Federal Government Shutdown Continues
You’ve probably heard about the partial government shutdown that’s been going on since December 20. And with good reason: it’s one of the longest-running federal government shutdowns in history. But what does it really mean when the federal government shuts down? Who is impacted? And how soon will it be re-opened again? What Exactly Is […]
Democrats Threatened by Bombs
The last week has seen a shocking amount of violence across the country, including bomb threats against several prominent Democrats and other opponents of Donald Trump. While no one was hurt by the bombs, they still sent an unsettling message about the political divisiveness of the United States just a week before the upcoming November […]
A 9/11 Tale of Hope
So many stories that originated from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are sad stories of loss. But there are also some stories of human kindness and changed hearts. Today, before the annual remembrance of that sad day, let us hear and think about a positive story, in which a group of American travelers were fortunate […]
Farmers in Danger
Lately, the issue of suicide has been in the news a lot, with the unexpected deaths of chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade making headlines. But while celebrity deaths gain attention, suicide is quietly on the rise among another group as well: American farmers. Here, btw takes a closer look at this heartbreaking […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Shareable Scooters Hit the Road Move over, buses and subways and ride sharing. A new public transportation trend is hitting the streets: e-scooters. E-scooters, or shareable electric scooters, are stand-up, battery-powered personal transportation devices that are part of the growing micro-mobility trend in cities nationwide. Here’s how they work: you use an app on your […]
Stop Sipping to Save the Earth
When you order your favorite soft drink or milkshake, how do you drink it? If you said “With a straw,” you’re not alone. In fact, Americans use an estimated 500 million plastic straws every day. But this is about to change. Across the country, universities, food service companies, and even entire cities are banning plastic […]
Shooting at Santa Fe
Last Friday morning, a shooter opened fire at Santa Fe high school in Texas, killing at least ten people and seriously injuring thirteen more. This was the most deadly school shooting since 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14. What Do We Know So Far? Santa […]
Fighting Fake News
During the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump claimed he could stand on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and shoot someone, and his supporters would still vote for him. Except . . . he never actually DID said that. It was a very famous example of what we now commonly call fake news. Since the 2016 presidential election, […]
Remembering a Dream
April 4 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Cities around the nation commemorated the event with marches and speakers honoring Dr. King’s memory. Though events took place in hundreds of cities, here btw takes a look at some of the most significant ones. Remembering a Life One of […]
Facebook Faces Fire
Are you a Facebook user? The company has already been in hot water for months now due to its role in the Russian tampering in the 2016 presidential election. But now, Facebook faces an even more serious accusation: allowing the personal data of 50 million customers to be harvested and used by the Trump campaign. […]