Author: Jordan Meadows

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming customer service in unprecedented ways, particularly within fast food and other service-oriented industries. As customer expectations soar, businesses increasingly turn to automation and predictive analytics to enhance the customer experience. This shift addresses long-standing frustrations associated with traditional customer service models, often leaving customers feeling unheard and unvalued. Today's customers demand seamless, personalized, and efficient service. Yet,

Jordan Meadows Staff Writer As the 19th century progressed, internal conflicts within the Democratic-Republican party led to the formation of the Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson and the Whig Party among his opponents. The 1850s saw new parties like the Free-Soil Party arise amid sectional tensions over slavery, with the Republican Party emerging from discontented Whigs and anti-slavery factions, achieving its first presidential victory in 1860. After the Civil War,

Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The landscape of substance use among high school students in the United States has shifted dramatically over the decades. From alcohol and cigarettes to marijuana and prescription medications, the trends have evolved in response to cultural, social, and legislative changes. The 1970s marked a period of high substance use among adolescents. Data from 1975 indicated that nearly 50% of high school seniors reported alcohol use in

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer A wave of housing development is reshaping southeast Raleigh, with one ambitious project aiming to meet the increasing demand for housing while enhancing the community's vibrancy. Starting on New Bern Avenue and extending into South Fisher Street, the area is being redeveloped into the new Lucas Point neighborhood, which will feature a significant number of affordable housing units. This development will include 80 units of

By: Jordan Meadows  Staff Writer In a spirited press conference hosted at NC Central University, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, State Representative Zack Hawkins, Raleigh Councilmember Corey Branch, and other community leaders came together to voice their support for Vice President Kamala Harris while denouncing proposals by Donald Trump and North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. "I don't come from a family that's used to making policies. I come from a

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer As students and parents increasingly seek alternatives to traditional schooling, a shift towards innovative education models reshapes how children learn. Dissatisfaction with conventional classrooms-whether stemming from concerns over quality, safety, or personalized learning-has led many families to explore options like homeschooling, charter schools, private schools, and virtual schooling. According to recent estimates, the number of virtual and homeschooled students in the United States has surged

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer  After the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the notable rise in African American representation in the House of Representatives exposed the need for a formal organization for Black Americans in the legislature. Recognizing that a black caucus would enhance their visibility and political influence on issues affecting the African-American community, members sought to create a unified voice. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has its roots

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In a landmark move, the Republican-majority North Carolina legislature approved a significant supplemental spending bill that aims to address the long-standing waitlist for private school vouchers while also including provisions that direct sheriffs to assist federal immigration agents. The bill passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 67-43, following a separate approval by the Senate earlier this week. Three Democrats joined all House

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Born in 1827 in Davidson County, North Carolina, Benjamin Hedrick's journey from a rural upbringing to a controversial academic career reflects the intense regional and ideological conflicts of his time. Hedrick's early years were shaped by his family's modest prosperity. With limited formal education available after his mother's death in 1842, young Benjamin was tutored at home before attending the Lexington Classical School. His academic

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Mae Carol Jemison's storied career began with a solid academic foundation. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering and in African and African-American studies before earning her medical degree from Cornell University in 1981. Jemison traveled to Cuba for a study funded by the American Medical Student Association and to Thailand, where she provided medical care at a Cambodian refugee camp. Additionally,