9 minutes
This is our monthly series examining the top Google Trends in the US Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Trends data is an unbiased sample of Google search data. It’s anonymized (no one is personally identified), categorized (determining the topic for a search query), and […] The post Google Trends in the US territories: August 2026 appeared first on Pasquines.
This is our monthly series examining the top Google Trends in the US Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Trends data is an unbiased sample of Google search data. It’s anonymized (no one is personally identified), categorized (determining the topic for a search query), and […] The post Google Trends in the US territories: August 2026 appeared first on Pasquines.
14 minutes
We have exciting news to share. “Dumped in Berger,” a six-month investigation by The Beacon’s Ceilidh Kern and KBIA’s Harshawn Ratanpal, has won a national Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting. The Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious honors in journalism, and we couldn’t be prouder to see this reporting recognized nationally. If […] The post The Beacon and KBIA-FM win national Murrow Award for reporting partnership ‘Dumped in Berger’ appeared first on The Beacon.
14 minutes
We have exciting news to share. “Dumped in Berger,” a six-month investigation by The Beacon’s Ceilidh Kern and KBIA’s Harshawn Ratanpal, has won a national Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting. The Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious honors in journalism, and we couldn’t be prouder to see this reporting recognized nationally. If […] The post The Beacon and KBIA-FM win national Murrow Award for reporting partnership ‘Dumped in Berger’ appeared first on The Beacon.
15 minutes
اظهارات تازه مقامهای جمهوری اسلامی، از پذیرش سهم حکومت در اعتراضات دیماه تا نگرانی از افزایش قیمت بنزین و طرح «مقابله با نفوذ»، نشانههایی از افزایش نگرانی و اختلاف در ساختار حکومت را نشان میدهد.
اظهارات تازه مقامهای جمهوری اسلامی، از پذیرش سهم حکومت در اعتراضات دیماه تا نگرانی از افزایش قیمت بنزین و طرح «مقابله با نفوذ»، نشانههایی از افزایش نگرانی و اختلاف در ساختار حکومت را نشان میدهد.
20 minutes
Sign up for Chalkbeat’s free weekly newsletter to keep up with how education is changing across the U.S.The Arizona Supreme Court effectively killed a ballot measure that would have brought significant oversight and an income cap to the state’s school voucher-like program in a ruling Tuesday. The battle over the measure brought high drama to the desert — and exposed cracks forming between conservatives over oversight of the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which families can use like vouchers on homeschooling, private school, and other expenses.Those divisions are still in play: In the state superintendent’s race, Arizona voters will choose between two candidates who disagree sharply about whether the ESAs need more regulations. Yet the ballot measure’s failure demonstrates that enacting new rules for longstanding universal school choice programs can be a difficult task in the current climate — even if some voucher supporters express qualified support for those limits. Arizona has long been a proving ground for the school choice movement. ESAs became open to all families four years ago. Some say the program represents a huge victory for families and triggered a much-needed explosion in new education models. To others, the accounts have become a boondoggle ripe for abuse.Voucher opponents had hoped to tap those concerns about misspending and ask voters directly whether to impose new regulations. Conservative school choice supporters treated the proposal like an existential threat to educational freedom, and used every tool from competing ballot measures to signature petition challenges to thwart the effort.The signature challenge ultimately carried the day. The state Supreme Court invalidated enough signatures that it appears impossible for the measure, known as the Protect Education Act, to make the ballot. The state teachers union, one of the measure’s key supporters, conceded defeat Tuesday. While a large contingent of notable Republicans, including former Gov. Doug Ducey, cheered the demise of the Protect Education Act, officials behind it wrote that the court’s ruling “does not reflect what Arizona voters want” in a statement to The Arizona Republic.Polling from late last year indicated that voters had an appetite for better management of the ESA program. What to do with that public sentiment divided school choice supporters. The American Federation for Children — a staunchly conservative organization once chaired by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — backed a compromise measure intended to defang the Protect Education Act. It accused other pro-voucher groups of “playing Russian roulette” with Arizona children’s futures. Critics of the federation shot back that the group “burned a lot of bridges locally and nationally” through its efforts in Arizona. Brian Jodice, a spokesperson for the organization, said in a statement after the state Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling that the American Federation for Children would “continue working for real solutions.”“It is wrong and reckless to risk 100,000 scholarships, every year, to keep this program unchanged and out of step with all other similar programs across the country,” he wrote.But with the Supreme Court ruling, that gamble appears to have paid off, at least for now.Robert Enlow, the president and CEO of EdChoice, said Arizona has led the way in “true parental autonomy.” Imposing any guardrails risks reversing that progress for the school choice movement, he said.“Arizona is way out in front of everyone else,” he said. “That’s where it has the real national impact.”The court’s ruling comes just weeks after the question of whether and how much to regulate ESAs emerged as a key issue in the election for the top education job in the state.Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne, a strong school choice supporter, lost his reelection bid in the July Republican primary to state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.Yee accused Horne of overstepping his authority because his office rejected some Empowerment Scholarship Account purchases by parents because it deemed them not educational expenses. Such decisions should be up to state lawmakers, she said. Horne shot back that Yee’s logic would allow people to use the accounts for suspect items, like Rolex watches.Republican primary voters favored Yee in a race that became the most expensive election to date for state superintendent, according to The Beam, an investigative news outlet.In an email to Chalkbeat, Yee wrote that she’d protect taxpayer dollars “with transparency and accountability.” She did not answer questions about whether she feels the program needs more oversight or specific new guardrails.Yee will now face Democrat Teresa Ruiz — a former community college president — in November.Ruiz, who wants to build up oversight of the program if elected, told Chalkbeat that management of the ESA program is the “number one” topic that’s come up when talking to prospective constituents. “While there are, I’m sure, some appropriate educational expenses, we also know that the un-educational things have gone through,” she said.With the ballot measure essentially dead, the superintendents’ race could become the next test for how voters feel about regulating school choice.Passing such regulations through Republican-dominated legislatures has proved challenging. And at least one recent election suggests GOP politicians could pay a price for indicating interest in them. In 2025, Florida Republicans considered legislation that would address financial mismanagement of the state’s voucher program, after an audit flagged millions of dollars that weren’t accounted for. They ultimately abandoned the effort. This year, lawmakers in West Virginia considered but did not advance legislation to try to contain the costs of vouchers. In this year’s Iowa GOP gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra expressed concerns about private schools not accepting all students using the state’s education savings accounts — only for fellow Republicans to accuse him of betrayal. He lost his June primary election, despite getting President Donald Trump’s endorsement.Meanwhile, the Democratic nominee in that election, Rob Sand, believes that calling for more regulations for vouchers is a winning issue. He has conceded, however, that there’s “no chance” Iowa will repeal the program, since Republicans have firm control of the legislature. Lily Altavena is a national reporter at Chalkbeat. Contact Lily at laltavena@chalkbeat.org. Lily is on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook.
20 minutes
Sign up for Chalkbeat’s free weekly newsletter to keep up with how education is changing across the U.S.The Arizona Supreme Court effectively killed a ballot measure that would have brought significant oversight and an income cap to the state’s school voucher-like program in a ruling Tuesday. The battle over the measure brought high drama to the desert — and exposed cracks forming between conservatives over oversight of the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which families can use like vouchers on homeschooling, private school, and other expenses.Those divisions are still in play: In the state superintendent’s race, Arizona voters will choose between two candidates who disagree sharply about whether the ESAs need more regulations. Yet the ballot measure’s failure demonstrates that enacting new rules for longstanding universal school choice programs can be a difficult task in the current climate — even if some voucher supporters express qualified support for those limits. Arizona has long been a proving ground for the school choice movement. ESAs became open to all families four years ago. Some say the program represents a huge victory for families and triggered a much-needed explosion in new education models. To others, the accounts have become a boondoggle ripe for abuse.Voucher opponents had hoped to tap those concerns about misspending and ask voters directly whether to impose new regulations. Conservative school choice supporters treated the proposal like an existential threat to educational freedom, and used every tool from competing ballot measures to signature petition challenges to thwart the effort.The signature challenge ultimately carried the day. The state Supreme Court invalidated enough signatures that it appears impossible for the measure, known as the Protect Education Act, to make the ballot. The state teachers union, one of the measure’s key supporters, conceded defeat Tuesday. While a large contingent of notable Republicans, including former Gov. Doug Ducey, cheered the demise of the Protect Education Act, officials behind it wrote that the court’s ruling “does not reflect what Arizona voters want” in a statement to The Arizona Republic.Polling from late last year indicated that voters had an appetite for better management of the ESA program. What to do with that public sentiment divided school choice supporters. The American Federation for Children — a staunchly conservative organization once chaired by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — backed a compromise measure intended to defang the Protect Education Act. It accused other pro-voucher groups of “playing Russian roulette” with Arizona children’s futures. Critics of the federation shot back that the group “burned a lot of bridges locally and nationally” through its efforts in Arizona. Brian Jodice, a spokesperson for the organization, said in a statement after the state Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling that the American Federation for Children would “continue working for real solutions.”“It is wrong and reckless to risk 100,000 scholarships, every year, to keep this program unchanged and out of step with all other similar programs across the country,” he wrote.But with the Supreme Court ruling, that gamble appears to have paid off, at least for now.Robert Enlow, the president and CEO of EdChoice, said Arizona has led the way in “true parental autonomy.” Imposing any guardrails risks reversing that progress for the school choice movement, he said.“Arizona is way out in front of everyone else,” he said. “That’s where it has the real national impact.”The court’s ruling comes just weeks after the question of whether and how much to regulate ESAs emerged as a key issue in the election for the top education job in the state.Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne, a strong school choice supporter, lost his reelection bid in the July Republican primary to state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.Yee accused Horne of overstepping his authority because his office rejected some Empowerment Scholarship Account purchases by parents because it deemed them not educational expenses. Such decisions should be up to state lawmakers, she said. Horne shot back that Yee’s logic would allow people to use the accounts for suspect items, like Rolex watches.Republican primary voters favored Yee in a race that became the most expensive election to date for state superintendent, according to The Beam, an investigative news outlet.In an email to Chalkbeat, Yee wrote that she’d protect taxpayer dollars “with transparency and accountability.” She did not answer questions about whether she feels the program needs more oversight or specific new guardrails.Yee will now face Democrat Teresa Ruiz — a former community college president — in November.Ruiz, who wants to build up oversight of the program if elected, told Chalkbeat that management of the ESA program is the “number one” topic that’s come up when talking to prospective constituents. “While there are, I’m sure, some appropriate educational expenses, we also know that the un-educational things have gone through,” she said.With the ballot measure essentially dead, the superintendents’ race could become the next test for how voters feel about regulating school choice.Passing such regulations through Republican-dominated legislatures has proved challenging. And at least one recent election suggests GOP politicians could pay a price for indicating interest in them. In 2025, Florida Republicans considered legislation that would address financial mismanagement of the state’s voucher program, after an audit flagged millions of dollars that weren’t accounted for. They ultimately abandoned the effort. This year, lawmakers in West Virginia considered but did not advance legislation to try to contain the costs of vouchers. In this year’s Iowa GOP gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra expressed concerns about private schools not accepting all students using the state’s education savings accounts — only for fellow Republicans to accuse him of betrayal. He lost his June primary election, despite getting President Donald Trump’s endorsement.Meanwhile, the Democratic nominee in that election, Rob Sand, believes that calling for more regulations for vouchers is a winning issue. He has conceded, however, that there’s “no chance” Iowa will repeal the program, since Republicans have firm control of the legislature. Lily Altavena is a national reporter at Chalkbeat. Contact Lily at laltavena@chalkbeat.org. Lily is on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook.
24 minutes
The weather pattern doesn’t guarantee flooding here, but now could be a good time to consider flood insurance, which is not included in most homeowners or renters policies.
The weather pattern doesn’t guarantee flooding here, but now could be a good time to consider flood insurance, which is not included in most homeowners or renters policies.
27 minutes
Trustees will vote Aug. 20 on whether to advance a higher tax rate. The change would add $7.72 annually for every $100,000 in taxable value.
Trustees will vote Aug. 20 on whether to advance a higher tax rate. The change would add $7.72 annually for every $100,000 in taxable value.
31 minutes
وزارت دادگستری ایالات متحده روز سهشنبه ۲۷ مرداد علیه ۱۷ عضو «مؤسسه مبنا»، یک شرکت مستقر در ایران، اعلام جرم کرد و آنها را به اجرای یک کارزار گسترده نفوذ سایبری با هدف سرقت اطلاعات دانشگاهی، تحقیقاتی، مالکیت فکری و دادههای اختصاصی متهم کرد.
وزارت دادگستری ایالات متحده روز سهشنبه ۲۷ مرداد علیه ۱۷ عضو «مؤسسه مبنا»، یک شرکت مستقر در ایران، اعلام جرم کرد و آنها را به اجرای یک کارزار گسترده نفوذ سایبری با هدف سرقت اطلاعات دانشگاهی، تحقیقاتی، مالکیت فکری و دادههای اختصاصی متهم کرد.
32 minutes
San Diego sued for misinterpreting a new state law looking to boost housing units near major transit stops.
32 minutes
San Diego sued for misinterpreting a new state law looking to boost housing units near major transit stops.
33 minutes
The Detroit Historical Society and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Tuesday launched the “Yes to Our Story” campaign, a proposal seeking a 10-year, 0.2 mill levy in Wayne and Oakland counties.
The Detroit Historical Society and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Tuesday launched the “Yes to Our Story” campaign, a proposal seeking a 10-year, 0.2 mill levy in Wayne and Oakland counties.
33 minutes
Tam Thi Nguyen passed on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 80; born July 4, 1946, Tam Thi Nguyen was a resident of Arlington.
Tam Thi Nguyen passed on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 80; born July 4, 1946, Tam Thi Nguyen was a resident of Arlington.
35 minutes
Entre os debates sobre inovação, tecnologia e futuro que marcaram o Rio Innovation Week 2026, o Finapop (Financiamento Popular da Agricultura Familiar) participou de uma conversa sobre um tema essencial para qualquer transformação no campo: como financiar quem produz os alimentos que chegam à nossa mesa? Nosso diretor executivo, Luis Costa, participou da mesa “Quem Financia […] Fonte
Entre os debates sobre inovação, tecnologia e futuro que marcaram o Rio Innovation Week 2026, o Finapop (Financiamento Popular da Agricultura Familiar) participou de uma conversa sobre um tema essencial para qualquer transformação no campo: como financiar quem produz os alimentos que chegam à nossa mesa? Nosso diretor executivo, Luis Costa, participou da mesa “Quem Financia […] Fonte
36 minutes
Астронавт ESA Софи Адено стала первой француженкой, вышедшей в открытый космос. Вместе с астронавтом NASA Анилом Меноном она провела 18 августа за пределами МКС шесть часов двадцать три минуты — с 12:29 до 18:52 GMT. Заменить старую антенну связи с Землей полностью они не успели: демонтаж болтов и электрических разъемов занял больше времени, чем планировалось, и на установку новой антенны времени не хватило. Работали на высоте около 400 км над Землей, при перепадах температур от -150 °C до +150 °C и скорости станции 28 000 км/ч. Старую антенну зафиксировали на корпусе станции. Новую установят во время следующего выхода — возможно, уже во вторник, сообщает NASA.
Астронавт ESA Софи Адено стала первой француженкой, вышедшей в открытый космос. Вместе с астронавтом NASA Анилом Меноном она провела 18 августа за пределами МКС шесть часов двадцать три минуты — с 12:29 до 18:52 GMT. Заменить старую антенну связи с Землей полностью они не успели: демонтаж болтов и электрических разъемов занял больше времени, чем планировалось, и на установку новой антенны времени не хватило. Работали на высоте около 400 км над Землей, при перепадах температур от -150 °C до +150 °C и скорости станции 28 000 км/ч. Старую антенну зафиксировали на корпусе станции. Новую установят во время следующего выхода — возможно, уже во вторник, сообщает NASA.
37 minutes
Inspired by the “Miami model” in Florida — where Miami-Dade County has been diverting nonviolent people with mental illness away from jails and into mental health facilities — Utah state, city and county leaders are taking the next steps to put a plan into action. The mastermind behind the “Miami model,” former Judge Steven Leifman, sat […]
Inspired by the “Miami model” in Florida — where Miami-Dade County has been diverting nonviolent people with mental illness away from jails and into mental health facilities — Utah state, city and county leaders are taking the next steps to put a plan into action. The mastermind behind the “Miami model,” former Judge Steven Leifman, sat […]
39 minutes
(The Center Square) – A bill that would have outlawed transactions involving glow-in-the-dark rabbits, "unicorns" and other genetically engineered animals stalled in the California Legislature this year despite bipartisan support. Assembly Bill 1382, or the Ethics Over Aesthetics Act, was introduced this year by Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, R-Corona, and concerned animals modified for aesthetics. The bill cleared every hearing and floor vote so far this year before stalling last week in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill aimed to prohibit selling, importing or offering a transgenic pet animal in the Golden State. But the legislation doesn't outlaw the genetic engineering itself. Transgenic animals, according to the most recent legislative analysis of the bill, are animals that have been genetically modified to have new traits or capabilities that are not natural. Those traits are scientifically possible to engineer in animals through genetic manipulation. Castillo’s bill, specifically, targeted transgenic animals who are genetically modified for aesthetic reasons. This can include genetically altered traits that result in glow-in-the-dark rabbits, miniature livestock animals kept as pets and animals nicknamed “unicorns," according to a press release from Castillo’s office. Castillo could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The sponsor of the bill, Social Compassion in Legislation, told The Center Square on Tuesday that the organization first became aware of the need for a bill like AB 1382 after reading about a company who was trying to genetically modify animals for aesthetic purposes. Glow-in-the-dark rabbits, in particular, pose a problem for animal advocates and animal shelter workers, said Judie Mancuso, the founder, CEO and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “This was alarming to the folks who shelter rabbits and rescue them because the influx of animals to our shelters, primarily are dogs, cats and rabbits,” Mancuso said. “The first thing that everyone thought of is can you imagine this becoming some kind of social media trend – somebody taking a picture with their blue glow-in-the-dark bunny and how everybody buys one as an accessory.” Such animals being novelties, and the novelty eventually wearing off, is worrisome and exploitative for those animals and for wildlife, Mancuso said. “Then they’re on the side of the street, they’re in our shelters, and they could be released in the wild,” Mancuso said. “We don’t even know what the ramifications are of genetically-modified animals mixing with our wildlife. There’s just no good outcome.” While the bill had dozens of groups register support this year, only one group briefly opposed the bill earlier this year. That organization, Pet Advocacy Network, submitted comments in the Jan. 16 version of the bill analysis to say the legislation would undermine current law and consumers' ability to choose. “[This bill] would override existing science-based regulatory determinations, disrupt lawful commerce, reduce consumer choice, and set a troubling precedent for banning regulated products based on aesthetics rather than evidence, all without providing any measurable animal-welfare benefit,” the group said, “AB 1382 would open the door to banning regulated products based on aesthetics or perception rather than science.” The Center Square reached out to Pet Advocacy Network on Tuesday and did not hear back before press time. The Jan. 16 analysis was the only version of the analysis in which Pet Advocacy Network registered its opposition. There was not a determined fiscal cost to implement the bill if it had passed, according to the most recent analysis, but the cost of prosecuting those who violated the law could have reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars to trial courts throughout the state. With the failure of the bill to pass this year, supporters told The Center Square they would like to see it have another chance to pass into law in 2027. “I think the merits are still completely valid, and it has received widespread bipartisan support across the aisle, so I think it does have a good shot again in the future,” said Jennifer Hauge, senior legislative affairs manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which also supported the bill.
(The Center Square) – A bill that would have outlawed transactions involving glow-in-the-dark rabbits, "unicorns" and other genetically engineered animals stalled in the California Legislature this year despite bipartisan support. Assembly Bill 1382, or the Ethics Over Aesthetics Act, was introduced this year by Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, R-Corona, and concerned animals modified for aesthetics. The bill cleared every hearing and floor vote so far this year before stalling last week in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill aimed to prohibit selling, importing or offering a transgenic pet animal in the Golden State. But the legislation doesn't outlaw the genetic engineering itself. Transgenic animals, according to the most recent legislative analysis of the bill, are animals that have been genetically modified to have new traits or capabilities that are not natural. Those traits are scientifically possible to engineer in animals through genetic manipulation. Castillo’s bill, specifically, targeted transgenic animals who are genetically modified for aesthetic reasons. This can include genetically altered traits that result in glow-in-the-dark rabbits, miniature livestock animals kept as pets and animals nicknamed “unicorns," according to a press release from Castillo’s office. Castillo could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The sponsor of the bill, Social Compassion in Legislation, told The Center Square on Tuesday that the organization first became aware of the need for a bill like AB 1382 after reading about a company who was trying to genetically modify animals for aesthetic purposes. Glow-in-the-dark rabbits, in particular, pose a problem for animal advocates and animal shelter workers, said Judie Mancuso, the founder, CEO and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “This was alarming to the folks who shelter rabbits and rescue them because the influx of animals to our shelters, primarily are dogs, cats and rabbits,” Mancuso said. “The first thing that everyone thought of is can you imagine this becoming some kind of social media trend – somebody taking a picture with their blue glow-in-the-dark bunny and how everybody buys one as an accessory.” Such animals being novelties, and the novelty eventually wearing off, is worrisome and exploitative for those animals and for wildlife, Mancuso said. “Then they’re on the side of the street, they’re in our shelters, and they could be released in the wild,” Mancuso said. “We don’t even know what the ramifications are of genetically-modified animals mixing with our wildlife. There’s just no good outcome.” While the bill had dozens of groups register support this year, only one group briefly opposed the bill earlier this year. That organization, Pet Advocacy Network, submitted comments in the Jan. 16 version of the bill analysis to say the legislation would undermine current law and consumers' ability to choose. “[This bill] would override existing science-based regulatory determinations, disrupt lawful commerce, reduce consumer choice, and set a troubling precedent for banning regulated products based on aesthetics rather than evidence, all without providing any measurable animal-welfare benefit,” the group said, “AB 1382 would open the door to banning regulated products based on aesthetics or perception rather than science.” The Center Square reached out to Pet Advocacy Network on Tuesday and did not hear back before press time. The Jan. 16 analysis was the only version of the analysis in which Pet Advocacy Network registered its opposition. There was not a determined fiscal cost to implement the bill if it had passed, according to the most recent analysis, but the cost of prosecuting those who violated the law could have reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars to trial courts throughout the state. With the failure of the bill to pass this year, supporters told The Center Square they would like to see it have another chance to pass into law in 2027. “I think the merits are still completely valid, and it has received widespread bipartisan support across the aisle, so I think it does have a good shot again in the future,” said Jennifer Hauge, senior legislative affairs manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which also supported the bill.
43 minutes
EL PASO, Texas—Gilbert Morales struggled to compose himself before addressing the El Paso City Council on Tuesday morning. Morales fought back tears as he recounted how his wife died of lung cancer in June, despite never being a smoker. He lives next to Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso Refinery, which is one of the largest sources […]
EL PASO, Texas—Gilbert Morales struggled to compose himself before addressing the El Paso City Council on Tuesday morning. Morales fought back tears as he recounted how his wife died of lung cancer in June, despite never being a smoker. He lives next to Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso Refinery, which is one of the largest sources […]
46 minutes
Court-administered naturalizations this year have fallen to a fraction of those in recent years.
Court-administered naturalizations this year have fallen to a fraction of those in recent years.
48 minutes
"We may not control federal immigration policy, but we absolutely have a say in how our local public resources are used."
"We may not control federal immigration policy, but we absolutely have a say in how our local public resources are used."
48 minutes
Sign up for Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s free newsletter to keep up with news on the city’s public school system.Typically, Philadelphia teachers and principals use state test scores from the prior school year to assess student learning, roster kids into the proper classes, and prepare for the year to come. Not this year. Several teachers told Chalkbeat this week they haven’t seen results from the 2025-26 PSSA or Keystone exams and aren’t sure why. In the past, these scores have been shared with educators and school leaders around June. Teachers returned to classrooms this week for professional development, and students will return on Aug. 24.School district officials said the holdup is with the state.The district “has been notified that the release of official statewide PSSA and Keystone results by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on hold,” district spokespeople said in a statement to Chalkbeat Tuesday. They did not respond to requests for clarification. A spokesperson from PDE did not respond to requests for comment. The delay will have ripple effects for students, educators, and school leaders. Though they have some student data from STAR benchmark exams, school staff rely in part on state assessments to determine which students need additional support, where teachers are most needed, and where extra resources should be spent. The district “cannot use the 2025-26 assessment results to evaluate year-over-year student achievement or as the required criterion for school selection,” according to its statement.Instead, students will be able to take an “alternative assessment” in the fall and submit those results. Not having state test scores for school selection could pose a host of new issues for families when that process opens on Sept. 8, but without further information from the district, any potential impact on admissions is unclear. Typically, the state releases PSSA and Keystone test data to districts early in the summer. District officials then have a period, usually from June through July, to review the data, share it with school leaders, and make sure nothing looks awry. After that, the state sends out statewide comparison data that districts can share publicly. In past years, that comparison data was shared at school board meetings by September or October. According to a field message PDE sent Tuesday morning, the statewide comparison data is still being analyzed and is not being shared publicly. However, that message confirms districts received preliminary school-level assessment data in June. It is unclear why the district wouldn’t be able to rely on those results to measure student achievement or make school selection decisions.Several Philly charter school leaders have shared preliminary state test results with their teachers, Chalkbeat has confirmed. At least one Pennsylvania school district — Conrad Weiser Area School District in Berks County — has shared its preliminary PSSA data, according to school board documents.Philadelphia is not the only district grappling with test score controversy. Testing experts are calling for an investigation into New York City’s scores, and New Jersey educators say their state score delays are forcing schools to start their academic years without crucial data. Carly Sitrin is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Contact Carly at csitrin@chalkbeat.org.
Sign up for Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s free newsletter to keep up with news on the city’s public school system.Typically, Philadelphia teachers and principals use state test scores from the prior school year to assess student learning, roster kids into the proper classes, and prepare for the year to come. Not this year. Several teachers told Chalkbeat this week they haven’t seen results from the 2025-26 PSSA or Keystone exams and aren’t sure why. In the past, these scores have been shared with educators and school leaders around June. Teachers returned to classrooms this week for professional development, and students will return on Aug. 24.School district officials said the holdup is with the state.The district “has been notified that the release of official statewide PSSA and Keystone results by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is on hold,” district spokespeople said in a statement to Chalkbeat Tuesday. They did not respond to requests for clarification. A spokesperson from PDE did not respond to requests for comment. The delay will have ripple effects for students, educators, and school leaders. Though they have some student data from STAR benchmark exams, school staff rely in part on state assessments to determine which students need additional support, where teachers are most needed, and where extra resources should be spent. The district “cannot use the 2025-26 assessment results to evaluate year-over-year student achievement or as the required criterion for school selection,” according to its statement.Instead, students will be able to take an “alternative assessment” in the fall and submit those results. Not having state test scores for school selection could pose a host of new issues for families when that process opens on Sept. 8, but without further information from the district, any potential impact on admissions is unclear. Typically, the state releases PSSA and Keystone test data to districts early in the summer. District officials then have a period, usually from June through July, to review the data, share it with school leaders, and make sure nothing looks awry. After that, the state sends out statewide comparison data that districts can share publicly. In past years, that comparison data was shared at school board meetings by September or October. According to a field message PDE sent Tuesday morning, the statewide comparison data is still being analyzed and is not being shared publicly. However, that message confirms districts received preliminary school-level assessment data in June. It is unclear why the district wouldn’t be able to rely on those results to measure student achievement or make school selection decisions.Several Philly charter school leaders have shared preliminary state test results with their teachers, Chalkbeat has confirmed. At least one Pennsylvania school district — Conrad Weiser Area School District in Berks County — has shared its preliminary PSSA data, according to school board documents.Philadelphia is not the only district grappling with test score controversy. Testing experts are calling for an investigation into New York City’s scores, and New Jersey educators say their state score delays are forcing schools to start their academic years without crucial data. Carly Sitrin is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Contact Carly at csitrin@chalkbeat.org.
49 minutes
Все, что нужно рано утром 19 августа
51 minutes
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.An education group that last year authorized “Colorado’s first public Christian school” soon will dissolve, following a Monday night vote by a key member institution.The school board in School District 49 unanimously approved the dissolution of Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or ERBOCES.Monday’s vote represents a major turnabout from two months ago, when the District 49 board briefly considered dropping out of the co-op but opted to stay another year. After 13 years of existence, ERBOCES leaves a legacy of school choice advocacy and a long string of controversies. The change of fortune for ERBOCES comes after growing scrutiny by state education officials, who this month cracked down on the co-op over what they said was an improperly constituted board, invalid contracts, and misspent state money. In addition to launching the “public Christian school,” called Riverstone Academy, ERBOCES has created dozens of publicly funded homeschool enrichment programs in the last few years. The flood of programs, including some that paid for ski passes and sports camps and others that subsidized private schools, drew the ire of state lawmakers last spring. ERBOCES is one of 21 such public education co-ops in Colorado. Most are composed of several school districts that band together to provide services such as special education. ERBOCES has operated differently, opening schools and programs that serve students across the state. About a dozen parents, students, and homeschool program providers spoke at Monday’s meeting, with several urging the board to help homeschool enrichment programs that are now in limbo and prevent students from being “collateral damage.” Others said dissolving ERBOCES will help the district avoid reputational damage, legal fees, and fines that might come with staying in the co-op. ERBOCES’ dissolution, which will take place over the coming school year, means the group can no longer authorize any schools or programs. During the wind-down process, the five-member District 49 board will take over as the co-op’s governing body and the district’s business office will assume financial oversight. ERBOCES will no longer be led by an executive director as of Sept. 15, according to the resolution approved Monday.In addition, District 49 will become the authorizer during the 2026-27 school year of six online schools previously authorized by ERBOCES: Williamsburg Academy, Pikes Peak Online School, Summit Connections Academy, and an elementary, middle, and high school all under the Colorado Preparatory Academy brand. Less clear is the fate of ERBOCES’ homeschool enrichment programs, which last year enrolled more than 8,000 students, most in one-day-a-week classes. Some closed this summer but more than 40 are up for approval by the state. According to Monday’s resolution, District 49 will not take on those programs. State officials are expected to release more information this week.Different perspectives on ERBOCESWhile District 49 board members all voted for the resolution Monday, they had different perspectives on what brought the problem to a head this summer. Board member Mike Heil urged the audience to remember that ERBOCES officials were the decision-makers who were “testing the law and finally got caught at it.” “We know for fact now, as more evidence has come forward, that some of these homeschool enrichment programs were essentially subsidizing private religious schools, and you can’t do that with public money,” he said. Board President Marie LaVere-Wright said publicly funded homeschool enrichment has been “highly, highly, highly unregulated” in Colorado because the original law that allowed it was broad and vague. “That doesn’t mean anybody … did something illegal necessarily because they operated in an unregulated environment,” she said. LaVere-Wright, who helped start ERBOCES and previously served on its board, described the group’s dissolution as an awful situation, but said it’s the right thing to do.Board member Lori Thompson, who recently joined the ERBOCES board, said the group has done incredible things.“Was every step correct?” she said. “Anyone can be a Monday morning quarterback, but I am proud of ERBOCES.”Constant controversies prompted state concernsThe demise of ERBOCES comes after a stream of controversies last school year. Those include revelations that the co-op launched Riverstone Academy at the behest of a conservative law firm to spark a lawsuit over the question of public funding for religious schools. ERBOCES filed a religious liberty lawsuit against the state in February, but the case fizzled when Riverstone closed permanently in June. ERBOCES has also drawn criticism because, for years, some of its board members have been ineligible under state law. Also, the co-op has often used contractors and subcontractors that effectively shield its programs from state oversight and public scrutiny. State lawmakers addressed some concerns about ERBOCES last spring by putting strict new limits on how and where such co-ops can authorize schools and programs. But the ongoing tumult seemed to be wearing on the group’s three members and it appeared member defections might tank ERBOCES this summer. State law requires such co-ops to have at least two member institutions, and one must be a school district.The Elizabeth School District dropped out of ERBOCES in June. District 49 considered it but opted not to. The third member, Pikes Peak State College, announced that it would leave the group in mid-August. As that deadline neared, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova urged ERBOCES to dissolve. She also chastised the group over another emerging controversy: The co-op’s plan to lend a Woodland Park charter school $3 million. But a week before Pikes Peak was set to withdraw, ERBOCES officials unearthed an old agreement that required more notice and the college agreed to stay till next summer. For a few days it seemed that ERBOCES would be able to stay open. But on Aug. 13., Córdova threw the book at ERBOCES. In a second letter urging the co-op to dissolve, she suggested that Pikes Peak State College never legally joined and that many of the group’s contracts are void because its board has been improperly constituted for years. She also ordered ERBOCES to immediately repay the state for funding provided to Riverstone Academy, citing a recent court decision. That night, District 49 Superintendent Peter Hilts recommended to his school board that ERBOCES be dissolved and Monday’s vote was quickly scheduled. Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.
51 minutes
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.An education group that last year authorized “Colorado’s first public Christian school” soon will dissolve, following a Monday night vote by a key member institution.The school board in School District 49 unanimously approved the dissolution of Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or ERBOCES.Monday’s vote represents a major turnabout from two months ago, when the District 49 board briefly considered dropping out of the co-op but opted to stay another year. After 13 years of existence, ERBOCES leaves a legacy of school choice advocacy and a long string of controversies. The change of fortune for ERBOCES comes after growing scrutiny by state education officials, who this month cracked down on the co-op over what they said was an improperly constituted board, invalid contracts, and misspent state money. In addition to launching the “public Christian school,” called Riverstone Academy, ERBOCES has created dozens of publicly funded homeschool enrichment programs in the last few years. The flood of programs, including some that paid for ski passes and sports camps and others that subsidized private schools, drew the ire of state lawmakers last spring. ERBOCES is one of 21 such public education co-ops in Colorado. Most are composed of several school districts that band together to provide services such as special education. ERBOCES has operated differently, opening schools and programs that serve students across the state. About a dozen parents, students, and homeschool program providers spoke at Monday’s meeting, with several urging the board to help homeschool enrichment programs that are now in limbo and prevent students from being “collateral damage.” Others said dissolving ERBOCES will help the district avoid reputational damage, legal fees, and fines that might come with staying in the co-op. ERBOCES’ dissolution, which will take place over the coming school year, means the group can no longer authorize any schools or programs. During the wind-down process, the five-member District 49 board will take over as the co-op’s governing body and the district’s business office will assume financial oversight. ERBOCES will no longer be led by an executive director as of Sept. 15, according to the resolution approved Monday.In addition, District 49 will become the authorizer during the 2026-27 school year of six online schools previously authorized by ERBOCES: Williamsburg Academy, Pikes Peak Online School, Summit Connections Academy, and an elementary, middle, and high school all under the Colorado Preparatory Academy brand. Less clear is the fate of ERBOCES’ homeschool enrichment programs, which last year enrolled more than 8,000 students, most in one-day-a-week classes. Some closed this summer but more than 40 are up for approval by the state. According to Monday’s resolution, District 49 will not take on those programs. State officials are expected to release more information this week.Different perspectives on ERBOCESWhile District 49 board members all voted for the resolution Monday, they had different perspectives on what brought the problem to a head this summer. Board member Mike Heil urged the audience to remember that ERBOCES officials were the decision-makers who were “testing the law and finally got caught at it.” “We know for fact now, as more evidence has come forward, that some of these homeschool enrichment programs were essentially subsidizing private religious schools, and you can’t do that with public money,” he said. Board President Marie LaVere-Wright said publicly funded homeschool enrichment has been “highly, highly, highly unregulated” in Colorado because the original law that allowed it was broad and vague. “That doesn’t mean anybody … did something illegal necessarily because they operated in an unregulated environment,” she said. LaVere-Wright, who helped start ERBOCES and previously served on its board, described the group’s dissolution as an awful situation, but said it’s the right thing to do.Board member Lori Thompson, who recently joined the ERBOCES board, said the group has done incredible things.“Was every step correct?” she said. “Anyone can be a Monday morning quarterback, but I am proud of ERBOCES.”Constant controversies prompted state concernsThe demise of ERBOCES comes after a stream of controversies last school year. Those include revelations that the co-op launched Riverstone Academy at the behest of a conservative law firm to spark a lawsuit over the question of public funding for religious schools. ERBOCES filed a religious liberty lawsuit against the state in February, but the case fizzled when Riverstone closed permanently in June. ERBOCES has also drawn criticism because, for years, some of its board members have been ineligible under state law. Also, the co-op has often used contractors and subcontractors that effectively shield its programs from state oversight and public scrutiny. State lawmakers addressed some concerns about ERBOCES last spring by putting strict new limits on how and where such co-ops can authorize schools and programs. But the ongoing tumult seemed to be wearing on the group’s three members and it appeared member defections might tank ERBOCES this summer. State law requires such co-ops to have at least two member institutions, and one must be a school district.The Elizabeth School District dropped out of ERBOCES in June. District 49 considered it but opted not to. The third member, Pikes Peak State College, announced that it would leave the group in mid-August. As that deadline neared, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova urged ERBOCES to dissolve. She also chastised the group over another emerging controversy: The co-op’s plan to lend a Woodland Park charter school $3 million. But a week before Pikes Peak was set to withdraw, ERBOCES officials unearthed an old agreement that required more notice and the college agreed to stay till next summer. For a few days it seemed that ERBOCES would be able to stay open. But on Aug. 13., Córdova threw the book at ERBOCES. In a second letter urging the co-op to dissolve, she suggested that Pikes Peak State College never legally joined and that many of the group’s contracts are void because its board has been improperly constituted for years. She also ordered ERBOCES to immediately repay the state for funding provided to Riverstone Academy, citing a recent court decision. That night, District 49 Superintendent Peter Hilts recommended to his school board that ERBOCES be dissolved and Monday’s vote was quickly scheduled. Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.