HIV-Positive travel ban lifted in US

President Barack Obama is lifting the United States’ travel ban for people who are HIV-positive. The US is one of about six countries that do not allow travelers or immigrants into the country based on their HIV status. This ban has been in place for the past 20 years. HIV is among several diseases that prohibited entry into the US, including active tuberculosis, infectious gonorrhea, syphilis and infectious leprosy.

My take: This is a newsworthy story because it brings up a very controversial issue. Is not allowing people into the United States based on their HIV-status a form of discrimination? This is also an interesting story because it shows us what President Barack Obama is involved with during this time of his presidency.

SU students party to protest Mayfest canceling

Syracuse University students will be throwing a block party from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. today to protest the cancelling of Mayfest. The “Save Mayfest Block Party” will be on Euclid Avenue and is in response to SU’s decision to reinstate classes on April 19.

My take: This is an important story because the Mayfest ordeal has been riling up students, administrators, and faculty members all over campus. Students are angry that they will no longer have a day off in the spring like in years prior. It will be interesting to see if SU budges and gives students a day off in the end.

Would you like a disorderly conduct citation with those fries?

Four teens were cited with disorderly conduct after they rapped their order at a McDonalds in Utah. The night manager claims that the teenagers were cursing and causing a large disturbance, however the boys say they were were only trying be funny. The teenagers had the idea to rap their order after watching videos on Youtube.

My take: I chose this story not only because it is unusual and entertaining, but underneath the surface, it raises an important question of whether these teenage boys really did commit a crime and whether they deserved to be given a disorderly conduct citation.