Nearing the end of March is indeed quite mad. From craziness in the NCAA basketball tournament to candy factory explosions, this week brought unique challenges to the US and internationally. Let’s hope March can end on a high note.

March Madness

The annual March Madness college basketball tournament started March 16th. This year’s field of 64 women’s and men’s tournament teams included many first and second round upsets. As of Friday, all number one seeds were eliminated from the men’s tournament, making it a wide open Final Four heading into April. The current women’s favorite is the South Carolina Gamecocks after formerly top ranked Stanford was eliminated. The Men’s final four will be held in Houston on April 1st through the 3rd.

PA Chocolate Factory Explosion 

On March 24th, a West Reading, Pennsylvania chocolate factory exploded, killing five employees and sending 10 others to Reading hospital. Two others are still missing. The source of the explosion, which caused a large plume above the factory, is still undetermined. A large-scale investigation is ongoing. The company, R.M. Palmer, has said that they are dedicated to supporting its employees and their families. 

Trump’s Possible Indictment 

This week former President Trump faced a possible indictment, well actually, four possible indictments. Trump faces four investigations, two in New York, one on the national level and one in Georgia. The national and Georgia investigations relate to the 2020 election, while the New York investigations stem from Trump’s business ventures. While Trump awaits his possible indictments he has continued on his 2024 presidential campaign trial. Some people say that Trump’s indictment – or even entering jail – could help his cause in his run for president next year. 

Tornado Runs through the South 

On Friday a deadly tornado ravaged over 59 miles in west-central Mississippi. Less than 1% of US tornadoes run over 50 miles, making Friday’s tornado incredibly rare. The Mississippi government declared a state of emergency after 26 people were killed by the natural disaster. The tornado touched down in Rolling Fork then moved northeast to nearby cities causing destruction along the way. Biden says that emergency responders have already been sent to Mississippi and other affected states to aid in rescue and rebuilding. The full extent and cost of the damage is still being assessed.

Putin Moves Nuclear Weapons into Belarus 

Intelligence reports have shown Russia’s President Putin has moved tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus where he is planning to stockpile a nuclear arsenal. For the past year both Putin and Belarus’s leader Alexander Lukashenko have hinted at this possibility, with reports now confirming the move, despite lack of definitive satellite imagery. Some experts believe Putin’s announcement of the new nuclear arsenal is a distraction from Putin’s international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.