Unveiling the Dark Side of Social Media: The Growing Concerns and Calls for Stronger Internet Safety Regulations

Syracuse, NY – Social media use among children and teenagers has become a prevalent issue, with harmful effects on mental health and overall well-being. As members of Gen Z, we have grown up with social media as a significant part of our lives. While we may have enjoyed a childhood free from online platforms, our tween and teenage years were dominated by social media. This shift has had negative impacts on our generation, as evidenced by increased rates of depression and anxiety among teens. When we were in middle school, social media became an essential … Read more

Senate Finance Committee Demands Stronger Restrictions on Pharmacy Data Sharing with Law Enforcement

New York, NY – The proposed HIPAA rules regarding provider disclosures to law enforcement have come under scrutiny by the Senate Finance Committee. In a letter addressed to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the committee raised concerns about pharmacies sharing patient data with law enforcement without proper warrants. The letter emphasized the sensitivity and potential stigmatization of prescription information, calling for stricter regulations in three areas: requiring warrants before sharing information, preventing sharing between law enforcement agencies, and mandating notification when information is disclosed. Pharmacies and other … Read more

Missouri Police Chief Calls for Stronger Animal Abuse Laws After Shocking Video of Dog Trainer’s Mistreatment

PLEASANT HILL, Mo. – The police chief of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is advocating for stricter animal abuse laws in the state following the circulation of a viral video depicting a dog trainer mistreating a German shepherd. Matt Fiala, the trainer shown in the video, now faces three municipal charges, with neighbors urging authorities to pursue further state charges. In the two-minute video, Fiala can be seen locking the dog in a crate before repeatedly throwing a green bucket, assumed to contain water, at the confined animal. At one point, he overturns the crate and kicks … Read more

Moms Demand Action Rallies for Stronger Gun Laws in South Carolina, Fights Against Proposed Lax Firearms Regulations

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Activists from the Moms Demand Action (MDA) group convened at the state house on Wednesday morning, advocating for changes to South Carolina’s gun laws. The organization strives to enact stronger regulations and close loopholes that pose risks to families, as stated on their website. Currently, South Carolina law permits anyone with a concealed weapons permit (CWP) to legally carry a handgun, openly or concealed, in public spaces. To obtain a CWP, individuals must be at least 21 years old, undergo a background check, and receive basic firearms safety training. MDA’s goal is … Read more