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Illinois State Board of Education Investigates Unsanitary Conditions in Cook County School District 130 Following Custodial Layoffs

Illinois State Board of Education Investigates Unsanitary Conditions in Cook County School District 130 Following Custodial Layoffs

Illinois lawmakers are urging state intervention in Cook County School District 130 due to reports of unsanitary conditions in schools. Teachers have reported issues such as dirty bathrooms, overflowing garbage, mold exposure, mice, and a lack of soap and toilet paper, following the district's decision to replace union janitors with a private custodial company. The Illinois State Board of Education has confirmed it is investigating these complaints. State Representative Bob Rita, whose district includes Blue Island, along with State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representatives Justin Slaughter and Mary Gill, have called for immediate action from both the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The district's decision to dismiss approximately 30 janitors represented by SEIU Local 73 and hire a private firm has led to delays in staffing, with school board members acknowledging frustration with the transition and the new provider, HES.
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53 U.S. School Districts Launch New Indoor Air Quality Plans to Improve Student and Staff Health

53 U.S. School Districts Launch New Indoor Air Quality Plans to Improve Student and Staff Health

Fifty-three K-12 public school districts across 25 states, collectively serving over 2 million students, are developing new indoor air quality (IAQ) management plans. This initiative is part of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) 2026-27 School Air Quality Fellowship. The program, running from September through May, provides training, technical assistance, and peer support to facilities, environmental health and safety, business operations, and sustainability leaders within these districts. The goal is to help participants create formal, long-term IAQ management plans that integrate with existing HVAC and energy-management strategies. These plans aim to move beyond reactive responses to individual complaints, instead establishing proactive procedures, documenting building conditions, and coordinating air quality measures. The participating districts vary significantly in size, from those serving a few hundred students to some of the nation's largest public school systems, with 92% representing Title ...
The Augusta ChronicleThe Augusta Chronicle
Five Richmond County school officers fired after review

Five Richmond County school officers fired after review

Richmond County schools fired five officers after a state investigation recommended revoking their certifications.
TrendlineTrendline
Forest Bathing, a Japanese Wellness Practice, Gains Global Recognition

Forest Bathing, a Japanese Wellness Practice, Gains Global Recognition

Forest Bathing, a Japanese Wellness Practice, Gains Global Recognition
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Parents concerned about who watched girls undress at Arizona school

Parents concerned about who watched girls undress at Arizona school

Parents told Tempe Union district leaders that girls have undressed and changed clothes in the dance room, where cameras are present, for years.
Savannah Morning NewsSavannah Morning News
Groundbreaking for new Bluffton High School CTE building held

Groundbreaking for new Bluffton High School CTE building held

A new CTE building at Bluffton High School will open late next year after a groundbreaking was recently held for the new facility.
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Jalen Hurts Donates $600,000 to Upgrade HVAC at Philadelphia's Northeast High School

Jalen Hurts Donates $600,000 to Upgrade HVAC at Philadelphia's Northeast High School

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, through the Jalen Hurts Foundation, has committed $600,000 to fund a new cooling system for Northeast High School in Philadelphia. This donation is the largest to date from his foundation and aims to address severe scheduling disruptions caused by extreme weather and inadequate HVAC systems at the school. Northeast High is one of the city's largest schools, and its current infrastructure has led to early dismissals and lost class time during heat waves. Hurts' initiative, which began in 2024 with his 'Keep It Cool' campaign, has previously provided air conditioners to the School District of Philadelphia and allocates $5,000 for every touchdown he scores towards community needs. This investment is intended to expedite a comprehensive cooling solution for the school, which has an established personal connection with Hurts through his visits and community engagement.
1Weather1Weather
Wisconsin Air Quality Rated 'Good' Across Counties

Wisconsin Air Quality Rated 'Good' Across Counties

Air quality across Wisconsin has been rated as 'Good' in multiple counties, including Dane, Milwaukee, Manitowoc, and Door, according to the latest data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The report, timestamped at 17:00 local time, highlights pollutant levels such as PM2.5 and ozone, with Air Quality Index (AQI) values ranging from 14 to 32. Notable monitoring sites include Madison University Ave., Milwaukee-16th St. Health Center, and Newport Park in Door County. These readings indicate that air quality is safe for the general population, with minimal health risks associated with current pollutant levels.
Bucks County Courier TimesBucks County Courier Times
Morrisville taps Western PA educator as next superintendent

Morrisville taps Western PA educator as next superintendent

Dr. Daniel Clara was selected from 24 candidates in a national search led by the Bucks County IU.
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Prenatal DEHP Exposure Linked to Autism and ADHD Symptoms in Children, Study Finds

Prenatal DEHP Exposure Linked to Autism and ADHD Symptoms in Children, Study Finds

A new study published in Med, led by Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, suggests a possible mechanism linking prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, to autism- and ADHD-related symptoms in early childhood. Researchers analyzed data from 847 children in the Barwon Infant Study, measuring DEHP exposure during pregnancy and examining DNA methylation patterns in umbilical cord blood at birth. They found that higher prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with specific DNA methylation signatures, which appeared to explain the links between DEHP exposure and higher levels of autism- and ADHD-related symptoms later in childhood. These alterations affected gene networks previously associated with neurodevelopment and brain regions involved in attention, social behavior, and emotional processing. While the study strengthens previous associations, experts caution that it remains observational and does not prove causation.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
See which TN teachers had their licenses revoked, suspended

See which TN teachers had their licenses revoked, suspended

Hundreds of Tennessee teachers have seen their licenses suspended or revoked in recent years. Here's what the data shows.
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FDA Faces Petitions to Remove PFAS and Fluorinated Polyethylene from Food Applications

FDA Faces Petitions to Remove PFAS and Fluorinated Polyethylene from Food Applications

The Center for Food Safety, alongside other environmental, health, and consumer organizations, has formally petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke all approvals for the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in food and food packaging. These organizations are advocating for a regulation that bans these chemicals unless their safety can be definitively proven. In a separate but related action in January 2024, the Environmental Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Food Safety, and Environmental Working Group jointly petitioned the FDA to remove its approval for the use of fluorinated polyethylene as an indirect food additive. These petitions highlight ongoing concerns about the presence of 'forever chemicals' in the food supply chain. PFAS are commonly used in food applications for their water and grease resistance, found in items such as takeout containers, plastic bottles, disposable bowls, and popcorn bags. The FDA announced in February 2024 that...