1. OLYMPIC HOCKEY ARENAS READY JUST IN TIME

The main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics was still being completed right up to the moment it was scheduled to open, with workers finishing details behind the scenes as concessions and walkways were readied for fans. A second rink nearby was built as a temporary structure, with added supports and insulation to make it functional for a short Olympic window. Officials and staff acknowledged that the construction timeline felt uncomfortably tight, and the ice crew described how recently the area was still muddy and unfinished. Players who practiced there said the ice was not perfect but was playable, and they emphasized that different rinks always feel different, especially during major events that are built quickly and used heavily. The story highlights how the Olympics often depend on last-minute problem-solving, and how athletes are expected to adapt to conditions that are not always ideal. Write a short analysis in one paragraph that explains what this story suggests about the relationship between planning and improvisation in large global events. Use at least two specific details to show why the situation created risk or uncertainty, and use at least one detail to show how organizers reduced that risk or managed the pressure. End by explaining whether you think “ready just in time” is a sign of success or a warning sign, and why.

2. BAD BUNNY’S HALFTIME SHOW TURNS CULTURE INTO A STATEMENT

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show centered Puerto Rican culture, using imagery, music, language, and set design to tell a story about identity, history, and resilience on one of the biggest stages in U.S. entertainment. He performed in Spanish, referenced Puerto Rican traditions and community life, and used symbols connected to the island’s political status and ongoing struggles, including blackouts and debates over autonomy. The performance also connected Puerto Rico’s local culture to a broader idea of “America” as a region that includes many countries, not only the United States. Guest moments, including Lady Gaga’s appearance and the use of familiar songs and settings, helped bridge audiences while keeping the show’s focus on Puerto Rican pride. Choose one specific moment or symbol from the performance description, such as the sugar cane fields, the flags, the blackout imagery, or the language choices, and write a paragraph explaining what you think it was meant to communicate. In your response, explain how that choice could affect different audiences, including viewers who understand Puerto Rico’s history and viewers who do not. End by arguing whether the Super Bowl halftime stage is an appropriate place for cultural and political messaging, and support your claim with reasoning tied to this example.

3. RARE REPUBLICAN PUSHBACK FOLLOWS TRUMP’S RACIST SOCIAL MEDIA POST

President Donald Trump faced uncommon public criticism from Republican lawmakers after sharing a video on social media that included a racist image depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as primates. During Trump’s second term, Republicans have largely avoided criticizing him openly, but the post prompted swift condemnation from members of both parties, including several GOP senators and representatives who urged its removal and, in some cases, an apology. Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, called the image deeply racist, while others labeled it unacceptable and offensive regardless of intent. The White House offered shifting explanations for how the video was shared, eventually saying it had been posted by a staffer and removed once concerns were raised. The episode revealed that while Trump retains strong support within his party, there are moments when public pressure and bipartisan backlash can briefly disrupt that pattern. Write a political analysis paragraph examining why Republican criticism in this case mattered more than similar backlash from Democrats alone. In your response, explain how party loyalty usually shapes public reactions to presidential behavior and why breaking that pattern can signal political risk. Use specific examples of Republican responses described here to support your analysis. Conclude by explaining whether you think this moment represents a lasting boundary on acceptable conduct or a temporary exception, and justify your answer.

4. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE’S MOTHER’S DISAPPEARANCE CONTINUES

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a short video message that appeared directed at someone claiming to have kidnapped their mother, Nancy Guthrie, promising to pay for her safe return. Authorities have said they do not know if she is alive, and they have not publicly identified a suspect, even as the case draws international attention because of Savannah Guthrie’s public profile. The family’s wording and tone shifted over time, and experts noted that changes in what families say publicly can reflect evolving fears, investigative strategy, or uncertainty about the authenticity of messages. The story also explains why vague public statements can sometimes be intentional, especially if investigators are unsure whether ransom notes are real or are being sent by someone who does not actually have the missing person. The situation shows how high-profile cases can become both an investigation and a public performance shaped by media, fear, and limited information. Write a short media-ethics decision in one paragraph as if you are an editor deciding whether to publish details from an alleged ransom message. In your response, explain two reasons publishing could help the investigation or public safety and two reasons it could increase harm or interfere with law enforcement. End by stating what rule you would set for your newsroom about what to publish and what to withhold in cases involving possible kidnapping.

5. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WALK AWAY AFTER WASHINGTON HALTS INVESTIGATION INTO RENEE GOOD’S KILLING

After Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration agent in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors in Minnesota initially moved to open a standard civil rights investigation into whether the use of force was lawful. A warrant had been approved to collect evidence from Ms. Good’s vehicle, but senior officials in Washington ordered investigators to stop, citing concerns that such an inquiry would contradict President Trump’s public claims that Ms. Good had attacked the agent. Justice Department leaders instead pushed prosecutors to pursue alternative investigations focused on Ms. Good or her partner, a shift that many career lawyers viewed as legally questionable and politically driven. In protest, at least a dozen experienced prosecutors resigned or departed, leaving the U.S. attorney’s office severely understaffed and struggling to manage complex criminal cases alongside a surge of immigration-related litigation. The episode has raised alarms among legal experts and local officials about political interference, prosecutorial independence, and the long-term damage to federal law enforcement capacity in Minnesota. Write an opinion article that examines how political pressure can shape legal decision-making without changing the law itself. Explain how the decision to halt the civil rights investigation altered the course of events and predict one short-term consequence and one long-term consequence of prosecutors leaving an office in large numbers.