MADISON, Wisconsin, April 27 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed HB 931 into law, authorizing school districts to permit "volunteer school chaplains," he openly confirmed that the bill will discriminate against disfavored minority religions. The Freedom From Religion Foundation condemns this harmful new measure and encourages Florida residents to speak out against it. The public school chaplain law differs fr  more

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 27 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: An Indiana school board has halted its ritual of starting off its meetings with a prayer after the Freedom From Religion Foundation warned it that the practice is unconstitutional. A concerned community member informed the state/church watchdog that the Community Schools of Frankfort Board of Trustees opened each of its meetings with Christian prayer. For instance, its meetings last November  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 27 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news on April 26, 2024: On Thursday, April 18, the Minnesota Senate passed an Elections Policy Omnibus bill that adds costly burdens to local governments, reduces community representation in local elections, and fails to deliver integrity and transparency to Minnesota's elections. "We should be passing election laws that protect against fraud and improve the integrity of our Minnesota elections," Senat  more

CONCORD, New Hampshire, April 27 -- Gov. Christopher T. Sununu, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced that Andrew Flockton, of Milford, New Hampshire has been selected as the 2024 'Governor for a Day' competition winner. Andrew will act as Governor for a Day on Wednesday, May 1st, and join the Governor for the entire day at the State House and on the road. Andrew is in the 7th grade at Milford Middle School where he is a me  more

TORONTO, Canada, April 27 -- The Ontario Public School Boards' Association issued the following statement on April 26, 2024, President Cathy Abraham: * * * "Just like inflationary impacts on families and businesses, all costs in school board budgets continue to rise. As our members have not seen a corresponding increase in funding, there will undoubtedly be an impact on school board operations. School boards have been waiting for this funding information to continue their planning and make de  more

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 26 -- Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release on April 25, 2024: * * * Bills Signed: SB26, SB30, SB33, SB43, SB46, SB65, SB66, SB67, SB68, SB69, SB70, SB71, SB72, SB73, SB74, SB75 SB76, HB1002, HB1004, HB1005, HB1006, HB1009, HB1010, HB1013, HB1014, HB1016, HB1017, HB1018, HB1021, HB1022, HB1026, HB1028, HB1031, HB1034, HB1039, HB1040, HB1042, HB1043, HB1044, HB1046, HB1047, HB1048, HB1053, HB1054, HB1055, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059,   more

WASHINGTON, April 26 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Census Bureau issued the following news release on April 25, 2024: Nationally, public school spending per student rose 8.9% from $14,358 in FY 2021 to $15,633 in FY 2022, according to new data from the 2022 Annual Survey of School System Finances released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents the largest percentage increase in public school spending per pupil in the 50 states and the District of Columbia in over 20 years. Statistics are not a  more

RICHMOND, Kentucky, April 27 -- Eastern Kentucky University issued the following story: Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is home to one of the top Occupational Therapy (OT) programs in the nation, boasting a 99% graduation rate since 2020. Recently, EKU ranked No. 22 in Best Occupational Therapy Programs for 2024 Best Health Schools by U.S. News & World Report, moving up from a previous No. 29 position. The new Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program was recently accredited by the Accredi  more

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 27 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed HB 931 into law, authorizing school districts to permit "volunteer school chaplains," he openly confirmed that the bill will discriminate against disfavored minority religions. The Freedom From Religion Foundation condemns this harmful new measure and encourages Florida residents to speak out against it. The public school chaplain law differs fr  more

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 27 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: An Indiana school board has halted its ritual of starting off its meetings with a prayer after the Freedom From Religion Foundation warned it that the practice is unconstitutional. A concerned community member informed the state/church watchdog that the Community Schools of Frankfort Board of Trustees opened each of its meetings with Christian prayer. For instance, its meetings last November  more

LANSING, Michigan, April 27 -- The Michigan Department of Education issued the following news release: Michigan Department of Education (MDE) officials joined members of President Biden's Administration Friday at Lincoln Park Middle School to observe students sampling school meals that are even more nutritious. Dr. Diane Golzynski, MDE deputy superintendent of Business, Health, and Library Services, participated in a roundtable discussion at the Wayne County school about healthy school meals -  more

LANSING, Michigan, April 27 (TNSres) -- The Michigan Department of Education Office of the Superintendent issued the following memorandum on April 25, 2024: * * * TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents, Public School Academy Directors FROM: Delsa D. Chapman, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent, Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2024 Section 31a Annual Program and Fiscal Report Due July 15, 2024 The Section 31a at-risk state sch  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 26 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Governor Tim Walz today announced grants to dozens of school districts to improve traffic safety near schools. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has awarded $1.4 million for communities, school districts, and organizations across Minnesota to support the Safe Routes to School program. The list of 2024 grant recipients is below. "Parents should be able to send their kids off to school knowin  more

ALBANY, New York, April 27 -- Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * North Country and Western New York Projects Awarded in Round One; Additional Rounds of the Program Will Reach all Regions of New York State in the Coming Years Program Provides a Total of $50 Million Over Five Years to Help Improve Kitchens; Facilitates Preparation of Fresh, Scratch Made Meals for Students Using New York Farm Products Builds on Governor's 2024 State of the State Priorities t  more

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona, April 27 -- Northern Arizona University issued the following news: Paul Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, Pam Kehaly, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Christy Farley, an NAU alumna who recently retired as senior vice president of engagement and public affairs, and Efrain Casillas, coordinator of music programs at Tolleson Elementary School District and 2024 Arizona Teacher of the Year, will be recognized with honorary doctorates f  more

TORONTO, Canada, April 27 -- The Ontario Public School Boards' Association issued the following statement on April 26, 2024, President Cathy Abraham: * * * "Just like inflationary impacts on families and businesses, all costs in school board budgets continue to rise. As our members have not seen a corresponding increase in funding, there will undoubtedly be an impact on school board operations. School boards have been waiting for this funding information to continue their planning and make de  more

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 27 (TNSres) -- The Rhode Island Department of Education issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green and the Rhode Island Department of Education announced today that five Rhode Island school communities have been designated as 2024 Green Ribbon awardees by the U.S. Department of Education, representing the most Green Ribbon awards earned in one year in Rhode Island. The prestigious designation is awarded to schools for  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 27 -- Roosevelt University issued the following news: Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson will be the keynote speaker at Roosevelt University's 2024 Commencement ceremony. Held in the Auditorium Theatre, the event will honor all bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates from the past academic year and congratulate them on their accomplishments. Johnson will discuss the importance of diverse viewpoints in higher education and how his administration's emphasis on educational   more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 27 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: Trust for Public Land [TPL] is proud to announce the awarding of over $4.5 million to five cities that will advance ambitious urban and community forestry initiatives in their communities. Five awards from the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program [USFS] have been granted to Chandler, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Concord, CA, Auburn, NY, and Salem, OR. These funds were pro  more