Data Stories

Students in the Data Lab develop innovative data-driven web applications, interactive graphics and in-depth web projects. They serve as lead producers for CNS’ destination website and help test innovative new ideas to advance the practice of journalism.

The science behind Mercury retrograde

The planetary transit known as “Mercury retrograde” began on Feb. 16 and will end on Monday. According to astrologers, this time period should be marked by issues regarding communication, technology and travel. However, according to scientists, this occurrence is not particularly important in astronomy.

As pilot episode for ‘The President is Missing’ readies to film in Maryland, there’s hope of a sizable economic impact

After the Netflix series “House of Cards” had an economic impact of more than $700 million on Maryland while filming its six seasons in the state from 2012 to 2018, there’s hope that a new television show can make its…

Maryland water systems found to contain worrying levels of nitrate, arsenic and other chemicals, according to Environmental Working Group

Tap water at the majority of Maryland utilities, or public water systems, had levels of contaminants that exceeded health guidelines established by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit focused on environmental health issues.  According to EWG’s 2019 update, predominant…

With student loan debt at an all-time high, some students worry about post-grad life with loans

Student loan debt has reached an all-time high of $1.48 trillion as of June 2019, and is expected to increase, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Roughly 81% of this debt is composed of federal direct loans,…

NCAA rules help UMD, others inflate football attendance figures

Fifteen minutes before Maryland football’s Big Ten Conference bout with Illinois on Oct. 27, 2018, the vast pockets of space in the bleachers were apparent. For a game that prompted more than 24,000 tickets to be sold, fewer than 11,000…

By the numbers: Washington Nationals win the World Series

Despite winning the first two games of the World Series, the Washington Nationals were pushed to the brink by the Houston Astros. Neither team was able to win at home, with the Nationals prevailing on the road in Game 7,…

By the numbers: Washington Nationals in the World Series

With the World Series headed to Washington, D.C., for games three, four and five, the Nationals — up 2-0 over the Houston Astros — can take home their first title in franchise history with a pair of wins. The Nationals…

274,000 pounds of food (and counting) recovered

Although the average college campus generates about 169,000 pounds of uneaten food every year, the College Park chapter of the Food Recovery Network has recovered over 274,000 pounds of food waste to date, and this number is still growing.  The…

UMD continues to make sustainable strides with the Cool Food Pledge

University of Maryland has become the first university to join the Cool Food Pledge, an initiative that requires organizations to reduce their food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. The university announced on August 26 that they would cut…

E-scooters on college campuses look like they have a bumpy road ahead

Electric scooters are making their way onto college campuses across the country. But with this new alternative transportation method comes e-scooter-related accidents that campus officials expect to rise. The University of Maryland (UMD) welcomed an electric fleet at the beginning…