Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

Dec. 9, 2022, 8:16 a.m.

American Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in exchange for arms dealer

Summary

Brittney Griner is finally free after a dramatic prisoner swap. The WNBA star had been held by Russia for most of this year on a minor drug offense, and was serving 9 years in a prison camp. But on Wednesday she was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. For a transcript of this story, click here . TEACHERS: You may want to stop the video at 5:24 for the sake of time. You may also choose another story from the newscast by clicking on the image below. Then answer the following questions.

Five Facts

  • Who is Brittney Griner?
  • What made this story attract international news attention?
  • Where and When does the story take place?
  • Why did Russian authorities arrest and imprison Griner?
  • How did the prisoner exchange take place involving Griner and Viktor Bout?
Optional Five Facts for other available stories
  • Who are the individuals or groups of people mentioned in the story?
  • What is the main idea of the piece?
  • Where and When does the story take place?
  • Why did the event(s) discussed occur?
  • How do you think the NewsHour’s producers decided to produce a story about this topic?

Focus Questions

Do you think the prisoner swap should have been carried out? Why or why not? Media literacy : What additional information would you have included in the segment? Optional: See, Think, Wonder: What do you notice? What does the story make you think? What do you want to find out more about?

For More

Wha students can do : Dawn Staley is the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a Hall of Fame player. She coached Brittney Griner and her teammates when they won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, and she has tweeted in support of Griner daily throughout her captivity. Discuss with a classmate, friend or family member Staley's comments. What strengths do you think Staley leaned on during this time? What strengths would you lean on?

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

Recent Daily News Lessons

ukrainerussia-1024x683

Daily News Lesson

Poland braces for potential confrontation as Russia tests NATO defenses

The foreign minister tells the News Hour they have credible intelligence to back that up

dry

Daily News Lesson

How the West is preparing for a drier future as water supplies hit lows

Learn about low water levels in the Colorado River and how it is affecting the western United States

widerwar-1024x689

Daily News Lesson

On the ground with U.N. peacekeepers as Lebanon-Israel mission nears its end

After nearly 50 years, UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon plan their withdrawal after the U.N. Security Council voted to terminate their operations.

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward