1. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WRAPS UP

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Democratic National Convention, where she accepted the party's nomination for president. In her speech, she reflected on her upbringing, influenced by her immigrant mother and her father, and shared how their values shaped her career. She criticized former President Donald Trump, calling him a serious threat to democracy, global stability, and women’s rights. Harris emphasized that Trump’s policies could lead to significant problems, including restrictions on reproductive rights and tougher immigration laws. She positioned herself as a unifying figure who could lead the country forward and tackle issues like housing affordability and foreign policy. Harris also highlighted her unique candidacy, noting that if elected, she would be the first female president and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Read or listen to her full speech, then write a summary of what topics she covered, what claims she made, and how she positioned herself in comparison to Donald Trump.

2. TRAILER TROUBLES

Lionsgate, the company behind Francis Ford Coppola's new movie "Megalopolis," recently pulled a trailer that used fake negative quotes from famous critics. The trailer included made-up comments from critics like Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert, criticizing Coppola’s past films. It had over 1.3 million views before it was taken down. Lionsgate apologized for this mistake, admitting they had made an error in the trailer’s creation. The movie, which is set to be released on September 27, had a mixed reception at the Cannes Film Festival and has a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The fake quotes were meant to suggest that critics don’t always understand Coppola’s work, but they misrepresented what the critics actually said. If you were going to cover this story for a newspaper or TV, create an outline of how you would do it. Who would you interview, what would you ask them, and what sources would you use for information?

3. FROM CHICKEN TO VIDEO CONTENT

Chick-Fil-A, known for its chicken sandwiches, is planning to start its own streaming service. They want to make family-friendly shows and might include gameshows and other types of content. The company is working with production studios and might also buy or license existing shows. They’re aiming to launch their platform later this year and are considering various types of programming, including animated content. This move is similar to what other companies outside the entertainment industry have done, like Lyft and Airbnb. Chick-Fil-A has previously created short films and other content for its website. They hope this new venture will help boost the reality TV industry, which has been struggling. Do you use streaming services to watch movies and shows? Do you think there are too many options out there with companies like Chick-fil-A creating their own? Write an opinion piece about the streaming boom and whether you think it makes sense for viewers.

4. ENDORSEMENT FAKED

Former President Donald Trump posted fake images online showing pop star Taylor Swift endorsing him for the upcoming election. The images were made using artificial intelligence and included one of Swift dressed as Uncle Sam with the message, “Taylor Wants You to Vote for Donald Trump.” Another image showed young women wearing “Swifties for Trump” shirts. These images were shared by someone who supports Trump and labeled as satire, but Trump posted them as if they were real, even saying he “accepts” Swift’s endorsement. Swift hasn’t commented on this, and she hasn’t endorsed anyone for the election yet. Democrats quickly mocked Trump for this, with one congressman saying it would backfire and that Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, would work against Trump in the election. Trump has been fixated on Swift for a while, especially after she criticized him in 2020 and supported Joe Biden. The situation has caused a lot of buzz online, with some urging Swift’s team to correct the misinformation. With the increase in AI-created images and deep fakes, it’s more important than ever to verify whether content is legitimate before sharing it. How can you identify fake or AI-created content? Research strategies for this and how to combat misinformation, then write a short article or design a visual aid that would help others know the difference and how to handle it.

5. BABY FOOD BLUES

A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of baby foods in U.S. supermarkets are unhealthy, often containing too much sugar and salt. Out of 651 baby food products examined, 60 percent did not meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) nutritional guidelines for infants and toddlers. Many products had misleading labels that made them seem healthier than they actually are. The study also found that 70 percent of the foods didn’t meet WHO's protein standards, and 25 percent had too many calories. Some baby foods even contained hidden sweeteners, making them overly sugary. Experts are concerned that these foods could harm babies’ development, as they may make it harder for them to learn to chew and enjoy different textures. There is little regulation in the U.S. regarding how baby foods are labeled, which allows companies to make claims that may mislead parents into thinking a product is healthier than it is. Other countries, like Australia, have stricter rules that require clear labeling of ingredients and nutrient content, which helps parents make better choices. Write an article summarizing this story that shares what parents or those buying food for babies and toddlers should watch out for and what they can do to make sure they’re providing the best food for their kids.

1. PARALYMPIAN DEFIES CRITICS

Christie Raleigh Crossley is a 37-year-old Paralympic swimmer from New Jersey who's preparing for the Paris Paralympics. Despite training for the Olympics since she was a child, her journey has been filled with challenges, including surviving two car crashes and dealing with a brain deformity that left her partially paralyzed. Although she dreams of winning medals, she's faced accusations that her disability isn’t real because it's not always visible. Christie has a hole in her brain due to a tumor, which causes her to drag her leg and struggle with other physical challenges. Christie’s journey has been tough, including being bullied as a young swimmer and dealing with personal issues, like a rocky marriage. Despite these obstacles, she remains focused on her dream, but knows this could be her last chance to compete. She hopes to win medals not only for the recognition but also for the financial rewards, which could help support her and her three children. However, she’s aware that even if she wins, she might still face skepticism and accusations of cheating. Crossley is one of the many athletes that has struggled against bullying, skepticism, and other forms of negativity while working to be the best in her sport. How could you take a story like Crossley’s and use it as an example to encourage people to be more kind to one another? Write at least a paragraph describing what form of media you would use, how you would involve an athlete like Crossley, and what other text or visual elements you would include to convey this message.

2. X BLOCKED IN BRAZIL

On the first day without the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), many Brazilians felt disconnected and unsure about what was happening in the world. The shutdown happened because X's owner, Elon Musk, didn't meet a deadline set by a Brazilian Supreme Court justice. Brazil has many users on X, and its sudden unavailability left many people scrambling for other ways to stay connected. Some turned to new platforms like Threads and Bluesky, which saw a surge in Brazilian users. The shutdown has been controversial. Some people see it as an attack on free speech, while others support the action. Brazilian politicians and public figures are divided on the issue, with some arguing that it hurts freedom of expression and confidence in Brazil’s legal system. For many, especially younger people who relied on X for news and entertainment, the ban has been a big adjustment. Write an article that compares what’s happening currently in Brazil with the looming threats of TikTok being banned in the United States.

3. REMEMBERING BARNES AND NOBLE’S FOUNDER

Leonard Riggio, who died at 83, was the founder of Barnes & Noble, the big bookstore chain that changed how books were sold in the U.S. He turned a small bookstore into a huge retail empire with hundreds of stores that offered not just books but also snacks and a place to hang out. Born in 1941, Riggio started his career by buying the old Barnes & Noble bookstore in 1971 and grew it into the largest bookstore chain in the country. His stores were known for their large size and variety of products, but his business practices were controversial. Many small, independent bookstores went out of business because of Barnes & Noble’s aggressive strategies. Although he faced criticism and legal challenges, Riggio also supported the arts and education through philanthropy. He was known for his generosity, including funding art museums and libraries. Even though his company struggled as online retailers like Amazon became more popular, Barnes & Noble was seen as an important part of the book industry. Riggio’s impact on bookselling was significant, and his efforts to support various causes showed his commitment to making a difference. Research more about Riggio’s life an impact on the book industry online or in your newspaper. Then, write an article that summarizes what you learned about him.

4. ALTERCATION AT ARLINGTON

Donald Trump’s campaign released a statement from Gold Star families, who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery, defending his visit. They say Trump was there to honor fallen service members, not to make a political statement, despite Vice President Kamala Harris calling his visit a "political stunt." The controversy stems from the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which resulted in a bombing that killed 13 American service members. Harris and Trump have been exchanging accusations over the handling of the withdrawal, and Trump has been critical of Harris, as well as President Biden, who has since ended his reelection campaign. The Trump campaign shared photos and videos of the Arlington visit, even though the cemetery doesn’t allow political activity. The campaign has also been criticized for allegedly mishandling interactions with cemetery staff. Despite this, Trump continues to use the visit and the Gold Star families' support to attack Harris and the Biden administration over their handling of the Afghanistan situation. Read more about the incident at Arlington National Cemetery from at least three different sources. Then, write at least a paragraph comparing the different accounts of the event depending on the source you read it from.

5. PEST PROBLEMS

Insect-borne illnesses, like those spread by mosquitoes and ticks, are becoming more common and more dangerous worldwide. Factors like longer, hotter summers, milder winters, and changes in land use are allowing these insects to thrive in more areas. This means diseases like dengue fever, West Nile virus, and malaria are spreading to new places, including parts of the U.S. that were previously unaffected. Experts say that global warming is playing a big role in this trend by changing where these insects live. Insects like ticks are surviving winters that aren’t as cold, allowing diseases like Lyme disease to spread more easily. Increased travel and globalization are also helping these diseases spread as people bring them to new regions. The rise in these diseases is a serious consequence of climate change. However, while some outbreaks can be directly linked to global warming, it’s harder to prove this for every case. Researchers are also studying how insects’ immune systems work to find new ways to fight these diseases. Overall, the combination of climate change, global travel, and environmental changes is making it easier for dangerous insect-borne illnesses to spread, putting more people at risk around the world. Write an article that educates the public about mosquito-borne illnesses and how they can protect themselves from them.