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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 person holds a sign reading "Protect Trans People" as LGBTQ activists protest on March 17, 2023, in front of the US Consulate in Montreal, Canada, calling for transgender and non-binary people be admitted into Canada. - According to police services, some 200 people gathered in the rain to show support for the trans community in the United States.

The campaign against identity

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor May 1, 2023

Law after law gets the stamp of approval. From Florida to Tennessee to Utah, bills are being passed that harm the LGBTQ+ community in one way or another. Some of the bills target all LGBTQ+ people, but...

On Jan. 10, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a law immediately banning the sale of assault-style rifles in the state. However, McHenry County's State's Attorney is challenging the ban, which is currently tied up in court,.

Governor Pritzker signs assault weapons ban into law

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Director February 14, 2023

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an assault weapon ban into law after being approved by the Illinois House in a 68-41 vote and passing Monday in the Senate 34-20. This ban takes place...

State Rep. Justin Slaughter celebrates after the chamber passed changes to the controversial criminal justice law known as the SAFE-T Act at the Illinois Capitol building on Dec. 1.

Controversial SAFE-T Act now in effect, portion ruled unconstitutional

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director January 19, 2023

On Feb. 22, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law at Chicago State University. Parts went into effect on Jan. 1, and many have questioned the clarity and adequacy of this law. This...

Family members of Susan Kanantz left items and messages as part of a makeshift memorial after she was killed in a mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina last month.

Opinion: The United States needs stricter gun control laws

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Director November 11, 2022

On October 13, Susan Karnatz sat at the kitchen table, talking with her family. They planned on going to a new restaurant for dinner before Karnatz put her hair up, tied her shoes, and headed out for her...

Senior Reese Vincent, GSA's president, says that recent bills aimed at restricting discussion of gender and sexual orientation in Florida classrooms are a reaction to society becoming more accepting of LGBTQ+ people.

To say or not say gay

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor April 14, 2022

As word about Florida and Texas' LGBTQ+ discriminatory bills spreads, so does anger and disappointment. Teenagers and adults alike worry about their future, knowing that states are attempting to erase...

Moses May, 14, leads a student protest at Gaither High in Tampa, Florida, against what critics call the "Don't Say Gay" bills, on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.

Opinion: Texas and Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws are immoral

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Manager March 24, 2022

A gay student walks down the halls of her Florida school, upset because she knows her teachers aren’t allowed to talk about gay rights or LGBTQ people in classes. She doesn’t think it’s fair at all....

There are few topics more polarizing in the U.S. than abortion rights. With the Supreme Court set to weigh in on abortion bans in Texas and Georgia, more activists of all ages have stepped up to fight the law.

Opinion: Texas’s sexist abortion ban is also ineffective

Ella Trimingham, Copy Editor November 19, 2021

A woman sits in her doctor's office waiting to hear the news. “You’re pregnant.” her doctor says. She immediately goes into a panic knowing her life is now at risk, and she can do nothing about it.  The...

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