familiar logic about inherited worth. On a random TikTok that's come up on your feed or a Kick stream you happen to click on, you may come across a man explaining to you how you can “ascend”. He will describe how to change your bone density and “maximal projection”— obvious  things everyone thinks about whe

Why are so many turning to AI for romantic and social interactions? In recent years, artificial intelligence has been in the spotlight with its hundreds of different functions and applications. It gives easy access to the entire internet with just a question, but research is far beyond the only use of the technology. Recently, many users have either found AI tools specifically built for relationships or turned tools like ChatGPT into tools for socializing.    The very first A

America has had numerous changes to its political ideals ever since the days of Washington. However, are we entering a new era of populist dominance, or is neo-liberalism still the dominating figure in American politics? The reelection of Donald Trump as President of the United States in 2024 was distinctive in that only once before had a President been reelected after losing an election as the incumbent office holder.  With this arguably surprising turn of events, social sci

My story of Mochi's cultural background, or Venice Buddhist Temple Gets Ready for Mochitsuki. Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made from steamed glutinous rice flour. It is a delicious treat beloved by all, but do you know that there is so much more to it than its amazing texture and yummy taste? The Japanese Buddhist community at the Venice Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles has been making their own mochi once a year as part of a New Year's tradition.  Every December,

Australia takes initiative on the issue of social media for minors, striking controversy. On November 28, 2024, Australia’s government passed a law called the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. It prohibits minors under 16 from having a social media account — and it raises questions on what social media limitations for minors here in the U.S could look like. The law came into effect on December 10, 2025. It requires social media platforms (such as Y

How gender bias affects diagnosis and treatment, and what people are doing to fix it Despite advances in equality in healthcare, gender bias remains a large issue. This leads to misdiagnosis, unequal treatment, and overlooked symptoms - especially for women and non - binary individuals. However, there is a growing group of researchers and activists who are trying to address this issue, and people are pushing for a brighter future where medical care is truly equal and fair.  G

In a society plagued by increasing social and economic stressors as well as mental health challenges, dogs have taken an important role in our lives. For decades, dogs have been known to serve as loyal companions providing social, emotional and therapeutic benefits, and the research backs up this common understanding too. Owning a dog is extremely beneficial on multiple different health aspects of life. Research  shows that having experienced living with a dog, people experie

African Americans are constantly stereotyped based on narratives from years ago. Why?  A stereotype is a belief about a group of people that is misrepresented or over-exaggerated to the point that it becomes harmful. For centuries, African Americans have been stereotyped in ridiculous ways, from what they eat to how they talk. This made me question whether these stereotypes have any truth to them or if they just come from ignorance. One of the most common stereotypes I hear i

An abridged emo history by decade, subgenre, band, and scene. GLOSSARY : Post-Hardcore : a punk rock subgenre that emerged in the mid-1980s, retaining the raw intensity and aggression of hardcore punk while introducing more complex structures, experimentalism, and melodic elements. Emo : a genre of cathartic punk/alt rock music derived from the hardcore genre known for its personal lyricism, loud/soft dynamics, and occasionally twinkly guitar work which all follow a distinct

Twas’ was the year of Pokémon Go, Snapchat filters (especially the dog filter – still a fan a decade later), Drake, and Stranger Things. But beyond chokers and trends, 2016 was a time when the future still felt open. Today, we live with a constant sense of dread; we carry stress on our shoulders instead of animal hats on our heads (IYKYK).  2016 was the peak area of social media just before being on social media turned into doom scrolling. Back then, you could simply log off

Great White, a California-based restaurant chain, has recently faced allegations of racial discrimination against the Asian-American community following a viral video in late September. The restaurant Great White is well-known for its Pinterest-esque atmosphere and incredible menu items. The Australian-influenced all-day café is owned by Sam Trude and Sam Cooper. The first location opened in Venice in 2017, and following its immediate success in Venice, Great White opened a s

Over the Thanksgiving break, I took trips down to Chinatown and explored local bakeries to try various holiday desserts from different cultures. Moon Cakes (Photograph: Ruru Chonzi) A traditional Chinese dessert, moon cakes are typically eaten during New Year's. I found a local bakery in Chinatown serving them, with a Lotus flavored one being one of the last ones left. I was very excited to try the Lotus flavor (with egg yolk), especially considering it’s one of moon cakes’ m

As more people put their faith in the experimental AI bubble, how close is it to causing a global recession? Throughout the 21st century, arguably, no invention has changed the way we view our digital world more than the introduction of AI, specifically large language models and AI chatbots. As our society becomes more digitized, investment in this revolutionary technology is likely to continue. However, will this investment be worth it to the consumer? Or will business repea

New Roads Fits, the once widely popular TikTok account, is now mostly unknown. What caused this drastic change? And is there a future in which the account is returned to its former glory? “Inclusive,” says Arden Bevilacqua.  “Espressive,” says Zoya Ahmad. “Creative,” says Remy Myer.  “Actual representation of the Jags,” says Madison Yvonne McMorrin-Watson. These are the words that come to mind when New Roads students think about the New Roads Fits TikTok account. New Roads Fi

The holidays are right around the corner, which means it's officially wishlist-making season. From fun gadgets to practical needs, here are some ideas that will make your list stand out.  For many people, wishlists aren't just about stuff. They are a way of expression. But every so often, inspiration stalls, and deciding what to put on your wishlist becomes its own kind of puzzle. If that sounds familiar, or you just need extra inspiration, this guide will help you craft the

Not right as in good. Right as in a never-ending conservative pipeline. ​My morning routine in 2020, like many others, consisted of this: wake up and instantly start posting political statements online. Fast forward to 2025, and after our last election, the culture is no longer leaning right; it has fallen. If you told me this after the 2020 election, I would’ve laughed. Loudly. And then blocked you. The crazy part though, is that it isn’t just the politics. It’s the vibes. T

After recent air strikes and military pressure in Venezuela, the United States’ true motives are still in question. Over the last three months, 21 airstrikes  on mostly Venezuelan vessels have been carried out by the U.S., killing 83 people and destroying 22 boats in international waters (specifically the Caribbean Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean). The Trump Administration has classified the strikes as a “war on drugs” and the people killed as “ unlawful combatants .” As the