Midwest

Chicago’s selective schools grapple with budgets woes due to new equity policy: report

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

Chicago’s selective schools grapple with budgets woes due to new equity policy: report

Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) new funding formula has reportedly impacted the district’s most selective and competitive schools.

CPS officials in March voted on an “equity-based” formula that prioritizes the district’s underfunded schools. School districts typically issue funding based on enrollment population.

Among the selective schools reportedly impacted by the funding formula is LaSalle Language Academy–a distinguished institution from other schools in the district due to its world language program–it offers daily classes in Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages.

CHICAGO SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SAYS POLICE ARE IN SCHOOLS ‘THAT WANT THEM’ AFTER THE MAYOR SUPPORTED THEIR REMOVAL

Chicago Public Schools’ new funding formula has reportedly impacted the district’s most selective and competitive schools. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

LaSalle boasts diversity in different backgrounds and cultures among its student population.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, local school council members at LaSalle fret over such language courses being impacted due to budget cuts next fall.

“They’re grappling with whether they can continue the programming they say makes their schools — which have no neighborhood boundaries and admit based on lottery or academic requirements — the gems of the district,” Sun Times reported.

“The world language program is fully integrated into every aspect of the curriculum,” said one of the council members. “And to strip that piece of the identity away… it is really difficult to fathom the consequences.”

CPS officials told Fox News Digital that advocates have been protesting against that model for decades because it is attributed to school funding inequality. Back in 2020, community members provided feedback to CPS that “student-based budgeting wasn’t working.”

“This new model removes the ability of schools to use social capital to advocate and earn more positions or funds,” a CPS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

“As our Budget and Management Office and the Office of Network Support works with schools and LSCs on their FY 2025 budgets, we are applying the formula to help schools make evidence-based decisions for each school as they transition to working under the new model,” the spokesperson said.

In response to the backlash, CPS said that “school budgets are not being reduced” but rather “some schools may see shifts.”

“CPS is maintaining the overall level of funding to our schools,” the statement reads.

The new changes that seek to lift disadvantaged schools have drawn concern from parents, WBEZ reports.

“Many parents have been concerned about their future after the school district eliminated busing to them, citing a bus driver shortage, and the school board passed a resolution calling for a shift away from school choice,” the outlet reported.

CPS officials reportedly said back in December 2023 that they aren’t looking to dismantle schools with selective enrollment like magnet and charter schools. However, that could happen if the community wants it, as officials plan to facilitate public comment to weigh in on issues over the next few months.

The spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday that “the resolution has no immediate impact on selective enrollment schools” and “it only sets parameters for the development of the District’s next strategic plan.”

“The primary goal of the resolution was to prioritize neighborhood schools and students furthest from opportunity and ensure that all students have access to a world-class, public pre-k-12th grade education,” the spokesperson added in a statement released to Fox News Digital.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gives an update on migrant issues at City Hall on Jan. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The funding formula comes amid CPS facing a $391 million budget deficit and a dwindling COVID-relief fund.

CPS funding formula stems from their resolution they passed last year that moves away from school choice and bolsters the city’s neighborhood schools to address “long-standing structural racism and socio-economic inequality.”

CHICAGO MAYOR SLAMMED AFTER CITY APPROVES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA AS CRIME RUNS RAMPANT

According to the resolution that was passed, the board looks to “transition away from privatization and admissions/enrollment policies and approaches that further stratification and inequity in CPS and drive student enrollment away from neighborhood schools.”

“The new budget model also offers a streamlined funding formula that more clearly shows how education is funded in our District,” a CPS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The spokesperson added that under this new “FY 2025 budget model, selective enrollment and magnet schools will continue to receive the funding to support the robust and rigorous teaching and learning offerings that have led many of them to land among the state and national top school rankings.”

Chicago Public Schools voted to remove school resource officers from the 39 schools where they still patrolled. ((Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)/(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images))

The funding formula change has been a “long time coming,” a CPS spokesperson said.

“For many years, CPS community members have advocated for a budget that better supports schools in historically under-resourced communities that are supporting students with the greatest needs,” the spokesperson said.

CPS stated that the FY2025 budget model “puts equity first while still accounting for the student population of each school.”

“This new budget model will not disproportionately impact selective enrollment or any other type of school. While still preliminary, the majority of our selective enrollment schools will maintain or improve upon their current number of teachers,” the spokesperson explained.

“We have given our principals, our Local Schools Councils and parents updates on this new funding model and will continue to inform our CPS community through direct outreach and via the Budget page on the CPS website.”

Joshua Q. Nelson is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

Joshua focuses on politics, education policy ranging from the local to the federal level, and the parental uprising in education.

Joining Fox News Digital in 2019, he previously graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Political Science and is an alum of the National Journalism Center and the Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program.

Story tips can be sent to joshua.nelson@fox.com and Joshua can be followed on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Minnesota

Finland picks up where it left off in Minnesota, beats Germany

Published

11 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Finland picks up where it left off in Minnesota, beats Germany

DULUTH — Finland was a force this summer at the University of Minnesota’s Ridder Arena in Minneapolis during the

World Junior Summer Showcase,

beating the United States, Canada and Sweden by a combined score of 15-7.

The Finnish national junior team continued its domination at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Amsoil Arena on Friday night, beating Germany 7-3 in a 2026 World Junior Championship pre-tournament game played before a modest crowd of 650.

Finland also won the bonus 3-on-3 simulated overtime period after the game, scoring with 46.4 seconds left in the five-minute period.

The seven Finnish goals in regulation came from seven different players, with winger Max Westergard, a 2025 fifth-round NHL draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, getting the 3-on-3 goal after scoring an unassisted goal in the third period.

Elias Schneider (24) of Germany scores a goal against Kim Saarinen (1) of Finland during a World Junior Championship pre-tournament game on Friday at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.

Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group

Centers Heikki Ruohonen, Oliver Suvanto and Jasper Kuhta, wingers Joona Saarelainen and Matias Vanhanen and seventh defenseman Lasse Boelius were among the other goalscorers for Finland.

Lenny Boos, Dustin Willhoft and Elias Schneider scored for Germany, which was outshot 29-17. The Germans had just one power play, in the third, compared to Finland’s four.

German goaltender Linus Vieillard made 22 saves while Finland goalie Kim Saarinen, a 2024 third-round pick of the Seattle Kraken, stopped 14 shots.

men play ice hockey — Daniel Nieminen (7) of Finland skates with the puck against Finland during a World Junior Championship pre-tournament game on Friday at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.

Finland’s lineup Friday featured 12 NHL draft picks — Germany had three — including Dallas Stars 2024 first-rounder Emil Hemming, Minnesota Wild 2024 fourth-rounder Aron Kiviharju and Montreal Canadiens 2024 third-rounder Aatos Koivu — the son of former NHLer Saku Koivu. Mikko Koivu, the former Wild captain, is Aatos’ uncle.

Ruohonen, a 2024 fourth-rounder of the Flyers, is the lone player on Finland’s roster from the NCAA. He’s a freshman at Harvard.

Finland will play one more pre-tournament game in Duluth at 6 p.m. Tuesday against the United States at Amsoil Arena. The Americans host Germany at 4 p.m. Sunday at Amsoil Arena.

Full tournament coverage

Click on the image above to read comprehensive coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship tournament.

Click on image to read comprehensive coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship tournament.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

24 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 4-3-1

Midday Wild: 3

Evening: 3-6-5

Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 4-5-1-4

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 5-5-4-1

Evening Wild: 2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

06-31-34-37-41, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Early Bird: 08

Morning: 05

Matinee: 15

Prime Time: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

12-23-28-33-38

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Nebraska

Marijuana reclassification order divides Nebraska leaders, advocates

Published

36 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Marijuana reclassification order divides Nebraska leaders, advocates

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – President Donald Trump’s executive order to reclassify marijuana at the federal level is reigniting debate in Nebraska, where voters approved medical marijuana in 2024.

Trump signed the executive order on Thursday, directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III. The move does not legalize marijuana nationwide but opens the door for more medical research.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined attorneys general from seven other states in releasing a statement saying they are “concerned” with the order. Hilgers said the science shows marijuana should remain a Schedule I drug.

Sen. Pete Ricketts also opposes the move. He signed a letter with 14 other Republican senators urging Trump not to reschedule marijuana. The letter argues marijuana is linked to mental health issues, impaired driving and workplace accidents.

Local medical marijuana advocate Lia Post disagreed with state leaders’ opposition.

“It just comes to the point, when is enough enough?” Post said.

Post said the argument from state leaders ignores what Nebraska voters decided in November 2024 when they overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana.

“It does open up the door for research, which really makes me happy, and the ability to speak to my doctor. It’s hard to be excited when you know you’re just a part of the big, giant grift that is going on,” Post said.

The federal change would allow the FDA to study marijuana’s medical uses. That could potentially help veterans, seniors, and people with chronic pain. Advocates said it also removes excuses for state leaders to delay implementation.

“I feel like we are in the exact same place we always are with the people wanting medical cannabis, the current law supporting medical cannabis, but the elected officials stopping medical cannabis,” Post said.

The federal rescheduling process could take several more months to finalize. The executive order does not legalize recreational marijuana. Trump made that clear Thursday, saying he is not open to that.

“It is a big deal, it is change, and change is always a big deal. Anything to do with medical cannabis and politics, I have to find the joy in whatever small wins there are, because there are so few,” Post said.

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