Electrical engineers almost always like machines that solve problems, even AI/SI using huge networks of data centers. Some of us welcome the coming wave of artificial intelligence and what President Trump now calls superintelligence. And America should build more distributed power plants, more grid lines, networks, and the associated computing capacity to win the race to be number 1. But that is not the same thing as handing the companies that will own those systems a blank check over our First Amendment rights.

Airlines are over-regulated in ways that drive up costs and slow needed innovation. Safety matters, but so does common sense. Pilots, mechanics, and engineers already live with checklists, inspections, and liability. The public does not want a plane that “self-moderates” mid-flight. We want a plane that flies safely.

Anyone who has spent too much time waiting in TSA lines knows that government systems are slow, inefficient, and hard to change even when their mission is legitimate. If super intelligent systems can eventually help us solve many lingering problems in fractions of a second, why shouldn’t SI also help private companies handle security, screening, compliance, and other processes that could be faster and more efficient than the current government bureaucracy?

Contrast that with social media. For years, the largest platforms insisted they were mere bulletin boards when the lawsuits arrived and publishers when the advertisers arrived. They throttled stories, banned accounts, and called it community standards. Big Tech’s cancel culture was the political goal, not a glitch.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act made that double game possible. In 1996, the deal was straightforward. Host user speech and you will not be treated as the author of every post. Moderate illegal filth in good faith and you will not be punished for trying. That bargain helped the internet grow. It also helped a handful of firms become some of the most powerful corporations on earth. They no longer merely host speech. They rank it, bury it, monetize it, and feed it through algorithms designed to keep people scrolling. Then they hide behind a statute written for chat rooms.

Superintelligence, and eventually systems far more capable than today’s chatbots, will sit on top of those same feeds. What happens when SI, not a junior trust-and-safety officer, decides which voices travel and which vanish? Will the machines inherit the old biases, or invent new ones on an industrial scale? And if the model hallucinates, defames, or quietly smothers a political movement, will Section 230 still let the company walk away from civil court? A law meant to protect a fledgling web should not become a lifetime pass for trillion-dollar cash-rich firms when their software, not a random user, is doing the editing and picking winners.

President Trump captured the contradiction better than most. During the campaign, he called many of these executives fake and dumb. After they entered the White House SI Situation Room, he called them the smartest people in America. Both statements can be true in different senses. People can be brilliant at building products or creating art but foolish about a great country. Many of them spent years campaigning, donating, and moderating against MAGA, then discovered that the voters they muted were still there. Elon Musk and a few others broke from the pack. The rest discovered, late, that political fashion is not the same thing as engineering talent.

That is why the “self-police” argument fails. These firms have already tried it. They coordinated with activists, fact-checkers, and government offices. They decided which pandemic claims were allowed, which election stories were “misinformation,” and which sitting president could keep an account. The public saw the results. Trust collapsed. Alternative platforms grew. Congress held hearings. None of that requires hating technology. It requires noticing that speech is not a flight-control system.

The remedy for a bad idea is a better idea, not a secret ranking formula.

So here is the choice. Welcome the buildout. Let data centers rise. Let American companies compete to invent the next generation of machines. At the same time, stop pretending the legal rules of 1996 fit the gatekeepers of 2026.

Written by Shaun McCutcheon

Official website; https://InsideSources.com

If you are accustomed to sprinkling salt on your food, you might be surprised to learn that the salt cravings that so many of us have learned are not innate. While it is possible to retrain your taste buds to desire less salty foods rather than being compelled to add more salt to uncover hidden flavors in natural foods, there is one more potent, taste hiding factor at play in most processed foods: sodium. Much of the sodium in our diet comes from processed foods like bread, canned soups, pizzas, and cold cuts, affecting heart health, kidney function and blood pressure negatively with each passing day. Here’s what you need to know about salt and sodium and how to enjoy your food with less of both.

Salt and Sodium Are Not the Same Thing

Table salt or sodium chloride is what most people refer to when talking about salt. It is made up of approximately 40% sodium and 60% of chloride. It is the sodium found in salt that can have detrimental effects on the body including elevating blood pressure and putting additional strain on the kidneys. In extreme cases the body can even begin to pull calcium from the bones. According to the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, the average American consumes more than 7 times the amount of sodium that the human body requires for proper function of the body (3,400mg versus 500mg).

Sodium in diets is found in processed foods that have been made in a factory before they even get transported to the grocery store and on to your plate. In addition, many restaurant meals are also salty and are commonly served in restaurants. That bread you had for lunch, how about can of soup, that deli turkey that you had in your sandwich — none of them taste salty. But each of them is contributing to your daily total of sodium.

Salt Is an Acquired Taste — and That’s Good News

Here’s the thing about salt: our preference for it is not fixed. In fact, it can be learned. In a series of studies, participants slowly reduced their intake of sodium over the course of several weeks. In as little as a few weeks, participants reported that they could no longer taste the excess sodium that they were used to. Within a few weeks, for example, people found that bland food tasted lovely and became aware of the amount of salt in foods that they once thought to be well seasoned.

If you have ever switched from whole milk to skim milk for example, the first glass of skim milk tasted watery. A month later, whole milk tasted too rich. The same thing happens with salt. Within a few short weeks the palate will have adapted to the reduction in sodium intake. You will get used to not tasting the extra sodium within 4-8 weeks.

Eating flavorless food is a habit and most herbs, citrus, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, smoked paprika and fresh ginger add lots of flavor to food without any sodium.

What Too Much Sodium Actually Does to Your Body

Eating too much sodium puts a strain on the kidneys. It can only excrete what it can, and the excess is left in the blood. The body responds to excess sodium by holding on to water in order to dilute the sodium. Blood vessels are then forced to face more pressure. The blood pressure increases because the heart has to pump blood of greater volume at higher pressure. Eventually the blood vessels can become rigid, leading to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

The DASH study is one of the largest diet studies ever conducted. In the study, participants from many different backgrounds were on either a high sodium diet or a reduced-sodium diet and were monitored for blood pressure. People on a reduced-sodium diet were found to have lower blood pressure when they were compared to people that remained on their normal diet. Furthermore, those who followed a reduced-sodium diet in combination with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products had the greatest decrease in blood pressure. Those who continued to eat a low-sodium diet for 10-15 years were 25% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

It does not stop at the heart. A diet of high sodium also can lead to the loss of calcium in your bones, accelerating the development of bone thinning or osteoporosis. Salty foods can also increase the chance of getting stomach cancer, according to The World Cancer Research Fund. People with kidney and liver disease and those who experience other kinds of illness also can suffer more seriously from excessive intake of sodium.

Where the Salt Is Really Hiding

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists the typical American’s sources of sodium in the graph below, noting that the salt shaker on your table is not the main contributor of sodium to your diet.

You will also notice that this list does not include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unseasoned meats and legumes – all unprocessed foods that are naturally low in sodium. A large amount of packaged snacks such as chips, pretzels and crackers are specifically designed to trigger our salt cravings. The more food you cook from scratch will most certainly give you more control over what you eat.

The Potassium Counterbalance You Probably Don’t Know About

The other side of sodium is potassium. Potassium has the reverse effect of sodium. It can decrease blood pressure and create healthy blood vessels. People with the highest sodium to potassium ratios have twice the heart attack mortality as those with the lowest sodium to potassium ratios according to a study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Eating more fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure. Most of these foods are high in potassium and low in sodium. Here is a list of fruits high in potassium and a list of the high potassium containing vegetables: Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots. Other examples of foods high in potassium include white beans, salmon and almond milk.

Practical Steps to Start Right Now

You don’t have to quit sodium dramatically overnight but rather can start lowering sodium slowly. Start with a few minor changes to your routine and allow time for your taste buds to acclimate to the newer flavors before proceeding to the next change. And trust, it does compound quickly.

Cook more frequently at home. Instead of salt, use lemon juice, fresh herbs or spices to add flavor to your food. Salt is acceptable in small quantities at the end of cooking but use less than the recipe calls for. Look for low-sodium or no-salt versions of canned foods. Most canned and cooked beans are high in sodium. Often 40% or more of the sodium can be removed by rinsing the beans before cooking them.

Ask your server to hold the dressing or sauces in a separate bowl when you are at a restaurant. Compare products of similar kinds when you are at the grocery store to see how much sodium there is in each of them. Some brands of the same soup can differ by as much as 400 mg per serving.

The Payoff: Food That Actually Tastes Like Something

Food tastes better with less sodium. Once your taste buds have adjusted to not needing salt so much, you can taste other flavors too. A roasted carrot tastes sweet. Fresh, raw tomatoes are so bright and wonderful. The whole grain tastes nutty. These flavors are natural and always there. The salt just must be out of the way.

You can enjoy the taste of all kinds of flavors of your favorite foods without over-salting. As Harvard’s Nutrition Source puts it, sodium is not a nutrient that you need to seek out – it finds you. Limiting foods with high amounts of sodium can be healthy for your heart, kidneys and bones. You will even start to enjoy and appreciate the more subtle flavors of many whole foods. For those of you that would like to know more about the challenges of cooking tasty dishes with less salt please consider this writers new book; Lower Your Sodium and Still Enjoy Food; written expressly for those of us cutting back on salt for all the right reasons. This wonderful publication is now available at Amazon.com; Bon appetite.

Associate Editor; Stanley G. Buford

Feel free to connect with this brother via Twitter; Stanley G. and also facebook; http://www.facebook.com/sgbuford.

Also his email addy is; StanleyG@ThyBlackMan.com.

Which leaves a bunch of us in the fall of 2026 scratching our heads over the same riddle Black men in barbershops from here to Shreveport have turned over for a decade. Why does he keep showing up for a figure like that?

You can’t answer it honestly without rewinding almost 40 years, back when both of them were cash machines wearing different uniforms. Through the late 1980s, while Donald stacked casinos along the Atlantic City boardwalk, the champ was demolishing grown men with a ferocity the boxing world had rarely witnessed. Trump Plaza became closely associated with the fighter’s biggest nights, including the famous 1988 showdown with Michael Spinks at the Atlantic City Convention Hall, right beside the hotel. Trump paid a record $11 million site fee to bring that fight to town. Those were sweaty weekend spectacles where big money, celebrity, and real violence all shared the spotlight. One of them needed packed arenas and headlines. The other wanted paydays and a glittering stage. They fed each other, and the bond was built on something older than ideology, which is plain mutual usefulness.

Then came the fall. Indiana, 1992, when Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant, and sentenced to six years in prison. The conviction shattered his career and permanently complicated his public legacy. Here’s where the relationship takes another turn, because the casino boss publicly defended him. Trump questioned the verdict, argued that Tyson had been railroaded, and even suggested allowing him to continue fighting while directing money toward Washington and other rape victims instead of sending him to prison. None of that changes what Tyson was convicted of doing or diminishes the harm Washington suffered. But from the fighter’s perspective, having a powerful friend defend him during the darkest chapter of his public life may have carried enormous weight. Loyalty like that, offered when a man’s reputation has collapsed, can create a sense of obligation that lasts for decades. Looking at their friendship today, I suspect Tyson has never forgotten who spoke up for him.

Jump to 2015, when a reality-TV blowhard rode an escalator into presidential politics, and guess who stepped up early? The champ offered his blessing, praising Trump’s business background and arguing the country ought to run more like a business where the gig goes to whoever can actually do it. Tyson wasn’t blind to every controversy surrounding his friend, either. He acknowledged that some of Trump’s comments about Latinos were crude, even as he defended the man making them. Critics winced. When Trump celebrated the endorsement during the 2016 Republican primary, Ted Cruz condemned him for embracing the support of a man convicted of rape, while Carly Fiorina questioned what that enthusiasm revealed about Trump’s character. None of that seemed to shake Tyson’s support. He had offered a political argument about business and leadership, sure, but I have always suspected something more personal was operating underneath it. He was vouching for somebody who had vouched for him first.

Push the clock to now and the picture only sharpens. Donald won again in 2024, securing a second, nonconsecutive term, and his political movement has reached into whole lanes of American life, wellness included. Back in February 2026, millions watched the former heavyweight appear in a Super Bowl advertisement for the Make America Healthy Again movement, urging Americans to eat real food instead of loading their bodies with heavily processed junk. The privately funded spot came from the nonprofit MAHA Center and drew on Tyson’s own struggles with unhealthy eating and the loss of his sister. Smart casting, honestly. Who better to preach about surviving your own worst appetites than a guy who once bit off part of a rival’s ear and has spent years trying to make peace with his own complicated history? That advertisement brought him into another corner of Trump’s political orbit, and his appearance in Syracuse this fall offered another reminder of just how long this friendship has endured.

So let me set the real question on the table, the one the headline keeps circling. Is this loyalty, shared values, or honest political agreement?

Strip it down and the policy piece looks thin, at least from where I sit. I’ve listened to this brother talk for 30 years, and not once have I heard him offer some sweeping breakdown of tax brackets, tariffs, or the fine print of Medicaid. Ask about a jab or a left hook and he’ll teach a master class. Raise congressional appropriations and I wouldn’t expect the same enthusiasm. That doesn’t mean Tyson has no political beliefs. His comments about running government like a business tell us he has considered at least some questions of leadership and economic opportunity. But treating his continued support as proof of some deep ideological alignment hands both figures more philosophical credit than the public record earns. There is a difference between believing somebody can lead and embracing every policy that person carries into office.

Values, though, that runs warmer. Each of these characters built an entire life on defiance, on telling polite society precisely where to stick its opinion, on outlasting scandals and setbacks that might have ended somebody else’s public career. Strength, dominance, refusing to surrender, those seem to be the shared scriptures. Two people who have been counted out, laughed at, written off, then found their way back into the spotlight might naturally recognize something familiar in each other. That recognition could explain more than any position paper ever would. Trump sees a former champion who still commands attention when he enters a room. Tyson sees a businessman turned president who has spent decades refusing to retreat when the world turns against him. Neither man has built his public identity around winning everybody’s approval, and that similarity counts for plenty.

Still, I believe loyalty is the engine. Everything else is just trim. When you’ve endured public disgrace and remember that one powerful person defended you while much of the country condemned you, that memory can outlive trophies, outlive presidencies, outlive whatever either of you thinks about the border or the budget. I cannot climb inside Tyson’s head and declare what drives every decision he makes. Nobody outside that friendship can. But watching him stand beside Trump nearly four decades after those Atlantic City nights, I see a man whose allegiance appears rooted in something more enduring than campaign promises. Maybe he agrees with the Republican agenda. Maybe he admires the president’s approach to leadership. My reading is that neither explanation carries quite the same emotional weight as remembering who stood up for him when his own world came crashing down.

I want to sit in the discomfort of it too, because it sits funny with me. That tension is fair, especially for Black men who adore the fighter and can’t stand the ticket he keeps boosting. A person can be grateful to someone who defended him personally and still find himself tangled in a politics that troubles people who once cheered his every victory. Pretending otherwise flattens a whole human being into a cartoon. Plenty of Brothers reading this feel some kind of way watching a Black icon prop up a figure so many of us distrust. Others may share Tyson’s support for Trump and see nothing troubling about the friendship at all. But personal loyalty and public accountability are two different things, and we ought to be grown enough to recognize both. Gratitude doesn’t check your voter registration. It rarely asks whether the friendship helps anybody outside the two people living in it. And defending somebody through a criminal conviction is not the same thing as proving that conviction was unjust.

So what does Tyson’s presence in Syracuse really tell us? From where I stand, he appears to be doing something he has done since those boardwalk days, showing up for a man whose relationship with him has survived extraordinary changes in fortune. His presence beside Trump doesn’t tell us everything about his political philosophy, and it certainly doesn’t require the rest of us to adopt it. What it does reveal is a bond that has endured long after the casinos, championship fights, prison sentence, and presidential campaigns changed both men’s lives. I suspect that personal history matters more to Tyson than most people on either side of the political aisle are willing to acknowledge. You can respect the fidelity while side-eyeing who benefits from it. That blend of admiration and unease might be the most truthful place to land.

Nearly forty years in, the picture speaks for itself, even if the motives behind it remain Tyson’s alone to explain. Whatever you make of the politics, nobody can seriously argue that he has turned his back on Donald Trump. In a culture that ghosts folks the second they stop trending, maybe that stubborn fidelity is the most Tyson thing about him.

Staff Writer; L.L. McKenna

Politics explained through the lens of justice and equity. Offering perspective that informs, challenges, and empowers.

One can contact this brother at; LLMcKenna@ThyBlackMan.com.

Even if you oppose Israel’s reaction to the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the answer is still black and white for any person with a conscience. Certainly, it should be for any person who wants to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. After all, Hamas is designated by the State Department as a terrorist organization for, among other things, murdering Americans.

But the fact that Khalil can’t condemn Hamas — and anyone paying attention understands that he supports the terrorist army — not only tells us that he deserves to be deported but also that it’s imperative we deport him.

During the 1960s and 1970s, immigration officials grilled newcomers to the U.S. and elsewhere about their affiliations with communist parties. Why would we import people who want to destroy our system? Newcomers were, and still are, compelled to disavow associations with illiberal movements, violent groups and ideologies. They were also required to promise not to engage in any subversive or revolutionary activity.

Well, Khalil’s entire job as an “activist” is to engage in subversive or revolutionary activity.

Khalil is an Algerian citizen, incidentally, not a Palestinian, though he is a champion of Palestinianism, one of the most nihilistic, bigoted, violent, anti-Western ideologies of the age. There’s no anti-American or Marxist protest or riot anywhere in the world these days where Palestinian flags are not prominent.

The French, of course, don’t need much impetus to riot. But protests that began over a lack of school funding a few weeks ago have now escalated into increasingly destructive and violent riots across France, clearly fueled in part by Marxist pro-Palestinian elements. The red-green alliance between Islamists and communists isn’t new — it’s just more popular than ever. France has over 5 million Muslims.

What you see happening on the streets of Paris is exactly what Khalil hopes to see in the U.S. We saw as much when he was the lead “negotiator” for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which rioted at the school in 2025. The group’s goal is to fight for the “total eradication of Western civilization,” “global intifada” and the “armed resistance” of Hamas. That doesn’t sound very American.

Khalil’s friend, Mohsen Mahdawi, another leader of CUAD fighting against deportation, reportedly has a propensity to make Hamas-like statements, such as “I like to kill Jews,” “soon, very soon, we will annihilate the Jews,” and that “servants of the Jews or the Americans” will have their heads “cut off.” Would we give citizenship to a foreigner who said, “I like to kill blacks” or “I like to kill Christians”? I hope not.

Khalil is being deported for lying on his application, though he was initially picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers for threatening U.S. foreign policy. These deportations should not be treated as a matter of botched paperwork but as a matter of national security.

The problem is that it’s taken years and likely millions of dollars in legal fees to deport Khalil and Mahdawi. If it’s this difficult and expensive to kick out anti-American agitators, it would be far better to block their entry in the first place.

Even if you are staunchly pro-immigration, surely you would rather bestow the gift of citizenship on decent people who embrace the ethos and social cohesion we’ve enjoyed in the U.S. than on extremists.

Yes, free speech is a universal right. And while I support Khalil’s natural right to express himself unfettered in his home country of Algeria, or anywhere else he ends up living, there is no unfettered right to be in the U.S. There is certainly no unfettered right to citizenship. And the only useful adjective to describe the act of knowingly handing it to people who incite unrest and detest us is suicidal.

Written by David Harsanyi

Official website; http://twitter.com/davidharsanyi

Getting the underlying details right matters just as much as the moment itself. The FTC’s 2018 update to its Jewelry Guides eliminates the word “natural” from the definition of diamond because lab-created products that have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds are also diamonds. For couples in New York navigating this now-broader set of options, a short conversation beforehand tends to prevent an expensive misstep later.

Why This Conversation Matters More Than It Seems

It’s easy to treat the ring itself as a small detail compared to the proposal, the timing, and the moment everyone will remember. But that ring is also the one thing from that day still worn every single morning, years after the specifics of the proposal have faded into a well-told story. Getting it right isn’t about being unromantic; it’s about making sure the symbol actually holds up as well as the memory does.

Skipping the conversation doesn’t protect the surprise so much as it outsources the risk, leaving one partner to guess at budget, style, and values entirely alone and hoping the guess lands. When it doesn’t, the fallout rarely shows up on proposal day; it shows up months later, in a ring quietly swapped, resized, or replaced, and in a moment that should have felt effortless instead carrying a little residue of “almost right.” A short, honest conversation beforehand is what keeps that risk from ever becoming part of the story at all.

Budget Expectations Deserve an Honest Conversation

Ring budgets vary enormously, and outdated rules of thumb about salary percentages have little bearing on what actually makes sense for a specific couple’s finances. This is exactly why the conversation matters. Talking openly about what feels comfortable, rather than relying on guesswork or old conventions, prevents the awkward outcome of a ring that either strains a budget or undershoots what a partner was quietly hoping for.

Couples don’t need to spell out an exact number to make this discussion useful; even a general range discussed casually gives enough direction to avoid a serious mismatch in expectations. Having this exchange early on prevents months of second-guessing later, whether that means overspending to meet an imagined expectation or underspending out of uncertainty about what’s actually appropriate.

Discussing Ring Style Makes Choosing Easier

Guessing at someone’s ring style based on trends or a single overheard comment is a gamble that doesn’t need to be taken, since a short, direct conversation can settle far more than assumptions ever will. A few specific style questions tend to be worth raising openly rather than left to guesswork:

• Classic versus modern: does a timeless solitaire feel right, or does a more contemporary, unconventional design appeal more?
• Simple versus detailed: is a clean, minimal band preferred, or does intricate detailing and vintage-inspired design feel more personal?
• Bold versus understated: would a larger, statement-making stone feel exciting, or does a more modest, everyday-wearable size feel truer to their taste?

This is exactly the kind of conversation couples benefit from having openly rather than leaving to chance, since even a casual discussion removes most of the guesswork entirely. Couples who spend a little time window-shopping diamond engagement rings together, without pressure or a fixed agenda, tend to walk away with a far clearer sense of what appeals to each other than either partner could have guessed alone. Jewelry brands like Ritani carry enough style variety that browsing together tends to actually clarify what a couple wants, rather than leaving them with an even longer list of options to sift through.

Mined Versus Lab-Grown Deserves a Real Discussion

With lab-grown diamonds now firmly established as a legitimate, clearly disclosed category rather than a lesser substitute, the choice between mined and lab-grown has become a genuine values conversation rather than a simple budget one. Some couples prioritize traceability and getting more stone for the same investment; others feel strongly about tradition or the story of a mined diamond formed over billions of years. Neither answer is wrong, and the growing acceptance of lab-grown stones means neither choice carries the stigma it once did.

What matters is that this decision is made together, not assumed. A partner who quietly prefers a mined diamond for sentimental reasons may feel overlooked by a lab-grown choice made purely on practicality, just as someone who values transparency might feel uneasy with a mined stone chosen without any conversation.

A Conversation About Daily Life Leads to Better Choices 

A ring that looks stunning in a display case can still be impractical for someone who works with their hands often or has an active daily routine that makes a high-set stone a liability. It’s easy to overlook this detail in the excitement of choosing a design, yet it’s often the difference between a ring worn every day without a second thought and one that mostly stays in a jewelry box.

A short conversation about daily habits and profession helps here. Worth asking: how often hands are exposed to water or chemicals, whether the job involves manual work, and how a partner feels about a dramatic setting versus a lower-profile, more durable one. Talking this through upfront steers the choice toward a setting that actually gets worn comfortably, rather than one that quietly becomes a source of worry about damage.

Choosing the Right Metal Together

Metal choice affects how a ring looks and how it holds up over decades, which makes it worth discussing rather than guessing. A few points worth covering together:

• Compare the options: platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold each have a distinct look, so it’s worth seeing them side by side
• Factor in skin tone and style: warmer metals often suit some skin tones better than cooler ones, and personal style usually points in one direction
• Talk through durability: platinum resists wear well but scratches more visibly, while white gold needs more upkeep to stay bright
• Understand maintenance: white gold typically needs periodic replating, while platinum and yellow gold need less frequent attention
• Weigh cost against longevity: platinum tends to cost more than gold alloys of a similar look, so balancing appearance, durability, and budget matters

Working through these points together turns metal choice into a decision both partners feel good about, not one that either has to second-guess later.

Conclusion

The couples who end up happiest with their engagement ring aren’t the ones who left everything to chance; they’re the ones who had a few honest, low-pressure conversations about budget, style, values, and even the practical realities of daily wear before a purchase was made.

None of these conversations need to feel heavy or transactional, and most can happen naturally through casual browsing, shared observations, or a quiet check-in about what actually matters to each person. That small bit of groundwork is what turns a beautiful ring into one that genuinely feels right for decades of ordinary mornings and everyday moments, not just for the proposal photo that only gets looked at once a year.

Staff Writer; Patrick Jones

For families with a child in middle school, Score Academy Online is our top pick: it is Cognia accredited, its middle school program covers grades 6 to 8 within a wider K-12 private online school, and families can choose among three scheduling formats. These include live small-group classes, live lessons with recordings, and fully self-paced study, all with real teachers. Families who need K-12 continuity during international moves should look closely at Forest Trail Academy. Those who want self-paced study backed by a traditional school support team may find The Keystone School a particularly good fit.

The sections ahead include a quick comparison and guidance on what to look for, followed by detailed profiles of each school. Each profile covers strengths and trade-offs, and the closing questions address common concerns about schedules, support, and school records.

At a glance

What to look for

Choosing well matters in middle school. Grades 6 to 8 build the study habits your child will carry into high school, so scheduling flexibility needs to sit alongside dependable academic support. Look for legitimate credentials, a workable weekly schedule, access to teachers, and courses designed for the middle grades rather than a program that simply offers them on paper.

• Accreditation status: Look for recognition from a known body such as Cognia or WASC. It signals that credits and school transcripts are documented to a standard high schools understand.
• Scheduling options vary: some schools are fully self-paced, some offer live online classes with recordings, and some blend both. Consider whether your child needs to work around travel or benefits from regular live contact.
• Teacher and support access: A strong private online school gives you real educators, advisors, or counselors you can reach, not just videos and quizzes. Check how and when students and parents can get help.
• Grade-level fit matters even within a K-12 school. Make sure the middle school courses, workload, and support are built for ages 11 to 14 rather than adapted from high school without enough attention to younger students.

The 6 best online schools for flexible scheduling

These six schools aim to help families balance school with sports, travel, and everyday life, and each provides documented coursework and teacher or staff support. Their grade ranges and learning formats differ, as do the ways families get help. Number one is our top recommendation for most middle school families; the others may fit better when a particular scheduling or support need takes priority.

#1. Score Academy Online – best for accredited middle school program with multiple formats

Score Academy Online is a private K-12 online school with a middle school program for grades 6 to 8, designed for families who want structure without a rigid school day.

The program lets you get accredited education from home through three packages: live small-group classes, live group lessons with recordings you can review later, and fully self-paced study. Every path includes teacher involvement rather than automated lessons alone. Live packages offer real-time interaction and teacher chat; asynchronous study includes teacher grading and progress tracking, but not live lessons or teacher chat. If scheduling is your main concern, compare these packages against an ordinary training or travel week, including the time your child can realistically set aside for lessons and independent work.

For athletes and travelers, the live option with recordings can be a useful middle ground. Your child gets regular teacher contact and a class rhythm, with recordings available to review from a hotel or rink. Recordings provide replay access; review attendance requirements before planning travel during scheduled lessons. Fully self-paced study works well when schedules change from week to week, while the small-group live format suits students who focus better with peers and a set meeting time.

Strengths

• Cognia accredited private school background, which helps high schools understand your child’s records
• Three formats under one roof, with live small-group classes and recorded live lessons alongside self-paced online learning
• Real teachers in every package, not software only
• Middle grades focus means reading, writing, math, and study skills are pitched for grades 6 to 8
• Record keeping designed to produce a clear transcript for high school applications

Trade-offs

• Fully self-paced study requires a regular progress routine at home, particularly for students still learning to organize their work
• Private school tuition applies, so it is not a free public virtual school option
• Live formats still require some routine, which can be difficult during peak tournament or travel weeks

Best for: Families who want an accredited online middle school with a choice between live teacher contact and independent study with teacher grading.

#2. Sterling Academy – best for year-round rolling enrollment and part-time coursework

Sterling Academy’s Cognia/SACS-accredited program covers grades 6 through 12 and is built around self-paced study with round-the-clock access to coursework. The school also offers K-5, but its stated Cognia/SACS accreditation specifically covers the middle and high school grades.

You can enroll full-time or part-time, pursue a diploma pathway, or take individual courses to supplement homeschool or another program. Enrollment is open year-round. That means families do not have to wait for fall, and students get 24/7 access to online coursework plus opportunities for one-on-one assistance when they get stuck.

That setup fits competitive dancers, hockey players, equestrians, and families who travel for work. Your child can plan coursework for early mornings, evenings, or gaps between events while keeping course-completion deadlines in view. Part-time enrollment and single-course options are useful if you only need math and science online and plan to keep other subjects elsewhere.

Strengths

• Accredited 6 to 12 program with 24/7 coursework access, allowing students to choose when they study
• Full-time and part-time enrollment, plus individual courses for families supplementing another program
• Year-round start dates remove the September-only barrier
• One-on-one assistance available for tougher units
• Clear fit for athletes and performers with uneven weekly hours

Trade-offs

• Self-paced success depends on student motivation and parent check-ins, especially in grades 6 to 8
• Less daily live class community than a live small-group model, which some social learners miss
• A simple weekly plan for progress checks can help keep work from piling up before travel

Best for: Families who want to start any time of year, study part-time, or add single courses around sports and travel.

#3. The Keystone School – best for self-paced learning with traditional school support

The Keystone School is an accredited online school offering self-paced distance learning across elementary, middle, and high school, with full-time enrollment as well as part-time and homeschool routes.

The school-style support behind the self-paced courses is a key part of its appeal. Families have access to educators, administrators, and guidance services staff, and can reach faculty and staff by phone or email. Teachers are state certified, so instruction and feedback come from licensed professionals rather than an automated system alone.

If your child is leaving a brick-and-mortar school, this can feel familiar. There is grading, school structure, and someone to call when you have a question, while your child still controls when learning happens during the day. It suits families who want independent study with a school team available to help.

Strengths

• Self-paced courses across elementary, middle, and high school, available through full-time, part-time, and homeschool routes
• Dedicated faculty and administrators, with guidance staff available for academic and administrative questions
• Licensed teachers provide grading and support
• Reachable by phone or email, which helps parents who want clear accountability
• Good bridge for students moving from a traditional school to flexible online learning

Trade-offs

• Students still need to manage daily progress on their own, so parent oversight matters in middle school
• Fewer scheduled live peer classes than cohort-based models, which can feel quiet for social learners
• Families with very heavy travel may need to build their own weekly rhythm around deadlines

Best for: Students who want to work independently but keep the backing of a full school team.

#4. Forest Trail Academy – best for international families and K-12 breadth

Forest Trail Academy is an accredited international K-12 online school based in West Palm Beach, Florida, with toll-free and direct phone support.

The K-12 range is the draw here. You can keep siblings in one system and continue from middle school into high school without applying to a different school. Its international enrollment makes it relevant to families living abroad, moving often, or schooling across time zones. US-based administration also gives parents a point of contact for school records and questions.

For middle schoolers who travel internationally or split time between countries, staying in one continuous program through grades 6 to 8 and beyond can reduce paperwork and transcript gaps. That continuity is worth considering alongside the day-to-day task of finding study time while away from home.

Strengths

• Accredited K-12 online school, so your child can stay in one program as they grow
• Experience with international families and mobile lifestyles
• US-based office with phone support for admissions and records
• Useful continuity for siblings in different grades
• Documented coursework that supports applications to the next school

Trade-offs

• Keeping one school during travel does not remove the need to reserve consistent study time across changing time zones
• Younger middle schoolers still need a parent to help organize coursework and equipment, and find a suitable place to study

Best for: Families abroad, frequent movers, or parents who want one K-12 home for several years.

#5. Acellus Academy – best for structured platform-led learning

Acellus Academy is a structured online school serving grades K to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12, known for its guided online course system with parent tools.

Students follow a clear course sequence using video-based instruction and practice, with checks for understanding along the way. Automated diagnostics help target missing concepts, and a parent monitoring account shows progress, attendance patterns, and grades. Families can enroll full-time or choose individual courses, and phone support is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time from its Kansas City base. The school holds WASC accreditation.

This is a good fit if your middle schooler likes clear steps and predictable routines. Your child logs in and follows the lesson path, while you can review progress in the evening after practice without having to sit alongside every lesson.

Strengths

• Clear grade bands, including a dedicated 6 to 8 middle school segment
• Structured lesson path with built-in checks that help students fill gaps
• Parent account for monitoring pace and grades
• Full-time or individual course enrollment for flexible planning
• WASC accreditation supports record credibility

Trade-offs

• Platform-led style means less live teacher interaction than live class models
• Phone help is limited to weekday business hours, which can be tricky across time zones or on weekends
• Students who need discussion and peer interaction may find the format quiet

Best for: Independent middle schoolers who thrive with a structured, step-by-step online program and active parent monitoring.

#6. Obridge Academy – best for personalized support with counseling and advisement

Obridge Academy offers flexible online alternatives for middle school and high school with an emphasis on personalized attention.

Alongside subject teachers, the school has an education team that includes counseling and advisement professionals and a Director of Support Services. That team supports international students and those catching up after a tough year, as well as students planning next steps toward higher education pathways. Obridge Academy is Cognia accredited and offers both middle school and high school programs.

For parents, the appeal is access to several kinds of support. Your child can get academic instruction alongside help from an advisement team, a useful combination when a family wants guidance on coursework and the transition to high school.

Strengths

• Online middle school and high school options with flexible pacing
• Built-in counseling and advisement team alongside subject help
• Personalized attention aimed at nontraditional learners and international students
• Support leadership on staff for coordinating interventions
• Pathway guidance that looks ahead to high school and beyond

Trade-offs

• Counseling and advisement complement coursework but do not replace a student’s need for regular study time
• A personalized support approach works best when students communicate difficulties and families stay involved in academic planning

Best for: Middle schoolers who do best with extra adult guidance alongside academics, including students rebuilding momentum.

Frequently asked questions about flexible online middle schools

Which is best for families who want no Zoom and minimal live meetings?

If you want the least live time, compare fully self-paced options first. Sterling Academy, The Keystone School, and Acellus Academy let students progress without daily live attendance, with help available by message, email, or phone. Score Academy Online can also work if you choose its fully self-paced package rather than its live formats. Before enrolling, ask whether any specific course requires live sessions so you can judge the schedule against your family’s commitments.

Which is best for struggling students versus students who just need more time?

For students who are behind or have lost confidence, compare support depth rather than pace alone. Obridge Academy offers counseling and advisement alongside personalized attention, while The Keystone School has guidance staff and licensed teachers behind its self-paced courses. If your child is doing fine academically and mainly needs room for sports or travel, focus on how the schedule works in practice. Score Academy Online’s format choices and Sterling Academy’s self-paced access are worth comparing, with support needs considered separately from timing.

What is the difference between transcripts from flexible online schools and traditional schools for high school admissions?

The learning format matters less than documentation and accreditation. A strong accredited online school issues a transcript that includes courses, grades, credits, and school details high schools know how to read. Ask whether the school is Cognia accredited or WASC accredited, how grades are recorded, and what records you receive if you leave midyear. Keep report cards and course descriptions, along with contact details for the registrar, to make a transfer easier to manage. The receiving high school decides placement and whether any courses taken for high school credit meet its requirements.

What is the difference between a self-paced online school and a live virtual school?

Self-paced means your child controls when learning happens within broad deadlines, which helps around practices and flights. In a live virtual school, classes meet online at set times, adding routine and peer contact but allowing less day-to-day freedom. Some schools blend both approaches through live lessons with recordings. Match the choice to your child: independent workers often prefer self-paced study, while social or easily distracted learners often do better with regular live contact.

What is the difference between accredited and unaccredited online programs and how do you check?

Accreditation means an outside body has reviewed the school’s curriculum quality, teacher qualifications, and record keeping. An unaccredited program can still teach content, but future schools may question its credits. Look for the accreditor’s name on the school site, then find the school in the accreditor’s directory. You can also call the school to ask for its accreditation ID and details of the transcript you receive. Be wary of vague claims that do not name an accrediting body.

Which is best for full-time travel versus part-time supplement?

For full-time travel or a full course load around elite sports, compare Score Academy Online for its middle grade program and format choices, Sterling Academy for year-round starts and 24/7 access, and Forest Trail Academy for K-12 continuity abroad. For part-time needs, Sterling Academy and Acellus Academy offer individual courses, while The Keystone School has part-time and homeschool routes with school support. Choose full-time when you want one transcript source and part-time when you only need one or two subjects.

Your next step by scenario

If your priority is middle school with a choice of learning formats, start with Score Academy Online for its grades 6 to 8 program and real teachers. If you need to start midseason or add single courses, consider Sterling Academy’s rolling entry and part-time paths. If you want self-paced work with a familiar school team behind you, look at The Keystone School. For families living abroad or seeking one school from middle through high school, Forest Trail Academy is a practical option. Acellus Academy suits students who like a clear platform path with parent oversight, while Obridge Academy is worth considering for advisement alongside classes. As you compare options for 2026, use your actual family calendar to judge which schedule leaves room for schoolwork while keeping teacher support and records in place.

Staff Writer; Peter Washington

Your schedule and the school bell don’t match

Shift work makes school drop-off and pick-up hard. Regular medical visits during the day can leave a child playing catch-up through much of the evening.

Travel adds pressure too. A short trip can mean missed lessons and late homework that takes days to sort out once you’re home.

Online elementary school works on a different rhythm. Many programs mix asynchronous lessons you can do on your own time with synchronous live classes at set times, so some learning can move to mornings or afternoons when that’s what the week allows.

That setup may help when care duties or appointments shift from week to week. Check actual class times and deadlines before assuming lessons can move freely. Flexibility is useful when it fits both your child’s learning needs and the adult support available, rather than simply removing pick-up times.

The class pace feels off in both directions

Some children race through math and then sit bored. Others need extra time with reading and start to dread that part of the day.

Both reactions are common in elementary grades. A single pace for a full class won’t match every child.

Look for patterns in your child’s work rather than judging fit from one difficult lesson. Repeated frustration with new material and repeated complaints about already-mastered tasks call for different conversations with the teacher.

Some online programs allow different pacing by subject. Ask how that works in practice, including what happens when your child needs more time or is ready to move ahead. Self-paced does not necessarily mean unlimited time or automatic access to higher-level courses.

Bring examples of current work to those conversations. A reading sample or a few math assignments can help a prospective school explain placement and support. Look for a realistic approach to steady progress, with enough guidance to address difficulties rather than simply moving lessons onto a screen.

Home feels calmer for learning right now

Morning meltdowns that happen most days are hard on everyone. Tears at drop-off or stomach-aches before school tell you something isn’t settling.

That doesn’t prove the school is wrong. It is a reason to talk with your child’s teacher and, if worry or low mood keeps up, with a qualified health professional who can help you sort out what’s going on.

Some children learn best with less noise and fewer rushed changes. A short morning routine and a clear plan for the day can lower stress and bring back curiosity.

Bullying needs direct action too. Tell the school right away and ask for clear steps, whether you stay or change settings.

If those signs sound familiar, flexible schooling for families offers a way to reconsider the learning environment while keeping academic structure in place.

Score Academy Online is one example. It serves grades K-5 and is Cognia-accredited. Its asynchronous option is self-paced and teacher-graded, with no teacher chat. Separate options include Flex live classes with recordings and chat, and synchronous live small-group instruction at set times.

You can give time during the day and plan peer time

Young learners need an adult close by. They need help logging in and someone to keep the day moving when their attention wanders.

Ask the school how much adult help is expected at your child’s grade level and in the package you’re considering. Work through who can provide that support during the day, including when you’re working or caring for someone else. If reliable adult help isn’t available, this model may not fit right now.

Peer time takes planning when school is at home. It won’t happen just because children share a login.

Ask any school you’re considering how live interaction happens each week. Ask how much time is spent on screen and what offline tasks balance it out.

Good programs balance screen lessons with paperwork and play. Ask for a sample schedule showing breaks and time away from the laptop, then consider whether that pace suits your child’s age and ability to focus.

Many families use the open hours for sports or co-ops in their area. That mix can give a child quiet learning time alongside louder, more active play time.

What to check before you switch

Cognia accreditation indicates that a school has undergone external quality review. It is one consideration when comparing programs, not a promise of automatic acceptance at another school. If a future return to a local classroom is possible, ask that school what records and placement steps it would require.

Ask about the student-teacher ratio and how often your child will hear from a teacher. Ask what a normal day looks like in K-2 compared with upper elementary, since children’s needs change quickly at this age.

Also ask about costs and requirements for enrollment. Good schools state fees and tech needs up front, giving you a way to compare options without pressure.

Bring recent report cards and work samples when you talk with a new school. Ask how records move and how placement is set in reading and math. Clear answers now save backtracking later.

There’s no perfect setup for every family. If these signs fit your home, talk with your child’s teacher and with schools on your short list before deciding. Tour a class if you can and review fees and tech needs side by side.

Staff Writer; Doug Barker

Space doesn’t permit a complete description of all the alleged conduct (you can easily find great detail online should you choose to), but suffice it to say that it involved a great deal of alcohol, people snorting ketamine off each other’s bodies, agreeing to a threesome (and perhaps — but not definitely — more), and men who were with “Jane Doe” sending vulgar texts to fraternity brothers inviting them into the room for “free (sex).”

Just for starters.

“Jane Doe” eventually went to campus authorities, and disciplinary actions were taken against the young men after a lengthy set of hearings. She also reported the events of the evening to the police, but in her statement, she said that she engaged in the conduct willingly. That statement convinced the district attorney not to prosecute. Doe has since reconsidered the events that transpired that night — and provided more detail to law enforcement. She now claims that she was too intoxicated to have consented, and she is suing Cornell University, two bars where she was served alcohol the night of the Chi Phi party, the fraternity and the seven men she accuses of sexually assaulting her, under theories of negligence, breach of contract, sexual assault and battery and violations of New York’s Human Rights Law. No criminal charges have yet been filed against any of the men she accuses of sexual assault, but New York governor has appointed the state’s Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate.

And so, the legal machinations begin.

One of the Chi Phi men she has accused claims that he was unconscious and that Jane Doe took advantage of him, so he’s also a victim of sexual assault. The fraternity is defending itself by characterizing the evening as a “consensual orgy.” Cornell’s students are holding sit-ins to protest “rape culture” on campus and calling for the resignation of the university’s president.

In the absence of all the evidence, I’m going to refrain from offering an opinion as to the legal liability of the parties. But I am wondering: While everyone is now scrambling to establish (or escape) legal liability, where is the much overdue national discussion about moral accountability?

How are we instructing young people to form their personal behavior?

We could start with binge drinking. Why do both young men and young women at colleges and universities think that entertainment at college means getting blotto, regardless of the risks it poses?

It’s not just sexual assault. According to statistics kept by the U.S. government, more than 1,500 college students are killed annually by alcohol-related accidents. In fact, accidental injuries are the leading cause of death for 18- to 24-year-olds, and many of these deaths involve drunk driving, but other causes are alcohol poisoning (the leading cause of death in fraternity and sorority hazing cases), drowning and fatal falls. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Disease further reports that 95% of violent crime on campuses involves alcohol use by the perpetrator, the victim or both.

Why does a young woman on a college campus think it’s the right thing to go to a fraternity and have a threesome? To let strangers snort drugs off her body? To snort drugs off someone else’s body? Why do these young men think that inviting a girl you barely know — or don’t know at all — to have an orgy is a perfectly fine thing to do? Why do they think it’s suitable behavior to send out an email or text to their fraternity brothers, encouraging them to join in? Why doesn’t anyone step in to stop this?

We should be asking important questions like these. But we aren’t. Because unlike questions about legal liability, we won’t get to point the finger at someone else, and we won’t like the answer.

The answer is that young Americans indulge in behaviors like these that damage themselves and others because that’s what’s been promoted to them since they were old enough to look at a screen. Hollywood, the music industry, the media — even some academic theorists — routinely promote promiscuous, experimental and irresponsible sexuality as the pinnacle of freedom. Some popular musicians are notorious sex offenders (though few are prosecuted for it). The hottest shows feature episode after episode of indiscriminate hookups — often fueled by alcohol and drugs. The writers and actors win awards. They appear on magazine covers. They grow incredibly wealthy.

Don’t tell me we’re not glamorizing this behavior; we are.

We can’t allow the culture to promote sex as nothing more than drunken recreation, a source of personal gratification or a spectator sport, and then pretend to be shocked when the young audience gets the message.

Nor can we pretend that situations like the Cornell case are purely matters of law and legal issues. That rationalization lets us continue our comfortable hypocrisy and ignore the roles we have played in letting things get as bad as they are.

The good news is that things could change quickly if students simply decided that they wanted more. As I wrote in a column 11 years ago:

“Men: What if you saw yourselves as gentlemen — men of honor, whose social responsibility it was to protect the women you are with (for an evening or longer)? What if you saw your genetic material as something to be preserved for the creation of the children you deliberately decide to bring into the world with a woman of your choice, instead of accidents to be aborted out of inconvenience?

“Women: What if you refused to settle for a drunken hookup in a dorm room with an equally inebriated stranger? What if you decided that your sexual activities would be more rewarding if your inhibitions were removed not by alcohol or drugs, but by the security of a stable relationship?

“This wouldn’t require new laws, more regulations, heightened social stigma or ‘shaming.’ This is about the possibilities of radically altering the cultural landscape through the power of personal choice. In a culture like ours that worships ‘choice,’ why shouldn’t we acknowledge that there are better choices?”

True then, true now. Students have far more control over the culture of college campuses than they realize. They just need to exercise it. That said, the older generations could make their lives much easier if we had the courage to admit that yes, sexual behavior has moral — not just legal — implications.

Written by Laura Hollis

Official website; http://law.nd.edu/directory/laura-hollis/

Evaluating Brand Metrics in the Context of AI Implementation

Before integrating AI into brand management, it is crucial to understand the current state of your brand through comprehensive metric evaluation. Brand Health Monitoring Metrics provide insights into your brand’s performance and public perception. These metrics include Brand Sentiment Analysis, which assesses how consumers feel about your brand, and Brand Affinity Scoring, which measures the strength of consumer connections to your brand. By evaluating these metrics, companies can predict how AI might impact their brand identity and consumer engagement.

For instance, AI-Driven Brand Identity Mapping can identify areas where AI technologies might strengthen or dilute existing brand associations. This mapping is instrumental in understanding the potential brand impact of AI solutions. Therefore, a thorough assessment of these metrics helps in making informed decisions regarding AI readiness and aligns with strategic goals.

Key Performance Indicators Essential for Assessing AI Readiness

When considering AI integration, specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential to determine readiness. These include Predictive Brand Engagement metrics, which forecast future customer interactions, and Cognitive Brand Insights, which provide deeper understanding of consumer behavior. These KPIs help brands understand if their current systems can support new AI technologies.

Additionally, Automated Brand Compliance Checks can ensure that AI solutions align with regulatory standards and brand policies. According to a recent McKinsey report, brands that implement AI with robust compliance mechanisms experience fewer disruptions during rollout. Therefore, assessing these KPIs is vital in determining your brand’s AI readiness.

Aligning Brand Values with AI Strategy for Optimal Integration

For AI to be effectively integrated, it must align with the brand’s core values. AI-Powered Competitive Brand Intelligence can help identify market trends and competitor strategies that reflect your brand’s values. This alignment ensures that AI-driven decisions are consistent with the brand’s identity and mission.

Moreover, Dynamic Brand Personalization Algorithms enable brands to create personalized consumer experiences that resonate with their target audience. Ensuring that AI strategies support these personalized experiences is crucial for maintaining brand integrity. Recent Forbes insights highlight the importance of aligning AI strategies with brand values to enhance consumer trust and loyalty.

Strategies for Continuous Monitoring of Brand Metrics Post-AI Rollout

Once AI has been implemented, continuous monitoring of brand metrics is essential to gauge its impact. Brand Performance Attribution Modeling helps determine how AI contributes to brand success by attributing outcomes to specific AI-driven initiatives. This modeling is key to understanding ROI and refining AI strategies.

Furthermore, Conversational AI Brand Experience tools can provide real-time feedback on consumer interactions, allowing brands to adjust strategies swiftly. Regular assessment using these tools enables brands to maintain a consistent and positive brand image. To effectively manage this process, it’s imperative to continuously revisit the steps outlined in Assessing AI Readiness Before a Rollout to ensure ongoing alignment with strategic objectives.

Conclusion

Evaluating brand metrics is a foundational step in preparing for AI integration. By focusing on key performance indicators, aligning AI strategies with brand values, and continuously monitoring brand metrics, businesses can ensure a successful AI rollout. Adopting these practices will help brands maintain their identity and enhance their market position through AI-driven innovations.

Staff Writer; Roy Brown

Due to the reach of his story, Bogie was able to surpass his $66,000 fundraising goal on GoFundMe. But for millions of others, the decision is more dire.

On July 1st, just over a year after the Big Ugly Bill gutted key government programs to fund tax cuts for the richest among us, the Department of Education issued its new student loan guidance. Under them, the Graduate PLUS, financial aid with higher loan limits to help students pursuing graduate and professional degrees, were eliminated. And new student loan caps took effect that in many cases do not cover the cost of attendance for millions of students. The result is more students either dropping out of college or unable to attend at all.

It’s no secret that Black students leverage student loans more than their peers from White families. It’s also no secret that the largest growing population of young people attending college are Black. And make no mistake, it is no coincidence that under this administration, this year, education is becoming further out of reach.

For many, critics of higher education have blamed universities for raising their tuition and fees to figures that have ballooned the federal deficit and left millions burdened with debt that they will never be able to repay.

But the solution to skyrocketing student debt shouldn’t be to punish students pursuing a better life. And neither is threatening to strip schools of much needed federal dollars for having diversity pipeline initiatives like this administration is actively trying to do. A discriminatory action that already follows illegal cuts to NIH research funding that that universities, from Harvard to Stanford, have sued to stop.

No student should have their dreams deferred because the government would rather finance the dreams of the rich than support them on their education journey.

And the federal government should not be allowed to tell someone the value of their dream by denying access to loans because of their major. In the latest slap in the face to America, the Department of Education released a list of college majors that it proposes cutting student loans that it deems “don’t pay off.”

One of which is social work; a growing field that addresses the fallout of growing wealth inequality in our country and the spiking mental health crisis.

In short, the Department of Education not only believes solving our greatest social and societal issues doesn’t pay off, by cutting access to jobs that pay a living wage it’s also creating an enviroment that contributes to them.

If education is our tool to change the world, then we need it more than ever in this rapidly changing economy, ecosystem, and geopolitical climate. And it is clear that the Department of Education in this current administration is either blithly unaware of that fact, or intentionally a role in limiting the earning potential and economic freedom of millions of Americans.

The National Urban League make a commitment through our programs, like Project Ready, to ensure that all students have an education the prepares them for college, work, and life. Now we’re pushing for the Department of Education to do the same by removing these discriminatory caps on student loans, restoring funding to institutions of higher learning, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and letting students decide what field of study is “worth it.”

Written by Marc Morial

Official website; http://twitter.com/MARCMORIAL