1. MASSIVE WILDFIRES FORCE EVACUATIONS IN FRANCE AND SPAIN

Fast-moving wildfires in France and Spain forced nearly 300,000 people to leave their homes or shelter indoors as flames spread toward Bordeaux and Madrid. Weeks of extreme heat dried out forests and fields, making it easier for fires to grow quickly. Firefighters received help from soldiers, aircraft, and emergency crews from several European countries. Strong winds, smoke, and dry thunderstorms made the situation even harder to control. The fires destroyed homes, damaged large areas of land, and disrupted travel and major events, including the Tour de France. Scientists explain that climate change is increasing the extreme heat and dry conditions that can make wildfires more destructive, although no single fire has just one cause. Create an emergency information broadcast for people living near a wildfire. Write a script for a 60-second radio or television announcement that explains the danger, gives at least three safety instructions, and tells residents where they could look for trustworthy updates. Your message should be calm and useful rather than frightening.

2. BASEBALL HALL OF FAMERS HONOR THEIR ROOTS

Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Beltrán spoke proudly about representing Puerto Rico and thanked the teams that shaped his 20-year career. Jones became the first player from Curaçao to enter the Hall of Fame and honored his late father, whose demanding practices helped him become an outstanding outfielder. Kent described how a promise from his father encouraged him to focus on school and baseball, eventually changing the direction of his life. Their speeches showed that athletic success often grows from family support, cultural pride, discipline, and lessons learned over many years. Beltrán’s induction also reminded fans that a person’s achievements can be considered alongside mistakes and controversies from the past. Choose one of the three players and create a “path to Cooperstown” timeline. Include at least five important stages, such as childhood influences, career accomplishments, challenges, and the induction ceremony. Beside each stage, explain what it reveals about the player’s character or development rather than simply listing facts.

3. GIRLS BUILD SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP THROUGH SCOUTING

Girls have been allowed to join the main programs of the organization now called Scouting America since 2017. Supporters say the change has given girls more opportunities to learn outdoor survival, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving through difficult experiences. Members of one New Jersey troop completed long canoe trips, carried heavy backpacks, camped in harsh weather, and helped struggling teammates. One member later became her town’s first female Eagle Scout, a rank that requires years of service, skill-building, and leadership. Some critics still believe the program should be only for boys, and girls in scouting have sometimes faced disrespect. The troop’s leaders argue that girls have strengthened the organization by meeting the same standards and proving their abilities through their actions. Write a response to the claim that challenging activities should be separated by gender. Your response should include one argument supporting mixed-gender opportunities, one concern that critics might raise, and a practical rule that could help all participants feel safe and respected. Use evidence from the scouting story to support your reasoning.

4. PRESIDENT ORDERS WARNING SIGNS AT HISTORY MUSEUM

President Trump ordered warning signs and temporary exhibits to be placed outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. He and his supporters argue that the museum focuses too heavily on the nation’s failures and does not celebrate its founders and achievements enough. Museum director Anthea Hartig says that adding overlooked people, objects, and evidence does not erase traditional history but makes the national story more complete. Critics of the order worry that political leaders are trying to control an independent cultural institution and shape how history is presented. Supporters say the federal government should oversee a museum that receives public funding and ensure that its exhibits are accurate. The dispute raises a larger question about who should decide which voices, events, and interpretations belong in a national museum. Many museums try to present history from different points of view. Choose one event in American history that you have studied. Explain how two different groups of people may have experienced that event differently. Then write a short paragraph explaining why including multiple perspectives can help visitors better understand the past, even when people disagree about how history should be presented.

5. FEDERAL ENERGY GRANTS CANCELED USING POLITICAL CRITERIA

Federal officials acknowledged in court documents that the Trump administration canceled more than $7.5 billion in clean-energy grants based mainly on whether states supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and had Democratic senators. The administration had originally described the cancellations as an effort to prevent wasteful spending. However, the court filing stated that the selected grants were not canceled because of cost, performance, or problems with the projects themselves. Projects in Republican-led states were often left untouched, even when the Energy Department had also recommended canceling them. Critics argue that federal money approved by Congress should not be used to reward political allies or punish opponents. Administration officials maintain that elected presidents should have greater control over grants so that spending matches their policies and priorities. Create a fairness test for government grant decisions. Develop four questions officials should have to answer before canceling public funding, such as whether the project is effective, legal, affordable, or being judged by the same rules as similar projects. Then apply your test to the energy grants in this story and write a short conclusion explaining which information would be needed to determine whether the process was fair.