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By Sherman smith, Kansas Reflector This article was originally published on Kansas Reflector. When Lawrence Public Schools deployed spyware last fall, district officials said it would help them respond to a growing mental health crisis by monitoring students’ correspondence, photos, classwork and files. But student journalists were alarmed by the First Amendment problems inherent with the district’s implementation of the surveillance program, made by Gaggle. As district officials dismissed the students’ concerns, they gathered evidence that Gaggle was failing in its core mission to protect students while violating their privacy and free speech rights. And the four seniors who led the charge — Morgan Salisbury, Maya Smith, Jack Tell and Natasha Torkzaban — refused to be quiet about it. “I think all four of us are unapologetically loud when it comes to situations like this,” Torkzaban said.

A cartoon by Clay Bennett. Campaign Action

Shefali Luthra, The 19th This story was originally published by The 19th. Health care providers aren’t allowed to tell law enforcement about a patient’s abortion if they received the procedure in a state where it is legal, it is protected by federal law, or it is permitted by state law, the Biden administration said Monday. The new rule is based on the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. It could shield patients’ medical information if they live in a state with an abortion ban and travel elsewhere to seek care. Those are details that could show up in their health records if they seek subsequent medical care in their home state. But it’s unclear whether it will protect medical data for people who self-manage their abortions by receiving medication in the mail, often from a prescribing physician in a state with laws protecting reproductive rights.

Few issues have vexed the Biden administration like student loan forgiveness. Given that more than 40 million Americans owe money on their student loans, for a total of $1.6 trillion, few issues have such a large impact on so many. Democrats and progressives have long prioritized this matter, and President Joe Biden promised to fight for significant debt relief before taking office. Even though his ambitious proposal to use his executive authority to forgive $400 billion in student loan debt was ultimately blocked by the Supreme Court, this White House has nontheless made significant progress with targeted relief, and has taken another shot at an across-the-board relief proposal. Nevertheless, many middle- and lower-income borrowers in particular continue to suffer under the burden of student debt, ensuring that this issue will remain front of mind for voters come November. RELATED STORY: Biden administration announces new round of student loan cancellation

As Duke Ellington wrote in his memoir, published the year before he died: “What is music to you? What would you be without music? Music is everything.” I read his words and wonder: What would music be without Ellington’s gifts to us all? This story wraps up our 2024 Jazz Appreciation Month series, which we kicked off with a tribute to The Duke. We’ll finish the month similarly—April 29 is Ellington’s 125th birthday! Over the years, I’ve written several stories that feature and celebrate Ellington, and each one reminds me that no single story can even begin to scratch the surface of his massive musical impact—including this one. And so I especially look forward to your comments and contributions this week.  Let’s get this party going! ”Black Music Sunday” is a weekly series highlighting all things Black music, with over 200 stories covering performers, genres, history, and more, each featuring its own vibrant soundtrack. I hope you’ll find some familiar tunes and perhaps an introduction to something new.