It’s the end of the week, but the news never stops. Here are the top stories everyone will be talking about today:
1. #MillionStudentMarch
Students at more than 120 colleges and universities around the U.S. held marches yesterday in support of free tuition, a $15 minimum wage and cancellation of debt from student loans. Students at the University of Berkeley in California even created placards broadcasting their student debt, with amounts ranging from a few thousand dollars to well over $100,000. The marches were inspired by Bernie Sanders’ comments about wanting to make tuition free and cut the interest rates on student loans. For the millions of people struggling with student debt, the ideas sound like a dream come true. — Reuters
More:Student loan provider to pay for shamefully overcharging military members
2. OMG
A disturbing video released yesterday shows a man being repeatedly tasered before police arrested him. The man, 46-year-old Linwood Lambert, later died in police custody. They were taking him to the hospital for a medical evaluation when he began behaving erratically. He bolted for the hospital doors and they tasered him over and over again and then took him to the station without seeking medical care. Lambert’s family has accused the police of using excessive force and a hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence to take the case to trial. — Refinery29
3. Decisions, decisions
Today, Supreme Court justices will decide whether or not to hear challenges to tough anti-abortion laws passed in Texas and Mississippi. If they decide to take either case, it will give them a chance to clarify a 1992 decision in which they said the right to abortion would be upheld but states can impose restrictions that don’t constitute an “undue burden” on women. With more and more states trying to create laws that restrict all access to abortion, the ruling would be extremely significant. — USA Today
More:Three moms on why they don’t regret terminating a pregnancy
4. Feel the Bern
The American Postal Workers Union has officially endorsed Bernie Sanders for president. It’s the second major union to support Sanders — the first was the AFL-CIO labor federation — and represents more than 200,000 people. Sanders has opposed the closure of postal facilities and cuts in the postal service, as well as backed a $15 minimum wage and is an advocate for workers’ rights. A rep for the union says Bernie “walks the walk” when a lot of politicians just talk. For that reason, the union’s support is signed, sealed and delivered. — Huffington Post
5. College hoops
College basketball is back and there are over 30 new rules fans need to keep up with. They include the shot clock being shortened, fewer timeouts and no more fake fouls. They also made a chance to allow dunking during warmups. The changes will take some getting used to, but they shouldn’t cause too much strife. You can check USA Today for a complete season schedule. — USA Today
More:College basketball’s best food traditions
6. Early Christmas present?
Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau just bought his 7-year-old the most expensive diamond in the world. The 12-carat diamond cost $48.4 million and set a new world record for the highest price paid for a diamond at auction. Amazingly, this is the second rare stone the billionaire has purchased for his daughter. He also bought her a 16-carat pink diamond that he had renamed “Sweet Josephine” because his daughter’s name is Josephine. And you thought your kid’s American Girl doll was expensive. — BBC
7. The sky is falling
It’s Friday the 13th and a mysterious object is about to crash into Earth. Are we doomed? Nah. It’s just a little bit of space junk. Most of it will burn up in the atmosphere, but whatever remains will crash land into the Indian Ocean. Astronomers say it’s an ideal opportunity to test our readiness for any future “atmospheric entry events” like asteroids or other terrifying space things. The junk itself is likely a spent rocket booster or something else we’ve left out there because we earthlings are messy, messy people. Welcome home, Junk! — CNN
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