FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Florida Stops Sloth Imports After Tragic Deaths at Closed Orlando Zoo

Florida has put a temporary hold on bringing sloths into the state after many of the wild‑caught animals died at a now‑closed attraction in Orlando. The two‑month pause was ordered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to stop new imports while it reviews rules for keeping these a

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May 12 2026SPORTS

Who’s carrying Southwest Michigan’s spring sports scene?

High school athletes across Southwest Michigan are putting up numbers that turn heads this spring. From softball sluggers to track stars, the latest Athlete of the Week poll highlights athletes who are pushing their teams forward with performances that stand out. Baseball diamonds are seeing some s

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Florida’s new voting maps: who really benefits?

Florida lawmakers recently approved a plan to redraw voting districts, shifting the balance to give Republicans an even stronger grip on the state’s 28 U. S. House seats. The new setup would turn a 20-8 Republican majority into a lopsided 24-4 split. That’s a big change from just a few years ago, wh

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

A New Look at Highlands School Culture

Highlands High School’s assistant principal, Kaitlyn Selfridge, stepped down in April after a year of growing frustration. She wrote that the district’s leadership had turned her job into a hostile environment, citing repeated principal changes and what she described as demeaning remarks about appea

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May 08 2026EDUCATION

Finding time for free play in school

Schools often focus on structured lessons, but a new study suggests something simple might help kids more: free play. Researchers looked at 125 elementary students in a high-poverty area. The kids were split into groups that got 12 weeks of 45-minute free play sessions either in fall or spring. The

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May 07 2026OPINION

Phones in schools: why a total ban misses the bigger picture

Schools today aren’t just teaching algebra or history—they’re preparing students for a world where phones are everywhere. A complete ban on these devices might seem like an easy fix for distractions, but it ignores a bigger issue: teaching responsible use instead of avoiding technology altogether. T

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May 06 2026EDUCATION

Florida schools test a different take on U. S. history for college credit

Florida is rolling out a new history course this fall, one that skips the traditional AP U. S. history route. Instead of using the College Board’s well-known program, the state created its own version called FACT U. S. History. The goal? To give students another way to earn college credit while avoi

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May 03 2026OPINION

Teachers and nurses deserve real respect, not just online words

Schools used to be places where adults actually worked with kids, not battlegrounds. Teachers once had room to teach without constant fear of insults, threats, or budget cuts. Now many quit because the job has become harder than it needs to be. Some parents and politicians seem to think teaching is

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Apr 28 2026POLITICS

Defence Leaders Meet Across Three Nations to Push for Peace Talks

High-ranking officials from Iran, Russia, and Belarus recently held separate discussions about conflict resolution in the Middle East. A Russian defence minister met Iran’s deputy defence chief in Kyrgyzstan, stressing that diplomacy—not military action—should settle disputes in the region. The same

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Apr 28 2026CRIME

New summer activities aim to keep Highland Park youth busy and safe

Highland Park is rolling out a new summer plan to give kids better options than trouble. Police report youth crime has jumped nearly one-fifth in the past year, with theft and fights involving teens on the rise. Some worry adults might be taking advantage of lighter juvenile penalties by pushing you

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