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Hello everyone and welcome back to this week’s WSS weekly news wrap-up! I’m your host, Audrey Parrish, and today I will give you an overview of what you might have missed this week, with news from West High, Iowa, the U.S., and the World, with a little bit of wacky news to top it all of. Let’s get started!

West High News: 

Winter break this year will be coming a little earlier this year than usual. Next Friday, the last day before winter break, we will be having a two-hour early release, and so will be ending the school day at 2:00 instead of 4:00 for mental health. (We will be following our usual two-hour early release schedule, having fifth period before fourth, to keep lunch at the same time. We will not be having AFT.)

Iowa News:

There is a confirmed case of the Omicron variant in Iowa. This case was discovered in Black Hawk county, roughly 80 miles from Iowa City. The individual in question was a minor who was unvaccinated. They were asymptomatic and their health is currently being monitored. 

U.S. News:

Federal Regulators officially authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster shots for people ages 16-17 on Thursday of this week. All adults have been eligible for boosters since Nov. 19. Nearly 50 million Americans have gotten additional shots. 

World News:

The US, Canada, Australia, Lithuania, and the UK have all joined a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will be starting on February 4. This is a way to allow athletes representing these countries who have been training for years to compete and provide a way for these countries to condemn China’s violations of its people’s human rights.

Wacky News:

Cream cheese is the next ingredient that has fallen prey to supply chain shortages. With labor shortages affecting the supply line, you might need to find something else to top your breakfast bagel. 

Thanks for listening to this week’s WSS weekly news wrap-up! I’ll see you all next week! Bye!