Latest news with #WFMJ
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ohio school voucher scheme ruled unconstitutional but stays active during US court appeal
A gavel rests on a desk in an Ohio courtroom, symbolizing the legal challenge surrounding the EdChoice voucher program. (AI Image) Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship Program will continue for the upcoming school year despite a recent court ruling that declared the program unconstitutional. A stay on the court's decision allows the program to remain in effect while the case undergoes an appeals process. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement reaffirming that families can continue using EdChoice scholarships to enroll children in private schools. 'EdChoice is the law of the land for the coming school year,' Yost said, encouraging families to make school decisions accordingly, as quoted by WFMJ. Judge rules EdChoice unconstitutional but allows it to continue temporarily On June 24, 2025, Franklin County Judge Jaiza N. Page ruled that the EdChoice program violated the state's constitution by diverting funds away from public schools. The program, established to provide scholarships for students from designated public schools to attend qualifying private schools, has faced legal challenges from a coalition of public education leaders. The coalition, known as Vouchers Hurt Ohio, filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the program. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo According to WFMJ, the group argued that EdChoice uses taxpayer money to fund private education, draining resources from the public school system. Judge Page agreed, calling the funding structure unconstitutional. However, she issued a stay on the ruling, allowing the program to remain in operation while the case is appealed. Legal appeal to proceed in Ohio's Tenth District Court According to the Attorney General's Office, the state plans to file its appeal with the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals on July 23. During a press conference, Yost was joined by Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, Representative Jamie Callendar, and several education advocates including Rabbi Eric "Yitz" Frank, president of School Choice Ohio; Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue; Tom Fisher, vice president and director of EdChoice Legal Advocates; and Monica Williams, a parent impacted by the program. Yost emphasized that the ongoing litigation does not affect parents' current school options. 'Nothing that's happened legally limits their options,' he stated during the conference, as reported by WFMJ. EdChoice program expansion and financial impact The EdChoice program, funded through the state budget, has seen significant growth since its inception. According to WFMJ, the initiative began in 2008 as a $42 million program designed to help students in underperforming schools. In the past year, it has grown to more than $1 billion in taxpayer funding used to support students attending private institutions. The Ohio Department of Development's website states that EdChoice scholarships provide $6,166 per student in grades K–8 and $8,408 per student in grades 9–12. Program's future likely to be determined by Ohio Supreme Court As reported by WFMJ, the case is expected to eventually reach the Ohio Supreme Court. Legal experts have indicated that the appellate process could take years to resolve. During that time, EdChoice will remain active, allowing families to continue applying for and receiving scholarships. The continuation of the program amid legal scrutiny has prompted renewed national attention, as debates surrounding school choice, public funding, and education equity intensify across the US. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
NBC News
30-06-2025
- General
- NBC News
FAA and NTSB investigating plane crash that killed 6 in Ohio
Federal agencies are investigating the crash of a twin-engine Cessna 441 that went down minutes after takeoff and killed the six people on board. The plane crashed in a wooded area near several homes in Howland Township, Ohio, but no one on the ground was injured. WFMJ's Malia Brown reports.
NBC News
30-06-2025
- General
- NBC News
Six killed in small plane crash in northeast Ohio
Six people were killed in a small plane crash in northeast Ohio on Sunday morning, officials said. Two crew members and four passengers were on board a Cessna 441 plane that crashed seven minutes after taking off from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. NBC affiliate WFMJ of Youngstown reported that the Ohio State Highway Patrol received a call reporting a crash at 7:01 a.m. Sunday in the area of King Graves Road. It crashed into a wooded area in Howland Township, two miles east of the airport. Officials said the plane was headed to Bozeman, Montana. "We are heartbroken to report that there are no survivors," Anthony Trevena, Executive Director at Western Reserve Port Authority, said at a Sunday news conference. First responders retrieved the bodies from the wreckage, and they are with the coroner's office. Identities are pending next of kin notification. The National Transportation Safety Board was on site Sunday evening and is investigating the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is also aiding in the investigation. Howland Township Fire Chief Ray Pace said it was difficult to access the plane as it landed in a heavily wooded area between King Graves Road and Spring Run Road. Authorities could only put out a fire at the crash site through those roads and a person's backyard. Pace said the tragedy is likely the deadliest plane crash in the county's history. Officials said the pilots were "highly experienced." "These were the best of the best in terms of folks here at the field as well as the pilots. Can't say enough about them and give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead," Mike Hillman of Jets FBO said. "I can't think of better people. So our community is at a great loss, and these were really wonderful people. It's a very tight-knit community, so all those in the aviation community have reached out. These are really important people to us, so we're grateful for the support of our community," Trevena added.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The heartbreakingly simple but important act toddler who was shaken as a baby can never do
A young toddler has been left unable to speak and has had to undergo extensive surgery after being viciously shaken as a baby. Maggie Walsh, 4, was just a newborn when she was so badly shaken that she suffered severe brain injuries. After the incident, a third of her brain was damaged. While she can still walk, run and happily play with other children, she is still non-verbal and is partially blind. The youngster was adopted two years ago by Pennsylvania couple Dave and Dawna Welsh. Dave told Fox8: 'We walked in the room, and the first thing was that she smiled at us, and I smiled at her, and I said, "We have this".' The Walshes kept Maggie for two years in their care before they decided to adopt her officially in 2023. In dealing with the traumatic injuries to her brain, the youngster has had to undergo 17 surgeries. Recalling watching the youngster undergo her 12th surgery, Dawna said: 'I turned to [Dave] and I said, "This is more than what we signed on for. What do you want to do?". 'And he said, "I don't think we should give up now." And I agreed.' Dave added: 'She'll come up to us, her face, right up to her face, right to us, and wants to hug. I mean, that's how she says she loves us.' The Walshes hope that in the future the toddler will eventually start talking, but they are still unsure. They told WFMJ that Maggie is undergoing physical therapy and also has a seizure disorder. She has already defied some medical experts, who told the couple that it would be unlikely she would ever walk. Dawna added: 'We believe in miracles. There was nowhere for her to go. It was us or another foster home, and we loved her too much. 'If she's ever verbal, I'd like her to be able to say, "This is how it impacted my life." Don't do this to your baby. If you lose your temper, walk away.' They spoke out to raise awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), a serious brain injury caused when a child's head is injured through shaking or violent impact. There are about 1,300 reported cases of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma in the U.S. each year, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. In recent years, there has been debate over the diagnosis, with critics alleging that doctors have focused on concluding child abuse due to shaken baby syndrome whenever a triad of symptoms — bleeding around the brain, brain swelling and bleeding in the eyes — was found. Critics say doctors have not considered that things like short falls with head impact, and how naturally occurring illnesses like pneumonia can mimic an inflicted head injury.
