The Flare

Super Tuesday
That’s right, Tuesday, March 1 was Super Tuesday, which is that day that sounds like the counterpart of Black Friday or Cyber Monday… but that’s actually not the case. Unless you’re Donald Trump, who continued to collect delegates (316), winning seven states. The Clinton campaign also faired well, winning seven states and taking 577 delegates. At this stage in the game, many are waiting for John Kasich and Ben Carson to bow out (soon), allowing Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz a legitimate shot at making #NeverTrump a reality, but they haven’t gotten the memo.

And the Oscar goes to…
Ah! Sunday, Feb. 28 was the 88th Academy Awards aka that time of year when everyone you know becomes a film critic. Host Chris Rock opened the show with a bold and thought-provoking monologue addressing the much talked about lack of racial diversity in Hollywood and on the big screen. While it got some chuckles from the audience and plenty of social media attention, many were quick to point out Rock’s cheap joke about Asian American’s, which seemed a little unnecessary. While there were many winners, only one really mattered as Leo DiCaprio FINALLY won an Oscar for his role in “The Revenant.” It was kind of a big deal.

Back down to Earth
Spending an entire year in space seems more like a Hollywood movie than a probable reality, but astronaut Scott Kelly has been there and done that. The Expedition 46 Commander spent 340 days in space with a Russian counterpart, becoming the first American to spend a year in space. With Kelly’s help, NASA was able to complete somewhere around 400 investigations and has furthered our efforts to land on Mars. He also took selfies.

Erin Andrews
The nightmare won’t end for sportscaster Erin Andrews as she continues to relive the horror of a 2008 work trip gone wrong. Andrews was the victim of a peeping tom while she stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Nashville, which she’s now suing for $75 million. The former ESPN broadcaster is currently taking the stand in a civic trial against the hotel, where she has revealed hotel employees willingly gave her room information out to her stalker. She’s also revealed her former employer made her do a tv interview following the humiliating incident.

Appomattox update
Following the tragic tornados that ripped through Appomattox, Liberty sent groups of students to the area to help with the cleanup process. The Red Cross and many other groups are also in the area looking to be of assistance to those in need. More than 200 homes in the area were damaged, and as the damage assessment continues, Gov. Terry McAuliffe will determine whether or not federal aid is necessary. This was the area’s first reported twister since 2012. Find out how you can help.