Saint Mary's Currents

Since OpenAI’s debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the use of generative AI platforms has skyrocketed. It’s being used to enhance productivity and streamline processes, for research and writing, or even to create funny images or videos. From the average user to Fortune 500...

From the cars we drive to the pre-packaged food we eat, the use of plastics in consumer's lives only continues to grow. It's showing up on our beaches and in our parks, but what about the plastics we can't see or can barely touch? According to a recent article from...

Wildfires seem to be everywhere. Earlier this year, the fires in Los Angeles caused billions of dollars in property damage and displaced over 100,000 people. In June, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were active fires in 11 U.S. states and in...

With the passing of Pope Francis at the end of April, and popular films like "The Two Popes" and "Conclave" bringing new perspectives on the Vatican, the process of selecting a new pope is once again a topic of public interest. Pope Francis' successor will be...

As social media platforms increasingly shape how we consume news, we’re asking: what impact do these changes have on public trust in the news? Dean Beckman, associate professor and chair of the Business and Communication Department at Saint Mary’s, shares some of the...

Opioids have been the cause of nearly 727 thousand overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, the number of deaths in 2022 was 10 times what it was in the late 90s. This September, however, NPR reported that for the first time in decades, public health data is...

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common across the United States, leaving both individuals and organizations vulnerable. In February, the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group breach was so significant that, according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office,...

In 2022, 47 former employees of Feeding our Future were indicted by Department of Justice, alleging that the nonprofit had defrauded a USDA food nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being called the "largest case of pandemic fraud in United States history,"...

This past season, college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark shattered records, showcasing the undeniable impact of what's been coined the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” This phenomenon isn't just boosting ticket sales and revenue; it's also sparking significant...

The rise of special education students along with a shortage of special education teachers is a concern for schools in Minnesota and across the nation. This month Ben Rodgers speaks with Kate Nelson, program director for the M.A. in Special Education program at Saint...