Youth Tackle Football: Balancing risks and rewards depends on race and place

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024

Good morning readers! Today we have stories about the risks and rewards of youth tackle football, Governor Wes Moore’s State of the State address, and House Republicans’ pushback on Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan.

Youth participation in tackle football has been declining for years as medical studies have linked the sport with brain injury and long-term behavioral issues. But not all parents balance risks versus rewards the same way.?

A four-month investigation by student journalists at the University of Maryland’s Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and Howard Center for Investigative Journalism probes what parents know and how they make decisions about when – and if – their children should play tackle football.

Read more:?

• When families’ love of the game conflicts with the science
• Poll: Black, Hispanic parents nearly twice as likely as white parents to see youth football as a path to college scholarships, NFL
• With few other options, football is hope for families in rural Mississippi

Moore calls for ‘partnership’ to fight state problems

By Kiersten Hacker?

Gov. Wes Moore delivered a State of the State address on Wednesday that candidly described some of the state’s most pressing challenges and called on lawmakers to join him in a spirit of “partnership” to tackle them all.?

Moore also announced that this week his administration will release a State Plan, outlining specific actions and realistic goals to achieve his priorities.

What are Moore’s priorities?

• Public safety: Moore has joined lawmakers to announce legislation that will crack down on youth crime and proposed other public safety bills.?
• Affordable housing and childcare: The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes record investments in childcare without raising taxes, Moore said.
• Education: Moore called for support of a world-class education system, prioritizing programs like the Blueprint plan.

House Republicans advance bill targeting Biden Administration’s student loan forgiveness plan

By Mathew Schumer?

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has advanced a Republican-sponsored bill that includes measures repealing key aspects of the Biden administration’s plans to make college more affordable.

The College Cost Reduction Act, introduced by the panel’s chairwoman, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, passed on a party-line 22-19 vote.

What would the College Cost Reduction Act do?

• Present numerous programs to strengthen the integrity of higher education institutions across the country, but also gut much of President Joe Biden’s efforts to help students afford college.
• Establish a streamlined data system to convey information about colleges, create a performance-based grant program, and hold academic institutions responsible for unpaid student loans.

More from CNS:

• Experts urge senators to act in the fight against financial fraud
• Senators question loyalty of US consultants withholding subpoenaed information on Saudi work

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