Rice students are making waves by creating a nationwide ICE tracker, a tool designed to monitor immigration enforcement activities across the country.
This initiative is a testament to the students’ commitment to community and their desire to shed light on immigration enforcement practices. The tool, accessible online, provides a way for individuals and communities to stay informed about ICE operations in their areas. The creation of the tracker demonstrates a proactive approach to monitoring and understanding the scope of immigration enforcement.
One of the interesting observations is the connection between the tracker’s heat map and election results. It seems that the areas where the tracker highlights ICE activity often correlate with regions where Democratic voters are predominant.… Continue reading
Following an exceptional potato harvest, a surplus known as the “Kartoffel-Flut” has resulted in a massive giveaway of potatoes in Berlin. Organized by a local newspaper and a search engine, the initiative has seen free potatoes distributed at numerous locations across the city, benefiting individuals, charities, and even the Berlin Zoo. The effort has sparked a revival of the potato’s popularity, with shared recipes and expert opinions highlighting its nutritional value. Although some farmers and environmentalists have criticized the situation, as it has devalued the crop, the remaining potatoes are still available.
Read More
In New York City, a recent ICE raid was thwarted by counter-protests, mirroring a similar event a month prior. Hundreds of protesters confronted federal agents and the NYPD in Chinatown, hindering the authorities’ plans before they could begin. This opposition emerges amidst an increase in ICE activity and is a response to the Trump Administration’s hardline immigration policies. The city’s Mayor-elect, who has a strong immigrant background, has also pledged to protect the city’s immigrant community from such raids.
Read More
Ruth Miller, a 40-year-old Amish woman, has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son, who she allegedly threw into Atwood Lake, believing she was acting on God’s direction. According to authorities, Miller stated she was testing her faith when she took her son to the lake. Her husband also died in the water, and the couple’s older children were also made to do water-based trials of faith. The woman is currently receiving treatment at a secure mental health facility.
Read More
For the eighth consecutive year, Finland topped the World Happiness Report 2025, with other Nordic countries also ranking highly. The report, based on self-reported life evaluations and conducted in partnership with Gallup and the UN, highlights the importance of social connections, trust, and community support in overall happiness. Factors such as sharing meals, having reliable social support, and even the perceived kindness of strangers significantly impact happiness levels. Conversely, the United States reached its lowest ranking ever, while Afghanistan remained the least happy nation.
Read More
A conspiracy theory linking Amish longevity to unvaccinated status and unpasteurized milk consumption may have influenced Trump’s views. However, a 2014 Ohio measles outbreak, affecting nearly 400 individuals, primarily within Amish communities, demonstrates the dangers of vaccine hesitancy. This outbreak, detailed in *The New England Journal of Medicine*, prompted approximately 10,000 Amish people to get vaccinated. The theory ignores the significant public health benefits of pasteurization and vaccination.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker