The international space station (ISS) isn't cheap:  The football field-sized laboratory has cost the U.S. alone $44 billion, and if it doesn't get the funding it needs in the years ahead, it could become useless.

Many scientists argue that would be disastrous.  They believe that research in space could lead to everything from new technology to cures for diseases.

So the question facing the U.S., the other countries that fund the ISS, and you (right now) is simple:  Is it worth it?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

On Monday, you'll hear a lot of perspectives in the case of a Muslim girl who converted to Christianity.  She ran away from her home, saying she was afraid her parents would kill her for changing her religion.  Her father says this is untrue and that she would be in no danger if she returned home.

Here is a judge's solution:  Get everyone together to discuss the issue and try to work things out.  If this happens, it would help the girl, her parents, and the organizations involved to avoid a courtroom trial.

We'd like to hear what you think of this story and solution.

Carl Azuz, Anchor

What I mean is this:  If there were one thing you could say to keep someone from dropping out, what would it be?  If there were one thing you could do, what would it be?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

On Thursday, we bring you some background and highlights from President Obama's speech and the Republican response regarding health care reform.  You can read the complete transcript of the president's address by clicking here, and you can see Rep. Charles Boustany's response by clicking here.

We'd love to get your take on this controversial issue, so please comment below!

Carl Azuz, Anchor

President Obama has a back-to-school speech coming up on Tuesday.  We'd like to know your thoughts about it:  Does it make a difference to you that the president is specifically addressing students, or does this seem like just another speech?  Are you planning to watch it, either at school or on your own?  And will hearing the president speak about the importance of staying in school influence you to do it?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

With exactly one week to go, we're getting all the elements in place for a new year of CNN Student News.  We'll have an updated look, fresh stories to tell, some new music...but the same anchor (sorry).  We're also working on a new video for our alter-ego, www.Facebook.com/CNNStudentNews.

So whether you're already back, starting next Monday, or anxiously awaiting the new school year, we're looking forward to bringing the world to your classroom from now on through 2010.

Carl Azuz, Anchor

CNN Student News is planning a special, Web-only program next Wednesday!  It'll mark the midpoint of the summer and cover some of the stories we've worked on over the break.  So when you come in from the sun, log on to www.CNNStudentNews.com on the evening of July 15th, and check us out!

Carl Azuz, Anchor

...is part of the reason I've been so SLACK on the blog.  All this week, the staff of CNN Student News has been working with 104 Atlanta-area high school students, shining up their leadership skills and showing them firsthand what takes place behind the scenes at CNN.

It's awesome.  We're covering everything that goes into television journalism, from digital media to marketing to the decisions we're faced with daily.  And as the MC, I've been working to moderate panels, ask questions, and try to stay out of trouble.

It's a chance to get out of the office, meet personally with students who watch our show, and try to give an example of effective leadership.  And it's really cool that I'm getting paid for this.

What have you been up to?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

Our last show of the school year will be on Friday, June 5.  And while we're off the air for two months, I'll be mixing together a little vacation, paycation and staycation.  Here's how that breaks down:

Beachfront = vacation

Backyard = staycation

Job = paycation

Nocation = schoolcation

What's on your calendar?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

"The perfect storm of attentional problems...the worst situation to be in":  That's how one brain researcher describes texting while driving.  The last time our blog covered the subject, more than 100 of you logged on to say that it's a bad idea.

But it doesn't take a brain expert, a blog, or a bucket full of statistics to tell you that it's dangerous to text while operating heavy equipment.  So why do you think that people still do it?  Why can't we disconnect, even if it's only for long enough to get from A to B?

Carl Azuz, Anchor