Clayton County Police Uncover Evidence, Leads to Multiple Arrests
By Joy Ferguson
78 people were arrested and incarcerated in Clayton County on April 3, 2026 in connection with a larger investigation conducted by the Clayton County Police Department. Police specifically targeted people suspected of crimes such as armed robbery, child molestation, murder, aggravated assault and rape. Deputy Commander Dennis Durando said officials made around 40 physical arrests over the three-week time period of the investigation. That number doesn’t include collateral arrests, including suspects with knowledge of narcotics and other crimes. During the investigation, the Clayton County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, in connection with the United States Marshals Service’s task force, recovered 46 illegal guns, around 57 pounds of narcotics and 18,000 dollars. The investigation has been ongoing since March 16, 2026. Over the next 90 days, the task force will continue investigating to further evaluate the operation’s impact on crime, and they will pursue additional high-priority suspects.
Coachella Music Festival
By Trey Voegtlin
The 26th annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place on the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19, 2026. The festival takes place at the Empire Polo Club at 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio, CA. This year’s lineup consists of headlining artists Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G, along with other artists such as Iggy Pop, Addison Rae, Young Thug, Katseye and the Strokes.
First Lady Melania Trump addresses the Epstein Files
By Harper Scully
On April 9, the First Lady, Melania Trump, summoned the White House press pool and made a statement about the rumors surrounding her and her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender and child trafficker. Melania declared that the “lies” about her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein need to end, and she called on Congress to hold hearings featuring the survivors of the abuse. Melania denies having any relationship to Jeffrey Epstein and being a victim of him, contradicting media speculation. President Donald Trump addressed his wife’s statement that Friday:
“I didn’t know what the statement was,” Trump said. “But I knew she was going to make a statement.”
This was the first time Melania had addressed any controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, which came as a surprise to several white house officials. Many people speculate that this is somehow connected to Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, who was fired following criticism of her handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Saturday Night Live even addressed that out-of-the-blue statement that Saturday with a sketch poking at the first lady and the unsuccessful peace negotiations.
Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters
By Shaw Gordon
From Monday, April 6, to Sunday, April 12, the best golfers in the world competed in the 90th annual Masters golf tournament in Augusta, GA. The Masters is a golf tournament that always takes place in the first full week of April. The Augusta golf course is considered one of the hardest golf courses in the world, but it didn’t stop Rory McIlroy from winning his second consecutive Masters tournament. McIlroy got off to a great lead heading into Saturday, also known as moving day, with a 6-shot lead. McIlroy remained even to maintain his lead and win his second straight Masters. Scottie Scheffler came in second place after shooting -11 in the final two rounds. With this victory, Rory McIlroy became the fourth golfer to win back-to-back and won the 90th Masters tournament.
SGA ELECTIONS
By Tatum Trammell
Woodward’s Student Government Association (SGA) elections are now in session. After campaigning and making speeches addressing each grade, the polls are now open to students and for the first time, teachers. Coach Chris Myers sent out the polls in everyone’s email, and students will vote for representatives in their respective grades. For grades 9 and 10, students will select up to five potential representatives they would like to cast a vote for, and for rising seniors, select up to five potential representatives and your preferred candidates for SGA President and Vice President. Your next student body president and vice president will be announced to the student body this week. Election results for grades 9 and 10 will be announced at the end of the day today, April 17, 2026.
Strait of Hormuz US Blockade
By Brett Schlossberg
On Monday, April 13, the United States imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. President Trump has supported this strategy with two goals in mind: to block ships passing through the Strait, whose tolls are a revenue source for Iran, and prevent oil from being exported out of the country, which is another source of revenue for Iran. Iran had threatened retaliation if the U.S. blockaded the port, calling it piracy. Iran also threatened to block shipping from the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea. On Friday, April 17, the Strait of Hormuz reopened after Lebanon agreed to a truce, where Israel would cease attacks on Lebanon. Trump claims the United States will prevent Israel from attacking. He also said the blockade will remain in place for now, with a few ships permitted to pass through.
Trump Insults Pope, Pope Responds
By Kaden Bruton
President Donald Trump made critical remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the Pope showed opposition to the war in Iran in his Holy Rosary for peace speech. The president commented on the situation in a Truth Social post on April 12. The Pope has expressed his opposition for weeks; during a prayer service on April 11, Pope Leo mentioned, “the delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive.” Trump retaliated by commenting that the Pope is “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.” He also referred to the Pope as “a LOSER from the Left,” and called for him to “stop catering to the radical left,” mentioning that he should “focus on being a great pope, not a politician.” Pope Leo responded, saying that he has “no fear of the Trump administration.” He also stated, “We [the catholic church/clergy] are not politicians, we don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the gospel as a peacemaker.”
