Latest news with #DollyPartonImaginationLibrary
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After budget cuts, First Lady Maureen Braun launches fundraiser for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
As promised earlier this year, Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun on April 29 launched a fundraising initiative to maintain Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the Hoosier State, after state leaders cut its funding. The Imagination Library distributes free books to children around the country, including in Indiana. The First Lady plans to work with philanthropic organizations and state leaders to both fundraise and grow the literacy program in Indiana in the coming years, according to a news release. "Having books in the home helps children do better in school and will benefit them throughout their lives," Braun said in video launching the fundraising drive. But Gov. Mike Braun and state lawmakers drew heavy criticism in February when the House passed its version of the state budget that cut funding for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly approved $6 million over two years for the Imagination Library to send books to young Hoosiers. Shortly after the blowback, the governor announced the First Lady would step in and lead a public-private partnership to raise funds for the Imagination Library in Indiana. For more information about the First Lady's fundraising initiative, or to donate, visit the Indiana State Library Foundation's website. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun launches Dolly Parton Imagination Library fundraiser
Indianapolis Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
After budget cuts, First Lady Maureen Braun launches fundraiser for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
As promised earlier this year, Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun on April 29 launched a fundraising initiative to maintain Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the Hoosier State, after state leaders cut its funding. The Imagination Library distributes free books to children around the country, including in Indiana. The First Lady plans to work with philanthropic organizations and state leaders to both fundraise and grow the literacy program in Indiana in the coming years, according to a news release. "Having books in the home helps children do better in school and will benefit them throughout their lives," Braun said in video launching the fundraising drive. But Gov. Mike Braun and state lawmakers drew heavy criticism in February when the House passed its version of the state budget that cut funding for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly approved $6 million over two years for the Imagination Library to send books to young Hoosiers. Shortly after the blowback, the governor announced the First Lady would step in and lead a public-private partnership to raise funds for the Imagination Library in Indiana. For more information about the First Lady's fundraising initiative, or to donate, visit the Indiana State Library Foundation's website. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watch: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's 2025 State of the State address
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Gov. Mike DeWine is set to deliver his annual, and second to last, State of the State address on Wednesday. The governor will address a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly beginning at noon on Wednesday. DeWine is expected to tout many of his accomplishments from last year, like growing the state's Dolly Parton Imagination Library, implementing career planning into graduation requirements, passing legislation requiring districts to ban cell phone use during school hours, and expanding care for mental health by installing mobile response stabilization services in additional Ohio counties. Wednesday's speech will mark DeWine's second to last address, as the governor is term limited and is barred from seeking reelection in 2026. Watch live coverage of the address beginning at noon in the video player above. Next year's gubernatorial race has already begun, with billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy on the campaign trail to earn the Republican nomination. He is joined in that primary by Morgan County business owner Heather Hill and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. On the Democratic side, only former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton has announced her candidacy. DeWine's accomplishments of the last year also include elevating his former lieutenant governor, now Sen. Jon Husted, to the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance in the wake of his election to the White House alongside President Donald Trump. To replace Husted, DeWine picked former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel as the state's new lieutenant governor. Tressel could shake up the gubernatorial race and also seek the Republican nomination. When asked by NBC4 about his future in Ohio politics, Tressel said he's been too busy to contemplate a campaign, but didn't rule out a run for the governor's mansion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Charter schools, DEI, transgender athletes. These bills are still moving through the legislature
As Indiana's General Assembly reaches the halfway point in the 2025 legislative session, many bills dealing with education topics have received approval from one chamber, but others have not been as lucky. Here is a look at some of the education bills IndyStar is tracking that are still moving through the legislative process. Lead author: Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton What it does:This bill funds Indiana's government, health care programs like Medicaid, public K-12 schools and colleges for the next two years. Republican proponents say it's a "vanilla" budget that helps the state live within its fiscal means while funding key priorities such as removing the income cap for private school vouchers and a new workforce tax credit for employers. But Democratic opponents say the bill funds the wealthy at the expense of the poor, for example, by defunding the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program and failing to expand preschool. Status: The bill passed the House by a 66-28 vote on Feb. 20 and now heads to the Senate. More on the Dolly Parton library: Gov. Braun enlists first lady to save Dolly Parton Imagination Library after funding cut Lead author: Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger What it does: The bill would require all traditional public school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, to share property tax revenue with charter schools in their attendance boundaries, if 100 or more kids leave the traditional district for charter schools, starting in 2028. Status: The bill passed out of the Senate by a 28-21 vote on Feb. 20 and now heads to the House. More on this bill: Bill forcing schools to share property taxes with charters passes. But 40% of senators voted no Lead author: Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland What it does: This is virtually the same bill lawmakers passed in 2022, which banned transgender girls from participating in girls' K-12 sports. This year's bill extends that ban to collegiate athletics. Status: The bill passed the House on Feb. 18 by a vote of 71-25. It now heads to the Senate. Lead author: Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport What it does: The bill would allow public schools to hire or bring in on a volunteer basis religious chaplains, with an eye toward alleviating the burden on school counselors. Status: Passed the Senate on Feb. 11 by a 32-16 vote. More on SB 523: Indiana lawmakers revive bill to allow public schools to hire chaplains as councilors Lead author: Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis What it does: The bill aims to loosen restrictions for Indiana schools and education systems, including by nixing the education credential requirement for the Indiana secretary of education, changing the timing of when teachers are paid and removing certain training and professional development requirements. Status: Passed the House by a 75-16 vote on Feb. 3. It now heads to the Senate. Lead authors: Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville What it does: This bill bans all state spending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — from training to diverse hiring initiatives — at state agencies, educational institutions and health profession licensing boards. Status: The contents of this bill were amended into a different bill, Senate Bill 289, on the Senate floor on Feb. 4. That bill then passed the Senate on Feb. 6 by a 34-13 vote. More on this bill: This anti-DEI bill is not law yet. State-funded colleges are ending programs already anyway Lead Author: Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne What it does:The bill restricts government entities, including school districts and the Indiana Department of Child Services, from intruding on parental rights or keeping information from parents, unless there is a compelling governmental interest. Status: Passed the Senate by a 44-5 vote on Jan. 27. It now heads to the House. Indiana SB 143: Should DCS, schools be able to keep information from parents? Indiana Senate bill says no Lead author: Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis What it does: The bill prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student because they are chronically absent or habitually truant and expands the number of days for a school to hold an attendance conference about a student's absences from five days to 10. It also requires the Department of Education to establish best practices for student discipline on chronic absenteeism. Status: Passed the House unanimously on Jan 30. A bill that similarly addresses absenteeism, Senate Bill 482, passed the Senate unanimously on Feb. 4. Lead Author: Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville What it does: The bill would require candidates running in school board elections to start including party identifications next to their names on the ballots. Status: It passed out of the Senate on Feb. 17 by a 26-20 vote. It has now been referred to the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment. Indiana Senate Bill 287: HSE, Carmel school board races were already political. This bill would add party affiliation Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@ Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: DEI, charter schools. These bills are still alive at the Statehouse
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Binghamton CSD becomes branch of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
BIGNHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – Young kids in Binghamton are receiving a special monthly treat in the mail, designed to foster a love of reading. The Binghamton City School District is becoming a virtual branch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Roughly 350 children between birth and 4 years-old who are currently enrolled in a Binghamton Pre-K or the PACT program began receiving the books last month. This morning, teacher Jennifer Mosher read 'The Little Engine That Could' to her students in the pre-K room at Calvin Coolidge Elementary. For the first month, all kids received The Little Engine That Could, but going forward, the books will be designed to be age-appropriate depending on the recipient. Scout Orr is the Director of Math, Science and Technology for the district. He says it allows parents and caregivers to share the adventure of reading with their kids. 'I know with my own children, they love running out to the mailbox and opening up a package in the mail. I think all the children who are receiving a book will be so excited every month,' Orr said. 'It's so important, it's so vital, it's beautiful, it's joyous to snuggle up with a good book and go down that adventure of reading.' Pre-K teachers and PACT educators are encouraged to incorporate the monthly books into their lessons. Binghamton has multiple Pre-K classrooms both in district schools and with partner agencies in the community. Funding to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Binghamton was provided by the Katie Titus Early Literacy Fund, which honors the memory of Binghamton High School Junior Katie Titus who dies in an automobile accident in 1996. The books will arrive year-round. Orr says she's hopeful the district will be able to sustain and grow the initiative in years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
