Current Event Activity 2.2

1.  The fire in Bastrop has two two theories surrounding its origin. While confirmed to have started in Luecke Farm, the true cause is unknown. County judge, Paul Pape has pointed out the possibility it was caused by a overheating shredder, or an intentionally set burn pile. On Tuesday at 10:30 am, the residents who survived were allowed to return to their properties. After two massive fires in the region, people are questioning whether to rebuild. This fire alone hasn't had a damage report released yet, but it's estimated to be a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. ---- The reporter really did interview the residents, but the most interesting thing was how one of the house survived the first Bastrop fire. To The reporter did a good job making an emotional response in the reader, even if it lost interest toward the end due to a sustained period of only victim interviews.

2. A transition to from paper to digital textbooks is gaining momentum in Austin school districts and with parents. Schools are abandoning the textbooks' paper counterpart in favor of a cheaper option, and one that will help students get ready for the upcoming computer-dependent world. One of the parents decided digital homework wasn't user-friendly, and and so bought a 75$ textbook instead. Melissa Prepster, an eighth grade teacher, said to the paper that the shift greatly boosted her usage and abilities in the classroom. The Eanes district has, and Leander plans to equip every secondary student with a tablet. Millions of dollars have been poured into this change, while many other districts are only gradually shifting. ---- I think courses could be greatly complimented with the insert of online accessibility, but to give TABLETS!?!? I have to agree with Robertson here, because those things are super annoying to use. I love bringing my laptop to school, but only with a stroke of good-relations with people and a very good ability to handle my laptop in crowded areas, do I avoid immediately breaking it. One of the hinges is breaking now, so what could the possibilities be for poor students, or average-income students who happen to break theirs; it would severely debase their income. 

3. On Tuesday, big news of Trudeau's election will influence more than the whole country, which has now returned to its liberal identity from the previous prime minister. Trudeau is supporting the building of the Keystone pipeline, and has agreed to let in 25000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year. Canada has also announced its friendly relationship with Barack Obama, but they have decided to take their jets from the lead bombing campaign. As well, Canada has returned to helping the United Nations.

4. Alan Guckian is among the 25 semi-finalists for a national Grammy-related award. Recognized for his amazing performance SaulPaul nominated him, and among 4,500 names, he reached the semifinals with just over 200 names. The award is a free trip to the Grammy Awards, a 10k honorarium, and and a 10k grant to the winner's school, and Guckian said he would throw a pizza party for his kids if he won. --- Not Gatti's either.  (Wow this is a ridiculous story... They must be drawing at straws here...)

5. The new UT coach, Shaka Smart, is trying to change the mindset of players, to rid underachieving, and to strengthen their resolve and teach a through run-and-gun style. Smart has decided not to put those not mentally tough in game, and one player attests that he instills a positive vibe upon them and self-confidence.

5W's and H Lead

On Monday night, a man recently found "not guilty" in a manslaughter case, George Zimmerman, was arrested after threatening his family with a gun when his wife filed for a divorce.

Students are invited to the main courtyard at 3pm Wednesday to try out for 20 available positions in the expanding Color Guard from the our award-winning band.

35-year old Jill O'Connor had her trade for an expensive sports car thwarted, and was booked to jail with a felony, when she bragged how she had smuggled a baby macaw parrot from her workplace in her bra.

Current Event Experience 2.1

1. A little-known perk has been revealed, that since 2002 or 2003, by ACL's contract with the city, the members of the Parks and Recreation Board have been provided with two free and VIP passes to attend ACL. They defend such a perk by saying that it's for business reasons, and that it's better to have firsthand experience. Rick Cofer and Don Zimmerman, members of the board have decided to forgo these opportunities, citing that they believe they're presence is awkward or unnecessary. Sabine Romero, of the ethics and compliance committee expressed through an email on Thursday that it was "OK" to give passes to the members. Members like Ann Kitchen and Ora Houston gave their passes to their employees. There is definitely a problem with this perk. If you wish to state that the passes are for business purposes, but the members who receive them are giving them away, you have inconsistency.

2. The state of Oklahoma has put a stay on all death penalties, finding it hard to perform executions with the limited and ever-changing supply of appropriate drugs. (Isn't that contradictory?) Montana has been barred from lethal injections, finding that it did not comply with state regulations, Oklahoma has stopped executions until the system becomes accurate enough, and Tennessee has authorized the use of the electric chair if injections are unavailable. Midazolam has been the cause of many difficult executions. Even though it has been approved for usage, many states are shutting down its use.

3. In order to help quell the recent violence and unrest, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu banned the members of parliament and his ministers from attending an old contested holy site, and ordered police to make sure they don't. Palestinian members appear to be understanding, however, the Arab faction feels insubordinate. Muhanad Halabi was a law student shot dead by security forces after stabbing two Orthodox men, and wounding their family.

4. Svetlana Alexievich, won the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday for her "polyphonic writing", and it's a rarity for someone who works mainly in nonfiction, and is most famous for giving voice to men and women who lived through major events. Hundreds of women who had participated in WWII. She says that she feels optimistic, and will not let herself slide from her path.

5. A UT teacher claims he will not return to teaching in the fall, due to the new concealed-carry law that has him fear for his safety. The story was unveiled when the Daily Texan received a copy of Hamermesh's letter. Many faculty have threatened to leave, but Hamermesh is the first to follow through. He said as well that he has opportunities to work in the University of Sidney, and another in London.

|OPEN RESPONSE|
As of late, industry giants like Amazon, and from apps like Drizly, people have been guaranteed delivery within just a few hours of mundane things, and cutting out grocery trips for busy people. It goes on to talk about how our society has a heightened demand for such services. I like the idea of deliveries, but it really will enlarge the income gap in America if people who don't go to the store suddenly get much time to work on what they wish. The story was reported rather well, but still not my style.

These sections are essentially the same as the rest of the paper, but seems to talk more about trends. The Statesman may only have so much paper, and it's a way to get people to interact with their work on more than just their paper. The electronic edition may be a more viable option, but it's not easier to read at all.

Observation Piece (405 Words)

Upon entrance to the cafeteria, the bustle of chefs and hands amongst the overpowering metal gleam of the kitchen is the first thing to be recognized. The trays and panels filled to the maximum, with a plethora or colors of fruits, milk, and foods that are promoted as the healthy option. Although their taste is questionable, and perhaps being quite old. Gasoline sometimes makes it into open chocolate milk cartons, and equipment too high tech for the budget sits unoccupied around the kitchen. Couriers rush in and out with deliveries. The school has been sponsoring a pizza chain called Dominoes, recently, and it is the main attraction of one of the lines. Things are washed, and food tended, although without any experience in the field, it appears as mere chaos. A myriad of voices rush with their preparations, all in plain view of the lunch line students will soon fill. Although plenty of stimuli, the kitchen hold the smell of meat the most. Another main attraction is the "chicken." Or so how it's advertised. The students will often call it "generic meat" when addressing it. A light music teems inside, with Mexican origins, most prominent is a bit of violin. The cafeteria is barred from this kitchen, from with the austere sound of radio intermingling with the voices echoes around. For the most part, the baking is done, and no one sits behind the desk for accounting. Stock and cleaning is the main priority, but the hands don't seem to be in a drawl with such low-tier work, rather they seem tolerant and lively. Perhaps this is coping, or a learned behaviour. Despite their enthusiasm for cleaning, it only appeared that the kitchen itself was clean. The hall in which the line will be swung, was less lustrous as the glean behind it. Neither was the main cafeteria. It seemed to be halfway neglected in favor of the kitchen. As they rush to prepare for the rush of hungry, and unhappy or hyper students. As classes are still in session, it is uncommon to find a student in the lines, save for the occasional person skipping or in mental treatment to avoid the stampede. More than one walks up to ask me if I could be helped. Turning them away, it seems like my intrusion has been noted, but not reported. I wonder if I seem to be on task, or they are just apathetic?