SPASH- Seniors, time to show creativity for graduation programs

According to the SPASH announcements, senior student artwork is needed to go on the front of the graduation programs. Designs should fit the overall graduation ceremony and be school appropriate. Please remember that the artwork will be printed in black ink. Please have entries submitted to Ms. Pfeffer or Mr. Calhoun by Friday, January 4 at 3:00 p.m. (MS)

STATE- Watch your heart over the holidays and during the snow season

Research from the American Heart Association says that cardiac mortality is highest during December and January and doctors point to holiday stress and shoveling snow as the main causes. Researchers found that patients of heart disease often delay seeking treatment when they’re busy with friends and families. Cardiologist Dr. Louie Kostopoulos of Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center says that the holidays can be emotionally stressful and that the new changes in diet and alcohol consumption can be very concerning. He also warns that patients who’ve had a sedentary lifestyle throughout most of the year, shouldn’t suddenly get out in the cold weather and start doing physical demands like shoveling snow. The cold weather can trigger heart vessels spasm causing the heart rate to accelerates and blood pressure to rise. (HY)

NAT’L: Trump denies everything

A poll by NBC/Wall Street Journal shows 62 percent of Americans feel Trump has been untruthful in the Russia investigation. This came after Michael Cohen, a former “fixer” for President Trump, stated that Trump had plans to build a skyscraper in Moscow. Cohen had already pleaded guilty for committing campaign finance violations and financial crimes before he admitted to this statement. The violations include paying “hush money” to two women on the orders of President Trump, which Rudy Giuliani, Trumps’ lawyer, calls “not a crime” (LH).

INT’L: Japan’s first aircraft carrier since World War 2

According to CNN, the Japanese government announced the deployment of its first aircraft carrier to sea since World War II. The aircraft will refit the Izumo class warships to carry the US-designed-F38B fighters.“Under the drastically changing security environment around Japan, the government will take all possible measures to protect the lives and assets of Japanese people,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. This is in concern of the massive military capabilities of China, North Korea, Russia, the United States as well as NATO. (JC)