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One year since Russia’s attack on Ukraine

Feb. 24, 2023 marks exactly one year since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the UN has stated there have been over 20,000 confirmed civilian casualties as shelling continues with other reports estimating over 100,000 military casualties on both sides. Throughout the conflict, the U.S. has been the number one supplier of arms to Ukraine, as support from Americans wanes.

On Feb. 20, President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, the first time in recent memory a U.S. president has been in an active warzone. The next day, Biden had a speech in Warsaw, Poland stating there was full support for Ukraine and that any attack on NATO allies would result in swift action. H

Rare green meteor sighting!

On this year’s Groundhog Day on Feb 2., a rare green meteor was at its peak visibility, closer to Earth than it has been in over 50,000 years. The green ball of ice, dust and rock was discovered first in March 2022 in Jupiter’s orbit. The comet was named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) by the Minor Planet Center, and they have stated that despite it being briefly visible to the naked eye, it was over 26 million miles away from Earth and better seen with a telescope. H

How does one guy make up his whole life?

National

Congressman George Santos has found himself in trouble after it was revealed that he has lied or made up much of his life story, including his name. He lied about going to Baruch College and New York University, while also lying about working for Goldman Sachs. He also appears to have been involved in a marriage scam, divorcing a Brazilian woman in 2019 whose immigration status was in question when he married her. He also claimed that he was Jewish and that his mom died in 9/11. Despite this, he has been assigned to two committees by house Republicans. He is facing a measure by House Democrats to expel him from Congress. He says that he has no plans to resign. H

Alec Baldwin trial continues...

National

On Oct. 21, 2021 Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer for the movie “Rust,” was shot on set by a prop gun that was accidentally fired by actor Alec Baldwin. She was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead after she arrived. Both the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and Baldwin were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on Jan. 31, 2023, which Baldwin pleaded not guilty to. If he’s determined to be guilty, Baldwin may face up to 5 years in prison. The first hearing for the trial was set for Feb. 24, 2023 to determine the sentencing. Hutchins’ family is also suing Baldwin with a civil suit for their loss. Filming for “Rust” is set to continue in spring of this year. H

University of Idaho killer caught

National

In the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022, four students were killed at the University of Idaho.

Now, a suspect has been caught. 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30.

Authorities tracked his phone records and first connected him to the murders after he came to the house where the murders took place 12 times and shut off his phone during the alleged time period.

After DNA confirmed his involvement, he was charged with four counts of murder and faces life in prison or death penalty if convicted. H