May Issue News Briefs
Local
Michigan Transportation Dept. initiates various road reconstruction projects.
The city of St. Joseph, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation, has launched a major project in order to begin “major reconstruction” of various roads and interstate roads, according to WSBT. The project plans to rebuild Main Street all the way to the Blossomland Bridge, basically from the Berrien County Administration Center to the bridge. Along with that, the transportation department is beginning reconstruction and repair on various highways such as M-63 and I-94, as per WSBT. The bulk of construction in the St. Joseph region is planned to begin late this year, while the highway projects are slowly picking up speed. “A lot of the roads we drive through are all torn up and broken, so it's exciting to see that the city is actually trying to do something about them,” said Justice Goodwin, 10.
National
President Trump calls for the reopening of Alcatraz Prison
Alcatraz Prison, a historical federal prison located on Alcatraz Island, which has been closed for over 60 years and has operated as a museum, will be making a u-turn and once again reopen as a maximum security federal prison, according to CNN. The prison closed due to the high cost of running the prison and deteriorating conditions. Trump described the reopening of Alcatraz as “a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE.” According to CNN, analysts believe it would cost between three to five million dollars to return the facility to pre-closing conditions. As it remains currently, Alcatraz is now run as a tourist attraction that hosts over 1.2 million visitors, according to ABC News. Shrugged off by most politicians, Trump confirmed later that day, “I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
Global
An attack in India leads to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan
Both nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, faced a hostile situation following a substantial terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which is located within the Indian-administered region of Kashmir. Historically, Kashmir is an area of large debate between India and Pakistan, with both sides declaring the territory as theirs. Tensions escalated following the attack after India blamed Pakistan for supporting the terrorists and calling for the pause of the Indus Water Treaty and closing all borders with Pakistan. According to CNN, in response, Pakistan argued the allegations were baseless and declared any pausing of water would be an act of war and would be responded to immediately. The Indus Water Treaty secures water for hundreds of millions of people, according to BBC News. Since the attack, both nations have participated in military and war drills as Vice President J.D. Vance requested that India handle the situation with restraint: “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict.”