News

New Illinois law to try to curb bullying at schools through quicker parental notice

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2023

[ad_1]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – A new law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier this month is trying to curb bullying at Illinois schools.

One part of the law requires schools to report bullying incidents to parents within 24 hours of the school learning about it.

Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago), the House sponsor of the law, said the increased reporting is meant to cut down on bullying incidents at schools. A parent or guardian of both the bully and the victim will have to be notified by school officials.

“We know that that is not relegated to the schoolyard, like a kid can continue, unfortunately, to just kind of incessantly bully someone throughout the day, throughout the weekend,” she said.

Another part of the law focuses on changing the legal definition of cyberbullying. The state’s anti-bullying law now includes pregnant and parenting, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance and homelessness as protected categories.

“Our students deserve policies around cyberbullying that reflect the reality we live in today, and that’s why I championed legislation this session to update our existing statute and improve protections for our young people,” Croke said.

Additionally, the new law calls for collecting and sharing non-identifiable data that school professionals hope helps them understand patterns of bullying.

“Understanding those patterns can help with the creation of more effective programs to address the harms that flow from bullying,” Khadine Bennett, the Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director at the ACLU of Illinois said in a statement.

According to a 2022 survey done by the Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. teens reported experiencing online harassment or bullying.

The law goes into effect immediately.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

Illinois man charged with sharing sex video of former St. Louis County official

The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

Accused killer’s case thrown out over one question at trial

Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link