Yeah, I went with a week this time, but I’m a librarian – and it’s my birthday – so I get to bend the rules this morning, right?
In a normal year, well-known and upcoming folks involved in children’s literature make it a point to celebrate Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week by visiting schools and libraries to help their characters come off of the page, but it’s a bit of a subdued celebration on that front this year. But schools and libraries everywhere are still finding ways to celebrate! This, of course, begs the question: What is/was your favorite children’s book character? Growing up, I L-O-V-E-D the Berenstain Bears (and still do)! More recently, I’ve come to absolutely adore Pigeon, too.
After that sweet detour down memory lane, let’s get to the news, shall we?
Pat Conroy
- First, some horrible news: Shaq’s Krispy Kreme has burned down.
- House Speaker David Ralston wants to rename the the bridge on State Route 307 near the Georgia Ports Authority for former Senator Johnny Isakson. (Alternate link.)
- Yesterday, the state Senate approved a revised spending plan to increase public health money in the budget.
- The special election for House District 90 is headed to a runoff.
- An Elbert County medical practice claims that its punishment for vaccinating teachers is part of a double standard at the Department of Public Health.
- Bobby Christine, who replaced BJ Pak as the U.S. attorney for Northern Georgia in one of a series of questionable moves by the Trump Administration, has resigned as the U.S. attorney for Southern Georgia.
- The Georgia GOP has issued an “elections confidence report,” which wants to limit access to voting in multiple ways after 2020 losses for the party.
- With a switch to the Common Application, UGA has seen a 40% increase in applications for Fall 2021.
- Another Georgian has been arrested for taking part in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Alternate link.)
Alice Walker
- Former President Trump’s second impeachment trial began yesterday, and the two things that really stuck out were the harrowing video of insurrectionists and the very strange strategy (I’m using that term loosely) of the president’s defense lawyers in their opening remarks.
- The Senate declared that the impeachment trial was constitutional with six Republicans joining all Democrats in proceeding. (Alternate link.)
- Merrick Garland will finally get a Senate hearing.
- COVID deaths are on a sustained decline in the United States.
- 66% of Americans are dissatisfied with the vaccine rollout.
- 24 million American families are currently food insecure.
- COVID restrictions are likely responsible for the lack of flu this winter.
- 10 pounds of plastic explosives are missing from a marine training installation in California.
- In the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a military-wide, one-day training “stand down” to determine the extent of extremist behavior in the ranks.
- An analysis by the Washington Post has found that the majority of insurrectionists have a history of financial trouble. (Alternate link.)
- The Chicago Teachers Union has approved a school reopening plan. (Alternate link.)
- A study has found that 1 in 5 deaths worldwide is caused by fossil fuel air pollution.
- Aunt Jemima has a new name and logo.
- Facebook will be limiting political content on users’ timelines in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia immediately, and this is expected to start in the United States soon.
- Protests continue in Myanmar.
- One of Hungary’s last independent radio stations has been ordered off the air.
- South Africa has switched to distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after a study found the AstraZeneca vaccine provided limited immunity against the South African variant.
- The WHO investigators are leaving Wuhan, saying that their visit was “inconclusive.” (Alternate link.)
Flannery O’Connor
- A skier has been successfully rescued in a remote area of Alaska after surviving a bear attack.
- A man bought a building in New York and got a surprise mini-gallery in its attic.