Presented by Cornell University’s Skimm’bassador Erica Baevsky
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS (9/3)
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOUR COWORKER IS INTERVIEWING AT OTHER PLACES…
Time for something new? On Wednesday, reports came out that DreamWorks and Disney aren’t renewing their distribution deal when it expires next summer. Under the deal, DreamWorks has been working with Disney to distribute its films, aka get them into theaters and later onto TV channels. But Dreamworks has not turned out to be a dream for Disney — it produced less films and less profits than expected. Plus, Disney also bought shiny brands like Marvel and Lucasfilm. So it looks like Disney isn’t too excited about keeping up the relationship. Steven Spielberg – co-founder of DreamWorks and dinosaur aficionado – is now reportedly flirting with Universal. Oh Mickey, you’re not-so-fine.
SPORTS NEWS (8/31 & 9/1)
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU SET A NEW RECORD FOR LIKES ON INSTA…
#Winning. Just like Serena’s been doing lately. The US Open kicked off last week, and if she takes the top prize it’ll be a ‘Serena Slam.’
WHAT TO SAY WHEN THE SAME CAR ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF OUTSIDE…
This again? Everyone’s talking about Tom Brady’s balls. Still. On Monday, the star QB was back in court, appealing the NFL’s decision to bench him for four games for his role in Deflategate. Deflategate: when the Patriots were accused of intentionally deflating game balls to make them easier to grip…and win playoff games. Brady says he knew nothing of the shrunken balls. The NFL begs to differ. Monday was the last chance for both sides to talk it over and hug it out before a judge steps in. There was no hugging. The judge says he’ll make the call this week on whether to keep Brady sidelined.
UNFORTUNATE LOSSES (8/31)
WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO’S EXCITED FOR THE “GOOSEBUMPS” MOVIE…
Wes Craven knew scary movies best. On Sunday, the horror director died of brain cancer at age 76. Craven directed warm and fuzzy films like “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Hills Have Eyes,” and all four “Scream” movies. He’s survived by his wife (who’s a producer) and Freddy Krueger (who lives on in nightmares of 80s kids everywhere).
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU THINK YOUR COAT RACK IS A PERSON AT NIGHT…
Isn’t there a book about this? On Sunday, Oliver Sacks – neurologist and author of “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” — died of cancer at age 82. Earlier this year, he wrote that New York Times article everyone read, about how his battle with cancer became terminal. Sacks became one of the most well-known neurologists maybe ever, for writing about patients and neurological conditions in an understandable way. He also had a Hollywood moment when Robin Williams played a doctor inspired by Sacks in the movie adaptation of his book “Awakenings.”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS (9/1 & 9/2)
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FLIGHT’S DELAYED…
Can I leave, please? These journalists can relate. On Monday, two British Vice News journalists and their translator were arrested in Turkey on terrorism charges. Turkey says they were working for a terror group, allegedly one you might have heard of (hint: rhymes with crisis). Reminder: Turkey recently starting fighting ISIS in Syria. Turkey’s also been fighting the PKK back home, a group it considers a terrorist organization. These journalists were covering the violence between the Turkish military and the PKK. Vice has called the charges “baseless and alarmingly false.” Human rights organizations agree.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR COMPANY GETS A NEW EMAIL SYSTEM…
Shaking things up. Just like Pope Francis. On Tuesday, he broke with Church tradition…again…and said that he’s going to allow priests to officially forgive Catholic women who’ve gotten abortions. The offer expires after the Church’s upcoming “Year of Mercy,” which kicks off in December. Abortion is a major no-no in the Roman Catholic Church. Traditionally, only a bishop (or a priest he’s appointed in his place) can officially forgive a Catholic woman for having an abortion. But in a letter published on Tuesday, Francis announced he’s giving that power to every priest during the one-year window. He wrote that he realizes the decision to end a pregnancy can be “agonizing,” and women who make that decision should be forgiven. Because he’s not like a regular pope, he’s a cool pope.
U.S. NEWS (9/2 & 9/3)
WHAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING…
A massive manhunt going on in a suburb north of Chicago. On Tuesday, a veteran police officer was shot and killed while on a regular patrol. The shooting allegedly happened after the officer radioed to say that he was checking on some suspicious activity. He radioed soon after to say that he was chasing three men. Then, police lost contact with him. He was found in a marsh with gunshot wounds. Now the manhunt is on for the three suspects. Schools in the area were closed on Wednesday as the search for the suspects continued. This is the latest in a string of police deaths that have happened while on the job.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR CO-WORKER SHOWS UP DRUNK FOR A MEETING…
What is wrong with you? Earlier this week, two day care workers in New Jersey were charged with child abuse for running a “fight club”…with toddlers. The kids are between four and six years old. The first rule of fight club is: you must be able to cross the street by yourself to be in fight club. The day care workers thought it would be a good idea to post videos of the fights to Snapchat. It was not a good idea.
LEGAL NEWS (9/2)
THE STORY
Earlier this summer, the Supremes decided that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right in all 50 states. But, a county clerk in Kentucky isn’t so into that, and is refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
EXPLAIN.
The Supremes’ ruling means that no government official (hint: county clerks) can deny same-sex marriage licenses. But one county clerk has said her religious beliefs go against that ruling. So she stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether. Four couples then sued her. A judge tried to force her to issues licenses. She said ‘nope’ and appealed. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court said ‘this is not optional.’
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