DONALD TRUMP ABORTION STANCE SPARKS OUTRAGE—

After Donald Trump commented that women who choose to have an abortion should be criminalized, many people  belonging to both pro-choice and pro-life groups took offense to Trump’s abortion stance. Although Trump failed to elaborate on what the specific consequences should be, he did take the position that, “There has to be some form of punishment” for women who have had abortions, going on to further note that the medical practice should be illegal. Trump’s comments have sparked anger in anti-abortion activists—people he claims are his allies. As the backlash continued to grow over his comments, Trump attempted to backtrack, claiming that the, “Issue is unclear and should be put back into the states for determination.” He proceeded to clarify that he meant abortion doctors should be punished and not the “victim” women. Trump will continue to face criticism from conservatives as he continues to alter his views on abortion.

CHIPOTLE PLANS TO OPEN BURGER CHAIN—

The popular Mexican food chain announced that it planned to start a burger business on Wednesday, March 30. According to Bloomberg, the company filed for a trademark application for the restaurant name “Better Burger.” The company has yet to receive approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold told the Daily News, “We have said for some time that we thought the Chipotle model can work with any number of kinds of food.” Chipotle also shares in ownership with Pizzeria Locale and ShopHouse, known as a Southeast Asian food establishment. After the Ecoli outbreak that affected dozens of people in nine states last year, this could be the fresh start the company needs as people continue to recover from their sicknesses caused by the norovirus.

COSTCO GOES ORGANIC—

In an effort to meet the demands of its organic customers, Costco is working with farmers to assist them in buying land and equipment. This effort is still in the early stages. Costco currently only has Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce as its partner, loaning money to the San Diego-based establishment to buy equipment and 1,200 acres of land. This method of choice is apparently unusual in this industry, but uncommon choices appear to be the normal practice for Costco’s food initiatives. From its poultry plant in Alabama to contracting with cattle-owners in Nebraskan organic fields, the company is committed to supplying fresh food for its customers. According to The Seattle Times, organic food sales reached nearly five percent of total food sales last year while organic farmland makes up only about one percent of U.S. farm acreage. As demand only continues to increase, Costco will continue to seek alternative food initiatives.

POPULAR DC SUPERHEROES TO STAR IN YOUNG ADULT NOVELS—

Well known for their roles in comics, cartoons and action movies, some of the world’s favorite superheroes are now going to fill the pages of young adult novels. DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer products have partnered with Random House Books for Younger Readers in an effort to create young adult novels that feature superheroes such as Batman and Catwoman. The Grisha Trilogy, a Wonder Woman novel by young adult author Leigh Bardugo, is expected to be released toward the end of August 2017, just after the Wonder Woman movie hits theaters in the summer of 2017. Other New York Times best-selling authors will be joining Bardugo. Marie Lu, Matt de la Pena and Sarah J. Maas will all be writing novels about Batman, Superman and Catwoman, respectively. According to Random House, all four novels “Will embrace themes of good vs. evil, coming-of-age romance and superheroes from unexpected places who have the determination to achieve seemingly impossible dreams.”

FIRST US ORGAN TRANSPLANT PERFORMED BETWEEN HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS—

Surgeons at Johns Hopkins University have transplanted organs between an HIV-positive donor and HIV-positive recipients for the first time. This option gives a better outlook for patients with AIDS virus whose organs are also failing and previously did not have access to organs from HIV-positive donors. One recipient received a kidney while another received a liver from the deceased donor. Hopkins is the first successful HIV-positive liver transplant worldwide. These surgeries are part of research being conducted to reveal whether or not HIV-to-HIV transplants are truly beneficial. According to Hopkins transplant specialist Dr. Dorry Segev, an estimated number of 300 to 500 would-be donors who are HIV-positive die each year. If this new approach works, one of the hopes is that patients on the waiting list have a better chance at receiving a transplant. Further studies and transplants will need to be conducted before any conclusive data can be set.

NEW State route 520 SPAN ALMOST AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC USE—

The new State Route 520 floating bridge is scheduled to open to traffic soon. Opening first are the westbound lanes on Monday, April 11 while eastbound lanes will open on April 25. The bridge was already open to thousands of people and bicyclists this past weekend. The celebration included speeches, a Lego model of the bridge and food trucks, to name a few of the festivities. The bridge’s construction took over 30 years of planning and construction. Holding the record as the world’s longest floating bridge at 7,710 feet, it surpasses the 1963 Albert D. Rosellini Bridge by over 100 feet. The SR 520 serves as both a remedy for traffic and an added safety measure. Its addition of two lanes and tougher building components are a celebration in and of itself. The bridge joins the list as Washington state operates four of the longest and heaviest floating bridges already, according to The Seattle Times.