Shark Scoop is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in global, national, and local news, as well as a top headline in entertainment and sports.
By: ANTHONY NOSOFF
Former President Donald Trump Indicted
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted in New York City. He has approximately 30 different charges filed against him related to document fraud linked to hush money given to conceal his affairs with adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The charges are based on the payments, which prosecutors say Trump tried to hide by falsifying business records, and the testimony of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who admitted to making the payments for Trump.
MTA Station Agents Now Play New Roles
From March 30, MTA station agents are no longer stationed at their booths. The customer service agents will assist straphangers throughout every station. Following the introduction of OMNY making the job of a station agent somewhat obsolete, this agreement with the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) gives the position a new light. Additionally, these agents will be able to report maintenance issues and reach out to authorities when necessary. New manned customer service center booths have also been installed at nine major stations to assist customers with transitioning to and using OMNY, with six more set to open by the end of this year.
Wild Weather, Tornadoes Wreak Havoc Across Midwest, South, Northeast
At least 31 tornadoes ravaged nine states this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. This barrage of tornadoes and severe weather ripped through the Midwest, South, and Northeast, leaving at least 29 people killed across seven states — Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Delaware — and injured dozens more. This extreme weather follows a tornado that killed 26 in Mississippi last week.
Burkina Faso Expelled Two French Journalists
Burkina Faso’s military junta has expelled journalists from two leading French newspapers, Le Monde and Libération. The expulsions follow a video published by Libération alongside an investigation displaying children being executed in military barracks. Marking a huge blow to press freedom, the two newspapers rebuked the expulsions while Burkina Faso authorities described it as manipulation disguised as journalism, according to the BBC. Outlets France 24 and Radio France International (RFI) were earlier suspended by the regime. The current regime denotes a souring of relations with France in the former French colony.
NCAA Women’s Sports Hit Record Viewership As New TV Deal Is on the Table
The women’s NCAA basketball tournament has been a huge hit with viewers. ESPN’s initial estimated 6.6 million peak viewership of the Iowa Hawkeyes-South Carolina Gamecocks game, along with the initial LSU-Virginia Tech Final Four matchup’s 5 million peak viewership marks an average of 4.5 million viewers, making this Final Four the most-watched women’s Final Four yet. This feat of women’s basketball comes at a crucial time as the NCAA is expected to begin talks for a new TV package for all its sports except men’s basketball and football.