Local-
-Friday Night 31-28 Win over Niskayuna: Saratoga Springs High School brings yet another win onto their home field with a tight game and an energetic crowd! The White Out game was filled with energy and school spirit as the Toga Varsity Football team won the tough game against rival Niskayuna on 9/27. See Saratoga Varsity Football Captures Upset Win Over Niskayuna article for more details!
-2024 Induction Ceremony for the Blue Streak Athletic Hall of Fame: On Friday September 27th, SSHS honored 6 individuals for their “extraordinary” contributions to the athletics of the school. The 2024 inductees were Kelsey Briddell, Lindsey Frank, Derrick Legall, Tina Villa-Gac, Charles Williams and Jake Zanetti. Selected by a committee of former coaches, SSHS administrators, members of our community and athletic directors were a part of the selection process of these alumni students and individuals who contributed to Saratoga Springs’ athletics over the years. Learn more about them below!
-SSHS Semifinalists and Commended Students Announced for the National Merit Scholarship: Saratoga Springs High School students Ava Agati, Kaitlyn Munro, and Carol Wang have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. High School seniors. SSHS seniors Ian Hill and Norak Hoke have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Program. Along with SSHS’s Merit Scholarship semifinalists, these two students represent excellent academics due to their performances in the qualifying test. Congrats to all these students!
Statewide-
-NYC Mayor Eric Adams Pleads Not-Guilty for 5 Corruption Charges: This past Friday, the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams was released from federal court after he pleaded not guilty to 5 corruption charges including bribery and accepting campaign contributions from foreigners. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors claimed that diplomats and businesspeople from Turkey illegally funneled money to Adams’ campaign along with receiving financial aid and travel benefits regarding his campaign from France, China, Sri Lanka, India and Hungary. He didn’t have to post any bail, but only on the condition that he does not have any contact with those involved in the indictment and to not speak of the details regarding the indictment with his staff and family.
NYC Mayor Adams pleads not guilty to federal public corruption charges (usatoday.com)
National-
-Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeast: This Category 4 Hurricane made landfall in Florida on Thursday, 9/26 and has been moving up the southeast coast and destroying everything in its path: including North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Powered by climate change-inducing warm waters, the hurricane has been so deadly and destructive that officials in Florida have asked citizens to ink their names and DOB on their arms in case their bodies need identification. Helene has resulted in record-breaking rainfall (29.5 inches!), floods, power outages and 140 mph winds, leaving those not evacuated in time stuck without resources and in danger. Over 4.5 million people don’t have power and around 45 deaths across the southeast have resulted from this storm.
Hurricane Helene aftermath: Here’s how you can help those in need (usatoday.com)
-Presidential Race Becomes Even Tighter: As Harris and Trump further their campaigns, the race for the new US presidency of 2025 is proving to be extremely close between the two parties. While Harris’ campaign is reinforced by a stronger personal appeal, Trump attracts a die-hard demographic. A recent poll taken by CNN found that 48% support Harris and a tight 47% support Trump-while the other 3% are deciding to vote Libertarian and Green Party candidates-resulting in no clear leader of the race.
CNN Poll: Harris and Trump locked in exceedingly close presidential race | CNN Politics
-Sean “Diddy” Combs Accused of Drugging and Sexual Assault: Rapper Combs is being faced with criminal charges of drugging and sexual assault of a woman named Jane Doe, where she filed the account in New York and was obtained on Friday. The allegations span from the fall of 2020 to the summer of 2024, adding to at least the 12th misconduct lawsuit he has been involved in in the past months. He is yet to be convicted.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in new civil lawsuit | CNN
Global-
-Global Icon Maggie Smith dies at 89: On September 27th, the beloved actress Dame Margaret Smith died in London, England, leaving the world now only with her extensive and wonderful legacy. Smith was one of Britain’s most recognizable actresses, starting her career in acting in the 1950s and growing her career from there. She was best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter film series. Smith’s impact on the acting world is recognized by many and her career and wit will never be forgotten.
Maggie Smith, beloved ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Harry Potter’ star, dead at 89 | CNN
-Van Gogh Paintings in London Vandalized Due to a Climate Change Protest: On September 27th, Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were sentenced to prison for over 3 years for vandalizing works of Vincent Van Gogh in London’s National Gallery. The activists threw cans of soup onto the paintings to protest fossil fuels in the name of their group Just Stop Oil. As of late, the UK government have been under scrutiny for their “repressive” and “punitive” ways, but in this instance, court Judges said that the “cultural treasure” could have been seriously damaged and permanently ruined if not for the glass covering it. Representing herself in court, Plummer stated “My choice today is to accept whatever sentence I receive with a smile. It is not just myself being sentenced today, or my co-defendants, but the foundation of democracy itself.”