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Ron DeSantis

Migrants Sue Florida Governor Over Martha’s Vineyard Flights

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By Maura Sirianni

and Associated Press
September 21, 2022

The lawsuit alleges that the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington, and were induced with perks like McDonald’s gift cards.

Venezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio, Texas, to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard are suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, alleges that the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington, “which was completely false,” and were induced with perks such as $10 McDonald’s gift certificates.

“No human being should be used as a political pawn,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, which is seeking class-action status in the lawsuit filed on behalf of several migrants who were aboard last week’s flights and Alianza Americas, a network of advocacy groups.

“It is opportunistic that activists would use illegal immigrants for political theater,” said Taryn Fenske, DeSantis’ communication director, in a statement late Tuesday.

The lawsuit, which also names Florida Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue as a defendant, alleges that migrants were induced to cross state lines under false pretenses, a line that some Democratic officials are using to urge a federal investigation.

Related StoryTexas Sheriff Investigating Migrant Flights To Martha's VineyardTexas Sheriff Investigating Migrant Flights To Martha’s Vineyard

On Monday, Javier Salazar, the sheriff of Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, opened an investigation into the flights, but the elected Democrat did not say what laws may have been broken. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, whose district includes San Antonio, have asked the Justice Department to begin a probe.

Guesswork was rampant among government officials, advocates and journalists Tuesday about DeSantis’ next move, consistent with the element of surprise that he and another Republican governor, Greg Abbott of Texas, have sought to achieve by busing and flying migrants across the country to Democratic strongholds with little or no notice.

Asked Tuesday about speculation that DeSantis may send migrants to his home state of Delaware, President Joe Biden said: “He should come visit. We have a beautiful shoreline.”

DeSantis declined to confirm speculation, based on flight-tracking software, that more migrants were on the move. He again defended his decision to fly about 50 Venezuelans to Martha’s Vineyard, saying their decisions were completely voluntary and, without evidence, that they were in awful condition when Florida got involved.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: POLITICS, US Tagged With: Americas, Associated Press, Boston, California, Delaware, Flights, Florida, Gavin Newsom, Government, Greg Abbott, Justice Department, Massachusetts, McDonald's, Next, Ron DeSantis, San Antonio, Software, State, Texas, Theater, Transportation, Washington

Texas Opens Investigation Into Migrant Flights To Martha’s Vineyard

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and Associated Press
September 20, 2022

Attorneys say migrants were misled before they boarded flights to the wealthy Massachusetts island.

An investigation is now underway in Texas after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent two flights of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard last week. 

Attorneys say migrants were misled before they boarded flights to the wealthy Massachusetts island. 

The controversy comes as Republican governors continue to transport migrants to Democratic-led states in protest of the Biden Administration’s polices at the southern border. 

Migrants have told journalists and immigration attorneys they were singled out and recruited under false pretenses, and given promises of jobs, shelter and aid.

Those 48 asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela, were looking for safety and security after fleeing a country in economic and political turmoil.  

They arrived at the southwest border in Texas, were processed by federal immigration authorities and released. Some ended up at a shelter in San Antonio, where they informed their attorneys that a crew and a blonde haired woman in particular made promises to them that they could to another city, get shelter, a job and aid, all at no expense.

They were transported on a private jet, paid for by the State of Florida which has apportioned money for immigrant removals in this year’s budget.

Related StoryMore Migrants Arrive In D.C. As White House Slams Republican GovernorsMore Migrants Arrive In D.C. As White House Slams Republican Governors

When the news broke last week, the governor of Florida took credit, giving the news first to conservative news outlets. Governor Ron DeSantis was eager to frame this as highlighting liberal hypocrisy on immigration. But as the story trickled out about the migrants arrived and who in effect recruited them, it caught the attention of local law enforcement in San Antonio.  

“We want to know what what was what was promised to them,” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “What, if anything, did they sign? Did they even understand the document that was put in front of them if they signed something? Or was this strictly a predatory measure, somebody coming and preying upon people that are here, minding their own business and are here legally, not bothering a soul, but somebody saw fit to come from another state, hunt them down, prey upon them, and then take advantage of their desperate situation just for the sake of political theater, just for the sake of making some sort of a statement and putting people’s lives in danger?”

The migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard sued Gov. DeSantis and his transportation secretary Tuesday for engaging in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, alleges that the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington, “which was completely false,” and were induced with perks such as $10 McDonald’s gift certificates.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: MONEY, POLITICS, US Tagged With: Aid, Associated Press, Boston, budget, Business, Country, Flights, Florida, Jobs, Law, Massachusetts, McDonald's, Money, PAID, Protest, Ron DeSantis, safety, San Antonio, Soul, State, Texas, Theater, Transport, Transportation, Venezuela, Washington

Texas Sheriff Investigating Migrant Flights To Martha’s Vineyard

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By Associated Press

and Newsy Staff
September 20, 2022

A San Antonio-area sheriff is investigating two flights out of his county last week, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed responsibility for.

A Texas sheriff on Monday opened an investigation into two flights of migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but did not say what laws may have been broken in putting 48 Venezuelans on private planes last week from San Antonio.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, an elected Democrat, railed against the flights that took off in his city as political posturing. But he said investigators had so far only spoken to attorneys representing some of the migrants and did not name any potential suspects who might face charges.

He also did not mention DeSantis in a news conference that appeared to mark the first time a law enforcement official has said they would look into the flights.

“I believe there is some criminal activity involved here,” Salazar said. “But at present we are trying to keep an open mind and we are going to investigate to find out what exact laws were broken if that does turn out to be the case.”

Related StoryMore Migrants Arrive In D.C. As White House Slams Republican GovernorsMore Migrants Arrive In D.C. As White House Slams Republican Governors

DeSantis’ office responded with a statement that said the migrants had been given more options to succeed in Massachusetts.

“Immigrants have been more than willing to leave Bexar County after being abandoned, homeless, and ‘left to fend for themselves,’” DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske said. “Florida gave them an opportunity to seek greener pastures in a sanctuary jurisdiction that offered greater resources for them, as we expected.”

The Venezuelan migrants who were flown to the wealthy Massachusetts island from San Antonio on Wednesday said they were told they were going to Boston. Julio Henriquez, an attorney who met with several migrants, said they “had no idea of where they were going or where they were.”

He said a Latina woman approached migrants at a city-run shelter in San Antonio and put them up at a nearby La Quinta Inn, where she visited daily with food and gift cards. She promised jobs and three months of housing in Washington, New York, Philadelphia and Boston, according to Henriquez.

Salazar said the migrants had been “preyed upon” and “hoodwinked.”

Some Democrats have urged the Justice Department to investigate the flights, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, whose district includes San Antonio.

A federal investigation might be complicated, however. It’s not clear whether anyone boarded buses or planes unwillingly, or that their civil rights were violated. The rights of asylum seekers arriving to the U.S. are also more limited because they are not citizens. The Constitution, though, does protect them from discrimination based on race or national origin and from improper treatment by the government.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: TRENDING Tagged With: Associated Press, Boston, Buses, California, Democrats, Discrimination, Flights, Florida, Food, Gavin Newsom, Government, Housing, Jobs, Justice Department, Law, Massachusetts, National, New York, Philadelphia, Race, Ron DeSantis, San Antonio, Texas, Washington, York

More Migrants Arrive In D.C. As White House Slams Republican Governors

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By Newsy Staff

and Associated Press
September 17, 2022

More than 50 migrants were bused to the home of Vice President Kamala Harris, while New York officials expected at least six more buses to arrive.

Another wave of migrants arrived at the nation’s capital and New York City on Saturday as the White House continues to criticize Republican governors in Texas, Florida and Arizona for what it calls a “political stunt.”

More than 50 migrants were bused to the home of Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday while New York officials expected at least six more buses to arrive by the end of the day.

Related StoryFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis Sends Migrants To Massachusetts By PlaneFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis Sends Migrants To Massachusetts By Plane

The White House hammered the Republican governors of Texas and Florida for arranging for the transport of migrants to Democratic strongholds in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The governors of Texas and Arizona have sent thousands of migrants on buses to New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., in recent months.

But the latest surprise moves – which included two flights to Martha’s Vineyard Wednesday paid for by Florida – reached a new level of political theater that critics derided as inhumane.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the flights to Martha’s Vineyard were part of an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.”

President Joe Biden criticized the move, saying “Republicans are playing politics with human beings, using them as props.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke to reporters Friday as the migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard were being moved to housing on a military base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“These are the kinds of tactics we see from smugglers in places like Mexico and Guatemala,” Jean-Pierre said. “And for what? A photo-op. Because these governors care about creating political theater, then creating actual solutions to help folks who are fleeing communism, to help children, to help families.”

Massachusetts is planning to activate as many as 125 National Guard members to assist.

In New York, Mayor Eric Adams says shelters are at their breaking point due to the influx of migrants.

In total, there have been nearly two million encounters along the southern border this year, which is already over 200,000 more than last year.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: POLITICS, TRENDING, US Tagged With: Arizona, Associated Press, Breaking, Buses, Chicago, Children, Communism, Eric Adams, Flights, Florida, Guatemala, Housing, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Massachusetts, Mexico, Military, National, New York, New York City, PAID, Politics, Republicans, Ron DeSantis, Texas, Theater, Transport, Washington, York

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Sends Migrants To Massachusetts By Plane

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Republican governors sent more migrants to Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis took part in the latest tactic Republican governors have employed to push back on what they view as President Biden and Congressional democrats’ inaction on the migrant crisis. DeSantis sent two charter planes Wednesday carrying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard — a popular vacation spot off the coast of Massachusetts.

“The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk and they’re so upset this was happening,” DeSantis said.

The planes, which were carrying roughly 50 migrants including children, arrived around 3pm with no warning, according to local officials. 

Earlier this summer, Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona and Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas began sending buses full of migrants apprehended at the southern border to Washington D.C., often with no warning. 

“In any one sector in the state of Texas, we have more than 5,000 people coming across that sector every single day,” Abbott said.

Related Story129 More Migrants Arrive In New York City From Texas129 More Migrants Arrive In New York City From Texas

On Thursday, two buses carrying migrants also arrived at the U.S. Naval Observatory — the vice president’s official residence in Washington D.C. Those buses came from Del Rio, Texas.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public health emergency last week in order to redirect more resources to support the thousands of migrants who have arrived in the nation’s capital from Texas and Arizona. And just last month, Texas Gov. Abbott began sending migrants to New York and Chicago as welll. 

Illinois governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation and has tapped the state’s national guard to help handle the hundreds of migrants being sent from Texas. 

“Let me be clear: while other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people and when a person comes urgently seeking help here in Illinois we offer them a helping hand,” Pritzker said.

Nearly a dozen busloads of immigrants have arrived in recent weeks in Chicago, with some migrants being relocated by the state to hotels in the suburbs — angering local mayors. 

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called on the Biden administration to provide more federal assistance in light of Texas’ action. 

“Governor Abbott’s racist and xenophobic practices of expulsion have only amplified the challenges many of these migrants have experienced on their journey to find a safe place,” Lightfoot said.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: POLITICS, TRENDING, US Tagged With: Arizona, Buses, Chicago, Children, Florida, Greg Abbott, Health, Hotels, Illinois, Light, Massachusetts, Mayors, National, New York, New York City, Ron DeSantis, State, Summer, Texas, Washington, York

Florida Relocates Migrants To Martha’s Vineyard

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used state appropriated funds to send two planes of migrants to the upscale island enclave in Massachusetts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday flew two planes of immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration’s failed border policies.

Flights to the upscale island enclave in Massachusetts were part of an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations,” said Taryn Fenske, DeSantis’ communications director.

Related StoryThe Biden Administration To End 'Remain In Mexico' Border PolicyThe Biden Administration To End ‘Remain In Mexico’ Border Policy

While DeSantis’ office didn’t elaborate on their legal status, many migrants who cross the border illegally from Mexico are temporarily shielded from deportation after being freed by U.S. authorities to pursue asylum in immigration court — as allowed under U.S law and international treaty — or released on humanitarian parole.

Massachusetts’ Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said he was in touch with local officials and that short-term shelter was being provided.

Martha’s Vineyard has styled itself as a “sanctuary destination” that welcomes migrants — a position it took early in former President Donald Trump’s administration.

State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who represents Martha’s Vineyard, tweeted: “Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants.”

Related StoryWhy Are Border Encounters At An All-Time High?Why Are Border Encounters At An All-Time High?

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing thousands of migrants to Washington in April and recently added New York and Chicago as destinations. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has been busing migrants to Washington since May. Passengers must sign waivers that the free trips are voluntary.

DeSantis, who is mentioned as potential presidential candidate, appears to be taking the strategy to a new level by using planes and choosing Martha’s Vineyard, whose harbor towns that are home to about 15,000 people are far less prepared than New York or Washington for large influxes of migrants.

The move is likely to delight DeSantis’ supporters who deride Democrat-led, immigrant-friendly “sanctuary” cities and anger critics who say he is weaponizing migrants as pawns for political gain.

The Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to transport “illegal immigrants” from the state consistent with federal law, Fenske said.

“States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as ‘sanctuary states’ and support for the Biden Administration’s open border policies,” Fenske said.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: POLITICS, TRENDING, US Tagged With: Arizona, Associated Press, Biden administration, California, Chicago, Children, Cities, Country, Deportation, Florida, Healthcare, Illegal Immigration, Law, Massachusetts, Mexico, New York, Policy, Ron DeSantis, State, Transport, Washington, York

D23 Expo 2022: Disney Shares Its Future By Looking Back At Its Past

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This year’s D23 Expo explored plans for Disney’s future, many of which are remakes of classic originals.

For being almost a century old, Mickey Mouse looks pretty good. 

The world’s best-known mouse and tens of thousands of his biggest fans came to celebrate what made him famous: The Walt Disney Company. 

Fans from all 50 states and 43 countries, according to Disney, gathered at the D23 Expo fan convention, filled with heroes and villains to celebrate all things Disney.

“It’s a place for Disney fans, Star Wars fans, Marvel fans,” said Kiara Ortiz, Disney fan. “There’s a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s just a fun experience.”

At D23 Expo, the company was already looking ahead to 2023 and its 100th anniversary.

In the last century, Disney has grown into a global, cultural and business behemoth with movies, streaming, broadcasting, theme parks, resorts and even cruise ships.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Earlier this year, Disney condemned a Florida law that critics called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. That decision angered Gov. Ron Desantis and lawmakers, who voted to revoke a special district status that Disney uses to operate like its own small government. Exactly how it will affect Disney and Florida taxpayers is still unclear.

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Disney is looking to the past for some of its future, revealing at the D23 Expo the latest live-action movies that will reimagine classic animated films, like “The Little Mermaid,” starring Halle Bailey.

In a remake of the 1940 original, Tom Hanks plays a live Gepetto in a “Pinocchio” movie now running on Disney+.

It’s that nostalgia that fans, and especially collectors, can’t get enough of. Rare finds can bring in a lot of cash.

Anja Buehring is a big fan of the puppet who became a real boy. At an expo booth full of vintage Disney, she saw one thing she couldn’t resist.  

“I bought a trash can, a Pinocchio trash can,” Buehring said. “It’s too cute to trash it up.”

The company is also honoring its past by rescuing Walt Disney’s mothballed Grumman plane from the punishing Florida climate and restoring it to its former polish. It was the plane Walt Disney used to fly cross country to the 1964 World’s Fair, scouting locations for Walt Disney World. It even shows up in a couple of Disney movies.

“It was his pride and joy,” said Becky Cline, of the Walt Disney Company Archives. “He loved this plane. He had a special seat with his special instrument panel and his phone to the pilot and everything. He just loved this.”

Related StoryHow Disney Got Its International CloutHow Disney Got Its International Clout

These days, Disney has a hand in so many properties it’s hard to be a fan of just one.

The costume Emily Billones built is a mash up of two Disney characters: Moana and Boba Fett.

“I am Moana and Boba Fett combined,” Billones said. “We call ourselves Disney Fetts, so I go by Moana Fett. The helmet took me probably on and off, maybe a couple weeks.”

For Billones and countless fans like her around the world, Disney is a state of mind, as it’s about to start its second century.

“I feel like it’s a place where people can come together,” Billones said. “I feel like it’s very diversified, so I feel like there’s a princess for everybody, so to speak. And, it’s just fun. There’s really no growing up. You just live your life, enjoy life to the fullest. That’s really what life’s all about.”

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: TRENDING Tagged With: Business, Country, Disney+, Florida, Government, Law, Marvel, Movies, Pride, Ron DeSantis, Running, Sailing, Shares, State, Theme parks, Tom Hanks, Walt Disney Company

How Different Sex Education Methods Affect Students Around The World

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Gaps in sex ed in the U.S. can leave students in the dark, while other countries have programs that positively affect student health and knowledge.

Across the nation, students have vastly different experiences learning about a somewhat taboo but super important health topic: sexual health education, or sex ed.

According to Sex Ed for Social Change, or SIECUS, 29 states and D.C. mandate sex ed as of July 2022. But 17 of those states require that abstinence be stressed, and only 11 of them require the curriculum to be medically accurate. Some states choose to leave discussions around healthy relationships, contraception and sexual orientation out of the conversation entirely.  

“Due to the lack of guidance and policy implementation at the federal level, the United States has a patchwork of laws that vary, which determine what and if sex education is being taught,” said Michelle Slaybaugh, director of social impact and strategic communications at SIECUS. “When it comes to education, policy, decisions have largely been left to local control, So we’re talking very local at the school board level, not even the city or state level. It’s very, very local.” 

Currently at the federal level, SIECUS is one group working to get the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act passed. This legislation promotes comprehensive sex ed, which means giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices about their sexual lives, and the act makes sure access to this education is protected.

Related StoryCurriculum Wars Are Intensifying Amid Rising Teacher BurnoutCurriculum Wars Are Intensifying Amid Rising Teacher Burnout

In March, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, but funding for comprehensive sex ed programs is not included.

On the state level, according to the SIECUS mid-year report, the number of bills introduced this year aimed at restricting sex ed was almost equal to the number of bills introduced advancing sex ed. But more regressive bills were passed in states this legislative session than progressive ones.

“I think there is this big myth that if we teach young people about sex, that they’re going to go and have it,” Slaybaugh said. “The evidence does not show that. Additionally, I think it is very important for us to understand that age appropriate or developmentally appropriate sex education is key.”

A Georgetown University study shows that sex ed helps with a lot of things, like preventing unplanned pregnancy, maternal death, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. But a survey from the Public Religion Institute found that nearly a quarter of millennials were not taught sex ed in middle or high school.

There is also a big gap in sex ed that’s inclusive and talks about LGBTQ+ identities. Less than 10% of LGBTQ+ students say their school’s sex ed is inclusive. When talking about gender identity and orientation, this is sometimes where curriculum can become “medically inaccurate.” 

“Medically accurate sex education is vital to promoting long term health outcomes, and a part of that, which I think is really where we’re seeing the rub, is this idea of gender norms, gender stereotypes and orientation,” Slaybaugh said. 

Florida in particular has become a bit of a hotspot when it comes to sex ed and what can or should be taught. New laws there, like what critics dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, limits discussion of sexuality and gender identity for some elementary students.

Related Story'Don't Say Gay' Bill Signed By Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Signed By Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Katie Lagrone, a correspondent at Newsy’s sister station in Tampa, Florida explains a confusing mix of standards on whether the new laws are altering old policies on sex ed.

“In Florida, while laws mandate health education include teen dating and disease control, we discovered there’s actually no statewide curriculum for sex education,” Lagrone said. “What and how students are taught about sexual and reproductive health is left to individual school boards who approve policies, principals who interpret them and instructors who ultimately drill it down for students. What’s more… we found about a one-third of Florida’s 67 school districts are teaching students, even high schoolers, abstinence only.”

Studies show abstinence-only instruction doesn’t prevent teens from having sex. In fact, a 2019 study by the CDC found by the 12th grade, more than half of Florida teens surveyed have already engaged in sexual intercourse, with some STD rates among teens in Florida being four times higher than the national average.

In some counties that have adopted this abstinence-only teaching method in Florida, teen birth rates are actually higher. One district spokesperson told Newsy these limits are because they “are respectful of parents rights.”

Elsewhere in the world, some countries have been recognized for comprehensive sex ed programs that help combat these issues, especially in Europe.

In the Netherlands, it’s required by law that all primary school students are taught sex ed. It starts as early as 4-years-old, but they’re not talking about the full birds and the bees at that age. They are simply covering the basics of healthy relationships.

In the U.S., some people argue that that is too young to be teaching sex ed, but three decades of research shows that sex ed can help prevent child abuse.

On average, teens in the Netherlands are also waiting longer to have sex when compared to Europe or the U.S. Researchers found that most young people in the Netherlands had “wanted and fun” first sexual experiences, while many American teens said they wished they waited longer to have sex for the first time.

The Netherlands has one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the world. Dutch teens are some of the most likely to use birth control pills, though part of that could be because contraception is easily accessible.

The Netherlands also works to educate parents on how to talk to their kids about sex to help get everyone on the same page.

In Denmark, for a long time, their sex ed program emphasized preventing unplanned pregnancy and promoting safe sex. In 2015, the country’s birth rate fell below the rate necessary to maintain population, and Danish officials went as far as actually encouraging people to have babies at a younger age. At the time, only point 5% of teen girls in Denmark had a baby. That rate was six times higher in the United States.

In recent years, the birth rate has started to rise again. While neither Denmark nor any country has a perfect system, they experienced some outcomes that other places could learn from.  

This highlights good models for comprehensive sex ed, but there are also other countries, like the U.S., where it isn’t widely taught, there are inconsistencies or it’s not available at all. Experts stress the importance of making sure students have the information necessary to live healthy lives.  

“We really need to push for something that is rooted in age-appropriate, medically-accurate and affirming content that is taught by trained educators to be able to deliver the most comprehensive and age-appropriate education around sexuality as possible,” Slaybaugh said.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: TRENDING Tagged With: Bees, Birds, Birth Rates, Country, Dating, Denmark, Education, Europe, Florida, Gender, Health, Information, Law, millennials, Models, National, Netherlands, Policy, Population, Pregnancy, Relationships, Religion, Research, Ron DeSantis, Sex, Sexual health, Sexuality, State, Students, Tampa, Teaching, United States, Young people, Youth

Who Qualifies For Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan?

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Many Republicans criticized the announcement, arguing it will make inflation worse by giving people more money to spend.

Millions of Americans could soon take advantage of President Joe Biden’s decision to provide student debt relief.

“All of this means people can start to finally crawl out from under that mountain of debt,” said President Biden.

And that means millions also have questions about how it all works. So, let’s break down four key elements, starting with the biggest headline — loan forgiveness.  

The administration will eliminate $10,000 in student debt for people making up to $125,000 a year, or $250,000 for married couples. The debt forgiveness increases to $20,000 for anyone who received a Pell Grant. And parents who took out federal loans to pay for a child’s education will also qualify for relief.  

The White House says 60% of borrowers received a Pell Grant, meaning a majority of people will be eligible for the maximum amount of relief.  

But appearing on Newsy’s Morning Rush, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the plan has wider benefits for the nation.

“Everyone knows someone that right now is struggling with college debt. Lifting, helping those people up, it helps the whole community. And, you know, it’s helping other Americans and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” said Sec. Cardona.

Next, the Department of Education is temporarily changing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to make it easier to qualify.

Related StoryIs A College Education Still Worth It?Is A College Education Still Worth It?

That allows people who work for government organizations, military, or qualifying non-profits to have any remaining debt forgiven after they make 10 years of payments.

“Think of a service member who defers their student loan payment while they’re deployed. The system is so restrictive that their active-duty service didn’t count as ‘public service’ and their loan isn’t forgiven as promised. It’s outrageous,” said President Biden.

The Biden administration is retroactively expanding the type of payments that qualify. But eligible borrowers must apply before Oct. 31 this year to take advantage of the change.

Third, the Biden administration is proposing a change to income-driven repayment plans. Once finalized, the new rule will cap monthly payments at 5% of income left after taxes and essential living expenses. And the program will cover the loan’s monthly interest, ensuring your total balance due won’t increase as long as you’re making your monthly payments.  

“We’re not going to ask folks to pay for more than they can afford; That’s going to make higher education much more accessible. And we’re going to cap the interest, too. I’ve heard from so many Americans that the interest is what kills them, it just keeps compounding. Well, we’re putting an end to that,” said Sec. Cardona.

And finally, the Biden administration is extending the pause on student loan payments one last time. No one is required to make a monthly payment on their student loans until January 2023.

Not everyone is happy with the president’s announcement. Some progressives wanted him to cancel more debt. Others argue he should be taking steps to reduce the cost of going to college.  

Many Republicans criticized the announcement, arguing it will make inflation worse by giving people more money to spend, will increase the country’s debt, and is unfair to Americans who already paid off their loans.  

“It’s very unfair to people who took other pathways in life that didn’t require them to take out a lot of loans, so maybe people that went into business immediately, people that went into trades, they made those decisions to not have that debt and now the debt’s being put on them,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.  

The White House says if every eligible borrower applies, 43 million Americans will benefit from the student debt cancellation.

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: POLITICS, TRENDING, US Tagged With: Benefits, Biden administration, Business, Country, Debt relief, Education, Florida, Government, Higher education, Income, Inflation, Joe Biden, Military, Money, PAID, Pay, Republicans, Ron DeSantis, Student Loans, taxes

Curriculum Wars Are Intensifying Amid Rising Teacher Burnout

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More schools are policing what can be taught, from discussions of gender identity to race.

Across the country, what’s being taught in the classroom is becoming increasingly political. 

In school districts nationwide, the debate over what public school children can read and learn is intensifying. 

According to Education Week magazine, 17 mostly conservative states have recently imposed bans on what teachers can say about race, gender and sexuality. 

Four more states have similar proposals moving through legislatures.

Scott Galvin is the director of Safe Schools South Florida, an organization opposed to the sunshine state’s new ban on discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom.

“Am I allowed to ask kids about pronouns when they’re introducing themselves?” Galvin asked. “Can I put rambling rainbow flags up in my school?” 

Critics have dubbed the ban “Don’t Say Gay.” For now, it applies to grades kindergarten through third.

“Our school system is for educating kids, not indoctrinating kids,” Florida Gov. Ron Desantis said. 

Gov. Desantis says the ban is needed to stop what he calls “woke indoctrination” that marginalizes the role of parents and pits people of different races against each other.  

“No taxpayer dollars should be used to teach our kids to hate our country or to hate each other,” he said.

Another new Florida law limits what teachers can say on racial issues and allows parents to sue teachers and school districts for perceived violations.

Some teachers fear these new laws will create a chilling effect.

“My concern all along has been the vagueness of it and the lack of just guidance and how it’s going to be interpreted,” said teacher Michael Woods.

But there are parents who say that making teachers think twice is a good thing.

“If you’re not sure, then you’re going to ultimately put your belief or your persuasion on that topic, so that’s better left unsaid,” parent Sean Sykes said. “There are things in here that that 100% should be taught at home.”

The curriculum wars also extend to books.

According to the free speech organization Pen America, over 1,100 book titles have been banned across 26 states over the last school year.

In suburban Muskego, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee, English teacher Kabby Hong put Julie Otsuka’s “When The Emperor Was Divine” on the list for AP reading, but the school board committee rejected the book.

“When I read the board members’ rejection of the Julie Otsuka book and their rationale as to why they rejected it, I was offended on so many levels,” Hong said.

One board member argued it had been selected only because the author was not white. 

“What I heard is somebody from the administration told the committee to pick a book from a nonwhite author,” said Kevin Zimmerman, Muskego-Norway School Board member. “You can’t have that. That’s a protected class. You can’t discriminate against a race.”

The book tells the stories of Japanese Americans interned in U.S. camps during World War II.

“They said that the American perspective was missing in her novel, and it’s written by a Japanese American novel about Japanese American characters,” Hong said. “So how could the American perspective be missing from this novel?” 

The school wars are not helping, at a time when teachers report record-low job satisfaction as a result of pandemic burnout and low pay.

Related StoryWhy Are Teachers Quitting?Why Are Teachers Quitting?

: newsy.com

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Filed Under: TRENDING Tagged With: Books, Children, Country, Education, Florida, Gender, Law, Milwaukee, Moving, Pay, Race, Ron DeSantis, Schools, Sexuality, Wisconsin

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