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The award-winning student news site of Olympic Heights High School

The Torch

The award-winning student news site of Olympic Heights High School

The Torch

The award-winning student news site of Olympic Heights High School

The Torch

Two of former president Donald Trump's (center) hand-picked celebrity Senatorial candidates, Dr. Mehmet Oz (left) and Herschel Walker (right) lost in the 2022 midterm elections.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Celebrity candidates nothing new, but are becoming more commonplace and increasingly erratic

Lauren Albano, Editor-In-Chief December 20, 2022

The 2022 midterm elections have ended, and many races have made headlines due to the household names running for office. Many were initially surprised to see some familiar faces take to the political stage,...

An Iranian woman cuts off her hair in protest of Mahsa Amini's death while in custody of Iranian law enforcement after being arrested for wearing a loose-fitting hijab.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Mahsa Amini’s suspicious death after her arrest by Iranian morality police sparks worldwide protests

Lauren Albano, Editor-In-Chief November 1, 2022

Protests in Iran have surged following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly killed by Iranian law enforcement for not covering her hair fully with her hijab. Many protesters have been...

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, with school children as backdrop props, displays the Florida bill known as the "Stop WOKE Act" he signed into law on April 22. The law went into effect on July 1.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Gov. DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act” handcuffs teacher-led discussion of sensitive topics

Lauren Albano, Editor-In-Chief August 30, 2022

Florida teachers are seeing the impact of the “Stop WOKE Act” on their curricula as the new school year kicks off. The legislation, signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, went into effect...

With scientists saying that time is running out on addressing greenhouse gasses' impact on climate change, Pres. Joe Biden's attempt to do so through his Build Back Better Plan lies dormant in the Senate.

Biden’s attempt to curtail greenhouse gasses though Build Back Better Act stalled in Senate by Manchin’s opposition

Lauren Albano, Managing & News/Opinions Editor March 3, 2022

President Joe Biden proposed the $1.7 trillion spending legislation “Build Back Better,” which is currently lying dormant in the Senate after Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced...

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has come under attack from former president Donald Trump for refusing to reveal if he has had a COVID-19 booster vaccination.

NEWS ANALYSIS: DeSantis under attack for putting his political aspirations ahead of the well-being of Floridians

Lauren Albano, Managing & News/Opinions Editor February 17, 2022

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is under fire by many, including former President Donald Trump, for his refusal to say whether or not he received his COVID-19 booster vaccination. This has only added fuel...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Roe v. Wade under assault by GOP governors, abortion rights in hands of conservative SCOTUS

NEWS ANALYSIS: Roe v. Wade under assault by GOP governors, abortion rights in hands of conservative SCOTUS

Jessica Abramsky, Editor-In-Chief January 19, 2022

Roe v Wade was a landmark decision on behalf of the Supreme Court of the United States that recognized a woman’s right to obtain an abortion if she so chooses. This ruling came on Jan. 22, 1973, and...

At a recent speaking engagement, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado (left) told an anecdote suggesting that Rep. Illhan Omar of Minnesota (right), a Muslim, is a terrorist.

Bigoted remarks from politicians a cause for concern

Sachin Moosai, Staff Writer January 13, 2022

The United States regularly sees an influx of immigrants. Despite the often repeated factually incorrect argument, immigrants are not a huge drain on the American economy. In fact, overall, working immigrants...

While governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo (right), often appeared on his brother Chris's (left) prime time CNN show to further enhance his image.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Cuomo brothers’ hubris led to downfall

Lauren Albano, Managing & News/Opinions Editor December 27, 2021

Former CNN news anchor and host of “Cuomo Prime Time,” Chris Cuomo, was fired by CNN after it was discovered that he used his position at CNN to help then New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, his brother,...

Elon Musk responded to a challenge from the World Health Organization to donate $6 billion to end world hunger with a response that leaves it unclear if he will accept the challenge.

Elon Musk challenged to help world hunger; could it happen?

Jack Nomberg, Staff Writer November 28, 2021

Elon Musk’s tweet could save millions of lives. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla, an electric car manufacturer, he became the richest man in the world after Hertz ordered 100,000 Teslas,...

House Resolution 4104. or the Vanessa Guillen Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, was named for Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen who was assaulted and murdered by a fellow Specialist.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Proposed legislation will make it easier for military sexual assault victims to seek justice

Jessica Abramsky, Editor-In-Chief November 18, 2021

The United States House of Representatives announced a new bill on July 23, 2021, which is expected to pass in the near future, as it has over 200 House supporters. This bill, HR 4104 or the Vanessa Guillen...

Protests sprung up across the country after President Joe's Biden's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination  order.

NEWS ANALYSIS: While many praised President Joe Biden’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination order, many rose in protest

Lauren Albano, Managing & News/Opinions Editor October 20, 2021

President Joe Biden recently ordered the mandatory vaccination of many federal and private-sector companies that have over 100 employees. With the growing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 on the...

NEWS ANALYSIS: 2020 census indicating a shrinking U.S. white majority stokes fear among xenophobiacs

NEWS ANALYSIS: 2020 census indicating a shrinking U.S. white majority stokes fear among xenophobiacs

Sachin Moosai, Staff Writer September 23, 2021

There has never been data like this since the first census on August 2, 1790. The most recent 2020 census shows that the white population of the United States has dropped below 60 percent for the first...

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