Public Health Emergency

An emergency was declared by President Donald Trump to address the nations opioid drug abuse. The public health emergency enables further action to be taken should Congress approve them, allowing for more funds. The opioid crisis has reached an all-time high within the U.S. as more people become addicted and dependent on the medication, which is often abused. This year alone, more people were killed by opioid related drug overdoses than in Vietnam. More than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids—nearly double in a decade. Source CDC WONDER. “I can’t believe the number is really that high and more people don’t know about it,” junior Abby Snyder said.

Increased Store Closings

The increase in online shopping has left many stores penniless. Countless branches have shut down due to their inability compete with online companies such as Amazon. “A lot of my shopping is done online, with Amazon,” sophomore Tabatha Vera said. Stores attempt to outcompete one another through reduced prices in an attempt to attract more business. Brands such as Forever 21 and H&M offer affordable items that take away business from other clothing retailers such as the Gap and Sears.

Unemployment Rate Reaches All Time Low

The unemployment rate is the lowest it has ever been since 2001 with only 4.2 percent of the population being unemployed, and the rate of unemployment continues to decrease. The economy within the U.S. is growing, with stock being high and wages rising 3 percent from past year. “I’m shocked the unemployment rate is so low and that’s good for me” senior D.J. Harp said.

Twitter War between Trump and Sens. Corker and Flake

President Trump attacked the retiring Sen. Bob Corker on Twitter Tuesday morning, prompting Corker to brand Trump an “utterly untruthful president,” and to state that “the debasement of our nation is what [Trump] will be remembered most for.” Just a few hours later on Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Flake announced that he wouldn’t run for re-election in 2018, and issued a withering critique of Trump from the Senate floor: “It is time for our complicity and our accommodation of the unacceptable to end … Mr. President, I rise today to say ‘enough.” The berating of the president by two key senators of his own house hasn’t fallen on deaf ears as the public and media swarm to cover the action. “Trump is getting what he deserves; I’m glad people are finally speaking against him,” freshman Josh Pittman said.