Tennessee unveiled a broad new school choice initiative this week. Governor Bill Lee (R) announced the Education Freedom Scholarship Act on Tuesday at the Tennessee State Museum alongside Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R). Arkansas adopted a universal school choice policy earlier this year. Lee’s proposal would establish universal school choice for every public school student across the state. Next school year‚ 20‚000 scholarships would be available. Half of those would go to Tennessee students at or below 300% of the federal poverty line‚ who have a disability‚ or are eligible for the existing Education Savings Account pilot program. By the school year that starts in 2025‚ all public school students would be eligible for a scholarship. No bill has been formally filed in the legislature yet‚ but Lee said his office would work with the legislature on the “final details” when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. Families could spend their child’s scholarship money on tuition at a private or religious school‚ uniforms‚ technology‚ transportation‚ or home school expenses. Families can also spend the money on tutoring‚ after school programs‚ and SAT and ACT exam fees. Lee also said the scholarship program would be funded separately from Tennessee’s Investment in Student Achievement funding structure for K-12 education. Lee said Tennessee should do two things at once — strive to have the best public school system in the country and provide families with school choice. “These two ideas are not in conflict‚ and conservative states across the country are proof‚” Lee said in a statement provided to The Daily Wire. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Lee added that he has “firsthand” knowledge of the benefits of school choice since his children have been in public school and private school and been homeschooled‚ and his wife is a teacher. “We can all agree that every Tennessee child deserves a shot at success. Every student has unique needs and every classroom offers unique value‚” Lee said. “Parents know best and should have the freedom to choose the right education for their child‚ regardless of income or zip code.” Sanders praised Tennessee’s school choice plan‚ calling it part of “an absolute conservative education revolution in our country.” A wave of school choice bills have worked their way through state legislatures in recent years. Arizona‚ Utah‚ Arkansas‚ Florida‚ Oklahoma‚ Ohio‚ Indiana‚ Iowa‚ South Carolina‚ and New Hampshire were all successful in creating or expanding school choice programs. During the pandemic‚ parents across the country became frustrated with school COVID restrictions and controversial curriculum content‚ leading many families to pull their children out of public school permanently.

In the heartland of America‚ a health crisis is unfolding as Warren County‚ Ohio‚ grapples with an alarming outbreak of pneumonia among its youngest residents. Since August‚ the county has reported a staggering 142 cases of pediatric pneumonia‚ a situation that has been officially classified as an outbreak by the Ohio Department of Health. This surge in illnesses has sparked concern among parents and health professionals alike‚ as they witness an unprecedented spike in respiratory infections. The outbreak‚ which has been referred to as ‘white lung syndrome’ due to the characteristic white spots appearing on lung imaging‚ has raised fears of a wider American health emergency similar to those currently challenging China and several European nations. Despite these concerns‚ national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that the situation is not out of the ordinary when viewed in the broader context of seasonal illness trends. OHIO'S WHITE LUNG PANDEMIC | FEARS OF CHINA-LIKE OUTBREAK GRIP NATION Ohio‚ is facing a concerning surge in pediatric pneumonia cases‚ termed 'white lung syndrome'. It is the first U.S. state to report an outbreak resembling the situation in China Health officials express… https://t.co/AUZMRJYeO4 pic.twitter.com/zyNf5ymcLf — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 30‚ 2023 Warren County’s medical director‚ Dr. Clint Koenig‚ has noted a recent uptick in hospitalizations for child pneumonia. The increase began subtly in August but gained momentum by mid to late October‚ coinciding with the return to school and the onset of the traditional flu season. Dr. Koenig urges vigilance among parents and caregivers‚ emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms early and seeking prompt medical attention. The pathogens identified in the outbreak include mycoplasma pneumoniae‚ a bacterial infection resistant to some antibiotics‚ strep‚ and adenovirus‚ which typically causes milder respiratory symptoms. The average age of those affected is eight years old‚ with some patients as young as three. Health officials speculate that the pandemic’s social distancing measures may have inadvertently weakened children’s immune systems‚ leaving them more susceptible to such infections. WHO demands fresh data from China amid outbreak of 'white lung syndrome' as Chinese are told to wear masks and social distance again – in chilling echo of Covid #health #China https://t.co/mnHJ7rwMW9 — GlobeNewsWire (@BCNewsWire) November 30‚ 2023 Amidst this health scare‚ the Warren County Health District has been proactive in reassuring the public that this is not a novel or new respiratory disease. Instead‚ they attribute the high number of cases to a confluence of common infections striking simultaneously. The health district has issued reminders about the importance of handwashing‚ covering coughs‚ staying home when sick‚ and keeping vaccinations up to date. The situation in Warren County serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between public health and disease prevention. As families prepare for the holiday season‚ a time traditionally marked by gatherings and celebrations‚ there is a heightened awareness of the need to protect the most vulnerable among us‚ particularly our children. Congress has called on the CDC to be transparent and forthcoming with information regarding public health threats. This demand for transparency reflects a broader desire among the American people for accountability and clarity from their health institutions. The public’s trust hinges on the CDC’s ability to communicate effectively and manage health crises competently. While the outbreak in Ohio is concerning‚ it is essential to place it within the context of global health dynamics. Similar spikes in pneumonia cases have been reported in the Netherlands‚ Denmark‚ and China. These international incidents underscore the interconnected nature of public health and the need for global vigilance and cooperation. As investigations continue into the cause of the outbreak‚ the community remains on alert. Schools have reported higher than usual absenteeism due to illness‚ and local hospitals are preparing for the possibility of increased admissions. The health district continues to monitor the situation closely‚ working in tandem with state and federal agencies to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread. The child pneumonia outbreak in Ohio is a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by public health systems worldwide. It highlights the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure‚ research‚ and preventive measures to safeguard against future health crises. As the nation watches and waits‚ the resilience and response of the Warren County community will undoubtedly serve as a case study for other regions navigating similar health emergencies. The post Ohio Faces Unprecedented Child Pneumonia Outbreak Amid National Health Concerns appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

When you’re a parent to a baby‚ total strangers will ask all kinds of questions in hopes of getting to know your adorable little one. Sometimes these questions can be harmless and lead to learning stuff like their name and how old they are. Then there are questions that… well‚ should simply never be asked. Ever. This is something that the mom in this YouTube video understands all too well. As a Black woman who has a baby with white skin‚ she’s dealt with quite a few people‚ both in-person and online‚ who are bold enough to ask questions like‚ “Is that really your baby?” Watch the YouTube video below to hear this mom answer these types of questions. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to better understand something‚ there’s a difference between genuine curiosity and being harmful. As Mom said‚ sometimes our questions are best kept for a private Google search‚ not asking a stranger who doesn’t want to have to answer the same questions from countless other folks. Speaking of which‚ if you are still curious‚ here’s the short answer: This woman’s husband is White. But there’s also a longer explanation‚ too‚ of course. TikTok How a Black Parent Could Have a White Baby According to Mirror‚ the genes that determine a person’s skin color do so under “incomplete dominance” — this means that there’s no specific trait that overrules the other. So‚ a mixed-race kid’s skin color turns out to be a mixture of their parents’‚ with some leaning more toward one side than the other. TikTok What Matters Most In the end‚ no matter the reason‚ one thing is for sure: This baby is absolutely adorable! Plus‚ it seems that she’s already proving to be quite smart. Folks in the comments were quick to point out that it seems as though this mom’s little one could understand what she was saying. This seemed especially true when Mom confirmed she’s not a fake baby. As if to confirm it for herself‚ the baby shook her head “no!” TikTok Best of all‚ it’s clear that this baby‚ along with the rest of her siblings‚ is very much loved and taken care of — and that’s what matters the most. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post “Genetics Are Crazy.” Black Mom Explains That Yes‚ She Did Give Birth To Her White Baby. appeared first on InspireMore.

The Christmas season is my favorite time of the year. Between the nostalgic music and festive decor‚ there’s so much to enjoy. And while everyone knows that gift-giving is a huge part of this holiday‚ that’s not what people end up cherishing the most. Rather‚ we tend to remember all of the fun‚ silly traditions that are unique to our families. Even when presents are involved in our favorite memories‚ the reason is often tied to the person who either received or gave the gift‚ rather than the gift itself. Now that the most wonderful time of year has officially arrived‚ we here at InspireMore are reminiscing a lot about holiday traditions. In fact‚ our friends at QVC were kind enough to share some of their most cherished ones with us. Their heartfelt responses to our questions are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit — and you just might discover a new holiday tradition of your own! Alberti Popaj Alberti Popaj 1. What’s something that’s a tradition for you during the holidays? “Going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve always felt so special to me. The setting‚ the music‚ the lit candles‚ and the undeniable love and excitement that you can feel in the church. For me‚ it is truly one of the most beautiful sights.” 2. What’s one of the happiest memories involving that tradition? “Being there with my family and watching my nephews and nieces participate in the nativity. It was definitely a proud uncle moment.” 3. What’s your favorite holiday memory with your friends/family? “Snuggling up on the couch with all the lights off except for the Christmas tree‚ and watching classic holiday movies.” Kerstin Lindquis Kerstin Lindquis 1. What’s something that’s a tradition for you during the holidays? “We have a very blended family through my parent’s remarriage as well as lots of adoption and living in so many places that our friends are‚ our family. So‚ we celebrate traditions from many different parts of the world. We do a Happy Birthday Jesus cake that came from my mom. It’s always brownies and always on Jesus’ birthday! We also do seven fishes on Christmas Eve and matching pajamas under the pillow on Christmas Eve.” 2. What’s one of the happiest memories involving that tradition? “Our Christmas morning picture with kids‚ parents‚ and grandparents all in matching pajamas is one of my favorite visuals of the year‚ every year.” 3. What’s your favorite holiday memory with your friends/family? “Our daughters first Christmas when they were infants‚ we had them baptized on Christmas Eve. Our entire blended family from both sides came to this gorgeous church in Malibu‚ Ca and we had Christmas Eve mass and baptized our little miracles. Of course‚ they cried the entire time‚ but it was real and lovely and so us.” Vanessa Herring Vanessa Herring 1. What’s something that’s a tradition for you during the holidays? “In our family‚ the ‘pajama elf’ visits on Christmas Eve to leave matching pjs for everyone! We haven’t always been able to be together‚ and when we’re not‚ the pajama elf mails them ahead of time. Then‚ we can all open them together on Christmas Eve‚ even when we’re far away! For dinner‚ we always order Chinese food!” 2. What’s one of the happiest memories involving that tradition? “Christmas‚ two years ago‚ my family joined us here in Pennsylvania. My niece had just turned two‚ and was IN on the pj tradition! We all got dressed in our pjs‚ put a camera on a tripod‚ and took a festive family photo!” 3. What’s your favorite holiday memory with your friends/family? “My husband and I have a lot of fun choosing gifts for each other — gag gifts‚ useful gifts‚ and things we know the other one wouldn’t buy for themselves. We’re usually so excited to give each other our gifts that we end up opening everything on Christmas Eve! We always end up laughing about it after!” Vanessa Herring Shawn Killinger Shawn Killinger 1. What’s something that’s a tradition for you during the holidays? “The kids always get to open one gift on Christmas Eve‚ and we always eat My Grandma’s coffee cake on Christmas morning. Oh and the biggest one: We always play Andy William’s ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ loud and proud the minute we wake up on Christmas morning!” 2. What’s one of the happiest memories involving that tradition? “Every Christmas morning‚ e v e r y‚ the kids are required to wait on the top step of the stairs while ‘Dad’ goes downstairs to check out the Santa spread … and ‘Dad’ inevitably dials up the twitchy excitement with tons of ‘Oooohh’ &; ‘Ahhhs’ so that by the time the kids are given the all clear‚ they storm down the stairs like a pack of wild animals.” 3. What’s your favorite Holiday memory with your friends/family? “The year my brother and I pitched in to buy my dad‚ who was notoriously frugal‚ a Rolex watch. That year my dad had had open heart surgery‚ and for a guy who never ever splurged on anything remotely extravagant for himself‚ he burst into tears when he opened it on Christmas morning… which of course‚ broke us all!” Shawn Killinger Christmas is such a magical time of year — not because of the gifts but because of the precious time spent with friends and loved ones. The InspireMore team and our friends at QVC wish you the happiest of holidays‚ not only this year but in all of the years to come! *We couldn’t do all the good that we’re doing without incredible partners like QVC. We hope you’ll join us in supporting them!  The post Merry And Bright: Special Christmas Traditions These QVC Hosts Cherish. appeared first on InspireMore.

'targeted the United States'

He reportedly took commissions from her that he was not entitled to

'Just junk science'

'It's time to stand up'

'A moral and constitutional duty'

Police have issued an arrested warrant in Dallas for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller