(upbeat music) - Coming up next on "NewsDepth", we have the inauguration of President Donald Trump into the Oval Office, the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza reaches a ceasefire agreement, school children in California are returning to school after the wildfires, and students in Colorado open an ADA accessible playground.

"NewsDepth" is now.

(upbeat music) Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in an inauguration ceremony on January 20th.

Hello everybody.

I'm Gabriel Kramer.

Thank you for joining us.

An inauguration is a ceremony to induct someone into a new position.

It is a transfer of presidential power from the outgoing US President, Joe Biden, to the new leader of the Executive branch, Donald Trump.

Abby Marshall has the details.

- [Abby] President Donald Trump took the oath of Office Monday.

- I, Donald John Trump, solemnly swear- - [Abby] He's the second president in US history to serve a second term non-consecutively.

- I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success.

- I, James David Vance, do solemnly swear- - [Abby] His running mate, J.D.

Vance, is now the 50th vice president of the United States.

The iconic ceremony was held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold conditions.

The day is full of celebratory events across DC, including a first honor ceremony to celebrate all branches of the US military.

During his speech in the Rotunda, Trump laid out an ambitious agenda to tackle what he calls an immigration crisis.

Trump later held an inauguration parade at Capital One Arena for his supporters, where he signed a slew of executive orders, including withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement.

An executive order is an official instruction issued by the president of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government.

It has the force of law but does not require approval from Congress.

He signed more executive orders inside the Oval Office, including an order to create the Department of Government Efficiency and an executive order that gives TikTok 75 more days to find a new owner.

- Thank you, Abby.

In today's Politics on Point, Nick walks us through the traditions surrounding the big day, including the new president's address and ball.

(instrumental music) - [Nick] Every four years on January 20th, we mark the beginning of a new presidential term through an inauguration ceremony, and presidents who are reelected get this special ceremony twice.

The inauguration has become a national televised event with speeches, performances, and parades.

But the only part of this ceremony that's actually required by our constitution is a simple one sentence promise, the presidential oath of office.

- I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear- - I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear- - That I will faithfully execute- - That I will faithfully execute- - The office of President of the United States- - The office of President of the United States- - The same oath that every president has sworn to beginning with George Washington in 1789.

The exact moment when a president-elect concludes the oath signals that he or she is now officially president and commander in chief.

This process signals a peaceful transfer of power from one elected president to another.

The presidents of the past have handed power over to both political allies and despised rivals.

President Trump's inauguration was attended by former presidents and even his once rival Hillary Clinton.

Through the generations inaugural traditions have endured.

The inaugural parades began as a spontaneous march down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Thomas Jefferson, the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, walked from the Capitol building to the White House after his inauguration and was followed by well wishers.

This tradition continues as a planned procession with most presidents, including Trump, getting out of their cars and walking part of the way to honor Jefferson's tradition.

Another tradition that's been passed from president to president is the inaugural address.

- Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

- The address sets the tone for the incoming presidency and is often a call for unity, something that has always been necessary after tense elections.

But there are no requirements for the speech, it's just a chance for the new president to speak to the public.

After the business of the swearing in and speech, the new president gets to loosen his tie and celebrate at some swanky parties.

Many fancy inaugural balls were held all over the city to celebrate the president's election.

And after a night of traditional celebration, the president finally got to turn in at his new house, the White House.

- Thank you Nick.

Now let's turn our attention to another part of the world, the Middle East, where Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire to end the war over Gaza.

On October 7th, 2023, militant organization, Hamas, attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip.

That is when Israel declared war against Hamas.

The Gaza Strip is a small piece of land located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The majority of its population is Palestinian and the area is often at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israel-Palestine conflict started because both countries were claiming rights to the same piece of land.

Many people from diverse backgrounds lived there in the past.

Over time, Jewish people and Arabic people strongly connected with the land.

After World War II, Jewish people facing discrimination wanted a homeland in this area and established Israel 1948.

Palestinians already living there felt their homes were being taken wanting their own state too.

This led to ongoing conflicts and disagreements about land control.

Last week, Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal that will pause fighting in Gaza, the deal is called a ceasefire.

Chris Dudley has more.

- [Chris] A long sought after temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been reached.

- At long last I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas.

- [Chris] The significant ceasefire coming at the 466th day mark since that attack on Israel may be the longest of the war so far.

The agreement calls for a six week end to the bombing and for Israeli troops and Hamas militants to lower their weapons.

Former President Biden said, "Getting to this point was no easy feat."

- The road to this deal has not been easy.

I've worked in foreign policy for decades, this is one of the toughest negotiations I've ever experienced.

- [Chris] President Trump also spoke about it during his inauguration remarks.

- Perhaps the most beautiful of all this week we achieved an epic ceasefire agreement as a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.

- [Chris] The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in the statement that the ceasefire in Gaza went into effect on Sunday, January 19th at 11:15 AM.

In Gaza city, the streets have already begun to fill with celebration.

For many, the ceasefire is a moment of both joy and uncertainty.

- Thank you for the report, Chris.

Okay, let's fly back to United States.

Last week, Southern California was devastated by wildfires.

At the time of this recording, firefighters are still on the ground trying to contain the flame that were moving fast due to extreme winds.

But displaced residents have new challenges to overcome.

Displaced means someone was forced out of their home because of a natural disaster or war.

Marybel Gonzalez is at Altadena where some residents are struggling to find a home base to begin their recovery.

- [Marybel] This historically-destructive Palisades fire, nearly a quarter, contained as of midday with fire crews making ground.

Three other blazes now between half and total containment as monitored by Cal Fire.

Not as contained rising frustrations among many fire victims who want access into their devastated communities.

- The repopulation of residents in the evacuation order areas will not occur for at least one more week for the areas that are deemed safe.

- The US EPA has been tasked by FEMA to conduct phase one household hazardous materials removal in the burn footprint.

We are beginning this work today.

- [Marybel] Some have made it back to the ashes of their homes.

- It's just gone, everything is just gone.

- [Marybel] This Altadena family, like so many others, scrambling to find affordable temporary housing.

- These rentals literally cost twice is more than my mortgage.

Like what?

- [Marybel] Airbnb and a number of large hotel chains in the region are now offering displaced residents low or no charge accommodations.

California's governor signed an executive order today allowing mobile and manufactured homes and RVs to be used as housing outside of designated mobile and RV parks during rebuilding.

A potential path forward for those left with nothing but hope.

- Thank you Marybel.

Students from two Pacific Palisades elementary schools destroyed by fire, returned to class last week in new locations.

Natasha Chen reports.

- Honestly, this morning is the best I felt in a week.

Like I'm with my people, I'm with my people.

And so yeah, we all just fall in each other's arms and cry and this is who I belong with.

So yes, this is a good day.

- [Natasha] A good day compared to January 7th when the flames from the Palisades fire began.

- [Fire Victim] oh my God.

- [Natasha] As some scrambled to pack what they could from their homes, this close-knit community banded together to scoop up their children to escape, but many of their homes are gone just like their beloved school, Palisades Charter Elementary.

This first grader's family is moving into their third Airbnb in one week.

May I ask, how you're feeling today?

It's your first day here.

- Good.

A little freaking out.

- [Natasha] Amid the personal upheaval, this entire student body of more than 400 is now joining another existing school, Brentwood Science Magnet Elementary.

- You can go into the hallway.

- [Natasha] It's a first day of school, unlike any other.

- My friends lost their homes and I can't go back to my school anymore.

- [Natasha] Can't go back to the campus where she grew up.

The two Charter elementaries that burned in the Palisades had educated children from all over Los Angeles, not just the immediate neighborhood, but every single member of this community is connected to someone whose homes turned to rubble.

- I have two teachers who are unable to be here because of their displacement.

I've substitute teachers in those classrooms, that's hard for kids.

So really just being here for people, making sure everybody is feeling okay.

- [Natasha] The tight-knit community doesn't know if they'll ever be geographically close again, but going to school together in a new location is a start.

- I tell my child, these are your people.

We're Pally strong and we'll get through this.

- Everything's gone except for this, that's all we have.

- Thank you, Natasha.

Oh hey there, NewsHound.

You sound really excited about the animal story you found.

Well, let's see what he's found for this week's petting zoo.

(upbeat music) (NewsHound barking) Hey, NewsHound, we've gotten a lot of questions for you.

Our viewers want to get to know you.

So tell us what is your favorite hobby?

NewsHound says he loves going out for walks and sniffing everything and finding animal stories for us.

What did you find this week?

Oh, a story about a mother and daughter team helping horses affected by the wildfires.

- The best thing to do in that situation is to just let your horses out and run and hope you can find them later.

So there's a lot of separated owners right now that don't know the status of their horse.

- [Reporter] They will help the center evacuate horses from burnt zones, treat burn wounds, and help calm trauma the horses have endure.

- They're very dynamic creatures.

They get a lot of issues that can come up from stress as well.

It's all about catching it before it actually becomes a problem.

- To learn more about how those horses are recovering, click the petting zoo button on our website.

Thanks as always NewsHound.

Every child deserves to play in the playground, but not every playground is designed for a child with disabilities.

The Denver Center for International Studies is home to the first playground in the city's public school district that is accessible to disabled kids, and it's all because of two fifth graders.

Colette Bordelon has the story.

- [Colette] At any school- - Hi Kennedy.

- The playground is the place to be.

- Hi, faith.

I think she likes that the best.

- Yeah.

- Vivian Palmeri and Araya Gonzalez.

- [Nats] This is the craziest thing that has ever happened in my life.

- [Colette] Our two 10 year olds who were part of the push to build this new section from the ground up, at DCIS Fairmont.

- [Nats] Before we had the playground, they would just sit out at recess.

It was really sad, but now they're getting to enjoy it like we do.

- [Colette] A playground for everyone.

- [Nats] It's adapted because there's enough room for kids in wheelchairs to play, and there are seats and bars so they can hold on and enjoy themselves.

- [Vivian] For the past two years we've been working on trying to get the crew to actually build it, I was emailing them every day.

- [Colette] 10 year olds, stepping right into a role for grownups.

- [Nats] We were in design for change.

Yeah, so we have this week where people like, so kids get together in different groups and trying change the world.

We have some kids with disabilities here, so maybe we can try and build one of our own.

Yeah, so here it is.

- [Colette] It's a playground with personal touches from the students whose mascot is the monarchs.

- [Gerardo] So far, this is my favorite class.

- [Colette] Rewind a few months, before the summer, when her Gerardo Gracia was welding away at the district's career education center.

- It gives you actual in world experience and it just shows you what it's like to be in an industry, not in a classroom.

- [Colette] What he worked on.

- Right now I'm just filing these down, rounding off the edges just to make sure nobody can get cut.

- [Colette] He wanted as close as possible to drawings he was given.

- Oh yeah.

That is probably one of the most important things to me right now, just to make sure it ends up well.

- [Colette] Butterflies, designed by elementary school students at DCIS.

- It makes it unique to the kid.

So if the kid were to walk up and it would say, like it would show that they made it and it'd be something personal to them.

- [Colette] Something they see every time they head to the playground.

- [Child] Lily, you're going in.

Get ready we cannot be pushed.

- A space for everyone.

- [Child] Wait first.

Okay, be careful.

Be careful.

Okay, I think that's good.

- Made possible.

- Lily's on this wing.

- Lily's on this swing.

- By the kids who couldn't wait to see it in action.

- [Child] Lily, are you having fun?

Yeah, she's dancing.

Nice.

- [Colette] Because this is the place to be.

- [Vivian] This taught us that everybody can play.

Yeah, no matter their differences.

- And that brings us to our write to us for this week.

Why is accessibility important for kids?

You can send us your answers by using our inbox forum on our website, or by sending us an email to NewsDepth@ideastream.org.

And last week we talked about changes on the social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, and we wanted to hear what you thought.

How can social media content affect people?

Let's see what you had to say by opening our inbox.

Adeline from Harding Middle School in Lakewood doesn't want people to compare themselves with what they see online.

"Social media apps can affect those that see them in a couple of ways.

First, it could make people think differently about themselves.

It can make people feel bad about how they look or act and make them feel like they're different.

Being on social media apps too much can also cause brain rot.

This can cause a lot of bad things like brain fog, memory loss, and mood swings."

Lorenzo from Pleasant Run Elementary in Cincinnati agrees that too much time online can affect our lives.

"Dear NewsDepth, social media can cause brain rot because it will distract you from homework, school, and other important things that you need to do."

Hollyn from Parkwood Elementary in Beaver Creek thinks social media can be good and bad.

"Dear NewsDepth, I think that posting on social media apps can be good and bad because if someone says something not true like snow was made of plastic, then that would be a complete misuse of it.

But if someone posted something useful, then that is an amazing use of it.

Atticus from St. Ursula Villa in Cincinnati doesn't want to lose sleep over a social media post.

"Dear NewsDepth, I think social media affects people by getting too addicted and staying up late at night watching either TikTok, YouTube and YouTube shorts.

I personally think there should be a limit of three hours on all of those social media platforms.

Oh, and tell NewsHound.

I said hi."

Hear that NewsHound.

(NewsHound barking) And Nora from St. Angela Merici School in Cleveland says, people don't like being left out.

"Dear NewsDepth, I think that social media can affect people by scaring them, worrying them, or can make them happy.

On posts about threats, it could scare kids that it could happen to them.

On posts that someone's friends are in but they are not in, it could make people feel sad that they aren't there.

It could also make them feel happy if they're on the post with friends and it gets a lot of likes.

That is how it could affect others."

Great points everyone.

Thank you all for writing.

For our poll last week, we asked you if you use social media.

Let's check out the results.

50% of you said you use social media apps every day.

I definitely do too.

32% of you said you use social media but only sometimes.

And another 18% of you voted for no, you are not on social media.

Thanks to everyone for voting.

But now let's turn the page.

A Tucson, Arizona High School Senior loves reading, and she wanted to share that love with her classmates.

The school doesn't have a library on campus, but as Bri Pacelli explains, that problem led to a crafty solution.

- [Bri] When Lavinia Sepe was a junior in high school, she noticed something at school was missing.

- Basis is a very STEM-oriented school and our campus is pretty small and so we don't have a library.

So I really wanted to start something where students could get free literary resources.

- [Bri] When she took on the role as student council vice president, she wanted to share her love of reading with her classmates.

- Literary rates are going very down and students are just reading less in general, and as someone who reads a lot, I just love learning about different characters and different authors life stories and just being able to share that with students is just super great.

- [Bri] The process of creating the locker library took five months with help from the entire school community.

- It started with a two week book drive, and a bunch of students just brought books they had laying around the house.

With the help of student council and a bunch of my friends as well, after school, we would just all come here, we put up the artworks together and also the shelves.

- [Bri] Now a senior, she hopes the locker library will continue to grow long after she graduates.

- You also just want to expand this, like of course, maybe not myself, but hopefully student council in the future wants to create a larger locker library so maybe even all these lockers could be filled out.

- [Bri] The locker library has over 200 books and it's clear a lot of thought went into its creation.

The lockers are decorated with art and literary quotes, making it a unique and inviting space on campus.

- Great job Lavinia.

The library currently holds more than 200 books.

Students are able to check them out with a simple sign-in sheet.

Now our poll this week is related to books.

We want to know what is your favorite genre of books?

A genre as a category of writing characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

Jump over to our poll page to vote.

You can choose between science fiction, fantasy, mystery, adventure, horror, romance, or nonfiction.

Okay, let's check out another cool student.

A 16-year-old high school student has just become the first female chess grandmaster in Oregon state history, A chess grandmaster is a chess player who has achieved the highest title in chess.

Dylan Scott has more on her hard work and years long journey to reach this goal.

- If you're looking to take on the Oregon State champion in chess look no further than yes, room 216 here at Westview High School where 16-year-old Zoey Tang is proving to be a women's grandmaster and schooling so many in the process.

- This is obviously really special to me 'cause I wanted this title for like a long time, basically when I was starting playing and I saw all the best female players, I'm like, oh my gosh, I wanna have this title some day.

- [Dylan] At just 16, Zoey Tang has proven she's no rook.

In fact, the Westview High School Junior isn't just the chess player to beat in Oregon, as a newly named international chess federation woman grandmaster, she's now taking on the best across the board in the US and the world.

- I think one of the reasons that I liked it so much is because it's not the same every time.

Like every game you get something different and it's applying your skills into different unknown situations, just what you've practiced and what you've learned and just being able to do that in a different way every time.

- [Dylan] According to the Portland Chess Club, Tang is one of less than 500 women or girls to earn the title.

Her next move is to become an open grandmaster champion, of which there have only been 2000 all time, and less than 50 of them have been female.

A position she's been making moves for since she was seven.

- To have other people and especially other young girls come up to me and that's just really touching because it means that I can kind of try to inspire these people as much as I can.

- [Dylan] When the future doctor or engineer isn't playing chess, she's teaching it here at Westview High School, or at her non-profit, Puddle-Town chess.

- Her skill level is unimaginable.

I actually feel really happy when I'm playing with her so that I can improve my skill as well.

- [Dylan] Opening up her love of the game to others ready to make their first move.

- She is really good.

Like I've watched her play for years.

She is also really good at teaching as well, so when we're doing like lessons here, she explains it in a really like common way that from beginner to advance, everyone understands.

- [Dylan] Tang says she'll continue to travel the globe playing competitively, but her best advice in becoming a grandmaster is to first master the art of defeat.

- Part of playing chess unfortunately, is losing a lot of games, and more importantly, just enjoy the process.

Like win or lose, have fun playing and learning chess.

- Well said Zoey, and congratulations on reaching your goal.

Congratulations are also in order to Huck, a fourth grader from Westerly Elementary in Bay Village for winning this week's A+ award.

What do you get when you combine a person who works to get bicycles and helmets to children, works to support families with members who are very sick, is a three-time national champion in BMX freestyle and is a great student?

That's a tough question, It's Huck, because he is all of those things.

Huck's personal motto is "Be bigger than the bike," and that's a pretty high bar considering he's a three time national champion in bicycle motocross freestyle, and he has the world record for the youngest rider to complete a back flip, and is one of the youngest people to ever complete a double back flip.

BMX freestyle is bicycle motocross stunt riding on a BMX bike.

As a youth global ambassador for Huffy bikes, Huck has been able to compete all over the United States and BMX freestyle and even train with Olympians.

When Huck isn't competing, he uses his relationship with Huffy, the American Association of Pediatrics, and the Ohio Department of Transportation to provide bicycle helmets to children all over Ohio.

The program called Put A Lid On It has provided helmets to more than a thousand children.

And consider this a friendly reminder to make sure you're wearing a helmet when you ride your bike, scooter, or skateboard.

Huck is also working with the Ronald McDonald House.

The Ronald McDonald House is an organization that provides housing for families who have to travel so that their children can receive medical care for serious illnesses.

When Huck travels to competitions, he makes sure he stops by Ronald McDonald Houses to ride his bike with the children there.

He also puts on shows for the families by showing them the stunts he does in competitions.

If that wasn't enough, Huck is a stellar student and earns top grades in school.

His teachers and parents tell us that he's just a normal kid that likes riding his bike.

He's a great example of hard work, perseverance and dedication.

At school, he's a member of the K-Club, which is a community service organization, the student council, and he's even been recognized by Cleaveland Magazine as one of the areas 30 most influential people under 30 years old.

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a lot more motivated to be just like Huck.

This week's A+ award goes to Huck for being bigger than the bike in every way.

Congratulations, Huck, and please, please, please keep it up.

If you would like to nominate someone for the A+ award, you can use the form on our website or send us an email or write us a letter.

There are plenty of ways that you can stay in touch with us.

You can send a letter, we're at 1375 Euclid Avenue.

That's Cleveland, Ohio, zip code here, 44115.

And you can email us at NewsDepth@ideastream.org.

Plus you can catch all of our special segments on YouTube.

Hit subscribe if you're old enough so you don't miss out on any of our new videos.

Thank you for joining us.

I'm Gabriel Kramer and we'll see you right back here next week.

(upbeat music) - [Kid] NewsDepth is made possible by Grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

(upbeat music)