10 Things to Know: April 15

In case you have not heard, here is a list of the top news stories you should be aware of:

1. Yay for Tax Day

Yes, it’s true. Today is the 2014 Internal Revenue Service tax filing deadline. Here’s some hints: If you qualify, you can file for extension until Oct. 15. Monthly payment plans are available. You can file free online. More good news: some companies are giving away freebies today. So, if I were you, I would head to the mall and get a free cookie.

2. Anniversary of a Tragedy

The Boston Marathon bombings occurred exactly a year ago today. The Boston Globe won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for breaking news reporting of last year’s tragedy. This year’s marathon will begin April 21.

3. “Blood Moon”

You read that correctly. Early this morning there was a total lunar eclipse. It is the first in a series of four total eclipses that will occur every six months.  ABC News posted some funny reactions.

4. Google Buys Drones

Google beat out Facebook in acquiring a New Mexico-based drone maker, Titan Aerospace. The company makes solar-powered flying drones that can take pictures of earth via satellite and connect people to the web in third world countries.

5. Bad News in Africa — Mainly Nigeria

A bombing killed 71 people at a bus station in Nigeria’s capital city on Monday. More than 100 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a secondary school in Nigeria’s northeast Borno state on Monday. Reuters reported the Ebola outbreak in Guinea is slowing. It has killed around 130 people, and there is neither a vaccine nor a cure for Ebola.

6. Michael Phelps

Phelps broke his promise.  After only two years, he is coming out of retirement to swim competitively.

7. Dumb People

A 23-year-old man will face 18 months in a state jail for urinating on the Alamo. Ew. The Dutch police arrested the 14-year-old girl who Tweeted terroristic threats to American Airlines.

8. More News

Five people were stabbed to death at a University of Calgary student house party. Porsche now has an $800,000 plug-in race car. Austin bars and restaraunts are facing a lime shortage. Imagine if Chimy’s ran out of limes… Anyways, a province in China had a water splashing festival on Tuesday. Thousands of Filipinos gathered to set a record for most lit candles in the name of world peace. For Easter Holy Week, hundreds of processions occur in Spain. You should check out NBC’s pictures. It’s pretty cool.

9. News Updates

Ukraine has an “anti-terrorist operation” under way after an open vote on the country’s status. The robot submarine failed to find the missing Malaysian airplane. The Oscar Pistorius trial continues.

10. Stuff at Tech

Texas Tech University’s IT Help Central sent out help information regarding “Heartbleed.” Court Appointed Special Advocates is teaming up with the Color Dash to host its annual 5k on April 19 at Mackenzie Park. The Hub@TTU is having an Easter egg hunt. If you find an egg, Instagram a picture and tag The Hub in it to be entered for a drawing for prizes.

About Alicia Keene

Graduate Executive Director
Alicia Keene is a dual master's student from Austin, Texas studying mass communication and business. One day, she hopes to work for a prominent news publication in a major city as either a reporter or producer.