1. CULTURAL DAY COLLAPSE

Authorities in Georgia are investigating the collapse of a dock gangway on Sapelo Island that killed seven people during a Gullah-Geechee cultural festival on October 19, 2024. The gangway, built in 2021, suddenly gave way while about 40 people were on it, and 20 fell into the water. The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency teams responded quickly, but seven people died, and three remain in critical condition. Sapelo Island is a historic community founded by descendants of former slaves, known for preserving African traditions. The annual Cultural Day event was celebrating their heritage when the tragedy occurred. Witnesses described the chaos, with residents forming human chains to rescue people from the water. Authorities are now investigating what caused the failure, and locals had previously expressed concerns about the gangway’s stability. This incident has shaken the small island community, especially since the ferry system and emergency services have long been inadequate. Residents have been advocating for better infrastructure, including a helicopter pad, to handle emergencies like this one. Write an article that summarizes this story and the historical significance of Sapelo Island.

2. SPEECH QUESTIONS

This week, former President Donald Trump made several long and winding remarks during interviews and events that sparked debate about his communication style. While he sees his tendency to “weave” between topics as entertaining, critics worry it reflects confusion and raises concerns about his cognitive health, especially given his age. One notable instance occurred during a Q&A with children on “Fox & Friends,” when he was asked about his favorite president. Trump began discussing Ronald Reagan but quickly veered off into trade deals and border policy, emphasizing his past success in managing border control. In an interview with Bloomberg News, when asked about inflation, Trump rambled about spending and eventually segued into comments about Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s college experience, rather than sticking to the economic topic at hand. At a Univision town hall, when confronted with a question about climate change, Trump started discussing his administration’s environmental policies but soon shifted to his concerns about nuclear weapons and the potential for a future administration to lead to global conflict. Finally, at a rally in Detroit, he discussed plans for tax deductions on car loans but ended up praising Elon Musk and describing a rocket landing that caught his attention during a phone call. These meandering comments have led to differing opinions on their implications as the campaign heats up. Supporters find them amusing, while opponents see them as signs of deeper issues. Read transcripts from some of Trump’s recent speeches, then write an opinion article about how you feel about his roaming among topics.

3. SMOKING CESSATION

Teen smoking in the U.S. has reached a record low, with overall youth tobacco use also dropping significantly, according to the CDC. This year, the number of middle and high school students using tobacco products fell by 20 percent, from 2.8 million to 2.25 million. Vaping has played a big role in this decline, with the rate of e-cigarette use dropping to under 6 percent, the lowest in a decade. Cigarette smoking among high schoolers is now at just 1.7 percent, compared to nearly 30 percent 25 years ago. Public health campaigns, higher prices, and stricter laws have contributed to this decrease. However, some groups, like American Indian or Alaska Native students, saw an increase in tobacco use. Create a PSA or flier that encourages young people to not take up smoking, using facts from research online to bolster your claims.

4. YOUNG CANDIDATE

Ashwin Ramaswami, a 25-year-old Democrat, is running for a Georgia State Senate seat in an effort to unseat Republican incumbent Shawn Still. Still is one of the people indicted along with Donald Trump for allegedly trying to interfere with Georgia's 2020 election results. Ramaswami, a Stanford and Georgetown Law graduate, decided to run when he found out his hometown senator was part of the indictment. Ramaswami is campaigning in a district that leans Republican but has seen growth in its Indian American population, a group he hopes will support him. Despite raising over $700,000, it will be a tough race, as the district has a conservative base and Still won his last election by a significant margin. Still has attacked Ramaswami for inexperience and accused him of trying to recruit high school students for his campaign. Ramaswami, meanwhile, argues that Still’s involvement in the 2020 election controversy makes him unfit for office. How do you think someone as young as 25 would do in Congress? Do you think younger generations need more representation in the House and Senate? Write an opinion article that shares your position, using facts from online research to support your claims.

5. HOMELESS SHELTER CRISIS

A report by New York City’s Department of Investigation found widespread problems with nonprofit groups running homeless shelters. These groups are supposed to help people, but many are mismanaging money, hiring family members (nepotism), and creating conflicts of interest. Some executives are making huge salaries, with one earning over $700,000 a year. One nonprofit gave millions to a security company tied to one of its own leaders, and several others hired relatives of their senior staff without city approval. Despite these issues, no criminal charges have been filed yet. The city’s shelter system, which costs $4 billion a year, has grown as homelessness increased, especially with migrants coming to New York. The city is now trying to fix these problems by improving oversight and cutting ties with bad shelter providers. If you were going to write an article about this issue, who would you talk to and what questions would you ask? Write a list of sources and at least 10 questions you would ask each, as well as any resources you would use to find more information.