1. FAST-MOVING WILDFIRE THREATENS RENO

A rapidly growing wildfire near Reno, Nevada, forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes as shifting winds pushed flames toward neighborhoods, businesses, and major roads. The Hawk Fire began Saturday and expanded to more than 23 square miles by Sunday, injuring several people and destroying homes. Officials said the fire was caused by humans, although they had not yet explained whether it was accidental or intentional. Firefighters faced unusually difficult conditions because strong winds repeatedly changed the fire’s direction, and dry weather combined with very low winter snowfall had left the landscape ready to burn. Nevada’s governor declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to help with firefighting and security. The emergency also showed how quickly evacuation plans can become complicated when roads close, power goes out, online fire maps lag behind, and families must decide what to take with them. Create an evacuation decision guide for a family living near a wildfire zone. Your guide should identify five items or categories of items a family should prepare before leaving and describe what the family should do if an online fire map seems to conflict with instructions from emergency officials. Finish by explaining why waiting until flames are visible could make an evacuation more dangerous.

2. CHANGES AT STARS AND STRIPES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESS FREEDOM

The Pentagon fired the editor in chief, publisher, and a Middle East correspondent at Stars and Stripes, a government-funded newspaper that reports on issues affecting U.S. military members and their families. The publication has a long tradition of operating with editorial independence even though it receives government funding. Its editor said he was fired partly because he publicly argued that the newspaper should not be censored or turned into a public-relations outlet for the military. Earlier in the year, the Pentagon had removed a regulation emphasizing the paper’s editorial independence and introduced new restrictions on some of its content. Pentagon officials have said the publication should support military order and discipline, while critics worry those changes could make journalists less willing or able to report problems within the armed forces. The dispute raises a broader question about whether a news organization can independently investigate the same government agency that funds and oversees it. Examine the difference between journalism and public relations by creating two short versions of the same fictional military story. In the first version, write a three- or four-sentence news report that includes both positive and negative information about a problem affecting service members. In the second, write a three- or four-sentence public-relations statement designed to make the military organization look favorable. Underneath, identify at least three differences in the information, wording, or purpose of the two versions.

3. JUDGE BLOCKS POLICY SUSPENDING VISAS FROM 75 COUNTRIES

A federal judge struck down a Trump administration policy that had stopped the processing of immigrant visas for people from 75 countries. The administration argued that people from those countries might be more likely to rely on public assistance after coming to the United States. Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had gone beyond the authority given to him by law because immigration law requires consular officers to evaluate individual applicants using specific legal standards. The policy instead broadly prevented visas from being issued based largely on an applicant’s nationality. Immigration groups and individuals challenging the rule said it separated families and unfairly prevented qualified people from moving forward with their applications. The case illustrates one of the roles of federal courts: determining whether actions taken by the executive branch stay within the powers granted by Congress. Write a short courtroom dialogue between a judge, a government lawyer, and a lawyer challenging the visa policy. Give each person a different role in the debate: the government lawyer should explain why the policy was created, the opposing lawyer should explain why it may violate immigration law, and the judge should ask questions about who has the legal authority to make visa decisions. End with one sentence explaining why courts sometimes review actions taken by the executive branch.

4. DO S.N.A.P. RESTRICTIONS CHANGE WHAT PEOPLE BUY?

Several states have received federal permission to prevent people from using SNAP food benefits to purchase soda or other sugary drinks. Early research suggests that the restrictions may have changed shopping habits, but the effect so far has been fairly small. One study found that SNAP households in states with soda restrictions bought about 13% less soda after the rules began, equal to roughly two fewer cans per household each month. Researchers do not yet know whether that change will continue over several years or whether shoppers will eventually use their own money to buy the same drinks. Supporters argue that SNAP is a powerful tool for encouraging healthier eating, while critics question whether the government should limit what people receiving food assistance can purchase and worry that confusing rules can make shopping more difficult. Researchers also caution that more information is needed about what people choose instead of soda and whether the policies actually improve health. Act as a researcher reviewing the early results. Write three conclusions that the study appears to support and three questions that still cannot be answered from the available evidence. For each unanswered question, explain what additional information you would collect—for example, data about purchases over a longer period, replacement drinks, health outcomes, or money spent outside SNAP. End by explaining why a short-term change in shopping does not automatically prove that a policy has achieved its larger goal.

5. SLOW-MESSAGING APPS

Some new messaging apps are intentionally making digital communication much slower. Carrier Pidge sends messages at the speed a real carrier pigeon might travel, while another app, Roost, lets users choose animals with different travel speeds, including snails, penguins, and birds. Instead of receiving a message instantly, users may wait hours or even longer while watching its virtual journey on a map. The apps have become popular with people who say ordinary phones deliver so many alerts and messages that communication can start to feel overwhelming. Supporters of the “slow-tech” idea believe delays can encourage people to give messages more attention and think more carefully about what they send. The trend is unusual because most communication technology has traditionally been designed to make messages faster and easier, not slower. Create a “fast tech vs. slow tech” comparison. Choose three everyday communication situations, such as making plans with a friend, sharing important news, or sending a thoughtful message. For each situation, decide whether instant messaging or a delayed-message app would work better and explain why. Then write a short conclusion about whether making communication slower could ever make it more meaningful.