Campuses in Wisconsin s public university system now face hard limits on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts following a controversial budget agreement tied to the Legislature. Advocates for Black and Brown students hope it inspires activism. Last week, the University of Wisconsin System s Board of Regents approved a deal pushed by Republican lawmakers to freeze DEI-related hiring so that schools could receive state funding for staff raises and campus construction projects. .
Legislators in and across the country are demanding more information for residents about longevity and repairability of tech devices, which they said is critical in promoting transparency and addressing the environmental impact of electronic waste. The call for action came in a letter signed by 58 state legislators from 28 states. The letter was organized by the U.S. .
A new report from the nonprofit advocacy group New Mexico Voices showed a guaranteed cash assistance program designed for immigrants improved work and school outcomes and allowed participants to pursue better jobs. Like other nationwide studies, the report concluded a "Guaranteed Basic Income" also helped boost employment rates and housing security among immigrants. Nichelle Gilbert, executive director of the Partnership for Community Action, said the 18-month pilot program began in March 2020 to help immigrant families during the pandemic who were ineligible for federal stimulus relief money. .
Math and reading proficiency among Ohio s students have stalled since the pandemic, and more students are qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals because of economic disadvantages at home, according to the latest 2023 Ohio Kids Count Data Profiles. John Stanford, state director of Children s Defense Fund Ohio, the group that publishes the profiles, said it s clear the state s youngest residents haven t bounced back from the COVID-19 public health crisis. "We still have a lot of work to accomplish when it comes to securing the well-being of Ohio s children," Stanford observed. " .
A new report found woody biomass is worse for the environment than other fossil fuels. The study showed biomass facility emissions are almost three times higher than other fossil fuel energies. It also finds biomass contributes 3% to 17% of the emissions from the entire U.S. .