Column

Column: Indiana basketball needs a shot clock

by Marquel Garner

How would implementing the shot clock in Indiana high school basketball affect teams and players?

The ‘shot clock’ shall refer to the timing device that displays a countdown of the time within which the team in possession of the ball must attempt a field goal.

Thirty-two states have implemented a 35-second shot clock in high school basketball, and 18 states have not or said no to implementing a shot clock.

After the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association announced the results of a survey that said 68 percent of coaches polled favored a shot clock, a proposal went before the IHSAA at its Feb. 20 executive committee meeting for a 35-second shot clock. The proposal, if passed, would be implemented for the 2026-2027 or the 2027-28 schoolyear.

Some advantages of having a shot clock include increasing the pace of the game and preventing teams from holding the ball for minutes at a time to protect a small lead, a tactic often disliked by fans and players.

Source: IHSAA
Graphic by Marquel Garner.

Having a shot clock will make a faster-paced game, resulting in more possessions; more scoring opportunities; and higher-scoring, more exciting games, which can boost spectator attendance.

The shot clock will also help with player development, helping players learn to handle time-management pressure, make quicker decisions, and play at an uptempo pace, better preparing them for college-level basketball.

The last advantage of having a shot clock is that teams will have to practice to execute their offense better and more effectively within a timeframe than relying on holding the ball to win. It also prevents the “end-of-game stall” where teams play keep-away for the final minutes, forcing competitive basketball until the buzzer.

Some cons would be the cost of installing it and maintaining the shot clock, and it requires an extra, trained operator for varsity, and potentially for junior varsity and freshman games.

With a shot clock, less talented teams wouldn’t be able to slow the game down and reduce possessions to pull off an upset. The shot clock would favor more talented teams by giving them more opportunities to score.

Other issues would be teams playing zone defense because they would only need to play defense for 30-35 seconds. And some coaches may argue that a shot clock leads to rushed, poor-quality shots and more turnovers for less experienced teams, rather than better gameplay.

I feel adding a shot clock would be good for Indiana basketball. The main reason for me is that teams are eating up the clock with a small lead. When they play “keep away” with a small lead, it forces the other team to foul, and as a spectator, that is not fun to watch. Also, as a player, I think it could force players to develop skills, such as playing at a faster pace, managing time, and reading defenses under pressure

1 Apr 2026 by jhshyphen

Review: Influence of ‘Twin Peaks’ lives on

by Abigail Hall

Twin Peaks (directed by David Lynch) – an eerie, surreal show about Agent Dale Cooper working to solve the murder of Laura Palmer, a high school girl in the logging town of Twin Peaks.

The show is considered groundbreaking and it is still world renowned for its impact on the television industry. It brought a cinematic and supernatural program to TVs in the 1990s. Twin Peaks combines themes of supernatural activity, police and crime, and horror to create its iconic status.

It continuously asks the question of “Who killed Laura Palmer?” while incorporating the town’s stories. The show is known for diving deep into the world of traumatic evil in the form of Laura’s tragedy. It starts out as a straightforward, typical murder mystery, but it quickly transitions into something deeper psychologically.

Twin Peaks moves slower than other shows being aired, but its pace allows the town to settle into the viewer, making it seem more suspenseful and dreamlike.

Laura Palmer and her story has stuck with many watchers of the show, integrating herself into the fanbase like no other. Her youth and experiences reflect that of her viewers, making her an important character to millions of people. Her complexity adds many layers, including her loveability because of her trauma and the way she handles it. She is not painted to be a saint like many victims in horror shows.

She is not the first loveable character that David Lynch has brought to life, though. Lynch is known for his directing style, mixing themes of surrealism and horror with a unique charm. He has directed many other iconic films and television shows, including Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, and Eraserhead.

While all of his work is widely regarded as memorable and fascinating, Twin Peaks seems to have latched itself into his fans’ lives, as well as other directors and film-makers.

The series has influenced many other famous shows, including the likes of X-Files, Stranger Things, and Lost. The show proved that fans would follow complex characters and dark storylines, allowing these other shows to follow suit.

Lynch introduced genre blending through Twin Peaks, mixing a sense of comedy with the small town’s uniqueness with the horror of Laura’s mystery.

Twin Peaks sparked some controversy with its mixture of comedy and heavy themes, like drug abuse, assault, and murder, without romanticizing the trauma. However, this creates an air of surrealism that drags people in.

Lynch has a specific style of cinematography that many people link with Twin Peaks, as well. Featuring wide shots, darker colors, muted lighting, and unconventional camera angles to make his episodes feel more like a hand-crafted masterpiece than anything.

Twin Peaks has wormed its way into many people’s hearts, as well as the film industry. Television and films will never be the same, whether they’re inspired subconsciously or not.

24 Mar 202624 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: When Policy Creates Casualties

Immigration enforcement harms children, fuels global instability, and turns protest into tragedy

by Dana Romero Regaldo

It’s been 3,249 days since Roger Rayson, a 42-year-old man, took his last breath because the Trump administration failed to provide proper care. He suffered from dehydration, and upon further evaluation, he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Since then, thousands of days have passed, yet the same system that failed him continues to fail others.

What was framed as “law and order” became a machine that separated families, overwhelmed borders, and fueled unrest far beyond the United States. This is not just a immigration crackdown; it is a policy era that treated human lives as collateral damage in pursuit of political control.

The pain of these policies is not abstract — it lives in the voices of families who have experienced it. When the Trump administration separated families at the border, one migrant father, later reunited with his child, told reporters, “They took my son from my arms, and I didn’t know where they were taking him or when I would see him again.”

Doctors who worked with separated children said the trauma was immediate and visible. Dr. Colleen Kraft, former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, warned, “This kind of prolonged toxic stress can carry lifelong consequences.” These were not just administrative decisions. They were moments that reshaped childhoods forever.

Conditions inside detention facilities have also drawn widespread criticism. Human Rights Watch documented cases of overcrowded cells, lack of access to hygiene, and delayed medical attention. In some facilities, detainees reported waiting days or even weeks to see a doctor. Others described being denied basic necessities such as soap, clean clothing, or privacy. These are not luxuries; these are basic human needs. When they are denied, detention becomes something else entirely.

In 2026, Geraldo Lunas Campos died while in ICE custody. His death was initially reported as a suicide, but a medical examiner later ruled it a homicide caused by asphyxia, and witnesses said he had been restrained by officers before he stopped breathing. His death became a symbol of what many advocates say is a system with too little accountability and too much power over vulnerable people.

Families of those who died in custody have spoken with grief and anger. After her father died following time in immigration detention, one daughter told reporters, “He begged for help. He told them he was in pain. They didn’t listen.” The father of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl who died after being taken into U.S. border custody, said through tears, “They didn’t save her. They let her die.” His words reflect the devastation of a parent who trusted a system with his child’s life and lost her instead.

Supporters of strict immigration enforcement argue that detention is necessary to uphold the law and maintain order. But enforcing the law does not require abandoning humanity. A system can uphold borders and still uphold dignity. It can enforce rules and still protect life.

What is happening now forces a difficult question: how many deaths are acceptable in the name of enforcement? These are not just statistics. They are people who had families, futures, and lives that mattered. Their deaths challenge the idea that this system is working as intended. When people die from preventable causes while in government custody, it is not just a policy issue — it is a moral one.

Advocates and attorneys who have witnessed these cases say the suffering was preventable. Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said about family separations under Donald Trump, “There is no question that this policy inflicted extraordinary harm on children and families.” He and others argued that the government knew the damage it was causing but continued anyway. Even some detention staff later described the emotional toll. One worker told The Atlantic, “The children would cry themselves to sleep. They didn’t understand why their parents were gone.”

Inside facilities run under the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, detainees themselves described fear and neglect. One man held in detention told The Guardian, “You feel like you don’t exist. Like if you die here, nobody will know.” That fear became reality for dozens of families who received devastating phone calls instead of reunions. Their stories reveal a system that, to them, did not feel like enforcement — it felt like abandonment.

One day, history will look back on this era and measure it not by how strictly laws were enforced, but by how human beings were treated. It will ask whether we chose enforcement at any cost — or whether we chose humanity.

24 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Algorithms control our lives more than we think

by Chloe Newton

Every time someone opens TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or even Google, they make a simple choice: what to click first. What many people do not realize is that this choice is rarely as free as it feels. Behind every scroll, like, and pause is an algorithm quietly deciding what content deserves attention. While algorithms are often marketed as tools designed for convenience, they influence what we think, buy, and believe far more than most people recognize.

Algorithms are designed to learn from user behavior. They track what videos are watched, how long someone stays on a post, what links are clicked, and even what content is skipped. Using this data, platforms prioritize content they believe will keep users engaged the longest. Over time, this creates a highly personalized feed that feels natural and accurate, almost as if the app “knows” the user. In reality, the algorithm is shaping what users see just as much as it is responding to them.

One of the most powerful effects of algorithms is their ability to reinforce existing beliefs. When users interact with certain opinions or viewpoints, similar content is shown more frequently. This can create what is often called an “echo chamber,” where users repeatedly encounter the same ideas while opposing perspectives are filtered out. As a result, people may begin to believe that their views are more widely shared than they actually are. This can influence opinions on politics, social issues, and even personal values, often without the user being aware.

Algorithms also influence behavior beyond opinions. Social media platforms use recommendation systems to promote products, trends, and lifestyles. Targeted advertisements appear based on browsing history and online activity, making it more likely that users will purchase items they were not actively searching for. In addition, viral trends and challenges spread rapidly because algorithms prioritize content and receive high engagement. This can pressure users, especially teenagers, to participate in trends to feel included or relevant.

Another concern is how algorithms affect attention spans and mental health. Short, fast-paced, and emotionally engaging content is often prioritized because it keeps users scrolling. Over time, this can make it harder for people to focus on longer tasks or engage deeply with information. While social media is not solely responsible for changes in attention, algorithms play a significant role in shaping how content is consumed and how long users remain engaged.

Some argue that algorithms simply reflect user preferences and improve the online experience by making content easier to find. In many ways, this is true. Recommendation systems can introduce users to new creators, helpful information, and entertainment they might not have discovered otherwise. However, the issue is not the existence of algorithms themselves, but the lack of awareness surrounding their influence. When users do not understand how their feeds are curated, it becomes easy to mistake algorithmic choices for personal ones.

As algorithms continue to shape digital spaces, awareness becomes increasingly important. Understanding that online content is filtered and prioritized for engagement allows users to be more critical of what they consume. While it may not be possible to escape algorithms entirely, recognizing their influence is the first step toward regaining control. In a world driven by data and clicks, being informed may be the most powerful choice users can make.

23 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Winter weather requires early communication with community

by Liddia Waterbury

Snow days are supposed to keep students safe, but late cancellations could do the opposite. When schools wait until the last minute to cancel classes, students are forced to wake up early and prepare to travel on icy, dangerous roads. This delay can create unnecessary stress and put safety at risk, especially for students who walk, bike, or ride buses to school.

According to the National Weather Service and local weather stations, winter storms and icy road conditions in southern Indiana are often predicted at least a day in advance. This raises questions about why school cancellations are sometimes delayed until early morning.

We’ve had snow days with asynchronous learning this school year. This is because the night before, there was snow. It was under 32 degrees, and that caused the snow to freeze and the roads to be icy. But Greater Clark County Schools didn’t call off school until the next morning.

This caused students to wake up early and could have caused stress for them, their parents, and people like bus drivers.

As well as stress, situations like this can also cause major safety concerns. According to Zipdo, there are an average of 10,800 winter weather-related crashes per month in the U.S.

Then the National Weather Service says that 24% of weather-related crashes occur on snowy/icy roads, and about 15% occur during active snowfall.

With this safety risk, driving in bad weather can cause fear and anxiety about accidents, especially for parents and teachers who commute. If the decision comes very late, students and teachers might not get enough rest. Sleep loss can make people more irritable, tired, and less focused.

If people feel the decision could have been made earlier, it may lead to frustration or the feeling that their well-being isn’t being considered. With the loss of sleep, people can also lose focus on homework, grading, or preparing lessons if they are unsure if school will be in session.

When people lose trust in an organization, like Greater Clark County Schools, it creates more frustration and uncertainty. Without trust, communication suffers, and problems worsen.

Late snow day decisions can increase safety risks, stress, and sleep loss for many students, staff, and families. Making earlier, well-communicated decisions can help protect well-being and maintain trust within the school community.

10 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: ICE actions damage ‘Land of the Free’

by Kaylee Borelli

ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, enforces immigration laws and conducts investigations into undocumented immigration and arrests and deports undocumented immigrants. Their mission is to protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety, but recently, this doesn’t seem like the case.

In January, ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota. One of them was a 37-year-old mother of three, Renee Nicole Good. She was shot when ICE ordered her out of her car and briefly reversed before moving forward. The second victim was 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti on Jan. 24. He was shot while he was both protecting a woman who was pushed to the ground by an agent, during a protest, and filming law enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security claimed that he was in possession of a weapon and “violently resisted.” But video analysis and witnesses say otherwise, ICE agents removed his pistol from his holster while he was pinned to the ground, before shooting him in the back. These two people weren’t shot in self-defense; they were murdered.

ICE hasn’t just been responsible for murdering two American citizens, but they have also detained and deported people with legal documents and no criminal record, even though they claim they are targeting criminals.

According to Brookings, since Donald Trump took office in January 2025, more than 540,000 people have been deported. Along with this, one-third of people who have been arrested by ICE have no criminal record. If they really cared about targeting criminals, they would actually target criminals and not allegedly bust out car windows just to justify arrests. On top of this, a total of 32 people have died while in ICE custody in 2025. This isn’t about making America a “safer place.” This is racism and a complete abuse of power by Trump.

Along with the over 540,000 that have been deported, according to WLRN, as of December 2025, 74% of around 70,000 immigrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention have zero criminal convictions. And yet Trump is still saying he is only targeting criminals when ¾ of the people in detention centers aren’t even criminals.

On Jan. 20, according to CNN, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained along with his father in Minnesota while arriving home from his preschool. They were then flown more than 1,300 miles to a family detention facility in Texas. Liam and his family are originally from Ecuador, and in December 2024, they presented themselves to border officers and applied for asylum, but still, the DHS labels them as “illegal aliens.” Also, according to CNN, the Trump Administration has repeatedly said that they are targeting people who are “violent criminals” and the “worst of the worst.” So why are they arresting a 5-year-old boy and a father who were in the process of becoming American citizens? Luckily, on Jan. 30, Liam and his father were released and returned home to Minnesota, but they shouldn’t have ever been detained in the first place.

ICE isn’t just detaining people for no reason, but they are also violating the amendments of the United States.

The Fourth Amendment states that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. This means that people are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. According to the National Immigration Justice Center, ICE officers will knock on people’s doors and claim they have a warrant to enter and search your house. These “warrants,” though, are not signed by judges; they are forms signed by ICE officers, so they do not allow agents to enter your home without consent. But still, agents are entering homes illegally and detaining people even if they have legal documents or are in the process of obtaining legal documents.

Not only is ICE violating the rights of people to detain them, but once they are detained, the facilities they send them to are disgusting and deadly.

The ICE detention centers are now notorious for both violating the rights of immigrants and for the harsh conditions. According to the ACLU, Fernando Vieira Reyes, who was held in one of these detention centers, faced many problems while there. He tried to get proper treatment for his prostate cancer, which he discovered he had while in the center. He had requested to see a urologist but was constantly ignored, and when he reported pain, they just prescribed him some Vitamin C and Tylenol. The conditions in the facility were also horrible. They were held in small concrete cells that were the size of a parking space, along with being without adequate food, water, and clothing for hours on end.

Even though it is repeatedly said that ICE only targets undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or those who are deemed as threats to public safety and national security, it has been very clear that this is not how it is. From arresting a 5-year-old who had done nothing wrong to the 74% of immigrants who have no criminal record, it is very clear that this is racism and an assessment of power.

Hopefully, soon this will change, because innocent immigrants and people who have done nothing wrong shouldn’t be getting arrested, being put in centers that neglect their basic needs, and even being murdered in the so-called “Land of the Free.”

10 Mar 202610 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Modern schools should focus on real learning

by Sanae Ittu

High school is a place of education for teenagers. A place filled with opportunities. A place that provides time for self-discovery. And a place to become more marketable for college. However, there are mixed opinions if high school is slowly losing its purpose or not.

Students are focused more on passing classes than actually taking the time to learn. It’s absurd how normalized it is for students to cheat to escape failure instead of using failure as a chance to grow. The real question is “Why do students feel the need to cheat?”

According to story in edutopia, students feel the need to cheat because either they don’t find any value in certain assignments, they have the fear of losing social status, or just finding comfort with being rebellious.

So how can we fix this problem?

We are living in a society that tells us that how we perform in school can determine our whole future. But aren’t we forgetting that there are successful people living among us that didn’t do well in school academically?

Like Richard Branson, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 but is now a billionaire entrepreneur. Or one of the most famous scientists in human history, Albert Einstein. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and trained himself for the following year.

We would assume that this can be an easy fix. Like increasing strict punishments and surveillance, focus more on grades and testing, and assigning group works. These so-called solutions may sound promising but it will not work in the long run.

Harsh punishments and intense surveillance can make students feel mistrust, leading to secretive cheating.

Harvard University’s website explains,“Students assigned to high-suspension schools are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated later, and less likely to attend a four-year college.”

Focusing more on grades and testing can limit sutdent’s creativity and critical thinking and increase stress and anxiety, leading to more cheating.

According to Queens University, “When students are mainly motivated by getting good grades, they tend to focus on memorizing information instead of deeply understanding new concepts…”

Assigning group work does not address why students cheat or lack passion, students can use it to rely on others to do all the work.

High school senior Yun F. Zheng shared on the Education Week website, “Assigning only individual work outside the classroom removes the risk of group members being overly reliant on others.”

To avoid any of these consequences, administrators should focus more on restorative practice, formative assessment and mastery learning, and structured collaborative learning with individual accountability.

According to PowerSchool, formative assessment and mastery learning have benefits, including defined learning goals, increased rigor, and improved academic achievement.

So take this as a suggestion that education should focus more on genuine learning rather than just passing tests or chasing grades. Success can come in many forms. Creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills that matter just much as a test score.

6 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Teens must be protected from unsafe online behavior

by Rain Gresham

On April 21st 2000, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 or COPPA became effective, due to parents fearing the growing internet and lack of online safety. That law should have laid many parents’ fears to rest but today over 25 years later we still struggle with children’s guaranteed protection on the big wide web.

If you were to scroll on TikTok or Instagram for more than a few minutes past the feel good quotes and useless commentary you would likely find someone talking about a personal experience of theirs; it’s not likely anyone dangerous is going see it, so who cares if someone opens up about their personal life?

Except a dangerous person might.

One third of missing children in 2024 were enticed or lured online. Maybe the creeps aren’t in white vans with “Free Candy” painted on the front, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They are the ones liking and saving your videos. The ones complimenting you and asking to be online friends. The ones you trust, posing as innocent.

Other governments outside of America are taking a more headfirst approach to online safety. In Australia children under 16 can’t even access certain social media platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads, but is this the right way to go? Young teens aren’t babies and are capable of finding work arounds, often by simply changing their age or not listing it at all on these websites.

So if we can’t take the internet from them, then should we just change it for them? However, even if you were to bubble wrap the entire internet, it would never be a totally safe place — it’s simply too big for that. The real major issue is that in the last few years people have stopped seeing it as what it is – full of strangers.

If I had a penny for the amount of times I’ve heard, “You guys are like my best friends” from an influencer, I’d be rich enough to pay someone to give them online safety lessons. They have fostered an environment where parasocial relationships are the norm. Anything outside of that is seen as strange or overtly paranoid.

This mindset didn’t always used to be the case. The world witnessed a great shift during COVID where anything and everything that could inherently be done online would be done online.

Even when the world did start to open up again, those third spaces that were there previously didn’t. So people both young and old were forced to turn to the only available and free one they had, the internet.

So, how should we ensure online safety for teens?

Well, throughout my life I have seen that the simplest ideas work the best. A simple conversation about the dangers of the internet and all the bad situations that can happen there. Check in on your kids and just who‘s following them if they happen to have public accounts and who is following you on yours as well. You never know. The world is full of creeps.

I find that there are very few problems with children that can’t be fixed with a simple sit down and present parenting.

6 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: America was built by immigrants

by Gabriella Kraft

America was built by immigrants. They have built it up from the ground, and then others decided that they had founded the land, even if Native Americans had been there years before them. They were colonizers who decided they could take what they wanted and have no repercussions.

“Nobody is illegal on stolen land.”

It’s becoming a common saying, sadly, to get people to understand that nobody is illegal here, and no one should be getting arrested and killed for their skin color or their accents.

“Nobody is illegal on stolen land.” It is a way of telling most people who are in support of the current administration that nobody is after their jobs. Nobody wants to harm them. Nobody wants to take away their position in life. Just as they are trying to get by in life, so is everybody else.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, “Since returning to office in 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken major steps to reshape immigration policy and enforcement in pursuit of his campaign promise to execute ‘the largest domestic deportation operation’ in U.S. history. As part of this effort, his administration has carried out deportation flights, sometimes to third countries where migrants have no existing ties; ramped up nationwide immigration raids; and granted expanded or new powers to various federal, state, and local officials to enforce domestic immigration laws.”

His whole point in doing this is to do what the rich politicians in the U.S. want right now. He is simply a poorly strung puppet who needs to be held accountable for the lives he has helped ruin and take.

More from Council of Foreign Relations: “In January 2026, the administration’s enforcement push reached a controversial new phase after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in separate incidents in Minneapolis.”

There have been more unaccounted-for deaths and families this administration has ripped apart. Is it so hard to let people live in peace? Most, if not all, of these people just wanted to be here and live their lives when it was ripped from them.

It has turned into such a serious cause that whole schools are having walkouts in support of stopping them, including Hoosier schools.

According to WFYI in early February, “Hundreds of students across Indianapolis and in nearby suburbs walked out of class Monday, bundled in winter coats and carrying handmade signs to join a growing national movement of young people protesting federal immigration enforcement.”

Students have gone through the effort of skipping class, missing a test, and possibly getting arrested for a cause they believe in. Not only does this put pressure on the school system, but also on government officials.

Young adolescent teens understand what’s going on in the country better than most adults. We see what’s happening and want to help stop our country from turning into a warzone, simply because some people don’t like others’ ethnicities or accents.

The impact immigrants have had on America is incomparable; without them, our economy would plummet.

As stated by the Migration Policy Institute,“Immigrants were involved in the development of 30 percent of patents in strategic industries in recent years, and more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants.”

Immigrants are embedded in all types of American culture and food. For example, according to the Food Timeline, nearly all of today’s popular American foods originated in other countries.

This country is so much more than different skin colors and different views, but we can only grow and build on what we have if it has a good foundation. What’s happening in the country right now is destroying that foundation as we know it. So I encourage you to do what you can to help the cause and fight for what’s right.

5 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: NBA drop-off means new talent must emerge

by Kaiden Middleton

The dominant stretch of the NBA is coming to end.

Lebron James, the face of NBA for over 15 years, is the all-time leading scorer with 42,947 points; 11,826 assists (which is fourth all time), and 11,930 rebounds (which is 24th all time), but his career is coming to an end because he is in Year 23 of his career.

Stephen Curry enters year 17 in the NBA known as the greatest shooter of all time – 4,233 points, which is ranked number one, as he has shot over 40% from three-point range in his career. Curry is also a four-time NBA champion and a one-time NBA finals MVP. In 2014-15 Curry was the first and only unanimous MVP.

Kevin Durant enters his 19th year in the NBA and is known as one of the greatest scorers to play the game. Durant is a two-time NBA champion and a two-time NBA finals MVP. He has scored 31,862 points, which ranks at sixth-place all-time in scoring.

Russell Westbrook is in his 18th year in the NBA. Known as the king of the triple-double, Westbrook was the NBA MVP in 2016-17.

With these players’ careers coming to an end, NBA viewership has decreased over 50% The game has changed — it used to have fewer 3-point attempts. Now teams are taking almost 40% of 3s and it is not as enjoyable for the because every game is a high scoring shootout.

The All Star game for the NBA is dying as well. The game used to feature some of the best players in the NBA all coming together on two teams. The players would leave it all on the line, but it does not have that same feeling anymore because the players don’t seem to care as much as they have in the past.

The NBA is still in good shape with many rising stars in the league, including Cooper Flagg, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards. In addition, the incoming draft class is reported to be one of greatest draft classes since 2003 when Lebron James,D Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony came into the league.

2 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Americans live in a state of propaganda

by Ayianna Maddox

Being a civilian in America can be exhausting — constant propaganda, death, and injustice. America is portrayed as a “haven” for all who enter. The “Pledge of Allegiance” is known as a symbol of integrity, loyalty, and respect for America. Still, the shimmering mirage of our Pledge is fading, revealing that the words and their meanings are untrue.

Throughout the U.S. at the beginning of the school day, students are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with their heads held high, standing tall, and their right hands over their hearts. Then, we carry it with us throughout our lives, because we have been conditioned to do so from an early age. We know the words, but have we comprehended the meaning?

The first line states, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.” As we recite this line, we are making a promise to ourselves and our country to uphold important documents, such as the Constitution.

The second line states, “…to the Republic for which it stands.” The Republic is a form of government where supreme power is held by the people and exercised through elected representatives, rather than by a hereditary ruler or dictator. However, currently in our country, our executive and judicial branches of government have forgotten this important detail. The people elected those in power, yes, but those in power are not listening to the people’s cries.

The third line states, “…one Nation under God, indivisible…” This could be interpreted as we’re all equal as a people beneath the “protection of God,” but how I wish in my core that this were true. If we’re all “One Nation under God, indivisible…” then why is oppression still active today despite our history?

The last line states, “…with liberty and justice for all.” Once an eternal promise, that line is now a plea for help. Inside the “land of the free,” the civilians of America are pleading for justice for their loved ones, a rescue through liberation. Citizens of a “justified nation” should not have to beg for something that should have been given beforehand; that’s not what was taught.

With the never ending unlawful acts of President Donald Trump and his administration, the number of nationwide protests against their policies increases.

According to The Guardian News, “There were more than 10,700 protests in 2025, a 133% increase from the 4,588 recorded in 2017, the first year of President Donald Trump’s first term.”

The significant leap in protest participation from 2017 to 2025 justifies America’s cries. The combined protests of 2017-2025 (15,288) are for different reasons, but they are all aimed at the same variables: justice, peace, and hope. The population affected by injustice and constant conflict is rallying together and using their voices to strive for a better outcome.

Recently and more frequently, ICE agents are wreaking havoc to no end – targeting and assaulting defenseless protesters, bystanders, and families. Not only that, but they are attacking schools. Women, men, and children are being taken away, harassed, and attacked with no explanation. No one is safe. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, ICE agents have not only terrorized but also killed people.

On Jan. 7, 2026, ICE agents stormed Roosevelt High, a school in Minneapolis. Reports from MPR News states, “Armed U.S. Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members, and released chemical weapons on bystanders.” This incident occurred just a few hours after Renee Good was killed, approximately three miles away from Roosevelt High School.

Seventeen days later, on Jan. 24, 2026, ICE fatally shot an ICU nurse named Alex Pretti. The New York Times breaks down video footage from a witness at the scene.

The United States of America has become inverted: Rights are being constantly violated, humanity is a myth, and safety is no longer a luxury.

As a teenager in America, I’m watching the colors of my home turn red with bloodshed and the skies grow dark with despair, blocking the hopeful light.

People of America, we are our own light; bendable, but not breakable.

Source: New York Times, Jan. 25, 2026. Graphic by Ayianna Maddox.

25 Feb 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Listening to music provides healthy benefits

by Brooklynn Stevenson

Music has long been a part of human culture for centuries, serving both as a form of expression and a way to communicate. Music plays a significant role in enhancing our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Engaging with music can foster personal growth and improve our overall quality of life.

One of the most notable benefits of music is its impact on mood. According to Right As Rain, listening to music can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. This is why many people turn to music during times of stress or sadness. Playing a favorite song can uplift spirits and provide a deep sense of comfort.

Music allows individuals to process their feelings and experiences in a healthy way.

In addition to the emotional benefits it provides, music has been shown to have several advantages as well. According to PMC, engaging with music can enhance memory and boost focus. Learning to play an instrument requires multitasking and commitment, all of which are skills that can bring good academic performance and problem-solving abilities. APA states that students involved in music education often score better in math, science, and English than their nonmusical peers.

A significant part of music is the social aspect. Music often brings people together, bringing connections. Whether through concerts or just listening with friends, the communal experience of music can enhance social bonds. Collaborating in music also encourages teamwork and communication skills, which are essential in personal and professional environments

Music can have therapeutic effects as well. Music therapy is recognized for its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It can help individuals express emotions that may be difficult to express or articulate. Additionally, music is often used in rehab programs to aid in physical recovery. Overall, the benefits of music highlight its importance as a huge aspect of human experience.

18 Dec 2025 by jhshyphen