The US is denying COVID-19 aid at a dire moment: in many low-income countries, only about 15 percent of the population has received at least one vaccine dose. As Rep. Pramila Jayapal wrote on Twitter, “Without global vaccination funding, we are simply not tackling the problem of COVID.” We can’t let Big Pharma corporations sabotage global pandemic recovery any longer. The US is failing the global community by coming up short in doing its part to stop the spread of COVID-19.It’s fallen behind on delivering vaccines it previously promised to developing nations; now, it’s stopped funding such programs altogether. Worst of all, the US has failed to take a global active role in tearing down the legal barriers that are absurdly preventing the globe from reaching COVID resiliency. Luckily, the World Health Organization (WHO) is finally considering the TRIPS waiver, a global agreement to make it easier to access COVID-19 vaccines worldwide right now. We need to make sure that deal is a good one. That means including life-saving COVID-19 tests and treatments, along with vaccines. The WHO must stop acting on behalf of corporate interests and perpetuating artificial scarcity at the expense of human life!

IFSO and campus community members have placed menstrual pads in the female restroom of the ELABS building and IFSO members have noticed that they are gone the same day that they are left. There is a dire need for menstrual products, and not just for women. We understand that the UTRGV Student Health offers menstrual products but factors such as embarrassment, shame, or fear prohibits many people from asking. Many students also do not know the health center provides free menstrual products. Others say it isn't accessible to them since it requires crossing the street on the Edinburg campus and that does not help in the moment.

The starke county youth soccer league is a great opportunity for kids to get out and have fun playing a sport with friends. This youth league starts young and allows the kids to get very good at the sport. However, the sport stops after 8th grade which does not allow the kids the opportunities of playing in high school and maybe even some into college. Often times these kids lose friends that they have known most of their life as they no longer play sports together.

Climate scientists and organizers have been sounding the alarm on the climate crisis for years. The latest findings from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tell us that regardless of what we do now, temperatures will still rise globally. But, we still have time to mitigate damage to our most vulnerable communities by using the full power of the government to tackle the climate crisis head on. Fossil fuel CEOs are set to make near-historic profits this year, while working people have been navigating everyday life between a deadly pandemic—made worse by the Trump administration—unemployment and the worst effects of this crisis, from a record-breaking wildfire and hurricane season. Scientists have told us exactly what we need to do to mitigate this crisis, but will we listen and respond? Now is the time for President Joe Biden and his administration to make change for working people across the country and declare a climate emergency.

We have seen the de-forestation of Forest Avenue over the past several years. I am a 22 year long resident on Forest Avenue. We are losing our Canopy of trees. Many of us moved here to this street specifically for the canopy of mature trees. These trees not only add beauty and uplift our spirits, but they provide shade for our homes and yards that enable us to enjoy living in a neighborhood that values nature and supports a healthy environment. If these variances which are extreme - are allowed - this sets the precident that others will follow. The property of 801 N. Alexander is on the corner of Forest Avenue. The variances ask for waiving of 16.6 ft of the required 25 setback from Forest Ave. That is more than HALF the required setback they asking to be waived. These are the remaining FIVE variances they are also asking the city to waive: • 2 feet of the Maximum height of 30 feet, • 5 feet of the minimum 35 feet setback on N. Alexander • 3.4% (190 sq ft) of maximum allowable lot coverage of 10% for an accessory structure/garage • 493 sq ft. of the maximum allowable total lot coverage of 1800 Sq. ft. • 4 ft of the maximum allowable driveway width of 25 along Forest Ave. This is pure greed, without any consideration of how this structure will impact those who live nearby, or the precident this sets for future homes. The builders who come into our city - don't value Trees, They don't value clean air, they only value money. They have been welcomed to come to our city, to our street and to kill our lovely trees, to obstruct our sunlight and to create a concrete community. A beautiful one hundred plus year old pine was taken down from 801 N. Alexander and a second healthy mature tree destroyed from the property as well, so that the builders maximixe the footprint of the structure and also the skyline. This needs to stop. Say No to the approval of these Variances. Say Yes to preserving Green Spaces, Trees and Sunlight.

Our purpose is to inform and to promote social change within our education system. We want to focus on the structure first, where the students develop and learn different behaviors and attitudes. This is a vulnerable and important time for students so, we want to advocate for better staff development and implementation of non discriminatory practice in schools. We are advocating towards mental health and trauma-informed practices to be put into schools nationwide. The students need support, not to be reprimanded unfairly with punishment.

Calvin University cannot fire Professor Kuilema over his support for marginalized communities. Professor Kuilema has shown time and time again that he is an excellent faculty member by caring for his students, and teaching them to think critically about the world around them. To fail to reappoint Professor Kuilema over his involvement in a queer wedding would be unfair and unjust to not only him, but the Calvin University community as a whole. This petition was created by Calvin University alum, Nicole Sweda, and current Calvin University student, Isaac Seiler.

For many trans and non-binary students, being forced to use a labeled, gendered restroom is extremely uncomfortable. We should not have to experience any more struggle or discomfort than our cisgender peers. Gender-neutral restrooms should be accessible and available to students without them having to ask to use a staff restroom or be forced to one or two options that are often far away from classes.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shaken the global oil market, landing us at a crossroads. The US must seize this opportunity to finally break free of our fossil fuel dependence. But the fossil fuel lobby, led by Joe Manchin, is trying to leverage high gas prices to double down on domestic drilling. Congress must stand up to Joe Manchin, and finally enact sweeping climate policy!

By taxing just 0.01% of American households, experts estimate the tax will raise around $360 billion over the next decade. That’s federal money that can go towards public programs that help us all, including education, healthcare, childcare, climate resiliency, and more. A billionaire’s tax is the only way to rein in the American oligarchy, and reallocate funds to where we sorely need them: healthcare, housing, the Child Tax Credit, and government initiatives to counter the runaway corporate power that enriches billionaires in the first place. It’s the ideal time to slap a tax on Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and the rest of the billionaires. Congress needs to hear from you — President Biden’s new billionaire’s tax proposal must pass! Sign the petition: Congress must approve President Biden’s new billionaire’s tax!

Last month, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioners Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson blocked an investigation into Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) – the pharmaceutical industry’s giant corporate middlemen that result in higher prices across the country. Now we have a chance to fight back against these prescription drug middlemen, but we need your help. 77% of all prescriptions filled nationwide are controlled by three PBMs, all owned by the largest health insurers: Caremark (owned by CVS), OptumRx (owned by United Health), and Express Scripts (owned by Cigna). PBMs decide what pharmacies you can use, which of your medications are covered by insurance, and how much you, the pharmacy, and your insurance company must pay, giving them immense control over drug prices in the United States. Defenders of Big Pharma would tell you PBMs aim to lower drug costs and help patients efficiently access medications. In reality, PBMs work to jack up the price of life-saving drugs like insulin, steal from community pharmacies until they go bankrupt, and turn pharmacy care -- one of the most important (and often only) sources of health care for rural patients -- into a living nightmare. When FTC Chair Lina Khan first pushed to investigate PBMs’ role in sky-rocketing drug prices and illegal monopolistic practices, Commissioners Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson blocked the investigation. Chair Khan can call for another vote, but Commissioners Phillips and Wilson must hear from Americans demanding that they reconsider their vote and allow the FTC to conduct this essential study. Together our voices can be louder than the pharmaceutical industry’s.

Over the last two years, since the pandemic began, America’s roughly 700 billionaires grew their fortunes by $1.7 trillion, or 57%. They are now worth a collective $4.6 trillion―one-third more than the bottom half of American society. A billionaires income tax proposed by President Biden in his newly unveiled budget and also by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), would tax billionaires’ wealth gains each year, just like workers’ wages are taxed each year. The President’s plan would raise at least $360 billion and Sen. Wyden’s plan would raise at least $550 billion. This new revenue would help working families afford healthcare, childcare, eldercare, education, housing and more.