February Issue News Breifs
Local
SJPS Board of Education Appointments
Shortly after the resignation of School Board President Barry Conybeare, the school board elected Kerry M. Wright II to serve as the School Board President until 2026. A member of the board since 2016, Wright has served as Vice President since 2018. In an interview with The Herald Palladium, Wright cited, “continuing to provide teachers with the resources they need, and to our students, so that we remain a top district,” as his top priority as President of the school board. Along with a new board president, the board also promoted Rick Dyer to Vice President and welcomed two new trustees: Becky Foster and Gillian Conrad.
National
Trump’s Deportation Operations kickoff
Trump’s promised “Deportation Operation” has begun. Forbes referred to the deportations as the “largest deportation operation in U.S. history.” As of Sunday, January 26, the White House reported 2,373 illegal immigrants had been arrested. The new Trump administration has offered up all the resources necessary for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to expedite work on deportations. According to CNN, an initial wave of 1,500 troops have already been ordered to report to the border. Meanwhile the agencies are utilizing military C-17 aircraft to ship deportees back to Mexico. These actions came after Trump signed sweeping executive orders declaring a National Emergency at the southern border and ordering the U.S. Military to aid in upholding border security.
President Donald Trump Delays TikTok Ban.
Following a shutdown of more than 12 hours, TikTok resumed services, thanking President Donald Trump for his efforts to keep the app online and instructing users to continue to use the app as normal. After his inauguration, Donald Trump signed into effect an executive order, “Application of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok.” According to WhiteHouse.gov, the order states that due to the banning of the app occurring near the inauguration of President Trump, Trump had not had subsequent time to review the National Security risks presented by the app. The ban is to be delayed for a period of 75 days to allow for TikTok to find a new buyer while the Administration reviews relevant intelligence relating to the potential national security risks. A list of potential buyers consisting of Internet celebrity MrBeast, billionaire Frank McCourt, and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary have publicly stated their bids.
Global
After 15 months of fighting in Gaza, ceasefire deal reached.
After almost 15 months of war in Gaza, mediators have brought Israel and Hamas together for a much needed ceasefire agreement. The talks, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States faced much trouble in light of Israel’s assassinations of Hamas leadership. According to Al Jazeera, the agreement is split up into 3 stages. During stage 1, which will last 42 days, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages while Israel will release 1,900 prisoners as well as pull out of largely populated civilian areas and allow for the free flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Around 16 days after the beginning of stage 1, negotiations for stage 2 will begin. During stage 2, a permanent ceasefire will be established requiring Israel to fully pull out of the Gaza Strip for the remaining hostages held by Hamas. During the final stage, all bodies held by Hamas are to be returned to Israel in return for collaboration on the reconstruction of Gaza. In a Q&A session at The White House, President Donald Trump stated that he was not confident in the ceasefire and later stated he believed that neighboring countries should take in Palestinians and “clear out the entire thing,” (referring to the Gaza Strip).