In a world often overshadowed by troubling headlines, stories of hope and kindness remind us of the good in humanity. This week, we celebrate...

Springtime signals renewal, growth, and—if you’re among the millions—an onslaught of sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses. If you live in the Southeastern United States, you might notice your car coated in a fine yellow dust, your outdoor furniture blanketed with pollen, and every car wash overwhelmed with customers. The culprit? Pollen—the plant kingdom’s male reproductive material, launched into the air in astonishing quantities. But why does pollen seem worse than ever before? And what role does the wind play in this seasonal misery? Let’s dive into the natural and climatic factors driving the rise of pollen storms and the intensification of allergies. Nature’s Reproductive Gamble: How Trees Spread Their Pollen Plants rely on pollen to reproduce, but...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), once a steadfast guardian of America’s air, water, and ecosystems, is facing an existential crisis. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election, more than 300 EPA career employees have walked out the door—not out of convenience, but in protest and fear of what the agency is becoming. Inside the EPA’s walls, a painful dilemma looms for many who remain: resign quietly, or stay and fight against an administration determined to dismantle the very mission they’ve dedicated their careers to upholding. A Mission Undermined Since its founding, the EPA has served as a bulwark against environmental degradation, enforcing laws that protect human health and the planet. But the agency’s direction under Trump’s second...