Tag: national news
A Legacy of Goodness: The Passing of Jane Goodall
by Madison Benoit ‘29 on October 9, 2025
National and Global News
Dr. Jane Goodall, the founder of The Jane Goodall Institute, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and a world-renowned humanitarian, ethologist, and conservationist, died on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the age of 91 due to natural causes.
Dr. Goodall was best known for her study of wild chimpanzees, most notably the primates’ use of tools and distinct personalities. Her technique famously included living among chimpanzees. This led to her documenting the chimps doing activities that were previously only seen among humans.
Her extraordinary work with chimpanzees began at the age of only 26 in the 1960s. In a time when British authorities insisted she have a companion to travel to Africa to study, she brought her mother. When her work began, she lacked any formal scientific training and was instead chosen for her open mind. This very open mind is what allowed her to gain the chimpanzees’ trust and study their behaviors in a way no other human had.
Her speaking engagements and documentary appearances led her to become a beloved household name around the world, transcending generations. In her later years, Goodall continued her humanitarian work in education and advocacy, rather than in the jungle. Even after she turned 90, she continued to travel for nearly 300 days a year for public speeches.
Her speeches were known for being unique and often included her whooping like a chimpanzee or arguing that Tarzan chose the wrong Jane. Nonetheless, her message always stayed centered on advocacy and conservation of the natural world. She spoke often on the dangers of the climate crisis to our world, which she worked hard to combat.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, she had been scheduled to meet with teachers and students in order to launch the planting of 5,000 trees in areas affected by wildfires in the Los Angeles region. After organizers learned of her death, the first tree was planted in Goodall’s name with a moment of silence. The spokesperson for EF Academy in Pasadena, Shawn Marino, said, “I don’t think there’s any better way to honor her legacy than having a thousand children gathered for her.”
Goodall has left behind a legacy that has inspired many across the world to protect the Earth and appreciate the beautiful animals that live here.
Congress Faces Deadline as Potential Government Shutdown Looms
by Layca Figueroa Salas ‘26 on October 2, 2025
National and Global News
Disclaimer: This article was written before the government shutdown on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
A potential government shutdown is drawing near as Tuesday, Sept. 30 approaches. Each fiscal year, Congress must approve funding for federal departments and programs beginning Oct. 1. However, if lawmakers fail to pass a full-year spending package or a temporary funding extension, a government shutdown would occur, forcing many agencies to suspend operations and hundreds of thousands of federal workers to be furloughed.
Essential employees, such as those in national security and public safety, would continue working without pay until Congress allocates new funding. While most federal employees could receive back pay after the shutdown ends, delayed paychecks can create significant financial strain in the meantime.
Since 1980, there have been 14 government shutdowns. During recent shutdowns, citizens felt the effects with students faced delays in obtaining tax documents from the IRS needed for financial aid and the Department of Agriculture warned it could only guarantee food stamp benefits through February. Fortunately, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are funded through mandatory spending and would continue uninterrupted.
In efforts to prevent another shutdown, House Republicans have passed a short-term spending bill that would keep federal funding at current levels through Nov. 21 and provide $88 million in emergency funds to bolster security for executive branch officials. However, Democrats have opposed the measure, arguing that the package must include an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and other priorities to gain their support.
Democratic leaders have also emphasized the urgency of addressing these subsidies before millions of Americans begin signing up for health insurance coverage in November. As of Sept. 26, President Donald Trump had dismissed these demands as “unreasonable,” but by Sept. 28, he agreed to meet with the four top Congressional leaders at the White House, just one day before the funding deadline.
Deadly Shooting at ICE Facility
by Molly Oldread ’26 on October 2, 2025
National and Global News
On Sept. 24, a shooting occurred at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas. The shooting left one detainee dead and two other individuals hospitalized as a result of the gunfire at the facility. The shooter was identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, according to sources close to the case. Jahn used a sniper rifle to open fire on the building from a distance. While his motives remain unknown, it has been confirmed that he was not aiming for any specific location of the building. Law enforcement reported the bullet holes were found all over the building and not localized to any one target.
President Donald Trump claimed the shooting stems from “radical left Democrats constantly demonizing law enforcement,” while Vice President JD Vance also called the event an act of politically motivated violence. Governor Abbott of Texas stated that the shooting will not deter law enforcement from carrying out immigration enforcement. Jahn reportedly used a sniper to open fire on the facility, closely following the assassination of conservative political advocate Charlie Kirk, which was also carried out with a sniper. Since the attempted assassination of President Trump in July 2024, there have been reports of at least seven sniper-involved incidents across the country. Experts told ABC News there have never been so many sniper-related incidents in such a short amount of time, in what they call part of a “frightening trend of rifle-wielding shooters targeting politicians, police, and others from long distances.”
Jahn allegedly had planned this attack for months and opened fire from the roof of a private office building that overlooks the ICE facility. FBI special agent Joe Rothrock reported that Jahn did a high level of planning, including researching where to shoot from and using apps to track ICE agents. This led officials to believe Jahn intended to harm ICE agents more specifically than the detainees. Shell castings found at the scene were engraved similarly to those found at the site of the Charlie Kirk assassination, which were scribed with messages such as “ANTI-ICE” and “Hey fascist! CATCH!” Jahn used an 8 mm bolt-action rifle in the shooting, and left writings which also caused officials to believe he wanted to harm ICE officials and cause terror. Jahn died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and investigators say it is very likely he acted alone.
St. Edward’s: Serving Up Hope in the Wanskuck Neighborhood
by Alex Pittelli ‘26 on October 2, 2025
Local
Just a few minutes off campus on Branch Avenue is St. Edward’s Church, a beautiful brick church that stands out within Providence’s Wanskuck neighborhood. Although the church itself is rich with history, the focus will be on the humble building just west of it: the St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, which, for over two decades, has served as a food pantry for the food-insecure residents of Providence’s North End.
I spoke with Father Edward Cardente, who has been the pastor of the church since 2000, on the history of the Food Center. Prior to starting the pantry, Father Ed and volunteers had been serving hot meals to the hungry through St. Anthony Church in North Providence. However, after seeing a news segment on hunger in Providence in February of 2003, Fr. Ed was inspired to start the pantry to expand their mission of addressing food insecurity. He immediately knew something had to be done and put out calls to get to work. On March 26 of that same year, the pantry opened and has since continued to provide food to the community.
Today, the pantry is one of the top five biggest in the state of Rhode Island and provides over 400,000 pounds of food each year to the hungry. Their focus has been on client choice, with options not only for shelf-stable goods, but frozen and fresh food as well. The center is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5 p.m.-6 p.m., and guests are given a bag to fill with their choice of food. Behind the scenes, the shipment arrives on Tuesday mornings from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, as well as donations from both supermarkets and parish members. Volunteers sort the food and stock the shelves to prepare for the distribution the next day. Over 1,500 families are in their active database and approximately 300 visit the pantry each week. The day I visited, 316 families had come through, each taking with them much-needed food.
Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates after Months Long Standoff with President
by Erich Rumson ’28 on September 25, 2025
National and Global News
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Federal Reserve voted to cut its interest rate by a quarter-point in response to slower labor market gains. The move comes after President Trump had been demanding for months that the Fed make major rate cuts to help spur economic growth.
The quarter-point rate cut is the first made in over nine months, and according to the Wall Street Journal, some officials have signaled further cuts are due later this year. One of the chief reasons given for lowering the rates is a recent slowdown in hiring nationwide. The latest cut will lower the current rate to a range of 4-4.25 percent, its lowest point in three years.
One might ask: How does a lower interest rate affect the economy exactly? Should PC students care about this recent rate cut? The Cowl reached out to Dr. Limnios from the Economics Department for his insight on these questions. In his response, Dr. Limnios compared the interest rate to a gas pedal: when it is lowered, it speeds up the economy, and when it is raised, it slows things down. In his words, “If the Fed lowers the cost of borrowing enough, more investments are funded and the economy’s productive capacity grows; if interest rates are raised, then less investments are funded and the productive capacity of the economy shrinks.” When asked about the impact decisions like lowering the interest rate have on PC students, Dr. Limnios emphasized how borrowing money and managing debt is an important part of any business, and that business students should be aware of the Fed’s monetary policy and its effect on their financial decisions. He also mentioned the impact that interest rates have on PC students who want to own a home, as the rate set by the Fed affects the amount paid on mortgages.
For the past few years, the Federal Reserve kept its interest rates high in an effort to combat rising inflation. From August 2023 to August 2024, the policy rate was at 5.33 percent—its highest point in nearly two decades. As inflation has gradually lowered recently, the need for higher interest rates has declined, making the recent cuts possible. There is also now a need to stimulate the economy, as the number of jobs added to the labor market in recent months has been lower than expected. While the economy remains solid overall, the Fed sees a rate cut as a way to help boost the lagging labor market.
The most recent cut was not without controversy, however, as it comes after a months-long effort on the part of President Trump to bring down interest rates he argued were too high. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell had until recently resisted Trump’s calls, which led to harsh criticism from the President. Last week, two days before the rate cut, Trump senior adviser Stephen Miran was sworn in before the Senate as a new Fed governor. Miran has shared the President’s desire to lower interest rates and has called for a half-point rate cut, twice the size of last week’s modest quarter-point cut.
The full impact of the recent Fed decision remains to be seen, as it may take time for it to affect the overall economy. The stock market made modest gains in the aftermath of the decision, which may hopefully be a sign of future growth.
Jerry Splits: Jerry Greenfield’s Stance Against Corporate Suppression
by Jack Pawlowski ’27 on September 25, 2025
Featured Slider
After 47 years, Jerry Greenfield—the “Jerry” of Ben & Jerry’s—is leaving the company following disputes with Unilever, its parent corporation, over disagreements regarding the brand’s commitment to social justice.
Ben & Jerry’s is widely known for its creative and delicious ice cream flavors, but less known is its steadfast commitment to social and economic justice, environmental protection, and advocacy for human rights and dignity. These core values have been upheld by co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield since the company’s inception in 1978. They have never shied away from speaking out against social injustices.
In 2000, the company was acquired by Unilever, a global consumer goods conglomerate. The acquisition came with both big promises and big concerns. Chief among them were fears that corporate ownership might dilute Ben & Jerry’s social mission. However, the deal included a unique provision: an independent board retained the authority to make decisions related to the brand’s social mission. This allowed Ben & Jerry’s to continue its activism, including campaigns addressing climate change and social justice throughout the 2000s.
Over time, however, as Unilever’s management changed and the original architects of the deal departed, those promises began to unravel. Cohen discovered that Unilever’s commitment to the company’s social agenda was not legally binding. This culminated in Unilever removing David Stever as CEO of Ben & Jerry’s, without the independent board’s approval, due to his alignment with the brand’s social activism. Unilever was reportedly angered by the company’s outspoken stance on Donald Trump and Israel regarding the conflict in Gaza.
Unilever’s increasing control over Ben & Jerry’s led Greenfield to feel that the company could no longer freely advocate for peace and justice. In a statement shared by Cohen on X (formerly Twitter), Greenfield said, “It was always about more than just ice cream; it was a way to spread love and invite others to fight for equity, justice, and a better world. Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry’s means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s.”
He added that if he cannot carry forward the company’s core values from within, he will continue to champion them from the outside.
Greenfield’s departure comes at a time when the current U.S. administration has taken polarizing stances on many social issues, and corporations driven by profit are increasingly aligning with those positions. In an interview, Cohen remarked: “The reality is that businesses are incredibly political. The average business is using its money to influence elections, and they’re using their money and their lobbyists to influence legislation.”
Greenfield’s exit raises a critical question: Will corporations continue to bow to political pressure, or will his departure inspire others to reaffirm their commitment to social justice?
Jimmy Kimmel is Back After Controversial Suspension
by Reese Kubick '29 on September 25, 2025
National and Global News
Just days after ABC indefinitely suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s live show due to comments about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel returned with his Tuesday show.
Jimmy Kimmel has been on TV for over 20 years, starting in 2003 with the first episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! airing on ABC after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher in 2002. Kimmel has remained out of the “political heat” for many years, he even did an interview with President Trump before the 2016 election. In 2017, Kimmel started to become more of a so-called “liberal activist” after making a dig at President Trump while hosting the Oscars. Kimmel has not been shy about sharing his political views since then, making many digs at the Republican Party, specifically Trump supporters.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! came to a halt on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after his comments about the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s main focus of this monologue was on the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. The comedian stated: “The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Kimmel also said Trump’s response “is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?” Then, Kimmel mocked Vice President Vance’s performance as a guest on Kirk’s podcast on Tuesday night.
The decision to suspend the show was made because ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, sells its content to Sinclair and Nexstar, both companies that own hundreds of TV stations. Jimmy Kimmel Live! sells its content to ABC. Sinclair and Nexstar make their money by selling TV ads, and the more viewers they buy from big companies like Disney, the more they can charge for the ad space.
Allegedly, the advertising customers of Nexstar and Sinclair were upset with what Kimmel said and threatened to pull ads from that time slot. Additionally, Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said to ABC/Disney: “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way…[D]isney needs to see some change here, but the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up…[T]here’s calls for Kimmel to be fired, I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this.” Later, Sinclair told ABC that they were going to replace Kimmel’s former airtime with something else, resulting in the halting of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Sinclair announced its plans to replace Kimmel’s timeslot on ABC with a special honoring Charlie Kirk on Friday, Sept. 19. The company made a statement saying, “The special will air at all Sinclair stations and be offered to ABC affiliates nationwide.”
Sinclair Vice Chairman, Jason Smith, came out with a statement saying the following: “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country…[W]e believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.” Sinclair confirms they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! until “we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.” In addition to stopping the show, Sinclair also called Kimmel to make a direct apology to Kirk’s family and to make a personal donation to his family and his organization, Turning Point USA.
ABC had previously pulled the Kimmel show indefinitely, with no signs of its return. However, on Monday, Sept. 22, it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the air. The late-night show will return to ABC on Tuesday night, but not all of ABC’s affiliated stations will be showing Kimmel’s show. Sinclair will continue to keep Kimmel’s show off its stations; instead, Sinclair will air news programming in the time slot.
When Kimmel returned on Tuesday night, he emphasized, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” He then spoke on the importance of protecting our ability to live in a country that allows for shows like his—ultimately pointing to the importance of creative expression and the necessity for humor in dark times. Kimmel also made sure to state that “a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.” Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Mitch McConnell all expressed reservations about FCC Chair Carr’s actions. President Trump tweeted on Truth Social, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.” The firing and subsequent rehiring of Kimmel raises questions about the application of the First Amendment, especially for those using it to speak out against the powerful.
Supreme Court’s Decision on Immigration
by Shannon Kelly ’26 on September 18, 2025
National and Global News
On Monday, Sept. 8, the Supreme Court overturned a federal judge’s ruling that had found immigration enforcement agents were engaging in discrimination based on race, language, location, and occupation in a 6–3 decision. In July, Judge Frimpong of Los Angeles ruled that federal agents were likely infringing upon the Fourth Amendment when making stops. With this ruling overturned, federal agents under the guise of ICE and DHS are permitted to stop people based on parts of their identity. This includes race, ethnicity, language, possible accents, and their presence at specific sites of work.
This case has shifted national attention to the Fourth Amendment, which protects the right of the people to not be unreasonably searched and seized by the government. This ruling has brought an intense amount of fear across the United States, specifically in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. This ruling from the Supreme Court also comes at a time of heightened anxiety regarding the Trump Administration’s recent attempt at a federal takeover of our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Since June, armed and masked federal agents have utilized roving patrols to carry out sweeps of immigrants who may lack proper documentation. This overturning by the Supreme Court was concurred by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who stated that immigration officers must be able to use their experience to stop suspected undocumented immigrants. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that, “Because this is unconscionably irreconcilable with our nation’s constitutional guarantees, I dissent.”
This case reflects the current political leanings of the 6–3 conservative majority of the Supreme Court. All six of the conservative Supreme Court Justices upheld that the Constitution likely allows for federal immigration agents to use blunter tactics when selecting suspected undocumented immigrants to interrogate. All three liberal Justices voted in dissent of the bill, ultimately pointing out the polarization in the Supreme Court based on the political party of which they are a part.
This case symbolizes the division, the collective inability to engage in uncomfortable conversation, and the constant dehumanization of those who have been othered that currently define the state of our nation. Many feel unsafe at their place of work and now risk being targeted for the parts of themselves that they should take pride in, rather than feel the need to hide. With immigration being one of the most controversial topics at this moment in time, we must be able to engage in meaningful dialogue that recognizes the humanity, dignity, and care that all people, regardless of immigration status, are worthy of.
Conservative Icon Charlie Kirk Assassinated at Campus Event
by Erich Rumson ’28 on September 18, 2025
National and Global News
The State of Discourse in the Modern Age
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the nation was shocked when right-wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while holding an event at Utah Valley University. Around 20 minutes into the event, shortly after beginning a debate with a student in the crowd, Kirk was hit by a single shot fired from a nearby rooftop. He was rushed to a hospital by private security, but died shortly after. The suspected assassin, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody two days later, and is expected to be charged with Kirk’’s murder. The shooting has been seen as another alarming example of a recent wave of political violence taking place in a deeply divided nation.
Kirk, 31, had long been considered as one of the leading conservative voices in America and was a key ally of President Donald Trump in each of his election campaigns. Entering the political scene at age 18, Kirk co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA, a prominent activist group with a presence on many college campuses. Kirk became more widely known for his Prove Me Wrong speaking events in which he would debate college students who held opposing views. These debates generated many viral clips that contributed to his large following, especially among young conservatives. He was also the host of the popular podcast The Charlie Kirk Show and gave speeches at prominent political conventions, including Conservative Political Action Conference and the Republican National Convention. He leaves behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and two young children.
Kirk’s murder was met with shock and grief by people across the nation. Trump ordered all flags to be flown at half staff until Sunday in Kirk’s honor. In an address to the nation Wednesday night, Trump referred to Kirk as “a patriot, who devoted his life to the cause of open debate, and to the country that he loved so much.” Prominent figures from across the political aisle, including Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Hakeem Jeffries, condemned the act of political violence and offered their condolences to Kirk’s family.
Following the shooting, the FBI and local law enforcement quickly launched a full scale investigation into finding the perpetrator. Images of the shooter captured by surveillance cameras were released to the public the day after the murder, along with the posting of a $100,000 reward for information. That evening, Robinson, a resident of the small town of Washington in Southwest Utah, was turned in to authorities by family members who recognized him in the security footage and heard that he confessed being the shooter to a friend. Robinson, who according to the Wall Street Journal was known as a gifted student, reportedly had “grown more political in recent years” and had developed a strong online presence. According to family members, at a recent dinner Robinson had talked about Kirk’s then-upcoming event at the Utah Valley campus, and expressed hatred towards him and his views. Robinson is currently being held at the Utah County Jail.
Kirk’s murder is the latest incident in an alarming wave of political violence that has been escalating in recent years. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump was the target of two assassination attempts, one of which resulted in the death of a rally attendee, Corey Comperatore. Last December, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered on a sidewalk in Manhattan while walking to a conference. The suspect, Luigi Mangione, had expressed opposition towards the American healthcare system and allegedly engraved messages on the shell casings used in the attack. Other notable examples include the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in May, and the attacks on two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers last June. These shocking incidents have demonstrated the growing divide in American politics, which may perhaps be at its worst point in decades.
In order to get a better idea of the broader context behind these shocking attacks and to find out what the proper response should be, The Cowl reached out to an on-campus expert Dr. Adam Meyers of the Political Science Department at PC. Meyers noted a trend of tribalism in American politics: “it’s not just that we disagree with each other more, but we increasingly view our political groups as our identity groups and our political opponents as threatening our identity.”
Kirk’s assassination have revived calls for an end to the politically motivated violence that has recently plagued the nation. Kirk had long been known for bringing about open debate on college campuses, which, while often heated, always remained peaceful. Meyers agrees with more dialogue and conversation, but concludes that the purpose of such dialogue should be open-minded: “when debating politics with someone, you should be open to the possibility of changing your mind based on things they say. Talking politics just to express righteous anger or convince yourself that you’re right will only make the situation worse.” With the uncertainty brought about by Kirk’s tragic death, one can only hope that the nation will return to the peaceful discourse that is essential to remaining a free country.