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Florida
20th March 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Treasury to take student loans

The Department of Education has outlined a phased plan to transfer its nearly $1.7tn student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department, a significant move in the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to wind down the agency. The transition will be executed through an interagency agreement in three stages, beginning with loans already in default, followed by non-defaulted loans where legally and practically feasible, including servicing responsibilities. In the final phase, Treasury will also take on a role in enforcing school eligibility for federal student aid programs, building on its existing involvement in verifying borrower income data. Officials said the plan has been developed over several months to ensure a smooth handover, and they expect borrowers to experience no disruption, although no timeline or cost details have been disclosed.

NATIONAL NEWS

Democratic governors reject federal aid

Several Democratic governors are opting out of federal financial aid, a move influenced by special-interest politics. The recent omnibus spending bill introduced a tax credit for donations to nonprofit organizations that provide K-12 scholarships, which will be available starting in 2027. Teachers unions are urging governors to reject this program, claiming it will harm public schools, although it does not affect state budgets. The unions' argument overlooks the fact that many public schools are failing due to a lack of accountability, not funding. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, however, has chosen to participate, calling it a "no-brainer." He emphasizes that more governors should follow suit to support educational alternatives for families.

Moms for Liberty teams up with unions

Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group, has shifted its stance by collaborating with teachers' unions to limit technology use in classrooms. Initially critical of unions, labeling them as an "education mafia," the group now finds common ground in addressing concerns over education technology. Melissa Peterson, lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association, welcomed this collaboration, stating, "We don't want to immediately tune someone out just because of our perceptions about their organization." Moms for Liberty CEO Tina Descovich acknowledged the unions' role, saying, "Welcome to the fight." This partnership reflects a growing bipartisan movement to restrict screen time in schools, with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, expressing hope that this alliance shows "we're not enemies."

STATE NEWS

Robinson takes charge of FLBC

Rep. Felicia Robinson, a former high school math teacher, has been appointed chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus (FLBC) for the 2026-28 term, succeeding Sen. Darryl Rouson. Robinson, who has taught for 20 years in the Miami-Dade County school system, expressed her honor in taking on this role, stating: “This position is not just a privilege but a responsibility to advocate for our communities and address the challenges we face.” The bipartisan caucus, consisting of 27 members, focuses on issues such as healthcare and education. Robinson plans to hold "listening sessions" to gauge the impact of recent policy changes on communities, particularly in education.

GOVERNANCE

Bostock aims for school board comeback

Nancy Bostock, a former Pinellas County School Board member, is campaigning to reclaim her District 6 seat, currently held by Stephanie Meyer, who has endorsed her. Bostock will officially launch her campaign on March 24 at OCC Roadhouse in Clearwater, backed by several prominent Republicans, including Pinellas County Commissioners and former School Board members.

Armbruster enters OCPS board race

Mike Armbruster, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), has announced his candidacy for the School Board Chair position, joining current members Alicia Farrant and Angie Gallo in the race.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles outbreak wanes as spring break looms

The measles outbreak that started at Ave Maria University in Collier County is showing signs of decline, with 104 cases reported in the area, contributing to a total of 132 statewide, according to the Florida Department of Health. The outbreak began in late January, linked to a student who traveled during the Christmas holiday. Despite the decline, concerns remain about potential new cases due to spring break travel. "The incubation period for measles is 7 to 21 days," indicating that the impact of recent travel may not be immediately evident. Ave Maria University reported that 98% of its student body is vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Social media risks rise

The 2026 World Happiness Report says there is growing evidence that heavy social media use is worsening teenage mental health, especially among girls. It links passive exposure to algorithm-driven, influencer-focused content with more anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and online exploitation. The report says these platforms “may be especially harmful,” while noting the broader link between social media and wellbeing is still debated and may vary by region. The findings land as governments weigh youth restrictions and U.S. courts continue to examine whether platforms are addictive.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Fighting hunger: A local hero

This Women's History Month, Zana Zein Wolland, founder of Mobile School Pantry, has been recognized for her efforts to combat childhood hunger in Broward County, where nearly one in five children face food insecurity. Wolland's journey began when she delivered Thanksgiving meals, which inspired her to create the first Mobile School Pantry at Sterling Elementary in 2013, serving just 13 families. Today, the pantry supports 1,200 to 1,500 families monthly, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. She is being honored through the Health Foundation of South Florida's Inspiring Women of Health initiative, which highlights women's contributions to healthcare.

STEM

Blast off with Brevard's STEM stars

In Brevard County hundreds of fifth- and sixth-grade students from Brevard Public Schools showcased their STEM skills during the “Destination Moon” competition. This multi-day event, held in early March, featured hands-on challenges including coding, robotics, and engineering design. Participants engaged in projects like Moon Base design and programming with Micro:Bit and Spike Prime systems, fostering problem-solving and teamwork. District officials noted the event's growth and its role in highlighting student innovation and interest in space exploration.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Guardians of our schools: A new hope

The armed school guardian program in Broward County was established following the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Officer Robert Ung, a veteran with over 30 years in law enforcement, serves as one of the 74 armed guardians, ensuring safety at Mary M. Bethune Elementary School. "It was a calling from God, he put it on my heart," Ung said about his decision to take on this role. Principal Latosha Williams highlighted the strong bond between Ung and the students, noting: “Some of them call him grandpa.” The guardians undergo rigorous training, including simulations, to prepare for real-life scenarios, with Broward County Schools Police Chief Kevin Nosowicz emphasizing the importance of readiness.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Zum growth accelerates further

Zum Services has reported 2025 revenue of $333m, up 35% year-on-year, as demand grows for its technology platform that modernizes school bus routing, operations, and electrification. The company, which serves more than 4,000 schools and has secured over $2bn in contracted revenue, is continuing to expand its customer base and electric fleet rollout, while maintaining plans for a future IPO without specifying timing.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Brzezinski praises FSU's global impact

Former U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski praised Florida State University (FSU) for its significant role in promoting global diplomacy during the D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture in International Human Rights. Brzezinski, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland from 2021 to 2024, emphasized that "embassies aren’t ancillary, they’re the operational core" in advancing democracy and human rights. He reflected on the contributions of Sandy D’Alemberte, FSU's former president, to democratic processes worldwide. Brzezinski remarked: "There is not a leader I have met in any country I have served who did not study in the United States on a foreign exchange program," highlighting the importance of American universities in fostering global leadership.

INTERNATIONAL

UNESCO, UNICEF, and ITU set standards for inclusive digital learning systems

UNESCO, UNICEF, and the International Telecommunication Union have jointly launched a new Charter aimed at helping governments design and manage digital learning platforms as public goods, reinforcing education as a universal right. Announced on the International Day for Digital Learning, it is based on seven principles. Platforms should be public, inclusive, pedagogically driven, complementary to in-person learning, open and interoperable, focused on educational needs, and trustworthy in their use of data and artificial intelligence. The initiative also stresses the importance of international collaboration, building on the existing Gateways program, which has supported dozens of countries in developing digital education systems.

AND FINALLY...

Deodorant days don’t add up

A TikTok video by Amanda (@amandasindallas) showcases a humorous classroom incident where a student bluntly stated: "It [stinks] in here," leading to a discussion about deodorant use. The teacher suggested students shower, but one student claimed his "72-hour deodorant" only needed application every four days. The teacher then asked another student to calculate how many days 72 hours covers, which was revealed to be three. The situation escalated when the student inquired about how many wishes he would get if he rubbed his head. Commenters on TikTok resonated with the scenario, with one stating, "This is EXACTLY how it is being a middle school teacher."
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