Blue Origin Launch
By Joy Ferguson
On Nov. 13, NASA’s ESCAPADE launched in a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket. The launch site was Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This isn’t the rocket’s first time at a successful launch, though. The Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, creator of Amazon, began work after its creation in 2010. NASA launched the first successful launch of the Blue Origin in Jan. of 2025. Before the second launch, they had unsuccessfully tried to launch on Nov. 9 and Nov. 12. Blue Origin is the second entity to successfully vertically land on an orbital-class booster.
Epstein Files Update
By Sabenah Abudu-Abrams
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill forcing the DOJ to release the Epstein files within 30 days. The Senate has also approved the bill. After initially declining to make the files public, President Donald Trump urged Republican Congress members to vote yes on the bill, which he also signed on Nov. 19. This 180 flip of the Trump administration is a result of the disapproval Republicans have shown him in regards to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, three new emails were released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, which raised questions about the relationship between Trump, Epstein, and a person with the codename “Bubba” who many people are speculating may be former president Bill Clinton. As of Wednesday, Nov. 19, Trump has stated in a post that he has signed the bill to release the files and is blaming Democrats for distracting the country from his agenda, as well as suggesting that the files will backfire on the Democratic Party.
Trump Breaks Ties With Marjorie Taylor Greene
By Riley Jones
Over the weekend, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Epstein files. The House Representative has historically been supportive of the President’s actions; however, this criticism signifies a break in their relationship. Trump withdrew his support for Greene in an exchange of tweets, alleging that the feud began after he advised her not to run for Senator or Governor. Greene is currently up for reelection in 2026. Other politicians like Jon Ossoff are also up for reelection in this contentious cycle. Greene has also expressed that she has received threats, including a death threat targeted toward her son. The President responded that he did not believe her life to be in danger.
I-75 repaving
by Brett Schlossberg
Since Sept., Atlanta has experienced highway closures on I-75. These closures are due to a repaving project, which is expected to be completed in Spring 2026. This is the next major highway project in a series of highway renovations in the city. From June 2024-2025, another resurfacing project was carried out. A project on I-85 was done to create an additional ramp on North Druid Hills Road to help improve traffic flow and prevent crashes. It will be the highway exit for the site of the new Arthur Blank Hospital.
ICE in Charlotte, NC
By Harper Scully
This weekend, federal agents have been seen all across Charlotte, North Carolina, and in just those 48 hours, at least 130 people have been arrested. The pressure from border control has been felt all over the country, but especially in major cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, New York and Phoenix. As the ICE raids continue, protests against the raids only grow, as Charlotte’s Mayor and other leaders of the targeted states are speaking out and expressing their concern. “They are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said.
MARTA New Fare Gates
By Kaden Bruton
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will start adding new tap to pay fare gates at stations such as Lindbergh. These new fare gates will have glass doors and have a modern payment interface that you can use your phone to pay with. This plan is referred to as Better Breeze and is being implemented ahead of the World Cup. They plan on modernizing their cards, app, and website to make their fare collection system more secure, modernized and flexible. MARTA expects this system to be carried out in the spring of 2026.
Ariana Grande Attacked At “Wicked: For Good” Singapore Premiere
By Trey Voegtlin
On Nov. 13, 2025, Ariana Grande was charged at by an Australian fan, 26 year old Johnson Wen, while she was walking at the “Wicked: For Good” premiere in Singapore. Videos posted on social media showed Wen jumping over barricades and then charging at Grande. Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, protected and shielded her in a moment of turbulence. Following the attack, Wen was immediately charged with public nuisance and was sentenced to 9 days in jail. Wen, an Australian influencer, has a history of interrupting celebrity and sports events and posting his disruptions online.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sentenced to Death
By Akiva Bryant
On Nov. 17, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Last year, Hasina cracked down on peaceful student-led protests, which advocated against civil job quotas, and eventually called for her resignation. The government crackdown caused the death of at least 1400 individuals at the hands of security forces, according to the United Nations. Due to the backlash, Hasina resigned from her position and fled to India in Aug. 2024, where she still is to this day. Hasina denounced the verdict in a statement. “The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate.”
Lebron James Returns to Los Angeles Lakers after G-League
By Tatum Trammell
Lebron “King James” James is now back with the Los Angeles Lakers after a temporary stint with the South Bay Lakers. For the past couple weeks, James has been participating in practice with the NBA G-League, due to his recent diagnosis of sciatica, a nerve injury. Regardless of the injury, Lebron was still able to be back with the Lakers for his history-making season debut.
