The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that President Trump went too far when he used an international emergency law to impose sweeping tariffs, but he said he would keep the tariffs anyway by using different laws. He argues that tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the United States and shrink the trade deficit, but government trade data has not matched his claims. Imports from China fell sharply, yet imports from other countries rose, and record trade deficits showed up with places like Vietnam, Mexico, and India. Some manufacturing areas have grown, but many job gains have not appeared, and manufacturers cut more than 80,000 jobs over the past year. The story suggests that the biggest change so far has been uncertainty and reshuffled trade, not a clear “revival” of U.S. manufacturing or a major drop in the overall trade deficit. Write a “claim versus evidence” paragraph in which you explain how to test whether a policy is working. Imagine you are writing a quick summary of this story for a news website. Write one strong headline that captures the main conflict in this story and a short story that explains what the Supreme Court did, why it matters, and why people disagree about whether the tariff plan is working.

Senate Republicans are facing pressure from President Trump and other allies to force an old-school “talking filibuster” fight over a voter identification bill. The bill would require government-issued photo ID at the polls, proof of citizenship to register to vote, and access by the Department of Homeland Security to voter rolls. Democrats argue the plan could keep millions of eligible voters from voting and say they will block it. Some Republicans want to force Democrats to physically hold the Senate floor and speak for long stretches to stop the bill, which could shut down other Senate work for days or even weeks. Senator John Thune and others worry that this strategy could backfire by freezing the Senate, triggering politically risky votes, and still failing because the bill lacks the 60 votes usually needed to advance. The story shows how Senate rules can become political weapons, especially during an election year. Write a short “floor schedule” story problem that shows how a talking filibuster could affect everything else the Senate wants to do. In a paragraph of 8 to 10 sentences, describe a fictional week in the Senate where leaders planned to vote on several topics (like housing, highways, farm bills, or confirmations), but a talking filibuster forces the schedule to change. Make sure your paragraph explains what each party is trying to gain by stretching out the debate, and end with one sentence that states whether you think this kind of slowdown is a fair price to pay for making a big national decision.

As the Winter Olympics in Italy come to an end, attention is shifting to Los Angeles and the 2028 Summer Games, where planning has been disrupted by controversy and concerns about readiness. Casey Wasserman, the chairman of LA28, is facing calls to resign after newly released Justice Department files showed he traveled on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane in 2002 and exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. The LA28 board said he will remain, but city officials worry the story could distract from athletes and make sponsors uneasy. At the same time, Los Angeles leaders are anxious about transportation projects, especially because the city is known for heavy traffic. The LAX People Mover has been delayed for years and is now expected to open sometime in the second half of 2026, and other transit projects are still under construction with deadlines close to 2028. Los Angeles has promised a “no-build Olympics” using existing venues, but that means events will be spread widely, making transportation planning even more important. Create a short “risk assessment” as if you are a project manager trying to keep the Olympics on track. In a paragraph, outline three risks the story highlights. For each risk, include one early warning sign you would watch for and one action you would take right away to reduce the danger. End with one sentence explaining why “no-build” Olympics can still be hard to run smoothly.

Eileen Gu, one of the most decorated female freestyle skiers in Olympic history, responded after Vice President J.D. Vance suggested she should compete for the United States instead of China. Gu was born in San Francisco but chose to represent China internationally, and she has said she feels both American and Chinese. When asked about Vance’s remarks, she said she was flattered and thanked him, but she also explained that people’s opinions about China affect how they judge her decision. She pointed out that many athletes compete for countries different from where they were born, and she suggested that criticism can grow louder when an athlete is very successful. The story raises questions about identity, loyalty, and what it means to “belong” in international sports. Write a short dialogue scene (about 10–12 lines) between two students who disagree about Gu’s choice. One side should argue that athletes should represent the country where they grew up, and the other should argue that family ties and identity matter too. Each should use at least one detail from the story to support their opinion, and the conversation should end with a respectful compromise statement that shows what they both agree on.

International travel to the United States has dropped even as tourism has grown in many other places, making the U.S. the only major destination to see a decline in foreign visitors last year. Some travelers described canceling trips because they felt uneasy about unpredictable policies, stronger border enforcement, and stories about detentions or violence connected to immigration enforcement. The story also describes new barriers such as a $250 “visa integrity fee,” increased device searches at the border, and possible requirements for visitors to provide years of social media history. Visitor numbers from Canada fell sharply, and travelers from countries like Germany and France also declined, which affects hotels, airlines, and tourist attractions—especially in places like Florida. While big events like the FIFA World Cup could bring visitors, the story suggests uncertainty and stricter entry measures may keep discouraging travelers. Imagine you work for a city tourism office that wants to attract visitors without ignoring their concerns. Write a persuasive pitch in one paragraph aimed at international travelers who are unsure about visiting the United States. Your pitch should acknowledge two worries mentioned in the story, explain why the city is still worth visiting, and include two practical tips for travelers to prepare for entry rules.