Author: Gist It

  • A visa program created to help law enforcement solve crimes puts immigrant victims at risk instead

    The U visa program, intended to aid law enforcement in solving serious crimes and provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrant crime victims, has left many applicants in immigration limbo due to a backlog of over 300,000 cases. Background: The U visa program, established in 2000, offers certain immigrant crime victims a faster pathway to […]

  • A new gray wolf pack is found 200 miles south of California’s nearest-known pack

    A new pack of gray wolves has been confirmed in California’s southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, the farthest south a pack has been detected in the state in over a century. Discovery Details: California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the discovery of the new wolf pack on Friday. * The department had received reports of […]

  • Amid streaming chaos, Dropout carves out its own niche

    In an industry dominated by major media companies, small streaming platform Dropout is achieving success by catering to a niche audience. Backstory: Dropout is led by Sam Reich, who was hired in 2006 to create videos for the humor website CollegeHumor. * Initially, they aimed for wide success through viral content, but after not finding […]

  • Violent threats against public officials are rising. Here’s why

    Extremism researchers express concern over increasing violent threats against public officials, evidenced by the fatal shooting of a man who had allegedly threatened President Joe Biden and other officials. Background: Craig Robertson from Utah, who allegedly expressed violent intent against several Democratic politicians and officials online, was shot and killed by the FBI during an […]

  • The national kid mullet contest is back — and the hairdos are longer and wilder

    The National Kid Mullet Contest, a competition showcasing versions of the iconic ’80s haircut among kids aged 1-12, is back this year with over 900 participants. Competition Details: The USA Mullet Championships recently revealed the top 25 contestants in the kids category. * There are also contests for teens, as well as adult men and […]

  • Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried ordered to jail after judge revokes his bail

    Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was ordered to jail for alleged witness tampering after his bail was revoked. Initiating Incident: Bankman-Fried has been charged with one of the largest financial frauds in history. * He was initially under house arrest at his parents’ home in Palo Alto, California, after posting a $250 million bond, awaiting […]

  • In ‘Red, White & Royal Blue,’ a director centers true queer intimacy on screen

    “Red, White & Royal Blue”, an Amazon Studios movie directed by Matthew López, centers on queer intimacy between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the U.S. president, and British royal, Prince Henry. Background: The film is a screen adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s bestselling 2019 novel and is now available on Prime Video. * Matthew López, who […]

  • How Ecuador reached the shocking point of a political assassination

    Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was fatally shot on Wednesday, causing shock and leading to a 60-day national state of emergency and military activation, with elections still scheduled for August 20. Assassination Details: 59-year-old Fernando Villavicencio, known for his outspoken stance against government corruption and drug trafficking, was shot after exiting a campaign rally. * […]

  • The plot thickens: The battle over books comes at a cost

    Librarians across the United States are facing backlash and even resigning over disputes about the appropriateness of certain books in their collections. Context: The debates over what books are “too sexual and harmful” for children have polarized library board meetings and led to confrontations between librarians and book critics, creating a hostile working environment. * […]

  • Don’t call it ‘vegan’ and other tips from hospitals to get people to eat less meat

    Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston is using creative methods to encourage people to eat less meat in an effort to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions. The mission: The hospital is one of 60 organizations that have pledged to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. * Initially, the reduction of meat […]