Gentrification or Descrimination?
Gentrification is defined by Mirriam-Webster as
“a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents”
This has happened many times over around the world, and usually generates some frustration from the people being pushed out of these areas and the community as a whole. Many say that gentrification is unethical, but there isn’t much they can do about it besides complain. If someone wants to fix up the inner city, they can and will.
There is a new situation arising in Denmark though, the Danish government is starting a project of gentrification within their public housing sector. “Thousands of apartments will be demolished”, all of those residents being evicted and forced to move somewhere new.
This is a terrible event and very controversial to almost anyone who hears them. The article I read made it very confusing as to what they were doing. They didn’t mention gentrification once, which in essence is exactly what is going on. They do a good job of further down in the article listing the actual ‘rules’ the Danish government decided to have for which neighborhoods will be affected. They do mention that people have been going to the courts over this, and that the Supreme Court of the EU is going to weigh in and asked them to stop until a decision can be made, but I think that this would be useful sooner in the story. Until I got all the way down to this point, I thought that the Danish government was doing this completely unchecked, I don’t think the article did the real story justice by putting this detail all the way in the bottom.
/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/world/europe/denmark-housing.html
Roadman is Burning….Again (Article 2 Final)
Roadman resident cringe when they hear the words ‘fire-alarm’. For as long as any current students can remember, Roadman Hall’s fire alarms go off frequently, usually forcing students out of bed at late hours of the night. So far in this school year alone, it has gone off 4 times, the last one Tuesday, October 3, at around 12:30 in the morning. Students went outside, complaining about the alarm waking them, thankful that it wasn’t raining outside or 20 below, knowing from past years’ experience that it can and will get worse.
The days after are always filled with rumors and speculations as to what set it off this time, reasons include things from hair spray or dry shampoo in a dorm room too close to the smoke detector, a humidifier pumping out so much mist it looked like a wall when the student’s door was opened, students vaping or smoking in their rooms, or just plain stupidity by letting things like ramen and popcorn burn in the microwave.
Obviously, the constant false alarms are annoying to students, it interrupts sleep and can put them out in the cold while they wait for the fire department. Isaiah Hinters, a senior who has lived in Roadman his entire time at Morningside, said “It has always been a problem, I have been woken up from naps twice recently because of the fire alarms”. The thing that makes this a real issue is that many students say that they don’t leave when the fire alarms go off, even though there are fines if you are found out. “We pound on doors to make sure everyone’s awake, but there is only so much we can do to get people to leave the building” said Elana Krutsinger, a sophomore RA in Roadman.
As it gets colder outside and as more and more false alarms go off, fewer and fewer students will leave the building. Statistically, there eventually will be a REAL fire in roadman. It could be late at night, in the middle of January right after a huge snowstorm. Roadman residents either won’t wake up to the alarm or will say they didn’t. Students will not get out of the burning building, thinking it is another fake. Students could get seriously hurt, or even die. It is a classic ‘boy who called wolf’ situation that will end in tragedy, and probably a huge lawsuit for the school.
Target’s Financial Report
The letter to shareholders from Brian Cornell, Target’s chair and CEO, discusses the company’s growth in the last few years as well as the plan for future growth. It focuses heavily on the growth philosophy and strategy that was set in place in 2019 that has led them to this moment, they emphasized the big reasons for their steady growth being able to deliver what customers want and need, while also anticipating future trends. Target also focuses on the fact that although they experienced major growth in 2020 and 2021, they were able to stay connected to customers and build loyalty that will help push more company growth in the future.
The company plans to stick to the core values and ideas of their growth plan from 2019, while also investing more into the company, using profits to remodel stores and focus more on digital growth and loyalty programs. The company is optimistic about their ability to be flexible allowing them to continue to grow steadily, even in today’s “unpredictable consumer and economic landscape”.
The CEO seems to be very optimistic about Target’s future and explains their history and plans very clearly. He made it very easy for the average consumer/shareholder to follow along with what he is saying and understand the company’s goals and means of achieving these goals.
A Nice Conversation
When I asked Alli Madden about the most influential person in her life, she chose her mom. Jacki Madden raised Alli and imprinted many of her beliefs and parts of her personality onto her daughter.
Jacki worked as a special ed teacher for many years, inspiring Alli to begin working with special needs children, “the job I have worked the last 6 years is because of her.”
Alli also received her tenacity and stubbornness from her mom, “She is really outgoing and loud when something isn’t fair,” this has instilled in Alli to have confidence in the decisions she makes.
Alli gets her adventurous spirit and curiosity about other people and cultures from her mom as well, “she had a student’s mom that made her tamales like once a month, which helped make her more culturally open.” Jacki being open and interested in many different cultures helped to grow that in Alli as she grew up.
Robbery at BJ’s Drug
2 men in ski masks robbed BJ’s Drug last night around 830 pm, getting away with over 375 dollars. One of the men held a gun on Barney Joseph, Jr, the owner, while the other grabbed the cash.
Joseph is said to have a gun kept under the counter, but decided not to use it during the event due to his father being killed in a similar event nearly 25 years ago.
“Yes, Dad resisted, I guess. Anyway, they found him shot to death, his own gun in his hand, and a bullet in the store’s ceiling. I’d rather part with my money than my life”
Barney Joseph, Jr; Owner of BJ’s Drug; age 43
Police say that the robbery was over in under a minute, the men getting away in a car parked in front of the store with the motor left running.
Red Way = Wrong Way
Redway Airlines started business in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then pulled out within 3 months. They emailed all their customers late in August saying that they would be refunding and cancelling all flights after August 31st. Of the 1,600 tickets cancelled, 600 people are still waiting on their refunds from the company.
Many people have emailed customer support about their refunds, and have received news that they have been refunded, the airline saying they sent the money back, even though the banks are telling people they have not received any money.
This article has a lot of quotes from a few people and mostly focuses on the customers side. There is next to no information from Redway themselves as to what is going on or what they plan to do. There was speculation about why Redway had to shut down so quickly but no actual facts, which I thought was weird. I think this article should have had more facts and solutions or information from the company, as the people clicking this article are likely people that are facing this same problem (me) and wanted some information on what to do.
Scavenger Hunt
As soon as I left the library I spotted Stacie Hays and Katie Koithan walking from the Krone center. I waved at both of them as I got closer and then asked if I could grab an autograph and photo of them both. They both seemed excited to help. While they were signing my paper, I asked them both what they are up to this morning, and where they are walking, “Oh just…ya know” Stacie says as she gestures past the library towards the rest of campus, “Lewis Hall” Katie adds, holding up a paper I am presuming needs to find its way to Lewis.

I quickly took a photo of them, and thanked them to move on. As I left, they were swarmed by more students from our class asking for quotes and various things.

I started walking the opposite direction, hoping to see someone out and about, unfortunately I did not cross paths with anyone. So I continued on to the Lincoln Center. I went into the business department offices and asked the secretary if Dan Wubbena was in. He was, so I went back to his office to ask him about his plans for the weekend. “Hopefully not a lot” Dan said, planning for a fairly chill weekend. He plans on tuning into the Morningside football game on Saturday. As busy as he is, I can understand Dan wanting to relax before coming back next Monday for another week of craziness. Dan was originally a bit surprised by my visit, but when I explained the reasoning, he seemed to think it was fun and was excited to help.
iPhone 15 to Feature a USB-C Charging Port
There have been regulations placed in Europe forcing manufacturers to use a USB-C charging port for new devices. Apple had to give in after arguing with these regulators, causing the iPhone 15 to use such port. The regulators in Europe claim their rule is to help eliminate electronic waste and to save consumers money and stress by only having to have one cord for many devices.
The article gave some background as to why Apple would oppose this new regulation and why they have been put in place. I think it would have been smart of the writer to mention that Apple is known for unveiling a new charging port and cord every couple of phones, and people have been frustrated about it for a long time. Nearly everything else is USB-C, including Android phones, and Apple’s own Macbook that I am writing my article on.
After reporting about the charging port changing, the article goes on to report more about the new iPhone, prices and features and whatnot. I thought that it would be more interesting/beneficial to look at what this change means for consumers. Many people will be frustrated to have to buy a new type of charging cord yet again, to use with either the new phone or new air-pods, but theoretically will not have to do so again for a long time. It could cut down on the average persons clutter in a bag, personally I just have to bring my laptop charger with me in my backpack for both my Macbook and phone, while many of my friends with I phones need their laptop cord, phone cord, and still some another different cord for their air-pods if they are a generation too old. I think the article really could have benefitted from something more specualation-ey as to what this means for people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/technology/apple-iphone-15-usb-c.html
Homecoming Queen Brings Home DUI
Vanderbilt senior Cathy Wensen has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Last nights arrest was the third time in six months Cathy has been arrested for this crime.
Daughter of big attorney Jim Wensen, Cathy was a cheerleader, straight A student, and homecoming queen at Vanderbilt University, completing graduate study in biology. No statement has been made as to the continuance of Cathy’s degree or expulsion due to her actions.