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Gun Violence Prevention in the United States

One incident after another, towns across the country are saddened by shootings involving their community members, left pleading for change until the next tragedy makes headlines. Unfortunately, these incidents have become commonplace in the United States, and it is a topic of discussion related to Des Moines. A walk-out to…

by Lucas Ressler  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

The Importance of Mental Health Days

Mental health days are crucial for high school students to better their personal well-being.  High school students face loads of pressure from exams, extracurricular activities, jobs and friendships. Understanding the importance of mental health days can reduce anxiety, stress and burnout. “I think mental health days are important to have…

by Laurel Richards  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

Climate Change’s influx in natural disasters

In 2024, numerous large storms have been seen in the United States, from hurricanes to deadly fires – scientists believe that climate change is behind the increasingly dangerous natural disasters.  In the year 2024, thirteen recorded Atlantic storms have been recorded, nine being hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An ongoing…

by Addax Hicks  •  Dec 2, 2024
Features

New Teachers at Northwest

This year at Northwest, the building has been fortunate enough to have talented new educators who want to come work and help Northwest. Northwest has been gifted with a new Counselor, Ben Twigg; German teacher, Eric Köppel; English teacher, Elyse Hall; English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, Samantha…

by Reagan Hansen  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

Fall Play: Radium Girls

Northwest students are currently preparing for their 2024 Fall Play Radium Girls, which will be performed for audiences November 1-3 to enjoy. 1926 is a big year for radium in all of its innovative endeavors. From watch painting to supposedly curing any disease, — arthritis to cancer — it is…

by Ava Hansen  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

The Viscilla Axe Murders

About 400 criminal cases in Iowa have gone cold over the years, but certain cases stand out further than others. The primary cold case in Iowa is the Villisca axe murder, an eight-person murder in Villisca, Iowa. The killer or killers have still not been found. It occurred at night…

by Meredith Muller  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

The Rise of Gun Violence in DSM

As 2024 progresses, Des Moines, Iowa, has become increasingly alarmed by a significant rise in gun violence that has shaken the community to its core.  Once known for its low crime rates and a sense of security, the city is now working on finding a way to make communities safer. …

by Aunya Van Zetten  •  Dec 1, 2024
News

The Normalization of Mental Illnesses

In today’s age mental health issues have been normalized in many ways. “Mentally ill people were no longer crazy; they were deeply wise, and their pain was beautiful. This idea was much more appealing to young people, who may have been struggling to various degrees than the realities of mental…

by Aubriella Snyder  •  Dec 1, 2024
News

Sub Shortages

According to data and personal accounts of teachers and higher-ups, a substitute and teacher “shortage” is underway as the supply of people wanting to teach slows and the demand for substitutes and teachers grows. “There is a shortage metro-wide, and it’s an issue,” Current Waukee Board of Education President Wendy…

by Delphina Lonsdale  •  Dec 1, 2024
News

Covid v.s. Monkey Pox

From urban to remote communities, Monkeypox and COVID-19 have made their mark worldwide. In the battle of emerging viruses, these two stand out not just for their impact on public health but for their strikingly different types of spreading and the unique challenges they provide to the human population. COVID-19…

by Mya Farwell  •  Dec 1, 2024