Happy Friday, Panthers! Yesterday was the seniors’ last day at school. We said goodbye to one editor-in-chief, an editor, and four wonderful staff writers. As we head into the final week of school, here are this week’s KICs. To start off the week, Israel is set to receive an American hostage, a doctor in Hawaii was accused of attempted murder, Peachtree City is weighing in on yard waste burning, and Trump toured the Middle East.
World – Israel set to receive American hostage Edan Alexander
Hamas is set to release American hostage Edan Alexander. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff landed in Israel in the late morning to talk to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hamas is expected to hand over Alexander to representatives from the international committee of the Red Cross. Then, Alexander will be given to a special military unit according to a statement from the Israel defense force midday Monday. He will be taken to Reim where he will go through medical checks.
After the medical check, he will be reunited with his family and then airlifted to Ichilov Hospital. Alexander is the last American hostage in Gaza.
National – Doctor in Hawaii accused of attempted murder seeks bail
Since March 28, 2025, Hawaiian anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig has been held without bail. A judge will hear Konig’s case on Tuesday to consider Konig’s request to be released on bail.
Konig and his wife were hiking on a dangerous trail in Honolulu when he attempted to push her off of a cliff. Konig had pulled a syringe out during their fight, attempting to inject her. When this failed, he then bashed her head with a rock.
Konig’s wife survived the attack and there were two witnesses to the fight. Konig pleaded not guilty while his wife filed for divorce.
Local – Peachtree City weighs ban on yard waste burning
Peachtree City Council is set to vote on a proposal to ban hard waste burning year-round due to ongoing health and air quality complaints. The ban would end permitted burns and encourage use of alternatives like venter and landfills.
Although permits are presently required for Peachtree City residents to burn yard garbage, growing concerns about the health impact of lingering smoke have led city officials to consider a permanent ban. Mayor Kim Learnare emphasized that there are other disposal choices available, such as the Fayette County landfill and free mulching centers. The plan might put a stop to long standing tradition in favor of cleaner air and better public health when the council votes soon.
If passed, the ban would mark a shift in Peachtree City’s approach to yard waste, prioritizing health and environmental concerns. The council’s decision could be made as early as Thursday night.
Politics – Trump finishes up tour of the Middle East
President Donald Trump finished up his three-nation week out in the Middle East. President Trump went to speak to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Syria to work out economic problems and make deals.
While in Saudi Arabia, Trump signed a $600 billion strategic economic partnership, a deal that they will invest in U.S transformative technologies, and a $142 billion defense package. President Trump believes that this will generate jobs and money for the U.S in just a few months. While in Qatar, Trump signed a deal for a $1.2 trillion economic exchange, and $96 billion in Qatar Airways. He was also gifted a new Air Force One jet by Qatar.
President Trump also lifted decades-long sanctions on Syria, issued another warning to Iran, and had peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Currently, President Trump is on his way home from the week-long business deals.