What Big News Happened Over the Summer That Students Should Know About
Dear teachers, we hope your well-deserved summer break brought you relaxation, rejuvenation, and cherished moments with loved ones. As you return to your classrooms with enthusiasm and fresh energy, we want to ensure you and your students are up to date with news you may have missed during your time off. Below are a few of the highlights from the summer months, organized by general subject matter.
US News
In the US, the news was dominated by Supreme Court rulings, and legal troubles for former President Trump and President Biden’s son, Hunter.
You can read all about the Supreme Court’s consequential rulings here:
Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action in College Admissions
For students and teachers interested in learning more about the history of Affirmative Action in the US, they can read our Extra Juice on the subject here, as well as our teacher note on the subject here.
Students interested in the latest legal battles over school dress codes can read all about the Supreme Court’s rejection of a North Carolina charter school’s skirts-only rule.
And for the last part of our legal roundup, you can read about the ongoing legal battles over redistricting. Some students may need a primer on what gerrymandering is, but the Juice has you covered with our Extra Juice on the topic: Redistricting or “Gerrymandering.”
Former President Donald Trump, who is currently the frontrunner in the Republican primary, faces multiple indictments. You can read our Extra Juice on the subject for a summary of the various investigations into the former president. You can also read about the specific charges he faces in a Washington DC court here: Trump Indicted for Efforts To Overturn 2020 Presidential Loss. And you can read about the specific charges he faces in a Georgia court here: Mobster Act Used to Indict Trump, Allies, For Trying to Overturn 2020 Election in Georgia.
President Biden’s son, Hunter, also faces ongoing legal troubles after his plea deal with federal prosecutors fell apart in court.
World News
Much of the world news continued to be dominated by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Some of the largest developments over the summer months were:
- a mutiny staged by Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June along with his suspicious death two months later: Russian Mercenary Leader Who Led Mutiny Reportedly in Fatal Jet Crash
- an escalation in the types of weapons the US agreed to supply Ukraine
- a new addition to NATO
- Russia backing out of a grain deal, imperiling the world food supply
Outside of the war in Ukraine, the UN warned of an ongoing humanitarian crisis as Sudan’s Civil War spirals out of control. And elsewhere in Africa, a coup in Niger has many worried about the stability of the entire region: Nigerien Army Girds for Battle as West African Nations Consider Invasion.
Entertainment
Dominating entertainment headlines throughout the summer was Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour. Read all about its remarkable economic impact here and here, or you can read about how Swifties even registered a seismic impact in one US city.
In other music news, Hip Hop Music Celebrates 50 Years of History.
Barbie dominated at the boxoffice, but also faced censorship in Lebanon and Kuwait, as well as Vietnam for different reasons.
As of this writing, Hollywood actors and writers are still on strike.
The biggest stories in sports were Spain winning its first ever Women’s World Cup, and Lionel Messi’s debut in American soccer.
STEM
Scientists from all over the globe continued to investigate and innovate. Here’s a sample of some of the biggest breakthroughs:
- Scientists Revive Worms Frozen For 46,000 Years
- Scientists Train New Warrior in Fight Against Malaria: Mosquitoes
- India Joins Space Race in a Big Way with Lunar Landing
- Pig-to-Human Kidney Transplant Hits Promising Milestone
Environment
The leading environmental story throughout the summer was the relentless and deadly heat, and its scientific connection to climate change.
Canada has also battled a record-breaking wildfire season all summer, the effects of which have been felt in the US as well: Canada Wildfires Turn Season Into Summer of Smoke.
For young climate activists, there was some positive news out of Montana: Young Activists Win Climate Change Lawsuit Against Montana.
Bright Side
If you’re looking for some of the more uplifting stories from the summer, here’s a sample from our bright side collection:
- Last in Hurdles, First in Sportsmanship: Jolien Boumkwo to the Rescue
- Man on a Mission: Complete 143 Acts of Kindness in 40 Days
- Paramedic Donates Kidney to Daughter of Man Whose Life She Saved
- Innovative Museum Brings a Touch of Art to Visually Impaired Communities
- Nigeria’s ‘Hanging Libraries’ Help Spread Literacy, Smiles
- Dedicated Walk-On Gets Surprise Scholarship From Teammate
Brendan Kells serves as the Vice President of Education at The Juice. After a career spent teaching students to become more sophisticated consumers of information in the classroom, he ensures our products are aligned with the educational promises we’ve made to the educational community. Like many career educators, in addition to his 14 years as a classroom teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin, he served in many roles, including nine summers as the Principal of the Cambridge-Harvard Summer Academy. As a principal, teacher, mentor, advisor, and coach, he taught a wide range of subjects to a wide range of learners.
