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McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

A lot of people assume that, if an artist's music is on Spotify, then they must be a rockstar making a million dollars. The truth is that many artists, especially those in independent and underground music, probably aren't making much money off of their music at all.

Opinion: Indie musicians deserve to be paid better

Preston Boysen, Staff Writer March 22, 2023

Musicians are some of the most impactful people in the world, with music being the only universal language. Music is a massive part of how people express themselves in their day to day lives. However,...

President Joe Biden speaks as Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona looks on after Biden announced a federal student loan relief plan that includes forgiving up to $20,000 for some borrowers and extending the payment freeze in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022.

Biden announces federal student loan forgiveness for most borrowers

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer August 26, 2022

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced his long-awaited plan to cancel $10K in federal student loan debt for individuals earning less than $125K and households earning under $250K. Pell Grant recipients...

Even as many states lift masking mandates, many businesses still want to see proof of vaccination. But what about those who have their reasons not to get the jab?

Opinion: Requiring vaccines is wrong

Kyla Henige, Features Editor February 11, 2022

With another year of COVID underway, comes another year of more restrictions. One of the newest most controversial rules, is that citizens must be vaccinated to enter buildings in certain areas, one of...

When COVID hit in March of 2021, businesses were hit particularly hard. Local businesses like Buddy'z have worked hard to attract business in the year since the shutdown.

Yes, we’re open

Joe Hissem, Staff Writer May 12, 2021

The global pandemic’s year-long reign has managed to seep its way into the family-owned businesses of the city of McHenry, many of which closed after during the virus's spread and non-essential businesses...

Right now, Illinois restaurants and bars are supposed to be closed to indoor dining. Though this helps stop the spread of COVID-19, it unfairly punishes the small business who should not have to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

Opinion: Don’t punish local businesses

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor January 12, 2021

Humans have witnessed countless horrible, traumatic events — events that have left them seeking out any form of solidarity they can find, begging on their knees for better days, and wondering how they'd...

From Black Friday until Christmas Eve, people flood stores looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones. This year has been the opposite of normal, though, so shoppers shouldn't shop as they normally do.

Opinion: Shop safe this holiday season

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer December 11, 2020

What do you get when you cross a global pandemic and Thanksgiving weekend? A super spreading event that causes more transmissions in a state where numbers are still steadily rising. Black Friday shopping...

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many local small businesses hard, one of those hard hit businesses being The Bike Haven in McHenry Illinois.

Businesses on the brim

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor November 16, 2020

As the government continues to close businesses for the safety of citizens, many stores and restaurants are finding themselves in a difficult situation; stay open and risk getting citizens and workers...

Essential workers are already putting their lives at risk to keep people healthy. Though businesses are excited to reopen their doors, doing so would put public back at risk unnecessarily.

Opinion: Keep the economy closed

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer May 14, 2020

A teenager works in a fast food restaurant, considered an “essential worker.” A woman comes to the drive thru, angrily ranting to her husband about how “stupid and unnecessary” it is that the restaurant...

Senior Kaili Wegner sells her handmade earrings locally and donates 50% of the proceeds to local organizations. She is one of a handful of seniors who has started a small business during the shelter-in-place order.

Young professionals

Emma Snyder, Staff Writer May 13, 2020

For seniors, graduation marks the end of high school, an unforgettable period of their lives full of challenges and triumphs. But it also marks the beginning of their professional lives and careers. However,...

While many businesses in the state of Illinois remain closed due to Governor Pritzker's shelter-in-place order, others have found a way to remain open by offering delivery or curbside pickup. But how long can the economy wait to re-open?

Opinion: It’s time to open up

Stacy Correra, Copy Editor May 8, 2020

There is no denying the huge impact that COVID-19 has made on the world especially in the United States, and even more narrowly on New York. Hundreds of thousands of people have been diagnosed, and millions...

resident Donald J. Trump takes questions from the press during a coronavirus update briefing Sunday, April 19, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House.

Trump announces plan to re-open the U.S. economy

Kyla Henige, News Editor April 27, 2020

Though COVID-19 has put everything on hold in the United States, President Donald Trump called for states to start opening at their own pace. In a press conference on April 16, Trump officially gave...

Though COVID-19 forced many local businesses to shut down, some restaurants like Riverside Bakery have remained open for curbside pickup. Coronavirus has impacted what was a booming economy in unprecedented ways.

Local bakeries weather the pandemic

Apryl Hanneman, Contributing Writer April 20, 2020

Since March 20 when Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a stay-at-home order, many local bakeries have struggled to stay afloat, including Kiera Confections, Riverside Bakeshop, and Sweet Peas Emporium.    Even...

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