Latest news with #state
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Hundreds mourn slain Minnesota lawmaker, husband at vigil
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul at dusk Wednesday for a candlelight vigil held in remembrance of slain state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark. The Hortmans were gunned down at their home over the weekend by a shooter impersonating a law enforcement officer, surveillance video showed. Suspect Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested late Sunday and faces multiple state and federal murder charges. Authorities have not disclosed a motive in the attack, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who attended Wednesday's vigil, has described it as 'politically motivated.' Boelter is also accused of shooting and seriously wounding state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, shortly before the Hortmans were killed. Authorities said Boelter had notebooks that named dozens of lawmakers in what's thought to be a 'hit list.' The Associated Press reported there was no speaking program at the tearful remembrance ceremony Wednesday. Videos of the gathering showed throngs of people on the Capitol's steps and lawn, quietly holding candles as a string quartet played somber music. Hortman, 55, was a prominent lawmaker, serving as state House speaker for six years of her more than two decades in office. The AP reported that an impromptu memorial sprang up outside the Capitol after the killings with flowers, American flags, photos and personal notes with thankful messages.
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Improving literacy among foundation pupils must be a national priority
Addressing SA's literacy challenge from the early years is fundamental to improving quality and efficiency throughout the education system. Our country's constitutional promise is that all South Africans should achieve their potential — and the ability to read for meaning is the primary capability which propels learning as a means of achieving that potential. In our constitutional democracy based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, creating access to the conditions necessary to achieve literacy is the responsibility of the state — through the basic education system — and supported by families. All of the data available on achieving foundational literacy shows not only that our children are not achieving the levels of reading performance our curriculum requires in order for pupils to succeed in primary school, but that pervasive inequalities in the conditions under which children are learning to read continue to reinforce inequality in reading achievement, and shape subsequent unequal trajectories in learning and consequent life-opportunities. Learning to read requires the realisation that symbols in text — squiggles on pages — can represent the meaning of the spoken word. This realisation comes from environments in which text is used for sharing information, for pleasure, for communal activities. What follows is the acquisition of the correspondence of elements of the written text to its corresponding sound and propelled by meaning-making. Reading to children, sharing pleasure in making sense of words on a page in storytelling, abundant opportunities to read accessible text in the first language of the child with supportive guidance where necessary are all essential for the early development of literacy ang give wings to a lifelong engagement with text for multiple purposes. But these conditions are not equally available to all children at home and at school. Recognising the material inequalities which perpetuate inequalities in learning achievement and taking the necessary steps to correct systemic deficiencies — particularly in schools — is an essential first step and investment in addressing injustices of access to learning. Children who cannot read for meaning by grade 4 fall further and further behind as the curriculum increasingly depends on the independent reading of text across all subjects. It must be a national priority to target the improvement of literacy (and numeracy) from the foundation phase of schooling as a powerful disrupter of inequality. The steps which are necessary must include attention to the pupils most at risk of falling behind in foundational literacy and making the achievement of the conditions necessary for success non-negotiable. Is SA, succeeding in achieving the conditions necessary for early reading achievement? In 2024, the department of basic education released the results of the SA Systemic Evaluation (SASE) which was conducted in 2022 in schools across all provinces. This is a sample-based assessment. It does not assess all children as was the case with the Annual National Assessments, but gives a dipstick sense of trends. The results are unequivocal and confirm two key findings of international comparative studies in which SA participates: by grade 3 our pupils are not reading at the required level; and the patterns of poorer reading follow the contours of under-resourcing at home and school. T he department's SASE established a baseline that in 2022 only 20% of grade 3 pupils level demonstrate the understanding and skills required for reading in grade 3. These results are further disaggregated across and within provinces by socioeconomic quintile The evidence is clear that reading achievement is lower in schools serving poorer communities. If we are to disrupt cycles of poverty, we must start with empowering children from our poorest communities to read confidently from the foundation phase. Pervasive deficiencies in the learning and teaching environments in which children should be taking their first steps towards reading with confidence must be addressed. This requires foundation-phase classrooms in which all pupils have access to attractive books appropriate to the child's reading development in their home/first language, in which the number of children in the class conforms with national norms so that the teacher can be in touch with and respond to the reading needs of each child, and in which all teachers are professionally supported to improve their practice. This is not the case in schools serving the poorest children. While the department aims for a limit of 45 pupils in a class, its 2017/18 School Monitoring Survey showed that for grade 3, 48% of classes in the poorest schools across the country had more than 40 pupils, and 23% had more than 50 pupils. In the Free State and Limpopo, there were more than 60 in a class. In Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape more that 20% of grade 3 teachers reported having classes larger than 70. The survey also showed that only 46% of grade 3 children had language 'textbooks We do not have enough data about the availability of reading material in classrooms, or for pupils to take home to read for pleasure. Children need access to reading material to learn to read. Investment in improving literacy in the foundation years must be a national priority. This must go beyond broad declarations of intent and must be visible in evidence-based planning which is aligned to realistic assessments of the resources required, and the resources available accompanied by a determination to address the resource gaps. This must be informed by the rigour of learning from research — and from evaluations of what is working in interventions in which the government and the private sector are collaborating. Mary Metcalfe is a professor of practice at the University of Johannesburg's school of public management, governance & public policy, and is a national planning commissioner.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Virginia Democrats hold statewide primaries Tuesday: Here's what to watch for
Democrats are closely watching two statewide primaries set to take place in Virginia on Tuesday in what could be a barometer for voter enthusiasm within the party ahead of November's general elections. Republican and Democratic primaries for state House districts will take place across the district, leaving the Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general as the only statewide primaries on Tuesday. Republicans already have their statewide nominees locked in, while former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Va.) easily earned the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in April. Tuesday's races stand to give Democrats some insight into voter enthusiasm six months into President Trump's second administration as they seek to maintain their narrow hold on the House of Delegates and flip the state's executive branch in the fall. Here are three things to watch ahead of Tuesday's Virginia primaries. There are no statewide Republican primaries on Tuesday, but both parties will be watching turnout in state House district primaries across the commonwealth. Democrats will also be watching turnout in their party's crowded lieutenant gubernatorial primary and competitive attorney general primary. However, turnout is important for Virginia Democrats in particular because it could give insight into how activated the party's base is during the first year of Trump's second administration. In 2017, the first year of Trump's first administration, Democrats saw victories in the gubernatorial, lieutenant gubernatorial and state attorney general races. And while Democrats did not win a majority in the House of Delegates that year, they narrowed the GOP majority to a one-seat advantage. Virginia Democrats are already on track to surpass 2021 early vote numbers. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, more than 204,000 Virginians cast ballots as of June 15, when early voting wrapped. Of those ballots cast, more than 189,000 were cast in the Democratic primary. In 2021, more than 124,000 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary. Six Democrats are running to be their party's nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor, including Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, state Sen. Aaron Rouse, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef, federal prosecutor and law professor Victor Salgado and attorney Alex Bastani. The winner will take on conservative radio host John Reid, who became the GOP nominee after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity dropped out of the primary in April. A number of high-profile figures in and out of Virginia have waded into the primary to make endorsements. Stoney has received endorsements from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). Rouse has received endorsements from Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), and Virginia state Senate President Louise Lucas (D). Hashmi has been backed by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). Stoney led the field in fundraising as of Monday, raising more than $2 million, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Rouse trailed with more than $1.8 million, followed by Hashmi, who brought in more than $1.7 million. The lieutenant governor's position in Virginia is not only seen as a potential stepping stone to running for governor but also a tiebreaking vote in the state Senate. Former state Del. Jay Jones is facing off against Shannon Taylor, Henrico County commonwealth's attorney, in the Democratic primary for attorney general. Whoever wins will face off against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R ) in November. Both candidates have received high-profile endorsements. Jones has been backed by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with McAuliffe and former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Taylor has the backing of former Attorneys General Mark Herring and Mary Sue Terry, EMILY's List and former House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, as of Monday, Jones has raised roughly $2.7 million in the race while Taylor has raked in $2.1 million. The primary has pitted two of the most influential Virginia energy donors against each other, with Clean Virginia backing Jones and Dominion Energy backing Taylor. Last week, Clean Virginia launched a six-figure attack ad against Taylor. Both candidates have invoked President Trump in their campaign messaging in a bid to give voters a preview of how they would take on the administration if elected attorney general.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota Shootings Shake Capitol Hill, Spark Security Fears
The names of some congressional officials from the state were listed in the suspected shooter's papers.
The Guardian
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Tasmanians face a fourth election in seven years – but here are two alternatives to fix the political impasse
After a week of drama, the political future of Tasmania could look starkly different by the end of today. The state may be about to get its fourth election in seven years. But there are a couple of alternatives to consider. Let's walk through them. On Tuesday last week, the state opposition leader, Dean Winter, surprised many by moving a motion of no confidence in the Liberal premier, Jeremy Rockliff. The motion was tabled at the end of a budget supply speech. The motion was ostensibly about the budget, arguing Rockliff had wrecked the state's finances, planned to sell public assets and had mismanaged a crucial ferries project. The Greens supported Labor's motion, but unsuccessfully pushed for it to also touch on the government's response to gambling harm and the proposed AFL stadium. After days of debate, the motion succeeded by a razor-thin margin: 18-17. This appears the most likely outcome. After the vote on Thursday, Rockliff said he planned to visit the state's governor on Tuesday to request a statewide poll. But this won't happen until some important business is taken care of. State parliament will resume on Tuesday morning to pass routine supply bills that are essential to keep government departments running. If an election is called later in the day, then Rockliff would lead the Liberal party. The date of any potential election is not yet known. Potentially. The governor, Barbara Baker, is not obliged to accept Rockliff's request. She could adopt two alternatives. Baker could instead request the Liberal party room elect a different leader to avoid an election just 15 months after the last state poll. On Monday, some Liberal party figures were quoted in the Mercury calling for Rockliff to resign and be replaced by the former senator Eric Abetz. Guy Barnett and Michael Ferguson have also been touted as potential leaders. But so far, Rockliff has refused to resign and the party room has expressed its support for him. Baker could also ask the Labor opposition to test its numbers and seek support from a collection of minor parties and independents. Theoretically, this is possible. At the last election, Tasmanians elected 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, three MPs from the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) and three independents. Some call this a rainbow parliament, others call it chaos. But Winter has repeatedly ruled out a power-sharing arrangements with the Greens, despite the minor party being a willing participant. So this appears unlikely. The AFL's proposed stadium is a controversial issue in Tasmania but both the Liberals and Labor remain committed to its construction. One of the conditions set by the AFL for a new team in Tasmania was a roofed stadium, but the expensive project – set to cost about $1bn – faces opposition from some in Tasmania, who instead have called for the money to be spent elsewhere. If an election is called, the stadium would be central issue along with the state's finances and help shape the outcome of the next parliament. An election is likely to delay parliamentary approvals for the stadium for several months. These delays could cost the state government if approval is ultimately granted and the Tasmanian team is forced to play at Bellerive Oval, as it would need to pay fines to the AFL.
