Thousands of “No Kings” protests took place across the United States as people gathered to speak out against President Trump and many parts of his agenda. Demonstrators were upset about several issues at once, including immigration raids, voting restrictions, rising gas prices, and the war in Iran. Minnesota became one of the biggest centers of protest after federal immigration actions there led to the deaths of two demonstrators, which made the rallies even more emotional. Organizers said millions took part, though those numbers have not been independently confirmed. A protest movement can be powerful, but it can also be complicated when it tries to represent many concerns at once. Write a thoughtful paragraph explaining whether you think broad protest movements like this are stronger because they unite many people, or weaker because they do not focus on just one goal. Use at least two details from the story to support your view.

Airports across the country faced major delays after a record number of T.S.A. workers called out during the partial government shutdown. Because Congress failed to keep funding the Department of Homeland Security in place, airport screeners were forced to work without pay for weeks. Many workers said they could not afford gas, rent, food, or child care, and some quit altogether. As staffing dropped, security lines became much longer, causing travelers to miss flights and even leading some people to hire line sitters to wait for them. President Trump ordered pay restored late Friday, but the problems at airports had already grown serious. Imagine you are writing a short recommendation to a city newspaper about what people should learn from this shutdown. In a paragraph, explain why airport security workers matter to the public, what happened when they went unpaid, and what lawmakers should do differently in the future to keep basic services running during political fights.

Kaela Berg, a Minnesota state representative and flight attendant, is running for Congress while continuing to work long flight schedules. Democrats hope candidates like Berg, who come from working-class jobs instead of wealthy or traditional political backgrounds, can help the party reconnect with blue-collar voters. Berg says her experience living paycheck to paycheck helps her understand the financial struggles many people face. But balancing campaign work with her airline job is exhausting and unpredictable, especially because flight schedules can change suddenly. Her campaign reflects a larger debate about who gets represented in government and whether everyday workers have a fair chance to run for office. Profiles like this one often raise a bigger question than just who is running. Consider what voters might gain from electing more people with ordinary jobs and nontraditional backgrounds. Then write a response that explains whether work experience outside politics should matter when people choose a candidate, and include examples from Berg’s story to back up your reasoning.

A jury found that Meta and YouTube were negligent in designing features that were addictive and harmful to a young user, and ordered the companies to pay a total of $6 million. The case focused on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendations, which the plaintiff said contributed to anxiety, depression, and body image struggles. The decision was important because it supported the idea that social media companies can be held responsible not just for what users post, but for how their products are built. Legal experts say the case could influence many other lawsuits already moving through the courts. Even though the money is small compared with what these companies earn, the ruling may push more people to question how social media platforms are designed for young users. Create a brief courtroom-style statement in which you argue what responsibility tech companies should have toward teenagers. Your response should mention one design feature discussed in the article, one harm the plaintiff said she experienced, and one specific change you think companies should be required to make in order to better protect younger users.

Electric bikes are becoming more popular because they are fast, convenient, and less expensive than cars, but they are also raising safety concerns. Doctors and researchers say injuries involving e-bikes have increased sharply, especially among young riders. One woman in Minnesota was seriously hurt after being hit by a 14-year-old riding an e-bike at high speed, and her case helped push for stricter local rules. Part of the problem is that e-bikes are not all the same: some go 20 miles per hour, while others can reach 40 and act more like motorcycles. Experts say riders need to understand their bike, follow local laws, wear helmets, and avoid making the bikes faster than they were designed to be. Create an e-bike safety guide for teens in your school or community. Draft a short advisory paragraph that teaches new riders how to stay safe. Include guidance about speed, protective gear, and knowing the rules for where different kinds of e-bikes can be ridden.