More from Karah Rucker
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NYC Mayor Eric Adams names Jessica Tisch to head NYPD
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20, that he is naming Jessica Tisch to be the next commissioner of the New York Police Department. Tisch is currently commissioner of the city’s Department of Sanitation. In selecting Tisch, Adams is naming just the second female commissioner in the department’s 179-year history. Tisch… -
Speaker Johnson says restroom use in Capitol must line up with biological sex
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is enforcing a new policy requiring public bathroom use on the House side of the Capitol to line up with biological sex and not gender identity. The new rule comes as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, Delaware Democratic Representative-elect Sarah McBride, prepares to be sworn in on… -
How media highlighted or omitted illegal status of Laken Riley murderer
A judge ruled Wednesday, Nov. 20, that Jose Ibarra is guilty of murdering Georgia college student Laken Riley. The case gained national attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and Ibarra’s status as an undocumented migrant from Venezuela. Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Key moments from… -
Kamala Harris tops Newsom, Shapiro in early 2028 primary favorites: Poll
Vice President Kamala Harris is the favored choice among Democratic voters to lead the party in the 2028 presidential election, according to a new poll. Despite losing to President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month, Harris outpaces potential contenders like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro by wide margins. Echelon Insights surveyed 1,010… -
Digital media may be fueling a global boredom crisis: Study
Despite constant access to entertainment, boredom is increasing worldwide, especially among young people. Researchers blame digital media for creating overstimulation, fragmented attention and shallow engagement that leaves people unfulfilled. A new study published in Communications Psychology reveals that boredom levels among U.S. adolescents and Chinese college students have risen significantly in the past 15 years.… -
Chinese vessel detained and suspected of Baltic Sea cable destruction
While Russia is suspected of severing two communication cable lines between NATO allies in the Baltic Sea by the West, a Chinese vessel was also implicated in the incident on Wednesday, Nov. 20, as Danish authorities detained the vessel. The cuts in the Baltic Sea happened on Sunday, Nov. 17 and on Monday, Nov. 18.… -
Ex-Canadian justice minister targeted in alleged Iranian assassination plot
Canadian authorities have reportedly foiled an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler, a former Canadian justice minister and prominent human rights advocate. Cotler, 84, was informed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on Oct. 26 about the threat and has since been placed under police protection. Cotler, a longtime critic of Iran’s government,… -
Bible lessons in public school? Texas advances elementary school plan
The Texas State Board of Education has advanced a plan to incorporate Bible-based lessons into elementary school classrooms, marking one of the latest efforts by Republican-led states to introduce religious content into public education. The proposal, which would be optional for schools, includes financial incentives for those who adopt it, offering $60 per student in… -
Study suggests SpaceX Starship sonic boom impacts locals, Musk responds
A study published by The New York Times suggests that the sonic boom generated by SpaceX’s Starship rocket could cause structural damage in nearby communities. However, SpaceX owner Elon Musk has already refuted the claims in the report. Acoustics engineer Kent Gee conducted a sound test during a Starship test flight last month, measuring the… -
Dem super PAC plans GOP resistance event, Google hosting afterparty
Priorities USA, a top Democratic super PAC, is gathering digital activists in Washington, D.C., to evaluate its campaign efforts and strategize ways to oppose the Republican agenda. The meeting will conclude with a happy hour co-hosted by Google, sparking fresh debate over Big Tech’s political involvement. The event, dubbed the 2024 Digital Retrospective, aims to… -
Militia group reportedly threatens military, claims gov’t orchestrated NC hurricane
A far-right militia group, Veterans on Patrol, is spreading unfounded claims that the U.S. military caused Hurricane Helene using weather manipulation technology, according to a report from The Guardian. The group’s inflammatory rhetoric, shared on Telegram, includes calls for attacks on military equipment and infrastructure, raising concerns about potential violence. Veterans on Patrol, led by… -
Instagram testing algorithm reset feature to improve teen safety
Instagram is testing a new feature that’s allowing users to reset their algorithm. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said the update was launched specifically with the safety of teens in mind. “We want to make sure everyone on Instagram, especially teens, has safe, positive, age-appropriate experiences and feels the time they’re spending on Instagram is valuable,”… -
1 in 5 Americans get their news from social media influencers
While it’s no secret more and more people have been getting their news from social media in recent years, a new study shows just how many people regularly forgo traditional journalism. According to the Pew Research Center, 21% of American adults say they prefer to get their news from social media “news influencers” first. That’s…