Education Department says it’s releasing more than $5 billion in frozen grants
The U.S. Education Department is releasing more than $5 billion in education grant funding to states.
In late June, the Trump administration told states it was withholding these previously approved federal grants for further review. That announcement came a day before the July 1 deadline when those funds have traditionally been disbursed. The decision left many school districts scrambling in the lead up to the school year.
Earlier this month, the administration announced it would release grant funding for before- and after-school programs. Now, according to Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the Education Department, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) “has directed the Department to release all formula funds. The agency will begin dispersing funds to states next week.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle lobbied to release the funds, citing financial strain on states and local communities. Several states have also sued the administration in an effort to get the funds released.
The grants that were held for review fund a wide range of education programs, including migrant education, services for English language learners and adult education.
The largest pot of grant money consisted of roughly $2.2 billion for professional development for educators. Tara Thomas, government affairs manager at The School Superintendents Association (AASA), told NPR districts often use these funds to help pay for continued teacher training.
“At the end of the day, it’s really just funding that makes teachers better at their jobs,” she said.
It’s not the first time the Trump administration has singled-out these programs: The administration’s proposed FY 2026 budget eliminated all the grants that had been frozen.
Dominion, the voting tech company at the center of false 2020 claims, is sold
Dominion Voting Systems, the company at the center of false fraud claims about the 2020 election, has been acquired by an entity called Liberty Vote.
Justice Department indicts Letitia James after pressure from Trump
The indictment comes after steady pressure from President Trump to prosecute James, who successfully sued Trump and his company for inflating the value of some of its properties.
Once the Gaza ceasefire goes into effect, what happens next? Here’s what to know
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the "first phase" of a plan promoted by President Trump to end the war in Gaza. A ceasefire is expected to go into effect after an Israeli Cabinet vote.
Despite stiff opposition, Bessemer changes its laws to accommodate data centers
Residents in and around Bessemer expressed continued disapproval of a plan to build a 14.5 million square foot data center in their back yards. Now, the city is one step closer to final approval.
This #MeToo melodrama isn’t great, but Julia Roberts’ performance is
Roberts plays a Yale professor whose life unravels after one of her colleagues is accused of sexually assaulting a student. After the Hunt is an academic potboiler that muddles its central issue.
What to know about the Nobel Peace Prize
Anticipation is growing and bookies around the world are taking bets on who'll be awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Here is what to know ahead of the award announcement this week.
