My Reflections on September 11

September 11, 2001. It is a day when most of those alive remember where they were, and how they felt. I myself was a child at 8 years old. I came home from school early that day, not thinking much of it. Teachers and faculty did not appear to be tense at the time, soContinue reading “My Reflections on September 11”

Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools

As the Delta variant rages on, so does the debate over students wearing masks in schools come fall. Children across the country, especially those ineligible for the vaccine, are ending up in the intensive care unit for COVID-19. This is a concern for Tameka Arroy-Santiago, a Hopewell Junction parent of two school-aged children under theContinue reading “Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools”

COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story

Lawyer and gun control advocate Chris Kocher pivoted when the pandemic hit New York City the hardest last spring. After seeing friends survive COVID-19 or lose loved ones, Kocher knew there was a need to address the emotional trauma. “I wanted to see if there was something I could do to support families most impacted,”Continue reading “COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story”

New York Psychologist on Why We Love Celebrities

Whether it is Bennifer‘s reunion or singer Britney Spears’ legal woes, Americans cannot seem to get enough of their favorite celebrities. Longtime psychologist Dr. Donna Rockwell, who has practices in the city and Detroit, Michigan, knows a thing or two about celebrities. Today, she serves as a psychologist to the stars, but her focus onContinue reading “New York Psychologist on Why We Love Celebrities”

Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools

Critical Race Theory has sparked a nationwide debate over how to talk about race in schools. In Connecticut, the debate arose within schools, and made its way to the state legislature. Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson introduced an amendment last month to ban critical race theory in K-12 education. The amendment ultimately failed to pass.Continue reading “Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools”

Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks

Fresh off a decisive victory, Democratic nominee for Dutchess County Family Court Judge Rachel Saunders reflects on her journey. Saunders secured the Working Families Party ballot line for the November general election in a surprise move. She beat incumbent Denise Watson, the county family court judge since 2011, in a narrow 76-74 vote. The twoContinue reading “Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks”

NYU Bioethics Expert Discusses Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue among conservatives across the United States, according to the latest Morning Consult poll. With 45.1 percent of the country fully vaccinated against COVID-19, rates for some conservative-leaning states are lower than the national average. This comes as the Delta variant poses an ominous threat of case increases, especially in vulnerableContinue reading “NYU Bioethics Expert Discusses Vaccine Hesitancy”

Trans and Queer March Hosted in Beacon

A march to address transgender and queer issues in the Beacon area and elsewhere took place yesterday. Reports of a right-wing activist sending threatening messages have left Beacon LGBTQ+ residents and their allies fearful. Nationwide, bills in state legislatures threaten to curb transgender rights. The march started at Memorial Park and went through the neighborhoodContinue reading “Trans and Queer March Hosted in Beacon”

Senator Skoufis Discusses Water Testing Bill

A water testing bill sponsored by Senator James Skoufis (D-39) passed this week. It promises to be a breakthrough in the ongoing statewide issue of water contamination. The bill expands testing for toxic chemicals in drinking water. Through this legislation, every municipality will be able to detect 40 different contaminants. “This bill requires virtually everyContinue reading “Senator Skoufis Discusses Water Testing Bill”

The Trauma of Racism: Being Adopted

As an adopted Asian American child in Connecticut, Tessa Woods felt lost in a mostly white community. Adopted from Vietnam at five months old, the 23-year-old photographer had “subconscious identity issues.” “I never felt fully ‘Asian’ enough because I didn’t grow up with a traditional Vietnamese background,” she said. In middle school, Woods was partContinue reading “The Trauma of Racism: Being Adopted”