1. ISRAEL LAUNCHES ATTACK

Israel and Iran are attacking each other in a serious and dangerous conflict. Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, including oil and gas sites, trying to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In response, Iran fired missiles at Israel, killing several people. Both sides have lost lives, including civilians and top military leaders. The U.S. is helping Israel shoot down incoming missiles, and peace talks between the U.S. and Iran about Iran’s nuclear program have now been canceled. Many countries around the world are calling for the fighting to stop before things get worse. In your own words, explain why Israel attacked Iran and how Iran responded. Then, write two to three sentences about why this conflict is dangerous for other countries around the world. Use evidence from the article to support your ideas.

2. RELIGIOUS GROUP RALLIES AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

At a recent meeting in Dallas, the Southern Baptist Convention, which represents over 12 million members in the U.S., voted in support of ending same-sex marriage. They called for the reversal of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, which made same-sex marriage legal across the country. While the resolution they passed doesn’t have legal power, it sends a strong message from a powerful group. Many experts believe this is part of a larger plan by conservative Christians to try to change U.S. laws, similar to how they helped end national protections for abortion in 2022. LGBTQ+ groups have said this vote makes them feel more worried about losing their rights, even though most Americans still support same-sex marriage. Write a short explanation of what the Southern Baptist Convention wants to change about same-sex marriage laws. Then, describe how different groups in the article responded to this idea and why. Be sure to include at least one reason why this vote is important, even though it doesn’t change any laws right now.

3. N.P.R., P.B.S. FUNDING AT RISK

The House of Representatives voted to support President Trump’s plan to cut $9.4 billion in government spending. This includes taking away money from foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps fund NPR and PBS. Supporters of the cuts, mostly Republicans, say the money is being wasted and should be used to help Americans. Critics, mostly Democrats, argue that these cuts will harm poor people around the world and take away important services, especially in rural areas that rely on public radio and TV. The bill still has to pass in the Senate, where some changes might be made. Write a short paragraph explaining whether you agree or disagree with cutting government funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Be sure to include your reasons. Think about who benefits from these programs and what might happen if the funding is removed. Use information from the article to support your opinion.

4. COURT RULES AGAINST TRUMP

A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order that aimed to change how elections work in the United States. Trump’s order would have required all voters to show proof of citizenship, stopped states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, and made states follow these rules to get federal funding. The judge ruled that this order was unconstitutional because the president doesn’t have the power to control elections—only the states and Congress do. Leaders from states like California and New York agreed with the decision, saying it protects people’s right to vote and keeps elections fair. Some parts of the order had already been stopped by another court, and experts say voter fraud by noncitizens is very rare. In a short paragraph, explain why the judge ruled against President Trump’s executive order on elections. Include at least two changes the order tried to make and one reason why the judge said it was unconstitutional. Then, write one or two sentences sharing your opinion: Do you think the federal government or the states should be in charge of setting election rules? Explain why.

5. DATA SHARING DEBATE

The Trump administration has shared the personal information of millions of immigrant Medicaid enrollees with deportation officials. This includes names, addresses, and immigration status. The data came from states like California, Illinois, and Washington, which offer Medicaid using state money to people who aren’t U.S. citizens. Health officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tried to stop the data transfer, saying it was possibly illegal and could scare people away from getting medical care. Despite this, top officials ordered the information to be given to the Department of Homeland Security to help with immigration raids. Many leaders and experts are upset about the decision, saying it breaks privacy laws and could harm people who are just trying to stay healthy. Write a short paragraph explaining why some people are concerned about the Trump administration sharing Medicaid data with immigration officials. Include at least one reason CMS officials gave for opposing the data transfer, and one reason the Trump administration gave for supporting it. Then, write one or two sentences sharing your opinion: Do you think it’s fair to use medical information for immigration enforcement? Why or why not?