1. SPORT UNDER SCRUTINY

At the Paris Olympics, while many athletes deal with basic and uncomfortable conditions, the horses in the equestrian events are getting top-notch treatment. They live in luxury stables with cooling tents, special food, and plenty of care. However, the sport is under scrutiny because of recent controversies. A video surfaced of a British equestrian star, Charlotte Dujardin, hitting a horse with a whip, which led to her suspension. This incident, along with other reports of mistreatment, has put the sport in a bad light. Equestrian officials have been quick to defend their sport, emphasizing how well the horses are cared for. Despite these efforts, the sport faces criticism and worries about its future in the Olympics due to these controversies. Many riders are hopeful that showcasing the care they give to their horses will help improve the sport's image and ensure its place in future Olympics. Look up the different equestrian events at the Olympics and recent news articles about the events and any negative press about how the horses are treated. Then, write an article that summarizes the issues being reported on, how athletes have responded, and how it could affect the Olympic events in the future.

2. BEAST GAMES GET A BAD RAP

MrBeast, a famous YouTuber known for his crazy and generous challenges, started a new reality show called "Beast Games." The show promised a $5 million prize, and thousands of people signed up, hoping to win big. Contestants knew MrBeast's challenges could be extreme, as his past videos included things like living in a grocery store for days or competing in real-life versions of "Squid Game." However, they didn’t expect the difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions they faced during the show. Many contestants told The New York Times that they weren't given enough food or medical care. Some even got injured during the physical challenges. There were hospitalizations, and some people left on stretchers. Despite these issues, many stayed in the competition, driven by the hope of winning the $5 million prize. The show had 2,000 contestants, not 1,000 as originally announced, making the competition even tougher. MrBeast’s spokesperson said they were reviewing the issues and trying to learn from the experience. If you were writing a story about this topic, who would you want to interview and what would you ask them to adequately tell this story? Write a list of sources and the corresponding questions.

3. SHOT-PUT SUPERSTAR

Ryan Crouser, a top shot-putter from the USA, claimed his third Olympic gold last weekend. Despite injuries this season, he came into the Olympic Games hopeful due to his unique training techniques. Crouser uses radar technology from golf to improve his throws. This technology helps him track the speed, angle, and distance of his throws, making adjustments in real time. Crouser also developed a new technique that gives him more power by rotating more before he throws. He broke his own world record in 2023, throwing the shot-put over 77 feet. Crouser's goal is to reach 80 feet, a distance he sees as nearly impossible for most humans. His best throw at the event finals was 75.13 feet, lower than the Olympic and world records—both of which were set by Crouser himself previously! (His world record throw was 77.3 feet.) This is the story of a single athlete among the many thousands at the Olympics. Write a paragraph outlining how you would go about finding stories to tell if you were assigned to write a story about the Olympics. What strategies would you use, who would you talk to, what kind of questions would you ask, and what research methods could you use?

4. NO KINGS HERE

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced a new bill called the No Kings Act. This bill aims to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision that gave presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their official duties. Schumer argues that presidents should not be above the law and that Congress should decide who federal criminal laws apply to. The Supreme Court’s decision has caused controversy, especially because it affects the Justice Department's case against former President Donald Trump. Schumer believes passing this bill quickly is important to correct the precedent set by the Supreme Court's ruling. The bill has support from many Democrats, but it faces strong opposition from Republicans, making it unlikely to pass. President Joe Biden has also proposed other changes, like term limits for Supreme Court justices and a code of ethics for them. The debate over this issue is intense, with some seeing it as crucial to protecting democracy and others viewing it as an attack on the Constitution. Write an article that summarizes the Supreme Court ruling, former president Trump’s legal case that it pertains to, and how this new bill would affect the results of the ruling.

5. TIKTOK IN TROUBLE

The U.S. Justice Department has sued TikTok, claiming the company broke laws that protect children's online privacy. They say TikTok collected personal data from kids under 13 without getting parental consent, which is against the law. TikTok is also accused of not deleting kids' accounts when parents asked. TikTok has said that the accusations are not true and that they have made efforts to protect young users, such as setting screen time limits and adding privacy features. The government started investigating TikTok after the company failed to follow a 2019 agreement to better protect kids' data. The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission say TikTok continued to allow kids to make accounts and kept their information without proper parental approval. They also claim TikTok used the data to keep kids using the app more. Other social media companies, like Google and Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), have also faced legal trouble for not properly handling children's data. As students in the affected age group, write a paragraph about whether you think privacy for your data is important online. Share your thoughts with your classmates and discuss the issue, listening to different perspectives and considering how these different views make it difficult to agree on what kinds of rules to put in place.