1. ARTIFACTS RETURN HOME

A family in Washington State returned Native American artifacts that had been passed down in their family for over 140 years to descendants of a Lakota leader, Chief Spotted Tail. The items included a feathered headdress, beaded clothing, moccasins, and other pieces believed to have been given to their ancestor, Major Cicero Newell, a 19th-century U.S. Indian agent. The decision to return the items started with James Newell, who, at the suggestion of his son, reached out to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. After confirming the connection to Chief Spotted Tail, tribal descendants John Spotted Tail and his wife drove over 1,400 miles to retrieve the artifacts. The items were eventually given to the South Dakota State Historical Society to ensure they are preserved and accessible to the Lakota community. The transfer highlights the importance of returning cultural items to their rightful owners and how modern generations are taking steps to correct past wrongs. What impact do you think it has to return cultural artifacts to a community decades or generations later? Write at least a paragraph summarizing what impact you think this would have on the affected communities and why.

2. MYSTERY SOLVED

A California woman, Marcella Nasseri, has been reunited with her brother Tommy after 25 years of believing he was gone forever. Tommy vanished in 1999 in Doyle, California, leaving behind no clues to his whereabouts—not even his car was ever found. For decades, Marcella searched for him, fearing the worst. The breakthrough came earlier this year when Marcella spotted a news article in USA Today about an unidentified man found sitting on a curb in South Los Angeles. The man, who couldn’t speak or identify himself, had been staying in various emergency facilities, including St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood. The article included a photo of the man, showing him lying in a hospital bed with gray hair and blue eyes, and estimated his age to be in his mid-60s. Something about the man’s arched eyebrows, rounded nose, and deep-set eyes reminded Marcella of her missing brother, though he now looked much older. Determined to find out, Marcella contacted authorities in Lassen County, where she lives. Deputy Sheriff Derek Kennemore worked with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit to have the man’s fingerprints taken. The results confirmed what Marcella suspected: the man in the hospital was Tommy, her brother who had been missing for more than two decades. The details of how Tommy disappeared and why he lost his ability to communicate remain unclear. However, the family is now focused on reuniting. Tommy remains in Lynwood, about 600 miles away from Marcella’s home in Northern California. To help with his medical transfer and basic needs like clothes, pencils, and paper for him to draw, Marcella started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $500. The campaign quickly surpassed its target, raising nearly $7,000 in two days. Imagine how it might feel to reunite with someone after such a long time. If you were able to interview Marcella, what questions would you ask and what would you hope to learn? Write at least 10 questions and a paragraph explaining your goals for the answers.

3. ART OR BREAKFAST?

Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, recently paid $6.2 million for a piece of art that featured a banana duct-taped to a wall, created by artist Maurizio Cattelan. The artwork, titled Comedian, became famous when it was first displayed at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019. After buying it at an auction, Sun decided to eat the banana at a press conference in Hong Kong, claiming it tasted “much better than other bananas.” The banana art is considered part of a larger cultural trend blending art, memes, and cryptocurrency. Sun’s purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity, allowing him to recreate the artwork with his own banana. He recently invested $30 million in a cryptocurrency venture tied to Donald Trump’s family, despite facing charges from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Part of the appeal of Comedian is the way it makes viewers question what can qualify as “art.” What do you think? Can anything be art if we say it is? Who decides what is or isn’t art? Write an opinion article about how you think art is defined and what does or does not qualify as such.

4. RIVALRY GAME GETS HEATED

After Michigan upset Ohio State in a dramatic college football game, a fight broke out between the two teams on the field. Michigan players tried to plant a flag at midfield to celebrate their victory, but Ohio State players stopped them, leading to shoving and chaos. Police and staff had to step in, and some players were affected by pepper spray. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings criticized the fight, saying players should learn to lose with class. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said his team was just protecting their home field. This was Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan, which cost them a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. This school rivalry is a longstanding tradition, but it can also lead to a lot of tension between opposing players and fans. Consider how athletes can show respect for each other, even at the height of competition. Write down your own ideas about how this situation could’ve been handled differently by players, coaches, fans, or referees to keep it from escalating to this point. Then, share with your classmates and discuss your different ideas for conflict resolution.

5. CLOSING A HISTORIC CHAPTER

Two of London’s oldest markets, Billingsgate (fish) and Smithfield (meat), are closing after being around for almost 1,000 years. These markets, which date back to medieval times, have been key parts of London’s history and culture. The City of London Corporation, which has run the markets, is ending its responsibility and giving traders financial help to move their businesses elsewhere. The markets will stay open until at least 2028. The planned move to a new location in East London was canceled because construction costs grew too expensive, reaching around $1.25 billion. Instead, the Billingsgate site might become new housing, and Smithfield will turn into a cultural center and house the London Museum. Traders are now deciding where to go, but their new locations won’t have the same traditions. For example, Smithfield traders worked late nights to early mornings, and nearby pubs would open extra early for them. Over the years, these markets evolved from their chaotic medieval days into more modern spaces. While the buildings will have new purposes, a big part of London’s history is coming to an end. Write an article that summarizes this story and who is impacted by these historic markets closing.