Lately, it feels like there is so much going on: in the world, in the news, in our lives. Keeping up with current events was hard enough already, and now we’ve got a lot of information getting thrown at us at all times. Use this breakdown of some current topics to get the basic understanding and what you need to know.

• J&J vaccine back on the market
  • Both the CDC and the FDA lifted their previous recommendations pausing the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 
  • The vaccine will be accompanied with an updated label and warning of rare blood clots, but still available to the public. The benefits were considered greater than the risks.
  • Rollout is expected to resume in this coming week. 
• Biden’s first 100 days in office
  • President Biden has officially been president for over 100 days. It has become tradition in American politics to evaluate a president’s actions and priorities at the 100-day mark. 
  • Biden has broken the record for the most executive actions and reversals of a predecessor’s legislation in the first 100 days. 
  • Trump was the previous record-holder for most executive actions in the first 100 days.
  • Multiple campaign promises have yet to be addressed by Biden, leaving room for questions and criticism. 
  • It appears the next area of focus for the Biden administration will be climate change. 

Trigger warning: This section refers to hate crimes and homicide. This could be 

triggering to some readers. Please continue at your own discretion.

• Derek Chauvin’s trial
  • After jury deliberation for around ten hours, a verdict was reached regarding the trial of Derek Chauvin and the death of George Floyd. 
  • Chauvin was found guilty on all counts: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. 
  • Chauvin will go through sentencing in eight weeks. He could face up to 40 years, but it is unknown how harsh his sentence will be. 

• New Green New Deal, same debates
  • Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez re-introduced the Green New Deal last weekend, updating the plan that addresses climate change. 
  • The Green New Deal calls for the transition away from fossil fuels into a completely carbon-free economy. 
  • Markey and Ocasio-Cortez stressed that the plan is more progressive than what Biden has supported and proposed. It currently has 103 co-sponsors in the House, a record for the deal. 
  • Many pieces of legislation make up the deal, all focusing on infrastructure and climate issues. 
  • The controversial proposal has been met with many of the same critiques it has in the past, like questioning the seriousness of climate change, ideological intentions and economic concerns. 
• D.C. may become state no. 51
  • The House of Representatives passed a bill that would grant statehood to Washington, D.C. This would enfranchise over 700,000 Americans. 
  • The bill proposed a redistricting that would make the area a little smaller. 
  • Along with being granted statehood, D.C would receive two Senators and one representative. 
  • One side argues that statehood would give equal representation to D.C. residents. The other side argues that statehood would affect the balance of power.
  • Biden has expressed support for the bill, but it is unknown how much support it has in the Senate, where it goes next. 
• Caitlyn Jenner for Governor of California 
  • Former Olympian and reality star Caitlyn Jenner announced her candidacy for Governor of California as a Republican. 
  • Jenner would be going against Democrat Gavin Newsom, the current governor, who is expected to face a recall. If a recall election occurs, Californians will vote whether they believe Newsom should be removed and who they choose as replacement. 
  • Although Jenner is a prominent transgender personality, it has been hard for her to receive LGBTQ+ support. Many suspect this is due to her endorsement and ties to Trump, her party affiliation and/or her public perspectives and opinions. 
  • Jenner is also receiving criticism from the Republican party for being transgender. 
  • Jenner’s candidacy announcement referenced a couple priorities in her campaign, like cutting taxes and prioritizing the economy. Critics draw attention to the lack of public positions and opinions Jenner has. 
  • Jenner’s campaign website can be found here. 

• The Josh fight
  • On April 24, 2020, college student Josh Swain went unexpectedly viral. He had made a group chat with dozens of other people named Josh Swain, telling them a year from then they would duel for the name. 
  • The event became known as The Josh Fight. Over time, it became focused on the first name Josh, regardless of last name. 
  • Originally intending for a simple joke and nothing more, the original Josh Swain saw his opportunity for something bigger. He had sent coordinates in his original message, which were changed a few months ago. 
  • That first Josh Swain found an area in Lincoln, Nebraska to hold The Josh Fight. After some coordination, hundreds of people named Josh were prepared to pool-noodle-duel for their name. 
  • The Josh Fight fundraised for the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Foundation and a food drive for the Food Bank of Lincoln. 
  • Event-goers crowned four-year-old “Little Josh,” or Josh Vinson Jr., as the winner.