Alerts for international college students ramp up ahead of Trump presidency
A wave of uncertainty is spreading across college campuses among international students ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. Concerns about potential travel bans and tightened immigration policies are sparking new warnings.
China’s Consulate General is advising students to think twice about leaving the country over the holiday and said students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.”
The alert comes after Trump targeted Chinese student visas during his first term. His administration focused on those deemed “security risks” to American scientific research, including Chinese graduate students and post-grad researchers with close ties to the country’s defense industry.
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed several of Trump’s executive actions, including a ban on citizens entering the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries, which Trump has vowed to reinstate.
Despite Biden’s reversals, Chinese students still face challenges like visa denials and entry bans under Trump-era policies.
Along with China’s recent warning, at least a dozen U.S. universities from California to New York are recommending students return to campus before Trump’s inauguration.
“While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the Spring semester begins on January 13, 2025,” the USC Office of International Service said.
Cornell University also warned about possible restrictions. Officials told students to let their advisers know about their plans and be prepared for delays if they did plan to travel abroad.
Most teens aren’t drinking, smoking or doing drugs, new survey shows
It looks like drinking, smoking and getting high aren’t considered as cool as they used to be among teenagers these days. Every year since 2017, researchers with the Monitoring the Future project have tracked the number of eighth, 10th and 12th graders abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use.
This year, 67% of 12th graders said they hadn’t used any of these substances in the last 30 days, a sizable jump from 53% in 2017. The percentage of 10th graders abstaining rose from 69% in 2017 to 80% this year. Meanwhile, among 8th graders, the news was even better — going from 87% to 90%.
However, researchers did see a concerning rise in the use of nicotine pouches with about 6% of 12th graders saying they have used them. That’s double last year’s findings when 3% said they did.
The study’s authors say that since substance use among teens dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not rebounded.
Americans students falling behind international peers in math and science
American students are falling behind their international peers in math and science, according to a recently released government study. The National Center for Education Statistics conducted the study back in 2023.
Every four years, the group releases the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which looks at fourth and eighth graders worldwide. The study was the first to be published since the COVID-19 pandemic, showing mixed outcomes across the globe.
The United States was among the countries that saw a decline. While American students still score above the international average, 4th graders’ math scores fell 18 points since 2019, and 8th graders’ scores went down 27 points. Researchers said this is the biggest drop the U.S. has seen since participating in 1995.
When it comes to science, American students’ scores weren’t measurably different between 2019 and 2023, but 4th graders’ scores have dropped since the TIMSS was first administered.
Overall, the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students are widening internationally. While there’s no consensus as to what’s causing the decline for American students, many educators say the rise of smartphones, changes in standards and pandemic-related school closures likely played a role.
Student borrowers may face default as loan forgiveness remains tied up in court
For millions of student loan borrowers hoping for relief from Washington, things might get more complicated in the months ahead. The Biden administration’s one-year grace period from the Covid-era delay on repayments has expired.
Banks could begin to hit debtors who haven’t begun paying back their student loans with a collection action. Financial experts say it generally takes between nine and 12 months for somebody to face the consequences of defaulting.
People who default on their student loans could face garnishment of their wages, loss of eligibility to get a mortgage and credit rating difficulties.
A federal judge recently blocked President Joe Biden’s second attempt at mass debt cancellation. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his first attempt in 2023.
The Biden administration also tried to offer new loan repayment plans. However, those have also been tied up in the courts.
Experts said those in deep student loan debt at the federal or state level can try to file an Economic Hardship Deferment. Debtors would need to file a form and answer questions about their ability to repay and work situation. However, only those with loans like Perkins or Federal Family education loans can apply.
Somebody out of work can file a similar form called an Unemployment Deferment Request.
Another option would be to file for student loan forbearance. In this case, the loan provider decides whether to grant the person in debt a chance to make no payment or a smaller payment for a period up to one year, before the case is reviewed again.
Borrowers should receive multiple notices before they go into default or delinquency.
Looking ahead, President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail he would try to roll back the Biden administration’s effort to forgive student loan debt, calling it illegal.
New Ohio law bans trans students from using bathrooms based on gender identity
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed a new law banning transgender students from using multiperson bathrooms according to their gender identities. The “Protect All Students Act” will take effect in 90 days as some lawmakers call for a veto.
Gov. DeWine didn’t make a comment after signing the bill Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The move comes on the heels of different legislation that took effect in August banning gender-affirming care for minors across the state.
The newly-signed law requires both public and private schools to have separate bathrooms and locker rooms for kindergarten through college-level students based on their biological sex assigned at birth.
It also requires officials to clearly label bathrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and changing rooms as male or female.
According to the bill, biological sex is defined as the sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones and both the internal and external anatomy of males and females.
The law prohibits using psychological, chosen or subjective genders as definitions or determinations.
Biological indication of male and female, including sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and non-ambiguous internal and external genitalia present at birth, without regard to an individual’s psychological, chosen, or subjective experience of gender.
Senate Bill 104 -Ohio 135th General Assembly
Ohio Republican State Sen. Jerry Cirino said the bill revolves around safety, security and common sense.
Republican State Rep. Beth Lear also supported the legislation and offered a letter of support. She said these restrictions protect students from predators and shield them from issues that are too complex for many adults.
Ohio echoes at least 11 other states already halting transgender women and girls from using bathrooms labeled for women and girls.
The state also joins 24 others that regulate the participation of transgender girls and women in women’s sports.
The Republican-backed measure passed in the Ohio House before receiving a 24-7 vote in the Senate earlier this month.
The act was added to other legislation surrounding a college credit program for high school students, which quickly drew objection from Democrats and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.
“SB 104 will create unsafe environments for trans and gender non-confirming individuals of all ages. This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people endure higher rates of sexual violence and assaults, particularly while using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender.”
ACLU of Ohio statement by Policy Director Jocelyn Rosnick
A study released in 2019 by the Journal of Pediatrics supports this claim. Data shows that when transgender teens’ bathrooms are limited or restricted, they’re at a higher risk for sexual assault.
The ACLU of Ohio said it is closely considering next steps to continue standing with trans Ohioans.
People with disabilities are exempt from this bill. Private and public institutions can still provide family and single-use bathrooms.
There are also other exemptions like emergencies, for school employees or parents helping young children.
Right now, as written, there are no penalties or enforcement listed in the bill if violations happen.
Before signing the bill, DeWine made a legal review of the legislation.
Arrests made in connection with $1M teacher cheating scheme in Texas
Texas authorities revealed that they have uncovered a massive teacher certification cheating ring. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced on Monday, Oct. 28, the arrests of several individuals in connection with an approximately $1 million alleged scheme involving hundreds of people taking false exams, and at least 200 teachers instructing students across the state with fraudulent credentials.
Ogg said on Monday, “Today, five people have been charged with two counts each of engaging in organized criminal activity, and all face first or third-degree felony charges that can carry sentences ranging from two years to life imprisonment.”
Three of the people charged with the alleged scheme worked at Houston Independent School District, including two assistant principals and a high school basketball coach.
Investigators said that the basketball coach was the ringleader and made around a million dollars, charging $2,500 for each certificate, and sometimes more.
Ogg revealed how the alleged crime took place during her press conference Monday, saying, “They are accused of running a fraudulent teacher certification testing scheme right here in Houston that utilized a test-taking proxy or teacher impersonator to take the test along with a corrupt testing proctor to allow the switch between the applicant and the proxy test-taker.”
She said alleged sexual predators even used their wrongfully gained employment within schools to commit crimes against children. Ogg revealed that at least two of the people who allegedly paid to have fake certifications were charged with indecency and online solicitation of a child.
Houston Independent School District said it was unaware of the scheme until shortly before the arrests and all employees implicated in the charges were placed on leave. The district added that it working in cooperation with the investigation, and that if any teachers working in the district are discovered to be part of the alleged scheme that they will be fired.
Harris, Trump look for votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With exactly two weeks to go until Election Day, both candidates for president are blitzing the battleground states. And we’ve learned how long student loan repayments for about eight million Americans will remain on hold. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Harris, Trump look for more votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With two weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential candidates are crisscrossing the country trying to pick up any undecided voters that remain.
.@Liz_Cheney: Vice President Harris is going to defend our Constitution. We're not always gonna agree, but I know Vice President Harris will always do what she believes is right for this country. She has a sincere heart, and that's why I'm honored to support her pic.twitter.com/lcFD6MGDSF
“So, I think that we are facing a choice in this election; it’s not about party, it’s about right and wrong,” Cheney said. “And I certainly have many Republicans who will say to me, ‘I can’t be public.’ They do worry about a whole range of things including violence, but they’ll do the right thing.”
In Wisconsin, Harris described her opponent former President Donald Trump as “unstable,” referencing comments made by former Trump cabinet members.
“I think it’s very important that we acknowledge — and I have said publicly that Donald Trump is an unserious man,” Harris said, “and the consequences of him ever being President of United States again are brutally serious. Brutally serious.”
Former President Trump visited North Carolina on Monday where he surveyed the damage created by Hurricane Helene and continued his criticism of the Biden administration’s relief efforts.
“The power of nature, nothing you can do about it, but you got to get a little bit better crew and to do a better job than has been done by the White House,” Trump said. “It’s been not good. Not good. I’m here today in western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state: I’m with you and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. And we’re, on January 20th, you’re going to have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner.”
Trump made two more stops while in North Carolina Monday, holding a rally and speaking at a faith leaders’ event.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, former President Trump will continue campaigning in North Carolina with a rally in Greensboro, and Vice President Harris will sit down for an interview with NBC News in Washington, D.C.
Blinken in Israel to revive Gaza cease-fire talks after Sinwar death
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel once again — his 11th visit to the region since war broke out between Israel and Hamas a little more than a year ago.
On my way to Israel and other stops in the Middle East for intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/lIaRUo7Ea2
This visit is the first stop on a wider tour of the Middle East in which Blinken is expected to revive talks for a cease-fire in Gaza in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken’s weeklong trip comes as the Middle East braces for Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month.
Teen arrested after 2 adults, 3 children killed in shooting at Washington home
Officials with the King County Sheriff’s Office said another teenager who had been injured went to a Seattle hospital. They said that teenager and the teen in custody both live at the home where the shooting happened, but did not know the relationships between those teens and the five people killed.
“I just don’t know the relationships, so I’m going to withhold confirming any relationships, but it does appear to be that this is a family incident,” Deputy Mike Mellis told reporters Monday. “Clearly, a domestic violence incident that involves not only a young man — who’s now in significant trouble — and it involves firearms. Young men and firearms.”
Reports say he has chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer, and he’s undergoing treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York where he’s serving a 16-year sentence.
This is just the latest health issue Weinstein has faced behind bars. Last month, he had emergency heart surgery to alleviate a significant amount of fluid in his lungs and heart, and he was hospitalized in July with COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
Student loan payments pause extended for 8 million SAVE plan borrowers
Eight million Americans will be able to continue holding off paying back their student loans for at least another six months, the Department of Education confirmed on Monday.
The Education Department said save enrollees will be placed in an interest-free general forbearance for at least six months pending the outcome of legal challenges to the plan.
Cheapest World Series tickets costing at least $1,000 on secondary market
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have each punched their ticket to the World Series and now if you want a ticket, you’ll need at least $1,000. According to SeatGeek, the cheapest single seat for the Game 1 in LA on Friday, Oct. 25, will cost $1,034.
For Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 26, also at Dodger Stadium, the least expensive ticket is $1,209.
Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 28 and 29, head back to the East Coast, with the cheapest tickets for Yankees Stadium costing $1,385 and $1,110, respectively. A possible Game 5 is showing the same as Game 4.
And “if necessary,” Games 6 and 7 would be back in LA, with the cheapest tickets going for around $1,300 or more.
As for the good seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium, those tickets are going for $1,500 or more.
Teen smoking drops to lowest level in 25 years: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released new numbers on teen smoking. It seems that progress is being made toward less young smokers, with the lowest numbers for this age group in 25 years reported.
Researchers looked at data between 2023-2024 and found that middle and high school students who used any kind of tobacco product dropped 20%. The significant drop is mostly because of a decline in e-cigarette or vape use. In 2024, 1.63 million students said they used e-cigarettes, down from 2.13 million in 2023.
Cigarette smoking rates also reached record lows. Only 1.4% of students said they smoked tobacco. CDC officials believe the overall decline is because of price increases, smoke-free policies and social media campaigns targeted at students.
Health officials said reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is a huge milestone, but emphasize there’s still work to do.
The report found some disparities by race and ethnicity. Tobacco use rose among Native Americans and Alaska Native students while current use of nicotine pouches increased among white students.
The study included 30,000 students at more than 280 schools. The response rate was about 33%.
Father of school shooter knew of son’s school shooting obsession: Prosecutors
Prosecutors released new details about the teen accused of killing four people at a Georgia high school and what his father allegedly knew behind closed doors. Investigators said at a preliminary court hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 16, that Colin Gray was aware his son, Colt Gray, was obsessed with school shooters.
Prosecutors said Colt had a shrine with newspaper clippings above his home computer for the gunman of the Parkland school shooting.
Colt is accused of killing two teachers, two students and injuring nine others at Apalachee High School outside Atlanta on Sept. 4.
Police later found Colt’s notebook at the Gray home which was filled with drawings that showed stick figures with wounds. Next to the images it said, “Shoot the teacher first.”
Colin Gray was arrested for allegedly buying his son the AR-15 style rifle used in the shooting as a Christmas gift. Investigators say Colt hid that gun with a poster board on the school bus the day of the shooting.
Colin also allegedly continued to buy Colt accessories including a tactical vest and ammunition despite knowing his son was dealing with mental health issues.
Investigators also interviewed Colt’s mother. She said her son’s fascination with guns over the past year had gotten “very bad.”
Colt is charged as an adult with four felony counts of murder.
Colin is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
The case will now go to a grand jury, where prosecutors will pursue formal indictments.
UCLA security chief addresses protest management, heavy policing scrutinized
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is drawing criticism for how campus officials are handling safety issues following violent protests in 2024. Some are calling it a “militarized campus.”
In Spring 2024, protests broke out at UCLA over the Israel-Hamas war, which led to clashes between police and protesters. Officers took a down a pro-Palestinian encampment, which ended with students injured and dozens of arrests.
Since then, UCLA officials have been trying to buckle down on campus safety by beefing up security while working to balance protesters’ First Amendment rights.
Campus concerns
The main concern from people on campus is that there are too many police and security officers, which they say has created an uncomfortable environment.
A student told the Los Angeles Times it is “complete overkill.”
A faculty member said the presence of officers ramped up tensions and increased the potential for racial profiling. Another faculty member said she was shocked to count 14 officers on a half-mile walk through campus.
Making improvements
In May 2024, the school hired Rick Braziel, a former Sacramento police chief, to be head of security. He revealed his strategy to make improvements which includes hiring outside consultants to do a deep dive of security staffing levels, revamping their protest response plan, adding more training and hiring a communications specialist.
Braziel also said he is working to strengthen relationships with other law enforcement agencies and he hopes to create a civilian safety staff that’s modeled after community policing.
While Braziel agrees that a large police presence on campus can cause issues itself, he said they must be prepared.
Recent protest
On Monday, Oct. 7, UCLA students gathered on campus to mark one year since the start of the Israel-Hama war. Braziel said he and his team deployed all campus police officers and brought in officers from other departments to be on standby. He said he kept most officers out of sight inside buildings to intervene if needed.
“If you dress for a riot, you’re going to get a riot,” Braziel told the Los Angeles Times. “The visual is super important to the response you’re going to get.”
While there were some tense moments, police determined protesters were not breaking any laws. The night ended without any arrests.