Protesters march in Minneapolis Monday as the trial of Derek Chauvin, accused of killing George Floyd by kneeling on his neck, began.

Your Summit Weekly Briefing

By Alex Tananbaum and Ashwath Vimal

 

Note: Though the Weekly Briefings are no longer tagged in the Opinions section of Summit News and we try to remain as unbiased as possible, our opinions may show through in this article, especially in the “Actions” section.  

1. Summit: Summit Sports Reopening

In the video “Athletic Director Mike Lofberg Goes into Detail on Summit Sports Reopening”, Summit Prep Staff Editor Lia Bhas interviews Summit Athletic Director Mike Lofberg on the progress of sports-based reopenings at Summit during COVID-19. Mr. Loftberg stated that some of the current obstacles are getting kids to sign up as well as working within county and Summit guidelines to keep students safe. He notes that if Summit were to move forward with reinstating sports, only those that take place indoors (basketball) would require weekly testing. Mr. Loftberg also states that all Summit sports are planned to be reopened next school year. 

2. General News: Trial of Derek Chauvin 

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the man that knelt on George Floyd’s neck though Mr. Floyd cried “I can’t breathe” multiple times, has finally started to be tried this past Monday after 10 months of protests. He is being tried for unintentional second-degree murder, third-dergee murder, and second-dergee manslaughter, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. The trial’s focus will be on the cause of Mr. Floyd’s death and Mr. Chauvin’s intent. 

 

Prosecuting attorney Jerry Blackwell accused Mr. Chauvin of “betraying his badge” and “squeezing the very life out of him [Mr. Floyd].” Defense attorney Eric Nelson combated these statements by saying that Mr. Floyd’s drug use and health problems are the things that lead to his death, and not Mr. Chauvin. He also stated that Chauvin was just following protocol and said that the gathering crowd posed a threat towards the officers, leading to them not noticing Mr. Floyd’s distress. 

 

The first witness called to the stand was Jena Scurry, the dispatch officer who sent Mr. Chauvin and his colleagues to the scene of Mr. Floyd’s counterfeit crime. After watching the events of Mr. Floyd’s unfold, she expressed concern about it to a police sergeant. However, she also mentioned that one of the officers did call for a quicker ambulance response. The second witness, Alisha Mariee Oyler, said she saw the police and Mr. Floyd, and recorded several videos of the events. She also voiced her opinion on the matter, saying that the police are “…always messing with people and it’s wrong, not right.”

 

Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung and Tou Thao, the other officers present at the crime scene, are also being tried for aiding second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All of them have also pleaded not guilty and will have their trials during this coming summer. 

3. Covid-19: Health Officials Reveal Challenges Faced Under Trump

Six health officials have come forward to reveal the obstacles they faced during our ongoing battle against COVID-19 under the Trump administration. These challenges include threats, mixed messages, and being forced to withhold information about our dire situation. Dr. Deborah Birx stated that Trump officials heavily underestimated the severity of the pandemic, This was illustrated through Trump not supporting wearing masks inside the White House, as stated by Dr. Birx. The doctor also said that Trump over-prioritized the national economy over COVID-19 concerns. She also stated that Trump’s former advisor Scott Atlas supported the idea that COVID-19 should be allowed to spread to achieve “herd immunity”, which was argued against by her and many other experts. 

 

Another problem Dr. Birx faced was that she experienced consequences for not following the standard of withholding information from the public. She stated that after she appeared on CNN and warned the public of the virus being widespread, she received an “uncomfortable” and  “difficult” phone call from the President. 

 

One of the other doctors interviewed, Dr. Robert Redfield, also stated that he was asked to change the Center for Disease Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity And Mortality Weekly Report multiple times. He accused former Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar of pressuring him to do this, which Azar denied. This showed a pattern of wanting to cover up information by the former President and some of his administration.

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci came out and said that he was very surprised and shocked when Trump opened all states right after doctors publicly advised people to stay at home and for states to shut down. Furthermore, the White House’s COVID-19 task force started to meet with each other and confer with the President less. Dr. Fauci stated that because of this, some of the Doctors created their own group with the same purpose as the task force. 

Stay Informed: CNN reports live, bite-sized updates on Coronavirus here.

4. Politics: New Georgia voting regulations

Last Thursday the 25th, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Election Integrity Act of 2021 bill into law. According to Georgia Public Broadcasting,  provisions of the new law include:

• Changes to absentee voting. Though disabled voters, voters over 65 and voters overseas or in the military will still be able to apply for an absentee ballot and receive one during the election cycle, most voters will have to wait until 11 weeks before the election, down from 180 days (an about 50 percent decrease in time). The deadline to complete an application for absentee voting was also moved up, and ID will be necessary.

• Changes to early voting. Early voting access will be increased in most counties, with an additional, mandatory Saturday voting day being established, new times encoded and, for some, longer early voting allowance hours. Better notifications of polling place changes and closures are also required, and counties must also report how many ballots have been cast in person as well as “how many absentee ballots have been issued, returned, accepted and rejected,” per day. 

• Non-poll workers can no longer hand out food or water to those waiting in line to vote. 

• Changes in vote counting. Local officials will now be able to begin processing, though not counting, absentee ballots two weeks prior to the election. Local officials will also be required to post the total number of ballots cast on election day, during early voting and through absentee and provisional ballots by 10 p.m. on election night, giving the public a basic marker of how many votes were cast as actual results are calculated. 

• Changes in local elections. County officials can now choose voting equipment for non-statewide or national elections. They are also no longer allowed to accept direct grants, such as the ones philanthropic organizations Center for Tech and Civic Life and the Schwarzenegger Institute gave to rural counties last election. However, the State Election Board will release a new method for such donations to be received in October 2021. 

• Wait times. Large polling places with wait times reaching over an hour would be required to hire more staff or take other actions.

• The State Election Board and secretary of state’s office could engage in election-related lawsuit settlement agreements without first consulting law enforcement.

• A hotline for voter intimidation, “illegal election activities” and anonymous tips could be set up by the Attorney General. 

 

The bill also limits ballot drop boxes and allows state officials to take over local election boards. Activists worry that this bill, along with the more than 250 others in 40 states that would enact similar measures, would disproportionately affect Black voters. As the New York Times notes, poll lines are usually longest in primarily Black neighborhoods in Georgia, and the State Election Board could use its new powers to interfere with the voting process in Black and Democratic counties. Such incidents are not new in Georgia–in the October 2020 election, 53,000 voters were placed in an “electoral limbo” due to current and then Governor Brian Kemp’s “exact match” ID laws. Associated Press estimates that around 70 percent of those impacted were Black. 

5. Sports: Victor Oladipo traded, Nets acquire Blake Griffin 

The Miami Heat acquired All-Star Victor Oladipo from a trade with the Houston Rockets last Thursday. The Rockets received shooting guard Avery Bradley, forward/center Kelly Olynyk and rights to swap drafts with the Heat in 2022. Oladipo is in the final year of his contract and has seemed to come back well after his injury in 2019, averaging 22 points and five assists. Oladipo, who is not only a guard who can score, but is also well-versed in defense. With the Heat already having the likes of Jimmy Butler, one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, the Heat will be very difficult to play against for any team. Butler seems to be excited about the trade, reportedly saying, “I can’t wait for them to get here to introduce them to the squad and the culture” (them being Oladipo and Nemanja Bjelica, another asset the Heat received). 

 

Another team that has received a former All-Star are Brooklyn Nets. The Nets acquired Blake Griffin after becoming an unrestricted free agent due to his contract buyout with his former team, the Detroit Pistons. He has signed a much smaller deal with the Nets than he had with the Pistons, most likely due to the fact he has not been performing well recently and the Nets already have three $30 million+ contracts to pay. However, he will still be paid fully by the Pistons next year. Most likely, Griffin did not sign with the Nets for the money, but to win a championship alongside Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, three of the best players in the league. With three superstars, a solid bench lineup and a former All-Star in Griffin, the Nets are favorites to win the NBA championship this year. 

6. Entertainment: Black Adam release date, Lil Nas X’s new shoe

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has recently announced that his upcoming movie “Black Adam” will release in July of 2022. “Black Adam” is a DC movie based on the character of the same name. The superstar revealed this information through an Instagram post showing an animation across screens in Times Square. So far, we know that this movie will include typical Black Adam characters along with members of the Justice Society of America. One such Black Adam character is Isis, played by Sarah Shahi, who is the love interest of Black Adam. Justice Society characters consist of Noah Centino starring as Atom Smasher, Aldis Hodge starring as Hawkman, Maxine Hunkell starring as Cyclone, and Pierce Brosnan starring as Dr. Fate. After this movie, fans have speculated that he will appear in sequels and films starring his arch-rival, Shazam.

 

Musical artist Lil Nas X has launched a new pair of shoes dubbed “Satan Shoes.” The shoe design includes a bronzer pentagram, and inverted cross, and a real drop of human blood. These new sneakers are part of a collaboration between the artist and an art collective named MSCH, and were made using the Nike Air Max 97s. Nike, however, has made sure not to associate themselves with these shoes, likely due to the fact that it is very controversial, with many high profile religious figures speaking out against it. Lil Nas X has responded to this and has said that he does not care because of everything that has beens said to him due to his homosexuality.  MSCHF director Kevin Weisner stated that he didn’t expect the amount of backlash the shoe has gotten, and that this was “just fun” for him and his team. 

7. Weather

Atlas (West Seattle): Highs this week will remain in the 50’s with today’s at 55℉, Weds’ 58℉, then 53-54℉ Thurs-Sun and 52℉ Mon. While lows today will reach 36℉, the rest of the week’s will be 40-41℉. Today will be sunny, though Weds-Thurs will be partially cloudy, Fri-Sat cloudy, Sun will see scattered showers and Mon back to partial clouds. Enjoy that sun, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs throughout the 50’s, lows in the low 40’s, sun, partial and full clouds, scattered showers. 

 

Olympus (Tacoma): Highs this week will range from 50’s-50’s at 55℉ today, 60℉ Weds, 55℉ again Thurs, 53-54℉ Fri-Sun and 51℉ Mon. Lows will start at 34℉ today and 38℉ Weds, then remain at 39-40℉ Thurs-Mon. While today will be sunny, Weds-Thurs will be partially cloudy, Fri cloudy, Sat-Sun full of scattered showers, then partial clouds again Mon. Stay dry, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs mostly in the low-mid 50’s, lows in the high 30’s-low 40’s, sun, partial clouds, clouds, scattered showers.

 

Sierra (Seattle): Highs this week will range throughout the 50’s, today’s being 54℉, Weds 58℉, Thurs 54℉ and Fri-Mon 51-52℉. Lows will mostly remain in the 39-40℉, with the exception of 34℉ today and 41℉ Sat. Most of the week will be fairly cloudy, though today will be sunny. Weds-Thurs, meanwhile, will be partially cloudy, Fri-Sat cloudy, Sun will see partial showers and Mon partially cloudy. Stay warm, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs in the low-mid 50’s, lows in the high 30’s-low 40’s, sun, partial clouds, clouds, scattered showers, partial clouds. 

 

Denali (Sunnyvale): This week will be a warm one, with today’s high at 79℉, Weds-Thurs’ 83℉, Fri back down to 74℉ Sat 68℉, Sun 63℉ and Mon 61℉. Lows will range throughout the 40’s, today’s being 49℉, Weds up to 51℉, Thurs-Sat 46-47℉ and Sun-Mon 44-45℉. This week will also be majority sunny, with today-Thurs holding full sun, Fri-Sun partial clouds and Mon scattered showers. Enjoy that sun, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs starting in the high 70’s-low 80’s and ending in low 60’s, lows in the mid-high 40’s, full sun, partial clouds, partial showers. 

 

Everest and Prep (Redwood City): Highs this week will fall overall, with today’s at 77℉, Weds’ 80℉, Thurs 77℉ again, Fri 69℉, Sat 63℉, Sun 61℉ and Mon down to 59℉. Lows will mostly remain in similar ranges, with today-Weds’ at 49-50℉, then Thurs-Mon 45-46℉. Today-Thurs will see full sun, then partial clouds Fri-Sun and scattered showers Mon. Enjoy that sun, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs starting in the high 70’s and ending in high 50’s, lows in the mid 40’s, sun, partial clouds, scattered showers. 

 

K2 (El Cerrito) and Tam (Richmond)*: Highs this week will slowly fall, with today’s at 79℉, Weds’ at 81℉, Thurs 79℉ again, Fri 70℉, Sat-Sun down to 63℉ and 61℉ Mon. Lows will mostly range throughout the 40’s, though today will be up to 52℉, Weds 49℉, Thurs-Sun 46-47℉ and Mon 44℉. Today-Thurs will be completely sunny, Fri-Sun partially cloudy and Mon will see scattered showers. Enjoy that heat, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs starting in the high 70’s and ending in the low 60’s, lows in the mid 40’s, sun, partial clouds and scattered showers. 

 

*Temperatures were similar enough K2 and Tam were grouped together this week. 

 

Shasta (Daly City): Highs this week will fall overall, with today’s at 73℉, Weds 75℉, Thurs down to 68℉, Fri 60℉ and Sat-Mon 57-58℉. Lows will mostly stay in scattered ranges, with today’s at 53℉, Weds’ at 50℉, Thurs-Sun 46-47℉ and Mon 45℉. Today-Thurs will be fully sunny, Fri-Sun partially cloudy and scattered showers Mon. Enjoy that sun, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs starting in the mid 70’s and ending in the high 50’s, lows in the mid 40’s, full sun, partial clouds, scattered showers. 

 

Tahoma (San Jose): This week’s highs will fall overall, with today’s at 79℉, Weds’-Thurs 84℉, Fri down to 76℉, Sat 69℉, Sun 65℉ and Mon 62℉. Lows will range throughout the 40’s, today’s being 49℉, Weds 52℉, Thurs 49℉ again, Fri-Sat 47℉ and Sun-Mon 44-45℉. Today-Thurs will see full sun, Fri-Sun partially cloudy and Mon scattered showers. Enjoy that heat, wear a mask, and have a good week. 

Summary: Highs starting in the low 80’s and ending in the low 60’s, lows throughout the 40’s, full sun, partial clouds, scattered showers. 

 

8. Cooking: Overnight oats breakfast parfait

Enjoy an easy overnight oats breakfast parfait. It is a healthy way to start your morning with little efforts put in the night before for a hassle-free morning. This dish is great for getting in a slow-burning source of energy to pull you through that long day of school or work while getting in your dairy and fruit intake. 

This recipe is based off of Rie McClenny’s recipe from Tasty. 

This recipe is enough for a 12oz serving, enough for breakfast for 1 person. Adjust the recipe according to the number of people you are serving 

 

Ingredients: 

 

• A little under ⅓ cup of old-fashioned rolled oats 
• ⅓ cup of whole milk 
• 2 heaping tbsp of maple syrup or honey (I prefer a nice maple syrup, but condensed milk is a viable alternative)
• ½ cup of plain yogurt (2-3 heaping tbsp of yogurt is fine) — Greek yogurt is a good option if you prefer a more tart parfait
• 1 handful of blueberries (around 10-15)
• 3-4 large frozen strawberries (Fresh strawberries are fine if you have them!)
• 1-2 heaping tbsp of granola cereal 
• Optional: 1 tbsp of chia seeds 

Method: 

1. Take strawberries and defrost at room temperature overnight 
2. In a 12-16 oz cup, add the oats and pour milk over the oats 
3. Add maple syrup (and optional chia seeds) and stir well 
4. Cover and place in fridge overnight 
5. Morning: Add  in yogurt and combine well 
6. Cut thawed strawberries into small pieces and combine with thawing liquid 
7. Garnish parfait glass with blueberries and strawberries 
8. Sprinkle granola cereal on top 
9. Stir and enjoy 

 

*You can adjust the ratios of ingredients to meet preferences 

*You can use fresh strawberries instead of frozen ones if that is more convenient, but I prefer to use frozen ones — the thawing juices help with the emulsion process and you can barely tell the difference. 

 

Alternative method if you are making a lot for family or friends: 

Follow the same steps listed above with the correctly adjusted ration, but instead of cutting the strawberries, blend them with an emulsion blender into a purée and use that to garnish. 

 

– Keith 

9. Actions: Trans athletes, Derek Chauvin’s trial

Editor’s note: The “Actions” section includes petitions to sign, prompts and scripts to write officials with as well as other opportunities to engage in your local, national and global communities.

 

• Contact your state senator as well as three other state officials from Arkansas, South Dakota and Alabama to urge them to pass the Equality Act and veto bills attacking the rights of trans athletes, respectively. 
  • Note: contact your state senator here.
• Follow the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for several minutes. Mr. Chauvin is on trial for Mr. Floyd’s murder. 

 

And, as always:

• Watch or listen or listen to this playlist. All advertisement revenue goes to Black Lives Matter. I currently have it on in the background as I am writing this brief. Do not skip the ads, the donations will not go through otherwise.

 

• Watch or listen to this video. All advertisement revenue goes to various aid organizations easing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Please note it is blocked on school Chromebooks due to being in the “Entertainment” category
  • Learn more about the crisis at www.monareliefye.org/.