Wednesday Scoop: Teacher Strike
The big story…
L.A. Teachers Prepare for Strike
The teachers in the second-biggest school district in the country, Los Angeles, are ready to go on strike and likely will do so in the next few days. United Teachers Los Angeles are currently trying to work out a deal with the district, demanding smaller class sizes and the hiring of more nurses, librarians, and counselors. If negotiations are not resolved soon, more than 30,000 teachers will strike, affecting the education of some 280,000 students. The last strike of this magnitude in L.A. was 30 years ago and caused major chaos in the district.
In national news…
President Trump Makes Primetime Address About Border Wall
Yesterday the president gave his first televised address from the Oval Office, discussing the importance of a border wall. The speech was an attempt to gain public loyalty and pressure Congress into passing funding for the wall, which would also end the government shutdown. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Chuck Schumer later responded with their own address. (Read the transcripts of both speeches here.)
In politics…
Shutdown to Stop Food Stamp Payments in March
The Trump administration assured Americans Tuesday that they will continue to receive their food stamps through February despite the partial government shutdown, but there are not enough funds to carry through March if the shutdown continues. The Washington Post reports, “Congress has only approved funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through January, fueling concern food benefits used by 38 million Americans would expire amid the budget stalemate in Washington.” Agriculture Department officials told reporters they will give states the money for February’s food stamps ahead of time to bypass the federal appropriations deadline.
In higher education…
President of Georgia Tech Resigns Following Questionable Ethics of Administrators
G.P. (Bud) Peterson has ended his 10-year tenure as the president of Georgia Tech, following the events of this summer when four administrators at the university were found to have unethical, undisclosed relationships with university vendors.
In film…
Margot Robbie to Play Barbie in Live Action Film
Warner Bros. has closed a deal with Mattel and Margot Robbie will play Barbie in a live action adaption. Jury’s out on whether this project will help or hurt the doll’s controversial legacy.
In space…
NASA Discovers New Super-Earth
NASA has spotted a new Super-Earth 23 times the size of our planet.
In the environment…
Last Living Tree Snail Dies
The last living member of the snail species Achatinella apexfulva has died in Hawaii. In other words, RIP George.
Trending today…
‘Bandersnatch’
We thought the buzz about the latest Black Mirror installment had died down, but then Netflix changed the game.
Last but not least…
CMN Vibes: Welcome to 2019
Check out this playlist by CMN music writer Curt Tagtmeier to start the year right.
Today’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Curt Tagtmeier, Natalia Kolenko, and the CMN Staff. The beginning of the new year means we’re already looking for summer internships. Here’s a few tips to get you ahead of the game. P.S. Was this newsletter forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get the Morning Scoop straight to your inbox every day.
