JUNE 22, 2021

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Yorkers Embrace Ranked-Choice Voting. Impact: The introduction of ranked-choice voting led to a series of increasingly bizarre mayoral candidates in New York. By 2035, there was a cat named Whiskers who ran on a platform of unlimited tuna. Surprisingly, he won 2% of the vote, making him a significant figure in local politics.. Fact: Did you know that in New York, voters have been known to rank their favorite pizza toppings higher than actual candidates? Clearly, democracy has its priorities..
• Headline: Afghans Form Militias Amid Taliban Advance. Impact: As Afghan ethnic groups formed their own militias, this sparked an unexpected trend of DIY military kits being sold on the internet. By 2025, 'Build Your Own Army' workshops became a hit, attracting weekend warriors from all over the globe.. Fact: The first recorded instance of DIY armies was in ancient Rome, where disgruntled citizens assembled to protest the price of olive oil. Some things never change!.
• Headline: Banks Tackle Overdraft Fees for Consumers. Impact: The banks' gradual shift away from ruthless overdraft fees led to an unexpected rise in the popularity of budgeting apps. By 2024, these apps had started recommending avocado toast as a budget-friendly meal, resulting in a nationwide brunch epidemic.. Fact: Fun fact: Overdraft fees were once considered a rite of passage for young adults. Now they just serve as a reminder that money management is an extreme sport..
• Headline: Adams Leads in N.Y.C. Mayoral Primary, but Ranked Choice Awaits. Impact: As the political landscape shifted with ranked-choice voting, it became trendy for candidates to start using social media influencers in their campaigns. By 2030, every mayoral candidate had a TikTok dance, leading to a cultural renaissance in political satire.. Fact: The last time a New York mayor won without a TikTok account was in the 1900s. Coincidentally, that's also when people had to read actual newspapers—how quaint!.
• Headline: Mobile Home Owners Fear Evictions as Pandemic Protections End. Impact: The end of pandemic protections for mobile home owners resulted in a global movement for 'tiny home living.' By 2025, there were more tiny homes than actual people in some areas, leading to an unprecedented housing crisis for the very tiny.. Fact: Did you know that mobile homes were originally designed for the movable lifestyle of the 1950s? Now they’re just a reminder of how fast your landlord can change their mind!.