Weekly Update 1/17/23

California

President Biden approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support the state’s emergency response to ongoing storm impacts including flooding, mudslides and landslides in communities across the state…

According to antismoking experts, R.J. Reynolds, the maker of Camel and Newport brands, is attempting to evade California’s ban on flavored tobacco by advertising to smokers with its new non-menthol versions, offering “a taste that satisfies the senses” and “a new fresh twist”…

State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) introduced a bill in December 2022 that would allow a select group of cannabis retailers to operate while waiting for annual permits to be approved…

According to United Way Bay Area’s first public online database, nearly half of the almost 52,000 people who called 211 — the nationwide social services hotline — in six Bay Area counties last year needed housing help, a place to shelter for the night and assistance paying their rent to avoid eviction…

On Tuesday, 1/10, Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) launched her 2024 campaign for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) seat…

President and Administration

According to data, Puerto Rico’s population is aging more rapidly than most places in the world…

According to a study published by Princeton University researchers, a rise in suicide, alcohol abuse, and drug overdoses are more likely to be experienced by those without a bachelor’s degree than those who finished college in the decade leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic…

The Biden administration has been facing backlash due to its stance on the $440 million Charter Schools Program, which is a federal grant that more than half of charter schools rely on…

Beginning on January 17, veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days…

According to the American Cancer Society, death rates from cancer in the U.S. have fallen by 32 percent from 1991 to 2019…

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Friday, 1/13, formally invited President Biden to deliver the State of the Union — and Biden has said yes…

Congress

House Republicans reportedly plan on cutting federal spending by at least $130 billion without cutting defense, which is unlikely to be accepted through the Democratic Senate and White House…

Education

On Tuesday, 1/10, the Department of Education proposed regulations to reduce the cost of federal student loan payments…

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights logged a record number of discrimination complaints in the past year…

According to the latest release of the School Pulse Panel, an ongoing data collection effort led by the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. school leaders are feeling limited in addressing student misbehavior…

According to a study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management late last year, arts education in K-12 can improve students’ writing skills and build empathy…

California approved a ballot initiative that will provide nearly $1 billion annually to increase access to arts and music programs in schools…

A Rand study analyzing six grow-your-own teacher prep programs designed to increase and diversify the educator workforce found that local “grow your own” alternative teacher preparation programs can help strengthen the diversity of the teaching workforce, as well as enable districts to address broader staffing challenges…

According to a new report by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University, only 18 percent of students who reported experiencing food or housing insecurity were enrolled in SNAP…

According to a new survey released by Populace, a Massachusetts-based think tank focused on public engagement, respondents ranked preparation for college or university nearly at the bottom of their priorities for schools: 47th out of 57 overall…