Virginia school board defends transgender bathroom ban

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia school board defended its transgender bathroom ban before a federal appeals court Tuesday, as a transgender man barred from using the boys bathroom in high school argued that the policy discriminated against him and violated his constitutional rights. A judge ruled last year...

Britain divided over reopening schools as virus rules ease

LONDON (AP) — David Waugh is putting down barrier tape and spraying yellow lines on the ground outside the main door of his school near Manchester. Waugh, who oversees five schools in northwestern England, already has painted yellow arrows to ensure that children follow a one-way path around the building...

The Latest: UN warns cybercrime on rise during pandemic

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. TOP OF THE HOUR: —UN warns cybercrime on rise during pandemic. —South...

Clarification: Kroger Bonus Pay story

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) — In a story published May 16, 2020, The Associated Press reported on a call by the United Food and Commercial Workers International union to grocery store chains asking to extend hazard pay for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The story should have made clear that the letter...

Ford temporarily halts work at 2 plants; Rolls cuts jobs

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments Wednesday related to national and global response, the work place and the spread of the virus. ________________________ ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN: Ford temporarily halted production at two...

Teachers union sues DeVos, school district over special ed

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Teachers Union on Wednesday announced it is suing U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the city's public school district, saying its policies interfere with the education of students with special needs during the coronavirus pandemic. DeVos and Chicago Public...

'Matewan Massacre' a century ago embodied miners' struggles

MATEWAN, W.Va. (AP) — The bullet holes in the brick wall of a former post office serve as a reminder of how Appalachian coal miners fought to improve the lives of workers a century ago. Ten people were killed in a gun battle between miners, who were led by a local police chief, and a group of private...

Kroger offers Fred Meyer workers extra pay after outcry

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Kroger, the parent company of grocer Fred Meyer, announced Friday that it will provide “thank you" payments to hourly employees after a union outcry over the company ending a $2 per hour pay bump it implemented in March amid the coronavirus pandemic. The United Food and...

Correction: Virus Outbreak-California Budget-Schools story

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In a story May 14, 2020, about the California budget, The Associated Press erroneously reported that overall K-12 spending was forecast to be nearly $100 million. The spending is nearly $100 billion.

Union-funded ads support spending billions for schools

The nation’s largest teachers union launched a $1.6 million advertising campaign on Thursday to drum up support for federal funding that union leaders say is crucial to reopening schools safely. Television, cable and digital ads will push Congress to pass the $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill introduced...