As a new year begins, the Bulldog Tribune staff wants to reflect on some of the major news stories of 2022. Here is our monthly snapshot of some of the most culturally significant, media-impacting events from the previous year:

January

• Betty White Passes Away. On Dec. 31, 2022, beloved actor Betty White died at the age of 99. According to PEOPLE, White died peacefully in her sleep due to a cerebrovascular accident, more commonly known as a stroke. White was most known for her comedic roles on sitcoms including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls.

February

• Major Escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since December 2021, the Russian government has had as many as 100,000 troops on the border of Ukraine. Foreign ministers, including President Biden, made statements toward President of Russia Vladmir Putin stating that they should stand down against Ukraine to avoid global disruption; there was no negotiation between Russia and military aggressions proceeded. On Feb. 23, 2022, Russia officially invaded Ukraine, leading to ongoing war in that region.

• President Biden nominates judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court, arranging her to become the first Black female justice. The President announced his nomination on Feb. 25, 2022. Jackson graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in government in 1992, then proceeded to earn her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1996. 

• U.S. Basketball Player Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in prison in Russia, released. Women’s National Basketball Association star and two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Brittney Griner had arrived in Russia to play during her off-season. She was arrested on Feb. 17 and was found guilty of deliberately bringing a cannabis-infused vape into Russia. Biden negotiated with Russia for her release and a swap between Griner and an American citizen has been arranged.

March

• Defense of Kyiv. The city of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, was a warfront during the early stages of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Battle of Kyiv started on February 25th when Russian forces captured key areas to the north and west of Kyiv, leading to the city’s fall. Russian forces withdrew Apr. 2.

• First ICBM testing since 2017. The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is the largest liquid-fueled missile to be launched from a road mobile launcher. On March 24, North Korea’s first full test on the missile took place. 

April

• Amazon rainforest reaches highest deforestation levels ever recorded. Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research found that 363 square miles of trees and vegetation had been removed within the first three months of 2022. This is causing drastic levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The Amazon is not only crucial for air quality and water resources but also home to many animals, plants, and insects. 

• British Prime Minister Apologizes for Party Scandal. British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, released a formal apology for attending a party during the lockdown after dismissing continuous calls for him to resign. 

May

• United States Infant Formula Shortage. In May 2022, the United States experienced a nationwide shortage of baby formula as a result of the global supply chain crisis. At the beginning of May, severe out-of-stock rates were reported to be 31%. As of May 14, two weeks later, they surged to 43%, and by May 22, they were up to 70%. Children were sent to the hospital as a result of the shortage.  

• Monkeypox Outbreak. It was confirmed in May 2022, that there was an ongoing outbreak of the viral disease, monkeypox. The first case was detected in London, United Kingdom on May 6. After May 18, the number of cases increased in many regions of the world including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Monkeypox is a viral infection that causes skin lesions, fever, and other nonspecific symptoms.

June

• Depp v. Heard reaches a verdict. The defamation and domestic abuse trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, held in Fairfax County, Virginia lasted a month and a half. Depp originally filed a complaint against the defendant, Heard, claiming $50 million in damages. Heard filed counterclaims against Depp for $100 million in damage.

• U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade. On June 24, the U.S. The Supreme Court ended the right to access safe abortion and contraceptive medication. This decision was extremely controversial and resulted in an uproar of protests and backlash. With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Democratic party awaited the action of President Biden.

July

• Biden signs executive order, calling the overturning of Roe v. Wade an exercise of “Raw political power.” On July 8, 2022, Biden signed a bill allowing access to safe abortions. 

• Independence day shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. A mass shooting took place at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, injuring 48 and killing seven. The suspect pleaded not guilty to 117 felony charges. The suspect’s father also faces felony charges with reckless conduct.

August

• Monkeypox Vaccine in the US. On August 29, the United States government released information stating that there is $11 million to support the packaging and transportation of Bavaria Nordic’s Jynneos monkeypox vaccine. 

September

• Coup in Myanmar Update. In early September 2022, UNOCHA publicized information stating that 974,000 people had been internally displaced since the coup. Attacks by Junta police forces caused more than 40,000 people to flee from their homes to neighboring countries.

• The Queen of England died. On Sep. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth died at age 96, peacefully, and due to natural causes.

October

• Donald Trump is ordered to testify about Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. Former President Donald Trump was summoned to testify under oath to support an investigation around the events that took place at the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 

November

• Hospitalization of flu patients highest in decades. As of Nov. 5, 2022, the CDC released information stating that hospitalization rates of flu and respiratory diseases are at a 10-year high. Cases were reported to be 1.6 million with 13,000 hospitalizations and the death toll at 730.

• Migos rapper Takeoff shot and killed at 28. On Nov. 5, 2022, 28-year old rapper Takeoff was shot and killed in Houston, Texas. A member of hip-hop trio Migos, along with his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset, Takeoff is remembered for notable works such as “Open It Up” (2018), “Stir Fry” (2018), and “Bad and Boujee” (2016).

December

• B-21 Raider unveiled. The United States Air Force unveiled its new bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider on Dec. 3, 2022. According to infoplease.com, the builder, Northrop Grumman, stated in their press release that the aircraft will be used to help defeat the toughest defenses from around the world. 

• Biden Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill into Law. On Dec. 13, 2022, President Biden signed a bill protecting the marriage of same-sex and interracial couples. Biden said the law recognized that “everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves without the government interference.”