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Former NYPD school safety chief charged in bribery scheme
Kevin Taylor, the former head of the New York Police Department’s School Safety Division, has been charged with soliciting bribes in exchange for helping steer city contracts to a Florida businessman, federal prosecutors said. Taylor, 52, allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in cash, luxury hotel stays, a helicopter ride and Broadway tickets from…
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Federal policy clarifies that teachers may join students in prayer
The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance emphasizing the rights of students and teachers to express their religious beliefs in public schools. This guidance allows for prayer as long as it does not disrupt school activities or coerce participation. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said: “Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion…
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Social media giants face landmark trials
The world’s largest social media companies, including Meta and YouTube, are facing significant legal challenges this year regarding their impact on children’s mental health. Opening arguments in a landmark trial begin this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where claims suggest that these platforms intentionally design features that addict children and exacerbate mental health…
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Teens divided on cellphone bans
Cellphone bans in K-12 schools are expanding, with nearly 40 states restricting student phone use during the school day, and educators reporting gains in focus, engagement, and test scores. A Pew Research Center survey finds only about 40% of teens support bans, with sharp racial gaps: 46% of white teens support them versus 33% of…
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Medicaid’s $207M Error on Deceased Payments
A Department of Health and Human Services report reveals Medicaid improperly paid over $207 million to healthcare providers for deceased individuals between 2021 and 2022. The Trump administration’s recent legislation mandates states to audit Medicaid beneficiary lists against the Full Death Master File quarterly, starting in 2027, to curb such errors. This initiative follows a…
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Schools face rise in AI deepfakes
Schools are increasingly confronting the issue of students using artificial intelligence (AI) to create sexually explicit deepfakes of their peers. This problem was notably highlighted in a Louisiana middle school, where two boys were charged after AI-generated nude images circulated, leading to one victim’s expulsion for fighting. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre stated: “This incident…
