By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer
Since the January 29, 2025 fatal Mid-air collision in Washington D.C. between an American Airline and a Black hawk helicopter, several other incidents have made their way into the news, including a fatal MedVac crash in Philadelphia, a Delta Airlines flight overturning and catching fire on the runway while landing in Toronto, and a midair collision in Arizona. These incidents, coupled with President’s Trump’s administration’s laying off of over 400 Federal Aviation Administration employees and 200 Transportation Safety Administration, has led to flying in the news more frequently. In relation to this news, some at Mount Wachusett Community College find themselves reflecting on the safety of air travel, even as it remains statistically less dangerous than driving.
By Holden Baird | Observer Contributor
Recent headlines illustrate the news media’s fractured focus between a bewildering number of immediate domestic and international concerns. The stock market hiccups as tariff negotiations stumble, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine rage on, the newly-minted DOGE initiative continues its disruption of the federal government, the executive branch issues a dizzying flurry of executive orders, controversy erupts over alterations to immigration policy, and a steady rollback of LGBTQ+ rights and protections pushes on. In general, the average American is largely preoccupied by skyrocketing living costs, which played a significant role in determining the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, energy bills are up 40% and groceries by 25% since 2020. Housing prices surged nearly 18% in 2021 alone as indicated by the Freddie Mac House Price Index. Despite this, Congress has not approved a federal minimum wage increase since 2007 and it presently sits at an astonishing $7.25 per hour. Understandably, public consciousness is dominated by day-to-day matters of survival; a few have the remaining mental real estate available to concern themselves with the more far-reaching issues detailed above. Yet the greatest threat, the wide-reaching consequences of which manifest in nearly every realm of public interest, has predominantly been pushed to the periphery.Anthropogenic climate change- that is, alterations to the world’s climate system that can be concretely traced back to human activity- threatens the present and future wellbeing of humanity on a magnitude far greater than any economic fluctuation or military conflict.
By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer
On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of congress in the Capitol Building. The speech started at 9:14. P.M. and the gathering resembled a pep rally with chants of “USA” coming from the Republican section of the room as the president appeared, exclaiming, “America is Back!”
The Democrats also showed camaraderie amongst themselves, with most of the women wearing shades of pink to express concern over the new administration’s policies concerning women. Many of the Democrats also held paddles bearing phrases like “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Protect Veterans” in silent protest of the Trump Administration and its policies.
By Wendy Joubert | Observer Contributor
Correction 3/17/25: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Brianna Desautels was a Dental Hygiene student. This has been corrected to Allied Health student.
Fresh produce is available to MWCC students at Marty’s Market on Tuesdays. The boxes are donated by Growing Places, a nonprofit based in Leominster, MA, and dropped off at Marty’s Market every Tuesday afternoon. A limited supply of boxes are available. Produce boxes are free to all MWCC students and you don’t need an account with Marty’s Market to pick one up. The produce that is available is seasonal and will change throughout the year.
By Holden Baird | Observer Contributor
You may have seen coverage of the recent meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has since drawn intense reactions from both sides of the political aisle. The controversial meeting and the wider conflict between Ukraine and Russia encompass one of the most consequential of ongoing world affairs, and it could have significant future ramifications.
What is happening in Ukraine?
The Russo-Ukrainian War initially began in February of 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. At the time, Ukraine was experiencing intense political upheaval that resulted in the ousting of Viktor Yanukovych, their then pro-Russian president. Russia defended their action as one taken to support the region’s pro-Russia separatists; Western powers viewed the occupation as an effort to maintain Russia’s influence within the Ukrainian government.
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