The US Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with nearly $800 million in cuts to health research funding, impacting projects on breast cancer, HIV prevention, and other health issues, amidst ongoing legal challenges and debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
A federal judge in Maryland struck down Trump-era Education Department guidance aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools, ruling that the department violated procedural requirements in threatening to cut federal funding for institutions that continued DEI initiatives. The ruling supports the continuation of DEI efforts and opposes the administration's efforts to restrict race-based decision-making in education.
The Department of Justice issued new guidance clarifying that federal antidiscrimination laws apply to all programs receiving federal funds, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, emphasizing the legal risks of discriminatory practices and providing best practices to ensure compliance.
The president of the University of Virginia, James Ryan, is resigning earlier than planned due to political pressure from the Trump administration and a Justice Department investigation into the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, amid broader political attacks on DEI initiatives in the US.
Santa Ono was rejected as University of Florida president by the Florida Board of Governors due to conservative criticism of his support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, highlighting ongoing ideological conflicts in higher education governance.
The University of Texas at Austin has fired dozens of employees working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to comply with a new Texas state law that dissolved DEI institutions at public colleges and universities. The law prohibits the establishment and maintenance of DEI offices and the use of "DEI Statements," prompting the university to dissolve its Division of Campus and Community Engagement and eliminate 60 related positions. The university president stated that student-facing jobs would remain, and laid-off employees could apply for other positions at the university. The law also impacts cultural graduations, and non-compliance could result in funding loss.
The US House Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be dissolved and replaced by the Office of Talent Management as part of the government spending bill, with the change effective Monday. The move comes amid increasing attacks on DEI programs and initiatives, and the office was originally formed in 2020 to create a congressional workforce reflecting the nation's diversity. Some team members will transition to the new office, and the director plans to step down later this year.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has launched an investigation into the Hazelwood School District's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs following a fight near Hazelwood East High School that left a student critically injured. The attorney general's letter, riddled with errors, questioned the role of DEI programs in the incident, although race has not been confirmed as a factor in the fight. The district has emphasized its commitment to DEI and student safety, while conservative politicians have criticized DEI as a mechanism for discrimination. The attorney general's letter contained factual inaccuracies about the incident, and the district's DEI plan has faced online scrutiny.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill restricting the teaching of "divisive concepts" and limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public schools, universities, and state agencies. The legislation prohibits schools and agencies from sponsoring or requiring participation in DEI programs, and also mandates the use of bathrooms based on biological sex at birth in public colleges and universities. Civil rights groups have condemned the bill, while conservative legislators argue that it promotes academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge. This bill is part of a wave of conservative legislation across the country aiming to restrict education on race, sex, and gender.
Alabama passes a bill, SB129, banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in state institutions, which will now head to the governor’s desk. The bill prohibits programs advocating for divisive concepts and restricts restroom use based on sex assigned at birth. Public colleges are preparing for changes, with at least $16 million in diversity spending at risk. The bill has sparked protests and concerns about its impact on female students, veterans, international students, and HBCUs. The legislation has implications for K-12 schools and educators, with some worried about its chilling effect on classroom instruction.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' efforts to combat "woke" ideologies through legislation have faced setbacks, with courts blocking key measures such as the Stop WOKE Act and the Parental Rights in Education Act. Critics argue that these laws target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, while supporters view them as protecting individual freedom. Despite some legal victories, including upholding the Parental Rights in Education Act, DeSantis' conservative initiatives have faced opposition from federal judges, signaling a potential weakening of support for his agenda among Republican lawmakers and the public.
The NAACP has urged Black student-athletes to reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida after the state eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at institutions such as the University of Florida, North Florida, and Florida International. The NAACP emphasized the importance of protecting the community and the progression of culture, stating that collegiate sports may be the sole opportunity for many Black student-athletes to achieve upward mobility. The organization's letter to the NCAA president highlighted concerns about the impact of Florida's anti-Black policies on educational outcomes and urged minority athletes to be vocal about the decision.
The NAACP has urged Black student-athletes to reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida after the state eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at institutions like the University of Florida, North Florida, and Florida International. The organization's letter to the NCAA president emphasized the impact on education and future opportunities for student-athletes, while NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and NAACP leaders have also spoken out against the decision, raising concerns about the potential impact on recruiting efforts and the ability of minority athletes to compete in a global economy.
A horrific video showing a black teen brutally beating a white girl near Hazelwood East High School in Missouri has sparked outrage and calls to end an "anti-White agenda" in the US. The victim suffered critical head injuries and the suspect, a 15-year-old, has been arrested on assault charges. The incident has raised concerns about teen violence and led to debates about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, with some criticizing the school's academic performance and calling for an end to the "anti-White agenda."
A horrific video shows a Missouri girl being brutally beaten by a group of students near Hazelwood East High School, leaving her with critical head injuries. A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested on assault charges, and the school district has emphasized the need to address bullying and fighting in the community. The incident has sparked a debate on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, with some criticizing their effectiveness in the school district.