skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts; TX leads nation in methane mitigation; NM's anti-hunger advocates make case for funding at Roundhouse; Judge denies unions' request to block mass firing of probationary employees, buyout offer; NC farmer's market, hike mark Black History Month.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Taos, NM sheriff won't comply with immigration enforcement that could erode public trust, NH worries that a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to vacation elsewhere, and Southern states promote workarounds to improve education.

MA educators cite chaos, fear following Trump’s directives

play audio
Play

Thursday, January 30, 2025   

Massachusetts educators say President Donald Trump's threat to pause all federal grant programs has created instability for schools and their students.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the order and it was later paused by the White House, but not before affecting child care and Head Start payments in the state and sowing doubt about the future of school meals.

Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Massachusetts, said she heard from families and school staff worried about their health care and job security.

"Literally all of those basic needs were put into question for so many of our families because of the freeze on the funding," Tang explained.

Lawmakers and legal scholars said the order violates federal law, regarding whether a president can block spending already approved by Congress. Tang argued the new administration is undermining public trust at a time when families are still craving stability coming out of the pandemic.

The American Federation of Teachers was part of a broad coalition of Democrat-led states and organizations to sue the Trump administration over the pause in funding. They contended the order would have catastrophic effects on educators' ability to provide a quality education for all students.

Tang noted she finds hope in the way communities are pushing back.

"I am actually overwhelmed by the number of actions and initiatives and efforts that everyday people are coming together to support each other," Tang observed. "The grassroots mutual aid, I think that is inspiring."

Tang added educators have had to remind families students are safe despite Trump's directive to allow immigration authorities in schools, medical facilities and churches. She emphasized the chaos of the past week is creating stress and anxiety, both for teachers and students, which makes it difficult to learn.

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.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Continuous glucose monitors are now used by most of the estimated 300,000 people in the United Staates who are younger than age 20 and living with Type 1 diabetes, according to health experts. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Phil Galewitz for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Serv…


play sound

After thousands of homes and businesses burned in the Los Angeles fires, public health doctors are warning about the toxic pollution from plastics …

Social Issues

play sound

As Congress continues to threaten deep cuts to the Medicaid program, a new KFF report shows how some of the proposed changes could end coverage for …


Montana's Lewis and Clark Caverns were first protected by the Department of the Interior under President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908. Management was transferred to the state of Montana in 1937. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Over the last 120 years, U.S. presidents have used the Antiquities Act almost 300 times to recognize national monuments, protecting portions of …

play sound

New legislation would transition more ocean-going container ships to run off electricity instead of diesel while they are docked at Washington ports…

More than 7.5% of the Commonwealth's electricity comes from solar power. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Virginia lawmakers and clean air advocates are closely watching budget talks in Congress. They hope clean energy tax incentives, passed in previous …

Social Issues

play sound

As Mississippi grapples with chronic violence and unconstitutional conditions in its prisons, new research provides a roadmap for reducing harm and …

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021