1. U.S. math scores drop for first time since 1990

Fourth-grade and eighth-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress scores in math dropped one and two points, respectively, on a 500 point scale — marking the first decline in scores since the tests began in 1990. Reading scores for eighth-graders fell, too, while fourth-graders saw “no significant change” in their reading scores their reading scores.

More: U.S. student performance slips on national test

2. Paul Ryan becomes new Speaker of the House

Paul Ryan (R-WI) was picked to be the 54th Speaker of the House Thursday, succeeding John Boehner, who resigned.  Ryan initially declined the position, but became the youngest speaker since 1869 and hopes to unite the House of Representatives under his leadership.

More: Appealing for Clean Slate as Speaker Gavel Changes Hands

3. South Carolina police officer fired in light of online videos

A South Carolina police officer who was shown pulling a high school student out of her chair and throwing her across the classroom in videos circulating across the internet was fired on Wednesday. The deputy, Ben Fields, who is white, was terminated from the Richland County Police Department for using excessive force during the arrest of the black female student.

More: S.C. sheriff fires officer who threw student across a classroom

4. Former House speaker pleads guilty to banking law violations

J. Dennis Hastert, a former House speaker, pleaded guilty to violating federal banking laws on Wednesday. A deal struck with prosecutors allowed Hastert to avoid a public account of the sexual allegations he faced. Paul Ryan removed his portrait from the Capitol on Monday.

More: Dennis Hastert pleads guilty to lying to the FBI in hush-money case

5. U.S. economy shows poor growth in 3rd quarter

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of just 1.5 percent between July and September, the Commerce Department reported. The growth was less than half of mark achieved in the previous quarter. Consumer spending rose by a 3.2 percent.

More: Economy grows an anemic 1.5 percent in third quarter

6. China ends one child policy

The Chinese government ended its one child policy — originally created in the 1970s — on Thursday, announcing that all married couples can have two children. The change was made to increase labor supply and ease pressures from an aging population.

More: China Ends One-Child Policy, Allowing Families Two Children

7. Obama signs new budget into law

President Barack Obama signed a new budget bill into law Monday, avoiding a default on the United States’ debts. The 2-year deal was signed just a day before the deadline set by the U.S. Treasury. It passed through the Senate 64-35 on Friday and increases discretionary spending by about $80 billion over two years, which will be split equally between defense and domestic programs.

More: Senate approves two-year bipartisan budget agreement

8. Fourth Iranian American arrested in Iran

Iran arrested and imprisoned its fourth Iranian American dual citizen. Siamak Namazi, a businessman based in Dubai, was arrested this month while visiting a friend. Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian has been held for more than a year, former Marine Amir Hekmati has been held since 2011 and Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Boise, Idaho was convicted in 2013.

More: Another Iranian American arrested and imprisoned in Tehran

9. Russian plane crashes, killing 224

A Russian charter plane carrying 224 passengers and crew from Egypt to St. Petersburg crashed Saturday, killing everyone onboard. The plane disappeared from radar about 23 minutes into the flight, but no distress signals were sent from the pilot. Investigators are trying to determine why the plane crashed.

More: Russian Airliner Crashes in Egypt, Killing 224

10. Former U.S. senator Fred Thompson dies

Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator, presidential candidate and actor died Sunday at the age of 73 from a recurrence of lymphoma. Thompson left his regular role on NBC’s “Law & Order” to run for president in 2008.

More: Fred Thompson, Former Senator, Actor and Presidential Candidate, Dies at 73

11. Royals win World Series

The Kansas City Royals came back to defeat the New York Mets, 7-2, in 12 innings and win the World Series in five games on Monday. The Royals captured the World Series title for the first time in 30 years — after losing in the World Series in seven games to the San Francisco Giants last year.

More: Kansas City Royals rally to win World Series

12. Vatican insiders arrested over alleged leaks

Two Vatican insiders were arrested on suspicion of leaking damaging internal documents during the weekend. Lucio Ángel Vallejo Balda and Francesca Chaouqui were taken into custody and the Vatican called their actions a “grave betrayal.” Two books, which are said to contain details about the obstacles Pope Francis faces repairing Holy See’s finances, are set to be released soon.

More: Vatican arrests two advisers over alleged links to leaked documents

Published on November 3, 2015 at 8:17 pm

Contact Jon: jrmettus@syr.edu | @jmettus