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Texas Schools Embrace Major Overhaul for 2025-26: Cell Phone Bans, Religious Displays, and Historic Teacher Pay Raises

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Longview, Texas — As the 2025-26 school year commences, educators in Longview and across Texas are adjusting to significant changes that include teacher pay raises, cell phone restrictions, and new legislation regarding prayer and religious displays in schools. A recent state law prohibits students from using cell phones during school hours, prompting districts in Longview, Pine Tree, and Spring Hill to enforce policies that require students to store their devices in backpacks from the beginning of the school day. Representative Caroline Fairly, who authored House Bill 1481, aimed to create a distraction-free environment for students. … Read more

Texas Enforces New Law Banning Student Cell Phone Use on School Grounds During Day

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LAREDO, Texas — A new law in Texas has changed the rules regarding student use of personal communication devices on school grounds, affecting parents and students across the state. House Bill 1481 mandates that students must refrain from using cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and similar devices during school hours. According to the new legislation, the use of personal electronic devices on school property during the educational day is strictly prohibited. However, electronic devices supplied by school districts themselves are exempt from this regulation, allowing educators to utilize technology effectively in their teaching methods. As a … Read more

Kentucky’s New Laws: Sextortion Declared a Felony, Classroom Cell Phone Ban, and Major Changes to University Policies

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — New laws enacted by the Kentucky State legislature officially took effect on Friday, marking a significant shift in various areas of public policy including education, crime, and university operations. Among the most notable measures is Senate Bill 73, which categorizes sextortion as a felony in Kentucky. This law aims to facilitate legal action against offenders and enhance educational initiatives regarding the crime. Sextortion involves the coercion of a victim through threats of releasing sexually explicit material, often demanding money or sexual favors in exchange for silence. This legislative change aligns Kentucky with … Read more

Driver Found Guilty of Homicide After Fatal Highway Collision: Cell Phone Use Under Scrutiny

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A Marshalltown, Iowa, jury has found Morgan Weigelt guilty of homicide by vehicle due to reckless driving following a fatal accident that occurred in May 2023. The jury’s decision was reached on Friday, and sentencing is set for July 14. Weigelt, 24, faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of $13,660. The incident, which took place on May 20, involved Weigelt’s vehicle colliding with a tractor operated by 86-year-old Clarence Borton on Highway 330. Investigators detailed that Weigelt was allegedly using her cell phone to search for car parts … Read more