ReportWire

Tag: youth

  • Can states ban transgender athletes from school sports? Supreme Court takes up cases

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    The Supreme Court will hear two cases Tuesday that address whether state laws restricting transgender women and girls from participating in sports are constitutional. The first case involves 25-year-old Lindsay Hecox who transitioned from male to female and sued over Idaho’s ban to try out for the women’s track and cross country teams at Boise State University. She did not make either team and is no longer looking to do so, but competed in club-level soccer and running while she studied in Idaho. The second case centers around 15-year-old Becky Pepper-Jackson. She has been taking puberty-blocking medication, has identified as a girl since age 8, and was issued a West Virginia birth certificate recognizing her as female. Pepper-Jackson is the only transgender person who has attempted to compete in girls’ sports in West Virginia. The lower courts in both cases ruled in favor of the transgender athletes who challenged the state bans. More than two dozen Republican-led states, including Idaho and West Virginia, have enacted bans on transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s teams. Today, the mainly conservative justices are expected to focus on whether these sports bans violate the Constitution or Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. A decision in both cases is expected to be released by early summer. In the past year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth and allowed restrictions on transgender people to be enforced. Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:

    WASHINGTON —

    The Supreme Court will hear two cases Tuesday that address whether state laws restricting transgender women and girls from participating in sports are constitutional.

    The first case involves 25-year-old Lindsay Hecox who transitioned from male to female and sued over Idaho’s ban to try out for the women’s track and cross country teams at Boise State University.

    She did not make either team and is no longer looking to do so, but competed in club-level soccer and running while she studied in Idaho.

    The second case centers around 15-year-old Becky Pepper-Jackson. She has been taking puberty-blocking medication, has identified as a girl since age 8, and was issued a West Virginia birth certificate recognizing her as female.

    Pepper-Jackson is the only transgender person who has attempted to compete in girls’ sports in West Virginia.

    The lower courts in both cases ruled in favor of the transgender athletes who challenged the state bans.

    More than two dozen Republican-led states, including Idaho and West Virginia, have enacted bans on transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s teams.

    Today, the mainly conservative justices are expected to focus on whether these sports bans violate the Constitution or Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.

    A decision in both cases is expected to be released by early summer.

    In the past year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth and allowed restrictions on transgender people to be enforced.

    Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:


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  • Choosing a career? In a fast-changing job market, listen to your inner self – counselor

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    by Kobus Maree, University of Pretoria

    The world of work today, in the 21st century, is far more unpredictable than it was in the 20th century. Jobs come and go, roles change constantly, and automation and digital disruption are the only constants. Many young people will one day do jobs that don’t yet exist or did not exist a few years ago. Change is the new normal.

    In this world, career counselling focuses on navigating repeated transitions and developing resilience. It is about employability and designing meaningful work-lives – not about finding a single “job for life”. It recognises that economic activity is part of wider social realities.

    At its heart is the search for a sense of purpose.

    As a career counsellor and academic, I’ve been through decades of innovation, research, and practice in South Africa and beyond. I have found that the work of US counselling psychologist Mark Savickas offers a useful way to understand how people build successful and purpose-filled careers in changing times.

    His career construction theory says that rather than trying to “match” people to the “right” environment, counsellors should see their clients as authors of their own careers, constantly trying to create meaning, clarify their career-life themes, and adapt to an unpredictable world.

    In simple terms, this means in practice that career decisions are not just about skills or interests, but about how we make sense of our lives. They are about our values and how we adapt when the world shifts.

    In my own work I emphasise that career counselling should draw on people’s “stories” (how they understand themselves) as well as their “scores” (information about them). This is why I developed instruments that blend qualitative and quantitative approaches to exploring a person’s interests.

    I also think career counselling should be grounded in context – the world each person lives in. For example, in South Africa, young people face multiple career-life transitions, limited opportunities and systemic constraints, such as uneven and restricted access to quality education and schooling, lack of employment opportunities, and insufficient career counselling support. My work in this South African context emphasises (personal) agency, (career) adaptability, purpose, and hope.

    This goes beyond “what job suits you best”, into a richer, narrative-based process. Clients recount their career-life story, identify “crossroads”, reflect on their values and purpose, and design their next career-life chapters. Essentially, this approach helps them listen to themselves – to their memories, dreams, prospects, values, and emerging self- and career identities – and construct a story that really matters to the self and others.

    I also believe that career counsellors should try to help people deal with their disappointments, sadness and pain, and empower them to heal others and themselves.

    Tips for career builders

    Adaptability is a central theme in current career theory. It has four dimensions:

    • concern (about the future)
    • control (over your destiny)
    • curiosity (exploring possibilities)
    • confidence (in your capacity to act).

    When you develop these capacities, you are better equipped to manage career-life transitions, redesign your career appropriately and promptly, and achieve a meaningful work-life balance.

    I have found that in practice it’s helpful to:

    • reflect on key “turning points” in your career-life and earliest memories
    • integrate self-understanding with awareness of what’s happening in an industry, technology and the economy
    • draw on “stories” (subjective information about yourself) and “scores” (objective data)
    • develop a sense of mission (what the job means for you personally) and vision (your contribution to society, not just your job title).

    I invite you to reflect deeply on your story, identify the key moments that shaped you, clarify your values, and decide what contribution you want to make. Then (re-)design your way forward, step by step, one transition at a time.

    If it’s possible, a gap year can be a good time to do this reflection, learn new skills and develop qualities in yourself, like adaptability.

    One of the best pieces of advice for school leavers I’ve ever seen was this: “Get yourself a passport and travel the world.”

    How a counselor can help

    One of the key tenets of my work is the belief that career counseling should be beneficial not only to individuals but also to groups of people. It should promote the ideals of social justice, decent work, and the meaningful contribution of all people to society.

    For me, the role of practitioners is not to advise others but to enable them to listen to their inner selves.

    To put it another way: in a world of uncertainty, purpose becomes a compass; a North Star. It gives direction. By helping you find the threads that hold your life together and your unique career story, a counsellor helps you take control of your career-life in changing contexts.

    There’s also a shift of emphasis in career counseling towards promoting the sustainability of societies and environments on which all livelihoods are dependent.

    Career counseling is more vital than ever – not a luxury. It’s not about providing answers but about helping people become adaptive, reflective, resilient and hopeful.

    Kobus Maree, Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Pretoria

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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  • LGBTQ+ youth’s mental health struggles are getting worse, according to a new survey

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    There are many stresses that come with being an LGBTQ+ youth: fear, isolation, bullying, feeling as if the world hates you, loved ones pressuring you to change.

    Those realities come into sharper view in the first release of findings from an ongoing study by the Trevor Project to track the mental health of about 1,700 youth across the U.S. over an extended period of time.

    Researchers from the West Hollywood-based nonprofit saw a sharp increase in mental distress among the participants. Over the course of one year, the proportion of participants who reported anxiety symptoms rose from 57% to 68%.

    As political rhetoric in the last couple of years has boiled over on issues such as teaching about LGBTQ+ identity in schools, transgender students playing on sports teams and whether to allow gender-affirming care, the share of youth who said they’d experienced symptoms of depression rose from 48% to 54%. Those reporting having suicidal thoughts went from 41% to 47%.

    Transgender and nonbinary youth were nearly twice as likely to say they’d struggled with anxiety and suicidal thoughts than their cisgender peers — a pattern that held steady throughout the first year of data collection on participants in this group.

    “This allows us to clearly and unequivocally document what we know to be true: The manner in which LGBTQ+ youth are treated in this country harms their health and risks their lives, and it is only getting worse,” Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement.

    Even in California, a state that’s considered a haven for trans people, the climate seems to be shifting. In a surprising move for an elected official who has proclaimed support for the trans community, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that would have required 12 months of hormone therapy coverage for transgender patients in California, citing cost concerns.

    Another striking finding in the study: An increase in the proportion of youth who said they’ve faced pressure to undergo “conversion therapy,” a controversial and scientifically dubious counseling process that its advocates claim can suppress or erase same-sex desire, change the gender identity of youth who identify as trans and discourage those are questioning.

    The National Alliance on Mental Illness calls conversion therapy “discredited, discriminatory, and harmful,” and supports bans on a practice it says can damage, not improve, the mental health of those who undergo it. California became the first state to ban the practice in 2012.

    But reports of being threatened with conversion therapy doubled in the first year of tracking, with 22% of respondents saying they experienced this intimidation, up from 11% at the start of the study. The percentage of those who said they’d been exposed to conversion therapy in some way climbed from 9% to 15%.

    The findings come as the Supreme Court hears arguments in one of the most closely watched cases of its current term. In Chiles vs. Salazar, a Christian counselor has argued that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth violates her free speech rights in voluntary therapy sessions with questioning minors. Members of the court’s conservative majority, who prevailed earlier this year in a decision upholding a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors, openly voiced skepticism about the Colorado ban in hearings this week. The court’s decision is expected to rule in case by the end of its session in June.

    “Many people believe it to be a relic of the past, but the data indicate that these dangerous practices are still happening,” said Dr. Ronita Nath, Trevor Project’s vice president of research. She added that threats of and exposure to conversion therapy contributed to future depression and suicidal thoughts among study participants.

    The researchers started recruiting in September 2023. Each participant filled out mental health surveys every six months after joining the study.

    This is the first time that the Trevor Project has monitored changes in queer youth mental health over such a long period. Nath said this type of sophisticated, long-range study is important for public health providers and policymakers alike because it provides fresh evidence of a cause-and-effect link between societal risk factors — such as pressure to undergo conversion therapy and a lack of access to affordable mental health services — and future crises.

    “Societal and structural conditions are driving these mental health outcomes, not just coinciding with them,” Nath said.

    The study did identify some positives: The percentage of LGBTQ+ youth who reported feeling supported at school rose from 53% to 58% over the course of the first year. Also, 73% of participants said they sought help from friends, up from 45% at the beginning of the first year.

    Many who took part in the study, however, said they avoided seeking care either because they couldn’t afford it or because they worried they’d be stigmatized for having a mental health crisis.

    Only 60% of respondents said they had access to mental health services by the end of their first year in the study, down from the 80% at the start of their tracking.

    On the other hand, 75% of those who did get counseling over the course of their first year in the study said they benefited from it, up from 61% at the start.

    The proportion of youths who said they sought help during suicidal episodes doubled to 64% in that time frame, though, which points to the increased level of distress youths experienced in that span, Nath said.

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    Tyrone Beason

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  • Judge pumps brakes on Bonta’s push to take over L.A. County juvenile halls

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    A judge temporarily blocked California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s attempt to take over Los Angeles County’s beleaguered juvenile halls on Friday, finding that despite evidence of a “systemic failure” to improve poor conditions, Bonta had not met the legal grounds necessary to strip away local control.

    After years of scandals — including frequent drug overdoses and incidents of staff violence against youths — Bonta filed a motion in July to place the county’s juvenile halls in “receivership,” meaning a court-appointed monitor would manage the facilities, set their budgets and oversee the hiring and firing of staff. An ongoing staffing crisis previously led a state oversight body to deem two of L.A. County’s halls unfit to house children.

    L.A. County entered into a settlement with the California Department of Justice in 2021 to mandate improvements, but oversight bodies and a Times investigation earlier this year found the Probation Department was falling far short of fixing many issues, as required by the agreement.

    On Friday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Peter A. Hernandez chastised Bonta for failing to clearly lay out tasks for the Probation Department to abide by in the 2021 settlement. Hernandez said the attorney general’s office’s filings failed to show that a state takeover would lead to “a transformation of the juvenile halls.”

    The steps the Probation Department needs to take to meet the terms of the settlement have been articulated in court filings and reports published by the L.A. County Office of the Inspector General for several years. Hernandez was only assigned to oversee the settlement in recent months and spent much of Friday’s hearing complaining about a lack of “clarity” in the case.

    Hernandez wrote that Bonta’s motion had set off alarm bells about the Probation Department’s management of the halls.

    “Going forward, the court expects all parties to have an ‘all-hands’ mentality,” the judge wrote in a tentative ruling earlier this week, which he adopted Friday morning.

    Hernandez said he would not rule out the possibility of a receivership in the future, but wanted more direct testimony from parties, including Probation Department Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa and the court-appointed monitor over the settlement, Michael Dempsey. A hearing was set for Oct. 24.

    The attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    “The Department remains fully committed to making the necessary changes to bring our juvenile institutions to where they need to be,” Vicky Waters, the Probation Department’s chief spokesperson, said in a statement. “However, to achieve that goal, we must have both the authority and support to remove barriers that hinder progress rather than perpetuate no-win situations.”

    The California attorney general’s office began investigating L.A. County’s juvenile halls in 2018 and found probation officers were using pepper spray excessively, failing to provide proper educational and therapeutic programming and detaining youths in solitary confinement for far too long.

    Bonta said in July that the county has failed to improve “75%” of what they were mandated to change in the 2021 settlement.

    A 2022 Times investigation revealed a massive staffing shortage was leading to significant injuries for both youths and probation officers. By May of 2023, the California Board of State and Community Corrections ordered Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar shuttered due to unsafe conditions. That same month, an 18-year-old died of an overdose while in custody.

    The county soon reopened Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, but the facility quickly became the site of a riot, an escape attempt and more drug overdoses. Last year, the California attorney general’s office won indictments against 30 officers who either orchestrated or allowed youths to engage in “gladiator fights.” That investigation was sparked by video of officers allowing eight youths to pummel another teen inside Los Padrinos, which has also been deemed unfit to house youths by a state commission.

    In court Friday, Laura Fair, an attorney from the attorney general’s office, said that while she understood Hernandez’s position, she expressed concern that teens are still in danger while in the Probation Department’s custody.

    “The youth in the halls continue to be in grave danger and continue to suffer irreparable harm every day,” she said.

    Fair told the court that several youths transferred out of Los Padrinos under a separate court order in recent weeks showed up at Nidorf Juvenile Hall with broken jaws and arms.

    She declined to comment further outside the courtroom. Waters, the Probation Department’s spokesperson, said she was unaware of the situation Fair was describing but would look into it.

    Despite the litany of fiascoes over the last few years, probation leaders still argued in court filings that Bonta had gone too far.

    “The County remains open to exploring any path that will lead to better outcomes. But it strongly opposes the DOJ’s ill-conceived proposal, which will only harm the youth in the County’s care by sowing chaos and inconsistency,” county lawyers wrote in an opposition motion submitted last month. “The DOJ’s request is almost literally without precedent. No state judge in California history has ever placed a correctional institution into receivership.”

    Under the leadership of Viera Rosa, who took office in 2023, the Probation Department has made improvements to its efforts to keep drugs out of the hall, rectify staffing issues and hold its own officers accountable for misconduct, the county argued.

    The department has placed “airport-grade” body scanners and drug-sniffing dogs at the entrances to both Nidorf and Los Padrinos in order to stymie the influx of narcotics into the halls, according to Robert Dugdale, an attorney representing the county.

    Dugdale also touted the department’s hiring of Robert Arcos, a former high-ranking member of the Los Angeles Police Department and L.A. County district attorney’s office, to oversee security in the facilities.

    The motion claimed it was the Probation Department that first uncovered the evidence that led to the gladiator fight prosecutions. Bonta said in March that his office launched its investigation after it reviewed leaked footage of one of the incidents.

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    James Queally

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  • Mayor Mike (the other one) drops big bucks into Denver’s flavored nicotine fight

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    Flavored vape products that critics say are aimed at youth, during a news conference aimed at Denver’s City and County Building on Monday, Dec. 12, 2024.

    Hart Van Denburg/CPR News

    Michael Bloomberg is making an expensive statement in Denver’s referendum battle over flavored nicotine products.

    Bloomberg, a billionaire philanthropist and the former mayor of New York City, is by far the biggest donor in the political fight. He gave $1.5 million last month to the anti-nicotine campaign that wants to keep Denver’s “flavor ban” in place.

    That followed another contribution of $73,500 from him in August, and it means the supporters of the ban now have a 4-to-1 lead in fundraising. That’s according to campaign filings posted Monday by the Office of the Denver Clerk and Recorder.

    The move drew quick criticism from backers of the repeal, who are asking voters to abolish the ban and once again allow the sale of flavored vaporizers and other products in Denver.

    “The real David vs. Goliath story is out-of-state billionaire money flooding Denver to keep the flavor ban in place,” said Phil Guerin, who owns the vape shop Myxed Up Creations on Colfax Avenue, as well as locations in four other Colorado cities, via email. 

    CPR reached out to Bloomberg for comment but hasn’t yet gotten a response.

    The pro-flavor ban campaign calls itself “Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco” and is supported by anti-tobacco, education and health groups. It has now raised more than $2 million. 

    Those opposing the ban, including vape shops and multinational corporations that sell flavored products, have raised almost $470,000, according to the filings.

    Bloomberg has fought for tobacco and smoking regulations before

    Bloomberg, a longtime tobacco opponent, served as New York City’s mayor for three terms. He has officially been a Republican, independent and Democrat, and ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2020.

    As mayor he championed a number of public health initiatives, including a ban on indoor smoking at workplaces, a hike on the cigarette tax, an increase in the legal age to buy tobacco products and a ban on flavored e-cigarette products including menthol flavors.

    Bloomberg, who is 83, ranked #14 on Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2025, with a net worth of $105 billion. He cofounded Bloomberg LP, a financial information and media company, in 1981.

    How the people working to repeal the ban reacted

    The Denver City Council banned flavored tobacco sales in December. Mayor Mike Johnson signed the measure. Opponents started a petition drive to challenge the ban and successfully gathered nearly 11,000 valid signatures. That was enough to put the repeal on the ballot in November.

    Guerin said a coalition of Denver citizens and family- and minority-owned businesses “stood up for our city” — collecting thousands of signatures in Denver “to give voters a voice.”

    “While their side spends millions from New York to dictate Denver’s policy, we believe Denver should decide Denver’s future — not an outside billionaire,” Guerin said.

    The opponents of the flavor ban are operating under the name CitizenPower! Among the nearly $500,000 raised: almost $173,000 from the Rocky Mountain Smoke Free Alliance and $75,000 each from the tobacco giant Altria and the company Philip Morris International (PMI).

    The “no” campaign has been running a 30-second ad on Facebook.

    Supporters of the ban demurred from mentioning Bloomberg

    In a statement, the Yes on 310 campaign said they have broad support from doctors, nurses, individuals and public health organizations like the American Lung Association, with endorsements from organizations including the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Colorado.

    The statement did not specifically mention Bloomberg.

    “Our supporters are committed to protecting the health of Denver kids and stopping Big Tobacco from hooking them into a lifetime of nicotine addiction,” said Jodi Radke, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in an emailed statement.

    She said she’s confident that Denver voters, “will side with kids over Big Tobacco and vote yes to end the sale of flavored tobacco and protect our kids from a lifetime of addiction.”

    Bloomberg has committed more than $1 billion to combat tobacco use globally, according to the website for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, which is one of several organizations funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

    Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, a nonprofit affiliated with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, also has given more than $350,000 to the campaign. Health consortium Kaiser Permanente has given $50,000 and the American Heart Association has given $30,000.

    The money paid for a number of 30-second campaign ads. 

    Nearly $1.3 million of the anti-tobacco campaign’s spending has gone to GMMB, a political communications and advertising firm based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Seattle and San Francisco.

    Will tobacco corps respond?

    One big question now is whether deep-pocketed corporations that sell flavored tobacco, like Altria and PMI, which have already given to the no side, will now respond with bigger contributions of their own.

    CPR reached out to both, but has not yet heard back from either.

    Does the Rocky Mountain Smoke Free Alliance have the funds to match Bloomberg’s contributions?

    “I wish!” Guerin said via text. “The short answer is no.”

    The voters themselves will weigh in soon

    Denver’s Referendum 310 will decide whether to keep or repeal Denver’s ban on flavored tobacco, including nicotine vaporizers that come in a range of fruity flavors.

    If a majority of people vote “yes,” the city will continue to ban the products. If a majority vote “no,” the ban would be repealed and businesses would be allowed to sell the products again.

    The full text of the ordinance is available here.

    The ban, which affects 575 retailers that sell the products in Denver, is already in effect, but city officials have said they wouldn’t enforce it until after the election.

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  • Shuffleboard club files lawsuit against Leesburg for donating land

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    The Leesburg Shuffleboard Club has filed a lawsuit against the city of Leesburg for donating the land on which its shuffleboard courts were to a nonprofit to build tiny homes for youth in need.The decision was a controversial one, made in late August to donate the property to construct tiny homes for at-risk teens, displacing the shuffleboard club.Following the vote, the shuffleboard club sued the city, bringing on Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini as legal representation.“It is disturbing that members of the Leesburg City Commission are giving away our public parks and taxpayer money to cram in more dense housing – it’s wrong, it’s illegal and it’s corrupt, since it was pushed by a commissioner to his wife’s nonprofit,” Sabatini said. “We need to be protecting all of our parks and recreational areas and stop the rampant growth.”Leesburg Commissioner Jimmy Burry is married to the executive director of the Forward Paths nonprofit.”We’re just looking to give them a start after facing abuse and neglect, a chance to start off life as an adult,” said the organization’s executive director, Denise Burry. Burry said they have been working to find a spot in Leesburg to build 10 tiny homes where these young people could live for free — similar to a project they have in Eustis.”We always have a waiting list, so we’re looking to accommodate the need here in Lake County,” she said.Leesburg declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

    LEESBURG, Fla. —

    The Leesburg Shuffleboard Club has filed a lawsuit against the city of Leesburg for donating the land on which its shuffleboard courts were to a nonprofit to build tiny homes for youth in need.

    The decision was a controversial one, made in late August to donate the property to construct tiny homes for at-risk teens, displacing the shuffleboard club.

    Following the vote, the shuffleboard club sued the city, bringing on Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini as legal representation.

    “It is disturbing that members of the Leesburg City Commission are giving away our public parks and taxpayer money to cram in more dense housing – it’s wrong, it’s illegal and it’s corrupt, since it was pushed by a commissioner to his wife’s nonprofit,” Sabatini said. “We need to be protecting all of our parks and recreational areas and stop the rampant growth.”

    Leesburg Commissioner Jimmy Burry is married to the executive director of the Forward Paths nonprofit.

    “We’re just looking to give them a start after facing abuse and neglect, a chance to start off life as an adult,” said the organization’s executive director, Denise Burry.

    Burry said they have been working to find a spot in Leesburg to build 10 tiny homes where these young people could live for free — similar to a project they have in Eustis.

    “We always have a waiting list, so we’re looking to accommodate the need here in Lake County,” she said.

    Leesburg declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

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  • Video: What Charlie Kirk Meant to His Young Supporters

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    new video loaded: What Charlie Kirk Meant to His Young Supporters

    transcript

    transcript

    What Charlie Kirk Meant to His Young Supporters

    At a memorial outside of the hospital where Charlie Kirk died, mourners described his impact on younger generations.

    “He actually played a big role in how I thought about politics, and how I put politics and God together. One day I was scrolling on TikTok. It was probably like 2020. I found him and I really just loved what he was saying.” “I think her finding him helped her develop that sense of confidence. This will affect us.” “I wanted to come put big balloons or flowers. Pay my respects.” “I was so heartbroken.” “I bet.” “When they told me Charlie was gone. Just because somebody says something you don’t like doesn’t mean you get to kill people. He didn’t deserve it. I am 10 years old, and how I learned about Charlie Kirk was he did these really great shows. And one of the most important things that he said is: I love God, I love my family, and I love my country.” “He kind of said what we were all thinking. Just that traditional families is just — that’s just how families are supposed to be done. That’s what resonated with a lot of us.” “I’m not really big on politics. I was a little bit more in between, and just kept the peace and didn’t speak my mind. Honestly, going forward, this makes me more empowered to feel a little bit more conservative and speak my mind honestly, because I’m just so sick of it.” “It feels we’re on the brink of something that’s a little bit scary, but a little bit revolutionary.” “Him passing is just I feel like hard on everyone in our community right now.”

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    Kassie Bracken, Jeremy Raff, Mark Boyer, Monika Cvorak and Shawn Paik

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  • Springfield Man Accused Of Embezzling $50K From Youth Football League – KXL

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    EUGENE, Ore. – A Springfield man has been arrested for allegedly embezzling approximately $50,000 from a Bethel-area youth football league while serving as its treasurer.

    Ean Douglas Lynum, 38, was taken into custody on Sept. 10 following an investigation by the Eugene Police Department’s Property and Financial Crimes Unit. He faces charges of first-degree aggravated theft and misapplication of entrusted property.

    Police said the theft drained the league’s entire fund balance, leaving the youth participants without money for essential gear and equipment.

    Due to Lynum’s involvement in other local sports programs, investigators believe there could be additional unreported incidents.

    More about:


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    Grant McHill

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  • Monica Montgomery Steppe proposes law enforcement, juvenile detention reforms

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    Juveniles in custody in San Diego County. (Photo courtesy of County News Center)

    San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe announced several proposals Monday intended to increase transparency and accountability among law enforcement while protecting the rights of those in custody.

    Montgomery Steppe, the Board of Supervisors’ vice chair, will bring the proposals in front of the board Tuesday morning.

    Among them are:

    • phasing out the use of all chemical agents, including OC (oleoresin capsicum), or pepper spray, in youth detention centers
    • de-emphasizing the use of room/solitary confinement in youth facilities
    • requiring trauma-informed de-escalation training for all probation officers working with youth
    • updates to expanding the investigatory authority of the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board

    “No one should face a de facto death sentence while awaiting trial. No one should be subjected to abuse in a jail cell and no one should fear for their life during a traffic stop. These are not radical beliefs.”

    The supervisor said she was spurred by ongoing investigations that have “highlighted systemic concerns within county detention facilities, including the excessive use of chemical agents on youth, limited investigatory authority in cases of in-custody deaths, and an overall lack of meaningful public oversight,” a statement from her office read.

    The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board is restricted to sworn police officers, and Montgomery Steppe said that allows many with positions of power to be relatively unaccountable for their actions.

    She also emphasized that these proposals, and her term in office, will be geared toward other solutions to crime other than incarceration, including social solutions, diversionary programs and more.

    City News Service contributed to this article.


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  • Latest Data Reveals Youth Marijuana Use

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    The government has released  data on youth cannabis use – and the numbers are not surprising

    One of the concerns over legalizing marijuana is use among the under 21, now the latest data reveals youth marijuana use. Despite expanding access, use among young people is not surging. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), past-year marijuana use among individuals aged 12 to 20 declined to 16.7 percent in 2024, the lowest level seen in four years—even as more states legalize cannabis for adults.

    RELATED: Guess Who Is A Big Supporter Of Legalizing Marijuana

    This finding runs counter to fears legalization would automatically spark a spike in adolescent use. In fact, the report reveals a drop from 17.9 percent in 2021 and 19.2 percent in 2022, signaling a downward trend in youth consumption despite broader adult access.  It has long been a talking point of those opposing legalization it will cause youth use to soar, but the federal government consistentl shows a decline in use.

    Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reinforce this trend. Their Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows past-month marijuana use among high school students fell from 23 percent in 2013 to 17 percent in 2023, as alcohol use also declined. Another CDC report focusing on early legalizing states—Colorado, Oregon, and Washington—found no uptick in adolescent usage following legalization.

    These government sources highlight legalization, when paired with education and regulation, does not necessarily translate to increased youth consumption. For further reference, SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)—which provided these results—is available at SAMHSA.gov. Additionally, youth data from the CDC’s YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) offers more granular insights.

    • Fully legalized (recreational + medical): 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized both medical and recreational marijuana.

    • Medical-only legalization: 40 states permit medical cannabis use, while medical-only laws remain in effect where recreational laws have not been adopted.

    RELATED: Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

    At the federal level, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, alongside substances like heroin and LSD. But change may be on the horizon. President Trump has confirmed his administration is “looking at” rescheduling marijuana—from Schedule I to Schedule III—and expects to make a determination in the coming weeks.

    This review follows a prior process initiated belatedly under the Biden administration: in August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended rescheduling, and the DEA began rulemaking including hearings—though the process is now paused pending appeals.

    A successful reclassification could pave the way for more medical research, easier banking access for cannabis businesses, and tax benefits for the industry—without fully legalizing marijuana at the federal level.

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    Terry Hacienda

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  • How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

    How to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

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    Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of students who are chronically absent—defined as missing just under one month of class—has doubled to 26 percent nationally, reaching crisis levels and threatening the educational foundation of our nation’s youth. Chronic absenteeism is estimated to be responsible for up to 27 percent of the overall decline in math test scores and a shocking 45 percent of the drop in reading scores between 2019 and 2022.

    To combat this problem, the company Edia recently unveiled an AI-powered platform aimed at school districts across America. Within minutes of an absence, Edia initiates personalized AI-driven conversations with families in more than 100 languages, enabling school districts to identify and tackle root causes of chronic absenteeism.

    “Today, nearly three-quarters of absences are unexplained, meaning no one called in ahead of time and districts don’t know where those children are,” said Joe Philleo, CEO of Edia. “With so many students missing school, staff don’t have the capacity to reach out to every single family and understand what is happening with their child.”

    “Every situation is different,” Philleo continues. “When staff don’t know the reason students are missing school, they can’t fix the root cause. One student may miss school because they don’t have reliable transportation, and another student may skip Math and English in the morning and just attend Computer and Welding at the end of the day because they find those classes more engaging.”

    By leveraging AI, Edia enables schools to identify and solve the root causes of chronic absenteeism. Its system ensures no absence goes unnoticed, helping to restore accountability, rebuild connections between schools and families, and resolve underlying challenges that keep students from attending class.

    Key features of the Edia AI platform include:

    1. AI Conversations within minutes of Absence: Personalized text message conversations in 100+ languages sent to parents within minutes of an absence, reducing unexplained absences by up to 80 percent.
    2. Analysis to understand why students are missing class: Texts, calls, and notes come together in a single profile to identify why students are missing school and enable teams to take the right set of action.
    3. Purpose-built workflows for MTSS interventions: Ability to launch, track, and coordinate personalized intervention plans for students at risk.

    Edia’s new solution is currently being used in K-12 school districts nationwide, including Raton Public Schools, Farmington Municipal Schools, and Hobbs Municipal Schools.

    “Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue in education and in the Raton Public Schools that can severely impact student achievement and the long-term success of a student,” Kristie Medina, Superintendent at Raton Public Schools. “It refers to students missing a substantial number of school days, typically defined as 10 percent or more of the school year, for any reason, whether excused or unexcused. The challenge of chronic absenteeism lies in its widespread impact, affecting not just individual students but the entire school community. Our district is committed to addressing chronic absenteeism because it is critical to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in both school and life.

    Medina continued, “I’m genuinely excited for Raton Public Schools to implement Edia’s AI Attendance Solution! The integration of AI into tracking and improving attendance will be a game-changer, especially when tackling chronic absenteeism. By leveraging AI, the district can gain deeper insights into attendance patterns, identify at-risk students earlier, and tailor interventions more effectively.”

    Kevin Hogan
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    Kevin Hogan

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  • Video: How Trump Is Trying to Win Gen Z Men

    Video: How Trump Is Trying to Win Gen Z Men

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    Young men in recent years have become more politically conservative. But will they vote? Kellen Browning, a New York Times reporter covering the 2024 election with a focus on Nevada and Arizona, discusses the Trump campaign’s efforts to court the group.

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    Kellen Browning, Christina Shaman and Stephanie Rose

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  • UTEC reunion celebrates 25 years of transforming lives and unity

    UTEC reunion celebrates 25 years of transforming lives and unity

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    LOWELL — Standing at the entrance of UTEC on Warren Street on Friday evening, CEO Gregg Croteau reflects on the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary. What began in 1999 as a space for teens at St. Anne’s Church on Kirk Street, envisioned by a few young adults seeking refuge from gang violence, has now become a cornerstone of Lowell’s identity, transforming countless young lives.

    Croteau, who was hired by the original young adults in early 2000, smiles as he recalls their humble beginnings with just a $40,000 city grant. Today, UTEC boasts an $18 million budget, a testament to the organization’s profound impact and growth.

    “Twenty-five years is a huge milestone for us,” Croteau said. Before he can continue, his thoughts are momentarily interrupted as he affectionately greets a familiar face walking through the door.

    “How are you?” Croteau asks, beaming. “You look the same.”

    “Living my best life,” the individual responds.

    Croteau continues to greet several more familiar faces, all arriving on this Friday evening to celebrate UTEC’s 25-year milestone with a reunion of former young adults who became part of the nonprofit. A press release highlights the organization’s dedication to developing life skills, emphasizing that the event is a celebration of growth, community, and the powerful journey that began at UTEC over the past quarter-century.

    Croteau said he expected about 150 people to attend Friday’s celebration.

    “This reunion is not just about celebrating where we’ve been, but also recognizing where we’re going,” Croteau said.

    The event, filled with music from UTEC alumnus DJ Money, plenty of food and laughs, showcased the attendees as one big family.

    Among those in the crowd was Jocelyn Rosado, who was 14 years old in 2004 and a student at Lowell High School when she began attending UTEC. She recalled facing challenges at home, having been placed with her grandparents after her mother went away. It was a life-changing event.

    “I was so close to my mom,” Rosado said. “I was a really quiet individual, really shy, so being separated from my mom changed my whole world. I felt so alone.”

    This feeling of isolation sparked a desire to become more social. She found solace at UTEC, where she met people who she discovered could relate to her situation.

    “I kinda felt like I was the only one until I was with young adults from UTEC,” she said. “We all related to each other, we all understood each other, we mirrored each other.”

    Rosado now serves as a transitional coach for UTEC, a role dedicated to helping young people access essential resources. Rosado points out, “I’m giving them what I found here.”

    Melinda Tejeda, who also joined UTEC at the age of 14 during its inaugural year, found the same sense of unity she had been searching for at UTEC.

    Tejeda was just 11 years old when her mother passed away. Placed with a family member who she said was more interested in the financial benefits of raising her, Tejeda felt anger toward the world, often lashing out and getting into trouble at school.

    “I think coming here gave me that sense of unity, the sense of family I was looking for,” Tejeda said. “It was a pivotal moment in my life where I could have taken the wrong path.”

    UTEC also opened doors to experiences Rosado might not have pursued otherwise. She recalled a memorable visit to Lowell City Hall, where she helped advocate for a grant and delivered her first public speech. UTEC additionally introduced her to creative writing and what she said was the Young Women’s Group Project, which helped her forge connections with other females.

    Now at 40 years old, Tejeda states, “I have a good life.” She has been a general manager for a storage company for the past eight years, a testament to the positive impact UTEC had on her life, said Tejada, a mother of a 19-year-old daughter.

    Among the original young adults who set the wheels in motion in creating UTEC all those years ago, JuanCarlos Rivera, now the vice president of the organization’s Board of Directors, stands with a sense of pride 25 years later. When asked if he expected the organization to achieve such growth, he said, “I always hoped it would.”

    “The idea for us is to ensure that after I’m gone and Gregg is gone, there’s always a place for young people to go,” Rivera added. “It’s important to remember that every decade, young people have continued to make this happen.”

    Next on UTEC’s agenda is the 25th Anniversary Gala, set to take place on Nov. 20 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. For more details about the event, visit utecinc.org/25thgala.

    Follow Aaron Curtis on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aselahcurtis

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    Aaron Curtis

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  • Color-changing LED swings light up Beacon Park for Detroit Month of Design

    Color-changing LED swings light up Beacon Park for Detroit Month of Design

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    Swings aren’t just for kids.

    New color-changing LED swings have been installed at Beacon Park as part of Detroit’s annual Month of Design, inviting visitors of all ages to take a seat.

    The illuminating, interactive light installation uniquely blends art and community engagement.

    In partnership with Design Core Detroit and Prevail Activations, the swings are set up in the park’s green space for a limited time, providing free family fun, relaxation, and plenty of Instagrammable photo opportunities.

    The experience is presented by the DTE Beacon Park Foundation and programmed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

    The LED swings are available to the public daily through Sunday, Oct. 6.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Newsom to sign California bill to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids

    Newsom to sign California bill to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids

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    California will take a major step in its fight to protect children from the ills of social media with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on a bill to limit the ability of companies to provide “addictive feeds” to minors.

    The governor’s office said Newsom on Friday will sign Senate Bill 976, named the Protecting Our Kids From Social Media Addiction Act and introduced by state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). The bill was supported by state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and groups such as the Assn. of California School Administrators, Common Sense Media and the California chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    Newsom’s wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is also outspoken about the links between social media consumption and low self-esteem, depression and anxiety among youth.

    The legislation attracted an unusual collection of opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Equality California and associations representing giants in the industry that own TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. The California Chamber of Commerce argued that the legislation “unconstitutionally burdens” access to lawful content, setting up the potential for another lawsuit in an ongoing court battle between the state and social media companies over use of the platforms by children.

    “Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children — isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night,” Newsom said. “With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits.”

    The bill, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with Newsom’s signature, prohibits internet service and applications from providing “addictive feeds,” defined as media curated based on information gathered on or provided by the user, to minors without parental consent. SB 976 also bans companies from sending notifications to users identified as minors between midnight and 6 a.m. or during the school day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless parents give the OK.

    The bill will effectively require companies to make posts from people children know and follow appear in chronological order on their social media feeds instead of in an arrangement to maximize engagement. Proponents of the bill point to warnings from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and others about a mental health crisis among youths, which studies show is exacerbated by the use of social media.

    “As a mother, I’m proud of California’s continued leadership in holding technology companies accountable for their products and ensuring those products are not harmful to children. Thank you to the Governor and Senator Skinner for taking a critical step in protecting children and ensuring their safety is prioritized over companies’ profits,” Siebel Newsom said.

    The industry has argued that it’s false to assume that feeds curated by an algorithm are harmful but that a chronological feed is safe. The ACLU also argued that age verification creates potential privacy concerns because it could require the collection of additional user data that could be at risk in a security breach and because it could threaten the 1st Amendment rights of people who cannot verify their age.

    Several groups advocating for LGBTQ+ youths suggested the bill could limit youths’ ability to engage on platforms that offer emotional support for their identities, particularly for kids who live in communities that might be hostile to their identity. Giving more control to parents could also potentially result in parents choosing settings that share sensitive information about the child, the groups said.

    The bill marks the latest action in a battle between state government and social media companies taking place in the California Legislature and the court system over the use of platforms by children.

    In October, Bonta’s office filed a lawsuit with 32 other states against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, alleging that the company designed apps specifically to addict young users while misleading the public about the adverse effects.

    A bill that failed last year in the California Legislature would have made social media companies liable for up to $250,000 in damages if they knowingly promoted features that could harm children. Portions of a 2022 law that sought to require companies to provide privacy protections for children have also been held up in court.

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    Taryn Luna

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  • My town became environmentally conscious and so did I

    My town became environmentally conscious and so did I

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    Growing up, I realized that children are a product of their environment, so let me tell you a little bit about mine: I grew up in Secaucus, N.J., a town called “the Jewel of the Meadowlands.” My suburban hometown exists within a large ecosystem of wetlands, the Meadowlands, through which the Hackensack River flows. But with post-agricultural pig farm effluent and debris from New York’s train station decay being dumped into the area, the Meadowlands became a jewel in need of polishing.

    Secaucus is working to recover the natural marshes by designating them as protected so fewer apartment complexes can be built and begin to sink a few years down the road, which has happened in the past. The town became environmentally conscious, and existing within that environment, I did the same.

    In high school, I worked with the Secaucus Environmental Department for over three years as part of the Next Generation Community Leaders, or NGCL, program created by the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute. Little did I know just how much this experience would influence my life. Throughout that time, I learned about climate change, the planet’s environmental challenges, and the actions we need to take to reduce our footprint. I helped implement a plastic bag and Styrofoam ban, designed a food waste composting system at my high school and local gardens and created eco-friendly living PSAs. I canvassed to promote eco-friendly living and educated residents on how to compost at home.

    I also certified local businesses as “green,” depending on whether they followed practices set by the Sustainable Jersey network. These practices included recycling, reducing food waste, not using Styrofoam, etc. My contributions to the environmental department helped Secaucus to earn recognition from Sustainable Jersey as a Silver Certified Community.

    That experience showed me how local actions can create change. By educating residents in Secaucus, we altered their behaviors, if even slightly, to be more environmentally conscious. Residents began to grow produce in the community gardens, compost at home and reduce their plastic bag usage. I witnessed how humans responsible for harming the planet have the potential to make changes to fix it and make it better for future generations. From that day forward, I carried that responsibility with me.

    I will be honest: I don’t know the current status of those projects I worked on in Secaucus. I hope that residents are still composting at home and that those businesses continue their green practices.

    I began my journey into learning about sustainability at USC with a major in industrial and systems engineering and a minor in law and public policy. Although these are not fields directly tied to the climate ecosphere, my advocacy in Secaucus made me realize that a systematic mindset and policy knowledge would be strong tools with which I can effect change within both the government and private sector in advocating for larger-scale sustainability solutions. With the opportunities provided by USC, I knew I could get involved in environmentalism and sustainability without having to be an environmental science major.

    A view of a smoke-spewing refinery at sunset

    “We have canvassed [local] youth … and discovered that their top environmental priorities are cleaner air, green spaces and green buildings,” says Alyssa Jaipersaud, a member of the L.A. County Youth Climate Commission.

    (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

    If you asked freshman Alyssa what her ultimate career goal was, she would have said, “Facilitate systemic change within the bureaucracy through ecological and climate-preservation policies to make society more sustainably conscious.” I wrote this on an index card and kept it in my backpack throughout college to constantly remind me of the goal because being an environmentalist can be discouraging, given the current climate.

    Since then, I think I would have made freshman Alyssa proud. I was accepted into the USC Student Sustainability Committee and became a mentor to new members. The SSC acts as a representative for the student body within the Presidential Working Group for Sustainability. We work on projects such as getting reusable takeout containers in dining halls, ensuring ongoing campus construction is adhering to green practices, and creating a central physical space where sustainability-minded students can gather.

    As a member of the SSC, I ensured that sustainability would become a standard educational practice at USC and change student behaviors toward respecting their environment. I continued my education at USC by pursuing a master’s in sustainable engineering, and I have earned the distinction of a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholar by focusing on sustainability.

    Alyssa Jaipersaud in a rose garden.

    Alyssa Jaipersaud poses for a portrait at Exposition Park Rose Garden.

    (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

    My environmental pursuits have culminated in my becoming a Los Angeles County Youth Climate commissioner in the world’s first such organization. We have canvassed the youth in L.A. County and discovered that their top environmental priorities are cleaner air, green spaces and green buildings.

    Now, as a member of the legislative committee, I track all federal and state measures that relate to these priorities and bring them to the attention of the county Board of Supervisors so that they can weigh in on whether the legislation should be amended, supported or rejected. We are working actively to support legislation currently going through the U.S. Senate that would call for establishing opportunities for youths to be involved in policy development so they can ensure a healthy environment for their future and those to come.

    Since children are a product of their environment, we should help future generations have a good environment to live in. With the environment constantly changing due to global warming, future generations will have a chance only if we work to make the world sustainable starting today. Instead of forcing future generations to learn how to survive to fix the environmental mistakes we are making today, they should have the opportunity to live without the repercussions of the past.

    I witnessed the negative effects of a mistreated environment in my hometown, and I want to make sure future generations aren’t suffering from the consequences of what we are doing. With a sustainability mindset, local changes can influence the politicians and create the systemic change needed to get the biggest offenders under control. One of the significant steps is behavioral changes, which can begin locally and be brought by people not even studying in the environmental field, just like me.

    Alyssa Jaipersaud earned a bachelor of science in industrial and systems engineering with a minor in law and public policy at USC and is also completing a master’s of science in sustainable engineering. She is setting her sights on a full-time role in the sustainability industry either as a consultant or practicing engineer.

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    Alyssa Jaipersaud

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  • Climate Cardinals Names Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa as First Full-Time Executive Director to Lead Global Climate Accessibility Efforts

    Climate Cardinals Names Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa as First Full-Time Executive Director to Lead Global Climate Accessibility Efforts

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    NEW YORK, August 26, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Climate Cardinals, one of the world’s largest youth-led climate organizations, has appointed Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa as its first full-time Executive Director. Hayakawa is a founding director of the organization, which strives to expand access to climate education globally.

    Hayakawa is a 23 year-old Guyanese and Japanese American climate justice activist from the New York Metropolitan Area. He has been with Climate Cardinals for four years, starting as a founding Partnerships Director in 2020 before taking on the role of Vice President and Deputy Executive Director in 2023. During his tenure, he established Climate Cardinals’ translation program, secured 30 partnerships, including with Translators Without Borders and Google Cloud, and managed over two million words of climate information translations. He also fundraised half a million USD and mentored 30 Directors. 

    Hayakawa led all of this work as a full-time student at Williams College and a visiting student at Exeter College at the University of Oxford, where he studied History and Environmental Studies with a focus on the global Indigenous rights movement. 

    In response to this announcement, Climate Cardinals Founder Sophia Kianni shared, “I’m excited to welcome Hikaru as our first full-time Executive Director. For those of you who know our work, this is not a surprise. I have consulted Hikaru as part of my decision-making processes since the beginning of Climate Cardinals, when he joined my founding team.”

    Kianni is the founder of Climate Cardinals and was its first Executive Director, volunteering in this role since the organization’s formation in May 2020. Climate Cardinals was born out of Kianni’s realization that there is a lack of valuable climate information, especially scientific research, available in languages other than English. Kianni will remain President of Climate Cardinals.

    “I’m excited to lead this organization in our aim to become one of the first youth-led and justice-focused environmental legacy organizations,” said Hayakawa.

    Since 2020, Climate Cardinals has been a trailblazer in expanding climate accessibility, translating over three million words of climate information into 105 languages for organizations like Yale, UNESCO, and UNICEF. Over the past few years, Hayakawa has defined Climate Cardinals’ impact, and with his transition to this full-time role, he is set to accelerate the organization’s growth.

    Click here to donate to Climate Cardinals. Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter.

    Source: Climate Cardinals

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  • ‘Suit Up Sunday’ event aims to empower Detroit men with free professional attire

    ‘Suit Up Sunday’ event aims to empower Detroit men with free professional attire

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    This unique upcoming community event will provide local men with free suits, dress pants, shirts, and other resources to support their professional success.

    “Suit Up Sunday,” a collaboration between The Right Productions Inc., Van Dykes Menswear of Southfield, and Mix 92.3, is free and open to the public, set for Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1-7 p.m. at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater.

    The event aims to provide professional attire to high school and college students, as well as men in or entering the workforce, by boosting their confidence and empowering them to dress for success.

    “Suit Up Sunday is about more than just clothing; it’s about equipping the men in our community with the knowledge and resources they need to help them thrive in all aspects of life,” Shahid Mausi, president and CEO of The Right Productions, said in a press release.

    In addition to professional attire, Chase Bank and Family Assistance for Renaissance Men (F.A.R.M) will be present to provide financial literacy resources and services to assist fathers.

    “Partnering with The Right Productions and other sponsors on this event aligns with our mission to make a positive impact in our community,” Walter Shannon of Van Dykes Menswear said in a statement. “We are excited to help men look their best and feel confident, knowing that it’s not just about the clothes but the opportunities they represent.”

    Attendees must register in advance. More information is available at thearetha.com.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Detroit’s only inner-city YMCA ends daycare and preschool offerings

    Detroit’s only inner-city YMCA ends daycare and preschool offerings

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    In a letter to local families on Monday, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit announced the closure of The Boll Family Early Learning Center at Detroit’s Boll Family YMCA due to “a combination of factors that make its operations unsustainable.”

    While the programs will continue through August 30 to allow families time to find alternative care, unfortunately, many childcare centers have wait lists that are months or even years long. Located right downtown, the Boll Family YMCA is Detroit’s only inner-city YMCA, and childcare options in the area are   few and far between.

    “We understand this is a difficult and unexpected change for everyone,” the letter says. “We share the sadness of closing a program that has profoundly impacted the lives of so many children and families over the years. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our families and staff who have been integral to our program efforts.”

    The YMCA further explained that the local early learning center has seen a decline in enrollment since the pandemic. Despite efforts to sustain operations, it is currently operating at just 50% capacity.

    However, The Boll Family YMCA will continue to offer a range of family programs including swim lessons, dance, karate, and various sports activities.

    To assist families in finding new childcare options moving forward, the announcement also included a comprehensive list of childcare centers, in-home daycare providers, and other community-based childcare options.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Metro Times wins Society for Features Journalism award for coverage of Detroit youth

    Metro Times wins Society for Features Journalism award for coverage of Detroit youth

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    We’re feeling vindicated by our decision to bring Detroit-based journalist Eleanore Catolico on board as part of a year-long New Voices Fellowship in 2022.

    On Tuesday, the Society for Features Journalism announced that Catolico won second place in its annual writing competition for the category, “Inclusion and Representation in Features.” Catolico earned the award for two of her Metro Times stories: “At queer prom, a trio of Southwest Detroit teenagers cultivate belonging for LGBTQ+ youth” from July 5 and “In Detroit, a poetry workshop gives high school students freedom to be themselves” from Nov. 29.

    The category includes “Coverage that centers on historically marginalized or undercovered communities through revelatory storytelling.”

    In commentary, the judge heaped on praise for Catolico’s vivid long-form writing style.

    “Journalists don’t have to be tremendous writers but it definitely helps in the handling and telling of someone’s personal stories and experiences, and Eleanore masters both beautiful prose and intentional storytelling in both pieces,” the judge remarked. “Come on — ‘a chiaroscuro of bodies veiled by shadows?’ That’s narrative excellence, as are both entries as a whole.”

    In her New Voices Fellowship application, Catolico, a former Metro Times intern, wrote about being raised by Filipino immigrant parents in a working-class suburb and how she found her voice and her desire to write long-form journalism.

    Catolico’s fellowship has ended, but we’re pleased to see her vision and hard work pay off — and excited to see what else she accomplishes in the future!

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    Lee DeVito

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