NewsBank Hot Topics

HOT TOPICS

CURRENT EVENTS
Find more information about these topics in NewsBank’s Special Reports
ECONOMICS – Real Estate Market
TOPIC: Residential real estate values have recently slumped. What are some factors that determine the value of a home? What can happen to change that value?
SEARCH TERMS: real estate industry

ECONOMICS – Citrus Industry
TOPIC: Some people are predicting that the price of orange juice will rise this year due to smaller crops in Florida. What are the reasons for these smaller crops?
SEARCH TERMS: “orange juice” AND price

HEALTH – E. Coli and Spinach Recall
TOPIC: The FDA has now declared spinach safe after contaminated bags of it caused an outbreak of E. coli. What is E. coli? How might this outbreak affect farmers?
SEARCH TERMS: spinach AND E. coli

SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - Elections 2006
TOPIC: The race for mid-term elections is in the final stretch as we head toward election day in November. There are governor and mayoral races, but the primary focus will be on the congressional races as the Democrats try to gain control of Congress. What are some of the key races? What are some of the top political issues driving these elections?
SEARCH TERMS: congressional elections

CRIME AND LAW – School Security
TOPIC: Recent school shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are calling for investigations into the security measures in schools. What measures were taken to improve security in response to other school shootings? What else could be done?
SEARCH TERMS: school violence

CRIME AND LAW – Border Fence Approved
TOPIC: Congress has approved legislation to build a fence along the Mexico/U.S. border. What have been the primary arguments for and against building this fence? What would be the primary difference between a border wall like this and some other historic border walls that have been built in other countries?
SEARCH TERMS: fences AND immigration

EDUCATION – MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grants”
TOPIC: The MacArthur Foundation has awarded 25 “genius grants” this year that recognizes people in all walks of life for their expertise in their field. What are the specifics of the reward offered by the grant? What does someone have to do to qualify for the grant?
SEARCH TERMS: MacArthur Foundation

HISTORY – Babi Yar Massacre Anniversary
TOPIC: September 29th marked the 65th anniversary of one of the horrors of the World War II Holocaust. Where is Babi Yar? What happened there on September 29th 1941?
SEARCH TERMS: Holocaust AND anniversaries AND Ukraine

INTERNATIONAL – North Korea Nuclear Test Threat
TOPIC: North Korea has again threatened to test nuclear bombs, causing concern around the world. What has been the policy toward nuclear weapons of North Korea in the past? What have been the policies of the U.S. and United Nations to deal with this threat?
SEARCH TERMS: North Korea AND nuclear weapons

SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT – Avalanche Control at Glacier National Park
TOPIC: A plan to control avalanches at Glacier National Park will include shelling a mountain goat habitat. How have environmentalists reacted? How does the shelling work to assist avalanche control?
SEARCH TERMS: Glacier National Park AND avalanches

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – Nobel Prizes
TOPIC: Several American scientists have won Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry and medicine this year. Who are they, and for what did they win their prize?
SEARCH TERMS: Nobel Prize

SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS – Louisiana Superdome
TOPIC: Repairs to the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina are completed and the Superdome is again hosting sporting events. Who are the home teams that play at this stadium? What are some of the most prestigious events that have been hosted at the Louisiana Superdome?
SEARCH TERMS: stadiums AND New Orleans

SPORTS – The Ryder Cup
TOPIC: Winner of this year’s Ryder Cup golf tournament was Europe. What is the Ryder Cup? How many years have the Europeans won? Who else plays in this event?
SEARCH TERMS: Ryder Cup

SPORTS – Decrease in High School Sports Injuries
TOPIC: Research has shown that there has been a decrease in injuries since the mid-1990’s in 8 major sports. What are the reasons for these changes?
SEARCH TERMS: “school sports” AND injuries

SPORTS – Byron Nelson
TOPIC: Byron Nelson was a golf legend. During what years was he most prominent as a golfer? What records and achievements did Nelson reach in his career?
SEARCH TERMS: Byron Nelson

ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION – New York Film Festival
TOPIC: The 44th annual New York Film Festival will be taking place in October in New York City. What are some unique features of the New York Film Festival? What films will be showcased?
SEARCH TERMS: New York Film Festival

FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE – Martha Holmes
TOPIC: One of the first female photographers for Life magazine was Martha Holmes. What was the subject of her work? Where did Holmes grow up? What famous artist is Holmes best known for photographing?
SEARCH TERMS: Martha Holmes

LITERATURE – Bob Woodward’s New Book
TOPIC: Bob Woodward has written book covering the approach of the Bush administration that defines how its policies are formulated in regard to the Iraq war. Many find this book controversial. What are the reasons for this thinking?
SEARCH TERMS: State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III

PERFORMING ARTS – Peter Gelb at The Met
TOPIC: New York City’s Metropolitan Opera has chosen Peter Gelb as its new general manager. Who does Gelb replace? What did Gelb do before this new appointment?
SEARCH TERMS: Peter Gelb

PEOPLE – Shinzo Abe
TOPIC: Japan has a new prime minister, Shinzo Abe. What is the party and political philosophy of Abe? What other government posts have been held by Abe?
SEARCH TERMS: Shinzo Abe