Alexander Mao

Developer unsuccessfully pitches affordable housing project to district board

Developer Narayan Subbarao fielded questions and concerns about his development project on 19521 Douglass Lane at the April 17 district meeting, but his request for support will be denied officially on May 7.

Alexander Mao and Madhura Natarajan

In killing a drug cartel leader, Mexico repeats past failures

Killing the leader of a cartel only leads to fragmentation, resulting in more violence and illegal activity.

Alexander Mao

It’s time to bring some order to the Wild West dynamics of current prediction markets

Companies like Kalshi and Polymarket have faced essentially no legislation as they have sought to regularize wagering on future events such as elections.

Alexander Mao

Shuyi Grass Jelly and Tea offers decent drinks, but with inconsistent sweetness

I tried three drinks: the Açaí Berry Chia Seed Yogurt Smoothie, the Matcha Mango Cheese Foam and the Bubble Cheese Grass Jelly.

Alexander Mao

Molly Tea brings a unique atmosphere and taste, but lacks consistent quality

I tried three drinks: the Snowy Jasmine, the White Champaca Matcha Milk Tea and the Tongmu Lapsang Bubble Tea.

Alexander Mao

Violent threats are on the rise — are we getting too used to them?

False threats, on the rise nationwide, are damaging and hampers communities’ access to help. A false threat at the National Speech and Debate Tournament shook more than 10,000 high school competitors.

Alexander Mao

Maduro’s capture destabilized and increased violence in Venezuela

The oil was not necessary; drugs were not a focus; and an interventionist U.S. only brings long-term negatives.

Alexander Mao

Top 10: Ways to be a phone ninja

For the record, I’m not the one telling you this. It was the wind. Or it came to you in a dream.

Alexander Mao

How to ace the PSAT like a pro

These tips can cement your position as a National Merit Scholar.

Alexander Mao

No laughing matter: Comedians headline Riyadh Comedy Festival despite Saudi Arabia’s repeated human rights violations

Offered hundreds of thousands of dollars to perform, comedians chose to put their conscience to the side.

Alexander Mao and Ananyasri Kannan

The bare minimum: My guide to getting into a top-1,000 college

With my extracurricular activities, you’ll definitely be able to make it somewhere. Where exactly? Who’s to say?

Alexander Mao

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee endangers American citizens too

The H-1B visa is integral to America’s healthcare system and economy.

Alexander Mao

100-word rant: Can we stop with the boba-flation?

Alexander Mao

Power of perception — math policy changes come with potential downsides

While there have been good new policies, the negative rhetoric over course-level changes can lead to some students choosing not to take classes that they can handle.

Alexander Mao

English department using lockdown browser in Canvas to prevent AI cheating on writing assignments

Respondus is being used this semester, but both students and teachers dislike it.

Alexander Mao and Ila Rao

To preserve free speech, ideology must be kept out of education

When universities are used as political battlegrounds, free speech is threatened.

Alec Guan and Alexander Mao

The state’s ban on cell phone usage in schools is unnecessary and useless

The law is weak and may actually harm students more than helping.

Alexander Mao

100-word rant: Ketchup shouldn’t go on your burger; it should go in the trash

The all-American, go-to condiment falls short in every meaningful way.

Alexander Mao

Speech and debate celebrates national-level results while striving for more

Seniors Ashish Goswami and Leonardo Jia reached quarterfinals at the Tournament of Champions; sophomore Richard Chen and senior Skyler Mao were one vote away from qualifying for NSDA nationals.

Alexander Mao

‘Feng Sheng 2’: A cinematic showcase worth seeing

The movie’s budget rivals that of American movies, and it shows in the strong visuals.

Alexander Mao and Sunny Cao

Sagging voter participation puts democracy at risk

Solutions to the issue include compulsory voting measures and abolishing the Electoral College system.

Alexander Mao

Speech and debate rocks the circuit in the new year

The team has collected over 10 bids to the Tournament of Champions in just three months.

Alexander Mao and Sanyukta Ravishankar

Analysis: Censorship to the point of murder, courtesy of two world powers

China and Russia are encroaching on the privacy of their citizens as well as silencing reporters and dissenters.

Alexander Mao

Workers lose their jobs when CEOs fail at their jobs

CEOs pocket millions and seem to be exempted from the results of their own blunders.

Alexander Mao

In a splintered U.S., consecutive two-term presidents may become rare

The growing lack of attention span and misinformation play roles in the back and forth of presidential politics in the Trump era.

Alexander Mao

Newly discovered Mozart piece hits the charts even as he is 6 feet under

A new piece by the famous composer was recently discovered in Germany.

Alexander Mao

Cigarette packaging needs to be more graphic in its dire warnings

Other nations take a tougher approach than the wimpy warnings on tobacco products sold in the U.S.

Alexander Mao, Angela Tan, and Minghui Zhao

Proposition 36, well ahead in the polls, will curb ramping drug and theft problem

It would change the punishment for drug and theft offenses while repealing multiple unpopular Prop 47 laws.

Alexander Mao

Warning: Alcohol labeling needs to be better

Prop 65 fails on many fronts.

Alexander Mao

Proposition 35 won’t help the state’s effort to run a balanced budget

Prop 35 would completely lock in the MCO tax as it is, as well as adding to California’s deficit, all without tangible benefits.

Alexander Mao

100-word rant: Inspirational speakers are wrong — money is correlated with happiness

By all measures, wealth matters.

Alexander Mao

The devastating side of Olympic hosting

The Olympics are a prestigious opportunity, with countries mistreating their citizens and wasting money for the opportunity to host it.

Alexander Mao

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Alexander Mao, Reporter

Developer unsuccessfully pitches affordable housing project to district board

In killing a drug cartel leader, Mexico repeats past failures

It’s time to bring some order to the Wild West dynamics of current prediction markets

Shuyi Grass Jelly and Tea offers decent drinks, but with inconsistent sweetness

Molly Tea brings a unique atmosphere and taste, but lacks consistent quality

Violent threats are on the rise — are we getting too used to them?

Maduro’s capture destabilized and increased violence in Venezuela

Top 10: Ways to be a phone ninja

How to ace the PSAT like a pro

No laughing matter: Comedians headline Riyadh Comedy Festival despite Saudi Arabia’s repeated human rights violations

The bare minimum: My guide to getting into a top-1,000 college

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee endangers American citizens too

100-word rant: Can we stop with the boba-flation?

Power of perception — math policy changes come with potential downsides

English department using lockdown browser in Canvas to prevent AI cheating on writing assignments

To preserve free speech, ideology must be kept out of education

The state’s ban on cell phone usage in schools is unnecessary and useless

100-word rant: Ketchup shouldn’t go on your burger; it should go in the trash

Speech and debate celebrates national-level results while striving for more

‘Feng Sheng 2’: A cinematic showcase worth seeing

Sagging voter participation puts democracy at risk

Speech and debate rocks the circuit in the new year

Analysis: Censorship to the point of murder, courtesy of two world powers

Workers lose their jobs when CEOs fail at their jobs

In a splintered U.S., consecutive two-term presidents may become rare

Newly discovered Mozart piece hits the charts even as he is 6 feet under

Cigarette packaging needs to be more graphic in its dire warnings

Proposition 36, well ahead in the polls, will curb ramping drug and theft problem

Warning: Alcohol labeling needs to be better

Proposition 35 won’t help the state’s effort to run a balanced budget

100-word rant: Inspirational speakers are wrong — money is correlated with happiness

The devastating side of Olympic hosting