1. WHAT’S IN THE S.A.V.E. BILL?

A voter identification bill backed by President Trump and many Republicans would make voting rules much stricter across the country. The bill would require people to prove their citizenship in person when they register to vote and to show a government-issued photo ID at the polls. People voting by mail would also have to include copies of photo identification when asking for and returning their ballots. Supporters say the bill would help prevent noncitizens from voting, even though that kind of voter fraud is already illegal and extremely rare. Critics argue that the bill could make it much harder for many eligible citizens to vote, especially people who do not have easy access to documents like passports or birth certificates. Some experts and state officials also warn that the law would be hard to put into place quickly and could create confusion before the midterm elections. Write a short response explaining whether you think the bill is more likely to protect elections or make voting harder for eligible citizens. In your answer, use at least two details from the summary, such as the in-person proof of citizenship rule, the photo ID requirement, or the effect on mail-in voting, and explain why those details shaped your opinion.

2. JUDGE STRIKES DOWN KENNEDY’S VACCINE POLICIES

A federal judge blocked several vaccine policy changes made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and temporarily reversed recent decisions made by the vaccine advisory panel he appointed. The judge said the government did not follow the careful, science-based process that has usually guided national vaccine recommendations. Medical groups had sued, arguing that the changes were made without proper scientific review and could put people’s health at risk. The ruling also stopped a planned meeting of the advisory committee and challenged the qualifications of many of its members, saying that only a few appeared to have meaningful vaccine experience. Some of the blocked changes had reduced the number of diseases covered by the routine childhood vaccine schedule and restricted recommendations for Covid shots. Supporters of the lawsuit said the decision was a win for public health and evidence-based medicine, while the government said it planned to appeal. Imagine you are writing for a school health newsletter. Write a paragraph explaining why scientific evidence and expert review matter when the government makes vaccine recommendations. Use at least two details from the summary to support your answer, and end by explaining what could happen if major health decisions are made without a careful process.

3. VENEZUELA WINS ITS FIRST WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC TITLE

Venezuela defeated Team USA 3-2 to win its first World Baseball Classic championship. The American team had a star-filled roster with some of the biggest names in baseball, but it struggled to score for most of the game. Bryce Harper hit a dramatic two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the score and give the United States hope. But in the ninth inning, Venezuela answered with a go-ahead RBI double by Eugenio Suárez and then held on to win. Venezuelan players celebrated with flags, confetti, and cheers from fans in Miami and from millions of people watching back home. The game showed that talent alone is not always enough, especially in a tournament where teamwork, pressure, and national pride can make a huge difference. Write a paragraph explaining why international sports tournaments can feel different from regular professional games. Use at least two details from the summary, such as the crowd’s energy, the players representing their country, or the late-game comeback moments, and explain how those details made the championship feel more emotional or meaningful.

4. CBS NEWS RADIO IS COMING TO AN END

CBS News Radio, a network that has delivered news to Americans for nearly 100 years, will air its final broadcast in May. Over the decades, it brought listeners important reporting from major events, including World War II, and helped launch the careers of famous journalists like Edward R. Murrow. The network became known for its famous chime sound and for bringing national and international news to hundreds of local radio stations. But the rise of podcasts, streaming, social media, and other modern audio options has weakened traditional radio’s place in daily life. CBS said the radio network now faces economic challenges and changing programming strategies, even though radio still reaches millions of Americans, especially commuters. Some journalists and media experts say shutting it down is the loss of an important public service and a trusted voice in journalism. Write a thoughtful paragraph about whether older forms of media, such as radio, still matter in a world filled with podcasts, apps, and social media. Use at least two details from the summary to support your answer, and explain whether you think the closing of CBS News Radio is simply part of change or the loss of something important.

5. A.I. IS WRITING FICTION, AND PUBLISHERS ARE STRUGGLING TO RESPOND

Publishers are facing new problems as artificial intelligence becomes more common in writing. A horror novel called Shy Girl was pulled from publication after A.I. detection tools suggested that much of it may have been generated or heavily assisted by A.I. The publisher, Hachette, canceled its planned U.S. release and stopped its U.K. edition after reviewing the concerns. The case has raised larger questions about how publishers can tell whether a book was written by a person or a machine and what rules should be in place. Some experts say the publishing industry is unprepared, especially because many contracts do not clearly ban A.I. use and because A.I. tools can be hard to detect. Others worry that unclear rules may confuse authors and editors and make it easier for books written with too much machine help to slip through. The debate is also tied to concerns about originality, copyright, and whether readers deserve to know how a book was created. Write a paragraph in which you explain whether publishers should create stricter rules about A.I. in fiction writing. Use at least two details from the summary, such as the cancellation of Shy Girl, the uncertainty around publishing contracts, or the difficulty of detection, and explain what you think a fair rule for authors should be.