1. NEW CITY: STARBASE

Elon Musk’s SpaceX site in South Texas is now officially the city of Starbase after local voters—mostly SpaceX employees—approved the change by a wide margin. Musk celebrated the victory, which gives SpaceX more control over the area. While the project brings jobs and investment, critics worry it will limit public access to nearby beaches and state parks. Some residents and environmental groups are protesting plans that would let the new city close public areas during rocket launches. Write a short opinion paragraph: Do you think it’s fair for a company to control a city, even if it brings jobs and space exploration? Why or why not? Use examples from the article to support your answer.

2. ACROSS THE AISLE

In Montana, a group of nine Republican state senators made a surprising decision: they started voting with Democrats to pass laws they believed were good for the people. This upset some of their fellow Republicans, who called them names like the “Nasty Nine” and even tried to punish them. But the Nine say they’re still Republicans and Trump supporters — they just care more about helping their communities than following strict party rules. Some of the laws they helped pass included funding for hospitals, support for mothers, and help with taxes. Not everyone agrees with their choices, but many Montanans have thanked them for putting people over politics. Write a paragraph explaining whether you think it was brave or risky for the “Nasty Nine” Republicans in Montana to work with Democrats. Use examples from the article to support your answer, like laws they helped pass or how other Republicans responded to them. Then explain whether you think working together between parties is a good idea and why.

3. CHATBOT FOR CHILDREN

Google announced that its A.I. chatbot, Gemini, will soon be available to children under 13 who have parent-managed Google accounts. The chatbot can help with homework, answer questions, and create stories. While Gemini has safety features to protect younger users, Google warned families that the bot can still make mistakes, and children might see content that parents don’t want them to see. Experts like UNICEF have raised concerns that A.I. tools could confuse or mislead young users, especially since they may not understand the bots aren’t human. Google says parents can manage their child’s access and that the system follows federal laws for children’s online privacy. In a short paragraph, explain why Google’s decision to let children use its A.I. chatbot might worry some people. Use examples from the article, such as concerns from parents, safety risks, or what experts like UNICEF have said. Then, write one suggestion you would give to a parent who wants to make sure their child uses A.I. safely.

4. PRESIDENT OR POPE?

President Trump joked that he’d like to be the next pope, and then posted a picture online showing himself dressed like one. The photo, which looked like it was made using artificial intelligence (A.I.), upset some people—especially Catholics—because the real pope, Pope Francis, had just passed away. Critics said the post was disrespectful and poorly timed, while some of Trump’s supporters played along with the joke. The Vatican did not respond, and it’s not clear where the image came from. The post has led to debates about whether it’s okay to joke about religious leaders, especially using A.I.-generated images. Write a paragraph explaining whether you think it was appropriate or inappropriate for President Trump to post an A.I. image of himself dressed as the pope. Use evidence from the article to support your opinion, and be sure to explain how different people reacted to the post.

5. MEASLES TREATMENTS

Facing the largest U.S. measles outbreak in 25 years, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed federal agencies to focus on finding new treatments for the disease, like vitamins, rather than strongly urging vaccination. Critics say this approach could worsen the crisis, especially in areas with low vaccination rates like West Texas, where two children have died. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective and has been proven safe through decades of research. Doctors and public health experts warn that Kennedy’s mixed messaging is fueling misinformation and delaying care, with some patients even overdosing on vitamin supplements. While Kennedy claims to support all families regardless of vaccination status, experts argue that prioritizing untested treatments over prevention contradicts basic public health strategy and puts lives at risk. In your own words, explain why some doctors and health experts are worried about the government focusing on new measles treatments instead of encouraging more people to get vaccinated. Then, write a paragraph about what you think is the best way to protect people during a disease outbreak and why. Use at least one example from the article to support your ideas.