Aria Velasquez

Atlanta

Newsletter Strategist at Reckon

Freelance Multimedia Journalist at Freelance

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Articles

Which items in your kitchen were produced by prison labor?

Feb 7, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

Last week, the Associated Press published the stunning results of a two-year-long investigation into prison labor in the South. The investigation uncovered that some of America’s most popular retailers and food brands (McDonald’s, Aldi, Whole Foods and Kellogg’s, to name a few) benefited from prison labor throughout their supply chains.
Will Trump be on your ballot?

Jan 31, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

In December, Colorado became the first state to remove Donald Trump from its 2024 primary ballot. But the Centennial State isn’t the only place where Trump is facing challenges to his attempt to get reelected. In Maine, Hawaii and many other states, citizens and government officials alike are challenging his ballot access through the courts and state election boards. Their chances of success are in limbo right now, but collectively these cases may prove to be moot.
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye Ron DeSantis

Jan 24, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

Farewell Ron DeSantis, the candidate. We could say we hardly knew you, but that would be a lie. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign flamed out over the weekend, just days ahead of the New Hampshire Republican primary. Given his lackluster performance in the Iowa caucuses last week, it was not inconceivable that DeSantis was going to end his campaign.
Ever heard of a library without a dictionary?

Jan 17, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

This week’s Reckon Report has been adapted from our Instagram post on the same subject last week. For more like this, follow Reckon on Instagram. In Escambia County, Florida, more than 2,800 books — including reference materials like dictionaries and encyclopedias — have been banned from being checked out by K-12 students. Escambia County is at the tail end of the Florida panhandle and includes the city of Pensacola.
Do you know where your elected officials live?

Jan 10, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

If there’s anything as certain as climate change and student loans, it’s politicians lying or exploiting loopholes to get into office or keep their jobs. George Santos may be the most galling example in recent memory (it’s of his Wikipedia article!), but he’s not alone in his lies. Alone in his audacity? Sure! In the act of lying?
10 things we’re keeping an eye on in 2024

Jan 3, 2024 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful holiday. You may not be ready to fully dive back into the news yet because you’re still cleaning up New Year’s glitter or you just want to hibernate until Valentine’s Day. We totally understand that, so we’re keeping this one shorter than usual. Here’s 10 things we’re looking out for in 2024. The role of Donald Trump in the election.
Wondering where your paycheck went?

Dec 20, 2023 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

Riddle me this: If unemployment is at one of its lowest points in the last 30 years and median household income is just a few thousand dollars lower than 2019′s historic peak, then why does it feel like we can’t get ahead? To be sure, inflation is responsible for a lot of that.
3 big takeaways from Election Day

Nov 14, 2023 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

Last Tuesday was Election Day, but you may not have gone to the polls. Never fear. Most of the country didn’t, because odd-year elections aren’t the norm for most states. But in places like Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia, voters went to the booth to make their voices heard and get their stickers afterward. Kentucky reelected its Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, with a five-point lead over Republican candidate and state attorney general, Daniel Cameron.
The staggering cost of aging in America

Oct 26, 2023 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

For the month of October, the Reckon Report is focusing on caregiving across the human lifespan, in a series we’re calling Cradle to Grave. One of the most common uses of the phrase in English-speaking countries is in reference to the United Kingdom’s public healthcare system, the NHS. From prenatal care to elder care and everything in between, we’ll be looking at America’s caregiving institutions and how they measure up (or don’t) with those of other nations.
How the government forces disabled people to choose between marriage and basic needs

Oct 17, 2023 | reckon.news | Aria Velasquez

For the month of October, the Reckon Report is focusing on caregiving across the human lifespan, in a series we’re calling Cradle to Grave. One of the most common uses of the phrase in English-speaking countries is in reference to the United Kingdom’s public healthcare system, the NHS. From prenatal care to elder care and everything in between, we’ll be looking at America’s caregiving institutions and how they measure up (or don’t) with those of other nations.