Olivia Rodrigo praises female artists during Billboard awards
Actress and singer Olivia Rodrigo spoke about being lucky for her career and praised other female artists in the industry during her acceptance speech for the Billboard’s 2022 Woman of the Year award.
“Every woman here today is working to break down those barriers and change the narrative and support each other,” Rodrigo said. “I’m constantly moved by your vulnerability and your creativity and bravery, and I promise everyone here today is working to make this world and this industry a better place for you,” she added.
Other female musicians such as H.E.R, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Phoebe Bridgers, Karol G and Summer Walker were also recognized at the Billboard awards this year, which focused on celebrating the achievements of top female performers and executives in the music industry.
Chicago high school students surprised with free college ride
Students at five different Chicago public schools received news this week that all their colleges expenses: tuition, room and board, books, fees and taxes will be paid for.
The scholarship program responsible for the news is called Hope Chicago, and it committed to raising $1 billion in support and funding over the next decade, having already raised $40 million.
This nonprofit organization launched in fall 2021 and it is led by former Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson.
“This is some of the best news I have heard in this space for years and this is a transformational moment for so many Chicago families,” said Robert J. Jones, chancellor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Scientists discover a new species of chocolate frog
A group of biologists in the Amazon discovered a tiny new species of burrowing frog, thanks to its unique “beep” sound.
Even though Peru locals have known about this species for years, the frog remained elusive to biologists and other researchers until recently.
“These frogs are really hard to find, and that leads to them being understudied,” said Michelle Thompson, a researcher and ecologist at the Field Museum of Nature History. “It’s an example of the Amazon’s hidden diversity, and it’s important to document it to understand how important the ecosystem functions.”
According to scientists, this discovery could also indicate healthy peatlands in the Peruvian area of Putumayo Basin, where there is very little deforestation.
