First Circuit rejects Maine religious-school exemption; remand for injunction
On July 2, 2026, the First Circuit ruled that Maine can require religious schools taking tuition aid to follow the MHRA—except it ordered an injunction for Crosspoint.
education
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House Oversight probes “DEI” in universities and workplaces: witnesses and claims
A House Oversight Task Force hearing on July 14 pressed civil-rights questions about whether “DEI” policies mask race and sex discrimination.
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DOJ Religious Liberty Commission draft comment period closes July 13—what to watch next
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights – DOJ says the Religious Liberty Commission’s 224-page draft comment period closed Monday, July 13, 2026.
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ED–DOJ partnership announced June 30 to escalate FERPA parental-access enforcement
On June 30, ED said it began a DOJ partnership to enforce FERPA parental access to education records after Kansas City, Kansas findings.
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Virginia Beach School Board rescinds, then revises Chromebook/screen-time limits
Virginia Beach parents: after a June 8 vote, the board rescinded and updated Chromebook/screen-time limits in Policy 6-18 for 2026/27—here’s the grade-by-grade breakdown.
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Detroit DPSCD board adopts $1.1B budget targeting chronic absenteeism, pay, security
Detroit MI — DPSCD’s board adopted a $1.1 billion 2026–27 budget adding counselors, pay raises, more security, and extra yellow-bus service to cut chronic absenteeism.
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HHS opens more than $281 million in addiction and mental-health grants
HHS opened more than $281 million in SAMHSA grant opportunities for treatment, schools, recovery and overdose response across the country.
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Judge’s pause temporarily restores higher loan limits for nursing graduate programs
United States Education and Civil Rights Policy – A court pause has temporarily put nursing and other graduate programs back in the higher federal borrowing category.
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AISD delays most boundary changes to 2028-29, splits plan into two phases
Austin TX – Austin ISD has pushed districtwide boundary changes to 2028-29 and set a smaller first phase for urgent 2027-28 changes, including Marshall Middle School.
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Stockton Unified phone rules now line up with California deadline
Stockton CA – Stockton Unified’s phone policy now aligns with California’s July 1 deadline, with class-time limits, documented exceptions, and step-by-step consequences.
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Washington IL: July 1 Illinois changes hit bars, schools and drivers
July 1 Illinois changes now affect Washington residents in bars, schools and at the pump, from sealed mixed drinks and AI bullying rules to a gas-tax pause.
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Central Tech packet shows Drumright campus leadership, staffing changes
Drumright OK – Central Tech’s June 9 board packet lists Nancy Overton for a July 1 campus director transfer and includes several FY27 Drumright staffing items.
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Oak Grove Prep set to open Aug. 6 as Fontana Unified adds a new secondary campus
Fontana CA – Oak Grove Preparatory Academy is scheduled to open Aug. 6 at 5124 Oak Grove Ave., with Fontana Unified already enrolling students for the 2026-27 school year.
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San Diego Unified limits YouTube and gaming on student devices
San Diego CA – San Diego Unified approved new student-device limits that start Aug. 10, including blocking YouTube and gaming on 1:1 devices and removing TK computer carts.
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Tulls Creek Elementary ribbon cutting puts Moyock on fall countdown
Moyock NC – Currituck County Schools’ June 30 ribbon cutting at Tulls Creek Elementary gives families a concrete reminder to check calendars and bus requests.
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Virginia Beach school board tightens Chromebook rules for 2026-27
Virginia Beach VA – The School Board’s June 26 vote set new grade-by-grade Chromebook limits for the 2026-27 school year.
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Trump religious liberty draft urges new DOJ guidance, hotlines and Johnson repeal
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights – A draft report would ask federal agencies for new religious-liberty guidance, reporting channels and a Johnson Amendment repeal. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/president-trumps-religious-liberty-commission-delivers-historic-report-draft))
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NMJC approves $6.99M Mansur Hall remodel on Hobbs campus
Lovington-area NMJC students should see a major Mansur Hall overhaul, with work set to start in July and last about a year.
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Education Department finalizes earnings test that could block federal loans for low-earning programs
The Education Department finalized a national earnings rule for college programs. STATS will phase in over time, with most provisions effective July 1, 2027 and the first earnings test calculated in early 2027. ([ed.gov](https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-final-rule-hold-all-colleges-and-universities-accountable-low-earning-programs))
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Two federal judges block PSLF overhaul before July 1
Two federal judges blocked the PSLF overhaul on June 30, keeping current borrower rules in place for now. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/5cbe13349bff45bea6ae5fc330d7b617))
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Chicago Public Schools budget roundtables continue as FY2027 gap nears $732.5M
CPS is taking public input on its FY2027 budget through July 13 as families and staff weigh staffing, support services, and school funding priorities.
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Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes in school sports
The June 30 ruling upheld Idaho and West Virginia laws and said states may keep sex-separated school teams under Title IX and the Constitution.
