Local:
–SSHS Art Show dazzled the halls on 5/30: High School student artwork was displayed throughout the school during the weeks of 5/20 and 5/27 but was open to the public eye on Thursday, May 30th. AP studio art students showcase their final art pieces of their high school career and students from all art courses, ranging from Foundations in art and Portfolio Development to Computer Graphics and Ceramics, displayed their creativity. Learn more about SSHS’s Art courses here:
Art Department Courses – Saratoga City School District (saratogaschools.org)
–The Belmont Stakes on 6/8: Due to construction in Belmont Park, this Triple Crown horse race was moved to our very own Saratoga Racecourse for this year and next year’s races. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival lasted four days, from Tuesday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9. Millions of people from all around the world visited our town and the Stakes featured a 2-million-dollar purse- $500,000 more than last year. Our town of Saratoga also held an additional 6-Day Community-wide festival from June 4-9: Belmont on Broadway. During this festival, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame were open featuring displays of Saratoga students’ artwork, free performances on Broadway, and Galas and parties from SPAC to the Canfield Casino. Not only was this a major tourist attraction, but also something to look out for while on the roads!
Belmont on Broadway: 6-Day Fan-Fest in Saratoga Springs
About the 2024 Belmont Stakes in Saratoga: General Info
Where is the Belmont Stakes? Here’s what to know for 2024 – NBC New York
–Hochul’s Internet Safety Bills for Children in New York: Governor Hochul and her legislation seek the passage of two bills providing internet safety for children, preventing social media platforms from collecting personal data from and imposing addictive algorithms for children and young adults online. With support from many important organizations like Common Sense Media, the State of School Boards Association, and many others, New York is working to provide cyber safety for teens and children.
Hochul, lawmakers push passage of internet child safety bills (timesunion.com)
Nationwide:
–Former President Trump found Guilty on 34 Felony Charges Regarding Hush-Money Trial: On May 30th, Former President Trump was convicted on 34 charges for falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments, becoming the first U.S. President to be convicted of a crime. Unanimous verdicts were made by an anonymous jury in Manhattan, NY following the testifying of Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen. This verdict will deeply alter his presidential campaign that he is currently in the middle of. Trump claimed that the trail was rigged and corrupt following his conviction, insisting his guilty charges were influenced by Biden and democrats. This is only one out of the four criminal prosecutions against Trump, the other three having to do with the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. He will be sentenced for his 34 guilty counts on July 11, risking prison or possibly other punishments.
Live updates: Trump found guilty in hush money trial (cnn.com)
White House race plunges into uncharted territory as Trump awaits July sentencing | Reuters
–Commencement Speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker leads to national controversy: The Kansas City Chiefs can’t seem to get out of the spotlight. On May 11, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker addressed the graduating class of 2024 at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas with a controversial speech. Butker spoke about many topics viewed by many as homophobic and sexist, speaking against Pride Month, women’s accomplishments, and goals of our current government. The NFL and the Chiefs later spoke out and disassociated themselves with the views expressed by Butker, sharing that they don’t reflect the league’s views or values in any way.
Harrison Butker defends controversial commencement speech during Catholic school gala | CNN
Harrison Butker | Commencement Address 2024 | Benedictine College (youtube.com)
–Alaska’s Rivers are Turning into Metal Pools, Becoming Another Damaged Area: Formerly untouched rivers and streams in Alaska have now been reached with the damage of global warming and pollution occurring across the world. These waterways look as if they are rusty and cloudy. This is caused by metals like iron, zinc, copper, nickel, and lead that have been released into the water that was once trapped in frozen soil (permafrost), now being thawed due to rising global temperatures. On top of an increase in pollution, the thawing of this permafrost is causing rivers and streams to become toxic and damage nearby environments. This is not new to the globe however, as this has been occurring globally over the past decades.
Rivers in Alaska are turning orange. It’s an ‘unexpected consequence of climate change’ | CNN
Global:
–First Female President Set to be Elected in Mexico in 2025 Election: Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and its secretary of environment in 2000, is running against Senator Xóchitl Gálvez in Mexico’s 2025 presidential election. As of Sunday, Sheinbaum officially is running as the nominee of the Morena Party against the nominee of the National Action Party, Gálvez. Both are women fighting for the presidential spot in Mexico’s government. No matter who the results favor, Mexico will elect its first ever female president in its next election, making it a huge historic moment not only for Mexico but for the world.
Mexico on track for first woman president as second female frontrunner joins race | CNN
–Helicopter Crash Leads to Death of Iran’s President: On Sunday May 19, Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi and their foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were killed due to “technical failure” in a helicopter while flying to tend to domestic tensions and discontent within their country. Raisi’s death has resulted in an announcement on 5/20 that Iran’s next presidential election to replace him will be on June 28. His supporters have been holding public mourning rituals while those affected by his –what some would say oppressive policies- have celebrated. Iran is now currently operating without a leader for both their executive and parliamentary branches of government due to the two deaths, and their replacements remain undecided. Although the former president’s government of the Islamic Republic is stable, many are unsure what the next Iranian leader will bring.
–Third Person Tests Positive for Avian Flu- Could This be a Rise of a New Disease Outbreak? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just announced the third positive test of avian flu in humans. Avian flu is typically linked with wild and domestic birds, but it has most recently infected mammals including humans. All three U.S. individuals that have contracted it are farmers from either Michigan or Texas, and all their cases have been associated with the bird flu’s outbreak in dairy cows. The CDC has said that symptoms are mostly respiratory and can range from none to severe, leading to death. Starting in 2022, bird flu has been found in more mammals, though the risk to the general public remains low.
Avian Flu Update: Outbreak Maps as Third Human Case Reported – Newsweek