First up, deadly shootings in Georgia and Colorado.

AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander.

This past week, there have been two deadly mass shootings -- one in Atlanta, Georgia and one in Boulder, Colorado.

In Atlanta:

• On March 16, eight people were killed at three massage parlors, six of them Asian-American women and the seventh and eighth a white man and woman.
• The suspect, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long, has been charged with eight counts of murder. The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, but Long reportedly cited sexual guilt being the reason for the attacks. Long had been a customer at two of the targeted parlors and had previously been treated for sexual addiction. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said that the massage parlors were “legally operating,” yet it is not clear if the massage parlors were offering sex services. The motive behind the attacks remains unclear.
• The shooting comes in the midst of many racially-motivated hate crimes across the country. People of all ethnic backgrounds are coming together in solidarity to protest these attacks and stop AAPI hate.

In Boulder:

• On March 22, 10 people were killed in a shooting at a grocery store. The victims’ ages range from 20-65, including one police officer.
• The shooter, 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, was also arrested on a misdemeanor charge in 2018, but pled guilty and paid a fine to resolve the case. He has been charged with 10 counts of murder.
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered flags to fly at half-mast for 10 days for the 10 victims. He also spoke with President Biden about tightening gun laws. Biden called for new legislation including but not limited to banning assault weapons and high-capacity weapons. "This is not -- it should not be a partisan issue. This is an American issue. It will save lives, American lives. We have to act," Biden said.

Finally, the Loyola Rambler's unusual good luck charm.

Last Saturday, Loyola University Chicago won against the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Let’s take a look at the Loyola University Rambler’s chaplain and good luck charm, Sister Jean:

• In 2018 and again this year, the Loyola Ramblers have reached unexpected victories with Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, who is now 101 years old, as their figurehead.
• In the 2018 March Madness tournament, Loyola got to the final four as a No. 16 seed, beating Virginia, a No. 1 seed, and Tennessee, a No. 3 seed. This year, Loyola, ranked a No. 8 seed, has beaten Georgia Tech 71-60, and Illinois, 71-58. The Ramblers play Oregon State on Saturday, March 27.
• Sister Jean started working in Chicago in 1961 at Mundelein College, which was later absorbed into Loyola University Chicago. Sister Jean started helping out with men’s basketball and evolved into its chaplain in 1994. She was inducted into the Loyola University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
• She was able to travel to Indianapolis for this year’s March Madness because she has already been vaccinated.
• Sister Jean is famous for praying before basketball games, including praying for the player’s safety, sportsmanship and the fair calling of the game. She also offers some of her own strategies in the prayers, like praying that the Ramblers score early in their game against Illinois.
• Sister Jean said that she hopes Loyola can go far after beating Illinois and get into the Elite Eight.

Lemon Kale Pesto: This zesty, light kale pesto makes for the perfect pasta sauce. Traditionally pesto is made using basil, but this fresh, healthy take incorporates kale instead. Simply combine ingredients and blend in a blender or food processor until smooth. If using as a pasta sauce, combine with cooked pasta in a saucepan, adding in ⅓ cup of reserved pasta water and cooking on low heat until pasta is coated.

• juice of one lemon(save zest for a garnish)
• 3 cups kale(roughly chopped)
• ¼ cup pine nuts(walnuts will also work)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic(minced)
• Salt +pepper