It is time for the Homecoming game, Panthers! This week has definitely been eventful for Starr’s Mill. From dress-up days, to the prep rally, to finally the game against Luella, we have been busy. However, while things have been busy around the Mill, the world has also been busy. Luckily, dear reader, you can catch up on this week’s events with KICs. This week we have Russian drones violating airspace, SpaceX launching a civilian space walk, a plane collision in Atlanta, a murder investigation, and Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ points in debate having issues.
World – Russian drones found violating airspace
Russian drones were found violating Latvia and Romania’s airspace, both of which are countries in NATO. NATO officials are saying the incident was irresponsible and potentially dangerous.
Latvia claimed that a Russian drone had fallen over the east side of the country, and within the same time frame Romania had some reservations about Russia’s recent activities. Russia was reported attacking Ukraine uncomfortably close to Romania’s borders. Between that and the fragments of a Russian drone found in Romania, all eyes are peeled.
NATO has set out that if a NATO country is attacked, all member nations are prepared to come to its defense. It is already agreed that nothing should be landing on their members’ territories, and they will provide a unified front if needed.
National – SpaceX launches the first all-civilian space walk
SpaceX launched a private mission early Tuesday morning with an all-civilian crew. The mission, known as Polaris Dawn, launched at 5:24 a.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The flight, while not only having an all-civilian crew, is also traveling to the highest point since the final Apollo space mission performed in 1972. They will be going 870 miles above the earth’s surface, three times higher than the International Space Station. The group, while in space, will be testing new suits and technology that can help advance space travel. The crew consists of Jared Issacman, Lt. Col. Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon.
The all-civilian space walk is scheduled to happen on Thursday and the crew will test all new products while doing so. While up there they will be in a region of high-energy radiation particles called the Van Allen radiation belt. If successful, the crew will make history and help make massive contributions to science.
State – Plane at Atlanta’s Airport is damaged after getting into a collision with another plane
Two Delta planes ran into each other Tuesday morning. A smaller regional plane got its tail knocked off in the incident.
The larger plane containing 221 passengers, a Delta Airbus A350 jet that was on its way to Tokyo, hit the tail of a Bombardier CRJ-900 containing 56 passengers that was on a neighboring taxiway. All passengers were rebooked onto different flights that departed that Tuesday afternoon. There are no injuries reported.
The tail had been knocked off of the smaller plane, and the wing to the larger plane had also been damaged. Delta stated that both of the planes would be brought to maintenance hangars.
Local – Police searching for ongoing murder for Jaherious Montgomery
On June 25, 2024, 18-year-old Jaherious Montgomery, also known as “Jah,” was found by police suffering from multiple gunshot injuries. The incident occurred at Springdale Glen Apartments.
At 12:30 a.m., the Clarkson Police Department was called to the scene as the residents could hear multiple gunshots. When police got there they saw him bleeding on the building’s stairwell. He was found dead on the scene.
Police are still gathering evidence about what actually happened on this day. While family and friends mourn, police are asking people for help and offering $2,000 for any tips on this ongoing case.
Politics – Kamala Harris’ policies filled with ambiguity and holes post debate
Two days prior to the recent debate between the two presidential candidates, current Vice President Kamala Harris posted her policies and agenda on her website. However, the policies have left many not satisfied as they have found many gaps and ambiguity on major issues.
During the debate, Harris mentioned that she wants to raise the minimum wage during her presidency, but has not discussed or shown any specific numbers. Along with the lack of numbers, she has said she wants to establish paid medical and family leave again without getting into specific numbers or how the administration plans on doing so. Unlike former president Trump, Harris has had a more fluid view of the southern border, possibly sharing more beliefs with her Republican counterpart than originally presumed.
Harris’ slightly empty views and policies have many voters worried and may lead some to second-guess voting for her. The lack of certainty makes some voters worried about what she actually intends on doing if she is elected.