It's our right It's our private property We should be able to have gardens and chickens to take care of our families

We believe that ZPS can come up with a better scheduling solution for Professional Development time that does not include keeping students out of the classroom for so many hours every month. We ask that you join us by adding your name to request that the Zeeland Public School Admin reconsider their 2023/2024 school calendar and remove a large portion of the half days.

More than 350 executives, researchers, and engineers who work on artificial intelligence—including the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the infamous ChatGPT—signed a statement declaring that, "Mitigating the risk of extinction from A.I. should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war." The statement was drafted in such a way that a broad range of experts signed on to identify the problem, but the many potential solutions are up to Congress. We know that Big Tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, spend a lot of money—bankrolling politicians, funding lobbyists, generating propaganda, and hiring armies of lawyers—blatantly trying to weaken regulations or prevent them from being enacted in the first place. The dangers of AI being exploited for identity theft, privacy violations, and disinformation campaigns are concerning—and so are the risks of massive job losses, abuse by authoritarians, and the unknown limits of this technology's ability to evolve beyond humans' ability to implement safety protocols. The rapid pace at which AI is evolving requires appropriate action from Congress. We need safeguards now while there is still time to embrace innovative technology while protecting the public.

Safety of competitors at the start of the Texas Water Safari

Recent scientific analysis shows that the Earth is at a critical tipping point and needs to make a quick shift to sustainable energy sources. Installing new fossil fuel equipment is the wrong decision for the planet -- and for Philadelphia. Our city is the 28th most polluted area in the country, according to the American Lung Association's 2023 State of Air report. Local entities, such as the National Park Service, need to demonstrate their concern for the health of Philadelphians living near their facilities. Currently, the Steam Loop, managed by Vicinity Energy, provides heat to the historic buildings and the station. Vicinity Energy has committed to moving toward sustainable energy in the near future. If the National Park Service would stay on with the Steam Loop, they would eventually go green without making additional investments. Other options, such as solar and geothermal, deserve consideration as well.

Multiple reports this year alone make it clear that social media's impacts can be detrimental to the health and well- being of children. And, just recently, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned that social media can be a "profound risk" to youth. The harmful effects of social media are directly linked to the design of the products themselves—Big Tech makes a decision to create products that have addictive and dangerous features. A survey we did with YouGov found that half of American teenagers report losing sleep because they feel 'stuck' on social media, and more than one third say they do not get as much homework done as they want to because they get stuck on social media. Pew Research Center found that almost half of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 experienced cyberbullying, with teenage girls more likely face abuse. Pew's findings also point to a significant racial component for children experiencing online harms—seven-in-ten Black teens and 62% of Hispanic teens say online harassment and bullying are a major problem for people their age compared with 46% of white teens. Yet, with each passing moment, Big Tech uses its almost limitless capacity and resources to out-maneuver and out-lobby efforts to make digital environments safer. State legislators, inspired by concerned families nationwide, are fighting to pass rules which keep the benefits of social media without the harmful effects of Big Tech's toxic business model. Yet, with each passing moment, Big Tech uses its almost limitless capacity and resources to out-maneuver and out-lobby efforts to make digital environments safer—their business model leverages personal data for profit while people pay the cost. Many of these corporations hide behind their membership in a trade association called TechNet, which lobbies against legislation to protect children. While Apple, Etsy, Samsung, Salesforce, and others constantly promote privacy, safety and security—TechNet fights against those principles. Add your name to demand that Big Tech companies stand up for kids' safety online by withdrawing from TechNet and committing to designing products that are not addictive and harmful to families.

Right-wing extremists have said themselves that their goal is to make Pride toxic for companies. That they want to eradicate us from public life. We won’t let them. We are here, and we aren’t going anywhere.  Sadly, these attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are not new. Just this year alone, across the U.S, Republicans have introduced a RECORD-BREAKING 520 violent, abusive, and hateful anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures, many of which have already passed. Our community is under attack every single day. LGBTQ+ people, especially trans and nonbinary people, have faced rising threats and acts of violence due to the constant dehumanization at the hands of right-wing legislators across the country. Target enabled these bigots, but, the truth is, you cannot appease homophobes and transphobes. So, by removing Pride merch from their stores, Target is sending a very clear and harmful message to our community that they will abandon us and that our identities should be hidden when confronted by bigotry. And the decision by Target's executives to remove Pride merch is only going to embolden right-wing extremists.  Corporations like Target participate in “rainbow capitalism” to sell their products to the LGBTQ+ community to make money off of us, but then abandon us and fail to stick up for us the minute they are faced with backlash from right-wing extremists. It’s disgusting. If Target really cares about the LGBTQ+ community, they will stop caving to anti-LGBTQ+ bigots, reinstate the Pride merch to support our communities and queer, trans, and nonbinary creators, and will do more to support our community by rising up against anti-LGBTQ+ bills passing across the country. We all have to be in this together, in solidarity with all LGBTQ+ folks—especially Black, brown, and Indigenous LGBTQ+ people. The LGBTQ+ community deserves the right to feel safe and supported, whether that’s at home, at school, or in their communities.  Target has a responsibility to do what is right, starting with reinstating their Pride merch NOW.

On Sunday May 28, I was involved in a three car accident on the intersection of New York State Route 23 and Five Mile Woods Road...Honestly one of the scariest days of my life. Approaching the intersection, a black BMW drove up next to me in the left lane and before I knew it, I was being completely ran off the road and basically thrown into the tree line. The BMW hit the driver side front of my car and pushed me right off the road. I took out a giant street sign and my car landed down the embankment and in the wood line. I am very luck that I didn't hit the guard cables, had that happened the accident would have been much worse. I honestly didn't know that there was a third vehicle in the crash untill after I was able to get out of my car. The third car that was involved was coming out of Five Mile Woods Road and going straight through the intersection. They did not have the right away but claimed they didn't see anyone coming. The BMW to the left of me hit the car crossing the intersection and then ran me off the road. Thankfully everyone involved in the accident was okay. I honestly feel that that intersection needs a traffic light. It would provide a more safer route when traveling in any direction within that intersection.

The presence of a rebel flag on a flagpole near the interstate sends a message that is not in line with the values of our state and our country. This symbol has been associated with the Confederate States of America and, as such, has been used to promote ideas of racism, bigotry, and oppression. The display of this flag in a public space can create an unwelcoming and hostile environment for individuals who are members of marginalized groups. Furthermore, symbols like the rebel flag have been used to perpetuate a false narrative of the Civil War, one that downplays the role of slavery and the systemic racism that has permeated our society. By removing this flag, we can send a clear message that we are committed to promoting a society that is inclusive, welcoming, and respectful of all people. We must also consider the impact that such symbols can have on our state's reputation. In today's interconnected world, perceptions matter. The presence of a rebel flag in a public space can send a message to the rest of the world that our state is not an inclusive or welcoming place. This can have negative consequences for our state's economy, our ability to attract businesses and talented individuals, and our general quality of life. In conclusion, it is important to remove the rebel flag from its current location near the interstate. Doing so will send a clear message that we are committed to promoting a society that is inclusive, welcoming, and respectful of all people. It will also help to dispel harmful myths and narratives about our history and our values.

After having chickens for 3 years with no issue, I had a neighbor decide to turn me in to the county. Honestly, had no idea I was doing anything wrong until I was blindsided with a letter from the county threatening fines and jail time if I did not comply within 30 days. In my neighborhood chickens are not "permitted" for a RS-40 which means Residential. I own 1.97 acres outside of the city limits. In most city limits around me, chickens are permitted as long as they are not restricted by an HOA or within the quantity limits given. I am asking Rogers County residents to join me in asking that zoning ordinances be updated (which they haven't since 2006) so we will legally be allowed to have backyard chickens without the threat of jail time or a fine.

It is crucial that we push for the reform of scholarship interview processes to include online interviews, as it holds the key to a more inclusive and equitable system. Financial barriers should never hinder a student's chance to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams. By embracing virtual interviews, we can eliminate the burden of travel expenses and accommodation costs, enabling students from all walks of life to participate without sacrificing their financial stability. Additionally, remote interviews break down geographical barriers, allowing students from remote areas or underrepresented communities to compete on an equal footing with their peers. By championing this reform, we can create a fairer and more accessible scholarship selection process that empowers and uplifts talented individuals, regardless of their economic circumstances. Together, let's ensure that every deserving student has a genuine shot at securing the opportunities they deserve.

Recent reports reveal that AmerisourceBergen—the country's sole distributor of mifepristone, the safe and vital abortion pill-—circulated a list to corporate clients of 31 states where it will not distribute the pill to pharmacies. Mifepristone is still legal, and it's critical for health care—we can't let right-wing tactics limit access to this medication. It's a cruel plan that, if implemented, will have devastating consequences on people of color, people with low incomes, disabled people, immigrants, and those who live in medically underserved communities—all of whom already face barriers to receiving abortion care. Despite the lies of anti-abortion extremists, mifepristone, which has been widely and safely used by millions of people for 23 years, accounts for more than half of all abortions in the U.S. and is a necessary medication for those experiencing miscarriages as well. It is supported by hundreds of studies and has a proven safety rating of 99%. And let's be clear: despite efforts of right-wing judges, it is still legal, as well as being safe, common, and essential. That's why we need to let the pharmaceutical giant know that we are onto it and will not let up the pressure until it answers to public health needs rather than extremist bullies.