Five Things You Need To Know: 9/17

1.) Global push to address ISIL

In the past week, a coalition of over 40 countries has formed against the Islamic State (ISIL), the terrorist group responsible for wreaking havoc in Iraq and beheading two American journalists. After joining this coalition, the French government began flyovers of Iraq this week as part of a surveillance mission.

Arab states such as Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have also joined the coalition. Although Western leaders agree that Arab cooperation is necessary to defeat ISIL, America currently refuses to work with Iran.

Although this coalition offers military and humanitarian support, no countries have offered ground troops to confront ISIL in Iraq.

2.) Conservatives question Brownback

The New York Times ran a story on Sunday explaining that current Republican governor Sam Brownback is losing conservative appeal. Although every state official in Kansas is Republican, Brownback is causing controversy among conservative Republicans due to recent tax cuts. The cuts are dropping state revenue to an “unsustainable” low, causing uncertainty about the stability of funding to many parts of the state.

One major part of the budget that is taking a hit is education. State revenues are currently $300 million below projections, and this loss is causing alarm among Republican voters. Democratic candidate Paul Davis has earned a spike in the polls due to these cuts.

Although Brownback is still ahead in the polls, he is losing ground to Davis. This election will prove to be more unsure to the last, when Brownback slid into an easy victory. For the first time in awhile, a Republican might face a serious contender in the race for the governor seat.

3.) Obama addresses Ebola

President Obama visited the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta on Tuesday, and challenged Americans to accept the role as leaders in the fight against ebola. Since the disease began wreaking havoc over the summer, American doctors and aide have been participating in attempts to cure patients and prevent further infection. So far, ebola has claimed 2,500 lives in West Africa.

The U.S. will be sending around 3,000 American forces to Liberia, where the disease first took hold. Obama also made plans to train healthcare workers to confront the problem. He awaits further news from the CDC before he will release any more plans involving ebola.

4.) Miss America crowned

Miss New York Kira Kazantseve was crowned as Miss America last Sunday. She was crowned the champion of the competition after performing an acapella song with a red Solo cup as her talent. Kazantsev is the third straight Miss America that came from New York.

5.) Homecoming candidates nominated

Throughout this week, the senior class will nominate its candidates for Homecoming King and Queen. Seniors can vote online by signing in with their school username and password. Each senior may select up to five King candidates and five Queen candidates.

Votes will only be processed on school laptops while students are inside the school building. Voting will remain open until Thurs., Sept. 18.