Katie Anastas

San Diego

Reporter at Alaska Public Media

Civic Engagement Reporter at KTOO Public Media (Juneau, AK)

[email protected] | she/her

Articles

Federal officials revoke four San Diego State University students’ visas

1 week ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

Four students at San Diego State University Students had their F-1 visas revoked as of Thursday. That’s according to a letter from SDSU President Adela de la Torre’s office to students, faculty and staff.
San Diegans protest Department of Education staff cuts, funding threats

2 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

The Trump administration has taken several steps toward dismantling the U.S. Department of Education in recent weeks. The department’s staff has been cut nearly in half. The administration has announced plans to move federal student loans and programs for students with disabilities to other agencies. Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared at an education technology conference at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego on Tuesday. About two dozen people protested outside.
Federal Head Start office closures leave child care providers uncertain

2 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

Layoffs in the Office of Head Start, a federal early childhood education program for low-income families, are leaving local child care providers feeling untethered. “It's like cutting off the head and neck of us. We're just the arms sort of dangling about," said Alexis Aviña, the chief early childhood education officer at the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County (MAAC).
Rep. Mike Levin says tariffs are ‘exactly the opposite’ of Trump promise to lower costs

2 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

As new tariffs go into effect, Democratic Rep. Mike Levin says he’s worried about working families who are already struggling with the high cost of living. “It wasn't that long ago that we had the campaign and everybody was focused on lowering costs. At least that's what the promise was — that people were going to try to lower the cost of food, lower the costs across the board,” Levin said in an interview.
UC San Diego workers join statewide strike over 'unfair labor practices'

3 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

UC San Diego health care, research and technical workers went on strike Tuesday over what they call unfair labor practices by the University of California. The union, University Professional and Technical Employees CWA Local 9119, said the university imposed higher health care premiums during contract negotiations. UC also refused to bargain over pay scales of some workers who’ve joined the union in recent years, according to the union.
State leaders urge high school seniors to apply for financial aid by Wednesday

3 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

State leaders are reminding high school seniors to submit their financial aid applications by Wednesday, April 2. Meeting that deadline gives them the best chance at state aid, including the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship. “It's a really critical deadline to ensure that students can compete for what we call the priority deadline competitive grants,” said Daisy Gonzales, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission.
San Diego Unified moves to build more housing for staff

4 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

The San Diego Unified School District board is moving forward with plans to convert some district property into affordable workforce housing.
Vista Unified School District expands Spanish language immersion program

4 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

The Vista Unified School District is expanding its dual language immersion program to additional grade levels and a second middle school campus next year. In two years, they hope to offer it at one of the district’s three high schools. Three elementary schools and one middle school currently offer instruction in both English and Spanish. At Alamosa Park Elementary School, nine classes participate in the dual immersion program and 14 others are taught in English only.
UC San Diego students and staff create AI-powered campus resource app

1 month ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

College can be stressful. Many universities offer counseling, social events and other resources for students to help alleviate that stress. But on large campuses like those in the University of California system, even finding all the options can be a daunting task. “We have a great deal of resources for students,” said Dr. Ed Junkins, executive director of UC San Diego's Student Health and Well-Being.
Poway Unified School District board approves dozens of staff layoff notices

1 month ago | kpbs.org | Katie Anastas

The Poway Unified School District board voted Thursday night to eliminate dozens of staff positions. They include counselors, special education staff and those who work with English language learners, or ELL students. “We help new immigrants adjust to a new school environment and a new language,” Dayna Yamada, an ELL instructional assistant at Rancho Bernardo High School, told the board through tears.