Latest news with #SchoolDistrict
3 hours ago
- Business
Nevada's regular 2025 legislative session ends. Voter ID is among the key bills to pass
CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Nevada lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Legislature ended their 2025 regular session early Tuesday after a flurry of final day action. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is expected to take action by next week on the hundreds of bills that passed. The first-term governor vetoed a record 75 bills in 2023. Nevada lawmakers meet every other year in odd years. Ahead of the session, Lombardo had urged the Legislature to put politics aside and come together to find solutions for such issues as affordable housing and education. Some of his major bills failed, including a wide-ranging bill that would have created stiffer penalties for certain crimes, but he won in other areas including elections and education. Here is a look at some of the notable bills that passed and failed during this year's 120-day session in Carson City. VOTER ID AND MORE BALLOT BOXES: Signaling a major compromise, lawmakers passed a bill on the final day of the session that revived Democrats' vetoed effort to add more mail ballot drop boxes around the state ahead of an election in exchange for new voter ID requirements that Lombardo supports. It marks a significant shift for Nevada Democrats, who have long opposed GOP-led efforts to require photo identification from voters at the polls and comes on the heels of voters in November passing a voter ID ballot measure. It would have to pass again in 2026 in order to amend the state constitution. PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR NONPARTISAN VOTERS: A week before the session ended, Yeager introduced a bill as an emergency request that would allow nonpartisan voters to cast a ballot in Republican or Democratic primary elections, excluding presidential primaries. It passed. Voters registered as nonpartisan outnumber both major parties in the swing state. The bill is different from the effort voters rejected in November that would have implemented open primaries and ranked-choice voting for all voters. TEACHER RAISES: Lawmakers in both chambers overwhelmingly approved a bill that includes pay raises for teachers at charters schools. Lombardo had said he would not approve the state's education budget if it left out raises for charter school teachers, which Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, a Democrat, then added to the bill. SCHOOL POLICE USE OF FORCE: The proposal approved by lawmakers would require the Clark County School District's police department to make public its data on officer use of force, including the use of stun guns, batons and pepper spray. The school district is the fifth-largest in the nation and has its own police department. 'ATTAINABLE' HOUSING: Lombardo's bill aimed at expanding affordable housing, one of his top priorities this session, would allocate $133 million in state funds for housing projects for what he calls the 'missing middle" who can't afford to buy a home but don't currently qualify for affordable housing. It passed. RENTER PROTECTIONS: A handful of bills aimed at expanding protections for renters passed on party lines. They include a proposal that would create a pilot program capping rent prices for seniors for a year, and another that would allow tenants to quickly file legal complaints against landlords for unsafe living conditions like broken air conditioning or broken locks. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: The governor, who was a longtime police officer and the former elected sheriff in Las Vegas, had vowed ahead of the session to crack down on crime. But his crime bill failed after last-minute changes were added and lawmakers ran out of time Monday night. It would have created stiffer penalties for certain crimes, including 'smash-and-grab' retail thefts and violent crimes against hospitality workers, a newly designated protected class under the proposal. FILM TAX CREDITS: The closely watched bill backed by Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment failed. It would have given massive tax credits aimed at bringing film production to southern Nevada, including a 31-acre film studio in an affluent neighborhood west of the Las Vegas Strip. A similar bill failed in 2023. DEFINING ANTISEMITISM: Lawmakers approved a bill that creates a definition of antisemitism for state-led investigations into discrimination in housing, employment and other accommodations. It passed, but sparked a debate because some thought the definition was too broad and could limit free speech criticizing Israel. STATE LOTTERY: The proposal, backed by the powerful Culinary Workers Union that represents 60,000 hotel and casino workers, would have ended Nevada's longstanding ban on lotteries. It failed after the Legislature's first major deadline in April.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Six news stories that defined the inclusive classroom sign debate in Idaho
Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization The debate over inclusive classroom signage in Idaho reached a flashpoint when West Ada School District ordered a teacher to remove her 'Everyone is welcome here' sign, featuring hands of different skin tones. This decision ignited protest rallies at the Idaho Capitol and brought vocal feedback from parents, teachers, and students at school board meetings. While the district stuck to claims that the signs violated rules on 'content-neutral' displays, public support was displayed for the teacher, with local events like 'Chalk the Walk' and T-shirt campaigns spreading the inclusive message. In May, West Ada took action on its policy, and the teacher took an action of her own. 'American dreams the way we planned them,' sang one participant, in a 'Wicked' reference. | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis The controversial policy was intended to 'remove distractions, or perceived distractions, from the classroom,' a district spokesperson said. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans The district has so far stood firm that the sign in a Meridian teacher's classroom violated policy requiring displays be 'content neutral.' | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans Dozens of parents, teachers, and students spoke at the meeting Monday. Finally, the elected board members did, too. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans One school trustee asks: Could teachers still wear T-shirts similar to the sign in a teacher's classroom with multicolored hands and the message 'Everyone is welcome here'? | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans 'I don't understand why we can say we embrace diversity but not show what we mean,' the teacher said. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deaf and hard of hearing students bond through beach games in annual event
Olivia Eassie is one of just two students who are deaf or hard of hearing at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, B.C., but she says she's never been self-conscious about it. That's in large part thanks to the sense of community and empowerment she gets from local events, like the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day, which was held on Wednesday at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich, a municipality in the Greater Victoria area. "My mom's even told me, don't be insecure about it — and I've told her: 'I'm not, I honestly never have been.' I mean, this makes me feel comfortable that I'm deaf when I'm here," Eassie said, looking around at a group of students playing tug-of-war. The beach day, which welcomed 85 deaf and hard of hearing students from across Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, along with teachers and parents, is an annual event hosted by the Greater Victoria School District. For more than 30 years, it's brought students from kindergarten to Grade 12 together with games and ice cream, in the hopes of them building friendships and support networks, said Megan Jantz, a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in the district. At a time when teachers and parents across the province are calling for B.C. to send financial relief to school districts they say are facing increased funding pressures — and limited resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities — it's a welcome moment of celebration. "That's kind of our aim, to have fun, make connections, and for the kids to meet other kids like themselves — because typically they're [one of] like one or two only in a whole school," said Jantz. "They've said they just feel less alone and can be more their true self in environments and situations like this." In addition, the event helps students learn how others have overcome everyday challenges or advocated for themselves, she said. This year, students did carnival activities, undertook a braille scavenger hunt, chased down "Waldo" — which was Jantz, dressed in a candy-cane striped shirt and a pom-pom winter hat – and competed in an Amazing Race-style competition. The day ended with the three winners of the Amazing Race heaving a trophy over their heads during an awards ceremony, as onlookers raised their open palms, twisting their wrists — a raucous applause in American Sign Language. There were also local disability agencies on hand to let students and their families know about resources. Grade 11 student Eassie has been attending the beach day since she was in elementary school and met one of her closest friends, another girl with hearing loss, at the event years ago. Now, Eassie volunteers at the beach day. Eassie said seeing the faces of younger students light up while playing games or chatting lifts her own spirits. "You don't see a lot of other kids with cochlears, or having the same sort of experience that you had, but this place does that for you," said Eassie, who wears two cochlear implants tucked between her ears and braided hair. Earlier this week, educators and parents raised concerns about funding for disability services and other programs in schools. On Monday, a group of parents across the province rallied at the B.C. Legislature, calling for more funding for public education as numerous districts face budget shortfalls and the threat of looming cuts. Carolyn Howe, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association, said only 70 per cent of the cost for running services for students with disabilities is covered by the province — which can lead to other school programs like music education being cut back. A survey released by the B.C. Teachers' Federation in its 2023-24 report found only 13 per cent of the province's teachers felt the needs of students with disabilities or diverse needs were being completely met. The annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day is possible due to partial provincial funding, Jantz said. Although the funding is not currently under threat, she said the school district has limited resources. She is one of just three deaf and hard of hearing teachers providing in-school advocacy and support across the Greater Victoria School District, which she says leaves them "spread quite thin." Accessibility tools — like classroom assisted listening devices and interpreters — also come at a cost. "Funding is definitely hard, but we put a tiny bit of our budget to this [event] because we know the importance and value of this." Events like the beach day show the importance of pushing for these services, both in the classroom and out, she said. "I actually have graduated students who are in university and college asking me when they can come and volunteer because they see the value of the friendships that they've made here, the connections that they've made … just to see that they're not alone is huge," she said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Follow the Flag raises gigantic flags and patriotic spirit
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah () — Since 2015, Follow the Flag has been raising big flags in canyons across our region, but it all started with a simple idea. Carrie and Kyle Fox didn't set out to start something, but they did. It's a movement of patriotism and service, all behind a gigantic American flag. It all started in 2015 when Kyle Fox had an idea. His wife Carrie recalls the moment she learned about the idea. She told ABC4 News, 'I remember it distinctly. Kyle rolled over one morning and said I think I'm going fly a giant flag in Grove Creek Canyon.' It was a big idea that Kyle had to make a reality. Kyle said, 'It was a crazy off the wall idea and I just followed it. I just wanted to do something that would stop people in their tracks.' Kyle accomplished the goal. After a few weeks of trial and error, Kyle raised the flag for the Fourth of July. The reaction was more than Carrie and Kyle could have imagined. Carrie said, 'That first year there was a veteran who said this is the greatest thank you I have felt from my country.' Kyle added, 'We were scratching our heads trying to figure out how what we did was so great for someone else. It was just a simple rope and a flag.' High schoolers in Jordan School District install 'Buddy Benches' at elementary schools While it may have just been a rope and a flag, that first flight ignited a movement. Follow the Flag was born. Kyle continued, 'It's like a moth to the flame. The flag goes up and people are on the trail offering to do this, I can do that, and all of these different people come out of the woodwork.' These people have formed a group Kyle calls a family. Together they are moving the mission of the flag. It all started with a flag the size you'd see at a car dealership; but they wanted more. Kyle said together they decided, 'Let's go to the biggest that has ever flown in history, so we went with 6 and a half times bigger. We went with the 150×78 that's the largest that has ever flown in history.' While the flags in the canyon are spectacular, the mission doesn't end there. They place smaller flags wherever they are needed, especially when someone comes home or a loved one is lost. Kyle said, 'We just put pipe on a stick of rebar and put a 3×5 flag on it. We are doing what the Boy Scouts used to do.' 'Somebody notices:' Kindness classes taught at Utah State Correctional Facility boost community Kyle makes it sound simple, but the impact is significant. Carrie explained, 'I think it's something that once people experience it, it's a pretty good opportunity. A pretty good deal.' Follow the Flag brings together to honor the flag and serve others. Kyle said, 'Kindness is the secret to life. Service is the secret. I don't care what problems you have, if you go out and do something for someone else, it's going to fix it or at least help it.' Follow the Flag has flown their gigantic flag on 22 different flights. It will fly again this Fourth of July in Pleasant Grove. You can learn more about Follow the Flag on their website . Follow the Flag raises gigantic flags and patriotic spirit Temps continue to climb, challenging heat records by the weekend with 90s and 100s on deck President Trump pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy Man who allegedly held Millcreek family hostage for months charged with 13 felonies Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
T-A-J-I-N spells final round berth for Midstate student in National Spelling Bee
(WHTM) — An eighth grader from our area is a finalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and will compete against eight others Thursday night for the title. Akshaj Somisetty is an eighth grader at Mountain View Middle School in the Cumberland Valley School District and it's his second time competing in the national spelling bee. He tied for 60th place last year. This year, he'll finish no worse than 9th. In Wednesday's semifinals, he correctly spelled Tajin to lock in his spot in Thursday's finals. To make it to the finals, he had to spell henotheism, thermolysis, blazar, adenitis, cinchona, and Tajin, as well as providing a definition for a 'chortle,' a synonym for 'lucrative' and a definition for arborescent. Somisetty is one of nine spellers who will compete in Thursday's finals, set to take place at 8 p.m. live on Ion, WHTM-TV 27.2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
