1. EPA REMOVES POWER PLANT EMISSIONS RULES

The Environmental Protection Agency has repealed most federal rules that limited greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants. The Trump administration says the change will reduce costs for power companies and help provide reliable, affordable electricity; the EPA estimates more than $300 billion in savings. Environmental and public-health groups argue that removing the limits could increase greenhouse gas pollution and contribute to health and climate problems. The EPA has also proposed eliminating the remaining federal greenhouse gas standards for power plants, a step that could make it harder for future administrations to regulate these emissions under the same part of the Clean Air Act. The changes are expected to face legal challenges, making the debate about energy costs, environmental protection, and federal authority likely to continue. Create a two-column comparison chart about the EPA’s decision. In one column, explain three possible benefits supporters see in removing the rules, such as lower industry costs or greater flexibility for power companies. In the other, explain three concerns raised by opponents, including possible effects on climate and health. After completing the chart, write a short conclusion explaining what information you would want before deciding whether the change is good public policy.

2. AI COMPANIES SUED OVER PLANS TO SLOW DEVELOPMENT

Four major artificial intelligence companies — Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google — are facing a lawsuit claiming they illegally coordinated plans to slow the development of advanced AI. The companies’ leaders have discussed slowing progress so that researchers have more time to create safety protections, especially as AI systems become increasingly powerful. The people suing do not object to an individual company choosing to slow its own development; instead, they argue that competitors working together could violate antitrust laws, which are designed to protect competition. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of paying users of AI services who argue that coordinated slowdowns could reduce the value they receive from their subscriptions. The companies’ discussions highlight a difficult question: How can competing businesses cooperate on safety without unfairly limiting competition? Imagine you are attending an “AI Safety Council” meeting as either an AI company, paying customer, government regulator, or technology-safety researcher. Prepare two concerns and one possible solution that someone in your role would present to address the conflict between competition and safety. Use what you proposed to create at least 3 rules that would allow companies to address shared safety problems while still competing with one another.

3. U.S. ACKNOWLEDGES WEAPONS IN SPACE

The United States has publicly acknowledged for the first time that it has placed weapons in space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapons are designed to defend U.S. forces against hostile actions, but he did not explain exactly what they are or how they work. The announcement comes after years of concern about military activity in space, including U.S. warnings about Russian and Chinese capabilities that could threaten satellites. Satellites are important because they support communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and many other services on Earth. International agreements have long placed limits on certain military activities in space, including a 1967 treaty banning nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit. The new disclosure raises broader questions about how countries can protect important satellites without encouraging an increasingly dangerous competition in space. Write a short proposal that addresses space rules for the future. Develop four rules that you think nations could follow to reduce the danger of conflict in space while still allowing countries to protect their satellites. For each rule, explain what problem it is meant to prevent. Finish by identifying one reason why enforcing international rules in space could be especially difficult.

4. JOURNALISTS BARRED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were denied access to the White House after President Trump announced that he was banning the three news organizations because of reporting he described as “fake news.” Reporters who arrived for work found that their press credentials had been disabled or confiscated. The three organizations have argued that the decision violates their First Amendment rights and indicated that they may challenge it legally. The White House Correspondents’ Association has also called for their access to be restored, arguing that excluding news organizations because officials object to their coverage could affect the ability of journalists to scrutinize government officials. The dispute therefore raises questions about both the government’s control over access to secure places such as the White House and constitutional protections for a free press. Act as a constitutional reporter covering the dispute. Write five questions you would want answered before publishing an in-depth story. Your questions should investigate both sides of the conflict, including what authority the White House claims it has to control press access and what First Amendment arguments the news organizations could make. Then identify two sources—such as a constitutional scholar, White House representative, journalist, or court ruling—you would consult and explain what each could add to your reporting.

5. DENGUE OUTBREAK GROWS IN FLORIDA

Florida is experiencing an unusually large outbreak of dengue fever, a disease caused by a virus that spreads through certain mosquitoes. More than 150 locally acquired cases have been reported in the state this year, including more than 130 in Hillsborough County, and state health officials have confirmed a death. Some infected people have few or no symptoms, while others develop fever, headaches, and flu-like illness; severe cases can cause dangerous bleeding, shock, or death. Health workers are spraying for mosquitoes and checking places where standing water can provide breeding areas. Experts say warm weather and other environmental conditions can help mosquito populations grow, while climate change is expanding the geographic range of mosquitoes capable of carrying dengue. The outbreak demonstrates how changes in weather, human travel, and local environments can combine to affect public health. Design a public-health information campaign for a Florida community experiencing a dengue outbreak. Your campaign should include a memorable slogan, three actions residents can take to reduce mosquito breeding, two facts explaining how dengue spreads, and one suggestion for how local officials could help. Then create either a poster, short public-service announcement, or social-media graphic that communicates the information clearly without frightening or misleading people.