Year in Review: National News
Here, btw takes a look at some of the stories that dominated national headlines in 2017. A New President The year began with the swearing in of the 45th president, Donald J. Trump, on January 20, immediately followed by the historic Million Women March the next day. The new president began stirring up controversy almost […]
Year in Review: World News
The U.S. and World Conflicts The deadly civil war in Syria continued to dominate the news throughout the early part of the year. In April, the United States conducted air strikes against the Syrian government, but with Russian support, the rebellion was largely destroyed. Meanwhile, the relationship between the United States and North Korea continued […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Mass Shooting at Texas Church Last Sunday, at least 26 people were killed and 20 more wounded when a lone gunman opened fire on a congregation at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Sutherland Springs is a small, close-knit community about 30 miles east of San Antonio. The shooter was Devin Patrick Kelley, […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Japanese Birth Rate Falling When you think of Japan, do you picture the crowded streets and skyscrapers of Tokyo? Just outside the city, the number of abandoned homes–called “ghost houses”—continues to rise, as the population of Japan continues to fall. Japan has been keeping records of its number of births since 1899. Last year was […]
What is the Paris Climate Accord?
On June 1, President Trump announced that the United States was withdrawing from the historic Paris Climate Accord. Here, we take a look at what the Paris Accord is, how it differs from other, past environmental treaties, and what impact Trump’s decision will have. What is the Paris Accord? The Paris Climate Accord (otherwise known as […]
Female Soldiers Make History in the United States
In 2013, President Obama ordered the U.S. military to open all combat positions to women as well as men. Now, four years later, a group of 18 female soldiers has made history by graduating last Friday from United States Army infantry training. The Quest for Equality The move toward gender equality in the military began […]
Memorial Day
For many of us, Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer. However, there is more to this holiday than swimming pools, picnics, and backyard barbeques. Here, btw takes a look at how Memorial Day began and why it is still significant today. What Is It? Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for military […]
The Battle Over School Vouchers
The argument over private school choice has received a lot of attention in the media lately, with both President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos expressing full support for the idea. Just in time for the end of the school year, btw takes a look at the fight over private school vouchers in Indiana, the […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
You Decide! Is the 100 Days Metric Useful? For decades, it has become tradition to measure a new president’s effectiveness at governing by his or her first 100 days in office. This practice began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who, during his first 100 days, managed to sign 76 bills into law, declare (and then […]
Tensions Escalate Between the U.S. and North Korea
In what can only be described as a rapidly deteriorating situation, the United States and North Korea continue their diplomatic face-off while the rest of the world watches nervously, waiting to see what will happen next. Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have been escalating for quite some time. North Korea continues to test […]