So Here Arefive Things to Know About the President's First Year in Office

Arielle: Hey there, and welcome to Monday. I amArielle Hixson, and we have got a packed show today.

Now, first up, President Donald Trump marked an important anniversary. He has been our commander in chief for one year, and in honor of the historic moment, Tom Hanson takes a look back at his first year in office.

Tom: What a year, what a year it has been, Arielle.Say what you want about the president, you can't deny he has made for a busy year.Trump walked into the White House on January 20, 2017, after a roller-coaster ride of an election year. And one could argue, from his Twitter use to alleged epic feuds among his staff, so far, the Trump presidency has been pretty unique.

So here arefive things to know about the president's first year in office.

President Donald Trump: One year since I took the oath of office, and I will say our country is doing really well.

Tom: All right, first up, probably the biggest thing President Trump has accomplished: tax cuts.The president signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the biggest in about three decades.The White House believes that it will boost the economy, create jobs and give everyone more money, but critics say it makes the rich more rich.

No. 2, as he said on the campaign trail, he is shaking things up in the world of global politics and says he is putting "America first."

Trump: As president of the United States, I will always put America first.

Tom: He has withdrawn from the global climate deal involving every country around the world, including Syria — a country in a full-fledged war.He has also upended the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal between 12 countries that border the Pacific Ocean.

There is no border wall yet, although he still says he wants one.And he hasn't done away with the Iran nuclear deal.One more thing: He has put more boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And one of the biggest topics this year, of course: North Korea. He has gotten in a war of words with the North Korean leader,Kim Jong-un — even saying his button is bigger, obviously referencing the United States' nuclear arsenal.

Trump: We will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.

Tom: Okay, No. 3, from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Education, the president also signed off on easing federal guidelines and regulations, making things like drilling easier, cutting down some government controls on companies and easing up on a lot of environmental rules that protect land and animals.

Moving on, No. 4, on to the Supreme Court bench. He has appointed Neil Gorsuch, a conservative, to fill the shoes of the late JusticeAntonin Scalia.

And No. 5, the travel ban. For now, the president's travel ban is in place, though it will be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The ban means that people from certain countries can't travel to the U.S. or they have restrictions on their travel.

And to wrap it all up, President Trump's first year endedwith a government shutdown, all over the budget and DACA, the act to protect young people who entered the country illegally as children.

Now, President Trump has the lowest approval rating of any modern president at 37 percent, but he is still going very strong with his support base, who point to a strong economy, low unemployment and a booming stock market.

So there you have it — what a year! Of course, there is so much more that we could cover, but those are just some of the highlights.

Allright,Arielle, back to you.

Arielle: Thanks,Tom.

And you just heard today's Word in the News: approval rating, which is a rating based on a percentage of voters who think a politician is doing a good job.

Next up, anotheranniversary: this one, the second annual Women's March, which started as a protest of President Trump.But now the thousands who took to the streets this yearare putting their energy and voices into the upcoming November elections.

A sea of pink hats moved through downtown Chicago, Los Angeles and New York — and countless cities in between, from Atlanta to Omaha. Hundreds of thousands participated…

Protestors: When our rights as people are under attack, what will we do? Stand up, fight back.

Arielle: …even internationally, with marches from Canada to Italy. Over in Washington,D.C., thousands marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the steps of the White House.

Last year's Women's March drew a record crowd to protest President Trump, but this year, they say they are marching directly toward the 2018 midterm elections.

Woman: You know, this is all about getting out the vote.

Arielle: Organizers used the events to register voters and to encourage more women to run for office.

Tanika Goudeau: This isn't about partisan issues; this is about human issues. What we're out here fighting for is for everybody. Whether you’re Republican, whether you're Democrat, whether you're Independent, whether you are nothing. If you voted, or if you didn't vote, we're here for your rights.

Arielle: Okay, coming up after the break, we are stepping into a virtual world for our Next Big Thing.

Arielle: Over the weekendthe annual March for Lifebrought out thousands to Washington, D.C., with a message of support from President Trump.The march attracts thousands of pro-life activists to the National Mall each year. Many of them are young and come from all over the country.

The yearly march began in 1974, after the Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in the United States.President Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person, although he did it by video link.

Trump: You're living witnesses of this year's March for Life theme. And that theme is Love Saves Lives.

Arielle: Other cities have had pro-life marches as well, including Chicago and Los Angeles.

Okay, next up, it is time for the Next Big Thing, one that is out of this world.Now, before we journey into this week's Next Big Thing, let's see what you thought about last week's.

We told you about the futuristic way to challenge yourself to some friendly competition — the LED running track. So is it the next big thing? Ninety percent said,“Yes — challenge accepted!” But 10 percent said,“No —I need a water break.”

Class: We are Jesup High School from Jesup, Iowa, and we think the LED running track is the next big thing!

Class: We are Maddie and Alli from SouthportElementary School — the best school ever —inKellogg, New York, and we think that the LED running tracks are the next big thing!

Class: We're Mr. Pingry's seventh-grade advisory class from Woodward Middle School in Woodward,Oklahoma, and we think the LED running track is the next big thing!

Arielle: Creative responses! Thanks, guys.

Now, virtual reality isn't really a new idea, but Cassie Hudson checks out a new playgroundthat is trying to make it more within your reach.

Cassie: So when you guys think about the park, you probably think about monkey bars, the swing. Well, I am here in New York City to check out one playground that all you need is a headset. Kind of cool, right? Let's check it out.

Welcome to VRWorld.

Daryl: Like, virtual reality is, like, really fun!

Grady: A brand-new type of place to hang out.

Casidi: People, like regulars,coming back week after week.

Cassie: Two floors and more than 50 attractions — it is a virtual escape to any and everywhere.

Daryl: The future is here. You know, like, instead of sitting on a computer or sitting on a couch playing a video game, you’re actually immersed within another world.

Grady: Up until nowVR has been a very solitary experience.We have a whole open floor here where you can watch other people play, you can compete. So it's a community aspect of virtual reality.

Cassie: It all starts with the headset.

And with a little help from a guide, I am quickly transported to another world, one where I had to conquer my fear of heightsby walking the plank, create a masterpiece using Tilt Brush, attempt to defend villages from invaders and even partner up to fight against a zombie invasion.

Just: Things you can't do in real life,they areall now possible with VR. If you want to travel somewhere!

Casidi: Being able to put the headset on and see through someone else's eyes really gives you a better understanding of that person's perspective.

Cassie: And one of the attractions takes the virtual experience one step further. It is called Moveo, the world's first 360-degree freerotation virtual reality simulator.And trust me, this one was one virtual reality experience that was a little too real for me.

But when all was said and done, 10 hours later, I found myself ready to do it again.

Daryl: So what do you guys think?

Just: Are virtual playgrounds the next big thing?

Cassie: Vote and leave us a comment atChannelOne.com. All right, guys, let's put the pedal to the metal!We out of here!

Arielle: Cassie, you are a brave soul getting into that rotating one. I am all about this NBT.

And don't forget, if you want a chance to be on the show, send us your video responses to .

Okay, now it is game over on today's show, but we will catch you right back here tomorrow.

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