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Trump attacks Liz Cheney using violent war imagery; Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates; Consumer groups slam CA Supreme Court ruling on lemon law; On National Brush Day, new resources in KY to boost oral health.

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Harris says her campaign is prepared for Trump to prematurely claim victory, Pennsylvania election officials say safeguards in the system are preventing vote fraud, and Montana Senate race could hinge on the "political refugee" vote.

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A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

MN educators join national calls for democracy, better working conditions

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Wednesday, July 24, 2024   

Politics and education reform are among the major topics at a national convention of more than 3,500 teachers union members this week, including some from Minnesota.

The American Federation of Teachers is among the groups to endorse Kamala Harris for President and leaders at the conference are also pushing for more money and better working conditions for teachers across the country.

Leah VanDassor, president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators Local 28, said crowded classrooms take a major toll on the education system.

"What's the educational cost? What's the emotional cost? What's the mental health cost of having so many kids in a room?" VanDassor asked. "That's why we push so hard for all of that, because learning conditions are very tightly tied to working conditions. You can do a lot better job as an educator if you have fewer students in the room."

While conservatives have argued public employee unions are too powerful, VanDassor noted educators disagree. She added most schools have no structure or funding in place to deal with the current mandate to handle the mental health crisis among students.

The Texas Tribune reports Kamala Harris will be in Houston to address the American Federation of Teachers conference Thursday.

Randi Weingarten, president of the national union, praised the Biden/Harris administration's commitment to public education in her keynote speech, while accusing Republicans of undermining workers' rights and attacking academic freedom.

"When the history books are written about this moment, let them record that we the people united, mobilized, and voted down this existential threat to democracy and freedom," Weingarten stressed.

Weingarten also criticized the Trump administration's support of school vouchers, the effects of social media on students and the movement to control or censor topics or books with which they do not agree.

"They fear what we do," Weingarten asserted. "The teaching of reason, of critical thinking, of honest history, of pluralism. Because their brand of greed, of power, of privilege cannot survive in a democracy of diverse, educated citizens."

Disclosure: The American Federation of Teachers contributes to our fund for reporting on Education, Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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