The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with President Trump warning Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations.

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The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with President Trump warning Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations.

Sign up for Chalkbeat Colorado’s free daily newsletter to get the latest reporting from us, plus curated news from other Colorado outlets, delivered to your inbox.Before a ban on cellphones, Jill Haffley said her classroom “was like Vegas.”“The cellphones were lighting up all the time,” said Haffley, who was a teacher for 30 years before being elected to the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board.Weary of the distractions, Haffley ran for office in 2023 on a platform of banning cellphones, and the 23,000-student District 11 did it starting in the fall of 2024. Haffley said that if you ask a group of students what it’s been like to go phone-free, they’ll say they don’t like it.“But you get them individually and one girl told me, ‘Thank you for this. I can breathe again. I don’t have to continue to look at my phone every time I get a notification and I can blame it on you,’” Haffley said. “Our job is to educate these kids and we can’t educate them when their minds are constantly on their cellphones.”Haffley was one of four school board members and superintendents who spoke to the Colorado State Board of Education Wednesday about their experience with cellphone bans. Under state law, all 179 Colorado school districts must adopt a cellphone use policy by July 1. That policy doesn’t have to be a prohibition, but many districts are moving in that direction. The state’s largest district, Denver Public Schools, adopted a bell-to-bell ban this week.Panelists said adults were as much to blame for cellphone distractions as kids. Parents would send their teenagers cute emojis or “thinking of you” texts during class, Haffley said. That was sweet — but also frustrating if 35 students’ phones were dinging during a lesson, she said.Brian Hill, the superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction, said students told him their parents were sending them TikTok videos of cats and their athletic coaches were texting them about practice. Haffley said a mother relayed that her anxiety would go “through the roof” if she couldn’t get ahold of her sophomore whenever she wanted.Parents were especially worried about contacting their children during a school shooting or other emergencies, the panelists said. The superintendents said they understand that fear but there are safer ways of receiving emergency notifications and less distracting ways of relaying messages.“Without trying to sound like a jerk, we have landlines in all of our schools,” Hill said. “You can call the front office if it’s an emergency and you can get a message through to your kiddo.”The districts varied in how they made their decisions to ban cellphones and how they explained the reasoning to families. While District 51 relied heavily on research that shows cellphone and social media use leads to increased anxiety and depression in children, District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal said his district is “not in the wellness game.” Instead, Gaal stressed the importance of creating a “neutral learning environment” where the primacy of instruction is protected and students aren’t influenced “by one constituency or another.” In addition to banning cellphones, the district banned all flags except for the American and Colorado flags, with exceptions for geography classes, Gaal said.Aspen School District Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry said his district gathered feedback from the community. Unsurprisingly, it was mixed. He decided it was important not to belabor the process.“Spending too much time collecting the data and doing community outreach is probably not as necessary as you think,” he said, noting that districts can always change their policies later.District 51 is doing just that. The district’s policy it adopted in 2024 allowed high school students to use their cellphones when they weren’t in class. But this fall, District 51 will switch to a bell-to-bell ban for all grades. Hill said he’s only gotten one upset email.“This notion that everyone is going to start bombarding your email inbox when you implement it — I haven’t seen it,” he said.Not that making a cellphone ban work is easy. All four panelists said students will find creative ways around any ban. At schools that require students to lock their cellphones in pouches, teenagers will lock up dummy burner phones or even phones made out of Legos instead, the panelists said. They’ll hide wireless earbuds under their hair or wear knit caps with earphones built in.Haffley said her nephew told her he could buy a $3 magnet on Amazon that would unlock the pouch that his school uses. She told him he could spend that $3 if he wanted, but if he got caught, the district’s policy would require his mother to come to the school to pick up his confiscated phone.Consistent enforcement is key, the superintendents said. And the longer the bans are in place, they said, the more a school’s culture shifts from scrolling at lunch to talking at lunch.“We went back into the cafeterias, we went back into the hallways, we went back into the gymnasiums, and you know what we heard?” Mulberry said. “Noise.”Melanie Asmar is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org.

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Sign up for Chalkbeat Colorado’s free daily newsletter to get the latest reporting from us, plus curated news from other Colorado outlets, delivered to your inbox.Before a ban on cellphones, Jill Haffley said her classroom “was like Vegas.”“The cellphones were lighting up all the time,” said Haffley, who was a teacher for 30 years before being elected to the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board.Weary of the distractions, Haffley ran for office in 2023 on a platform of banning cellphones, and the 23,000-student District 11 did it starting in the fall of 2024. Haffley said that if you ask a group of students what it’s been like to go phone-free, they’ll say they don’t like it.“But you get them individually and one girl told me, ‘Thank you for this. I can breathe again. I don’t have to continue to look at my phone every time I get a notification and I can blame it on you,’” Haffley said. “Our job is to educate these kids and we can’t educate them when their minds are constantly on their cellphones.”Haffley was one of four school board members and superintendents who spoke to the Colorado State Board of Education Wednesday about their experience with cellphone bans. Under state law, all 179 Colorado school districts must adopt a cellphone use policy by July 1. That policy doesn’t have to be a prohibition, but many districts are moving in that direction. The state’s largest district, Denver Public Schools, adopted a bell-to-bell ban this week.Panelists said adults were as much to blame for cellphone distractions as kids. Parents would send their teenagers cute emojis or “thinking of you” texts during class, Haffley said. That was sweet — but also frustrating if 35 students’ phones were dinging during a lesson, she said.Brian Hill, the superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction, said students told him their parents were sending them TikTok videos of cats and their athletic coaches were texting them about practice. Haffley said a mother relayed that her anxiety would go “through the roof” if she couldn’t get ahold of her sophomore whenever she wanted.Parents were especially worried about contacting their children during a school shooting or other emergencies, the panelists said. The superintendents said they understand that fear but there are safer ways of receiving emergency notifications and less distracting ways of relaying messages.“Without trying to sound like a jerk, we have landlines in all of our schools,” Hill said. “You can call the front office if it’s an emergency and you can get a message through to your kiddo.”The districts varied in how they made their decisions to ban cellphones and how they explained the reasoning to families. While District 51 relied heavily on research that shows cellphone and social media use leads to increased anxiety and depression in children, District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal said his district is “not in the wellness game.” Instead, Gaal stressed the importance of creating a “neutral learning environment” where the primacy of instruction is protected and students aren’t influenced “by one constituency or another.” In addition to banning cellphones, the district banned all flags except for the American and Colorado flags, with exceptions for geography classes, Gaal said.Aspen School District Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry said his district gathered feedback from the community. Unsurprisingly, it was mixed. He decided it was important not to belabor the process.“Spending too much time collecting the data and doing community outreach is probably not as necessary as you think,” he said, noting that districts can always change their policies later.District 51 is doing just that. The district’s policy it adopted in 2024 allowed high school students to use their cellphones when they weren’t in class. But this fall, District 51 will switch to a bell-to-bell ban for all grades. Hill said he’s only gotten one upset email.“This notion that everyone is going to start bombarding your email inbox when you implement it — I haven’t seen it,” he said.Not that making a cellphone ban work is easy. All four panelists said students will find creative ways around any ban. At schools that require students to lock their cellphones in pouches, teenagers will lock up dummy burner phones or even phones made out of Legos instead, the panelists said. They’ll hide wireless earbuds under their hair or wear knit caps with earphones built in.Haffley said her nephew told her he could buy a $3 magnet on Amazon that would unlock the pouch that his school uses. She told him he could spend that $3 if he wanted, but if he got caught, the district’s policy would require his mother to come to the school to pick up his confiscated phone.Consistent enforcement is key, the superintendents said. And the longer the bans are in place, they said, the more a school’s culture shifts from scrolling at lunch to talking at lunch.“We went back into the cafeterias, we went back into the hallways, we went back into the gymnasiums, and you know what we heard?” Mulberry said. “Noise.”Melanie Asmar is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org.

TOPEKA — An estimated 650,000 visitors will flood the Kansas City area over the course of the monthlong FIFA World Cup, which chose Kansas and Missouri as the home for four teams and at least six matches. The event catalyzed a major transportation expansion, created temporary diplomatic offices and established dedicated health care infrastructure to […]

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TOPEKA — An estimated 650,000 visitors will flood the Kansas City area over the course of the monthlong FIFA World Cup, which chose Kansas and Missouri as the home for four teams and at least six matches. The event catalyzed a major transportation expansion, created temporary diplomatic offices and established dedicated health care infrastructure to […]

Wezîrê Cengê yê Amerîkayê Pete Hegseth îro Çarşemê behsa êrîşên Amerîka yên li dijî Îranê kir û got ku ew dê bihez û zelal bin. Hegseth di axaftinekê de ji rojnamevanan re got, “Ew êrîşên ku îşev dê çêbibin dê bi hêz bin - ew ê zelal bin.” Wezîrê Cengê got, “Eger pêwîst be ku ew [êrîş] sibê bi şev bibin, wê hingê ew ê bi hêz bin û ew ê zelal bin.” Wî got, “Îranê derfetek heye ku peymanekê bike.” “Fermandarîya Navendî dê îşev mijûl be ji ber ku serok Trump got ku em ê bi hişyarî li Îranê...

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Dengê Amerîka
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Wezîrê Cengê yê Amerîkayê Pete Hegseth îro Çarşemê behsa êrîşên Amerîka yên li dijî Îranê kir û got ku ew dê bihez û zelal bin. Hegseth di axaftinekê de ji rojnamevanan re got, “Ew êrîşên ku îşev dê çêbibin dê bi hêz bin - ew ê zelal bin.” Wezîrê Cengê got, “Eger pêwîst be ku ew [êrîş] sibê bi şev bibin, wê hingê ew ê bi hêz bin û ew ê zelal bin.” Wî got, “Îranê derfetek heye ku peymanekê bike.” “Fermandarîya Navendî dê îşev mijûl be ji ber ku serok Trump got ku em ê bi hişyarî li Îranê...

دۆناڵد ترامپ، سەرۆکی ویلایەتە یەکگرتوەکانی ئەمەریکا ئێوارەی ڕۆژی چوارشەممە ڕایگەیاند لە مانگی ڕابردووەوە بە فەرمانی ئەو زیاتر لە 100 ملیۆن بەرمیل نەوت و 200 کەشتی بازرگانی بە تەنگەی هورمزدا تێپەڕیون. ئەمەش لە کاتێکدایە کە هێزە سەربازییەکانی کۆماری ئیسلامی لەگەڵ دەستپێکردنی شەڕی ئەمەریکا و ئیسرائیل لە دژی ئێران تەنگەی هورمزیان داخست و دوای ئاگربەست، سوپای ئەمەریکا گەمارۆی دەریایی بۆ سەر بەندەرەکانی ئێران دەستپێکرد. دۆناڵد ترامپ لە تۆڕی کۆمەڵایەتی تروث سۆشیال نووسیویەتی لە مانگی پێنجدا...

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ده‌نگی ئه‌مه‌ریکا
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دۆناڵد ترامپ، سەرۆکی ویلایەتە یەکگرتوەکانی ئەمەریکا ئێوارەی ڕۆژی چوارشەممە ڕایگەیاند لە مانگی ڕابردووەوە بە فەرمانی ئەو زیاتر لە 100 ملیۆن بەرمیل نەوت و 200 کەشتی بازرگانی بە تەنگەی هورمزدا تێپەڕیون. ئەمەش لە کاتێکدایە کە هێزە سەربازییەکانی کۆماری ئیسلامی لەگەڵ دەستپێکردنی شەڕی ئەمەریکا و ئیسرائیل لە دژی ئێران تەنگەی هورمزیان داخست و دوای ئاگربەست، سوپای ئەمەریکا گەمارۆی دەریایی بۆ سەر بەندەرەکانی ئێران دەستپێکرد. دۆناڵد ترامپ لە تۆڕی کۆمەڵایەتی تروث سۆشیال نووسیویەتی لە مانگی پێنجدا...

21 minutes

Washington State Standard
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Washington’s desire to accelerate clean energy development will be in the spotlight Thursday when the state Supreme Court considers whether a state panel and a former governor bypassed permitting requirements en route to approving a major wind farm. Opponents of the Horse Heaven wind project contend that, in looking to act expeditiously, the state Energy Facility […]

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Washington State Standard
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Washington’s desire to accelerate clean energy development will be in the spotlight Thursday when the state Supreme Court considers whether a state panel and a former governor bypassed permitting requirements en route to approving a major wind farm. Opponents of the Horse Heaven wind project contend that, in looking to act expeditiously, the state Energy Facility […]

Pretendemos, no presente ensaio, tendo como base estudos anteriores (2023), acompanhar a evolução do papel da mulher, na China, seja do ponto de vista social, seja do ponto de vista jurídico e político-económico. Antes de mais, convém notar que, ao refletirmos sobre a trajetória sociopolítica e jurídica da mulher chinesa, sejamos conduzidos a valores e […] Fonte

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Pretendemos, no presente ensaio, tendo como base estudos anteriores (2023), acompanhar a evolução do papel da mulher, na China, seja do ponto de vista social, seja do ponto de vista jurídico e político-económico. Antes de mais, convém notar que, ao refletirmos sobre a trajetória sociopolítica e jurídica da mulher chinesa, sejamos conduzidos a valores e […] Fonte

A late, unexpected request for additional money made by two of the warmup acts scheduled to perform at the upcoming America250 in Idaho Capitol Celebration in Boise played a role in setting off a contentious public argument between two statewide elected officials Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.  For more than a year […]

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Idaho Capital Sun
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A late, unexpected request for additional money made by two of the warmup acts scheduled to perform at the upcoming America250 in Idaho Capitol Celebration in Boise played a role in setting off a contentious public argument between two statewide elected officials Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.  For more than a year […]

美国国家男子足球队即将迎来世界杯,他们希望利用主场优势,在本届赛事中取得比过去四届世界杯更好的成绩。作为三支东道主球队之一,美国队还希望能够在世界杯淘汰赛阶段取得佳绩,从而进一步激发公众对足球运动的热情。近年来,足球在美国的球迷群体持续增长,但与美国一些传统体育项目相比,其受欢迎程度仍然相对较低。

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美国之音
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美国国家男子足球队即将迎来世界杯,他们希望利用主场优势,在本届赛事中取得比过去四届世界杯更好的成绩。作为三支东道主球队之一,美国队还希望能够在世界杯淘汰赛阶段取得佳绩,从而进一步激发公众对足球运动的热情。近年来,足球在美国的球迷群体持续增长,但与美国一些传统体育项目相比,其受欢迎程度仍然相对较低。

The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday barring children under 14 from creating accounts on social media apps the state deems “addictive,” opening platforms up to fines and litigation if they fail to comply. House Bill 301 sets out various criteria for whether social media should be considered addictive, including whether 10% of […]

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The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday barring children under 14 from creating accounts on social media apps the state deems “addictive,” opening platforms up to fines and litigation if they fail to comply. House Bill 301 sets out various criteria for whether social media should be considered addictive, including whether 10% of […]

29 minutes

Fort Worth Report
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As costs rise and revenues tighten, public colleges across the state are navigating tuition concerns. TCC shows what that means locally.

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As costs rise and revenues tighten, public colleges across the state are navigating tuition concerns. TCC shows what that means locally.

29 minutes

South Carolina Daily Gazette
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Most incumbents facing challengers held onto their seats, meaning little change in the Statehouse's makeup this year.

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South Carolina Daily Gazette
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Most incumbents facing challengers held onto their seats, meaning little change in the Statehouse's makeup this year.

Sign up for Chalkbeat Chicago’s free daily newsletter to keep up with the latest news on Chicago Public Schools.Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King’s summer is already off to an unconventional start — testifying in front of Congress just a few months after officially landing the superintendent role.The Republican-led U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing Wednesday morning where King answered a litany of questions on the district’s policies on gender identity, sex education, abortion, and religious freedom. It’s the latest in an ongoing saga that has placed CPS under federal scrutiny for its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.CPS has had an especially strained relationship with the Trump administration over the past year and a half. Two months after Trump took office, conservative groups filed federal Title IX complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging CPS’ LGBTQ protections violated the anti-discrimination clause. Then in September, federal officials pulled magnet school grant funding. The district is also under investigation by the Office for Civil Rights for its Black Student Success Plan — an initiative meant to improve conditions for Black students and teachers — for alleged race-based discrimination. “Whether it’s building community partnerships, advocating for our schools or testifying before Congress as she’s done today, we applaud [Dr. King’s] unwavering commitment to keeping students and families at the center,” Chicago Board of Education President Sean Harden told reporters after the hearing Wednesday. Alongside King, two other superintendents spoke before the committee — Maria Su from San Francisco Unified School District and Aaron Spence from Virginia’s Loudoun County Public Schools. All three school districts are located in largely Democratic-leaning areas and implement progressive policies. But King’s appearance was under different circumstances from Su and Spence. The committee ordered King to answer its questions in person by subpoenaing her last month. King acknowledged the legal order in her opening statements, attributing it to “complicated scheduling issues and some underlying privacy concerns.”Earlier this week, America First Legal filed federal complaints to the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice calling for investigations into each of the school districts in question. The organization, co-founded by White House senior advisor Stephen Miller, largely focused its grievance on issues regarding gender and sexuality in schools.Questioning lasted for about three hours. Here are the noteworthy takeaways from King’s testimony.King’s testimony style? An even tone with brief responsesHeading into Wednesday’s hearing, it was no surprise that King was called to testify on the district’s policies. Chicago already found itself in the hot seat about a year ago when Mayor Brandon Johnson was called to testify in front of Congress about the city’s immigration laws.King’s testimony approach wasn’t nearly as combative as previous exchanges between the district and the Trump administration. Instead, King kept a steady tone and took several opportunities to affirm that CPS values parental input. She kept most of her answers concise, and at times, didn’t answer “yes” or “no” to questions she was asked to do so. King answered many questions by saying: “CPS is in compliance with Illinois state law.” “Dr. King emphasized that CPS policies are rooted in law, the District’s mission and values. Above all else, Dr. King emphasized the District must always prioritize the best interests of students and their families,” CPS said in a written statement after the hearing.Those blunt answers sometimes elicited frustration from Republicans, who cut King off a few times. It also led to several reprimands about CPS’ academic performance and massive budget deficit.“CPS has shown it is far more interested in sidelining parents and advancing radical gender ideology than ensuring students can read, write, and perform math at grade level,” said Republican Rep. Mary Miller, Illinois’ sole member on the committee.Most Republicans focused on gender identity and sexuality, while Democrats pointed to other issuesAll three superintendents fielded questions on school rules related to gender identity and sexuality. For CPS, policies about transgender students’ sleeping situations for overnight field trips and their ability to use the locker room for the gender they identify with came under fire.“If a student is transitioning and they have gone through the eligibility process and it has been approved according to Illinois policy, that would be considered on a case by case basis,” King said, when pressed by North Carolina Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx on transgender girls being allowed to sleep in the same room as cisgender girls.Republicans also raised concerns about Chicago’s sex education curriculum teaching about puberty blockers, as well as school staff calling students by a different pronoun or name than they use at home. Several referenced recent actions by the U.S. Supreme Court that expanded a parent’s authority over their child’s education as evidence that the school districts in question Wednesday were not complying with federal laws. The Democratic committee members used their time to bring up other issues in education they saw as more pressing: budget cuts, immigration enforcement, and school shootings. Several Democrats also apologized to the superintendents for some of the fiery statements made by Republican lawmakers.“You know what you do, you’re good at what you do,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat from Connecticut. “Do not be intimidated by this committee.”May Day protests scrutinizedOne topic that got fewer mentions in committee — but more in-depth answers from King — was the district’s approach to May Day. In an agreement last month between the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS, the city’s schools stayed open that day and provided a full day of instruction, which included lessons on civic engagement and labor. As part of May Day, CPS approved and provided transportation for 40 field trips — with about 2,200 of the district’s 315,000 students involved. Some of those trips was to a downtown pro-labor, anti-Trump rally, which was called into question during Wednesday’s hearing. King defended CPS’ handling of May Day, saying it was part of the district’s goal to “engage students civically.” When asked if field trips would be approved for protests aligned with conservative causes, King emphasized that the day of instruction was “not a politically slanted event.”“The curriculum was expansive and there were options,” King said. “The curriculum was still decided at the school level, and so were the field trips.”King also tentatively agreed to a lawmaker’s demand that the district investigate a May Day field trip permission slip that said students would “engage in political advocacy.”Reema Amin contributed to this report.Makiya Seminera is a reporter covering how the state and federal government affect education in Chicago and across Illinois. Contact Makiya at mseminera@chalkbeat.org.

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Sign up for Chalkbeat Chicago’s free daily newsletter to keep up with the latest news on Chicago Public Schools.Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King’s summer is already off to an unconventional start — testifying in front of Congress just a few months after officially landing the superintendent role.The Republican-led U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing Wednesday morning where King answered a litany of questions on the district’s policies on gender identity, sex education, abortion, and religious freedom. It’s the latest in an ongoing saga that has placed CPS under federal scrutiny for its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.CPS has had an especially strained relationship with the Trump administration over the past year and a half. Two months after Trump took office, conservative groups filed federal Title IX complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging CPS’ LGBTQ protections violated the anti-discrimination clause. Then in September, federal officials pulled magnet school grant funding. The district is also under investigation by the Office for Civil Rights for its Black Student Success Plan — an initiative meant to improve conditions for Black students and teachers — for alleged race-based discrimination. “Whether it’s building community partnerships, advocating for our schools or testifying before Congress as she’s done today, we applaud [Dr. King’s] unwavering commitment to keeping students and families at the center,” Chicago Board of Education President Sean Harden told reporters after the hearing Wednesday. Alongside King, two other superintendents spoke before the committee — Maria Su from San Francisco Unified School District and Aaron Spence from Virginia’s Loudoun County Public Schools. All three school districts are located in largely Democratic-leaning areas and implement progressive policies. But King’s appearance was under different circumstances from Su and Spence. The committee ordered King to answer its questions in person by subpoenaing her last month. King acknowledged the legal order in her opening statements, attributing it to “complicated scheduling issues and some underlying privacy concerns.”Earlier this week, America First Legal filed federal complaints to the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice calling for investigations into each of the school districts in question. The organization, co-founded by White House senior advisor Stephen Miller, largely focused its grievance on issues regarding gender and sexuality in schools.Questioning lasted for about three hours. Here are the noteworthy takeaways from King’s testimony.King’s testimony style? An even tone with brief responsesHeading into Wednesday’s hearing, it was no surprise that King was called to testify on the district’s policies. Chicago already found itself in the hot seat about a year ago when Mayor Brandon Johnson was called to testify in front of Congress about the city’s immigration laws.King’s testimony approach wasn’t nearly as combative as previous exchanges between the district and the Trump administration. Instead, King kept a steady tone and took several opportunities to affirm that CPS values parental input. She kept most of her answers concise, and at times, didn’t answer “yes” or “no” to questions she was asked to do so. King answered many questions by saying: “CPS is in compliance with Illinois state law.” “Dr. King emphasized that CPS policies are rooted in law, the District’s mission and values. Above all else, Dr. King emphasized the District must always prioritize the best interests of students and their families,” CPS said in a written statement after the hearing.Those blunt answers sometimes elicited frustration from Republicans, who cut King off a few times. It also led to several reprimands about CPS’ academic performance and massive budget deficit.“CPS has shown it is far more interested in sidelining parents and advancing radical gender ideology than ensuring students can read, write, and perform math at grade level,” said Republican Rep. Mary Miller, Illinois’ sole member on the committee.Most Republicans focused on gender identity and sexuality, while Democrats pointed to other issuesAll three superintendents fielded questions on school rules related to gender identity and sexuality. For CPS, policies about transgender students’ sleeping situations for overnight field trips and their ability to use the locker room for the gender they identify with came under fire.“If a student is transitioning and they have gone through the eligibility process and it has been approved according to Illinois policy, that would be considered on a case by case basis,” King said, when pressed by North Carolina Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx on transgender girls being allowed to sleep in the same room as cisgender girls.Republicans also raised concerns about Chicago’s sex education curriculum teaching about puberty blockers, as well as school staff calling students by a different pronoun or name than they use at home. Several referenced recent actions by the U.S. Supreme Court that expanded a parent’s authority over their child’s education as evidence that the school districts in question Wednesday were not complying with federal laws. The Democratic committee members used their time to bring up other issues in education they saw as more pressing: budget cuts, immigration enforcement, and school shootings. Several Democrats also apologized to the superintendents for some of the fiery statements made by Republican lawmakers.“You know what you do, you’re good at what you do,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat from Connecticut. “Do not be intimidated by this committee.”May Day protests scrutinizedOne topic that got fewer mentions in committee — but more in-depth answers from King — was the district’s approach to May Day. In an agreement last month between the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS, the city’s schools stayed open that day and provided a full day of instruction, which included lessons on civic engagement and labor. As part of May Day, CPS approved and provided transportation for 40 field trips — with about 2,200 of the district’s 315,000 students involved. Some of those trips was to a downtown pro-labor, anti-Trump rally, which was called into question during Wednesday’s hearing. King defended CPS’ handling of May Day, saying it was part of the district’s goal to “engage students civically.” When asked if field trips would be approved for protests aligned with conservative causes, King emphasized that the day of instruction was “not a politically slanted event.”“The curriculum was expansive and there were options,” King said. “The curriculum was still decided at the school level, and so were the field trips.”King also tentatively agreed to a lawmaker’s demand that the district investigate a May Day field trip permission slip that said students would “engage in political advocacy.”Reema Amin contributed to this report.Makiya Seminera is a reporter covering how the state and federal government affect education in Chicago and across Illinois. Contact Makiya at mseminera@chalkbeat.org.

A ruling Wednesday by the Florida Supreme Court ensures that DeSantis' Republican-friendly congressional map will remain in effect in the 2026 midterms The post ‘Total victory’: Florida’s top court allows use of DeSantis’ new congressional maps appeared first on The Florida Trib.

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A ruling Wednesday by the Florida Supreme Court ensures that DeSantis' Republican-friendly congressional map will remain in effect in the 2026 midterms The post ‘Total victory’: Florida’s top court allows use of DeSantis’ new congressional maps appeared first on The Florida Trib.

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Amarillo Tribune
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It cited rising costs, shifting payor dynamics, and a challenging policy environment as the cause of the layoffs. The post Approximately 60 affected by layoffs at top Amarillo employers  appeared first on Amarillo Tribune.

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It cited rising costs, shifting payor dynamics, and a challenging policy environment as the cause of the layoffs. The post Approximately 60 affected by layoffs at top Amarillo employers  appeared first on Amarillo Tribune.

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Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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At Milwaukee’s first Vision Zero Summit, community members and leaders gathered to learn and share ideas on how to prevent traffic deaths. The post Vision Zero Summit brings together residents to increase Milwaukee traffic safety appeared first on Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.

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At Milwaukee’s first Vision Zero Summit, community members and leaders gathered to learn and share ideas on how to prevent traffic deaths. The post Vision Zero Summit brings together residents to increase Milwaukee traffic safety appeared first on Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.

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Saiba mais sobre o estádio mais moderno e caro do mundo, que será palco da estreia dos Estados Unidos na Copa O post SoFi Stadium: o estádio mais caro do mundo apareceu primeiro em Mídia NINJA.

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Saiba mais sobre o estádio mais moderno e caro do mundo, que será palco da estreia dos Estados Unidos na Copa O post SoFi Stadium: o estádio mais caro do mundo apareceu primeiro em Mídia NINJA.

More than 1,000 pharmacies have shuttered across Pennsylvania since 2020 – and for years, a group of state lawmakers has been working to stem the closures through legislative action.

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More than 1,000 pharmacies have shuttered across Pennsylvania since 2020 – and for years, a group of state lawmakers has been working to stem the closures through legislative action.

Strong, reliable winds blowing over Australia’s southern seas make offshore wind farms appealing. These winds are set to stay strong.

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Strong, reliable winds blowing over Australia’s southern seas make offshore wind farms appealing. These winds are set to stay strong.

A key climate warning sign just hit a record high.

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A key climate warning sign just hit a record high.