The Breakdown: College Admissions Cheating Scandal Is Biggest Ever

Getty Images: Frazer Harrison / Staff

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The One Big Thing

Busted: Massive College Admissions Cheating Scandal Exposed

ICYMI: About 50 people were exposed in a massive cheating scandal, which included parents using bribes and fraud to get their kids into prestigious colleges. Influencer Olivia Jade, whose mom is actress Lori Loughlin (pictured above), reportedly hired someone to fill out her application. The scandal highlights a bigger issue about education inequality in America: even if they’re not bribing colleges, those with money can game the system, while those without often don’t have a shot. While the cheating scandal plays out in the courts, check out these amazing orgs helping students from low-income households get into college.

(Pop) Culture Shock

Shrill Puts Plus-Size Representation Front and Center

Hulu on Friday dropped the first episodes of Shrill, featuring Aidy Bryant from Saturday Night Live. More than just a “body-positivity show,” the comedy is being celebrated as a “quietly tender portrayal of learning how to love yourself" and even created custom outfits to critique the fashion industry’s lack of choice for people of many body types. Read a powerful interview with Bryant and check out some of the best size-inclusive brands.

The Good News Is…

Students Show Solidarity and New Zealand Promises Better Gun Laws After Mosque Attack

Thousands of students in New Zealand gathered for an interfaith vigil, just days after an anti-Muslim terrorist attack at two mosques left 50 dead. The students showed up with songs, love, and strength: “We will grow from this,” one told BuzzFeed News. “It’s only going to bring us closer together and bring our communities closer.” Meanwhile, lawmakers in New Zealand have already pledged to improve the country’s gun laws.

That's What She Said

“AHHHHH!”

-Lilly Singh, aka IISuperwomanII, expressing her excitement after finding out she’ll be hosting her own late-night show on NBC. She’ll be the only woman currently hosting a late-night show on any of the four major TV networks.

Quick Hitters

Why aren’t more people talking about… these students who took over their Bronx school to protest the lack of a response to racism.

My hero today is… Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old who launched a worldwide student-led movement for climate action and was recently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

I’m obsessed with… Roswell: New Mexico, a new show on the CW (and apparently a reboot of a show from the 2000s?) that has the perfect mix of drama, suspense, and aliens.