1. FIGHTING FIRES

The wildfires in Los Angeles have become some of the worst in the city’s history, killing at least 11 people, destroying thousands of homes, and forcing massive evacuations. The fires are still raging due to strong winds and dry conditions. The largest blaze, the Palisades fire, has burned over 21,000 acres and is only 8% contained, while the Eaton fire has destroyed 7,000 structures and is just 3% contained. Some smaller fires have been controlled, but the larger ones continue to spread out of control, damaging landmarks and homes. At least 18 people have been arrested for looting in evacuation zones. Experts say the fires happened at the same time because of dry, windy weather conditions. Firefighters are doing their best to manage the blazes, but the winds are expected to pick up again, making the fires harder to contain. Authorities are urging people to stay alert, as the situation remains unpredictable. California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the state’s water management after it was revealed that a key reservoir was offline when wildfires broke out in Los Angeles. The Santa Ynez Reservoir, which supplies water to the Pacific Palisades area, was down for maintenance when the fires started, leaving firefighters with low or no water pressure in hydrants. This likely made it harder to control the fires, which have already killed 11 people and destroyed over 13,000 structures. Newsom is asking the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to review its procedures and share findings to help prevent future issues. If you were a reporter assigned to cover the breaking news of the wildfires, how would you approach the assignment? Who would you want to talk to, what questions would you ask, and what would you do to stay up to date as the news unfolds? Write a parargraph about your response.

2. FURTHER FIRE DAMAGE

Wildfires like the ones recently burning in Los Angeles can leave lasting emotional scars on survivors. Losing a home, the stress of evacuation, and the anxiety of possibly facing another fire can cause long-term mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Experts warn that even those who don’t lose their homes can suffer psychological distress for years. Studies show that people affected by wildfires often face mental health struggles, such as PTSD and anxiety, both short-term and long-term. For some, the uncertainty of whether their homes will be destroyed is a major source of trauma. Rebuilding after losing everything is also a tough emotional challenge. Survivors often mourn not only their property but also the loss of the environment around them. Using the internet, look up resources for wildfire victims for both short- and long-term needs. Then, design a flyer or poster that could be distributed to share these resources with those that need it.

3. GREENLAND AND PANAMA

President-elect Donald Trump, in a news conference, suggested using military or economic force to take control of the Panama Canal and push Denmark to sell Greenland to the U.S. He criticized former President Jimmy Carter’s decision to return the Panama Canal to Panama, claiming it was a mistake. Trump also threatened economic actions against Canada, implying the U.S. could hurt their economy if they didn’t cooperate, and against Denmark, if Greenland wasn’t sold. He mentioned renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and raised concerns about NATO members not spending enough on defense, pushing for a higher defense budget. Trump’s ideas about expanding U.S. territory, especially through force or pressure, were compared to past historical examples of American expansionism. His comments raised concerns about his approach to international law and relations with allies. Using the internet or resources in your classroom, look up the U.S.’s history with either Greenland or Panama. Write a summary of what you learned and how President-elect Trump’s comments at the recent news conference could affect future relations.

4. META ANNOUNCES A SHIFT

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, recently made significant changes to the company’s policies on online speech. After meeting President-elect Donald Trump in November 2024, Zuckerberg decided to loosen restrictions on speech about controversial topics like immigration and gender, and end the company’s fact-checking program. He also promoted more political content in user feeds. These changes were made quickly in a six-week sprint, surprising many Meta employees. Some celebrated the new direction, while others criticized it, especially those who worry the moves could lead to more harassment and misinformation online. The shift also included ending Meta’s diversity programs and eliminating its chief diversity officer role. Zuckerberg has explained that he wants Meta to return to its original mission of allowing free speech but faces both praise and backlash for the new approach. Write an opinion article taking a stance on this topic (for example: whether the fact-checking programs on social media infringe on free speech or whether companies should be responsible for what people post on their platform).

5. FOCUS ON FITNESS

A new study shows that being in shape is more important for living a long, healthy life than just being thin. The research reviewed many previous studies and found that being out of shape doubles or even triples the risk of dying early, regardless of someone’s age or weight. Interestingly, people who are overweight but fit have a lower risk of early death than those who are thin but out of shape. This means that focusing on fitness, like regular exercise, is more important for health and longevity than focusing only on weight loss. Even small amounts of exercise, like brisk walking, can improve fitness and lower the risk of dying young. So, it’s better to stay active rather than worry too much about being slim. Despite this research-backed information that fitness is more important for your health, there’s still a cultural focus on thinness. Are there ways you’ve noticed this shift in the past few years? Write a paragraph about your observations about how we, as a society, treat our bodies and how we could shift that focus in a healthier, more positive direction.