Blizzard Bears Down

Northeast braces for historic storm

In recent years, the Boston area hasn't been hit by any major snowstorms. But that is all about to change.

A major winter storm has begun moving dropping heavy snow, ice, and rain on the northeastern part of the United States. The storm has been named Nemo by the Weather Channel, and it could bring one of the largest blizzards this section of the country has ever seen.

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website! And share your stories and experiences of the storm in the comments section below!

Photo: Kevin Quick plows a slushy mix during a winter storm in Buffalo, New York, on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

—Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg 

Tell Us What You Think: Black History Month

Read today's top story and answer the following questions in the comments section below:

What do you do at your school to celebrate Black History Month? What civil rights leader has inspired you the most? Why?

Photo: (left) Rosa Parks smiles during a ceremony where she received the Congressional Medal of Freedom in Detroit, Mich., Nov. 28, 1999; the Rosa Parks bus is on permanent display inside Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. (right) (Credits: (left) AP Photo/Paul Sancya, (right) courtesy of The Henry Ford Museum) 

Tell Us What You Think: Who Will Win Super Bowl XLVII?

Read today's top story and answer the following question:

Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLVII? Why?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: An official game ball for the NFL football Super Bowl XLVII. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl on February 3 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)   

Barack Obama sworn in for a second term as President

Read today's top story and answer the following question:

What do you think President Barack Obama should focus on in his second term? What are the most important issues facing the country?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: President Barack Obama receives the oath of office as First Lady Michelle Obama looks on at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)  

My day at the inauguration

I was super excited to witness history in the making, the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama taking the oath of office for the second and last time.

My editor Dante and I met early in the morning to make our way to the designated area where we had tickets. By the time we got there, tens of thousands of people had already gathered on the National Mall and more were yet to come. They had started pouring in since before sunrise, even though the ceremony was scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Everywhere I looked I saw folks wearing inauguration memorabilia: buttons, hats, scarves, flags, bagsand backpacks, and even jackets with the presidential seal. People had come from all over the country to be together for this momentous occasion. I spoke with members of a family who came from Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas for a reunion on the National Mall on Inauguration Day!

A crowd of great diversity was making its way slowly but steadily towards the Capitol Building. Kids of all ages, parents, and grandparents tried to find a spot in front of the giant screens placed strategically on the Mall. The atmosphere was charged with boundless energy as the crowd was anticipating the President’s oath and speech.

Everywhere you went was jam-packed with people. Dante and I had tickets for the South Standing area. Because no one seemed to be checking tickets once we were inside, we moved with the crowd to the West Standing area. It was mobbed by thousands of people. At one point we were even squashed between a massive crowd and the doors of a port-a-potty!

My inauguration weekend

I was very excited when I first heard that my editor Dante assigned me to cover the Inauguration Day. But when I arrived in Washington, D.C., on Saturday my weekend got even better.

Being at the inauguration is very important to me because it completes the election cycle I have been writing about since the primaries. I’ve learned a lot about the issues and the candidates in the process, and witnessing the President taking the oath of office will be the final page in my election book.

My excitement doubled when I heard that I would also be covering the Kids’ Inaugural Concert, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The concert took place on Saturday before the inauguration and it highlighted support for the military spouses and children. Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Fun., Brad Paisley, and host Nick Cannon performed for a huge audience at the Convention Center.

My dad and I arrived two hours in advance to pick up our credentials, talk to some young spectators, and take in the atmosphere. I was so eager to hear the music and see all of the entertainers, I could hardly contain myself! The venue was absolutely packed with thousands of excited kids who felt just like me.

Just as the show was about to start, I received a message from Dante that Wolf Blitzer wanted to interview me live on CNN’s The Situation Room. Although I was sad that I didn’t get to see the concert, I was very much looking forward to this new opportunity.

America Prepares for Inauguration Day

The 2012 presidential election cycle reaches its official conclusion on Monday. That's when citizens and elected officials will gather in Washington, D.C., to witness President Barack Obama be sworn in for his second term in office.

According to the 20th Amendment of Constitution, the current President's term ends at noon on January 20 after serving out a four-year term. The incoming or reelected President is then sworn in by taking the Oath of Office, also established by the Constitution. The Oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

"The inauguration acknowledges the change of administration under the Constitution, in a peaceful transfer of power," explained William B. Allen, a retired dean and professor from James Madison College at Michigan State University. "This Oath, taken by all Presidents, is necessary before being allowed to execute the role of the President and it is required by the Constitution. It is a reminder of the source of their authority and the limitations on that authority."

"Young people should learn early that such testimony is an affirmation of their liberty and what it takes to sustain it," Allen added.

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder

Photo: Barack Obama, joined by his wife Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)   

Hurricane Sandy Recovery Special Report

Hurricane Sandy made landfall on October 29, hitting New York City, Long Island, coastal New Jersey, and parts of New England very hard. In early 2013, many communities are still struggling to recover from one of the worst storms to ever hit the region.

But the residents in the hardest-hit areas aren't alone. Kids and adults from all over the country have sent aid, assistance, and relief to the victims of Sandy. Schools have held fundraisers to help other schools, volunteers have traveled to affected areas to help restore power, and clinics and shelters have helped pets who were displaced by the storm.

Scholastic News Kid Reporters have found stories of communities across the nation standing with their east coast neighbors. Find out how kids are helping the relief effort – and catch up with the Kid Reporters' on-the-ground reporting during the storm – in the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Special Report.

Check it out on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

Photo: A young volunteer at Hoboken High School pushes a bin of clothing donations intended for distribution to the public as surrounding neighborhoods remain without power due to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, Sunday, November 4, 2012, in Hoboken, New Jersey. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

—Editor Dante A. Ciampaglia

The Long Road to Recovery

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there is a lot to be done.

When the devastating superstorm hit the northeastern United States three weeks ago, it left behind massive and catastrophic damage. New York and New Jersey got the worst of Sandy.  More than 40 people died, millions were without power, thousands of homes were damages or destroyed, and it will cost tens of billions of dollars to rebuild and recover.

Since the storm, many different organizations have stepped in to help in the recovery effort. One of the most visible is the American Red Cross.

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: A Red Cross volunteer delivers Sandy Kits on Staten Island, New York, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. (Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross)

Cold Ice, Warm Hearts

Hockey is a fast, intense sport. And yesterday the New York Islanders showed it also has a heart.

The National Hockey League (NHL) team held the Hockey with a Heart Hurricane Sandy fundraiser on Monday at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. From 2-8 p.m., the Islanders opened up their home ice to the public and collected donations of money, clothing, and non-perishable food items. 

But there was more to the fundraiser than just the skate. The Islanders Ice girls and team mascot Sparky were there showing their spirit. They were had interactive games set up around the rink for the children who came to the Coliseum. Food and drinks were also available.

All proceeds went to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief fund, and Island Harvest collected the many items the fans donated. 

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: More than 2,000 Long Islanders, New Yorkers, and other residents of the tri-state take part in an open-skate fundraiser in Long Island hosted by the New York Islanders. (Courtesy New York Islanders)