The American Library Association website has information about the increase in book challenges in the last couple years. In 2022, ALA tracked 1,296 book challenges, nearly double the number of challenges in 2021. Every year, Banned Books Week is held to publicize these challenges and the books that are challenged. But also, Banned Books Week… Continue reading “Let Freedom Read:” Banned Books Week 2023
Category: In the Headlines
Blog posts about big news stories and issues (i.e. not local news)
Presidential Veto and Lawmaking
There was news coverage last week that President Biden might soon issue the first veto of his presidency. How does a law get to the stage of being approved by the president—or not approved, which is a veto? According to usa.gov, here is the process (very simplified): A bill is introduced by a senator or… Continue reading Presidential Veto and Lawmaking
Crowded Skies
Recently the US government has been shooting down some high-flying, unknown objects. The first object was recovered and can be studied for identification. The searches for the other three objects have been abandoned due to weather and terrain, eliminating the possibility of identifying the purposes and origins of the objects. As it turns out, chances… Continue reading Crowded Skies
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Economy and Economics
Written by Eileen Davenport Inflation. Interest rates. Monetary policy. Rate hikes. The Fed. The FOMC. Cryptocurrency. What exactly do these words mean, and how will it affect you? These are some of the terms that many people use, but not everyone understands. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has websites that outline and explain… Continue reading Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Economy and Economics
Is This The Last Time We Fall Back?
At 2am this coming Sunday morning we fall back one hour as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end once again. Is this the last time? It’s possible, but probably not. If there’s one thing that most Americans seem to be in agreement about, it’s that they don’t want to change clocks twice per year.… Continue reading Is This The Last Time We Fall Back?
Examining the War in Ukraine at 6 months (event video)
Faculty members will examine the current status and global implications of the War in Ukraine. This talk features faculty members: Josh Fulton (History), Jim McIntyre (History), Jason King (Geography), and Kevin Navratil (Political Science & Democracy Commitment). This event is organized by the MVCC Democracy Commitment.
Looking 13 Billion Years into the Past is Just the Beginning
On July 12th 2022, NASA released the first five images taken by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. After 17 years of construction and testing, Webb was launched into orbit in 2021 as a successor to the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. Built to create high-resolution images by detecting infrared light, scientists expect that Webb… Continue reading Looking 13 Billion Years into the Past is Just the Beginning
Washington Post’s Capitol Coverage Wins Pulitzer
From the Guardian (Washington Post wins public service Pulitzer for Capitol attack coverage) “The Washington Post has won the 2022 Pulitzer prize for public service journalism, for The Attack, its account of the deadly assault on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on 6 January 2021…”read more This reporting involved 75 journalists including 25… Continue reading Washington Post’s Capitol Coverage Wins Pulitzer
How Misinformation can impact political processes, policymaking and election laws (Video)
This event examines the role that disinformation can play in impacting election laws and policymaking. Political Science Professor and Democracy Commitment Coordinator Kevin Navratil will explore how misinformation has influenced recent voting laws, decisions to declare land a national heritage site, anti-GMO labeling, and chemical safety laws.
January 6 Insurrection: What’s Happened Since?
PBS’ Frontline is an award-winning documentary series that is known globally for its investigative reporting of key issues facing the US and the world. Frontline has released its documentary on the January 6th insurrection and attack on the United States Capitol. This documentary has available for free online. At the one year anniversary of January… Continue reading January 6 Insurrection: What’s Happened Since?