Keeping it brief: five things to know for the week of Dec. 19-25

Tupac+Shakur+is+one+of+the+six+artists%2Fbands+that+will+headline+the+new+class+in+the+Rock+and+Roll+Hall+of+Fame.+Shakur+is+pictured+above+performing+at+the+Palladium+in+Manhattan+in+1993.

Photo credit: www.nytimes.com

Tupac Shakur is one of the six artists/bands that will headline the new class in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Shakur is pictured above performing at the Palladium in Manhattan in 1993.

By Katie Thomas, Staff Reporter
December 19, 2016

  1. Electoral College officially elects Donald Trump as next president

The 538 members of the Electoral College casted their final votes to determine the president and vice president. Electors met and voted in their states on Dec. 19 to finalize the election. Despite much protest and the loss of the popular vote, Donald Trump and Mike Pence were officially elected as the 45th president and vice president. Get more information about the Electoral College’s decision here.

  1. ISIS takes responsibility for truck attack in Berlin

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a truck attack that occurred in Berlin, Germany on Dec. 19. The suspect, who still hasn’t been found, plowed into a Christmas market. The attack killed 12 and wounded 48 people. German authorities are looking at the incident as terrorism and are on the hunt for the suspects. Find more information on the attack here.

  1. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces its Class of 2017

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced a list of the artists who will be inducted next year. Among the inductees are Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam and Journey. The televised induction ceremony for the new members will be take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 7 next year. Get more information about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame here.

  1. Officials charged for Flint water crisis

Four more officials were charged in Flint on Dec. 20 for their role in the water crisis that caused lead poisoning in children throughout the city. Among those charged were former Flint emergency managers Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose as well as two other former city officials. The officials were accused of neglecting the safety of Flint residents, focusing instead on saving money. Find more information on the Flint Water Crisis here.

  1. Lakers announce statue to honor Shaquille O’Neal

The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Dec. 20 that former player Shaquille O’Neal will be honored by the team in the form of a 1,200-pound, nine-foot tall statue that will be placed outside of the Staples Center. The opening ceremony, occurring in March next year, will have speeches by O’Neal, his teammates and his friends. Get more information on the unveiling of the statue here.