POLICY

Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Texas Schools Face Record‑High Choice Rush

Parents across Texas are lining up to send their children into a new state‑run program that lets them pick schools beyond their local district. The system, called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, launched with a $1 billion seed fund and has already received more than 118, 000 applications. The dead

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Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Education Dept. Outsources Jobs to State and Health Agencies

The U. S. Department of Education has begun handing over parts of its work to other federal bodies, a move that aims to reduce the size and reach of the education agency. Two new agreements were announced, each giving a different department specific duties that used to belong to Education. One part

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Feb 23 2026POLITICS

Science and Health in Chaos

The past year has seen science and medicine tangled in a web of political decisions that leave many questions unanswered. Governments have cut funding for research, sending scientists and universities into a crisis of trust and resources. Key agencies that once guided public health have been r

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Portland Schools Face Federal Probe Over New Black Student Center

The U. S. Department of Education has launched an inquiry after a complaint claimed that Portland Public Schools engaged in “racial preferencing” by creating the Center for Black Student Excellence. A conservative nonprofit, Defending Education, argued that spending up to $25 million on the cente

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Park Signage Lawsuit: History and Science in the Crosshairs

A group of conservationists, historians, and scientists has taken legal action against the current federal administration over new rules that have led to the removal or alteration of educational displays in national parks across the United States. The lawsuit claims that orders issued by the preside

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Feb 18 2026CRIME

Teacher Charged with Child Abuse Still on Staff?

A teacher at Lower Richland High School, Eric Marshall Favor Jr. , 29, faces serious accusations in Marion County. The charges include second- and third‑degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, conspiracy, and aiding prostitution involving a child. The case began on Feb. 10 when the sheriff’s of

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Feb 18 2026CRIME

A Wrongful Prison Sentence Over a Natural Drug

Ameen Alai, a father and body‑building coach, was sentenced to four years in federal prison on September 16, 2025. The charge was a single count of felony drug distribution, even though he never sold or handed out the drug in question. That drug was ibogaine, a plant‑derived alkaloid that some peopl

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Feb 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change: A Threat to Our Health and Safety

In early 2026, a significant shift occurred in U. S. climate policy. The administration decided to revoke a 2009 finding that identified six greenhouse gases as threats to public health. This move was met with criticism, as many experts argue that climate change poses serious health risks. Extreme

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Feb 17 2026EDUCATION

How Tennessee Raised Its School Test Scores

Tennessee students are now scoring better on the big national tests that check reading, math and history. The change shows how strong policies can move a whole state forward. The tests are not just for bragging. They help teachers see where students need help and guide school leaders on what to foc

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Feb 17 2026POLITICS

Global Minds Meet at IMF and World Bank Spring Gatherings

Foreign Policy hosts a series of meetings that bring together experts from around the world. These events focus on the latest crises, trends, and political shifts that shape our planet. The goal is to give people a clear view of what’s happening and why it matters. The meetings are held during the

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