10 Things To Know : May 28

 

1. The Caged Bird Flies On

Prolific poet, author, and activist Maya Angelou, Ph.D., passed away this morning at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. She was 86 years old. Angelou is best known for her 1969 autobiography “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” Angelou has won numerous awards throughout her career and counted Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey as some of her close friends. Read what friends and admirers have to say about Angelou’s passing here.

Maya Angelou

2. Google Is Getting Into The Car Business 

No steering wheel, no problem! Google, a consistent innovator in the technology world, is now getting into the automobile industry. This past weekend, Google showed off the prototype for the self-driving car. Although the car is far from mass production, Google will produce 100 cars over the summer, and begin testing them out. Read the full story here.

3. Reading Rainbow: The  Next Generation 

“Reading Rainbow” has been off the air since 2006. But, hosts LeVar Burton is trying to change that. Burton has started a Kickstarter campaign to bring the beloved children’s show back to the screen. The goal is raise $1 million, with the campaign already raising over $350, 000. Donate here!

Reading Rainbow

4. Dewhurst Loses Lieutenant Governor Primary 

Sen. Dan Patrick, R – Houston, beat out incumbent lieutenant governor David Dewhurst in the Texas primary this week. Dewhurst has held his current position since 2003. Patrick, who is supported by the Tea Party, is the senator for District 7 in the Houston area. Patrick also hosts a popular radio talk show on KSEV AM 700 in Houston. Patrick will run against Leticia Van de Putte, D – San Antonio, in the November election. Read an in depth look at the state election here.

5. 50 Cent Fails 

We have seen some awful opening pitches this baseball season, but this one takes the cake. Rapper 50 Cent threw the first pitch at the New York Mets v. Pittsburgh Pirates game on May 27. Take a look here. At least he was a good sport about it.

50 Cent

6. Veterans Not Getting Proper Care 

Over Memorial Day Weekend, news that some veterans are not receiving the best healthcare emerged out of Phoenix. According to a source that spoke to CNN, at least 40 veterans died in Phoenix while waiting for health care. This is apparently a nation wide problem, with 26 other veteran hospitals now under investigation.

7. Most Expensive Starbuck’s Drink Ordered In Dallas 

Everyone knows that Starbuck’s is not cheap. But $54 for one drink?! The 128 ounce drink included 60 shots of espresso, and was called the Sexagintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino. Be sure to remember that for your next coffee run. I guess everything really is bigger in Texas!

Starbucks Drink

8. Brazil Protests World Cup 

In a country with poor public service amenities, locals are protesting the lavish World Cup soccer tournament. Protestors claim corruption has caused the world cup to become more trouble than what it is worth. The games officially begin on June 12, if Brazil is still standing.

9. 51 States?

Calif. usually conjures images of the Hollywood sign and the Golden Gate Bridge, but there is a whole other side of Calif. that is primarily agricultural and conservative. Thirteen northern counties are contemplating seceding from the Golden State, to become the Republic of Jefferson. The new state would be bigger than N.H. in land mass. Although it will not happen anytime soon, it is still an interesting concept.

10. New Netflix Originals Premiering Soon 

Get your sweatpants ready, because it is fixing to be binge watching season. Netflix original “Derek,” starring comedian Ricky Gervias premiers its’ second season on May 30. Critic favorite “Orange Is The New Black’s” second season will be available on June 6. A new series, “Daredevil”, based on the Marvel Comics’ superhero is currently casting, and will premier in 2015.

Orange Is The New Black

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian got married over the weekend, but does anyone really care?

About Sarah Self-Walbrick

Graduate Executive Director — Mass Communication Graduate Student, Class of 2017
Sarah, a Lubbock native, has two bachelor of art degrees in electronic media and communication and journalism, and is pursuing a master's in mass communications. She loves Texas, her husband and dog, and good storytelling.