Soccer Has Always Been Political

The 2026 World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded a month ago. The biggest sporting event in the world, an opportunity for a host of cultures to unite through our shared love of soccer, was tainted by intolerance. Anti-immigration sentiment, racist chants, and power imbalances were persistent themes. The World Cup began and ended on a sour note. Before the tournament even began, FIFA came under fire for ticket price-gouging and unfair selling practices, wit...

NOAA implements ocean drone

Atmospheric rivers are the long, constricted regions in the atmosphere that carry water vapor from the tropics to higher latitudes. They are essentially rivers in the sky.

Atmospheric rivers account for much of the precipitation in many regions, and have historically helped to end droughts in areas along the West Coast. However, they have also been known to be the catalyst for catastrophic events such as flooding and mudslides. Atmospheric rivers contributed to major flooding in Washington stat...

U-District’s predators: How off-campus apartments take advantage of students

It’s no secret that off-campus apartments near colleges are often known for unethical renting practices.

This is usually the case because landlords know that demand for housing is high, while rental experience is low. Many students aren’t able to be placed into campus residence halls after their first year due to limited capacity prioritizing freshmen, and commuting can be out of the question for them. At the same time, 19 to 22-year-olds may not be able to recognize predatory practices. That p...

Nuance is dead

News flash: The world is bigger than you. Your experience is not everyone’s experience. And multiple truths can co-exist at once. This may seem obvious, but in recent years, even these simple nuances appear to be lost on folks.

It’s undeniable that American society is extremely polarized, and confirmation bias plays a big role in that. When you are met with information that contradicts your worldview, you typically have two options: reject the new information or alter your worldview to make spa...

Simona Picardi presents ‘Fitness Consequences of Movement Behavior in Wildlife Populations’

The latest installment of UW’s “Program on Climate Change” colloquium series was led by guest speaker Simona Picardi, an assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management at the University of Idaho. The lecture was held in Hitchcock Hall on May 4 and focused on Picardi’s research on wildlife migratory patterns and how these behaviors impact fitness levels.

Biologically speaking, fitness refers to an organism’s ability to survive and successfully reproduce in its environment. Movement direc...

Community Members Rally at Cal Anderson Park for May Day

The theme of this year’s May Day was “Workers Over Billionaires.” Participants were encouraged to also engage in a national strike, which entailed not attending school, showing up to work, or going shopping. In light of federal actions largely impacting the working class, general dissatisfaction with Trump and the billionaire class has skyrocketed.“We believe that ultimately, the protests that we’re doing are very important, and the various ways people are protesting … we really have to hit the...

On white activism and ‘No Kings’

In light of the third nationwide “No Kings” protest, white activism has again become a centerpiece of conversation. “No Kings” saw a distinct group of participants — including Republicans and “apolitical” individuals — who would not otherwise be likely to take part in protests and other social justice organizing efforts. The time has finally come when the actions of the Trump administration, from rising gas prices to cutting social benefits, have irrefutably impacted every single American. This...

Earth Day at UW

For decades, the vast majority of the American public remained blissfully ignorant of environmentally degrading industry activities, particularly the air pollution caused by the automobile industry and dangerous chemicals in consumer products. (Cars were emitting nearly 13 grams of hydrocarbons (HC) per mile, 3.6 grams of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per mile, and 87 grams of carbon monoxide per mile.)

That was, until 1962, when biologist and author Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring.” The book ex...

My favorite Spring-tivities

It’s TIME! The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and the spring ambiance is starting to set in. It’s only fitting that I list some of my favorite spring-tivities!I don’t know what it is, but period pieces hit different in the warmer months. Maybe it’s the light and airy vibe of many of these shows, or maybe it’s their idyllic settings. Regardless, nothing beats laying on my bed in the middle of May, my window slightly ajar, streaming a period piece with a pink lemonade in one hand and a maca...

When “differing politics” divide friendships: How to know when it’s time to walk away

I’m not going to sugarcoat anything in this article.You cannot have a meaningful relationship with someone if you cannot agree with them on the fundamentals of what is right and what is wrong. Full-stop.I’m getting really sick and tired of this idea that it is shallow to be uninterested in maintaining close ties with people who have “different political opinions” than you. Because when people say that, they’re not really talking about political opinions. Political opinions are the viewpoints a p...

Review: “Relationship Goals”

This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to see an advance screening of the Amazon Prime original movie “Relationship Goals,” a faith-based rom-com starring Kelly Rowland, Method Man, and Robin Thede. The film follows exes Leah Caldwell and Jarrett Roy as they compete for the top position at a New York morning talk show.I’ll start with what I liked– the gorgeous dresses, the fact that the film was set in New York, and the cinematography made it a very fitting Galentine’s watch. But above all, I...

Review: ‘The Best Damn Thing’

When I first heard about the Dacha Theatre’s production of “The Best Damn Thing,” I jumped at the chance to review it. The title immediately caught my attention. A reference to Avril Lavigne’s 2007 studio album, encompassing some of my most over-played songs in middle school, such as “Girlfriend” and “One of Those Girls,” suddenly conjured up vivid visions of sparkly hair extensions and high-top converse shoes.

Once I read the play’s description, the nostalgia hit me like a train. Friendship br...

Project Link works to improve health care literacy and access

Project Link is an international nonprofit organization with a chapter at UW. Founded in 2023, its mission is to bridge gaps in medical advancements and provide members with insight to medical issues faced across the world.

Founder and Executive Director Emily Sui expanded on the primary mission of Project Link.

“We're really focused on increasing health literacy, as well as cultural competency within the health care sector, especially within immigrant and vulnerable communities,” Sui said. “A...

Reflecting on Black History Month at UW

Feb. 28 marked the end of Black History Month, a month meant to commemorate the long list of achievements, struggles, and contributions made by Black people. It is a time for non-Black people to reflect on the ways they may uphold anti-Black rhetoric, and for students of the Black diaspora to be celebrated. However, UW’s approach to elevating Black voices has left something to be desired.

On the surface, UW has acknowledged Black History Month. The university has put together a combined fund dr...

Guest lecturer Amanda Stronza explains how humans can coexist with wildlife

Amanda Stronza, professor in the department of ecology and conservation biology at Texas A&M University, gave a guest lecture in Gowen Hall on Feb. 20 that focused on how humans and wildlife can live in sync.

In addition to being a professor, Stronza is an environmental anthropologist, photographer, and conservationist with a deep passion for animals.

Stronza noted that many of the themes she highlighted in her talk were derived from a conservation biology paper she published alongside Helina...

Washington’s proposed millionaire’s tax is long overdue

On Dec. 23 2025, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson announced his support for a millionaire’s tax. In his words, his goal was to “rebalance this unfair system and return money and cut taxes for working families and small business owners who have been hit hard by the affordability crisis.”

In the past, Ferguson objected to wealth taxes. Now, he’s shifting gears. Is the governor just fearful he won’t be reelected? Or does he genuinely want to make a profound difference in the lives of the working...

In Defense of Guinevere Beck

When the psychological thriller series YOU debuted its first season in 2018, the titular character Joe Goldberg’s love interest, Guinevere Beck, received hate to no end. I feel uneasy even using the phrase “love interest” to describe what Beck was to Joe — because what transpired between the two of them was the furthest thing from a love story. Beck was Joe’s victim. But, to many YOU fans, what Joe did to Beck was justified, because she committed the ultimate sin: being an “annoying” woman. Not...

How climate change contributed to the December 2025 floods

December 2025 was marked by catastrophic flooding across Western Washington. Highways crumbled, levees failed, and homes were submerged. Roughly 100,000 people were displaced, and a fatality was recorded.

Eric Salathé, professor and department chair of UW Bothell’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and an expert in climate change, explained the root causes of the flooding. According to Salathé, as the environment has continued to warm, snowcaps melted faster, and what...

The health benefits of universal free meals at public schools

A new study from the UW School of Public Health revealed that offering free lunches in public schools can significantly reduce high blood pressure and improve academic performance among students. By tracking blood pressure data between 2014 and 2019, researchers found that schools providing free meals saw an 11% reduction in blood pressure rates, compared to those without.

Beyond these numbers, the study emphasizes how something as seemingly simple as a free lunch can make a fundamental differe...

MR-LFADS offers a new approach to tracking activity across brain regions

Researchers Matthew Golub, Belle Liu, and Jacob Sacks at the Paul G. Allen School for Computer Science & Engineering, have uncovered a tool that has the potential to revitalize the study of neuroscience, known as Multi-Region Latent Factor Analysis via Dynamical Systems (MR-LFADS).

Tracking communication between regions of the brain can be immensely difficult. Even when scientists can record signals from various brain regions, they struggle to decipher which regions are communicating with each...

5 Ways to Spice Up Your Eye Makeup

My favorite step in my makeup routine has always, and will always, be eye makeup. I love expressing myself through colors and bold strokes. These are my top 5 tips to spice up your eye-makeup!This was my signature in high school! If you really want to make your eyes pop, I would recommend using bright-colored mascara. Pro-tip: Use colors that contrast with your irises to make them look more vibrant (for example, if you have green eyes, try red mascara!) I recommend the BONNIE CHOICE 9-Color-Pack...

South Africa, femicide, and purple profile pictures

Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) rates in South Africa have become so pervasive that the country has declared it a national disaster.

UN Women, the United Nations organization dedicated to upholding women’s rights, estimated that the femicide rates in South Africa are five times higher than the global average. Femicide rates are also generally increasing worldwide, with a 2024 UN Women report finding that one woman was killed every 10 minutes. Sanctuary For Families, a New York City-ba...

Tip theft, harassment, and unsafe working conditions: An inside look at student labor exploitation on the Ave

If you’ve ever searched for part-time work on the Ave or around the U-District, you know firsthand how difficult it is to find anywhere that’s hiring. Not only that, but if you do manage to land a job, you’re more likely than not to be met with conditions that are less-than-ideal — if not borderline exploitative.

These jobs are primarily staffed by students, which makes sense: Most of the people who live in the U-District, and near the Ave especially, are UW students.

College students are very...

Guest lecturer Joseph Wellman explores the relationship between discrimination and group identification

Joseph Wellman, an experimental social psychologist and psychology professor at the University of Mississippi, gave a guest lecture in Kincaid Hall on Nov. 14 about how discrimination affects group identification.

The talk comes as part of the Allen L. Edwards lectureship program. Edwards served as an associate professor at UW until his death in 1994. Before his passing, Edwards endowed the “Edwards lectureship,” a program designed to enable renowned psychologists to make campus visits to inter...

What’s happening in Sudan?

The world was stunned upon the revelation of the satellite images of Sudan, where the bloodied sands were so prominent they were visible from space. But the horrors unfolding in El-Fasher are only a glimpse of the pain, trauma, and torture that the Sudanese people have endured for the last two-and-a-half years.

Nearly 13 million people have been displaced, and that number is rising. Many of their abandoned homes have been looted and destroyed. Famine and food insecurity are ubiquitous, leaving...

Review: ‘Jay Kelly’

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

George Clooney stars as Jay Kelly in his latest film, a comedy-drama of the same name set to release on Netflix on Dec. 5. The film follows Kelly, a movie star who reassesses his life after an eye-opening trip to Europe. He is accompanied by his manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), and publicist, Liz (Laura Dern), who also rethink their trajectories and personal relationships with Kelly over the course of the trip.

Overall, this movie was OK. Maybe it would have been more enjo...

Surviving the Fall Quarter Blues

It’s that time of year- it’s dark at 5 pm, you’re drowning in schoolwork and applications, and you haven’t seen the sun in weeks. Your serotonin levels are low, and the days are starting to blur together. Seasonal depression is no fun. But it won’t last forever. Better, warmer days are coming. You will make it through!!Most of us seek comfort in entertainment when we’re experiencing emotional turmoil. Whenever I feel hopeless, depressed, or like no one understands what I’m going through, I tend...

4 Tips for the Commuter Girlies

Commuting to college is not for the weak. Having to wake up hours before your classmates; taking unreliable public transit; missing out on campus activities that stretch into the night. All this and more can create an incredibly challenging and isolating college experience. Coming from someone who commutes two hours to campus every day, I know firsthand that it’s not ideal. But there are ways to make it manageable. You are not going to make friends by hightailing it home the second your lecture...

ICE’s reign of terror in Seattle

All over the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been under fire for infringing on the rights of civilians and taking measures that are well beyond its jurisdiction. This ranges from detaining people without due process to detaining citizens, to forced entry into homes and smashing windows to pull suspected undocumented persons out of their cars.

With the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” in July, ICE’s budget has nearly tripled.

The Trump administration has its...

The aftermath of Charlie Kirk: Is free expression in trouble on campus?

Charlie Kirk was a far-right political commentator and mouthpiece for Trumpism, white grievance politics, and Christian nationalism. He was also the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an organization that aims to promote conservative ideologies among students at colleges and high schools across the United States.

Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, a stop on TPUSA’s “American Comeback” tour.

In the wake of the assassination of the controversial figure, colleges a...

Professor Abby Swann sheds light on climate change solutions

The Atmospheric Sciences Colloquium, a course designed for graduate students in the department of atmospheric and climate science, features weekly seminars on current research in advanced topics related to atmospheric science. In the most recent installment of the series, Abigail Swann, professor of atmospheric sciences and biology, discussed her search on climate model experiments and the goal of reaching net-zero emissions to fight rising temperatures Sept. 26.

Swann explained how researchers...

Professor Christopher Murray selected for CDC Foundation Fries Award

Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and professor and chair of the department of health metrics sciences, will be the 2025 recipient of the CDC Foundation Fries Prize for Improving Health Award, named for its founders James and Sarah Fries. Murray was selected for this award for his work in quantifying health loss.

The Fries Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1991 that strives to honor groups, organizations, and persons who have made...

Hurdles to glass recycling in King County

UW Recycling, much like King County, accepts and has always accepted most kinds of glass (with the exception of laboratory glass). Due to public miscommunications, differing policies based on region, and supply chain issues with recycling markets in King County, many people have been prevented from recycling glass. However, King County has never stopped accepting glass in recycling.

Glass is made up of the chemical compounds silicon dioxide, sodium carbonate, and calcium carbonate — found in th...

Boreal fires found to offset global warming rates

Editor's note: This article was edited on July 15 to adjust a quote attribution.

According to a recent study led by UW associate professors, the increase in boreal forest fires will lead to a slowdown in global warming rates: around 12% globally, and a whopping 38% in the Arctic.

The lead authors, associate professors of atmospheric sciences Edward Blanchard-Wrigglesworth and Dargan Frierson, collaborated with Patricia DeRepentigny, assistant professor of geography, environment & geomatics at...

‘Middle Housing’ bill aims to address Seattle’s housing shortage

Stands holding City Council agendas located outside of the Council room in Seattle City Hall, Seattle WA, June 23, 2024.

The Seattle City Council passed Interim HB1110 in May, also known as the “Middle Housing” bill which requires Seattle to create and allow housing types beyond single-family homes. The temporary legislation passed through the council, meeting the June 30 deadline to pass permanent legislation.

Increases in Washington's population spurred new housing needs, which Interim HB111...

Revisiting UW researchers' efforts to predict harmful algal blooms and addressing recent funding barriers

UW researchers have identified biochemical markers that could help predict harmful algal blooms (HABs), according to a recent report published in the journal Nature.

Harmful algal blooms pose an increasing threat to tourism, public health, ocean life, fisheries, and more. The primary objective of the research, according to Brook Nunn, UW research associate professor of genomes, was to uncover pre-bloom dynamics, ultimately to build a warning system for populations based on signs that indicate w...

‘Supersonic’: a chronicle of family, heartbreak, and resolve

The Seattle Met launched its new book club and the first-ever meeting was held at the U-District’s very own University Book Store on May 20. Thomas Kohnstamm, renowned local author, sat down during the meeting with Seattle readers to answer questions about “Supersonic,” his latest novel.

“Supersonic” is a story that follows Sami — a PTA president determined to rename a local Seattle elementary school after her departed grandmother — fueling dissent and a crucial reexamination of the neighborhoo...

New study on grasshopper growth shows uncommon trend in response to global warming

Professor of biology Lauren Buckley recently published a new study on changes in grasshopper size, in collaboration with UW biology graduate student Julia Smith and post-doctoral researcher Monica Sheffer from the University of California, Berkeley. Their findings examine how these changes in size might illustrate how organisms will respond to climate change in the future.

The anatomy of insects differs greatly from that of humans and animals. Insects are ectothermic, meaning they don’t produce...

John Jennings gives insight into the history and relevance of Afrofuturism

University of California, Riverside professor of media and culture studies John Jennings gave a lecture at Town Hall Seattle on May 1 explaining Afrofuturism and its role in the Black Movement. The talk was the latest in UW’s signature speaker series, a program that serves to enlighten UW and the Puget Sound communities.

Jennings opened by clarifying that Afrofuturism is not a new concept — rather, it manifests itself in many art mediums, including but not limited to music, comics, film, books,...