5 Journalists Killed in Gaza after Israeli Strike on Hospital
By Alex Piazza
On Monday, Aug. 25, Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the few hospitals running in the Gaza Strip, killing 2 people, and then struck it again after journalists and rescuers rushed to help, killing another 18 people. Five of the 18 dead were journalists, who worked for the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an international nonprofit aiming to protect press freedom, since the start of the war, 197 journalists have been killed in Gaza.
Cracker Barrel Restaurant Rebrands
By Daniela Palatchi
On Aug. 18, 2025, Tennessee-based restaurant brand Cracker Barrel unveiled its new campaign, which they titled “All the More.” This campaign brings changes to the logo, menu, and interiors of restaurants and adds an “enhanced brand look and feel.” The campaign is a partnership between Cracker Barrel and country music star Jordan Davis. Firstly, the restaurant’s new logo modernized by scrapping the image of the man sitting on a rocking chair and leaning on a barrel, leaving only the name of the restaurant. Secondly, the vast menu additions include breakfast plates such as Uncle Herschel’s Favorite and casseroles; lunch and dinner plates such as shepherd’s pie and pot roast; desserts such as sticky buns and cinnamon rolls and drinks such as lattes and teas. However, mere hours after the restaurant launched the logo rebrand, the company faced harsh backlash from the internet, especially conservative Republicans and notably, President Donald Trump. Conservatives accused the company of changing its values and of going “woke.” In response to the criticism, Cracker Barrel returned to the old logo.
LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Shut Down
By Kaden Bruton
On July 17, the Trump administration shut down the specialized care LGBTQ+ suicide helpline for LGBTQ+ youth on the helpline number 988. According to Lindsey Dawson, associate director of HIV policy and director of LGBTQ health policy in Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a charity focused on national health policies. In an interview with PBS, 988 was cut due to the unmanageable volume of calls the service received and due to the administration’s belief that the service forced gender ideology onto young people. Advocates for LGBTQ+ youth defended the service, noting how it targeted a need given societal mistreatment of LGBTQ+ young people and the correspondingly high suicide rates for that population, and highlighted alternate services–like those provided by the Trevor project–for youth experiencing difficulties in the meantime.
On campus, Upper School students seeking support as part of the LGBTQ+ community can find it through the Gender & Sexualities Alliance (reach out to club sponsors Seth Meyer, Maria Mays or Rachel Norwood for more information). In addition, Upper School students seeking mental health support can contact the Counseling Office in W114 (Grade 9: Tonya Dedeaux, Grade 10: Chato Hendrix, Grade 11: Leigh Shelor, Grade 12: Liz Carter), Academy Psychologist Daena Shearer or Chaplain Chris.
Love Island Season 7 Reunion
By Tatum Trammell
The Love Island Season 7 Reunion is back and better than ever! After Love Island’s breakthrough as the number one streamed show this past summer, the cast of the reality show came back together in “The Big Apple” to discuss, reminisce and confront. The winning couple of the show, Amaya “Papaya” Espinal and Bryan Arenales, who recently broke up, ended the season after winning love and the $100,000 prize. The special, hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen, premiered on live TV on Monday, Aug. 25, at 9 p.m. E.S.T. The reunion is now streaming exclusively on Peacock, where you can watch the 2-hour reunion or catch up on previous seasons.
Minneapolis School Shooting
by Brett Schlossberg
On Aug. 27, a shooter opened fire on praying students at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2 students died as a result of these attacks–8-year old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski–and 17 others were injured. The Catholic High School shooting occurred during mass and the FBI considers it to be an anti-Catholic hate crime. The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, who himself committed suicide at the scene.
No More Pennies
By Akiva Bryant
In Feb. of this year, President Donald Trump directed Secretary Scott Bessent to stop the production of pennies by early 2026. This decision aims to cut production costs, as each penny costs 3.7 cents to produce, in comparison to their one-cent value. Last year alone, the U.S. Mint–the government agency responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and circulating metals, collectible coins and medals–lost $85 million producing pennies. Under the new initiative, the Treasury Department is expected to save $56 million annually. So, the real question is, will pennies eventually become valuable collector’s coins? John Feigenbaum, the publisher of rare coin price guide “Greysheet,” says, “There’s nothing, statistically, that says they should become valuable.” Don’t give up hope, though. Save your pennies–who knows what time will bring?
Perimeter Mall Robbery
By Sabenah Abudu-Abrams
An officer-involved shooting took place at Perimeter Mall on Aug. 21, 2025. No officers were injured, but one of the three suspects, Frederick Hammond, was shot during the incident. According to police, he was taken into custody following treatment for his injury; they are still searching for two others. The suspects allegedly used a sledgehammer to break into the mall and steal numerous luxury bags before leaving the crime scene. A police chase took place shortly after the suspects stole a car and left the mall. After arriving at Perimeter Center East, officers attempted to confront the suspects when they drove at the police with the stolen car. The confrontation shortly turned into a shootout, with the suspects driving away until they crashed. The three suspects escaped the vehicle and fled the scene, followed by a helicopter, a K-9 officer, and drones in search.
Taroko the Whale Shark Passes Away
By: Joy Ferguson
Taroko, one of Georgia Aquarium’s whale sharks, passed away on Aug. 21, 2025. Recently, the whale shark’s appetite and behavior had changed, reflecting how his overall condition was deteriorating; so, the Georgia Aquarium came to the heartfelt decision to euthanize him. Since his debut at the aquarium in 2007, Taroko was seen by 43 million people, who loved seeing him swim alongside Yushan, Georgia Aquarium’s other whale shark. Taroko’s age is unknown since he was rescued from a Taiwanese supermarket in 2007; however, whale sharks are thought to live for 70 to 100 years (though some scientists estimate that whale sharks may even live into their 130s). Taroko lived at the Georgia Aquarium for nearly two decades. Taroko will be heavily missed by millions of people around the world, but through grief, people have come to realize that the Georgia Aquarium made the right decision to put him down.
President Trump and the Expanding National Guard
By Harper Scully
On Aug. 25, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the creation of specially trained National Guard units in all 50 states to ensure “public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate.” Critics point out that it is unusual for a president to involve themselves in domestic law enforcement by expanding the National Guard without the express request of the state’s governor. In response, President Trump has claimed he has the power as President to deploy the National Guard in any state. Over the past few weeks, President Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard in several cities in the United States including Los Angeles and Washington, and most recently, Chicago.
Vice President Vance Visits Peachtree City
By Riley Jones
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Vice President JD Vance visited Peachtree City to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). The rally was held at a refrigeration plant, said to have benefited from Trump’s environmental deregulation.
Vance was accompanied by Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach; U.S. Rep. Mike Collins of Butler County and Congressman Buddy Carter of Savannah (all of whom are vying for the Republican Senate nomination in next spring’s primaries). The Vice President presented the bill as one that would bring tax cuts and manufacturing jobs. He also emphasized that it would only impact medical coverage for illegal aliens and criticized Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff’s opposition to the bill.
This visit occurred in the wake of multiple news outlets linking Trump’s budget law to a growing healthcare crisis in rural communities. Additionally, Vance’s accompanying party took further aim at Ossoff, who is currently a vulnerable candidate in the Senate election next fall. Dooley accused the senator of high inflation and border-opening policies, while Rep. Collins listed Ossoff as someone not reflecting Georgia Values. Buddy Carter also blamed immigrants for endangering Medicaid and supported OBBA.
Less than 2 miles away from the Vice President’s speech, citizens gathered in protest of his appearance. The protestors debated the value of the Trump Administration’s policies, especially concerning budget cuts that may affect hospitals and food stamps.
Why All The Jeans Ads?
By Trey Voegtlin
Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney has found herself in yet another controversy, this time over her recent viral American Eagle ad. The ad seemed to feature eugenics and over-sexualization as a way to advertise denim jeans. Directly after the ad was caught under-fire, President Donald Trump endorsed the ad, which also occurred after Sweeney’s Republican voter registration was leaked. Firing back at the problematic nature of the American Eagle ad, GAP decided to collaborate with newly popular global girl-group Katseye on yet another denim advertisement. Leading their jeans away from genes, GAP tailored the ad perfectly to Katseye’s dance skills and audience, launching brand sales and popularity for the group. And even more recently, singer Addison Rae dropped her collaboration with Lucky Brand Jeans, which was also tailored to her recent 2000s Britney Spears aesthetics and overall pop-girl image.
Woodward vs. Marist
By Shaw Gordon
Woodward Academy will face Marist today, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Woodward won its game against Collins Hill last week, advancing to 1-1. Marist has not won a game this year. The Woodward-Marist football rivalry dates back more than a hundred years, to 1922, and the matchup is known as the War Eagle Bowl. This is the 57th meeting between these two teams. Go Woodward!!!
