Happy Friday before prom, Panthers! Whether you are getting your suit ready or getting your nails done, here are this week’s KICs. To start off this week, we have a fire that broke out at EPCOT, the World Figure Skating Championship in Boston, the Delta Flight Museum showing off its recent renovations, a labor trafficking investigation in Cartersville, and Trump’s ambitions to acquire Greenland.
World – Fire breaks out at Disney EPCOT theme park
Last Saturday, a fire broke out in Walt Disney World Resort at the EPCOT theme park in Orlando. All guests were evacuated from the area where the fire had started.
The fire had started in the backstage of the new “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” ride, just after 7 p.m. Officials have stated that EPCOT at the time was getting ready to host the International Flower & Garden Festival when the fire began.
No visitors from the park have suffered any injuries, and Disney Officials have confirmed that the fire had been quickly extinguished.
National – World Figure Skating Championships begin in Boston
The World Figure Skating Championships are the most significant figure skating competitions next to the Olympics. The skaters’ performances in these competitions will determine their eligibility for next year’s winter Olympics.
The organizing host for the worlds, The Skating Club of Boston, is one of the five skating clubs that lost members in the horrific aerial collision between an Army helicopter and the American Airlines Flight 5342. In honor of the figure skaters that died on Flight 5342, The Skating Club of Boston will hold a tribute between the women’s and pairs’ short programs this Wednesday on the opening day of worlds. Ilia Malinin, a member of the Washington Figure Skating Club, had personal connections with several people on the flight, and says he will dedicate his performances this week to those lost in the crash.
Malinin is one of several reigning world champions that are participating in this year’s competitions. Champions like Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Amber Glenn will potentially win America three or four world titles for the first time.
State – Delta Museum showcases renovations
After being closed for two years, the Delta Flight Museum in the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is now complete. The museum is completely renovated, showcasing a century of aviation history in 68,000 square feet.
With renovations, the space has turned into a more interactive history experience. One of the exhibits is a virtual recreation of how it could be inside paint shops and upholsteries, giving visitors a look into history. Another exhibit showcases the history of Delta uniforms and other memorabilia.
This was the second renovation of the museum since opening 30 years ago. With the renovations, the museum will reopen on April 7.
Local – Federal authorities raid Cartersville business amid labor trafficking investigation
Multiple law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation on a Cartersville business.
According to the FBI Atlanta, Homeland Security and Georgia Bureau of Investigation executed federal warrants on Wednesday at Wellmade Industries and several other residences in the Bartow County area.
It is believed that Wellmade Industries had trafficked dozens of Chinese nationals. They used fraud and coercion to force these people to work. The owner of Wellmade Zhu Chen has been arrested and his nephew Jiayi Chen has also been booked on the same charges.
Linguistics experts have been called in to help the dozens of potential victims. The FBI says there is no immediate threat to the public.
Politics – Vances travel to Greenland amidst Trump’s ambition
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance visited the United States base in Greenland. President Donald Trump has announced his ambitions to acquire Greenland.
For years, the United States has had a vital partnership with Greenland. Despite leaders of Greenland’s opposition, President Trump is continuing to pursue the state. A poll has shown that 85% of Greenland’s citizens do not want to be merged with the United States.
President Trump claims that acquiring Greenland would be beneficial for both parties. He claims it will be vital for the national security of the country.