By Isabella Ubillus, Michaela Scott & Alexis Edwards, crime, safety & justice reporters
The News Feed Podcast explores Virginia Tech’s decision to trap and euthanize groundhogs on campus, examining the balance between public safety and animal welfare. Featuring insight from a local wildlife expert, this episode breaks down why relocation isn’t an option and what this issue reveals about human-wildlife conflict in growing communities.
by Brendan Robertson and Evan Niewoehner —
The emergence of Artificial intelligence has rapidly changed the way people communicate, work, and consume information. While it has its benefits, AI has also begun transforming the world of fraud. From voice-cloning technology used in phone calls to hyper-realistic phishing messages, scammers are now using AI to make their scams more convincing than ever before. As these technologies become cheaper and more accessible, the scams behind them are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.
Fraud tied to everyday online AI or telephone scams is rising quickly, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting $470 million in losses from text-based scams in 2024 alone. At the same time, AI-driven job scams are surging as well, with losses climbing into the hundreds of millions, according to the FTC. These scammers typically target those with little technological experience, like the elderly, making the scams even more effective. Since AI significantly improves the realism of messages, voices, and online identities, it’s become increasingly difficult for those who are more technologically unadvanced to keep up and tell the difference.
As technology evolves, so must our awareness of it, because in a world shaped by AI, seeing and hearing are no longer really believing.
by JJ Hendrickson and Sophia Tarabola-
Marijuana use is becoming more widespread, especially among younger Americans. A 2024 study found that usage in the United States has increased by 65.2% over the past 10 years. With many members of Generation Z opting for marijuana over alcohol, that figure may continue to rise.
With more people using the drug, it is important to understand both its benefits and risks. Marijuana has several potential positives, including reducing anxiety, stimulating the appetite of chemotherapy patients, and helping treat seizures. However, there are downsides as well, such as an increase in people developing cannabis use disorder and more marijuana-related traffic accidents.
by Justin Patrick and Sean Hughes–
April is here, and the MLB season is officially in full swing as teams look to define their destiny in the early months of 2026. The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the year with massive expectations, aiming for a historic “three-peat” after securing the last two World Series titles. With a roster led by global icon Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers remain the team to beat, while the New York Yankees are fighting for a bounce-back year. After a disappointing previous season, the Bronx Bombers are banking on a healthy Aaron Judge to lead them back to postseason relevance.
Beyond the star power, the most significant shift this season is the implementation of the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system. This “robot umpire” technology allows players to challenge a call by simply tapping their helmets, triggering a near-instant digital review of the pitch’s trajectory. While proponents argue that the system eliminates human error and ensures fairness, others worry that it strips the game of its traditional grit and the “thrill” of arguing with the home-plate umpire. As the season progresses, the tension between high-tech accuracy and baseball’s long-standing human elements will be a central narrative for fans and players alike.
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