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Gun Restrictions in America

Hailey Yopp

June 15, 2022

Shouldn’t there be gun restrictions in America? Gun restrictions will help reduce the amount of crime and gun violence that there is. Placing a simple restriction like being at least 21 years of age to obtain an assault rifle, would not hurt, but most likely help to reduce gun violence. This could help the younger age group to not be involved in such gun violence.

According to www.amnesty.org more than 500 people die every day in America, due to violence committed with a firearm. Gun violence is a daily tragedy that affects the lives of families and individuals around the world. The Texas shooting at Robb Elementary school, is a prime example. An 18-year-old boy killed 19 kids and two adults. Many families have lost their sons, daughters, cousins and other relatives all to gun violence and mass shootings. If something does not change soon, who knows what the numbers will be in the following years.

There is an obvious issue with guns, and to be more specific it’s the age requirement of being 18 to obtain an AR. Many people say at the age of 18 you are just starting to enter adulthood.

“I think the age requirement is too young because in America you have to be at least 21 to drink and smoke but for some reason you are allowed to purchase an AR and that doesn’t make sense to me,” sophomore Trinity Loundmon said.

Many 18-year olds don’t think clearly and react based off emotions and not logic. That is why the age requirement should be raised to 21.

Guns are deeply engraved into America’s society and political debates, which should not be the case. Many people think that putting a restriction on guns will affect their right of the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms). Adding a restriction will not take away their rights, but it would simply enforce stricter laws and people would only be allowed to get an AR if they’re above the age of 21. President Joe Biden proposed earlier this year new restrictions on firearm access in an effort to address the gun violence ranging from murders to mass shootings, senate not approving.

As expressed, there needs to be a restriction in place to where a person must be 21 or up to obtain and use an AR. This helps the younger teens stay away from gun violence and protects many more lives, as we have lost so many due to gun violence already.

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

6/3/22

3rd hour

Texas calls a mount for gun laws

Texas leaders are under growing pressure to increase gun control measures. As the funerals of the 19 children and two teachers begin on Tuesday the devastated southern Texas city of Uvalde, are demanding a special legislative action. take place. Right leaning Republican governor, Greg Abbott has been asked to convene a special legislative session to weigh legislation, with state senate Democrats calling for increasing the age for buying any gun to 21. They also want to They also want to mandate background checks for all gun sales, and regulate civilian ownership of high capacity magazines. This will decrease a lot of the gun violence taking place. Another action they are calling for is a “red flag” legislation that would permit the temporary removal of guns from people who present an imminent danger to themselves and others and are urging for a law to require a “cooling off” period when buying a gun.

This is important to our society because shootings like this are constantly reoccurring and are mainly hate crimes. Something needs to happen in order to protect people and especially kids when they’re at school.

Victoria Bekiempis

Tue 31 May 2022 09.15 EDT

https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/31/texas-gun-control-laws-action-uvalde-school-shooting

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Hailey Yopp

5/20/22

3rd hour

The pursuit of happiness can end in pain

The pursuit of happiness is often more stressful pursuing it than fulfilling. Many kids are pressured to feel happy and are pressured to present themselves as happy. Focusing on happiness can lead to perfectionistic tendencies as people try to sustain what is actually a brief and elusive emotion,or in shorter words faking happiness. Presenting anything less than happiness only allows for people to be judged or alienated. This makes kids self esteem low. If more people try to discover what makes them genuinely happy and more or so content, that could help out in a lot of ways. Promoting contentment rather than happiness as the goal is a good start to change things.

This is important to our society because a lot more kids than you can think of go through these emotions of being unhappy. As said above, there should be something that should be in place where kids are redirected to contentment and not happiness. There could be a big difference if it changes.

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/amp/rcna27992

May 15, 2022, 4:30 AM

By Maggie Mulqueen, psychologist

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Hailey Yopp

5/13/22

3rd hour

What Students Are Saying About How Social Media Affects Their Body Image

Many students said that social media has been “detrimental” to the way they feel about their looks, and that even though they are aware it doesn’t show the full picture, they still struggle not to compare themselves to the people they see online. Social media makes people judge themselves so hard. Many kids are just trying to fit in. Social media greatly affects my body image. “There are beautiful people online, and with TikTok’s “that girl” or “small waist” trends.”

This news story is important because in today’s society everything is based around social media in some way. Kids look to social media for a lot. Kids also see what they wish they could be and try to live up to these trends and viewpoints.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-how-social-media-affects-their-body-image.html

By The Learning Network

March 31, 2022

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

4-29-22

3rd hour

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial

The defamation case brought by actor Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard is ongoing and will likely take weeks to conclude. Since the start of this case there has been numerous tiktoks and videos showing different perspectives of this case. The defamation case is brought by actor Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard and is ongoing and will likely take weeks to conclude. The couple split in 2016, but have continued to battle in court over an op-ed Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018, in which she described surviving domestic violence but without mentioning Depp by name. Aside from the accusations a lot of people are on johnny’s side.

This story sheds like on toxic relationships. This also shows how you never really know the truth to someone else’s story. Looking into each perspective can quickly change your idea of someone for the good or bad.

April 27, 2022, 3:13 PM EDT

By Kalhan Rosenblatt

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna26136

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

3rd hour

4-22-22

The future of recycling in West Michigan

It’s cheaper to send waste to a landfill than recycling, but turning trash into a commodity could become more streamlined in West Michigan in the upcoming years. The Kent County Recycling and Education Center is the largest facility of its kind on the west side of the state. Kristen Wieland communication and marketing director for the county’s department spoke upon what she has been seeing. “Cardboard is the biggest thing. It’s really been growing in about the last eight years, but I think covid has really shifted how much cardboard we’re getting at our homes instead of at retail,” she said. It’s called the “cardboard effects” during the peak of covid everyone order many things that included cardboard. The county came up short of its goal to reduce landfill waste by 20% by 2020 but is now on track for its next goal of reducing what goes to the landfill by 90% by the year 2030.

This is important because a lot of landfills are becoming so used up. Although landfills are cheaper, I think the better way would be recycling. Pollution for trash and other harmful things can create diseases and make people sick.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/the-future-of-recycling-in-west-michigan/amp/

April 22-22

Teresa Weakley

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

4-15-22

3rd hour

Last week the Supreme Court Confirmed Kentanji Brown Jackson as the next Justice on the Supreme Court. Ketanji Jackson is the first black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Replacing Justice Stephen Breyer who’s retiring at the end of the summer, President Biden made history to a campaign promise in choosing a black woman to fill the Supreme Court Vacancy. After a Poll went up, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee said it was wrong for Biden to choose jackson based on race and gender. The poll showed a wide gap between Utahns based on party affiliation and political ideology. People who voted against Ketanji didn’t think she had political ideology.

This is important because many black people were seeking someone like themselves to serve for them in the Supreme Court. It offers a chance for her to represent not just herself,but let people and show what she’s capable of.

By Dennis Romboy

April 14, 2022 10:05 p.m. MDT

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/4/14/23025523/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-justice-utahns-agree-confirmation-poll-mitt-romney?_amp=true

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

3-4-22

3rd hour

What is March Madness?

March Madness is when 68 NCAA division 1 basketball teams come together and complete in 7 rounds for the national championship. This is a huge sports event. Towards the end it comes down to 4 teams, (hence the name final four). After that is Selection Sunday, it is the day when the Selection Committee reveals the full NCAA tournament bracket, including all teams and all seeds. You might be wondering how all 68 teams get selected. Well there are two ways that a team can earn a bid to the NCAA tournament. To start the 32 Division I conferences all receive an automatic bid,and the second way is an at large bid.

For many basketball lovers this is huge. Many people travel and spend a lot of money and time just to see one of their favorite teams or player’s, play. It’s exciting,entertaining, and all around an intriguing event.

Daniel Wilco

NCAA.COM

March 14, 2022

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

3-11-22

3rd Hour

Russia’s and Ukraine’s alignment

As many have heard Russia and Ukraine are at war. But everyone is so curious at to why. There are many theories as to why,but really goes back to the history. Ukraine was a cornerstone of the Soviet Union until it voted overwhelmingly for independence in a democratic referendum in 1991. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO pushed eastward, bringing most of the Eastern European nations together. Putin wants to reestablish it,and doesn’t want Ukraine to be their own. To say the least this is why there is war now.

This is important because so many lives are in danger. Russia has such a high advantage against Ukraine and it’s disheartening. So many lives have been lost already. Why could someone be so selfish and choose such actions?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/02/24/europe/ukraine-russia-conflict-explainer-2-cmd-intl/index.html

7:58 PM

Mon February 28, 2022

By Eliza Mackintosh and Rob Picheta

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

2-10-22

3rd hour

Cheslie Kryst has passed at age 30 due to suicide.

Cheslie Kryst a lawyer and former Miss USA, has recently passed due to suicide in New York. Friends and family said she was a sweet girl. They had no idea about her depression and said it was hid very well. Many of her fans and supporters are posting her beautiful pictures of her saying things like “just why”. Others are telling one another to reach out for help if needed.

This is very important because many young, black girls face so many challenges. With girls trying to fit in and look to par,no one can always see what someone is going through if they’re not in their shoes. Depression is real and it needs to be talked about. Mental health is such an important topic in today’s generation. You never know what someone’s life is outside of school,a job,social media and so on. This should show people to be more kind and watch what they say,and how they treat people.

yahooo.com

Kerry Justich

February 7, 2022, 10:11 am

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

2-4-22

3rd hour

Body cam shows Minneapolis police officer shoot a black man during a no-nock warrant

Early hours on a Wednesday, Minneapolis police officers placed a key in a city apartment door before bursting through the doorway yelling "Police! Search warrant!Seconds later a Black man apparently asleep and shown to be holding a gun upon awakening was shot and killed. The firearm he had was legal. Also in May of 2020 the same Minneapolis police department were involved of the death of George Floyd. This has lead to many protests in the black community. Many are upset and enraged,that things like this keep happening.

This is important because once again,in the world we live in black people and people of color are getting shot and or killed. It also just so happens to be the same department that killed George Floyd. Do you think this is a big deal in our world today?

cnn.com

By Omar Jimenez

10:11 AM EST, Fri February 04, 2022

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

1-26-22

3rd hour

Parents of Black Student Allege Racism at Michigan School

The parents of a Black student have filed a $150 million lawsuit against a suburban Detroit school. There were alleged death threats and racial discrimination. Officials at Bloomfield Hills High School said a white teacher’s decision to place a noose around the neck of a Black doll and drop it over a railing was a science project. Many were in shock and disbelief.

This is important because it shows how teachers are even showing racism when it should be taught in a way where it’s not used like this. Do you think the teacher was wrong for using a black doll for a science project?

By Associated Press

Nov. 19, 2021

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2021-11-19/parents-of-black-student-allege-racism-at-michigan-school

Hailey Yopp

1-26-22

3rd hour

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin didn’t mind if some kids got an anti-racist education

Glenn Youngkin is banning the fictional menace of critical race theory from public schools. Not only that but he is making a tip line to where parents can report to the government any school official they consider to be teaching something “divisive.” Youngkin has imposed a de facto “memory law” whitewashing Virginia’s, and the country’s, deep and ongoing history of white supremacy.

This is important because it shows how a governor is trying to take away education on racism.If that happens people of color will not learn about their past and history of their ancestors.What do you think about this anti-race education?

By Dana Milnank

1-26-22 4:56 p.m. EST

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/01/26/glenn-youngkin-report-teachers-divisive-hypocrisy/

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

1-14-22

3rd Hour

Laboratory Study shows cannabis compounds prevented covid.

Compounds of cannabis prevented the virus that causes Covid-19 from penetrating healthy human cells. Researchers say it bound to spike proteins on the virus and blocked a step the pathogen uses to infect people. “These compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans,” said Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center. “They have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2,” he said in a statement.

I think this is a important topic because a lot of people use cannabis in their day-to-day life whilist going out and having fun,cannabis may be a reason why some people have not caught covid. Do you think this may be a good a bad thing? Will people start using cannabis to prevent covid?

ByKanoko Matsuyama

January 12, 2022, 12:48 AM

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-12/cannabis-compounds-prevented-covid-infection-in-laboratory-study

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

11-12-21

3rd hour

Odell Beckham Jr. is off to a new team

On Thursday November 11,2021 national wide receiver Odell Beckham agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams rank first in the league in passing yards (2,776) and second in passing touchdowns (25) this season. Odell cleared waivers Tuesday after being released from the Cleveland Browns. Over the last two years, Beckham’s production dropped. Beckham had racked up 40 receptions, 551 yards and 3 touchdowns in the last two seasons. He only played in only seven games last season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in October 2020.

Is this a big step for the Rams?

This important for many sports lovers. Especially football players and young athletes who look up to Odell. Odell has made a huge impact in many athletes lives.

Jabari Young

Thursday November 11th

4:32 pm

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/11/odell-beckham-jr-joins-rams-after-leaving-browns.html

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Hailey Yopp

11-5-21

3rd hour

From the latest cancer data from the Division of Public Health located in Delaware, it seems as if mortality rates has improved upon the last decade.

With that being stated, Delaware still remains second-highest nationally for all-site cancer incidence during the same period. However, from 2003 to 2017 in Delaware, all-site malignancy death rates diminished 26% among non-Hispanic African American guys and 15% among non-Hispanic Caucasian guys, yet expanded 18% among Hispanic guys. The eight types of cancer that this data represents are breast, colorectal, lung,cervical, kidney, leukemia, oral and prostate cancer. “After decades of dedicated early detection and screening efforts by a wide array of partners, it’s reassuring to see improvement in certain areas,” Governor John Carney said. To sum up everything that has been stated so far,cancer reports have been dropping.

This is important because many people lose their lives from cancer. In addition, not only is it affecting the people passing away but it’s affecting their loved ones. I felt that it was vital to choose this article to raise awareness on a issue that’s has been affecting people for centuries.

Has cancer ever affected you or a love one?

Monday, October 11, 2021

https://news.delaware.gov/2021/10/11/delawares-cancer-mortality-rates-continue-to-decrease-public-health-releases-latest-cancer-report/

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Hailey Yopp

10-15-21

3rd hour

Paraplegic black man dragged out his car by police officers

On September 30th in Dayton,Ohio a black man named Clifford Owensby age 39,was dragged out of his car by two police officers. Owensby was pulled over because he was a suspected a drug house. Police officers requested a police dog to detect narcotics. Meanwhile Owensby had prior drug and weapon felony. Officers asked him to step out the vehicle and Owensby told them that he was paraplegic and didn’t want the car searched. Officers officers offered to help him out but things then escalated. Owensby did not comply and officers ended up using force, and “dragged” him out the car while his 3 year olds daughter was in the car.

This is important because many people are calling it police brutality once again. But there are many missing components to the story. Do you think key point are missing ?

nytimes.com

Eduardo Medina and Johnny Diaz

[yvette1]

Hailey Yopp

10-6-21

3rd hour

California governor announces that it will be required to be vaccinated. In all schools it is now mandatory from ages 12-17 years old. Although it won’t be in act until January,Democrats are saying to push it as early as possible.Kids 12 years old and up are eligible for Pfizer. As of now,no other states are making this mandate.Besides private school and universities.

This is important because Covid is a still a serious issue.Many are following protocols,and many are not.Those who are not vaccinated may be slowing the process of stopping the virus.Will the virus slow up? Or will numbers go back up and will we be can to the beginning?

Cheyenne Haslet

October 1st,2021

2:27 pm

abcnews.go.com