School:
From Feb. 10 to 14, the Future Business Leaders of America’s American Enterprise Project hosted an e-waste donation drive. The initiative, known as Project Teach and headed by senior Yajat Nagaraj Kiran, aims to teach digital literacy to young children. All items collected were donated to the nonprofit Human-I-T, which provides digital devices and training to disadvantaged communities such as low-income families. The organization refurbishes, resells and recycles collected items, which include keyboards, microphones, hard drives and other office equipment.
Community:
Starting Feb. 4, one day following the containment of the Los Angeles wildfires, Governor Gavin Newsom signed executive orders reducing regulations and extending deadlines for crucial fire relief pathways. Newsom lifted regulations on the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, suspending regulations that may delay rebuilding efforts. A Feb. 6 executive order prepared for future fires by adopting “Zone 0” — a 5-feet, ember-resistant area around buildings in Very High Fire Severity Zones — among other changes.
National:
Chilly winds swept across the United States as a polar vortex from the Arctic plunged temperatures 30 degrees below normal in Midwest and Plains states. Polar vortexes feature strong, freezing winds that usually blow counterclockwise near the Arctic pole, though they can occasionally stretch south. Subzero temperatures reached at least 108 million residents in the U.S., the highest number affected since 2019. In combination with the hotter-than-usual winter this year, scientists say it could be a sign of a changing cold season in a warming world.
International:
In a major decision in the field of artificial intelligence, the U.S. and the United Kingdom declined to sign a declaration outlining AI regulations presented during the Artificial Intelligence Action summit on Feb. 10 and 11. Explaining the decision, Vice President J.D. Vance voiced concerns that the declaration would “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off.” 61 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico signed the agreement. Discussions surrounded five central themes: Public Service, Future of Work, Innovation and Culture, Trust and Global Governance.
