Were you living under a rock while on Christmas Break? Here are the top five news items to be aware of as students return to classes this week:

• Obama’s executive actions on gun control — President Obama announced his executive action to reduce gun violence in the United States on Tuesday. This action, which does not need Congress nor House approval, makes current laws more clear in order to help them be better enforced. These changes will attempt to increase efficiency of background checks and to tighten the “gun show” loophole.

• Branstad’s water initiative — Water quality has been a major topic around Iowa after Gov. Terry Branstad stated he is planning to ask legislators to extend the current 1 percent sales tax, a portion of which would support water quality initiatives. 

• Oregon standoff — In Oregon, an armed militia seized control of a federal wildlife reserve Jan. 2 in protest of government tyranny, and has been there ever since. The group is led by Ammon Bundy, who told authorities they want an inquiry on whether the government is forcing local ranchers off of their land, CBS News reported.   

• Rose Bowl — The University of Iowa faced off against Stanford University in Pasadena, Calif., for the Hawkeyes’ first Rose Bowl appearance in 25 years. Iowa lost 45-16.

• Don Lemon’s good time on New Year’s Eve — During live coverage of New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, CNN anchor Don Lemon seemed to have had a little too much to drink when he told guest host Kathy Griffin that she had a “nice rack.”