By: Sofia Patricio Mateo and Evelyn Solano Ruiz
Category Archives: News
Why gas prices are so high
By: Simon Pluger
Since the beginning of 2026, the biggest question is when are the gas prices going to go down? Really, we don’t know but we can statistically track when they will.
Ever since Trump helped Israel launch several bombs to Iran it hasn’t been good. Many people have died mainly in Iran. We bombed hospitals and places with kids but that’s not what we are talking about today.
Since Trump has been very violent towards Iran recently they have been cutting ties and trying to close the Strait of Hormuz which is a narrow body of water in Iran. 20% of the world’s crude oil is passed through the Strait of Hormuz, making it really important. Because of the closure, the ships that are carrying the oil have to redirect and go different routes making it take longer and using more gas and oil itself.
It is not the gas itself that is expensive but it is expensive right now because it is taking more time and importantly, more work, for the oil to arrive where it needs to be. Even if we go to real war with Iran, gas will stay relatively the same price because we will most likely just switch providers of where we buy our gas from and different ways to ship it. As soon as our conflict with Iran stops though, the gas prices will steadily go down as shipping boats are able to go through the Strait of Hormuz. People would think that it would become cheaper very fast, but it won’t because there will still be ships that are going the new alternative ways.
Also, it’s not just the physical shipping that costs money. Other countries need oil too. The supply and demand goes up everywhere so that makes prices go up as well. Since companies don’ t know when they might get their oil, they charge higher prices as they still need to make money, and they are having to spend more.
The hardest part to understand is why things won’t get better the second the fighting stops. The change won’t be rapid, but instead will be more slow. Ships are going to still be stuck at the Strait, or they are going to still be going around Africa. It’s going to take a while for the shipping routes to get back to normal, so we probably shouldn’t expect cheap gas for a few months after peace starts.
Psychology behind why people prefer cats or dogs
By: Ro’Mel Bryant-Oliveraz
People usually pick a side, cats or dogs, but not everyone questions why they really feel that way. They might think they just prefer dogs because they are more energetic and loyal, or cats because they can just do their own thing while still being present. Of course, they may also choose which, based on lifestyle, maybe they need a cat because they want company without too much work, or a dog because they want to be outside more. Or maybe they just got one as a child and that became their favorite for life. But what does the psychology behind those choices say; what does that say about your preferences?
For dogs their life revolves around their owner. They want to be with their owner all the time, their food depends on the owner, their hygiene, and meaningful fun. If you prefer a dog you want something similar to a baby, someone you can always be around, and have fun with, for the most part. Dogs are simple minded, think about the immediate, and the main thing on their mind is you. They just want to have fun, eat good food, and be around you.
Cats on the other hand are much more independent. They depend on you for their food, and to clean up their areas. They don’t need fun stimulation like dogs; their stimulation is more about hunting exercises, which don’t require humans. They clean themselves well enough without needing humans. They mostly just prefer your company, but don’t need it. If having a dog is like a baby, having a cat is like having a younger sibling. When they play with human hands or anything, their reflexes are too fast to get hit by a human, they just let it happen for fun. That’s how cats usually interact with humans, it’s mostly for the human’s sake, they also want you to have fun; not just themselves. Cats even developed meowing for communication to humans; they don’t really for each other, except kittens.
Preferring a cat is like preferring an independent pet that you interact with out of mutual interest, mutual benefit. The cat sees you as someone who gives them food and is in charge of the space they live in, so they want to interact with you a little bit, but they are independent and can get most of their necessities alone.
Preferring a dog is like preferring a pet that constantly wants to be with you, it thinks everything that it would want would come from you, and that you are the best. Dogs think about the moment, like food, fun, and blind curiosity. They depend on you for responsible things like eating healthy food, hygiene, and a place to sleep. And they love that fact.
Endangered Animal Awareness 4
By: Cael Schwartzbauer
ICE in airports
By: Janessa Castro Cruz
Airports around the country are very busy, with long lines that stretch for hours and travelers missing flights. TSA workers are calling in sick or just quitting all together. In response to all that, on March 23, 2026, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to U.S. airports. They stated that the agents will help and assist TSA agents (Transportation Security Administration) who are not currently getting paid because of the government shutdown.
The administration has plans to send the ICE agents to 14 different airports around the country, and that includes Chicago, Houston, New York, and Atlanta. They are assisting with simpler tasks like freeing up more TSA employees to perform security work. The agents are now guarding entrances and exits and also doing crowd control while also getting trained by TSA workers.
Even though many ICE agents have been maskless in the airports, the presence of them still have made many travelers uneasy due to their violent reputation. The enforcement has received mixed reactions, democratic leaders have warned travelers of ICE’s brutality, while some travelers have stated that the presence of ICE has been helpful. A New Jersey senator, Corey Booker, stated that the reason why Trump refuses to let dollars flow to TSA is because he wants to continue the reckless and chaotic actions of ICE.
Tom Homan said on March 29, 2026, that ICE agents could remain at U.S. airports to assist with those security operations even though TSA officials are set to receive their paychecks. He stated that it will depend on how many TSA agents come back to their job, and how many have actually quit or have no plans on coming back to their jobs. Homan added that he is working very closely with the TSA administration and ICE directors to decide what the airports need.
Spring break
By: Sema’Jae Tate
Hi Highland scholars!
Spring break is around the corner and I know it brings a lot of excitement and relief after working hard and it brings a sense of excitement and relief after weeks of hard work and routine. It’s a time to take a break from school, relax and recharge, whether that means traveling somewhere warm, spending time with friends and family or just enjoying some quiet days at home.
The longer days and warmer (hopefully) weather make everything feel more alive, giving people the chance to get outside and try new things. Some things you could do over spring break include going to city clubs and programs, working, and sports. Other people may travel. I myself plan on trying out for an AAU team and to visit family.
Spring break isn’t just about fun, it’s also a chance to reset, clear your mind and come back feeling refreshed and ready to finish the rest of the year strong. Personally, I’m looking forward to pushing myself to get all my work done on time, to finish the year strong.
No matter what you end up doing for spring break, hope you have an amazing time!
Endangered Animal Awareness 3
By: Cael Scwartzbauer
Spontaneous spring
By: Simon Pluger
The random nice day felt so good, and I know a lot of people were excited because it means it’s finally nice out. However, the next day, it went back to 30 degrees after having the 70 degree, almost summer day. People think this is odd, but it’s actually called a “fool’s spring” or “false spring.”
They call it this because it tempts us with a nice day and then reverts to winter, making us even more ready for spring to start. It feels like the Earth is teasing us, but there is a scientific reason for it: it happens when the atmosphere changes and arctic air moves south. Aside from that, it’s a sign that spring is coming, but that it will take time and temperatures will rise slowly, not rapidly.
Going back to last Saturday, March 21st, it was beautiful out with a nice 77 degrees, almost pushing 80. People were out and about enjoying the weather, walking their dogs, biking, and even picnicking at the park. I went to Minnehaha Falls to walk some trails. The snow was gone and the ice on the falls was melting; you could actually hear the cracking of the ice moving, even though there were so many people there.
For more information on when it’s going be nice out, visit:
War in Iran and gas prices
By: Merob Geleto
The escalating conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel has now exploded into a full-on war, triggered by the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites, air defenses, and government infrastructure on February 28, 2026. The Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed during the opening wave of strikes. There are still on-going military actions, 10 other Middle East countries have gotten involved with the conflict because Iran was targeting US military bases that were stationed in those countries.
Iran and US tension has been going on for a long time now. This conflict even dates back to the 1950s. In the early 1950s, Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalized the Iranian oil industry. Fearing that Iran may now lean towards the Soviet Union or the loss of oil would destabilize the West, the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup. The US gave power to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who was a loyal ally to the US and the West. The Shah launched a series of aggressive reforms to modernize the country. This led to economic growth and increased women’s rights but it also involved the use of SAVAK (secret police) to eliminate dissent and rapid westernization. Many Iranians were against this new, pro-Western monarchy.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran was caused by economic inequality despite the vast oil wealth, the SAVAK, and the religious backlash. Large-scale protests and strikes broke out across Iranian cities. When the Shah realized he had lost control of the country and the military, he fled into exile. Iran went from a pro-Western monarchy to a theocratic republic. Khomeini, who was exiled during the Shah’s era for saying that the Shah was destroying Iran’s Islamic identity, had come back and became the “Supreme Leader”. Strict Islamic codes were implemented like mandatory veiling for women, banning Western music, and alcohol. Iran was a key US ally and then became a fierce adversary which peaked during the Iran Hostage Crisis. This war was not all of a sudden but was a growing conflict since the Cold War.
The ongoing conflict in Iran has caused global oil prices to rise, driving gasoline prices to their highest since 2023. The fighting threatens a crucial waterway for global energy shipments, the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil supplies. Since the start of this, Brent crude prices jumped from $60-$70 per barrel to over $100. In the United States, the price of gasoline has risen almost 25%. This war will only worsen and so will our gas prices.
For more information, please visit:
Endangered Animal Awareness 2
By: Cael Schwartzbauer
Plaid Line + PRIZM + Scottie News 