National News - Page 55

Pensole Lewis College Reopens as Nation’s First Revived HBCU

The good news is still pouring in for this Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design made history drafting proposed legislation that would benchmark it as the nation’s first-ever re-opened historically Black college, AfroTech previously reported. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appears to be on board as she reportedly signed legislation to confirm the proceeding of the HBCU. “I am proud to play a part in helping reopen the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design in Detroit,” Whitmer said in a press release. “I am committed to expanding educational opportunities for Michiganders across our state to put Michigan first.” The HBCU Will Strengthen

FEMA Faces Scrutiny Amid Texas Floods and Trump Reforms

By Laura Strickler, Monica Alba, Jonathan Allen and Julia Ainsley The devastating Texas flooding that has killed nearly 120 people is the first high-profile disaster the Federal Emergency Management Agency has faced during the current Trump administration. But while the loss of life has been catastrophic, former and current FEMA officials told NBC News that the relatively small geographic area affected means it’s not a true test of what the agency, whose full-time staff has been shrunk by a third, is capable of doing in the wake of a disaster. The real tryout could come later this summer, they say, when there is always the threat that

Texas Floods Spark Outcry Over Failed Emergency Alerts

By Erik Ortiz, Minyvonne Burke and Suzanne Gamboa Four days after the devastating flash floods in Texas Hill Country, local officials and law enforcement in Kerr County couldn’t provide basic details of the emergency response — including whether the emergency management coordinator, who decided to order evacuations, was awake when the waters started rising. “We’re in the process of trying to put a timeline — that’s going to take a little bit of time,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a news conference Tuesday, stressing that his priorities were finding missing residents, identifying them and notifying their next of kin. Pressed about the critical window

Texas Flash Floods Claim 100+ Lives, Dozens Still Missing

By Angelica Casas The death toll from flash floods that struck central Texas on Friday has now climbed to more than 100 people and an unknown number of others are missing. Search and rescue teams are wading through mud-piled riverbanks as more rain and thunderstorms threaten the region, but hope was fading of finding any more survivors four days after the catastrophe. Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls’ summer camp, confirmed at least 27 girls and staff were among the dead. Ten girls and a camp counsellor are still missing. The White House meanwhile rejected suggestions that budget cuts at the

HBCUs Push for Equity in Federal and State Funding

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are stepping up advocacy efforts to address long standing inequities in federal and state funding, exposing a gap that advocates say undermines the sustainability of these institutions. Heads of state-supported HBCUs, lawmakers, and civil rights organizations have highlighted a long-running funding deficit and ongoing underinvestment that remains chronic. “Public and private HBCUs have been suffering from funding disparities for decades,” states a 2023 report from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), noting that perennial financial shortfalls have limited these institutions’ capacity to deliver on their mission and provide equal educational opportunities.

Texas Floods Raise Alarms Over NWS Cuts, Forecast Limits

By Evan Bush Fatal floods in Texas that left thousands scrambling for safety with little warning have sparked a fresh round of scrutiny of Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service. At least 81 people were dead and many others were missing Sunday evening after floodwaters surged through Texas Hill Country, an area known as “flash flood alley.” Within hours of the deluge early Friday, some Texas officials were critical of the NWS, saying forecasts underestimated the rainfall. Sunday, President Donald Trump rejected the idea of investigating whether NWS cuts had left key vacancies, and the White House said claims that NWS cuts had anything

Senate Passes Trump-Backed Tax and Spending Bill in Tie

Senate Republicans on Tuesday passed a major tax and spending bill demanded by Donald Trump, ending weeks of negotiations over the comprehensive legislation and putting it another step closer to enactment. But it remains unclear whether changes made by the chamber will be accepted by the House of Representatives, which approved an initial draft of the legislation last month by a single vote. While Republicans control both houses of Congress, factionalism in the lower chamber is particularly intense, with rightwing fiscal hardliners demanding deep spending cuts, moderates wary of dismantling safety-net programs and Republicans from Democratic-led states expected to make a stand

Trump Admin Freezes $7B in Education Funds, Causes Chaos

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By Sarah Mervosh and Michael C. Bender The Trump administration has declined to release nearly $7 billion in federal funding that helps pay for after-school and summer programs, support for students learning English, teacher training and other services. The money was expected to be released by Tuesday. But in an email on Monday, the Education Department notified state education agencies that the money would not be available. The administration offered little explanation, saying only that the funds were under review. It gave no timeline for when, or if, the money would be released, saying instead that it was “committed to ensuring taxpayer resources

Boston Explores Bringing HBCU Satellite Campus to City

City councilors are exploring ways to bring a historically Black college or university presence to Boston for the first time. Council Vice President Brian Worrell called for a hearing at last week’s meeting that will focus on creating an HBCU satellite campus in Boston. “An HBCU presence would provide role models for current Black students by showing them a tangible pathway to success,” Worrell said. “Boston led the way in educating Black students in the first half of the 19th century, with the opening of the Abiel Smith School, and we need to discover that trailblazing spirit once again.” Boston

HBCUs Launch First-Ever National Digital Education Portal

Delaware State University, Southern University, Alabama State University, and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, all Historically Black Colleges or Universities, have joined forces to create the nation’s first-ever digital HBCU portal that is expected to help increase access to higher education as well as the rich culture and legacy of HBCUs. According to a June 25 press release, which accompanied a launch video outlining key features of the platform, the eHBCU Consortium offers several benefits: flexible online degree and certificate programs, academically rigorous courses designed to reflect the history and unique teaching traditions of HBCUs, mentorship and career preparation from

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