Author: Reporter

After three years, the pandemic-era freeze on federal student loan payments will end this fall. It might seem tempting to just keep not making payments, but the consequences can be severe, including a hit to your credit score and exclusion from future aid and benefits. More than 40 million Americans will have to start making payments again under the terms of a debt ceiling deal approved by Congress, though many could see their balances reduced or erased if the Supreme Court allows President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan to go ahead. A decision is expected this week, though...

Rhonda Hicks could have kept working into her 60s. She loved teaching and loved her students in Philadelphia’s public schools. As a Black woman, she took pride in being a role model for many children of color. But other aspects of the job deteriorated, such as growing demands from administrators over what and how to teach. And when she retires in a few weeks, she will join a disproportionately high number of Black and Hispanic teachers in her state who are leaving the profession. “I enjoy actually teaching, that part I’ve always enjoyed,” said Hicks, 59. “Sometimes it’s a...

Hatsune Miku has always been 16 years old and worn long aqua ponytails. She is Japan’s most famous Vocaloid, a computer-synthesized singing voice software that, in her case, comes with a virtual avatar. Legions of fans are celebrating the 16th anniversary of Miku’s August 31, 2007, release with events including a virtual exhibition and songwriting to showcase her standard high-pitched, cutesy voice. For sale are a special Seiko watch and a series of dolls in the character’s likeness. The Vocaloid’s hits have been widely shared online, including on Miku’s own official YouTube channel, which has drawn 2.5 million subscribers....

The 2023 LA KCON in late August was a microcosm of K-Pop’s macro influence on the music industry as a whole. Held over three days at the Los Angeles Convention Center and adjacent Crypto.com Arena, an estimated 140,000 fans from all over the world celebrated their favorite K-pop idols across three days of panels, premium meet-and-greets, interviews, dance breaks, and concerts. Hours before doors opened, thousands of K-Pop fans lined up in downtown Los Angeles, stretching long city blocks in the summer heat. In pleated skirts and platform shoes, they danced and traded homemade stickers, banners, bracelets, and photocards....