Here’s what we need to know today, delivered by the one and only Sybil Wilkes. Staying informed is a powerful tool for our community, helping us navigate the world and advocate for the change we want to see.
Tragedy in Washington, D.C.
Two West Virginia National Guard members were ambushed near the White House. 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom sadly succumbed to her injuries, while 24-year-old Andrew Wolf remains in critical condition. An Afghan national has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting, leaving the capital on high alert.
The Trump Administration Makes Changes in Higher Education
A significant policy shift is causing a stir in higher education. The Trump administration’s redefinition of a “professional degree” is creating new debate. This change, part of an overhaul of student loan rules, narrows the definition to just ten fields and introduces new borrowing caps. Critics are concerned this could limit loan access for graduate students in vital healthcare fields, including nursing.
For the first time in over four years, the national average for gas prices has dipped below $3 a gallon, now standing at $2.95. According to GasBuddy, this decline is a result of lower oil prices, strong refinery output, and a typical seasonal decrease in demand.
A Defining Moment in the Civil Rights Movement
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. This courageous act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a powerful demonstration of nonviolent protest led by a young Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that changed the course of American history.
