Image – Page 2 – > THE NEWS FEED <

SPORTS: NFL’s Sexual Assault Problems

football — Photo by ljv on Foter.com / CC BY-ND

by Reid Campbell, Emily Carter–

Yet again the NFL is finding itself in a controversy surrounding its handling of sexual assault cases. Antonio Brown, a star wide receiver and former New England Patriots players has been allowed back in the league despite numerous allegation of rape and an ongoing civil lawsuit filed against him for sexual assault.

This is not the first time this has happened in the National Football League. Nu merous players in the past have been accused of similar crimes, and have only been given suspensions from a handful of games, not forced out of seasons or outright banned from the league like many have called for.

The NFL has created programs in the past to change how people view the leagues handling of these situations, like a series of PSAs from 2014. In this podcast Reid Campbell and Emily Carter discuss the Brown case, prior issues in the league, and the failures of the NFL

SCI/TECH: Apple iOS Obsolescence Theory

by Jillian Smith and Emily Carter–

Planned Obsolescence is the theory that companies intentionally design products that they know will become obsolete after a short period of time. The theory states that this strategy is used to cause consumers to continue to buy new products and devices as older ones slow down or eventually stop working at all. Because Apple has recently released a new software update, iOS14, many people have already begun to speculate how this update will impact older devices.

In this science/technology podcast, Emily and Jillian discuss the ways that Apple has addressed these claims and made efforts to debunk this theory, as well as personal experiences that they have had with Apple products and their own opinions on the theory.

LIFE/STYLE: Campus ministry life during COVID

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.

SCI/TECH: New Apple updates, what to expect

by Madison Storm, Kai Young–

Apple released their latest software update recently and users are already enjoying the new features. iOS 14 was rumored for several months before it’s actual release date which was re-scheduled multiple times due to COVID-19 related issues. This update is said to give users to ability to customize their device more than ever before. However, correction updates have already started being released to fix issues many are experiencing.

We also discussed new technology Apple users can be expecting to be released later this year including the rumored iPhone 12, a new watch, and iPads. Apple has also been working on Bluetooth connection devices and at home devices similar to the Amazon echo. It’s unclear the effect COVID-19 will have on the release of these new products. Check out this weeks podcast to hear more.

ARTS/CULTURE: Creatively adapting

Photo by JSmith Photo on Foter.com / CC BY-ND

by Bobby Trono, Sarah Wormald–

The performing arts world has drastically adapted in response to Covid-19. On a local level, Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts has moved all of its fall events online, except for the Progeny Film Festival which has physical and online options for viewing selected films.

Coronavirus complications have resulted in different creative ways for Virginia Tech artists to share their craft, one of which being an audio play called “The Cretans.” This audio drama surrounding ancient Greek myth will be presented online in three different parts early October.

Other online events include film screenings, artist lectures, and concerts that range from celebrating the 250th birthday of Beethoven to local ensemble performances.

The Moss Arts Center also has an online season with a variety of events that feature artists from their homes and performances through Zoom. However, the Moss Arts Center galleries will be open Sept. 10 for the public to view various art installations while proper protection and sanitation precautions are taken.

SCI/TECH: What scientists are doing to understand COVID-19

by Skyler Adkins, Christine O’Donnell–

Photo by EpicTop10.com on Foter.com / CC BY

As a result of the global pandemic, scientists and doctors are working diligently to try and find a cure for COVID-19. There are clinical trials taking place to allow doctors to study participants between the ages 18 and 55 and they are paid in order to incentivize people to help.

Major League Baseball is doing their part by participating in the largest nationwide COVID-19 study on antibodies. Out of the 30 MLB teams, 27 of them are involved in this study. The 10,000 participants range from players to stadium ushers who have all agreed to take blood tests in order to help doctors understand the infection rate and spread patterns of this novel coronavirus.

Scientists are also looking at HIV medications as a possible cure for the virus. An antiviral HIV medication known as Kaletra has emerged on the black market. According to doctors in China, this drug has showed promising signs to be a possible treatment for coronavirus.

SPORTS: MLB’s plan to start 2020 season

by Dan Demski, Andrew Webb–

Due to Covid-19, the Major League Baseball season has been delayed. Opening day of the 2020 season was set for March 26 but because of health concerns for players, coaches and fans, the season was unable to start then.

In this podcast, we discuss a new plan by Major League Baseball to bring baseball back in the coming weeks. According to a CBS Sports article, The plan includes having three different sites where all games to be played. The sites would be professional and minor league facilities in Arizona, Texas and Florida. This would require all the divisions to be changed for the 2020 season. There are currently no set plans as far as a timetable for return.

https://audiomack.com/embed/song/the-news-feed/sports-podcast-for-4-21-20-newscycle-mixdown

POLITICS: How does Trump’s ‘reopening plan’ contradict state governors?

Capitol Dome at Sunset — Photo by John Brighenti on Foter.com / CC BY

by RJ Garza, Hannah Brown–

President Donald Trump has proposed a three-phase plan to reopening the nation following the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines for Trump’s plan give the authority to state governors to decide when it’s safe to reopen businesses despite his earlier comments of having “total authority” over the state government’s decisions.

The new plan will allow states to raise restrictions by May 1, which is when the federal government guidelines are projected to end. However, states that currently have an overwhelming amount of cases will likely plan to keep restrictions in place for a couple more weeks. State governors across the nation are working together to determine the best time to reopen businesses. States like California and New Jersey don’t currently have an end date for their stay-at-home orders and warn that some restrictions may extend until summer.

Among disagreements between the state and federal government, there have also been protests erupting around the nation against the shelter-in-place orders. Kentucky, Ohio, and New York are some of the states that have had protests pop up during the past week. Trump has defended these protestors while state governors continue to claim the federal government isn’t doing enough to help.

SCI/TECH: COVID-19, tracking apps, and privacy

by Drew Jones and Celia Holubar–

Person using mobile phone | Free for commercial image create… | Flickr — Source: Rawpixel Ltd. Via Flickr.com

The COVID-19 pandemic has required all hands on deck. A large group of technologists and executives have called on top technology companies in an open letter to help in the fight against COVID-19. A part of the letter singled out top companies such as Apple and Google to use their extensive knowledge to create a contact tracing app for the United States, similar to ones that have been used in other countries.

The idea may have stemmed from a Home Quarantine app created in Poland. The app sends a random alert to your mobile phone and you have 20 minutes to respond with a selfie in your designated quarantine location or the police will pay you a visit and fines will be given. With this, it brings many ethical issues in terms of privacy and security on the internet and it begs the question; How much should we compromise our privacy for the fight against COVID-19?

In this podcast, we discuss the issues of privacy vs. security and some other crazy ways the government could know who is COVID-19 positive without their consent.

https://audiomack.com/embed/song/the-news-feed/scitech-covid-19-pandemic-brings-nations-privacy-into-question?background=1