Lately, it’s been almost impossible to keep up with the daily news cycle. Events seems to fire off one after the other after the other. By the time you learn of one bombshell, the next one goes off and distracts from the first.
But, we want to stay up to date on all the latest news. We want to be informed. So, if you find yourself lost in your CNN app alerts or combing through online newspapers, this week in review should help you get back on track.
Kentucky School Shooting
On Tuesday, January 23, a teenager opened fire on fellow students at Marshall County High School in Benton, KY. The gunman, a fifteen year old student, entered the school around 8am, initially hitting 14 students before setting off a panic that injured five more. Two students were killed – Bailey Holt, who died at the scene, and Preston Cope, who died in the hospital due to his injuries. According to advocacy groups, the United States has experienced one school shooting a week since 2013. The shooting in Benton is the 11th school shooting of 2018, and the 50th of the 2017-2018 school year.
Government Shut Down Ends after Three Days
The U.S. Federal Shutdown that began on Saturday, January 20, ended in the evening hours of Monday, January 22. The 2018 shutdown, one of the shortest in memory, was caused by Congress’ failure to pass necessary government funding. Political analysts, however, have been citing multiple exterior motivations why congressional leaders would allow the shutdown to happen – everything from an inability for cross-party cooperation to a deliberate attempt to hold the federal government hostage over DACA negotiations. Outside Washington, there has been much debate over whether this should be called the “Trump Shutdown” or the “Schumer Shutdown.” There seems to be no consensus on that either.
Larry Nassar Receives 175 Year Sentence
On Wednesday, January 24, former U.S.A.-Olympic team doctor Dr. Larry Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in prison after a week-long hearing. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina has gained notoriety for opening the courtroom to more than 150 of the women and girls who had been abused by Nasser. Nassar – who has been convicted of child pornography and accused of sex crimes by former and current gymnasts, the youngest now 15 years old – was allowed a brief statement to the women who had confronted him during their hearing. Upon imposing her sentence, Judge Aquilina offered choice words to Nassar, saying: “Your decision to assault was precise, calculated, manipulative, devious, despicable… I just signed your death warrant.” You can read Judge Aquilina’s full sentencing statement here.
Flu Season the Worst in Memory
This year’s flu strain is the worst in a decade. The flu, a virus that normally targets infants and the elderly, has hit the Baby Boomers (adults aged 54-65) particularly hard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have logged 30 pediatric deaths so far this flu season, and have reported “wide-spread flu activity” in 49 states excluding Hawaii. Many hospitals are reporting over crowded wards, one in Florida having to set up beds in conference rooms to accommodate the large numbers of patients. According to doctors at the CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH), flu season has not peaked yet, meaning there are still weeks to go before the virus slows down.
Oscar Season Kicks into High Gear
This week, the nominations for the Academy Awards were released to the public. The nomination front-runners are: “The Shape of Water” (13 nom.), “Dunkirk” (8 nom.), “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (7 nom.), “Call Me By Your Name”, “Darkest Hour”, “Get Out”, “Lady Bird”, “Phantom Thread”, and “The Post”.
Cecile Richards Prepares to Step Down from Planned Parenthood
Longtime president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards announced on Friday, January 26 that she would be stepping down from the role later this year. Richards has helmed the organization for more than a decade, defending the health and reproductive rights of women around the country. The organization has been considered a controversial element as political talk around abortion, birth-control, and other female-centric health services has become more heated and exclusive. Richards had a long career inside Washington before signing on with Planned Parenthood – she was a staffer for Nancy Pelosi, and is the daughter of sharp-tongued former governor Ann Richards, known for her criticisms of George W. Bush.