An investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) into two New York state agencies has found that both violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act over a ban on Native American-inspired mascots and logos – an issue thrust into the national spotlight because of one Long Island school district.

The Department of Education released a press release of its findings on Friday, just a month after first launching the probe into the New York Department of Education and the New York State Board of Regents.  

“The Trump Administration will not stand idly by as state leaders attempt to eliminate the history and culture of Native American tribes,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who visited Massapequa High School on Friday, said. 

“Rather than focus on learning outcomes, the New York Department of Education and Board of Regents has set its sights on erasing Massapequa’s history – while turning a blind eye to other districts’ mascots that are derived from or connected to other racial or ethnic groups. We will stand with the people of Massapequa until commonsense is restored and justice is served, and until New York comes into compliance with federal law.” 

The investigation was brought about when the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a complaint in April after claiming that the state agencies forced Massapequa School District, home of the Chiefs, to retire its mascot. 

A mural for the Massapequa Chiefs school sports teams, where, according to media reports, the Trump administration has launched an investigation into New York officials threatening to withhold state funding for the town of Massapequa for failure to comply with a state mandate removing Native American names from school logos, is seen painted on a building next to the high school in Massapequa, New York, May 1, 2025.  (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

“The Native American Guardians Association stands firm in asserting that the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students. We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions or our presence and contributions,” Vice President of NAGA Frank Blackcloud said in a statement at the time. 

TRUMP RIPS ‘RIDICULOUS’ CALLS FOR NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL TO CHANGE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT

“Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth, and the civil rights of all American Indians.” 

The Department of Education  also found that while Native American-inspired mascots, names and logos were not permitted under the policy, others that “appear to have been derived from other racial or ethnic groups” were, making the policy “discriminatory.” 

The district sued the state in September, claiming its First Amendment rights were violated, but a federal judge ruled against it. Rebranding, including changing the name and logo, would cost roughly $1 million, district officials claimed. 

A view of the Massapequa High School marquee, in Massapequa, N.Y., Friday, April 25, 2025.  (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

President Donald Trump became aware of the issue last month and encouraged the Department of Education to look into the ban, which he called “an affront to our great Indian population.” 

The 2022 mandate requires all public schools to retire Native American mascots and logos or risk the loss of federal funding. Four schools on Long Island have since filed lawsuits. 

The Department of Education announced Friday as part of its investigation that proposed resolution to the violations includes rescinding the ban on “Indigenous names, mascots, and logos,” issuing a memorandum to public schools informing them of the changes, and issuing apology letters to Indigenous tribes acknowledging that the actions of the two agencies “silenced the voices of Native Americans and attempted to erase Native American history.” 

A marquee outside the Massapequa High School is backdropped by a “Chiefs” mascot mural, in Massapequa, N.Y., Friday, April 25, 2025.  (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The Department of Education said failure to comply with the resolution plan risks further action by the Department of Justice and the potential loss of federal funding. 

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. 

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NEW YORK — Injured Red Sox starter Tanner Houck still has not thrown off a mound more than three weeks after landing on the IL.

The 28-year-old righty was placed on the 15-day injured list May 14 with a right flexor pronator strain.

“Playing catch but not on the mound yet,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday before Boston’s game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Houck has struggled this season with an 8.04 ERA (43 ⅔ innings, 39 earned runs) in nine starts.

Is his progression going slower than initially expected?

“Not really,” Cora said. “When you go on the IL, you never know.

“I’m not saying this is the case but when they (trainers) start working on you, they feel like it’s more time than in the beginning or less time,” Cora said. “So I leave it up to them to see where we’re at but we just gotta be patient.”

Other Red Sox injury updates:

~ Setup man Justin Slaten, who the Red Sox placed on the 15-day injured list June 1 with right shoulder inflammation, has not begun throwing again.

~ Third baseman Alex Bregman (right quad strain) “feels good” after beginning his running progression Thursday, Cora said. “The progression is going well. Let’s see how he feels tomorrow and then we’ll go from there. Obviously we’re still far away from starting the baseball progression,” Cora said.

~ Starter Kutter Crawford (wrist pain) was supposed to throw a bullpen session this weekend. But Cora said it’s now going “to be the end of the (this coming) week.”

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman will no longer wear No. 8. Following the signing of Aaron Rodgers, Waitman is switching to No. 3, which was last worn by Russell Wilson last year.

Rodgers will wear the No. 8. That is the number he wore with theNew York Jets during his two seasons there. Rodgers first wore the number during his time at California in college.

Kenny Pickett was one of the quarterbacks who wore No. 8 with the Steelers before the team traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rodgers could not wear No. 12 because the Steelers had unofficially retired that number. With the Steelers, No. 12 was worn by quarterback Terry Bradshaw in the 1970s, and while not officially retired, the team has never handed out the number since Bradshaw retired. It is unlikely they ever will, and there are plenty of other numbers that the Steelers will never hand out again, like No. 43 with Troy Polamalu.

This was not a matter of Rodgers asking Bradshaw, though if he had, he would likely have been met with stiff resistance. Bradshaw was critical of the team’s pursuit of Rodgers last week.

“That’s a joke,” Bradshaw said on 103.7 The Buzz’s Morning Mayhem Show. “That is to me just a joke. What are you going to do? Bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark. Whisper to the gods out there.”

Rodgers is now slated to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback, and his No. 8 jerseys are on sale in limited stock on the team’s store.