J.T. Fetch

2 days ago | cbs6albany.com | J.T. Fetch

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — A new law in New York State, the "Safe Schools by Design Act," has officially taken effect, aiming to bolster security in educational institutions. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023, the law requires school districts to prioritize safety in their five-year plans, which often involve significant construction or renovation projects. School districts needed to begin complying with the law on April 17th.

3 days ago | cbs6albany.com | J.T. Fetch

SCOTIA, N.Y. (WRGB) — Starting May 1, the Scotia-Glenville Central School District will begin issuing tickets to drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. The district is implementing high-tech cameras to capture violations when the stop-arm is extended, aiming to reduce the more than 50,000 illegal passes that occur daily across the state, posing a significant safety risk to students. The new enforcement measure comes with a steep penalty: a $250 fine for a first-time violation.

6 days ago | cbs6albany.com | J.T. Fetch

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (WRGB) — The Warren County Head Start program appears to have narrowly avoided a temporary shutdown after facing a delay in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program's executive director announced that they have been assured the necessary funds will arrive within 72 hours, allowing them to continue operations.

1 week ago | cbs6albany.com | J.T. Fetch

AUSTIN, TX (WRGB) — Texas state lawmakers have taken a significant step toward establishing a school voucher program. Early Thursday morning, they gave initial approval to a bill that would create education savings accounts. These accounts would provide families with state funds to help cover private school tuition or homeschooling expenses. While the bill still faces hurdles before becoming law, its advancement marks a major development in the ongoing school choice debate.

1 week ago | cbs6albany.com | J.T. Fetch

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WRGB) — The University of California Student Association has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, challenging the Department of Education's decision to share student loan information with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. The lawsuit raises concerns about the handling of sensitive data as DOGE seeks to cut federal spending.