1. BAD BUNNY TO HEADLINE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW

Bad Bunny will perform at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in California. This is a major moment for the Puerto Rican artist, who has become one of the most successful global music stars. The show is being presented by Apple Music, the NFL, and Roc Nation, whose founder, Jay-Z, praised Bad Bunny for the impact he’s had on Puerto Rico and Latino culture. Bad Bunny shared that this performance means more than personal success. He said it’s a moment for his people, culture, and history. He encouraged fans to “go tell your grandmother” that they’ll be watching him on the biggest stage in the world. In past comments, he’s spoken out about immigration and said he would limit his U.S. shows, but he chose to perform at the Super Bowl to celebrate and represent Latino communities everywhere. This isn’t Bad Bunny’s first time at the Super Bowl—he previously performed with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020. But this time, he’ll be the main act. He says it’s a milestone not just for him, but for everyone who’s worked to open doors for Latino artists. The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most-watched performances in the world. Do some quick research to find out who performed at the Halftime Show during the year you were born or another important year in your life. Then, compare that artist or group to Bad Bunny. What kind of music do they each perform? What messages or themes do they focus on? Write a short paragraph comparing the two performers and what makes each one unique.

2. GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN OVER SPENDING BILL

The U.S. government shut down last week and there’s currently no end in sight after senators from both parties could not agree on how to reopen it. Democrats and Republicans each had their own plans to extend funding, but neither side got enough votes to move forward. That means federal services will remain closed through the weekend, unless something changes quickly. The debate is mostly about whether to include health care programs in the short-term funding deal. Republicans want a “clean” funding extension with no extras, while Democrats are fighting to keep health care subsidies for Americans. Both sides are blaming each other for the delay. Meanwhile, President Trump’s administration has used the shutdown to cancel or freeze funding for projects in states run by Democrats, which has upset many leaders. Some voters and politicians have also spoken out about the effects this is having on everyday people. Do some research to learn what happens during a government shutdown. Make a list of at least three services or jobs that are affected, such as national parks, mail delivery, or airport security. Then, choose one of those examples and write a short paragraph explaining how a shutdown impacts it and how that might affect everyday people.

3. JAPAN MAY HAVE ITS FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER

Sanae Takaichi has been chosen as the new leader of Japan’s main political party, the Liberal Democratic Party (L.D.P.), and is likely to become the country’s next prime minister. If this happens, she will be the first woman to ever hold that job in Japan. Takaichi, a conservative politician, has been in politics for a long time and says she is ready to work hard to fix Japan’s problems. Her win comes at a time when people in Japan are worried about rising prices and how to handle tourism and immigration. While many people are excited to see a woman take on such a powerful role, others have pointed out that she has not supported many laws that would help women’s rights or LGBTQ+ people in Japan. Still, her election is a historic moment in a country where women are not often in leadership positions. Imagine you are a journalist covering this big news. Write a short newspaper article or news report explaining why it’s important that Japan may have its first female prime minister. Include what this moment means for Japan and what questions or hopes people might have for the future.

4. AUTHOR WINS A.I. SETTLEMENT

Andrea Bartz is a writer who recently helped win the largest copyright settlement in history—$1.5 billion—against a company called Anthropic. She discovered that her books were being used without permission to train artificial intelligence (A.I.) programs, which could copy her writing style. Bartz and two other authors sued the company for using pirated copies of their books. Although the judge ruled that using legally obtained books to train A.I. may be allowed under “fair use,” the court agreed that Anthropic had broken the law by using stolen copies. Bartz said this victory is only a first step in protecting writers from A.I. companies that use their work without asking. She believes it’s important for readers to support authors so they can keep creating new stories. Many authors, like Andrea Bartz, are concerned that artificial intelligence (A.I.) programs are using their writing without permission. In a small group or with a partner, discuss the following question: Should A.I. companies be allowed to use books and stories to train their programs, even if the authors didn’t give permission? After your discussion, each student should write a short paragraph explaining their opinion and what they think should be done to protect writers’ work. Be sure to include at least one reason from your discussion or the article.

5. CHIMPANZEE RESEARCHER JANE GOODALL

Jane Goodall, one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, has died at age 91. In the 1960s, she became famous for her groundbreaking research on wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. At a time when most scientists believed only humans used tools, Goodall discovered that chimpanzees used grass stems to catch termites—changing how people saw the line between humans and animals. She closely observed how chimpanzees raised their young, formed friendships, and communicated with each other. Instead of assigning them numbers like other scientists, she gave the chimps names and wrote about their personalities, which helped people connect with her work. Goodall’s research made her a global celebrity, but she never stopped fighting for wildlife and conservation. She wrote dozens of books, traveled the world giving talks, and started the Jane Goodall Institute to protect chimpanzees and inspire young people to care for the planet. Her Roots & Shoots program now teaches conservation in 75 countries. Even late in life, she continued speaking and planting trees to support the environment. Many scientists and conservationists today say they chose their careers because of her. Imagine your school is making a short slideshow or video to teach younger students about her life. Create a short script (about one paragraph) for your part of the presentation. In your script, explain who Jane Goodall was, why her research was important, and how she helped protect chimpanzees and the environment. Then, include one reason why her story still matters today and how young people can follow her example.