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Chicago School Board District 5a Election Features Charter School Debate Among Candidates

Chicago School Board District 5a Election Features Charter School Debate Among Candidates

The 2026 Chicago school board election for District 5a is set to feature a contest between incumbent Aaron “Jitu” Brown, a long-time education activist, and challenger LaPamela Williams, a realtor backed by school choice advocates. A third candidate, Kernetha Jones, a retired special education teacher, is running as a write-in. The district, which spans from Austin to Ukrainian Village, includes 39 schools primarily serving Black and Latino students. A key point of divergence among the candidates is their stance on charter schools. Brown and Jones oppose the expansion of charter schools, while Williams supports opening new ones where there is community need, provided they have sustainable funding and clear plans for improvement. Williams is supported by organizations like the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and The Urban Center, which advocate for charter schools and school choice. Brown, endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, focuses on securing more state funding and reducing administrative overhead...

Incumbent Yesenia Lopez Faces Challenge in Chicago School Board Election Amidst Shifting Union Support

Incumbent Yesenia Lopez Faces Challenge in Chicago School Board Election Amidst Shifting Union Support

Incumbent Yesenia Lopez is seeking re-election to the Chicago school board in District 7b, facing a challenge from Erika Diaz-Chavez. Lopez, who was initially elected in 2024 with the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and then-U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, no longer has the CTU's endorsement. Instead, she is supported by the Service Employees International Union Illinois State Council. Her opponent, Erika Diaz-Chavez, a project manager at the Chicago Park District, is backed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools’ political arm and The Urban Center, organizations that advocate for charter schools and school choice. District 7b serves a high percentage of Hispanic students, with many from low-income families and a significant number of English learners. Both candidates prioritize special education resources and protecting immigrant families, but they diverge on the Sustainable Community Schools program, with Lopez supporting it and Diaz-Chavez questioning its effectiveness.

Florida Education Commissioner Calls for Broader School Book Reviews, Citing Hillsborough County Concerns

Florida Education Commissioner Calls for Broader School Book Reviews, Citing Hillsborough County Concerns

Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack has issued a directive calling on school districts to proactively review library and classroom books, rather than waiting for parental objections. Mack's seven-page memorandum, sent to superintendents and charter school leaders across Florida, specifically highlights Hillsborough County, where parents have repeatedly raised concerns about books containing sexually explicit material. The commissioner recommends that districts compare their existing collections against a statewide list of books that have been removed or discontinued elsewhere in Florida following objections. However, Mack clarifies that a book's appearance on this list does not automatically mandate its statewide ban. He argues that relying on parents to discover potentially inappropriate material signifies a failure in the district's responsibility to review its own collections. PEN America and Florida Freedom to Read have expressed concerns that this approach could broaden the impact of individual ...

Cold Front Brings Strong Winds to Northern Rockies

Cold Front Brings Strong Winds to Northern Rockies

A cold front is moving through the Northern Rockies today, bringing gusty winds, cooler temperatures, and scattered rain. Breezy west winds are expected ahead of the front, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Rain chances will increase behind the front, particularly in northwest Montana, creating a noticeable shift in weather conditions for the weekend. Colder air filtering into the region will lower snow levels in the mountains, with a small chance of light snow accumulation at higher elevations, such as Logan Pass. Visitors to Glacier National Park should prepare for cold, wet, and raw conditions, as the combination of rain, wind, and chilly temperatures could pose risks such as hypothermia.

Montana Air Conditioning Prevalence Varies Widely, State Ranks Fifth-Lowest Nationally

Montana Air Conditioning Prevalence Varies Widely, State Ranks Fifth-Lowest Nationally

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Local Air Conditioning Estimate (LACE) series reveals that approximately 73% of occupied homes in Montana had air conditioning in 2023. This figure positions Montana as having the fifth-lowest rate of AC prevalence among all U.S. states. The data shows significant variation across Montana's counties; for instance, Custer County, home to Miles City, recorded nearly 96% of homes with AC, while Deer Lodge County had less than 45%. Generally, air conditioning is more common in the eastern part of the state. The Census Bureau developed the LACE data by combining information from the American Housing Survey and the American Community Survey to estimate AC availability at national, state, county, and census tract levels. This is the first release of this experimental data series, so historical comparisons are not yet available.

Montana Supreme Court Candidates Eddy and Wilson Debate Transparency and Campaign Funding in Bozeman Forum

Montana Supreme Court Candidates Eddy and Wilson Debate Transparency and Campaign Funding in Bozeman Forum

Two candidates for an open seat on the Montana Supreme Court, Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson, participated in a forum at Montana State University in Bozeman. Both candidates are state district judges in the 11th Judicial District, covering Flathead County. The forum, sponsored by the Gallatin County Bar Association, highlighted differing approaches to campaign ethics and judicial transparency. Eddy emphasized maintaining a nonpartisan campaign, refusing political party-sponsored events and contributions, citing concerns about judges being influenced by political affiliations. Wilson, who has received contributions from the state GOP and spoke at a Montana Republican Party event, advocated for increased transparency within the Supreme Court, including more open oral arguments and public court conferences. He also expressed reservations about soliciting funds from attorneys, believing it could create expectations of favoritism. The candidates discussed their legal experiences, including appellate cases, challenging...

Governor Gianforte Announces Leadership Change at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Governor Gianforte Announces Leadership Change at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced that Dr. Doug Harrington will succeed Charlie Brereton as the new director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Brereton is set to depart on October 30 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Dr. Harrington, a Montana native with over 40 years of medical experience, has served as the agency’s state medical officer since 2023. Brereton led DPHHS since 2022, during which time the department managed a $300 million behavioral health initiative, increased healthcare capacity, and secured $233 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Montana is projected to receive up to $1.2 billion over five years from this program. Dr. Harrington expressed his commitment to continuing the department's efforts to enhance the health and well-being of Montanans.

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Montana's Largest State Agency Director Steps Down, Successor Named by Governor Gianforte

Montana's Largest State Agency Director Steps Down, Successor Named by Governor Gianforte

Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Charlie Brereton, the director of Montana's largest state agency, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), will be stepping down from his position on October 30. Brereton is leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Since 2022, Brereton has overseen significant initiatives within the DPHHS, including a $300 million overhaul of the behavioral health system and the securing of over $200 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Governor Gianforte commended Brereton's leadership during his tenure. Dr. Doug Harrington, the department's current State Medical Officer, has been appointed as the acting director. Dr. Harrington is a Montana native with over 40 years of medical experience, including work on early heart transplant teams and holding multiple patents in cardiac diagnostics. He expressed his honor in taking on the role and his intention to build upon the department's existing momentum.

Montana Stream Access Rally Draws Candidates and Advocates to Bozeman

Montana Stream Access Rally Draws Candidates and Advocates to Bozeman

Over 250 citizens, political candidates, and advocates gathered at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman for a Montana Stream Access Rally. The event focused on the importance of the 1985 Montana Stream Access Law, which guarantees public recreational access to rivers and streams up to the high-water mark. Attendees engaged with state and county political candidates, as well as local businesses and nonprofits that depend on Montana's waterways. Candidates, including Alani Bankhead (Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate), Seth Bodnar (independent candidate for U.S. Senate), Amy Eddy (nonpartisan candidate for Montana Supreme Court), and several others running for state legislative seats, delivered speeches emphasizing their commitment to protecting waterway access. Many speakers shared personal connections to Montana's waters and highlighted the ongoing threats from private and corporate interests.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

New York ranks No. 2 among best states for teachers in 2026

New York ranks No. 2 among best states for teachers in 2026

A new analysis ranks New York as the second-best state for teachers, citing the nation's highest cost-of-living-adjusted teacher salary, strong tenure protections and top-rated academic environment.

Study Identifies Resilient Western U.S. Rivers

Study Identifies Resilient Western U.S. Rivers

A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE has mapped waterways across the contiguous United States to identify areas that could help sustain freshwater biodiversity amid changing climate conditions. Researchers highlighted mountain rivers in Idaho and Montana, as well as the headwaters of the Colorado River system, as particularly resilient. These waterways benefit from features like longer-lasting snowpack, less nearby development, and connectivity that allows aquatic species to move into cooler or more suitable habitats. Conversely, desert rivers in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Nevada were found to be more vulnerable due to water scarcity and additional pressures from a warming climate. The study aims to guide conservation efforts by identifying areas where protection and restoration could have the greatest impact.