Category: Life & Style

Potentially harmful contaminants found in local water sources

by James Tyler Ennis-

The NRV Regional Water Authority building in Christiansburg, Va., on Jan. 30, 2023. The building helps to supply clean water to the Christiansburg area. Photo Credit: James Tyler Ennis

Residents of the New River Valley need to be aware of potential unregulated contaminants in their tap water with recent reports of ‘forever chemicals’ in the nearby Roanoke River.

According to WVTF, tests from the Western Virginia Water Authority in December 2022 confirmed that potentially harmful ‘forever chemicals,’ also known as PFAS, are still present in the Roanoke River after the initial findings in August 2022. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured organic chemicals that have become pervasive in U.S. waterways. In fact, 83% of 114 waterways sampled by the Waterkeeper Alliance revealed at least one PFAS compound in harmful quantities.

Meagan Cox, a lifelong resident of the New River Valley, says she wants the local water authority to start testing for PFAS and other unregulated contaminants as a result of these verified findings so close to home.

“Sometimes it’s like, oddly colored, like it will not be as clear as normal. Like I normally drink tap water so I don’t really mind tap water, but just every now and then it has some odd aspects about it that makes me just not want to,” said Meagan.

Drinking high amounts of PFAS may have harmful health effects. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that peer-reviewed studies link PFAS compound consumption to reproductive effects, developmental effects, increased risk of some cancers, hormone interference, increased cholesterol levels, increased risk of obesity, and risk to the immune system. Once PFAS are ingested, there are no known ways to remove them.

Virginia has not issued any regulations on PFAS in drinking water. Additionally, testing for PFAS is expensive. Without state regulation and funding, PFAS are not often tested for or removed in municipal water supplies. This may be why the NRV Regional Water Authority has yet to conduct any publicly recorded PFAS testing or removal in the New River, the primary source of the NRV’s municipal water.

“When I talk to the public about making decisions about things like lead and bacteria, I say test and then if you need to, treat. Install something to treat the water,” said Erin Ling, with the Virginia Household Water Quality Program. 

“With PFAS, if it is a concern, it is challenging to test for both in the sense that it is expensive and that you may not be able to test for all the compounds that could be there.”

For any NRV residents concerned about PFAS or other contaminants in their tap, Erin Ling says they should use EPA-approved treatments to purify their drinking water. Activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange treatments are all effective ways to remove PFAS. Activated carbon filters can be found in most stores and are the cheapest option, while ion-exchange treatments are the most effective. 

Water treatment systems for sale at Home Depot in Christiansburg, Va., on Jan. 30, 2023. Photo Credit: James Tyler Ennis

The NRV Regional Water Authority is filtering all the other dangerous contaminants, such as lead and bacteria, that are currently regulated by the EPA in Virginia. The EPA estimates that new regulations on PFAS in public water sources will be finalized by the end of 2023. 

LIFE/STYLE: How to eat like an Olympian

by Matt Scopa, Gavin Linden–

Olympic athletes train vigorously to compete in their respective sports but training is only half of what it takes to remain in peak athletic shape. To reach the height of Olympic excellence athletes must also focus on their diets.

Olympic dieting receives coverage whenever the Olympics roll around especially with competitors frequently appearing in ads for large food brands such as Subway and UberEats. This raises the question of what does an Olympic diet actually look like? What kind of foods? What kind of schedule? On this episode of the Newsfeed podcast, reporters Matt Scopa and Gavin Linden will try to shed some light on eating like an Olympian.

LIFE/STYLE: Netflix’s “Squid Games” impact

by Rory Ailor, Jonas Buckberg–

Photo by John Mark-Smith, pexels.com

Netflix released “Squid Games” and it grossed over 111 million viewers in it’s first 2 weeks. This makes the premiere the largest in Netflix’s history, and it is only growing. The show highlights many aspects of society, including the wealth gap and class system, as well as testing how far the human will go for money. The Korean-based thriller was made with many up-and-coming actors, as it was a breakthrough season for many of the main characters.

On this podcast, Rory and Jonas discuss how ‘Squid Games’ is affecting society’s way of thinking about money and greed, as there have been many people playing these games in real life for money, just without a lot of the violence being re-created. They also discuss how the show is causing concerns for many parents, as it is displayed as the show is based on children’s games, but it has a lot of violence and gore.

LIFE/STYLE: Spring is in the air, and it brought friends

Photo by Ramaz Bluashvili from Pexels

by Brandon Alimanestiano, Mason Gorelick–

Spring is finally back on the East coast and more importantly in Blacksburg, where residents are taking their lives back outside–masks on. Virginia Tech Students are taking back the Drillfield with the usual spring activities — showing up in the latest pandemic-inspired fashion trends. However, while students rejoice in the warmth, a looming annoyance is set to emerge.

On this Life/Style podcast episode, Brandon and Mason discuss some of the latest trends in mask fashion, and how creative they can become when using them as a style aid. Then, the two co-hosts take a turn and talk about the downside to the warmth: flying insects getting everywhere, and the impending doom of 17-year cicadas coming soon.

LIFE/STYLE: “Cancel Culture”

by Ian Hatcher, Meredith Topian –

Photo via pexel.com

“Cancel Culture” is a new phenomenon in which a person is effectively boycotted in response to some allegation. Since first popping up on social networking sites around 2017 the term has picked up major traction. In most instances where an individual is cancelled they are usually high profile celebrities. David Dobrik is latest in a long line to be cancelled, and the YouTube star has lost nearly all his sponsorships. Celebrities aren’t the only people who can be cancelled and there are multiple instances of normal people being cancelled for resurfacing evidence.

On this Life/Style podcast, Ian and Meredith discuss the origins of “cancel culture” and what it really entails. With this idea becoming more and more commonplace as the day passes they grapple with the implications of this phenomenon.

LIFE/STYLE: Dietary Trends

Image by Daria Shevtsova

by Kyle Graham, Juan Zapata–

A good diet can make a huge impact on somebodies life, but if not done properly, it could actually end up hurting more than it helps. There are many diets out there that if done correctly can greatly improve your health, however there are also many diets out there that make no sense but yet people still try them.

In this edition of the Newsfeed Podcast, Kyle and Juan will cover some of the popular dietary trends, how social media and celebrity influence has an impact, and lastly some of the pros and cons of dieting which includes some of the dangerous diets out there today. Most importantly, they discuss the importance of making sure that you research which diet is best for you.

LIFE/STYLE: Campus ministry life during COVID

Photo on Foter.com

by Jillian Smith, Sarah Wormald–

Virginia Tech’s campus ministries look drastically different amidst Coronavirus complications. For example, Cru, a Christian campus ministry would usually have a large group service in Squires’ Colonial Hall every Thursday night. However, under the current circumstances, Cru is continuing their large group service online, encouraging students to have safe watch parties together.

Another ministry, Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) is meeting in person on Tuesday nights for a socially-distanced, reduced capacity and masked service, similar to how some other ministries and churches in the area are operating.

There are elements of uncertainty when it comes to places and groups of worship during coronavirus, and those who find community in these groups will continue to adapt.

Life & Style: How to Stay Productive During Quarantine

by Hannah Brown, Christine O’Donnell–

photo by Christine O’Donnell

Due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Americans are urged to stay home to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. President Trump extended guidelines to practice social distancing until April 30th, leaving many citizens unsure as to what the future holds. In this time of uncertainty, there are many activities people can do to be productive at home. 

Physical activity like at-home workouts and yoga at home are ways to improve your health and elevate your energy levels. Exercising your brain is important, as well, and can be done by reading books and solving puzzles. Also, efforts around the house such as organizing and cleaning are a great use of this time spent at home. 

An important thing to keep in mind is that it is okay to feel a loss of control right now, but you should try to not be too hard on yourself because this will pass and life will soon return to normal.

Alumnus-owned cafe relocates

Blacksburg, Va., Feb 26 – SETTING UP SHOP: Foamo showed off its new location downtown at a grand opening on February 18. Photo: Sarah Carr

by Sarah Carr —

A cafe that once set up shop on Main Street, has now moved to a new location deeper into downtown Blacksburg. 

Foamo Cafe owner and recent Virginia Tech graduate, Youssef Rhanime, says that there were multiple reasons for the sudden relocation. 

“Families would be coming in with their kids and there was nowhere to sit. We were losing a lot of business because we couldn’t accommodate multiple people, so that was the initial reason I was looking for another spot,” said Rhanime. 

He came across a location downtown that was perfect for a new raw juice and smoothie business concept he had in the works. That’s when it all clicked for Rhanime. 

“I realized that the concept was so similar to what Foamo already does, so I might as well just move Foamo to the better location and kill two birds with one stone in terms of being able to add those things that I want to add.”

According to Restaurant Hospitality, two of the main reasons those in the food industry move their business is due to the desire for more space, or due to a rent increase that was out of the restaurant’s control. 

In Foamo’s case, an increase in space and a more central location to downtown will add what Rhanime hopes is more foot traffic coming in and out of the cafe. 

With the new location being closer to the Virginia Tech campus as well, students have better access to the cafe than before – a change that Virginia Tech student, Aditi Shukla, says is a great thing. 

“The previous location was kind of far from campus. If it moved right across from the Milk Parlor, the old salsa night place, then I think it will be easier for students to access, even during school hours,” said Shukla. 

Over 50% of the working population is employed by a small business according to Yahoo, highlighting the importance of businesses like Foamo and the impact it has on the community of Blacksburg. 

While the location is entirely new, the menu, decor and overall feel of the cafe has remained the same during the transition from Main Street to downtown, with the addition of smoothie and toast options coming in the following weeks. 

Overall Rhanime describes the transition to downtown as bittersweet, the relocation process having both its pros and cons. 

“It was kind of a sudden decision, we moved literally in about a two week time span. A lot of people thought it was a situation where we just left or we just closed up shop. The hardest thing is going to be trying to get everybody back through the doors.”