This Week's Issue

Update on the Flooding in Hawaii

By: Haylee Downing

Hawaii has caught nationwide attention after the public has seen the state of damage on so many properties. Many news sources have stated that this is the worst flooding the that the islands have seen in over 20 years, with the storms causing damage costs of about $1 billion.

The rain—and the recent winter storm— played a crucial role in the mass flooding that occurring within many parts of Hawaii. The dangerous waters began to lift homes and cars, eventually taking down hundreds of properties, schools, and even a hospital in Kula. AP News has reported that authorities have not recorded any deaths, but 230 people have been rescued. Thousands of residents from the North Shore islands have evacuated, and evacuation orders for parts of Maui have been released.

According to journalist Nick Robins-Early from The Guardian, experts claims that global warming is part of the blame for the frequent and intense rain. Luckily, meteorologist Matthew Foster reported that the worst of the storms are (hopefully) over. There could be potentially be more flooding, but it won’t be on the same level of danger as previous storms.

Actor Jason Momoa was one of the thousands of residents that evacuated his home in Hawaii. The actor and his girlfriend, Adria Arjona, have posted to instagram expressing their empathy for those who are still struggling. The Weather Channel reports that they have donated food for those in need, using their wealth to assist the community.

Source: AP News

References:

AP News: https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-flood-oahu-19062f660994694b07c59e0f29fd37cb

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/hawaii-flooding-oahu-maui

The Weather Channel: https://weather.com/news/trending/news/2026-03-23-jason-momoa-evacuates-historic-hawaii-floods

Megan Thee Stallion's Broadway Debut

By: James Morse

On February 26, 2026, it was announced that Megan Thee Stallion would make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Her debut performance occurred this Tuesday at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on March 24.

The three-time Grammy award winning artist plays the role of Zidler, formerly Harold Zidler but the first name was left out to accommodate a female performer, the owner and master of ceremonies for the Moulin Rouge nightclub. Her debut as Zidler marks the first time a woman has played the part.

As a newly added part of the curtain call, Megan performed a 2 minute medley of some of her biggest hits. Videos posted online following her performance show the audience members cheering and singing along as Megan raps in one of her specially made costumes. Notable audience members included Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and Todrick Hall.

The reviews coming from her debut are generally positive. Many noted her lack of professional training when it comes to theatrical singing, but stated that her performance was still a highlight of the evening. People Magazine praised her, writing that, “She has theatergoers eating out of the palm of her hand the entire time, her natural charisma radiating through every line delivery.”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is based off of the 2001 Academy Award-winning film Moulin Rouge! The musical itself won 10 Tony Awards in 2021, including Best Musical. Danny Burstein, the originator of Zidler, won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Megan will be performing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical for roughly two more months. Her closing performance is currently scheduled for May 17, 2026. The show itself will close on June 26, after opening in 2019, making it the 36th longest running show in Broadway history.

Project Hail Mary

By: Sadie Appel

On Friday, March 20, Project Hail Mary was released to the public in theaters. It was produced by Amazon MGM Studios, starring Ryan Gosling and based on the novel by Andy Weir. This amazing movie was the number one watch in both the U.S. and Canadian box offices with over $80.5 million worth in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing debut of any Amazon MGM movie.

Ryan Gosling plays a molecular biologist, working as a middle school teacher, when someone comes to him asking for his help with an extremely dangerous, growing concern: the sun is dying. He helps teach a team of other scientists to go up into space and investigate a different sun, over 11 light years away, that hasn’t been affected by the cells that are eating away at suns all over the universe. However, when an experiment goes bad the day before takeoff, the teacher is forced onto the suicide mission to space, without enough astrophage to get the astronaunts to the distant sun and back. When he finally wakes up from his coma on the plane, he finds himself a lone survivor, without any recollection of what happened. Some time later, another ship makes contact with his ship and he meets an alien on a mission to save its own world. By learning how to communicate with each other, they team up to try to save their own planets.

This incredible production is definitely one you don't want to miss; Mr. Hutton also watched the latest film over the weekend and said, "I liked the mixture of humor, drama and emotions all throughout the movie.” With its themes of humanity, resilience, bravery, and friendship, this movie is definitely worth the watch to everyone of all ages.

Source:

https://fortune.com/2026/03/22/project-hail-mary-opening-weekend-box-office-ticket-sales-amazon-mgm-highest-grossing-debut/

Envirothon Making it to State

By: Allyssa Peterson

Orion's FFA members on the Envirothon, made it to state. Orion's first teams results are 22 in aquatics, 21 in soils, 19 in forestry, 23 in wildlife, and 12 in the 5th category. This totaled out to be 97 for the first team. Orion's second team got a 22 in aquatics, 13 in soils, 21 in foresty, 24 in wildlife, and 11 in 5th category. There totaled ended up being 91. Team one ended up in first place and Orion's second team ended up in second. Those scores and placing took them to state at the end of April this year.

Kendall Filler, member of envirothon: "It was a very unexpected feelings, but it will be a fun weekend."

Student Council Meeting

By: Isabella Carstens

On March 25, 2026 Student Council had a meeting where they discussed all the upcoming events, and plans for after spring break. Some of the following discussions were:

How the Milan Conference went and ideas of events and activities that other schools' student councils around the area do. As well as a congratulations and thank you to Hayden Gehring for being the first and only person from Orion on the Black Hawk Area Student Council Association
How the easter egg hunt is going to go and who will be volunteering during lunch to help people get their prizes after finding eggs.
What are the rules on the rock paper scissors bead challenge and when it will be held. The committee decided on April 16 for now unless anything changes.
The impact blood drive is on April 30th, and an adult is needed to supervise in the back gym.
What gift the teachers should be given on Teachers/staff appreciation week.