A lot happens in a month. From fashion to finance, we are constantly bombarded by headlines from around the world. Here are the Hawkeye’s picks for what you need to know.
Local
Intruder prompts changes to access
By Cecilia Negash
MTHS staff, students and families were alerted to an unidentified adult woman entering the school building on Friday, Feb. 24 around 1:20 p.m. The individual appeared to be intoxicated and carrying around an alcoholic beverage, and remained in the building for about seven minutes, according to school officials.
Since this incident, the main entrance doors have been locked during school hours. Students are now required to buzz in through the office speaker outside the doors in order to enter – even during the school day.
It was discovered that she interrupted a class in the music hallway by walking in mid-session and playing the piano. She also entered a school bathroom at one point. Staff responded quickly, escorting the woman off campus and notifying law enforcement. The woman was temporar- ily detained by the Mountlake Terrace Police. MTHS administrators are work- ing with MTPD to press charges and obtain a criminal trespass notice.
Assistant Principal Daniel Falk sent an email to MTHS staff that afternoon, detailing the incident and providing pictures of the trespassing individual. It also included a thank you message and directions on what to do in case of another similar incident.
“We want to thank the staff who acted to identify the individual and remove her from our campus. This is a good reminder that the security of this building is each staff member’s responsibility. If you see an individual whom you do not recognize and who does not have a name or visitor’s badge, please direct them to the main office. If that individual is not cooperative, alert building administration immediately and don’t hesitate to call 911 to report an intruder,” Falk said.
An email was also sent to MTHS students and families later on the same day at 4:11 p.m. via ParentSquare explaining the situation.
Seattle Public Schools sue social media
By Rachel Davis
Seattle Public Schools filed several complaints against the companies in charge of operating social media outlets TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube on Jan. 6. They state these charges on accusations that these social media platforms are specifically designed to harmfully impact the mental health and well-being of students and youth.
Seattle Public Schools states that companies such as Meta and Google, some of the companies behind these apps, purposely exploit the psychology and neurophysiology of their users to get them to spend more time on the platforms. While this brings in profit and engagement for the companies, Seattle’s school district cited reports on increasing stress and anxiety among youth to argue the companies are maximizing profit at the expense of mental health.
The Kent School District also joined in the lawsuit against the same five social media outlets on Jan. 10. Both districts are even working with the same law firm, Keller Rohrback.
Unfortunately, experts following the case in court right now assume that the school districts will lose. Fordham University education law professor Aaron Saiger says it isn’t likely a “winning” case.
“It’s a very long causation chain. I don’t think the courts will be inclined to let the school district pursue it,” Saiger said. “To say, ‘We’re service providers to children whose mental health is affected by thousands of things, and we picked you,’ strikes me as a very attenuated way to understand liability under the nuisance law.”
The results of this case, whether success or failure, could have drastic effects on the future of social media. The problems broadcasted in this case bring awareness to some of the marketing tactics that these social media companies use.
International
One Year Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine
By Evan Kerani
Feb. 24, 2023 marks exactly one year since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the UN has stated there have been over 20,000 confirmed civilian casualties as shelling continues with other reports estimating over 100,000 military casualties on both sides. Throughout the conflict, the U.S. has been the number one supplier of arms to Ukraine, as support from Americans wanes.
On Feb. 20, President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, the first time in recent memory a U.S. president has been in an active warzone. The next day, Biden had a speech in Warsaw, Poland stating there was full support for Ukraine and that any attack on NATO allies would result in swift action.
Rare Green Meteor Sighting!
By Jakob Nacanaynay
On this year’s Groundhog Day on Feb 2., a rare green meteor was at its peak visibility, closer to Earth than it has been in over 50,000 years. The green ball of ice, dust and rock was discovered first in March 2022 in Jupiter’s orbit. The comet was named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) by the Minor Planet Center, and they have stated that despite it being briefly visible to the naked eye, it was over 26 million miles away from Earth and better seen with a telescope.
National
How does one guy make up his whole life?
By Kaitlyn Miller
Congressman George Santos has found himself in trouble after it was revealed that he has lied or made up much of his life story, including his name. He lied about going to Baruch College and New York University, while also lying about working for Goldman Sachs. He also appears to have been involved in a marriage scam, divorcing a Brazilian woman in 2019 whose immigration status was in question when he married her. He also claimed that he was Jewish and that his mom died in 9/11. Despite this, he has been assigned to two committees by house Republicans. He is facing a measure by House Democrats to expel him from Congress. He says that he has no plans to resign.
Alec Baldwin Trial Continues
By Terina Papatu
On Oct. 21, 2021 Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer for the movie “Rust,” was shot on set by a prop gun that was accidentally fired by actor Alec Baldwin. She was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead after she arrived. Both the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and Baldwin were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on Jan. 31, 2023, which Baldwin pleaded not guilty to. If he’s determined to be guilty, Baldwin may face up to 5 years in prison. The first hearing for the trial was set for Feb. 24, 2023 to determine the sentencing. Hutchins’ family is also suing Baldwin with a civil suit for their loss. Filming for “Rust” is set to continue in spring of this year.
University of Idaho Killer caught
By Sofia Terkelesen
In the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022, four students were killed at the University of Idaho.
Now, a suspect has been caught. 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30. Authorities tracked his phone records and first connected him to the murders after he came to the house where the murders took place 12 times and shut off his phone during the alleged time period. After DNA confirmed his involvement, he was charged with four counts of murder and faces life in prison or death penalty if convicted.
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