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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Shows Countries Around World With School Phone Bans
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation on Friday banning students from using cellphones at school, marking the latest development in a trend that is growing nationally and worldwide. House Bill 1481 requires public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to implement policies prohibiting students from using a "personal communication device" during school hours. The policy also requires the school to adopt punishments for students found using these devices. Devices will be allowed if they are necessary for an educational program, if the student has a doctor's note, or if it is required to comply with health or safety regulations. Supporters of bans restricting cellphone use in school argue that the devices are distracting students. In Texas, 85 percent of teachers in the Richardson Independent School District reported that they got instructional time back under the district's cellphone ban, according to FOX 7 Austin. Critics argue that the devices are necessary for safety reasons. Students at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde used cellphones to call for help during a school shooting in 2022. Bans on cellphone usage in schools are in effect in many nations around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates. The bans often have certain exceptions, including phone use for educational purposes or to accommodate students with disabilities. Some countries, such as Latvia, only ban cellphone usage among younger students. Other countries, such as Mexico, Canada, Indonesia, Bolivia, Spain, and Germany, have regional bans on the use of cellphones in schools. Alabama Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Florida Indiana Louisiana Minnesota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Texas Virginia Washington Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton, in a statement: "Texas educators have increasingly voiced concerns about cell phones disrupting the classroom, and the data backs them up. Over 70 percent of national high school teachers say that cell phone distraction is one of the major problems that cause disruption." U.K. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, in a statement: "Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom. We are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best – teach." School boards in Texas were given 90 days to adopt the new cellphone policy. Globally, several countries are reportedly considering nationwide bans on cellphones during school hours. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@ Related Articles Oldest Manager in MLB Bans Players From Using Cell PhonesT-Mobile Data Breach: How To See If You're Eligible For $25,000 PayoutApple iPhone 16e Vs. iPhone 16: Key Features, Pricing, and DifferencesApple iPhone 16e With 'Breakthrough Battery Life' Announced 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Shows Countries Around World With School Phone Bans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation on Friday banning students from using cellphones at school, marking the latest development in a trend that is growing nationally and worldwide. House Bill 1481 requires public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to implement policies prohibiting students from using a "personal communication device" during school hours. The policy also requires the school to adopt punishments for students found using these devices. Devices will be allowed if they are necessary for an educational program, if the student has a doctor's note, or if it is required to comply with health or safety regulations. Why It Matters Supporters of bans restricting cellphone use in school argue that the devices are distracting students. In Texas, 85 percent of teachers in the Richardson Independent School District reported that they got instructional time back under the district's cellphone ban, according to FOX 7 Austin. Critics argue that the devices are necessary for safety reasons. Students at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde used cellphones to call for help during a school shooting in 2022. What To Know Bans on cellphone usage in schools are in effect in many nations around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates. The bans often have certain exceptions, including phone use for educational purposes or to accommodate students with disabilities. Some countries, such as Latvia, only ban cellphone usage among younger students. Other countries, such as Mexico, Canada, Indonesia, Bolivia, Spain, and Germany, have regional bans on the use of cellphones in schools. States With School Cellphone Bans Alabama Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Florida Indiana Louisiana Minnesota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Texas Virginia Washington What People Are Saying Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton, in a statement: "Texas educators have increasingly voiced concerns about cell phones disrupting the classroom, and the data backs them up. Over 70 percent of national high school teachers say that cell phone distraction is one of the major problems that cause disruption." U.K. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, in a statement: "Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom. We are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best – teach." What Happens Next School boards in Texas were given 90 days to adopt the new cellphone policy. Globally, several countries are reportedly considering nationwide bans on cellphones during school hours. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Round Rock prepares for Juneteenth celebration 1 year after deadly shooting
The Brief It has been nearly one year since the deadly shooting at Round Rock's Juneteenth celebration RRPD have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting Round Rock's mayor said there will be lots of police presence to help with safety ROUND ROCK, Texas - It's been nearly one year since the mass shooting at Round Rock's Juneteenth celebration. One year ago, a shooting at the Juneteenth celebration between two groups over a social media post injured multiple people and killed two mothers, Lyndsey Vicknair and Ara Duke. They were caught in the crossfire. Nearly 10 people have been arrested in connection with the shooting. What they're saying On Wednesday afternoon, Old Settlers Park was still quiet as crews set up the stage for this year's Juneteenth celebration. For Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan, it does not go unnoticed that in this year's celebration, there is also a sense of heaviness. "It's something that you'll never forget, you know, serving in this seat," said Morgan. "The last thing you want is to have a loss of life when you're the mayor." This weekend, Mayor Morgan feels confident about bringing the celebration back. "I trust our PD more than anything," said Morgan. "I know what kind of work they do, just kind of with like the investigations. I know they worked tirelessly and still are working tirelessly." Police have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting. "We're not going to stop," said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks. "This case just doesn't stop because we have those seven in custody. Anybody that was involved in this tragic incident will be held accountable, and we won't stop until we have everybody that was involved." Banks said attendees can expect to see his officers at Old Settlers. "We'll be out, our presence will be known," said Banks. "We'll be out there with the crowd and walking around the event. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, the celebration will pause for a video to remember the victims, followed by two beams of light pointing to the heavens. "We're not going to let evil stop what we're doing," said Banks. "We're a great community, we're a great city with great events and our presence will be known, and again, anybody that decides they want to come out and disrupt a great family fun event, we're going to be there." The celebration will be moved to Yonder's Point at Old Settler's Park due to construction. It begins on Friday, June 13, with a barbecue. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Lauren Rangel
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Bee Cave Police Department receives waiver to use autonomous drones
The Brief Bee Cave PD allowed to use autonomous drones The department said they were the first to receive a waiver to do so This waiver will allow the department to expand their program rapidly BEE CAVE, Texas - The Bee Cave Police Department is utilizing drones like no other department in Central Texas. They said they were the first to receive a waiver to allow pilots to operate remotely. What they're saying The Bee Cave police dispatch looks different. "A new innovative way to leverage technology to help us serve the community better and also to serve as a force multiplier," Bee Cave Police Department Chief Brian Jones said. Soaring through the air, the drone can get to a scene much faster than a patrol car can on the roads. "If there's some type of delay in our response for, say, traffic or things like that, the drone bypasses all of that," Chief Jones said. With views from the sky, it can also help officers gather crucial information before they arrive. The Bee Cave Police Department has already utilized drones for almost a year, during fire assessments, search and rescue operations, large events like the Pecan Street Festival, and weather emergencies. "It was giving us constant live updates as to the road conditions, so we could deploy our officers to collisions and our public works. We could divert resources from public works to help sand roadways. We could monitor the roads, how traffic was and things like that without actually deploying officers," Chief Jones said. Dig deeper The department is now elevating its use of drone technology. They were just approved for the 'Beyond Visual Line of Sight' waiver. "Those pilots no longer have to have an observer watching the drone as it flies to the location of where the call is, and also we don't have to have a pilot physically flying the drone. They're completely autonomous. They fly themselves," Chief Jones said. Chief Jones said this will allow them to expand their program rapidly. "It's exciting for us because we're at the forefront of applying this technology to law enforcement and emergency response," Chief Jones said. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Austin weather: Wet and stormy pattern returns to Central Texas
The Brief Central Texas is forecast to hit a sweltering 100 degrees Sunday, with high humidity making it feel even hotter. A wet and stormy pattern returns this week, with daily rain chances beginning late Monday night into Tuesday. There is a marginal risk of severe storms for the Austin area as the first wave moves through Monday night. AUSTIN - Central Texas is set for a sweltering Sunday, with temperatures forecast to hit 100 degrees, followed by a shift to a stormy and wet week. FOX 7 Austin Meteorologist Leslie London said that while the actual temperature will reach the triple-digit mark, high humidity will make it feel even hotter throughout the day. "We've actually been feeling like triple digits," London said, noting that dew points will remain in the low to mid-70s. "If you are outside at all, do make sure that you're drinking lots of water." Skies will start with some cloud cover on Sunday morning but will become mostly sunny, contributing to the heat. The hot and dry pattern will begin to break down late Monday. After a mostly quiet day, chances for storms will enter the forecast Monday night and increase into early Tuesday morning. "Late Monday into Tuesday morning is when we could end up seeing some severe weather," London said. A marginal risk for severe storms is in place for that period. Rain and storm chances will continue through much of the workweek, with opportunities for precipitation expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This wet pattern could bring a decent amount of rainfall to the area over the next seven days, with some locations potentially receiving one to two inches or more. The increased cloud cover and rain will provide some relief from the heat, with high temperatures expected to dip slightly from Monday's highs. The Source Information in this article is from the FOX 7 Austin weather team.
