Panthers, we have hit our first break! After a harrowing four weeks of school, we finally have a three-day weekend. While you are maxing and relaxing during this weekend, check out this week’s KICs. This week we have delegates coming together to discuss climate change in the Pacific Islands,a murder-suicide locking down a university, a man charged with a DUI, and Donald Trump attempting to have his case moved into state court.
World – Delegates come for Pacific Islands Forum
On August 26, 1,500 delegates from 40 countries got together at Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Leaders of the Pacific nations met for the Pacific Islands Forum to discuss issues from their region, including climate change and the rising seas.
Diplomatic partners, including the United States, also participated in the forum. There was concern specifically that China, who brought a lot of delegates, was using their aid to influence what they wanted from the Pacific nations. The forum has closed its application process to review how it is structured.
They also talked about rising seas and natural disasters polluting their drinking water, and water pollution around the world. The cost of living and security were also key topics.
National – Murder-suicide leads to university lockdown
On Monday, August 26, a student at Rice University in Houston was found dead in her dorm room. This happened when students were completing their first day of class, sending the university into lockdown.
Andrea Rodriguez Avila was murdered in her dorm room by a male student, who then shot himself after killing her. A note found at the scene indicated that the male and Avila had romantic relations. Once the bodies were discovered, a lockdown and cancellation of classes and activities was initiated.
The lockdown at Rice University ended by 7:18 p.m. Rice University Police Department is leading the investigation with help from the Houston Police Department, while Avila’s parents are expecting to arrive in Houston on Tuesday.
State – Kamala Harris becomes the first major presidential candidate to visit Savannah in over 40 years
For the first time since the 1980s, a major presidential candidate has visited Savannah, Georgia. Current vice president and presidential candidate Kamala Harris did a bus tour of Savannah and capped it off with a rally.
Harris delivered a speech on creating an “opportunity economy” and attacking Project 2025. Harris also acknowledged the Democratic successes of Georgia with the election of Senators Rapheal Warnock and Jon Ossoff. She also hit on numerous policies including a $6,000 tax credit for families in their first year of having a child, signing in a law guaranteeing a right to abortion, tackling the country’s housing supply shortage, and signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
There was a Pro-Palestinian protest during the rally. Harris acknowledged this by saying that the protestors have their right to “have a voice,” before saying that herself and President Biden were trying to secure a hostage and negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.
Local – Man charged with DUI found asleep in driver’s seat
On Thursday night, Peachtree City officers were called to Highway 74 and Highway 54 to find 37-year-old Andre Stroud asleep behind the wheel of his pickup truck. Stroud was charged with a DUI and was found with less than an ounce of marijuana.
The Peachtree City officers woke up Andre Stroud and searched his vehicle. The officers found less than an ounce of marijuana. Dashcam video footage shows Stroud’s truck rolling forward and hitting a patrol car.
Andre Stroud was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana. The department reminded all drivers to not drink and drive.
Politics – Trump attempts to delay sentencing
Donald Trump’s legal team is pushing for his hush money case to be heard in federal court instead of state court, potentially delaying his sentencing. This request is based on the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity from prosecution for official acts.
A federal judge previously rejected a similar motion to move the case. In May, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts in state court. Sentencing is set for September 18. Trump’s lawyers also want to prevent Justice Juan Merchan from sentencing Trump during the ongoing legal proceedings. They argue that prosecutors cannot use evidence related to official acts in cases arising from unofficial conduct.
Trump’s team is leveraging a Supreme Court ruling granting presidents some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts to support their position.