By Tyler Cazares
Takeoff was a member of the hip hop group “Migos,” and he plays a role in lots of the group's music. After Takeoff had a good time partying with his friends, he was fatally shot at around 2:30 AM November 1st, outside of a bowling alley. Everyone spoke of what a great man Takeoff was, how peaceful he was, and how it was very tragic his life and career were cut short. Gunshots were found in his head, torso, and arm. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide. After partying and exiting the building in a group, Takeoff got into an argument with unknown people and shots were fired. This led to many people fleeing the building, and Takeoff's death. No suspects have been arrested and the police have no reason to think Takeoff was doing anything criminal at the time. The police have done an investigation and encourage witnesses to come forward with any information they could provide.
0 Comments
By Victoria Valenzuela Singer songwriter and world sensation Taylor Swift announced she is going back on tour for the first time since 2016. After the release of her new album, “Midnights,” many expected a tour announcement; however, instead of just the album, it is her entire discography. Swift is breaking records. She is the first artist in history to occupy the entire top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Midnights,” and it’s the already the bestselling album of 2022 and all for only being out two weeks. Many fans are beyond exhilarated for her success once again. Many fans are also on the clock to get tickets for the tour amidst all the excitement.
Swift announced the tour Tuesday morning November 1st, sending her fan base and everyone into shock. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster November 18th, and the tour starts in the US March 18th. Through presale and VIP, Swift is giving fans an opportunity to experience Swift back on tour once again. With openers Paramore, Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, Beabadoobee, Girl in Red, Muna, Gayle, Gracie Abrams and Owenn, she is setting the stage for an amazing show. Swift described the tour as “a journey through the musical eras of my career (past and present!).” Ticket prices run from $49 up to $449, with VIP packages that start at $199 and go up to $899. Swifties are beyond thrilled and so excited to see her come back and take us all back to every era of Taylor Swift. By Diego Campbell From Halloween to New Year's Day, the last two months of the year are filled with the Holiday Spirit. Even though Christmas time is typically seen as the “Holiday Season,” it can be argued that the season really starts on Halloween, one of the biggest holidays around. Here is a timeline of some of the most celebrated holidays from October 31st to January 1st. The Skeleton Package (Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day/Day of the Dead) October 31st-November 2nd In a short three-day succession, there are not one, not two, but three holidays with themes surrounding the Dead. Halloween (10/31), while not specifically about those who passed on, invokes themes of death using creatures like skeletons and the Grim Reaper. All Saints Day (11/1) is a day dedicated to respecting all the Saints throughout Christian history, many of whom are already long gone. All Souls Day, also known as Day of the Dead (11/2) is when the special treatment for the dead extends from the Saints to all of the departed. On Day of the Dead, altars are erected with photos of the deceased in order to remember the ones we love or respect. The Dead are usually represented as skeletons, similar to how they looked in life. Considering how there are three holidays built around the theme of death, it’s fairly easy to wrap them up together, and call these holidays a Skeleton Package. Veterans Day November 11th Since 1938, on November 11th, the United States has celebrated the day to honor those who served in all US wars. The holiday was originally called Armistice Day, named after the cease-fire/armistice that ended WWI. However, because the day was meant for former soldiers, the switch was made to Veterans Day. Only five states force businesses to give their employees time off (Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Tennessee). However, it is not uncommon for other states to give the 11th off anyway. Thanksgiving November 24th When the Pilgrims arrived in America, they survived only because of the aid of the Native Americans. These natives showed the pilgrims how to plant and fish. To thank them, the Pilgrims threw a big celebration filled with food. From then on, we remember this Thanksgiving feast by gathering together as families and eating turkeys. Thanksgiving weekend is at least a four-day long break from work, to give people the time they need to be with their friends and family. Christmas December 25th Christmas time, the shining star atop the holiday tree. A little more than two thousand years ago, the 24th of December, a pregnant woman and her husband were struggling to find a place to stay in a town of crowded inns. After many failed attempts, one innkeeper, not wanting to turn down the desperate pregnant woman in front of him, offered them space in his stable. Within that stable, a child was born in a manger, and was showered with gifts and love. Years after Jesus’s time, Saint Nicolas began traveling around the world, spreading goodwill to those in need. He became so popular that the Christmas holiday grew around him. He has become the main man of the night, delivering presents to the good girls and boys every Christmas Eve. Since Christmas came from a man who lived a compassionate life, it’s no surprise that this is the time of giving and goodwill. Plus, it’s Jesus’s birthday: the date was automatically special. Christmas is celebrated in a variety of customs, including but not limited to lawn decorating with lights and blowup dolls, buying a pine tree and decorating it with ornaments, and hanging giant socks over your chimneys with care. Some people like to bake festive foods like gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies. One popular treat during Christmas time is the candy cane, which can come in a variety of flavors. It just goes to show that Christmas is pretty sweet. New Year’s Day
January 1st As ironic as it may seem, the Holiday Season ends when the New Year begins. New Year’s Day is recognized worldwide as a countdown for the future. New Year's Eve gives us a chance to remember the highlights of the year, while New Year's Day is a celebration of what’s to come. Every country has their own traditions, but some of the most common ones include making resolutions for the next year, launching fireworks, staying up to their respective midnights and watching the clock countdown the last seconds of the night. There are many holidays sprinkled throughout the year. Everyday's a holiday somewhere. But typically, we celebrate these holidays with joy and togetherness. They give people the chance to celebrate their culture. They remind us to honor important people in our lives, dead or alive. It’s a time of entertainment, celebration, and maybe even a little magic. The calendar says Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, but the Holiday Season is the most festive of them all. By Jake Swan Día de Los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1st through November 2nd. It celebrates the reuniting of families with their lost loved ones. This holiday, celebrated throughout most of Latin America and some Catholic countries, is a fun and honorable way to respect those who have died. Día de Los Muertos, unlike other holidays, turns mourning into a celebration of life and death. How did this Mexican holiday spread to other countries and become somewhat of an international holiday? ORIGINS The Day of the Dead’s earliest origins come from the Aztecs in what is now central Mexico. Just like today, the Aztecs used skulls to honor the dead. When the Spanish conquered the Aztecs in the 16th century, the Catholic Church fused Christian traditions with the holidays of the indigenous people. This included Día de Los Muertos as well as All Souls Day and All Saints Day. The holiday today has spread all over the world and is now celebrated throughout Brazil, Ecuador, the Philippines, and more. Día de Los Muertos consists of a mix of Spanish culture, European religion, and old Mesoamerican ritual. In the origins, It was believed that after a person passed they traveled to the Land of the Dead, also known as Chicunamictlán. There they would have to travel through nine levels (a journey) so that their soul could reach the final resting place or the Mictlán. Families to assist their deceased loved ones on this journey would leave out food and water on their graves or altars that they set up called Ofrendas. TRANSFORMATION TO THE U.S. We can trace the earliest sightings of Día de Los Muertos inside the US back around to the 1890s when Mexican immigrants brought their customs and traditions with them when traveling to the United States. Slowly the traditions started migrating as well. The rise of Día de Los Muertos celebrations began to spread. There are some recollections of Día de Los Muertos in earlier years such as different books published in the 1950s. One of these books “Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon,” depicts a southern Texas family who celebrates Día de Los Muertos with flowers and candles. Though during the Texas family's celebration, there were no decorated skulls, but there were still many similarities to the celebrations done by the Aztecs. TODAY
Día de Los Muertos has only grown in popularity and is today considered a national holiday. People all over the world commemorate this special holiday together on November first and second. Disney and Fox Animation also have made movies about this holiday such as "Coco" and "The Book of Life," showing off different aspects of the tradition and culture. In total, Día de Los Muertos is a big holiday that's coming up that's a celebration for both the living and the dead. By Alexander Cobbs “It’s close to midnight, something evil's lurking in the dark.” That’s right! It’s spooky season, and what better song comes to mind when you think of October than Michael Jackson’s hit song “Thriller”? From the famous dance, to the song itself, “Thriller” is known by almost every person in the world. This legendary track has been played over 149 million times on YouTube and at least 66 million copies of the song have been sold. But what’s the hardest part to believe is that "Thriller" is almost 39 years old! “Thriller” first came out on November 5, 1983. Although the song came out five days after Halloween, it is still mostly played during October because of how Spooky and appealing it is to the season. When the music video came out on December 2 that same year, this was when the song completely took the world by storm. It was almost like a “zombie apocalypse” with how many people were trying to imitate the reanimated choreography. To this day, every October this song is played on countless radio stations, bringing joy and excitement to all that hear it. Shortly after releasing the song, Michael Jackson dropped the “Thriller” album which was no exception to the success of MJ. The album was said to be "hit after hit with no skips." From “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and “Beat It” to “P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing),” and of course “Thriller,” there was not one song on the album that the fans did not love. “Thriller” went on to be the number one album of all time, and it will probably never be beaten out of the spot because of how much impact it made on not only America but the entire world during its time.
By Diego Campbell Every year, Mojang, the team of developers behind the hit game Minecraft, knows they have to try and break the Internet. To pull this off, they host a livestream that displays the work they’ve put into their games. This year, on October 15th, they revealed an update with no official name other than the “1.20 Update.” Claiming that the theme should have something to do with storytelling and representation, Mojang unveiled the first features of this unnamed update. This is a look at each of the five new features shown off during the livestream. Hanging Signs are a new variant of signs in Minecraft. They are made out of stripped wood and held up by chains. Instead of being placed on the ground or against the side of a block, like a traditional sign, these signs attach themselves to the underside of a block or stick out against the side. This new style of signage adds more variety and color to the game, but it isn’t the only addition to decoration Bamboo was originally added to the game as a single-stalked, growable plant used to breed Pandas and build scaffolding. But with the addition of bamboo blocks, players can create beautiful bamboo condos for all their panda pals. Bamboo blocks can be crafted into slabs, stairs, and fences, similar to other wood blocks. However, bamboo adds a few exclusive members to the set as well. One is the intersecting mosaic block, a new decoration block that doesn’t exist for other wood blocks. The other is the bamboo raft, a more adventurous looking version of the common boat. While the addition of new building blocks are always welcome, be careful not to get sick of the pale yellow green color by looking at it too long. The next feature is a librarian's best pick, but not for the reasons you’d think. Chiseled bookshelves are a new type of bookshelf where you can store books. This is amazing because it adds a new way to store enchanted books and books and quills, which can’t stack up. It also powers redstone circuits, meaning that you could finally make the mystery novel secret entrance of your dreams in Minecraft. The Mob Vote gave players the chance to vote for one of the next mobs to be added to Minecraft. In a staggering landslide victory, that mob was the ancient beast known as the Sniffer. Unfortunately named, this creature went extinct years ago in the Overworld. Luckily, its eggs have been stashed away in underwater chests. Players can recover these eggs and hatch them on land to revive the species. Sniffers will repay the kindness by, of course, sniffing the ground and uncovering ancient seeds from the soil. These ancient seeds, which are impossible to come by in any other way, can be grown into new decorative plants. Truly worthy of its win, the Sniffer should become a fan favorite mob, and not just for being the first dinosaur in Minecraft. Last but not least, another new mob was announced live. The deserts have always been barren biomes, filled with rabbits, husks, and occasionally villagers. But the introduction of the Camel should add some more wildlife to these sandy dunes. The camel is a tall, rideable mob that can be bred with cactus plants. The camel is a slow creature, but don’t let this overshadow all its great uses. For one, this is the first mob that can be ridden by two players. For another thing, camels have a unique ability called “dash,” which allows them to leap across large gaps in terrain, like ravines and rivers. So while horses will always come first place in a race, they’ll be stuck on the river banks as the camel dashes across with ease. A third factor that makes the camels so great is their height: since camel legs are so tall, short mobs like zombies can’t attack you while you ride them. One friend could steer the camel while the other slashes away at the evil husks.
Overall, this update could be described as disappointing. All these random additions to the game have seemingly nothing in common. There was very little actually added in the grand scheme of things. The fact that there isn’t even an official name for the update is a red flag on its own. But what critics easily miss is the fact that there are plenty of diamonds in this rough update. Chiseled bookshelves add storage for an item that’s difficult to store. Camels are overpowered creatures that add new life to the open deserts. The main focus of this update is to give the community the gift of storytelling and representation. These random features are all incredible in their own right, and with more unannounced features on the way, this storytelling update could become a great chapter in the story of Minecraft. By Gabrielle Born INTRODUCTION Yep, it’s that time of year again. It’s time for Halloween. Most of us love Halloween, don’t we? It is the one day of the year when society allows us to don our eeriest disguises and roam the streets of our neighborhood, begging the homeowners for sugary treats that will make us have to actually brush our teeth for once! COSTUMES Ah, costumes. Costumes are one of the most memorable aspects of this holiday. Halloween costumes used to be plain and simple. But with the significant help of technology, modern Halloween costumes can be spectacular. What could the scariest Halloween costume be? It could be the Four-Legged Stilt Spirit costume. This costume is very challenging to build. That’s right. You have to build the costume yourself. The costume is supposed to have a person whose arms and legs are standing on stilts. CANDY
Candy is one of the most commercialized parts of Halloween. M&Ms, KitKats, Reese's Peanut Buttercups. They’re all so good! But how good are they exactly? Halloween candy is actually not at all good. According to mayfamilydental.com, harmful bacteria feed off of the sugar coating of candy and creates acid that erodes the enamel of teeth. If not taken care of, this can result in cavities. So, Halloween candy is not good for one’s dental health at all. MOVIES Halloween movies are one of the most blood-raising parts of Halloween. What new Halloween movies are out this year? “Halloween Ends,” the thirteenth installment of the “Halloween” series, is out in theaters this year. In this movie, a woman named Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) who has survived the serial killer Michael Myers tries to forget her petrifying past. However, when a man is accused of murdering a child, a cascade of violence and terror ignite that cause Laurie to finally face her fears. “Smile” is another Halloween movie that is in theaters this Halloween. The movie stars a female doctor who has a troubling past. Her taking care of a patient causes her to experience terrifying occurrences. As the occurrences intensify, she must confront her disturbing past in order to survive her new reality. CONCLUSION However scary the costume, unhealthy the candy, or even gory the movie, Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays today. So, whether you hate it, there’s always a reason to love Halloween. I can’t wait for Halloween. Enjoy it! By: Noah Buchanan Ye, better known as Kanye West, has been restricted from Instagram and Twitter. Many sources say he has been banned for perceived Anti-Semitic posts. There are many screen shots with proof of the accusations of his Anti-Semitic posts. This tweet was later deleted for violating conditions, which also resulted in Kanye’s Twitter account getting locked.
With this Tweet going viral, there has been a lot of negative publicity and controversy about Kanye and his status. An argument erupted over text messages between Kanye and Sean “Diddy” Combs as shown by screenshots saying, “Let’s stop playing these Internet games. And don't feel threatened. You’ll be fine. Just love.” While Kanye said, “This ain’t a game…I told you this was war….” This text exchange shows Diddy trying to be a supportive friend and Kanye being blinded by his delusion. Kanye has been known to get out of hand and ramble on social media, but was this over the top? Many people are questioning his actions and with this strike it is believed that Kanye needs help. Not only has Kanye’s mental health been questioned but also his values. As the years have come, politics have been gaining more and more popularity, and Kanye has been a driven fact in politics. He has shared his political views. Some people disagree with his views and others agree. However, Kanye’s views on politics and people have been questioned because of his posts and Tweets. As a result, many people say that Kanye needs to quit social media and get into rehabilitation or any type of help. Even in his own family, his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, has told him repeatedly to seek help. What do you think? Should Kanye seek help? By Victoria Valenzuela American Singer-Songwriter and Actress, Selena Gomez, gives fans an emotional-deep story about her life in the past couple years. Her documentary, “My Mind and Me” releases on November 4th exclusively on Apple TV+. Throughout the past couple years, Selena Gomez has been on the downlow when it’s come to music and entertainment. However, she sparked longing fans with this surprise documentary along with a new song previewed in the trailer. Alek Keshishian, the director of the film, shares that he is excited to be able to be part of this journey with Gomez. From sources, it is speculated that this documentary will be about Gomez’s battle with anxiety and lupus, a chronic auto-immune disease. She will also talk about her rise to fame and influences that pushed her to be where she is now. "I’m a little nervous but also excited to share this side of me with you all", said Gomez. Her fan base is showing a tremendous amount of support for being able to release such a personal part of her career and perspective.
Selenators (her fans) are beyond excited from sources to see Gomez healthy and in a brighter light for the first time in a while. By Noah Buchanan & James Swanner The Sidemen Charity event is a British charity event, and stars a match of soccer between two teams, the Sidemen vs. YouTube Allstars. Sidemen is a YouTube channel with a collection of YouTubers who all lived together. It was founded in London and was created to simply entertain people. Sideman grew so much to the point where they created their own charity events and now bring in the most famous people from across the world. The match was played and streamed on September 24, 2022. The stadium was filled with 27,000 fans. The charity itself raised exactly 1.08 million dollars. Teenage Cancer Trust and Campaign Against Living Miserably will receive 40% of the money raised each. The remaining 20% will be shared by children’s charities Rays of Sunshine and M7 Education. The official stream for the charity match peaked at 2.6 million concurrent viewers, and at the time of this article viewership has gone up to 21 million views. All seven regular members of the Sidemen played in the match. These members included KSI, Minimenter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123, and Wroetoshaw who were joined by popular YouTube influencers, such as MrBeast and LazarBeam. The YouTube AllStar team also had a few influencers that stood out like IShowSpeed, Noah Beck, and AnEsonGib. Before the match started KSI, who is known as the leader of Sidemen, called out a specific person named IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) and disrespected him and promised that the teenager would be “exposed” on the pitch which brought drama between the YouTubers and Sidemen off and on the field. As the game progressed, well into the first half, Speed retaliated by taking down KSI with a crunching tackle. Speed was a huge part of the event and was one of the most popular people in with fans. Speed showed his athleticism by blind-siding people and showing a couple of his soccer moves and skills. With Speed's athletic showmanship, the game got even more interesting. During half time, when they were in the locker room Speed fired up the team and helped his team members regain their strength to fight against Sidemen. Later on in the game Speed had a chance to score and scored, but the refs did not count it and denied him the goal, even though it was considered one of the best highlights in the game. Many people have their opinion on if he was offside or not and if the goal should have counted.
Although the rivalry between Speed and KSI was a big part of the event, the game also hosted some other crazy highlights like famous YouTuber “Filly” sinking a right-footed strike into the net for a deep goal. Both teams were neck and neck the whole entire time until after 87 minutes passed when Team Sidemen stepped up. The score was 7-7 with 3 minutes left, Miniminter from Team Sidemen stole the ball and launched a long shot, making the goal, and winning the game for the Sidemen. The end score was 8-7 with the Sidemen barely scraping by and taking the victory. The charity event ended as a fun and wholesome event that brought joy to the viewers that watched the match and the charities that received the money. |
StaffLearn more about the people behind the stories by clicking the button below. Archives
September 2023
Categories |