News
The News section covers things from local news happening on campus and the community to current events, including major political developments, national and international news stories, and social issues.
Big leaps made to make space surgery possible
Earlier this month, the three-inch, two-pound surgery robot spaceMIRA—standing for Miniaturized in Vivo Robotic Assistant—was jettisoned off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. From there, it was sent to a space station that sits approximately 250 miles above Lincoln, Nebraska, where surgeons would begin the first simulated procedure using the device in a zero-gravity environment.
Trump’s hush money case leads to election concerns
On Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, Donald Trump was assigned a trial date of Monday, Mar. 25, 2024. He is accused of exchanging hush money during the 2020 election amid a sex scandal. It appears that Trump and his team's focal concern is how this trial and scandal might jeopardize his current presidential campaign.
Buffalo shooter faces federal death penalty charges
There have been new updates relating to the tragedy that left 13 people shot inside and around an east side Buffalo Tops Friendly Market in a premeditated hate crime on May 14, 2022. The shooter, a white male who was 18 years old at the time of the shooting, traveled several hours from his hometown of Conklin, New York, to an eastern Buffalo neighborhood known for having a predominantly black population. It is reported that Payton Gendron wore heavy tactical gear to protect himself and carried a semi-automatic rifle.
Super Bowl celebration ends with tragedy in Kansas City
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 was set to be a joyous celebration in Kansas City following the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory. Amidst the celebration, however, two minors set off gunshots at the team’s parade just outside Kansas City’s Union Station.
Geneseo gas leak leaves students, staff, faculty inconvenienced
On the morning of Feb. 20, 2024, around 9:45 a.m., an emergency alert went out to members of the Geneseo campus community. Faculty, students, and staff alike were advised of the following: “Contractors have hit a gas line in the area of Milne Library. Please avoid University Drive in that area. In addition, Blake Hall, including the Multicultural Center, has been closed temporarily while the issue is resolved.” About 10 minutes after this alert was sent out, an additional alert was released stating that the Integrated Science Center (ISC) and Newton had also been evacuated as a precaution.
King Charles diagnosed with cancer
On Feb. 5, 2024, a statement was released from Buckingham Palace revealing that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer.
The Tobago Oil Spill and Its Consequences
On the morning of Feb. 7, 2024, the neighboring Trinidad and Tobago — countries found off the Northeast border of South America’s residents— awoke to a mysterious sight: their coast was “blackened” by an oil spill from a mysteriously capsized ship. This ever-present ecological issue has left scientists and officials stumped. Currently, there is no exact quantity of oil excreted, no party being held responsible, and no known intention behind the act. The impact of this event on the area’s marine life is clear.
The Rise Of COVID Cases In The United States
Towards the beginning of January 2024, the number of COVID-19 cases began to rise at a consequential rate in the United States. Although the amount of cases has risen, fortunately, hospitalizations have stayed at a lower rate than in previous years. When United States citizens first experienced COVID-19 in 2020, hospitalizations were teetering at around 100,000 cases and deaths were at around 30,000 per week. In the first week of January 2024, hospitalizations were around 35,000, and death tolls had dropped to 1,600 weekly. Thus, it is evident that the rates have lowered an exceptional amount.
A moderated discussion with Angela Davis
On Feb. 9, 2024, the Geneseo Student Association (GSA) collaborated with the Office of Diversity and Equality to engage the Geneseo community in a moderated discussion with Angela Yvonne Davis.
Hunger continues to grow in Gaza
Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 3, 2023, one in four people are now starving in Gaza. Even before the war commenced, more than half a million people in Gaza were facing hunger as simple groceries like flour cost upwards of $200. As a result, it has become public knowledge that families are struggling, such as the ones in Gaza who were grinding hay and animal food as a substitute for flour because of the lack of resources due to war. Yet, since the war has continued, animal food and hay have gotten increasingly more expensive, thus, making it difficult for families to receive or create any flour at all. The problem of being unable to prepare or obtain any food source may spiral into severe cases and heightened commonality of malnutrition.
The importance of sustainability
As time goes on, the need for sustainability only increases. Luckily, there are ways in which each person can include practices of sustainability into their own lives. Simply understanding the components of sustainability and incorporating them into your life can help foster a more environmentally-conscious society.
Evacuations in Gaza
Today, Dec. 3, 2023, is officially the 58th day of the Israel-Hamas war. While the whole world has been observing and anticipating that the war may eventually improve, it appears that it actually may be getting worse, particularly for civilians.
House votes to expel Santos in historic vote
Nearly seven months after a federal indictment, embattled Republican congressman George Santos has been removed from his Long Island seat. In a 311-114 vote, almost all House Democrats and nearly half of House Republicans decided to take action, which hasn’t been done since 2002. The House easily reached the needed two-thirds majority, thus Santos joins history as becoming one of six members of Congress who have been expelled. The congressman is also only the third to have this drastic action taken against him for reasons other than supporting the Confederacy. “It’s over… They just set a dangerous new precedent for themselves," said the now former congressman.
A message from Breathe Easy Geneseo: How nicotine affects us all
Earlier this year, Pamela Kosmowski, Geneseo’s Addiction Counseling and Prevention Program Coordinator, received a grant from The Truth Initiative to aid an anti-smoking campaign here on campus—“Breathe Easy Geneseo.” Those who are fighting to make Geneseo a smoke-free campus are making efforts to inform the student demographic about lung health, addiction, and nicotine.
Geneseo Denny’s permanently closed due to fraud
According to a recent press release from the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York, Dawood ‘David’ Beshay, owner of restaurant franchising business Feast American Diners LLC, will pay two-million dollars to resolve his illegal seeking of government financial aid by implementing false information on relief applications.
The 2024 presidential candidates: What to know
The incoming 2024 presidential candidates have recently become more clear; as of now, we know as of right now, there are 15 candidates total, with nine Republicans (Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Ryan Binkley, Doug Burgum, and Asa Hutchinson), four Democrats (Joe Biden, Marianne Williamson, Cenk Uygur, and Dean Phillips), and lastly, two Independents (Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and Cornel West). Yet, even though there are 13 other candidates, the main focus is on the battle between two, Biden and Trump, as they seem to be significant faces of their parties and have a tight hold on them.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, dedicated to celebrating the enrichment of the culture, history, and traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other affiliated Island groups in the United States.
Rally for peace in Gaza
On Nov. 10 2023 there was a Rally for Peace in Gaza hosted by the Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace (GVCP) alongside the SUNY Geneseo student-run chapter of Peace Action. The Veterans for Peace Rochester chapter was also in attendance, showing their support for the event. This event took place in the Village Park from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m and included a myriad of speeches and comments given by the aforementioned groups members and leaders as well as the leader of the Democratic-Socialists of Americas budding Rochester group.
Geneseo’s Creative Writing Club
Geneseo’s Creative Writing Club is a student-led organization focused on workshopping and developing creative writing skills among peers. The club is open to any and all students interested in writing, not just those who are members of the English department. Any aspiring writers or people who take pleasure in writing are encouraged to come to their weekly meetings, where they can receive feedback, tips, and exercise their writing skills with short prompts. The group meets weekly, every Thursday at 7 pm. in Bailey Hall, room 102. Meetings are open to any students who are interested.
How to properly recycle
Recycling can seem like a very easy and “common sense” task, yet it may not be as simple as it seems. Intricate waste management systems make it so there are a few gray areas, causing one to throw items out that may pose the slightest chance of being recycled based on preconceived notions, resulting in misuse of recyclable items.