Latest news with #SenateBill569
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Texas will improve virtual learning for students, educators
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 569 into law, effective immediately. According to the Texas Senate, SB 569: Creates Chapter 30B of the Education Code, replacing outdated virtual learning laws Allows for AP, dual-credit or specialized elective courses to be taken virtually Enables students to complete up to two years of college coursework while in high school Supports flexible scheduling for apprenticeships, career training and early graduation through hybrid learning Prohibits mandatory virtual enrollment and ensures teachers cannot be forced to teach virtually without training and consent Establishes standards and oversight for virtual education providers The bill had bipartisan support, passing the Senate (28-2) and the House (109-32). 'SB 569 modernizes Texas' virtual learning framework for the more than 51,884 students currently enrolled statewide, with enrollment projected to double by 2028, and expands access to high-quality digital and hybrid instruction for the 5.5 million currently enrolled Texas public school students,' said Senator Paul Bettencourt, who authored the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police replace security guards at National City library in new pilot program
NATIONAL CITY (FOX 5/KUSI) — National City's public library has seen a shift in security staffing with police now stationed on-site as part of a new pilot program that launched in February. 'We've had a lot of positive feedback from the community. Staff feel a lot safer,' said National City Public Library Director, Danielle Ghio. She added, 'It also gives the opportunity for our officers to get to interact with the community in a different way.' However, not everyone is convinced the change is creating a welcoming atmosphere. Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to remove homeless encampments faster 'Community members, you know, regardless of who they are, where they come from, their citizenship status, all of these things should feel safe at a library and I think having more police has the opposite effect,' said Iza Lopez, who lives in Chula Vista but works in National City and frequents the library. One officer is assigned five days a week, except Fridays, for a few hours usually in the afternoons. The shift from security guards to police follows a rise in calls for service to law enforcement over the past year. More than 130 calls were made for a number of reasons. 'We would have individuals who come in intoxicated. We've had rocks thrown through our windows,' said Ghio. 'Unfortunately, we've had people bring in weapons. We've had people threaten staff.' Officials believe there are multiple factors for the uptick in complaints. 'When we had the homeless ban created that also caused an influx of people,' Ghio continued. 'You know, we do see there's a lot of events that happen in the park.' The library is located next to Kimball Park and some want to see security enhancements beyond the library space. 'If you're going to step it up, I want to see you in the community like set up a station in the park so these kids can feel safe,' said local resident, Cierra. National City's approach stands out compared to other major cities in the county. San Diego contracts security guards at its libraries. The ones at the Central and City Heights locations are armed, while the rest are not. Oceanside contracts unarmed security guards to patrol only the Civic Center Library, while Chula Vista libraries have no security or police presence at all. So far, with National City's new protocol in place, Ghio said they 'haven't had to call for any serious issues.' She added that the pilot program will run through October, at which point the city will assess how it's going and whether to possibly extend it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to remove homeless encampments faster
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Encampments popping up along state highways may soon be cleaned up faster. If passed, Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to develop plans to streamline the process of clearing out encampments along major intersections. Those encampments can be found along Interstate 805 in North Park, which for some is a nuisance, but for others, it's all they have. It wasn't Makiya Epps' first choice when looking for a place to call home. 'I lost my job during the pandemic, and I had to make ends meet the best way I knew how,' she explained. She went from making $60,000 a year to living in the encampment above I-805. 'People when they see us walk by, they lock their doors and stuff like that,' she said, emotional. 'We're not trying to harm you. We're really not. A lot of these people are beautiful people. They're just down on their luck.' But, Senator Catherine Blakespear aims to streamline the process for Caltrans to clean up encampments like the one where Epps lives. 'We have a crisis of people living unsheltered on city streets and in canyons and riverbeds, and the Caltrans right of way is no different,' she said. Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to develop encampment resolution plans and work with local governments to eliminate camps along state highways. 'There's just no reason that we should allow shantytowns to spring up anywhere that someone might pitch a tent,' she said. Blakespear claims the pollution and proximity to the state roads and highways make the area unsafe for people to live. Instead, she advocates for placing the unsheltered people in tiny homes or mobile home park. 'You got people living way out in the woods somewhere living just like this, and ain't nobody bothering them, so why [are] you bothering me,' Epps contested. Neighbors in the area complain the campsites are a nuisance, but Epps says she's cleaning the trash left behind by others one pile at a time. 'The mess…I get it. I don't want to see that either,' she said. Epps remains hopeful in spite of her situation, and asks for one thing. 'Before you judge us, come out here and talk to us,' she said. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Caltrans about their plans to address the encampment, but we did not hear back. As for SB569, it's set to be heard in the transportation committee on April 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
