Category Archives: News

National

Government shutdown: 2018-2019

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Going into winter break, the government had been shut down. This was the 3rd shutdown of 2018, and it is now continuing into 2019. The main reason for this shutdown is the funding for President Trump’s border wall.

Trump wants $5.7 million dollars to fund the border wall, but it is not being approved. His only solution for this was to shut down the government.

Government shutdowns affect the people of the United States in many ways. Many agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Disease, Department of Defense, and Congress are all affected by this shutdown. Also, people on government aid and welfare will have scaled back benefits.

Luckily, over 150 Veteran Affairs hospitals will stay open along with most national parks (but with no working employees and buildings, such as information and research centers, will be closed).

As of early morning, on January 4th, 2019, House Democrats voted to reopen the government without the funding of the border wall. The bill would reopen funding for 8 closed United States departments. Congress would still keep 9 other departments closed, along with no funding for the wall.

Events

Things to do in Minneapolis over winter break

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Winter break is here, and you’re probably wondering what to do over this long winter break. Here are a few events that will be taking place in Minneapolis.

1. A Christmas Carol

This event will be taken place on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Guthrie Theatre, located at 818 South Second Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415. This event has been happening for the past 44 years, making Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol a Twin Cities holiday tradition.

2. Holidays at Flyover America

This event will take place on November 23, 2018 – January 01, 2019 at
Mall of America. This event will be fun. Guests will help Santa find missing elves, while flying over America and the North Pole. It’s a ten minute flight, and it will have holiday decorations and activities.

3. Holidazzle

Holidazzle is a Minneapolis tradition. It celebrates the Minnesota winter season, and  event include: shopping, food and drinks, along with ice skating, and visits with Santa Claus. The event this year will be on Thursdays-Sundays, November 23 – December 23 at Loring Park.

4. Festival of Light

This Festival of Light is a fabulous light show with music and other things to enjoy, this event will be held on Fridays-Sundays, November 23-December 23 at Sovereign Estate Winery, 9950 North Shore Road, Waconia, MN 55387.

5. Gingerbread Wonderland

This event will be held on November 21-January 7 at 10 a.m. at the Norway House, 913 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404. This event is a fun activity to do with your family. You will be decorating gingerbread houses and they will be selling gingerbread cookies, and ornaments. The fee is $5 for adults and children older than 12. Children under 12 will be free.

For more info, please visit:

World

Royals releases 2018 Christmas cards

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During this time of the year, many of the royal families have released their 2018 Christmas card to the public. For the Cambridges, the clothing style was very casual compared to last year’s Christmas card. Prince William and Duchess Kate had the photo taken by royal photographer Matt Porteous, who also took pictures during Prince Louis’ christening ceremony and Prince George’s fifth birthday photos. The photo was taken at Anmer Hall and the Cambridges are posed on a tree. Princess Charlotte is spotted wearing a dark blue cardigan that she had worn before, during the first portrait of when Prince Louis was born. Prince George also had worn the dark blue cardigan in the portrait, when celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.    

For the Sussexs, Prince Harry and Meghan share a photo of them after their royal wedding reception. The photo was taken by Chris Allerton with a black and white shot of the newlywed couple watching the fireworks. The photo was taken on the night of May 19, from Frogmore House, Windsor. Duchess Meghan was shown to be wearing a halter-neck evening gown.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla’s Christmas photo was taken by Hugo Burnand earlier this summer. The couple was sharing a tender look at each other while they are sitting on a bench at their home, Clarence House.

The Jordanian Royals have also released their 2018 Christmas card with a picture of the family. King Abdullah II and Queen Rania are seen in the photo with Crown Prince Al Hussein, Prince Hashem, Princess Iman, and Princess Salma. Queen Rania posted the photo on her Instagram account stating, “May we greet the New Year with gratitude for all our blessings and hope for a better tomorrow.”

The Norwegian Royals released their 2018 Christmas card with a shot of them in front of a Christmas tree! King Harald and Queen Sonja are shown sitting down on two chairs while Crown Prince Haakon with his son, Prince Sverre Magnus posed behind Queen Sonja. Behind King Harald is Crown Princess Mette-Marit with her daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra.

From the Spanish Royals, the photo was obviously taken in the summer when the family had stopped during their hike through the Picos de Europa National Park in Asturias. The family posed in front of Lakes of Covadonga. King Felipe is hugging Princess Leonor, 13 years old, while Princess Infanta Sofia, 11 years old, is seen standing by her mother, Queen Letizia’s side.

National

George H.W. Bush

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After George H.W. Bush served as the 41st President, he and his wife both suffered from Graves‘ disease. In the early 2000s, he started to have an irregular heartbeat, and started to faint in public, and he would immediately go to the hospital but was released the next day each time.

Bush was diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s called vascular Parkinsonism. Over the years, he has been accused of groping women. His office released a statement saying his Parkinson’s may be the reason of his touching.

Since 2012, Bush was forced to ride a scooter because of his Parkinson’s disease. In 2015, Bush suffered from a neck injury and couldn’t attend Trump’s inauguration. In January of that year, he was in the intensive care unit with a respiratory problem from pneumonia.

On Novermber 30, 2018, Bush died due to his health conditions, at his home in Houston. Bush’s funeral was held on December 5th and all of the former presidents attended, including Donald Trump. Bush was buried next to his wife, Barbara, who died in April of 2018.

When Bush turned 94, he was the only president to live up to that age, but in March 2019, Jimmy Carter will be the oldest living president.

Events

Holidays in December you might not know about

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Christmas. Hanukkah. New Year’s Eve. Are these the only three holidays in December? Many might forget that there is more to the month than menorahs and mistletoe. To shed some light on forgotten festivities, we curated a list of lesser known holidays this December.

Kwanzaa began being celebrated in the late 1960s. After the Watts riots, Kwanzaa was formed as a celebration of harvest: similar to Thanksgiving. In fact, the title “Kwanzaa” comes from the term “first fruit.” The holiday includes: meals, dancing, singing and storytelling. It spans seven nights.

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26. It originated in the UK, and is the day where church collection boxes are opened. The money is given to the poor, and workers are given the day off to spend with their family.

World AIDS day takes place on December 1. It is used to spread awareness on aids and mourn the loss of those who have died from it.

Saint Nicholas Day is on December 6. It could be considered a Christmas holiday, and it is considered a day to focus on giving rather than receiving. The holiday tells the story of a Catholic saint and his morals.

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is a yearly event on December 2, organized by the United Nations General Assembly. The day was first celebrated in 1986. The Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others was approved by the United Nations General Assembly on December 2, 1949. Also, by resolution 57/195 on December 18, 2002, the Assembly proclaimed 2004 the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been observed with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. It was originally called “International Day of Disabled Persons” until 2007. Each year the day focuses on a different issue.

Each year, on December 8, brownie lovers across the nation enjoy one of their favorite baked goods on National Brownie Day. Brownies were created in the United States at the end of the 19th century. A cross between a cookie and cake, they soon became very popular across the country. Though it is unclear of who created this holliday, would you miss an opportunity to eat you’re favorite treat?

International Migrants Day is observed on December 18, in accordance with Resolution 55/93 of the United Nations General Assembly which was adopted on December 4, 2000. On December 18, 1990, the General Assembly had adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (resolution 45/158). This day is observed in many countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations through the dissemination of information on human rights and fundamental political freedoms of migrants, and through sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure the protection of migrants.

Bacon Day is observed annually on December 30th. Everything’s better with bacon. Someone said that once. Within our research, we have found very little to dispute this assertion. In the United States and Canada, bacon is made from the pork belly. Elsewhere in the world, the side and back cuts of pork are used. The meat is cured in either a salt brine or in a salt pack. It is then either dried, boiled or smoked. Bacon is a very popular food in the USA. You can find many items also flavored or scented with bacon including popcorn, soap, candles, air fresheners, and much more. Tthe proper way to celebrate it is by surrounding yourself with bacon!

Did you know some of these? What was your sore out of 9? Share with your friends and find out if you got the best score!

Local

Ice rink is coming to the Mall of America this holiday season

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On December 8, 2018, an ice rink will open at the Mall of America, and it will be free to the public. It is a custom built ice rink, and it is a 12,000-square-foot oval rink. This ice skate rink will be called “Skate the Stars” and it will be located near the Bloomington shopping mecca’s north entrance. The rink is being presented by UCare, and will be around for those planning on making holiday returns.

In a press release, Jill Renslow, SVP of business Development at Mall of America said, “An ice rink has been an experience we have always wanted to bring to life for our guests who visit Mall of America during this cherished time of year, we want our guests to experience the unexpected when they visit each year, that is why adding this ice rink is such an exciting addition to our holiday line-up,’’ she added, ‘‘We look forward to seeing visitors from all over the world enjoy Skate the Star at Mall of America.”

If you plan on going you can bring your own skates, or you can rent skates for $5, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. Before skating, all skaters must complete waivers. Minors under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

The skate rink will be there until January 27, 2019, and from December 8-23, it will be open from 3 p.m to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. It will open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday it will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starting Christmas eve, the hours will change onwards.

Images are posted on the Mall of America Facebook page, and it shows the rink as a circular track with a station in the middle.

For more information visit these sites:

Events, World

2018 G20 Summit

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By: Daniela Fernandez

This year, the G20 Summit was held on November 30 – December 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The G20 summit has been going on since 1999. The summit is where the world’s countries, that lead in the economy, meet every year. Heads of state, or governments, attend the summits to discuss ways to help the world’s economy stabilize. They also talk about financial markets, trade, and development. There are 19 countries, and the EU, that participate in the G20 summit according to G20 Argentina 2018. These countries are Argentina, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Germany, China, India, Indonesia, France, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Australia.

This year, they discussed technology, and how they could guarantee that everyone has access to technology. Also, how technology helps to resolve problems in the world, and to make sure that technology won’t create a backlash in the world.

They also talked about finances, and ways that they can guarantee that money is shared with everyone. This included ways to ensure that the IMF and the WB have enough resources to help countries, and prevent economic loss.

They also discussed agriculture, and the loss of sustainable land because of global warming, and unfair access to land.

Another topic they discussed was international trade, access to markets, globalization, and fair trade.

The final topic they discussed was anti corruption, and helping developing countries fight governmental and industrial corruption, according to G20 Argentina 2018.

This year, at the G20 summit, the US, Canada, and Mexico signed the updated NAFTA agreement. This agreement is about including more products in the free trade market, and guaranteeing that the US won’t force tariffs. This agreement has Canada open its milk market to the United States.

The new agreement says that starting in 2020, to have no tariffs, cars and trucks have to be made with 75% of its parts from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is currently at 62.5% parts made from the US, Mexico, and Canada. The new agreement won’t take action until 2020 according to the Washington Post.

National

Laura Loomer and Twitter

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Laura Loomer is a far-right political activist who just got herself spun into yet another controversy.

Her activism has sparked controversy, especially this time when she chained herself to the doors of the Twitter HQ.

She did this after Twitter banned her for calling Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota state representive, “anti-jewish” and part of an oppressive religion.

Loomer had handcuffed herself just a week after her ban while wearing a yellow Jude patch. A police officer used bolt cutters to un-handcuff her, and she was not arrested.

This isn’t the first time she got herself in a controversy. In her senior year at Barry University, she taped a conversation between her and college officials. She was given criminal charges and was suspended from the university for violating the student code of conduct. She has dressed in burqas twice for her activism, and even interrupted two book signings. She went to the trial of Noor Salman with press credentials, which were revoked after she started to harass Salman’s family.

Let’s just hope she doesn’t get herself caught up in anything else.

Editorials/Student Voice, News

The risks of vaping

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According to theTruth.com, despite all the anti smoking campaigns used 20 years ago, in 1998, 23% of teens still smoked cigarettes. Skip ahead to 2005, and teen usage of E-cig vaping devices has increased to 16%.

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances that is easily accessible. Nicotine mimics an acetylcholine receptor in the brain, but also reduces the number of receptors that the brain produces. The long-term brain changes caused by continued nicotine use can result in addiction.

E-cigs were originally intended for people who wanted to quit smoking cigarettes but weren’t ready to quit nicotine cold turkey. Vaping has been proven to be harmful to people in the same ways as smoking cigarettes. They might not contain the chemicals found in tobacco, but they still contain cancer causing chemicals that affect your respiratory and circulatory systems.

These 5 shocking facts about vaping might make you think twice about picking up one of these hand held smoking devices.

Nicotine from vaping can damage blood vessels. 

Vaping for even 30 minutes a day with an e-cig containing nicotine, was proven to increase stiffness in the arteries while also increasing blood pressure.

The primary ingredient in vape liquid turns into formaldehyde, a known cause of cancer, when it’s heated.

When you vape, or inhale this vapor, you are willingly exposing yourself to cancer causing chemicals.

E-cigarette companies target youth in their advertising

The companies will purposefully target youth by including themes like rebellion, independence, and sex in their advertisements. Another way they target youth is by making the vape liquid in sweet or fruity flavors.

Every month, in the U.S., more than 100 children, less than 6 years old are poisoned from ingesting vaping liquid

The colorful packaging and sweet flavors of these liquids make young children want to eat it.

E-cigs and vapes have gone unregulated by federal authorities since the ’60s. 

For more than 50 years, e-cig and vape companies didn’t have to register their products, disclose ingredients, or get approval from the FDA before selling them. They weren’t officially regulated until August 2016.

For more information, please visit: https://www.thetruth.com

Books/Art, Events

NaNoWriMo

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by: Vivian S

In July 1999, 21 people in the San Francisco Bay Area challenged one another to write 50,000 words in one month. Surprisingly, they found it fun and decided to continue on doing it. It has grown since then, with 394,507 people participating in 2017, in 646 regions.

National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is a challenge that anyone can take on to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. They have a website where you can sign up and make an account, and it tracks your progress and tells you how many words you should write each day to complete that goal. With the website, you can receive pep talks from other authors, get support, meet other writers online, find out about events in your area, and all around challenge yourself. NaNoWriMo awards badges that you can earn over the month for your achievements.

Some novels written over the course of NaNoWriMo have been published and become successful. Examples include Marissa Meyer’s Cinder and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.

NaNoWriMo is run by a non-profit organization that hosts other events as well. They have a Young Writers Program and a Camp NaNoWriMo. They used to do a script writing event, but they don’t do it any longer.

In the Young Writers Program, you can participate alone or in a classroom. You can set word count goals and work toward them. Educators can create online classrooms where they can keep track of student progress.

In April and July, Camp NaNoWriMo is hosted, and it is where you set your own word count goals and work toward them.

Even after November, you are still urged to continue to work on your NaNoWriMo novel. In January and February, they host “Now What?” months where you can work on revising and publishing your novel.

NaNoWriMo is an event that anyone can take on to put words on paper (or computer) and challenge themselves.

For more information, go to https://nanowrimo.org