Meatless Mondays

Two men on a mission to help save the planet. Skyler Briggs and Samuel Padilla are challenging themselves not to eat meat on Mondays. They chose not to eat meat because the meat is a major contributor to methane and Co2 and one of the main uses of water is raising and processing meat. They do not want to go vegan because they like meat but want to help out the planet. To make sure he still gets protein in his diet Mr. Briggs will eat whey protein, which is a powered he can just add to his drinks.

Witnesses like Emma Schmitz talked about how it might be hard to do this challenge. One example she gave was how she does not preplan what she is going to eat. She stated, “I can see a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon and this becoming a bigger trend.” Does she think this will change the world, no, but it makes her more conscious about the meat she eats and doesn’t eat. 

“Never half-ass two things, whole ass whole one thing,” Skyler Briggs mentioned when talking about it. He is a man that when he sets his mind to something he always accomplishes his goals. Mr.Briggs is trying to save this earth one meatless monday at a time.

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Revised Article 1

Animal euthanasia rates in the U.S has plummeted in the past decade. However, some say the number is still too high and it is inhumane. Animals are being put to sleep before they are given a chance to live.

“Pet euthanasia rates have plummeted in big cities in recent years, falling more than 75 percent since 2009,” published in the New York Times. The trap–neuter–release program is one reason why the number of euthanasians has dropped in the past years. According to a post on Animal Care Services, “TNR is a program in which community cats are humanely trapped, evaluated, vaccinated, sterilized, and marked by an identifying notch in the left ear, all administered by a veterinarian, and returned to the trap location.”  This means the number of feral cats born is reduced. 

Contrary to popular belief, PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, is for euthanasia in shelters and is not concerned with the number of animals being put to sleep. “Even if the best we can offer them is a painless release from a world that doesn’t have enough room for them in its heart or homes. People may throw stones at us, but we are against all needless killing: for hamburgers, fur collars, dissection, sport hunting—the works,” posted on to PETA’s webpage. PETA says pounds putting down severely sick and injured animals is ok, but, not healthy animals.

In the book, Tiny but Mighty, animal rights activist Hannah Shaw says, “Euthanasia is, by definition, “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals.” But, is a kitten hopeless just because she is three weeks old? Heck No! These kittens are not sick or injured they are simply being put down because they cannot enter the adoption program right away. “56 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized. More cats are euthanized than dogs because they are more likely to enter a shelter without any owner identification”, according to, America Humane First to Serve. Kittens under eight weeks old are a large group of cats that are put to sleep on shelters every year.

Animals are not being given the chance to survive in this country and are being killed in gas chambers when not claimed by families or adopted. “Only 15.8 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are reunited with their owners. 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are adopted,” according to, America Humane First to Serve. By people not getting their animals fixed and feral cats breeding on the streets, there are more needy pets then there is room in a shelter for them. 

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Alex Waters.

One man, one mission, and hundreds of people touch. Alex Waters is a man on a mission to better the world around him. Waters worked with Obama on the Let’s Read, Let’s Move movement, and combat child obesity. After, Waters became an advisor at Morningside College helping kids figure out their futures. He was hired at the beginning of the Krone advising centers start. Now he is also a councilman for Sioux City elected this past election.

Waters is an inspiration to all, he talked about that you truly determine your destiny and determine what you will achieve. That he is aware of white privilege. He grew up in the United States, and he went to a private college but the sky is the limit. It is how you fill your time. Ask how you can fill your time. You have the power it is all about you in your determination. He also stated, “I believe in the difference that can be made.” Alex Waters is the most positive person you will ever meet and he has every reason not to be. His first year of college Waters was in a terrible accident that left him paralyzed never being able to walk agian and has limited uses of his hands. He has every reason to be mad at the world yet stayed positive. Waters said, “I can get involved and want to make a difference” this mindset has kept him active and moving.

Alex Waters said after a lecture once a person once told him that she would think If Alex can do this I can do this. His response to this was if that’s all she took away that’s okay with me. He is truly an inspiration for all and will change the world.

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News Comments 7

Fat bear week is back. According to Vox with everything going on in the world right now, “It’s also a great time to take joy in a national treasure: The very good and fat bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska. Fat Bear Week is back, baby.” Fat bear week is here to bring a smile to everyone’s faces and let people learn more about bears. During fat bear week Katmai National Forest has a fat bear competition where people can vote for what bear is the fattest. This is not fat-shaming instead it is a “celebration of life” according to the Katmai National Forest press release. October 8th the fattest bear will be announced and crowned this year as fattest bear in Katmai National Forest. Sadly, last year’s winner is not in the running again this year. Beadnose, the previous winner was not seen in the park again this year. They say she was 20 years old which is very old for a brown bear. The park says she lived a good life.

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News Comments

Our birds are dying and we have a hand in their death. In the article, “More than a quarter of all birds have disappeared from North America since 1970” the author talks about how over 3 billion birds fewer birds are flying in North America. The study he uses in the article shows that these are not birds that were already just endangered but also our common everyday birds like sparrows. The three biggest breeds of birds to have a decline are the American Sparrows, Wood Warblers, and blackbirds. These are very important birds for many reasons. One reason is the food chain. Small local birds help with insect control, spreading seeds, and are food to other local animals. These birds are a huge part of the ecosystem. There was some good news from this study. The study showed that larger predator birds have increased their numbers.

The article ended with different ways we can help save the birds. They gave great ideas like, putting up blinds so birds won’t run into the windows as often, keeps house cats inside, and recycling. I think these are all good tips and can possibly help bring the bird population up slightly.

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Eating in class

Pirouline

A light weight little treat that will make you mouth water as soon as you hear that crisp wrapper being torn. About the size of an average cigar, however, and the width of a joint this treat will have you high on its taste. A chocolate middle wrapped in a light and the crispy shell will have your taste buds asking for another. As you bite a sweet smell of waffer is released to add to the entire experience.  You will never be able to just stop after eating one. 

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Scavenger Hunt

In the Fundamentals of Journalism on September 19, Fuglsang asked us to complete a scavenger hunt. My first objective was to find something with the Morningside logo on it. I headed straight over to Pastor Andy Nelson thinking he has an office full of stuff. When I walked in his office he was smiling and happy to see me. I explain the assignment and he began to laugh. He said, “Oh man! I just threw away a paper with the logo!” Then proceeded to go through his recycling bin. He fished out the paper and handed it over to me. After we talked about how I am from New Ulm because I am wearing my high school shirt today. We then shook hands exchanged names and I went on my way. 

My second Objective was to have a conversation about a favorite movie. While walking back upstairs I ran into Emma Hansen. She said her favorite movie is Gossip Girls. She loves the drama in the movie. She is also really into comedies. Emma stated, “sometimes you just need a good laugh.” When asked why she loves comedies. 

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Quick Reflection Due: Sept. 19th

  1. Which part of the process for paper #1 did you put the most effort into? Which part of the process do you wish you had spent more time on? Writing the draft is where I put the most effort. I also spent the most time on writing the draft
  2. What was the most difficult part of writing this paper? I had issues with time management. I need to watch my time better next paper and prepare ahead of time.
  3. what was the biggest problem you encountered in writing this paper, and how successful were you in solving that problem? I had an issue taking my voice out of this paper and keeping it unbiased. I tried solving this by having my roommates read the paper and pointing out where I become biased so I could fix it and take my voice out.

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News Comments 5

The giant salamander is maybe the world’s biggest amphibian. It is also now known to be one of three distinct lineages, research suggests. This is an important new find because it opens up the possibility of more giant salamander species being out there. I find this very exciting because we still have so much still to learn about this plant.

The giant salamander is also very rare to see nowdays. They are very hard to find in China. They are being over fished because the demand for unusual food is booming so high. “”Historically, giant salamanders were not used for food or traditional medicine, and in fact they were largely avoided by local people—many communities used to consider them ‘taboo animals’ and the crying noise that they make when lifted out of the water became associated with the ghosts of dead babies, making it unlucky to touch them or even see them,” Turvey told Newsweek. The decline of this salamander has been in our era and has put the giant salamander on the endangered list.

The giant salamander is a lizard that needs to be studied more before they are gone. It is a species that could change science all around the world if studied. It has a rich interesting history to go along with their interesting look.

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Finale article, Euthanasia Rates are at a Decline in the U.S.

Euthanasia rates, in humane societies, in the U.S have plummeted in the past decade. However, some say the number is still too high and it is inhumane. 

“Pet euthanasia rates have plummeted in big cities in recent years, falling more than 75 percent since 2009,” written by Alicia Parlapiano. Trap–neuter–releaseis one reason why the number of euthanasians have dropped in the past years. “TNR is a program in which community cats are humanely trapped, evaluated, vaccinated, sterilized, and marked by an identifying notch in the left ear, all administered by a veterinarian, and returned to the trap location,” according to a post on Animal care services.  This means the number of feral cats born is reduced. 

PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, is for euthanasia in shelters and is not concerned with the number of animals being put to sleep. “Even if the best we can offer them is a painless release from a world that doesn’t have enough room for them in its heart or homes. People may throw stones at us, but we are against all needless killing: for hamburgers, fur collars, dissection, sport hunting—the works,” written by Ingrid Newkirk and posted on to PETAs webpage. PETA says pounds putting down sick and injured animals is ok, however, not healthy animal. In the book, Tiny but Mighty, animal rights activist Hannah Shaw says, “Euthanasia is, by definition, “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals.” But it a kitten hopeless just because she is three weeks old? Heck No!” 

 “56 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized. More cats are euthanized than dogs because they are more likely to enter a shelter without any owner identification”, according to, America Humane First to Serve. Kittens under eight weeks old are a large group of cats that are put to sleep on shelters every year. These kittens are not sick or injured they are simply put down because they cannot enter the adoption program right away. 

Animals are not being given the chance to survive in this country and are being killed in gas chambers when not claimed by families or adopted. “Only 15.8 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are reunited with their owners. 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are adopted,” according to, America Humane First to Serve. By people not getting their animals fixed and feral cats breeding on the streets there are more needy pets then there is room in a shelter for them. 

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