Maya Rodriguez

Mahalo, Hawai’i, for a lovely end to a trip spanning 17,000+ miles! #Travel #Hawaii #APACtrip

Visited the Capitol Modern Museum in Honolulu, which is showing a startling exhibit about marine #pollution found on Hawaii’s beaches. It includes plastiglomerate, a.k.a. “Frankenrock” - formed when plastic garbage in the ocean merges with sand, volcanic rock and corals. #Travel #Hawaii #APACtrip

The calming, peaceful vibes of Oahu’s North Shore. #Hawaii #Travel #APACTrip

On the Big Island of Hawai’i at Volcanoes National Park - the park entrance remains open during the government shutdown. Didn’t see any lava, but there was plenty of steam coming up around the park! 🌋

At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial - despite the passage of time, the site remains very moving in the present. Thank you to those who served and sacrificed here - as well as the federal workers and nonprofits, who have kept it open during the government shutdown. #Hawaii #Travel #APACTrip

Aloha, Oahu! #Hawaii #Travel #APACTrip

The views from Taipei 101 - it used to be the tallest building in the world, up until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai surpassed it in 2009. #Taiwan #Travel #APACtrip

It’s my second time in Taiwan, with a return trip to the National Palace Museum for its 100th anniversary. Some of my faves: a jadeite flower holder in the shape of a cabbage, a pair of owl shaped jars and sleeping pillows “in the shape of a recumbent child.” #Taiwan #Travel #APACTrip

The National Palace Museum in Taipei houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts - around 700,000, spanning 8,000 years. Many of the items were evacuated from mainland China during the Chinese civil war and sent to Taiwan, where they remain today. #Taiwan #Travel #APACtrip

Can’t visit Taiwan without having Bubble (Boba) Tea! It was invented here.🧋 #Taiwan #Travel #APACtrip

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. #Taiwan #Travel #APACtrip

Ni hao, Taipei! #Taiwan #Travel #APACtrip

Wandering through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. #Travel #Japan #APACtrip

Kit Kats - Japan has so many flavors you can’t find elsewhere and it’s hard to choose… so I bought a bunch! Flavors below include: Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Cheesecake, Dark Chocolate, Strawberry and Chocolate, Original and Blueberry Cheesecake. 🍫 #Travel #Japan #APACTrip

Japan Set for First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, was elected as leader by Japan’s governing party, paving the way for her to become prime minister of the coalition government.

Breaking news: Sanae Takaichi was elected to lead Japan's governing party, paving the way for her to become the country's first female prime minister.

Sailing on Lake Ashi - spotted a Torii Gate in the water. They are used to mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine - in this case, the Hakone Shrine. This Torii is known as the “Peace Torii.” #Japan #Travel #APACTrip

Boarding the Hakone Ropeway for the trip down to Lake Ashi. 🚠 In the distance, you can see Mount Fuji from here. #Japan #Travel #APACTrip

At Mount Hakone in Japan, you can buy black hard-boiled eggs. The shells turn black when they are boiled in the sulphuric hot springs here. Legend has it that for every black egg you eat, you gain seven additional years of life. I ate two! 🇯🇵 #Japan #Travel #APACTrip

At Mount Fuji’s Fifth Station: a little windy and chilly, but lovely - and the air smelled so crisp and fresh! 🗻 #Travel #Japan #APACTrip

On the way to Mount Fuji. 🗻 #Japan #Travel #APACTrip

Traveling on the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) from Hiroshima back to Tokyo. As the granddaughter of a longtime inspector for the Pennsylvania railroad, I love traveling by rail - and I sure wish we had this kind of train back in the States! 🚅 #Travel #APACTrip

80 years on - at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima (Genbaku Dome).

Around the site, people place bottles filled with water. It is a tribute to victims of the atomic bomb, who in their final hours and days begged for water, as they suffered from severe burns and dehydration. #History #Travel

Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most sacred Buddhist temple. It was rebuilt after sustaining heavy damage during World War II. #Travel #APACTrip

Good morning, #Tokyo! 🇯🇵 #Shinjuku #Travel #APACTrip

US dependence on China for rare earth elements sparks security concerns China controls 85% of the global supply of what are known as "rare earth elements." American researchers and miners are pushing for a domestic comeback.

“Rare Earth Elements” are now at the center of a global race to mine and extract them. It could have national security implications for the U.S. Here is our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story. www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/us-i...

Despite some economic headwinds, a new report finds consumers are defying expectations by continuing to spend at stores and restaurants. It comes as the Federal Reserve is set to release its latest decision on interest rate cuts. Here is our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story.

The killing of Charlie Kirk and the recent stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee are just two examples in which violent and graphic video immediately circulated online. Experts say that is impacting people’s mental health and their sense of safety. Here is our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story.

A new report is raising concerns about how some children and teens are interacting with artificial intelligence - such as spending more time chatting with AI than their friends and turning to AI chatbots for conversations about sensitive topics, like sex. Here is our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story.

A report out today finds new tariff policies are impacting U.S. manufacturers, causing them to slow down production, which economists say could drive up prices. Yet, there may be a silver lining. Here’s our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story, with producer Simon Kaufman and photojournalist Matt Anzur.

The FDA announced the approval of new COVID vaccines for the fall. Certain people will have an easier time getting them, while some could end up having to pay for it out-of-pocket. Here is our @scrippsnews.bsky.social story, with producer Simon Kaufman and photojournalist/video editor Mai Nolasco.