Topeka prison reports 89 virus cases to lead state hotspots

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — At least 89 coronavirus cases have been reported at the Topeka Correctional Facility since Jan. 8 to make the prison the largest current hotspot in the state. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says no other school, day care, long-term care facility, business, sport or...

Some Black Southern Baptists feel shut out by white leaders

As a student in college and seminary, then as a pastor in Texas, Dwight McKissic has been affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention for more than 45 years. Now he’s pondering whether he and his congregation should break away. “It would feel like a divorce,” McKissic said....

RI eyes vaccine rollout tweaks; In-person school pulled back

Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee, who is set to take over as governor if Gina Raimondo is confirmed as President Joe Biden’s commerce secretary, says he'd like to see changes to the state’s coronavirus vaccine distribution plan. The Democrat said Saturday he wants to speed up vaccinations for all...

Chicago teachers vote to teach from home, defying district

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Teachers Union said Sunday that its members voted to defy an order to return to the classroom over concerns about COVID-19, setting up a showdown with district officials who have said that refusing to return when ordered would amount to an illegal strike. Chicago Public Schools,...

Israel targets flights, religious scofflaws, as virus rages

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel will be closing its international airport to nearly all flights, while Israeli police clashed with ultra-Orthodox protesters in several major cities and the government raced to bring a raging coronavirus outbreak under control. The...

Chicago teachers vote to defy district's orders to return to in-person instruction before vaccinations

IU law professor joins President Biden's Justice Department

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Dawn Johnsen, an Indiana University law professor, has joined the U.S. Department of Justice under President Joe Biden's new administration. Johnsen was sworn in Wednesday as a senior counselor in the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel, The Herald-Times...

What's harder than teaching pre-K? Teaching pre-K virtually.

VERMILLION, La. (AP) — Pre-kindergarten teacher Darlene Humble kicked off Wednesday morning’s class at LeBlanc Elementary School the same way she always does, with the “good morning song.” About 10 students, most of them 4 years old, sang and clapped along with her and paraprofessional...

School bill challenges New Mexico virus restrictions

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bipartisan group of New Mexico lawmakers is pushing legislation that would allow more students to attend class in person by shifting authority over decisions to reopen from state officials to local school boards. The bill is a direct challenge to the cautious approach to in-person...

Savannah college gets $4.8M to train workers amid pandemic

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A community college in Savannah has been awarded $4.8 million to help train more workers, including those who have lost jobs during the pandemic. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said in a news release that Savannah Technical College is among community colleges nationwide receiving the federal...