NewsDepth Season 49 Episode 15 [Girl] NewsDepth is a presentation of WVIZ, PBS, ideastream Education as made possible by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

[Rick] Coming up this week on NewsDepth. Would you let a seven-year old cut your hair? Plus, we meet an African-American artist as black history month begins. Cover those coughs and wash those hands, it's flu season. And Mary shares 's sporty past, hut, hut. NewsDepth is now.

The government is back up and running, at least for a while.

Hello everybody, I'm Rick Jackson. Thanks for joining us.

After 35 days, the partial Federal Government shutdown has come to a close. That's certainly a welcome relief for the government employees who've been working without pay, and people who had business with government agencies. Congress and President Donald Trump came to a financial agreement to reopen the Federal Government on Friday, January 25th. The agreement is only temporary though, it will keep the government up and running for three weeks.

[President Trump] I will sign a bill to open our government for three weeks until February 15th. I will make sure that all employees receive their back pay very quickly or as soon as possible.

[Rick] The hope is that during that time a longer agreement on government funding can be made. Reporter John Lornic has the story.

[John] 2019 started off rough for about 800,000 government workers.

- You know we went a month without any sort of income or any sort of knowing what's gonna happen next.

[John] On Friday President Trump agreed to re-open the government which gets though employees back to work.

- I have a really fun job. I mean, we like what we do.

[John] However.

- We're just hoping and praying that we're not gonna be back in the same situation in three or four weeks.

[John] The deal that ended the stand-off only goes until February 15th. Republican and Democratic leaders have until then to come up with a border security proposal, and President Trump insists it includes money for his long promised wall.

- I don't think shutdowns are good leverage. It's a lesson I've certainly learned in my time here. There's been two shutdowns since the time I've been there, and the aggressor in neither one was the winner.

- I'm certainly hope that we can get an agreement. It's been too long. Too many of our federal employees have suffered.

[John] If lawmakers can't come up with a plan that funds a border barrier, President Trump says, it's off to the races. The president says he may declare a national emergency, and direct the Defense Department to start building a wall.

[Rick] Thanks John. In other political news, the race for the next presidential term is already underway. Yeah, I know, the next election won't happen until November of 2020, but several folks have already declared that they're running for the top spot.

The president is limited to two four-year terms. So President Trump can still serve in the role from 2020 until 2024, if he's chosen to do so by voters. But he may have his work cut out for him, as more and more people are entering the competition. Reporter Karin Caifa checked in with politicians on a busy Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week.

[Karin] Kamala Harris making it official.

[Karin] The Democrat from California is the third senator to enter the 2020 primary field, joining Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who have launched exploratory committees.

- I think this is terrific. Democrats are full of ideas and full of energy, and that's how we're gonna make real change in this country.

[Karin] Monday also busy for those rumored to be eyeing 2020 bids.

[Woman] Are we ready for 2020?

[Crowd] Yes we are.

[Karin] Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Cory Booker of New Jersey in the early primary state of South Carolina.

- We are gathered together 'cause we believe in this democracy and we know in this country the power of the people is always greater than the people in power.

[Karin] Former Vice-President Joe Biden at an MLK Day breakfast in Washington. And at the same event, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; recently re-registered as a Democrat.

- Whatever the next year brings for Joe and me, I know we'll both keep our eyes on the real prize, and that is electing a Democrat to the White House in 2020.

[Karin] The first contest of 2020, the Iowa Caucasus, are just over one year away, next February 3rd.

[Rick] Thanks Karin. We of course will be following the presidential race over the next two years. Let's turn to some weather-related news now. Last week we told you all about avalanches. Well a recent avalanche in Snowbird, Utah, stranded skiers and snowboarders in that resort village, until crews could safely clear the roads in and out of town. Kiersten Nunez has the story.

[Man] I suspect they'll be a couple hours of traffic coming down. But we're out and that's all we care, we had an awesome day.

[Kiersten] These skiers and snowboarders were the first of hundreds of cars finally driving down the canyon.

- We were sitting by the police radios, so we we're listening and we were ready to run to the car. So, we just ran to the car, jumped in, and got out.

[Kiersten] But all of these people weren't sure if they'd make it home Monday night after a natural avalanche covered the road with 12 to 18 inches of snow in the White Pine area of Little Cottonwood.

- Oh, we were in the lodge for about four hours. They close the resorts down at 12:30.

[Kirsten] Those at the resorts were under a mandatory inter-lodge, meaning everyone had to go inside the resort's lodges and stay there.

- Was pretty crazy, all the dining was full. We had to go to the vending machines, and, my tummy was grumbling.

[Kiersten] Earlier in the day we spoke with snowboarders who were still stuck.

- I think we're all just gonna be sleeping on the ground in the lodge.

[Kiersten] Convinced they'd have to stay the night.

- I was kinda expecting it because there was just so much snow.

- By virtue of the fact that we've almost received five feet of snow in the last five days, I can't say that I'm surprised that this happened.

[Kiersten] And while inter-lodge is rare, it's not unheard of, because Little Cottonwood is one of the most challenging roads in all of North America when it comes to avalanche control.

- We don't wanna inconvenience anybody, but we have to err on the side of caution here, and make sure that it's a safe situation.

[Rick] Thanks Kiersten. Many of those folks stuck in the lodge overnight said they were looking forward to having the slopes all to themselves in the morning. So I guess that could be a benefit of being snowed in. Well based on our Tweet of the Week, I'd say a lot of you wouldn't mind hanging out in the cold either.

Mrs. Sexton at Bexley Middle School tweeted out this video of her students experimenting with dry ice and learning about sublimation. Now sublimation is a chemical process when a solid turns into a gas, without having to turn to a liquid first. Pretty neat.

Let's read about your own chilly winter observations, because we asked you last week to write to us about the coolest thing you've seen this season. So let's open up our frosty Inbox.

Abbie from William Bruce Elementary had an interesting observation: “Something that I've noticed is that when the temperature dropped and I got in the car to go to school it looked like there was snowflakes on the inside of the car.”

Lucy from Silver Lake Elementary found out something cool: “Me and my mom went on the roof and dumped hot water out and as we poured it out it froze, and it was really cool to see.”

Jalecia from Gearity Elementary wrote to us: “My neighbor's house has very long icicles on his house. One day while I was walking home from school the icicles were all the way down to the ground. I was very shocked. When I went inside my house, I came back to take a picture. Now I have that as a winter picture in my room as the perfect memory.”

Libby from Saint Francis de Sales also noticed some interesting icicles: “What I observed this winter was icicles freezing in a slanted position. They did this because it was so cold here, as the icicles were freezing, the wind blew them into those cool positions. I haven't seen that before.”

Madison from Orchard Hill Intermediate wrote to us: “My winter observations are how weird the winter weather can be. Like in my town North Canton one day there was a lot of snow. We even got snow day. The next it was 47 degrees and it was raining. Then, the next it was snowing again.”

Wow, you're right, Ohio's weather sure can be confusing. Excellent observations everybody.

Another thing you may have noticed this winter is that more of your classmates may be staying home sick.

Influenza, which actually is not a medical term, in which we often shorten to the word flu, is an illness that impacts your lungs, nose and throat. It can make you feel achy and tired; it's caused by a virus. Around this time of year the flu becomes more common. So common that at one school in Mississippi, 550 students were out sick. Tara Thomas has details.

[Tara] 550 students out of 5,300. That's more than 10% of the Clinton students that are out with the flu. It's an alarming number, and it may be just the beginning.

- For weeks where the students are a good many are out, throughout the district, but we haven't had this many, and so I have a feeling we're gonna have quite a few more flu diagnosis this week.

[Tara] Symptoms include a high fever and achiness which can last up to two weeks. Nurse Martin says the best thing to do to keep the illness from spreading and worsening is simply wash your hands.

- And sanitizer with 'em, and like I said, don't share any food or drink with anybody or wippies, the little Handi Wipes that you can get a little small pack, put it in your purse or backpack, and changing classes. Take your little wippie out and wipe your desk down before you sit down.

- Also, don't sneeze into your hand. Rather, sneeze into your arm, and throw away any used tissues immediately. Nurse Martin also says, don't let your kids return to class until their fever is completely gone.

[Rick] Thanks Tara. For this week's poll we wanna know how all of you have been doing this winter? Have you been under the winter weather? Visit our online poll and vote. You can choose from yes, I've had the flu, yes, I've had a cold, yes, I've had a stomach bug, or nope, I've healthy.

Fingers crossed and hands washed that you've all been feeling well.

Well while we're here let's take a look at the results from last week's poll, shall we? We asked if you knew anybody who was impacted by the government shutdown. 61% of you said you didn't know anyone who impacted.

Turns out News Cat voted yes though. Apparently she knows some animals who've been impacted. Let's see what she's found in this week's Petting Zoo.

Hey News Cat, checking the paper for some leads? Oh, maybe she already found one. She's off to the computer. Click clack meow, there she goes. Wow, she found a group that made sure that furloughed workers with pets had enough animal chow to get by. To find out about these donations, click the petting zoo button on our website.

Thank you News Cat.

Well speaking of generous deeds, our A Plus this week is a holiday throwback to the great volunteer work we heard was happening in Berea.

The five-A fifth graders from Berea Midpark Middle School spread some holiday cheer to the senior citizens at a nearby senior living center. The students brightened up the center with decorations like candy cane mice, place mats, and the snowflakes you see here, and they also served lunch to the seniors.

Seniors and students were also able to just spend time talking and sharing meaningful stories, and one of the highlights was when everyone joined in for a holiday sing-a-long. ♪ And if you ever saw it ♪ ♪ You would even say it glows ♪

Teacher Mrs. Medvetz tells us, it was such a super experience that the students didn't wanna leave and the staff, asked us to come back again. I'm happy to share that we formed a bond; we'll be returning to see them soon. We really love to see intergenerational activities like that one, and we hope that bond continues to grow strong.

Thanks to Mrs. Medvetz for sharing this, along with teachers Mr. Simon, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Debrock. Wel here's an A+ for your fantastic five-A fifth graders.

Okay, so we're heading into February. That means a whole new set of holidays to celebrate. In fact, the entire month of February is African-American history month. It's a time to remember the important role that African-Americans have played in our past.

So for February we've lined up a series of sketchbooks for you featuring black artists. In this first sketchbook we meet Darius Steward, a watercolor painter and art teacher. Experiences from his childhood influence his art. David C. Barnett has the story.

SKETCHBOOK: DARIUS STEWARD

[Darius] Well, it was very simple at first. It was me being that black kid from East Cleveland that could go down there to this day, and everybody, you know, I can just fit right in and blend in with the situation. Where I grew up at is so far away from where I am now. You know, so, I get it completely, I feel like I still know everything, but the people there don't look at me the same. So that's why I say it's multiple worlds I live in.

[David] At 3 1/2 square miles the small town of East Cleveland has some big problems; with a 42% poverty rate and violent crime above the national average. Growing up, Darius nearly became a crime stat.

[Darius] It's like living in a war zone sometimes. You know, it's kinda like you didn't know what to expect from day to day. I always tell people I, I was good at looking and learning what not to do, by, you know, by seeing what was happening. So it actually was a good teacher if that makes sense, you know?

[David] Darius' Mom, Rhonda, kept him on the straight and narrow. Early on she recognized his talent, and encouraged him to pursue a career in art realizing that it could be his salvation.

[Darius] My mom didn't really dictate what I was, I should do, you know? So, I think she was just excited that I found something that really, that I could hold onto. And recognizing that I really liked it, she kinda did whatever she could to keep me going with it. And I think it is because it's simple, simple thing is, where I grew up at, people really didn't, you know, have things to kinda hold on to. You know, and it's sad, but it's true. I ask people, what do you like to do? A lot of people can't answer that question. And, you know, that kinda goes with them throughout their lives. If they're doing okay, they up getting a job where they really don't like it. You know, and they just go through the motions, right? For me it was, I had to follow something that I loved or else I probably wouldn't had did anything.

[David] With degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Art and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Maryland, today Darius is a high school art teacher, and happily married with two children, and they often become the subject of his realistic watercolors that are instantly recognizable by their white background.

[Darius] My son kinda is in a lot of my imagery. It is a lot at times because it represents things that I've dealt with as a kid growing up, but it's also seeing how his childhood is versus how mine's I think was. Or never was, or you know? The white space kinda talked about the environment that I feel like I was always entrenched in. And it also talked about my stern blackness. So, I feel like amongst the most whiteness is where my blackness really shined. Or where my blackness really stood, the truest it could be; the most honest.

It's this void, it's this part where it shows you that this whiteness is breaking up this child. To show how much that the whiteness plays a part in his life. But also, it talks about this void, you know? The wanting to have something there.

The people from my neighborhood in Page, they completely get it right away. They don't need any art class. They don't need any, you know, background information. They see that boy carrying that Ninja Turtle book bag with that look on his face, and they say, man, I feel like that, you know, plenty of times. You know, and then I can put this into different circumstances, and, some people that may come up to the gallery, may see it for the awesome, lovely watercolor strokes, or the medium, or the choice of paper, or they may have related to historical portraiture. So they bring a whole 'nother set of ways of kinda decoding the image. But, again, that is the one thing that makes everybody at least see where I'm coming from.

That's why I think it's so much power in it. You know, it's this idea that, I can communicate to a multitude of people, by just painting.

[Rick] Thanks David. Darius was lucky to find his passion at a young age and to turn it into a career. In this next story you'll meet an 11-year-old with a passion for learning. He's already headed down his career path, studying to have a degree in physics. Brandi Harris met with the boy on his first day of college.

- I'm gonna turn the mic over to Mr. Elijah. We have an 11-year-old Southern University student. He gonna pray and bless this pretty

[Brandi] One small step for the first day of the semester, and one giant step for the kid starting college.

- I am very excited. So, I've been waiting for this for a long, long, long time.

[Brandi] School is back in session and at the young age of 11, prodigy Elijah Precciely is starting his undergraduate career at Southern University. Were you impressed?

- Oh yeah, definitely, for a 13-year-old to like, teach a whole entire college students. Yeah, definitely impressed.

- I'm actually 11.

- 11?

- This is my environment basically. I love to be up here on the campus, I love to learn, and what really strikes me is when some people think that I'm 15. All right, either I'm a tall 11-year-old or a short 15-year-old. Pick one.

[Brandi] Although he's much younger than traditional undergraduates, Elijah stands out on the social scene, but still blends in with the students.

- He was a, always engaged. Always teaching the class, you know, which was surprising. He knew way more than a lot of students.

- He can fit in, just day to day activities, he can do everything that we could do. So there's nothing that he can't do it's just like after school is when it comes to be like, can he fit in?

[Brandi] Like the new scooters that are potentially coming to the campus for student transportation, Elijah doesn't meet the age requirements.

- I'm gonna buy one. So right now, I'm focused on my academics, and everything else comes afterwards.

[Brandi] Although he's a genius, the university says he'll still need support and plenty of guidance.

- So he's more than just a student. He's more than just a prodigy. I think he is a young gentleman and a man of the Holy Spirit.

- Lord, Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord.

- And he's gonna fit in very well as he already does here at Southern University.

[Brandi] But he says, he's ready.

- I'm not just here part-time, I'm here full-time. You have to have your mindset, oh, I have to learn this. You have to have a mindset to actually know, hey, I have to learn this, my life depends on, act like your life depends on it because it does. When you learn, you've increased your life.

[Brandi] And even though he's only 11, he's already thinking about grad school. Not knowing exactly what the future holds, as he lives in the moment.

[Rick] Thanks Brandi. How about an even littler lady with big barber dreams. Charly Edsitty visited the 7- year-old in Houston, Texas. Take a look.

[Charly] With a bow in her hair, a gold chain around her neck, and a stool under her feet, Alijah Hernandez hones her craft of clipping and snipping.

- A fade is like when you're cutting hair, it shows like detail of your hair cut.

[Charly] The pint-sized barber has been practicing her cuts under the guidance of her dad, Frankie, who is a talented barber himself. He realized Alijah was drawn to the clippers when she would watch her dad do work as a toddler.

- I taught her the right maneuvers, and her watching me over time; from there on, on, I was like, hey, she's gonna be the coldest barber I know.

[Charly] And just a few short years later, now Alijah is in control of the clippers, practicing her skills.

- For a seven-year-old, I mean, you won't see that nowhere else.

[Charly] And she's catching attention not only at hair competitions across Texas, but also on social media. The business of hair, a family affair, with Alijah's little sisters also getting into the mix.

- Z Styles in the building, y'all.

- Frankie says, he encourages his girls to pursue their passion, even if it's in an industry mostly dominated by men.

- We're not gonna be stopped at a limit just 'cause they're women, right?

[Charly] Alijah believes what she's doing can encourage other kids as well.

[Alijah] I could inspire little kids to come out and do the same thing.

[Rick] Thanks Charly. Now we wanna hear from you. If you could have a career today, what would you choose? Tell us why you think the job would be a good fit for you. Now when I was your age I loved to read, so my job now as a journalist reading and writing makes a lot of sense for me.

I bet a lot of you are going to say you wanna be a professional athlete, right, and plenty of you have asked us before to talk more about sports. So this week, in honor of the , we've got a Know Ohio all about our state's football history. Let me pass the ball off to our own Mary Fecteau.

KNOW OHIO: OUR FOOTBALL HISTORY

[Mary] Thank Rick, but I like to leave the football playing to the professionals. And many of those professionals happen to be from Ohio. And it's not surprising considering Ohio was instrumental in shaping professional football as we know it.

The game of football was derived partly from a different game, rugby. And was played at colleges like Harvard and Yale in the late 1800s before it became a professional sport. Although the first professional football game was technically played by our neighbor, , Ohio quickly became the center of professional football during its formative years in the early 1900s.

Way before there was a , there was an Ohio Football League, and Ohio was home to more football teams than any other state. Before the Browns and the Bengals, there were the , the , the , and the Akron Professionals to name a few.

By 1920 the expanded to include other states, and became the American Professional Football League, which is the precursor to the National Football League we know today. In fact, the NFL was headquartered in downtown Columbus before moving to New York City back in 1939.

As a tribute to the role Ohio played in the creation of professional football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was built in Canton. The city where the American Professional Football League was founded.

So, as you watch 'em toss around the old pigskin in the Super Bowl, spare a thought for the rough and tough Buckeyes who played the game before all the glitz and glamour, and protective gear. Back to you, Rick.

[Rick] Thanks Mary. The New England Patriots are getting ready to face the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53. But a 10-year-old boy in Kentucky is not a fan of the Patriots; neither am I actually. He particularly dislikes their star , Tom Brady. So much so, he decided to make his school science fair project all about Brady. Alexa Helwig reports.

[Ace] You can throw.

[Alexa] Many would argue that Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all-time.

- Nobody likes Tom Brady except all the Patriot fans.

[Alexa] 10-year-old Ace Davis would argue differently. That's why he took on deflategate as his science fair project for class at Middlecreek Elementary. The problem is.

[Ace] The National Football League alleged that Tom Brady ordered the deliberate deflating of footballs to gain an advantage.

[Alexa] So he wanted to put it to the test, not only to spite Tom Brady fans, but his Patriot loving cousin as well.

[Ace] Mason's a big Patriot fan, and I kinda did this to get revenge.

[Alexa] Ace's dad, Chris, says this topic was a no-brainer for the fourth grader who is not a big fan of the Patriots or science.

- He grabbed the one thing that he, like, is really passionate about, and that's football, and it's just natural, you start thinking, just brainstorming, and is like, oh, deflategate.

- I'm open.

[Alexa] The Davis' made this project a family affair, and after Ace's dad posted on social media that he won the science fair, it went viral. Many people find the 10-year-old's project entertaining, but Patriots' fans, they have a different feeling.

- I'm pretty sure they're looking for me.

[Alexa] What are you gonna do if they find you?

- Run.

[Alexa] In the conclusion that Ace came to might not be a popular one with them either.

- He cheats.

[Rick] Thanks Alexa.

All right game time, we wanna hear from you. And there are plenty of way to stay in touch.

You can email us. We're [email protected]. You can write to us. We're at 1375 Euclid Avenue, in Cleveland, Ohio. Our zip code is 44115. Or you can Tweet us. We are @NewsDepthOhio.

Plus new this season check us out on YouTube. And if you're old enough, subscribe to be notified of all of our new videos.

So, thanks so much for watching everybody. I'm Rick Jackson, we'll see you right back here next week.

[Girl] NewsDepth is a presentation of WVIZ, PBS, ideastream Education as made possible by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.