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Trump orders Education Department to guide states on use of federal funds for school choice • Louisiana Illuminator
Trump orders Education Department to guide states on use of federal funds for school choice
by Shauneen Miranda, Louisiana Illuminator
January 30, 2025
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed executive orders Wednesday that prioritize school choice funding and seek to end what the administration sees as “radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling.”
Trump is carrying through on education-related campaign promises he made as part of his sweeping vision to “save American education.” These efforts mark the latest in a deluge of wide-ranging executive orders the president began signing since he took office last week.
One executive order directs the U.S. Education Department secretary “to issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds” to support K-12 school choice initiatives within the next two months.
Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for Education secretary, has yet to sit before a Senate panel for a confirmation hearing.
McMahon — a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive, the prior head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first administration and a wealthy donor — could be pivotal to carrying out Trump’s sweeping education agenda.
The order also directs the Education secretary to “include education freedom as a priority in discretionary grant programs, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.”
Trump is also tasking the Department of Health and Human Services with issuing guidance on how states receiving block grants “can use them to expand educational choice and support families who choose educational alternatives to governmental entities, including private and faith-based options.”
He is also requiring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to review how any “military-connected families” could use Department of Defense funds to attend a school of their choice and must submit a plan to describe these mechanisms and the steps to implement them.
Trump is asking the same for the Department of the Interior — requiring that the agency’s next leader review how anyone eligible to attend a school within the Bureau of Indian Education can use federal funds to attend a school of their choosing.
Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the department, appears to be on a smooth path to becoming the next Interior secretary.
‘Radical indoctrination’ in K-12 schools
Meanwhile, Trump signed a sweeping executive order that aims to bar federal funding for schools that teach “discriminatory equity ideology,” which the administration describes as “an ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups, rather than as individuals, and minimizes agency, merit, and capability in favor of immoral generalizations.”
The order also requires the respective secretaries of Education; Defense; and Health and Human Services; to provide Trump with an “ending indoctrination strategy” in the next 90 days.
The plan would include recommendations for “eliminating Federal funding or support for illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination in K-12 schools.”
Trump also signed another executive order Wednesday that takes additional measures to try to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
Last updated 5:41 p.m., Jan. 29, 2025
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
More rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday
SUMMARY: More rain and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with a small chance of strong storms producing gusty winds or hail. A stationary front will bring rain in the afternoon, clearing by evening, leaving cooler, less humid conditions for Sunday. Temperatures will be in the 50s on the North Shore and near 60 in the metro area, with a breezy, comfortable day ahead. The upcoming week will bring a better chance for rain, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, as a cold front approaches. The Kentucky Derby may experience scattered rain but no severe weather expected.

More rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday
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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
‘The Light Switch’ Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo
by Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Illuminator
May 3, 2025
This week’s episode of “The Light Switch” focuses entirely on the Angola Prison Rodeo, now in its 60th year at Louisiana State Penitentiary.
While the rest of the state is deep into its unofficial festival season, about 75 incarcerated men take part in a rodeo that’s not your traditional apple pie, bucking broncos and fancy horses event.
Its critics describe it more like a sordid gladiator exhibition from peak Roman Empire times. They say this exploitation of inmates reflects outdated views on incarceration in Louisiana, a state where more than 1,000 of every 100,000 residents are behind bars according to the Promise of Justice Initiative.
But the rodeo also has its supporters – and some of the most ardent are the inmates who are part of the show. Reporter Piper Hutchinson attended the event last month and heard why they see the rodeo as a key part of positive prison culture. Read more about her visit to “The Wildest Show in the South.”
There are two ways to listen to “The Light Switch” …
Spotify (listen below on the embedded player or use this link)
Apple (listen with the embedded player or use this link)
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
The post ‘The Light Switch’ Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo appeared first on lailluminator.com
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The content of this article presents both sides of the issue surrounding the Angola Prison Rodeo, offering perspectives from both critics and supporters, including the inmates who participate. The tone of the article is neutral, providing factual details about the rodeo’s history and the contrasting views on its ethical implications. The language used does not overtly favor one side over the other, and the content mainly seeks to inform the audience about the ongoing debate without pushing a clear ideological stance. The article succeeds in portraying multiple viewpoints, making it a balanced and factual report on a complex issue.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Be prepared for severe storms later today
SUMMARY: Be prepared for severe storms later today, especially in San Antonio. Rain chances are low until after lunch but will rise by early afternoon with storms forming in the Hill Country. By late afternoon and evening, there’s about a 70% chance of rain, continuing through midnight. The storms are driven by fronts from the north, ample moisture, and upper-level energy, leading to potential strong to severe storms with gusty winds, hail, and localized flooding. Tornado risk is low but present. Tomorrow will be cooler with lingering clouds, dry conditions, and temperatures around 79°F. More storms are possible next week.

The best odds for rain will be between 7 and 10pm.
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