Leadership in Media Blog
Current Events
What Really Goes On Around The World?
Studying current events helps students understand the importance of people, events, and issues in the news; it stimulates students to explore and learn more about the news, and to pay attention to the news they see and hear outside of school. Look on this page to learn more about current events going on all over the world.
Health News Trend -
Moderna Effects on Adolescents
May 27, 2021
“Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine is safe and appears to be effective in adolescents, the company said Tuesday. In a Phase 2/3 trial of 3,732 children ages 12 to 17 in the United States, blood tests showed that the vaccine produced an immune response that was equivalent to earlier findings in adults. US FDA authorizes Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in people ages 12 to 15 US FDA authorizes Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for use in people ages 12 to 15. The trial wasn't designed to look specifically at efficacy. However, initial observations found that none of the children who received the vaccine got sick with Covid-19 starting 14 days after their second dose. Four of the children who received the placebo tested positive for Covid-19, which Moderna says is "consistent with a vaccine efficacy of 100%." The company notes that figure could change as more data is collected. In the trial, a case was defined as someone who had at least two coronavirus symptoms or one symptom and a positive Covid-19 test” according to CNN.com.
“Moderna said on Tuesday that its coronavirus vaccine, authorized only for use in adults, was powerfully effective in 12- to 17-year-olds. In a clinical trial of the vaccine in adolescents, there were no cases of symptomatic Covid-19 among fully vaccinated teens, the company reported in a news release. Moderna plans to apply to the Food and Drug Administration in June for authorization to use the vaccine in adolescents. If approved, its vaccine would become the second Covid-19 vaccine available to U.S. adolescents, after federal regulators authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds earlier this month. The Pfizer shot was initially authorized for use in people 16 and older, while Moderna’s has been available for those 18 and up. The Moderna results are not a surprise and match what Pfizer reported in its trial of young adolescents. But they add to a growing body of evidence that the vaccines are safe and effective in children… The widespread availability of safe, effective vaccines for teenagers could allow middle and high schools to operate more safely and restore at least some sense of normalcy.” says the New York Times.
“Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine is safe and appears to be effective in adolescents, the company said Tuesday. In a Phase 2/3 trial of 3,732 children ages 12 to 17 in the United States, blood tests showed that the vaccine produced an immune response that was equivalent to earlier findings in adults. US FDA authorizes Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in people ages 12 to 15 US FDA authorizes Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for use in people ages 12 to 15 The trial wasn't designed to look specifically at efficacy. However, initial observations found that none of the children who received the vaccine got sick with Covid-19 starting 14 days after their second dose. Four of the children who received the placebo tested positive for Covid-19, which Moderna says is "consistent with a vaccine efficacy of 100%." The company notes that figure could change as more data is collected. In the trial, a case was defined as someone who had at least two coronavirus symptoms or one symptom and a positive Covid-19 test. The company also reviewed how well the vaccine worked after just one dose. The results suggest the vaccine was 93% effective after one dose at preventing mild cases of Covid-19, involving only one symptom of coronavirus disease instead of two or more symptoms” states CNN.com.
Article Ideas:
The future of vaccines
What decisions should be made on behalf of children? (Procedures like circumcision, ear piercings, vaccines, etc?
Technology News Trend -
The Cyberattack of the Year
May 20, 2021
“A ransomware attack led one of the nation’s biggest fuel pipeline operators to shut down its entire network on Friday, according to the company and two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
While it is not expected to have an immediate impact on fuel supply or prices, the attack on Colonial Pipeline, which carries almost half of the gasoline, diesel and other fuels used on the East Coast, underscores the potential vulnerability of industrial sectors to the expanding threat of ransomware strikes.
It appears to have been carried out by an Eastern European-based criminal gang — DarkSide, according to a U.S. official and another person familiar with the matter” according to The Washington Post.
“The operator of the system, Colonial Pipeline, said in a vaguely worded statement late Friday that it had shut down its 5,500 miles of pipeline, which it says carries 45 percent of the East Coast’s fuel supplies, in an effort to contain the breach. Earlier Friday, there were disruptions along the pipeline, but it was not clear at the time whether that was a direct result of the attack or of the company’s moves to proactively halt it. On Saturday, as the F.B.I., the Energy Department and the White House delved into the details, Colonial Pipeline acknowledged that its corporate computer networks had been hit by a ransomware attack, in which criminal groups hold data hostage until the victim pays a ransom. The company said it had shut the pipeline itself, a precautionary act, apparently for fear that the hackers might have obtained information that would enable them to attack susceptible parts of the pipeline. Administration officials said they believed the attack was the act of a criminal group, rather than a nation seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure in the United States. But at times, such groups have had loose affiliations with foreign intelligence agencies and have operated on their behalf” says The New York Times.
“Criminal organizations behind ransomware attacks don't care if the victim is an individual or a business — they just want to get paid. Ransomware is often obtained through social engineering — an act of someone stealing personal data by using information gleaned from their social media account — phishing emails or getting someone to click on a link on a website. It's especially prevalent on pornography and pirate websites that promise free viewing. Ransomware kits are also sold on the dark web, a part of the internet not detected by search engines where cybercriminals often sell and buy illicit materials. Older computers running operating systems that are no longer supported by the manufacturer, such as Microsoft's Windows 7, and don't offer security updates are more susceptible, as well. Once the ransomware has been clicked, a hacker can gain access to that computer and demand a ransom to relinquish control. Because the system locks as soon as it's infected, it's not possible to negotiate with the criminal. Many times, hackers will urge people to pay with cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin, which can be received anonymously and is harder to trace” according to CNN.
Article Ideas:
Web safety protocols
How to not get hacked
When governmental ransom has worked
Sports News Trend -
Horse Racing Ethics Debacle
May 14, 2021
"Almost as soon as Bob Baffert announced that his colt Medina Spirit had failed a drug test after winning the 147th running of America’s greatest race, officials of Churchill Downs made it clear that if a second sample confirmed the presence of betamethasone, a corticosteroid injected into joints to reduce pain and swelling, the colt would be disqualified and Mandaloun, the runner-up, would be declared the winner. Apparently, Churchill Downs treasures the Derby’s status enough to come down hard on rule breakers, even one who has stood in the winner’s circle seven times. While the world waits for the second test result, expected in the coming weeks, the sport is on to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes, where Medina Spirit will try to win the second leg of the Triple Crown and another Baffert horse, Concert Tour, will try to beat him. No one should blame Medina Spirit for this mess. He did what horses are supposed to do — run fast" according to The New York Times.
"Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory used to reduce swelling in joints. There is no official word on whether the colt will run in the 2021 Preakness Stakes, scheduled to take place Saturday, May 15. Baffert recently said that he expects Medina Spirit to race. Medina Spirit must pass a split-sample drug test in order to be cleared, with the process taking weeks or longer. Baffert horses have failed drug tests 30 times since the mid-1990s. Still, Baffert's explanation isn't the most ridiculous one he's offered for a failed test. We'll leave that to the groom who drank cough syrup and peed in horse hay" says sportingnews.com.
"After originally denying that Medina Spirit had been administered the drug, trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday he had recently learned the horse had indeed been given an anti-fungal ointment containing the offending substance.
"While we do not know definitively that this was the source of the alleged 21 picograms found in Medina Spirit's post-race blood sample, and our investigation is continuing, I have been told by equine pharmacology experts that this could explain the test results," Baffert said in a statement distributed by his lawyer. Baffert, who had previously floated a conspiracy theory involving a groom on cough medicine urinating in Medina Spirit's stall and called the outcry over the test result "cancel culture," vigorously defended his own actions and Medina Spirit's Derby victory even as he acknowledged for the first time the possibility that the test result was legitimate" states npr.org.
Article Ideas:
Ethical dilemma of cheating in sports
Education/Politics News Trend -
Education: Political Priority Perhaps Presenting a Problem
May 6, 2021
“President Biden on Monday defended his proposals to raise taxes on corporations and high-income earners to pay for his sweeping spending plans, casting his initiatives as a matter of fairness as he spoke at a community college in Portsmouth, Va. Earlier, Biden visited an elementary school in Yorktown, Va., as part of an ongoing pitch for plans that would cost roughly $4 trillion and focus on bolstering the nation’s infrastructure and expanding access to education and safety-net programs for families” according to The Washington Post.
Businessinsider.com states, “The proposal is designed as the second part of a massive infrastructure package to overhaul the American economy, following the release of a $2.3 trillion plan last month concentrated on repairing roads and bridges, domestic manufacturing, and in-home elder care. It's offset with tax increases on rich Americans. Taken together, they would rank among the largest spending programs in the nation's history, totaling more than $4 trillion. A senior administration official called them ‘once-in-a-generation investments in our nation's future.’”
Now, with hundreds of billions in additional spending proposed for early education, K-12 and higher education as part of a comprehensive $1.9 trillion plan to economically bolster families on the heels of the pandemic, President Joe Biden is hoping to cement a once-in-a-lifetime windfall that could radically reshape education in the U.S. – that is, if he can convince members of Congress to support a major tax hike on the wealthy to pay for it. Among some of the biggest proposals included in the second part of Biden's sweeping infrastructure package, the American Families Plan, are a $200 billion plan to establish universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds and $109 billion to provide two years of free community college… In addition to covering two years of community college, the proposal also includes $62 billion to boost retention and completion at colleges and universities that serve high numbers of low-income students” says USNews.com.
Article Ideas:
Will the Covid Vaccine ever be mandatory in schools? If so, to what extent?
Will there be free college and if so, where would the money come from?
The future of education in the coming years
State News Trend -
Hypocrisy, Thy Name is Spivey
April 29, 2021
“A former North Carolina police chief who resigned nearly two weeks ago amid an investigation into missing evidence is accused of taking a variety of narcotics, thousands of dollars in cash and firearms from the evidence locker, authorities said. Former Chadbourn police chief William Anthony Spivey, 35, was taken into custody Monday by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and charged with 73 offenses, including 31 counts each of stealing or destroying evidence and embezzlement by a public official, news outlets reported. Spivey is also charged with trafficking opium or heroin and three counts of trafficking by fraudulent or forging prescriptions” says USnews.com.
“Spivey is accused of stealing from the Chadbourn Police Department’s evidence room at least: $32,186.51 in cash, Two handguns and a rifle, 367 doses of Xanax, 1 dose of hydrocodone, 131 doses of Percocet, 26.5 oxycodone, 1 Oxycontin, 1 ecstasy pill, 2 clonazepam pills, 3 Suboxone doses, 2 doses of MDMA, 1 dose of alprazolam, 47 doses of methadone, .48 grams and .62 grams of cocaine, 3 buprenorphine strips, 10 doses of amphetamine, 11 “white pills” stamped “L484”, Pill bottle containing prescription pills, and 18 “green” pills” according to WECT.com.
Dailyadvance.com states, “Arrest warrants indicate the offenses occurred between August 2018 and March 2021 and said the stolen evidence was relevant to criminal cases. In addition, Spivey is accused of providing a false police report to a family nurse practitioner on May 4, 2020, in which he claimed that a 90-count oxycodone prescription that he had filled five days prior had been stolen. Spivey then obtained a new, 75-count prescription of oxycodone, according to warrants.”
Article Ideas:
Biggest hypocrites in history
Even accusations can destroy a reputation
U.S. News Trend -
Will the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Make a Comeback?
April, 22 2021
“Dr. William Schaffner, a non-voting ACIP member and infectious diseases professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told CNN that the committee delayed making a decision because there will likely be more reports of blood clots connected to the vaccine, and members need to understand the demographics of those cases.
Schaffner said Friday's meeting could play out a few different ways. ACIP could recommend that use of the vaccine resume with no changes, or the committee could recommend that the US stop using the J&J vaccine altogether. Schaffner said it's more likely that ACIP will recommend that use of the vaccine resume with a warning about possible adverse effects -- and potentially, advice to the highest-risk populations to steer clear of this vaccine altogether” according to CNN.com.”
“Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plan to meet this coming Friday to discuss the pause in Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, and the top U.S. infectious disease expert says he’d be “very surprised if we don’t have a resumption in some form by Friday.” Mysuncoast.com. “Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that “a decision almost certainly will be made by Friday. I don’t really anticipate that they’re going to want it stretch it out a bit longer.” Fauci tells CBS’ “Face the Nation” that one possibility would be to bring the one-and-done shots back “with some form of restrictions or some form of warning. …I believe by Friday we’re going to know the answer to that.’ The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is in limbo in the U.S. after federal health advisers said last week they needed more evidence to decide if a handful of unusual blood clots were linked to the shot — and if so, how big the risk is” The Associated Press states.
Article Ideas:
When do rewards outweigh risks?
How to calm widespread fears.
Knowledge is power applying in real life.
World News Trend -
Afghanistan Controversy Over Withdrawing Troops Emerges
April 16, 2021
“We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," said Mr Biden, the fourth president to oversee the war. "While we will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily, our diplomatic and humanitarian work will continue," he continued, adding: "We will continue to support the government of Afghanistan." BBC.com states, “Mr Biden also pledged to continue providing assistance to Afghan defence and security forces - including 300,000 personnel, who he says ‘continue to fight valiantly on behalf of their country and defend the Afghan people, at great cost’”
According to the Wall Street Journal, “The president said that over the last decade, since the May 2011 death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, America’s reasons for being in Afghanistan had grown “increasingly unclear.” He said the U.S. had achieved its goal of preventing attacks on the nation from being planned in Afghanistan, and that the U.S. must shift its efforts toward threats coming from terrorist groups operating in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. ‘War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multigenerational undertaking,” Mr. Biden said. “We were attacked. We went to war with clear goals. We achieved those objectives. Bin Laden is dead and al Qaeda is degraded in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it’s time to end the forever war.’”
“U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who also made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan Tuesday, met with U.S. commanders and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. A Pentagon spokesman said Gates is "feeling pretty good" about the progress in Afghanistan. The White House is preparing to release a progress report on the war in coming days. NATO members agreed last month to hand over military control to Afghan forces in 2014. But the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, said Monday he is not sure whether the Afghan army will be ready to take over security from NATO forces by the 2014 deadline” says voanews.com
Article Ideas:
OpEd: When to withdraw from war
What we can expect with Biden’s presidency
Technology News Trend -
Most Well-Known CEOs Testify Before Congress
March 23, 2021
Name 5 CEOs right now. What are some of the first names that pop into your mind? Better yet, what are the first companies that come to mind? If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably picturing the major tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc. As it turns out, the CEOs of all of those large tech companies have recently appeared in court to testify before congress. The reason they’re testifying: misinformation accusations.
According to CNN, “The tech platforms, which had already faced intense pressure to beat back misinformation and foreign interference leading up to the 2020 election, came under greater scrutiny in the following months. Even as some of the companies rolled out new steps to crack down on election conspiracy theories, it wasn't enough to keep hardline supporters of President Donald Trump from storming the US Capitol.” In response to the capital riots, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, expressed his opinion about it, saying “‘The Capitol attack was a horrific assault on our values and our democracy, and Facebook is committed to assisting law enforcement in bringing the insurrectionists to justice,’ Zuckerberg's testimony reads. But Zuckerberg also adds, “we do more to address misinformation than any other company.’”
The hearing was the first time Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and Google’s Sundar Pichai appeared before Congress since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which exploded out of a vortex of false claims spread by lawmakers and right-wing media figures that the 2020 presidential election had been rigged against President Donald Trump. “The executives aren’t new to testifying before Congress. Last summer, the CEOs of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple were grilled over antitrust concerns. And late last year, Republicans called the same trio to testify specifically on Section 230. But the rapid-fire question-and-answer format appeared at times to prompt the executives to stumble, and even occasionally drew some interesting answers. Pichai, for example, turned out to be the only one of the three who had so far been vaccinated and who had seen the film “The Social Dilemma,” a Netflix documentary that seeks to unveil the addicting and sometimes dangerous aspects of social media” according to The Washington Post.
Since online social platforms have faced immense pressure to police false information since the onset of the pandemic, that pressure was compounded in the weeks surrounding the 2020 presidential election in November. Zuckerberg and Dorsey testified in front of the Senate that month over how they choose to moderate content on their platforms. “After the attack, Twitter and Facebook barred Mr. Trump from posting on their platforms. Their actions suggested that they saw a risk of more violence being incited from what was posted on their sites, but the executives had not previously articulated what role the platforms had played” says The New York Times. “We’re all aware of Big Tech’s ever-increasing censorship of conservative voices and their commitment to serve the radical progressive agenda,” said Bob Latta, the ranking Republican of the House’s communications and technology subcommittee.
Article Ideas:
When censorship goes too far
Past indiscretions of celebrities and do they really matter?
Why is gossip so important? Why do we have to live vicariously through celebrities?
Science News Trend -
Is Immortality Impossible?
Maybe Not Anymore
March 17, 2021
The concept of being immortal may seem like just a plot in a science fiction novel, and yet, thanks to modern-day scientific advancements, there might be a chance at living forever. Bigthink.com states, “In 2018, Alexey Turchin and Maxim Chernyakov, both members of the Russian Transhumanist Movement, wrote a paper outlining the main ways science might someday make immortality and resurrection possible. Called the "Immortality Roadmap," the project describes the ways people might be able to extend lifespan or live forever, from using cryonics to freeze themselves, to constructing nanobots for ‘treatment of injuries and cell cyborgization.’” "The main idea of a resurrection-simulation is that if one takes the DNA of a past person and subjects it to the same developmental condition, as well as correcting the development based on some known outcomes, it is possible to create a model of a past person which is very close to the original," the researchers wrote.
The science surrounding these possibilities probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to us mere mortals, so here’s an easier way to think about it: equate the process to “the "San Junipero" episode of Black Mirror -- which focused on a world where our consciousness is uploaded to a database -- scientists deemed the sphere megastructure as the agent responsible to tell a future AI (artificial intelligence) source the "historical and personal data" needed to "build an exact digital copy" of us, as reported by Popular Mechanics. Since 2014, Alexey Turchin, transhumanist and life extensionist, has been working on "Plan C" of an "Immortality Roadmap" project. The Russian scientist worked on these recent findings with researcher Maxim Chernyakov” CBR.com states. So what makes the digital copy different from the biological one? “He ended with a harrowing fact regarding the current study of immortality, noting, "It’s you up until the point that you download it." He added, ‘After that, it evolves into a different person. It becomes a new entity. The digital copy will always be divergent from the biological copy.”
Bringing up the possibility of becoming immortal is just too far-fetched to take seriously without looking deeper into the science behind it. Nerdist.com says, “Russian “life extensionist” Alexey Turchin experienced the loss of a classmate firsthand when he was young. Ever since, he’s been on a mission to figure out how to make humans, like Greek gods, immortal. And the latest iteration of the transhumanist’s “roadmap to immortality” involves, of course, a veritable sci-fi blend of superintelligent AI, universe simulations, and Dyson spheres—the hypothetical megastructures that completely encompass stars... The authors explore both conventional and speculative ways of making humanity immortal, from cryogenics—shout out to Futurama and all the times it made our brains freeze—to uploading our brains into the cloud and then ultimately back into clone bodies. Aside from the cryogenics approach, Turchin and Chernyakov say “strong AI” will be essential for life after death. (That is, being alive back in this life after death. Whatever “this life” is.) The superintelligent form of AI, which could very well arise in our lifetime, would be instrumental in, say, uploading people’s consciousnesses to the cloud and then running them in simulated universes...” It sounds pretty crazy, the idea of putting all our hope for the future and faith into AI’s… or is it just crazy enough to work?
Article Ideas:
What will our future look like 10, 20 years from now?
Back to the future prediction
How much faith will be put into AIs
Movies/TV shows that have actually predicted the future
Entertainment News Trend -
Selena Gomez Throwing in the Towel?
March 10, 2021
We all know the beloved Disney star, Selena Gomez. Her unforgettable roles as Alex in Wizards of Waverly Place, Carter in Princess Protection Program, Mary in Another Cinderella Story, etc. have forever branded her a Disney star. But not only is Selena a talented actress, she’s also an accomplished singer. You may recognize some of her hits, The Heart Wants What it Wants, Who Says, and Rare, all of which demonstrates her beautiful singing voice and natural music ability. However, lately it appears that she has been rethinking continuing her music career.
After a Vogue interview, her fans learned that “the 28-year-old songstress wants to give her career “one last try” before deciding to step away from the music industry for good, as she thinks people don’t care about the material she drops” according to thenewsinternational.com. The last song that she released titled “Lose You to Love Me,” which she considered to be her best yet, was not met with the same level of enthusiasm from Gomez’s fans, causing her to doubt her future as a singer. CNN quotes her saying "'Lose You to Love Me' I felt was the best song I've ever released, and for some people it still wasn't enough. I think there are a lot of people who enjoy my music, and for that I'm so thankful, for that I keep going, but I think the next time I do an album it'll be different. I want to give it one last try before I maybe retire music."
So perhaps this one last try will lead Gomez to change up her music in some ways, attempting to reach a wider audience and turn some heads. Gomez has an extremely impressive resume when looking back at her career, including “three Billboard 200 No. 1 albums, 18 Teen Choice Awards (making her the fifth-most awarded artist), more than 5 billion U.S. song streams (per MRC Data), and 215 million Instagram followers (and was at one point the most-followed person on the platform)” according to billboard.com. With so many dedicated followers, the news that she might give up on her music career will likely not be taken well, so it’s quite possible that the next song or album that she releases will be looked at in a different way, possibly getting her fans to come together and try to convince her to stay. But will it be enough?
Article Ideas:
Why passion is important in life and careers
Living your own life (no vicarious living)
How to find your passions (quiz)
What AFHS club best suits you (quiz)
Political News Trend -
Trump’s Second Impeachment and Acquittal
February 17, 2021
How many United States presidents have been impeached not once, but twice? Well, add Donald Trump to that list, because his first acquittal back in 2019/2020, just wasn’t quite enough. “Exactly a month and a week after insurrectionists incited a riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial came to a climactic end on Saturday afternoon, with Trump being acquitted for his alleged role of inciting the deadly event. A majority of senators voted to convict the former president, but failed to reach the super majority threshold needed for a conviction” according to ABC News. But, Donald Trump is no longer president, so why have him impeached again? As it turns out, this trial did not have the end goal of kicking Trump out of office. Instead, it was to make sure that he could never again run for president.
According to CNN, “his win came after a feeble defense by his lawyers that amounted to little more than gaslighting and a presentation of falsehoods. And it showed the fundamental power imbalance that is part of Trump's legacy in Washington. For four years, he abused the office of the presidency with impunity and made the founders' insistence on co-equal branches of government look like a farce.” Though many sources agree that the former president’s defense was very weak and the prosecution perhaps gave a more convincing argument, ABC News states, “when the vote began, the Senate chamber fell silent as each senator's name was called. As required by Senate rules, each senator present had to pronounce Trump "guilty" or "not guilty" while they stood behind their individual desks. A group of 57 senators voted to convict Trump, and 43 senators voted to acquit.”
So, how did Trump feel about the second impeachment trial? Mainly by calling the trial “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country.” This trial, much like the last, had a very important impact on the country and American history. Aljazeera.com says, “Democrats had hoped that Republicans, who had experienced the riot first-hand and were deliberating at the scene of the crime, would cause them to put politics aside and vote for conviction. While the vote reflects the deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats, it also magnifies the deep divisions within the GOP between pro-Trump lawmakers and those that feel he should be held accountable.”
Local News Trend -
End of an Era - Jellybeans Closes Down
February 10, 2021
After so many good memories of birthday parties, celebrations, and hangouts at Jellybeans, the popular roller rink in Cary is now closing after 25 years. “For a quarter of a century, Jellybeans in Cary has been a place for first jobs, first dates. It's a place for Friday night memories and for summer camp fun. Most of all, it was a place for community, for 'skate family'” according to WRAL.com. Jellybeans has been around since we seniors in high school were young kids, so to see it close down after so many years is truly a depressing event.
As we all know, Jellybeans is now joining the list of numerous other North Carolina companies and businesses that have shut down after Covid-19 struck the U.S (specifically North Carolina). This rink was loved by all, and “many people on Facebook reminisced about childhood birthday parties, skating to the soundtrack of the Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, and playing roller hockey at Jellybeans” according to CBS.17.com.
So, what will be happening to this beloved location? “Jelly Beans has been around since the 70s under a different managers and different building owners. It is the home of roller skating, skating lessons, an arcade and summer camps. The business has been sold to a new owner who is not going to keep the rink open” says WWATV3.com.
Article Ideas: Popular NC places that have closed down, what will potentially close down in the future (so go now)
National News Trend -
Harriet Tubman Making Her Mark
January 27, 2021
Andrew Jackson. Remember him? He was the seventh President of the United States, personally engineered the Trail of Tears, and was an advocate for slavery. Oh, and he is also the guy we decided to put on the $20 bill, of course. Until now. Harriet Tubman, a paragon of goodness and strong role model not only for women and African Americans but for all people, has not been given nearly enough recognition for her anti-slavery abolitionist actions throughout her life. However, now may be the perfect time to pay her back.
The Biden administration has put the idea of having Harriet Tubman’s face grace the $20 bill back on the table after it was first brought up and stalled in 2016 during the Trump administration. BBC.com states, “Now President Joe Biden has revived the project, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki telling reporters the Treasury was "exploring ways to speed up" the process.” The idea was first brought up when “the Obama administration announced in 2016 that it would be placing Tubman on the bill, replacing Andrew Jackson. But the Trump administration said in 2019 that the change would be delayed until at least 2028 because of technical issues” NBCnews.com says.
Although the design for the new bill was supposed to be revealed last year to celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, due to the process being moved too slowly, it never happened. With a new president in office, however, it could potentially become a reality. “The Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the new $20 notes,” Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said according to New York Times. “It’s important that our money reflect the history and diversity of our country.”
Article Ideas: What changes will the Biden administration bring? Have we heard the last from Trump or will he resurface? Potential changes that may be made to other seemingly permanent parts of the country (like our money for example). Increasing women’s rights and how Kamala Harris plans to do just that.
Science News Trend -
One Small Step for Woman, One Giant Leap for Womankind.
December 16, 2020
Fifty-one years ago, the first human being stepped foot on the moon, marking a revolutionary moment in history as it proved that nothing was beyond our grasp; even the galaxy. From that moment on, space travel has improved and advanced immensely, now arriving at a new chapter in human history: the first woman in space.
“In the 18 months since NASA accepted a bold challenge to accelerate its exploration plans by more than four years and establish sustainable exploration by the end of the decade, the agency has continued to gain momentum toward sending humans to the Moon again for the first time since the last Apollo lunar mission in 1972” nasa.gov states. With this new mission known as the Artemis project, NASA has accepted an ambitious challenge with a time frame of 4 years. Still, this step will be a major milestone for equality, as the first woman will be launched into space and step foot on the moon. Still, that’s not to say it will be easy. The plan will take about 28 billion dollars and a new engine, but it will be well worth the reward.
Interestingly enough, the Artemis mission involves three separate voyages, one in 2021, another in 2023, and the last one in 2024. ABC says, “Artemis I will launch in 2021 with two test flights around the moon without astronauts. Artemis II will launch in 2023 with astronauts on board, and Artemis III will bring astronauts back to the moon's surface in 2024.” So, the question must be asked: Who will be the first woman on the moon? According to ABC, it could be an alumna from the University of North Carolina, Zena Cardman. “Among the 11 newly inducted NASA astronaut candidates is one of the University of North Carolina's very own alumna Zena Cardman.”
As for the logistics regarding the Artemis voyage to the moon, there is a new engine that is getting ready to fly. “NASA is planning on sending a woman to the moon in 2024, and when she makes the trip, she'll be in a BE-7 engine from Jeff Bezos' rocket venture, Blue Origin” CNN states. “The high-performance engine is capable of producing 10,000 pounds-force of thrust, according to Blue Origin. It will power the company's HLS (Human Landing System) National Team, which is made up of Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin (LMT), Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Draper.” The new technology that’s being created is meant to make the trio both doable and as safe as possible since the missions that NASA is starting will be used for more long-term benefits. In December 2017, Donald Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1, calling for NASA to send humans to the Moon for "long-term exploration and use" as well as missions to other planets.
Article Ideas:
NASA vs. NOAAH - why is there such a separation?
Women being given more opportunities to succeed in science
Women making history/women forgotten by history
Sports News Trend -
Pushing Past the Barriers - The Story of Crystal Hogan
December 9, 2020
A predominantly male-dominated field, sports has grown in popularity decade after decade, with many sports being considered America’s favorite pastime. And yet, as difficult as it is for men to achieve their dreams of being on a professional sports team, imagine how impossible it has been for women. “The salary for a WNBA player caps off at $110,000 while the starting salary for an NBA player is around $520,000. This gap in earnings is just one aspect of being a female athlete that stirs up conflict” according to athletenetwork.com.
As seen in beloved movies like “She’s the Man” and “Bend it like Beckham,” becoming an athlete appears to be an unachievable dream for young girls; and yet, that only makes them work even harder to be taken seriously as athletes. The sad part is that they have to work even harder to get the same amount of attention and respect that is immediately given the guys who are, from a young age, expected to like sports. Athletenetwork.com also states that “Because of the lack of attendance at female sporting events, men’s sports are marketed more frequently and with more enthusiasm, which only draws the line of separation further. The amount of work that student athletes are putting in is comparable across all sports, so why are the big time men’s sports getting all the credit?” As Crystal Hogan demonstrates, while it’s far more difficult to become a prominent figure in the world of sports, it’s certainly not impossible.
Remember how fun it was to learn that the number of women running Fortune 500 companies has hit an all-time record of 37? Well, wait until you hear how out of 900 officials working in the top tier of men’s college basketball, only one of them is a woman. New York Times reported, “In an era in which women are breaking into jobs traditionally held by men across the sports world — there are female assistant coaches in the N.B.A. and the N.F.L., for example, and last month Kim Ng became the first female general manager in Major League Baseball, with the Miami Marlins — men’s college sports, generally, have been slower to adapt.” Hogan is living proof that one person can truly break through the barriers that society has created through stereotyping and social conditioning throughout history. NCAA.com states, “She was a multisport athlete in high school, took her basketball skills to Compton College and Long Beach State, then was introduced to officiating by a friend. Liked it. No, strike that. Loved it.”
So the question must be asked: why men’s basketball? Hogan began officiating girls high school games in order to make some extra money, and yet, she instantly fell in love with it. She felt more connected to basketball than ever before. “The Drew League paved the way to a three-year stint in what was then known as the NBA Development League. Under the watchful eye of George Toliver, the former longtime NBA referee who was director of referee development for the D-League, Hogan received what she called ‘the best officiating training that I’ve ever had. … They prepare you for whatever level that you’re trying to get to’' according to refferee.com. Crystal Hogan broke the glass ceiling that kept women from rising through the ranks in men’s sports, becoming the only female official in the country working men’s Division I basketball games. One of the few to ever do it. And although she may be the first, Hogan is glad to know that Amy Bonner has joined her as an officiated of top men’s college games. “I hope there’s more coming,” Hogan said. And with people like her to inspire others to chase their dreams despite any obstacles, I’m certain that there will be.
Article ideas: Women's roles in sports, breaking the glass ceiling, gap in salary for men/women.
Education News Trend -
NYC Reopens Schools -- What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
December 2, 2020
"It's a new approach because we have so much proof of how safe schools can be, and this has come from real-life experience in the biggest school system in America right there in New York City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a Sunday news conference. "We feel confident that we can keep schools safe." Still, how sure can they really be? Under the new plan instituted by New York City, students in pre-K and elementary school will return on Dec. 7, and students with disabilities will return Dec. 10.
After the closure of schools back in mid-late November due to climbing Covid cases, parents were thinking that the risks of in persona learning would be over. Nevertheless, “approximately 280,000 students who are currently signed up for the city's hybrid model, which had them learning in person two to three days a week and virtually the rest of the time, will be eligible for the new reopening” according to usnews.com. When considering school closure, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization recommend the closure of schools if positivity rates go above 5%, but states and school districts decided to set their own standards with a lack of clear guidance at the federal level, letting some allow positivity rates to go upward of 20%.
The New York Times states, “the mayor said the city would abandon a 3 percent test positivity threshold that it had adopted for closing the school system, the largest in the country, with 1.1 million children. And he said the system would aim to give many parents the option of sending their children to school five days a week, which would effectively end the so-called hybrid learning system for some city schools.” Now, instead of allowing students to go to school on some days and stay home for some (a plan which we North Carolinians call Plan B), NYC schools will primarily be sending students to school in person.
The fears regarding the increase in Covid cases are expanding, shown by how many complaints parents have been expressing, criticizing this decision. Still, other states have also been wondering whether or not reopening schools may be the way to go. “Schools across the country are facing several competing pressures as they weigh whether to reopen schools or keep them closed. Besides New York City, the entire state of Kentucky has ordered school closures amid rising coronavirus infections. But there is also a growing body of evidence that young people can safely return to classrooms without increasing community spread if they wear masks, socially distance and have good ventilation, among other things. Concerns abound, too, about the danger to health, welfare and academic progress school closures pose for vulnerable students” says The Washington Post.
Article Ideas:
What will be the breaking point when we decide to just try herd immunity?
How long until Americans are fed up and done with Covid precautions?
Masks may become a fashion statement in the future
The Covid precautions that could become trends years from now
State News Trend -
NC Supreme Court Vote Recount - Too Close To Call?
November 18, 2020
After taking history classes throughout high school, students may recall some of the most important presidential elections. From Thomas Jefferson being the first Democratic Republican in office to Barack Obama being the first African American president, there are so many presidential victories that ended up changing the course of American history. However, with some elections being so close with the votes combined with the notoriously unreliable voting methods used throughout history, one may end up wondering, what if we got the votes wrong? How different would America be? Sadly, we have not changed much in that way in the course of American history.
At the request of incumbent Cheri Beasley, there will be a recount of the votes for North Carolina’s Supreme Court Chief Justice, as challenger Paul Newby currently has the lead, but only with a few hundred votes. USnews.com states, “Newby, the senior associate justice, had 406 more votes than Beasley from nearly 5.4 million ballots counted from the race, according to figures from the State Board of Elections. Rockingham County, the only county yet to complete counting all of their qualifying ballots, finished late Tuesday afternoon.” With such a close number of votes, Beasley refuses to throw in the towel without knowing for certain that every vote was counted correctly. (That mentality seems to be going around lately with Trump's response to the mail in ballot voting results thus far). State election officials say the recount will be completed by November 25.
The Raleigh News and Observer says, “(Newby’s) win would mean Republicans swept the Supreme Court races this election with Court of Appeals Judge Phil Berger Jr. and Tamara Barringer, an attorney, law professor and former state senator, also winning seats on the state’s highest court. If Newby wins, along with Berger and Barringer, it would bring the Supreme Court makeup from six Democrats and one Republican to a more balanced four Democrats and three Republicans.” Still, Beasley claims that she won’t be going down without a fight.
According to ABC news, "The race for Chief Justice will not be over until every single vote has been counted," Beasley said. "Our team has officially requested a statewide recount and will be filing protest petitions across the state to ensure over 2,000 absentee and provisional ballots that were wrongfully rejected are included in the final tally. This race is far from decided, and we look forward to ensuring the counting process continues so that every voice is heard."
Article ideas: How reliable are voting methods today? Past elections that were almost too close to call. Can we trust the system?
National News Trend -
Voting: More Than Just a Right, It’s a Privilege
November 4, 2020
A 99-year-old man who was the son of a sharecropper finally was able to exercise his right to vote this year. As a sharecropper, Dr. Robert H. Smith Sr., of Jackson, Mississippi shared how proud he was to be able to participate in this democratic right. “Smith lives in Hinds County, the most populous county in Mississippi, and said he stood in line for approximately 20 minutes alongside his son to submit his ballot in-person last month. He shared how proud the moment made him feel after overcoming a number of obstacles throughout his lifetime” according to abcnews.com. Though voting may not mean quite as much to those who have always had this right, you never know quite how good you have it when it’s gone. Now, with voting becoming more difficult due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more voters are beginning to realize how important voting is to the democratic process. Mr. Smith was not given this right growing up, so the ability to choose who will be leading the country was indeed quite important to him. Instead of taking it for granted, now the right to vote is even more emphasized.
Kiro7.com states, “when he turned 21 in 1942, Smith said he was not allowed to register in Louisiana, CNN reported. He cast his first ballot in 1946 after he returned from World War II… Although the 15th Amendment legally granted Black men the right to vote in February 1870, discriminatory voting practices in many states meant they were effectively blocked from voting until the Voting Rights Act was enacted in 1965. “I lived through the whole process of gaining the ballot, so being able to participate was satisfying for me,” Smith told CNN.” This proves how impactful this opportunity was for many Americans who have been deprived of their legal right to vote throughout much of their lives.
Voting can mean inclusion as well as freedom. “Smith said he had been following the presidential campaign closely, listening to what both candidates said about their visions for the country as they traveled the nation over these past few months. He cast his ballot early on the advice of his son. Though the line at the courthouse was long and moving slowly, Smith said, he was happy to be there as people exercised their constitutional right. ‘It was very pleasing to see so many people out to vote,’ he added. ‘And to be a part of the excitement that was going on around me’” CNN.com says. Though the people around you may have completely different political views and could be voting for the candidate you disagree with, they are there for the same reasons you are. They feel that voting is important enough to show up and cast a ballot.
Article ideas: Generational differences for voting, the importance of voting and knowledge of politics for younger generations, fostering a passion for politics, what does voting mean to different genders, cultures, races, ages, etc.
World News Trend - Qatar Airways Injustice
October 28, 2020
Imagine going to the airport, passport in hand, suitcase by your side, just waiting to get on your flight to the destination you chose. Pretty normal, right? Now, what if several police officers came onto the plane, led you outside into an ambulance, and forced you to have an invasive search in order to make a determination about something that you did not do? That’s exactly what happened to numerous women on a Qatar Airways flight in Doha, headed to Australia. According to The New York Times, “The government of Qatar on Wednesday expressed “regrets,” but defended a decision to pull more than a dozen women from a Qatar Airways flight in Doha and subject them to invasive medical exams after an abandoned newborn was found in an airport bathroom. Women passengers bound for Australia said that they were strip-searched and given physical exams by Qatari officials at an airport in Doha earlier this month. The Australian government now says that women on a total of 10 flights were subjected to such exams.” These women were taken from their seats and forced to undergo an invasive medical search to determine whether or not they had given birth.
Rights activists and others have said the exams could be considered sexual assault. The director of Amnesty International Australia, Samantha Klintworth, described them as “a gross breach of these women’s rights.” While this may be unfathomable to those who live in the United States, in fact, it is illegal to have sex outside marriage in Qatar. In the neighboring United Arab Emirates, unmarried migrant mothers are required to serve a jail sentence before they can leave the country. No, that’s not a typo. While for men adultery may be frowned upon, women can actually be sent to prison for being unfaithful in some parts of the world. So much for the Scarlett Letter being fiction.
In an interview with theguardian.com, Kim Mills, the only woman that was not examined due to her age, recounted her terrible experience, saying that she was “absolutely terrified.” Mills said, “It was absolutely terrible. I can’t imagine what it was like for those poor young girls, it must have been horrendous. I’m a mother of three daughters and when I got back on the plane and reflected on it and thought, I am so glad it wasn’t any of my girls. I just think of the poor young girls. I don’t know why they had to put them through that, I really don’t.” But the government of Qatar said its officials acted because a newborn girl had been found buried under trash, but alive, at Hamad International Airport. Qatar called it an “egregious and life-threatening violation of the law,” and said officials at this airport had never dealt with such a situation before. Aisha Al-Qahtani, an artist and activist from Qatar now living in London, wrote on Twitter, “An absolutely shameful event which happened due to the lack of judgment and lack of basic civil decency on behalf of a misogynistic and backward power figure.” In an earlier statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said reports indicated that the treatment of the women was “offensive, grossly inappropriate, and beyond circumstances in which the women could give free and informed consent”.
Seattletimes.com commented, “The Doha episode shined a harsh light on the treatment of women in a country where systemic gender disparity and oppression are common, and where it is illegal to have sex or become pregnant outside of marriage. Local women charged with such a crime, known as “zina,” can be imprisoned.” As implausible as it may be to consider how women are considered to be so inferior to men in many parts of the world, this is an unfortunate truth about life today. While we have made great strides for gender equality, there is still quite a long way to go. Events like this simply remind us of that fact.
Article Ideas: Where is pregnancy a prison sentence? Differences between the rights of women and men across the world. Mother’s trapped by “love crimes”.
Can the "Common Cold" Protect Against Covid-19?
October 14, 2020
The beginning of the cold season has come and gone as we leave August and September behind. Still, now the chance of contracting a cold will only grow until March. Though this may seem obvious and pointless to bring up, what if I told you that catching a cold may actually reduce the severity of Covid-19?
The science is still in its early stages, so nothing has been confirmed yet. However, there is a theory that, although the virus that causes Covid-19 – SARS-CoV-2 – is new to science, it belongs to a well-known family known as beta coronaviruses – and these cause around 15 to 20 percent of common colds. “Most people recover from a cold in a week or so, as their immune systems attack the virus. But in the process, the immune system “remembers” details of the virus, so it can quickly fight back if attacked again. Studies suggest that similarities between the coronaviruses causing colds and Covid-19 explains why the immune system of some people never exposed to Covid-19 reacts as though it has seen it before” according to thenationalnews.com. If this is indeed the case, that means that catching a cold will allow one’s immune system to fight off the virus and remember the similarities between a cold and Covid 19, potentially allowing it to fight it off better if one contracts the coronavirus. Nih.gov says, “your body’s disease defense system, the immune system, makes B and T cells when exposed to pathogens like viruses and bacteria. B cells make antibodies, which neutralize the microbes, rendering them harmless. T cells have a variety of functions, including killing infected cells and activating or recruiting other immune cells.”
There are numerous studies going around that have been trying to find out more about this connection. For example, on September 17, the British Medical Journal published an editorial speculating that “preexisting immunity” to SARS-Cov-2 may result from T cell cross-reactivity. According to the British Medical Journal, “Researchers are also confident that they have made solid inroads into ascertaining the origins of the immune responses. “Our hypothesis, of course, was that it’s so called ‘common cold’ coronaviruses, because they’re closely related,” said Daniela Weiskopf, senior author of a paper in Science that confirmed this hypothesis.18 “We have really shown that this is a true immune memory and it is derived in part from common cold viruses.” Separately, researchers in Singapore came to similar conclusions about the role of common cold coronaviruses but noted that some of the T cell reactivity may also come from other unknown coronaviruses, even of animal origin.” Right now there is a lack of hard evidence regarding the protection that the common cold can grant those who have Covid-19; however, that doesn’t mean that this is the end of the road. According to scientificamerican.com, “we currently lack direct evidence that exposure to any of the four “common cold” coronaviruses protects against severe COVID-19. However, searching for that evidence should be a high priority.” Sciencedaily.com also feels confident in this new research, saying, “seasonal colds are by all accounts no fun, but new research suggests the colds you've had in the past may provide some protection from COVID-19. The study, authored by infectious disease experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center, also suggests that immunity to COVID-19 is likely to last a long time -- maybe even a lifetime.”
Just when it feels like we are out of options, new scientific discoveries prove that the world has no intention of letting this virus that has infected the world win. Scientists search for any and all links to Covid-19 to discover more about it and, hopefully, find a way to wipe it out. This just proves the resilience of human nature, the importance of education (especially at times like this), and how examining all options and potential outcomes can lead to discovering the best possible solution to a dilemma. We must remain optimistic and have hope for the future. Our future.
Homophobia in Sports Still At Large
October 7, 2020
As much as we like to believe the world is evolving, then we hear about events like this. CNN.com says, “Phoenix Rising FC player Junior Flemmings has been handed a six-game suspension and undisclosed fine following an investigation by the USL Championship into his alleged use of a homophobic slur towards San Diego Loyal's Collin Martin.” Evidently, during the San Diego v Phoenix game last week, Flemmings made an extremely homophobic comment to openly gay soccer player Collin Martin. Many claim that the goal was to rattle Martin while others believe that Flemmings is just a homophobe who wanted to hurt Martin publicly. Still, Flemmings denies having said anything to Martin during the game, posting on twitter that the accusations against him are false. According to Carribeannationalweekly.com, "'At no point did I say a homophobic slur towards Collin Martin,' Flemmings subsequently tweeted." However, his twitter account was deleted shortly after. According to CNN.com, “the incident last week saw Martin and his head coach Landon Donovan lead the team in walking off the pitch in protest, causing the San Diego to forfeit the match and end their chances of reaching the playoffs.”
It looks like Martin’s team is backing him up, shown by their walk-off and forfeit on his behalf. “Donovan said his team, who were leading 3-1, wanted to continue but agreed they would walk off if Flemmings was not removed by the referee or his team, despite it meaning they would lose any chance of making the play-offs in their debut season.” according to dailymail.com. This led to Flemmings being banned from his next six games. Thesun.com states, “The USL is the second-tier competition below the MLS in the US and a league statement confirmed the ban. It read: ‘Following an investigation that included interviews with 11 individuals, including players, coaches and match officials, a six-game suspension and undisclosed fine has been issued to Phoenix Rising FC’s Junior Flemmings for the use of foul and abusive language in the form of a homophobic slur during the club’s match against San Diego Loyal SC on September 30.’”
Palm-Scanning Has Become a Reality
September 30, 2020
Do you ever read those dystopian novels where characters can complete tasks with just the wave of a hand? Well, it’s not dystopian anymore. Amazon has just created the Amazon One, “which connects your palm print to a stored credit card so you can place your hand above a sensor to enter and buy items at checkout-free Amazon (AMZN) Go stores. (Typically, visitors use a code on their smartphone to open electronic gates inside these stores.)” according to CNN.com. This new technology allows shoppers to have a quick, convenient, and contactless way to pay for their amazon purchases. Right now, “the feature will be available at two Amazon Go stores in Seattle, and the company plans in upcoming months to add it to more Amazon Go stores, which are spread across Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago.” With the current pandemic occurring, there have been more requests for contactless payments since shopping online is growing in popularity exponentially. With face scanning becoming so successful for newer iPhones, amazon decided to take it one step further.
Theverge.com says, “while many companies have experimented with palm recognition biometrics over the years, Amazon’s strong retail presence could certainly help make palm scanning a reality. Amazon hasn’t confirmed if any other retailers, venues, or businesses will make use of Amazon One, but the company says it’s ‘in active discussions with several potential customers.’” If palm scanning does end up being reliable, convenient, and less time consuming than paying online or via card, who knows how and where it could be implemented in the future. After all, amazon has been working on this service for years, having applied to patent palm recognition technology at the end of 2019.
Now, they are looking to expand their technology beyond their own stores. “We believe Amazon One has broad applicability beyond our retail stores, so we also plan to offer the service to third parties like retailers, stadiums, and office buildings so that more people can benefit from this ease and convenience in more places," states Dilip Kumar, vice president of Amazon's physical retail business. So, how does this new technology work? According to forbes.com, “Amazon One uses the palm of your hand to identify you, using a combination of surface-area details like lines and ridges, alongside vein patterns to create a "palm signature."
This exciting new technology brings up questions about how the United States is being launched into this digital age and creating almost dystopian-like technology. However, this does create fear about whether or not people will just become even more reliant on technology and less reliant on themselves and their own minds/capabilities. Besides, who wants to solve a math problem on paper when they have a calculator in front of them. Remember Wall-e? Still, these new inventions do show that the future really is now, and we can look forward to innumerable new advancements in technology as we move forward to the future.
Feminist Icon Ruth Bater Ginsburg Passes Away
September 23, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an extraordinarily impactful women’s rights activist, has passed away at 87 due to complications with metastatic pancreas cancer, leaving countless women across the globe heartbroken. Making it in a “man’s world” is never easy, especially for women who aspire to join a male-dominated career. For Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this is especially true. Being a Supreme Court Justice, the only other woman to hold this title, Ginsburg became known for having her voice heard, even if her opinions weren’t popular. Instead of shying away from confrontation, she faced challenges and opposition head on, becoming an inspiration for women of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures all over the world to do the same. According to CNN, “her death -- less than seven weeks before Election Day -- opens up a political fight over the future of the court. Addressing the liberal justice's death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday evening, ‘President Trump's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.’”
For so many women around the country, the loss of Justice Ginsburg brought on a very particular kind of grief. It was not the grief of liberals agonizing over President Trump’s pronouncement that he intended to quickly fill the justice’s seat and the possibility of long-term conservative domination of the Supreme Court, though there was plenty of that. The New York Times says, “it was also the loss of an elder stateswoman of feminism, a powerhouse octogenarian who had become an unlikely icon to women of all ages, and especially the millennial set. For many women, and many girls, it was also a deeply personal loss.” R.B.G has made an impact on not only politics but feminism in the country as she constantly spoke up about the importance of gender equality.
Though R.B.G’s ties to gender equality remain to be an extremely important part of her identity, her death has also impacted politics and the election that will be occurring in the coming weeks. According to USAtoday, “the death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has injected fresh urgency into Trump’s rhetoric and one of America’s most divisive struggles. Sunday, two days after the passing of the 87-year-old jurist, the president turned up the heat, appealing to gun owners in the final stretch of the campaign: "SAVE YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT, VOTE TRUMP," he tweeted.” Ruth Bater Ginsburg is an important role model for girls looking to make their way in a world that generally provides them fewer opportunities.
I personally would love to write about influential women in politics, being female in a male-dominated profession, striving for gender-equality for our future, or common gender stereotypes (and why we must change them) as a tribute to this strong, independent feminist, Ruth Bater Ginsburg.
Education Trends - What Do Teachers Face With In-Person Learning
September 16, 2020
So far, students have been extremely concerned about what their future holds in this virtual-in person year. However, what about the teachers that will be going back as well? Recently, a 28 year old third-grade teacher died from Covid-19, sparking riots and resistance from teachers who believe that in-person learning is not worth their lives. According to US News, “(Demetria Bannister) was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday, Sept. 4, exactly one week after she spent a day in her Columbia school for teacher professional development. By Monday, she was dead. Bannister was 28 years old.” This horrible event has made teachers question going back to school. The American Federation of Teachers says that 210 of its members have died since the outbreak began last spring. In New York alone, the State Education Department reported 75 deaths – 31 of them educators – at the close of the last school year. Students are not the only ones at risk. In fact, teachers face worse consequences than students do.
“The school district was notified that Bannister tested positive for coronavirus Friday. It followed the procedures for disinfecting, contact tracing and notification of close contacts. The contact tracing and notification were based on the date she was last at the elementary school, which was August 28, the school district said. She started the school year three days later, teaching her students virtually from home,” according to CNN. A new report from the Center for Reinventing Public Education, which is tracking school district reopening plans across the country, found that 23 states and the District of Columbia provide no clear public health criteria to guide reopening decisions. The majority defer to local districts to identify when conditions will allow for in-person instruction. Four states without any public health criteria for reopening – Arkansas, Florida, New Jersey and Texas – require schools to offer in-person instruction regardless of public health conditions.
South Carolina has reported more than 124,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,800 deaths since the pandemic began six months ago, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Apnews.com says, “South Carolina reported just 250 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the lowest since June 3. But officials also reported a lower number of people tested: 1,744, which translates to a 14% positivity rate. That concerns health officials, who say it indicates the virus is still spreading, especially through people who show no symptoms.” There have been so many concerns about how teachers can navigate through the difficulties of the potential introduction of in-person learning. There is a possibility that many more teachers will end up getting infected and in danger, just like Demetria Bannister. So, now the question remains, what do we do now?
Local Trends - Nursing Homes Now Allow Visits With Phase 2.5
September 8, 2020
Slowly but surely, North Carolina is opening businesses and providing residents more opportunities to leave their homes with phase 2.5. Nursing homes, for example, are now allowing visitors to come and see their family members after a long, difficult separation. Newsandobserver.com says, “Yes, nursing home and skilled care visitations are allowed, but for outside visits only. To participate, nursing homes must meet several requirements, including, but not limited to: not having a current outbreak, having a testing plan and updated written Infection Control or Preparedness plan for COVID-19, and having adequate personal protective equipment.” Though there are now far more hoops to jump through, at least now it’s possible to go and visit those that have been kept apart.
For some families, this will be the first time they get to see their loved ones face-to-face in nearly 6 months. Wbtv.com states, “Governor Cooper’s executive order that eases visitor restrictions in nursing homes still comes with limitations. For example, if a facility has an active outbreak, visitation is prohibited until 28 days have passed with no new cases arising.” The visitations must happen in a designated area outside, and the resident and visitors must remain six feet apart. Both parties must be wearing masks, including children, and each resident may only have two visitors at one time. These precautions were put into place not to keep loved ones apart, but to protect both parties and allow them to visit each other, which they now can.
Unfortunately, this is not so easy for skilled nursing home residents. “Those are folks who are our most medically frail,” says secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services Mandy Cohen on northcarolinahealthnews.org. “We’ve been working very, very hard to protect them at this most challenging time. We know this virus can attack those who are medically frail and be very severe. So we’ve been trying to find this balance of protection but also recognizing this visitation is part of leading a full and complete life.”
The current situation is not easy on anyone; however, having the ability to visit with those we love after such a long period of time can make all the difference. Hopefully, circumstances can start to improve from here.
State Trends - NC Gyms Plan to Reopen Tuesday
September 2, 2020
After many, many, many months of at-home workouts and getting the quarantine 15, North Carolina’s gyms are finally opening back up. Well, not all of them. Still, Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness have been opening up gyms across NC despite a coronavirus executive order that keeps gyms closed. Two Planet Fitness locations in Durham, on Guess Road and on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, say on their websites they are opening Tuesday. Websites for Planet Fitness gyms in Knightdale, Garner, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina, Hillsborough, Cary, and for three Raleigh locations say they will open Tuesday. Ready to spend money on a membership you don’t intend on using? Great! Because Planet Fitness stopped charging fees when the clubs closed in March. In an email to members, the company said billing will start up again unless people decide to freeze their memberships. So let’s hope all members of that gym check their email often. In a statement emailed to The News & Observer, Planet Fitness said it has started “a thoughtful and phased reopening approach in North Carolina.” “We are taking a number of steps to protect the health and well-being of our staff and members, which include enhanced cleanliness and sanitization policies and procedures, physical distancing measures in our large and spacious clubs, mask mandates, touchless check-in and more,” the statement said. Still, Planet and Crunch Fitness made it clear that they only plan to serve members with "a medical need to exercise." However, the gyms will not require medical documentation at check-in to respect "personal privacy." Governor Roy Cooper has not given gyms the green light to reopen. Phase Two is extended until Sept. 11. Gyms were set to reopen under Phase Three which would also allow for the reopening of bars and entertainment venues, according to abc11.com. The Planet Fitness locations join other smaller area gyms, such as Anytime Fitness, TF Fitness + Nutrition and Axis Fitness, which reopened in June following a letter released by the attorney general's office that indicated gyms could be open to members whose medical providers have directed them to exercise. Wilmingtonbiz.com says, “Planet Fitness has implemented safety measures, including daily employee temperature checks, increased cleaning and sanitization efforts and spacing out equipment, according to the fitness center. For its members and guests, Planet Fitness officials said that masks are required when moving throughout the facility, except when actively working out.” So how will this gym reopening go down? I suppose we’ll have to wait until Tuesday to find out.
National Trends - U.S. Announces Plasma Covid Treatment
August 26, 2020
As the cases of Covid-19 increase nationwide, so does the public’s desperation to find a cure. Still, finding a way to treat this virus may be the next best thing. With this in mind, President Donald Trump “announced an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19, calling it a ‘historic breakthrough’” US News says. Over 70,000 patients have received this treatment, and Trump has said that “it's had an incredible rate of success.” In this treatment, convalescent plasma, which is made using the blood of people who have recovered from coronavirus infections, is being used to treat those infected.
The FDA set up a pathway for scientists to try convalescent plasma with patients and study its impact. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn has said, "I am committed to releasing safe and potentially helpful treatments for COVID-19 as quickly as possible in order to save lives. We're encouraged by the early promising data that we've seen about convalescent plasma." A national study done to determine the risks of this treatment, released August 12, showed that “8.7% of patients who were treated within three days of diagnosis died, compared to about 12% of patients who were treated four days or more after their diagnosis. That's about a difference of about 37%” according to CNN.
The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump accused the FDA of impeding the rollout of vaccines and therapeutics for political reasons, and on the eve of the Republican National Convention, where he will launch his campaign to win a second term in the White House, says BBC. More research is still needed to confirm the effectiveness of this experimental plasma treatment, but it still proves how much work the U.S is putting into helping those suffering from this nightmare. Each day we come a bit closer to waking up.
World Trends- The Bombing of Beirut
August 19, 2020
Amidst the never-ending news about Covid-19 and current elections, a new crisis has surfaced, (as if we needed another crisis in 2020), becoming the topic of more and more articles. The bombing that occurred on August 4th of this year in Beirut, Lebanon has led to thousands of injuries, dozens of deaths, and grave concerns about the future of Lebanon.
According to The New York Times, “the cause is unclear but the government said ‘highly explosive materials’ had been stored at the blast scene in the Lebanese capital.” The country's Health Minister, Hamad Hassan, predicted that Covid-19 infections may increase in Lebanon over the next 10 days in the aftermath of the Beirut blast, CNN reports. Unfortunately, Hassan was right.
Just yesterday, US News reported that the warehouse explosion damaged many hospitals and overwhelmed them with thousands of wounded citizens, putting half of 55 medical centres across Beirut out of service. Since 300,000 people lost their homes due to the explosion, the risk of the virus spreading has grown. The threat has gotten so serious that Lebanon has ordered a two-week shut down, closing all markets, malls, gyms, pools, and other private businesses, US News says.
The people of Beirut still have struggles to combat in the future, especially after the blast pushed the government to resign. Still, it’s important to have hope and find the strength to make it through even the most terrible of circumstances. That’s how we survive them.
Science News-
The Mission NASA Doesn't Want To Postpone
April 13, 2020
Although these trying times are causing uncertainty around the world, one place where the Coronavirus has not majorly made an impact is in outer space. Instead of delaying their mission to the International Space Station from the shores of Florida, a first in American spaceflight history, SpaceX astronauts have decided to go ahead with the mission. This mission, currently scheduled for mid-to-late May, proves that the people of the United States are resilient, and continue to adapt and make it through the harshest of circumstances.
NASA’s administrator, Jim Bridenstine, recently acknowledged that the circumstances could eventually delay the launch, but at least for now, the agency is still pushing ahead. The country, Bridenstine believes, could really use this right now. Three American astronauts are onboard the ISS now, but two are scheduled to come home, along with a Russian cosmonaut, next week on a Soyuz spacecraft. NASA has previously kept astronauts on the space station longer than planned, but the agency can’t do it this time. NASA does not plan to allow the Coronavirus to take away any more than it already has, thereby giving Americans hope for the future with this next space launch.
Sports News-
Closing Off Locker Rooms, but Not the Stands, Over Coronavirus Concerns
March 10, 2020
Organizers of other public events have already taken more drastic measures. On Tuesday, the Ivy League canceled its men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments, and on Sunday the Indian Wells tennis tournament, one of the biggest on the calendar, was canceled, too. The New York Road Runners also canceled the NYC Half, a half-marathon with about 25,000 runners that was scheduled for Sunday morning.
Other large gatherings — including Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and political rallies for the Democratic presidential candidates Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Bernie Sanders, both of which were scheduled for Tuesday — have been canceled.
For now, the only restrictions for the professional sports leagues center on nonessential people who have access to locker rooms, like sports equipment sales people, food vendors, traveling scouts and media members. Instituting those measures without any restrictions for fans in the stadiums drew some criticism, including from Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.
Political News-
Democrats try to stop Sanders' momentum in fiery debate
February 26, 2020
Bernie Sanders felt the burn during Tuesday’s debate.
The frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination took fire on the South Carolina debate stage from his Democratic rivals on a number of fronts – his comments about Fidel Castro’s Cuba, his harsh words against a prominent Jewish lobby, his general electability against President Donald Trump if he wins the nomination.
Facing pressure to prove both why they should stay in the race and why Sanders shouldn’t get the nomination, other candidates attacked him on the practicality of his plans, his ability to implement his promises and whether he would cause Democrats to lose not just the White House but Congress as well.
Competing with Sanders for the most progressive voters, Warren said that while they agree on a lot of things, she would make a better president because she has shown on issues like financial reform that she can make things happen. And while both want universal health care, she said, Sanders’ plan doesn’t explain how to get there, including payment.
But pressed, on the first question, how a democratic socialist could do a better job with the economy than Trump, Sanders quickly took aim at former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. These recent debates have greatly impacted how American voters see their nominees, and will play a large role in voting for the next democratic nominee.
Education News-
"MSNBC to host December forum on education issues with 2020 Democrats"
December 3, 2019
Presidential nominees all have their own unique ideas about various topics in the country, including education. Recently, Former Vice President Joe Biden; Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana; billionaire businessman Tom Steyer; and Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts attended the 2020 Public Education Forum to discuss their views on education. Many of the 2020 candidates have released ambitious proposals to reshape the American education system — from free public college to erasing student debt to addressing segregation in schools — but have squabbled over the best way to implement their proposals. These candidates have different ideas about education, some radical and some moderate, which could impact the educational system for the future. Though it does not seem likely that one of these candidates will win the presidency, their views on education do, at least to some degree, reflect the ideas of the democratic party as a whole. This means that these ideas are worth hearing out and understanding. Afterall, when a democrat does become president again, however long it will take, some of these educational proposals may become less of a possibility and more of a probability.
State News-
‘Truth is not the goal.’ Facebook ‘news’ site admits to misleading 50,000 NC followers
February 17, 2020
A recent Facebook page named 'North Carolina Breaking News' describes itself as “satire/parody” that wants to help President Donald Trump win re-election this fall. However, the effort may not be so selfless after all. This page, growing increasingly popular with 50,000 followers, has begun spreading lies and calling them truths. Now it has some people — including police in one North Carolina city — trying to parse fact from fiction. On Monday, administrators of the group told McClatchy News that they are students at N.C. State University in Raleigh who are conducting a “social media project to see how fast news will spread.” They did not provide their names. The administrator has since stated that speaking the truth is not the goal. Getting Trump re-elected is the goal, by any means necessary. A spokesperson from N.C. State told McClatchy News they had no knowledge of “any type of ‘social media project’” the page administrator cited. Facebook has since removed the page. Still, the damage has already been done. 50,000 people following the page have been given false information that could have greatly impacted their political views. When working with false information, the question must be asked: how reliable are those voting for President of the United States?
National News-
Father Reunited With His Toddler After He Saw Her Get Abducted From Their Driveway
February 11, 2020
A three-year-old toddler was kidnapped from her home in Florida on February 11 of this year before being rescued soon after by the police. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement declared that Madeline was safely rescued by authorities. It took only hours for them to find the car that had taken her on a highway in Tallahassee, more than 200 miles from her home in Apopka. The circumstances of Madeline's kidnapping were very clear: she was playing outside while her father went inside to get is keys when she was taken by a black Honda with Texas plates. Madeline's father called the police who followed the car and rescued the little girl. The motives of the kidnappers, however, remain unclear.
If the authorities did not intervene, the worst could have happened. After an Amber Alert was issued and FDLE agents searched for the car from the air, sending authorities on the ground after it, FDLE agents and Florida Highway Patrol troopers in the area stopped the vehicle and were able to rescue the child. Because of recent events, police officers often get stereotyped due to the actions of some of them. This can be crippling because it creates a less-trusting society. If we can't find a way to trust the people who risk their lives to save us, who can we trust?
World News -
Coronavirus: China apologizes for comparing travel bans to treatment of Jews during Holocaust.
February 5, 2020
The Coronavirus that now has everyone on edge is claimed to be causing the world to repeat history. On Sunday, a 44-year-old Chinese man in the Philippines became the first known fatality outside China due to the increasingly dangerous Coronavirus. Also Sunday, China's ambassador to Israel issued an apology for "comparing the decision by several nations to close their borders to Chinese citizens to turning away Jewish refugees during the Holocaust."
Those that agree with this comparison believe that history is now repeating itself, causing anger and frustration in China. This report was officially made on Sunday, February 2nd, in China. Though the citizens in the U.S. may view this claim as an exaggeration, it's important to consider the frustration that citizens are feeling from the restriction of travel. Though other countries may not completely understand or agree with this comparison, it is still important to know in order to understand how other countries and citizens are feeling about this terrifying Coronavirus epidemic.