Midwest
Missouri Senate passes sweeping education bill
Students across Missouri could have access to scholarships for private schooling through an expanded tax credit program passed Thursday in the GOP-led state Senate.
Senators voted 19-10 to pass the sweeping education bill, an approval earned after weeks of bipartisan negotiation. The measure now heads to the Republican-led House for approval.
The legislation represents a win for advocates of greater access to non-traditional K-12 education, such as private, religious, charter and virtual schooling. Part of the proposal would allow charter schools to open in Boone County, for example.
MISSOURI AG SAYS JUVENILE SYSTEM MUST BE REFORMED AFTER TEEN ARRESTED FOR SLAMMING GIRL’S HEAD INTO PAVEMENT
“We were focusing on providing choices beyond just public school,” Republican bill sponsor Sen. Andrew Koenig said.
But the measure also includes concessions for ardent public school supporters opposed to using public funding to support charters and private schools.
Compromises included in the bill include hundreds of millions of dollars in added funding for K-12 public schools and more money for districts that keep a five-day school week.
“Senate Democrats have always held the position that we’re going to oppose privatization of education through the siphoning-off of taxpayer funding,” Democratic Sen. Lauren Arthur said. “So, yes, we strongly oppose vouchers and the expansion of charters. I will say there was a lot in the bill that made it very tempting to vote for.”
Lawmakers debate on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
The heart of the legislation is the expansion of Missouri Empowerment Scholarships Accounts, a voucher-like program that offers education grants to low-income families. The scholarships are funded by private donors, who in turn receive tax credits.
The current program limits recipients to residents of the state’s largest cities and to families who make 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $62,400 a year for a family of four.
Supporters want to offer the scholarships statewide to families that make as much as 300% of the federal poverty level, or $93,600 for a family of four.
The legislation would increase the cap on tax credits from $50 million to $75 million per year.
Unrelated, the proposal would require a local vote for large-city school districts to go to four-day weeks.
In total, Republican and Democratic Senate leaders estimated the bill would cost the state between $400 million and $450 million a year once fully implemented.
In Missouri, the issue of so-called school choice has divided lawmakers beyond typical Republican-Democrat lines.
GOP legislators from rural Missouri have pushed back for years against allowing charter schools in their areas for fear that the institutions could draw students away from traditional public schools and undermine what’s seen as the backbone of their communities. And some Democrats want more options for students in cities with underperforming schools.
Lawmakers have until mid-May to send bills to Gov. Mike Parson.
Read the full article from Here
Midwest
Viral video shows anti-ICE school walkout teens invading Kroger, hurling objects: ‘Ought to be prosecuted’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A video of students wreaking havoc Wednesday in a Cincinnati Kroger after walking out of school for a purported anti-ICE demonstration has gone viral.
In the video, taken by McAdrian Martin, who was shopping at the time of the incident, students ran through aisles and threw objects at the store’s ceiling. Martin said they were beer cans and other adult beverages that had been ripped from the shelves.
A security yelled at the students to get out of the store.
“It said, ‘F ICE,’” a female patron told Martin in the video, apparently referring to a sign held by one of the protesters. “They just came over here and went to the beer section and threw our beers.”
High school students create chaos in a Cincinnati Kroger during an anti-ICE school walkout Feb. 18, 2026. (Credit: McAdrian Martin)
The students walked out of schools in the North College Hill School City School District to protest ICE, part of an ongoing national trend that left-wing activists claim is student-driven.
The school condemned the behavior in a Facebook post, even linking to the now-viral video.
“This video is disturbing and the parents and families of these students should be embarrassed,” the post said, adding that the school would be working with the North College Hill Police Department to “identify these students so they can be held accountable for their disorderly behavior.”
Craig Chaney, the department’s interim police chief, also posted a statement on Facebook.
McAdrian Martin filmed the incident in the Cincinnati Kroger. (Courtesy of McAdrian Martin)
IT’S NOT STUDENTS ORGANIZING ICE WALKOUTS — HERE’S WHO’S REALLY BEHIND THE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS
“First and foremost, we recognize that peaceful expression is a constitutional right,” the statement began. “Our department respects the rights of students and community members to assemble and express their views lawfully and peacefully. During the high school protest, officers were present to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the public. Our primary role was to maintain order, prevent traffic hazards, and ensure that no one was placed at risk.”
While the department said a majority of the students protested in an orderly fashion, they moved in to quell the chaos when it arose.
“When actions moved beyond peaceful expression and began affecting public safety and private property rights, officers intervened to restore order,” the statement said.
RHODE ISLAND ACTIVIST SLAMS ADULT-RUN NONPROFIT THAT PROMOTED ‘STUDENT-LED’ ANTI-ICE SCHOOL WALKOUT
In a candid interview with Fox News Digital, Martin shared his strong opinions on the delinquent youths.
“What about it was a group of students, North College Hills students, was protesting ICE, but they came in the store. They was being loud and obnoxious. They was damaging property, and they was interfering with the customers,” he said.
Protesters gather at 45th and Lamar in Austin, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026, to rally against ICE after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. (Stephanie Tacy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
He said the ceiling of the store was damaged during the chaos, and one man was even hit in the head with a projectile. Martin noted that while the injury was not serious enough to call paramedics, the man was “highly upset.”
“I do think that whoever is responsible for the chaos ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the court,” said Martin. “It’s not safe for the environment. It’s not safe for the customers. It’s not safe for people. So, whoever was responsible and whoever did come to the store should be held liable by the law.”
North College Hill School City School District did not return a request for comment.
Read the full article from Here
Detroit, MI
The restaurant with the best views of Detroit and Windsor is closing
Milwaukee, WI
Harley-Davidson confirms end of annual Milwaukee Homecoming Festival
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is coming to an end after a three-year run.
The event, known as “a celebration of music and moto-culture,” drew tens of thousands of people to Veterans Park during its tenure, featuring chart-topping artists like Green Day, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Machine Gun Kelly, Jelly Roll, and Chris Stapleton.
Its peak turnout was in 2023 at over 130,000 attendees, but attendance dropped steadily in the years that followed: around 60,000 in 2024 and over 32,000 in 2025.
A media release specified, “The events formally associated with H-D Homecoming will now be incorporated into milestone anniversary celebrations.”
This week, the company announced a new partnership with Milwaukee World Festival to sponsor the Fourth of July finale for Summerfest. This year, it’ll mark America’s 250th birthday.
The event will include a 20-minute fireworks show and a special admission promotion and a gate giveaway for the first 5,000 fans.
More details will be released at a later date.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
-
Montana5 days ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Oklahoma7 days agoWildfires rage in Oklahoma as thousands urged to evacuate a small city
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Secret New York City Passage Linked to Underground Railroad
-
Technology4 days agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Louisiana2 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Politics1 week agoChicago-area teacher breaks silence after losing job over 2-word Facebook post supporting ICE: ‘Devastating’
-
Technology4 days agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics4 days agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT