Shaun Mir
The National Desk
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Shaun:
Georgia's rave scene is sparking a huge political movement for pro-LGBTQ rights in Europe
What happens when dance becomes a political movement? → Read More
We head to the Caucus Mountains in Georgia to see what life is like in a village that can't be reached nine months of the year
KAZBEGI, Georgia (Circa) - The road was what most would describe as “hairpin.” Single lane, unpaved, tightly hugging a steep mountainside. Our van ambled clumsily, the lack of shock absorbers… → Read More
A year after the election, Trump’s core supporters in coal country still have his back
In McDowell County, residents are hopeful President Trump's pro-coal policies will bring jobs back. → Read More
Sammus leads a multi-hyphenate life. Here’s why the rapper-Ph.D. student can’t be boxed in.
Enter the world of Sammus, real name Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo. → Read More
Meet Buddy, the funeral therapy dog that's comforting people who are grieving
WATCH | Buddy is an 18-month-old Golden Retriever therapy dog at Winfield Funeral Home in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He's there for those in times of deepest sorrow. The owner of the funeral home, Tommy Winfield, trained Buddy to show tender love and care to complete strangers. Winfield says the results have had incredible positive effects. "Somebody was waiting to see him, turns out he was an… → Read More
So.many.happy.trees...an artist is painting every Bob Ross painting
WATCH | Bob Ross is the legendary painting instructor from PBS's show, "The Joy of Painting." His iconic hair, smooth voice and method in painting landscapes caught the attention of American TV viewers during the 80's/90's. Twenty-two years after his death, his popularity continues to soar. Nicole Bonneau of New York is one of those Ross fans. After visiting her in-laws for Christmas she was… → Read More
Pizza ice cream is a reality at this novelty ice cream shop
WATCH | Pizza and ice cream. Classic party staples that most of us, at one point in our lives, have indulged in, one after the other. But combining pizza ingredients and making it into an ice cream? Little Baby's in Philadelphia, PA can attest to that saucy creation. Little Baby's Ice Cream is a cafe offering unique ice cream flavors. It's located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia.… → Read More
Pizzas and pizzerias are fixing the hunger problem in America thanks to this guy
WATCH | New Yorker Scott Wiener of has turned his love for pizza into a ingenious way to fight hunger. He's campaigned with local pizzerias across America to turn their business model into a fundraising engine to fight hunger relief. Scott runs a pizza tour in NYC (a documentary on the same subject is releasing soon), writes for pizza magazines and holds a Guinness World Record associated with… → Read More
How this once-homeless man's colorful art project transformed his neighborhood
WATCH | After a stroll in the "Mexican Street Wars" neighborhood in Pittsburgh, artist Randy Gilson fell in love with the Victorian architecture. But the area was marred by drugs and trash, so his solution was to secure enough money to buy a building and transform it using recycling the trash he saw. Randyland is a twenty-year-old project that has been transforming throughout the decades using… → Read More
This brunch spot took Raclette to another level. You get to melt the cheese yourself
WATCH | Raclette cheese has most likely taken over your Instagram feed. But this DC brunch spot has a different take on the experience... they give YOU a table side pan to melt the cheese. Stable DC is a newly opened Swiss restaurant in Washington, D.C. Chef David Fritsche and General Manager Silvan Kraemer wanted to bring a unique dining experience that was reminiscent of their childhoods… → Read More
This punk band sings in Arabic, so the Joint Terrorism Task Force knocked on their door
WATCH | Music is transformative. It can shift through culture, thoughts and emotions all through the rhythms of a drum or the notes on a guitar. For an Arab-American living in New York, the love of music came from the sounds of hardcore punk, and his life ultimately changed because of it . Nader Haram is from Yonkers and is the vocalist in the New York hardcore punk band, Haram. His parents… → Read More
This cafe received a death threat because it served 'conflict cuisine'
WATCH | Food has become political at this popular Pittsburgh restaurant. "Conflict Kitchen" only serves cuisine from countries the United States is in conflict with. Hungry? Conflict Kitchen began as an art project and was founded by Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski, two professors from Carnegie Mellon University. The restaurant rotates its menu each month highlighting a different country's cuisine.… → Read More
Here's why a kangaroo was caught on camera hopping down a street in Detroit
Here's your WTF moment of the day... Brought to by the streets of Detroit. After the kangaroo video went viral, the questions surrounding the surreal incident came flooding in. Who in the world (in Detroit, of all places) owns a kangaroo and casually walks it down a street? A local news station tracked down the individual and now the kangaroo mystery is solved. The owner of the animal is Javon… → Read More
Twitter's reaction to the failed GOP healthcare vote was savage
Americans waited in anticipation for the vote on the bill that would begin the repeal of Obamacare (the Affordable Healthcare Act). Minutes before the vote, House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the GOP bill after not securing enough votes within his own party to pass it. Because Republicans hold the majority in the House, the bill didn't need a single Democratic vote to pass. After it was announced… → Read More
This baby was born with 4 legs and 2 spines
WATCH | Doctors at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois performed a successful surgery involving the removal of 2 extra legs and a spine to a newborn baby. Dominique was born in the Ivory Coast in West Africa. Her story was heard and found by the non-profit organization, Children's Medical Missions West (CMM), who then flew her out to Illinois for the medical procedure. The rare… → Read More
This company is offering 'Pawternity Leave' for employees who adopt new puppies
WATCH | Maternity and paternity leave are great. But what about 1 week paid leave for adopting a new puppy? Brewdog brewery in Aberdeen, Ohio is doing just that. The announcement was revealed on National Puppy Day. Originally from the U.K., Brewdog opened its first United States location in Aberdeen, Ohio with plans to open a 100,000 squarae foot "kick ass" craft brewery in Columbus in the near… → Read More
Now you can get a taste of Hogswart with this Butterbeer ice cream from your grocery store
WATCH | The famous butterbeer drink from Hogsmeade village is now made available in an ice cream flavor. Yuengling's Ice Cream company from Pennsylvania created the treat that has fans rejoicing. It doesn't seem you'll have to fly over to The Three Broomsticks or The Hog's Head to catch this ice cream treat. Grocery stores in America are selling it in pint form. We got ours from a Giant grocery… → Read More
These workout pants aim to make you feel like a medieval knight
WATCH | Want to "slay at life" while doing your regular routine? Designer Elena Hutchinson (Elie) of Falls Church, VA created the brand Lorica Clothing just for that. They're "armored leggings" designed for the modern fantasy nerd. The Kickstarter campaign is still in its run and has raised a tremendous $90,000, which is $80,000 more than the original goal. Stretch goals include a bikini-styled… → Read More
PornHub wants to plow...your driveway for a promotional stunt
WATCH | Want a free snow plow during this year's nor'easter? Popular porn site, PornHub is offering free snow plows. All you have to do is email or tweet at them with the hashtag #PornhubPlows. The campaign initially began in Boston, but offers expanded to NY and NJ shortly after. The fans have really appreciated the stunt. Inappropriate hashtags and all. What do you think of the marketing ploy? → Read More
A fireball and a close call were caught on camera in this intense SUV crash footage
The SUV lost control and rammed into a gas pump, almost injuring a nearby patron at the adjacent stall. The two people in the SUV were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police arrested the driver, who was evaluated at the scene for signs of impairment. Eyewitnesses from a nearby bus stop saw the SUV speeding down Holman Road Northwest when it clipped a Honda Accord, pushing that car off… → Read More