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Montana Democrats gathered in Helena during the weekend for their annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner — somewhat ironically referred to as “Democratic Prom” and replete with a balloon arch photo opp — to rally enthusiasm for the long slate of candidates who filed to run for office under the party banner.  On the heels of one […]

(The Center Square) – The Federalist Society hosted a webinar on Monday to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta and its potential impact on parental rights, religious liberty and public school policies involving student gender identity. The webinar, titled “Are Secret Gender Transition Policies Unconstitutional? Mirabelli v. Bonta and the New Frontier in Parental Rights,” examined whether policies allowing school officials to withhold information from parents violate constitutional protections. The panelists included Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at the Thomas More Society; John Bursch, senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy at the Alliance Defending Freedom; and Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and senior legal fellow at Defending Education. In a 6–3 decision on March 2, the Supreme Court ruled California’s policy violated the First and 14th Amendments. The case challenged guidance that critics described as “gender secrecy” policies that allowed school officials to withhold information from parents about students’ requests to change names, pronouns or their gender identity at school. “The State argues that its policies advance a compelling interest in student safety and privacy,” the majority wrote. “But those policies cut out the primary protectors of children’s best interests: their parents.” During the webinar, Breen, the attorney who represented the case, said the dispute centers on whether educators should take actions affecting students’ mental health or well-being without parental knowledge. “This is really a no-brainer, you know, to some extent, for anyone who’s got kids,” Breen said. “You just don't expect your teachers to be doing things to your children in regards to their mental health or their health generally, without you knowing.” Breen also said the legal battle may continue despite the ruling, noting California filed an emergency motion last week seeking to modify the Supreme Court’s order. Perry said parental authority has long been recognized in American law. “We have a long-standing tradition of recognizing the strength of those familial bonds and the importance of a parent's right to actually direct their child's upbringing, both in education and beyond,” Perry said. Perry also argued that social gender transitions in schools carry broader implications. “Social transition is not a neutral intervention,” she said. Perry said disputes over gender identity policies in public education could increasingly intersect with religious liberty claims and broader debates over medical care related to gender identity. “We’re going to see, I think, a battle on perspectives from the expansion of so-called gender identity within public education and within healthcare,” Perry said. “And on the other side, what that does to the religious liberty interest.” Bursch noted that some future parental rights cases may rely less exclusively on religious arguments, suggesting courts could extend similar protections to parents with moral, ethical or medical objections to school policies. The Center Square reached out to Equality California for a comment, but has not received a response.

Tiempo de lectura: 4 minutosLa Corte de Constitucionalidad rechazó las acciones legales que buscaban frenar la elección de magistrados del Tribunal Supremo Electoral, dando vía libre al Congreso para que designe este martes a las nuevas autoridades. La decisión abre la puerta para que los diputados definan la integración del TSE a partir de una nómina de 20 aspirantes ... Read more

The Waco-area school district said declining enrollments necessitated the changes. The post Connally ISD will consolidate elementary schools starting next school year appeared first on The Waco Bridge.

The issue will be discussed by the airport’s Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

The Iowa Senate passed a bill Monday updating laws for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, but declined to debate a Democrat-led amendment to strengthen water pollution regulations.  “Iowans, are you listening to the debate?” Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said on the floor. “Do you see the bills coming from departments that are completely […]

Fort Worth ISD is recruiting top teachers to transform six underperforming schools through a turnaround program.

(The Center Square) – There's some good news for filmmakers in Los Angeles. It is now cheaper to film at the famous Griffith Observatory. And the Los Angeles Central Library has reopened for filming for the first time in more than 10 years. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass made the announcement at a press conference outside the Griffith Observatory, where the filming fee has been slashed from $100,000 to $30,000. Those levels have not been seen since 2008. “It is a great day in L.A. to be celebrating and promoting our most significant industry, the entertainment industry where we impact the entire world,” said Bass, a longtime Democrat and former congresswoman. “For me, it is also a celebration of signing Executive Directive 11 that directed city departments to deliver on priorities that the entertainment industry has asked City Hall to act on for far too long.” During those conversations, Bass asked what City Hall could do to help film production inLos Angeles. “Two of the biggest priorities from the industry were to reduce the filming fees, number one, all around the city, but also here at the Griffith Observatory and to reopen LA’s Central Library to filming,” said Bass. “We have delivered on both.” The Griffith Observatory has been used for such films as "Rebel Without A Cause" (1955), "The Terminator" (1984), "The Rocketeer" (1991) and "La La Land" (2016). The Los Angeles Central Library is featured in films including 1984’s "Ghostbusters". “These locations have allowed generations of creatives to tell incredible stories, but for so many aspiring filmmakers and creatives, City Hall has made these sites inaccessible, driving away business, stopping job growth and silencing the beauty of storytelling,” said Bass, who became mayor in 2022. “As mayor, I refuse to allow this culture to continue at City Hall.” In recent years, an increasing number of films have been produced outside Los Angeles and California. Filmmakers have gone to other places such as Atlanta and the Canadian cities of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario, because of tax incentives and lower labor costs. City Councilmember Traci Park is pleased with the city's efforts to keep productions in Los Angeles. Park told The Center Square that this is exactly the kind of action the city needs. “Lowering the fees, eliminating barriers, faster permitting - that’s how we keep jobs and cameras rolling in Los Angeles,” said Park. “So if we want jobs here, we have to make it easier to film here.” Executive Directive 11 includes details such as the Port of Los Angeles reducing the time it takes to review film applications. By reducing the government-created costs imposed upon movie production in Los Angeles, Wayne Winegarden of Pasadena-based Pacific Research Institute said Mayor Bass is acknowledging that excessive government costs discourage economic activity. “This lesson applies to other industries beyond Hollywood, too,” Winegarden, a senior business fellow and economist, told The Center Square. “The mayor could ignite an economic boom in the city by consistently applying this insight to the broader business community." Park said she hears from people in her district who work in the entertainment industry. Her partner also makes movie trailers and, according to Park, has been impacted by downsizing and job loss. “I talk to people that work in sound and visual effects, costumes, makeup, stage production, and live events every day, and they are very, very excited about this,” said Park. And Park has worked with the city and producers of a reboot of "Baywatch," which is relocating to California after shooting elsewhere. The original series was filmed in Los Angeles before moving to Hawaii for its final seasons, and a 2017 "Baywatch" movie starring Dwayne Johnson was filmed in Georgia. In November, the reboot of the TV series received more than $21 million in tax credits from the California Film Commission. The latest incarnation is scheduled to premiere during the 2026-27 season on Fox. “Of course, that is a major production, so I speak to constituents that work in all elements of film and TV production and creative economy here in L.A., and they’re all very pleased about this," Park told The Center Square.

Rural school districts recently gave updates on their progress during the first year as part of a new initiative designed to improve school performance. The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is a five-year program which promotes educational improvement and innovation, focusing... The post An update from participants in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative appeared first on EdNC.

Rosemary Segurado defende candidatura do PT ao estado como fundamental para o debate político Fonte

دۆناڵد ترامپ لە کۆنگرەیەکی ڕۆژنامەوانیدا ڕۆژی دووشەممە وتی "هاوکاتی بەردەوامبوونمان لە ئۆپەراسیۆنی توڕەیی ئەفسانەیی، سەرنجمان لەسەر ڕۆیشتنی وزە و نەوتیش بۆ جیهانە. ڕێگە نادەم ڕژێمێکی تیرۆریستی، جیهان بە بارمتە بگرێت و هەوڵی بڕینی نەوتی جیهان بدات. ئەگەر ئێران هەوڵی ئەوە بدات، ئەوا ڕووبەڕووی گورزێکی زۆر قورستر دەبنەوە. من ئەو ئامانجە ئاسانانە لەناو دەبەم کە پێشتر باسم کردوون؛ ئەوەندە خێرا ئەوە دەکەین کە هەرگیز نەتوانن دووبارە بنیاتی بنێنەوە، ئەگەر بیانەوێت ئەو یارییە بکەن، باشترە هەرگیز نەچنە...

It’s the first time in over a decade that a new mayor has set the city’s spending priorities. Outlier Media · Briana Rice · Sheffield prioritizes bus driver pay, homelessness services, youth programs in $1.55B spending plan

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.The authorizer of Riverstone Academy, a controversial “public Christian school” in southern Colorado, has agreed to pay the parents of a student $20,000 to settle a special education complaint filed by the family last fall. Many details of the family’s complaint and the settlement are unclear because privacy laws shield key documents and information from the public. The highly redacted settlement agreement shows that the $20,000 payout is meant to cover “compensatory services” for the student at the center of the complaint. In general, compensatory services are makeup special education services that school systems must pay for, sometimes in response to a complaint or lawsuit. Riverstone’s authorizer, Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or ERBOCES, will pay the family in three installments over the next 10 months, according to a copy of the settlement agreement obtained by Chalkbeat through a public records request. ERBOCES is one of 21 publicly funded education co-ops in Colorado. The $20,000 settlement is the latest bump in the tumultuous life of Riverstone, which was launched last summer at the behest of a conservative law firm in order to spark a lawsuit on the question of public funding for religious schools, according to emails obtained by Chalkbeat. Riverstone opened quietly in August with about 30 kindergarten through fifth grade students. By late January, Pueblo County officials forced school officials to close Riverstone’s building — a former office in an industrial area — because of ongoing health and safety violations. The school is now operating out of a temporary location that school officials won’t reveal. In February, Riverstone and ERBOCES sued the state, alleging religious discrimination over the possibility that the state could withhold public funding from the school following an audit underway now.As part of the $20,000 settlement, ERBOCES will be required to provide training to Riverstone, the agreement says. Information about the type of training is redacted.The settlement also specifies that ERBOCES denies the family’s allegations and that the parents agree not to sue ERBOCES over the claims made in the settlement.Finally, the agreement stipulates that ERBOCES and the family can’t publicly disclose the settlement terms. In response to inquiries, “Parties agree that they will limit any verbal or written response to the following: ‘This matter has been settled by agreement, and no further comment can be made,’” the agreement states. The agreement was signed on ERBOCES’ behalf by Suzanne Romero, who is listed on the group’s website as director of special education and full-time programs. The signing date was redacted. Minutes from the Jan. 15 meeting of the five-member Riverstone Academy board shed some light on the decision to settle the family’s complaint. Under a heading titled “Mediation Update,” the partially redacted minutes indicate that without a settlement, there could be “continued litigation.” It also said Riverstone’s lawyer recommended settling based on “Public relations impact” and “Cost, risk and likelihood of success.” In response to a public records request from Chalkbeat, Colorado Department of Education officials said they could not provide any complaint or the results of any investigation because special education complaints and findings are confidential under state law. Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, covering early childhood issues and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.

Less than a month after California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced new regulations for California’s cardrooms, the cardrooms struck back on Monday filing two lawsuits to block their implementation.

Una tragedia familiar se registró la tarde de este lunes en una playa de Algarrobo, en la región de Valparaíso, . Según información recopilada por Radio Bío Bío, todo se habría originado a partir de una emergencia por inmersión que involucró a un menor de edad en la playa Mirasol. En ese contexto, las 5 … Continua leyendo "Tragedia familiar en playa de Algarrobo: 5 personas mueren tras intentar rescatar a menor desde el mar" The post Tragedia familiar en playa de Algarrobo: 5 personas mueren tras intentar rescatar a menor desde el mar appeared first on BioBioChile.

Julio César Rodríguez sufrió un estrepitoso chascarro al caer de una silla en pleno despacho con el programa “Hay que decirlo”. El hecho ocurrió este lunes en el programa de Canal 13, donde el periodista abordó su salida de Chilevisión luego de 13 años como rostro de la estación privada. Rodríguez escuchaba los comentarios del … Continua leyendo "Julio César Rodríguez tuvo estrepitosa caída en pleno despacho con Canal 13" The post Julio César Rodríguez tuvo estrepitosa caída en pleno despacho con Canal 13 appeared first on BioBioChile.

Sergio Arribas firma un doblete en el triunfo rojiblanco ante la Cultural.

Tiempo de lectura: 4 minutosLa Corte de Constitucionalidad rechazó, por mayoría, una apelación de la PGN y mantiene el beneficio que evita que dos constructores condenados en el caso del Libramiento de Chimaltenango pagaran reparación al Estado. El fallo fue respaldado por Roberto Molina Barreto, Dina Ochoa, Nester Vásquez, Luis Rosales y Walter Jiménez Texaj, mientras que Leyla Lemus ... Read more

À Madagascar, dix jours seulement après avoir transmis le calendrier de la transition à la Communauté de développement d'Afrique australe (SADC), le colonel Michaël Randrianirina a brutalement décidé de mettre fin aux fonctions de son Premier ministre et de l'ensemble du gouvernement. Entre promesses de résultats non tenues, ultimatum de la jeunesse et pression d'une société civile qui dénonce une dérive autoritaire, le pouvoir de la Refondation opère un virage risqué pour tenter de reprendre la main.

Los nuevos pórticos Free Flow del Acceso Sur fueron inaugurados por el Ministerio de Obras Públicas (MOP). La iniciativa busca eliminar las barreras de peaje para mejorar la experiencia de desplazamiento de los ciudadanos que entran y salen de la capital por este sector. El Gobierno busca modernizar la infraestructura vial y disminuir la congestión … Continua leyendo "Inauguran sistema Free Flow en Acceso Sur a Santiago y ya toda la RM deja atrás las barreras de peaje" The post Inauguran sistema Free Flow en Acceso Sur a Santiago y ya toda la RM deja atrás las barreras de peaje appeared first on BioBioChile.