News Archive

The Clark Memorial Bridge, spanning the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana, stands as both a vital transportation artery and a symbol of connection between two states. However, its history is marked by a series of challenges, including structural issues and recent accidents that have raised concerns about its safety and reliability.

The Clark Memorial Bridge was designed by Ralph Modjeski and Frank Masters. The construction company that took the job for $4.7 million was the American Bridge company of Pittsburgh and construction started in June of 1928 and officially opened on October 31st, 1929. It was originally intended to serve as a toll bridge, but it's changed. 

Even starting from the construction of the bridge there have been tragedies. 2 construction workers passed away while working on the bridge, one from being struck by an iron crank, and the other from falling off the bridge.

Over time, the bridge has started to show wear. One significant challenge was the bridge's narrow lanes and outdated design, which made it increasingly difficult to accommodate the growing volume of traffic. As a result, congestion became a common occurrence, leading to delays and frustrations for commuters and travelers. Additionally, the aging infrastructure of the bridge posed safety concerns, prompting officials to implement weight restrictions and conduct regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite these measures, the bridge continued to face scrutiny for its deteriorating condition and the need for extensive repairs.

The most recent incident involving the Clark Memorial Bridge occurred on March 1st, 2024, when a car stalled out in the southbound lane. A pickup truck hit the car and was sent into the northbound lane. Then, a semi truck hit the pickup and was sent flying off the ledge of the bridge. In the aftermath of the crash, many who were taking the bridge called authorities and they swiftly responded to secure the scene and assess the extent of the damage. Temporary measures were put in place to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, while engineers conducted thorough inspections to determine the structural integrity of the bridge.

Ultimately, the recent crash served as a wake-up call for communities on both sides of the Ohio River, highlighting the importance of investing in the upkeep and modernization of vital infrastructure assets. While the Clark Memorial Bridge has faced its share of obstacles throughout its history, including structural deficiencies and recent accidents, it remains a vital link between Kentucky and Indiana. By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing proactive solutions, communities can ensure that this historic landmark continues to serve as a symbol of connection and progress well into the future.

On April 8, 2024, people all over the country will travel to the 15 US states that are in the path of totality to view the longest total eclipse ever in the United States. This year’s eclipse will sweep over much of the southern and eastern parts of the US, while spanning the distance of North America, Mexico, America, and Canada.

The previous total eclipse in 2017 lasted about 2 minutes and 40 seconds for people in the path of totality—and this year, that time will double, with anyone in the path of totality being able to experience the eclipse for nearly 4 minutes and 30 seconds. What makes this one so special, and will cause eclipse-viewers from all over the world to flock to the path of totality, is that after April 8th, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States won’t be until 2044.

A few eclipses may happen in the course of a year, but a total solar eclipse only happens every several years—this is when the Moon completely covers the Sun as it passes between the Earth and the Sun. An annular eclipse, which takes place more frequently, however, occurs when the Moon is farthest from Earth, and while it passes between the Earth and the Sun, it partially blocks the Sun. This type of eclipse is not as special as the total solar eclipse, because the distance between the Earth and the Moon creates a view of the outer ring of the Sun to still be visible.

There are five stages of a total solar eclipse: partial eclipse, shadow bands, Baily’s beads, diamond ring, and finally, totality. Each stage is distinguished by its unique sights and position of the Moon relative to the Sun. In the partial eclipse stage, the Moon has not yet completely covered the Sun, leaving a crescent shape that is visible. The next stage leaves a phenomenon known as “shadow bands” to scatter across the ground. These are thin, rapidly moving, darkened “bands” that appear due to the refraction of light by the Earth’s atmospheric winds, which cause the Sun’s light source to be reduced so significantly that it casts shadows on the ground. During the third stage, “Baily’s beads” begin to appear, which are small dots of light that shine around the edges of the Moon as it passes over the Sun. However, because these beads are very small and only last for a short amount of time, they are not usually noticeable. In preparation for the last stage, totality, a fourth stage occurs where only a large bright spot peaks out behind the cover of the Moon. This creates an eponymous “diamond ring” effect that is visible right before totality. Lastly, the totality stage. This stage is where the Moon fully eclipses the Sun and usually lasts for a couple minutes. During this stage, the temperature drops, the sky is darkened, and a quiet moment settles among the viewers.

Many families are buying safe solar viewing glasses to watch the eclipse outside, and others who don’t want to travel can watch the eclipse from their TV. Safety for eclipse viewing is very important, because, without glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard, consequences such as blindness, retinal burns, distorted vision, and other harmful effects on vision could occur. These glasses must be worn during all five stages of the solar eclipse. Correct, safe glasses for viewing the solar eclipse can be bought from many stores, but make sure they comply with the government-approved standard of ISO 12312-2 requirements before purchasing.

For people in Kentucky, this eclipse will be a sight to see as we are one of the 15 states in the narrow path of totality, where you can see the Sun fully eclipsed by the Moon. This will no doubt be a revenue generator for many states as people swarm to view the wondrous spectacle. 

Considering that nearly 31 million people already live within the path of totality, many living in nearby states will travel the short distance just to see the eclipse, and some from even further states. The combined cost of travel, buying solar eclipse glasses, and other tourist attractions, will be a major money-maker for states. This was shown after the 2017 eclipse when the heightened tourism levels and cost for traveling brought in about 63.5 million dollars.

Since Kentucky is one of the states in the path of totality, not only will the 2024 total eclipse be a great way to give money back to the state, but also a chance to showcase the area and what the state has to offer.

The 2024 total solar eclipse will truly be a magnificent sight, especially for those living in Kentucky and in the path of totality. It will be something people remember for years to come, and not something to miss, especially since the next total eclipse in the U.S. isn’t for another 20 years.

Senate Bill 93 has recently gained traction in Kentucky, backed by mostly Republican lawmakers. This bill threatens programs that make schools more inclusive and accepting. This bill was introduced to Kentucky Senate Committees on January 8th, 2024, but its contents are similar to bills have already been passed in Florida and Texas.

Senate Bill 93 has four main sponsors; Stephan Merideth, Gary Boswell, Donald Douglas and Lindsey Tichenor. Email and contact information for each legislator can be found on their individual bio pages on legislator.ky.gov

The Kentucky General Assembly writes in the summary of Senate Bill 93, “to prohibit public school districts and schools from expending any resources or funds on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging or political or social activism; prohibit public school districts from engaging in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging”. This bill will be limiting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts and will ultimately hurt JCPS students. This bill has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee, where it awaits a hearing.

 This act threatens Black Student Unions and other racial equity programs that have been implemented in Kentucky. WLKY says in a news article, “BSU is meant to empower students through school events such as cultural fairs spotlighting Black businesses or community projects that address the food desert in west Louisville.” Some of these programs were a part of the  racial equity plan, initiated in 2020 to ensure that difficult conversations around current events such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd would continue outside, as well as within, school walls. It was a real step forward for Kentucky.

 This bill prevents public school resources from being spent on any activity intended to achieve a result related to social issues, which includes programs like BSU.  This legislation can seriously hurt students who rely on support from school-sanctioned communities and events. In the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an essay was written by Tiffanie Harrison, Micah Moore, Brian Rogers, Ashley Booker, Miyah Smith, & Myisha Rono, saying “[in the BSU,] time is also taken to discuss hot topics like colorism, code-switching, police brutality, and interracial dating. As well, space is carved out to discuss current events in which the media criminalizes, marginalizes, and criticizes Black men and women of all ages, thus traumatizing a whole community.” These important topics are necessary in schools to create a safe space that empowers students. 

 JCPS students have even recently crowded at the capital, rallying against a few different bills, including Senate Bill 93 and the CROWN Act. Hannah Pinksi, a reporter with the Courier-Journal writes, “Moria Harris… student at Fern Creek High School, said it was important for her to show up to the rally because the Black Student Union lets her use her voice and express her opinions in a comfortable setting. We’re just here to let our voice be heard and show them that our history shouldn’t be erased...”

Janelle Pitmon, Brown School senior, is a board member of BSU and feels strongly about Senate Bill 93. “To my knowledge, it’s a flat out attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in JCPS. We wouldn’t be able to have a DEI department or DEI training in JCPS, and I’ve heard that we wouldn’t be allowed to have organizations like the BSU and ASA either, which is very concerning.”

On February 28th, 2024, rapper Jack Harlow announced his festival called Gazebo Fest. He's making a stop in Louisville, Kentucky, featuring headliners including himself and many more musical talents on May 25th and 26th. However, once tickets were released many Louisville citizens became outraged.

Here in Louisville, Jack Harlow is very popular. He was born and raised in Louisville and went to Atherton High School. His career started in 2015 when he released a CD titled “Rippin’ and Rappin’” with a friend from high school. This caused him to gain some traction so he then proceeded to release his first mixtape “Extra Credit, Mr. Harlow.” Ever since then he has continued making music and has become a hit, especially in his hometown, which he frequently visits.

 In the Louisville area, we've grown a reputation for music festivals that are very popular. Our best-known are Louder than Life, Bourbon and  Beyond, and Forecastle. All these festivals take place over the course of a few days and include different musical performers. World-loved artist SZA is co-headlining with Jack Harlow. 17 other artists including PinkPantheress, BNYX, Omar Apollo, and more will also be performing. 

When the event was announced, many saw that some of their favorite artists would be attending and became interested and signed up for presale tickets which were to go on sale March 6th, 2024, at 10 am. The day came and many logged on at around 9:40-9:50 to find their presale codes. Then, once tickets went on sale the price immediately went up from the original $255 for one general admission ticket for both days of the festival, to $315. Brown School Freshman and Jack Harlow fan, Cora Cash, who had intentions of purchasing tickets, logged on to try to purchase them and faced difficulties. 

When she officially got in to purchase tickets the prices had increased by almost $100 within minutes. “I think it’s ridiculous. Harlow needs to realize his audience and somewhat accommodate that if he wants an audience for this festival. He has prices set the same or higher than general admission weekend passes for Forecastle, Bourbon and Beyond, and Louder Than Life and at least those festivals have hundreds of artists performing across many days. It’s also ridiculous that he didn’t give the option for single day passes; not everyone wants to go both days or can afford to. It’s a huge deal that artists like SZA, PinkPantheress, and Omar Apollo are coming to Louisville. Everyone was so excited that we were getting the chance to see them but also very disappointed in the high prices and poor options.” 

Although Gazebo Fest is an event that was highly anticipated, many are outraged at pricing and the difficulties with purchasing tickets. Some, though irritated by the pricing, still felt like they were worth purchasing and bought them. It has caused a debate and many are complaining through the social media announcement of the festival, or through Jack Harlow’s Instagram DMs and comments. What was originally supposed to be an entertaining new event for Louisville caused citizens to be outraged and launched a debate over ticket pricing.

Nikki Haley dropped out of the presidential race after losing the primaries on March 5th, making a statement the day after. She was the first significant candidate to oppose Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination, but won only two out of fifteen states on Super Tuesday: Vermont and D.C. 

Most don’t know a lot about Haley, other than the fact she’s running for president. Haley is married to Micheal Haley who is currently deployed in Africa after serving in South Carolina Army National Guard. Nikki Haley has a long history of politics after going from the 116th Governor of South Carolina (2011-2017), to the 29th U.S Ambassador to the United Nations (January 2017-December 2018). She ran for president alongside Joe Biden and Trump, with the campaign slogan “Stand for America.” In 2016, she was considered as a candidate to serve as Trump’s vice president, but she turned it down saying she had no interest in the position. 

In her speech officially stating that she would be dropping out, she didn’t endorse Trump, but rather, she stated that “It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the vote – those in our party and beyond it, who did not support him. And I hope he does that.” Some have speculated that her speech leaves room for her to promote Trump in the future. 

In her speech she also critiqued the former president’s isolationist policies, “Our world is on fire because of America’s retreat,” she said, then went on to say “Standing by our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan is a moral imperative. But it’s also more than that. If we retreat further, there will be more war, not less.”

Despite her grace while speaking about Trump during her speech, he has made many remarks about her, including mocking her birth name on social media as her parents are immigrants from India. He made claims that she wasn’t eligible for the  presidency because her parents are immigrants. In a statement she made in New Hampshire, she said “I’ll let people decide what he means by his attacks, what we know is, look, he’s clearly insecure if he goes and does these temper tantrums, if he’s spending millions of dollars on TV. He’s insecure, he knows that something’s wrong.”

Girl Scout Cookies went back on sale in January and will be sold through April with this year's theme “Unbox the Future '' which “aims to remove social barriers that often keep girls boxed in,” as stated on the Girl Scouts’ official website. If you don’t know any Girl Scouts, you can order cookies to be delivered to your house starting February 16.

The Girl Scouts have been selling cookies since 1917, five years after their initial establishment, and have been very successful with a large collection of flavors such as Thin Mints, Samoas, Caramel deLites, Do-Si-Dos, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Tagalongs, Peanut Butter Patties, Toast-Yay, Trefoils, and Adventurefuls. 

Generations have grown up with buying and selling the cookies as a core memory and part of their childhood. In an interview with Kaileigh Chesman, a junior at the Brown School, she stated “Growing up, I remember most of my friends were selling cookies and those who weren’t were all begging their parents for money to take to school to buy some.” 

“I remember being super jealous of all my friends involved because it always seemed so cool,” she said.

The Girl Scouts don’t just sell cookies, they provide support and a community for girls all across America. I talked to Manual freshman Addison Jones about her experience in the Girl Scouts. “It made me connect more with myself; I remember being really happy when I was there, and I made a lot of friends,” she said. Jones isn’t a part of the group anymore, but is still close with most of the girls she met in her time there. 

The Girl Scouts help make memories for kids, whether or not they were a part of it, and hopefully will continue to this season. 

On Wednesday January 31st, a group of social media CEOs from Meta, TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X (formerly Twitter), were questioned by Congress regarding the potential risks their platforms pose to young users. The executives testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the trial was marked by emotional moments, apologies, and tough interrogations by senators. People directly impacted by social media-related harm played a significant role, contributing to the hearing through applause, laughter, hisses, and moments of silence.

This unique aspect caused tension and seemingly influenced lawmakers' critical stance toward the CEOs. Apologies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel directly addressed the affected families, expressing regret for the hardships they endured and pledging continued industry-wide efforts to prevent such tragedies.

 In response, Senator Josh Hawley urged Zuckerberg to financially compensate families affected by his platforms. Senator Marsha Blackburn confronted Zuckerberg with internal Meta documents stating the company values the lifetime worth of a teen user at $270, showing disbelief at such a perspective. Blackburn acknowledged a group of youth advocates in the audience who, upon standing, revealed T-shirts stating, "I am worth more than $270." In a tense exchange, Blackburn asserted, "Children are not your priority. Children are your product." Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy criticized Meta platforms, describing them as a "killing field of information" where users only see one side of issues. He questioned Zuckerberg about user data monetization and humorously commented on the user agreement's quality. 

Zuckerberg defended the understanding of social media basics and acknowledged tracking non-Facebook users, leading Kennedy to think about the balance between technology and humanity. Senator Amy Klobuchar mentioned stories of parents whose children suffered harm on social media, emphasizing the need for legislative action after decades of "double talk."

The hearing also focused on attacking TikTok CEO Shou Chew about the platform’s connections to China, exploring its ties to ByteDance and a possible influence from the Chinese government. Chew was questioned about the timing of his appointment coinciding with a Chinese investment in ByteDance. The following highlighted bipartisan concerns among lawmakers about social media's impact on society. 

Klobuchar stated, "I'm weary of this. It's been 28 years since the inception of the internet, and despite numerous discussions, bills remain unpassed due to pervasive double talk. It's high time to enact them.”

During the hearing, TikTok CEO Shou Chew faced intense scrutiny regarding the platform's ties to China through parent company ByteDance. Chew explained to Senator Tom Cotton that his appointment as CEO coincided with a Chinese investment in ByteDance, downplaying it as a mere coincidence. Under questioning from Senator Ted Cruz, Chew initially referred to the 1989 Tiananmen Square events as a "massive protest," omitting the subsequent violent government crackdown. Later, he acknowledged the events as a massacre and emphasized TikTok's allowance of content related to Tiananmen Square, even though the platform operates outside China. While TikTok does not function within China, its parent company distributes a very similar app, Douyin.

In late January, an elderly man, whose name has not been released to the public, passed away after contracting AlaskaPox, a virus discovered in 2015 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

There have only been seven reported cases, but Alaska health officials believe that this is the first fatality from the virus, mainly due to the patient being immunocompromised from previous cancer treatments. So far, there have been no reported cases outside of the state. 

So what is AlaskaPox? It’s an orthopoxvirus, like smallpox and monkeypox, that affects all mammals. Its main symptom is skin lesions that somewhat resemble spider bites, but patients also experience swollen lymph nodes and joint or muscle pain. Because there are so few cases it’s hard to observe how it spreads, but from what evidence we do have officials think that the disease is spread from a couple of native Fairbanks species: red-backed voles and shrews. From there the virus is spread to housepets and then to humans.

As stated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist Julia Rogers, "Orthopoxviruses are zoonotic viruses, meaning that they circulate primarily within animal populations with spill over into humans occasionally.”

As of right now, the CDC does not consider this to be a serious public health issue as the virus is confined to Alaska and so few cases have been reported. Compared to other outbreaks of orthopoxviruses like smallpox, which is reported to have amassed 300-500 million deaths worldwide, it’s not a threat, but those living or planning to vacation in Alaska should be cautious and take precautions such as washing hands frequently, being aware of your surroundings, and seeing a doctor right away if lesions or any other symptoms are present.

This spring is bound to bring new opportunities and leadership roles for our student body with the opening of The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA). This club is important within Kentucky schools to give students another chance to learn about cultures outside of the basic knowledge that's taught in schools. KUNA provides students the unique opportunity to think globally and critically as they learn more about other countries and cultures.The experience not only will immerse youth in foreign affairs but will also look appealing to many colleges because of how globally inclined they become. 

KUNA or the Kentucky United Nations Assembly is a program run by the YMCA. The 3 day “experiential-learning” program is a simulation of international democracy. Students get to pick a country and will find a solution to a relevant problem. At the Assembly, the groups will present their solution with other “countries'' (schools) and converse among each other.

Our Brown School KUNA team is representing Chile in this year's assembly, which takes place from March 24th through the 26th. They will be looking at ways to limit and decrease reincarceration rates by providing an “incentive” program for some criminals. This idea will both positively affect the inmate/offender by giving them the incentive to stay out of jail, but will also positively affect the government as the goal of having less inmates in turn reduces the amount of money spent on prisons. This would improve living conditions in prisons as they would be less crowded and would have more money to spend on more nutritious food and other necessities like medical resources. 

The assembly also brings opportunities for adults to get involved in their community and students learning as the YMCA provides volunteering opportunities. As a volunteer for the assembly you would be “supporting the debates, helping enrich cultural opportunities, taking on fun time, and assisting with other conference set-up activities,” as stated on The YMCA Kuna website. Different roles including welcome support, merchandise sales, committee support, set up support and others all provide people within the community to get involved hands-on with the students' learning and experience.

The Grammy Awards is a highly anticipated event that takes place each year, where the world's most popular and favorite artists are nominated into different musical categories and voted upon. Millions of viewers watch the Awards from the comfort of their own homes on their TVs, and some watch live at the event.

It all started back in 1959, when the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) decided to create an award to recognize artists for their musical excellence. Since then, the Grammys have become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated music events. It's a night where artists from different genres come together to celebrate their talent and creativity.

This year, the Recording Academy dropped the number of fields on the ballot from 26 to 11. This was to make it so that the voters have more flexibility when choosing their winners. The ballot of voters take the nominees from each category and vote on who they believe should win. There are many categories for the award show including best rap album, album of the year, best song, new artist, rap song, rock album, and more. The wide range of categories is great because there are so many types of music and artistry, allowing many different artists the chance to win a grammy. 

At the 2024 Grammys, fan favorite artists were chosen to be nominated. These include SZA, Lana Del Rey, Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Laufey, Gracie Abrams, Coco Jones, Fred Again, Miley Cyrus, and many more. These nominations are chosen by only the quality of music; popularity, sales, and social statuses are not taken into account, with the goal of making everything fair. However, Brown School student Mirabell Johnson stated “I don’t know if the voting is always necessarily fair. Sometimes it feels like the most popular artists win so it doesn’t cause a debate instead of basing it on talent.”

February 4th, 2024 starting at 8 pm at the Crypto Arena, the celebrities start to walk the red carpet showing off their outfits specifically styled to them. Johnson also stated “My favorite parts of the grammys are always the outfits and watching the celebrities walk the carpet.” Then, as all the guests enter the theater, they are greeted with an illuminated stage and designated seating. Once the award show began, the host Trevor Noah opened up the show. As it continued, celebrity performances were shown alongside the awards being presented. 

The Grammys is a heavily anticipated event each year and will continue to be for years to come. The 2024 Grammys have already passed, but we can look forward to next year's!

Since October, there has been a crisis in the Red Sea involving the Houthi movement. The Houthis have been at the center of controversy because of their strikes against cargo ships and tankers. Responding to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis initiated the launch of drones and missiles toward Israel, with a majority intercepted. 

Identifying themselves as part of the Iranian-led “resistance" against Israel, the US, and the broader Western world, they align with armed groups like Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement. Officially known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), the group originated in the 1990s under the leadership of its late founder, Hussein al-Houthi, and is currently led by his brother, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

On November 19th they seized a commercial ship in the Red Sea and subsequently targeted over two dozen others using drones, missiles, and speed boats. The Houthis claim to be aiming at ships associated with Israel in ownership, flag, or operation, or those heading to Israeli ports. However, numerous attacked vessels have no ties to Israel. Notably, a British-linked tanker was targeted by the Houthis, who cited it as a response to "American-British aggression". US-led naval forces have successfully thwarted many of these attacks. Due to escalating risks, major shipping companies have opted to avoid the Red Sea, a route through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade typically passes, choosing instead to navigate a much longer route around southern Africa. 

In the early 2000s, the Houthis engaged in a series of rebellions against Yemen's long-time authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, seeking greater autonomy for their homeland in northern Yemen. Recently, the Red Sea has become a focal point of geopolitical tension due to Houthi militants targeting commercial vessels, with over 33 reported attacks since November 19, 2023. These disruptions pose a threat to a vital maritime route crucial for a significant portion of global container traffic and over one trillion dollars in annual merchandise. In response, Operations Prosperity Guardian and Aspis, led by the US and EU, aim to safeguard navigation and trade flows, though challenges persist from the Houthis' use of drones, missiles, and advanced vessel tracking capabilities.

Yemen's Houthis announced that they would only reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea if Israel ceased its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip. When questioned about the possibility of halting attacks in the event of a ceasefire deal, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam informed Reuters that a reassessment would occur if the siege of Gaza ceased, allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid.

"There will be no halt to any operations benefiting the Palestinian people unless Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege come to an end," he stated, anticipating new reports of another suspected attack. On Tuesday, a Marshall Islands-flagged Greek-owned bulk carrier reported a missile hitting the water near the ship, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey. The incident occurred northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, with the crew reported safe and proceeding to the next port of call. 

The escalating risks have led major shipping companies to divert from the Red Sea, impacting a crucial maritime route for global trade. Operations Prosperity Guardian and Aspis aim to address these challenges, highlighting the geopolitical tension and economic ramifications of Houthi activities in the region.

Here in Kentucky, a new bill has been introduced that would ban the usage of cell phones in Kentucky classrooms. This has raised many concerns and questions from students, staff, and parents. 

The bill was filed by Josh Bray, a Republican from Rockcastle County. He got the idea when he attended his son's basketball games and started a discussion with a teacher. The teacher brought up the point that when he's teaching he feels as though it is a battle to get students to pay attention and that they are too distracted to focus. That is when he realized he wanted a change, so he filed Bill 383. This bill would direct school districts to prohibit phone usage in the classrooms with the exception of children with medical needs or disabilities.

This bill being introduced has caused much debate in the Kentucky area. Some believe that the bill would be good and that the children need to fully focus on their education, while others have opposing views on the bill. Nowadays, teens and many adults tend to be addicted to their screens. During school hours, when a student has a cell phone, they will most likely be tempted to scroll. However this causes issues with their focus and concentration. “As a teenager, I also have a tendency to stay up late at night scrolling not realizing how it will affect me at school.” Brown School student Chase Taylor Sharpe stated. This is why some are siding with the bill.

Others believe that even though cell phones and screen time can have a negative impact on students' learning, they feel that completely forbing the usage of cell phones in classrooms or schools is a bad idea. Brown school 9th grader Ella Kozoll says, “I take a bus home sometimes, and we go to school downtown you never know what may happen. I don’t feel great about not having my phone on me. I feel as though there are better alternatives.” Throughout the years, events have taken place that causes schools to go into lockdown. People believe that in the possibility this will happen, not having their phone sparks many problems. Not being able to keep up with the news to see what is happening, as well as not being able to contact parents. Transportation is also an issue, whether you take a bus or are picked up by your parents or friends, there could be an issue where a phone is needed to contact someone.

Seeing as there are both negatives and positives to this bill, the country is torn. But to get the best of both worlds, there are alternatives that have been suggested. Instead of forbidding phones in the classroom, teachers can start off by allowing students to have them on them but not use them. Designated phone breaks have also been requested by students. And if that causes an issue, a bin that stays with the teacher where phones would be put and given back at the end of class would make it so students will not be distracted by their devices, but so they are easily accessible and can be used during breaks. So even though there has been a debate, there are resolutions that can make it workable on both ends that have been suggested and are being discussed.

Travis Scott, the renowned rapper and performer, is set to continue on his groundbreaking Circus Maximus tour in 2024, promising an immersive and electrifying experience for fans worldwide. Among the anticipated stops is the vibrant city of Louisville, where fans are gearing up for an unforgettable night filled with music, energy and a guaranteed fun experience. 

Scott's 2024 tour comes on the heels of his critically acclaimed album releases, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in the music industry. As he gears up to hit the road, fans are buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating the chance to witness the live rendition of his chart-topping hits.

Louisville, with its rich cultural history and passionate music scene, is an ideal destination for Travis Scott to captivate fans with his dynamic stage presence and unparalleled energy. The anticipation is palpable as the city braces itself for an influx of fans eager to be a part of the Astroworld experience.

The venue chosen for the Louisville leg of the tour, the Cardinal Stadium, is poised to be a hotspot for music enthusiasts. As concertgoers flock to witness Travis Scott's performance, the venue's atmosphere is sure to be electric, creating memories that will resonate with fans for years to come.

Scott's ability to seamlessly blend various musical elements, coupled with his innovative stage setups, promises a concert experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Attendees can expect a multisensory journey, complete with pulsating beats, striking visuals, and an overall immersive production that defines the Astroworld experience.

Ticket sales for Travis Scott's 2024 tour in Louisville are skyrocketing, reinforcing the artist's enduring appeal and the excitement surrounding his live performances. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early to ensure they don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness Travis Scott's musical prowess up close.

As the tour dates draw nearer, the city of Louisville is gearing up to welcome fans from all walks of life, creating a melting pot of energy and enthusiasm. The convergence of diverse fans united by their love for Travis Scott's music is a testament to the artist's ability to connect with a broad audience.

In conclusion, Travis Scott's 2024 tour promises to be a highlight in Louisville's cultural calendar, bringing together music enthusiasts for a night of unparalleled entertainment. As the city prepares to be swept away by the Astroworld experience, one thing is certain – Travis Scott's visit to Louisville will leave an indelible mark on the hearts of fans, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

This year, the J. Graham Brown School’s Black History Month program, presented by the BSU, will be held on February 23rd. 

Janelle Pitmon, senior at the J. Graham Brown School, has been a part of the Black Student Union since she was in 6th grade. She is currently a board member for the Black History Month program because she has been so involved. When asked how she felt presenting this year's program, she said she is excited to see it all come together because of the rewarding feeling that she gets after all of the hard work and dedication is put into the program.  

The whole month of February is dedicated to Black history and the hardships and triumphs that the community has gone through to obtain basic human rights that they had struggled to get since our nation was born. Black History Month originated in 1926 by the “father of black history” Carter G. Woodson. He had originally only planned for it to be a week long, to teach people about the achievements and culture of Black people. By the late 60s the week-long celebration was turned into Black History Month. 

Throughout the month, we get to celebrate the names of many pioneers that paved the way for black youth to succeed and accomplish all of the amazing things they're capable of doing. For example, we acknowledge activists such as Malcom X, athletes like Simone Biles, and politicians like Barack Obama. 

Teaching the youth about the month and the significance of celebrating Black history is very important to prepare culturally and globally competent youth. As the youth grows a sense of the world and our history, being capable of acknowledging the importance of things like how the community has grown and the culture during the oppression they faced is very important. 

Black history and struggle is something that will forever be a part of America and its story, as the community is still facing discrimination, profiling, and racism. Names like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King are taught at a young age, and it's not until you're older and you hear names like George Floyd and Emmett Till that you get to see the real travesty that fighting for Black rights was. 

As a school, our student body should be very proud and appreciative of the Black Student Union and the important message they bring to our school every year. 

On Wednesday, January 11, the Republican primary debate between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis engaged in their most confrontational exchange, focusing on each other rather than the absent front-runner, Donald Trump. The two candidates traded accusations of lying, insulted each other's records and character, and delved into policy ideas, showcasing themselves as strong alternatives to the former president. Their distinct viewpoints on issues spanning from foreign policy to abortion, were evident less than a week before the start of the Republican primary process in Iowa. 

It’s uncertain whether the debate could significantly influence a race largely overshadowed by Trump. Meanwhile, Trump, enjoying the spotlight at a separate Fox News event in Des Moines, hinted at his potential running mate without much challenge. Several times throughout the debate Haley and DeSantis would attack Trump over empty promises like the wall he wanted to build. Haley also brought up DeSantis spending millions on plane rides to campaign events and wanting to raise the debt ceiling. 

Outside of the debate, Haley shocked the media with a bizarre statement she made about retirement ages, saying it was “too low” for younger people in their 20’s and should be pushed from 65 to 70 years. Her reasoning for it was to match the life expectancy and people in Trump's party wanting to push Medicaid to 80 years old from 62.  A Trump ad said that 82% of people wouldn’t receive social security if Haley established her plan. But that isn’t true; what she said was taken out of context. It would only affect younger people, since the majority of the US isn't eligible for Social Security. Based on the 2022 census, it would only affect 26% of the population many years from now.

Though Trump has said many things, some untrue, he remains the number one candidate for the Republican primary after Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out Jan 15th, and DeSantis on the 21st, leaving Haley and Trump still in the running for the nomination.

On Thursday, November 18th, LMPD Community Engagement officer Charles Bradley visited the Brown School. This gave students the opportunity to discuss gun violence in Louisville with the well-versed officer.

Through Louisville's new Crime Dashboard we were able to analyze crime based on location and severity, discovering that homicides are down 50% this year so far. Long before 2020 gun violence was an issue, as officer Bradley says, the youth had to “choose life.” This new online, real-time crime dashboard marks homicides as well as non-fatal shootings dating back to 2020. LMPD hopes the dashboard will aid the public and community organizations in combating gun violence. 

While officer Bradley was in the Brown School, we were able to narrow down the data into 10 zip codes, and further narrow the results by specifying the type of crime, neighborhood, council district, and even the police division that responded. Louisville Metro Gun Violence Dashboard has been a year-long project between the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and Louisville Metro Police Department, according to a news release. It is funded by a $100,000 national grant from Everytown for Safety Support Fund as well as other private funding.

During the interview, Brown School  students had the chance to ask insightful questions. Officer Bradley began by explaining the moral compass that each officer should uphold, and after 2020 there are new programs attempting to implement the moral compass. Your moral compass is your personal set of beliefs and values regarding right and wrong. Having a moral compass is important to ensure officers are following their code of conduct and policing ethically. When discussing corrupt officers, it is important to study the moral compass as a partial solution. Holding LMPD accountable is a top priority and implementing a definite moral compass is an easy way to do that.

It is clear after this interview that since 2020 many things have changed, been added, and been removed from LMPD’s protocol.  One aspect that has been changed in the LMPD is the CID (Criminal Interdiction Division) unit, previously known as the VIPER unit, has begun focusing on tackling violent crime as opposed to drugs and guns.  The CID unit is split into five categories, and the Major Case Unit is the previous unit that had endless complaints of corruption. Another change in the LMPD is a program that has recently been implemented called GREAT. GREAT stands for Gang Resistance Education And Training, a program targeting 4th, 5th and 6th graders. This outreach program teaches students how to avoid participation in violence, bullying, and gangs that could eventually lead to gun violence.

LMPD has undergone serious changes since 2020, including implementing the GREAT program, teaching a moral compass, and developing the Crime dashboard. These changes are put in place to keep the communities of Louisville safe and combat the gun control issue.

Publix grocery stores have forever been a staple in the Florida area. Whether you are a local or a vacationer, Publix is a place to stop where you can find anything and everything. However, we have never had one here, in Kentucky. But finally, after a long-awaited opening, Kentucky’s shopping experience is about to change because of Publix’s arrival. 

The very first Publix was opened in Winter Haven, FL on September 6th, 1930. It was founded by George W. Jenkins and has since been owned and run by members of the Jenkins family. Publix has become a supermarket chain that is extremely popular in the Florida area and is known to carry all necessities such as food, pharmaceutical products, beach products, cosmetics, liquor, etc.

Here in Kentucky, our most popular grocery store chain is Kroger, which, although it sells similar products, isn't the same experience as Publix. Kentucky has a wide range of different grocery stores such as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, and Aldi. However, for years many people who have been to Florida before or lived where Publix locations have been, are requesting to branch out their locations all over America. Now, Kentucky is gaining 6 new Publix stores in different areas around the state.

Starting on June 23, 2023, the building of the first Publix location at the northwest corner of Terra Crossing Boulevard and Old Henry Road marked the eighth state to have Publix locations. On January 10th, 2024, the Old Henry Road location had its grand opening, which featured the opportunity to get a free bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. 

Now, 5 new locations are being built and the locations and opening dates are to be determined. Kentucky residents can look forward to the convenience of having Publix closer to home, with the new locations strategically placed to serve various communities. The expansion is not only a testament to Publix’s dedication to meeting the needs of its customers but also a positive economic boost for the area. These Publix stores are going to feature the same commitment as the Florida locations to quality and customer service. This expansion aligns with Publix’s mission to be the premier quality food retailer in the world.

One of the traits that makes Publix different from other grocery stores is that they are very community-involved. They take pride in listening to the feedback of their customers and improving their overall shopping experience. They also love helping the community, they stand for reducing hunger and helping with homelessness. They have their own program which is called Publix’s perishable recovery program, which helps in providing food for those who may not have easy access to it. They also support and donate to other charities that support helping those facing food insecurity such as United Way and Children's Miracle Network.

If you are looking for a new experience to shop here in Kentucky, the new Publix locations are definitely worth visiting. Not only will you be getting quality groceries/items, you will be provided with top-tier customer service. These Publix locations are the first outside of Florida and are highly anticipated!

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, just started a human trial for his newest invention: Neuralink, a brain implant chip that will hopefully improve quality of life for those with spinal injuries or who are paralyzed.

Musk is a well-known entrepreneur and recent owner of the social platform X, previously known as Twitter. He is also involved with companies such as OpenAI, SpaceX, SolarCity, The Boring Company, etc, making him the wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of $229 Billion. He’s shown interest over the years in space exploration and now neuroscience with his new company. 

Neuralink was designed to connect the brain with computers, giving quadriplegics the ability to communicate and control devices. This is achieved by implanting a small chip into the part of the brain that controls movement that can use only a person’s thoughts. So far, the only trials have been on monkeys, and the first human to undergo the implant process is “recovering well,” as said by Musk on social media. However, it is too early to determine if there are any negative side effects or if the chip actually works. 

It took Musk and his team a while to get to this point, stating multiple times since 2019 that he would be starting human trials. He didn't contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until early 2022, where his application was rejected due to multiple safety concerns such as questions about safe removal, the lithium battery, and the device’s tiny wires possibly migrating to other parts of the brain. 

It’s not just the FDA that’s raising concerns. Four US Lawmakers-- Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, and Barbara Lee and Tony Cardenas of California-- asked the Securities and Exchange Commission, a federal commission that enforces laws against market manipulation, to investigate Neuralink on the grounds that the company was misleading its investors. This was caused by Musk making a statement that "no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant," to social media on September 10, 2023. He also stated that terminal monkeys were used to limit risk to healthy ones. 

 In a letter sent by the lawmakers to the SEC, they referenced multiple veterinary reports that indicated the animals who had undergone the implantation surgery had suffered "debilitating health effects" such as seizures, brain swelling, and paralysis. The reports also showed that at least 12 healthy and young monkeys were euthanized as a result of the implant. On top of the veterinary reports, several Neuralink employees stated that the company was rushing surgeries ending in more animal deaths than necessary. This caught Blumenauer and the others’ attention as Musk repeatedly downplayed the investors' concerns about the safety of his product. All of which has led to concerns about the human trials and their dangers, but no negative effects have been reported from the first human trial.

After the release of the Stanley cup and Starbucks collaboration on January 3rd, people have been obsessing, to the point where they were camping outside of Target to get their hands on the “Winter Pink” 40 oz tumbler currently being sold for $49.95. Word has gotten out that the company uses lead in their production of the product, which made people question their safety.

Stanley cups have been around since 1913 when William Stanley started the company. Stanley is a fairly well known inventor and physicist as his inventions helped transport and use electricity. His most notable invention was the first commercial transformer which he created in 1886, which is used to transport high voltages across long distances. The commercial transformer was one of 129 patents Stanley obtained in his life; he died in 1916, three years after he created the Stanley cup. 

Since 1916, overship of the company has changed hands a couple times; the most recent being in 2020 when Terence Reilly, former Crocs chief marketing officer, took over with a new approach. He started marketing the cup specifically on social media and it immediately took off, becoming the best-selling water bottle of the year.

The company’s most popular product is the Quencher H2.0 Flowstate 40 oz Tumbler, being sold on their website for 45 dollars. Most reviewers agree that it is a reliable product with its many features, such as its reusable plastic straw, durability, convenient handle, its ability to fit in a standard car cup holder, and keep your drink cold for 11 hours-- two days if it’s iced. 

Tik Tok user, @danimarielettering went viral with a video about getting in a nasty car accident in which her car even caught on fire. Despite the conditions, the Stanley cup was unscathed with ice still frozen inside, which proved its durability. That video gained over 94 million views. 

Recently, buyers have been worried about rumors of lead in Stanley cups, to which the company released an official statement confirming that lead was used in the production process. Lead pellets are in the base of the cup and  “Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers,” said a Stanley spokesperson in an email to CNN. Experts like Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, agree that there are no immediate dangers, but the bottom seal breaks or becomes damaged in any way the user and those around them can be exposed to lead poisoning. The company states that this is extremely rare, but Houlihan advises those with a Stanley cup to stop using them because the dangers are too hard to overlook.

New York officials ordered an unauthorized tunnel built adjacent to a Brooklyn synagogue to be stabilized earlier this month. This caused internal conflict between attendees of the synagogue over whether they should fill the space with cement. The existence of the tunnel had been made public in late December when The New York City Fire Department reported that they had been anonymously informed about a tunnel under the building.

The decision of whether to expand the synagogue or fill it had been an ongoing internal conflict at the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in New York City, which serves as the center of an influential Hasidic Jewish movement. Ongoing legal disputes have prevented any expansion of the building, which was previously envisioned by the former head of the movement, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. When a cement truck arrived to seal the tunnel’s opening some members of the community were outraged. Opponents of the tunnel gathered and ripped off the wooden siding of the synagogue. Police arrived at the scene and ultimately arrested nine people, but did not provide details about the ‘attempted hate crime’ or the other charges.

Motti Seligson, a media relations director, condemned the group, which he called "extremist students,” while the president of the Chabad Lubavitch community, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, said in an Instagram post that "the Chabad-Lubavitch community is pained by the vandalism of a group of young agitators.” Levi Huebner, the lawyer representing the men, told fact check.org in a phone interview that the excavation adjacent to the synagogue was intended to be part of an expansion for the building, which is one factor in a controversy between two divided groups within the community.

Most students can’t remember a time when the Scholastic Book Fair didn’t come to their school once or twice a year. It was one of my favorite school events in elementary school, as I’m sure it is for the younger students at Brown who got to experience it from November 26th up to December 6th this year.

Back in October 2023, there was a controversy surrounding Scholastic after they announced a new collection of books that would be kept in a separate case. This collection was titled Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice and was composed of books already released with the original book fair, but the slight modification meant that schools could decide whether or not they wanted to display and sell books with “sensitive” topics like race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. 

While this seems to reflect badly on Scholastic’s views, this decision didn’t come from malice, as many thought after its original release. Its purpose was to prevent schools and librarians from being possibly subjected to any lawsuits or criminal charges regarding the intense book bans in over 30 states. Despite the company’s good intentions, many school librarians, parents, and authors of potentially controversial books were outraged as this made censoring already disadvantaged voices easier. The response was more intense than Scholastic could have predicted as some schools considered finding another book fair to host or canceling it all together. 

Shortly after the original backlash, Scholastic published a statement trying to explain and justify their decision, but after a couple days, Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic Trade Publishing, announced that starting January 2024, Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice would be discontinued. "Even if the decision was made with good intention, we understand now that it was a mistake to segregate diverse books in an elective case," Berger wrote. "We recognize and acknowledge the pain caused, and that we have broken the trust of some of our publishing community, customers, friends, trusted partners, and staff, and we also recognize that we will now need to regain that trust."

Despite the heartfelt message from Berger, some librarians are still looking for alternative fairs to host as censorship of books is a topic they feel strongly about, as I learned in an interview with Brown School Head Librarian Amanda Klakamp, who stated that she has fought to make sure the students here have access to books on difficult topics. Klakamp also expressed her disapproval for Scholastic’s original decision and her hesitation to continue supporting the company. 

Despite the controversy, Scholastic still holds nostalgia for students all across America. Hopefully, the book fair will continue to influence younger generations for years to come.

With Christmas around the corner, there are a lot of Kentucky Christmas celebrations happening all throughout December. There are sports, historical, light up, and aquarium events happening all around. Lights Under Louisville and My Old Kentucky Home are large scale events in Kentucky that attract visitors from all over the state.

Step into the enchanting world of yesteryear at My Old Kentucky Home, where Victorian hoop skirts twirl and gentlemen in tailcoats serenade visitors with the nostalgic melody of "My Old Kentucky Home." The State Park and Museum set in Bardstown, transforms into a winter wonderland. It’s adorned with six majestic 12-foot Christmas trees, each telling a unique Kentucky-themed tale. From the grandeur of the Commonwealth Tree, to the whimsy of "Birds Make Music All the Day," the mansion is decked with festive splendor—garlands, mistletoe, and stockings brimming with toys complete the picture. But this Christmas tour is more than just a visual spectacle; it's a journey through the ages, showing the traditions that shaped Victorian celebrations.

As you traverse through the meticulously decorated rooms, delve into the origins of the Christmas tree and discover how mistletoe became synonymous with exchanging kisses. Uncover the history of the yule log, the peculiar tradition of the Christmas pickle, and the legends surrounding Father Christmas and Santa Claus. 

The Victorian era, known for its distinctive charm, also introduces some quirky customs. Learn about Krampus, the figure who punished naughty children, and explore the bizarre Victorian Christmas cards featuring sword-fighting frogs and frozen birds—an intriguing glimpse into the past.

The tour spans different Christmas eras, from colonial times to the roaring '20s when the mansion was last owned by the Rowan family. It's a captivating exploration of evolving holiday traditions that promises something for every member of the family.

Immerse yourself in this fascinating journey every day from 9 am to 4 pm, running from November 17th to December 30th (closed on December 24, and 25). Timeless memories and experiencing the magic of Christmas through the lens of history at My Old Kentucky Home.

Another fun Christmas themed experience is Louisville Mega Cavern's Lights Under Louisville—a unique underground wonderland. Go through the MEGA Cavern and be captivated by the world's only underground holiday light show. With over 40 themed displays, 900 lit characters, multiple projection areas, light tunnels, holiday music, and more than 6.5 million points of light, it's a festive extravaganza. This family-friendly tradition also features new exciting themes, two laser locations, and the exclusive domestic holographic Santa. Immerse yourself in over 6.5 million points of light, making Lights Under Louisville the only underground light show of its kind on the planet. 

Every year people come from all over the state to Louisville to see  Lights Under Louisville. Spreading across 100 acres, every year the MEGA Cavern increases the number of lights. At the beginning of the shows, there were only 300 lights on display–now, it has grown to over 2 million.  The 30 minute drive through the cavern is available for $42.99, and the times vary from 9:30AM to 10PM. Bring the whole family or some friends and explore the extravagant light show that comes around each year.

These festivities offer a beautiful and entertaining journey that captures the essence of the season with history and cutting-edge technology and offer a range of experiences all ages can enjoy. Whether you prefer to touch up on the holiday's history, or relax and view a beautiful light show, Kentucky has something for you.

As the battle this year continues on the Gaza Strip, Harvard students and staff alike are facing serious backlash for not calling out student protesters for hate speech. Harvard is not the only college facing repercussions, Penn State and MIT were also included. 

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing with the presidents of the universities. Many students affected attended the hearing, where they focused on  campuses’ reaction to antisemitism on campus, and if calling for genocide violates schools policies. Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, president of the alliance for Israel Johnothan Freeton, and a Harvard Law student were all in attendance.

The responses from the presidents of each accredited university are really under bipartisan fire. Each president was asked a variety of questions over and over. The most frequent question asked was, “Does a student calling for the genocide of Jewish people violate their schools’ policies?” 

To this, UPenn President Liz Magill responded, “Conduct meaning committing the act of genocide?” Harvard President Claudine Gay said “it can”  violate the school’s rules “depending on the context.” Many people have condemned the presidents for not answering the exact questions being asked and instead shifting each question to fit their ‘narrative.’ 

 Harvard president Dr. Claudine Gay  experienced extreme backfire after she was asked if the call for mass murder of African American students is free speech at Harvard. Gay attempted to dodge the question but was told “it's a yes or no question.” Then, Ms. Stefanik, a US Representative, said “The use of the term Intifiata in relation to the Isreal Palestine conflict is indeed a call for violent armed resistsance including the genocide of Jews,” to which she responded “That type of speech is personally aborned to me.” They then went on to discuss the chants protesting at Harvard "intifiata into a revolution.” Gay never stated as to whether this language is against Harvard's code of conduct.

The Israel-Palestine conflict has many sides, and before the hearing many people have lost jobs, educational opportunities and even fan bases for speaking out. In this particular case, a lot of Harvard's funding is actually from Jewish philanthropists. As early as the 1950s, Harvard University’s endowment stood at $191 million from Jewish leaders. Current Jewish sectors are disappointed in the richest university in the country's response to antisemitism. “My wife (a HLS alum) and three daughters are Jewish and I’m so ****** at Harvard right now that I don’t want to have anything to do with it,” investor Whitney Tilson wrote to the business school’s fundraising office as he declined a meeting ahead of his 30th year reunion.

The fire this debate caused is unlike what anyone could have predicted. Each president had the chance to state their case in five minutes; while Gay specifically is experiencing backlash, the other parties had similar responses. The president of MIT simply says they follow the free speech laws laid out in the Constitution, and Liz Magill only answers the questions asked. It is no doubt the response has been overwhelming and could possibly change the way we view our nation's top achieving universities. UPenn's president has since resigned. 

When asked about December and what they associate it with, most people would say Christmas and the Holiday times. Here in Louisville Kentucky, some of the biggest events revolve around Christmas. This year the annual Fête De Noël Winter Holiday Fest is being held at Paris Town Hall once again this season.

Paris Town Hall is located in Downtown Louisville on 724 Brent St. It was introduced in February of 2019 and officially opened on Tuesday,July 23rd, 2019. The all year purpose is a place that is described as “a performing arts venue with the energy of a nightclub.” All different types of performances and artists are welcome to perform at the Hall. The building itself has surrounding restaurants and area space that is transformed into a winter wonderland in the month of December. This is year 5 of the Fête De Noël festival. The opening night was on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019, and has been a holiday hit in Louisville ever since. This year the festival started on November 11th, 2023, and continues until December 31st. 

During the 6 week period there are many different activities that take place for all age ranges. The biggest hit, however, is the outdoor ice skating. The rink is made up of an authentic piece of ice and measures 100’x50’. Skate rentals for all ages and sizes are offered with a general admission ticket. Here in Louisville, we have 2 ice skating rinks: one is open year- round, while the other closes during the warmer months. However, we do not have any outdoor ice- skating rinks, which makes this limited time offer much more appealing to many. 

The surrounding area of the ice -skating rink has plenty of entertaining activities that appeal and provide fun for all ages. There are booths where business owners can sell their creations and promote their shops. In the past years, there have been ranges of different items such as jewelry, home decor, clothing, toys, crafts, and more. There are also activities such as photos with Santa at his workshop (which was custom built) and trackless train rides. There are also showings of Christmas movies projected onto the building itself for many to see. A newer addition to the Paris town Christmas was Drag Queens on Ice, which started last year, and has been a hit and will be returning. Dining of all sorts is also provided, including 5 restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and 4 bars. They have also just added the Jeff’s donuts location inside of the market.

If you feel like you need a little bit of Christmas spirit this holiday season, Fête De Noël may be the place to look into. The festival is perfect for all ages, which means you can attend with your family, friends, your partner, or just on your own!

The 62nd Inauguration Day is around the corner, celebrating Andy Beshear's victory with lots of events happening all day with many celebrations like a ball, parade, speech and a  worship service. The events take place at many historical sites and important monuments around Kentucky.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m., visitors are invited to the Inaugural Breakfast Reception at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, offering a continental breakfast with delectables from local establishments. The Kentucky State University Faculty/Student Jazz Collective will provide entertainment, and admission to the Kentucky History Center & Museums is free throughout the day.

Following the morning reception, the Inaugural Parade, featuring Governor Beshear, his family, and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, will travel through the heart of the city, concluding in front of the Capitol. Beshear’s speech at the Capitol was meant to criticize political tactics meant to fuel anger and hate, emphasizing on the dehumanizing fact of it. He also spoke about providing high speed-internet, investing in public education and advancing infrastructure like roads and bridges. Another point he brought up was the partisan division in Kentucky’s government where Republicans hold significant majorities. In his first term there was a lot of clashing between lawmakers and he hopes to bridge the gap and create a more collaborative approach to issues this term. 

At 1:30 p.m., the Inaugural Prelude at the Capitol Steps will feature musical performances by the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard. Their involvement in events like the Inaugural Prelude at the Capitol Steps is notable due to the contributions they make to the celebratory atmosphere, the civilian population and the cultural aspect of these ceremonies. 

A non-denominational Inaugural Worship Service at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is set for 9:30 a.m. It’s a way for Kentucky to symbolize continuity, tradition and religious reflection. It aims to be inclusive of all faiths and promote unity among its attendees. Kentuckians are invited to participate in the event emphasizing the community aspect of the event, it also serves as an opportunity for people from different walks of life to come together in that setting.

The Swearing-in Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. will be emceed by Governor's senior advisor Rocky Adkins, including musical contributions by Tyler Childers, an American singer-songwriter who makes country music. Childers was born here in Lawrence County, Kentucky and has a widespread recognition for his authentic approach to writing and performing. Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House will also give a reading at the ceremony. Lt. Gov. Coleman will be sworn in first, followed by Gov. Beshear, administered by Kentucky Supreme Court Justices.

The formal presentation of state officials, known as The Grand March, is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the Capitol. The Grand March is another part of the ceremonies which focuses on the state officials like the newly elected governor, lieutenant governor and other constitutional officers who take office Jan 1st. 

The day concludes with the Inaugural Ball at 7:00 p.m. on the Capitol Grounds, promising a grand celebration to mark the beginning of a new gubernatorial term in Kentucky.

In multiple states across the US, including Texas, West Virginia, and Minnesota, an animal sedative called Xylazine is being mixed with fentanyl and other opioids. According to the Center for Disease Control, or the CDC, xylazine is now a factor in one in nine fentanyl deaths. 

Xylazine, also known as tranq on the street, is typically used by veterinarians to sedate horses and other large animals. 

While this drug has been around since the Food and Drug administration, or the FDA, approved it in 1972, it started to become a much bigger issue in 2018. There were 627 related deaths in 2019, the number doubling to 1,499 in 2020, then doubling again to 3,468 in 2021. Three thousand might not seem like a lot compared to the sixty-seven thousand fentanyl-related deaths the same year, but if the growth pattern continues it won’t take long for Xylazine to become as big of an issue as fentanyl. 

There are some similarities between Xylazine and Ketamine, the better-known horse tranquilizer ; both are commonly mixed with opioids such as fentanyl. Unlike opioids, their effects can’t be reversed by Naloxone, also known by brand name Narcan.This is to be expected because xylazine and ketamine are both high-strength sedatives. Most drug overdoses look similar. In a high stress situation like that of encountering someone who has overdosed, it’s hard to distinguish symptoms with a clear head. Because of this, a regular US citizen with no medical training might administer Narcan in hopes that it could reverse the overdose. If the Xylazine had been mixed with fentanyl or a drug like it, the Narcan could undo the opioid’s effects but still not save the person’s life.

The same type of problem is present in hospitals and rehab facilities as doctors like Dr. Steven Corder, a psychiatry specialist employed at Wheeling Hospital and Frye Regional Medical Center, struggle to keep up. “Opioid withdrawal is hard enough,” Corder said. But his normal tools “couldn’t touch the withdrawal from xylazine.”

Xylazine is used via injection, and doctors have reported that its use is linked to deep flesh wounds around the site of injections, some get so bad that amputation is required. These infections are not the only serious risk related to the drug, with threats of overdose and general bad health to go along with it. All of this to bring attention to the issue. Due to the highly addictive nature of the drug, the problem is likely to grow and become more widespread. Awareness of these dangers is important.

As it begins to get colder in Louisville, homelessness does not disappear. Last month San Francisco launched a homeless encampment clean up ahead of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), similar to Louisville's removal of homeless encampments before the Kentucky Derby. This displacement happens annually in Kentucky, but happens once in San Francisco, which instantly intrigued the media. Although San Francisco leads the country with their homeless population, totalling close to 8,000 people, Louisville's homeless population has had linear growth for the past 20 years.

Some believe that the government is  embarrassed at the homeless and drug addiction in the streets so they displace them just before Kentucky is in the spotlight. Ava Museraca, a senior at the Brown School, agrees, saying, “They care more about their reputation.” This is also the case in San Francisco, where many activists have taken to social media expressing their concerns. Jeremy Bernier, a software engineer who recently moved to SF says, “Don't be surprised when newcomers [are] shocked at the appalling conditions [and] post online in an attempt to pressure leaders.” Daniel Rivera, a homeless man in San Francisco, said, "the people living along Van Ness had scattered across the city. Issues homeless people face don’t disappear even if those people have been moved out of the public’s line of sight." 

Another common worry people have is what the taxpayer dollars are going towards instead of helping the homelessness in the city. We see the Affordable Housing Act, Coalition for the Homeless, and many nonprofit shelters and rehabilitation services. The solutions have been here, and time and time again we have leaders of the community step up with proposals to battle homelessness but no serious change occurs. 

This is a serious issue for Louisville and San Francisco alike, although on different scales. Both locations have had examples of attempting to ‘get rid of’ the homeless population to ‘benefit’ the city. This is wrong and creates false perspectives for individuals out of state. Larger than that, these already homeless people are being distributed around the city. Instead of hiding these homeless people, states should focus on changes they can make to improve the way of life of their citizens. States trying to give the visual impression that homelessness does not exist is extremely dangerous. Many people thought when hearing about the San Francisco cleanup that these homeless people were put up in hotels or shelters, when they are really being dispersed around the city. 

Homelessness is relevant, but not a new issue. Unhoused people struggle every day to make ends meet in hopes of one day having a roof over their head. Many homeless people are sick and struggling with disease, some are abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Living on the streets is not an easy or pretty thing. 

Implementing a ‘right to shelter,’ putting revenue into supportive housing, funding medical beds, and beginning to prevent eviction offers could all help decrease the homeless population in Louisville and San Francisco.

With the polls closing for the Kentucky state election, it is important to know who your governor is, the outcome, and who he was against. 

Democrat Andy Beshear won the Kentucky 2023 state election for governor and remained in office as the incumbent for this election. However, the election was fairly close with Beshear only getting 52.5% of the votes and his opposition, Daniel Cameron, getting 47.5%. Some said that Cameron didn’t have a chance, but the election map shows that Beshear won only the major counties. He had over 99% of the votes in Fayette and Jefferson county, which have a large number of voters. However, he lost in the majority of counties with a smaller population

Much like other elected officials, Beshear and Cameron didn’t start out in state positions. In 2016, Beshear was elected 50th Attorney General until his first governor win in 2019. He fought the war on drugs in Kentucky, removing opioids from people's homes and prosecuting criminals for drug related crimes. Beshear is also known for talking about controversial issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ issues in Kentucky. Beshear's experience and ability to talk about polarizing topics gives him the credibility and trust to run for governor.

His opponent, Daniel Cameron, also earned a big reputation throughout his political career, being the 51st Attorney General. He is the first African American elected into a standalone statewide office in Kentucky, and the first republican to hold Attorney General since 1948. His endorsement by former President Donald Trump for opposing the Biden Administration has also furthered his career. He has even said, “I fought the Biden agenda in court to defend Kentucky.”

One thing that governors don’t do is run alone. The position of lieutenant Governor was offered, and it had two major candidates: Democrat Jacqueline Coleman and Republican Ralph Alvarado.

Coleman is a coach, teacher and non-profit leader. Her and Beshear have created over 47,000 full-time jobs for Kentuckians. She also wants to lead an ‘education first’ administration in Kentucky.

Alvarado was running in hopes of winning alongside Cameron. Alvarado is the chairman of the State Senate & Local Government Committee, allowing him to work with both parties to help rebuild western Kentucky when tornadoes ravaged towns like Bremen, Dawson and Mayfield. He also led the “Save Our Women's Sports Act”, which stopped transgender women from competing in girls’ sports and has been fighting with Cameron to keep pro-life laws in Kentucky.

In short, the 2023 Kentucky State election showed a close and contested battle between Andy Beshear and Daniel Cameron, as well as the lieutenant governor candidates, Jacqueline Coleman and Ralph Alvarado. The election showed the dynamic political landscape in Kentucky. However, Andy Beshear is starting another term and will get to lead Kentucky for another 4 years.

On August 9th 2023, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) went back to school and ever since the ongoing problems with bus transportation have not stopped. It is an issue that has caused many other side issues that are having an overall negative effect on JCPS.

About 70% of JCPS students ride the school bus to and from school.The issues with these school buses began with errors in the routes that were given to the drivers and communication. AlphaRoute is an MIT-based advanced routing software that provides end-end software to create busing routes for school systems and has been used previously by JCPS. AlphaRoute created the new 23-24 JCPS bus routes to cut the number of bus stops in half—however, the system failed to properly provide the correct time between stops, which caused delays. The last student to arrive home on Wednesday didn’t make it back until 9:58 pm. Students were reported to have been held in school after hours due to the buses not arriving on time. Many students were also let off far away from their stops or at the completely wrong stop.

Naturally, these issues caused parents to worry. Many of the students who were riding the bus did not have a way to contact their parents. These problems with bussing mostly affected elementary students. Parents and State legislators were outraged at the irresponsibility and failure to communicate. After that day, school in JCPS was canceled for the rest of the week. 

Two days after the initial disaster the JCPS superintendent Dr.Martin Polio released a state of the district announcement and answered the district's questions. He stated that classes and school could be paused until at least August 16th. But in the end he created a staggered back to school plan that said elementary and middle school students will return Friday, Aug. 18th. while high schools will return on Monday, Aug. 21 2033. When all JCPS high schoolers went back to school there were 5 different bus crashes. No major injuries were reported.            

Since then, the district has added more work days for the bus drivers which later led to the Bus Driver Sickout. On November 3rd, 2023, 140 JCPS bus drivers took a stand to protest against their working conditions. This resulted in 99 routes being canceled in the morning and students being left at school, after hours once again. Drivers are stating that their job is becoming dangerous due to threats from children who display erratic and violent behaviors, and are not taken off the bus.

This bus issue is affecting all of JCPS. Students who are enrolled in the district have missed education time and are continuing to arrive home after school at late times. There are currently no long term fixes but there are some things we can do now to try to prevent issues. A recently released app called Edulog Parent Portal Lite allows you to track any JCPS bus. This app was created as a part of the Infinite Campus company which is used to track students grades, attendance, etc. all throughout the district. For now, this is the best resolution until later changes are made.

The Israel-Palestine conflict has been everlasting in the middle east as of late, and many civilians on both sides have suffered. Israel is backed mostly by western countries like the US, while the people of Palestine are backed by other Arab countries such as Iran. People have differing opinions all over the world on this conflict—protesting has been happening all over the world and many are calling this a humanitarian issue. In order to fully grasp these issues abroad, we must first understand the history of this state.

In 1948, Israel was deemed a state after the British mandate to administer Palestine. In 1947, there were approximately 630,000 Jews living alongside approximately 1.2 million Arabs in Palestine. When the British government withdrew from their hold on Palestine, the Israel government took over the strip known as Gaza and implemented a 3 state plan. Palestine Arabs (and other denominations) declined this 3 state idea and protests spread rapidly along the West bank. 

This is when Hamas was established, a US designated foreign terrorist group. Some Palestinians consider them a “movement, or an armed resistance against the Israeli occupation.” Currently, Palestine is still under Israeli military occupation. Under the Oslo Accords, most of the West Bank was divided into East Jerusalem and Areas A, B and C. This made travel through Palestine, and especially out of Palestine, extremely difficult. Gaza is the world's largest “open air prison”, referring to the extreme difficulties and how it’s almost impossible to leave. In 1967 there was a six day war, leading to Israel defeating three Arab armies, gaining territory four times its original size, and became the preeminent military power in the region. This was the first violation of international law: It is illegal under international law to acquire land by force, and Israel annexed land occupied by force during 1948 and 1967 wars. 

In 2023, Hamas and Israeli forces began fighting once again. For the first time in their conflict history, Hamas was ‘successful’ in their mission of making an impact on Israeli Forces. Hamas invaded Israel on foot on October 7th, killing hundreds of people living in Israel, including Americans and journalists. They took hostages and committed multiple war crimes.

Since then, the Israeli military (one of the strongest in the world) has escalated the conflict, dropping bombs and even publicly calling out celebrities that stand with Palestine. Palestinian sources say that in the 31 days of attacks, 10,000 people living in Gaza have died. The UN source that most western countries refer to says closer to 6,000 for Palestinians and 300 for Israel (as of Nov.9). There is no way to know for sure the death toll for either party at this time. A war 7000 miles away is giving western governments an optical opportunity to spread misinformation and fake news. 

Hamas has since requested a humanitarian ceasefire as they will soon run out of necessary supplies. As of recent days, Gaza has been evacuated, pushing millions of Palestinians out of their homes. Every day updates are released about the destruction in both Gaza and Israel. 

On November third, The Gaza health ministry said an Israeli attack killed at least 14 people fleeing south after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Palestinians to flee south. As of November 14, 2023, heavy fighting broke out near Al-Shifa hospital. Supposedly, Israel has invaded Tulkarem and bulldozed buildings, displacing more people.

This war has become a humanitarian issue, and people are protesting around the globe for the ceasefire. We must understand war crimes are inexcusable, however, when either party is committing these crimes it is important to look at the bigger picture. Many people have died and many more will if peace is not restored in the Middle East.

There’s no way to know for sure how safe our food is, what's been contaminated or is defective. Most people don't look at recent food recalls. In the last couple weeks of november, there have been multiple articles and PSAs warning the public about the risk of certain food.  Some of these alerts are more vague and inexplicit, like an article on why ultra processed foods are harmful, or a PSA promoting clean eating.

Food recalls are much more common than people realize, with multiple reported roughly every two days. The FDA recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches from three different brands- WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis, because children were getting sick from lead poisoning coming from the pouches. There are 34 known cases in the US, stretching across 22 states. No deaths related to the contamination have been disclosed. “Exposure is not typically apparent right away, but it can cause developmental delays in children,” wrote  Jamie Gumbrecht, Supervising editor for CNN Health, in an article about the issue. The FDA has already sent out alerts to hospitals and doctors in the US to look out for signs of lead poisoning in young children. 

In a statement made by the Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, they stated that “FDA’s leading hypothesis is that cinnamon used in these recalled pouches is the likely source of contamination for these products.” They plan to test shipments of cinnamon from multiple countries for lead contamination, but no updates have been published yet.

Between  November 9th and 16th, three cantaloupe products from two different brands were recalled: Malichita from Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh and Vinyard from Vinyard fruit and vegetable company. The recall was made by the FDA because of salmonella contamination.

The risk of illnesses like lead poisoning is not the only concern, outbreaks of foodborne illnesses occur all over the US and are very common. According to the Center for Disease Control, or the CDC, 48 million people in the US get sick from a foodborne illness every year. That might not seem like a lot, but it’s one in six people. The threat of hospitalization and death are much lower, with the hospitalization rate being 128,000 a year and the death rate being 3,000 a year. Both of which are mostly likely made up of those with compromised immune systems, like the elderly, the very young, and pregnant women. Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses occur when two or more people get sick from the same contamination-- which, against popular belief, does not usually come from people getting sick after going to a single restaurant, but from people who’ve eaten produce or meat from the same source as a contamination, like a specific farm or production plant. 

The CDC lists four preventive measures one can take at home in order to prevent  foodborne illnesses: clean, separate, cook, and chill. All of them are relatively simple, but it’s good to be reminded of their importance.

Do you have a hidden talent? If you do, on December 22, the last day of school before winter break, the J Graham Brown School will have a middle and high school talent show. There will be tryouts, but the date from them has not been planned yet. Practicing your act will be something you have to do on your own time because there won't be any rehearsals held. The fun of the talent show isn't limited to just the students; teachers will also be able to participate. 

The talent show will be a good opportunity for Brown School students and teachers to display their talents and feel appreciated in the things they are good at doing. Events like this are a great way to get the school together and appreciate the talents that we don't get to see in the classroom. This can build a bond within the student body. 

During the 2022 talents show we got to witness several musical acts including different types of singing like rap and opera. Senior Irina Macaranas also performed a song on the piano. This year, expect to see great acts like these and more.

The Pep Club has started planning Brown School events again. Their first meeting was on Thursday, September 7th.  Meetings are open to any high schoolers who want to join. They meet on Thursdays in Randy Cox’s room. They discuss plans to boost school spirit and morale.

The Pep Club is a committee of high schoolers who are committed to school spirit. They plan events for the whole school, not just high school. Last year, there were dances for middle and high school, but this year, pep club plans to stretch to events for elementary schoolers. Pep Club helps plan spirit days as well, which affects the whole school, or those who choose to participate.

Their first planned event was a Halloween dance and Spirit Week. They had planned to have the dance on the 27th of October and Spirit Week the week before Halloween, since Halloween was on a Tuesday. People enjoyed these spirit days because they were easy to dress as, meaning many could participate.

Movie Monday, dress as your favorite fall movie, or wear merch from it. Shabby/Chic Tuesday, wear something shabby or chic. Many were seen wearing tacky clothes over shabby, which brings up a question about the difference between the topics. Witchy Wednesday seemed to be the most popular day amongst the student body. All day you could see students with pointy black hats roaming the halls. A comfortable day was Sweater Thursday, where you can wear a comfortable fall sweater to show your spirit. Everyone’s favorite, Pajama Friday, happened to take place during field day.

The dance had a great turnout, with many students having a great time dancing with friends in their costumes. Music, friends, improv performances, and costumes; what more could you ask for?

In the future, the club plans to have another Glow Dance, which is planned to be space-themed. There is also homecoming and the homecoming pep rally. There is no set theme for homecoming yet. For spirit weeks there is a planned one for the week before fall break and one for homecoming week. They may plan to do a silent disco again, but last year’s was a dual effort from Pep Club and the Disability Advocacy Club. 

Keep your spirits high, Brown Bears, you have the pep club to raise them. If you wish to help boost your school’s spirit, meetings are in Randy Cox’s room, formerly the tea room, usually from 3:15 to 4:00.

In the city of Louisville, a hidden world of illegal street racing exists that’s capturing the attention of many citizens. Under the cover of the night all around the city, the streets become a battleground for high-speed pursuits and dangerous activities.

In an effort to protect our citizens, LMPD had implemented a strict ordinance to crack down those involved. The ordinance prohibits any form of street racing, including races on public roads. Violators will face large fines and possible jail time. It also includes provisions against reckless driving, exhibition of speed, and even impeding traffic for the purpose of racing.

The city takes these violations seriously, imposing fines, license suspensions, and potential vehicle confiscation. In March of 2023, Louisville Metro Police Department were told to stop enforcing the ordinance for a short amount of time. In an article published by David Ochoa, Deputy Mayor David James gives a statement and says “LMPD was awaiting clarification on the racing ordinance from the County Attorney but is now vigorously enforcing the law to ensure Louisville’s streets are safe and unwelcoming to street racers' '. The ordinance was stopped but it is now in full action.

In early February, the Russell neighborhood was impacted most. 18th street is where most of the races happen but there are many sites. The races around the Rusell neighborhood consist of both cars and motorcycles. Cars would do wheelies and burnouts and the motorcycles would complete wheelies. One citizen Crystal Nyakeraka says that she can hear the races from her home and she also states that “she's been startled awake by screeching tires and roaring crowds.” Nyakeraka does worry about the safety of these people, and she says that if there are rules against this that they need to be enforced more. On that same weekend of the report, two citizens were arrested: Luis Rivas and Tyjaylon Briggs. According to a WLKY article, “Rivas was charged with reckless driving, participating in a vehicle speed contest, obstruction of streets and possession of marijuana. Briggs is facing charges of operating on suspended license, improper/expired plates, failure to maintain insurance and others”.

The ordinance allows LMPD to impound cars for a year if there is another violation. A number of cars have been seized and disabled from use by the owner.

The 2024 Guinness Book of World Records was published on September 12, 2023. This is the book’s 68th anniversary, and its latest edition celebrates a variety of record breakers and events that have occurred throughout the year.

The records in this year’s book cover a span of categories, such as Arts & Media, Aquatic Life, Recordology, Adventures, and Sports. It’s already a landmark year for record-breaking, with chapters in the book addressing Merpeople, Peculiar Passions, Puppetry, and Super Seniors. Each topic receives a two-page spread, with photos and descriptions of the records broken and their respective record-breakers.

The most talked-about record currently is the award for World’s Longest Mullet, in the Hair category. The record was broken this year by Tami Manis, a public health nurse from Tennessee. According to the Guinness book, Manis cut her hair for the final time on February 9, 1990. 33 years later, her mullet has reached an astonishing 172.72 cm- 5 feet, 8 inches! 

“I’ve been blessed that my hair grows and now it’s the world’s longest mullet, and I’m very happy with it,” said Manis.

The Guinness Book of World Records was first published in 1955. According to Guinness’ website, “The idea came about in the early 1950’s when Sir Hugh Beaver (1890—1967), Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, attended a shooting party in County Wexford. There, he and his hosts argued about the fastest game bird in Europe and failed to find an answer in any reference book.” Four years later, Sir Hugh used that argument as motivation for a new Guinness Brewery promotion: an end-all source to resolve pub arguments. In November 1954, Guinness Superlatives was incorporated and began production. The first Guinness Book of World Records was published in 1955.

In 2023, the book has grown to landmark status, with over 151 million books sold over time and 62,252 active record titles available through the Guinness Records database. More than 80% of each year’s book is made up of updated records- making every edition unique.

Alongside the World’s Longest Mullet award, several new records will appear in the book’s new edition, including the records for Rabbit With the Longest Fur and Oldest Living Chicken. Queen Elizabeth II will also appear in the book, breaking the records for Longest-Reigning Queen, Oldest British Monarch, and Feature on Most Currencies- among others. Dolly Parton will be featured several times as well, having broken three music records this year alone. Her achievements this year bring her to an even 10 World Records under her name.

The 2024 Guinness Book of World Records is now available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. On September 12, it became available for physical purchase at retailers worldwide, and our very own Neysa Jones snagged the Bear Necessities our own copy!

Go get yourself a copy and settle some debates, as the founders intended!

Morocco has been the victim of devastating earthquakes that left parts of the Marrakech area in ruins. The earthquake was measured at a 6.8 on the Richter scale, being the deadliest earthquake in 60 years, killing over 2,000 people, injuring 5,000 and leaving 300,000 homeless. The earthquakes started on Friday, September 8th, 2023, around 11:11. The USGS said the earthquakes started because tectonic plates were colliding, building up pressure and stress which can cause an earthquake if rocks abruptly move.

The government has decided to take a less than expected approach to the situation. The Ministry of the Interior was refusing foreign aid and leaving survivors stranded, some not receiving aid for days. Fouad Abdelmoumni, an economist living in Morocco said, “A lack of coordination in these situations could be counterproductive.” Days after the earthquakes, people still didn’t have power of any kind, water or food. A Moroccan government official said  “The rescue efforts are ongoing to reach the difficult areas. The earthquake struck mountainous areas that are scattered geographically and it’s difficult to reach these areas in some cases”. 

On Monday September 11th, equipment and shelter had been given out to find more people and recover lost items. Tenzirt is a village about 50 miles south of Marrakech. The entire village was destroyed but after Morocco's response to the disaster, left people even more concerned. 

A member of a Spanish Military Unit, Hamza Zahif, said “We were the first to arrive there, on the extremely difficult road to navigate, with a bulldozer in front of us pushing rock as we moved.” Some news outlets were comparing the earthquakes to the floods in Libya. Another being how their government was silent for hours until making one of their few statements on the event.

During the weeks and months of August and September, COVID outbreaks have been gaining higher with the new SARS COV-2 variant called BA.2.86. It is anticipated that a vaccine will be available for the new variant mid September, according to the CDC. It is also said, however, that hospitalizations are not being caused by the new virus, but other pre-existing viruses.

The variant has been identified in nine U.S. states as of September 8, 2023, in people across Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, as well as one additional case elsewhere being investigated. This does not mean that it has not spread, though and that we should still be aware that it can still be present in our day to day lives. Please remain aware that if there is a severe outbreak to wear a mask, social distance and quarantine if necessary. “Nearly all the U.S. population has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from vaccination, previous infection, or both, and it is likely that these antibodies will continue to provide some protection against severe disease from this variant,” states the CDC. “This is an area of ongoing scientific investigation.”

With SARS COV-2 on the rise, The CDC tries to not let covid cases get out of control like they did in the past as they find an effective way of abolishing this virus.

SARS Cov-2 has recently been more found in wastewater, which is a bump that has correlated with hospitalizations and deaths. It is a good recommendation to not drink this kind of water and to change your filter when necessary.

SARS Cov-2 and viruses like it are viruses that continuously evolve. This is why you have heard of multiple COVID variants. Throughout the SARS cov-2 pandemic (COVID pandemic), many variants have been found globally due to the virus' rapid evolution.