13 // INTERNATIONAL HARD NEWS

The Philippines is estimated to be on of the world's most ecologically vulnerable countries according to the National Public Radio (NPR), facing approximately 20 typhoons and storms every year. But only recently have two typhoons of great magnitude ran rampant throughout the country: Typhoon Kalmaegi and Typhoon Fung-Wong.

As of November 10, The two typhoons have an estimated casualty count of 250. Kalmaegi was (currently) the deadliest of the duo, contributing to at least 96% of the total deaths.

After making landfall in the Philippines, Kalmaegi moved west through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The sudden mudslides and flash floods were devastating, with winds reaching 92 miles per hour. Survivors found sanctuary in various public buildings; schools and evacuation centers were were prime for refuge.

(Effects of Kalmaegi in the Philippines. From the Guardian)

While Fung-Wong is much more granular in its kill count, the cyclone has displaced up to 1.4 million Filipino residents and is northbound toward Taiwan.

With gusts reaching upward of 143 miles per hour, Fung-Wong has been deemed a super typhoon by the Philippine government, marking it as one of many that the Philippines face annually.

The typhoon has flooded up to 132 villages, waterlogging thousands of houses and catalyzing various landslides. With a sweep of 1,100 miles, Fung-Wong's destruction is generous and liberal.

(Estimated path of Fung-Wong. From the BBC)

Fung-Wong was especially cruel in its timing, hitting the Philippines a mere four days before Kalmaegi would even begin to dissipate. These circumstances caused Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of emergency.

Both the United States and Japan have offered assistance, acting as timely auxiliaries for the nation. Updates on Fung-Wong are of continuous scrutiny, and one can only dread just how much more severe this cyclone is going to become.

- C. Thomas Bailey

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02 // MISINFORMATION & DISINFORMATION

Sometimes, people go on the Internet and lie. Please, do not be too shocked. It might comfort you to know that these lies aren't always intentional— rather, it's possible that whoever just spewed that concerning lie (your testy grandfather, your invasive Uber driver hell-bent on making small talk, your sigh-inducing coworker Ron, etc.) has based their opinion solely on wrong information. Information can be sensationalized enough for most people to believe without fact-checking the sources or logistics. In other words, they can be misinformed . Misinformation is described by the American Psychological Association (APA) as "any information that is demonstrably false or otherwise misleading, regardless of its source or intention.” But what (or who) spreads misinformation? (The icon of X's "Community Notes" feature, used by users to fact check one another's posts.) The Usual Suspects According to the APA, misinformation is more likely to spread on social...

05 // HOMETOWN FEATURE NEWS

On September 20, 2025, the Alzheimer's Association hosted a fundraiser walkathon at Spring Lake Park, Texarkana, Texas. The goal of the walkathon was for residents to show support and awareness toward individuals "living with Alzheimer's and other dementias," all the while raising funds for Alzheimer's medication research and resources. Attendees could walk either the 1-mile or 3-mile route after registration. Participants wore purple in accordance with the official colors of the Alzheimer's Association to show further support. (Map of both the 1-mile and 3-mile route) Ultimately, 157 people attended the walkathon, and consequently raised $15,700. This averages to around $100 raised per person, which is relatively impressive. Furthermore, though omitted to keep people's privacy, images of the event can be found on social media. More information about upcoming fundraisers by the Alzheimer's Association can be found in the link at the top of the page, a...

12 // NUMERACY

You might often hear people describe themselves as not being a "math person." You might know some intellectuals who struggle with long division or recognizing algebraic equations. You might even relate to both of the qualities just described. This is not a display of poor education or failing intelligence; no, this is most likely a struggle with numeracy. According to the U.S. Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , numeracy is categorized into two types: "subjective" and "objective" numeracy. "Subjective numeracy is a person’s reported confidence in understanding mathematical data. Objective numeracy measures a person’s actual math skills." (Image from Freepik ) Numeracy is an invaluable skill, applicable even outside of an academic setting. Like the National Numeracy C harity states, numeracy can be used to interpret data, statistics, charts, and diagrams; manage and solve fiscal problems; and overall improve one's confidence in ...

MM 2003 // C. Thomas Bailey

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