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Articles by Sethan Perez
Coral Crisis
From hobbyists in Carlsbad to university research at USC, coral bleaching is of serious concern for the future of coral reefs across the globe. Whether it’s studying coral via fragging –– a practice where individual coral pieces are broken off to create new colonies –– or being more aware of where corals are being purchased for at-home tanks, waning coral reef populations hang over those who work with coral on a daily basis.
Rebecca Hern: Leading with Purpose & Giving Back to the Community
For Rebecca Hern, Managing Director of Investments and Financial Consultant in Charge (FCIC) in Dallas, financial advising is about more than managing numbers—it’s about building trust, empowering clients, and fostering meaningful change. With a career that spans banking, wealth management, and community service, Rebecca embodies the spirit of leadership and giving back.
Free Metro for Super Tuesday
It’s Super Tuesday, a pivotal moment for voters across the country and Los Angeles. And thanks to LA Metro, getting to the polls has never been easier- or more affordable. In an effort to ensure every voice is heard, the LA Metro is offering free rides on its entire network: buses, trains, bikes, and even the on-demand rideshare service, Metro Micro. This initiative breaks down one of the most significant barriers to voting: transportation.
Surge pricing in Wendy’s future
Wendy’s, the international fast-food chain known for its square burgers and frosties, is stirring the pot by introducing Uber-like surge pricing on its menu. With an investment of $20 million into new technology and artificial intelligence, the time of day, your location, and even the amount of customers in-line could all affect how much you pay. So, how will customers react to these fluctuating prices? We took to our local Wendy’s to find out.
Rain and transportation
In a place where earthquakes are often met with a shrug, the recent downpours have turned Southern California on its head. From unexpected power outages to endless lines of traffic, we’re witnessing what’s on track to be the wettest February in Los Angeles, according to CNN. Believe it or not, according to Captain Adam Vangerpen with the Los Angeles Fire Department, the heaviest showers are still on the horizon. VANGERPEN: The largest amount of rain has not yet hit.
Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers prepare for Valentine’s Day strike
Have Valentine’s Day plans tomorrow? Planning on calling a car to get home from class? Or ordering in for a self care night? Well, your plans might have to be changed. Tomorrow, rideshare and delivery drivers across the country for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash are striking, as they demand for better wages and working conditions. We spoke to Alejandro Rodriguez, a driver with Uber and Lyft for over 8 years. Rodriguezis a member of Rideshare Drivers United, a coalition heading the strike tomorrow.
USC Thornton’s alumni and faculty win big at the 66th Grammy Awards
This weekend, the USC Thornton community had more than one reason to celebrate, as its alumni and faculty clinched over 15 Grammy awards. Nominees ranged from performers, song-writers, arrangers, posers and music industry professionals from across the school. The Grammys are the most prestigious awards within the music industry, setting a new benchmark for success and inspiring the next generation of Thornton students.
Students and experts react to Taylor Swift AI drama
Deepfake AI images of an uncensored Taylor Swift photo circulated on X this past weekend. The rise of artificial media has raised questions of the ethical implications and what social media platforms, and the government can do. Jack Krueger, a freshman communications major at USC, shared his reaction to seeing the AI generated images of Swift. Jack Krueger: I knew immediately they were fake, because they were so obscene.
Would students be more thankful with a full week off?
As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near, a familiar scene of half-empty classrooms approaches USC’s campus as students prepare to go home days before the official break begins. While Turkey Day lands on a Thursday, USC grants students Wednesday through Friday off of classes. Despite this, many students leave the weekend before the holiday, resulting in drops in attendance on Monday and Tuesday.
Panel discusses the future of AI as a tool in the newsroom
Top experts and scholars at USC gathered Tuesday on an online panel to discuss the impact Generative AI could have on journalism — the good and the bad. With more journalists and students utilizing GenAI more often, is AI an inevitable contribution to journalism in the new age? The use of ChatGBT has been popularized among students, scholars and other seekers of knowledge over the past year. ChatGBT represents only one form of GenAI.
California raises minimum wage for fast-food workers
Fast-food workers in California will have their wage increased from $15.50 to $20 an hour thanks to a bill signed by Governor Gavin Newson this month. The new minimum wage will go into effect starting in April. “California is home to more than 500,000 fast-food workers who – for decades – have been fighting for higher wages and better working conditions,” Newsom said at a press conference.
National emergency alert notification test scheduled for Wednesday
A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts will be conducted tomorrow at 11:20 a.m. The test, conducted by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will alert and interrupt all cell phones, radios and televisions. The purpose of the test is to ensure the national emergency messaging system is functioning properly in the event of a natural disaster, terrorism or additional dangers to public safety.
FAFSA will no longer account for multiple college students in a family, but USC will
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) introduced changes that may have a big impact on students’ financial aid packages. These changes, which will recalculate the way need is assessed, will be in full effect by the 2024-25 award year, according to Federal Student Aid. Due to these changes, the FAFSA application will not be open until December 2023, according to CNBC. The FAFSA typically opens on Oct. 1 every year.
Annual USC security report shows increases in certain crimes
The University of Southern California released the 2023 annual Security and Fire Safety Report on Tuesday, which compiles the crime and fire statistics at the University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus by or before October 1. One trend that the report highlighted is the increase in reported rape cases on the University Park Campus. In 2022, there were 51 reported cases, an increase from 39 the previous year.
A trivia app is handing cash to USC students. Where is this money coming from?
Meet USC’s newest app: TapTap, a live trivia app that allows USC students to compete and win cash prizes. Since it launched in late August, there has been a growing number of students across campus who have been dropping everything to answer a series of 10 trivia questions every day at 5 p.m. Students have eight seconds to answer questions in various categories: campus life, sports, science, business, music, art, food, history, math, geography and pop culture.
USC students feel the effects of ongoing hotel worker strikes
Loud protests have been taking place at the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles as hospitality workers continue to strike for fair compensation and working conditions. Some USC students waiting for their off-campus housing to be ready are currently staying at hotels like the JW Marriott and the Moxy, and some said they are having a hard time because of constant noise from protestors.
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