Local
A new Kraken season with a new set of players
The 2023/24 NHL season has begun, and the Seattle Krakens have already participated in many games this season. The roster looks almost identical to last year, but with many key differences. The team lost Cale Fleury (D), Ryan Donato (F), John Hayden (F), Gustav Olofsson (D), Karson Kuhlman (F), Carson Soucy (D), Martin Jones (G), Jesper Froden (F), Shane Wright (F), Morgan Geekie (F), and Daniel Sprong (F).
The main worry with these players leaving is that now that Jones has left, we now only have 2 goalies –Philipp Grubaver and Joey Daccord. If one goalie were to be injured or had a problem interfering with their ability to play, the other goalie might not have anyone to switch out with. In the Kraken vs Blackhawks game on Nov. 28, it seemed that later in the game the goalie had a very slow reaction time and took a long time to move to different sides of the goal, despite having a lot of experience as a goalie. It is very possible that this was due to the fatigue of playing non-stop so much, and that the team is still adjusting to only having 2 goalies.
Another possible setback was losing Sprong, who was considered to be their 6th best performing player last year. He played forwards, and in only two years had 27 goals and 25 assists. His contributions will be remembered, but to the disappointment of fans, this year he left the Kraken for the Detroit Red Wings.
It’s not all bad though, because we have four promising new players. Brian Dumoulin (D), Andrew Poturalski (F), Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (F), and Kailer Yamamoto (F) have all joined the team. Dumoulin already has 10 prior years of experience playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Poturalski has only been in the NHL for 2 seasons. Complete opposite sides of the spectrum, but both are bringing different experiences to the team. Bellemare has been part of 5 different teams now, but also had some time playing for the Penguins with Dumoulin. The last of our new players was Yamamoto, who was one of the Edmonton Oilers, and scored an astonishing 20 goals just in the 2021/22 season. That still adds up to 7 less players than last year-2 less defensemen, 3 less forwards, and 1 less goalie-but hopefully the team can learn to cope with the lack of players soon.
Milk carton shortage affects high schools
Students who buy lunch at school often accompany their food with a beverage, usually a 2% milk or chocolate milk carton. In early November, however, there was a noticeable change in how students obtained their milk. Metal dispensers with chocolate milk replaced milk cartons and had to be poured into small plastic cups.
This issue is not exclusive to MTHS. According to King 5, the milk carton shortage also affects Olympia, Tumwater, Tacoma, Bellingham,Tri- Cities, and North Thurston Public Schools. “This is a supply chain issue, so we aren’t sure if we’re going to have them on a consistent basis,” said Lisa Jekel, Olympia School District’s Director of Child Nutrition and Food Services. However, the supply of milk is not impacted, just the half-pint cartons. In the event of a shortage of cartons, Jekel is ordering half-gallon containers and plastic cups. Jekel said the districts have been told the shortage should be over by January 2024.
Spokesperson Laurie Widenmeyer for Tumwater schools said the district ordered bottled water for students if milk is not available. “We will also offer juice as an option,” said Wiedenmeyer. North Thurston Public Schools Amy Blondin said if deliveries are limited, the district will prioritize serving milk to elementary school students.
State
Burien teen kills King County Metro passenger
By Brennan Banhe
A Burien teen killed 21 year old Marcel Wagner while he was sleeping on October 3rd. This marks the 4th shooting inside a Metro bus or transit station since 2019. The teen was identified as 17 year old Miguel Rivera Dominiguez and was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, he has been charged as an adult after turning himself in. Dominguez was wearing a full ski mask and changed his clothes at a Boys and Girls in a locker room after shooting Wagner.
National
The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Eight years after the final movie in the Hunger Games trilogy – Mockingjay Part 2 (2015) – Lionsgate adapted Suzanne Collins’ 2020 novel, The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This book, as well as the movie, was a prequel to the trilogy, telling the story of President Coriolanus Snow as a teenager.
The adaptation was released on Nov. 17, and by Nov. 28, had made more than $100 million in the U.S. box office, and $200 million globally. The movie has brought many Hunger Games fans a sense of nostalgia, as it brings another layer to the story they had already loved.
Shohei Ohtani signing with Dodgers
Beginning in 2018, pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani began his career in the Major Baseball League (MLB) with the Los Angeles Angels. For six successful MLB seasons, Ohtani proceeded to be named MVP twice since 2020.
On Dec. 8, rumors spread among MLB fans that Ohtani would be joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels’ rival. The following day, Ohtani posted on his official Instagram and officially announced his signing with the Dodgers. He signed a 10-year long, $700 million contract when agreeing to join the team.
This contract was the biggest in baseball history, completely topping Mike Trout’s in 2019 (12 years and $426.5 million).
George Santos expelled from Congress
by Evan Kerani
George Santos was expelled from congress by a 311-114 vote, with almost every single democrat and almost half of republicans voting to expel him. He is facing federal charges in relation to campaign finance violations, which included using campaign funds to buy Sephora, botox, and Onlyans. This is only the latest in a long list of fraud and allegations of lying against him. In response to the vote, he filed complaints against several New York representatives that voted to expel him, including Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, and Nicole Malliotakis for varying reasons, including campaign finance violations and insider trading. He also appeared to out Representative Nicole Malliotakis as gay, saying that “the difference between you and I is that I don’t live in denial, I’m a PROUD GAY man and not afraid to say it.” After being expelled from congress, George Santos decided to move onto the next chapter of his life, selling cameos for $400 a piece, reportedly making at least six figures in just his first couple of days on the platform.
