Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
Trump Wrote a Reminder to Say ‘I Hear You’ to People at a Listening Session About School Gun Violence
BuzzFeed News reports that President Donald Trump’s notes at a White House listening session with those affected by school shootings included a message reminding him to say “I hear you” to speakers. While Trump claimed that his main purpose during the event was to listen, a photographer snapped a photo of the president’s list of questions, which also included, “What can we do to make you feel safe?” and “What would you most want me to know about your experience?”
The last point visible to the camera was his reminder to tell people “I hear you.” Speakers at the session included the father of one of the Parkland shooting victims, and if you caught that passionate speech, I think it’s safe to say that “I hear you” wouldn’t exactly be an appropriate response to such a heartfelt delivery.
The White House has yet to officially comment on the list, but House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi addressed the picture on Twitter.
“I hear you,” @realDonaldTrump? And yet, you and Republican leaders do absolutely nothing. #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/Wdr9L7P5EI
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) February 21, 2018
Possible School Shooting Plot Is Thwarted in California
Two AR-15s and 90 high-capacity magazines were found at the home of a teen who was allegedly threatening to commit a school shooting in California, ABC News reports. A security guard at El Camino High School in Whittier reportedly overheard the 17-year-old say “he was going to shoot up the school some time in the next three weeks,” a sheriff confirmed at a news conference. The student supposedly made the comment only two days after the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
In addition to the aforementioned weapons, two handguns were also found at the boy’s home, but his older brother, who is an Army veteran, told authorities that the guns were his own. Only one Ar-15 was registered to the brother, leading to his arrest on several charges, including “possession of an assault weapon and failure to register a handgun.” The teen, who has a history of “disciplinary history” at his school, was arrested for making criminal threats.
#BREAKING Shooting plot at El Camino High School in Whittier thwarted, police sayhttps://t.co/frsuWZhXAa pic.twitter.com/ewCX1jbZfP
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 21, 2018
The Shirtless Tonga Flagbearer Got Real About Dating
Pita Taufatofua, the Olympian who has now gone viral for his shirtless, oily abs twice over the course of his athletic career, may not have the greatest chance to medal in cross country skiing. However, the Tongan athlete spilled to Cosmopolitan about whether or not he’s found room for romance amidst competing in PyeongChang.
“What I’ve heard is there a strong number of people on dating apps here,” Taufatofua said of the dating culture in Olympic Village. “Not me, of course! But apparently my photo is on all of them — people are saying ‘Your image is on this app!’ but it’s not actually me, it’s a [fake profile]. So I guess if you see me, swipe right! I’m sure that would be funny.”
The flagbearer has said that he is currently single, but that may not be for long. “When I get home I will date more,” he said. “I’m a human being, and one of the key things about being human is you have to have a connection with people. I’m an athlete, but I’m also a loving person. That’s one of the big disconnects with high-level athletes, [we’re] not good at exposing that part of [our]selves, that vulnerable side that says we are human. That we have hopes, dreams, fears. That we love.”
Well, then. Talk romance to me.
EXCLUSIVE: Tonga Flag bearer Pita Taufatofua on on oily abs, dating apps, and Tokyo 2020 https://t.co/1kKOArrlgO pic.twitter.com/dTkrhJq6G3
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) February 22, 2018
What to look out for…
Tonight, the 2018 Winter Olympics complete the last of the ice skating events with the women’s ice skating free program. Team USA skaters Mirai Nagasu, Karen Chen and Bradie Tennell currently sit in ninth, 10th and 11th place after the short program, but after seeing fellow American Nathan Chen’s redemptive free skate, anything could happen!