by Mikayla Denault | Dec 3, 2021 | Health & Science
WASHINGTON – Trista Hamsmith’s voice shook Tuesday as she recalled one last happy memory of her year-old daughter, Reese, roaring at a toy dinosaur. The sassy, spunky girl wasn’t feeling herself one day, Hamsmith told a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation...
by Mikayla Denault | Dec 1, 2021 | Education
ARLINGTON, Va. — Students usually worry about schoolwork and tests, but the looming threat of climate change adds additional stress to children’s futures. “We need to educate, we need to step up and we need to really ensure that our planet is protected and we’re...
by Mikayla Denault | Nov 23, 2021 | Education
WASHINGTON — From lack of technology and internet access to teacher shortages to outdated buildings or classrooms, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated longstanding problems of students and schools across the country. To address these continuing issues, the...
by Mikayla Denault | Nov 11, 2021 | Politics
WASHINGTON — While the House of Representatives passed the Washington D.C. Admissions Act, D.C. residents and veterans called for the Senate to give back to those who serve, which meant granting for D.C. statehood. “We actually pay more in taxes collectively...
by Mikayla Denault | Nov 3, 2021 | Education
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Refugees escaped out of Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover, leaving many families and students needing assistance as they arrived in new communities. Annandale High School welcomed many Afghan refugee students, and their classmates reached...
by Mikayla Denault | Oct 27, 2021 | Politics
WASHINGTON — On Oct. 26, protesters held the “Rally 4 Our Future” event outside of the Supreme Court to address the conservative-leaning justice system. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., introduced the bill in April with support from Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., and other...
by Mikayla Denault | Oct 21, 2021 | Health & Science
WASHINGTON— China’s increased efforts in space had the attention of the Senate space subcommittee Thursday, with several senators saying Congress will act to ensure that NASA retains its leadership role in space exploration. “Nobody’s going to out-entrepreneur...
by Mikayla Denault | Oct 14, 2021 | Education
WASHINGTON — The Albany City Council was early to conversations about the need for widespread federal student loan forgiveness. In August 2009, council members passed a resolution urging the federal government to consider forgiving student loans in order to help...
by Mikayla Denault | Oct 7, 2021 | Featured, National Security
WASHINGTON — It has been 20 years since the 9/11 attacks, and emergency communications have come a long way since the disaster. The House Committee on Homeland Security held an Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Subcommittee meeting Thursday to...
by Mikayla Denault | Sep 30, 2021 | Featured, Immigration
WASHINGTON — Activists and progressive Democrats including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush protested on the Capitol lawn Thursday, demanding that Congress include immigration reform in the $3.5 trillion social spending bill and connect it to the $1...
by Mikayla Denault | Sep 28, 2021 | Education, Featured
WASHINGTON — Health inequities and vaccination strategies were the topics of debate at today’s House Education and Labor joint subcommittee hearing. The witnesses and committee members discussed ways to protect vulnerable communities from COVID-19, such as...
