A Mexican Navy ship called the Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, killing two crew members and injuring at least 22 people. The ship had 277 people on board and was in New York City as part of a good will tour. It was supposed to sail out of the harbor but ended up going the wrong way and struck the underside of the bridge. The accident damaged the ship’s tall masts, some of which hit the bridge with crew members still on them. Many were injured, and emergency responders rushed to help. Videos showed some sailors hanging from the wreckage by ropes. The ship had recently won a sailing award and was visiting countries around the world to promote peace. Now it’s docked in New York while officials investigate what went wrong. The bridge was checked for damage and is still safe to use. Imagine you are a news reporter who witnessed the accident. Write a short news story explaining what happened to the Cuauhtémoc ship, how people reacted, and what will happen next. Include details like where the ship came from, what it was doing in New York, and what officials are doing now. End your report by explaining why international visits like this one are important, even though they sometimes come with risks.

The U.S. government has spent billions of dollars on scientific research, often without knowing exactly when it will pay off. This investment in basic science—research done to better understand the world—has led to major breakthroughs that improve our lives today. Examples include GPS, LASIK eye surgery, new diabetes and weight-loss drugs, and even the Dustbuster. Many of these discoveries started as military or medical research, were supported by federal grants, or came from accidental findings in university labs. Although President Trump’s proposed budget would cut funding for research, this article shows how long-term government support has helped create life-changing inventions. Choose one invention from the article and write a paragraph explaining what the invention is, how government-funded research helped create it, and why it is important or useful today, using specific facts from the article to support your explanation.

Some Republican leaders in Louisiana are trying to end federal desegregation orders that were put in place to make schools racially equal after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling. These leaders say the rules are outdated, but civil rights advocates warn that ending them too soon could hurt Black students. The Trump administration seems open to removing these orders and has already dismissed one in a school district south of New Orleans. Experts say many schools are still segregated today—not by law, but because of housing patterns and school district boundaries. Some leaders believe schools should no longer be responsible for fixing problems caused by these outside factors, while others say it’s important to keep the orders to protect fairness in education. Write a short paragraph explaining why school desegregation is still an important issue today. Then, research what school integration looks like in your own city or state. Are schools diverse? What challenges or progress can you find?

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll shows that President Trump’s approval rating is higher among people who haven’t been paying close attention to news about his presidency. The poll found that voters who didn’t hear about some major events — like the mistaken deportation of a man or changes in the stock market — were more likely to say they approved of how Trump was doing his job. The president has been signing many executive orders and moving quickly, which can make it hard for people to keep up. Many of the people who support him said they get most of their news from social media, where information can be limited or one-sided. Experts say this shows how important it is to stay informed using reliable sources. Write a short paragraph explaining why it’s important for citizens to stay informed about what the government is doing. Then, describe how you and your family get news (TV, social media, websites, newspapers, etc.). Do you think it’s easy or hard to know what’s really going on in the world? Why? Finally, suggest one way schools or communities could help young people become better informed about current events.

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with a serious form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. This type of cancer is called Stage 4, which means it has moved to other parts of the body and cannot be cured, but doctors say it can be treated. Mr. Biden is 82 years old and has been meeting with doctors to decide on the best treatment plan. Even though the news is concerning, experts say people with this kind of cancer can still live for many more years, especially with new treatments that block the hormones that help the cancer grow. After the announcement, many political leaders, including President Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris, shared kind words and support for Mr. Biden. Since leaving office, Mr. Biden has stayed mostly out of the public eye, though he has given some interviews to defend his health and explain why he stepped out of the 2024 election. This diagnosis is the latest health challenge for Mr. Biden, who also had serious health issues earlier in his life and lost his son to brain cancer in 2015. Write a letter of support to someone who is dealing with a serious illness, like former President Biden. In your letter, be kind and encouraging. You can talk about the strength people show during tough times, or include words of hope and healing. If you like, include a quote, poem, or a short message about courage. Then, write one paragraph explaining why it’s important to support people when they’re going through something difficult.