IJR News

Portland Superintendent Recommends 10 School ClosuresPolitics — 19hPortland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong recommended closing 10 elementary schools in two phases beginning in fall 2027, revising earlier proposals for as many as 14 closures after community pushback. The plan also includes school-grade conversions and program changes as the district responds to declining enrollment and a projected $65 million budget gap; the school board must still decide whether to approve it.

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Jared Kim Converting some buildings to different grades could work if the district actually tracks how students adjust afterward.

Idaho School-Choice Credits Mostly Go to Higher-Income FamiliesPolitics — 1dIdaho’s first-year, $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit largely subsidized private-school costs for families already outside public schools: recipients averaged $178,000 in household income, and only about one-quarter of students had previously attended public school. The findings challenge supporters’ claim that the program would primarily expand access for lower-income families; a separate analysis found most schools among the top subsidy recipients were Christian-affiliated.

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Rachel Meyers This program was sold as helping lower-income kids but the numbers show it mostly paid private tuition for families already earning 178k on average.

Jamie Lynn Spears’ Daughter Maddie Dances About Avoiding High School Pregnancy — 14hJamie Lynn Spears’ 18-year-old daughter, Maddie, joked in a TikTok that she “beat high school pregnancy,” poking fun at her mother, who gave birth to her at 17. Spears has also pushed back on claims that her pregnancy ended Zoey 101, saying the show had finished filming before she became pregnant.

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Maya Lindstrom Maddie breaking that pattern at 18 shows she's focused on her own path instead of repeating history.

Bomb Threat Emails Prompt Alerts at European Schools — 3dThreatening emails were sent to many schools in Northern Ireland and Ireland, prompting police inquiries and coordination with school authorities. Northern Ireland’s Education Authority said it knew of no evidence of a credible threat, and the messages resemble a previous hoax; schools were advised to remain vigilant.

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Jared Kim Police resources are stretched enough without chasing down the same old fake emails year after year.

Ohio School Investigates Viral Bus AssaultWorld — 1dOhio school and police officials are investigating a viral video showing a male student punching, kicking and choking a 10th-grade girl on a bus headed to a Youngstown school. The district apologized for delayed parent notification and placed a bus aide on leave; the girl’s family says she was injured and had faced bullying, while officials say procedures are under review.

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Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Iowa teen suffers life-threatening injuries after truck strike near schoolWorld — 2dA Waterloo West High School student suffered life-threatening injuries after a pickup struck her near the school; the driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. In a separate Saline Middle School parking-lot crash, four students suffered minor injuries, and police cited a 16-year-old driver for distracted driving as the school plans to discuss arrival and dismissal safety.

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Catholic High School Proposals Surface in Aberdeen, SpringfieldGood News — 3dThe Diocese of Springfield is assessing family interest in opening Fulton Sheen Academy, a classical Catholic high school in the former Cathedral School building, potentially in fall 2027. The proposed school would need at least 20 interested, eligible students and would offer an integrated, history-centered liberal arts curriculum; the diocese has not yet decided whether to proceed.

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NC Lawmaker Prepares Plan to Split Charlotte SchoolsPolitics — 3dNorth Carolina Rep. David Willis plans to introduce legislation splitting Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools into smaller districts and triggering school board recall elections, amid investigations into the district’s finances and leadership turmoil. Supporters say a breakup could improve oversight, while school board members and parents warn it could harm students and worsen resource inequities.

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Killeen Schools, Offices to Close for Nidal Hasan ExecutionPolitics — 2dKilleen will close city offices and facilities, while Killeen ISD will close schools and district facilities on Dec. 3, citing anticipated traffic, media attention and community activity surrounding Nidal Hasan’s scheduled execution. Emergency services will continue; the school district is reviewing extracurricular events and expects to limit activities to UIL competitions and varsity practices.

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Schools Across Regions Fund Student Programs, CausesLifestyle — 3dSchools and community groups are supporting students through workplace mentoring, a joint Veterans Day tribute and fundraising events for educational resources and cancer care. One account also highlights how school-gate social circles can leave parents feeling excluded, underscoring the role schools play in shaping adult community life.

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Football Slate Spans High School, CollegeSports — 2dThe articles cover several college and high school football matchups, including game-day details for Tennessee State’s Senior Day and Slippery Rock’s conference championship, as well as photo coverage and results from other games.

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Madonna vs Lady GagaYourlist — VS BattleThe Queen of Pop versus the artist who studied at her throne.

Schools announce first-quarter honor rollsGood News — 3dSeveral schools announced or updated honor-roll lists for the first quarter of the 2026–27 school year. Central Catholic reported 425 students earned recognition, while Metro-East Lutheran, Port Aransas High School and Carroll County Christian Academy also shared honor-roll news.

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Raleigh County Board Votes 4-1 to Close Two Elementary SchoolsPolitics — 3dRaleigh County’s school board voted 4-1 to close Mabscott and Cranberry-Prosperity elementary schools after the 2026-27 school year, citing declining enrollment and budget pressures; Cranberry-Prosperity’s closure alone is projected to save about $1.1 million annually. Students will be reassigned to nearby schools, while parents raised concerns about the disruption; the closures may require state approval.

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Rep. Mark Harris Pushes Bill To Repeal 90/10 Rule For Trade Schools — 2dRepublican Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina is sponsoring legislation in the waning weeks of the 119th Congress to repeal a rule he claims is unfairly targeting trade schools.

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Stabbing at Missouri Middle School Injures Two Students and TeacherWorld — 2dTwo students and a teacher were injured in a stabbing at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton, Missouri; one student was seriously hurt and airlifted to a hospital. A juvenile suspect is in custody, police say there is no continuing threat, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Marcus Bell It's alarming that a middle school student could stab others so easily. They must improve security checks to prevent this.

What hobby should you actually pick up?Quizie — QuizNot another 'try journaling.' Twelve questions and the AI prescribes the specific hobby your brain has been asking for.

Father Who Stopped Bend School Shooter Explains Confronting Gunman — 3dThe father who took down a berserk school shooter in Bend, Oregon, said Tuesday he didn’t want to hear what the attacker had to say.

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School districts plan early dismissals for holidays, playoffsSports — 5dSeveral school districts announced early dismissals Friday, Nov. 13, to support high school football playoff travel and events. Pine Bluff campuses will dismiss between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., Russellville schools at 1:30 p.m., and Troup County secondary schools at noon.

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Fayette Schools Financial Audit Enters Final ReviewPolitics — 2dKentucky’s auditor has sent a confidential examination of Fayette County Public Schools’ finances to the district, which has 15 days to respond before the report is finalized and made public, expected in early December. The review comes amid acknowledged financial misstatements and an ongoing budget deficit; some board members have questioned the limited access to the findings during the response process.

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Sioux Falls Board Approves Renberg Elementary Closure Over Enrollment DropPolitics — 4dThe Sioux Falls School Board approved closing Renberg Elementary after the 2026-27 school year, citing declining enrollment and limited prospects for growth; students will be reassigned to two other schools. In Kankakee, the school board began proceedings to close Mark Twain Elementary as part of a broader restructuring plan, which has not yet received final approval.

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Swatting Calls Lock Down Schools in Tennessee, ColoradoWorld — 4dA hoax threat prompted lockdowns and a police response at three Murfreesboro schools; authorities cleared the threat as not credible and are searching for the caller. In Colorado Springs, Sand Creek High School also went into lockdown after a reported threat believed to be a swatting call, which police are investigating.

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Texas Democrat Files Bills on Muslim Heritage, Halal School Meals1 source — 2d

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Maya Lindstrom These bills could help more families feel included if the numbers of Muslim students justify the changes.

Threats Prompt School Responses in Atlanta, DearbornWorld — 5dAtlanta Public Schools evacuated three elementary schools after receiving threats; students and staff were reported safe. By late morning, Morningside and E. Rivers had been cleared, while officers were still searching Springdale Park.

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Ruby Bridges Recounts School Integration in SarasotaLifestyle — 3dCivil rights icon Ruby Bridges visited Sarasota schools to recount how, at age 6, she integrated New Orleans’ William Frantz Elementary in 1960, recalling the angry crowds and the kindness of her teacher, Barbara Henry. Students at Bay Haven, Sarasota County’s first integrated school, also honored Bridges’ legacy through their annual walk promoting courage, equality and belonging.

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Philadelphia School Applications Face Timeline ChangesPolitics — 3dPhiladelphia extended its 2027–28 school-selection application deadline to Dec. 16 after Pennsylvania delayed release of 2026 assessment results. In other education news, Valley City’s new-school project rerouted a sewer line after crews encountered rock, while Lancaster’s Bench Mark Program offers young people free fitness, academic help, meals and mentorship.

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