1. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WRAPS UP

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Democratic National Convention, where she accepted the party's nomination for president. In her speech, she reflected on her upbringing, influenced by her immigrant mother and her father, and shared how their values shaped her career. She criticized former President Donald Trump, calling him a serious threat to democracy, global stability, and women’s rights. Harris emphasized that Trump’s policies could lead to significant problems, including restrictions on reproductive rights and tougher immigration laws. She positioned herself as a unifying figure who could lead the country forward and tackle issues like housing affordability and foreign policy. Harris also highlighted her unique candidacy, noting that if elected, she would be the first female president and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Read or listen to her full speech, then write a summary of what topics she covered, what claims she made, and how she positioned herself in comparison to Donald Trump.

2. TRAILER TROUBLES

Lionsgate, the company behind Francis Ford Coppola's new movie "Megalopolis," recently pulled a trailer that used fake negative quotes from famous critics. The trailer included made-up comments from critics like Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert, criticizing Coppola’s past films. It had over 1.3 million views before it was taken down. Lionsgate apologized for this mistake, admitting they had made an error in the trailer’s creation. The movie, which is set to be released on September 27, had a mixed reception at the Cannes Film Festival and has a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The fake quotes were meant to suggest that critics don’t always understand Coppola’s work, but they misrepresented what the critics actually said. If you were going to cover this story for a newspaper or TV, create an outline of how you would do it. Who would you interview, what would you ask them, and what sources would you use for information?

3. FROM CHICKEN TO VIDEO CONTENT

Chick-Fil-A, known for its chicken sandwiches, is planning to start its own streaming service. They want to make family-friendly shows and might include gameshows and other types of content. The company is working with production studios and might also buy or license existing shows. They’re aiming to launch their platform later this year and are considering various types of programming, including animated content. This move is similar to what other companies outside the entertainment industry have done, like Lyft and Airbnb. Chick-Fil-A has previously created short films and other content for its website. They hope this new venture will help boost the reality TV industry, which has been struggling. Do you use streaming services to watch movies and shows? Do you think there are too many options out there with companies like Chick-fil-A creating their own? Write an opinion piece about the streaming boom and whether you think it makes sense for viewers.

4. ENDORSEMENT FAKED

Former President Donald Trump posted fake images online showing pop star Taylor Swift endorsing him for the upcoming election. The images were made using artificial intelligence and included one of Swift dressed as Uncle Sam with the message, “Taylor Wants You to Vote for Donald Trump.” Another image showed young women wearing “Swifties for Trump” shirts. These images were shared by someone who supports Trump and labeled as satire, but Trump posted them as if they were real, even saying he “accepts” Swift’s endorsement. Swift hasn’t commented on this, and she hasn’t endorsed anyone for the election yet. Democrats quickly mocked Trump for this, with one congressman saying it would backfire and that Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, would work against Trump in the election. Trump has been fixated on Swift for a while, especially after she criticized him in 2020 and supported Joe Biden. The situation has caused a lot of buzz online, with some urging Swift’s team to correct the misinformation. With the increase in AI-created images and deep fakes, it’s more important than ever to verify whether content is legitimate before sharing it. How can you identify fake or AI-created content? Research strategies for this and how to combat misinformation, then write a short article or design a visual aid that would help others know the difference and how to handle it.

5. BABY FOOD BLUES

A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of baby foods in U.S. supermarkets are unhealthy, often containing too much sugar and salt. Out of 651 baby food products examined, 60 percent did not meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) nutritional guidelines for infants and toddlers. Many products had misleading labels that made them seem healthier than they actually are. The study also found that 70 percent of the foods didn’t meet WHO's protein standards, and 25 percent had too many calories. Some baby foods even contained hidden sweeteners, making them overly sugary. Experts are concerned that these foods could harm babies’ development, as they may make it harder for them to learn to chew and enjoy different textures. There is little regulation in the U.S. regarding how baby foods are labeled, which allows companies to make claims that may mislead parents into thinking a product is healthier than it is. Other countries, like Australia, have stricter rules that require clear labeling of ingredients and nutrient content, which helps parents make better choices. Write an article summarizing this story that shares what parents or those buying food for babies and toddlers should watch out for and what they can do to make sure they’re providing the best food for their kids.