My Top 5 News Sources

In a world where there are many forms of information coming at you, it is necessary to to invest in the news sources that share the information that you are interested in and also what can be considered unbiased. There are so many news outlets and sources and it is imperative to have media literacy so that you can listen logically to the headlines and decipher what is truly going on. Through this, I have picked out my top 5 news sources that give me the information on the topics that I want, while keeping me up to date on current events. 

1. TikTok 

While not an official news source and more used for entertainment, there are many current events that find their way onto TikTok. Whether it is a clip of an interesting statement said at a court case or a video of a fight at a basketball game, there is such a variety of information that shows up. On TikTok, I am able to see very current news stories while listening to my peers’ commentary, allowing me to stay up to date while forming my own opinions on what is going on. 

2. LinkedIn

Similar to TikTok as not being an official news source, LinkedIn provides me with professional news and keeps me current with what businesses and industries that I am interested in are doing. LinkedIn allows me to stay current and professional, so that when I go into business meetings or interviews, I am able to talk about current events. Additionally, LinkedIn provides me with open job positions that are tailored to my interests, making it personalized and relevant. 

3. The New York Times

I originally signed up for New York Times emails when I subscribed to keep track of my statistics for the Wordle, but I am so thankful that I did. I consistently get emails that tell me the top news stories, and I often hear about these before anywhere else. The New York Times were the ones that told me when Dolly Parton died and kept me updated about the Lindsay Clancy trial, showing how I am able to be kept in the loop about all types of information that goes on today. 

4. NPR 

I often use NPR, the National Public Radio, to keep me updated about political news in the country and across the world. I grew up listening to their station when my mom and I would be on drives, and I appreciate how they stay mainly unbiased and are committed to sharing facts of situations, not just opinions. Through their mission, I feel more informed on what is going on in the country and am better equipped when I speak on these issues in public or vote. 

5. ESPN 

While I do not watch sports regularly, I like to keep up with how my favorite teams are doing and enjoy getting information about the league as whole. I additionally find it interesting when there are major trade deals happening or the league is changing. Something recent that I have found interesting has been the MLB potential shutdown, and I think that it is very interesting how ESPN can combine business and sports, making it appealing for a wide variety of people. 

Each of these sources is extremely valuable for different types of information, and it is important for people to have more than one news source. 

What I learned about the U.S. Supreme Court

 

Our Supreme Court is one of the most powerful on Earth. 

Before watching this video, I understood that the Supreme Court was the highest court in the United States, but I did not know much about how it actually operates. One of the first things I learned was that cases begin with a written petition asking the Court to take action. I also learned that the Supreme Court focuses on whether the law was applied correctly, while trial courts are responsible for determining the facts of a case.

One of the most important takeaways for me was that the Court's legitimacy comes from the Constitution, but its power depends on the public's faith and acceptance of its authority. The Court exists to uphold the law, but its influence is only meaningful because Americans generally recognize and respect its role in government.

Current Supreme Court Justices

I was surprised to learn that there have been more than 100 Supreme Court justices throughout U.S. history. Since justices serve for life, I had assumed there would have been far fewer. I also found it interesting that the average justice serves about 16 years.

Another fact that stood out was how rare it is to become a Supreme Court justice. The video compared being appointed to the Court to being struck by lightning. That comparison really emphasized how uncommon and prestigious the position is. 

I also learned that justices are nominated by the president, but they often assert their independence once they join the Court. According to the video, their primary responsibility is to the law and their own conscience rather than to the president who appointed them.

One of the most surprising historical points was learning about the impact of the Dred Scott decision. I had never known that many people believed the decision damaged the Court's authority and reputation. The video explained that it took time for the Supreme Court to earn respect as a co-equal branch of government.

I was also interested in some of the Court's traditions. The justices shake hands with one another before proceedings, and everyone speaks once before anyone speaks twice. Those practices seem designed to encourage respect and fairness.

Overall, the video changed the way I view the Supreme Court. I now see it not only as a legal institution but also as one that depends on public trust, tradition, and the independence of its justices to maintain its authority.