Shark Scoop - October 12, 2025

Shark Scoop is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in local, national, and global news, as well as a top headline in entertainment and sports.

BY: MIKIYA GREENE / STAFF WRITER

Midnight Madness Kicks Off LIU’s 2025-26 Basketball Season

Finley the Mascot performs with the Dance Team in the Steinberg Wellness Center gymnasium. (Photo: Long Island University Athletics)

The commencement of LIU’s Midnight Madness this past Thursday, Oct. 16, brought students, faculty, teams, and fans to celebrate the beginning of the basketball season. This packed-out annual event put forward an electric, lively atmosphere that was filled with games, music, and entertaining activities for all to enjoy.

The night began with an amazing pre-show carnival on the campus grounds, which included a huge variety of spectacular activities for its attendees. With the show starting at 8 p.m., there were a multitude of opportunities for people to win prizes, see performances, and let out their competitive side. The DJ kept the crowd hype during the two-hour event, keeping the energy high and everyone in great spirits.

Everyone filled the bleachers in the Steinberg Wellness Center Gymnasium, anxiously waiting with anticipation for the introductions of the school’s teams. Lights filled the room, music bounced around everyone’s ears, and the amazing emcee was able to gear the energy until the very end. 

As coaches and players were announced, the crowd exploded with excitement and roared with cheers. A bunch of teams were involved and introduced throughout, including the Dance Team, Cheerleading Team, Finley the Mascot, and, of course, our Men’s and Women's Basketball teams.

This event on the Brooklyn campus was a great success and a vibrant way to start off our basketball season here at LIU. Let’s wish both our men’s and women’s teams good luck!

Saturday Night Live Season 51 Begins with New Hosts and Performers

Comedians Colin Jost and Michael Che perform their skit, “Weekend Update” for ‘Saturday Night Live’. (Photo Credit : NBC.com) 

NBC’s famous sketch show, ‘Saturday Night Live’, has unveiled its first batch of hosts and musical guest performers, set to take the Studio 8H stage these upcoming weeks for its new 2025-26 season.

The 51st season kicked off with host Bad Bunny with musical guest Doja Cat on Oct. 4th. Last weekend, host Amy Poehler and musical guest Role Model took their run on Oct. 11th. This week’s episode will feature Sabrina Carpenter on double duty, as both the host and musical guest.

Upcoming episodes will include Miles Teller as host and musical guest Brandi Carlile on Nov. 1st, Nikki Glaser as host and Sombr as musical guest on Nov. 8th, and host Glen Powell and musical guest Olivia Dean on Nov. 15th.

George Santos Released from Jail

Santos’ scandalous sentencing was reversed by President Donald Trump, releasing the disgraced Republican from prison after only three months. (Photo: Newsday.com)

George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence has been commuted by President Donald Trump, which granted his release on Friday, Oct. 17th. 

Santos, a Republican from New York, was sentenced to seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. 

In a “Truth Social” post, Trump wrote, “At least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!”

In addition to his plea deal, however, Santos, 37, was also ordered to pay over $370,000 in restitution fees and to let go of another $200,000.

Taking a Look at the New York City Mayoral Debate

From left to right: Candidates Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Zohran Mamdani face off in the two-hour debate, hoping to make last strides before the general election. (Photo: BBC.com)

The New York City Mayoral Debate took place on Oct. 16th and featured three candidates vying for the public opinion, including Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. 

Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa brought up some hard-hitting topics specifically targeting Zohran Mamdani on topics like Israel, housing, affordability, public safety, transit, etc.

Mamdani continues to be the frontrunner in the polls since he won the primary election back in June, but the competition seems to be ramping up with Cuomo and Sliwa making strides to win over the majority as the race enters its home stretch, leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

Trump Goes Back and Forth with Venezuelan President

The Venezuelan and United States Presidents continue to differ in opinions, leading to increasing tensions between the two countries. (Photo: CNN.com)

President Trump had a choice of words when explaining why the United States had been offered a stake in Venezuela’s natural resources.

According to CNN, Nicolas Maduro “offered preferential access’’ to Venezuela’s natural resources in exchange for “lowering the temperature” while the U.S. orchestrated five military airstrikes on vessels that were suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean. 

Trump had told reporters on Oct. 16th that Maduro “doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States.”

Maduro had even proposed opening his country’s oil and gold products to U.S. companies.

Maduro and Trump haven’t had the best relationship in recent years, with Trump blaming Maduro for immigration flaws and drug flow within the U.S.