1. TRUMP VETOES COLORADO CLEAN-WATER PIPELINE

Some towns in southeastern Colorado have drinking water that is not safe because it contains contaminants like uranium or radium. A long-planned pipeline project called the Arkansas Valley Conduit is meant to bring clean water to about 50,000 people in dozens of small communities. Congress passed a bill that would have made it easier for these towns to pay for the project by offering better loan terms and possibly forgiving some loans. President Trump vetoed the bill, saying the project costs too much money, and his decision surprised many people in an area that strongly supports him. Local leaders say they still want the pipeline to continue, but the veto could make it harder and more expensive to finish. Write a short “cause and effect” explanation that connects decisions in Washington to real life in small towns. In 6–8 sentences, explain why the pipeline matters, what the veto changed, and two ways families might be affected in their daily routines if the pipeline is delayed.

2. JUDGE ALLOWS OFFSHORE WIND FARM TO KEEP BUILDING

The Trump administration ordered several offshore wind projects to stop work, saying there were national security concerns. One of those projects is a large wind farm being built off the coast of Virginia, which is already about 70% complete and is expected to provide electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes. Dominion Energy, the company building it, sued and said stopping construction would cause major financial harm. A federal judge ruled that construction can continue while the lawsuit continues, and other judges made similar rulings for wind projects in New York and Rhode Island. The debate includes disagreements about wind energy’s reliability and concerns that turbines could interfere with radar, though the company says it has worked with the Pentagon for years to address those issues. Imagine your state is deciding whether to build a large offshore wind farm near the coast. Write a short public comment (about 8–10 sentences) that you would submit to a government meeting. In your comment, explain at least one benefit people might expect from the wind farm, describe at least one concern that has been raised (like national security or reliability, propose at least one compromise or safety step that could address the concern, and end with a clear recommendation: continue building, pause, or change the plan.

3. WHITE HOUSE WARNING TO C.B.S.

After President Trump recorded an interview with CBS News, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told the CBS team that the president wanted the interview aired unedited and warned that he would sue if it was not shown in full. CBS said it already planned to air the interview unedited and did so that same night. The situation matters because it suggests a tense relationship between the government and major news organizations, especially when lawsuits and legal threats are used. The article also describes other moments when the Trump administration has taken aggressive actions involving journalists and media outlets. Even so, reporters continue covering the White House and the president continues giving interviews. Imagine you are teaching a younger student how to spot pressure on the news. Write a short “media tips” guide with 5 numbered rules that explain how viewers can think critically about interviews, editing, and fairness. Make sure at least two of your rules connect clearly to details from this story.

4. VIRGINIA’S NEW GOVERNOR QUICKLY CHANGES UNIVERSITY BOARDS

Virginia’s new governor, Abigail Spanberger, moved quickly to replace many members of the boards that oversee major state universities, including the University of Virginia. These boards help make big decisions about university leadership and policies. The changes came after months of political conflict about the direction of the schools, including arguments over diversity programs and who should lead the universities. Spanberger asked some board members appointed by the previous governor to resign and then appointed many new members soon after taking office. Supporters see the move as a way to change the universities’ direction, while critics worry that politics is taking over decisions that should focus on education. Write a short scripted conversation (about 10–12 lines) between two students at a state university who disagree about the governor’s decision. One student should argue that changing the board quickly is necessary, and the other should argue that it could be unfair or too political. Give each student at least two specific points connected to the story.

5. THE HIGH SEAS TREATY BECOMES INTERNATIONAL LAW

A new international agreement called the High Seas Treaty is now in effect to help protect ocean life in international waters, which do not belong to any single country and cover a huge part of the planet. The treaty allows countries to create protected ocean areas where activities like fishing could be limited to protect ecosystems. Supporters say this is important because less than 10% of the high seas is currently protected, even though many rare species live there. The next step is for countries to work together to propose and vote on protected zones, which will take time and planning. Not every country has ratified the treaty, and enforcing rules on the open ocean can be difficult. Turn the treaty into a “how it works” explanation for a class website. In one paragraph (7–9 sentences), explain what the high seas are, what the treaty allows countries to do, and why creating protected zones might be hard, and end with one question you still have after reading the story.