By The BBK Staff
2 dead, 3 injured in crash on Piedmont Avenue
By Alex Piazza
On Monday, April 14, a Tesla crashed into a box truck on Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive. Both the driver and front passenger of the Tesla were killed, and three others in the back were taken to the hospital with severe injuries. The driver and passenger in the box truck were unharmed, according to police.
Atlanta Fire and Rescue stated that the crash happened shortly after 10 a.m., when the Tesla ran a red light and, after colliding with the truck, was caught pinned under the cargo container attached to the truck. There has been some interest in whether the driver of the Tesla was using its self-driving feature, which has caused several accidents, notably one in 2016 in which a Model S ran into a tractor trailer.
404 Day
By Hannan Zeyde
On April 4, Atlanta celebrated the local festival “404 Day” in honor of Atlanta’s culture and history in the 404 area code. The festival, which continued through the weekend, hosted numerous vendors, musicians, artists and speakers across multiple stages. While the festival’s origin is unknown, its popularity has even reached the Atlanta Falcons. The first ever 404 Day Parade took place on April 5th, going down Peachtree Street from Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. to Underground Atlanta. It faced controversy when some people believed gunshots led to Underground Atlanta ending the event early. However, this rumor has been disproven by Atlanta police, who have stated that there were no gunshots. Instead, the Underground reached capacity and decided to shut the large crowds down after several fights broke out.
“A Minecraft Movie” comes to theaters
By Greta Vianna Sletteland
On Friday, April 4, the highly awaited movie (at least by fans of the video game) “Minecraft,” was released. “A Minecraft Movie,” directed by Jared Hess, has been the hot topic on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. In particular, a TikTok challenge encourages fans in theaters to throw popcorn, shout, and yell the phrase “chicken jockey” during the scene in which Jason Momoa fights a zombie child on a chicken. Some notable actors starring in this movie include Jack Black as Steve, Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, and Jennifer Coolidge as Vice Principal Marlene.
Arson attack forces Pennsylvania governor to flee home after Passover celebrations
By Auria Araghi
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to escape from the official governor’s residence Sun., April 13 after an arson attack broke out inside the home early in the morning. A man was arrested soon thereafter, who authorities accused of climbing up the security fence and, after shattering a window, hurling multiple Molotov cocktails through the opening in quick succession. The suspect confessed to his actions shortly after he was caught.
Gov. Shapiro, a Democrat, was considered one of Kamala Harris’s likeliest running mates in 2024’s presidential race. The attack on his home happened hours after his family held Passover celebrations inside the state dining room, which, along with much of the property, sustained substantial damage in the fires.
“Berniechella”: Bernie Sanders Cameo At Coachella Week 1
By Trey Voegtlin
On Sat., April 12, 2025, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took the stage of Coachella, giving a speech urging American youth to stand up against the Trump Administration’s problematic policies. Although brief (a mere four minutes and sixteen seconds), the speech touched on racial justice, economic justice, social justice, abortion rights, economic inequality, universal healthcare and much more. Going further into the formal speech, he ended up specifically calling out President Trump and his administration for what he described as chaos happening in the United States, trying to connect with the crowd. He later went on and said the presence of the young crowd at Coachella makes Trump and Musk “Very nervous.” He then applauded singer-songwriter Clairo on her consistent stances on women’s rights in Gaza as part of introducing her to the crowd, prior to her set.
The Cast of The Breakfast Club Reunites for the First Time in 40 Years
By Sabenah Abudu-Abrams
It has been 40 years since the release of the hit movie “The Breakfast Club,” and the cast finally had their first reunion on April 12 at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. Though the co-stars kept in touch over the years, their meeting in Chicago gave the group an opportunity to reminisce as a whole about their time together during the film’s production. The reunion was “something that [the group] needed to do,” and gave fans some much-needed closure after four decades of waiting.
El Salvador’s president denies release of wrongly deported man
By Akiva Bryant
During a meeting with President Trump on April 14, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele told reporters that he would not return Kilmar Ábrego García, a man who was mistakenly deported from the United States last March. Ábrego García lived in Maryland for about 15 years and was granted protections from a U.S. immigration judge. On March 12, he was detained by ICE officers due to his alleged association with the gang MS-13. However, the Trump Administration acknowledged that his deportation was an administrative error, though they have since disputed this claim. The case has reached the courts, with the Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. must facilitate Ábrego García’s release from El Savador. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) attempted to visit his constituent in CECOT but was denied access to the prisoner.
Georgia legislature ends 2025 session early with key bills still unsettled
By Auria Araghi
Georgia’s 2025 legislative session ended hours earlier than expected on Fri., April 4 when the senate adjourned proceedings without making a final call on some contentious issues. House Bill 225, which proposed a ban on automated speed cameras in school zones, was notably left undecided, as were several changes to the state’s election rules and a bill that would prohibit DEI programs in public schools and state colleges. Measures that did move on for final approval from the Governor’s desk include an increase in child tax credits, new sentencing guidelines for domestic violence survivors and a ban on using cellphones during the school day for K-8 students.
Georgia’s legislative sessions open in early January and last for forty non-consecutive days, usually adjourning in March or April. Any policies that failed to pass this year could have another chance in 2026, when the second half of the two-year General Assembly cycle will begin.
The Incoming French Exchange Students
By Sabenah Abudu-Abrams
Among Woodward’s many international sister schools is Saint Paul, a small Catholic school in Roanne, France. To accommodate French students for their exams, two students will arrive in Atlanta on April 11, and the rest will follow on April 15. All students will stay for two weeks despite their arrival date. Many students hosting an exchange student take a French class as well as had the opportunity to visit France themselves during last year’s Maymester. During their stay here, the French students will visit historical sites like the King Center and Freedom Hall as well as spend time at popular locations such as Ponce City Market. While the students’ schedules are set for school days, on the weekends, their host families are free to take them anywhere to ensure they get as much exposure to American culture as possible. With Easter weekend quickly approaching, host families like Akiva Bryant ‘26 and her family are planning to travel as far as Tennessee with their exchange student. Woodward is hosting a meet and greet on Thursday, April 24, to help Woodward students learn more about French traditions.
Passover
By Brett Schlossberg
This weekend, one of the most important Jewish holidays will take place: Passover. It is the celebration of the Jews (Israelites) being freed from slavery in Egypt. Jewish families usually gather with their friends and family to have a seder, which is a dinner where they read the story of Exodus. Celebrants put out a seder plate to hold the special foods they eat on Passover, which are typically Beitzah (egg), Zeroah (Shank bone), Maror (bitter herb), Chazeret (also bitter herb), Harpas (green vegetable), Charoset (sweet paste) and matzah (baked cracker made of just flour and water). These are eaten at various times during the reading of the story of Exodus. There are certain blessings during this celebration, such as over the wine and the matzah, and the remembrance of Exodus. Since the Irealites fled Egypt so quickly, they didn’t have time to let their bread rise, so they got matzah instead. Some Jews do not eat any bread during the week of Passover; instead, they eat matzah.
Paula White’s $1000 “Easter Blessings” Pack
By Trey Voegtlin
Paula White, the Senior Faith Advisor of the United States White House, released an ad on March 28 promoting her $1,000 “Easter Blessings” pack. In this list of blessings, two of the standouts have been the promises for an assigned angel to come your way and for God to come after your enemies. Donors that donate at least $125 are given a package of bread and wine “from the holy land,” and for donations of $1000 or more, you can receive a 10-inch water-crystal cross. As of now, the ad has received huge amounts of controversy, with people saying that it is a scam only benefiting White, along with bashing from former collaborators, and fellow Christians go so far as to call her a “false teacher.” All of the donations go straight to the Paula White Ministries.
Senior Skip Day
By Daniela Palatchi
Monday, April 7, 2025 was “Senior Skip Day.” A majority of the senior class decided not to come to school and instead hung out with friends or chilled out at home. The administration was aware of “Senior Skip Day” and sent an email to parents of seniors, which stated that they did not approve of the seniors skipping school and that any senior who was not excused absent would be marked as such. The senior lunch line was practically abandoned during lunch. Students from other grades and straggling seniors enjoyed a short wait in line for their Swedish meatballs.
Soccer senior night
by Brett Schlossberg
The Boys and Girls soccer teams held their senior nights on Monday, April 14. The event began with a cookout put on by the SGA after school. The girls team was first to take the field, playing at 6 p.m. and beating Arabia Mountain 5-1. The boys kicked off their game the next hour, winning 10-0 against Arabia Mountain. The senior night celebrations were held in a time gap between the two games. At that point, all the senior players and their parents walked onto the field and were given a signed jersey with their name spelled across the back. In addition, their colleges were announced. This year’s soccer teams had 13 seniors in total: Nic Parham ’25, Walker Meacham ’25, Carson Hanges ’25, Jackson Smith ’25 and Carter Fields ’25 for the boys; the girls honored Lila Baron ’25, Ava Duffy ’25, Nia Thompson ’25, Anna Lee ’25, Gracie Rohrig ’25, Maddie Stancil ’25 and Sinaia Sullivan ’25.
ThriftCon is Coming to Atlanta This Weekend!
By Daniela Palatchi
This Saturday, April 19, is ThriftCon Atlanta, the nation’s premier vintage clothing and collectible convention and the first and only traveling vintage market in the world. ThriftCon’s 2025 tour will stop in ten American cities, and Atlanta is its second stop. The convention will take place at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, and doors open at 10 a.m. General admission tickets cost $17 and children under 13 can get in free.