By: Maya Tinajero, Skyline Desk-Chief

ALPINE - According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the total fertility rate in the United States is 1.6 children per woman, a less than 1% increase from the year 2023 which marked a record low. This decline in fertility rates seems to have the White house concerned, as the Trump administration is now considering a $5,000 ‘baby bonus’ to encourage women to have more children.

By: Maya Tinajero, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE – 2024 box office success, “It Ends With Us,” has become the setting of ongoing lawsuits between the film’s two leading actors. With all the scandals occurring, the public quickly shared their thoughts on social media. From videos to comment sections, it seems as if everyone has something to say regarding the fallout. However, no matter who's claims are proven true, women everywhere are losing powerful representation.

By Maya Tinajero, Skyline Reporter

ALPINE – October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and while a lot of much-needed attention in focused on female survivors of such heinous actions, there is a severe lack of support for male survivors.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Editor

ALPINE – It’s an election year, and that means that local, state, and federal politicians are all reaching for the proverbial brass ring of winning their respective elections. That also means ramping up the fear mongering, mudslinging, and inflammatory rhetoric to appease their constituents, sway undecided portions of the electorate, and prey on ignorant voters. 

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE - Typically, when I write these editorials, I know exactly how I feel about the topic beforehand, and I can articulate my opinions in writing quite easily. However, when it comes to the recent spread of pro-Palestine campus protests across the United States, I find myself at a crossroads.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE - I will get my first point out of the way now as it is a very unoriginal comparison. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are the new Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, not only in terms of their influence and star power, but they also bear a striking resemblance to one another. One of the biggest athletes in the country is dating the most popular blonde in the entertainment industry (cue Spider-Man meme).

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE - This semester, Rosemary Briseño is teaching a course titled Witches and Witchcraft in American Literature, joining other major universities who have implemented similar courses.

By Brooke Manuel, Skyline Editor

ALPINE - As someone who is intrigued by different religions and types of spirituality, I take the time to educate myself on certain practices. I find the recent integration of courses studying witches and witchcraft at universities across the country timely and opportune.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE - I was driving by Skelton’s Runway on my way to campus the other day when I noticed new Tesla charging stations had been installed in the area. This got me thinking about the genius of Elon Musk and how much I appreciate all the good he has done for the future of automobiles, among other things. However, it also got me thinking about how not everyone feels the same way I do about Elon Musk, not by a longshot.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief

ALPINE - Sul Ross State University joined in the efforts of universities across the country to foster a more “inclusive” environment by swapping out the traditional Homecoming King and Queen titles for the titles of Homecoming Royalty. While on the surface this seems like an inclusive initiative, I would argue that it’s anything but.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

ALPINE - Just when we thought COVID-19 was a distant memory banished to the shadow realm that was the years 2020-2021, the virus reared its ugly head once more as cases began to rise again in mid-September.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

In the interest of full transparency, I am a Christian man. As a Christian man, I hate to see the drastic decline in people who identify as Christian, or with any religion at all, in contemporary society. For this reason, I am always happy to hear prominent public figures, especially politicians, bolster their viewpoints with their religious values. What infuriates me, however, is that there are certain politicians who make a mockery of Christianity and other religions by spewing nonsense and exhibiting their complete lack of understanding of whatever religion they choose to observe, at that moment, to advance their personal or political agenda.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

Tipping was once an act of generosity from patrons to their various service workers in recognition of a job well done. It also gave service workers an incentive to work hard and provide the best service possible.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

In an era of unprecedented technological progress, artificial intelligence has defied expectations, making remarkable advancements that are reshaping the world as we know it. From enhancing healthcare to revolutionizing transportation and transforming countless other sectors of our everyday lives, AI is heralding a new era of possibilities. As cutting-edge research continues to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve, its transformative impact is becoming increasingly evident, offering a glimpse into a future where machines work seamlessly alongside humans to solve complex problems and improve lives.

By Sidney Balman Jr., Skyline Advisor

ALPINE - There’s a common denominator to the pandemic of mass shootings in America, and it’s not guns - it’s mental health and radicalism.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

ALPINE - In recent years, major social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, have provided us with platforms to record some of our most fond memories. From cat videos to classic memes, from celebrity gossip to people becoming celebrities for no reason, social media has molded our society in many positive ways. However, it has negatively impacted the younger generation in ways from which they may never recover, especially after having to suffer through the pandemic.

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

ALPINE - Back in February, Texas Governor Greg Abbott introduced House Bill 1006, which would ban diversity, equity and inclusion considerations by employers in the hiring process.