1. TROOPS IN D.C.

President Trump has taken unprecedented steps to assert control over Washington, D.C.’s police and security forces, sparking a legal battle over the city’s limited self-governance known as “home rule.” Since 1973, home rule has allowed D.C. residents to elect a mayor and council, though Congress and the president still hold significant power over the city. This week, Trump invoked emergency powers to claim control of the Metropolitan Police Department, though a federal judge confirmed that Police Chief Pamela Smith remains in charge for now. The Justice Department had tried to install a federal official over the department, escalating tensions with Mayor Muriel Bowser and leading the city to file a lawsuit. Meanwhile, Trump has expanded the National Guard presence in Washington by calling in troops from West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio, nearly doubling the number already deployed. The move has raised alarms about federal overreach into the city’s autonomy and the unusual militarization of the capital during non-emergency times. Write a short response discussing whether you think Washington, D.C. should have full control over its own government and police department, like other U.S. cities, or if the federal government should maintain special authority because it is the nation’s capital. Use details from the summary to explain your reasoning.

2. CALLS FOR HOSTAGE RELEASE CONTINUE

Thousands of Israelis took part in protests and a nationwide strike demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a truce with Hamas to free the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Families of hostages led the demonstrations, blocking roads and holding photos of their loved ones. Netanyahu’s government has insisted that defeating Hamas must take priority over striking a deal, warning that ending the war too soon could allow future attacks. The conflict, which began after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel, has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials, and continues to draw widespread criticism worldwide. While protesters argue that only a deal can bring the hostages home alive, Netanyahu and his allies argue that halting the war without Hamas’s defeat would endanger Israel’s security. Write a short argumentative paragraph answering this question: Do you think Israel should agree to a truce with Hamas to free the hostages, even if it means not fully defeating Hamas? Use at least one piece of evidence from the summary to support your answer.

3. FIREFIGHTERS GETTING SICK

Wildfire smoke is making U.S. firefighters sick and even killing them, but the Forest Service has long resisted giving crews protective masks. Unlike city firefighters, wildland crews often spend weeks breathing toxic smoke with no protection beyond bandannas, even though research shows wildfire smoke contains dozens of carcinogens and fine particles that can scar lungs, cause cancer, and lead to heart disease. Many young firefighters in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are now facing lifelong illnesses like COPD, cancer, and even needing lung transplants. Other countries, like Canada and Australia, already provide respirator masks that filter out most toxins, but the U.S. Forest Service argues masks cause overheating and slow down the work. Critics say the agency fears acknowledging the true dangers would make firefighting jobs harder to fill and more expensive to support. Meanwhile, firefighters and their families are left struggling with medical bills, delays in workers’ compensation, and devastating health outcomes. Write a short opinion piece explaining whether you think the Forest Service should require masks for wildfire crews. Consider the risks to health, the costs, and the culture of toughness among firefighters. Would you prioritize safety, speed, or tradition — and why?

4. DO SCREENS KEEP YOU AWAKE? IT’S COMPLICATED.

For years, experts have said that blue light from screens before bed makes it harder to sleep because it lowers melatonin, the hormone that makes us drowsy. But new research shows the story is more complicated. While bright, close-up use of devices like iPads may lower melatonin, watching TV from farther away or using screens at lower brightness often does not. People also react differently — some are very sensitive to light, while others barely notice. Scientists now believe what you do on your device matters just as much as the light. Playing video games, scrolling social media, or reading stressful news can keep your brain too active to rest. But watching a lighthearted, familiar show or reading something calming may actually help some people fall asleep. Researchers agree more studies are needed to truly understand how screens affect sleep. Think about your own screen habits before bed. Write a short paragraph explaining whether you think your device use helps you relax or keeps you awake. Include one specific example, like a type of show, game, or app, and explain how it affects your ability to fall asleep.

5. NO CEASE-FIRE DEAL

At a highly anticipated summit in Alaska, President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin but left without the cease-fire in Ukraine he had promised. Instead, Trump accepted Putin’s preference for a slower, broader peace negotiation that could involve Ukraine giving up territory. This effectively allows Russia to keep fighting without new penalties or sanctions from the U.S. Trump declared the meeting a success, despite criticism that he was too accommodating to Putin. Many U.S. and European leaders worry that any deal shaped this way would hurt Ukraine’s independence and security. Some critics compared the summit to historical moments when world leaders gave in to aggressors, while others said Trump’s willingness to keep talks open could still lead to progress. Write a short response discussing whether you think a “bigger peace deal” that involves giving up land is better or worse than a cease-fire. Consider the pros and cons of each approach, such as stopping the fighting quickly versus protecting a country’s independence in the long run.