The Farm Bill recently passed by the U.S. Congress includes a provision outlawing rooster fighting throughout the nation and its territories. This provision of the law is having a big impact on the island of Puerto Rico, where the rooster fighting industry is important to the economy. Supporters of the law say that rooster fighting is cruel and should have been made illegal years ago. Some Puerto Ricans view the ban on the centuries old tradition as an attack on their culture. Listen to the story to hear both sides of the issue, and then debate: Should rooster fighting be legal in Puerto Rico?
Story Length: 3:44
Socrative users can import these questions using the following code: SOC-1234
October 1, 2018
4:28
It has been a year since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. While some progress has been made, there is still a huge amount of damage that has not been repaired, even a year after the hurricane. Listen to hear reflections from a Puerto Rican Senator about the government’s response to last year’s major hurricane and related implications for the upcoming hurricane season.
Read MoreJune 4, 2018
4:01
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided that states can decide for themselves whether or not to make sports betting legal. This means that many states will likely legalize gambling on athletic events soon. Some experts suggest that betting will help engage sports fans in games. Gambling will also make sports leagues much more money. However, others are worried that sports betting could lead to corruption, especially for amateur or student athletes. Listen to learn more about the Supreme Court’s ruling on this issue and what legalizing sports betting may mean for American athletics.
Read MoreMay 3, 2016
3:54
Puerto Rico is at risk of defaulting on a $400 million debt payment due May 1, 2016. House Speaker Paul Ryan pledged to have a plan ready by then to help Puerto Rico find a way to repay its debt. Many people have started predicting what a collapse of the Puerto Rican economy will mean for bond markets and the U.S. economy. There is currently a plan in Congress to set up a process to restructure Puerto Rico’s debt. Listen to learn more about this crisis and how it might be solved.
Read MoreAugust 11, 2015
5:48
Many people travel to Africa to see large, exotic, wild animals in their natural habitat. Others travel to hunt these animals as sport. Recently in Zimbabwe, an American dentist on a hunting safari killed a beloved, protected lion named Cecil. It sparked outrage around the world even though many other animals are killed in Africa and yet few people pay attention. Temple Grandin, animal science professor and author, provides insight into why people felt more connected to Cecil, including the fact that he had a name.
Read More