Welcome back to MHS! The Madison Dodger Online has not updated the website because our staff took a well deserved break. This week’s staff picks cover a huge range of news stories from the last two weeks, from Palestinian statehood to weed-carrying Santas. We hope you enjoy these further readings!
Science
- In a neurological breakthrough, scientists have found factual evidence contradicting dyslexia myths.
- Want to get an early start on childhood development? Turns out that the little things we learned as kids can really have an impact on us in the future.
Hobbies for Kids With Real Psychological Benefits
- Instead of coming up with a New Year’s resolution, Dr. Groppel suggests coming up with a personal mission statement. It focuses on your personal purpose and tackles the “why” of living your life rather than the “what.” Determining why you want to do something can make keeping your New Year’s Resolutions easier.
- It’s worth looking at these pictures, but it’s difficult to stop.
- New information may help identify the causes of depression as being more physiological than mental. It is possible that inflammation may be causing many of the symptoms of depression.
Sports
- Cam Newton is looking to lead the Carolina Panthers into their first deep run through the NFL playoffs under his quarterbacking job. Check out some analysis of their playoff win this Saturday over the Arizona Cardinals.
- Stuart Scott has passed away at the age of 49. The very popular ESPN news anchor lost his 9 year battle with cancer. His legacy lives on with his 15 and 19 year old daughters, family, and friends. Check out the link below to read about Scott’s amazing career.
- The Cowboys made a thrilling comeback against the Lions Sunday afternoon. Led by clutch quarterback Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys battled back to beat the Detroit Lions 24-20. For a full recap of the exciting playoff game, check out the link below.
- Two possible prospects for the US Ski team, died in a fatal ski accident caused by an avalanche this Monday.
Politics
- In response to various criticisms, it is uncertain whether or not Boehner will remain Speaker of House.
- For 75 days, protesters stood in open defiance against the unelected leaders of the Hong Kong government. It seems there may be more conflict between the residents of Hong Kong and the government for 2015.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/03/opinion/whiton-protests-hong-kong/index.html
- President Obama says that the last troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of 2016. This fulfills Obama’s second term promises of winding down America’s post 9-11 wars.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/05/opinion/bergen-keep-troops-in-afghanistan/index.html
World News
- New steps have been made towards Palestinian statehood.
- Two men take on the challenge of scaling the Dawn Wall of El Capitan, the steepest section of the infamous Californian mountain.
On El Capitan’s Dawn Wall, Climb Thought to Be World’s Toughest Progresses Slowly
- An underground city has been discovered.
Inside the Mysterious Underground City That’s 5,000 Years Old
- On December 23rd, more than 85 Adivasis were murdered in an ethnic massacre in the Indian state of Assam, augmenting the humanitarian and refugee crisis there.
- Oil prices fell to $50 this week, the lowest point since 2009. Though consumers are appreciating the drop in prices, they may be dangerous to American oil and gas companies and their employees. For now, no one knows just how low oil prices will go or for how long.
Arts and Entertainment
- Are you on the hunt for great TV shows to binge watch this winter? Look no further.
- The new ‘Bachelor’ Chris Soules shares his side of each episode of his journey to find love in the upcoming season.
- This article discusses two games shows for children and how they are different from adult game shows.
- Dustin Diamond, best known for his stint as Screech on the 1990s sitcom “Saved By the Bell,” will stand trial for an alleged stabbing on Christmas Day. Diamond, who claims that he accidentally stabbed the defendant while defending his fiancee, has been charged with reckless endangerment, among other counts.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/saved-by-the-bell-star-dustin-diamond-to-stand-trial-in-stabbing-case/
- The Girl Scouts are introducing three new cookie varieties this year: Toffee-tastic, which features small toffee bits, Trios, made with peanut butter, and Rah-Rah Raisins, an oatmeal-raisin cookie with a Greek yogurt twist. Adding to the excitement, Girl Scouts will now sell their cookies online as well as in person, marking the end of the ban on e-sales.
http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/01/technology/girl-scout-cookies/
We don’t know how to categorize these, they’re that ridiculous.
- Old people getting run over by cars- the growing percentage
- A dream come true.
- You no longer get coal in your sock if you’re naughty…
- An interesting legal case regarding whether a chimpanzee can hold the same rights as people is brewing in New York state.
- Sarah Palin called animal rights group PETA “hypocritical” after the group called her “callous” for posting a picture of her 6 year old son standing on their service dog. She stated that the outrage about her picture was odd because PETA’s 2009 woman of the year posted a very similar picture.
http://time.com/3655500/sarah-