Anthropic AI and the Pentagon
By Harper Scully
On March 10, the Defense Department notified leaders throughout the U.S. military to remove Anthropic’s Artificial Intelligence model known as Claude within 180 days. The memo was dated back to March 6, a day after Anthropic was formally designated as a “supply chain risk” by the Pentagon. Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI employees who wanted to create a company for AI safety and research. The Pentagon previously said it wanted to use Claude for “all lawful uses” without restrictions, but is now moving away from Claude. However, Anthropic wishes to have restrictions on the model, ensuring that the model will not be used for mass domestic surveillance or for weapon usage without human oversight. Anthropic will fight their side in court. Now, OpenAI, one of Anthropic’s rivals, has signed a deal with the Pentagon and will be used in place of Anthropic for military operations.
Atlanta Marathon and Half-Marathon
By Brett Schlossberg
On March 1, the Atlanta Track Club hosted its 20th annual marathon and half-marathon. This year’s event was the site of the USATF Half Marathon Championships, meaning that the top three male and female runners in this race would be chosen to represent the United States in the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships, which will take place in Sept. in Copenhagen.
The top three female runners, Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat, were directed off course by the car that was pacing them. The misdirection was due to a police officer who was assigned to the race being hit by a car five minutes before the first runners approached. Another police officer came to assist, and that police officer’s assigned station, which was where the female runners were directed off course, was left unattended. When the pace vehicle approached with the three runners, a police motorcycle was crossing the intersection, and the pace vehicle thought the race was rerouted. McClain, who was first when the wrong turn was made, and ended up finishing 9th, was given the equivalent of the first-place prize, $20,000, with Hurley and Kurgat, the second and third runners at the time of the wrong turn, who ended up finishing 12th and 13th respectively, were awarded $10,000, the equivalent prize money for the 2nd and 3rd placed finishers. The three women filed an appeal to the USA Track & Field (USATF), but the USATF says that there is nothing in their rulebook about altering the leaderboard of a race. Team USA will officially be selected in May, with USATF reviewing the outcomes.
Atlanta Teen Takeovers
By Joy Ferguson
As of early Feb. there have been large groups of teenagers participating in “teen takeovers” in Atlanta. Teen takeovers are gatherings planned on social media where teens go to one location and create chaos for entertainment, as they retaliate against curfews. The locations that are mostly targeted are shopping malls and trampoline parks, mostly downtown. A Feb. 28 takeover at the Ponce City Market Beltline resulted in fourteen arrests, with ten weapons being recovered by officers. Charges include aggravated assault, possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 18, obstruction and more. Another takeover at The Battery Atlanta resulted in Cobb County Police presence and seventeen arrests. Eight adults, along with nine juveniles, were arrested and charged with inciting the riot and misdemeanor obstruction. Due to the takeovers, Cumberland Mall has set a curfew for people under the age of 18. Anyone who can’t provide identification showing they are at least 18 cannot be unaccompanied after 3 pm and must be with someone 21 and older. Atlanta is not the only place where these takeovers take place, though. Places like Chicago and New York have had takeovers that have resulted in curfews and arrests as well.
Bam Adebayo Breaks Kobe’s Single Game Point Record
By Shaw Gordon
On Mar. 10, 2026, Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo had his best game ever. As the Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129, Bam Adebayo scored 83 points. This is the second-most in a game all time. He surpassed Kobe Bryant’s record of 81 but fell short of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point single-game record.
Boys’ Basketball Team Headed to Finals
By Tatum Trammell
Today, on March 13, Woodward Academy’s boys’ basketball team is headed to the state championship game. After a long season of hard work and multiple wins, Woodward’s boys’ basketball team has taken its work ethic and talents to the state championship game. Following their upset last week against Gainesville High School, with a winning score of 63-62, the boys are ready to take that energy to the final game of the season. This is Woodward’s second consecutive year advancing to the finals, after taking a loss to Tri-Cities High School last year. The game will be held today at 7:30 p.m, at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Georgia. Woodward is offering a fan bus for students who want to come and support their team to a victory. The boys will be facing off against Alexander High School. To take a look back over the season the team has had and to find out more information about the game, visit MaxPreps.com. Go War Eagles!
Erika Kirk Appointed to Air Force Academy Board By President Donald Trump
By Trey Voegtlin
On March 10, Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was confirmed to have been appointed by President Donald Trump to the Air Force Academy Board, replacing what was once her late husband’s chair, and will remain in the seat for 3 years or until another inheritor is selected. Kirk, who is the wife of the late political commentator Charlie Kirk, received her master’s in legal studies from Liberty University, and is allegedly actively pursuing a doctorate in Biblical Studies at Liberty University. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales notes that Kirk is a “perfect choice.”
Georgia Holds Special Election to Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene
By Alex Piazza
Following Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation from her seat in the House of Representatives, District 14 in Georgia held a special election to replace Greene in Congress. She resigned in Jan. after publicly criticizing President Donald Trump on multiple occasions. As of March 13, 2026, it is expected that Democrat Shawn Harris will be up against Republican Clay Fuller on the ballot.
Iranian Supreme Leader Declares Closure of Strait of Hormuz
By Riley Jones
Following the U.S. attacks on Iran, the newly elected Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has authorized missile strikes against ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The first message from Iran’s new Supreme Leader declared that the Strait would remain closed and attacks on U.S. bases in the area would continue.
The narrow Strait is responsible for the passage of 20% of the world’s oil, and in 2025 saw the transportation of around 20 million barrels of oil per day. Following the start of the conflict, the Strait has seen attacks on at least 16 commercial vessels. As a result, traffic in the area has fallen by 90% and oil prices have seen a sharp increase with the cost of a barrel of oil rising above 100$.
Navigating the waterway remains almost impossible for tankers. Although there is no physical blockade, drone and missile attacks, as well as mines and threats from Iran, have stalled travel in the area.
In response to the crisis, the International Energy Agency has stated it will release 400 million barrels from its reserve; however, this will likely only provide short-term relief from the market instability caused by the stranglehold.
Asian countries are particularly affected by the conflict’s impact on oil, as they heavily rely on the oil and natural gas that passes through the Strait. Additionally, since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S. has placed sanctions on Russia. These have been temporarily lifted until April 11, 2026, with the aim of curtailing the recent rise in oil and gas prices.
Trump Fires Secretary of DHS Kristi Noem
By Kaden Bruton
On March 5, President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem after criticism, complaints, and misconduct by ICE agents under her leadership. Noem is the first cabinet secretary to be removed from the current Trump administration. Trump fired her following many criticisms, such as criticism of how she handled Minnesota with two protestors being shot and killed by ICE agents, and how she mishandled the matter. The new candidate that will be taking her place is Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.
